It took a bit, but Cole's vision was blurry like all the other times, but as it did, he felt the sun on his face as he got up and saw he was in a large open meadow with a large mountain wall in the distance. He got to his feet and touched a prehistoric looking tree and saw the greenery all around. The sound of running water reached his ears and he started a slight trot to a stream nearby and when he looked into the water, his reflection was that of a "Rainbow Face" like he was and it clicked.
"I'm back.", he thought before touching the amber sphere necklace on his neck and saw that the other charms had vanished, "Strange."
He then heard laughter and hurried to a bush and parted the greens when he saw the familiar faces of Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie and Spike running with each other. Cole's face lit up and he started to run to catch up.
"Hey, you guys going somewhere?", he asked as he did so.
It didn't take long for Cole to catch up and the kids looked his way surprised.
"Cole?", Littlefoot asked.
"When did you get here?", Cera asked.
Cole shrugged.
"I took up a residence on the other side of the valley?", he answered sheepishly.
Ducky looked a bit curious.
"Why you leave Cole?", she asked, "We not see you since we came here. We did not."
Spike shook his head though he paused to munch on a plant nearby which ment he was listening too. Cole thought fast.
"I got settled in.", he answered, "So, why not introduce me to the adults in your family so I can get acquainted?"
Cera looked a bit nervous.
"I don't know Cole. Daddy might not like you at first."
Cole looked her way with a raised eyebrow.
"Really?", he said, "Then I should go meet him anyway."
He started to walk off, but Littlefoot seemed to agree with Cera by the way he looked.
"Cole, I really think that you should think about-"
"Hey, if we can take down a deranged killer predator, I'm sure that I can handle a little introduction to adults.", Cole said calmly.
Still, he had an idea that it may be a good idea to take them up on their advice and as the kids started showing him around, he couldn't help but notice that some adults were around watching. They didn't seem to mind as they could see that the kids liked him and nothing really happened as Cole and the kids started talking among themselves.
"So Cole, any luck on your herd migrating here?", Littlefoot asked.
Cole looked a bit unsure.
"I don't know. Maybe they're still outside the valley, but I'm sure they'll find their way here.", Cole answered, "How about all of you? Things good here?"
As the kids were talking, Cole couldn't help but look back on a memory of him back in his world about watching the movie this world was based on. He even recognized some of the adults who had been watching them, but chose not to say anything before Cera's voice broke his thoughts.
"Hey Cole, you want to see the best view around here?"
Cole nodded hoping to move things along and as they made their way there, Cole was introduced to many sights.
/
Once they were up on the view, Cole couldn't argue that Cera ment what she said.
"Littlefoot."
Littlefoot looked up and smiled.
"Coming!", he called before turning to the rest, "I'll see you guys around."
Littlefoot headed off while the rest headed off also so Cole headed alongside Littlefoot until they came to who Cole guessed was Littlefoot's grandfather who looked down at the duo warmly.
"Hi Grampa.", Littlefoot said.
Grandpa Longneck looked to Cole who was giving a friendly wave and smiled.
"So, you're the one who helped Littlefoot survive after the great earth shake.", he chuckled warmly, "Grandma and I were hoping to thank you properly the next time you were around."
Cole couldn't help but blush a bit.
"Well, thank you sir.", he answered, "I'm happy that I was able to be there for him and his friends."
Cole heard his stomach growl and his embarrassment got a bit more obvious.
"Guess I haven't had breakfast yet.", he said sheepishly.
Grandpa Longneck's smile didn't fade.
"Well, you're welcome to share breakfast with us if you'd like.", the elder longneck offered.
Littlefoot was on board right away.
"Yeah Cole, why not join us?"
Cole couldn't help but chuckle.
"Okay, I guess you two won me over.", he shrugged, "Lead me on."
As the trio passed some trees and a large downed log with some brush behind it, they had no idea that it shivered once they were a good distance away. A pair of claws parted the grass and a tan and gray beaked dinosaur with orange eyes peaked out and watched Cole walk away. It must have been that Rainbow Face he had heard about, but he doubted that Cole was able to down a predator well known as Sharptooth even if they were about the same height, but he pushed the thought aside and returned to his original thoughts.
