Warning: This chapter contains violence with a child, ultimately leading to their death. Reader discretion advised.
We Will Hold On Forever
by
DaveTheAnalyzer
Chapter 41: One Last Chance
"M-Mom, what are you doing?" Patty stepped back. "You nearly hurt me!"
Her mother Alis stared back. Mama Longneck and Grandpa and Grandma Longneck stood in shock. In all the hubbub after being freed from Wing Father's control and fleeing the cave, they hadn't spared much thought for Patty's mother. They hasn't expected her to shield them from her own daughter.
"Patty." Alis said, voice wavering. "Please, stop hurting this family. I don't want you to fight anymore."
"Mom, I have to." Patty replied. "If we don't, you'll be dead again. We need to get back the world where we'll be together forever."
Alis closed her eyes. "That isn't the kind of world I wish for us to be together in!"
Patty flinched. An ominous chill settled over the area. Mama Longneck felt like she should cover her ears, like she was eavesdropping on a private family affair. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck became sad. All three had a suspicion of where this was going. Patty's face twisted between fear and grief before contorting with anger.
"Don't tell me this is about what you said in Wing Father's cave?" she said lowly. "This is for the good of you and everyone who lost someone or has been lost. We won't ever be separated again. We can laugh and talk like we used to for endless cold times to come. What's wrong with that?"
"I won't be aware of what's going on." Alis replied. "I remember how you ordered me around. I wasn't an independent person to you. None of us were. I can't have everyone suffer like that. As your mother, I have to stop you."
"You're going to stop me?" Patty sputtered. "Why…but… you're my mother! I did this all for you! Would you really turn against me?"
"If you leave me choice. I don't want you making everyone suffer on my behalf. I remember how you treated Littlefoot and others." Alis's voice gained a pleading tone. "What happened to my kind daughter? I thought you would grow in this world and lead a happy life. Instead, you made a pact with a monster and have hurt so many people. You can still make up for what you've done. If you go against Wing Father, you'll spare everyone from this horrible situation. Please Patty."
Patty stared, mouth open. She appeared unable to wrap her brain around what her mother was saying. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck exchanged glances. Patty's eyes flickered about, inhaling small, quick breaths. Alis stepped closer with a beseeching gaze, desperate to reinforce her point.
Patty's quick breaths reached a crescendo before she shook her head side to side and started screaming. She lashed her tail at Alis's neck. Alis yelped and stumbled away. Patty charged around her mother and closed in on Mama Longneck and the grandparents, slamming her tail into whomever she could reach. The grandparents gasped in pain and Mama Longneck inhaled from the burning sensations that seared in her ghostly neck and shoulders. They attempted to strike back but Patty parried the blows with her neck and tail, not caring if she hit flesh or spirit. Tears slid down Patty's cheeks as she continued her assault. Mama Longneck had never seen anything like this before. It was like she snapped when even her mother wouldn't go along with her plan and could only lash out. At last, Grandma Longneck grabbed Patty's tail with her mouth and bit into it enough that Patty cried out. The three were able to back away, Alis following beside them, panting, near to tears.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I don't know why she's acting like this," she said. "Oh, what did I do to make her like this?"
"Don't blame yourself," Mama Longneck assured. "Stand back, we'll handle this. Even the best parents can't always control what our children decide – look out!"
With another scream, Patty charged and rammed into the grandparents. She slammed her neck into Grandma Longneck's, who shrieked. Patty wrapped her tail around Grandpa Longneck's neck and choked him, eliciting a wheeze. Alis had only just backed away from the side, watching her daughter's actions in horror. From Patty's right, Mama Longneck went through her, causing the younger longneck to scream and pull away. The grandparents gathered on either side of Mama Longneck to take a breather.
But it was only for a few seconds. With feverish glare, Patty gave another yell and charged for a third time. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck pulled to the left and grabbed her with their tails as she passed. Mama Longneck shot face first through Patty, who screamed. Patty wrenched herself free and spun in place, the grandparents being whipped by her tail and head as they retreated. Mama Longneck barely had time to pull out of range, for Patty's tail and head lashed through her in rapid succession, making Mama Longneck cry out from the burning sensation left in her neck.
Patty whipped her tail at Mama Longneck again and the grandparents charged in with protective urgency, parrying her with their own tails. Patty went after Grandma Longneck as though to bite her. Her tail grabbed Grandma's neck and she threw her to the ground. Grandma Longneck crashed onto her stomach with a gasp, and cried out further when Patty started stomping on her back. Grandpa Longneck stampeded in, shoving his head into Patty's.
"Get off her!" he cried.
