Warning: This chapter includes sometimes bloody violence, including against children, whether on the protagonist or antagonist side' a permanent death, and a glimpsed body. Reader discretion is advised.
We Will Hold On Forever
by
DaveTheAnalyzer
Chapter 39: Anchors Away Part 1
Mama Longneck stood with her parents arrayed against Patty. Patty gaze flicked around the three before returning to them grimly. It had been a minute or so since Littlefoot, his friends, and Mr. Clubtail disappeared into the Great Valley. Patty wanted to pursue them but knew she wouldn't get anywhere without going through Littlefoot's family first. Mama Longneck felt a tremor of unease. It was wrong that someone so young should be their enemy. A stray draft blew by.
"So this is how it's going to be, huh?" Patty said.
"I'm afraid so." Mama Longneck said. "Though it doesn't have to be."
"Patty, we know you suffered a lot." Grandma Longneck said. "We can't forgive you for killing Mr. Clubtail and what you put our children through. But join us. You saw what Wing Father was doing to the valley. You know it was wrong."
"That's right." Grandpa Longneck said. "We can't let Wing Father get his hands on our children again. You saw how much they suffered from the guilt of putting the world into Wing Father's control even though they were forced into it. We know you have a good heart. Please, make the right decision."
"I've already made my choice." Patty averted her gaze. "I'm not comfortable with what happened to Littlefoot and his friends but it was necessary to have the best world we could get. I'm not losing Mom again."
Mama Longneck sighed. "I guess there's no persuading you then. To protect Littlefoot from your misguided intentions, we'll fight you."
Patty firmed her stance. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck also got into ready fighting positions, tails raised above them. Mama Longneck remembered them defending her from threats a few times in her childhood but she saw they got a lot more experience since her passing. She didn't know how to feel about that but at least they were more capable of protecting Littlefoot. This time she would join them. Raising her tail, Mama Longneck hoped to measure up.
Patty charged forward. She closed the distance and swung her tail wide at Grandpa Longneck. He ducked his neck under, lashing his tail onto hers. Patty winced and wrenched her tail away. She turned and butted her head into Grandma Longneck. Grandma Longneck gasped and stumbled briefly but forcefully hit her neck against Patty's. The fight made the three advance a longneck length away but Mama Longneck remained where she stood. Seeing her opportunity Mama Longneck slinked toward them in a half circle and jerked her transparent neck at Patty. Catching this out of the corner of her eye, Patty jerked from Grandma Longneck and backed out of range, determined gaze on Mama Longneck.
"Oh no!" she said. "I won't let you touch me!"
Grandpa and Grandma Longneck rumbled after her. Patty whipped her tail in an arc and hit the pair's necks, who jerked from the stinging blow. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck reared onto their hind legs and stamped their forefeet into Patty's back. Patty almost fell to the side and cried out, arching her back. Mama Longneck found it wrong to see her parents fighting a child. Still, she saw her turn and charged toward Patty. Patty hastily staggered to the side, avoiding Mama Longneck's neck swing. As soon as Mama Longneck passed, Patty rushed at Grandpa Longneck and crashed into him.
"I won't let it happen!" Patty said. "I won't lose her again. I'm going to go through you!"
She turned, caught Grandma Longneck as she passed, and slammed her side into her. Grandma Longneck gasped. Patty continued to slam into Grandma Longneck. Mama Longneck saw that despite being young, Patty was stronger than those her age should be. Even with the grandparents' age, Patty shouldn't be able to do this much damage. This must be Wing Father's power the living families were fighting against. Grandpa Longneck grabbed Patty's tail with his teeth and pulled her back from another slam into Grandma Longneck. Glaring, Patty slammed her side into him. Grandma Longneck ran in and crashed into Patty's other side. Patty's head whirled and bit Grandma Longneck's neck, tightening her teeth. Grandma Longneck's eyes widened and she let out a throaty scream
"Let go of her!" Grandpa Longneck cried.
He leaped onto his hind legs and landed on top of Patty, making her gasp and release Grandma Longneck's neck. Grandma Longneck backed to Mama Longneck's side, watching as Patty jerked up and hit her back against his stomach. After many stifled gasps, Grandpa Longneck fell and collapsed onto his side. Patty glared down at him and Mama Longneck thought this was her chance. She jogged as quietly as she could and turned to wave her transparent tail through Patty's neck. Patty let out an agonized scream that sounded like it tore her throat. Patty retreated, pants harsh. Mama Longneck walked to Grandpa Longneck's side as he pushed himself up.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"I'm fine." Grandpa Longneck said. "I endured worse before Wing Father took control of the world."
Mama Longneck nodded with relief and looked at Patty, her gaze becoming sad.
"I apologize for the pain," she said. "Know that I never take pleasure in that."
"Neither do I!" Patty retorted. "Do you think I enjoy this? I would rather you all join me. I never liked hurting others, even when they were horrible sorts like-"
She faltered as though appearing to remember something. She stared into space, conflict in her gaze and after a moment, guilt wracked her face. Mama Longneck and the others gazed amongst themselves, confused, before reluctantly approaching to take advantage of her distraction. Mama Longneck walked close enough to be inches from Patty. With a start, Patty noticed their proximity and hastily backed away.
"No, you won't distract me from what's necessary!"
She slapped one tail into Grandpa and Grandma Longneck's chests, who exclaimed. Standing between them, Mama Longneck's neck caught Patty's tail as it was pulled away. Though Patty yelped in pain, Mama Longneck winced as a flaring soreness bloomed in her neck. Patty noticed, eyes darting between Mama Longneck's neck and her own tail before slapping it at Mama Longneck again. Even as Patty cried out again, Mama Longneck winced, that burning soreness deepening and spreading in her neck. Patty's desperation gained a feverish hope.
"That's right!" she said. "Not even you ghosts are without a weakness. I just need to use my tail. I can bare the pain if it means getting you out of my way!"
She slashed her tail again. Mama Longneck swerved out of the tail's range. She was uncertain about what this sudden weakness meant but she knew what Patty meant by getting her out of her way. If Mama Longneck failed, Patty would go after Littlefoot and his friends. They would suffer under Wing Father's grip again. This made Mama Longneck determined and bite at Patty's tail. Patty bellowed as she pulled her tail back and waved it about as though it had touched fire-water. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck charged in and crashed into either side of her. They wrapped their legs around hers and their teeth seized her neck and tail. Their tails wrapped around her like tangled vines. Patty grunted and struggled, making the grandparents shake with her.
"You don't have the will to break my back like last time," she said.
"We don't need to." Grandpa Longneck said, muffled. "Dear, now!"
Mama Longneck hesitated but saw the strategy in what the grandparents did. Becoming grim, she phased through Grandma Longneck and into Patty. Patty screamed at the top of her lungs. Mama Longneck exited Patty through Grandpa Longneck and the screams continued. Grandma and Grandpa Longneck did nothing more than shiver slightly after contact with their daughter but Patty appeared to be in agony. The scream wracked at her voice, rocking hard as she could to get out of their grip. The scream wracked the grandparents in a different way, expressions filled with self-reproach.
Turning fully, Mama Longneck felt the same way. Patty went limp and she panted, moaning. She didn't want to hurt a youth but the threat must be dealt with. Surely there was a more merciful way. Maybe if Mama Longneck aligned herself so her ghostly form covered Patty's entire body, it would give the girl a quick end. She stepped in front of Patty thinking of her options but the sight of her spurred Patty to action. Patty suddenly tugged her limbs and neck hard. The grandparents didn't expect this and stumbled when she wrenched herself free.
"You won't win over me!" Patty cried.
She whammed her tail onto Grandpa and Grandma Longneck's backs. The pair yowled but were stunned for a moment. Glaring, she turned to Mama Longneck and had enough space between the grandparents to charge. She went through Mama Longneck. Patty made a strangled sound and stopped a few yards off, legs shaking from her effort to remain standing. Mama Longneck felt that burning soreness blare through her entire body and her forelegs collapsed under her. Alarmed, Grandpa and Grandma Longneck shook themselves and went over to their daughter.
"Dear, what happened?" Grandpa Longneck asked.
"I don't know." Mama Longneck panted, pushing herself up. "But it seems attacking a ghost first can give them some pain. I'm already dead, so this can't really harm me but I don't know what'll happen if I take too much 'damage.'"
"If you do, does that mean you'll go back to the afterlife?" Grandma Longneck asked tremulously.
"Maybe. This is all unprecedented, so who knows."
