The barren wasteland Littlefoot once called home looked as depressing as the Mysterious Beyond. Littlefooot took a few steps forward. Ali followed him. He looked around in disbelief.
"The valley. It's all gone."
"Where do we go now?" asked one of the longnecks.
"Relax for now," said Littlefoot. "I'm going to check around."
Ali and Littlefoot left the herd. They walked around to see what might have caused it. Littlefoot walked up to the dried riverbank and traced it up to the waterfall. He followed the dry canal high into the mountains and finally stopped. The canal continued going into the Mysterious Beyond. Something outside must have caused the river to dry up. Ali looked up at Littlefoot.
"The water stopped," he said. "It must have killed the trees and plants here."
"The others then probably left to find food and water."
"Too bad they didn't leave a trail," sighed Littlefoot. "The night sky is coming, so I guess we'll stay here tonight. Tomorrow, we leave."
The sun rose high above them as they marched onward in search for water. The longnecks grew weak, but Littlefoot encouraged them to press on. Only with hope they would find a place to eat and drink.
"Littlefoot," said a grayish longneck, "the old ones are having some trouble keeping up. If we don't find any water soon, our herd will lose some numbers."
"I'm aware of that, Tyson."
Littlefoot sniffed the air. He suddenly stopped. The others stopped, hoping what he found would benefit them. Ali looked at Littlefoot. He looked towards the sandy hill and climbed over it. His eyes feasted on the landscape he saw. The others climbed the hill and were astonished what they saw. The sun reflected off the canal beautifully as the canal gave the land life. Littlefoot smiled.
"Welcome home."
The longnecks ran down to the canal to drink the crystal clear water while Ali and Littlefoot watched them. He faced Ali and accompanied her down to the water. She was the first out of the two to take a drink. He looked around and took a drink.
"What are you doing, Longneck?"
Littlefoot recognized the voice and looked at the gray triceratops. Next to him was a grown yellow triceratops with green eyes.
"We're a migrating herd in search-"
"Take your herd and leave! Longnecks are not welcomed in this valley."
"We have much right to be here as you do," said Liittlefoot. "There's plenty of green food to go around."
"Beat it," said the yellow triceratops. "As my dad said, no longnecks are allowed."
"It's you," said Littlefoot.
The yellow triceratops looked at Littlefoot curiously.
"Cera," Littlefoot continued, "and you're Topsy, er, I mean Mr. Threehorn."
"How do you know my name?"
"Mr. Threehorn, if I explain, would you be willing to let my herd sleep here tonight?"
"Are you kidding-"
"Dad."
Mr. Threehorn looked at his daughter's pleading eyes. He then looked at Littlefoot.
"Fine, but only for tonight. You now owe me an explanation on who you are."
"Well, you see. It's been a long time since I left the Great Valley. You remembered a longneck with Grandpa Longneck and Grandma Longneck?"
Both of their eyes widened.
"Littlefoot?"
He nodded.
"It can't be," said Cera.
Ali walked over to see what the commotion was about.
"What's going on, Littlefoot?"
"Ali?" wondered Cera.
Ali looked at Cera and smiled.
"Cera! It's good to see you."
"Then it is true," said Cera. "You're Littlefoot."
"Mr. Threehorn, tell me what happened to the Great Valley."
A year after Littlefoot left, a massive earthquake occurred. The termers were felt by the citizens of the Great Valley, but no damage was seen. After the termers, the waterfall dried up. Confused on what to do, the dinosaurs left the valley. They knew it was a matter of time before the Great Valley's plants would die.
After a few days of scavenging for water, Mr. Threehorn blamed everyone else for the water drainage in the Great Valley. He challenged every herd until all got frustrated with each other. The adults agreed that every herd was on its own and parted ways.
After a day of walking, Cera, Tricia, Topsy, and Trina met a group of lost threehorns. Topsy took over and lead the herd. Soon, he discovered this home. He only allowed threehorns to stay while shunning everyone else.
"Some story," said Ali.
