Note: Sorry for the delay. I had to take November off because I was sick. But now at last we can begin the final arc of this story.

We Will Hold On Forever

by

DaveTheAnalyzer

Chapter 37: Emotions Unleashed Part 1

For many moments, there was silence. The valley dinosaurs in Wing Father's cave stood blinking and shaking their heads like they had just woken up. With effort, Littlefoot pushed himself up, chest sore. His friends also got to their feet, staring at their crowd. Ducky and Petrie's faces were filled with a mix of hope and fear. Cera watched warily. The valley dinosaurs were stunned, some only now becoming aware of the ghosts dotted about the formerly solid crowd. The cave began to echo with groggy mutters and shuffles.

"What…happened?" Mr. Thicknose asked at last.

Pat groaned. "I feel like I woke up from a weird sleep story."

Swooper rubbed his temple. "Oh. Why do my memories feel scrambled?"

Mr. Threehorn glanced briefly at Mrs. Threehorn and his daughters before doing a double-take. "Dear…girls…why are you see-through?"

Mrs. Threehorn jerked and raised a transparent paw for inspection. "We are. Wait, we were just…"

"We're dead again!" Horen cried, looking at her legs.

Rica panted. "I just realized we were always dead!"

She and Duane looked at each other and, when they found they were standing in each other, yipped and jumped away.

"Mom, you're like that too." Hyp said, gripping his head. "I have memories of you being here and not here. What's going on?"

"Now Hyp, calm down." Mama Sprinter replied, wincing when her assuring hand phased through his shoulder. "L-Let's take this all in slowly…"

"I was standing on you a second ago!" Guido said to Mr. Clubtail. "Now I'm inside your foot!"

"I can feel that." Mr. Clubtail said. "Get out of it!" He shook his forefoot before Guido ran out of it. Mr. Clubtail panted in fear. "No, not again! I was having a nice time. I don't want to be dead."

"What's been going on the last couple days?" Mama Swimmer exclaimed. "I was okay with Wing Father and Tega talking to me!"

"Hey Ichy, about those memories in the underground tunnels. Are you really…?" Dil asked.

"Yep." Ichy sighed, looking at his wings. "I'm as transparent as everyone else around here."

"Our parents are dead!" Skitter cried. "They've been dead the whole time!"

"I can't believe you were never here with us, Mommy!" Lizzie said.

"Don't say that! You'll upset her!" Big Daddy said, shaking. "Dear, that's not true right…?"

"I'm getting so many weird memories." Papa Flyer said. "We argued and then forgot we were arguing. It happened over and over again."

"That's what I remember too." Mama Flyer said. "Oh no. And we forgot about what they did to Cera and Chomper's parents."

"I can't believe we were going to push our kids to fight after that!" Mama Fast Runner said.

"Thank goodness it didn't get far." Papa Fast Runner said.

"I remember that pit." Tria said faintly, gazing into the middle distance. "We were hurting each other in so many horrific ways!"

"We couldn't control ourselves." Mama Sharptooth murmured. "A part of me realized what I was doing but not the implications."

Papa Sharptooth shook his head dazedly. "It felt like a terrible sleep story."

"Sharpteeth?" A whiptail longneck said, looking at them in alarm. "Wait, why was I okay with them eating my back?"

"It didn't hurt either," muttered a squareshield. "I was able to walk away too."

"We're back in this cave?" Grandma Longneck asked, then froze upon seeing Mama Longneck. "Dear, is that you? You were with us the past couple days. Why's the significance of that only occurring to me now?"

"My memories are becoming clear." Mama Longneck murmured. "There was someone in the afterlife who wanted to harm the mortal world…"

"Yes, that's right." Grandpa Longneck said. "When we were last here, Wing Father and those Anchors were pressuring our children to step onto those stones. And Littlefoot…"

"We're so sorry!"

Everyone looked to find Littlefoot and the others running off the cracked stones and prostrating themselves. They bent their faces so low they weren't visible but their bodies shook.