Grandpa and Grandma Longneck traded horrified looks. Patty exhaled and turned back to the three. They all appeared exhausted, covered in cuts and bruises. The grandparents were sending concerned looks to their daughter. Patty didn't know why but decided to take advantage of it. If she charged now, she could knock the grandparents down with enough force she could continue into the Great Valley and catch up with Littlefoot and the others. She started running, lowering her head. The three started at her approach but didn't know what to do. Patty was rapidly getting close. The three swung their heads about in fearful desperation. Patty suddenly had second thoughts but squashed them, reminding herself who she was doing this for.
A transparent figure slid in front of Littlefoot's family. Hastily, Patty pushed her feet hard and stumbled to a stop only a few yards before she made contact with the ghost. The ghost stood, huffing. Mama Longneck and the grandparents started, staring at their rescuer in surprise. Patty could only stare, heart sinking.
"M-Mom?!"
Littlefoot and the others were pretty deep in the valley before they allowed themselves to slow down. Living and dead dinosaurs continued to go this way and that, looking for somewhere to hide or recruiting before going off to track down an Anchor. A ghost spikethumb walked by with his living mate and daughters, assuring he'll protect them until they find shelter. Meanwhile, a ghost crestless swimmer argued with a domehead friend about whether the former should join the fight against the Anchors. Panting, the gang and Mr. Clubtail maneuvered around these people at a gentler pace. Mr. Clubtail examined their surroundings warily before looking at Littlefoot.
"Is it safe not to run now?" he asked.
"We need to catch our breath." Littlefoot said. "In fact, resting a bit will help since we'll be able to run if we aren't exhausted."
"I'm glad you decided that." Cera said. "I'm tired from all the running."
"It seems things like exhaustion carry over from Wing Father's world." Chomper mused. "What's this bad thing Wing Father's doing, Littlefoot?"
Littlefoot shifted uncomfortably. "There are two dinosaurs held in a cave we need to free. They've done some bad things but they're trapped and have been tortured."
His friends and Mr. Clubtail stopped to gawk at him.
"Did I hear that right?" Mr. Clubtail asked. "Someone's trapped in a cave and been tortured?"
"That sound terrible." Petrie said. "No one should be tortured. Pterano did bad things but even he should no go through something like that. No wonder you want to undo this."
"I cannot imagine being trapped in a cave for days without food." Ducky clasped her hands on top of Spike's neck. "You are right, we cannot allow this to go on any longer."
Spike nodded and grunted in agreement, determined. Ruby stared at Littlefoot curiously.
"What did those two do that got them trapped in a cave and tortured?" she asked.
Littlefoot averted his gaze. "I'll explain why when we get there. Anyway, we need to free them."
She sent a bemused look but he didn't elaborate. They continued walking with renewed vigor. Littlefoot felt bad for not telling them everything but he wasn't sure they would help if they really knew who was trapped in the cave. Fortunately, he was saved from more questions by Mr. Clubtail's sigh.
"These days must be the wildest of our lives…or not-lives," he said, peering at his transparent self. "How are you kids holding up?"
"Oh, we are doing alright, Mr. Clubtail…" Ducky twitched and fiddled with her hands. "Sorry, do you want to be called Kosh?"
"Mr. Clubtail's fine," he said hastily. "It would feel weird to have you kids refer to me so personally. I've been Mr. Clubtail for a while anyway." He let out a sigh. "I'm sorry for what I said, both in that cave…and in that small sweet bubble clearing. It was horrible. I shouldn't have shouted at you."
"Oh, that's alright, Mr. Clubtail." Ruby smiled faintly. "We understand."
"It would be hard for anyone to be nice in that kind of situation." Chomper said gently.
"We probably wouldn't have acted better." Littlefoot admitted.
"Me no hold it against you." Petrie said.
"Still, I'm an adult. I shouldn't have lost it like that, especially against a bunch of kids." Mr. Clubtail closed his eyes briefly. "Actually, I think you would've acted better in my position. You've already been through more than a lot. I shouldn't have added to it."
"Thanks." Cera said, lowering her eyes. "To be honest, what you said to us did hurt. Hearing you say sorry helped put some of that away."
"Oh, good. I'm glad I said that then." Mr. Clubtail shuffled uncomfortably, taking a deep breath. "Did you miss me?"
The gang processed what he said, still walking.
"Of course we did!" Ducky said. "We missed you a lot!"
"It didn't feel right you weren't living with us in the Great Valley." Littlefoot said.
"Even if we didn't talk much and I was kind of grumpy?" Mr. Clubtail asked.
"That don't matter." Petrie said. "You been here since we came to valley."
"Seeing you walk around and eat was part of my experience after staying here." Chomper said.
"You mightn't have done much but you helped when it mattered." Cera said. "Whether it was danger or other problems."
Spike nodded, gaze level and serious. Mr. Clubtail pulled his head up in surprise, moved.
"I meant that much to you?"
"You meant a lot to us." Ruby pressed her fingers together and looked down. "I'm sad I didn't have a lot more conversations with you. I'm sure we would've had a lot of fun." She stirred. "In fact, to show what you meant, I just thought of something to show you."
Mr. Clubtail tilted his head. "Show me what?"
"You'll see." Ruby said, stepping away. "Don't worry, I'll be back quickly."
She turned and rushed away. Mr. Clubtail and the gang exchanged puzzled looks. Those like Littlefoot, Petrie, and Chomper sent glances to where they last saw her, concerned about one of their own going off by herself on this dangerous day. Around a minute later, she returned carrying an armful of orange sweet bubbles. Littlefoot and the others inhaled breath.
"I was thinking you might need a treat for the journey." Ruby said.
Mr. Clubtail stared, stunned. "You really got those for me?"
"Of course. Do you want to have a taste?"
Ruby pattered over to him and raised one of the sweet bubbles toward his mouth. Though startled, Mr. Clubtail smiled and closed his teeth around the singular sweet bubble as Ruby let go. But the sweet bubble only phased through and dropped into the grass. He blinked with confusion. With a faltering expression, Ruby lifted out another sweet bubble and held it in her fingers as he tried to bite it again and again, teeth phasing through without any effect. Littlefoot and the others watched with sinking hearts. Mr. Clubtail stepped back, lowering his head. Ruby was distraught.
"Mr. Clubtail, I'm sorry!" she blurted out. "I should have thought…!"
"It's fine." Mr. Clubtail said, voice wet. "Fine. I had plenty of time to eat those sweet bubbles when Wing Father was in control. I was able to catch the hint of a taste when you put them in my mouth. I appreciate the thought. You kids eat the sweet bubbles, I'm sure you need to fill your bellies after all your hard work today."
Littlefoot and the others hesitated but with Mr. Clubtail sadly watching, they felt obligated to obey the request. Walking over, Ruby distributed the sweet bubbles among her friends, who began taking bites out of them. A few made faces at the sour taste but kept chewing. Chomper gave a few token licks but he was never a leaf eater and so sniffed around and ate bugs crawling nearby in the dirt and tree trunks. Once the gang swallowed the last of them, they smacked their lips with expressions indicating that they didn't entirely dislike what they snacked on.
"Thanks." Littlefoot said thoughtfully. "We actually needed that."
"They're a bit of an acquired taste." Cera said, gaze up at a speculative angle. "But not bad."
"I like them." Ruby said.
"Well, at least you tried them." Mr. Clubtail shrugged, a grateful smile appearing. "Thanks, kids. Anyway, shall we get going?"
After a few minutes walking slowly, they were able to get back to a jog. Ruby still displayed lingering guilt. Despite the bungle, Mr. Clubtail looked more at ease. Seeing that encouraged the gang. Littlefoot had been honest the sweet bubbles they ate actually helped. The nutrition actually gave them the energy they needed to go back to a faster pace. It would be nice to eat more to fill their systems but with the Anchors running about, they couldn't linger in one place for too long. The number of living and dead dinosaurs they passed dropped as they went. After glimpsing a whiptail longneck and rainbow face run off in the distance, soon, there wasn't anyone at all. Thick trees rose around them. Cera looked around with unease.
"Where is everybody?" she asked.
"Those who won't fight are probably hiding in caves or underground like when the first sharptooth's ghost came." Littlefoot said.
"Lucky them." Petrie said. "Or not, if the Anchors decide to attack them."
"They better not." Chomper growled. "I can't believe they tried to kill everyone when we were trying to flee."
"If they would send other dinosaurs after us, they wouldn't hesitate to try to kill them," Ruby said. "There's no low they wouldn't hesitate to go."