"I know. It seems Mr. Threehorn was the one who caused everyone to go their own way."
"Cera's father seemed uneasy to welcome us, but he seemed shock to see you."
Littlefoot sighed.
"I need to put everyone back together. If water flows in the Great Valley again, it will be back to normal."
"But it's not your responsibility," said Ali.
"I know, but if my grandparents were here, they would try to keep the herd together. I feel I must do the same. It'll make my grandparents proud."
"But do you know where the earthquake started?"
Littlefoot swayed his head from side to side, thinking. He stopped when he found an answer.
"No, but if I follow the river's path, I'll eventually find the reason why it stopped."
Ali looked at his eyes and saw the determination. She knew he would have to leave the herd. She looked down at the ground and then looked up at him.
"You can't do it by yourself. I'm going with you."
"No. It's too dangerous. If anything happens to you, then I don't know what I'll do."
She thought about it and found a counter argument.
"Well, if I'm with you, you can always make sure I'm safe."
Stunned, Littlefoot thought what she just said. It was true and made a lot of sense. Now, he regretted telling her his concern about her safety.
"Well?" she inquired with a smile.
Littlefoot and she knew she won the argument. Littlefoot looked at her.
"Fine. We leave tomorrow morning."
"Tyson, I want you to lead the herd as I take my leave. I need to fix something."
"But Littlefoot, it's unethical for the leader to leave the herd."
"Tyson, that's why in my absence, I grant you full leadership. You had served as my second-in-command for the past while now. You know what makes a leader a leader. I'm sure you will do fine. Just follow your heart, and it will guide you to a happier place. For my last instructions to you, wait until you see the bright circle rise from the horizon fifteen times. Then, make your way to the Great Valley. Ali and I will be there."
Tyson nodded.
"We will miss you. Take care and come back safely."
"You too, Tyson."
Littlefoot and Ali left the herd. Littlefoot knew that his herd will be alright under Tyson. Ever since he took over for the Old One, he made Tyson his second-in-command. He told him that if he was ever to leave, Tyson would take over. Littlefoot had seen. The young longneck grew into a clever leader. The herd was in good hands.
Littlefoot and Ali were a mile away from the valley of the triceratops until they heard something running towards them. They both looked behind them and noticed a triceratops running towards them. The two longnecks smiled as their old friend confronted them.
"You guys aren't leaving without me. Knowing you two, you'll get lost."
"Nice to see your pride hasn't gone away, Cera," said Littlefoot.
"Now, c'mon. The Great Valley is a day in that direction. I'll lead you there."
"Lead the way," said Littlefoot, amusing Cera.
As Cera marched in front of them, Littlefoot chuckled to himself.
The three friends made it back to the Great Valley by nightfall. Littlefoot was too concern to travel at night so they slept near the outskirts of the Great Valley next to the dry canal. Cera slept peacefully and a few feet away from the longnecks to give them some privacy.
"Littlefoot, you should get some rest," said Ali.
He head was on Littlefoot's back.
"I know, but I've been thinking."
"You need to give that head of yours a rest from thinking."
Littlefoot smiled and faced Ali.
"It's just that I'm wondering where the others went."
"I'm sure there fine. You know them. Look at Cera. She came out fine."
"I guess."
"Once we find the problem, everything will be right. Now, get some shuteye. You need your rest. I know you haven't been sleeping well for the past few nights. I want you to sleep well tonight."
Littlefoot nodded and rubbed Ali's cheek. She was fully content and drifted to sleep. Littlefoot laid his head on the cool ground. Probably Ali was right. If he fixed the problem, he would see all of his childhood friends again. He closed his eyes to get some well-deserved rest.
Littlefoot, Ali, and Cera walked down the river's path. It was the only trail to find the truth on what happened to the water. The hot sun glared down at them, not wanting them to find the answer. Still, Littlefoot and the others kept going. He would die trying to restore the Great Valley back to normal.
"Littlefoot," called Cera. "Did you go in search for your dad?"
"Yep."
"Did you ever find him?"
"Yeah. It took a long time, but I found him."
