Hi-ho couch potatoes! I'm interrupting your general merriment and other activities to bring you my very special new update of this fic (that line was taken from the Joker in the Batman animated series haha). I'm sorry it took so long. I've been swamped with work lately and haven't found the time to write all that much. But I finally finished doing edits, (with assistance from the Rhombus of course) and this latest chapter is up and running.
So without further ado I present to you the next chapter. Enjoy! And as always, remember to review!
Chapter 8. An Unexpected Council
"So in conclusion, you will be just fine. The plate growth will be uncomfortable in its initial stages. But as you mature, the pain should subside."
This statement made Ducky very happy. Spike was not in any danger or under some strange disease.
This did little to assuage Spike however, and the spiketail moaned with discomfort, sighing heavily.
"Do not worry Spike, I am here. It will be alright."
She started to rub his back, in an attempt to soothe him. The young stegosaurus visibly relaxed at her presence. He felt extremely fortunate to have a sister like Ducky. She always knew how to make him feel better.
"As for your horns Cera, they will continue to grow until you reach adulthood. They will also grow stronger in their density. A few more years, and it will be unwise for any sharptooth to try and attack you."
Cera beamed with pride at this, holding her head very high.
Great, that ought to kick up her ego a few notches, Littlefoot laughed internally.
Mr. Thicknose turned his attention towards Littlefoot.
"Littlefoot, you are already larger than most dinosaurs already, yet you have only reached about half your full size. Seeing as you are among the biggest creatures in the Great Valley, you must be aware of your weight. As you reach adulthood, you will need to keep at least three feet on the ground at all times or else you will lose your balance."
At this, Cera gave him a knowing smirk.
"Something you'd like to say?"
"Oh no, this situation speaks for itself," she replied while giving him a rather cute wink.
This caused Littlefoot to go quite red, which did not go unnoticed by Mr. Thicknose. He gave them a curious look but continued with his lesson.
"Moving on. For you Petri…drink lots of water."
The flyer, who was resting on a branch deflated at this news (Cera snorted).
"What? You mean there no cure for this?"
"The Great Change is completely unpredictable. There is no way to control your voice cracks. You must have patience and wait for your vocal cords to mature."
Petri just heaved a heavy sigh.
"That reassuring," he said sadly.
Just then, a loud bellowing echoed across the valley. It repeated twice more before everything fell silent to the buzzers once more.
"It appears a council is being called," observed Mr. Thicknose.
"That's weird. I don't remember one planned for today," said Littlefoot. "Anyone know what it's about?"
"I do not know, I do not," said Ducky.
"Well, we should find out. They'll probably want us there anyway," Cera said getting up from her spot on the ground. "Besides, one of those calls was my dad. He didn't sound very happy."
"Yeah but your dad never happy," quipped Petri.
They all began walking towards the meeting site, when something occurred to Littlefoot. He had a question he'd had for Mr. Thicknose in private, but he hadn't found the proper moment to ask.
Now's as good a time as any
"Hey guys, you go on ahead. I need to ask Mr. Thicknose something real quick. I'll catch up with you."
His friends looked at each other and shrugged.
"Okay, we'll see you there."
And they turned and walked out of sight.
The old pachyrhinosaurus looked at his student appraisingly. Littlefoot was never one to hold back a question, no matter how difficult or complicated it might be. The fact that he wanted to speak alone was curious.
"Littlefoot, what is it you want to know that you couldn't ask in front of the others?"
The teenage Apatosaurus knew he needed to tread careful with what he was about to ask. It had to sound innocent enough so it didn't arouse too much suspicion. There was no telling what kind of response he would receive.
"Mr. Thicknose…is it possible for two dinosaurs of different species to be mates?"
His teacher was so taken aback by the question he initially couldn't come up with a response.
"Goodness me, in all my years I've never heard such a question. What sparked your interest in this?"
Littlefoot swallowed. He felt more nervous than he thought he should be, but it was crucial he get an answer.
"Well…I uh was just thinking. After I saw the club tails that day in the forest, it got me wondering. We have longnecks, threehorns, swimmers, flyers, spiketails, and all sorts in the great circle of life. Couldn't different species end up falling in love?"
Mr. Thicknose may be old but he was no fool. He could recognize a budding relationship when he saw one. That Cera and Littlefoot were growing closer with one another was not a coincidence to him. Therefore, he could not hold withhold anything from the longneck or give him any false expectations.
