Note: Surprise, jerks! Thought this fic was abandoned did you? Sorry for the long wait, I was busy with graduate school and then getting back into the groove of fic writing. And I vanished on such a cliffhanger too. These next two chapters will hopefully be worth the wait and answer a few questions.
We Will Hold On Forever
by
DaveTheAnalyzer
Chapter 27: Wandering Paradise Part 1
"…Bron's always coming back to the valley with stories, I don't know how much he exaggerates to impress me. The last time he visited, he talked about a little troublemaker in his herd who…"
Littlefoot listened as Mama Longneck told her tale to Grandpa and Grandma Longneck. The four sat under a tree shading them from the bright circle, relaxing after a filling meal. Littlefoot hadn't been aware of the taste of the dew-covered tree stars, unable to take his eyes off his mother. This didn't feel quite real. His mother was back. He felt if he closed his eyes and opened them again, he would wake up from a sleep story. But the cool grass pressed into him in a way too real to be a sleep story and he could feel the assuring warmth radiating off his mother and grandparents' large bodies.
"…Bron has been acting as a sort of uncle to this boy. Even though they're different kinds of longneck, they hit it off." Mama Longneck continued. "The boy's parents seemed to approve. Now, what was the boy's name?"
"Shorty." Littlefoot said, speaking for the first time in what felt like hours.
Mama Longneck brightened. "Yes, that's it. Shorty."
"Wow." Grandpa Longneck said. "How did you know his name Littlefoot?"
"Did you bump into this Shorty?" Grandma Longneck asked.
Littlefoot faltered. He shook his head "Y-yeah. I met him when Dad's herd started visiting the Great Valley. We got along."
"It's just like Littlefoot to see the best in everyone." Mama Longneck smiled. "Though why haven't you gone to see your friends yet? Normally, you'd have run off to play games with Cera and the others long by now."
"Oh, um." Littlefoot forced out a smile. "I will! Soon! But…sometimes I just want to spend time with my folks. That's okay, right?"
"Of course." Grandpa Longneck said.
"We're privileged to have such a dutiful grandson." Grandma Longneck said.
The three took turns nuzzling him and he pressed smiling into the touch. Then Mama Longneck continued talking with Grandpa and Grandma Longneck about how Shorty's parents gave permission for him to walk at the head of the herd with Bron. Littlefoot's smile fell, his cold chest tensing, and he suppressed a wince. It made sense, he thought. His grandparents wouldn't know Shorty as well if he still had parents. Still, Littlefoot couldn't help but feel sad. It was one more reminder of how things have changed after death had been undone.
The world around him barely changed, the only difference maybe was that it was a bit brighter. Dinosaurs walked about or went about other their usual routines with only the ease Littlefoot had seen in the Great Valley's most peaceful and relaxed days. A threehorn scratched her back against another tree, her lips quirking at the feeling of bark against her hide. A female longneck around his mother's age walked into view, holding an amiable conversation with a spikethumb. Littlefoot thought she looked vaguely familiar but couldn't place her. A cresthead swimmer and a squareshield lay pressed together in the field, absorbing the bright circle's warmth. No one appeared troubled. The conversation he could hear was light and mixed with laughter. Littlefoot wondered if everyone was happy. Was this the scene everywhere else in the world, carefree, as though their worries had dispersed into the wind…?
With a jolt, Littlefoot saw Patty walk into view. The older female longneck bid farewell to the spikethumb and upon raising her head, brightened upon seeing Patty. Patty and the other longneck closed in, nuzzling each other in slow, well-practiced touches. The pair smiled at each other and Patty looked so happy, so fulfilled. Littlefoot realized the older longneck smiled similarly to Patty, and also shared her honey-brown eyes. If Patty was smiling at another longneck in that way, it could only mean…
*That's Patty's mother,* he thought.
Patty and the older longneck engaged in an energetic conversation. So Patty got what she wanted, just as Littlefoot did. Patty could be with her mother now. He supposed he should be happy for her but seeing Patty made him uncomfortable. He probably would see them together a lot now. What was the story Patty's mother believed about how she and her daughter came to the valley? Were the events of their life now radically different or were they mostly the same, except tweaked to allow Patty's mother's to survive her sharptooth encounter? Patty waved her head as though to show her mother something and the two started walking.
It took some moments for Littlefoot to realize Patty and her mother were walking in his direction. He leapt to his feet. He couldn't explain why but after everything that happened, he didn't want to talk with Patty.
"I've – I've got to go!" he said. "Going to meet my friends!"
"Oh?" Mama Longneck looked taken back but smiled, amused. "Well, looks like soon came about quite quickly."
"Have fun." Grandpa Longneck said.
Littlefoot nodded and darted away, glancing back to make sure Patty and her mother were still in their conversation. He passed through bushes and trees, not slowing until he was sure he was out of sight. He winced when his cold chest got tight. He felt a brief pang that his mother didn't nuzzle him goodbye but he could make up for that later. After the excuse came to his mind, Littlefoot thought it was a good idea to check how his friends were doing. They have been through a lot and he needed to see them. He felt his steps turn in the direction of Cera's nest. With her losses, Littlefoot wanted to see if her family situation changed as much as his did. Flying above, Swooper and a small flock of elderly flyers passed by, Swooper beating his wings with a strength he didn't have before.
