PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS. I'M JUST POSTING IT AS I REALIZED I HADN'T POSTED IN OVER A YEAR. I HAD HAD A TON MORE OF THIS BUT ACCIDENTALLY LOST IT IN A SITUATION BEYOND MY CONTROL. SO I'D HAD TO RESTART A BUNCH OF IT AND THIS IS NOW WHAT I HAVE SO FAR. AGAIN, IT'S NOT DONE, JUST WHAT I HAVE DONE SO FAR FOR THIS CHAPTER, WHICH WILL LIKELY BE AT LEAST 15K WORDS OR MORE WHEN IT IS DONE.

What do you think of it so far?

CHAPTER THIRTEEN: EGGS AND EXILE

Petrie, meanwhile, was again in the Mysterious Beyond. Like the previous night, he was again spending the night with Dactilli's pack in the Mysterious Beyond. He did his best to try and ignore the snarls and growls of he dared not think what in the distance.

"Petrie, you safe here with us," his wife said to him.

"This take some getting used to."

"Living here with Friendly Sharptooth take getting used to?" she snorted. "What about me? Me live in valley with Flattooth that me can't eat or even see or else they hurt me."

"No, me meant scary Sharptooth out there."

"Well, they out there, aren't they? No here."

"True. But me have other problem."

"Like what?"

"Like bones everywhere."

"What you expect them to do with them after done eating?"

"Eech! This scare Petrie!" he grimaced, staring at a young Swimmer skull.

Could you guys leave the Flattooth bones somewhere else when Petrie is around? Dactilli called to her fellow Sharpbeaks.

What about the others bones?

You're just going to have to get used to those. You did marry a Sharpbeak after all.

Dactilli reached out with her talons and grabbed his shoulders like she would unfortunate prey. However, instead of flying off with him, he began to massage his shoulders, gripping tightly, relaxing him. "Perhaps if you calm you sleep out here better." Petrie hadn't slept well the previous night.

"Petrie feeling calmer," he sighed.

The two soon settled in the hollow spot within a large tree, one that could fit two Flyers comfortably but wasn't that roomy.

Before either of them could fall asleep, however, they heard a loud roaring. That one sounded too close! Dactilli said in alarm.

Does this usually happen?

No, big Sharptooth attacks are rare.

The two soon saw not just any Sharptooth, but Red Claw himself. He had come to bully the Sharpbeaks. He killed and ate a few and was going to head on his way when he caught a whiff of Petrie's scent. It's the Flyer that killed my brother! he snarled.

Petrie realized that Red Claw must have followed his scent here. He had come from the Great Valley only an hour ago.

Red Claw must have spotted him one of the times he'd been going out to Dactilli and finally had managed to tail him to the home of her pack.

When did you kill Red Claw's brother? Dactilli gasped.

Quite a while ago, when I was much younger. My friends from the Great Valley helped me kill him.

You are even more awesome than I thought!

Go away Red Claw. Don't bother me right now. Petrie snapped.

When did you learn how to talk?

Petrie didn't respond, but instead flew at Red Claw and seized his eyelid, hanging on like he had years earlier with Sharptooth. "Fly away Dactilli. Me hold him off!" he cried.

Petrie flew out of the way just in time and caught up with Dactilli. Red Claw chased the two of them, but, being flyers, they soon got out of his reach. Disgusted, Red Claw left.

You know, with Red Claw after me, it might not be wise to go back there where he can get us and hurt your pack. Petrie sighed.

Dactilli's family, none of whom were, thankfully, killed by Red Claw, met her and Petrie sometime later. I had no idea that Red Claw and Sharptooth were brothers nor that he knew we'd killed Sharptooth. Petrie said.

I'm just glad you two are all right. Pterocho said.

I agree with Petrie's assessment that we shouldn't be having him come here in case Red Claw follows him back again. said one of Dactilli's brothers. Petrie had told his in-laws his concern that Red Claw had followed him and that he didn't want it to happen again.

Petrie and his wife flew back toward their secret lair at the edge of the Great Valley and slept there the rest of the night. At least Red Claw wouldn't be able to get them here.

Chomper tossed and turned in his sleep. He was having a nightmare of watching Red Claw attack and kill his parents. I'm going to kill you Red Claw! I hate you! he snarled in his dream, or so he thought.

Chomper, Chomper, get up! It was his mate, Jessica.

Wh...Wha...What? he stammered, looking around.

You were having a bad Sleep Story.

