Warning: Some more dinosaur violence appears later in this chapter and there's a misinterpreted mention of lust connected with a child character. Reader discretion advised.
We Will Hold On Forever
by
DaveTheAnalyzer
Chapter 26: The Great Step Part 2
Littlefoot and the others could barely meet their parents' gazes. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck looked so betrayed, disappointed, that Littlefoot wanted to prostrate and apologize on the spot. The other parents' expressions were varying degrees of horror. Mr. Threehorn barely held any anger in his expression, he looked more at a loss. Tria, Mama Sharptooth, Papa Sharptooth, Mama Fast Runner and Papa Fast Runner looked the same. Mama Swimmer's head darted about as though trying to find another answer, while Mama Flyer closed her eyes and shook. It was all uncomfortable but Littlefoot and the others were too fearful to think of a course of action. Not to mention, their instincts screamed they couldn't lose their parents. Grandma Longneck jostled in the silver shadow bonds.
"Just…break," she said. "We broke them before, why won't they give…?"
"That's enough fighting to be going on with." Wing Father said. "It seems your children have made their choices. Now, shall we move on?"
The tendrils gently pulled, turning and rolling the parents in place so they could observe Wing Father and the children without straining their necks or eyes. Patty and the others stayed nearby, Don uncomfortable but the other Anchors victorious. Taking in breaths to calm themselves, some like Grandpa Longneck and Mama Swimmer glared at Wing Father. Grandma Longneck expended the little energy she had and ceased her struggles, panting on the floor. Littlefoot's friends could barely make eye contact with Wing Father, who just continued to smile his calm smile. Littlefoot felt a conflicted anger and confusion. Did anything ruffle this being?
"There should have been no reason for this conflict today." Wing Father said. "It's my fault for not explaining properly. But I have been cautious of you mortals' reactions, so I can see why that's suspicious. Let me go into greater detail about what's happening today so I can win your trust – and maybe even your support."
He paused. Mr. Threehorn and Mama and Papa Sharptooth grunted and bared their teeth. Petrie, Ruby, and Ducky actually looked up. Spike switched between gazing up at Wing Father and looking back at the ground.
"There is a reason seven people have been chosen today to bring about my awakening." Wing Father continued. "Seven who embody all that is good and bad in life. I've been searching for a long time for seven people with these traits and I thought it would take a lot longer but fortunately fate has a funny way of leading me to them."
"What traits?" Grandpa Longneck demanded. "Why them? Why our children? What is it that made you want them?"
"A good question. They each embody a good and bad quality that makes existence go around, drive survival and instinct. Everyone has them in some way but I needed those who have larger versions of those traits, at least for this moment. Take your grandson, for example. He embodies the positive quality of Chastity…and the negative one of Lust."
"Lust?" Grandma Longneck repeated, paling. "No…"
Wing Father chuckled. "Not that kind of lust. There is more than one meaning to that word. Lust is an intense desire for concepts you can't touch. In Littlefoot's case, he has an unsatisfiable desire for the world to be a more just place. Normally, he has the chastity to stick to his morals and be pure in doing good acts. But lately, that has been driving him for a longing of a better world and it's more than he can handle. No matter how many people he helps, he can never be satisfied, and as you've all seen the last few days, it's tearing him apart."
Littlefoot looked up in shock and stepped away from Wing Father's penetrating gaze. He wanted to say this was all ridiculous, but couldn't get any words out. Now that he considered, Wing Father's statement wasn't far off. His grandparents stared and his friends gazed at him with nervousness and surprise.
"The other children embody these same contradictions." Wing Father said. "There is Cera, whose moments of humility allow her to do the right thing but whose pride belies a terror that is unable to confront horrifying realities. Ducky is charitable to others but it hides a greed for tranquility that can't bear conflict. Petrie's kindness leads to satisfaction and compassion but his envy of others' greater skill and knowledge makes him feel inadequate. Spike's diligence to his values and to others is often overcome by sloth, to go with the flow and be inactive in the faint hope everything will work out. Chomper is patient and merciful to even his enemies but his inability to protect others inspires wrath at his own helplessness. Ruby has temperance in her demeanor and her knowledge but her drive for more knowledge is propelled by an insatiable gluttony to fulfill her duty to her family and be useful despite her limits."
As he spoke of each person's trait, he turned his gaze to each. Cera stepped back terrified. Ducky touched her chest and looked unsure. Petrie closed his eyes and covered himself and Spike looked shocked and guilty. Chomper's mouth fell open and glanced away hugging himself, while Ruby rubbed her arms and looked as though she wanted to speak when her head fell. Once Wing Father finished, he turned his gaze to the whole gang.
"These seven contain the right balance of sins and virtues common in this world," he continued. "Admittedly, these traits won't be dominant in the children forever and I could have found seven other candidates in the world. But to have them know each other, be around the same age and gone through so much – this makes Littlefoot and his friends more valuable. In order to unleash a more just era, those who embody the virtues and sins of this world must step forward and change every life for the better. That is the duty Littlefoot and his friends must fulfill."
"Why should we do this?" Cera blurted, lips shaking as she addressed the alien being. "You – your followers have been screwing around with us for a while. Why should we do anything for you?"
"Cera has a point." Ruby said. "You haven't been kind in your plans at any point. Why should we trust you?"
"Sometimes, you have to do dubious things in order to accomplish a greater good." Patty said grimly. "We had to gain your trust before we could reveal our intentions, or you might have dismissed us as mad. When that didn't work, we had to force you to cooperate. As uncomfortable as it can be, it's for a greater good."
"Patty is right." Wing Father agreed. "Sometimes you can't afford to be considerate to the feelings of a few if they are what stand in the way of making those you care about safe and happy. You have all been in that position where you had to hurt others' feelings for the greater good."
He waved a hand in the air and something like a egg-shapped fog appeared next to his shoulder. The gang gasped and there were intakes of breath from the bound parents as the fog shifted to show scenes – scenes that were far away, that should be impossible. They saw Mo swim passed with his water kin, darting in between his fellows with a playful smile. The image shifted to Tippy, his mother, and his herd marching along. Finally, it displayed Doc and Dara walking side by side, taking in the world.
