Hello, welcome to another chapter! As you may have guessed from the intensity of the last chapter, we are starting a new arc – The first arc was an intro arc until the fires, the second a rising action arc and now … Well, we're starting another arc, no spoilers. But we are far from finished, as I've got plans for roughly 50 chapters by the time we're done!

I must also note that late in this chapter the story will have some spiritual elements in it, which I have hinted at as of late and it even was referenced a little in the TV series. To make clear, this is an exploration of the basic concept of spirituality, with no endorsement or condemnation of any specific spiritual belief or lack of one. Rather, the spiritualites the characters have here are based on beliefs already seen in the LBT canon. And while you will see a character weaponizing a dark form of fundamentalism during this chapter, in the next you will see a positive form of magical spirituality helping the characters in what I hope will be a pivotal, refreshing and heartwarming moment. Keep in mind that the takeaway of all of this is the importance of diversity, love and tolerance for one another, which of course are all key components of the LBT series. Just giving a heads-up and a clarification on my intent without hopefully revealing too many spoilers.

Also, another heads-up. This is a very intense, I'd say bordering on M-rated chapter for drama. You have been warned.

Please tell me what you think, I really appreciate reviews/favs/follows, or even just shooting me a PM. Guests can review too, so you can submit anonymously! And while I love thorough, detailed reviews, shorter reviews are lovely too. As always, the Land Before Time and its universe belongs to Universal.

Chapter 21 – To Burn Together

The message of the herd meeting spread through the Great Valley like wildfire, and soon, everyone had begun to head over to the Rock Circle. Littlefoot and his friends proceeded slowly, a deep sense of gloom inside each of them. Littlefoot looked at the other dinosaurs converging in on the Rock Circle, feeling a tiny bit of reassurance with each familiar face he had not seen since before the battle, knowing at least they survived. But then his thoughts drifted to someone else he had not seen, and his heart tightened, dreading what he'd find out soon enough.

None of them able to say a word, the gang arrived at the Rock Circle, where they took a front row spot on the higher ledge behind it, directly facing the Rock Circle's arch entrance. It was only then that the full picture of the death toll finally greeted them. Bodies were being brought to the edges of the Rock Circle, where they had began to stack up ominously along its perimeter. With everyone gathered, Littlefoot began to look at the survivors. Fortunately, the immediate family members of his friends had all survived, even including all of Ducky and Petrie's many siblings. Tricia's gang were all with their parents, biological or adopted, all of Hyp's gang had also left the Secret Spot, and he could make out most of the longtime residents he knew since childhood still standing in the crowd. Ruby's parents' herd too seemed to be remarkably untouched, and many of the newcomers their age had managed to survive the ordeal.

He then sighed and looked down at those who weren't so lucky. All told, the casualties paled in comparison to how many survived. But that did not make it any easier, for the faces of the fallen were that much more apparent. Only a few longtime residents had perished, but the losses among the visiting herds were much larger. The original members of Bron's herd, already wounded from attacks, had been dwindled to an even greater amount, while several of the survivors of the Old One's old herd were also among the fallen. Also among the casualties were several members of the visiting spiketail herd, and among the residents, a disproportionate amount seemed to be swimmers, including a couple of Ducky's prospective siblings-in-law.

Littlefoot felt his heart pang as he glanced over the glassy, lifeless expressions on each victim's body, but he couldn't help but gasp in horror when his eyes fell upon a large, loosely tangled mass. Upon first glance, he thought it was a few unidentified carcasses, but then he saw its face and recognized who it was at once. His long body sprawled out just as it was when he was injured, Earl's carcass had so many large chunks of flesh torn from it that what was left of his body was hanging together by only a thread. Littlefoot looked over at Ali and saw her eyes were widened in horror, transfixed upon the body of her deceased herdmate.

Next to Earl's body was a sight that also tugged at Littlefoot's heartstrings. Limply lying on the ground was the young threehorn Bella, and even at a distance, Littlefoot could tell how terrible her death must have been. She had a huge hole in her chest, with blood still streaming out onto the rocky floor, her face locked into a tight clench and her mouth agape in a silent scream. Kneeling by Bella's side was her hollowhorn boyfriend Leigh, who wrapped her neck in a tight embrace as he sobbed despairingly onto her unresponsive body, with accompanying hiccups, moans, and even pounding the ground. Remembering the pain he felt upon losing his mother and then his grandparents, Littlefoot realized through his tragedies, there was one kind of loss he had not felt – the loss of his true love. His heart panged with guilt as he remembered how he almost put Cera through that in his episode of uncontrolled grief, making him all the more grateful that he was still alive. He couldn't imagine how horrible he would feel if it was Cera down there, and his heart gave out to Leigh, hoping that somehow, he would be able to pull through this unbelievably painful loss.

Through the dark murmurs of intense sorrow, fear and mourning, Mr. Thicknose hesitantly stepped forward. One look on his face made it very apparent how much he dreaded beginning the meeting, and it seemed to take him forever to catch his breath. He finally said, "Um, uh … Good evening, everyone, uh …"

He paused, for at that moment, Leigh whirled around and glared at Mr. Thicknose, a look of deepest loathing across his face. "Good evening? Good evening? My Bella is dead!" he shouted hysterically, before pointing at Mr. Thicknose. "And it's all your rotten fault! Thanks to your lousy leadership of this stupid Valley!"

Mr. Thicknose flinched, deeply uncomfortable with Leigh's accusatory tone, but he knew nothing he could say that could make the situation better. "I'm sorry," Mr. Thicknose said, shamefully. "I should have prepared better, but …"

"It's not like this is your only failure!" said Kosh angrily.

"Yes," said Lyle as the other two members of the Swimmer Trio nodded in agreement. "What about our trees?"

"And the prickly plants!" shouted a threehorn.

"We have all endured difficulties," Bron finally said sagely. "And although we may have qualms with Mr. Thicknose, now is not the time …"

"Oh, I beg to differ, Longneck!" Topps heatedly interrupted. "Ever since Thicknose came to power, we've had one crisis after another, and now we have deaths at our paws! And you think now is not the time to hold Thicknose accountable?"

"That's not what I said," Bron said coolly. "I too think Mr. Thicknose is not performing as he should and needs to be held accountable for his actions. I only meant …" he said, but Topps cut him off.

"Pah! You longnecks are way too polite. Well, I'm gonna say it like it is," Topps said determinedly. "It's obvious that Mr. Thicknose is incapable of keeping our Great Valley safe. And while I know full well how hard that is, the sheer degree of failure Mr. Thicknose has displayed is incredible. In fact, I'd say it's high time we force Mr. Thicknose from power right now and put this Valley in the paws of a stronger leader!"

Everyone began to mutter loudly, hardly daring to believe their ears, and at once, eyes turned to Mr. Thicknose expectantly. Mr. Thicknose in contrast, looked pensive, seeming to ignore the crowd, before he finally lifted his head and exhaled. "You don't have to force me from anything, Mr. Threehorn. In fact, I have decided to announce my resignation."

Murmurs broke out in shock as Mr. Thicknose shared a weary smile. Littlefoot and his friends looked at each other, hardly daring to believe it.

"He is not really going to do that, is he?" Ducky asked quietly.

"He can't," Petrie said. "Not with who else could lead Valley."