"I won't say it hasn't happened before, but in all my experiences and observations I've never seen any dinosaur mate outside of their own kind. There are rules regarding courtship and mating among the various herds, some that are not easily broken. I'll be honest with you my boy, such relationships, if they were to occur, would probably not be welcomed."
Littlefoot nodded in understanding. He hadn't expected a favorable answer in the first place, but also he felt undeterred by this new information. Not unafraid, but not intimidated either.
"Thanks Mr. Thicknose, just a hypothetical question is all. We should probably head over to the meeting."
But his mentor had one more thing to add.
"Littlefoot, I hope you know I hold no prejudice against the idea of being with whoever you want to. But promise me you will tread cautiously. The dinosaur world can be a very unforgiving place."
It didn't take a genius to know what Mr. Thicknose was trying to tell him. Littlefoot understood that he needed to be careful with his feelings around Cera. But at the same time, it didn't change what he felt within. He wouldn't shy away from anything just because the Valley might not be warm to the idea. If they could accept a sharptooth living in their midst, they could certainly accept a longneck and a threehorn together. He just needed to find out specifically, if she felt the same way.
"I promise," he said truthfully.
"There's a good lad," said Mr. Thicknose warmly. "Now let's get to that council. What it's about I have no idea. But I suspect that Mr. Threehorn will be more than willing to tell us."
The members of the Great Valley gathered around the meeting site in a vague semi-circle, with the leaders of the various herds at the front: Grandma and Grandpa Longneck, Topps, Kosh the Clubtail, Petri's mother, Violet, and Ducky's mother, Susa. Littlefoot took his place among his friends.
And at the center of the semi-circle stood a familiar face, Pterano, which of course excited Petri.
"Uncle Pterano!" he squawked, giving his uncle a giant hug. "Me so happy to see you!"
"My dear child, it is good to see you too. You've grown quite a bit since the last time I saw you…what happened to your voice?"
"Enough with the sentiments. Let's get this over with so I don't have to put up with you any longer than I have to," Topps growled.
It was no secret that the Threehorn patriarch hated Pterano and had been one of the most vocal about permanently banishing him from the Great Valley. But after the 5 cold times of his sentence had passed, he was allowed back into the valley on the condition he would serve as a part time scout to watch over movements in the Mysterious Beyond to ensure no further predators managed to get inside. To Pterano, it was a small price to pay in order to rejoin his family.
"Tut-tut, Threehorn. Once again you show all the tact and grace of an erupting volcano," said Pterano irritably.
Not entirely inaccurate, thought Littlefoot silently.
Topps did not look pleased at this remark, but managed to refrain from goring the large flyer.
"Watch yourself Pterano."
"Easy old fellow," cut in Grandpa Longneck trying to ease the tension. "It's important that the valley know about this latest development. Pterano, please tell everyone what you just told us."
Cera frowned and nudged Littlefoot, Spike, and Ducky.
"What does that old liar have to say that could possibly be that important?"
Littlefoot did not answer, he actually was interested what the adults had learned that constituted a meaning such as this.
"Very well," said Pterano with the same lofty tone he always used when addressing others. "As you all know, I scour the Mysterious Beyond and the territories surrounding the valley to track movements of predators and the security of our walls. However, on my weekly journey into the Beyond I discovered a curious sight. There are several groups of longnecks, threehorns, and others headed towards the valley as we speak and will be arriving within two days' time."
There was murmuring in the crowd at this, the reaction somewhat mixed.
"Littlefoot," his grandma spoke to him now. "This news concerns you as well. In fact, I think you'll be quite pleased."
Littlefoot stepped towards the front of the circle, puzzled at the request of his presence.
"What do you mean?"
"Your father is among them," his grandpa said with a smile. "He is leading his herd towards the valley."
"Wow really?!" the teenage Apatosaurus cried. He usually only saw his dad once a year. The fact that he would get to see him sooner than expected was an unexpected but pleasant surprise. Of course, not everyone saw it that way.
"Strange," stated Kosh. "We get our share of migrating herds year round but this is earlier than usual."
"It is and I don't like it," grumbled Topps. "If there are too many than there may not be enough food. And who knows what reasons drove them here in the first place."
More chatter amongst the members of the valley, only much more nervously.
"Please everyone," interjected Grandpa Longneck, ever the voice of reason. "We cannot assume that the reason for this early arrival is due to anything nefarious. And there is more than enough food for us all."