"These people are alive today because of your actions." Wing Father said. "Because of the risks you took, because of the kindness you brought, they have come away better people. Even if some sharpteeth had to have been made hungry, even if you had to stub some toes very painfully, isn't seeing them happier after crossing paths with you worth all of that?"
The gang could only remain silent. How could they since the point was a valid one, Littlefoot thought. If he thought about it, Littlefoot was vaguely guilty of the pain the sharpteeth the defeated might have gone through. But if he had the choice, he would save those people as he had before just so those he loved could live a better life.
"But not all those you saved are happy." Wing Father continued.
The fog image shifted. Littlefoot's heart seized as he saw a glimpse of Bron ahead of his herd, Shorty by Bron's feet and Etta flapping by the pair. Shorty had his head lowered slightly while Etta's normally cheery face looked wistful.
"There are those you know who have lost loved ones. They feel the weight and pain of those no longer with them every day – the guilt, what they should have said, what they should have done." Wing Father continued. Petrie gave a wistful moan when the image changed to Pterano's single figure flying in a canyon, eyes half-lidded with regret. "They miss those who departed. Wouldn't it be a greater kindness to reunite your friends with their loved ones, to make sure none of them have to experience loss again? Wouldn't it make their lives safer, happier, so they wouldn't have to worry about keeping track of the things that can end their lives?"
The fog showed a different image again. The yellow bellies in Berry Valley threw berries into their mouths and raced each other. Foobie watched with a wide smile, which faded as he gazed at patches of air as though expecting other yellow bellies to be there. More than a few of Littlefoot's friends had a hard time looking at the fog image by the time Wing Father waved his arm again and the fog dissipated.
"And the people these friends lost are tiny compared to the many lives that are lost every day." Wing Father said. "You can try to count all the people you met in your parents and grandparents' lives and it would still be small among the number of people that die. Can you even count it? It's greater than having dozens of Great Valleys. So many lives lost, so many active minds cut short."
"Stop." Chomper moaned. "Stop this."
"Me not want to think." Petrie said. "Me no want to think it!"
Ducky shook her head, her hands covering her face. Littlefoot tried not to think but in spite of himself, his mind tried to come up with the biggest number it could. That more people than his family knew died each day made his stomach lurch and the pain in his chest increased, panting as the choice loomed ever larger over him.
"Compared to all the death that happens every day, do the tactics we have to use with you compare?" Wing Father asked. "As much as I mightn't approve of what we had to do, when it comes down to it, this is for the benefit of every living being that is alive or should be alive. Those lives have to remain priority. Though really, we haven't been that cruel. Have we really hurt that many people anyway?"
"I only wandered the world and went from herd to herd these past twenty cold times." Patty said softly. "I might have had to break off some bonds cruelly but I haven't been knocking anyone off cliffs that annoy me."
"I only kept to myself and stole food." Tega grunted. "I was a jerk, I'm not ashamed to admit it…but is being a jerk that big of an offense?"
"Any hurt feelings or slights over stolen food are small compared to all the death that happens." Wing Father said. "The choice is quite simple. Shouldn't we put these grudges aside and look forward to making the world better?"
"P-pah!" Mr. Threehorn said. "Aren't you the ones causing the ghosts in the first place?"
"Mr. Threehorn is right." Ruby said. "Aren't you the ones causing the ghost? What about the sharptooth ghost?"
Wing Father let out a long, slow sigh. "It's an unfortunate effect of my presence. I have the power to bring back everyone but it's incomplete if the Anchors aren't present and the seven don't make the agreement. My connection to this world can bring the dead back as ghosts, can shift time such the ghosts and those who know them never remember the death. When they are discovered, the ghosts can't remain here. They have no choice but to fade away. I can only slow or roll time back so much. That's the circle of life reasserting itself. I can't have any power to overcome it unless I get your agreement. And as for the sharptooth ghost. It was a test."
"A…test?" Mama Swimmer squeaked. "You mean you controlled him?"
"I noticed Littlefoot and his friends in three ghost encounters in the Great Valley. With the belly dragger's feathery friend, the sprinter mother, the threehorn family. I became curious and learned more about them. So I found the sharptooth the five of them fought and sent him against them. I manipulated him to see how they would react, to see if they would live up to being the chosen. And they were worthy."
"You did that?" Mama Fast Runner said, anger coming in. "You were responsible for him?"
"You could have killed our children!" Mama Flyer snapped. "How does that align with your kind nature?"
"Didn't you parents ever have to use tough love with your children?" Wing Father asked. "Sometimes, you have to hurt or risk someone's life in order to do the best for them or for the world. Is this any different from the risks taken with the longneck tests? Even with the proper precautions, there is still the danger of injury and death. Yet it's seen as the best thing to prepare longnecks for their duties in adulthood."
Littlefoot and the others exchanged some unsure looks among themselves. He saw Grandpa and Grandma Longneck glance at one another and some discomfort slip in. As much as they didn't want to admit it, there was a point in the longneck test. Still, there was skepticism with Wing Father's sincerity. Wing Father had been smiling calmly ever since Littlefoot entered the cave, almost never bothered by their fear or anger. Did Wing Father actually mean his words? Littlefoot wanted to doubt but that icy feeling slipped deeper into his chest. Wing Father was a different being. He was from a place Littlefoot could barely comprehend. Maybe they showed concern or compassion differently. A surge of anger came up, pointing out Wing Father's use of Mama Longneck's voice and his calculating expression. But that cool of doubt returned. Maybe it was an attempt to be cruel in order to be kind, having to hurt someone's feelings in order to bring about their best happiness. He wasn't sure about the tough love part but with such a wide view of the world Wing Father claimed to see…
"But there is another duty that needs to be tested now." Wing Father went on. "To see what you consider important."
"What – what do you mean?" Ducky said tremulously.
"The answer should be within your hearts." Wing Father said. "You've always followed it when deciding to do the right thing. It will guide you to the right decision. This isn't a decision you can back out of. You must make a choice. Either you shall bring paradise to the world…or pay a personal price."
Littlefoot's heart sank. "No, no, you can't mean…" He backed away.
"You can't expect to take away others' happiness without consequences." Wing Father said quietly. "If you don't hand over the world to me, the Anchors will end your parents' lives."
