Chapter XIV: The Victory of Friendship and the Robbery
In which the battle reaches a conclusion, and something is taken.
"Let's waste no time!" and with that, Littlefoot dashed at Chomper. He leaned his body down and slid across the ground, turning then whipping his tail out at the last second, knocking Chomper off his feet.
Ruby began to step in, but Rey held out his hand. "This is their fight, something they must do. I don't think either of them want any help." Ruby still had a very worried look, but waited.
Chomper charged back at Littlefoot, but Littlefoot glared at him fiercely till he stopped short. Chomper put a hand on his head and began shaking it abruptly, until Littlefoot's tail smacked him down again.
"Why did he stop like that!" Ruby asked.
Neither Rey nor Reina said a word; they seemed deep in thought.
"Come on, Chomper! Knock some sense into him!" Cera called out.
"I- I don't want to hurt him," he stammered back.
"Fight to win, or don't fight at all," Rey told him. "If you continue to hold back, you will get hurt and accomplish nothing. His form is much tougher than you may think. He can take a lot."
Chomper pulled a small tree from the ground and swung it at Littlefoot. He opened his mouth and caught the limb with ease. He then proceeded to crush the tree to splinters with his sharp teeth.
"You fool! I can tell when you're holding back. The power granted to you is great strength. Use it!" Reina exclaimed.
"You're pathetic," Littlefoot told him. "You have no fire in your eyes. Perhaps if more was at stake…" He then leaped over to the others, clutching Ducky in his mouth. "Here's your choice: Come at me with all you have, or she will be-"
Littlefoot took a blow to the chest that sent him skidding backward. He was abruptly stopped by hitting a tree which broke from the impact. Ducky went sailing through the air until Chomper caught her.
"That's my choice," Chomper replied.
Littlefoot go to his feet, revealing a large bruise on his chest. Instead of wincing in pain, he grinned. "Now that's the stuff. Your skills are worthy of your kind. I would expect no less from a Sharptooth. Raw!" And Littlefoot came at him with great force.
Chomper reached out and grabbed Littlefoot by the base of his neck. Littlefoot began to choke, slightly. "Don't ever compare me to other Sharpteeth," he said in a low tone. "Most of them will show no mercy to a leaf-eater. But me- I'm different, but more than that, I'm your friend. Now stop this right now, before anyone else gets hurt." Chomper then let go of his neck, and Littlefoot stared at him.
Littlefoot paused for a moment, then shouted, "Release!" and all the darkness dissipated into the air. Chomper was there to catch him again, but this time, Littlefoot did not collapse.
"Littlefoot?" Chomper began.
"Whew! I must be getting better at controlling that power. I didn't pass out this time," then he stopped and winced. "Ow. This bruise really hurts. Did that Flying Sharptooth do this to me?"
Once again, Littlefoot remembered nothing from his transformation. The whole group was too reluctant to say what all took place.
Finally, Rey spoke up. "So you recall nothing of what happened while you were empowered?"
"No, nothing." He froze when he saw the Flying Sharptooth on the ground, torn, and gasping for breath. "Di-did I do that?" he asked in shock.
"You saved me alright, yep yep yep," Ducky replied cheerfully.
"Wow. I can't believe I only ended up with a bruise after a fight like that."
"Excuse us one moment," Rey said, and he and Reina vanished. "What do you think?" he asked.
"He's powerful, yes. Over time, I'm sure he would unlock even more dark abilities. However, I find that form to be too much of a liability right now. Did you see what he did to Chomper? He pierced his mind with fear just by glaring at him. Dark power like that is only good when it can be controlled. Until we can find a way for him to be within his senses during it, I say he should not be allowed to use that form."
"I agree. For now, let's just ask him to only use that light form of his."
"Ask? You're too soft. Using only light has to be an order."
"Very well." The Rainbow Faces suddenly appeared back with the group.
"Littlefoot?"
"Yes?"
"Reina and I have been talking, and well, we find it best that you-"
"Grow some backbone!" Reina said with disgust. "Littlefoot, you are no longer allowed to use your dark form until further notice from me."
"Does this have something to do with what happened to that Sharptooth?"
"Partly. Anyway, am I understood?"
"Yes."
"Good. For now, when there's trouble, use your light form."
"Well, I think that's enough excitement for now. It's getting dark. Let's resume traveling." Rey then glanced at Reina with an innocent look, then looked down at his arm.
"Fine, lazy." She tapped all of the group and they were whisked away over a great distance. Not too many transports later, the group finally arrived at an edge of the forest.
"I've tried to refrain, but my curiosity has gotten the best of me. Why do you all call this the Night Forest?" Rey asked.