"Hmm.", he muttered to himself, "I like this place. Yes, I like this place a lot. Don't you Strut?"
He paused as he looked to his side and the sound of munching was heard which annoyed him.
"Strut, get up here!"
Another dinosaur like him came up with some grass blades in his beak only he was brown and tan with the same eyes.
"What?", he asked before swallowing some of the greens in his mouth, "I'm eating."
The first frowned.
"Spit that stuff out.", he said firmly, "Go on, spit it out."
"But Ozzie, I'm hungry.", Strut complained.
Ozzie just swatted Strut's face until the greens fell out.
"Spit it out Grass Guzzler.", Ozzie snapped firmly, "No brother of mine is going to eat vegetation. Not while I'm around."
Strut sighed as he rubbed his sore face.
"Then what are we going to eat Ozzie?"
"Eggs, dear brother. Eggs.", Ozzie told him before looking out greedily, "The valley is full of them. Nice, plump, juicy eggs."
/
Grandpa Longneck led Cole and Littlefoot to a tree where Cole noticed a tree star up on the branches far too high for Littlefoot to get. Grandpa Longneck then raised a foot off the ground, got it up a good distance up the trunk and as he pressed down, the tree creaked as it bent and the top got low to the ground enough for Cole to see that the tree star had fresh dew that dripped down it's surface and splashed Littlefoot's face as he looked up.
"Here you are Littlefoot.", Grandpa Longneck said jovially, "The last tree star is for you."
Cole then noticed some dragonflies and munched a couple as Littlefoot stood on his hind legs and snatch the tree star off the branches and happily munched it down.
"Great trick Grandpa.", he said as he licked his lips.
Cole swallowed the dragonflies he had and came over.
"Actually for those like you, it's pretty common.", he stated plainly, "So I wouldn't call it a trick, but rather a method."
Grandpa Longneck looked impressed.
"You seem to know a bunch of stuff Cole."
Cole looked a bit shy, but Littlefoot's voice came up before he could answer.
"Let me try, Grandpa!"
Cole had to admire his enthusiasm, but when he saw the tree that Littlefoot decided to try it out on and couldn't help but roll his eyes as he came over just as Littlefoot put a foot on the trunk drawing the young Apatosaurus' attention.
"First rule on this method: never try to go big right away."
Littlefoot felt a bit bad when Cole led him to a different tree that looked slimmer, but still sturdy to stand. He looked to Cole and Cole gave a nod so he tried the method and the tree started to bend like the one from earlier.
"Careful, Littlefoot.", Grandpa Logneck warned.
Unfortunately, his foot slipped and the tree sprung back upright and Littlefoot looked disappointed.
"Guess I can't do it yet, huh Grandpa?"
Cole put a hand on Littlefoot's shoulder and gave a knowing look.
"Funny, I had to learn to use rocks to extend my reach and use my full weight to bend the branches to get my green food before I met my new herd. Now when I fall, I'm not discouraged."
Littlefoot felt a bit better knowing that Cole wanted to help out and suddenly got to the same tree Cole led him to and tried again. This time as the tree bent, he slowly walked up until he was on his back legs and the tree's top was on the ground. Littlefoot looked amazed.
"Hey, I did it."
Grandpa Longneck and Cole nodded as Littlefoot slowly let the tree up again until it was upright again and slid down.
"I can't wait til I'm not little anymore so I can do that to bigger trees.", he said still sounding a bit proud of his accomplishment.
"Not to worry about that.", Cole answered cheerfully, "You'll grow up sooner than you think."
Grandpa Longneck looked amused as Cole noticed and thought of something to answer if the elder longneck asked how he did what he did.
"I had to babysit younger Rainbow Faces before I got separated from my herd."
/
"Hey Littlefoot! Cole!"
Cole and Littlefoot turned and saw Cera near the foot of a hill not far off smiling and gesturing them to come over with her head.
"C'mon!"
Littlefoot looked up at his grandfather.
"Grandpa, can we go play?", he asked.
Grandpa Longneck smiled as he lifted his tail giving his grandson a clear path.
