Reveals and Partings

Grandpa and Doc lowered their heads to let their humans off. Littlefoot ran to his grandfather, and the two nuzzled. Aylene raced to meet her brother and grandmother. The three humans hugged each other tightly as Doc looked on with a warm smile.

"Thanks, guys," Aylene said, catching her breath. "You came just in time."

"I'm glad," Elaine replied, pushing some of Aylene's hair behind her ear. "Well, Doc and I always had a habit of showing up at the right time."

"We're still just lucky, I guess," Doc added, winking.

Aylene and Derek snickered while Elaine grinned. Derek then handed Aylene her Time Stone and Fierce Loyalty.

"Here, Sis," he said. "You can have these back."

Aylene took back the sword and put it in its sheath. She then put the Time Stone back around her neck, feeling a sense of comfort.

Littlefoot came up beside her, and Grandpa Longneck raised his head.

"Come," he said, "we need to check on Mr. Threehorn."

Aylene blinked. "Topps?"

Derek perked up. "Oh, right! He and the rest of the Gang came with us. But Cera and the others got caught under some rubble during an earthquake."

"What?!" Littlefoot and Aylene exclaimed.

"They're alright," Elaine added. "They just got stuck. Topps is working to get them out. He might be done by now."

Aylene jumped on Littlefoot's back. "Let's go! We got to make sure!"

"We'll go on ahead," Littlefoot said.

Grandpa Longneck nodded. "Alright, just be careful."

With that, Littlefoot raced down through the canyon with Aylene holding on. The news that their friends had been buried sparked concern in both of them. Even if Elaine said they were fine, they had to see it for themselves.

Pretty soon, they saw a gray dot up in the distance. As they got closer, the larger and more detailed it became. There was no mistaking it. It was Topps alright.

Finally, they reached the Triceratops.

"Mr. Threehorn!" Littlefoot called out.

Topps shoved a boulder aside before looking back. Out of the opening he had made came Dinah and Dana. Then – to the insane relief of Littlefoot and Aylene – Cera, Ducky, Petrie, and Spike followed.

"Oh, thank goodness!" Aylene exhaled, her nerves relaxing.

Littlefoot slid to a stop and Aylene dismounted. The rest of the Gang hurried over to them. They gathered together in a group hug, laughing with joy.

Topps came up beside them. "So, you both made it back alive. Somehow, I'm not surprised."

"We wouldn't have if it wasn't for Littlefoot's grandfather and the rest," Aylene replied. "And thanks for coming to help us, Topps."

"Hmph," replied Topps with a smirk.

"We were so worried about you," said Ducky. "We were. We were."

"Why you not tell us where you were going?" Petrie asked, looking at Littlefoot and Aylene with disappointment.

"We're sorry, Petrie," said Littlefoot. "But there wasn't time. We had to stop the bad luck."

"More that we had to stop that large Time Stone," Aylene corrected.

"Time Stone?" Cera questioned. "What are you – augh!"

The Triceratop's sudden outburst made everyone alert, especially her father. Cera grimaced and looked at her back leg.

There was a large bruise above her ankle.

"Cera, you're hurt!" Ducky cried.

"I-It's not that bad," Cera said through gritted teeth. "A boulder hit my leg when I saved the twins. It's not broken."

"Broken or not, you're still hurt," Topps said, his concern was obvious. "We should head back to the Valley."

"Wait," Littlefoot piped up. "Aylene, show them what your Stone can do now."

Aylene stared at Littlefoot. Then, remembering the Stone's new power, she smiled and nodded. Turning towards Cera, she clasped the Stone in her hand. Soon, it grew warm and her palm began to glow.

"Aylene, what are you doing?" Cera said warily.

"Just hold still," Aylene instructed.

She let go of the Stone and placed her hand on Cera's leg, right over the bruise. As the light on her palm grew dimmer, the bruise grew smaller. Aylene removed her hand, and the wound healed completely. Cera placed her foot down, staring in shock.

"How did you…" she said, her surprised voice trailing off.

"We'll tell you on the way," Aylene said. "C'mon, there's something you guys should see."

"Oh, no," said Topps, forceful. "We've had enough bad luck for one day. Besides, it's getting late."