As he journeyed to the threehorn family nest, dodging around a pair of crested swimmers playing a strange game involving fist bumps, Littlefoot felt a bout of anxiety. Would his friends remember the previous world? With Mama Longneck alive, the journey to the Great Valley was probably different. He mightn't have encountered the same set of friends he made before. And even if his friends still remembered him, would they want to see him, especially after what he did? He tried to push those feelings aside, nearing the line of trees that indicated he was close to the threehorn family.
"Well, well, if it isn't Littlefoot!"
Littlefoot looked up and skidded to a stop. A sense of unreality came over him. Standing ahead as though to meet him was Verter. Those blue eyes bore into his with the same menace as before. Littlefoot wasn't sure whether he wanted to run or shout at him. Verter had shown himself to be someone to be feared and Littlefoot didn't want to provoke him. All that went through Littlefoot was disbelieve that after everything he did, Verter was still in the Great Valley. And worse, from the play of his smirk, he remembered…
"Stop gawping, come and join us!" Verter waved his head. "I thought you would be a no show today. You want to see Cera? Of course you do." He glanced back, smirk widening. "Hey, she even came out to see you. How sweet. Let's go and join the whole family, shall we?"
Verter turned around and when he stepped aside to do so, Littlefoot saw Cera several yards behind Verter, looking nauseous. Her eyes flicked to Littlefoot, still as Verter walked passed her before she reluctantly followed him. After a second, Littlefoot remembered to also follow the pair.
He heard laughter and giggling. Mr. Threehorn and Tria sat together at their nest, Tricia rolling in the grass and tapping her parents' feet. Laughing and patting their parents' feet right along with her were Horen, Rica, and Duane, careful to keep their rolls in sync even as they bumped into one another. Mrs. Threehorn sat a few feet to the side, not participating in the game but watching fondly.
"Here comes Littlefoot, Cera's best buddy." Verter announced, nearing Mr. Threehorn.
Mr. Threehorn looked up and almost rolled his eyes. "Oh, you're here Littlefoot. Here to take Cera somewhere else today? Well, that might be a relief actually. Rica had been seconds from persuading her to join in this silly game and their tapping's starting to make my feet itch."
"Aww, really?" Duane said.
"What Daddy, about to go down already?" Rica asked.
"So much for the strongest threehorn!" Horen taunted, rolling passed and tapping his forefeet.
"Oh, now you've done it!" Mr. Threehorn said, firing up. "Bring it on, girls! We'll see who's going down!"
The girls laughed, including Tricia, and were driven on by those words. Duane patted Tricia to go faster and rolled between her father and mother's feet with louder giggles. Cera stood a few feet ahead of her family. Her eyes followed Verter circling her three parents before stopping to Mrs. Threehorn's side.
"And this is Mrs. Threehorn and Tria." Verter said.
"Hey Verter, don't act like this is the first time he met us." Tria chuckled.
"We know Littlefoot." Mrs. Threehorn said.
"Sometimes, it needs reiterating." Verter said. "Topps old pal is quite popular with the ladies. Look at how many females he's got around him." He leered. "He'd be the envy of any herd!"
Mr. Threehorn raised his head and posed like he was Saurus Rock. The girls laughed and Tria and Mrs. Threehorn rolled their eyes but with wry smiles. Cera looked ill, as though she had fallen into particularly gross goo. Mrs. Threehorn smiled at their guest.
"How are you, Littlefoot?" she asked. "Your parents doing alright?"
"Alright." Littlefoot muttered, trying to meet her eye. It was strange, that she acted like she knew him when he had only met her alive once and he had been barely aware of her with Mr. Threehorn growling into his face. She didn't appear to remember that ghostly encounter.
"I assume your mother's doing more than alright." Mrs. Threehorn said. "She always been such a sensible person. It's what I respect about her when I talk with her."
"You mean we talk with her." Tria said but smiled. "She's so calm and can bring order in valley meetings. I wish I had that kind of poise."
"You will." Mrs. Threehorn assured. "You're pretty sensible yourself. You put the girls in order."
"Not like you do. You're able to be stern but loving. I always feel bad when I yell at them."
Verter nudged Mr. Threehorn. "Your mates are getting along. Be worried Topps old pal."
"Yeah, I always have to worry when that happens." Mr. Threehorn replied.
The two laughed with each other. Appearing to not be able to take it anymore, Cera stepped closer to Littlefoot.
"Come on Littlefoot," she said. "Don't we have somewhere else to be?"
Littlefoot jumped. "Yeah. Yeah."
The two turned and walked off.
"Make sure to bring her back in one piece, will you?" Mr. Threehorn called. "I don't want to have to put my Cera back together again like what happened when you encountered that bellydragger."
"Oh, good one Topps old pal!" Verter said.
Mr. Threehorn laughed. Cera's steps picked up and Littlefoot had to jog to match her. The laughs and chatter from the threehorn family faded with distance. To Littlefoot's relief, Cera slowed. The thump of their feet beside each other filled his ears. Uncertainty filled Littlefoot about what to say. A squareshield passed by, thrusting her horns into the air, muttering about needing to "be prepared."
"Tria and – I mean your mothers seem to get along." Littlefoot said.