Patty's tail snapped around his torso and tightened, starting to pull him up. Grandpa Longneck bellowed as he got lifted until only his hind legs touched the ground. Patty's tail constricted hard until the skin around it bulged. His face twisted from the pain of being pulled into such an unnatural position. He yowled when Patty's head butted his chest and under area multiple times. She let go and he thundered into the ground, his eyes closing in agony. Patty reared intending to smash her forefeet into him, only for Grandma Longneck to bite and pull her rear foot. Patty yelled and fell onto her side with a shake. Mama Longneck took that opportunity to walk through Patty's stomach, who shrieked and curled too late to protect it. Mama Longneck turned to her seriously.
"Patty, stop!" she said. "Don't have your mother see you like-"
Patty surged up and bit at Mama Longneck's transparent tail, which caused a burning sensation that made her wrench back. Patty chased after her, biting at Mama Longneck with a wild look.
"Patty!" Mama Longneck said.
But it was no use. No matter what Patty saw or heard, it only further enraged her. Alis could only watch from the sidelines, sobbing. Mama Longneck saw only one option to protect herself and whipped her tail through Patty. Patty bellowed, making Mama Longneck flinch. She was fighting a child. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck stumbled to their feet and rushed from behind, colliding with Patty's hindquarters. Patty stumbled, distracted from swinging her neck into Mama Longneck. Mama Longneck charged through her, making her shout. She turned around, seeing the grandparents wrap their tails around Patty's and wedge their forelegs around her rear feet.
"Keep her in place!" Mama Longneck called.
Grandpa and Grandma Longneck nodded, tightening their grip even more. Patty writhed, making the grandparents wobble side to side but they held on with determined expressions. Mama Longneck ran in from Patty's left side, yielding another shriek. Mama Longneck turned and did the same from her right, making Patty flail. Mama Longneck went through Patty as many times as she could, no sooner exiting out of her than turning around and entering the young longneck from another angle. Patty twisted her head on the ground and moaned, gaze a haze of pain. Alis watched with open-mouthed horror and Mama Longneck tried to be quick before Patty suffered any more. She didn't want to do this but Wing Father's link to this world had to be broken…
Weakening, Patty dragged her feet in the ground, her rear left foot pressing onto Grandpa Longneck's right forefoot. Grandpa Longneck yelped. Patty's eyes lit with an idea and she firmed the pressure on Grandpa Longneck's foot as she pressed her other foot into the side of Grandma Longneck's forefeet. Grandma Longneck yelped and Grandpa Longneck yelped again not long after but they kept their legs around Patty's. Patty pressed her rear feet into the grandparents' feet, putting in as much pressure as she could. The grandparents jerked and yelled. Mama Longneck was in mid-turn when she noticed this. Patty put more pressure on the grandparents' feet, eliciting screams that climbed another octave. Before Mama Longneck could do anything, there were audible cracks and the grandparents yanked their forefeet from Patty.
Patty slammed her tail into Grandpa and Grandma Longneck's chests with such force they stumbled away. Patty got to her feet, slowly at first but straightening quickly and darting her head about to keep track of who was where. Crying out, she swung her head into Mama Longneck's chest, who gasped, the burning sensation like boiling water splashing within her. Shaking her head from the discomfort of inserting her head into a ghost, Patty stumbled then gained speed as she rammed into the grandparents. They cried out, nearly buckling in pain and fatigue.
Heart leaping into her throat, Mama Longneck ran over and put herself between Patty and the grandparents, seeing how beaten they were. Patty swung her tail at Mama Longneck, who ducked under and shoved her head in turn. Patty shoved her head back and they shoved their heads into each other at the same time, which made them shout and pull away from one another. Mama Longneck panted as she retreated to between the grandparents.
"Can you still fight?" she asked.
"We have to." Grandpa Longneck said, breathless. He adjusted a foot only for him to trip. "Though I'm starting to near my limit."
"We're sorry, dear." Grandma Longneck closed her eyes in frustration. "We need to keep going somehow."
Mama Longneck let out a careful breath to calm the fear rising in her chest. She returned her gaze to Patty, who swiped a paw across the ground. Her parents weren't going to last much longer. She couldn't have them overextend themselves to the point they risked their lives. Littlefoot needed them. Patty stepped toward them, body low with intent to charge. Then from the right, a phantom tail waved through her and she threw her head up with a scream.
Mama Longneck and the grandparents started. They saw Alis pulling her tail from her daughter, turning while backing away until she blocked the three from Patty once more, face full of regret.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Patty," she said. "You left me no choice. I can't let you harm these people anymore."
"How dare you!" Patty shouted, recovering enough to push herself up and send a glare mixed with betrayal. "I can't believe this! You actually hurt me!"