I know, he sighed. I've had it many times before. I got to thinking, now that I'm fully grown, maybe it's time I payed Red Claw back for killing my parents.

That sounds very dangerous. Don't you remember what happened to Fabia when she sought revenge?

I do. Maybe we should get others to join our pack. Then we can gang up on Red Claw and defeat him. Ruby and I had always planned to learn to get dinosaurs to work together so we could fight him. he said. He then sighed.

What is it?

We had asked the Great Valley to help us beat Red Claw when we first came, but they said no. Some like Littlefoot's grandfather wanted to help but most of the Valley residents were just concerned about themselves and didn't care what went on out here in the Mysterious Beyond as long as it didn't effect them. he sighed again. But, then again, I think Red Claw's continued existence kept me alive, in an odd way. I think that, if they had killed him, then the Valley residents would have sent me away as a kid. And I'm not sure Ruby's parents could really help me hunt on my own. Halfteeth aren't really suited for that kind of thing like Dil and Ichy were.

RRRRRGH! Chomper's stomach growled. Speaking of food, I'm feeling a bit hungry.

Though it wasn't even dawn yet, Jessica joined her mate in leaving the others and setting out in search of food.

They hadn't walked far from the rest of the group when they scented food. There were several creatures nearby. Chomper had never smelled the like of them before and neither had Jessica. The two slowly crept toward whatever it was. Eventually, they spotted several fat creatures with Yellow Bellies. So far, they didn't see the Sharpteeth.

As the two neared, the Yellow Bellies quickly stuck their heads in the air and stuck up their rears, pretending to look like bushes.

What are these stupid creatures? Jessica asked.

Not sure, but their defense mechanisms are terrible.

Not too bad. They might pass for bushes if we hadn't seen them first.

Their smell would give them away.

Maybe not if we didn't notice it.

So, what do you think they taste like?

Let's go find out.

The two approached two Yellow Bellies and bit them in half. Chomper chewed on a Yellow Belly. They taste kind of oily. he remarked.

At least they're filling.

Since the Yellow Bellies stayed hidden under the ground, not aware that the Sharpteeth were still there and hunting, Chomper and Jessica killed two more and ate them as well.

Chomper licked his lips. Well, those tasted great.

Yes, but they're fattening. Junk food. Jessica sighed.

I think they're all right.

Of course, you would.

What's that supposed to mean?

It means that you don't think before you eat.

What's there to think about? They're not poisoned.

Maybe not, but the fumes coming out of your tush after you ate that fat Spiketail almost could qualify. I told you not to eat all of that by the way, but you did anyway.

I was hungry!

And then there was the time you ate those two fat Egg Stealers and kept burping half the night.

Bad luck.

Well, I hope you don't get burps or gas from these.

I hope I don't either.

Well, let's go get the others. I bet when they awake they'll be hungry too.

The others were upset about being woken up, at least at first, but they soon felt that it would be compensating to eat large, dim-witted, Leaf Eaters. You sure they're this stupid and it wasn't just a Sleep Story you had? Sarco asked.

Yes, they're real. Chomper replied.

Surprised that their whole kind hasn't died out. Whoosh remarked.

Perhaps they just have had lots of luck, which prevented that from happening. Jessica said.

Well, we'll be eating well at any rate, Sarco chuckled.

The group ambushed an oblivious group of Yellow Bellies. These aren't fattening, they're great! Ichy remarked, eating a Yellow Belly leg.

Don't eat too many. Whoosh said.

Don't tell me what I can and can't do! Ichy snapped.

Fine, but if they give you gas, you're sleeping by yourself!

Thankfully for Ichy, the meat didn't give him any gas. However, many miles away, Petrie did have gas. He'd been in the Mysterious Beyond that night, covertly meeting with Dactilli's family and had eaten berries not found in the Great Valley. They were good tasting, but not the best for his digestive system. "Ug, go sleep outside!" Dactilli moaned. The many loud bursts of flatulence were waking her up, and she now held her nose.

"Me sorry. Me no know berries cause tush rumbles."

"Well, no do it again. And please go sleep outside."

"Ok, me go sleep outside, in cold, all alone."

"Ok, fine, me go out there too so you no be lonely. At least Dactilli can breathe better out there."

Petrie had been up late, while Dactilli slept, thinking of how best to breach the topic of what he had planned for their future. He knew it was long shot, even if the plan worked perfectly, meaning that Dactilli was ok with it and that nobody in the Great Valley, save his allies, would be able to see through it. I've been thinking, Dactilli. They aren't going to let you stay in the Great Valley openly.