"But then why did you stay in Ali's herd after you found your dad?"
"The Old One died and entrusted me in protecting and guiding the herd. When I did find my dad, I told him what happened and that I needed to stay with him. He told me that I needed to protect my herd and that I had grown old enough to not rely on a parent."
"So basically your father told you were a leader and should act like one," she said, not thinking about it.
Littefoot stopped and faced Cera with irritation in his eyes.
"My father never scolded at me when I found him."
"I never say that."
"But you implied it."
"I did? I didn't mean to."
Littlefoot grunted in frustration, "I'm going up ahead to check the area."
As Littlefoot left, Cera looked at Ali.
"I forgot what I truly said. I know it was about his father telling him he was a leader and should act like one."
"It was the way you said it. It's like your dad telling you to act like an adult when you just want to have fun."
"Then I guess I should apologize. Let's catch up to him."
They entered the woods that Littlefoot went into to. The trees had begun to wither, but they weren't dead yet. Some still had leaves that changed yellow. This meant that water was rare here.
The saw Littlefoot in the middle of the forest, looking at the canal. He pressed his foot down on the canal's surface and felt some moisture. He sensed his friends coming and looked up. Cera looked at him.
"Littlefoot, I'm sorry if what I said earlier offended you."
"It's okay, Cera. You didn't really mean it. Look, I found some dirt that is still wet. We're close on finding the problem."
"Littlefoot, I don't think that is drinking water. It smells funny."
Littlefoot sniffed the air and quickly got his foot off of the moisture.
"Gross. Sharptooth water."
Cera and Ali began to laugh hysterically. Littlefoot didn't find it funny, but he soon process what he said.
"Wait. That means a sharptooth is close. We better get moving."
He continued to follow the canal. Ali and Cera laughed silently, remembering the funny face he made.
"Oh, c'mon."
Irritated, Littlefoot continued to walk. Not seeing where he was going, he bonked into a tree. Ali and Cera laughed at his clumsiness. He was about to say something when a brownish Pteranodon landed on his head. The last time Littlefoot had seen this dinosaur, it was a baby. Now it had grown to full size.
"What you doing here? This place's not safe."
"We're trying to find why the river stopped flowing," explained Littlefoot.
"You wasting your time. A big rock blocks water."
"Can you take us there?"
"Why do you want to go there, Longneck? Nothing but swimmers and a spiketail."
"Just take us there, Petrie."
The flyer glided down from Littlefoot's head.
"How you know my name?"
"Petrie, after a while, you've forgotten about me? About all of us?"
Petrie saw the triceratops and the other longneck. Petrie looked up at the longneck who was talking to him. He squinted his eyes and opened them in shock.
"Littlefoot, is that you?"
Littlefoot nodded. Petrie was relieved to see his old friend and hugged his leg.
"I thought you dead."
"Geez, thanks. I took your advice on finding my dad."
"Advice? I just reminded you have a dad. I never say find him."
"Oh, well, that's why I left the Great Valley. I heard what happened from Cera's dad. I'm here to fix it and restore the Great Valley back to normal. You said you know what caused the river to dry here. Can you take us there?"
Thrilled that he was the leader, he nodded.
"We better hurry. Sharptooth not far from here."
Night had approached them. They were at a base of small valley when Petire said it was in there. Littlefoot knew the others were exhausted from walking and decided to rest for the night. Besides, walking in the dark was dangerous in a small herd.
"Petrie, could you explain why you were alone?" asked Littlefoot.
"My family and I separated to find new land. We have no luck finding home, so we decided to split up and met tomorrow at the Great Valley. I was trying to find home and was sleeping when you hit the tree with your face."
"Oh. So, you'll meet your family tomorrow?"
Petrie nodded,
"Then tell them the water will return."
"No worry. I tell them you alive."
Petrie yawned.
"Time for sleep. Busy day tomorrow."
"Goodnight, Petrie."
"Night, Littlefoor."