"I didn't want to but you wouldn't stop fighting. If – if you're going to continue," Alis hesitated but leveled her gaze, "I'm going to make sure you're stopped."
"I won't let you do this." Patty said, putting a foot forward. "It's for your own good. I thought you cared about me. Why are you trying to keep us apart?!"
Alis's mouth opened before she pressed her lips together. Mama Longneck went over to her.
"Are you alright?" she asked, then sighed. "No, of course you're not. Let me deal with her. My parents need to rest but I can still…"
"No." Alis said. She gulped. "This is my responsibility. I raised her and she went down this grim path. Even if this isn't my fault, I still need to fix this, even if…."
Mama Longneck saw Alis's pain but also that she was determined to go through with this. She returned her gaze to Patty. The grandparents staggered to their feet and joined them, twisting uncomfortably at the implication of Alis's words.
"By ruthless, do you mean…?" Grandpa Longneck asked. "But she's your child."
"We don't want you two to hurt each other even more by having you..." Grandma Longneck couldn't bring herself to say it.
"She hurt so many already." Alis said, voice wavering. "I want to end her suffering. Besides, she's already dead. She won't be alone."
The grandparents gazes slid away uncertainly, still having misgivings. Seeing Patty stand fully ready to resume the fight, Mama Longneck's mouth formed a thin line.
"I don't see any other way to get through to her," she said. "If that's your decision, we'll accept it. I'll be here to help you. Mother, Father, please sit out of this battle and rest. Don't come back in until you're sure you can fight again."
Mama Longneck glimpsed the grandparents seemed like they were about to say something but backed away to the edge of the area, leaving them alone with Patty. Patty took a step toward them but Alis and Mama Longneck shot out to the left and right of her, turning to charge at her at the same time. Patty jumped forward but Alis changed course and went through her. Patty screamed and when Mama Longneck also redirected to go through her other side, she gasped and her legs almost gave out under her. Mama Longneck and Alis turned close to Patty, who shoved into both of them at once. They winced but rammed their tails through her shoulders. Patty yelped but when Alis raised her tail again, she threw her tail through her mother's who shrieked and stumbled away.
Alis shook herself and joined Mama Longneck in throwing her tail at Patty, who dodged around and threw her tail back at them. The ghosts did their best to dodge but jerked whenever Patty made contact. Alis and Mama Longneck threw their tails forward as Patty launched hers in a wide arc and they all winced from contacting each other at the same time. Suddenly, Mama Longneck and Alis went through Patty from the front again and she gave another scream. Still, she managed to retreat enough to give herself breathing space.
Mama Longneck took that time to examine the burning sensations within her body. She noted that all but the most recent of them have faded. Alis stood nearby, wincing gingerly when moving her neck or front leg but still appeared ready to continue. Patty heaved breath and focus returned to her gaze but far more gradually. Mama Longneck tried to be relieved that they were making progress. Exchanging tired but wary looks, they closed in on Patty to continue the fight.
She didn't know how much time passed. The longer the fight lasted, the more it all seemed like a blur. The three didn't need to rest as much as mortal beings. Mama Longneck ducked a tail swipe to head butt Patty's chest. She remembered the fight with Wing Father the spirits had in the afterlife and how it seemed to go on forever. Were they going to fight just as long here? Alis approached from Patty's right and Patty shoved into her without realizing it was her. Only a brief look of regret flashed across Patty's face.
In flashes, Mama Longneck saw Grandpa and Grandma Longneck watching them in amazement, having rarely seen a fight go on this long before. Patty heaved breath, eyes half-lidded in pain and exhaustion. Mama Longneck experienced moments of doubt about killing Patty. She was a child who in her own way was suffering. Mama Longneck didn't know if ruthlessly terminating her was the right way. Alis went through Patty. Patty cried out and though in clear pain, she charged Mama Longneck. She dueled her, Mama Longneck barely dodging the aggressive tail lashes. Patty's gaze was furious. Mama Longneck shook her head. Many people doing bad things deal with troubles that couldn't be helped with. Patty had been given multiple chances but each time tossed them away. For the good of everyone, they needed to get rid of this Anchor now.
Mama Longneck lashed a tail at Patty, who swerved around and faced her. They threw tails and dodged one another until Patty threw her tail in a wide arc that went through Mama Longneck's chest. Mama Longneck jerked but gritted her teeth through the heartburn sensation. Alis put herself between them and mother and daughter stared before charging through each other. They both jerked from the pain. Patty quickly turned to resume her duel with Mama Longneck, wailing her tail into Mama Longneck with such abrupt ferocity, the latter didn't have time to dodge or defend herself. The burning sensations appeared all over her body, like boiling water pouring into her, and it was excruciating. Mama Longneck tried to lash her tail back all she could but the pain made her falter. She staggered and her eyelids fluttered, everything becoming hazy. Huffing, Patty's eyes lit with hope at Mama Longneck's state and darted toward her eager for victory.