Littlefoot and the others stood frozen, taking Wing Father's words in. Then there was intake of breath. Ducky, Spike, and Petrie stepped back. Ruby held her head. Chomper shivered with his mouth open. Cera barely moved, jaw dropped with disbelief. Gasps and murmurs of shock came from the parents' direction but the gang didn't dare look at them. Littlefoot closed his eyes. That was the choice put before them – either they did what they thought was the right thing or they lose their families. What was even the right thing? Their instinct to help others was one thing but putting it against their parents? The gang stared up at Wing Father, ashen-faced, disbelief and fear carved into their faces.
"That's – that's not fair." Ruby whispered. "That – that's intimidation. It's not fair when you make things such we can only make the choice you want."
"Call it what you like." Wing Father said, unperturbed. "It's a sad but inevitable calculation one has to do in order to do the right thing. Now it's your decision to make – either unleash your virtues and sins upon the world and end suffering forever or run and your parents die. Time is limited. Choose. Choose!"
The single word echoed around Littlefoot and the others. Spike stood back, panting. To hand over the world to someone was unthinkable yet the happiness of uncountable lifeforms hung on their decision. Petrie's eyes darted about, running a hand across his head. Would giving the world over to Wing Father actually achieve justice? After all the cruel things he did, could they trust him? Ducky rocked on her feet and covered her eyes. Was a world where nobody died and stayed the same age forever the right kind of world? They had looked forward to growing up. Chomper breathed slowly to calm himself but panic remained in his eyes. What if the gang made the wrong choice? But none of them could have their parents die on them. They couldn't lose them, they wouldn't be able to bare it.. Cera's gaze trailed to her wide-eyed parents and she looked away, her eyes becoming wet. But they rarely had much of a choice to do anything the last few weeks. They were either left out or had the choice thrust upon them. Littlefoot stood there, shaking, pushing certain thoughts away. He couldn't decide, he just couldn't.
Ruby collapsed, pressing a hand on her head with a cry. Cera also fell but covered her ears and closed her eyes. Ducky and Spike shoved their faces into each other, crying. Chomper grit his teeth and pressed his hands against his face. Petrie stared up at Littlefoot, beseeching an answer but Littlefoot was shaking his head. Whimpers and cries came over them, overwhelmed by the choice. Littlefoot wished he could think of something but his mind was a white panic. The sounds of his friends' struggles was painful to hear for him. The parents were horrified, grief-stricken. This was more than they could take.
"Forget about us!" Grandpa Longneck shouted. "Just get out of here!"
"Don't fall for their lies!" Tria said.
"You still have so much to do!" Mama Swimmer said, jerking in her binds.
"There is still time!" Mama Flyer said. "Think about yourselves!"
"Stand down, all of you." Patty said. "Do you want to put your children through the torment of losing you?"
Grandma Longneck rammed her head into Patty. "We don't want our grandson to go through the torment of changing the world and the circle of life the way it shouldn't be!"
Patty pressed Grandma Longneck back down, eliciting a cry of pain. "Isn't that good? My mother died! I died! The circle of life is too cruel to be allowed to go on!"
"But you're denying our kids a chance to grow up!" Mr. Threehorn snapped, twisting in his shadow binds. "To learn and become better. Isn't that cruel?"
"Become better?" Verter snickered. "Look at what change brought you and Tria, Topps old pal. You've become weaker. Do you think I'd had been able to take Cera if you remained strong?"
Mr. Threehorn fell silent, looking shaken. Tria glared.
"We don't want to hear about who became worse from you!" she said.
"You're robbing our children of the ability to know who they really are!" Mama Swimmer kicked a foot, which earned a grunt from connecting with Tega's tail. "You all are just thinking about yourselves!"
Tega slapped her tail onto Mama Swimmer's foot, earning a yell. "So what? At least this time, everyone will benefit. It's so hard to survive on your own. If you wind up by yourself, you're bound to die. Wouldn't this be better for you? Ducky and Spike always gallivant off on their own – without worrying about their lives, you can stop neglecting your other spawn."
"That still doesn't make this fair." Mama Flyer jabbed her beak at Don's wing. "If all this is true, our children will never learn."
"At least the world won't make all of that learning irrelevant!" Don snapped, stepping on her face. "The world will remain the same. They can just learn about facts that'll never change. It's better this way."
"No, it isn't!" Mama Fast Runner strained, wiggling in her binds. "You'll be eliminating the good along with the bad."
"Sometimes, they go together." Papa Fast Runner punched a fist out, hitting Don's tail. "Our children need to adapt and deal with change. You could have too, if you asked for help."
Don hopped back, biting Papa Fast Runner's fist. "I don't care! "I won't be humiliated again. And think – you won't ever have to become irrelevant either."
"Who says you have to twist the natural order like this?" Papa Sharptooth snarled.
"If I 'twist the natural order,' you'll never have to fear about failing your son again." Wing Father replied. "No matter what happens to him, he'll always be safe and you won't have to part with him this time."
"Our son is strong!" Mama Sharptooth snapped. "He and his friends will find a way to stop you."
"Stop it." Littlefoot whispered.
"But this is how the world is!" Grandpa Longneck rammed his head into Patty's neck. "We're sorry for you and your mother but if the circle of life doesn't turn, nothing will change, nothing."
Patty rammed his head down, eyes furious. "So be it! This'll mean not another parent will be taken away from their child! Can't you see how painful that is?"
"If that means sacrificing our children's futures, we can't stand back." Grandma Longneck lashed her tail, as though to hit Patty. "Time must pass. People grow. Our children will see the importance of that, even if we have to-"
"Just stop it!" Littlefoot shouted, closing his eyes. "Just stop arguing, stop fighting, stop all of this! I'm sick of everyone fighting because of us, hurting each other because of us, talking for us! This isn't going anywhere! Just – shut up. Give us some time to think!"
The parents and even Don and Patty gazed at Littlefoot, shocked into silence. Cera and the others opened their eyes or let go of their ears, watching him with wonder. Littlefoot looked down, thinking hard. As though to follow his example, the others also looked down trying to think but it was feeble, their focus remaining mostly on him. Littlefoot considered the choices before him and his friends, trying not to look at Wing Father. For a while, the only sound was the distant wind outside and the creak of a large body adjusting itself. Littlefoot opened and closed his mouth, attempting to put to words the thoughts that were clicking together in his mind.