"It's all our fault." Littlefoot continued. "No, it's more my fault. I made a big mistake."

"Littlefoot," Mama Longneck said faintly. "What are you saying?"

"No, the rest of us take the blame too. It's our fault Wing Father got control of the world." Cera said. "He held all of you, our families, hostage."

"We were tempted by his offer to make the world better." Chomper said to the ground. "We know that isn't an excuse. We only made everything worse!"

"Wing Father just wanted to play with the world." Ruby said. "He played around with your memories and made you fight in the training regiments. We waited too long to help!"

"For those with funny memory issues, it was not just Wing Father's fault." Ducky said. "We made you forget things. Mama, Bill, Eda, all of my brothers and sisters, when I made you leave against your will, you were so upset me and Spike made you not remember what you were upset about. We did not mean to, we just wanted to keep you safe but it was still horrible and we do not blame you for hating us, oh no, no, no."

Spike grunted several times in agreement, gazing down at the ground, unable to meet anyone's eyes. None of the gang could look at anyone, fearing the hostile expressions they might discover. Eda stared at Ducky, Spike, and their friends in shock before touching her chin.

"Wait," she said. "That did happen…"

"Me responsible for family forgetting after arguing." Petrie said in shame. "Me thought Papa and Mama could be back together but me only screwed with their and brothers and sisters' heads. Me made them stop fighting by forgetting."

"Petrie, that was…?" Mama Flyer trailed off.

"I did it with my parents and some people I'm sure are in this cave now." Chomper said. "At first, by accident but when some of you started talking about my size, I told you to forget. I'm so sorry I did that!"

"Chomper, so you were…" Mama Sharptooth said. "Now, listen-"

"Let us finish first!" Ruby said. "I wasn't aware of this power but I used it to try to bring back Mr. Thicknose's memories and I'm aware that messing with memories even for good still wasn't right. Mommy, Daddy, Saph, Emmy, I'm sorry I wasn't able to find the answer to defeating Red Claw. I should have searched for the answer more but I was more interested in searching for fun in the valley!"

"Ruby, we think that…" Mama Fast Runner said. "You can only do…"

The crowd murmured to each other. The gang caught stray words and recognized the voices of Mr. Thicknose, Mrs. Maia, the Tinysauruses. Littlefoot kept talking before he lost his nerve.

"We know either way you might hate us," he said, "For changing the world in the first place or changing it back and making death a reality again. Those of you who're ghosts now must be really angry. We don't blame you. But we saw how all of you couldn't control your actions or be able to change for the better. We had to do something."

"Wing Father sent you after us, so we had to defend ourselves in terrible ways." Cera said. "I'm sorry I made Daddy and the rest of my family fall off that cliff. I'm really sorry to Tricia! You must have been so scared. I'm sorry Mommy and the rest of my sisters had to get involved with this and end up being dead again."

"Cera, wait." Mr. Threehorn said.

"We'll leave." Littlefoot said. "If you don't want us, we'll find a home of our own. We cause everyone enough trouble. I caused you so much pain Grandpa, Grandma, Mother. I don't deserve you. Maybe it'll be better if I'm not here anymore."

"Littlefoot." Grandpa Longneck said. "No, stop…"

"I hope you'll be happy after we're gone." Littlefoot closed his eyes. "You don't need me getting you into any more danger-"

"Stop! Stop at once! What makes you think this is your fault?"

Littlefoot and the others jumped and looked up. To their surprise, their parents looked distraught. Mama Swimmer had her hands to her mouth. Mr. Threehorn's face was stretched in pain. Grandpa Longneck panted, eyes shining wetly.

"Don't say such things," he continued. "You won't be leaving us. Why do you think we would want that?"