Cera sighed. "Mom and Tria act like best friends. I guess that's better than them arguing but…most people have just two parents. I have three and no one questions it. It's weird. Well, the whole thing would be pretty nice if he wasn't there…"
"Yeah." Littlefoot said. "Verter can pretend to be their friend again. No one remembers."
"I wish my family did remember, then they could kick him out."
The two stopped. The two finally looked at each other. Cera's expression was sour.
"So…you remember what happened before," he said.
Rubbing her chest, Cera glared. "Obviously. What kind of question is that?"
Littlefoot was taken aback. "I didn't know if anyone else remembered."
"I just guessed all of us involved in that did. What with how Verter acted…" she said.
Littlefoot looked annoyed. "Well, I had to ask to be sure. Otherwise, if you didn't remember this talk would get confusing quick."
"At least you asked us about one thing before doing it." Cera muttered.
"What was that?" he asked.
Cera opened her mouth but closed her eyes and appeared to reel in her anger. Littlefoot had a feeling of what she was hinting at but tried not to think about it. He closed his own eyes and took a breath until his irritation went away.
"You're probably right." Littlefoot said. "The Anchors and our friends probably also remember. I haven't checked with the others yet but…"
"Yeah." Cera grimaced. "Verter's making it clear he remembers. He doesn't say it outright, but he's constantly throwing in little digs. Why does he stick around my family? Don't they see he's acting weird? My mom should but she's laughing at his creepy jokes like everyone else. His true wish for this new world can't be hanging around my dad forever, he's too evil for that…"
Littlefoot didn't know how to respond. The vehemence in her voice showed how much she hated the arrangement. The only thing he could think to say was, "I'm sorry."
Cera glared at him again. Then she sighed. "You doing alright with your folks?"
"Yeah," he said. "Grandpa and Grandma seem very…they don't remember anything. It's just another good day for them. They seem happy, especially when they're talking with Mother."
Cera started. "She's here too?"
"Yeah. Didn't you know? Your mothers were just talking about her."
"I wasn't paying attention." Cera said. She appeared to soften. "Good for you. I mean it. Even with all…it's nice to have my mom and sisters back. At least you can enjoy your folks without distraction." She raised her gaze, thoughtful. "She helped save me from that sharptooth once. I could thank her for that. Though that would probably just confuse her. If everyone here is so get-along and happy, I probably thanked her a long time ago."
"I'm sure she'd be happy even if you thanked her again." Littlefoot attempted a smile. "I hope Verter gets bored and stops hanging around. You deserve to enjoy being with your mother and sisters again."
She nodded, thoughtful. "Everyone must be getting their dead parents back. Hyp with his mother. Shorty with his parents."
"Mother did say something to indicate Shorty still had his parents." Littlefoot said. "I guess even that bellydragger and sharpbeak must be together again."
"Don't expect me to jump for joy for those two." Cera said dryly. "Everyone's probably not crying and hugging their not-dead friends and family because they think they were always here. But still, they must be happier the people they like aren't dead." She paused. "If only they were asked if they wanted it beforehand."
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"…You know what I mean," she murmured.
He turned, wary. Cera glared up at him, lips tight again.
"Quite rich of you to come check on me, after what you did," she continued. "You don't have to deal with Patty, do you? She not hanging around with your folks."
"No." Littlefoot squirmed. "I did see her coming toward me, so I ran off before we could talk."
"Oh, good for you. At least you have the ability to avoid those Anchor jerks."
"It's not something I'm proud of."
"I thought you would be. You're always so smart, able to get what you want. Even if you said it was the 'only choice,' I thought you would be happy about this, since you get the best of both worlds."
"It's - only choice?" Littlefoot gritted his teeth, starting to get angry himself. "It was the only choice, Cera! I had to, it wasn't my choice! I know you're angry with me, stop beating around the bush – just come out and say it! "
Cera rounded on him, green eyes filled with fury. "Why? Why did you have to give up like-?"
Littlefoot braced himself for the shouted words to follow. Cera looked like she was preparing for a big excoriation. He prepared to meet back her anger because anger was better than anything else he might be feeling. Then she cut herself off and the furious light went out in her. She lowered her head.
"Never mind," she said. "What's the point?"
"What?" Littlefoot said.
"I said forget it!" Cera turned away. "What's the point of yelling? It won't fix anything and it's pointless. Just like all of Verter's training to make me strong and that only-" She cut herself off. "I'm tired of fighting with people anyway. Let me relax for once. It'd be great if…why couldn't we forget like everyone else? The world should be better with my mother and sisters back but…"
She marched away. Littlefoot stepped after her. "Cera-"
"Don't follow me! I'm not in the mood" she snapped. "I'm going back to my folks! I have my sisters back, so I might as well spend time with them!"
He watched Cera's depart, shaking a bit. He closed his eyes. If this was how his meeting with Cera ended, he dreaded to see how it would go for the rest of his friends. But the thought of avoiding his other friends was too dreadful to really do. He turned his feet and began his journey in the direction of Petrie's family. As he walked, he passed more herds and dinosaurs relaxing and chatting with each other. A crestback yawned and glanced up at the sun. Two pebblebacks bumped their sides into each other, laughing uproariously. Littlefoot saw a circle of young dinosaurs listen to Mr. Thicknose give one of his lectures.
