Warning: This chapter contains dinosaur violence, including some blood and bruising. The last scene of this chapter contains a gruesome take down of one character. I try to keep the details minimal and within the T rating but reader discretion advised.

We Will Hold On Forever

by

DaveTheAnalyzer

Chapter 23: Clash Over Youth Part 1

There wasn't much movement. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck stood in front of Patty, the path to what she most wanted blocked. Littlefoot could feel her grip on him tighten around his middle. His grandparents' gazes shifted, and Patty adjusted her footing slightly, straightening her long neck. The grandparents tightened their lips and did the same, turning their legs and raising their tails in incremental ways. There was barely the puff of four sets of breaths. Littlefoot only watched, not wanting this, but a spectator for all he could do.

Then the rumble of feet. Patty rammed into Grandpa Longneck, Littlefoot feeling the impact shake up Patty's tail. Patty turned her tail and rammed it into Grandma Longneck's side. The grandparents staggered back, bent down in pain, their breath almost knocked out of them. Then the steel returned to their eyes and they marched forward, crashing into Patty's sides. Grandma Longneck head's reached in Littlefoot's direction but Patty wrenched him out of reach.

"You're not getting him." Patty growled. "This is too important."

Gritting his teeth, Grandpa Longneck headbutted Patty. Grandma Longneck struck her neck into Patty's. Patty struck her head against Grandpa Longneck's, who groaned and teetered back. Grandma Longneck stepped closer, an angry look in her eye, but Patty crashed her shoulder into Grandma Longneck's. Littlefoot's view wavered from the blow. Patty shoved passed, pushing Grandma Longneck aside with enough force that Grandma's left feet wobbled near the edge. Littlefoot's heart jumped but Grandma Longneck's feet steadied and she struck into Patty, Grandpa working with her to shove the younger longneck back in front of them.

"We said we won't let you pass with our grandson." Grandma Longneck said. "And we mean it."

Patty grimaced. She thundered forward and crashed into the grandparents, stepping back and crashing into them again. Littlefoot vibrated with every ram Patty made, seeing his grandparents gasp and flinch. She reared onto her hind legs and Littlefoot shouted when his view spun close to the cliff ground as he heard the boom of kicks. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck screamed, lurching away from each other as foot-shaped bruises formed on their chests. Patty lowered her head and charged through the gap presented to herself.

"Let me pass," she said. "You don't want me to do things you'll make me-"

Grandpa and Grandma Longneck shook themselves and crashed their sides into Patty. She struggled, but they bent their feet and tails around her, and she could only shuffle and shout. Feeling gentle teeth on his tail, Littlefoot spirit rose as he saw Grandpa Longneck jerk hard enough to pull him free of Patty's tail. The grandparents untangled themselves and stepped back. Patty's gaze burned as it followed Littlefoot.

"Give him back," she said. "Give him back!"

"You know we won't do that, Patty" Grandma Longneck said. "It's our responsibility to keep Littlefoot safe. That includes from you."

Glancing back, Grandpa Longneck raised Littlefoot and placed him on a small ledge dominated by a large boulder only slightly above their eye level. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck rumbled passed, the back side of their necks visible to Littlefoot, barring Patty's path to him.

"One more chance to surrender, Patty." Grandpa Longneck said. "We don't want to hurt you to protect Littlefoot."

Patty's looked at Littlefoot, at a loss before her gaze lowered on the grandparents. "If you had any sense, you would see this isn't about hurting Littlefoot at all. But I won't surrender. If you continue to stand in my way…you'll have to kill me."

Grandma Longneck's expression flickered. "Don't make us go there. I don't know what you believe but this Wing Father is a danger. If he is able to stop time over the whole world, we won't let him anywhere near Littlefoot."

"For the last time, Wing Father only wants Littlefoot to do his duty. He won't hurt him. Besides, not let him get anywhere near Littlefoot?" Patty's gaze shifted. "You already got him pretty close yourselves."

Starting, Littlefoot and the grandparents looked back. Behind them, the path led to a cave in the mountain top with four holes that hadn't been there before. Littlefoot felt a chill. In there was the being who had froze time and tormented everyone with ghosts and the Anchors. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck stared with their necks turned back, Littlefoot glimpsing the dread he experienced in their eyes. They shook their heads and glared at Patty.

"Can your Wing Father reach us from here?" Grandpa Longneck asked.

"He doesn't have the power to reach this far yet." Patty said. "But if I push you closer…"

Grandma Longneck adjusted her footing. "You can't intimidate us. In fact, Wing Father is the one who should be worried. We know that 'carving' on the opposite side of the Great Valley is a weakness of his. Once we destroy it, your Wing Father will loss his hold on everything."

Patty's expression became neutral. "How do you know that?"

"Never you mind." Grandpa Longneck said. "You have always gone on about how Wing Father is strong but if he needs something that can be damaged to stay in this world, he isn't really that powerful, is he?"

"You two are mistaken."

"You really think he has no weakness?" Grandma Longneck said. "We have been around for a while. If you get to our age, you come to learn no one is infallible and that anyone-."

"I wasn't talking about that. I was talking about this 'carving.' There's no carving. We made it up."

There was a beat. Littlefoot felt a whoosh go through him. His grandparents' lips parted, the life appearing to drain from their faces.

"What?" Grandpa Longneck said.

"Of course Wing Father would be aware of a spy near our base." Patty said. "Did you think he wouldn't notice? He told us in our heads to spread that lie so the flyer would go away and we could proceed on with our plans."

"You're lying." Grandma Longneck said. "You're trying to throw us off so we would be distracted when we fight."

Patty acted as though she didn't hear. "It's silly, really. Wing Father wouldn't put a weakness so far out of the way where he couldn't protect it. He knows how to protect himself. You won't ever be able to reach him."

"That can't be true." Grandpa Longneck shook his head. "It isn't like that. Not after all we did,"

"Believe what you like." Patty said. "That doesn't change the fact you've been tricked."