"But I did such terrible things." Littlefoot protested. "The others wouldn't have agreed to Wing Father's deal if I didn't give up. I don't want to give you more pain-"

"If you left," Grandpa Longneck voice trembled, "what pain do you expect us to be in? You really believe what Wing Father made us say? I was screaming inside. We didn't mean any of that. To tell you the truth, we're the ones to blame for failing to protect you in such a terrible situation. Please, don't leave. I don't want our family to go through anymore loss."

He lowered his head and broke down, tears running down his cheeks. Littlefoot stared in shock. He never saw his grandfather break down like this. Littlefoot's eyes began to blur as his heart ached. The thought of leaving his grandparents was unbearable, but…

"Even after all I did, you would still look after me?" Littlefoot said faintly.

"Of course." Grandma Longneck said. "No matter what happens, you're our grandson. Even beside all the responsibility that entails, we want to be with you. That won't change."

"But if the valley expels me and my friends-" he protested.

"If that happens," she interrupted, "Grandpa and I will go with you. There's no way we'll lose anyone else again."

The fierce look in her eyes stunned Littlefoot. He didn't expect this type of earnestness after his conduct the last few weeks. Though in retrospect, maybe he should. They had been willing to sacrifice themselves to prevent Littlefoot and the others from going through with the ceremony. Slowly, he felt the first stirrings of hope.

"She's right, Cera."

Uncertainly, Cera turned to find Mr. Threehorn and the rest of her family. They watched her with a mix of guilty and imploring expressions. Tria sniffed, a tear coming down her face.

"I've already lost so much." Mr. Threehorn continued. "I don't want to lose you too. We know you were in a terrible bind."

"You have come to mean so much to me, Cera." Tria said. "Me and Tricia. We would be heartbroken if you left. We'd do anything to be with you. Though after all our mistakes…we wouldn't blame you for hating us."

"What do you mean?" Cera asked. "You'd even leave the valley for me? I can be such a jerk and coward."

"Better than acting rash or pretending to be courageous." Mr. Threehorn said bitterly. "I often only brought danger on my family. My mate and your sisters paid the price for that but I didn't learn. I taught you some of those traits that got you in trouble. You deserve a better father than me."

"I never could stand up for myself when it mattered." Tria hung her head. "I was unable to check your father's flaws or really push back dangers. I'm sorry I couldn't protect you."

Cera shook her head hard. "Stop talking about yourselves like that! I'm aware my family isn't perfect but I don't care. I don't want any other family but you. I don't want to leave but if you can accept me even after all my screw ups…"

The sisters looked amongst each other before chuckling.

"What do you think Dad and Tria barring their hearts was all about?" Rica teased

"Falling off a cliff wasn't great but Wing Father was making us a danger to you." Horen said. "We know that it isn't your fault."

"You still have a place among us, whether alive or not." Duane said.

"Cera." Tricia called pleadingly. "Cera!"

Cera teared up. She stepped in their direction, longing to be back with her family.

"Ducky, Spike, why would I hold you responsible for this?"

Ducky and Spike turned to find Mama Swimmer watching them with a forlorn look.

"You were scared and didn't know what was going on," she continued. "I wouldn't support you being exiled. I wouldn't want to lose any of my children. I should have explained better when you struggled to have your brothers and sisters join in your games and interests."

Ducky shook her head. "Me and Spike take up enough of your attention. You tried to tell me but I think I did not want to listen. I was so busy thinking about what would make me happy that I did not think about all of you. I love being part of a big family but I understand feeling weird about me after I messed with your minds."

Her brothers and sisters looked at each other, uncomfortable and uncertain.

Bill rubbed his shoulder. "I don't know about the others but I do feel weird about you."

"Same here." Osber said. "Having your body move against your will is creepy, even if you didn't mean to."

"I don't think many of us can forget about what you did anytime soon." Loch said.

Ducky and Spike took this as stolidly as they could. Spike struggled to meet their eye. They were right to be uncomfortable with the pair. After a few seconds, a tentative voice spoke.

"I don't want you to go."