"That's right," said a new voice. "And you're about to experience an example of that."
They looked to their left and screamed as a piece of green detached from the foliage and shot out at them. The gang and Mr. Clubtail scrambled out of the way of Verter's charge. They hurried over to the other side of the forest path where the tree gaps were wide enough for anyone to flee through. Turning, they found Verter standing on the left side of the forest path, blue eyes boring into them. Cera gritted her teeth.
"You again!" she said. "Leave us alone already!"
"Nothing doing." Verter said. "You don't give the orders around here, especially after that stunt you pulled back in the cave. You're going to turn things back."
"We already did, kind of!" Chomper said. "Now we just need to go all the way!"
"You know what I mean!" Verter snapped. He bore his teeth. "I had a good thing going in Wing Father's world, guiding threehorns back to our old ways, spreading our methods to the Great Valley. Now you've taken it away!"
The gang and Mr. Clubtail stepped back. There was a feral edge to Verter's anger they had rarely saw before. It was clear he was done playing games. Verter dragged his forefoot in the grass, itching to charge again. Littlefoot, his friends, and Mr. Clubtail became determined.
"Now you no go blaming us!" Petrie said.
"You wanted to make things so terrible we had turn things back." Ducky said.
"Not to mention you were the ones who forced us to go along in the first place!" Cera snapped.
"We won't be following your orders anymore!" Chomper said.
Verter growled. "You kids are asking for a pounding, huh?"
"I don't think so." Mr. Clubtail stepped ahead of them. "And from that display in the cave, it seems like you Anchors can't even pound us ghosts."
"Whatever!" Verter said. "I'll just get around you then!"
He circled around Mr. Clubtail and made a beeline for Littlefoot and the others. They gasped but Mr. Clubtail jumped in front of them, stance defensive. Shaking his head, Verter ran in a half circle in the other direction for the gang but Mr. Clubtail again hopped into his path. Growling, Verter shot into the right-side trees and disappeared among them. They looked after him in confusion but suddenly, there was the rumble of footsteps behind them. Littlefoot and the others whirled just in time to see Verter charging at them through the right side trees. They screamed but at the last second, Mr. Clubtail slid in the way, making Verter skid to a stop.
"Nice try!" Mr. Clubtail said. "You can't get past me."
He charged, forcing Verter back. Mr. Clubtail followed after, Verter retreating whenever he got too close. Verter kept eye contact all the while. They continued deeper into the forest, disappearing through the foliage. Littlefoot and the others watched as Cera and Chomper stepped forward warily.
"He's up to something." Cera said. "He's leading Mr. Clubtail away."
"But what can Verter do against a ghost?" Ducky asked.
"I don't know but we shouldn't be separated like this." Chomper said, putting hands around his mouth. "Mr. Clubtail, be careful! This might be a trap!"
"Don't worry, I can handle him!" Mr. Clubtail called. "Just need to touch him and he won't be so smug – wait, no! Ah! Aaaah!"
"Mr. Clubtail!" Littlefoot shouted.
The gang ran through the trees. The scream faded as they pushed through greenery, only to start and stop when they saw a large drop a few yards away. Even more forest spread out before them, forming a small circle in the valley. The drop was a quarter the size of a Great Wall mountain. They scanned along and down the cliff but the trees hugged close at the bottom and Mr. Clubtail was nowhere to be seen. To their right, Verter walked along the ledge, grimly satisfied.
"What did you do to him?" Littlefoot demanded.
"Merely kept his attention from where he was going until he stepped onto thin air." Verter said. "I knew you would have some adult protector if you were unwisely going to run about the Great Valley. A pity it wasn't someone alive."
"Mr. Clubtail will come back!" Cera said. She attempted to keep some defiance in her frightened expression. "He promised to protect us and he won't be fooled for long!"
"But in the meantime, I can snatch you kids and return you to Wing Father." Verter said.
He put a foot toward them, a glint of avarice in his eyes. The gang froze before starting to back away. They turned and fled just as Verter's rumbling steps echoed after them. They darted between the trees to make it hard to follow but they heard multiple plant groans as Littlefoot saw the shadows of trees smash into each other and fall toward the ground. Verter was knocking the trees out of his path. One shadow flew horizontally over the gang before a tree landed in the gang's way. Littlefoot and the others scrambled to a stop before they crashed into it. Verter growled as he slinked closer.
"Don't think going through thick forests will work," he said. "I have experience using such environments against my targets!"
Panting, Littlefoot and the others darted around the tree, Verter's paws smashing it into pieces barely a second later. They got onto the path and ran at a breakneck pace. Verter's foot thumps caught up, easily keeping pace behind them. Littlefoot looked around desperately for inspiration for where to hide or go but there were just trees. They passed a brief gap but the forest was overall pretty uniform. They had to think of something fast. Chomper glanced back to check on his friends and did a double-take
"Wait, where did Verter go?" he cried.
Darting their heads behind them, there was no sign of anyone chasing them. They realized they haven't heard rumbling footsteps for some seconds. Far from reassured, the gang became anxious. They looked into the forest on either side to see if he was hiding there.
Instead as they traveled up an uphill left turn, they heard a thump. Looking ahead, they saw Verter on the hill's peak directly in the way. They screamed and scrambled to a stop to turn and flee in the opposite direction. They felt the displacement of air from Verter gnashing his teeth and grabbing at them with his forepaws. They ran back the way they came with Verter on their tail, passing the previous gap in the trees that they now realized was an alternate route. Littlefoot kicked himself for not realizing Verter's strategy.
Did they have to run all the way back to his family to get help, Littlefoot thought. He wasn't sure if they could or if it would be fair for his family who were already fighting Patty. Verter lashed his horns at them and they yelped as they dodged to the left. He lashed his horns relentlessly, forcing them to duck and go back and forth between both sides of the path. This was very dangerous. Littlefoot wondered if Verter was going to injure them severely to make them easy to carry. Verter lashed his horns to the right and they dodged in that direction, only for the ground to disappear under them.
Littlefoot's view of the world went upside down as they screamed and rolled into a gulley. They spun and tumbled with each impact yelping from the aches and pricks of pain all over until they reached the bottom. They lay on their backs or stomachs, stunned. They hadn't noticed the gulley since they were distracted. Up above, Verter uttered a soft laugh, which was somehow more threatening than his anger.
"What's wrong?" he asked. "Where's the cleverness you used when tricking us and running to the cave to change the world back? Tired? Well, no worries. Once we set the world back to how it should be, you'll get all the rest you need."
He crouched beside the gulley and his forepaw loomed toward Cera and Chomper. The pair screamed and darted out of reach. The other gang members circled and leapt around to avoid the moving paw. Some tried to scale the gulley, only for those like Spike to slide back down. Petrie flitted around to find a way to escape but Verter's paw kept getting in the way and snatching for him. There wasn't much room to dodge and Littlefoot saw Ruby exhausted after she slid back down from another climbing attempt. Littlefoot's heart beat fast and eyes darted about, not wanting to be forced to hand the world back to Wing Father. Snickering at their fear, Verter reached down to grab for Cera…
Suddenly three figures rushed in. They nearly stumbled down the steep gulley but kept on their feet before reaching mouths and arms out to snatch the gang. Littlefoot felt thin arms around him and his perspective jerked up slightly, giving a sense of vertigo. They crashed into the foliage a couple yards into the forest. Verter grasped at thin air and unbalanced himself by reaching too far in. With a yelp, he rolled in before crashing onto his back. The area shook before silence fell. Littlefoot groaned and shook leaves off before realizing he was still held by the thin arms of someone only a bit larger than him. He heard his friends moan.
"That was close." Cera sighed beside him. "Wait – huh?!"
The others looked around, gasping and made other exclamations of confusion. Looking up, Littlefoot found Hyp shaking his head inches from his face.
"Whew," he said, "got here in the nick of time,"
Littlefoot's jaw dropped. Looking about, he saw Spike, Ducky, and Petrie sending shocked looks on top of Nod's back. Nod heaved breath and his eyes were wide. Mutt panted as he held a staring Ruby and Chomper. Littlefoot looked at Cera and saw the same surprise and confusion reflected in her face. Petrie shook his head and tried to connect words together.
"Hyp?" he said. "You bulli – um, you three?"
"What are you doing here?" Ruby asked.
"Saving your tails, for one." Hyp said. "You looked like you were in a big pinch. You're welcome." He averted his gaze. "This is also thanks for saving me from falling off that path."