"Grandpa. Grandma," he said quietly. "Wouldn't – wouldn't it be great to be with Mother again. That way…we can be a family – forever."
Silence. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck stared, faces blank. Then their eyes widened – with understanding, with horror.
"Littlefoot." Grandpa Longneck whispered. "Oh no, no, Littlefoot."
"It's better this way, isn't it?" Littlefoot looked up, smile shaking. "Once this is done, we can go back to living life how we used to but better. Mr. Clubtail won't be dead and can eat sweet bubbles in peace. Hyp can have his mother back. Those like Mr. Thicknose can have more time to learn. Everyone can be happy."
Cera stared. "Littlefoot, what are-?"
"Wouldn't you like this, Cera?" Littlefoot asked. "You said yourself you wanted this to stop. And now it can."
"No, Littlefoot." Chomper whispered.
"Is – is this the right thing?" Ducky asked.
"It – it has to be!" Littlefoot said. "At least - no one has to die because of this choice."
"Littlefoot," Grandpa Longneck shook he head, "this isn't the right choice."
"Why not?" Littlefoot shot back, voice strangled. "The other choice only delays the inevitable. Besides, this means I don't – I never have to say goodbye to you."
"But this means you'll sacrifice all the good that comes with growing up!" Grandma Longneck said. "Listen to your friends. We know it might be hard now but I'm sure you kids can find a way to stop this."
"Even with their supernatural origins, they must have a weakness." Grandpa Longneck said. "Once that's exploited, you can return the world to normal and-"
"I don't care." Littlefoot said.
"What?"
"I don't care! Even if we put the world back to normal, you two will still be gone. You'll just fade out like Mother, with nothing but memories that'll disappear. All I'll look forward to is losing more friends, more family. In the end…it's not worth it."
"But you can go on!" Grandma Longneck said desperately. "Losing your mother hurt but you managed to go on, live a happy life. You can do it again."
"Why would I want to do that again?" Littlefoot cried, turning to his grandparents. "Losing Mother was horrible enough but you two? I'm tired of that. And if this happened to my friends…No one should have to feel that pain again. We can stop it now, we can end it. Don't you see this is better? Why are you looking at me like that? Please, stop."
For the look Grandpa and Grandma Longneck were giving Littlefoot was worse, much worse than any expression of agony. It was as though they were collapsing, falling apart from the inside. Seeing it felt like Littlefoot's heart was being torn apart. Everything they worked so hard for was shattering and Littlefoot wanted to look away.
"Littlefoot, that pain," Grandpa Longneck's voice cracked, "it's only part of the circle of life. If you sacrificed that, you'll…"
He fell silent at Littlefoot's hardening gaze. Littlefoot looked down.
"If this is part of the circle," he said bitterly, "then I'll gladly get rid of it. What's the point of living if we're going to lose those we love anyway? I'm done. I'm going to do it."
He turned and walked to the circle of seven stones.
"Littlefoot, no." Grandpa Longneck said. "You don't know what you're doing."
"Stay where you are." Grandma Longneck cried. "Please. Please!"
But Littlefoot only followed Wing Father's silent finger and stepped onto a stone that was just his size. He could only look down, as he would otherwise be able to see the other parents horrified faces or the Anchors' grim satisfaction and he couldn't bear it. Cera and the others stared after Littlefoot, reaching arms out or opening mouths as to stop him – but as the seconds sunk in, one by one, defeat crossed their faces.
"He's right." Cera mumbled, rubbing her chest. "What's the point?"
"Cera, what are you saying?" Tria said, distressed. "You need to get out of here!"
"Raise your courage!" Mr. Threehorn shouted. "I know you can survive out there. You're strong. Don't surrender now – you just need to look in yourself and…"
The words died in his throat when Cera looked at him and Tria, expression hollow.
"I'm sorry." Cera croaked. "I was never brave. If you and Tria died – I'd never think about you like Mom and my sisters, and I can't do that again. I guess that makes me a coward but – who cares. At least this way I don't have to deal with the pain anymore."
"Cera." Mr. Threehorn said, gaze pleading. "Please, get out of here. I'm only trying to protect you."
"No, you can't protect me," she said softly. "But that's okay. We don't have to worry about that anymore. Mom and my sisters will be coming back."
Mr. Threehorn froze. Cera stepped back and began walking to the circle of seven stones.
"Cera, don't! You shouldn't do this!" Tria cried. "Say something to her, Topsy! Don't just stand there!"
Mr. Threehorn could only watch Cera's retreating figure with numbed, wide-eyes. He collapsed, shaking.
"Cera," he whispered. "Cera…"
"Why are you giving up on her?" Tria snapped. "You're useless. Cera, get out of there. Please, I'm your mother, I…" She strained in her binds and her voice cracked. "I can't do anything. What do I say? Oh, I'm useless too. Cera, I'm sorry. So sorry."
Cera's face was vacant. She didn't need Wing Father to point to see what stone she should stand on. It wasn't much wider than Littlefoot's. She stepped onto it and lowered her head. This left Chomper gazing at his parents listlessly.
"What's going on Chomper?" Papa Sharptooth demanded. "Why are the other parents so panicked? Why are some of your friends standing on those stones? Don't – don't tell us you kids are actually thinking of going through with this?"
"Don't you dare!" Mama Sharptooth warned. "Whatever you're thinking, don't sell out our world! Don't disappoint us like this, our only son..."
Her anger faltered under Chomper's resigned gaze.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I should be angry, doing something. But – this is the only way I can protect you. It's fine. I guess I was always weak. I can never be as strong as you."
Mama and Papa Sharptooth's eyes widened. As Chomper turned and walked to the stone circle, something in them seemed to break.
"Wait, I didn't mean that." Mama Sharptooth said. "I was just angry. Don't go, Chomper. We're sorry our weakness forced you into this position. Just, just get out of here!"
"You always were much stronger than us!" Papa Sharptooth struggled in his binds, desperate. "You shouldn't be this responsible! Leave us, we're not worth it! Turn back, and run! Please, just run!"
Chomper closed his eyes, but couldn't stop a tear from rolling down his cheek. He stepped onto his stone, several spots away from Cera and Chomper, his parents roaring for him with a guilt and despair few leaf eaters heard. Ducky and Spike glanced at the stones and each other, uncertain but the life drained out of them. Ducky took a step toward the stone circle.