Two forms appeared and grabbed her out of nowhere. Gaze clearing, Mama Longneck realized it was her parents. Holding either side of Patty, their gazes burned protectively as they struggled against her to give Mama Longneck room to recover. Alis took advantage of the distraction to go through Patty from behind, causing Patty to yowl. Mama Longneck couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude. Even now, her parents were looking after her. As the burning sensations faded, Mama Longneck went through Patty from the front, feeling her scream as she passed out the other side.
Turning Mama Longneck saw Patty staggering side to side, gaze half-lidded. She was acting more on instinct than anything. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck grunted, still keeping hold of her. Now was the opportunity to end this. Alis's eyes filled with tears, a mix of grief with what was happening and almost guilty relief that it was almost over. Mama Longneck's heart clenched at what they were about to do but told herself it was necessary. Together, Alis and Mama Longneck came together to approach Patty, raising their tails. Patty struggled fruitlessly, exhausted defiance mixed with desperation as they closed in on her...
"Stop! Stop!"
Mama Longneck jerked in shock at the unexpected voice. Littlefoot rushed onto the scene as fast as he could, a desperate look on his face. He stopped a couple longneck lengths away, breathing hard.
"Stop fighting now! Enough, Patty! No one hurt anyone, whatever your side!"
The five froze where they were, all gazes fixed on him. The grandparents appeared startled, still holding onto either side of Patty. Mama Longneck and Alis were inches from Patty's face. Patty yanked herself out of Grandpa and Grandma Longneck's grip and backed away from the ghosts. Mama Longneck noted where Littlefoot was in relation to Patty and went swiftly toward him, fear overcoming her.
"Littlefoot, get back!" she cried. "What are you doing back here? Patty might capture you!"
"I know but I have to do this or I'll regret it. You might too!" Littlefoot said, before turning his head. "Patty, I don't want to see you go like this!"
"I'm not going anywhere!" Patty glared. "In fact, I was going to win! Though it's convenient that you're here. Come back with me to Wing Father's cave right now!"
"I don't think that's going to help much!" said Cera's voice.
Running, the rest of Littlefoot's friends caught up to him, Mr. Clubtail bringing up the rear. As soon as they gathered together, Mr. Clubtail stood over them, sending a glare at Patty as though daring her to come near. Patty's lip curled in irritation.
"Even if you brought us to the cave, nothing would happen." Cera continued. "You're the only one left."
"Other Anchors gone." Petrie said. "Valley took care of them."
"Gone?" Patty repeated. Her face slackened in confusion, and fear crept in. "What do you mean gone?"
"What we mean is, they are now dead like normal!" Ducky said. "The living and ghosts alike worked together to defeat them. Verter, Don, Tega, we saw it happen." She fidgeted. "We kind of wish we did not, but we are telling the truth, we are, we are!"
Spike bobbed his head up and down repeatedly, gaze level to show his sincerity. Patty goggled at them, mouth open as though her mind froze. Her gaze drifted off like it had with Tega, focusing on something only she could see. She staggered to the right as though struck, a breath shaking out of her.
"No," she said. "That can't be…no. That shouldn't be possible. But I can't sense them. I tried to talk to Wing Father but he's furious and he only screamed at me. What about – what about our world?"
"So it is true?" Grandpa Longneck said, thunderstruck. "The other Anchors are gone?"
"I can't believe it." Grandma Longneck said, a relieved smile crossing her face. "Thank goodness. We're one step closer to being safe."
Mama Longneck nodded faintly. "All we have to do is deal with Patty and then Wing Father. And this whole ordeal will be over."
"That's not the actual ordeal here!" Patty cried. She lowered her head, shaking. "We're back to a world where you can die at any moment. I waited and worked so long for this! Oh, I can't have it be like this again. Wing Father, Wing Father, help me!"
"I don't think he can help you." Chomper said. "He didn't help the other Anchors. Everyone worked together and defeated them. You Anchors worked all alone. I don't blame you since Verter and Tega were very mean but they and Don couldn't match up to everyone living and dead going against them."
Patty stared, realization sinking in that the other Anchors were really gone. With that, despair and hopelessness came over her. Then she shook her head and a determined glare appeared.
"Fine. Fine!" she said. "Wing Father can always find more Anchors! They aren't the only ones filled with anger and regret about the world. I just need to punish all of you so no one would ever think about changing the world back again!"
Cautiously, the longneck adults stepped toward her. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck flicked their tails loose, as though preparing to grab her again. Alis joined Mama Longneck at her side. Mama Longneck's gaze was fixed on her, grimly determined to protect her son and his friends. Patty bore her teeth. Standing more firmly over the gang, Mr. Clubtail looked down grimly at Littlefoot.