Grandpa and Grandma Longneck stared at Patty. Then they shouted and charged. They whipped their tails onto Patty's sides, hitting her with all their might. Littlefoot started shaking as Patty stepped back from the blows, calmly parrying them with her tail, face sympathetic.

"You know what this means," she said. "You know why you're acting like this. You have no way to resist. Wing Father has no weakness."

"Lies." Grandpa Longneck said.

"No matter what you do, you can't touch him. You were so desperate for any way to take him down that you ran after the first sign of it, leaving your grandson and his friends vulnerable."

"You're wrong." Grandma Longneck panted. "You're wrong!"

"If you had remained with the group, you might have stood a chance against the four of us. But because you abandoned them, they crumbled easily. Don't you see what aiming your hope in the wrong place got you? To prevent this suffering, you should have hoped for the new world Wing Father will bring. Don't worry, this can be fixed. Wing Father won't be going anywhere. He will be around until it's time for this horrible world to change."

"No!" Grandpa Longneck cried.

He reared on his hind legs and kicked Patty's chest. She staggered back with a cry and all the sympathy became anger. She rammed his chest with her tail, making him fall back. Grandma Longneck rammed in, pushing Party back, their furious eyes boring into each other. Patty dug her feet down and Grandma Longneck couldn't push any further. She whammed her tail into Grandma Longneck's leg, which made Grandma kneel with a cry and stumble away. Panting, the grandparents didn't let up, but they were old and drained from the distance they covered today and Patty's gaze was unwavering.

"You're fighting against destiny," she said. "You could have worked with us but instead you fight against us. Now this will hurt."

Littlefoot felt helpless as the fight continued. This was the last thing he wanted. His anger and sadness with Patty mixed in his chest. He was unsure about what he wanted but all he knew was he wished she hadn't been caught up in this, that his grandparents wouldn't be fighting with such animus. He couldn't believe their warm reception to each other had turned into this. He should say something, anything to stop the fighting but he couldn't find the right words. He could only watch as they exchanged blows, hoping for a conclusion that wouldn't hurt in some way.

Mr. Threehorn, Tria, Mama Sharptooth, and Papa Sharptooth stood in front of Cera and Chomper, their gazes serious. Mama and Papa Sharptooth adjusted their stances, and Chomper glimpsed the scars on their chest and sides, some familiar, some new. Mr. Threehorn and Tria looked exhausted but were ready to go. Verter's gaze went back and forth, tracing among them. He no longer smirked, contemplative as he weighed options.

Then Verter charged, lowering his horns toward Mr. Threehorn. Cera's breath hitched. Bruised and exhausted, Mr. Threehorn grimly stiffened, bracing for the impact.

Papa Sharptooth jumped in front of him. He raised a foot and kicked Verter in the side of his face, making him stagger back. Mr. Threehorn watched surprised and smiled. Verter only shook his head and jabbed his horns. Papa Sharptooth dodged, narrowly missing. Verter's eyes followed the scars on Papa Sharptooth's chest but Papa Sharptooth whacked his tail against Verter. The boom of feet preceded Mama Sharptooth ramming her muzzle into Verter's neck and frill, crashing him onto his side. Tria ran in and Verter pushed himself up to meet her horns. They jostled before she managed to carve a cut into his head. He growled and thrust her aside. She teetered to one side ominously but stayed on her feet. Mama Sharptooth, Papa Sharptooth, and Mr. Threehorn prowled around Verter, like predators circling prey.

"Four on one." Verter scoffed.

"Is it more than you can handle?" Mr. Threehorn taunted.

"At least I don't need to know what sharpteeth say to coordinate. Besides, how are you going to deal with their diet after you defeat me?"

This made Tria falter a bit. Her gaze hardened. "We'll cross that path when we get to it."

Verter narrowed his eyes and charged for her. She started to run at him but Mama Sharptooth stomped in the way, forcing Tria to slide to a halt. Verter didn't stop, slashing his horns across Mama Sharptooth's muzzle. She roared as two red marks appeared and rammed her muzzle down on Verter, smashing him to the ground.

"This is what you deserve." Mama Sharptooth loomed over Verter. "How dare you make Chomper suffer..."

Verter grimaced at the growling. He kicked a forefoot into her nose scratches, causing her to scream. He turned as though to stab her with his horns but he bellowed when he felt three points of pain when Tria stabbed his thighs. Still, he was free and he fled. Mama Sharptooth turned and growled at Tria.

"What?" she asked.

"She said why didn't you stab him while he was down." Chomper translated.

"Oh. I thought she had him taken care of." Tria said.

Chomper translated this for Mama Sharptooth, who grimaced but didn't protest. In the meantime, Verter grabbled horns with Mr. Threehorn, staggering a bit but maintaining his balance.

"It's about time I took care of you." Verter said.

"What, miss me already?" Mr. Threehorn said.

"I can't help noticing you sound breathless. I'm just going to take out the weakest link!"

Verter pushed hard and Mr. Threehorn stumbled, but pushed back harder. Verter gritted his teeth but it said something that he had to struggle. Smiling a bit, Mr. Threehorn pressed his advantage when he heard rumble of feet and hastily backed off as Papa Sharptooth kicked Verter away.

"Hey, warn me next time. I almost had him!" Mr. Threehorn said.

Papa Sharptooth glared at him and glanced at his mate. "The male threehorn is being ungrateful."

"He said you didn't warn him." Chomper said. "He was pushing Verter back."

"How should I've known that? I saw this Verter was distracted and took advantage of it."

Chomper had turned to translate this to Mr. Threehorn but he caught Verter glaring at him and froze. Getting back to his feet, Verter charged for Mama Sharptooth. She bent her legs to jump out of the way but one of his horns scraped by her leg, and she shouted in pain. Verter turned and charged back at her. He aimed his horns for her head but Tria rammed into his side and jutted her horns perpendicular to his. Papa Sharptooth charged at him teeth out. He wrenched his horns out and moved away but not before those teeth scrapped the top of his frill, making Verter bellow. Mama Sharptooth rose up, sparing a gentle rumble at Tria.