"'Thanks.'" Littlefoot repeated, slowly perking up. "If you're saying that, that must mean…"
Chomper looked up, hardly daring to hope. "Mutt, do you remember our a – ad-?"
"Adventures?" Mutt smiled. "You helped me swim to get those fast biter eggs across the lake. I'm glad I saved you when it was too high for you to climb up from their scary mama."
Eye moistening, Chomper embraced Mutt's neck, letting out a muffled sob. Mutt was surprised for a moment before putting an arm around Chomper and closing his eyes. Some of the gang couldn't help but smile. Hyp looked down to meet Cera's deadpan stare.
"Well, it's about time," she said.
Hyp rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, it took us long enough. Better late than never. It took a bit for us to remember our escapades with you. After we got to safety, I thought you squirts might get into further trouble and so brought these two along."
"He said you might need our help and since we're the big guys, we should do something for once." Nod said.
"Well, we are really glad you did do something" Ducky said, patting Nod's neck.
"You come at just the right time." Petrie added, smiling down.
Spiked stepped on top of Nod's neck enough to lick the latter's cheek. Nod actually seemed to blush. Littlefoot thought how nice it was that Hyp and the others could change for the better and that at last it stuck. Even Hyp and Cera's smirks to each other had a more playful edge. Chomper pulled back to exchange smiles with Mutt, who looked at Ruby only to find her staring in fear over his shoulder.
"Um, I don't mean to cut this short," she said, "but the mean Anchor we got saved from is just getting up!"
Verter rocked on his back. He rolled with a thump to his side, and surged to his feet with a snarl. Hyp and his friends hastily let go of the gang as they all got up and backed away. Verter advanced into the trees breaking them with waves of his horns.
"How dare you almost-adults humiliate me like that?" he said. "You won't take my victory from me!"
"Hey, I see you got anger issues!" Hyp said. "Speaking from experience, that doesn't lead to smart thinking, so-"
Verter stomped a foot forward. Hyp and the others backed away terrified. Mutt shook, fingers twitching in front of his chest.
"You don't tell me what to do!" Verter screamed. "I've had enough of you! You'll be my next kill before we revert the world to Wing Father's!"
Nod fell off his feet in fright. Hastily, Littlefoot and the others scrambled to stand in front of Hyp and the others protectively.
"Don't you touch them!" Littlefoot said. He was aware of Hyp's group staring at them in surprise.
"Don't tempt me to kill you too!" Verter bared his teeth, eyes wild. "If you don't cooperate, once we get our world back, I'll make you wish death was still a thing when I muti-"
Rumbling feet became audible and two shapes appeared to ram into his backside. Verter bellowed, a squelching sound erupting. Heaving breath, Verter was pulled out of the gulley. Littlefoot thought the shapes were black and pink. More footsteps could be heard, including from the forest to their left. Looking, the children found a pair of small figures rushing down a hilly path between the trees, the ghost going first to check the route. Spotting the gang and Hyp's group, Mama Sprinter waved and called to her mate. Mama and Papa Sprinter almost ran to close the distance to the children, darting heads taking note of each of them.
"Good, all of you kids are together!" Papa Sprinter said.
"Mom?" Hyp said, disbelieving. "Dad?"
"Come on, come on, we have to hurry!" Mama Sprinter said.
The children didn't question it. They followed the uneven route up the hill the sprinters just used through the forest, having to step carefully on roots, rocks, and fallen branches. Petrie flew above, calling guiding advice to them. Climbing onto the path, Littlefoot looked right and saw Verter already standing outside the gully, view partially blocked by Mr. Threehorn and Mrs. Threehorn's backsides standing side by side. At Verter's glance to the right, Littlefoot spotted Tria and Cera sisters standing at the bend in the path, blocking both possible escape routes. There were round stab wounds on Verter's rear and Mr. Threehorn's horns had hints of red on the tips. Mr. Threehorn huffed, glare level.
"Stay where you are, Verter!" he cried.
"Oh, we're doing this again, are we?" Verter asked, glaring around. "Let me remind you two what happened last time."
"There are more of us on our side now." Tria said. "Not to mention we know what your weakness is."
Verter's lip curled as he took in the threehorn family standing against him. Mrs. Threehorn and Tria rubbed their paw in the grass and growled, showing how they felt about him attacking their daughter and her friends. Horen, Rica, and Duane were grimly furious. Grudgingly, Verter stayed in place. With the danger held off for the moment, Papa Sprinter turned to glare at Hyp and his friends.
"Why did you run off like that?" he demanded. "Haven't I told you not to go into danger zones? You could've gotten yourself and your friends killed!"
"I know, I know!" Hyp protested. "Maybe I shouldn't have brought them along but we – I – thought Littlefoot and the others might get into trouble, and they were cornered by that scary threehorn! We had to do something!"
Papa Sprinter stared at his son as though having never seen him before. Mixed emotions battled in his face before he put an arm on Hyp's shoulder. "I'm still not happy about it but at least you acted for a good reason."
Mama Sprinter nodded. "We're proud of you, Hyp. You've come so far."
Hyp squirmed, an awkward smile gracing his face. Behind him, Nod and Mutt pumped their forelimbs at each other. Littlefoot's heart warmed, glad the family was finally happy together. Verter growl made them all jump.
"It's because of you brats I didn't catch them!"
He stepped toward the children. The gang tensed, Cera and Chomper eying Verter with apprehension. Mama Sprinter stepped forward protectively. Before Verter could do anything, Mrs. Threehorn gave a cry and charged at him. Verter hastily retreated back to the gulley's edge, dodging the thrusts of her horns, wincing when they glanced his. She stopped short, heaving breath.
"You won't be tormenting Cera and her friends any longer," she said. "You'll pay for putting me and my other girls through those training regiments. Not to mention making us chase and attempt to hurt Cera…you have a lot to answer for!"
"So what?" Verter retorted. "Aren't you glad to be with your family again? I thought you were more sensible than to go against those giving you a second chance."
"We made the best of it," Mrs. Threehorn said, "but that doesn't excuse all the suffering we went through, that you inflicted on us!"
Pressing his lips together, Verter turned his glare on Tria and Cera's sisters. The sisters attempted to be brave, but a few shifted their stances and averted their gazes. Tria glanced at Horen and the others nervously.
"Are you still sure you three still want to be involved in this?" she asked. "Girls your age shouldn't be taken up in these adult conflicts."
"Maybe so but we'll never get any older." Horen replied. "We won't just hide and do nothing when Cera's in danger."
"We're ghosts," Duane said, "so there's a limit to how much we can be hurt."
"What's the worst that can happen?" Rica said. "We want to help Daddy, Cera, and Tricia against these baddies in any way we can."
Cera's throat tightened. Tria and Mr. Threehorn still appeared uncertain but reluctantly decided to accept the girls' help. Ducky and Spike appeared touched, loving the thought of sibling solidarity. Mrs. Threehorn looked at the girls with pride before becoming determined and thrusting her horns into Verter. He bellowed and she thrusted her horns a few more times, nearly backing him into the gulley again. Verter growled and yelled before instinctively jerking his horns into Mrs. Threehorn's. That shouldn't have done anything but even as he bellowed again, she gave a strangled gasp and backed away with a dazed head shake. Littlefoot and the others gasped.
"No way!" Cera said. "That hurt her?"
"But how?" Ruby said. "I thought it only went one way."
Mr. Threehorn ran over to Mrs. Threehorn, checking her face over, expression full of worry.
"Dear, are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine." Mrs. Threehorn said, a bit breathless. "My face just feels sore."
That didn't really assure Mr. Threehorn. Tria and Cera's sisters watched with alarm. Verter appeared surprised, wincing from some residual pain in his horns before becoming triumphant.
"See? Everyone has a weakness," he said. "I might still get hurt but I can give you as much damage back!"
He charged at Mrs. Threehorn. Mr. Threehorn partially stepped into her and blocked Verter's horns. They growled, grinding them into each other. Jumping into action to protect their mother, Horen, Rica, and Duane ran toward Verter, phasing through all but his rear right foot and making him scream. The sisters circled to aim for a different set of feet but Verter stomped into them. His rear left foot only lifted through Rica as she passed but his left forefoot and right rear foot hit Horen and Duane as soon as they entered. The pair yelped but followed Rica back to Tria. Still, Verter barely suppressed a pained gasp, distracted enough for Mr. Threehorn to throw the former back with his horns. Verter crashed onto his side. Littlefoot and the others stirred with alarm.