Petrie flew over to the sleeping Cera and slept nect to her. Littlefoot walked to Ali and rested next to her. He didn't go to sleep. He just laid there, pretending to get some rest. He just didn't want to upset Ali.
He couldn't sleep. This afternoon showed proof that a sharptooth was in the area. He had to be careful. He couldn't risk losing one of his friends, especially Ali.
Littlefoot lifted his head and looked around. He felt some vibrations through the ground as if something was approaching them. the vibrations stopped.
Littlefoot got up and left his friends to see what it was. He walked around the area, close to his friends. He looked through the woods and saw a massive figure of a two-footer. Littlefoot followed it.
Soon, he lost track of the figure. He believed the woods were playing tricks on him. He turned around and started to walk back when something ran out of the shadows and rammed him down. Littlefoot looked up and saw a ferocious sharp-tooth.
As it lunged in to bit Littlefoot, Littlefoot used his tail and whipped the the eye. As the sharp-tooth roared in pain, Littlefoot got up and head-butted the tyrannosaurs. The beast was pushed back, but it didn't fall.
The sharp-tooth roared and lunged at Littlefoot's neck. Littlefoot barely dodged it, but the claws grazed his neck, leaving a claw mark above the marks he had. Littlefoot used his cranium and rammed the sharp-tooth against a tall tree. The force caused the tree to fall on top of the sharp-tooth. It hit the head of the sharp-tooth. It quickly recovered and got up. As it rose to its feet, Littlefoot managed to wrap his tail around its neck. He let the sharp-tooth suffocate as he got a claw mark on his tail. He threw the dead sharp-tooth against a tree and walked back to his group in pain.
As he walked back, Ali was making her way to him. She had heard the commotion and noticed he wasn't there. Worried, she ran to his side.
"Littlefoot, what happened? Are you okay?"
"Yes," he said as he felt no blood pouring from his new cuts.. "A sharp-tooth was in the area. I took care of it,"
Ali examined him, but she couldn't see the scars left by the sharp-tooth. It was too dark. She nuzzled Littlefoot and rested her head against her cheek.
"Don't scare me like that."
"I'm sorry, but at least everyone is safe."
She lifted her head up and looked at him. She smiled, and they both walked back to Petrie and Cera.
"This way," said Petrie. "We close."
The sun wasn't at its highest point in the sky, but it was close. Littlefoot and Petrie were ahead of the girls. The girls wanted some time to talk.
"Ali, what are you guys waiting for? Just take it to the next level."
"I want to, but not now. I don't want to distract him. "Besides, he's been mad at me all morning."
"Why?"
"He got injured from fighting that sharp-tooth yesterday. I didn't see the scars until the bright circle. I yelled at him for being some reckless. He should have told us. Well, anyways, he upset at how I don't consider my safety. That's all he wants, but he needs to learn that he has a team. If I was any other longneck, he would probably ask them for help."
"Probably he's afraid of losing up," commented Cera.
She looked down sadly.
"I know," she said and lifted her head, "but he should give me a chance. I want to show him I'm strong too and can protect anyone."
As the girls talked, Littlefoot and Petrie covered the same topic.
"I don't know, Petrie. Maybe I should let her fight, but I'm afraid of losing her."
"She just close to you. You don't want to lose her cause she close to you. She's your family."
"I guess, but every time I feel like I'm doing my job by protecting her, she argues with me. She's still annoyed from this morning."
"I don't know what you should do, but my suggest is to give her a chance to join you if you in danger. I think she just wants to show you she strong."
"You're right."
Petrie looked ahead and smiled.
"We here."
Littlefoot stopped and saw that massive boulders blocked the water's path. The rock dam seemed breakable, but a lot of force would be needed to break it. Cera and Ali stopped a few feet behind Littlefoot. He turned at them and then faced Petrie.
"Petrie, what's on the other side?"
"I go check."
Petrie flew up and looked over the rock dam. The canal was filled with water on the other side of the dam. Petrie smiled at the sight of water. He also saw some swimmers and a spiketail. It finally dawned on him who that spiketail was. He looked down at Littlefoot and the gang.