"At the world's initiation, Wing Father descended," he was saying. "He established the Great Valley and maintained tranquility and cooperation throughout the world. You have seen him around and how compassionate and keen in intellect he is. He has deigned to dwell among us to bring further happiness and contentment to all dinosaurs. You must follow his example for in the eternity to come…"
Littlefoot moved on with some uneasiness. He didn't like how Mr. Thicknose had reverted to his stuffy vocabulary or that Wing Father was his current topic. It kind of made since, since Wing Father seemed to have inserted himself into history in a major way. But Mr. Thicknose sounded like he was just going through the motions again, regurgitating facts without any passion behind them. Still, Littlefoot thought with a cooling chest, what did he know? Maybe Mr. Thicknose was happy this way. Shaking his head, Littlefoot made his way to the mountain path leading to where the flying family dwelled. As he ascended, anxiety buzzed in him. He found his wary looks kept going to the sky. Would Don be haunting Petrie's family as well? Littlefoot didn't want to deal with another Anchor. And another fear lingered in Littlefoot, of Petrie's reaction to seeing him…
To his relief, he found Petrie's family at their nest, sitting underneath the crevice and leaning rock on the grassy knoll, chattering and cheery. Mama Flyer talked with and chuckled at her children's comments, looking content. Don was nowhere in sight. He was surprised to find Papa Flyer there, gently raising a finger and cutting in every so often so Petrie's brothers and sisters took turns talking. Petrie himself stood amid siblings, glancing up at his parents and looking happy. Petrie brightened upon seeing who was approaching.
"Hey, it Littlefoot!" Petrie waved. "Littlefoot!"
Littlefoot smiled and closed the distance with the flyer family. He was relieved Petrie seemed happy to see him. He wondered if he was a coward for going to one of the friends he knew subconsciously would take his presence well. Mama Flyer turned and smiled warmly.
"Nice of you to visit, Littlefoot," she said. "Want to settle down? We're about to have lunch."
"I can't possibly intrude-" Littlefoot began.
"Intrude all you like." Papa Flyer interrupted, smiling. "You brought our son back in one piece. For that, we can spare a bit of food for you…but only a bit. I can't have my children complaining about the guests only coming by to eat most of the food."
Petrie's brothers and sisters tittered. Mama Flyer chuckled and Papa Flyer looked pleased.
"Speaking of food dear, do you mind watching over the kids while I retrieve the red sweet bubbles?" Mama Flyer asked.
"That cannot do. I'll be the one doing the food gathering." Papa Flyer said, turning and spreading his wings. "You already do most of that work. I should pick up the slack."
Appearing strangely panicked, Petrie threw a hand out. "Wait! Dad, can't we spend a bit more time together?"
Papa Flyer lowered his wings, puzzled. "I'll be back. I won't be delayed because a sharptooth made me their lunch."
"Me know but me not really hungry. We can eat later. Right guys?" Petrie asked his siblings.
"Are we?" a brother asked.
One of Petrie's sisters shuffled. "My tummy isn't begging for food now but…"
"Yes." Petrie nodded. "Our tummies no begging for food. We can play with Mama and Dad even more. We can eat when we done, right?"
His brothers and sisters looked amongst each other and any uncertainty faded away.
"Okay, let's wait," a sister agreed.
"I agree," a brother said.
"Alright." Papa Flyer said, stepping away from the ledge. "You're the boss."
Mama Flyer chuckled. "That's funny. Shouldn't we be the bosses? But I get Petrie's point."
Petrie put a hand to his chest in relief and blew out a breath. Littlefoot watched on confused, especially when Petrie's siblings resumed chatting genially. Well, that was quick. Even when in a good mood, Petrie's brothers and sisters squabbled and groaned when Petrie made a contrary decision. His parents also went along with his suggestion. There was something weird about this. Before Littlefoot could mull this over, Petrie addressed him.
"So have a good day, Littlefoot?"
"Oh yeah, it's been pretty great." Littlefoot shrugged, stretching his lips into a smile. "Hanging with my family. Walking around. You seem to be pretty happy."
Petrie spread his wings. "Me enjoying family time."
"Only because he likes all the attention." Papa Flyer teased.
"Dad, stop." Petrie pawed his beak in embarrassment but continued smiling.
"So you two get along better?" Littlefoot asked.
Papa Flyer frowned. "What are you talking about? We always get along."
"Though sometimes you can be too stubborn for your own good." Mama Flyer teased.
He snorted. "Look who's talking. Beneath that kind demeanor is stubbornness the size of a mountain."
"Whatever you say, dear." she shook her head.
"Littlefoot made mistake." Petrie interjected. "Anyway, uh, why don't you all play Pass the Pebble? That game where you have to pass a pebble along and whisper the same words to the next person's ear? Come on, it plenty fun."
Mama Flyer clapped her hands together. "That sounds like a great idea. It'll occupy us until it's time to get the berries. How about it, dear? You remember the funny things that were said a few days ago when we played that game."
"That I do." Papa Flyer chuckled. "I can't understand how we ended with 'loose butt' when it started with 'Leaking boulder.' You better come up with something just as good kids…"
As his brothers and sisters giggled in anticipation, Petrie jerked a hand and he and Littlefoot quietly stepped outside of the nest and tiptoed to the side of the crevice and leaning rock, where they had a great view of the blue sky and bright circle. Littlefoot heard the crackle of branches and pebbles as the flyer family moved around to sit in a circle and the parents lay down the rules of the Pass the Pebble game. Petrie let out a sigh of relief
"Did I nearly give the game away?" Littlefoot asked.