Yes, I am aware of that. That's why you keep me hidden.

Well, you're pregnant, and eventually will have eggs, and they will hatch. And it wouldn't do to have both you and our kids hidden from the Great Valley for the rest of your lives.

So, what do you propose to do about it? I thought that Haley had a majority control over the Great Valley?

She does, barely. If I were to have children and my mate were to die...

Die?!

Not for me, of course, but they'd have to think that. Otherwise, how could I explain why I have kids but no wife. You aren't allowed to be on the council if you leave your mate nor if your mate leaves you. However, if I were to go away for some time, perhaps long enough to get married and have eggs, then I could come back with the children like look more like Flyers and Sharp Beaks and say that I got married and that my mate was tragically killed by a Sharptooth a few days after wedding night. I can even say that she was killed by Red Claw, as they know that Red Claw doesn't like me for helping to kill his brother.

Dactilli bit her lip, thinking over what to say. Finally, she said Ok, supposing this works, how could I get to stay? After what happened with Chomper, even those that aren't with Haley might not let a Sharptooth live in the Great Valley.

I'd thought of that and believe that maybe, they might let a small Sharptooth and halfteeth in, especially if they are family of mine.

It's worth a try, I suppose. When we you be going away?

In two nights from now.

Do you have any idea where you want to go?

Yes, I've thought of a place.

Where?

A place for Flyers. Lots of Flyers go there for their honeymoons.

We don't want to draw attention from lots of Flattooth Flyers. I'm not sure if this is a good idea. Someobody is bound to notice the Sharpbeak and Flatbeak couple and word could reach the Great Valley.

The place is really big. Maybe we could avoid attention if we picked a remote location.

Well, I hope you're right about not getting noticed. I really do need a break from all of this hiding from everyone all day long.

Chomper, meanwhile, had scented four Yellow Bellies, three adults and one child. He had just about decided to leave them not wishing to harm a child if he could avoid it, when he scented the child coming nearer to him. He didn't want the child to be frightened by seeing Sharpteeth, and so he said "Go away kid. There are Sharpteeth here. You're not safe."

"Come over here. There are no Sharpteeth here."

"I can handle the Sharpteeth. Trust me."

"Sharpteeth can be pretty dangerous. You should come over here."

"No, I'm fine. Stay where you are."

"I can help you."

"No, that's ok, I..." but it was too late, the child, a young dark blue Yellow Belly, sighted Chomper. He saw no other dinosaur nor any sign taht Chomper had eaten a Leaf Eater. Thus, he quickly realized the truth. "You're a Sharptooth, and you can talk!" he gasped.

"All right, I can. But you should go back to your own kind."

"I've gotta show my parents the talking Sharptooth that I've found!" the child cried excitedly.

"I'm not sure they'd like to see a Sharptooth, even a talking one," Chomper said hesitantly.

"I think they will," the child said, and before Chomper could stop him, he ran off to go find his parents. Chomper decided that it was best if he snuck off. While he didn't plan to hurt the child or the parents, he feared that if they saw him, they might attack him, and he wished to avoid that. He also hoped that the parents wouldn't believe the child about what he saw. Then he could be left in peace.

However, as he slowly walked away, he saw that, much to his dismay, that the parents were being dragged along, one by each hand of the child, toward him. "See, there's the talking Sharptooth I told you about." the child cried.

Chomper decided to pretend like he was a "regular" Sharptooth. If the parents thought that the child was just making things up, they'd flee and not bother him. ROOOOOOAR! He let out a roar.

"That Sharptooth doesn't seem that friendly," said the mother Yellow Belly.

"But it could talk. And it was nice then," the child argued.

"Doesn't seem nice now!" the father said.

"It could talk! I swear! I'll make it talk!" the child cried. And before Chomper could react, the child started to bounce on his left foot.

"Good idea, Looduf. He can't chase us with a broken foot," the father said. And soon, all three were bouncing on his foot. This definitely hurt, as they were all heavyset.

"Ouch! Get off my foot you stupid Yellow Bellies!" Chomper bellowed automatically, forgetting that he was trying to pretend to be a regular Sharptooth.

"See, I told you it could talk!" Looduf cried excitedly.

"Ok, fine, I can talk," Chomper sighed. "Now go away!"

"Where did you learn to talk?" Looduf asked.

"Looduf, the Sharptooth said that we should go away. I think that's a good idea," his father said nervously.

"It's a long story," Chomper sighed.

"Well, we don't have time for a long story. We need to get going, so..." the child's mother said.