"Ducky, no!" Mama Swimmer cried. "You don't have to do this."
Ducky turned to her with a shaking smile. "This – this is for the best, Mama. You do not have to worry about us being on dangerous adventures anymore. We can be happy this way. That is the best for everyone, right? Everyone should be happy, right?"
"I wanted you to grow up to be happy people." Mama Swimmer choked. "This won't allow that to happen."
"That is okay. We can be happy in other ways, we can. Do not be too sad over this. This – this is the best for everyone!" Ducky pleaded. "It has to be, it has to be, it has! It is better this way! We cannot do anything else!"
Voice breaking, Ducky ran over to the circle of stones. Mama Swimmer turned desperately to Spike.
"Make your sister see sense, Spike! This must be stopped. You two are close, I know you can find some way to…"
But Spike shook his head.
"What do you mean, you won't?" Mama Swimmer said. "You know this isn't right."
Spike looked away, the misgivings in his gaze clear. Still, he looked cornered and when he looked at his mother again, he communicated a loss for what action to take.
"You should know what to do." Mama Swimmer said. "What's right for you and the world. Things should be the way they are, right?"
Slowly, Spike shook his head again. He didn't appear so sure now about what the right thing to do was. Pain entered his eyes as he stared at her and this broke her heart.
"You can be strong for this, I know you can." Mama Swimmer said. "Don't worry, I had my time. But you shouldn't throw away yours, you shouldn't-"
This time, Spike shook his head harder. He wouldn't be content if his mother died. It would tear him up when he could have done something. He widened his eyes pleadingly and a forced hopeful smile came across his face. Mama Swimmer shook her head rapidly.
"No, things mightn't work out for the best. Life could be better but this isn't the way to do it. I beg you, don't get on that stone. I've always tried my best to help you, don't throw it all away..."
But Spike only bayed mournfully, begging for understanding. It was because Mama Swimmer did so much for him and his many brothers and sisters that he couldn't abandon her. That left him with only one option. Spike started mournfully to the circle of stones.
"No, Spike! I love you! Don't!"
Mama Swimmer pressed against the ground and sobbed. Spike wished he could cover his ears. He could see which stone was his. It was right beside his sister, the largest among them. He exchanged a sad look with Ducky as he stepped onto it, staring at the ground.
Petrie glanced at Mama Flyer and looked down, fidgeting guiltily. Mama Flyer examined him with worry.
"Petrie, are you thinking of also doing this?" she asked.
"It – me can't think of other way to keep you alive, Mama." Petrie said. "Maybe Wing Father really nice with this."
"After all he did, you think that?" Mama Flyer demanded.
"Me no know," he admitted. "But he very different. We no know if he bad either. But it best me can do. At least no one really get hurt with this, right?"
"You can get hurt a lot even without dying," she warned. "I fear this might happen if you choose this. Please, Petrie. Just fly away. You're smart. You and your friends accomplished so much. I'm sure you can stop this."
Petrie looked down. "Me was never smart anyway. That was all my friends. Me only got by with luck. Me can never be like them. Might as well try the best with this."
"Don't put yourself down like that, Petrie." Mama Flyer pleaded. "You're plenty smart. If you feel you don't measure up, you can grow up to do better. But that won't happen if you go through with this."
"Me no want to get better if you not here." Petrie choked. "It not make things better. Even if this me being not smart, me no can do anything else. If there be any suffering, at least you and family will still be there. Maybe you all will get along better."
Petrie took to the air and flew to the stone circle. He already anticipated the reaction from his friends and it still hurt to hear his mother beg him.
"No Petrie, you're better than that, you don't have to, no Petrie, no!"
As Petrie landed on the smallest stone and Mama Flyer's dry sobs echoed out, Ruby stood alone, seeing all of the stones in the circle occupied but one. She gave a sigh, gaze resigned and was unsurprised when her father called out.
"Ruby, you know this isn't right," he said. "Talk to your friends. Make them see the true right action to take."
"There's still a chance for you to stop this." Mama Fast Runner begged. "The world needs to go on. We're sure you and your friends can do it."
Ruby stopped. Hesitating, she turned to her parents, seeing the desperation on their faces, their beseeching expressions. For a moment, they looked hopeful but her face crumpled.
"I – I can't," she said. "I don't know enough. I spent all my time in the Great Valley playing around. I can't put a plan together if I don't have enough knowledge to put it together with."
"Don't say that, Ruby." Papa Fast Runner said. "We're sorry you had to take on such a responsibility so young. But we've heard of your accomplishments with your friends. You're a capable girl."
"Take your friends and escape the valley." Mama Fast Runner said. "Look over all of the evidence you have. If you think hard enough, we know you'll find a way to defeat this. You won't know unless you try!"
Ruby only gazed at her parents. Their encouraging and hopeful looks drained as the seconds ticked by.
"That is the thing." Ruby said, voice wavering. "I don't know what will happen unless I try. And if it kills you two…I nearly lost you today, Dad. I nearly lost several friends too and though I know it's natural to make mistakes," she gulped, "I can't stand knowing others might die because of me. I see no way out I can be happy with. I might as well go the way that guarantees no one will die again. Besides, this might get rid of Red Claw. Isn't this why I went to the Great Valley in the first place? And even if this doesn't get rid of Red Claw, at least we won't have to worry about him killing anyone. We might even think of a way to get rid of him. I can't make a mistake that might make me lose someone again."
"Ruby, don't think like that." Mama Fast Runner said.
"You don't have to do this, you're not obligated to do this." Papa Fast Runner said quickly. "We're sorry about Red Claw. Just step away, and run. I beg you, you're better than you think are you!"
But Ruby already started to the stone circle, head lowered in shame. The sound of her parents begging, the disappointment in their tone, was too difficult to bear. At last, she stepped onto the lone remaining stone between Petrie and Chomper. Wing Father's calmed smile gained an edge to it.
"It seems the children have made their choice," he said. "Patty, Tega, Don, Verter…take your places. It's time."