"Game?" Petrie repeated, and then connected the dots. "Oh. It okay. Today very confusing. They no remember they broke up. They think they always together. It like the what-if me sometimes think about came true."
Littlefoot nodded. "And you get along with your brother and sisters?"
"We argued a bit today but they much better." Petrie said. "It not too different from before. It just…Papa suddenly here. Everyone gets along. Papa and Mama argue a bit too but they make it sound fun. Anyway, you doing alright?"
Littlefoot hesitated. "I'm…fine."
"You no sound fine." Petrie said. "Do you not have your mother back?"
"Oh, I do." Littlefoot said. "She's with my grandparents. I'm glad she's back, she's really great. I just…I don't know."
"Your family is together. Well your dad still with his herd but me heard he still visits. You get your mother back. I thought you be happy."
Littlefoot sighed. "I think I am. Only…oh, it's complicated. How do you feel about this? With your family back together? This whole situation?"
Blinking, Petrie perked up. "Well, me happy. Me not see Papa much and wish he back with Mama but now he is. Me no have to choose whose nest to sleep in or hear them be really mad at each other. They all happy, so me happy. Though…" He scratched his head. "They no remember what happened before. Me have to be very careful with what to say. Everyone is happy but…they no remember either. I-" He cut himself off, shaking his head. "Me no know. Can feelings be confused?"
Littlefoot looked down. "Are you confused about me?"
"About what?" Petrie asked.
"About what I did. That made you all decide…?"
Petrie stared. Then a second later he cottoned on and seemed to wilt. "Oh. Me not thinking about it." He glanced up at Littlefoot. "How others react?"
"I only met Cera so far. She…at first she seemed glad to see me but…it didn't go well. Verter's hanging around her family like he hasn't been tormenting them the past couple days. Of course she's not happy. But I don't think she's happy with me for some bigger reasons."
"Me can guess that." Petrie said. "Um, me talking about Verter being around. That very terrible. But she Cera. Me…think she change her mind about you soon."
Littlefoot chanced a glance down. "And…what does your mind think about me?"
"What me think?" Petrie tilted his head, pondering. "When me saw you coming, me really happy. Me wonder how all my friends do but didn't want to leave my family. It great to be with you after all that happen. But…"
Littlefoot forced himself to meet Petrie's eye. Petrie rubbed a wing.
"After you said that question, me now have different feelings," he continued. "It feels weird to be around you. There unsureness…" Petrie fidgeted. "Me also feel…not comfortable after yesterday. This makes me feel bad but those feeling I have. Me don't want to be mad like Cera but…me not sure what to feel about you yet."
Littlefoot looked away. He took a breath. "I guess I deserve that."
"Wait!" Petrie stepped forward, hand raised. "Me not saying you bad-"
"It's okay." Littlefoot assured. "I understand not knowing how to feel about me. If you need some space, I can give that. I hope we can continue being friends but if that's too hard-" His voice cracked when he realized what he was saying. He was vaguely aware some friendships ended with people but for that to happen to his friends after all they been together, he couldn't consider it. Coughing, he said. "Speaking of Cera having to put up with Verter…has Don been around?"
Petrie appeared confused by this abrupt change in subject. Scratching his wing, he looked away. "Don? Oh. He not hanging around. He did visit earlier. He say that my family could join a learning meeting with him later. Ruby also coming." He shrugged, uncomfortable "Me glad he not dead but me not want to be with him. He – he remembers. It weird. "
"I think all the Anchors remember." Littlefoot said. "Verter more than flaunted it. That only them aside from us remember is…I don't know how we'll deal with them."
"Me neither." Petrie said.
Littlefoot shrugged, uneasy, glancing at the sky puffies. "So will you be going to Don's learning talk?"
"Me not have much choice." Petrie said. "My family promised to go." He lowered his gaze, resigned. "Oh well. He does know some stuff. Me might actually learn. Maybe best way to learn is to put up with him."
"Oh, Petrie." Littlefoot said, stepping closer. "You shouldn't have to put up with him. We shouldn't-"
"Yes but…" Petrie groped for words. "If Don is the worst me have to put up with, me can take it. My family is happy and together again. Me can't really learn. And since me can no learn better…this is the best things will get for me."
Littlefoot stared. Petrie struggled with self-esteem before but the resignation in his last words made Littlefoot so sad. Littlefoot shouldn't let Petrie's statements go unchallenged. Petrie must know he was better than he thought he was, that he didn't have to put up with the likes of Don to learn and grow. Littlefoot opened his mouth to say those things but just then a third voice interceded.
"What are you two whispering about?"
Littlefoot and Petrie jumped. Papa Flyer peered from around the crevice and leaning rock of the flyer nest, confusion melding with suspicion.
"Dear!" called Mama Flyer's stern voice. "Give them some privacy."
"You can be too trusting, love." Papa Flyer said. "I like Petrie's friends but sometimes they pull him into mischief. Why are you two being so sneaky?"
Littlefoot got up. "Nothing. We're just catching up. I'm about to go anyway."
"You don't need to rush off." Mama Flyer walked into view. "Did we disturb you? I'm sorry. You know my mate, he can sometimes be sternly nosy."