"Grandpa longneck is right," said Ducky's mother. "It is better to accommodate these travelers than turn them away. Especially Bron, whom we all respect."
"How many did you say there were Pterano?" Violet asked her brother.
"I'd say around two dozen, possibly more," he replied. "Most were Longnecks with a small minority of other species."
"Humph. We all know how much Longnecks eat," Topps scoffed.
This was vintage Mr. Threehorn, Littlefoot thought. The Triceratops patriarch did not hate other species, and he held a respect for his grandparents, but he was not without his prejudices. This didn't bode well for the future, should he discover his feelings for his daughter, whom he was very protective of. He looked over at Cera to see her reaction, but she held an unreadable expression.
"Topps, this is Littlefoot's father we are talking about here," Susa said. "Bron is someone we all respect and admire. He is more than welcome here."
"I have nothing against the young one's father," Topps countered. "But we have the Valley to consider here…"
"Did I mention that there were also several Threehorns among the herd as well?" said Pterano with a small, but knowing smirk.
"What…you're sure of this?" asked Topps, who's visible change in reaction was not lost on everyone.
"Oh yes, quite sure," Pterano said casually picking at his nails. "A family with three young males as a matter of fact. Quite large ones."
There was no denying it now, Cera's expression definitely turned sour at this latest turn in the discussion. The fact that her father seemed to take a keen interest in what Pterano was saying made it that much worse.
No doubt Mr. Threehorn is just looking to marry someone to Cera, Littlefoot thought. He felt a strong twinge of resentment at this. She deserved better than that, or at the very least, a say in who she picked as a mate.
Because you want her to pick you, his mind told him. Littlefoot did not even attempt to argue.
"Hmmm…I suppose we could talk this over tomorrow morning before they arrive. Perhaps exceptions could be made?"
"I quite agree," said Grandma Longneck though there was a tiny hint of exasperation in her voice. "Let's meet tomorrow in the morning in order to ascertain the amount of food and water available to our soon to be visitors and made a decision based off that."
There was no argument to be had there. The crowd nodded in agreement.
"Then it is decided. We shall meet back here tomorrow morning to reach a final decision," said Grandpa Longneck.
"Meeting adjourned," Topps said gruffly. "Come, Cera."
She obeyed, but Littlefoot could tell she did so reluctantly. He considered going after her but his grandparents interrupted his thought process.
"So you must be excited about your father coming so soon," his grandmother said nuzzling him.
This immediately brought excitement to the young Apatosaurus.
"Oh yeah! I can't wait! Are you sure it was him though?"
"Absolutely my boy," replied Pterano as the crowd continued to disperse. "I've met Bron on many occasions during my exile. A stronger, more generous leader could not be found."
Littlefoot swelled with pride at this. He admired his dad more than anything in the world, and to see him again would raise his spirits considerably.
"Well, in any case, thank you for your report, Pterano," Grandpa Longneck said appreciatively.
"A pleasure, good fellow. My work is never done," said the flyer loftily but graciously. "I shall be off."
And with that, he flapped his wings and flew off into the sky.
"Would you like to come to the Thundering Falls with us, Littlefoot?" his grandfather asked of him. "Nothing like a cool drink after a rather talkative meeting," he chuckled.
"Sure Grandpa," he smiled. His friends had all left with their families by now, he might as well spend some quality time with those who had raised and mentored him all his life.
As they headed towards the Falls, Littlefoot's mind wandered back towards his dad, one of the strongest, bravest Longnecks he ever knew. But then another thought occurred to him.
Grandma and Grandma are already talking about me becoming a herd leader and finding a mate. Will my dad be more of the same? Will he want me to replace him someday and leave the Great Valley? What will he think of…
Cera. His mind always seemed to find its way back towards her these days. And that could cause a whole other set of problems. His dad's impending arrival brought joy, but also an inkling of dread. One father was already driven to betroth his daughter needlessly, Littlefoot could only hope Bron was not in the same category. He did not know him to be prejudiced, however, Mr. Thicknose's words echoed in his head.
The dinosaur world can be a very unforgiving place.
"And damn near unfair," Littlefoot muttered to himself quietly, green eyes and an orange frill tempting his heart all the way to the Falls.
Well now, it just keeps getting more interesting doesn't it? Stay tuned for more! Next update won't be as long as the last one.
Rock on!
~Punkrocka23