Ducky and Spike jerked up as Bitty stepped forward. She appeared hesitant, but her eyes were pleading.

"You're both a lot fun to be with," she continued. "Even if you messed up and we find you weird and don't want to go on your adventures, it doesn't mean you should leave."

The swimmer brothers and sisters gazed at one another again. Though some discomfort remained, there were upset nods and they spoke to Ducky and Spike with similar pleading tones.

"Yeah, you were the first faces we saw." Norkel said. "It would be too sad if you left."

"You made some big mistakes but I don't want our biggest brother to go." Fussy said.

"We want to continue playing with you guys." Eda said. "Even if we aren't happy with what you did, can't you stay?"

"Stay," said Tuo and her siblings from the youngest batch. "Stay."

Ducky and Spike's eyes moistened. They thought especially after the admittance of discomfort or anger they burned the bonds they had with their siblings. But whatever issues they might have, they still wanted Ducky and Spike. It made the pair so happy they would be willing to do anything to make up with their brother and sisters. Mama Swimmer watched moved with a tear sliding down her face. Hesitating, Petrie turned to Mama Flyer.

"You feel the same, Mama?" he asked.

Mama Flyer gave a comforting smile. "I wouldn't want you to leave for something you didn't mean to do. I'm sorry I wasn't able to fully explain why your papa and I separated in a way you could understand."

"That might be my own fault." Petrie rubbed the back of his head. "Me love you and Papa and wanted you to be together like many other families. Me kind of refused to understand why. Me understand better why that can no happen. Me sorry for all who suffered because of me being stupid."

His brothers and sisters shuffled and averted their gazes awkwardly. Petrie's stomach plummeted. They seemed to debate inwardly if they should speak or what they should speak about.

"Well, it wasn't fun," admitted one of his brothers Rano.

"We didn't like having to go through those fights again," said one of his sisters Terri.

"I don't know if some of us can forgive that you did that," said another sister, before looking at him. "But since you reversed the ritual despite Wing Father sending the entire valley against you, that's a good start."

"Yeah it's amazing you did that," said another brother.

"It might take a while but I'm sure we can get along again," said a third sister.

The siblings nodded and offered cautious smiles. At the encouragement, Petrie found himself sniffling and wiping his eyes. Catching eye contact with Papa Flyer, his father glanced at Petrie with his own shame. Papa Flyer didn't say anything but it was clear he didn't have anything against Petrie. Tepidly, Chomper turned to his parents who looked sad and regretful.

"We don't blame you, Chomper." Papa Sharptooth said. "You're still young. You can't get everything right. But what you do get right is quite a feat. You stayed in a valley of leaf eaters while resisting your natural instincts and looking after yourself. It's not like we're so impressive," he added bitterly.

"I tried not to think about it but I can only conclude we aren't as strong as we should be." Mama Sharptooth said. "We tried to protect you, but we kept failing – that time we lost your egg, knocking you into the big water by accident, being taken down by Red Claw. We failed you as parents. No wonder you have to look after yourself."

"But I had to have my friends look after me." Chomper lowered his head. "First Ruby and then Littlefoot and the others. I started getting a complex about being small and being unable to fight those that try to hurt my friends. I should have looked to my other strengths. I'm sorry my unique tastes lead you to danger. I know you make mistakes but I wouldn't want any other parents."

"You wouldn't?" Papa Sharptooth said.

"No." Chomper replied. "I missed you a lot when I'm in the valley. I still love you guys. Can you forgive me for the screw ups I made?"

Mama and Papa Sharptooth stared at him before smiling weakly.

"Tell you what." Papa Sharptooth said. "If you can look past our blunders, we can look past yours."

Mama Sharptooth nodded. "That sounds like it would do good for all of us."

Chomper laughed, voice wet. "Alright. I guess I can work with that."