"They are hurting Verter but are getting hurt too!" Ducky said.
"Oh, why this happening?" Petrie said.
"It seems if Verter manages to attack first, then other ghosts can get hurt," Cera said, staring worriedly. "I guess it isn't a risk-free guarantee to deal with the Anchors like we thought."
Chomper fidgeted. "Oh, what'll happen if they keep getting hurt like that?"
Indeed, as soon as Cera's sisters returned to Tria's side, Horen winced and collapsed, groaning. Duane remained standing but panted, legs wobbling. Rica checked on the two and looked at Mrs. Threehorn, confused but scared. Mrs. Threehorn had recovered but she watched Verter warily now. Worry surged through Littlefoot, wondering if Mama Longneck was dealing with this. . Would fighting the Anchors make the ghosts go sooner back to the afterlife or somehow damage them even after they returned there? Littlefoot suddenly didn't want the ghosts he knew to risk themselves, especially since they should be resting in peace. Verter took stock of the enemies that remained and charged after Cera's sisters. They started but Tria ran ahead to meet his horns and they clacked against one another.
"Why are you defending them?" Verter asked. "If you win, you won't be enough after this day! Topps managed to get his true mate and other daughters back. You'll never be able to replace them!"
Tria wavered for a second before shoving him back to his surprise, parrying his blows. "Well, it's a good thing I'm not replacing them then! Mrs. Threehorn is a good person and Horen, Rica, and Duane are as precious as Cera and Tricia. I won't let you hurt them either!"
She shoved him hard enough his rear feet slid into the gulley again. He scrambled forward, Mrs. Threehorn charging at him once more with light steps. Verter whirled hearing her pants but as he did, she went through his face and out his rear right leg. Verter threw his head up and screamed, stumbling side to side with labored breath. Horen, Rica, and Duane sent surprised looks at Tria for what she said. Mrs. Threehorn turned to Tria, offering a touched smile. Mr. Threehorn looked between his mates, grateful and besotted. Cera wore a proud smile. As their friends cheered, Littlefoot thought he saw a transparent figure pass along the opposite line of trees Verter had chased them through. A groan made Littlefoot look forward and see Verter's eyes darting side to side. He thought hard and came to a frustrating but necessary decision.
"Fine!" he said. "If you're going to be insufferable like this, I might as well retreat. Enjoy the victory while it lasts!"
He went down the left path turn, crashing into the trees to give Tria and Cera's sisters a wide berth. Tria didn't pursue him and to Littlefoot's confusion, almost smiled. Verter then got on the path and started running. Littlefoot glimpsed the transparent figure in the opposite tree line again but he was distracted when Chomper sniffed suddenly, eyes widening. Verter's hurried footsteps only echoed a few times before abruptly stopping. Littlefoot could see two large green heads over the trees where the path turned off. Mama and Papa Sharptooth growled as they stared down at Verter. Tria and Cera's sisters stepped to the side as Verter backed into view, Mama and Papa Sharptooth following him. Hyp and his pals gasped.
"Are those your parents, Chomper?" Mutt asked.
"Yup." Chomper said proudly. "That's my mommy and daddy."
Standing beside Tria and Cera's sisters, Mama and Papa Sharptooth closed off the left turn path while glaring.
"Didn't think we wouldn't consider you fleeing like a coward?" Mama Sharptooth growled. "You're going to be punished for all you put Chomper and his friends through. There's no escape."
"Do you want a repeat of what happened when you ate me last time?" Verter replied.
"We'll just tenderize you for the ghosts. Maybe then you'll stay down our gullets." Papa Sharptooth said.
They opened their jaws at him. Verter darted around Mama Sharptooth's jaws, which only brought him closer to Papa Sharptooth's pointy teeth. He hopped toward Mr. and Mrs. Threehorn. He looked between the forest on either side and then eyed the wide spaces between the trees on the opposite side where he began chasing the gang earlier. He shot into that tree line and was half way in, only to find a transparent figure in his way.
"Oh no, you don't!" Mr. Clubtail said. "Forgot about me?"
He swung his tail club into Verter's face. Verter bellowed, throwing his head up. He retreated back to the path as Mr. Clubtail walked over to join Mr. and Mrs. Threehorn. Littlefoot and the others called out in relief.
"Mr. Clubtail, you're alright!" Littlefoot said.
"We were worried about you!" Ducky said.
"Sorry for that." Mr. Clubtail said. "It took me a bit to remember I was a ghost and to climb back here."
Verter examined both directions. On one side, Mama and Papa Sharptooth stood with Tria and Cera's sisters. On the other, Mr. and Mrs. Threehorn blocked the other way with Mr. Clubtail. Behind those three, Mama Sprinter stood protectively in front of the children and her mate. No matter what, Verter was trapped.
"Face it, Verter. You're finished." Mr. Threehorn said.
"This isn't a problem you can just brute force out of." Tria said.
"I wouldn't say that." Verter replied. "I believe you're the ones brute-forcing the problem. Do you know what'll happen if you actually defeat us?"
"We'll finally be rid of you?" Mr. Threehorn retorted.
"Apart from that." Verter said. "You'll lose your mate, your daughters."
Mr. Threehorn started. Everyone looked at Mrs. Threehorn and the sisters. Mrs. Threehorn put on a brave face but appeared tired. Horen, Rica, and Duane were ready to fight again but still reeled from the burning soreness they experienced before. Hyp and his father looked at each other realizing the implication of how this would impact Mama Sprinter. Littlefoot reached the same conclusion about his mother. Mr. Threehorn was stricken.
"I won't think about them," he said. "I was too weak to bare the pain of remembering."
Verter threw himself at Mr. Threehorn. They dueled horns again, heaving back and forth. Mr. Threehorn shook his head and attempted to get his mind back in the game but his gaze kept trailing back to Mrs. Threehorn and his other daughters. Cera stepped forward, gaze flickering to her dead family, knowing they might disappear again. Tria came up behind Verter, horns lowered but he sensed her presence there.
"You're softhearted, Tria!" he said. "You'll never be able to make the snap decisions that matter! Do you think you can protect your family?"
Tria stopped and gained an unsure expression. Verter took advantage of her hesitation and kicked her in the face. She cried out and collapsed, a bruise on her forehead. Mr. Threehorn called out in outrage but that distracted him enough for Verter to lift him up with his horns and throw him off his feet. Crashing onto his side, Mr. Threehorn groaned. Verter made a dismissive head motion before turning and abruptly charging at the gang.
He went through Mrs. Threehorn, causing both to scream. Verter pressed his teeth together, closing in with a wild look. The children screamed and began backing away. Papa Sprinter threw himself on top of Hyp and his friends while Mama Sprinter started forward, gulping while clenching her fists. The pair didn't have to do anything as Mama and Papa Sharptooth ran around Mr. Threehorn and bit into his backside.
Verter's yowl filled the gang's ears. They felt his hot snarl, wind blowing into them as he desperately pulled a paw toward them only a couple yards away. Hyp, Nod, and Mutt crawled away, Papa Sprinter attempting to keep over them, faces contorted in fear. Littlefoot was scared to have Verter fill so much of his vision. Verter's gaze was fixed on Cera and Chomper.
"You'll never be strong enough to protect your friends, either of you!" he shouted. "You're too cowardly or weak! You're like me, Cera! One day, you'll realize the truth and turn against these so-called friends of yours!"
Cera and Chomper hesitated but they only glared back.
"I'm nothing like you!" Cera said. "I've seen the sorry life you have because of your choices and want nothing to do with it!"
"There are other way to protect our friends!" Chomper said fiercely. "Even if the worst happens, at least we'll have the memories! What kind of memories would you have?"
Verter's eyes darted to the side at the question, distracting him enough for Mama and Papa Sharptooth to pull him away. Verter pulled himself free of their teeth. He whirled around, slicing Papa Sharptooth's leg. Papa Sharptooth roared and lumbered back. Verter stalked toward them.
"We had a lot of conversations back in Wing Father's world," he said. "You worried about not being able to protect Chomper, of measuring up. If that was your worry in a world with no death, I can't imagine what it's like now. It's only a matter of time before something befalls that boy!"
Mama and Papa Sharptooth hesitated. Verter took advantage by rearing on his hind legs and kicking both parents away. Mama Sharptooth crashed into some trees, which groaned and cracked before they fell with her to the ground. In the meantime, Mr. and Mrs. Threehorn managed to move back in front of the children. Mama and Papa Sprinter exchanged looks, at a loss for the inner conflicts Cera and Chomper's families had to deal with. Mr. Clubtail interceded and he and Verter dodged and threw blows at each other, Tria coming up to offer assistance. Mr. and Mrs. Threehorn panted, looking more than winded.