"Are you sure you still want to help her after all that?" he asked.
"I do." Littlefoot replied. He looked back at Patty. "It's over now. The thing you were fighting for is gone. The only choice you have now is how you want to go."
"I won't die." Patty scoffed. "I've lasted this long and your parents weren't able to get me."
"But that won't be the same for long. Sooner or later, our other family and friends will come back and join the fight. You can't take everyone on at once. The others Anchors certainly couldn't." Littlefoot closed his eyes. "It was so sad when they went. Don was filled with so much regret about what he did. Tega was scared to die again. Even Verter screamed and begged. I – I don't want to see you go out like that."
Littlefoot choked up and looked down, blinking hard. Mama Longneck took this in, heart aching for her son. Even after everything, he still had a big heart. She observed Patty falter for a few moments before pressing her lips together.
"Why do you care now?" she said. "You took away everything that I worked for. Where was this concern earlier when you were getting rid of Wing Father's world?"
"Patty, why are you doing this?" Littlefoot asked. "Your mother doesn't want this. You say you're doing this for her, but this isn't her wish."
"She would've had a different wish if she never died." Patty said dismissively. "She was happy in that world."
"But was she really happy if she couldn't be aware of what happened or decide what to do?" Littlefoot retorted. "What kind of life is that? Even our parents sometimes tell us difficult stuff, even if they don't describe it too much. Did you really love your mother if you took away what made her her?"
Patty opened her mouth but no sound came out. She looked to Alis, who stared back with shame but still the same love that Patty so valued. Patty's expression twisted and she closed her eyes. Reaching a breaking point, she launched herself at the grandparents, lashing her tail at them. Though caught off guard, Grandpa and Grandma Longneck were well-rested enough to return the blows, the snap of tails striking each other echoing in the air.
"It's too late for me to change!" Patty cried. "This is the only thing I have left to live for. I worked so hard for it, longer than I have been alive. I can't do anything else!"
"Yes, you can!" Littlefoot pleaded. "Your mother died so you could grow into someone she could be proud of. I know you can no longer do that but you can still be a better person. It's never too late. Change can be sad but it can also be good. There are many here I never thought I would be friends with before we changed for the better. We could be friends again. At least you shouldn't suffer like the other Anchors did!"
Overcome with emotion, Littlefoot started crying. His grandparents and Patty stopped fighting to stare at him. He thought he had spent all the tears he had today but more remained. After Tega's death, he couldn't bear the thought of Patty going through the same experience. His friends stared at Patty before pressing in to comfort him. Spike nuzzled his neck while Chomper hugged his right foreleg. Patty was shocked that even after everything, Littlefoot still seemed to care for her. Mr. Clubtail looked inside himself at the gang uncertainly but he glared up at Patty.
"I hope you're hearing this clearly," he said. "I'm still angry that you killed me. But these kids still want to give you another shot. I can back up change being good. Even in death, I changed my outlook. I had blamed the kids for problems your group caused but realized I was wrong and protected them as best I could. Now you go and think hard about what they said, so they didn't rush all the way here for nothing."
The gang looked up in appreciation. With his bad feelings about her, Mr. Clubtail had argued against trying to change Patty when Littlefoot brought up rushing over to intercede in her struggle with the longneck family. Once Littlefoot showed he wouldn't budge on the issue, however, Mr. Clubtail sighed but determined to help him and his friends through to the end. The gang was a bit reluctant but after seeing the deaths of those they once cared about, they agreed to help at least the last surviving Anchor. Patty was silent, taking this in. Cautiously, Mama Longneck stepped to her.
"He's right," she said. "I changed throughout my life to become the mother I am. And even in death, I've changed in my views and outlooks. It's what many go through whether in life or death. I'm sure in the short life you had before your tragedy you changed even if you didn't realize. You can still change too. The first step is examining how you affected others and going from there. It's part of what I sacrificed my life for Littlefoot for."
Patty stared at her before looking around at the others. She took in the bruised and exhausted grandparents and the sad and hurt Alis. Then she turned to the tired and miserable gang. Spike looked grimmer than someone with his laidback demeanor should and Ruby fidgeted anxiously with her hands. Finally, Patty ended on Mr. Clubtail's baleful gaze, his body transparent. Slowly, horror came to her expression as it sank in, really sank in, how much she hurt everyone present. From the trickery and suffering she forced Littlefoot and his friends through to hurting and nearly killing the boy's grandparents who had been nothing but kind to her. There was Mr. Clubtail, whose life she took like it was of no importance. And then there was the mother she so dearly valued, who in some respects she hurt most of all. She staggered back from the realization, mouth open in shock.