"Water on other side. I also think I see Spike."
"And if Spike is there, Ducky is also there," concluded Littlefoot. "Now, we just need to break this wall down."
He looked around and saw no loose rocks on the cliffs. He got on his hind legs and used the force of the weight to push down the rock wall. Ali walked up to him and helped him out by doing the same thing. With the two longnecks pushing the wall down, Cera decided to ram the wall.
With that final force, the wall of rocks collapsed. Water rushed through the open canal and flowed all the way back to the Great Valley. Littlefoot and the others cheered. The swimmers and the spiketail walked up to them.
"What was the purpose of that?" the leader swimmer inquired.
"Well, with the water not flowing through, it was killing all the plants along its path. Within time, my home and many others will have green food."
"Where are you from, Longneck?"
He looked back at his friends and then faced the elder.
"The Great Valley."
Gasps echoed across the group. Two full-grown green scaled swimmers walked up to them. Next to them was an adult spiketail.
"Did you say the Great Valley?" asked one of the swimmers. "There were only three longnecks, and two died while the other ran away."
"I came back, Ducky."
"How do you-"
"Littlefoot," said the spiketail.
"You can talk, Spike? That's good."
Ducky's mother, the darker green swimmer, gasped again.
"Littlefoot? My, look how much you've grown."
"A lot has happened to me, and if you are willing to listen, I'll tell my story."
By the end of spring, plantation had appeared in the Great Valley. It was more than Littlefoot could image and even more from his childhood. Some of the herds that were in the Great Valley returned. Some of Littlefoot's herd made it their home as the others left with Tyson. He had grown to be a great leader as Littlefoot predicted.
Over the course of that year, Littlefoot's tale was told throughout the dinosaur world by air and by land. The longnecks had made his tale into legend amongst them to show the young ones true leadership.
A few years passed after that. All of Littlefoot's friends resided in the Great Valley with their new families. The residents looked at Littlefoot and Topsy to be their leaders, though they would listen to Littlefoot more if anger wasn't involved. He just made sure nothing got to out of hand, especially with his kids. They picked up his side of wondering and adventure. He just wished they were a little more like their mother, even though she was quite the adventurer also.
"Dad," called out the oldest of the children.
"What is it, Tybalt?"
"Mom is calling you."
Littlefoot followed Tybalt to his mother. Ali had their youngest son on her back and looking angrily at him. She heard her husband coming.
"What did Len do this time?"
"I saw him climbing on the stone wall pass."
"Len."
"Sorry Dad. It's just that Gabby told me so much about it that I had to go."
Littlefoot called out her name. The female middle child appeared. Her father's face told her he needed to talk to her.
"Gabby, how many times have I told you to not tell Len where you go? You know your brother will always try to see the places for himself and will go off alone exploring."
"Sorry Dad. It's just that it's so cool."
"I know it is. When I was Tybalt's age, I used to go exploring to."
He looked at his youngest son.
"Len, you need to tell us where you're going. Your mother and I worry about you, about all of you."
"That's right," said Ali. "If something happens, we will be heartbroken. We just want your safety. Len, this is the last time you go on your own to somewhere you know you're too young to go to without your father."
"Yes, Mother."
Ali picked him up and set him next to Gabby.
"Take your brother to the shallow waterhole so he can play with the other babies."
"Wait. Who's watching him?"
"You are," said Littlefoot. "Make sure he's safe."
Gabby sighed.
"C'mon Len."
Len followed her. Littlefoot looked down at Tybalt. He looked up at his father.
"Dad, can I go play with the others?"
"Yes, but also make sure you spend time with your siblings."
"Okay."
The young longneck ran off.
"Boy, these kids give me a headache sometimes," said Littlefoot. "Now I know how my grandparents felt when I was missing."
Ali chuckled.
"Well, it's only natural to worry."
She rubbed her husband's cheek. He returned the affection.
"I love you, Ali."
"And I love you too."
The couple parted from their touching love and walked over to the trees to get some treestars for the kids when they got back.