"Thanks," she said.

Tria smiled, getting the basic message from the tone. Mama Sharptooth looked at her mate.

"We should cooperate more," she said. "We said we would work together."

"They should have kept up." Papa Sharptooth gazed trailed on Tria. "But she saved you. Still, it would make things less confusing. But I don't trust relying on Chomper too much from how that Verter glared at him"

"Yes. Maybe we should make simple big gestures to them that leaf eaters know."

"That would make me feel stupid but you have a point there. Still, they need to know this first. Chomper?"

Chomper stood up. He stole himself as they held a brief discussion, exchanging quick movements and sounds, aware of the threehorns watching them.

"What's going on?" Mr. Threehorn asked.

Chomper finished talking and looked to them. "They want to cooperate more. I taught them some quick leaf eater gestures you understand. "

Tria smiled. "That's wonderful."

The sharpteeth went over to stand beside Mr. Threehorn and Tria, nodding in their direction. Verter got up again, starting to look irritated.

"Hit me as much as you like," he said. "But you'll tire and I'll keep going."

He turned and charged for Papa Sharptooth. He raised his foot and kicked the sole between Verter's horns. He tripped a bit on impact, a startle from the strength but he crushed his foot in. Verter growled, straining. Then he pushed up hard enough that Papa Sharptooth stumbled back. Verter rose onto his hind legs and thumped a forefoot on the scars of his chest. Papa Sharptooth roared, stumbling, and collapsed onto his knees. Groaning, he looked up just as Verter charged toward him. Mr. Threehorn jumped in front and clashed his horns with Verter, feet digging into the dirt and shoving Verter back.

"Don't mind me." Mr. Threehorn said. "Just paying back the debt from earlier."

Chomper felt his father's eyes flick to him. Reluctantly, he translated and Papa Sharptooth snorted.

"Maybe he's useful after all," he said. "I won't eat him."

In spite of himself, Chomper giggled. "Um, I'm not going to translate that."

Grunting, Verter shook his head. He stepped to Mr. Threehorn and Papa Sharptooth but grunted as Tria held onto his tail with her teeth. She gave a muffled cry as Verter's tail wavered up and her feet stumbled, almost leaving the ground. The thump-thump-thump returned, and Mama Sharptooth's head rammed Verter his side. Tria stumbled and let go as Verter was sent crashing onto his side, rolling up before landing and groaning on his kicked side.

"You okay?" Mama Sharptooth helped her mate up. "You should have known he would hit you in the scars."

"Oh, I feel that now." Papa Sharptooth groaned. "Our prey doesn't usually last this long."

Tria stepped closer. Once she was sure her mate was steady, Mama Sharptooth nodded to Tria.

"Thanks." Mama Sharptooth said.

Tria smiled. Cera started to stir.

"Yeah," she said. Then, with more energy. "Yeah! Get him, Dad. Get him, Tria!"

The first beginnings of a smile edged into her face. This was the most hope Chomper saw in her in a long time. He could understand, hope rising in his chest. He had never dreamed that his parents and Cera's would ever work together. Now they were making an opponent who nearly killed Mr. Threehorn and Tria look – well, not like a pushover but they gave more of an even match then he thought.

The threehorns and sharpteeth became relentless with Verter. Mama Sharptooth rumbled at Verter and chomped at him. Verter pulled away, moving from side to side to avoid each bite. Mama Sharptooth waved a hand at his tail. Tria charged at his side and Verter raised a tail, only for Tria to swerve from it and impale her horns into his side. Verter bellowed and his tail did slap the side of her head, and she screamed and pulled out to stagger out of range and jerked her head at Mama Sharptooth. He barely pulled away from having a horn chomped off by Mama Sharptooth's teeth. He still got a kick in the head for his troubles and the force of it made him stumble back, leading his back to crash into a tree.

He raised a foot to step forward but the tree crashed down on him with more weight than it should have. Verter grunted. Mr. Threehorn had approached and crashed the tree on top of Verter with his horns. He flicked his eyes prominently in Verter's direction. The rumble of feet returned when Papa Sharptooth charged with teeth bared out. Verter struggled and threw the tree off of him, turned to rank his horns into Mr. Threehorn's to push him back. Verter turned back to Papa Sharptooth but he got rammed by the sharptooth's muzzle and some of those teeth left scratches that made him bellow. Papa Sharptooth made a grunting growl and Mr. Threehorn knocked Verter down.

Verter dragged himself to his feet, scratches and bruises started covering him, a few bleeding. Mr. Threehorn walked over to join his mate and Mama and Papa Sharptooth as they stood against him.

"How long can you last Verter?" Mr. Threehorn said. "Even with this Wing Father power, you can't fight forever."

Verter looked annoyed. Then he chuckled. "How long can you last? You and Tria are exhausted. The sharpteeth have some advantage but they had to run to get here. I can keep going as long as I'm connected with Wing Father."

Tria appeared troubled but shook it off. "That might be true. But can you fight the four of us if we keep hitting you enough?"

Verter became disconcerted. After a moment, he revealed gritted teeth.

"You're going to have to hit me often enough to do that," he said. "A threehorn never gives up."

Chomper translated this for his parents, and they growled low in their throats. A flicker of unease went across Cera's face. Chomper understood, scratching his chest. They wanted their parents to succeed and hope they would but they were concerned how truly defeating Verter would come to pass.

Spike watched with nervousness as Mama Swimmer fought Tega. Mama Swimmer kicked and punched Tega's side, putting in all she had. Yet Tega did little more than wince and swing her tail. Mama Swimmer jumped away but a few long scratches came across her thigh and she yelped. Spike whimpered. She tried her best, but all the jumping and kicking was starting to make her stumble.

"You're losing breath." Tega said. "Don't you want to give up yet?"