"Well, when you come inside with us, your curiosity won't be so curious anymore," Ruby said mysteriously.
"Very well," he replied. They all made their way inside, then he asked, "So you're sure they're here?"
"Yeah," Cera replied. "I think I know how to use my own power."
"Well, they may have departed by now. Why not check again?" he asked.
"Fine." A few seconds later, she said, "They're here alright, though pretty deep inside."
"Lead on then," Reina said.
"I'm gonna lead, but not because you told me too," Cera responded.
"Hm? What's your problem?" she asked her, confused.
"You're not my boss. Whether I lead or not is not your decision."
Littlefoot nudged Cera's shoulder. "Not this again. Come on, we can't waste time," he said.
With a blatant "Hmph!" she took off farther into the woods.
A few minutes later, Rey said, "Ah, I see." The group stopped and looked at him. "The trees here are so thick, it's like night whether the bright circle is out or not."
"Yep yep yep," Ducky told him.
After walking a bit longer, Cera announced, "We are nearly to them."
"Excellent work," Rey complimented.
"Yeah, nice going," Littlefoot added.
A few minutes later, Ali suddenly tripped and fell. "Oomph!"
"Ali!" Littlefoot ran to her and let her lean on him for support while getting up.
"Thanks, Littlefoot, but really, I'm ok- ow!" she held up her foot while expressing serious pain.
Rey and Reina exchanged glances. "Let me have a look," Rey told her. He examined her leg, and to his surprise, it was very swollen. He looked down to see an exposed tree root. "It seems it really was an accident," he thought to himself. "Transport." A tiny object appeared in his hand.
"What sort of thing is that thing?" Ruby asked.
"It's a bottle of ointment. As for a further explanation, trust me, it's beyond any of you kids. To make a long story short, it will ease the swelling and lessen the pain."
He twisted off the lid, poured some of the liquid into his hand, then gently applied it to Ali's ankle.
"Anyway," he continued, "It looks like we found our resting place for the night. She needs to stay off that foot for a while, and I fear the shifts through space might further injure it. Besides, it's now quite dark. Perhaps if we had the 'night circle' for light, but these trees barely let a thing through. Find a place to sleep. Good night." He found a spot to his liking and Reina reclined beside him.
Cera moved to a spot beside a tree. Spike plopped down where he was, and Ducky lied down beside him. Littlefoot found a place with no rocks or twigs, turned twice, then also took a position to sleep. Ali came and lied beside him, and Petrie flew over and landed on top of her. Petrie's eyes suddenly widened, but they quickly began to droop; he was too tired tonight to care about what he noticed.
Littlefoot raised his head one last time, and looked up to the sky. "Grandma, grandpa, please don't worry."
xxxxx
"Oh dear, what should we do?" Littlefoot's grandma asked worriedly.
His grandfather was silent for a bit, then replied, "Our Littlefoot is growing up. Every time this has happened before, he has had very good reason for it. I can't deny I'm a bit concerned myself, but I trust his judgment. If he's spent yet another night outside of the Great Valley, then all we can do is hope he accomplishes what he's set out to do, and wait for his safe return. Even if we wanted to search, we have no idea where he went."
She nudged him for a while, then said, "You're right. Oh Littlefoot, please, be safe." And with that, she too looked towards the sky then lied down beside her mate.
xxxxx
Though mostly blocked from the trees, the rays of the bright circle began shining down. Dusk let out a big yawn, stretched, then sat up. He looked in surprise when he saw that Ceit was still awake. He got to his feet, hand on his lower back as he stretched again, then walked over to his winged friend.
"Why are you still up? Menta had told you after that ordeal that she'd be fine and to get some rest."
"I had accepted the first part of that statement, but the second had some- interference."
"Explain."
"My greatest work will be gone if I lose consciousness. It was extremely fortunate that I've held on. They would have found us if I'd slept."
"How did they find us?" he asked, alarmed. "How close did they get?"
"I couldn't stop them just anywhere. That could easily arouse suspicions. I timed things just right, and it all worked out."
Dusk patted him on the back. "Now, we must leave as soon as possible. I have no idea how they could have found us, but we can only hope they won't be so lucky again."
"Before we go," Ceit said, "Let's get some nourishment." He pointed to two small Dome Heads piled near a tree. Dusk's mouth watered.
"Alright! Everyone up! We need to eat then get moving right away."
Coaley, Agu, and the Long Neck stirred in unison then sat up.
"Oh boy!" Agu exclaimed, running over to the food.
Dusk turned his head from side to side. "Menta?" he asked aloud.
The others all looked around as well, but Menta was nowhere to be seen.
Dusk's eyes continued to search, but no avail. "Now where could she have- no! She took the stone!"