"No, I didn't mean," she stuttered. "I thought this was the best for everyone. It was important – there had to be sacrifices. After Wing Father came to power, all the things I did would be wiped away. I thought no one would suffer then."
"Just because we weren't aware of what was going on didn't meant we didn't suffer." Grandpa Longneck said. "In fact, we were suffering in ignorance. We were being mistreated and controlled, and told it was love."
"We couldn't carry any precious memories from one day to the next." Grandma Longneck said. "We couldn't learn and grow. And worst of all, we couldn't do anything to protect Littlefoot."
"I loved our time together but I knew you were keeping something from me." Alis said. "There was always a distance between us. I tried to ask but you always pushed me away."
"I just wanted to protect you." Patty said.
"Were you really protecting me or did you not want to confront my disapproval?"
Patty didn't know what to say to that. She turned to Littlefoot and others, eyes half-lidded in resignation.
"I – I thought you could be happy there," she said. "Eventually."
Littlefoot sniffled, composing himself. "I was glad to see Mother again. But I didn't think I could talk to her about what was really going on."
"I couldn't with my mom or sisters." Cera muttered. "We don't tell our families everything but the world being changed was a big thing to say nothing about. We couldn't really get close with them."
Petrie slumped. "Me made my parents get back together. Even though they should not have. They had no choice in it."
"Only our choices mattered to our families." Ducky shifted uncomfortably. "You did not really change their mind if you wanted them to do something. You just forced them into doing whatever you wanted."
"And it wasn't just our families." Chomper said, scratching his side in discomfort. "We could make anyone in the valley forget or do something if we tried hard enough. That wasn't right."
"We couldn't even do that to make people remember their old selves or the old world." Ruby said. "We hated having that power. And to not have the power to prevent their suffering…"
Spike nodded solemnly, looking away as lingering guilt appeared on his face. Patty stared at them all, seeing they wore similar expressions, having struggled and suffered in Wing Father's world. She had noticed but tried to ignore it but here she saw it in full. Patty shook her head and let out a cry.
"Oh, if only forgetting and not being able to change wasn't part of the deal!" she said. "We could have lived together forever and all have been happy. But instead I tried not to pay attention to the problems and let you all suffer because it was 'necessary.' And you're aren't the only ones who suffered. There was the whole world. I – I shouldn't have put you through all that."
"No, you shouldn't have." Cera said gently. "The good parts were nice but the cost was too great. You did a lot of bad things that have a lot of people rightly mad at you but there's one thing you can do."
"You can stop." Petrie said. "Stop fighting, stop working with Wing Father. Surrender. It would help all of us."
"Stop." Patty murmured. "Maybe I should have, far sooner. Than none of this would have happened. I should have tried to live after all. But I'm amazed after all you went through, you kids never stopped." She looked back at the gang. "You learned, kept resisting. I don't know if I could have done the same in your position."
"Well, we didn't always keep going." Littlefoot lowered his gaze. "There were many moments where I almost gave up, even long before Wing Father came around. Life can be hard. But on my adventures I had my friends and we met kind strangers who helped us along the way."
"He's right." Cera said, stirring. "I wouldn't have realized I couldn't do it alone and be actually brave without them by my side."
"Even nice strangers we only met for a short time helped us a lot." Ducky said, beginning to smile. "We changed them and they us."
Petrie bobbed his head. "We even changed some who done bad things. Not all of them can change but some can and that gives hope."
"Only when Littlefoot gathered our friends together did we stop being alone in Wing Father's world." Chomper said, smiling up at his longneck friend.
"Wing Father tried to keep us apart with his influence." Ruby said. "We were lost on our own but when we came back together, we were able to find hope in a hopeless situation and stop Wing Father's abuses."
"Yes, I can see." Patty replied. "Even in the limited time I knew you, you benefited from being able to change and make your own decisions. I wish I'd been accepting of more connections. Maybe I could have changed and moved on from my loss."
"You can still do that now." Littlefoot said. "It's not too late. Take the chance to break from Wing Father, for your mother and everyone's sake."
Patty opened her mouth slightly, shut it, and closed her eyes, weighing the matter. In the silence that followed, everyone waited on tenterhooks for the decision she might make. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck stared fixed at her. Mr. Clubtail's stern look wavered and he gulped, as though finding his mouth dry. Cera and the others glanced nervously at Littlefoot who stood tall, quiet and serious, pushing all the hope he could into the area. Opening her eyes, Patty tentatively turned to Alis, who hardly dared to breathe.
"Can – can we start again?" she asked.
Relief filled the area. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck relaxed with smiles and Littlefoot let out a long breath. Alis welled up a smile.