"I'm standing right here!" Papa Flyer complained.
"Sorry dear. Anyway, you can stay or go somewhere else to talk with Petrie." Mama Flyer finished "We don't want to chase you off"
"No, I'm fine." Littlefoot said, stepping away. "We just finished talking anyway. I was just about to go to Ducky and Spike."
"You are? Oh." Petrie said, looking conflicted about this abrupt wind down of conversation. "Well nice talking to you. Say hi to Ducky and Spike for me."
"Right. See you later."
Littlefoot hesitated and scampered away down the hill path. He glanced back and saw Petrie waving sadly, standing near the politely confused Mama Flyer and Papa Flyer with arms crossed, Petrie's siblings peering out curiously from the nest. After Littlefoot got to ground level, it occurred to him he forgot to encourage Petrie about his doubts of learning. After thinking it over, rubbing his chest, he decided it would look too odd to the flyer family if he ran back to give the encouragement to Petrie. His mind was mostly occupied with Petrie's mixed emotions about Littlefoot. Petrie said he didn't know how to feel about Littlefoot, which gave him another clenched feeling in his stomach. Nevertheless, Petrie was disappointed he left. Littlefoot should find that encouraging. He passed the tiny longnecks, foraging on bushes and helping each up to eat leaves from low-lying tree branches while having mid-morning chatter. Skitter looked up from chewing the remains of a tree star lying in the grass and brightened.
"Hey, Littlefoot!" he called.
Littlefoot smiled and was about to wave his tail when he saw that the many parents of Skitter and the other tiny longnecks were present. He was distracted about how the parents weren't so tiny – in fact, they were just under Mama Swimmer's length and stood in a similar bipedal stance to her. Littlefoot thought he saw Big Daddy's mate helping him up to reach some tree stars, looking a bit like their daughter Lizzie. Aside from Big Daddy, Littlefoot didn't expect the tiny longneck adults to be so different than what he imagined. More importantly, seeing the missing parents look so happy and content next to the tiny longnecks made him slow for a few seconds, staring. They appeared confused by his expression. Hastily, Littlefoot waved his tail and picked up his pace. He tried not to let his mind linger on the fact the tiny longnecks' lives had changed so much because of him.
To his relief, he reached the river and as he walked along it, he spotted the swimmer family almost hidden behind a stray tree. Mama Swimmer stood over her many children as they giggled, splashing up waves chasing each other while playing tag. The siblings hid around Spike and climbed up on him to avoid their pursuers, Spike giggling as some slide off and splashed into the water. Littlefoot got closer, Ducky's voice becoming clear as she talked to a few of her brothers and sisters about a plan.
"I am sure you will like it," she was saying. "I have not been to that cave before but Lizzie says it's interesting and-" She looked up. "Littlefoot! Hello, over here!"
Ducky brightened and waved a hand energetically. In her distraction one of her brothers ran up and tagged her, earning a yelp. Spike had turned his head upon hearing Ducky's exclamation but one of the sibling had been in the process of sliding off his muzzle and the little swimmer yipped when she was sent flying in a diagonal arc and splashed far outside the group. Littlefoot winced. By the time he splashed into the river, the wayward sister had rejoined the family while Ducky and her brother commiserated.
"Sorry for startling you, Ducky," the brother said.
Ducky chuckled. "That is alright. I kind of forgot we were playing tag."
"Don't worry Spike, I'm not hurt." The swimmer sister cried. "In fact, that was kind of fun!"
Spike blew out a sigh of relief. He and Ducky smiled at Littlefoot, who thought that reassuring despite all the ruckus he accidentally caused.
"Hey, you two." Littlefoot nodded, sheepish. "Uh, about your sister sliding off that way-"
"No problem, Littlefoot." Mama Swimmer said with a broad smile. "It's the inevitable chaos that happens when so many children are playing an active game. How is your family? Your mother has been giving me advice on what to do when my children fight. I don't know whether she's talking from childhood experience or she's that observational of a person but I found it really helpful."
"What, really?" Littlefoot said, surprised another of his friends' parents knew his mother and a bit touched she liked his mother's advice. "Yeah, she gives good advice like that. Uh, my family's doing great, thanks for asking."
This was a strange feeling. Mrs. Threehorn, Tria, Mama Flyer, and Mama Swimmer were on speaking terms with Mama Longneck and seemed to get on with her. Was this what it would have been like if his mother had survived? Mama Longneck was wise and easygoing, so she could get along with anyone, so he supposed so. Maybe she would have been able to get Mr. Threehorn to mellow out much earlier…or maybe not. His grandparents shared a similar demeanor and Mr. Threehorn had been difficult until recently. Why did he feel so wistful when all these interactions could happen now? He was brought out of his reverie by Ducky and Spike's siblings calling to him.
"Want to play tag with us, Littlefoot?" asked one sister.
"Yeah, it's really fun," said another sister. "Come on, join us."
Littlefoot surveyed the many swimmer children, not able to deny being tempted. He rarely interacted with Ducky and Spike's brothers and sisters – he didn't even know most of their names. He thought the first speaker was Bill and the second one Eda but he wasn't sure. Maybe this was an opportunity to get to know the swimmer family better. He wanted to lose himself in a silly game where he could forget his worries. But another overriding urge came to him.