The Anchors nodded, stepping around the parents and taking their place on the four greater outer stones. Patty trembled, staring in the middle distance as though not believing the day had finally come. Verter stood with a sickening smile, sending a triumphant look at Mr. Threehorn and Tria. Don crossed his wings, glancing at Ruby and Petrie with slight discomfort but staring up proudly. Tega's expression remained mostly indifferent but a close look would show a slight smirk. The parents watched, Grandpa and Grandma Longneck struggling a bit in Wing Father's tendrils, a few like Mama Swimmer still weakly calling their children but the fight was going out of them.
"I sense all are agreed to this." Wing Father said. "May the error of death and suffering come to an end."
Wing Father raised his hands. The light level dimmed in the cavern. Littlefoot, Ducky, and Chomper became tense. Several seconds stretched on for an eternity, silent, as though there was a collective holding of breath.
Then light shot up from the stones.
Yelps followed. Littlefoot's forefeet rose an inch off the stone, chin being brushed up as though by a firm wind. Cera and the others were the same, Cera and Ducky wiggling a bit in initial panic as their heads rose up, before the pair returned to their sad or indifferent expression. Littlefoot felt a pull, like a rock was stabbed into his chest and fused with his emotions, becoming one with his longing for everyone to have a good life, to wish there was a better way. The chest feeling was taking those emotions, converting them into a power, and thrusting them outward in invisible waves. Even if Littlefoot and his friends couldn't see how it was happening, they could feel and understand it.
The world was being changed.
Tricia and the siblings of Cera's other friends huddled in the underground cave. Dinah and Dana had been roughhousing beside her but they have slowed and quieted like everyone else. The Tinysauruses were all around, bringing food and the occasional encouraging word but Tricia was worried. Rarely had she been away from her family for so long. She had slept at Dinah and Dana's for the night and though she enjoyed the experience, Dinah and Dana's parents whispered hurriedly about something and before she knew it, the three kids had been rushed into a tunnel and the Tinysauruses led the three all the way into this cave. Ruby's brother and sister had shown up out of the blue an hour earlier and though they seemed nice, they were quiet, looked up at the ceiling with a mix of hope and dread. The Tinysauruses attempted to make the mood buoyant, but some came in once in a while and exchanged anxious whispers. Tricia patted the earth and looked around. What was going on?
Tricia was distracted by a stir from the others. A distant glowed approached from one long tunnel, making the children whisper and exchange glances. The glowing came from figures, most only big enough to fit in the caves but impossibly a few of them appeared to be larger, phasing through the rock and walls. They moved slowly, slightly transparent. The Tinysauruses only looked confused, almost scared and a few of them and the children screamed. Some stood as though to run. A green Tinysauruses, one who resembled Big Daddy, and twins saw their larger grownup kin among the figures and froze for a moment. They ran forward, their shock turning to joy. Big Daddy called after them but he followed his daughter's gaze and he stared at one adult Tinysauruses that shared the daughter's coloring with disbelief. Tricia saw three familiar threehorns among the figures, three she saw only one time several days ago.
"Sisters!" she cried.
She got up and galloped forward. This was great news. After they had disappeared, her mother, father, and Cera had been so sad. Now they could be together again. As she got closer though, she noticed the blank, white-eyes the sisters shared with the other figures. She tottered to a stop. She had only a fleeting moment of horror before the ghosts advanced passed and darkness fell. She knew no more.
"You foolish kids, what are you doing out here?"
Hyp's father loomed over his son, Nod, and Mutt. The trio had been sneaking around in the open grass, looking around with interest. Hyp's father had found them easily from the distance. Papa Sprinter had his arms crossed, every inch of him radiating rage.
"I thought I told you three not to get up to this kind of mischief?" he growled. "This isn't a game. There are serious dangers in the valley now and I'm risking my neck here getting you back safely."
Hyp attempted to glare defiantly but he trembled. Nod and Mutt also looked terrified.
"Uh, it wasn't our idea!" Nod stammered. "It was Hyp's!"
"Yeah!" Mutt nodded rapidly. "We – I mean, he wanted to see all the Anchor battles and um…"
Hyp glared at his friends. "Throw me to the sharpteeth, why don't you?"
"You wanted to see the battles?" Papa Sprinter said. "You idiot! Those kids and their poor families are fighting for their lives! If these monsters find that you used to associate with them, they could use you as hostages. Do you want that to happen?"
"Oh c'mon, nothing that weird will happen." Hyp rolled his eyes. "Like those squirts would care. No one has a trap for us."
"Ah maybe not Hyp but-" Mutt pointed behind Papa Sprinter with a panicked look. "Something weird is definitely heading this way!"
The four looked around. A line of transparent figures were walking in their direction, distinctly giving off a light that just wasn't possible. Distractedly, Hyp thought he saw a brief flare from one of the Great Wall mountaintops but his attention was wholly focused on the glowing people coming toward them. Hyp and his friends looked back with Papa Sprinter, fear making their hearts pump as they took in those colorless, vacant eyes.
"See, you should have listened to me." Papa Sprinter said. "Come on, hurry!"
Hyp was about to turn and run but then he noticed Nod freeze and stare.
"What are just standing there for?" Hyp demanded.
"Hyp. Look." Nod said faintly. "It's Mr. Clubtail."
Hyp, his father, and Mutt whipped their heads toward where Nod eyes were. Mr. Clubtail was walking in the front of the line, aglow, slightly transparent, but so very present. Hyp didn't know how to feel about this. Were these all ghosts? What did all of this mean? Papa Sprinter threw an arm out to protect the trio but Hyp saw a figure also near the front, a familiar sprinter much like Hyp and his father. Hyp stepped passed Papa Sprinter, heart in his throat.
"Mom?" Hyp asked.
Papa Sprinter looked around. Longing and hope came across his face. None of the four made a move but as the figures closed in, the blankness in the expressions of Mr. Clubtail and Mama Sprinter caused the hope to drain away along with every other emotion. Hyp, Papa Sprinter, Nod, and Mutt went limp as the ghosts passed and their world vanished in darkness.
Dil cut a lonely figure through a river in the Mysterious Beyond. She had gotten the jump on a school of fish and right now her belly was feeling decently full. On any other ordinary day, she would feel quite pleased but now, her disgruntled mood had only been somewhat lightened.
*It's pretty boring without someone to snark with.*
She couldn't believe it had been over ten days since Ichy disappeared on her. She had attempted to move on but it was difficult. Without someone by her side, she found many of her days occupied with silence. Before, she thought she would have gladly gotten rid of Ichy for some peace and quiet. Now, she found the lack of someone to talk with unbearable. More than once, she caught herself thinking aloud, as though expecting someone else to argue with her opinion.