"Never!" Mama Swimmer snapped. "I won't stop until you're no longer a threat!"

Mama Swimmer charged. Tega reared onto her hind legs but Mama Swimmer jumped to the side and grabbed her forelegs, using the momentum of Tega standing to flip her onto her back. Mama Swimmer came down, kicking and punching Tega's underside. Tega's tail twitched, and Mama Swimmer stamped on it but the tail lifted up and Mama Swimmer stumbled off. Tega rolled to her feet, facing Mama Swimmer with a swooshing tail.

"A bit more interesting." Tega said. "Pity you don't have help to make it more so."

"This isn't everyone's fight." Mama Swimmer said.

"That isn't going to help you 'protect' your spawn. Though speaking of them, they would ordinarily be helping you by now."

Spike started and he felt Ducky still beside him. Mama Swimmer snapped.

"They're children! Of course they wouldn't fight."

"But they have been so willing to 'help' before. Why aren't they doing anything now? They're scared. They care more about avoiding pain than keeping you around."

"No!" Ducky said.

"Ducky, don't rise to her!" Mama Swimmer said. "That is a lie. I know. I have felt the love of all my children while raising them."

"They love having a protector." Tega said. "Kids, they aren't capable of love. They are all 'me, me, me' more than most people already are. If you die, they will find someone else."

"You know nothing! How can you who has never looked after someone – Ducky, Spike, stay there!"

Spike and Ducky jumped. They had started looking around, stepping in one direction or another to find some inspiration to help. Now Spike moaned that they rose to Tega's bait again. Tega took advantage of this distraction, the flat end of her spiked tail smacking Mama Swimmer, who cried out and fell to her knees.

"I know enough." Tega's smile was horrible. "Were those squirts looking for a way to help or escape? I wonder. You're fighting against an overwhelming force. Don't give me that nonsense about how those two's support keeps you going. You're exhausted, at the end of your energy. Right now, you're fighting alone and you know it."

"Not anymore!" a new voice said.

Tega glanced to her right and jumped away as a tall shape charged toward and kicked in her direction. The old longneck stepped beside Mama Swimmer, normally gentle features tightened into a glare.

"Pat!" Ducky said.

Tega stared up, pressing her lips together. Before she could react, the quieter rumble of other footsteps came in, and she yelped as a pale dinosaur rammed into her side. Panting, he backed away next to Mama Swimmer. Mr. Thicknose exhaled in small breaths, winded but ready to move. Spike and Ducky jaws dropped. As they tried to process these unexpected presents, there was a skitter through the grass and a furry figure leapt to stand beside them.

"Are you guys okay?" he asked.

"Skip!" Ducky cried, hugging him.

Spike bayed happily, and he stepped in to nuzzle Skip. They stepped back and Skip smiled.

"When I saw what was happening, I looked for help and got Pat and Mr. Thicknose," he said. "I couldn't just stand by."

Spike looked at Pat and Mr. Thicknose. He felt a rush of affection at them. Even after Mr. Thicknose's personality reverted somewhat, he still cared enough to show up.

"Sorry we were late." Mr. Thicknose said. "I had a time helping people flee from another conflict area."

"Another conflict area?" Ducky repeated. "Who are fighting? Are they okay? Are they?"

"It was the threehorns and Chomper." Mr. Thicknose shuffled. "I didn't witness much of the fighting. But from what I overheard, it's not over yet."

Spike felt relief go through him. Ducky slumped and the first tinges of a smile came to her face.

"Thank you." Mama Swimmer looked between Mr. Thicknose and Pat, still kneeling. "You really saved me there. But are you sure you're up to a fight? I don't mean to be rude but you're both old. You could really get hurt here."

"It would be worth the risk, Ma'am." Pat said. "Someone has to be by your side."

Mr. Thicknose nodded. "I have been more active these last cold times and they have revived old muscles. In this kind of battle, numbers are an important factor. Skip, guide Ducky and Spike to the nearest entrance to an underground passageway should things turn against our favor."

"Yes, sir!" Skip saluted. "Know them, can get these two to them!"

"Looks like I can't stop you." Mama Swimmer raised to her feet. "Be careful. Know your limits."

Groaning, Tega pushed herself up. A shadow loomed and she jumped back, missing Pat's tail lash by inches. She backed several spiketail away, looking annoyed.

"Congratulations, you got a couple of old geezers to help you," she said. "Couldn't find anyone else? Guess the Great Valley doesn't want to risk dying for the cause of keeping death around."

Pat frowned. "That isn't any of your business. What's important is that you're outnumbered."

"Do you want to continue this conflict?" Mr. Thicknose said. "I'm aware of your reputation, Tega. It doesn't seem your style."

Tega tilted her head to him. "Reputation doesn't tell everything. Have you ever fought before? You saw Verter come back, so you should know the risk of fighting me."

Mr. Thicknose appeared troubled, but he pressed his lips together. The three adult dinosaurs stood there. Pat raised his tail. Mr. Thicknose gulped and lowered his head. Mama Swimmer lifted her fists. Tega flicked her tail around, looking bored. Spike resisted the urge to gulp and felt Ducky touch his leg. Whatever good came at Pat and Mr. Thicknose's intervention, only more pain was going to come.

Mama Swimmer charged, pulling a fist back. Tega's tail flipped up as Mama Swimmer closed in. A long shadow fell on Tega. Tega jumped to the side as Pat's tail smashed down a second later, dirt blown into the air. Tega looked ahead but Mama Swimmer already closed the distance and cracked her fist against Tega's face.

A bruise forming on her cheek, Tega glared but Mama Swimmer punched her other cheek, forcing her back. Raising her tail, Tega yelped when Mr. Thicknose snuck out of view and bit it. Mr. Thicknose groaned, digging his feet in to keep her tail down. Pressing her lips together, Tega lifted her tail. Mr. Thicknose let out a muffled yelp as his forefeet were lifted off the ground. He let go, staggering back, just in time to get a slash mark from a swipe of those spiked tails, making him yelp.