"Oh, I would like to but I want to talk with Ducky and Spike and check up on my other friends," he said. "I also want to speak with Ducky and Spike…alone."
Ducky and Spike shifted, looking like they had an idea what he might want to discuss. Ducky's brothers and sisters became confused, some even glancing at Ducky and Spike, suspicious about what might be discussed that needed to be private.
"Alone?" Bill repeated. "Why alone?"
"We aren't the type to spill secrets." Eda said.
"What are you going to do with those two?" asked a brother, frown deepening.
"We will not be going too far." Ducky interrupted. "Sometimes there are things you want to talk about with your friends alone, you do, you do. I trust you all but let Littlefoot and us have this alone talk. Me and Spike will come back soonr."
"Really?" Bitty appeared a bit disappointed but quickly cheered up. "I want to hear about it but I respect your privacy. Take all the time you need."
The other brothers and sisters nodded and resumed splashing and chasing each other just like Littlefoot first saw. He followed Ducky and Spike out of the water to talk behind a tree, feeling a few curious glances from the siblings, Mama Swimmer among them. Soon though, Mama Swimmer had to focus back keeping watch on her other children's' play.
"They stopped asking questions rather fast." Littlefoot said.
"They are in the middle of playing a game." Ducky said. "Sometimes a game is so fun you just want to get back to it, you do, you do. At least they are listening more to my ideas." Glancing around, she asked in an undertone. "You doing okay, Littlefoot?"
"Um, yeah. Okay," he said.
"Your grandparents okay?" Ducky asked, Spike stepping beside her. "What – what is it like to have your mama back."
He looked up, surprised. "You already know?"
"Our Mama mentioned her," she smiled. "And not just a few seconds ago. She sounds like a nice person. What is she like, I want to hear more."
Taken aback, Littlefoot, thought about how to put it into words. "She's – she's very nice. You know how my grandparents are like? She's a lot like them. She's very wise. She would explain things to me, though I mightn't always understand it yet. She's…very calming to be around. I don't feel as worried when I'm with her."
Spike gasped, a great smile gracing his face. Ducky clasped her hands together, eyes dreamy.
"Oh, she sounds like a great person," she said. "From how you talk, your grandparents were very great parents to her. They must be happy to have her back."
"I think from their view she never went anywhere." Littlefoot nodded. "How past stuff changes is confusing. Grandpa and Grandma seem very relaxed. They haven't told me to be careful as much so far. It's – very nice to be with her like old times again."
In spite of himself, he smiled a bit. Ducky and Spike perked up.
"We are happy for you Littlefoot." Ducky said. "From how Mama talks, it seems like anyone can be friends with her. I know she probably thinks she already knows us but me and Spike would really like to meet her, we would, we would."
Spike gave an agreeing "eeh," looking very interested. Then it occurred to Littlefoot – his friends could actually meet his mother! He had rarely talked much about her with his friends. They understood his loss and tried to be sympathetic but they never knew his mother as a person. Only Cera met her briefly and during a time when Cera never thought she would make a friend outside of threehorns. The time with his mother and the time with his friends had felt like two different lives. Having his friends meet Mama Longneck would bridge that. This possibility changed Littlefoot's world with such force, that for a moment, his smile became wide and sincere.
"Yeah," he said. "Yeah! Of course, we'd need to be careful, since like you said she probably already knows you guys – but I'd really love that. I remember once she sounded sad when she said all the herds were separated so I'm sure she'll like all of you."
"Great!" Ducky said. "I cannot wait."
"It might have to wait a bit but I'm sure it'll happen soon. Things just got to settle down a bit."
"Uh-huh." Ducky said, her smile slipping. "We will be careful. And wait for things settle down after..."
Spike's gaze lowered. Littlefoot winced. In his eagerness, he accidentally alluded to the bargain made yesterday. Hurriedly, he changed the subject.
"So, you're getting along better with your brothers and sisters?" he asked.
"Oh, we are, we are!" Ducky said, brightening with almost eerie eagerness. "They are taking more of my suggestions for games to play. That used to be harder. They seem to like my ideas now. In fact, I am going to bring them all along to explore a cave I find interesting."
Littlefoot tilted his head. "Are they alright with that?"
Ducky hesitated and put her hands behind her back. "They seem happy to go along. And Mama does not mind. Things are a bit weird but…I have not gone on an adventure with my brothers and sisters like I do with you guys. I want to fix that and I definitely will soon, yep, yep, yep."
For some reason, Spike frowned and didn't meet her eye. Littlefoot noticed she seemed to gloss over her brothers and sisters' opinions. Though troubled, he didn't feel comfortable lingering on the subject.
"Have you seen Tega around?" Littlefoot asked.
Ducky and Spike jumped, looking at their surroundings as though fearing she might be hidden under a nearby rock pile.
"No. I guess she is enjoying living by herself." Ducky said, uneasy. "If she is, that is fine with us. I know it is mean to say but," her expression soured, "I do not want to see her again."
"Uh-huh." Spike said, violet eyes holding an unusually hard glare.
It was harsh for these two but after what Tega put them through, Littlefoot couldn't blame them. He hadn't dealt with Tega directly but from what he saw, she wasn't pleasant.
"Why do you ask, Littlefoot?" Ducky asked. "Oh no, Patty has not talked to you, has she?"