"What do you think Littlefoot?" Chomper asked.

Littlefoot sighed. "I think we should wait to listen," he said, as Mr. Thicknose worked to make eye contact with everyone, and slowly, everyone silenced for Mr. Thicknose to continue to speak.

"I must confess to all of you that I never wanted this job. I'm a teacher who is happiest helping everyone in this Valley grow and develop their knowledge of the world around us, especially the young ones. I only took this position because shortly before their passing, Grandma and Grandpa Longneck asked me to. They trusted that I was agreeable as a compromise to everyone in the Great Valley, and knew that I would try my utmost to preserve their legacy. And who am I to refuse their dying request and the opportunity to help keep the Great Valley a wonderful place for future generations to come?"

Mr. Thicknose sighed and continued, "Alas, it was not meant to be. Circumstances have changed so that the peacekeeping role I envisioned has given way to that of one of managing constant crises." He paused, so only Leigh's continuous mourning could be heard. "This job has ended up forcing me to make spur of the moment, difficult decisions that would impact the lives of everyone in our Valley, and required me to respond to challenges I couldn't have possibly foreseen. It takes a certain kind of leader, like Grandpa Longneck to be able to resolve these situations. And frankly, as you may have realized, I am not that kind of leader. I tried my hardest to follow the Longnecks' example and gave this job everything I had … But in the end, the intensity of these heightened challenges caught up to me, and I no longer feel I can provide the Great Valley with adequate leadership."

Silence followed this pronouncement as Mr. Thicknose gave everyone a sad smile. "I will therefore be resigning my post immediately. But before I do, I must make one last plea to all of you. Remember what makes the Great Valley good. It is not merely that we have fertile soils and towering walls. Having lived in the Great Valley for as long as I can remember, I can attest that despite our differences in both looks and attitudes, the fact we have always treated each other with kindness and mutual respect is our greatest strength. It is why this Valley is a place where anyone seeking a refuge from the dangers of the Mysterious Beyond could not only survive, but also thrive, and truly a place that anyone could call home."

Still smiling sadly, Mr. Thicknose continued. "I have fought my hardest to preserve this vision, a vision so ably championed by the Longnecks before me, in my time as herd leader, only to realize that I am not well-suited for the job. I accept that, and realize my purpose is best served elsewhere. But I implore to my successor that no matter what else happens and whatever decisions you make, that you will never let go of the values that have guided us so well so far. It is with that that I shall step aside and place my trust in the Valley to determine our next course of action."

And slowly, Mr. Thicknose turned and made his way out of the Rock Circle, ignoring the chatter of onlookers and continuing on until he disappeared from sight. Following this, there was an intense murmuring of uncertainty as everyone stared at the spot where Mr. Thicknose had stood, which was now uncomfortably empty.

"All right, everyone," called out a confident voice, and swaggering into the spot where Mr. Thicknose was standing was Mr. Threehorn, barely able to conceal a look of deep satisfaction. His eyes sparkling with determination and his head held high, Mr. Threehorn said, "Now that Mr. Thicknose has stepped aside, we have to come to terms with the fact that this Valley needs a new leader. A seasoned leader with fortitude and conviction in everything he does, and one who will never back down from any obstacle."

Nodding proudly, he said, "I think it goes without saying that I have a long and distinguished track record of giving back to this Valley, being right there by the Longnecks' side through all their cold times of service. Over the cold times, I do admit to taking … Controversial stands, which may not make me the most likable figure out there. But I do so with an unwavering sense of purpose, for I believe what I say would truly benefit the Valley, no matter the consequences. It is this ability to stand tough which makes me not only a natural leader but also a necessary one, especially when you consider the challenges we face in these times. It is therefore that I proudly ask to be named the Great Valley's new leader."

A smattering of cheers, Monty and the other threehorns most prominent among them, broke through the crowd, but even louder was the sound of restless, anticipatory murmurs. Smiling smugly, Topps basked in the attention of the Valley's residents, a look of pure triumph stretched across his face. Surveying the crowd, a defiant glimmer appeared in his eyes, as if daring anybody to challenge him. But moments later, the crowd became silent, for Bron had walked forward, standing face to face with Topps, shaking his head.

"I was afraid your hubris would bring you to this point, Mr. Threehorn," Bron sighed. "I had hoped you would come to realize that despite your long track record, there was a reason you had been passed over being herd leader in the first place. Your hot temper, dangerous recklessness, and hateful diatribes are very apparent for everyone to see. But evidently, you cannot see past your own horns. This Valley desperately needs a leader, one who has actually led a herd, made all the tough decisions, and can keep a level head no matter what the challenge. And seeing the alternative in front of me, I must put my name into consideration to keep this Valley on a steady course." This of course, ended up with a loud call of cheers from the survivors of Bron's herd, among whom were Gus, Len, Cam and Mia.

"Oh no, here we go," Pterano oozed, swooping in between them, as Brara and Petrie's siblings leaned in eagerly. "Of course these two yet again are itching to settle their personal feud. No doubt to assuage their guilty consciences of days of yore. But can we really trust either of them when both of them are so confident in themselves? Have they really learned anything from their experiences? I anyone would have hope of leading us out of this quandary, it would be someone who firsthand dealt with crisis and actually learned from it, the hard way. Yes I failed my herd when I was young. But I have learned from my mistakes, and I'm sure that with my vision, I can carry this Valley out of this crisis … And it is therefore that I declare myself a candidate to be the Great Valley's new leader and shall restore us to our proper glory," he bowed, to cheers from the flyers.

"Right then," Topps said curtly, glaring at his two adversaries. "How should we handle this? A duel, perhaps?"

"Tut tut, how undignified," Pterano shook his head in embarrassment.

"For once, I have to agree with you," Bron said disdainfully.

"Perhaps," Mama Swimmer said tentatively, "The three of you can resolve your problem with a vote. Whoever gets the most votes gets to lead the Valley."

"That's just what I would have suggested," Pterano boasted.

"Ha, you're on!" Mr. Threehorn declared. "It is time to settle this leadership debate once and for all! It's up to you, Valley residents! To protect us from an outsider and a convict from dragging us toward certain doom."

"More like protect this Great Valley from two big-headed egomaniac, one of the self-righteous and the other of the hotheaded variety," Pterano snapped back.

"I'm not going to even dignify your name-calling with a response," Bron said coolly.

"Only because your flat head cannot come up with anything," Topps shot back.

"That's enough," Mama Swimmer said. "You're bickering like children. I don't want to be the referee, but I seem to have no other choice. If you three want to settle this between yourselves, you will each talk one at a time. Understand?"

Reluctantly, the three of them paused. Mama Swimmer continued, "Very well. Now Mr. Threehorn, as you have most seniority within the Great Valley, you get to speak first. Mr. Longneck, as a herd leader, you get to speak second, and Mr. Flyer, as a uh …"

"Scoundrel," Topps muttered loudly.

Mama Swimmer glared warningly, but ignored him. "You'll get to go third."

Grinning smugly, Topps stepped forward. "Listen here, Longneck. You think just because you're bigger than me and that your parents-in-law were herd leaders give you the right to take their place. You've come here specifically to take over the Great Valley. Well, I've got news for you, sir," he sneered. "I don't like that attitude."