"Can you continue doing this, dear?" Mr. Threehorn asked. "Maybe you should step back and let Mr. Clubtail handle this."
"He can't do it alone." Mrs. Threehorn said grimly. "We should all play our part. I'll manage."
"But what if you and the girls really get hurt and you end up-" he began.
"Have Verter's words really affected you that much?" She softened. "It must have been painful to not think about us much."
His expression became wracked with shame. Verter jumped through Mr. Clubtail and they both shouted but though he jerked, Verter kept up his charge. Tria ran forward and dueled horns with him, pushing against one another. Tria shoved at Verter hard, whose gaze was slightly unfocused from the contact with Mr. Clubtail. But he regained his strength and shoved hard against her, enough to push her down. He growled into her face.
"It would have been better if you had remained forever oblivious in Wing Father's world," he said, his attention widening to Mr. and Mrs. Threehorn. "Just forgetting is for the best. That's how threehorns should deal with loss. Lingering on the past only makes you weak!"
"Says the guy who's been harassing Daddy, Tria, and Cera nonstop since they turned their noses up at you!" Horen retorted.
"That was vengeance!" Verter snapped. "He betrayed my trust and fought what used to be our ideals! If someone insults you, you have to make them pay so no one would disrespect you again!"
"Now that's a lie!" Duane said. "I remember what you did in the training regiments. We all forgot in Wing Father's world but you kept hurting us. You couldn't move on from your anger!"
"Typical bully!" Rica added. "Accuse their victim of the problem they themselves have!"
Verter's face twisted. "How dare you!"
Letting go of Tria, he charged at the girls. Cera shouted in concern but Horen and the other sisters waited calmly until he was near, then scattered around him. They phased through his feet from behind. Verter shrieked in pain, staggering forward a few steps as his legs shook.
Tria watched this relieved the girls didn't get hurt before she ran over and dueled horns with Verter again. She clacked and stabbed less aggressively but timed her strikes so they actually parried Verter's attacks and even hurt him. Verter sneered.
"You continue to think you're a worthy opponent? You're a distraction at best! So weak..."
"Maybe I was." Tria said. "But I'll keep going one step at a time and work to improve myself, and won't forget my true strengths either!"
She made eye contact with Mrs. Threehorn, who smiled. Tria pushed forward and Verter let out a yelp when she stabbed the skin at the base of his horns. Mama and Papa Sharptooth overheard this and lowered their heads with a mix of guilt and thoughtfulness.
"Improving one step at a time…" Papa Sharptooth murmured.
"She's right." Chomper called. "You made mistakes but you can always get better. You also have a lot of good – you're fun, nice, wise. I always loved that about you Mommy and Daddy."
"Being fun and nice…" Mama Sharptooth said. "I haven't thought about that…"
"My friends make mistakes but they slowly improved." Chomper said. "And their mistakes don't stop them from being my friends. They improve by working with someone they care about, which inspires change. Just like how you two never fight alone. I'm sure you got this."
"Right," she said, and she raised her head with determination. "Right!"
Buoyed on, she entered the fight. Papa Sharptooth did the same just as encouraged, a contrast since his angst about his own inadequacy was more vocal. They kicked Verter on either side, making him cry out and stumble. Mr. Clubtail joined in, phasing through him, making it easier for the sharpteeth to bite into Verter's sides, eliciting cries of pain. Mama and Papa Sprinter looked between Chomper and his parents, uncomprehending.
"I never thought I would see sharpteeth fighting on our side." Mama Sprinter said. "Those kids are friends with one?"
"It's a long story." Papa Sprinter said. "If you watched us from the afterlife, you might already know some of the details."
Mr. Threehorn saw the others fighting on encouraged but remained uncertain. He seemed frustrated with himself for it. Mrs. Threehorn waved her head to get his attention.
"Topps, you love me and the girls, right?" she asked.
"Of course!" Mr. Threehorn protested. "I never stopped loving you! I would do anything to keep you around."
"There's one way you can." Mrs. Threehorn said. "Remember us – our time together, the good, the bad, the funny."
Mr. Threehorn slid a foot in the grass. "It'll be painful."
"Yeah." Cera said. "There'll be a lot of sadness to come with it."
"I know." Mrs. Threehorn softened. "Don't torture yourselves but if you feel like thinking about those times, do so. If they make you sad, I give permission for both of you to cry and express your grief. But also enjoy the good memories and old jokes. Hasn't that been the benefit with you and your mother, Littlefoot?"
"Huh?" Littlefoot was startled to be addressed by Cera's birth mother. He looked down, frowning carefully. "Well, sometimes remembering Mother does hurt but I do smile when I think about the good times. With that, in some way, she was still with me."
"That's it, then." Mrs. Threehorn said. "Do it in your own way but follow that example. If you remember me and Cera's sisters, we'll never be apart."
"I guess that would be true." Mr. Threehorn said, stirring. "It was worse not thinking about you."
"That does sound better." Cera said. "I always want to remember you, Mom. Horen, Rica, Duane, too. If the memories become too difficult, we could always talk to each other Daddy."
Mr. Threehorn nodded, his lips lifting. "Maybe it would be easier to deal with if we share it together."
"And if becomes too much for either of you, you could always share with me." Tria grunted, still dueling. "You shouldn't be the only ones to bare it alone."
Verter hit back just as hard, angered by what he was hearing.
"No!" he snapped. "That's not how threehorns are supposed to act! We don't become sad and talk about our feelings! I don't have time to waste with you, Tria!"
"You know, it's a pity you think life's all about fighting!" Tria replied.
Verter was about to retort when Tria pulled away. Growling, he charged at Mr. Threehorn. Mr. Threehorn abruptly raised his head and crashed his horns into Verter's. Even as a crash rang out, Mr. Threehorn barely moved. Mr. Threehorn stared at him, a little anger in his eyes but mostly filled with resolve.
"She's right," he said. "You don't get to decide what I or any threehorn should or shouldn't do. We make our own decision on what it is to be a threehorn and we'll change it if we have too!"
From his left, Mrs. Threehorn phased through Verter, who gave another howl. She turned on the other side with the same steely expression.
"He's correct," she said. "You think it's all about competing and hurting others, and being the baddest there is. But Individuals and groups change if they have to."
"That's the threehorn philosophy!" Verter retorted. "Topps old pal acted not much differently when I knew him."
Mr. Threehorn got pushed back further, only for Mama and Papa Sharptooth to come up on either side of him. Verter's tail lashed out at the pair, making them stagger and let go. Verter pulled from Mr. Threehorn to charge him again, only for Mama Sharptooth to rush in front of Verter and grab his horns.
"You're like Red Claw and many other sharpteeth of his ilk." Mama Sharptooth said. "You have to be the dominant one and can't let any insult go unchallenged. It must be exhausting."
"That's what sharpteeth have in common with threehorns." Verter said. "We must defend our pride. What's the use of living if others don't know not to mess with us? You appeared to have lost that!"
Mama Sharptooth let go of Verter in time for Papa Sharptooth to kick him under the chin. Shaking his head, Verter roared defiantly into Papa Sharptooth's face. Unperturbed, Papa Sharptooth only turned and whipped him with his tail. Verter bit it, making Papa Sharptooth yell in pain.
"So what?" Papa Sharptooth said through gritted teeth. "We just want our son to be happy and if that means bending the rules, we'll bend them. You act like a spoiled child who wants to control everybody and enjoys hurting others!"
Verter spat Papa Sharptooth's tail out and slashed his leg with a horn. Papa Sharptooth roared, falling off his feet. Even when on his back, he gave a defiant look. Verter became enraged.
"Don't make me sound so small!" he snarled. "What's wrong with enjoying a victory? That's what sharpteeth and threehorns do, fight, dominate. There's nothing more satisfying than putting an insipid opponent into the dirt. Those who're too flexible end up being bent to others' will. That's why you couldn't protect your son! This is why threehorns have lost their glory!"
Littlefoot glimpsed a gray transparent figure coming up from behind Papa Sharptooth before Mrs. Threehorn phased through him to shove her horns into Verter's face. Verter threw his head up, scream hoarse. Papa Sharptooth pushed himself and this time was able to whip Verter in the face. Mrs. Threehorn stood in front of Verter with a look of disdain.