"Of course," she said. "That's what I wanted ever since this all began. I'm sad you couldn't have your own life but…we could be together in the next one. Maybe I could help you make new friends there."
"I – I'd like that." Patty said, smile watery.
She thought something over, composing herself for a difficult decision. Mama Longneck watched her, confused even as she had a sneaking suspicion of what it might be. Littlefoot and his friends' smiles faltered. Patty met her eye, took a deep breath, and lowered her head.
"You know what to do," she said.
Mama Longneck stilled. Littlefoot let out a soft gasp. His friends looked amongst themselves before they cottoned on and also inhaled breath. Alis closed her eyes and looked away. Mama Longneck looked Patty up and down, as though attempting to gauge her.
"Are you sure about this?" she asked. "I appreciate your cooperation but this won't be easy. I felt terrible using my ghost abilities to weaken you. I don't mean to pressure you into going through something painful."
"Your ghost abilities are the only way to break my connection to Wing Father." Patty said. "As long as I walk, he'll remain in this world, where he can continue to spread harm. I can deal with the pain. I just want to be with my mother."
Alis stepped closer to her. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck exchanged uncertain looks before going over. Patty looked at Mr. Clubtail, expression mournful.
"I'm so sorry I killed you. You should have lived a far longer life. One that you should have enjoyed."
"Yeah, well," Mr. Clubtail averted his gaze, "I enjoyed the life I did have. I don't know if I'll ever be comfortable with you…but I guess we'll see each other soon."
Patty shrugged awkwardly. She turned to the grandparents.
"Grandpa and Grandma Longneck, thank you," she said. "For the kindness I didn't deserve."
"I hope you do well whatever comes next." Grandpa Longneck said.
"You might have to face a lot of those you hurt," Grandma Longneck said. "I wish you find peace."
Patty nodded, throat tight as she knew she had a lot to answer for. She looked at Littlefoot's friends.
"I hope you all grow and live happy lives," she said. "I don't know if you'll forgive me but…"
"I'm not sure." Cera shuffled. "I think that's something for my future self to decide."
"But we will definitely remember you making this decision now." Ducky said with a tentative smile.
"You have some good inside to do this." Petrie said.
"Just stay away from the other Anchors for your own sake." Chomper said.
"Yeah, who knows how they might react if they learn how you went." Ruby added.
"Definitely." Patty replied. "I don't want to speak with Tega and Verter again. Maybe Don if he turns himself around. Still…"
Slowly, Patty focused onto Littlefoot. He blinked and sniffed. Her face broke. In some respects her greatest regret became apparent.
"I hurt and manipulated you Littlefoot," she said. "I chased you around and hurt and nearly killed your grandparents. I know saying sorry doesn't even begin to make up for all I did but I mean it. I ruined your life and made you do something abhorrent. I'm sorry for hurting your friends, your family. I'd understand if you don't feel good about me."
"I feel…complicated." Littlefoot hesitated, wiping his face. "I still have anger and other feelings swirling inside me. But amid all that I find that I still care. That's why I ran here, to persuade you to stop before it was too late."
"I'm glad you did, even if I didn't deserve it." Patty said. "I may have went to you for my own ends but I did genuinely come to care about you. I wish getting to know you then made me change my mind…but we can't change the past. My feelings about you did waver in our struggles but in the end, I still care about you. Are – are we still friends?"
"Yes." Littlefoot smiled, tears in his eyes. "We'll always be friends."
Patty smiled in return, her eyes seeming to shine. At last, she turned to Mama Longneck.
"I'm ready," she said.
Mama Longneck nodded, her lips twisting uncertainly. Patty got into position in front of Mama Longneck. Mama Longneck approached, raising her tail and looking more uncomfortable by the moment. Littlefoot worried if she could go through with this. Was it best for her to take this grim role? Alis marched over to stand between her and Patty.
"Let me help you," she said.
"Alis?" Mama Longneck said, surprised. "No, I can't have you deal with this burden."
"This is my responsibility." Alis attempted to be resolute but shook slightly. "I'm her mother. We should do it together, so we can make it quick and painless."
Mama Longneck's mouth remained open for a moment but she closed it and bowed her head. "That would be wise. Thank you. We'll support each other."
"We all will." Grandpa Longneck said.
The grandparents closed in around Patty. Grandpa Longneck gently gripped Patty's front with his tail and side while Grandma Longneck held her head around Patty's lower half. Patty bore it patiently. Littlefoot noted it was far gentler than how everyone made contact with each other not long ago. This was not only for his family's benefit but to make sure Patty suffered as little as possible. Once his grandparents got into position, Mama Longneck and Alis examined their tails, as though sensing their combined energy. They slipped their tails into each other, attempting to overlap them as much as possible to their bases. They seemed to sense how much energy they had together and nodded. Seeing this, Littlefoot's felt great sadness and anticipation. Mama Longneck and Alis turned to Patty grimly. Patty closed her eyes, breathing out her last breath. The grandparents looked significantly at the gang and Littlefoot felt a chill before gazing sharply at his friends.