Littlefoot and Cera looked at each other in a silent groan, seeing the tensions between their fathers boil over, but feeling powerless to stop them as Bron protested, "That's not true, I …"

But ignoring him, Topps then turned to the crowd. "May I remind everyone that Longneck here has an atrocious track record? Let's not forget that apart from losing countless members of his herd, he could not even keep his own family safe, including my son-in-law …"

"Don't you dare," Bron warned, but brazenly, Topps pressed on. "This lowlife, rather than staying with his wife and future hatchling like any good father would have done, just left upon finding out she was expecting because he didn't want the responsibility of taking care of a child. Well I'll tell you what happened due to your foolishness, Longneck. In your absence, your wife was killed by a sharptooth trying to protect her son, which wouldn't have happened if you were there to protect them. Your leaving left my son-in-law to fend for himself in the Mysterious Beyond, and if he hadn't met my daughter and the leadership I instilled in her, who knows what would have happened to him. And then you had the nerve to show up, act like you did nothing wrong and try to take my son-in-law away from his friends, his home, and his grandparents? You've really got some nerve, Longneck."

Bron sighed. "Not surprisingly, Mr. Threehorn has vastly slandered my character. My intention in coming to the Great Valley was to be with my son as he was growing up, intending to retire from leading the herd. It was only after my herd suffered heavy losses that I brought them here to the Valley to recover, and I only merged the Old One's herd with mine because they did not have any other leader. What he also failed to tell you was the only reason I left my wife was to find a better place for us all to live, and that I had searched for the little one I knew had been born until the moment we finally reunited. It was therefore only natural I wanted him to come live with me so I could keep him safe, not fully understanding the deep ties my son had with his friends and grandparents. In case you haven't noticed, I never asked this of him after the first time we met. In fact, as the father-in-law of your daughter, I find you are hardly anyone to talk."

There was a hushed silence as Littlefoot and Cera looked at each other in horrified astonishment, both at a complete loss for words. Topps too looked flabbergasted. "You … wouldn't … dare," he said, menacingly. "How dare you refer to my Cera as yours."

"You refer to my son as your son-in-law," Bron reminded him. "By that same reasoning, I can do the same."

"You've got nothing on me, Longneck," Topps said, in a deep, oddly quiet, threatening voice. "I'm warning you. If you try to smear the way I raised my daughter …"

Bron smiled. "I'm not going to smear anyone. But I do know more than meets the eye. Things that everyone should know about."

Topps snorted. "Bring it on, Longneck! I've got nothing to hide."

With a pained shaking of his head, Bron started. "As most of you will know, my son, my daughter-in-law and …"

"My daughter and my son-in-law," Topps retorted at once.

Bron sighed. "As most of you know, Littlefoot, Cera and their first friends Ducky, Petrie and Spike were not originally from the Great Valley. Rather, they, like many of us, lived far to the east. As everyone who was there will remember, the sky water failed to fall for several seasons on end, resulting in a massive drought that made tree stars scarce and the whole Mysterious Beyond a vast, barren landscape. The environmental strain likewise made sharpteeth more dangerous, as they had no choice but to go after whatever scarce food they possibly could to eat. It turned out that the only respite from such harsh conditions was the far away and elusive Great Valley, a place which even I did not think existed, hence why I left my wife to look for a better place to live."

"Hmph! Stupid longneck," Topps grumbled.

"Oh Mr. Threehorn, like you are in any position to talk," Pterano interjected with a smirk. "Let's not forget you too were skeptical about there even being a Great Valley."

Topps glared at the flyer venomously. "You're out of order, Pterano. Shut your mouth or I'll ..."

"Temper, Mr. Threehorn," Bron warned, causing Topps to glare virulently, but Bron pretended not to notice and continued. "As it turns out, I was wrong, and I didn't realize such until I met Littlefoot, by which time I had become the leader of my own herd. But unlike me, many of you made the perilous journey to the Great Valley, riddled with danger between the extreme heat, giant earthshakes, severe lack of food, active smoking mountains, and ravenous sharpteeth. There is no question that the journey you had to take was excruciatingly difficult to put it mildly, which can be seen in the harsh reality that so many, my wife included, never made it."

There was a pause as those who were there casted their minds back to that horrific time, while others who were not looked on in fearful amazement, not realizing the full extent of the trauma.

"But out of all the survivors, I think I can say with reasonable certainty that no one had endured a more difficult journey than Littlefoot and his friends," Bron said somberly. "Not only did they have all of the conditions I already mentioned, but they had also all been separated from their families. They each had everyone that they had ever known and loved ripped away from them by the big earthshake, and in the case of Spike, before he had even hatched, leaving them all alone in the world for the first time ever. They were all hatchlings, no more than five cold times old, completely lost and with no parental guidance and protection, who somehow had to find their way to the Great Valley or face the prospect of near certain death."

He paused dramatically before continuing, "And of course, I cannot mention their journey without mentioning that the scourge of the Mysterious Beyond, a vicious predator so dreaded that he was simply referred to as Sharptooth, was on their pursuit the entire time. Sharptooth was known for being a particularly dangerous sharptooth because there was literally nothing that would stop him. While other sharpteeth would refrain from attacking healthy adult dinosaurs, especially by themselves, Sharptooth would not hesitate to attack even the biggest, strongest dinosaur, as if it were just for the fun of it. He had countless victims, my wife among them …" he said mournfully, hanging his head. "And what's more, in an attempt to get away from him, Littlefoot accidentally stabbed Sharptooth in the eye with a thorn. This drew the monster into an incredible rage, leading him on a quest of vengeance in which he attempted to hunt the five hatchlings all the way to the edge of the Great Valley."

He smiled proudly before saying, "Yet somehow, the five little hatchlings, all of whom were different kinds and who at best were unfamiliar with one another, banded together to form an unlikely alliance in which they successfully traveled across the Mysterious Beyond and defeated Sharptooth before he could follow them into the Great Valley, ending his reign of terror once and for all. And by the time they arrived, their unlikely alliance had transformed into a deep, unbreakable, and incredibly close-knit friendship that had caught everyone, even Grandma and Grandpa Longneck, by surprise. According to them, it was through their example that the elders of the Valley began to cooperate with one another on a permanent basis, transforming the Great Valley into the place of harmony that it is today."

Bron smiled before he sighed. "Ever since I first heard about their exploits, I always wondered what each of their journeys was like. Despite having experienced so many obstacles together, they each had their own set of personal challenges that they went through to become the band of steadfast friends that they remain to this day. I knew how sensitive of a topic this would be for Littlefoot, so I never approached him on the matter. But on one of my trips to the Great Valley, after much wondering, I finally decided to ask Grandma and Grandpa Longneck about it. They too were not there for the journey, so they could not give a personal account of what had happened. However, shortly after their arrival, Littlefoot had what appeared to be a horrible sleep story. He had shivered, writhed, shrieked, and even cried in his sleep, and when he finally woke up, after much prodding from his grandparents, they found out that was not just a bad sleep story, but a traumatic reliving of his darkest memories … And what they told me gave me a much fuller picture of what really happened. And dare I say it, Mr. Threehorn probably would know just what I'm talking about, for I'm sure Cera must have had a similar experience as well."