"Have fun.", he said cheerfully.
Littlefoot headed off after Cera though Grandpa Longneck took a moment to ask Cole for something.
"Cole, would you mind watching over them so that they don't get into any trouble?"
Cole nodded.
"No problem Mr. Longneck sir.", he said giving a salute like a soldier in the army, "I'll take care of the little cherubs."
Cole dashed after Littlefoot and Cera who had met up with Ducky, Petrie and Spike at a watering hole when an idea came to mind. He picked up the speed and the kids saw him heading towards them and then jump into the air above the water.
"Cannonball!", he called out as he tried to ball himself up into a ball.
As he hit the water, a huge and loud splash went off and the kids looked a bit surprised as Coel came up for air and made his way to the shore looking a bit embarrassed.
"Sorry guys, I couldn't resist."
The kids just laughed as Cole took in the view of the valley surroundings.
"This valley sure seems like a wonderful place to grow up.", Cole thought to himself.
"Let's play.", Ducky cheered, "Let's play."
Cole looked thoughtful.
"Hey, maybe we play the Launching Game?"
The group looked interested.
"How do you play that?", Littlefoot asked.
Cole saw some geysers near the watering hole that went off now and then when he walked over and pulled a large palm leaf and bent it into what looked like a sail and slipped a couple more under his feet. The kids watched as Cole tensed and a blast of air from the geysers launched him while he was still holding on to the palm leaf as the leaves on his feet made him slip up a rock that looked like a ramp and he then let go as he was suddenly in the air and landed into the watering hole with a large splash. As he came up, Cera looked interested.
"Wow, can I try that?", she asked eagerly.
"Certainly.", Cole answered, "Just let go once you get airborne and you'll be fine."
Cole helped Cera get a palm leaf like the one he had and before long, the group was taking turns getting launched into the air and into the watering hole and having fun.
/
After several more launches, the group took a break to catch their breaths on the shore.
"Wow Cole, you sure know some great games.", Cera huffed.
"Yep, yep, yep.", Ducky agreed as she flopped on the ground next to her.
Petrie fluttered down and settled on a rock near the group.
"Whew, Petrie worn out."
Cole couldn't help but sigh as he was pretty worn out himself.
"Well, you guys did great for beginners."
After a bit of catching their breaths, Cole gave a sneaky smile as the kids were eager to play again.
"Okay, who's it this time?", he asked.
The kids were up instantly.
"Not it!", Littlefoot said suddenly.
"Not it!", Ducky said just as fast.
"Well, I'm not it!", Cera laughed.
"Me not it either!", Petrie said as he took flight again.
"Nor I!", Cole said also.
Spike said nothing as he was munching on something green, but he didn't seem to mind.
"Guess we know who's it.", Cole said cheerfully.
As the group headed off, Cole couldn't help but burst into song as a melody came to his mind from his world.
"I see trees of green. Red roses too. I see them bloom. For me and you. And I think to myself…what a wonderful world."
He paused as the kids seemed to enjoy his singing so he continued.
"I see skies of blue. And clouds of white. The bright blessed day. The dark sacred night. And I think to myself… what a wonderful world. The colors of the rainbow…so pretty in the sky. Are also on the faces… of people going by. I see friends shaking hands. Saying "How do you do?". They're really saying… "I love you." I hear babies crying. I watch them grow. They'll learn much more… than I'll ever know. And I think to myself…what a wonderful world."
He paused to take a breath as if to take it all in.
"Yes, I think to myself…what a wonderful world."
Cole saw Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, and Spike looked awestruck as they paused from their run.
"That was wonderful.", Littlefoot said, "Where did you learn that Cole?"
"I learned it when I was little.", Cole answered, "My dad used to sing it to me before I lost him and my mother. It's how I help myself remember them."
"Can you teach us that song?", Ducky asked, "Please?"
Cole chuckled.
"I'd love to my lady.", he said pleasantly.
And as the group headed off to play, Cole was also teaching them how to sing the song he sang earlier though Cera was hesitant at first, but soon, even she couldn't resist singing along as they headed off into the valley to find something to do on a morning as great as this.