"Please, Mr. Threehorn," Littlefoot pleaded. "The biters are gone. You have to see this."

Topps glanced at Littlefoot then to Cera. She looked up at him with big eyes.

"Please, Daddy," she said.

As Topps opened his mouth to protest, Dinah and Dana came up beside Cera, perfectly imitating her expression.

"Pretty please," they said.

Topps grimaced and let out a small groan. Aylene covered her mouth with her hand to hide her grin and glanced at Littlefoot, who was struggling to keep a straight face. They could see what was going on. Cera was hard enough for Topps to say "no" to, but the twins tag-team now made it impossible.

Also, there was a slight hint that Topps was just a little bit curious himself, despite his better judgement. And the young ones were not making it any better.

Finally, he sighed. "Fine, let's get going."

Aylene jumped up with excitement. "Great! The others are waiting for us! C'mon!"


After meeting up with Grandpa Longneck, Doc, Elaine, and Derek, the group made their way back through the canyon and up to the ridge. During their journey, Littlefoot and Aylene told them about how the Time Stone guided them to Saurus Rock, how they used it to stop a much larger Stone that was causing all of the natural disasters, and how it got it's healing powers soon after.

It was dusk when they made it back to Saurus Rock.

"So," said Topps, looking at the blue stone in the center, "this was the cause of our problems."

"Yeah," Littlefoot said. "But we managed to stop it."

"Yes, but you should've talked to us," Grandpa Longneck said. "You could've gotten hurt."

"Or eaten," Derek pointed out sternly. "Seriously, Sis, you can be such an idiot."

"Hey!" Aylene snapped.

"He has a point, Aylene," Elaine said.

"Huh?!"

"Not the idiot part," her grandmother clarified. "The being eaten. I know you two are capable of taking care of yourselves, but you need to remember that you're not invincible. Those biters almost had you, even with Fierce Loyalty's power."

"You got that right," Cera spoke up. "What was the big idea of leaving us behind? You know we're stronger as a herd."

"I told you, we didn't have time!" Littlefoot argued. "The disasters were getting worse! Besides, you didn't even rescue us!"

"We would've if we hadn't gotten stuck under a bunch of rocks!" Cera shot back.

"Guys, stop it!" Derek spoke up loudly. "What's important is that everyone is fine!"

"You're right, Derek," said Grandpa Longneck calmly. "Besides, I know any of us would've done the same thing. It is what it is, and we can't change it. What matters is that we're all safe and sound, and the disasters have been stopped."

Cera frowned, still feeling a slight sting in her pride. Still, she exhaled and stood down.

"You're right," she grumbled. "I just don't like being left out. You had us really worried, you know."

"I know," Aylene said, looking down at her feet. "I'm sorry."

"I'm sure you both had your reasons," Ducky said quickly. "We just don't like being left out."

"Ducky right," replied Petrie. "We rather be worried with you than about you."

Spike moaned and nodded in agreement.

Aylene couldn't help but grin. If the Gang was trying to make her and Littlefoot feel guilty, they weren't doing a very good job. They were only affirming their loyalty as friends.

"Just don't make a habit of it," Topps said gruffly. "Because we will find out eventually."

"Got it, Mr. Threehorn," Littlefoot mumbled.

"Doc, what's wrong?" Elaine said.

Aylene blinked and looked up at Doc. The old long-neck was staring at the Stone in Saurus Rock. The look on his face changed from suspicious to realization.

"That color," he said. "It's the same."

"Same as what?" Derek asked.

"The flying rock I saw the night Elaine left," Doc replied. "Shortly after we stopped Sharptooth."

"Wait, after Sharptooth's defeat?" Grandpa Longneck questioned. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Because legend has it that Saurus Rock appeared after Sharptooth's defeat, a shining rock fell from the sky and Saurus Rock rose up from the place it struck."

"C'mon, Longneck," Topps grunted. "That's just a bedtime story."

Derek pointed to Saurus Rock. "Then how do you explain that? I know you're a skeptic, Topps, but even you can't deny it's too much of a coincidence. And Aylene's Time Stone stopping it is proof the two are connected. I wouldn't be surprise if this was the reason Grandma couldn't return to this world."