Littlefoot gasped in shock. It had been such a long time and he had been so disoriented that night that while he could vaguely remember his grandparents promising that he would feel better if he would tell them everything that happened to put the past behind him, he couldn't remember what he actually said. By his side, he saw Cera stiffen up and look down at the ground in shame and, in what had to be a first, self-loathing. His heart pounding, questions were burning inside in Littlefoot. How much did his father really know, and what exactly was he going to divulge? And worse, how would Cera feel after what had to be he a verbal beatdown? His eyes hopelessly dropped toward his father-in-law, who for the first time had a look of uncertainty on his face.

"As I stated before," Bron said calmly, "I think we can say with reasonable certainty that Littlefoot and his friends had the most difficult journey out of any of the survivors to reach the Great Valley. But I will go a step further and say that apart from Littlefoot who had just lost his mother, the one of them who I think had the most personally challenging journey … was Cera."

Bron paused, saying, "I do not say this lightly, with Spike never having even seen his parents, Petrie being unable to fly and nearly dying in an attempt to protect his friends from Sharptooth, and Ducky trying to hold the fragile group together at all times, not to mention agreeing to use herself as sharptooth bait," he said, as all three looked at one another in pained astonishment, Ducky and Petrie's mothers looking on in horror. "But when I heard about the full story of Cera's journey, it made me realize just where she started … And how she had such a long way to go."

Cera averted her eyes, as her heart hammered horrendously. She had a sinking feeling she knew just what Bron meant. Her most horrific moments, the ones she would do anything to take back, began to flood through her head, flashing by one after another. Just what would everyone think when they realized just how awful she was? Even though Littlefoot tried to give her a reassuring nod, she barely even noticed as she braced herself for a vituperative lashing.

Bron took a deep breath. "Now I said that when Littlefoot and his friends made their journey to the Great Valley together, they were at best unfamiliar with each other. I will say that for most of them, that was indeed the first time they met. But for Littlefoot and Cera, they met before that and well … Let's just say that things were rocky. Among other things, Cera told Littlefoot, and I quote, "Threehorns never play with longnecks." "A threehorn does not need help from a longneck." That "flatheads had very small brains", and of course, referring to his mother, my wife, who had died trying to save them, that she was a "stupid longneck.""

Gasps rang out in horror as Cera hung her head in shame and disgust, and even a tear rolled down her cheek. Topps too was in utter shock, so badly struggling to process that Bron knew this deeply sensitive information that he didn't seem to know how to react. "Now before any of you jump to conclusions," Bron said, quelling the buildup of murmurs, "Let me tell you that I too was alarmed upon hearing this at first. I wondered if this Cera could really be as good a friend to my son as she appeared to be. But Littlefoot's grandparents assured me that ever since they had first seen her in the Great Valley, she and Littlefoot had been best of friends. They told me how proud Cera was when she first introduced him to her father, saying that she was his friend and she always will be. And from everything I've heard and seen since, from when I first saw her lead the rest of their friends to find Littlefoot, to when she steadfastly accompanied him on his quest to save me, even going so far as to knock a rock large enough to prevent the flowing fire from reaching me, has only heightened my opinion of her. I am so happy that my son has ultimately found love in such a fine friend, and I am honored to be able to call such a wonderful threehorn as my daughter-in-law."

The tension suddenly softened as Littlefoot beamed at his father appreciatively. He was so worried about what Bron might say about Cera that he was shocked that Bron was able to put everything into perspective. Cera too, no longer looking ashamed, couldn't help but blush, stunned in how Bron deftly turned her darkest moments into a narrative of such personal growth and effusive praise. Even Topps couldn't help but to smile proudly at his daughter, his eyes softening in a way they only when he looked at her.

"With that said, we can now look at everything in its proper context," Bron said, the complimentary radiance rapidly vanishing from his voice. "Obviously the things Cera said way back then do not reflect her true nature. While she is undoubtedly strong-willed and can rub others the wrong way at times, such hurtful words do not represent who she is as a dinosaur, and we have to ask ourselves, what was it that really made her say those things. Part of it no doubt stems from the extraordinary stress of the journey, in which for the first time ever, Cera was torn away from her family and loved ones, ultimately never to see most of them again, not to mention all of the obstacles I already mentioned. And keep in mind that she was also a five-cold-time-old, an age in which one's self-control is usually not fully developed, which when combined with the aforementioned extreme stress, could easily produce catastrophic results."

With a sigh however, Bron continued, "But here is why I say apart from Littlefoot, Cera had the most challenging journey of anyone to get here. While Littlefoot, Ducky, Petrie and Spike did not know each other before going on their journey to the Great Valley, they were all able to befriend each other quickly, and were able to rely on one another for friendship and support. But Cera wasn't able to befriend the others so easily. Her heart been hardened at first, having been taught not to value kindness or compassion, and instead to rely on being tough and going it alone. This led her to in effect being isolated for most of the trip, literally feeling all alone as a little hatchling in a hostile word filled with marauding sharpteeth, where finding a tree star was a challenge, and devoid of a shoulder that she could cry on. And it was only through support from the others and intense personal growth was she finally able to break free from this pervasive mindset and develop into the brave and loyal threehorn we can all see today."

Cera stared. Normally she would hate someone explaining how she felt, but she couldn't argue with a single thing he said. Plus, he was describing feelings that she had so badly fought to put behind her that she wasn't even able to put words to them, let alone in the eloquent way he could. "He really is Littlefoot's father," she thought, unable to completely conceal a small smirk from appearing on her face.

"We must ask ourselves then, where did Cera get these attitudes from? Well, I'm sorry to say that the answer is quite apparent," he said coolly as Topps couldn't help but to squirm. "My wife was there to personally witness Cera claim that threehorns never play with longnecks. But she told Littlefoot's grandparents that she didn't fault Cera for those words. For those words were not her own, rather, they were modeled for her. Children, especially at that age, are prone to learning by imitating others, especially those that they love and respect. And according to my wife, Cera only said those words after hearing someone else say them."

Bron paused before continuing, "To further clarify things, Cera did not come up with the quote, "flatheads had very small brains" herself. She actually said someone, even saying just who, told her that. And just as Cera called my wife a stupid longneck, that someone actually called me a stupid longneck this very night. Isn't that right, Mr. Threehorn?"

Topps' jaw was agape in shock as the crowd began to murmur fervently. For the first time ever, he was at a total loss for words, completely failing to see the trap that Bron had set for him. But at once, he could hear the murmurs breaking through the crowd, slicing at him like fast biter teeth.

"What an awful father."

"I can't believe he was so horrible!"

"Poor Cera … And Tricia!"

"Why did Tria even marry him?"

"And to think he wants to lead the herd!"

At last, Topps shook his head, snapping out of his state of disbelief. Rolling his eyes right over to stare at Bron menacingly, he said in a quavering, chilly voice, "You better take that back right now, Longneck."

"Why should I? Everything I said was true, was it not, Mr. Threehorn?" Bron said calmly.

"Take it back!" Topps roared threateningly, taking a step back as he pawed the ground.

Bron shook his head. "You should learn to think before you act."

