The sun rose high the next morning. The dwellers of the Great Valley watched as a dinosaur who grew up with them was departing from the valley. Littlefoot walked nonchalantly through the grassy ground. Dinosaurs stood line-up on his right and left sides, like if he was a celebrity walking down the red carpet as a star. He stood focus on the path before him as dinosaurs whispered amongst their closest neighbors. He passed his friends, who looked at him with either saddened or hurt eyes. He did not look at them directly; only the corner of his eyes spotted them.

He would miss them, but he had to do this. His instincts told him to. He faced extinction of his herd he didn't do this. He was the last hope of the future. Both of his grandparents and mother were dead, and he had the faintest idea where his father could be. Being an only child had to suck at times, and this was one of them. His bloodline, his future, was at stake. He passed the lined-up dinosaurs and made it to the end of the two lines. At the end of right line, Mr. Threehorn stood proudly. His voice stopped Littlefoot.

"Littlefoot, are you sure? You don't even know what dangers lie-"

"That I do. I went several times out into the Mysterious Beyond. I have experience."

"But Littlefoot, that was in your child years."

Littlefoot thought about it.

"True."

"All I'm trying to say is that you don't know what dangers lie ahead. What if you end up-"

"Daddy!"

Littlefoot and Mr. Threehorn looked to see Cera standing a few feet behind Littlefoot. She sighed and looked up at Littlefoot.

"I know it's tough for you, Littlefoot, but think about it. What makes you so sure that you can find someone to expand your herd with?"

"Well, I'm gambling my life, but I had too. I'm the only young longneck here. There is not one close to my age and being female."

He turned his head around and faced the sloppy exit of the Great Valley.

"But what about Ali?"

The sound of that named made Littlefoot flinch. Ali was another Apatosaurus; a female as a matter of fact. She had pinkish purple scales and blue eyes. She was exactly Littlefoot's age, probably a few weeks younger. They were considered to be cousins, but they were actually third-cousins, only related through main description of being longnecks. He saw through Cera and smirked, not facing her.

"Ali hasn't been to the valley in three years. I have to let her go."

"But what about all the talk about her and your dreams? Remembered that? We all laughed, and you walked away in anger, crying to your grandparents about it."

Littlefoot quickly turned his head around and lowered his head closer to Cera.

"I wasn't crying about it. I was just…complaining."

"Crying; complaining. Same thing."

Littlefoot narrowed his eyes and raised his head. He looked in front of him.

"Still, I can't wait for her," he said, not looking at anyone, and then said in a quieter voice, "She most likely found someone."

He closed his eyes and sighed, relaxing his state of mind. He opened them and stared at the path before him.

"Well, goodbye everyone. I hope to see you all again."

Littlefoot marched towards the exit of the valley. Everyone stood still, watching his every move. In a few moments, he would be out of view. Ducky jogged up to the front of the two lines and spoke up.

"Littlefoot, please…"

Littlefoot disappeared behind the outer walls of the Great Valley. Ducky dropped her head and then whispered gently.

"…don't go."

The sun had reached its highest point of the day and was now slowly beginning to descent. The heat reflected off the cracked ground by the sun's rays of light, radiating a seeable small wave. Some dead trees dampened the scenery of the landscape. Mountains were in view, but they seemed miles away. Littlefoot continued to walk across this barren wasteland.

I guess this used to be a water place, thought Littlefoot.

He figured out so since the cracks were propagated like the breaking of a very brittle ceramic. He knew water did this. Mr. Thicknose had told him information about this cracking ground. It only happened when the surface is very wet and then it is heated by the sun very quickly, according the Mr. Thicknose. Basically, it was just taking something moist, like clay, and heating it up fast.

Littlefoot pressed onward, walking for about an hour across this wasteland. The only thing in scenery that changed was the mountains; they got bigger, even though he was still several miles away from them.

Man, what can I do to kill time? When I went adventuring, what did I do to pass the time? The only thing I can remember is singing…gaily. It was still somewhat good, but pointless. Well, I'm not going to. Besides, I have nothing to sing about. When I got bigger, it sort of went away. Don't know if it's good or bad, but I shouldn't sing.

Soon, a sharp pain shot through his mouth. His mind felt the words wanting to express his feelings. He tried his best to keep the words from escaping.

What's hap…pening? My mind… My mind is telling me to sing. Must resist singing. Must still have some respect and not sound like a...homosexual dinosaur.

The words in his mind fired inside his mouth. Littlefoot had to admit defeat. He opened his mouth, but a voice from the distance stopped him. He turned back and saw another longneck walking his way. She had steel blue-colored scales and a light gray-blue underbelly, the belly of a crocodile. She had hazel eyes and a young appearance. She appeared to be close to Littlefoot's age, probably a couple of weeks younger. She approached Littlefoot with a smile.

"Hey," she greeted as she was relatively close to him.

"Hi," replied Littlefoot.

She stopped a few feet in front of him.

"Oh, I saw you walking out here by yourself."

"Aren't you also by yourself?" asked Littlefoot.

"The more the reason I should accompany you."

"And the more reason I say you're spontaneously creeping. You just come up here and invite yourself."

"Wow. So you're a longjerk. I thought you would be enthralled by my beauty. Being the only male out here seems lonely. At least, I would've thought a companion would've brightened your moods, a female over a male."

Littlefoot sighed.

"Are you trying to make me sound like the bad guy…because it's working. I just think it's weird that you show up from nowhere and decide to tag alone with me."

"Well, I did spot you awhile back, but you were too far away and thought to be a mirage. I lowered my head down, lost in thoughts. When I looked back up, I saw you again, only closer. You also seemed deep in thought, or had a cramp. I couldn't tell. So, that's when I called you out."

"It still doesn't explain why you're out here by yourself."

"Oh… I care not to talk about it. It's…"

Her voice dropped, and she sighed.

"You're right. It was stupid of me to invite myself with you. I'll be on my way."

She marched passed Littlefoot, looking down in shame. Littlefoot glanced at her as she walked onward. Guilt quickly overtook him. It was either that or the power of females to make males feel damn inferior. He turned towards her.

"Wait," Littlefoot called out.

The female stopped and looked back. Littlefoot neared her and stopped only a few feet next to her.

"Listen, I know we started off bad. I want to start anew."

"But how can you start anew. We already talked to each other. How can you erase that?"

"… You're right, but we can always make it better."

"Once broken, it's broken."

Littlefoot shook his head.

"No. Everything…most things can be fixed."

"Like what?"

"The broken heart," Littlefoot answered calmly.

The female's tensed facial expression dropped.

"I don't know what happened to you. The same goes for me; you don't know what happened to me. Things can only get better…good…um…you know what I mean."

The female giggled a little and formed a smile.

"I know what you mean. Thanks. We can travel together. The name's Janet."

"I'm Littlefoot."

Littlefoot looked up at the sun. Sunset was soon. He faced Janet.

"It'll be dark soon. We need to find a place to stay."

Janet nodded. The two dinosaurs resumed walking, not really talking to get to know the other. Shelter was the most important thing now. They could talk later. The sun was going to be gone soon. Luckily, they would near the base of the distant mountains before then.