Mama Swimmer ran at her and kicked Tega under the neck, eliciting a yelp. Wincing, Mama Swimmer grabbed Tega by the shoulders, only to scream when she felt that spiked tail strike her hurt foot. Pat took an earth-shaking step closer, slamming his tail against Tega. He looked hesitant about it, only for Tega to slash her spiked tail against his retreating one, causing him to cry out. Mama Swimmer got up, shaking herself before delivering another harsh punch. Skip winced.

"Oh, I've forgot how intense these battles can get," he said.

Ducky gave a little gasp. Mama Swimmer dodged a bite from Tega and grabbed her forelegs attempting to lift the spiketail, kicking at her chest. Though Tega winced, she was barely lifted more than a few inches, so Mama Swimmer let go and jumped back from another tail swipe. Mama Swimmer settled for kicking at Tega's head again, again, growling in frustration.

Spike had never seen his mother fight so viciously before. She rarely fought but when she did, it was never like this. She was going all out to get damage of any kind. Though Pat and Mr. Thicknose came in cautiously with their attacks, this fell away as Mr. Thicknose rammed harder into Tega's side and Pat's tail struck Tega's other side with even more force. To the peaceable Spike, it disturbed him to see those he loved become more ruthless. Tega had to be stopped but did it have to mean they had to sacrifice their conscience to do so?

Pat stomped closer to Tega. She slashed her tail at his forefoot, making him wince. Still, he raised a foot and stepped onto her side, causing her collapse. Pinned, Tega could do little as Mama Swimmer kicked her forefeet and neck and Mr. Thicknose struck her other side. Tega attempted to bite at Mama Swimmer's foot but Pat's tail whammed her head. Spike winced. She tried to shake it off but the assaults from the kicks from Mama Swimmer, Mr. Thicknose's rams and Pat's tail slaps were continuous, and she started to look overwhelmed…

As a punch came in, Tega opened her mouth and bit down hard. Mama Swimmer screamed and was thrown off her feet. Mr. Thicknose stopped his rams to look up and the distraction allowed her to kick him back. Tega scratched her spiked tail at the wounds on Pat's leg. Pat gritted his teeth and let out a cry and stepped away. Tega got to her feet. Mr. Thicknose tried to charge her, but Tega's tail slashed red marks across his frill and he stumbled away with a bellow.

Still on the ground, Mama Swimmer kicked Tega's head. Tega grunted and Mama Swimmer got to her feet, backing off as Tega reared onto her hind legs. A shadow came over her and Pat's tail slammed her down. It rose up and came down for another hit but Tega's mouth grabbed it and jerked once, twice, pulling muscles. Pat yowled. He pulled the tail out and he and Mama Swimmer backed away to where Mr. Thicknose stood, panting to catch their breath. Despite the beat down she got, the bruises forming from the assault, Tega looked little more than annoyed.

"Really, those are the advantages of those two?" Tega said.

"You have more bruises on you." Mama Swimmer said. "That's more than I ever gave. We overwhelmed you."

"That wasn't a sign I was going to be defeated. I'm still kicking."

"We are…just getting started." Mr. Thicknose said, catching his breath.

"That's what they all say." Tega said. "I can keep on going forever if I want to."

"And if you keep going, we really won't let up on you." Pat said. "You know where that will lead then. Remember this, Tega. We'll do anything to protect these children."

Mr. Thicknose nodded. Mama Swimmer turned to Tega, looking encouraged.

"Well, Tega?" Mama Swimmer asked. "Are you worried now?"

Tega gaze trailed between Mama Swimmer and her compatriots. Her lips looked strangely thin without her piece of grass to chew. She pressed them together.

"This is going to be annoying," she said.

Skip fidgeted as Tega started to approach Mama Swimmer and the others. Ducky covered her face, peeking around her fingers. Spike couldn't look away. This was their lives on the line. Still, amid the wariness Spike couldn't help but feel a bit of hope that they might make it out of this after all.

Still, reeling, Ruby looked on as Mama and Papa Fast Runner stood protectively in front of Mama Flyer. They faced off against Don, arms and legs splayed out in that familiar open manner when ready for fight or flight. Don examined them, that bruise from their kick still prominent on him. Swooper and Guido stirred on the ground, gazing about blearily. Catching sight of Mama Flyer, they began to push themselves up, but she waved them off.

"Stay down, boys," she said. "Allow my new friends take care of this so you can recover."

"Huh?" Focusing his gaze up, Guido started. "Oh, oh! Hey, you got here just in time."

"Wait, who got here in time?" Swooper asked.

"Ruby's parents - fast runners, remember? They've come from the Mysterious Beyond to help."

"Fast runners." Don repeated. "You might present a challenge if I was a small ground walker. But you stand no chance against me as a flyer."

Papa Fast Runner's lips twitched. "Well, might as well get it over with, don't you?"

Don narrowed his eyes. Mama Fast Runner clasped her hands beside her mate, contriving to look innocent. They stared at each other for a moment, Ruby tense, the advantages of flying on point to her. Then Don opened his wings, and dived at them. He aimed his beak at Mama Fast Runner. She ran to the side a foot before he made contact. Don rose back up and dive bombed Papa Fast Runner, who jumped back and ran, pausing and making eye-contact with Don. Irritated, Don rose back up and went after Mama Fast Runner. She already started running, his shadow converging on her. She hopped to one side and the other as he stabbed his beak toward her back, always making sure to be just out of reach

"Keep still," he growled.