Littlefoot and Cera looked at each other in horror, knowing just what was going to happen before it did. With an earsplitting roar, Topps shouted, "I warned you!" And with a running leap, Topps charged right into Bron. His horn collided right into Bron's ankle, spearing the longneck and causing blood to spurt and trickle down Bron's leg. Growling, Bron slapped Topps back with his whip tail, where he slammed him into the wall of the Rock Circle, where he landed with a sickening crunch.

Topps struggled to get up, clearly earning a limp from the collision as he stumbled, "All right, Longneck, you asked for it!" Topps stamped in anticipation.

But before he could make a move, a chorus of gasps came from behind them as two forms hurled themselves right over the row of onlookers on the lower ledge of the Rock Circle and landed in the middle with a spectacular crunch. Instantly getting up, Littlefoot and Cera turned to face their fathers, a look of determination on each of their faces.

"Dad, Mr. Threehorn, you've got to stop fighting," Littlefoot shouted.

"We mean it!" Cera exclaimed angrily.

"You don't want to repeat our mistake!" Littlefoot exclaimed.

While Topps looked confused, an instant look of comprehension flickered across Bron's face as he took a step back. "Littlefoot, I have to do everything I can to …"

"Dad, listen!" Littlefoot interrupted. "You don't have to attack my father-in-law's character … Because I know he's good inside!"

"Yeah, he made loads of mistakes in the past, especially when I was little," Cera said. "And you're right that he was the one who fed me all those prejudices. But guess what? It was me who ended up saying them. The important thing was, I learned from my mistakes the hard way and will never make them again! And he's learned from his mistakes, just like I did! I don't care about what he did in the past. He loves me so much that he'd do anything for me. He probably only wanted to be herd leader so he could help protect me! In fact, along with Littlefoot, he is the bravest dinosaur I know! Well… maybe except for me," she smirked, causing both Bron and Topps to snicker a bit.

Smiling, Littlefoot turned to his father. "Dad, I know you and Mr. Threehorn have not gotten along well, just like Cera and I didn't at first. But I want you to know that you can trust him. Yes, he wasn't always open to me in the past, both as Cera's friend and as her lover. Yes, he's got a temper, he's kind of grumpy and rash, and I've lost count of all the things he said that even he knows he probably shouldn't have. But above all, he is a deep and loyal friend you can always count on." Littlefoot teared up a little before he said, "Just ask my Grandpa. Whenever he needed advice on how to lead the Valley, Mr. Threehorn was always there to support him, right at his side. He cares for this Valley just as much as my grandparents did, and I know that they'd want him to share his valuable perspective, just as he's always done. He really has a good heart Dad, I promise. And over time, because of how much he loves Cera, well … He has it in his heart to love me too."

Bron sighed as he looked imploringly at Littlefoot. "You're really sure he can be trusted?"

"Yes Dad," Littlefoot said. "I trust him. So much so that I'm truly honored that I can call him my father-in-law."

Mr. Threehorn, shocked with how vigorously Cera and especially Littlefoot stood up for him, smiled warmly at the two of them as Bron took a deep breath, before saying, "Very well, Littlefoot. If you trust him as did your grandparents, I'll be willing to put aside my hostilities toward him. But only if I see you hold him accountable."

"Don't worry Mr. Longneck," Cera said courteously. "It's not like we haven't thought of that."

Mr. Threehorn sighed as both Littlefoot and Cera turned to face him. He knew he had this coming, having baselessly slandered Littlefoot's father-in-law before physically attacking him, and knew well that Cera wasn't going to hold back.

"Dad, how could you?" Cera asked as the crowd buzzed.

"Cera, please," Topps began, but Cera interrupted.

"I know you're sorry for what you've done in the past. But what's gotten into you? You've been worse than usual the moment Bron brought his herd in from the Mysterious Beyond. I know you don't like him … But accusing him of abandoning his family? Of trying to take the Great Valley over in a power grab just because he's a longneck? Never mind your nonsense about a longneck dictatorship! You may not like him, but he's my father-in-law, so at least you ought to show him some respect!"

Murmurs broke out again as Topps sighed. "Cera," he sighed. "I only did what I thought was best for the Valley ... Because it's my duty to protect it. And because I love you, Tria and Tricia so much …" Topps sighed. "And I know I've said it before, but I would like for the whole herd to hear as well. I sincerely apologize for all I've done to make things difficult for you. The Longneck is right in that I should be ashamed of my disgraceful behavior in the past. I hope you realize that I've always acted in what I thought were your best interests, but sometimes, my fears and judgments got in the way of what would really make you happy in the long run. I want you to know that I trust your judgment, so much so that I resolve never to impose my will on you again, instead only to always be there to constantly fight on your behalf."

He turned to Littlefoot. "As for you, Littlefoot, I know I once called you a bad influence on my daughter. Well, let me be perfectly clear that I no longer have that opinion. I've seen over the cold times how you and Cera make each other, stronger, more well-rounded individuals, just as your grandfather and I have done upon our talks with one another about how to manage the Valley. And though I have stood as an obstacle to both your friendship and your marriage, I would like to repeat again how proud I am to have you as my son-in-law. I'm not saying this just to reduce tensions within my family. I'm saying this because I truly mean it, for Cera deserves someone with as fine a character as you."

Littlefoot smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Threehorn … And thank you for everything you've done. You were always there for us growing up, saving our necks countless times ... Not to mention how you've been such a good friend to Grandpa ... I'll always appreciate that. But even though my dad couldn't always be there, he has a good heart too. Like you, he really is a great dad. And not only is he a great dad, but he's also a great leader. He built an entire herd all on his own, and faithfully led it for so many cold times. He even went back to sacrifice himself to save Wild Arms from the Fire Mountain!"

Many turned to look at Wild Arms, who looked sheepish as he said, "Actually, it was I who saved Bron!"

"Yeah, right!" Cera snarked, earning a chuckle from both Bron and Topps.

"You can always trust him!" Littlefoot smiled to his father-in-law. "And he'll always have the Valley's interests at heart."

"Yeah Dad, always," Cera told him respectfully, before giving him a sparkling grin. "But you know what? While he may have been a herd leader, you were right about one thing. You know way more about the Valley than he does."

Topps smiled smugly as he said, "That I do." He then stared long and hard at Bron, as if he was eyeing him for carrying bloodsuckers. "Well Longneck, I don't suppose," he hesitated, "That the two of us can form a partnership?"

For the first time, Bron smiled. "If you're willing to work with me just like you worked with Grandpa Longneck, that is an offer I cannot refuse. Your daughter is right, you do know much more about the Great Valley than me, and who am I to reject that wisdom."

Now Topps smiled at Bron. "Well then, I take back my accusations against you. Because I … presumed wrong about you, and well, uh," Mr. Threehorn said, uncomfortable with the apology.

Bron smiled. "You made a mistake," he said. "As we all do. In fact, I must confess to a mistake myself. I punished my son Shorty in the absolute worst way possible by cutting him off from me. I did this only to protect him, but thinking back, I see the error of my ways." Turning up to find Shorty, who began to smile, he said, "Will you forgive me Shorty for my mistake?"

Beaming, Shorty nodded.

"All right then, with that settled, I think …"Topps declared, but Pterano interrupted. "May I ask for my say?"

"Yes you may Mr. Flyer," Mama Swimmer said. Bron and Topps didn't object, and so Pterano prepared to speak..