He and his parents shared smiles, eyes shining. Ruby turned to her parents and siblings. She knew that with her friends' families being accepting, hers would be too. Still, she faltered, not feeling worthy. Papa Fast Runner stirred, face wracked with guilt.

"Ruby, we've been so unfair," he said. "We shouldn't have put so much pressure on you."

"You were so responsible with both your brother and sister as well as yourself but finding out how to take down Red Claw would be a enormous challenge even for an adult." Mama Fast Runner fidgeted, gaze lowered. "One of us should have come along and helped you."

"You couldn't leave your home." Ruby protested. "It wouldn't be right if only one of you looked after my brother and sister. I tried to find an answer lately but didn't know where to begin or learn. I tried to learn all I could."

"You might have been trying too hard." Papa Fast Runner said. "Stress can block ideas if you're looking for them. Your mother and I've struggled with that. Sometimes, it takes having the right mindset."

"That's right." Emmy said. "You aren't the only one to make mistakes."

"We don't hold it against you." Saph said. "Mommy and Daddy sometimes mess up too. Our feelings haven't changed."

"Emmy…" Ruby croaked. "Saph…"

Littlefoot and the others stepped forward, wanting to approach their families as well. Petrie flapped up but stopped in place, looking conflicted. Chomper looking longingly at his parents. Ducky and Spike shuffled in place. Uneasy rumblings came up from the crowd. Frowns crossed several faces. Mr. Clubtail was unable to stay silent anymore.

"Now you all can't just accept them without the valley's say-so," he said. "I'm dead again! I didn't ask for that."

There were nods and many calls of "Yeah!" and "That's right!" Littlefoot and his friends looked about warily.

"Indeed, look what they pulled us into!" cried a spikethumb.

"We got forced to forget and almost went to war," said a squareshield. "That's not to mention some of those who're no longer alive."

"First they brought Mom back, now they're going to take her away again!" Hyp snapped. "They should have thought first before messing with us!"

"They have a point," said a domehead, crossing his arms. "They cause nothing but trouble."

The gang faltered. They lowered their heads and the guilt surged back. Their families might support them but that mightn't be the same with everyone else. Wing Father's ceremony did a lot of harm. Perhaps they were responsible after all. The valley members continued to murmur, many incensed voices present. Looking around, Pat frowned.

"Now, I don't think you all are being fair," he said. "These kids have done a lot of good."

"They saved me and helped me figure out part of who I am." Guido said. "I don't know if I'd have been able to do that without them."

Swooper nodded. "You and Petrie went and helped give me a home."

"They saved and helped teach me I don't need to survive on my own." Skip said.

"These kids inspired me to change after being stuck in place for so long." Mr. Thicknose said softly.

"They made mistakes but helped get us integrated into the valley." Lizzie said.

"We're not happy about all the ghost business but we don't blame Littlefoot and his friends." Big Daddy said.

Several more valley members called out in support, recounting when the gang helped them or found green food during times of need. A whiptail longneck described them helping her after an avalanche and Mrs. Maia about how they found one of her lost children. Many of the naysayers wavered and seemed to rethink their words. Hyp flinched and put a uncertain finger to his lips. The domehead started and let his arms fall to his sides. Littlefoot and the others looked around in amazement. Most of those they helped or befriended were coming to their defense. They never expected something like this to happen. Mama Longneck looked around and smiled.

"It's like I said earlier, Littlefoot," she said. "There're be those who'd be sympathetic to your tough position. Many of those who spoke out love you too much to let you leave."

"But," Littlefoot mumbled, "but we still made a choice that hurt other people."

"You didn't make that choice by yourselves." Mr. Threehorn said.

"Maybe." Ducky said, rubbing her head. "I still think we should have resisted in some way."

"You all are children." Grandpa Longneck said firmly. "You only have so much responsibility for what happened. It's amazing you were able to find a way to reverse it at all."

This made the naysayers reconsider. The domehead rubbed his head, almost guilty for what he said. Still, there were a few holdouts.