"I wanna hear it!" Looduf said.

"It all started with a Longneck named Littlefoot," Chomper began.

"Littlefoot!" the two parents cried.

"Yes. Have you heard of him?"

"Yes, though I can't recall where," the mother said, scratching her head.

"Me neither, though his name sounds so familiar, almost as though I've met him," the father said.

"Have you met Littlefoot?" Chomper asked.

"I don't recall," the father said.

"I think you'd know if you met Littlefoot."

"Didn't you say that a Longneck named Littlefoot helped you find Berry Valley?" Looduf asked his parents.

"Yes, Littlefoot is a Longneck," Chomper said. "Have any of you been to the Great Valley?"

"How would a Longneck know a Sharptooth?" Looduf asked skeptically.

Chomper explained to them who Littlefoot was, about how Littlefoot had befriended him, how he had eventually been made to leave the Great Valley, how he had found the children, who were the sole survivors of Ali's old herd, and how they had adopted them. He had explained that he had planned to send them to the Great Valley to be adopted by Littlefoot, only for Red Claw to show up and ruin everything. He explained how he planned to bring the two children back, to be adopted by Littlefoot and his mate Ali, which was even more urgent now that he had learned from Skip that Littlefoot and Ali were childless, and that the children could be adopted by them and give them a seat on the Great Valley Council so that they could counter Haley.

"I think that we have, at some point, we have met Littlefoot." the father said.

"Do you think that you'd know what Littlefoot looks like if you saw him there?"

"Maybe." said the father.

"Who's Littlefoot again?" the mother asked.

"So, let me get this straight, you want us to help you get the kids that you orphaned into the Great Valley, where they want to kill you if you go, to be adopted by Littlefoot so that he and his wife can push back against the guys that want to kill you?" the father asked.

"Pretty much."

"Well, it seems like a good idea," said the mother. "Though there's just one problem."

"What?" Chomper asked.

"We've been in this area for so long that we've forgotten the way to the Great Valley."

Chomper had never been in this area before, and so didn't quite know the way either. "I'll go find the path to the Great Valley," he said. He scouted around and, after traveling for nearly a day, returned, stating "I've found the way to the Great Valley."

"Can you tell us it?" asked the father.

"Sure." Chomper told them the way and they said that they understood and left. However, half an hour later, they returned, stating that they had already gotten lost and had turned back, hoping Chomper could tell them the way again. So Chomper did. And they left again, only to return an hour later, having gotten lost again, and having returned again for help.

"Maybe you should take us all the way there," the father suggested.

"I can't do that, as I've told you. They'd kill me if they saw me."

"Then I don't know how we can get there," the mother said.

"You could just take the children. They will now the way, at least, they will once I tell them," Chomper said.

"That's a good idea," said the mother.

Chomper went and told the others about this new development. When he was done. Ichy remarked "These two sound like they're several sweet yellows (bananas) short of a bunch if you ask me."

"I know. But at least we can have Flatteeth bring them, instead of having to go in ourselves."

"Chomper's right. This seems like our best opportunity to get them safely to the Great Valley," Jessica said.

"I think it's settled then. We'll send the kids to the Great Valley with the Yellow Bellies," Dil said.

Twenty minutes later, the group said their final farewells to the children. "We won't forget you," Isabelle said to them.

"We won't forget you either," Chomper said.

After they had said their final goodbyes to the pack, the two Longnecks departed with the three Yellow Bellies.

"Who are you anyway?" Isabelle asked.

"I'm Loofah," said the father.

"I'm Doofah," said the mother.

"Our friend here is Foobie. He doesn't talk," Loofah said, indicating the green Yellow Belly, who waved at them.

"And I'm Looduf," said the child.

"I'm Jared," said Jared.

"Isabelle," said his sister.

"I'm so glad we've met. I'm sure we're going to have such fun together," said Doofah, giving them a tight hug that nearly squeezed out their guts. After they had been gone an hour, they passed near Berry Valley. "I smell berries!" Isabelle said. They hadn't since that morning and Isabelle and Jared were feeling hungry.

"That's Berry Valley," Looduf said.

"Maybe we should stop there to eat," Jared said.

"I'm afraid we can't go there," Loofah sighed.

"Why not?" Isabelle asked.

"Long story."

"We should at least know some of it. I'm hungry and I'm not sure I can make it all the way to the Great Valley on an empty stomach," Jared said.

"Ok, fine," Loofah sighed. "It started a few cold times ago, when Looduf was just a hatchling."