Just then however, Petrie flew out. "Uncle Pterano!" he exclaimed.

Pterano smiled. "Yes, Petrie?"

"You no have to seek power," Petrie said breathlessly. "Mr. Longneck and Mr. Threehorn come to compromise. So you no need to protect Great Valley anymore."

There was a long pause. "Well, Petrie, I have to say you are right," Pterano finally said. "Contrary to my expectations, I see you have agreed to a compromise. I must say, I'm highly impressed with the way you negotiated things between yourselves." Turning to Topps, he said, "If you treat Mr. Longneck with respect just like you did his predecessor, I am sure the two of you will carry along nicely, and there is no need for my services."

"On the contrary, Mr. Flyer," Bron said. "You have a wisdom few others have, the experience of massive failure and deepest regret."

Topps sighed. "There may be a way for you to provide a service, in your own way."

"Then we agree," Bron said. "From this day forth, we …"

"Hang on there!" came a voice from the crowd. There stood Ed Shieldback, looking very perturbed. "All this chitchat amongst yourselves. You longnecks and threehorns in all your arrogance waste our time with your stupid family arguments, you haven't even gotten to talking about the real problems in this Valley!"

"Yeah, what about our trees?" the Swimmer Trio shouted in unison.

"And those horrible sharpteeth!" put in Juana Spikethumb.

Littlefoot and Cera looked at each other in horror as the crowd began to murmur feverishly.

"You wrong!" Petrie exclaimed. "Family not stupid! And elders will be …"

"It's okay Petrie," Pterano said calmly. "We can handle this."

"Right, may I offer a suggestion, Longneck?" Topps said with surprising cordiality, causing the crowd to mutter even further. "Quiet!" he shouted, quieting them at once.

"Yes, Mr. Threehorn?" Bron replied.

"I propose we have the Circle of Elders look into these problems, just as this Valley has in the past." Mr. Threehorn said. "As you may know, this includes myself, my wife, Ms. Swimmer, Ms. Flyer, Mr. Clubtail, and I suppose Mr. Thicknose, if he wants."

"Excellent idea. I might recommend that apart from adding myself and Mr. Flyer that we add Ms. Spiketail to the circle," he said, smiling at Tippy's mom, who smiled modestly back. "As you know, she is a herd leader as well, and would add some vital representation to the group. I also suggest including Doc, or I should say Mr. Whiptail, for he has a tremendous value of wisdom that could be critical in this time of crisis. And I propose for the sake of diversity, we should add a fast runner …"

"No," came a voice, and Mrs. Maia stood up, glaring furiously. "Have you lost your minds? Especially when those egg thieves most likely led to the attack tonight."

Murmuring broke out again. Ruby's parents' flock looked horrified as Garnet and Pearl clutched at each other in terror, Ruby's parents themselves looking apprehensive.

"Hey!" Ruby said, bounding off from the top ledge, jumping between a pair of hollowhorns before jumping down to reach the rocky ground, pointing at Mrs. Maia. "You cannot prove a charge where no proof exists! My family's herd has passed every poop test whenever there was a poop test!"

"Don't point that blood-drawing finger at me!" Mrs. Maia said angrily. "I've seen your kind rob tons of nests. Why would you be any different, you filthy eggstealer!"

"Hey!" Chomper roared angrily, his voice deepening as he let out a threatening roar, causing several of the crowd to gasp, and he leapt right into the Rock Circle. Undeterred, he said, "You better apologize to Ruby right now!"

"That is right!" Ducky said, having come around the long way with Spike, breathlessly hustling in, who grunted in firm agreement. "Ruby has never stolen any eggs, oh no no no!"

"You leave Ruby alone, you big bully!" Petrie said determinedly.

"Ruby is just as much a part of this Valley as you are," Littlefoot added angrily. "So you've got to treat her with respect!"

"Yeah, got it? Or else you've got to deal with us," Cera threatened, as the others nodded.

Mrs. Maia shook her head as the crowd murmured. "What an incredible display from a bunch of spoiled, entitled hatchlings. Threatening their elders, what disgusting behavior."

"Now you see what I mean Maia?" her older sister Madge said. "Clearly these overgrown eggs have no respect for their elders. They've had their way for so long due to lazy parents who would not set proper boundaries, even having the nerve to roll rocks down a hill where my nest was, nearly killing my eggs in the process. They've gotten away with everything, disobeying orders, letting sharpteeth into the Valley, you name it. And not once have they faced any accountability."

The crowd began to buzz as the gang looked at each other, startled with being the center of attack. "Now hold on there," Topps said angrily. "You are going much too far. My Cera and her friends would never try to hurt your eggs. To even suggest that is despicable."

"That's right," Mama Swimmer agreed. "Whenever Ducky, Spike and their friends made mistakes, they've always had the best intentions. And for every mistake they've made, they've made up for it and more."

"I don't suppose you all forgot how they literally helped keep the herds together when the rest of us were foolish enough to consider splitting up?" Mama Flyer asked.

"Well, maybe we should have split up," came a quiet, youthful voice. Turning, everyone looked to see who was speaking. Then they saw a teenage nesting bigmouth, no older than Chomper, and olive green emerge.

"Who's that?" Cera whispered in annoyance.

"It's one of the kids I think," Littlefoot said cautiously, and in a lower voice, muttered in realization, "One of the eggs we rolled that rock towards."

Mama Swimmer looked at the nesting bigmouth in surprise. "Pebbles, aren't you a bit young for this?"

"Well, I've never heard you object to your kids interrupting herd meetings," Madge said proudly. "Go on, son."

Pebbles cleared his throat. "Thank you for letting me talk to you," Pebbles said politely, in an oddly stiff voice for a teenager. "I've just come to say that what if we've got this all wrong? That instead of sticking together as a big herd, that we each stick to our own families? I love my brothers and sisters and cousins so much, and we never have any arguments. Wouldn't the Great Valley be a nicer place if we could just all stick to our own kinds and never have to worry about dealing with other kinds?"

The gang looked at each other in shock, hardly daring to believe their ears. "But …" Littlefoot began.

"Silence, hatchling, you're out of order," said Lance Bonehead as the murmuring intensified.

So all the gang could do was watch in horror, desperately scanning the crowd for their reactions. The parents in the Circle of Elders, even Mr. Threehorn, looked completely aghast, as did most of their immediate families. Many of the other adults, prominently among them Tricia's gang's guardians - Cassia's parents Colby and Rythe Twoped, Mr. Clubtail, Kosh and their wives, Perri's adoptive mother Beverly Hollowhorn, Mono and Rachelle's adoptive parents Albert and Ova Onehorn – also looked dismayed. So did many of the other young ones, including Sophie, Tippy, Cam, and Mia, and even the domehead pair of Kirt and Naz, as well as some of the other older residents, including Lambe Hollowhorn, Mutt's father, and the Swimmer Trio, and many of the members of the visiting herds.

But also in the crowd were murmurs of support and excitement. These included not only the outspoken skeptical voices, like Juana Spikethumb, Ed Shieldback, the nesting bigmouths Madge and Maia, and Lance Bonehead, but also many other faces, clumped together in groups amongst their own kinds. Despite having lived in the Great Valley for so long, Littlefoot could not immediately place most of these faces.