"They – they have done a lot of good for the valley." Mr. Clubtail admitted, tracing a foot in the ground. "But that doesn't excuse what they did."

"We – we still had our lives upended for those weird afterlife creatures," grumbled the naysaying spikethumb. "All because the kids couldn't take the pressure."

"What would any of us do if we were in their position?" Mama Longneck demanded, looking around. "Would any of us be able to sacrifice our family or loved ones for the greater good? Why are we blaming the children when we're forgetting the ones who pushed them to make that choice in the first place, who started all of this suffering?"

Everyone's gazes slowly turned to Wing Father. While all of this was going on, Verter, Don, and Tega had been quietly slipping through the crowd until they stood with Wing Father in the back. Patty stood next to the transparent Alis, looking like she wanted to join but seeming to fear what her mother would think. She shuffled and sneaked looks at Alis, uncomfortable. Many of the naysayers became ashamed. Mr. Clubtail appeared to be remembering what he said earlier and his expression shifted to guilt. Many of them though started turning to Wing Father and the Anchors, directing their ire at the true targets. Wing Father arms shook and he sent a frightening glare at the gang, apperaing to be doing all he could to not unleash his fury. Suddenly, a cruel smile graced his face.

"Will all of you really believe that kind of nonsense?" he asked. "Keep in mind what the children did isn't restricted to the Great Valley. Everyone in the world's realizing those they unknowingly reunited with have been dead all along. Even if the valley accepts them, how would all of those you know even in passing in the Mysterious Beyond react if it got out Littlefoot and his friends were responsible for their suffering, suffering I'll take advantage of. Let me show you."

He waved his hand. Strings of mists appeared before his arm, fusing together until a small but visible sphere formed, showing images. Gasps and cries of shock rang out. Hyp jerked back and bumped into his father, who's gaze was transfixed. Mr. Thicknose let out a soft breath. Guido's eyes were wide, as though unable to comprehend. Littlefoot's heart lurched when the fog sphere displayed a few in a squareshield herd sobbing as their ghost herd member sadly watched on. Ten seconds later, it was replaced by the scene of a transparent rainbow face looking at herself and shaking her head in denial while her living herd had hands clapped to their mouths.

The valley members whispered and made noises of sympathy. The images were so hard to watch Ducky and Chomper had to look away. Pat and several other valley members also averted their gazes, expressions tight in empathetic pain. Littlefoot wished he could close his eyes but felt obligated to watch after what he did to so many dinosaurs in the world. The image shifted to show a ghostly longneck curling next to a swimmer near the big water. It changed again to show a beaming spikethumb attempting to hug his ghostly counterpart, only to stumble and half phase through her…

Wing Father frowned, taken off guard by this development. "What?"

He flipped through more scenes. Littlefoot stared. Though sad images were still present, they were increasingly outnumbered by the happier ones. Ghost and living alike embracing, nuzzling, expressing joy at seeing each other one more time. The valley members became transfixed to the images for a different reason. Cera and Chomper blinked up disbelieving. Wing Father flipped to a scene of a ghostly flyer saying something to a spiketail, who laughed with teary relief. Wing Father clenched his teeth frustrated.

"What is all this?"

"Hey, are there any more sad images?" Swooper asked. "What's happening?"

"I don't know," Guido said, "but we're seeing more scenes of the living and dead dinosaurs taking it well."

"They're taking advantage of the situation." Tria said faintly, the first wisps of hope glittering in her eyes. "To reunite and have proper goodbyes."

Shorty's transparent parents stood in front of Bron. The two large, green longnecks' expressions were full of gratitude.

"Thank you." Shorty's mother said. "Thank you so much for looking after our son."