"Look away, guys," he said.
The gang nodded, expressions filled with a mix of trepidation and fear. They closed their eyes and pressed together. Littlefoot felt Ducky and Spike huddling into his left while Ruby's chest and own neck depressed ahead and above him. No sooner did that happen a swoosh could be heard and a crack reverberated through the area. A heavy form gradually but heavily boomed into the earth. Littlefoot opened his eyes just in time to see his family stumbling in front of the prone form on the ground. Alis's eyes were closed, stricken. Mama Longneck exhaled slowly, turning to Alis.
"Go to her," she said.
Alis nodded and turned, vanishing where she stood. Everyone stood there processing all that just happened. Littlefoot lowered his head, stomach twisting in grief even as he knew it had been the only way. Petrie looked away on top of Cera, hugging himself, while Cera herself stared at the ground. Chomper continued to hold Littlefoot's foreleg, as much for himself as for his friend. The others kept their gazes low, tired after all they went through. Mr. Clubtail opened his mouth but didn't know what to say. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck looked to each other and nuzzled. Mama Longneck slowly approached the gang, gazing into the middle distance before focusing on Littlefoot. She smiled.
"Thank you," she said.
"What for?" Littlefoot asked, raising his head in surprise.
"For showing me there was a better way with Patty." Mama Longneck said. "We tried but I didn't think it was possible to talk her around. You were the only one who could've got through to her. You gave Patty and her mother some measure of peace. Even now, you continue to amaze me."
Despite the recent heartache, Littlefoot felt a smile creep across his face. His friends sent encouraging looks at him. In the end, they did the right thing. The thump of many feet echoed behind them and Littlefoot turned to see Cera and the others' families returning. They appeared ready to come to the longneck family's aid. However, Mr. Threehorn and the others glimpsed Patty's body and slowed to a stop, staring.
"So…you took care of her?" Mr. Threehorn asked.
Mama Longneck turned to them, smile sad. "In a manner of speaking. She won't be bothering us anymore."
"Oh, thank goodness." Mama Swimmer said, putting a hand to her chest. "For a moment, when Ducky, Spike, and their friends suddenly ran off, I worried something happened to you."
"We were beaten about but got some unexpected help." Grandpa Longneck said, looking at his own scratches and bruises.
"Littlefoot and his friends assisted us again." Grandma Longneck said. "Don't worry, they didn't get involved in the fighting."
The parents glanced at the gang, some starting as though only now realizing they were there. They blinked, unable to comprehend their contribution. More than a few sighed in resigned irritation.
"They were there at each of the Anchor fights." Tria shook her head. "It wasn't their fault but I wish they didn't get tangled up in them. Poor Patty. But what's done is done. With her gone, that's all the Anchors taken care of."
"We did it." Mama Flyer said faintly. "It's sad you had to put down a child. Still, I can't believe it happened."
"We managed to go toe to toe with these supposedly invincible creatures and won." Papa Sharptooth said.
"I'm not sampling any of them until it's over but it's good to have that behind us." Mama Sharptooth said.
"Even if we had to make some tough choices." Papa Fast Runner said, glimpsing Patty's body behind the longneck family's legs in silent sympathy.
"Yeah." Mama Fast Runner lowered her head, troubled. "I'm still not happy we had to kill someone. It's something that'll linger in my mind for the rest of my life."
"You weren't the one who landed the finishing blow." Mr. Clubtail muttered. "But I get what you mean."
"It had to be ghosts like us." Mrs. Threehorn said. "I can only imagine what the other ghosts and valley members who helped defeat the Anchors must be going through."
"Even we still don't know that about ourselves." Horen said, and Rica and Duane nodded uncertainly.
"Nevertheless, the fight isn't over yet." Mama Longneck said. "We made a lot of progress but we still need to deal with the source of all this torment and suffering."
Littlefoot nodded. "Wing Father."
Turning, everyone looked into the distance. At the far end of the Great Valley, they could just make out one of the tall mountains where that otherworldly being dwelled. Wing Father was where it all began. Littlefoot hoped he would be where it all ended.
Next time…
Kindness, Fall
Note: Yeah, this chapter is short. After I post this, I'm going to start work on the final chapters. It's been a amazing journey. Anyway, ceasefire in Gaza, free all the hostages and free Palestine. See you all when I post the next chapters.