"What are you saying, Bro?" Aylene asked.

"Think about it," Derek went on. "Grandma goes home, Doc sees a meteorite that is the same color as that one, and Saurus Rock appears from the place it struck. And if there's one thing this world has taught me, it's that anything is possible."

"I don't know, Derek," said Cera. "That sounds like a bit of a stretch."

"It would make a lot of sense though," said Aylene softly.

"But why would it stop the Time Stone from working?" Littlefoot asked.

Doc let out a sigh. "Not that it matters.

"What do you mean?" said Littlefoot, confused.

"Even if that Stone kept Elaine and I apart," he said, "it didn't keep us apart forever. And even if it caused all this strife for the Valley, you and Aylene had the will to try and stop it."

Doc gave Littlefoot a proud grin.

Littlefoot smiled in return. "Just looking out for our home."

Doc nodded and lowered his head to Elaine.

"Well," he said, "it's time I was going, Elaine."

"You're leaving?" Aylene asked, surprised.

"You know you don't have to," Topps said. "If this is about the bad luck, we can tell the Valley it's over."

Doc shook his head. "The herd life's not for me. Too much talkin'."

"But – " Littlefoot started.

"It's alright, Littlefoot," Elaine said. "Doc has never been one to stay in one place for long. And I need to return to my world as well." She cast her gaze down, fighting back the tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. "Still, I am going to miss you, my friend."

"As will I," said Doc. "But I'm glad to know that you're alive and well." He looked at Aylene and Derek. "And I'm honored to have met your grandchildren."

The two siblings stepped forward and hugged the long-neck's snout. He returned the gesture with a nuzzle to both.

"We're honored to have met you, too," Derek said.

"And thanks for taking care of Grandma all those years ago," Aylene added. "I hope you have a safe journey. Maybe we'll meet again some day."

"Perhaps," said Doc. "Life's trail is unpredictable. You never know where it will take you."

Doc turned back to Elaine. With tears in her eyes, she stepped forward and hugged her friend.

"Never stop walking," she said, a tear sliding down her cheek. "And remember that there will always be a path back home."

"I will."

The two stood where they were, wanting to make every final second count.

Out of the corner of her eye, Aylene saw Littlefoot come up beside her. She glanced at him before moving closer and placing a hand on his back. The thought of having to say good-bye to him, her best friend, tugged at her heart. It was painful the first time. But to do it again would hurt even more.

However, watching her grandmother, she began to see that it was better than not being able to say good-bye at all. Leaving things unsaid, not able to wish each other well, and not knowing if your friend was alive or not; the pain was too much to think about.

She couldn't begin to imagine the pain her grandmother felt this whole time.

Yet, as sad as it was, there was something comforting seeing these two friends get a second chance. What's more, there was a chance they could meet again.

Finally, Doc and Elaine pulled away and looked at each other with sad yet satisfied smiles. Doc then raised his head and nodded to the rest. Grandpa Longneck and Topps responded in kind.

"Well, be seeing you all," Doc said. "Take care of yourselves."

"Okay, Doc," Littlefoot replied. "And thanks."

With that, Doc turned and walked away.

"Bye, Doc!" Ducky called, waving farewell.

"Come back soon!" Petrie added.

"Bye-bye!" Dinah and Dana said in unison.

Aylene turned to her grandmother. Elaine stood tall, watching her friend depart with a solemn face. She walked over to her and placed a caring hand on her shoulder. Elaine looked at her with love and hugged her.

"We'll see him again," Aylene said. "I know it."

"I hope so," Elaine replied.

Soon, Doc disappeared over the hill, and Elaine hugged Aylene tighter. Derek approached and put his arm around the both of them. Elaine smiled gratefully at him, and Aylene winked.

Doc was gone, but she had a new hope they would meet again. Even more, she still had her grandchildren, and they had given her this new hope.

After a moment of silence, Topps let out a deep breath.

"It's getting late," he said. "We should head home. The twins' parents must be wondering where they are by now."

"Agreed," said Grandpa Longneck. "Let's go."

With heavy but hopeful hearts, the herd silently made their way back to the Great Valley. The day was coming to an end, and their quest was over. Nothing more to do but return home.