"You're a warning to what happens when you're too inflexible with tradition," she said. "Traditions change and evolve. Why follow something if it doesn't help you survive? You would drive us off a cliff if it followed your view of tradition. But you were willing to bend tradition enough to take Wing Father's otherworldly power for yourself."
That hit home for Verter. He gritted his teeth and got up and backed away, only to run into Mr. Clubtail, Verter shouting while Mr. Clubtail yelped. Verter glared first at Mrs. Threehorn, than everyone nearby.
"None of you can speak to me like that!" he demanded. "I'm strong enough that Wing Father deigned to choose me! We're going to make a new world together!"
"But you have no one with you at the moment." Tria said. "Who's by your side? Where are Wing Father and the other Anchors? I rarely see you work as a group. Will they ambush us to back you up or are you alone?"
He glared at her but his silence was all the answer they needed. He raised his gaze as though attempting to communicate with them but he winced as though doing so burned. He persevered, though no matter how hard to gritted his teeth, he didn't seem to get through to anyone. Then he leveled a glare at the gang.
"This is all your fault!" he said. "You made him so angry he's lashing out at everyone. But he's sure to come soon. I can handle you all on my own!"
"If Wing Father really cared about you, wouldn't he be helping you out?" Cera retorted. "You're just playthings to him as much as everyone else."
"As for you fighting on your own, you're struggling with that." Chomper said. "You're becoming exhausted dealing with our living and dead friends and families. You're not invincible. Soon you'll fall like all those you killed!"
"Quiet!" Verter roared.
He surged at the gang again. The children backed away. Mama Sprinter dashed forward and jumped into Verter's head. He gave an almighty scream and threw his head about in agony. Mama Sprinter staggered away from him, faintly woozy. Verter looked dazed. Cera and Chomper's living families closed in, grabbing and holding him down. Mama and Papa Sharptooth put their weight onto him, gripping his back with their tiny arms and twisting their feet around his hind legs. Mr. Threehorn stood perpendicular to Verter, horns clanked into his, legs around his left forefoot. Tria grabbed Verter's right forefoot with her teeth while also bending her own forefeet around it. The sharpteeth and Tria pressed their bodies into him until only his face was visible. The ghosts went forward, not needing words to know what to do. Verter shook himself.
"No! No!"
The ghosts phased through the sharpteeth and Tria before going through Verter. He screamed, pushing up the living parents holding him down. Though ghosts winced passing through him, he ultimately took most of the damage. As soon as they passed out of Mr. Threehorn, the ghosts turned and phased back in, going back and forth. Verter writhed, rocking Mama Sharptooth, Papa Sharptooth, and Tria on top but he couldn't free himself.
"You can't do this to me!" Verter wailed. "I was going to lead threehorns to a world of blood and battle! Those who spit on tradition shouldn't be able to hurt me!"
Mrs. Threehorn walked through him with a stiff upper lip. Mr. Clubtail followed looking uncomfortable. Cera's sisters sent a nervous look back as they raced through. Mama Sprinter emerged from Mr. Threehorn's stomach, struggling to keep her breath even. It was so surreal the kids couldn't help staring but then Papa Sprinter hopped in front of them.
"Close your eyes!" he said.
Wincing, Littlefoot and his friend as well as Hyp's group did so and looked away. The screams and shouts continued, the shoving becoming more desperate.
"I hate you Topps, you turned against me!" Verter snarled. "Tria, you ruined everything! Wing Father, where are you? I need you to strike them down! Wing Father, can you hear me? Don't leave me! Our world will come! I'll get out of this! Threehorn traditions will-"
There was a crack and abruptly all sound of struggle ceased. Littlefoot heard hasty shuffling. A huge form slowly fell forward and shushed into the grass. Tentatively, the children peaked, covering or blurring their eyes. The living grownups stood in front of them but Littlefoot glimpsed the shape of a green frill lying on its side between Tria and Papa Sharptooth. Quickly, the children looked away.
To distract himself, Littlefoot focused on Cera and Chomper. The two wore expressions that were a mix of guilt and relief. Panting, Mr. Threehorn pressed his lips together but he slowly shook. Mrs. Threehorn lowered her head troubled and her other daughters appeared rattled. Mama and Papa Sharptooth were grimly satisfied but didn't look happy about it. Mr. Clubtail stood to the side, looking a bit ill. With great guilt, Tria took a deep breath as she turned to Mr. Threehorn.
"Topsy, I'm sorry," she said. "It was the only way."
Mr. Threehorn sighed. "Don't worry. I do feel an ache…but he burned away any affection I had for him in the last few days."
"The same for me." Tria didn't appear to know how to feel about that. Instead, she nuzzled Mr. Threehorn, who didn't protest
Mrs. Threehorn watched on with a faint smile as Horen, Rica, and Duane went over to flop around her forefeet, exhausted with troubled expressions.
"That was – whoa." Rica said.
"I didn't feel great doing that." Horen said.
"At least we protected Cera and her friends." Duane said, as though partially speaking to herself. "That's what matters."
"That's why I told you not to take part in this." Mrs. Threehorn said. She sighed. "But what's done is done. You helped out well. I hope you and your friends are okay, Cera."
"I'm alright." Cera said, staring at the grass. "At – at least he can't bother us anymore."
Chomper nodded. "He could have been a good person but he was too devoted to what his kind should be."
"Let him be a lesson to anyone about being rigid about what kinds should be." Papa Sharptooth said. "At least we helped keep you safe."
Mama Sharptooth sniffed in Verter's direction and grimaced. "It almost seems like a waste to leave his body here. But after what happened last time, I don't have the appetite to try again."
"Leave him here then." Mr. Threehorn said, keeping his gaze ahead. "I would like to move him but we have to look for the other Anchors first."
Hyp rubbed his own shoulders, disturbed. "Would I have ended up like him if I didn't shape up?"
"That would've been my fault." Papa Sprinter said, guilt entering his face. "I would have pushed you into that kind of life."
"But you didn't." Mama Sprinter assured, stepping close to her mate and son. "You both realized your mistake. You can change. Unlike last time, I didn't run away today."
"She's right." Littlefoot said. "Verter wouldn't have risked himself to save us. You're not walking that kind of path anymore. This time, I believe the change will stick."
Cera, Chomper, and his other friends nodded. Hyp looked surprised for a moment before he sighed and fondly rolled his eyes.
"You squirts, always so mushy," he said. "Still, thanks. And Pops, don't go blaming yourself. Even I did go down that bad path, it'd have been because of the choices I'm responsible for."
Papa Sprinter stared astonished and then clapped Hyp's shoulder with a tender smile. Littlefoot's heart rose. Seeing the sprinter family happy at last filled him with joy. Mama Sprinter watched with a proud sniffle. Mr. Clubtail coughed.
"Anyway Littlefoot, shouldn't we keep moving?" he asked.
"Huh?" Littlefoot started, remembering what they were journeying the valley for. "Oh, that's right. Thank you for saving us, everyone. We need to be on our way."
"Right. Be careful, out there." Mr. Threehorn rose out of his morose, gruff and serious again. "This had all better be worth it!"
"Keep your nose sharp for any danger." Papa Sharptooth said. "More of these Anchors might come after you."
"We'll keep that in mind, thanks." Cera said.
"Once you're done with this, make sure to hide!" Tria called.
"We'll sniff you out when it's over." Mama Sharptooth said.
"If you can't find us, I'll help us find you!" Chomper said.
Hyp pointed. "You squirts better not make our diving save a waste by dying, you hear?"
Littlefoot and the others laughed, and they felt a bit of weight lift off them.
"We can't exactly promise not to risk ourselves but we'll come back alive!" Littlefoot said.
"Anyway, let's escort Hyp and his friends back to the planned hiding place." Mama Sprinter said.
"Fine by me." Mutt nodded rapidly, looking disturbed. "I wish I didn't take the peak I did."
"If this is anything like what it is to be a grownup, then it can wait a bit longer." Nod muttered.
"See you around, Cera." Duane said. "We'll meet again!"
"Good luck with whatever you're doing." Horen said.
"If we run into your friends' families, we'll say hi for them!" Rica said.
With that, Cera and Chomper's families scattered in different directions, the living parents to report Verter's death and Mrs. Threehorn and Cera's sisters leading Hyp, his family, and friends to a safe hiding place. Littlefoot and the others continued onward. The forest gave way to wide grassland with clumps of trees and other foliage dotted about. The Great Wall mountains loomed large. Littlefoot allowed himself to become encouraged. Verter's defeat meant that they could really turn this situation around. This only motivated him further to free those trapped in the cave, to follow his conscience. Littlefoot put more energy into his jog, only to notice Mr. Clubtail looking glum beside them.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I didn't exactly live up to my promise to protect you." Mr. Clubtail muttered.