Footsteps became audible, and Don already turned to an approaching Papa Fast Runner to slash his claws at him. He jumped back, and he and Mama Fast Runner ran out of range. Pressing his beak together, he ascended before diving down in Mama Flyer's direction. Mama Flyer, still recovering, started and Petrie yelped but the pat-pat-pat of feet preceded Mama Fast Runner jumping in front of Don with a fist pulled back. Hastily, Don pulled back up, her fist missing by inches. Circling to get his bearings, Don spotted Swooper and turned to aim his claws at his fellow elder flyer. Swooper lay there, head tilted, and he jumped and hastily got up as the sound of Don's approach reached his ears. Don wasn't going to let someone escape him this time…

Something snipped through the air and grazed his cheek. He yelped and Swooper took this opportunity to scramble away to the others. Glaring in the direction of the throw, he found Papa Fast Runner standing many feet off bobbing a stone in his hand.

"What?" he said. "You hit me!"

"It's only natural." Papa Fast Runner said. "You stay in the air, we find some way to reach you."

Don narrowed his eyes but then a rock struck him in the back of the head. Yelping, he turned and Mama Fast Runner also held a rock and smiled innocently. No sooner did he turn that another rock struck the side of his neck from Papa Fast Runner's direction.

"Stop that!" he cried.

"Dear, I think it's working." Mama Fast Runner called.

Don growled but he had to dodge to the left and right as the fast runners took turns throwing rocks at him. He flew about but the fast runners threw after him and cried out when a rock hit his wing membrane. Whenever Don dodged one, the other was ready to throw another. Ruby wondered how they were getting the rocks but a glance down showed they were running around and picking those they had thrown back up.

After another dodge led him to being hit again, the look of impatience on his face crossed a line and he started to swoop down. He went for Mama Fast Runner with his claws, and she ran off, throwing a rock to get in his way. He rose up and flew quickly to Papa Fast Runner's back but his tall neck allowed him to turn and notice Don and run in the opposite direction. This got Don so frustrated that, when a rock smacked his beak, he flew down to Papa Fast Runner's eye level, claws out.

"I will show you for humiliating -" he growled.

Ruby saw a pink blur converge on Don, kicking him hard. Don screamed, sent halfway across the mountaintop before he was sent crashing and rolling on the ground. Petrie had watched the dodges and strikes with uncertainty, but as the fight tilted to the fast runners' advantage, a tentative smile slipped across his beak.

"Yeah." Then with a fist pump, he said. "Yeah! Get him! Kick him more! That the spirit!"

Ruby found herself relaxing slightly. She had been worried her parents wouldn't be able to deal with someone as powerful as Don. Though they were a bit breathless from the running and rock throwing, they were doing alright. They managed to get hits on Don and stayed out of range. She wasn't in the mindset to cheer like Petrie but she couldn't help thinking maybe things were going to be okay.

Don pushed himself up coughing, turning to Mama and Papa Fast Runner with a glare.

"You know that can't take me down. I only need to keep going and sooner or later, you will –"

A blue blur caught Ruby's attention and Mama Flyer slammed into Don's back. He cried out and fell back down. She retreated a step, and Ruby saw a beak scratch on Don's back.

"Didn't forget about me, did you?" Mama Flyer asked.

Don coughed and turned to glare. "You can't have recovered that quickly."

"I have recovered enough. Now I can take you down."

Mama Fly leapt for him with her claws. Don scrambled up and hastily flew off. They circled each other, Don flapping from one side to the other as she stabbed at him with her beak. He turned and flapped into her space and they dueled beaks before she flew off, Don flapping after her.

"Please be alright, Mama." Petrie said. "Don't let him get you…"

Flapping hard, Mama flipped around three-hundred-sixty degrees and sped under Don. He lashed his claws when she passed but she dodged under and pulled up behind him. He hastily beat his wings to fly out of reach but with a few extra flaps, her claws collided with his back. Don yelled and wavered in the air but the fast runners threw a few rocks at him and he started falling many feet.

Mama Flyer didn't stay far behind. He dodged a slash of her beak to the back of his head, turning to her. Don scratched his narrow fingers into her wings. They grappled their fingers, their flaps making them pause and waver in their fall. He ignored the rock that struck his crest, grabbing for Mama Flyer's throat. This concerned Ruby. If he could grab her, he could make her land hard on the ground, Wing Father's power protecting him while she would get much more hurt.

"You – will fall." Don said.

"I don't think so."

She pushed hard and flew out of his grip. Just then, the pat-pat-pat of footsteps came into hearing and Mama Fast Runner kicked his face just before he made impact. Guido yelped and ducked as Don flew over him and struck the ground, kicking up dirt.

"This is for what you put Ruby through," Mama Fast Runner said.

Mama Flyer landed beside her with only a little stagger. "You're outdone, Don. Give up. Now."

Don groaned, laying among the debris. He scrambled to his feet with unnatural swiftness. "I can move quickly too, you know. You really want this over with."

"I want you gone. I don't want Petrie and Ruby to go through anymore because of you."

"But this is a different kind of haste. It has been there ever since you attacked me. Where does it come from?"

Now that it was pointed out, Ruby did notice an odd tenseness with how Mama Flyer stood. She panted urgently and there was a look in her eyes that she desired to conclude this fight quickly. Don examined her before his gaze strayed to the fast runners.

"Ah," he said. "So that's how it is."

"How what is?" Papa Fast Runner stepped beside his mate and Mama Flyer.

"If the fast runners are here, then the sharptooth child's parents are here as well. But sharpteeth can't get into the valley. There are no paths they can get to from the Mysterious Beyond. Not unless someone opens one for them."

Everyone's attention turned to Mama Flyer. She stood oddly still.

"Mama?" Petrie asked.

"You opened up one of the barriers," Don said, "maybe even the same one that let Chomper's parents through so many cold times ago. I don't know why his and Ruby's families were here but once you heard the Anchors taking the children, you were torn between the valley and your family. You knew the risks, but you decided to let them in."

"I had to!" Mama Flyer snapped. "You were taking our children, their children. I couldn't keep them out. We would need all the help we could get."

"Even from sharpteeth? Do you think they would behave themselves in a valley filled with leaf eaters? Who says they wouldn't turn against you?"

"Chomper." Papa Fast Runner said. "If his parents harm anyone, they would endanger his only refuge from Red Claw."