Bron appeared at a loss for words. Some guilt slipped in at some of his past mistakes before he nodded seriously with the responsibility weighing on him anew. Shorty looked up with a tearful smile. The other members of the herd chatted with their ghostly counterparts, the atmosphere bittersweet but voices full of warm nostalgia after reuniting with those they thought they would never see again. It was like waking up from a nice sleep store, though sad it wasn't real, glad this opportunity arose. Wild Arms's feathers fluffed with nerves as he went back and forth carrying green food between the herd, his ghostly kind watching sternly. Etta looked about before her ghost cousin waved standing next to a chatting threehorn. Once she got Etta's attention, she playfully shoved her head in the threehorn, who yipped in shock. Etta chuckled and shook her head fondly.

Pterano prostrated on the ground, head bowed in front of his dead breakaway herd.

"I apologize!" he said. "Because of my foolishness, I led you to your deaths, all to feed my ego. Nothing I do could make up for the suffering I caused but I swear to do better from now on."

The ghostly herd looked among themselves, some uncomfortable, others hostile. The clubtail averted his gaze nervously. The spikehorn growled. Grim mutters passed through the group. Pterano lay where he was, knowing he deserved it. But after a few moments, the swimmer who fell to her death stepped up and phased a comforting hand on Pterano's shoulder, offering a tentative smile.

The yellowbellies both alive and dead danced. They wiggled their bodies and limbs in a circle, passing through each other. Far from shock and horror, they took gladly to seeing their departed members come back and decided to use their ghostly abilities for a unique celebration. A few living ones sometimes didn't keep track of where they were and bumped into each other but only laughed and considered it part of the fun. Loofah danced along, laughing while calling out to all in Berry Valley.

"Come one, come all! Everyone join the shiver wiggle dance!" he said. "You don't want to miss out! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity – hah, literary!"

Whoops and glad cries of agreement followed. They danced in the center of the valley, where it could be seen all around and indeed yellow bellies were making an eager beeline to take turns to join. Doofah giggled as she was tagged in, dancing through her turquoise blue ghost counterpart, wiggling their arms like they were water waves. Foobie watched with clasped hands, so moved by his herd's mindset. He laughed when Loofah pulled him in to join.

The valley dinosaurs murmured as they continued to watch. Some began smiling. Littlefoot observed this with amazement. Though the sad scenes still gave him unpleasant blows, they couldn't counter the growing hope in him. The mist now showed a living and ghostly domehead standing baring their fists at each other. They had long been rivals but meeting again, they began to see each other in a friendly light. The living and dead of those present started talking to each other, following the positive example of what the mist displayed. Wing Father waved his hand to stop the slide of images, face tight in outrage.

"There should be more rage and despair than this," he said.

"That's where you underestimate us." Mama Longneck said. "With everyone remembering what really happened, they can say what they wish they said before death and bring closure. Mortals are stronger than you think. We can bare a lot of heartache but still find happiness in life. This can make us determined to achieve the impossible, especially against those who would take our happiness away. Littlefoot and his friends demonstrated that just now."

The crowd stirred and murmured to one another, thoughtful as they took the idea in. Some sent sympathetic looks in Littlefoot and the others' direction. The remaining naysayers appeared to take this to heart and barely any hostile gazes were now sent to Littlefoot and the others. The gang gradually realized they weren't going to get exiled or have to leave their families. They would be accepted after all. Littlefoot and the others squared their shoulders and joined in the glares.

For a moment, Wing Father was stunned, like everything he could have predicted was proven wrong. Verter shuffled and glared back daring anyone to attack him. Tega spun the piece of grass slowly in her mouth, belying the simmering fury in her eyes. Don's beak was tight in anger about having his world taken from him but his gaze shifted ambivalently, as though unsure what he had been doing. Several hostile stares were also aimed at Patty, who shifted but returned the look guardedly. Alis looked about confused wondering why so many of these glares landed on her daughter before her gaze slowly widened in realization.

"Anchor?" she whispered. "I've been hearing that word a lot around Patty and others in that world. I didn't make the connection then but…Patty's an Anchor." Her breath shook. "Oh no, what did you do?"