"We are okay." Ducky said, giving a reassuring wave. "It was a close one but we survived. You did great when you came back to us."
"Only after I got tricked by his games." He lowered his head. "I should have thought he might be up to something. If your family hadn't come to the rescue, you could have been hurt or…"
Mr. Clubtail shivered. An uncomfortable silence fell over the group. Ruby slid a finger to her chin.
"Listen, Verter is – was – a scary smart guy," she said. "We were all tricked by his good guy act when we first met him. He tricked us in fights many times. Just think to learn from the experience and do better next time."
"That's true." Mr. Clubtail conceded. "\I hope I can be up for it if there are any more fights. With what happened to Verter…"
"Yeah, me glad me close eyes when they took him down." Petrie muttered.
"To go that way is horrible, even if he was a horrible person." Ruby said. "Oh well, it had to happen. At least he won't be hurting others in the Mysterious Beyond or hurting others for Wing Father anymore."
"His victims in the afterlife must be really tearing into him now." Cera said. "I hope I won't receive that reception when my time comes."
"You won't Cera." Chomper said, smiling. "By the time you go, you'll be welcomed with open arms by all the family and friends that came before you."
The others nodded in agreement. Cera thought over Chomper's reply for a moment before offering her friends a tender smile. They got closer to the other side of the valley, passing by many streams and ponds. They had to pass around more clumps of trees. Littlefoot wondered if it took this long when Mama Flyer rescued him from Patty. He found himself eying the ponds and rivers while smacking his lips, hearing his friends do the same.
"Is anyone else feeling a bit thirsty?" Ruby asked.
"It has been awhile since those sour sweet bubbles." Ducky admitted.
"Would it be too much to have a small drink before we continue on?" Cera suggested.
"I think we should." Littlefoot said. "We did a lot of work and there might be more ahead of us, so we need to refresh ourselves."
"I can't drink since I'm a ghost." Mr. Clubtail said. "I'll watch your back."
They found themselves slowing near a pond connected to a river. Going over, the gang lowered their heads and they lapped up the water, making noises of relief. It had felt like forever since they actually drank anything. Spike flicked the water into his mouth at a steady pace, letting out a few satisfied "mmms." Ruby transitioned from sipping from the pond to cupping water in her hands before standing fully to drink it as though to make the process more personal. After having her fill, Ducky stepped back and surveyed the pond with longing.
"It would be so nice to go for a swim here," she said. "But it is still not safe to do yet."
"Not really." Chomper said, shuddering. "Tega could be waiting around now with her scary plants."
"Maybe not." Petrie said. "Maybe plant stuff only possible in Wing Father's world, so she cannot do that anymore."
"Still, it's good to be careful." Littlefoot said. "I feel much better now. Does anyone still need to continue drin – drinking-"
The others looked at him in confusion when he faltered, staring at something. Following his eyes, his friends took in breath. Up the river, a long shape cut through the water, aiming for the pond it was connected to. The bellydragger's scarlet eyes were fixed on the gang, swimming calmly and with purpose. The gang backed away from the pond, fear climbing in their chests.
"Mr. Clubtail." Littlefoot said. "Mr. Clubtail, come here!"
"Hey, what is it?" Mr. Clubtail asked, distracted by taking another visual sweep of their surroundings.
"Bellydragger!" Petrie called. "Bellydragger!"
Mr. Clubtail whirled toward the gang. "Did you say bellydragger?"
Littlefoot and the others retreated from the pond as Mr. Clubtail ran toward them. Water sliding off her, Dil came onto land, following the sounds of their pants and hurried steps. The flap of small wings became audible and looking up, they found the ghostly Ichy tracing a curve in the sky following Dil. Ichy flapped down to join Dil as they stopped in the gang and Mr. Clubtail's path. The pair appeared disgruntled to be there, Dil shuffling and glaring. Littlefoot and the others stared.
"You two again?" Petrie asked. "Why you still in valley?"
"We have a bone to pick with you." Dil growled. "That's right, did you forget about us?"
"We didn't forget about you." Ichy said. "Ever since we met you brats, we had a huge run of bad luck. Normally, I wouldn't want to see your faces ever again but now we need to do something about you reversing Wing Father's world. Now, how to sort this out…?"
A flapping shadow appeared behind the pair. "Punish them. Capture them."
It was Don. He flew in place, sending a burning glare to Littlefoot and the others.
"Don't hesitate to be rough with them." Don continued. "Once Wing Father's world returns, you can eat them however you like."
"Wait, Don?" Ruby said. "Since when were you on their side?"
"Since you changed the world back!" Don snapped. "I was the wisest one around and the world reflected my word. You stole that from me. Now I'm going to take it back!"
"Don, please do not do this." Petrie said. "It was horrible under Wing Father. Me know you want to be wise one again but listen to your doubts and fight Wing Father!"
Don sneered. "Naïve as always, Petrie. What do you think would happen if I stood against Wing Father? In the unlikely case you do defeat him, I'll die again. Do you want that to happen?"
"Of course not." Ruby said. "But if you follow Wing Father's course, only further suffering will follow, even if no one remembers. It isn't the right thing to do."
There was a pause. Don closed his eyes.
"Wing Father gave me everything I wanted. I don't appreciate the horrible things he and the other Anchors do, like stealing your futures. But to achieve your desires..." His breath hitched. "Sometimes you have to make sacrifices to take hold of them!"
He dived at Littlefoot and the others, descending beak aimed with nothing short of the intention to skewer anyone in its path. The gang cried out. Hastily, Mr. Clubtail stepped above them, giving them a chilling barrier. Don made an abrupt upward turn and dodged Mr. Clubtail with barely an inch between them. Ascending back up, he turned and pressed his beak together with a furious stare.
"I used to like you Ruby and Petrie but I see you've learned nothing from me!" Don said. "You would've been on my side otherwise! Holding to age old wisdom is the only way the world should survive! If you continue to resist, I'll make you'll suffer for a long time in Wing Father's world!"
Some of the gang inhaled breath. Spike pulled a foot back horrified. Don had crossed many lines but that he was alright with torturing the children was beyond the pale. Ruby and Petrie were at a loss but appeared resigned with Don by now. Mr. Clubtail gritted his teeth before glaring up.
"Listen to yourself!" he said. "Holding a grudge against kids! Don't you feel any guilt? I've been in your position and I still feel regret for what I said to them."
"I'm not interested in arguing!" Don said. "Children or not, they had a responsibility and they must make up for abdicating it! You two, retrieve them!"
Mr. Clubtail tensed, watching Ichy and Dil saunter closer but got distracted when Don dived low to the ground eying the children. Mr. Clubtail lowered himself above the gang, who felt the chill of his stomach surrounding them. Don was forced to fly back up once again. Littlefoot and the others started when Dil reached within Mr. Clubtail and snapped her jaws at them. Mr. Clubtail backed away, Littlefoot and the others hastily matching his stride to stay inside. Ichy and Dil continued to approach.
"Crud! They aren't Anchors!" Mr. Clubtail cried. "I can't harm them!"
"That makes this job easier for us, I suppose." Ichy said. "Sorry kids, this isn't personal."
"Oh, come on!" Cera said. "Really?"
Ichy grimaced. "Alright, it isn't as personal as it usually is!"
"Please, don't do this." Petrie said. "Since when do you follow and take orders from anybody?"
"We don't follow anybody!" Dil snapped. "But what else is there? We can only do what we always do!"
Dil made a bite forward that Mr. Clubtail and the gang backed away from. Though Littlefoot and others did feel some pity for the pair, there was nothing more they could say. Dil opened her mouth and this time bit Mr. Clubtail's leg. Though he didn't react, Littlefoot and the others felt the displaced air and retreated. A few like Chomper, Ruby and Petrie came out of Mr. Clubtail's tail. Littlefoot realized Don was still flying above them and noticed the three before shooting down…
Next time…
Part 2
Note: Part 2 will be posted next Friday. Also, to the Guest Reviewer, I'm not interested in contributing to wikias, though I find them useful. Sorry. Also for Reader, I'm afraid no Mr. Clubtail-Patty confrontation here, but your comment made me do a few edits for chapter 41. Thanks for the reminder.