But of the few he did recognize from glimpses in the past, they had several behaviors in common. They were occasional wanderers into the Great Valley, always sticking to their own herds and never being on speaking terms with anyone the Circle of Elders. Growing up, Littlefoot had always found them easy to ignore. They were dinosaurs that would not appear for cold times on end, frequently preferring to live deep in the Mysterious Beyond, and had only all been drawn into the Valley because of the destructive fires. They were the ones who made sure to raise their children to stay far away from the gang and the peaceful life and interdependence associated with life in the Great Valley, the ones who never sent their children to Mr. Thicknose to learn, who were only rude whenever they saw him, and who generally ignored the Great Valley's rules. All along some of them had been in the Valley to rest from the perils of living in the Mysterious Beyond, and being a refuge for leafeaters, the Valley was always open to them. But at any given time, they usually amounted to only a small number, staying away from the public eye and powerless to threaten the Circle of Elders.

But being trapped in the Valley and suffering through so many crises, including burns from the fires, home displacement, and chronic malnourishment finally gave them the frustration to express themselves, and it was only then that they began to truly recognize each other as a powerful force. And as they did, they jostled to the front of the crowd, remaining clustered in their tight-knit, uniform circles, making all those who embraced the Valley's diversity only look more conspicuous.

"Now Pebbles," Bron said, but Pebbles cut him off.

"Don't call me Pebbles! Treat me with respect as Mr. Bigmouth!" he demanded.

This was too much for Cera, who couldn't help but burst out guffawing with the irony. "My daughter's right, you know," Topps said, grinning deviously. "You really do have a big mouth."

But almost immediately, the outrage occurred. "How dare you insult my son, you old fossil!" Madge exclaimed.

"They're all the same, those rockheads on the Circle of Elders," Ed Shieldback said angrily. "With their higher than thou attitudes, constantly trying to boss the rest of us around and keep us quiet. And to think that this Valley still trusts them with power …"

"You're right, Valleydweller!" exclaimed a wandering bonehead. "This valley's leadership stinks! Whenever we arrive, it's always the same thing, those jerks thinking they can boss the rest of us around. There's Longneck with that pompous know-it-all righteousness of his, Threehorn always arguing with him but always falling in line in the end, Thicknose who can't do anything without having a fit, that useless Swimmer and Flyer pair who never stand up to them …"

And while so many of the Valley residents looked scandalized, the same wanderers who were just beginning to speak up only got more ebullient. "This whole thing is a joke," came a hardened voice, and there stood a wandering threehorn, who looked into Topps' eyes with obvious loathing.

"Be quiet!" Topps roared as a chorus of boos flooded through the crowd.

"No I won't," the threehorn said defiantly. "Because I know the truth. You were all in on a plot to keep your power. You propped Thicknose up to make a fool of himself so you can put the blame on someone. You pretended to fight each other so we wouldn't realize you were all in on it. When in truth, you planned to rule the Great Valley together all along until you rot, and then pass it on to those hooligans of yours to keep up your regime. What else was the point of your glowing praise? You're setting them up to take over after you before we even have a say about it! Well I'll tell you what, now that we all know what you're up to, we're not gonna take it!"

"Let's not forget the abysmal track record you elders have," added the angry voice of a wandering clubtail. "Sharptooth invasions, droughts, fires, sicknesses, swarming leaf gobblers, bad luck, big freezes, earthshakes … Not to mention the trouble your spawn have caused with their foolish adventures."

And many in the crowd roared in approval, stamping on the ground or pumping their fists as they jeered ravenously and chanted, "Throw them out! Throw them out! Throw them out!"

The savage noise was deafening. Littlefoot and his friends looked at each other, each in incredulous disbelief, too shocked to say anything, and even if they could, the noise would've made it impossible to be heard. Similarly, the members of the Circle of Elders were eerily quiet, unsure to handle this dangerously flammable unrest. Even the original skeptics, like Madge and Mrs. Maia, Pebbles, Ed Shieldback, Lance Bonehead and Juana Spikethumb were beginning to look uncomfortable. While disapproving of the Valley's leadership, they hardly wanted to exile their leaders out of the Valley. Those still faithful to the Circle of Elders looked at them desperately, searching for any kind of reassurance, but nothing could block out the tumult from the mob.

Everything stopped however, when a piercing, bloodcurdling scream rang out. Through all the commotion, everyone forgot about Leigh, who was still sobbing over Bella's dead body. But suddenly, his body snapped back as he finally let go of Bella's body, his voice creating a loud, long moan that could be heard throughout the entire Great Valley. His eyes were going blank as he began to feverishly mumble a bunch of unintelligible sounds as he stared at the Night Circle fixatedly. Clicking his tongue and nodding, everyone stared at him as he fell to his knees, covering his eyes with his hands, and sobbing, he began to say, "I hear you, oh Night Circle, I do …"

A hushed silence rang out as slowly, Leigh opened his eyes, staring at the crowd, who were looking at him, transfixed. And at last, he smiled, but in a way that gave Littlefoot an odd feeling of chills. "Everything has become clear," he said, in an oddly alluring voice. "For the Night Circle has told me to carry out exactly what needs to be done."

The crowd was in hushed silence as Leigh continued to icily smile. "I was such a fool. Not to see the forest for the trees. But the Night Circle has given me another chance …"

And suddenly, to everyone's surprise, he ripped the head right off Bella's carcass as everyone gasped. "This evil threehorn has tricked me into her ways of immorality. But now I see the error of my ways. We must create a paradise for everyone in this Great Valley! And to do that, we must realize that the Night Circle has punished us for our impurities." Leigh commanded.

"The Night Circle has told me everything. It is enraged at us, bringing us bad luck and unfortunate events because of the impurities in who we are. But it is not too late. If we are truly to save our Great Valley, the actions we must take are clear," he said, before defiantly turning to the Circle of Elders. "These leafeaters speak of tolerance and love for one another. But the Bright Circle never wanted for this to happen. They intended each of us to love and tolerate one another, yes, but only amongst our own, individual kinds. For we were never meant to interact with each other and instead, we shall only belong in our proper places."

The murmuring continued as Leigh stood triumphantly. "It is therefore that I am here to save this Great Valley, and bring a rightful restoration of species segregation to keep the Night Circle happy. And to further please the Night Circle, if you make me your leader, I will criminalize all interspecies marriages in the Great Valley! Which I might add all involve the children of the same corrupt leaders who brought us to this point!"

Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky and Petrie could only gasp at each other, their hearts pounding maddeningly in their chests. How could Leigh, who seemed so innocent on the surface, who even appeared to be an interspecies lover himself, be the one saying all these things? And how could anyone really believe that the Night Circle, which only brought them hope, wisdom, and something to be thankful for and appreciate, was actually a hateful and cruel entity, seeking to exact punishment on supposed evildoers and undoing all the progress they had seen in the world? As many of the mob, consumed with blind anger and hopelessness, began to cheer, Mr. Threehorn glowered and rammed right into Leigh.

"How dare you say such nonsense!" Topps spat, more icy lividness pouring from his mouth than at any time before, and with a roar, charged right into Leigh, stabbing him with both horns, creating deep wounds. "The Night Circle is nothing but a dumb flying rock in the sky, you disgusting, twisted outsider!"