"Right." Mama Flyer nodded. "They could eat any of you if they are hungry anyway. They love Chomper. They wouldn't hurt him like that."

"They are sharpteeth." Don said. "Do you really trust that they can resist their instincts?"

Mama Flyer opened her mouth but after a pause, a look of hesitancy came in. Don smiled grimly.

"You can't. You might know Chomper well but your only encounter with his parents was when they attacked the valley. You're risking the entire Great Valley on a hunch."

"That not true, Mama!" Petrie yelled. "You did right thing!"

"You don't know what you're talking about." Mama Flyer said.

"Say what you will." Don said. "I am not the one who let such a danger into the Great Valley."

Mama Flyer stood frozen, as though unsure of what to do with herself. Then she threw herself at Don. She punched his cheek, flapping a few feet up and falling on him with her claws. Don merely touched his cheek and smacked her away. She wavered in the air, barely stumbling back onto the ground with both feet. She shook her head and closed in, smacking at him with her wings. Don stepped back and parried the blows, looking eerily calm.

"You act like you have common sense but you allowed desperation to seize your judgement," he said. "Even you know this might not end well for you. The dinosaurs won't take well to you letting sharpteeth into the Great Valley."

"I don't care." Mama Flyer said. "As long as it keeps our children safe, I'll deal with it."

"Even if this leads to some parents losing their children? Or children losing their families?"

"That won't happen!"

"Really? Your doubt is clear to all. Why else do you want to get this fight over with? You want to defeat me before the sharpteeth's diet gets the better of them. What if they don't want to leave? What if their instincts take over? Those are the fears going through your mind. And even in the unlikely case they behave themselves, who says another sharptooth wouldn't take advantage of the hole you created?"

Fear slid into Mama Flyer before her face twisted with anger. "Be quiet!"

"Stop it!" Mama Fast Runner said. "You don't know anything about them. They wouldn't do anything like you say."

"Have you ever seen them resist the urge to kill around leaf eaters for long?" Don asked. "Fast Runners don't count."

"I trust them. They…" Mama Fast Runner faltered for a second. "They wouldn't…"

"Stop it!" Petrie cried. "Stop hurting Mama, stop hurting everyone!"

"You started this fire." Don said. "Don't blame me if you get burned."

Mama Flyer aimed a punch at Don's face. Don seized her hands and pulled them down, only for her to jump and kick his legs with both feet. It was enough to shake his grip to free herself and to jab her beak at him. Mama Flyer slammed her wings into him again and again, but there was a hint of doubt in her eyes. Soon, he burst his wings out and started hitting her back. Papa Fast Runner grabbed his hand.

"That's enough!" he said. "You shouldn't manipulate someone's emotions like this."

Don wrenched his hand out and turned, slamming the wing into Papa Fast Runner, who yelped and backed away.

Don sneered. "That is rich, coming from you. I didn't send a child to do an adult's work."

Papa Fast Runner's mouth opened with a flicker of guilt but he hardened. "I'm not going to discuss that with you."

He punched Don's face. Glaring, Don stepped closer but the pat of footsteps preceded Mama Fast Runner jumping and kicking him in the back. Papa Fast Runner ducked as Don screamed and sailed over him, tumbling. Don stumbled to his feet but his back was caved in and his wings a bit oddly angled. Don thrust his wings hard and there was a crack as they came back in formation. Mama and Papa Fast Runner exchanged brief considering looks before he turned and helped Mama Flyer to her feet.

"Can you still stand?" he asked. "We can give you more time to rest."

"I don't need another break." Mama Flyer said. "I can manage. We still need to deal with him."

"Amazing. They amazing." Petrie said. "They work very well together in fighting."

Privately, Ruby agreed. If one person was cornered, there was always another ready to come to the rescue and help. Her parents speed also helped. She should be happy they were there but…her mind was still on the brief exchange between Don and her father earlier. That her parents had come to help was amazing, it turned the tide of the battle…but she couldn't help but not be totally happy about their presence. She couldn't muster the enthusiasm Petrie displayed.

Don turned to Mama Flyer and the fast runners. "You haven't dealt with this level of conflict before. You will only delay the inevitable."

Don swooped his wings and zoomed toward them. Standing at the ready, Mama and Papa Fast Runner staggered as he slammed against them, wincing but they held firm.

"Ready?" Mama Fast Runner said. "One, two-"

"Yeah, throw him around!" Petrie said.

Don flapped hard, his wings a blur. Mama and Papa Fast Runners staggered, but tossed Don away. Don yelped, spinning through the air but beat his wings and reoriented himself. He made a beeline for the fast runners but they stepped back, leaving Mama Flyer to slam into him.

"Get him!" Petrie cheered. "Kick him so he no fight back! Wait, is that fair?"

The flyers struggled in the air before Don fell onto the ground with Mama Flyer on top of him. Mama Fast Runner came in and kicked Don's wing. As she stepped back to provide another kick Don's hand grabbed her leg and swung her into the ground, making her yelp. He thrust his wings up in one huge motion, forcing Mama Flyer back and to fly away. He also took to the air, though only a few feet from the ground. Furious, he looked around and made a beeline for Mama Fast Runner. Mama Flyer turned and Papa Fast Runner made his steps quiet as they made for Don from behind.

"Yes, run faster!" Petrie said. "Attack him while behind, Mama! Punch him while running toward him, Ruby's dad!"

Mama Flyer glanced at him, started. "Petrie, not now!"

"But you flying too slow. You too, Ruby's mom! Um, running, me mean!"

"We appreciate your advice, but you shouldn't say these things out loud!" Mama Fast Runner shouted, stumbling.

"But that could help-"

Busy glancing at Petrie, Mama Fast Runner was unprepared when Don overtook her and struck her back, making her fall onto her side. Don turned around as Mama Flyer caught up and slammed into her, making her scream and hastily flap so she wouldn't crash into the ground. Don turned to go for Papa Fast Runner who realized too late he was going too fast to stop. A wing slapped slammed into the head and he fell on his side, holding his forehead and groaning.