*Will I ever find someone like Ichy again?* Dil thought. *No, there's no one around that can ever be like him. But just doing the same old thing by myself isn't going to be fun. What should I do?*
Even as she thought this, she became aware of screams. In her blurred version, she saw the outlines of land dinosaurs run passed, a longneck, a crested swimmer, pulling their head back to look at something. Dill glanced from side to side in confusion, a few more dinosaurs fleeing, blurred outlines vanishing ahead.
"What's going on?" she called. "What's all the hubbub?"
Dil saw a glow in the corner of her eye. Dil sloshed the water as she turned and found several blurred glows coming toward her. She couldn't make out much of what these shapes were but she did note they were moving and she knew that most creatures didn't glow. She slid down into the water and swam back in terror. Was this more ghost phenomena? This was different from all the others. She had to get away. She made to turn away but as the glows neared, a flying shape became distinct. Dil stared.
"Ichy?" she croaked.
Ichy didn't react, merely flew toward her. Something about that pierced through Dil's hope and swelling happiness. When Ichy and those other glowing forms passed, she blacked out.
Bron and his herd marched through the land, Shorty by his feet. They were on a long journey and it would be awhile before they passed through the Great Valley again. Etta swooped by above, looking cheery, and Wild Arms regaled a threehorn with a loud story that caused Etta to chuckle and Shorty to glare at him. Bron smiled through it all with that patience needed to handle so many different personalities.
Darkness swooped in on the horizon. Bron stopped and the others behind him also did, glancing at him with confusion until they caught his eye line. Wild Arms still walked forward talking loudly until he glanced around and stopped when he realized no one was with him. Etta flapped in place, head tilted with confusion. Bron stared at the darkness coming in at the halfway point in the sky, worry creasing his forehead.
"It's too early to be night," he said.
A raised voice alerted them to glowing figures approaching. Intakes of breath followed and some stepped back. Wild Arms took one look at the figures, already pretty close, and uttered a little scream. Shorty felt rooted to the spot, trying not to show the fear pressing in his chest. Were these the ghost rumors were saying had been appearing for the last couple weeks? The herd's mutters grew louder and several started turning heads and looking for directions to flee. Out of the corner of his vision, Shorty could see Bron swinging his gaze looking for escape routes. His attention though fixed on a pair of large green longnecks that were a bit ahead of the glowing figures, mouth falling open.
"Mom?" Shorty whispered. "Dad?"
Bron whipped his gaze forward, staring at the two green longnecks, disbelieving. After a second, Shorty ran forward. Bron called after him. To his left, Etta stared after a flapping female flyer with a short crest who bared a great resemblance to her, Etta wearing an expression of amazement mingling with hope. To his right, Wild Arms backed away, gazing with a terror Bron had never seen at a small group of his own kind whose blank eyes stared almost accusingly. Wild Arms groped the air, as though searching for an explanation, but his head and arms slumped. More of the herd appeared fixed on one figure or another from the approaching ghosts. Bron looked around desperately, trying to find some way get Shorty back safely, to find a way of retreat but before he knew it, the ghosts were upon them. Darkness fell and his emotions slipped away.
Pterano flew over the Mysterious Beyond. Right now, he should feel, if not happy, at least content. He had found places where he could eat in safety and even dinosaurs that wouldn't turn their nose up at him. He had long settled into his routine and it had some comforts. Though in his exile, the cold times seemed to last an eternity and his mind couldn't help but wander. He was on his way to another of his favorite haunts, a green area crested swimmers frequently stopped to. He could fill his appetite and in his interactions with the crested swimmers, properly build his character. Thinking about these plans, he didn't initially notice the darkness passing over the sky. He started when his brain noticed this didn't align with what he knew of the time of day. He slowed until he flapped in place, gawking.
*What in the-?*
The he noticed the glowing figures, the many glowing figures walking and flying in his direction. He looked around, awestruck at the many ghosts. This confirmed the rumors he had been hearing wherever he went. From what he saw, the ghosts' eyes were white and blank, an eerie look. Most stared ahead, by themselves and in groups, but there were a few who stared at particular directions He saw a group appearing to look at the sky as though willing the darkness to overcome the blue of day, among them a clubtail, squareshield, a crested swimmer who looked just like…
Pterano's breath caught. "No…"
They stared at Pterano. That herd stared at Pterano. Their gazes were blank, which was so much worse than if they were accusing. At least with that, he would deserve it. He rarely thought about what would happen if could speak with the people involved with his greatest mistake. He tried not to think about it much at all. Now, he shook, mind blank, unprepared. He didn't know what to think. Then the lives his arrogance took that day crashed down on him all over again and it was more than he could take.
"I'm sorry!" Pterano cried. "So sorry! It was my foolishness that…I…"
His chance to say more, to think of any words that could account for what he did, didn't come. The herd passed under him and his world and everything turned dark.
Foobie watched with a smile as the other yellow bellies engaged in a game of tag. Loofah was one of the ones being chased, looking back and waving his tail for the tagger to catch him. Not far nearby, Doofah pranced around, looking at her favorite spot of pink flowers and held back the urge to pluck one. All around, yellow bellies ate, slept, engaged each other in chipper conversation. It was perfect. Foobie had led them to Berry Valley so they could have enough food to go around and be safe from sharpteeth, where they can be happy and be themselves. They had given him so much and he had to give in return. He was glad Littlefoot and the others were able to help him lead them all here.
Well, almost everyone…
Foobie looked up to take in the warm afternoon sky, only to notice a patch of darkness rolling in. He stepped forward to take a closer look. That shouldn't be happening. Night shouldn't be for a few hours yet. Yet it quickly spread toward the midpoint of the sky, like how a berry's juices spread across water. Only know did the other yellow bellies notice, oohing and aahing, appearing to think this was just another of nature's unexplained but beautiful wonders. Then he saw glowing figures walking down the paths of Berry Valley, steps slow but somehow closing the distance to them at quite a speed. They were also yellow bellies. Doofah looked up and gasped with joy.
"Hey, it's them!" she said. "Where were you all this time?"