Patty twisted uncomfortably. "Well, it was just a leadership title..."

"It was more than that. They enforced this Wing Father's rules and hurt others…and you were part of them." Alis shook her head. "Oh no, no, no! How could you do this, hurting people, hurting kids! You should've realized this would be the last thing I'd want!"

"Because I missed you!" Patty shouted. She closed her eyes. "I couldn't go on without you. The world wasn't right if you weren't there. I couldn't bare it."

"But don't you remember?" Alis asked. "I told you to live your own life."

"I couldn't." Patty's voice cracked. "I was in so much despair I didn't even think to eat. I died. Wing Father offered me a chance to see you again. Is it so wrong to want you back?"

Alis stared before sympathy softened her. "Oh Patty…"

She leaned her transparent head into Patty's neck in an attempt to nuzzle her. Suddenly, Patty's expression contorted. She wrenched away, screaming in pain.

"Don't do that!" she cried.

"What is it, Patty?" Alis said, stepping closer. "What's wrong?"

"Don't touch me!" Patty said.

"You're in pain." Alis replied, alarmed. "Please, let me find what's hurting you."

She inspected Patty, nose phasing into her daughter's neck and head. Patty threw her head back, howling in higher and higher pitches of agony. Abruptly Alis pulled away, only now realizing she was somehow causing her daughter pain. Littlefoot and the others stared in shock. Where was this coming from? It seemed to appear out of nowhere. Then they stilled, one after another. There was something eerily familiar about this scene. Suddenly, they received a wave of memories, small words and moments from over the last few weeks…

Following their escape from Ichy and Dil in the underground river tunnel, the gang found Tega glaring at them through half-lidded eyes, only to send a nervous glance at the collapsed cave entrance.

Littlefoot stood behind a tree, overhearing Papa Sprinter mention Don told on Hyp. He said the flyer "might be so curmudgeon he would only speak to us from a distance…"

Mama Sprinter staggering into the open clearing, surprising all the dinosaurs nearby. As Littlefoot watched horrified, he spotted Tega who said "It can't be." She stepped back, as through wary Mama Sprinter might get too close…

After Petrie made a passing mention about ghosts, Don started and looked around. "Ghosts? Don't scare me like that!"

When Mr. Clubtail disappeared as a ghost, Patty walked into view, for some reason glancing nervously at where he had been standing.

Not everyone was present or paying attention at those moments but they saw enough that they added together in the gang's minds. They never thought much of those Alis accidentally hurting Patty gave them great importance. Littlefoot and the others surveyed each other with wide eyes, finding they all had the same realization.

"It's ghosts." Littlefoot whispered. "The Anchors' weakness is ghosts!"

Mr. Threehorn looked at them sharply. "What did you say?"

"We noticed the Anchors get nervous when they think ghosts are nearby." Littlefoot said. "Patty screamed in pain when her mother touched her. As the formerly dead, the Anchors must find ghosts harmful to them."

A stunned silence followed. Mr. Thicknose's eyes darted between the Anchors and the ghosts around him. Mama Flyer opened and closed her beak before seeming to make the connection too. Many of the ghosts looked down at themselves as though realizing their power for the first time. Don, Tega, and Verter stood frozen, shocked glances meeting those in the crowd. Amid their thunderstruck expressions, Littlefoot thought he saw a bit of fear. Patty's jaw hung open. Alis shuffled away and half phased through a neighboring swimmer, not wanting to hurt her daughter by accident. Littlefoot and his friends began to feel a surge of hope. There was some way of dealing with the Anchors and Wing Father after all.

Then the gang jerked when they saw Wing Father staring furiously at them. He floated as still as Saurus Rock. His anger seemed to fill his every being, more than ever seen before. His hands twitched…

There was no warning. Suddenly, silver shadows writhed behind Wing Father and shot into the crowd.

Next Time…

Part 2

Note: Part 2 will be posted next Friday.