Gasps of outrage filled the crowd. For a moment, Mr. Threehorn thought they were directed at Leigh. Then he realized the stares were at him, as Leigh, barely concealing a smile of triumph, pointed and shouted, "You … you evil heretic! You insulted the Night Circle! Now you made everything worse! I told you all this filth is not to be trusted!"

"He didn't mean that," Bron said quickly, as he and the others in the Circle of Elders began to shield Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky and Petrie protectively as many in the Valley began to roar their outrage.

"Oh yes he did!" Leigh said. "All of you elders, you're all in on it! With those corrupt, wicked hatchlings … The systematic destruction of the Great Valley as a fertile place watched over by the circles in the sky into a wasteland of moral ruin, where the circles are perpetually angry at those practicing immoral interspecies friendships and the foulest of all transgressions, interspecies romances!"

"Sounds like we've got a new leader!" roared a voice from the crowd, and many began to cheer with vigorous enthusiasm.

"Now there, this has gone way too far," scolded Pterano, but at that moment, Tuck, the little bothtoothed dinosaur emerged.

"S ... Sorry to interrupt," he stammered, looking uncertain. "B ... But I found more bodies!"

The murmuring grew intense, and at once, the meeting had been relocated. Littlefoot was finding it so hard to keep up with all the disastrous turns of this meeting he could hardly see how things could get any worse. But upon seeing where the crowd stopped, his heart plummeted even further. There were the carcasses of the dead leafeaters, who for some reason had joined in with the sharpteeth in their invasion.

There was a hushed silence as everybody's eyes fell upon their bodies. A few wanderers went over to investigate. Looking at the severed heads of each of them, one soon found a tooth embedded in one of the carcass' skulls. "Aha! A tooth ... From a big twoclaw!"

"And look at this!" exclaimed another. "These are stab marks from a longneck, a spiketail, and a threehorn! I've seen these countless times in the Mysterious Beyond!"

"Hmm, I wonder who," a third asked mockingly, instantly turning to Littlefoot, Cera and Spike, and then to Chomper. "Open your mouth!" he demanded.

Chomper froze but couldn't see any way out of the situation. Nervously, he opened his mouth, revealing a spot where there had just been a tooth."

"Guilty!" exclaimed Leigh at once. The whole Valley gasped, and at once, a part of the mob split off and lunged right at Chomper. They were too fast for the gang to react, and pinned Chomper right at the edge of the Great Valley's walls. "Don't you move one foot or we'll kill you on the spot," warned one of them maliciously, while the others guarding him agreed.

Then a voice came out, "I know who killed Earl!"

Freezing, everyone turned and breathlessly saw Gus, one of Earl's friends, go up. His eyes blazing, he lifted a leg and pointed right at Shorty. "He tackled my friend to the ground, breaking his bones and leaving him there to die."

"What?" Shorty exclaimed, bewildered, but enraged, another group began to surround Shorty, trapping the longneck just as they had Chomper.

"You are all wrong!" came a voice from the crowd, and emerging, out came a white longneck with a very long neck. "Don't you remember!" Mia shouted. "I falsely accused Chomper myself! But I learned there's no way he would do anything like that! Right, Cam?" she asked her ex-partner in crime.

"Uhh ..." Cam said nervously, looking to her boyfriend Len for guidance, who also looked unsure as he looked at his friend Gus, who gave him a threatening look back.

"Wait!" exclaimed Ali frantically. "Chomper only did what he did out of self-defense!"

"Yeah, those leafeaters wanted to kill us!" Chomper finally piped up.

There was a long pause, before all of a sudden, the crowd fell into two camps. Some of them were dead silent, unable to comprehend what they just said. But others, the ones who were already hostile to them, broke out into a massive wave of immense laughter.

"Liars!"

"Frauds!"

"Evil murderers!"

"Monsters!"

"Cannibals!"

"This is more proof," Leigh said ravenously, earning the cheers of some of the audience, "That those overgrown eggs are no good. The fact that they would literally commit murder against fellow leafeaters is just one more piece of evidence of the uncleanliness of the spawn of the Circle of Elders. Who might they kill next in their corrupted states? It could be anyone here in this Valley. It doesn't pleasure me to see that they are beyond all hope. But we have reason to not be afraid. Following the Night Circle's guidance, if you make me your leader, the first thing I will do is punish the four overgrown eggs for daring to defy the will of the circles with their so-called marriages, send them to their deaths where they belong, and bring the circles' favor back on the Great Valley to shine for a promising future! So who is with me?"

And while so many shouted in protest and looked on in horror, the mob now appeared to have the upper hand, in numbers, in enthusiasm, and in raw strength. Ravenously, they slowly began to creep toward the elders, who were the last line of defense the gang had from being attacked. They saw each of their parents give them shocked, heartbroken, tearstained looks, not knowing what to do next. This really appeared to be the end …

There was nothing else for it. With one look at each other, Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie and Spike looked at each other. If they were to go down in fire, they would all burn together …

Clearing their throats, the five young dinosaurs harnessed all their vocal power to make one gigantic roar, catching the onslaught off guard. Using their split second of hesitance to their advantage, the gang pushed past the elders shielding them and ran straight toward the hole in the Valley's wall where the sharpteeth had broken in.

"Get them!" Leigh ordered.

What happened behind them they didn't know apart from what they could hear. But what they could hear was that while they could hear many dinosaurs chasing them, they could hear a sizable contingent fighting back, preventing their pursuers from reaching them. The roars of a massive brawl broke out, holding the mob back and allowing the gang critical time to make it to the still open hole.

"Wait!" Petrie declared suddenly, tearing back.

"Petrie, no!" Ducky exclaimed.

"No worry," Petrie declared. "Me flyer. Me be okay. Me promise."

"But …" Littlefoot said, but it was too late. Petrie flew off, flying high above the brawl and into the Valley, as if he was determinedly looking for something.

"Come on," Cera urged. "We've gotta get out before they get us!"

So Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky and Spike pressed on, jumping over the remains of sharptooth carcasses as they breathlessly headed out into the Mysterious Beyond. With all their strength, they managed to push all the rock that had been cleared away to make the hole back into place, before they hurtled down the rocky path as quickly as they could, trying to find a spot in the Mysterious Beyond as deep as they possibly could.

At last, they reached a vast stretch of barren wasteland. They could no longer hear any other kind of life, only the vast emptiness of the world around them. Restless and out of breath, they finally took their chance to stop and rest. "We are … outlaws," Ducky said, in saddened, incredulous disbelief, hugging Spike in a desperate plea for comfort. "Not allowed to go back home again ... And hunted for our lives ... We are, we are ..."

"Just because a bunch of crap from that backstabber Leigh and that we love each other," Cera said. "How sick is that?"

"I know," Littlefoot said. "But … We'll get through this somehow," he said quietly.

"How?" Cera asked.

The others looked to him hopefully, but he couldn't give them an answer. As far as he knew, they were all isolated from the Great Valley forever, never to return home again, destined to spend the rest of their lives on the run from a dangerous, hateful mob.

Yeah. I know, after Bron, Topps and Pterano finally reconcile, we've got a real downer of an ending. The absolute low point of the story … Along with the ensuing consequences you'll see next time. But things can only go up from here. How so? Find out, starting next time! And feel free to give your speculation in the comments!