The other yellow bellies also saw their glowing counterparts and uttered cries of familiarity. Foobie stood there, frozen. Those glowing yellow bellies…they were the ones he couldn't save, before meeting Littlefoot and the others. He tried to be the best wise one his yellow bellies knew, to keep them on track and together in search of a better life but these ones walked into danger he couldn't save them from. Why were they here?
A few of the yellow bellies started running toward the glowing figures. Foobie threw a hand out, letting out a concerned cry fearing it wasn't safe. Before he knew it, the glowing figures were upon him and he knew no more.
Wherever the ghosts trekked, whoever they passed, darkness came in their wake. The mortals who crossed their paths were filled with amazement, with terror. For those who experienced loss, the glimpse of loved ones among the parade filled them with hope, happiness, sadness, guilt but when the ghostly figures reached them, all feelings drained away. For those who took in the glowing figures with dread, their fear and uncertainty were swept away when the ghosts made contact. Those who fled didn't get far. The situation was so fantastic, so unnatural, many staggered to a halt as if in a trance and watched the ghosts overcome them.
No one were spared, no place untouched. From the largest of giants, to the most microscopic of bugs, the ghosts came by and mountains, valleys, oceans, trenches, all vanished from their senses. They lost all emotion and awareness of self. This was no death, merely a momentary cessation of existence. It was as though everyone, everything was being filed away, kept in storage while the world was wiped clean. To any outer space observer, it was as though a wave of light slowly made its way across the world, leaving darkness in its wake. A dark orb formed in the place of the solar system's third planet, an orb slightly askew from the laws and orders of the universe. Earth was falling under a new domain, one from outside this plane of existence.
It was dark, darker than night. The light and wind rushed up fast inside the columns, pulling Littlefoot and the others up onto the toes of their rear legs. Despite the supernatural event they were in the middle of, they could only feel resignation. The churning of supernatural power, the churn of wind and light, was all around them.
There was another sound. Their parents called for them, desperate, terrified, barely even outlines in the darkness. Among the many voices, Grandpa and Grandma Longneck's stood out, screaming Littlefoot's name. No matter how loud they cried, Littlefoot didn't turn around, couldn't face them. His eyes only focused on the cave ceiling.
"I'm sorry," he said.
The light and wind gathered in intensity. He and his friends rose up, feeling the power reach a crescendo. The cave dimmed until only the lone figures in light remained, the darkness obscuring them as though in mist one by one. Littlefoot closed his eyes as shadows traveled up his neck, taking him with the rest of the world.
For a moment, he knew and felt nothing. It was like he was in a dreamless sleep, unware of anything. Littlefoot didn't know how long he floated there in this state of maybe existence but at some point he felt the assured packed feeling of earth around him.
He was back in his sleeping spot. He could tell. The warmth of his body lying in this exact spot, the shape carved into the dirt by cold times of reuse. It was as though he woke up from a long sleep story. He remained curled up with his eyes closed. A set of soft, giant footsteps moved toward him.
"Littlefoot? Time to get up." Grandpa Longneck's voice said.
Littlefoot groaned, and shifted. He didn't want to wake up. He felt heavy and achy all over. If he got up, he might have to think. When he laid there for too long, he felt a gentle nuzzle.
"You can't sleep in all day." Grandma Longneck said. "The bright circle is already high in the sky. I can tell you it's no fun to stay up at night."
He mumbled something unintelligible, and dragged a forefoot in the earth, trying to make himself comfortable. Couldn't he be allowed to linger in the peaceful oblivion of sleep story-less rest for a little longer? After a pause, he felt another presence loom over and a third person spoke.
"Don't lay there being a sleepyhead, sweet Littlefoot. Your friends are probably waiting for you. Don't you want to taste some of the treestars with the morning dew?"
That voice. That sweet, gentle voice. Littlefoot's eyes flew open and he surged to his feet
Grandpa and Grandma Longneck stood on either side of him. They smiling down, uninjured and whole. And between them, standing in front of him, was a female longneck, her familiar blue-grey skin covering muscles that were long, strong, and graceful. She examined Littlefoot with brown eyes that were filled with a whole and unconditional love. Currently, one eye was widened in fond amusement.
"There you are." Mama Longneck continued. "Grandpa and Grandma seemed to have trouble getting you up. Did your games with your friends last night keep you awake again?"
Littlefoot stared. Mama Longneck teasing visage filled his vision, so present, so real. He drank her in, looking for any flaw, any trick, but she was as solid as he remembered her. So many cold times had passed in her absence that Littlefoot had a hard time accepting she was now here. She was alive. Alive, because of him. He glanced from Grandpa to Grandma Longneck. They were all alive, not showing the slightest distress or confusion over their daughter's presence. Mama Longneck's expression turned to concern when he remained silent.
"Is something the matter?"
"Littlefoot?" Grandpa Longneck asked.
Littlefoot sniffled. He tried to breathe calmly, but each breath was slow and gasping. His vision blurred. Though he pawed at his eyes, the tears kept coming. Mama Longneck and the grandparents looked alarmed.
"What's this all of sudden?" Grandma Longneck asked her daughter.
"I don't know. Maybe he got a bad sleep story. Littlefoot, what-?"
Littlefoot couldn't hold it in any longer. He cried, voice cracking. His whole body shook, the reality of the situation crashing down on him. Mama Longneck and Grandpa and Grandma Longneck stared at him, uncomprehending, but swooped down and nuzzled him. Littlefoot hugged each of their muzzles in turn, feeling the life in his mother's breath, and cried harder. He could hear the three asking him what was going on but he couldn't speak between the tears. All he could do was cling to his mother and his grandparents, so happy to have them together again, and ashamed of what he had to do to make this possible.
Next time…
Wandering in Paradise
Note: This isn't a official head soundtrack but in the scene where Littlefoot and the gang give in one by one, the soundtrack "The Proof Discovered at the End of Sadness" from Tales of Xillia 2 plays in my head. When the ghosts overcome everyone in the world and the gang get obscured into darkness, I picture "The Life and Death of Amy Pond" from Doctor Who Series 5 playing.
I swear, this story will have a happy ending. This is the end of arc 3 out of 5 There are around 16 chapters left for this story, though that number could change. It might take some months for the next chapters and the start of arc 4 to arrive but I already started working on them. I hope these four chapters were worth the wait.