"She tried." Littlefoot frowned. "I ran away before she could. Petrie said Don did talk to him for ab it. But Cera has it worst…Verter's staying with her family."
Spike took a breath, looking queasy. Ducky clapped a hand to her mouth.
"Oh no," she said. "Say sorry to her for us. He seems like the meanest of them all. You can also tell her she can stay with us if it gets too much, Oh, I am so happy Tega has not visited us."
Littlefoot nodded. "Yes, you and Spike's family shouldn't have to deal with her." He stilled, a thought stirring. "Spike's family…"
"What about us?" Ducky tilted her head.
"No, I mean…Oh, how could I forget? The spiketails who laid Spike's egg. If they died, they must be alive now."
Ducky froze, not responding for a few moments. "I haven't thought – yes, that is true. If everyone is back now…but Spike has not been acting differently. Have – have you see them, Spike?"
Spike started, taken off guard by Littlefoot's statement and then Ducky's question. He opened and closed his mouth in hesitation. Suddenly, Littlefoot felt bad. The point of Spike's birth parents rarely came up and Littlefoot shouldn't have sprung up the possibility so suddenly. Mulling it over, Spike looked up and shook his head, indicating he hadn't seen his birth parents. He made a head swinging motion, as though saying he hadn't thought about them but they probably were alive out there somewhere. But with a content smile, Spike stepped closer to Ducky, showing where he was happy to be. Ducky's nervous look drained away and she hugged his foreleg.
"Spike is saying he is part of our family. If he wants to meet the parents who laid his egg," she shuffled, "I would not stop him. But he wants to be with us and that is fine with me."
Spike nodded in agreement, nuzzling her. Relaxing, Littlefoot thought the matter was settled as far as those two was concerned.
"Anyway, you said you saw Cera and Petrie." Ducky said. "Does that mean you will see Ruby and Chomper next?"
"Yep." Littlefoot said. "By the way, Petrie say hi. I hope Don and Verter aren't bothering those two. At least with the secret caverns, Ruby and Chomper can hide from them."
Ducky smiled along until a troubling thought made her touch her chin. "Wait. Would they still be in the Great Valley?"
Littlefoot became confused. "What do you mean? Why would they be anywhere else?"
"I mean, they lived with their parents before Red Claw made them have to move here. But it is a better world now. Would they not be with their parents? I know they like us but…would they still be around the Great Valley?"
Littlefoot felt a chill in his chest. "I'll look for them to make sure. Want to check with me?"
Ducky took a step as though to agree but stopped and shook her head. "Wait, no. Sorry Littlefoot. I would like to but I want to go adventuring with my brothers and sisters. Please tell us if they are still around, okay?"
She glanced at Spike who hesitated but smiled and nodded to her. So Spike stood with his sister. Littlefoot was a bit disappointed. After going from one set of friends to another alone, he would have liked to have some company to find the last set. Spike looked at him and inclined his head to Ducky to indicate he wanted to hear about Ruby and Chomper too. That steeled Littlefoot's resolve.
"I will." Littlefoot said, stepping back. "Have fun with your brothers and sisters. I'll tell you about those two which means," he hesitated, "we'll – we'll be still seeing each other around?"
"Definitely." Ducky smiled, Spike giving a firm nod. "Yep, yep, yep. Bye Littlefoot."
Feeling some weight lift in him, Littlefoot turned and walked away, hearing Ducky and Spike slosh back into the river to their family.
"I am done," Ducky said. "So, exploring caves. How does that sound?"
"A bit scary." Bill said, sounding dubious. "Cool, but scary."
"Come on. There are shiny rocks." Ducky said. "I know you would like it."
"Uh, shiny rocks are interesting." Eda said, wavering. "I guess there isn't any harm of having a look."
"Alright." Bitty chuckled. "I guess you do have our best interests at heart."
The other brothers and sisters murmured agreement and some interest. This was the last Littlefoot heard before he ran out of hearing range. His steps took him in the direction of the Secret Caverns. The cool chill in his chest mixed with uncertainty. What if Ducky was right? What if Ruby and Chomper were no longer in the Great Valley? With death no longer a worry, Red Claw might be considered a minor nuisance. The pair did care about their friends but with the Mysterious Beyond now safe, wouldn't they be back with their families? Littlefoot wouldn't want to get in the way of Ruby and Chomper staying with their folks since he knew how much the pair missed them but it felt too soon to leave, at least not without saying goodbye. Littlefoot didn't know how to feel, so he was in a rush to confirm it one way or another.
He passed a pair of domeheads leaning against a tree, closing their eyes in the shadow of the leaves. Littlefoot went through a narrow clearing where more dinosaurs relaxed or chatted. An onehorn arranged pebbles on the ground, from her giggling mutters reenacting some sort of herd rivalry. Littlefoot weaved around her and didn't pay more than perfunctory attention to dodging obstacles both dinosaurs and plant, halfway across the clearing when a cheerful voice called out.
"Hey, Wing Father!"
Next time…
Part 2
End note: Yes, I changed the names of two of Cera's sisters to make them fit the LBT setting more. Horen is a corruption of "Horn" and "Rica" comes from Tricatops. I decided to keep Duane since the name sounded similar to Cera's cousins Dinah and Dana. Part 2 will be posted next Sunday.