Chapter 4: The Maximals
Just hours later after the chase, Littlefoot told his grandparents what happened back in the canyon. He told them about being saved by the strange creatures that stopped the monsters from trying to kill them. He said that he doesn't know what they are but that he and his friends appreciate the help they got.
"Littlefoot, who could be those strange things that saved you and your friends from the Sharptooth?" asked Grandpa Longneck.
"I've thought myself the same question, Grandpa," said Littlefoot, "but I don't know. Then this strange creature had led us to where we came from, thus taking us back to the Great Valley."
Grandma Longneck sighed. "Littlefoot, we should've informed you that danger happens everywhere," she said.
Littlefoot lowered his head. "I'm sorry. I should've known better than to be in that canyon. I can't believe I put my friends in danger just like before."
Grandpa and Grandma Longneck nuzzled Littlefoot with a chuckle.
"You've been in dangers before with Sharpteeth, Littlefoot," said Grandpa Longneck.
"Oh, yeah, I forgot," said Littlefoot.
"Now, how about some tree stars?" Grandma Longneck asked.
Later that afternoon, Littlefoot's biological father Bron and Shorty came back in the Great Valley with the rest of the herd of longnecks, along with Ali.
"Ali! So nice to see you again," Littlefoot said.
"Good to see you too, Littlefoot," Ali said. "I've missed you."
"I've missed you too."
"Hey, Littlefoot," said Bron, lowering his head to Littlefoot, "remember me?"
"Dad! I've missed you as well."
"Don't forget about me, Littlefoot," said Shorty, approaching Littlefoot.
"Shorty! What are you all doing here?"
"We miss you, Littlefoot. It's just so good to see you again," Bron said.
"Hey, Ali, wanna play?" Littlefoot asked Ali.
"Oh, sure, I'd love to play!" Ali said. "I'll race ya!"
Littlefoot chased Ali down the valley as they giggled.
Later, after sundown, it was time for bed.
"Now, Littlefoot," said Grandpa Longneck, "tomorrow will be a nice day with a little family reunion."
"With you and Dad?" asked Littlefoot.
Grandpa Longneck chuckled. "Of course, Littlefoot. I've missed him so much."
Littlefoot yawned. "Well, I guess this is good night. I'll see you in the morning."
"You too, Littlefoot. Good night."
It was hours later, and Littlefoot was still asleep until a rustling sound was heard from the bushes.
"Psst! Littlefoot, wake up!" Cera's voice whispered.
Littlefoot opened his eyes. "Mm, what?" he moaned.
"Littlefoot! Over here!" said Cera, poking her head through the bush.
"Cera? What are you doing here?"
"Shh! Chomper saw footprints, you gotta come with!"
"Footprints?"
"Yes. Come on!"
It was later after Littlefoot met his friends at the spot where the footprints are reported. Unknown to them, however, it was the footprints from the cheetah.
"Where do those footprints lead?" asked Littlefoot.
"I don't know, but I think we shall follow them," said Chomper.
"Then let's follow them," said Cera.
The gang followed the tracks down the path and arrived at a misty jungle which is about 20 feet away from the Great Valley. Inside the jungle they keep following the tracks, but then they stopped when they heard rustling sounds.
"What's that?" asked Ducky.
"I think we're about to have company," Ruby said.
"What kind?" Cera asked.
Just then, the same animals that saved the gang emerged from the mist, and with them is a wolf with robotic arms and wings. Then, they started to transform, from beast mode to robot mode, the animal body parts as armor, much to the surprise and shock of the gang. One robot's mouth plate opened to reveal its mouth. That robot with the gorilla armor approached Littlefoot and knelt before him.
"Are you Littlefoot, descendent of Senior Longneck?" asked the robot.
This question made Littlefoot's eyes widen.
"How did it know Littlefoot?" asked Ducky.
"Me no know," said Petrie.
Littlefoot gulped. "Ye-Yes," he said nervously.
"I am Optimus Primal," said the robot. "We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron, also known as Maximals."
"Maximals?"
"That's us, don't wear it out," said the robot in rhino armor.
"This is Rhinox," said Optimus, "my lieutenant of the Maximals. This is Rattrap, the Maximal spy."
"Eh, just lucky for me to be a rat, Long Neck," Rattrap said to Littlefoot.
"These two are Airazor and Tigatron."
"Nice to meet you all," said Tigatron. "Any friend of Optimus is to be a friend of mine."
"Hope we didn't scare you," said Airazor. "We come in peace."
"I'm Silverbolt," said Silverbolt, "and this is my mate Blackarachnia."
Blackarachnia scoffed. "Don't ask why. We're just from Cybertron," she said.
"And this is my second in command Cheetor," Optimus said, introducing the gang to Cheetor.
"Hello there, fellas," Cheetor said. "Nice to meet you."
"And this is Dinobot, a rather serious Maximal in hand."
Dinobot held his sword at Littlefoot. "Looking for trouble, longneck?" he snarled.
"Stand down, Dinobot."
Dinobot held his sword back. "Just messing with him, Optimus. I would not hurt a living thing like him."
"Wait a minute," said Littlefoot. "Are you the guys that saved us back in that canyon?"
"That's right, Littlefoot," said Optimus.
Chomper took a step forward. "Why are you here?" he asked.
"We are here to protect your planet from the Predacons," Optimus replied.
"Predacons?" asked Littlefoot.
"The guys that tried to kill you this morning," said Cheetor.
"Oh, those guys. But why are they here?"
Optimus crossed his arms. "I'm glad you asked, Littlefoot," he said. "In part, they are here to conquer the universe of inhabitants. We're in a war between the Maximals and the Predacons."
"What's a war?" Cera asked.
"It's a battle, Horns," Rattrap said. "It just takes years until the very end."
"The Predacon that started it all is Megatron," said Optimus. "During the battle on Cybertron, Megatron planned to conquer with the Cyber Star for its power. The Cyber Star is a machine with unique power to give any robotic organism powerful strength when inserted with it. When Megatron attempted to use it, I managed to rip it out of his chest, but during the battle, it was blown out of reach from Cybertron, and it drifted all the way to Earth, which is the planet you live in. If Megatron manages to claim the Cyber Star, as I fear, the results would be catastrophic."
"But if the Predacons are powerful, how can you beat them?" asked Littlefoot.
"Do not worry, Littlefoot. Our power is greater than theirs, because it comes from a place in goodness, not evil. We'll do everything we can to protect your planet. And one day, once we get to the Cyber Star, we will defeat the Predacons once and for all."