"Mommy! Daddy!" Ruby cried.

Petrie pulled his hands from his beak. "Ma- Mama…"

Flapping his wings, Don turned to them. "Still naïve, Petrie. Of course I would hear the directions. Did you think I wouldn't take advantage of that?"

Petrie opened and closed his mouth. Mama and Papa Fast Runner shook themselves and slowly stood up and Mama Flyer flew in to flap in front of them protectively, a few bruises forming on her. Ruby could see guilt and mortification in Petrie. She guessed she should have been angry for distracting her parents but she only felt at a loss for what to say. She wished she could help him or anyone now and that only made her feel further ignorant. She needed to know more but there was no way that could happen now. With a sinking feeling, she waited for the fight to continue, wondering if there was anything she could do at all.

Cera wished this fight would be over with, and felt bad about it. Her and Chomper's parents worked together well but Verter often found a way to get a hit in. It was like things were going in circles. Mr. Threehorn and Tria legs shook and Mama and Papa Sharptooth stood on either side of them, their breaths coming out in smelly clouds, mixing in with the scent of blood and turned up soil that Cera was ashamed made her stomach curl. Verter stood at the center, covered with some cuts, bruises, bite marks. It was fewer than a dinosaur should have but he glared around, not holding the humor he initially flaunted.

"Well?" he demanded. "Does anyone else want a piece of me?"

Papa Sharptooth growled and charged at Verter. Verter turned and rose onto his hind feet, slamming the side of his head into Papa Sharptooth's throat and turning to slam into Mama Sharptooth's neck when she charged in a second later. They both crashed into the ground. With an angry call, Tria charged in, ramming her horns into his open rear thighs. Verter growled as he thumped back onto all fours, turning but Mr. Threehorn already ran in and they kicked up grass as they crackled horns with each other.

"This isn't going to end how you like it, Verter." Mr. Threehorn said. "Either surrender or we'll have to take you down again."

"You're just afraid you'll have to kill again." Verter replied. "Weak. You can never do it."

"Seriously?" Tria said. "Do you really want to die again? It's not something people want."

"I already made my deal with Wing Father. If I surrender, I die. Besides, I'm willing to go down fighting."

Verter continued to ram horns with Mr. Threehorn. Cera stirred and Chomper exchanged a worried look with her. She wasn't sure how to feel about killing Verter again. It wasn't something she considered in the heat of the fighting. She had no good feelings for Verter after his deception, but the concept of killing him again made her stomach sink. How would this effect her parents, as Verter was a former friend? She didn't want them to suffer again for her and Chomper's sake.

Meanwhile, the parents didn't let up. Verter yowled at Mama Sharptooth's kicked his shoulder. Roaring, Papa Sharptooth charged and Verter stepped away to avoid having a horn bitten off, only for Papa Sharptooth to swing his head into Verter's neck. Mr. Threehorn jammed his horns into Verter's tail. He whirled around, snarling and shoved his horns at Mr. Threehorn. Tria ran in, crashing her horns into his hard. Verter tripped back, overwhelmed, squinting through the blood trickling down his eye.

"Verter, last warning." Tria said. "Stop this, or the way we take you down will be unpleas-"

Verter's eyes became blue flames. He charged at Tria. Mr. Threehorn jumped in front of her and stopped him with his horns, clanking into each other. The thump of feet made Mr. Threehorn back away just in time. Mama Sharptooth charged from the side, raised a foot, and stamped on Verter's shoulder with enough force to elicit a horrible crunch. He yowled, stepping away. He shook his head to get rid of the pain but Mama Sharptooth didn't hold back. Stepping closer, she opened her mouth wide and her teeth sank into his shoulder.

His scream shook the air. Verter staggered away, blood trailing down his side, heaving breath. Papa Sharptooth passed his mate, increased his speed, and rammed Verter further back. Mr. Threehorn's mouth dropped as he watched but as the seconds passed, he became resigned. Verter stepped back, rear legs collapsing, but he glared with defiance.

"I – I will win," he said. "This won't be the end! I – I will make you hurt for-"

Mama and Papa Sharptooth stepped forward, throat-shaking growls interspersed with the slide of licked lips. They charged with teeth bare and Cera and Chomper closed their eyes and turned their faces to each other as rising screams rend the air, mixing with sounds tearing flesh. Cera shook as it seemed to go on forever but soon the screams and tearing noises fell silent. She squinted and she glimpsed Chomper raising his eyelids a smidge, only to glimpse Verter wasn't recognizable anymore. Turning away quickly, Cera saw her parents standing frozen as Mama and Papa Sharptooth approached them.

Papa Sharptooth growled at them.

Chomper stiffened. Cera didn't exactly understand but from the finality of Papa Sharptooth's tone she guessed he said: "It is done." Mr. Threehorn's head was lowered to the side, his eyes wide. Tria had her eyes closed, breaths shaking out of her and Mr. Threehorn pressed into her. Looking concerned, Mama Sharptooth growled and Chomper took a second to realize he was to translate for her.

"She says don't worry," he said. "They will only eat – him until they leave the valley."

Cera knew they meant well but that only made her queasy. Mr. Threehorn raised his heat, taking a deep breath.

"Th-thanks," he said. "I'm not happy about how it ended but I'm glad you helped us defeat him."

Chomper face was turned from Verter's body, his translating growls a mumble. Mama and Papa Sharptooth growled in grim understanding, though their gaze trailed to Chomper and they exchanged a brief frown. Cera barely considered this. The danger had at last past but it hadn't felt like a victory. Cera still felt weak, and inadequate that she could only watch. Chomper's gaze was lowered and he scratched his chest. She rubbed her own chest, wondering if she was ever going to change for the better. She was tired of being the same.

Next time…

Part 2

Note: Part 2 comes next week.