Hyp, Mutt, Nod, and Littlefoot tensed as the growling got louder signaling whatever was making it was getting closer.
"I think we should run back to the hideout.", Hyp suggested.
"I think that's a good idea.", Littlefoot said.
Cole was about to say that they should get running, but a Giganotosaurus stepped out into the open and looked their way fiercely.
"Uh, maybe it's friendly?", Mutt asked nervously.
The predator roared loudly which only made the group more scared.
"That's a no.", Cole stated.
The predator stepped forward as the group turned and bolted away before it gave chase. It didn't take them long to get back to the hideout, but the moment they got back into it, a huge set of jaws came down and took the whole top of the patch of flowers off which earned a round of screaming from the children who ran before the predator spat out the flowers in disgust before resuming the chase.
"What is that?", Hyp asked fearfully.
"I don't want to sit around and find out.", Cole answered.
"Less talking, more running!", Cera yelled.
They came to the log bridge and the children didn't bother to try and be careful as they stampeded across. Just as Cole had gotten halfway across, the tree was slipping off!
"Cole!", Littlefoot cried out.
Just as the log fell into the deep gorge, Hyp reached out as Mutt held a large branch to prevent them from falling in as they pulled Cole to the ledge. Cole looked down the gorge as the log hit the bottom and gulped while turning pale.
"I don't know which is worse: getting eaten by a predator or falling into a gorge to my death.", Cole muttered.
Before anyone could ask about what he said, the Giganotosaurus showed up at the other side and paused as if it couldn't cross.
"Nah, nah.", Cera teased turning around as if taunting the predator.
"The log is gone.", Ducky added mockingly, "You can not get across."
"Me think you a stinker.", Petrie put in.
Cole looked more uneasy.
"Guys, don't get it riled up.", Cole warned.
Unfortunately the predator then took a leap across the gorge and landed a bit further behind the group before turning around to face them.
"Uh, just kidding.", Petrie whimpered as he cowered behind Cera's frill.
The group started running again while Nod looked to Cole frightfully.
"Any ideas about taking on this thing?", he asked.
"Well, first we stay very calm.", Cole answered.
"And then?", Littlefoot asked.
"And then we can say "Ahh!" again.", Cole answered rather frantically.
"Ahh!", the whole gang screamed as they ran.
The predator behind them roared again before it tried to snap it's massive maw on Cole or the bigger members of the group before Littlefoot spotted a small space beneath a massive rock.
"There!", he cried, "Under that rock!"
Cole saw it too and nodded.
"Move it!", he called out.
/
By the time the gang got to the rock, Hyp, Mutt and Nod looked unsure at the small space as the rest raced to get under it.
"I don't think we can fit in that spot.", Hyp said doubtfully.
A thunderous footstep made them turn to see the predator looming over them menacingly.
"Who cares?!", Nod and Mutt yelped together.
Cole and the trio struggled to get in though it was more of a tight fit so much they had to crouch just to get further down.
"It's a little cramped in here.", Hyp griped.
"You want to get eaten?", Cera asked.
The sounds of the predator's feet got to the edge and the predator stuck its massive head into the narrow space, but didn't get far before it blew a cloud of breath that stank of death and rot making Cole almost throw up.
"Oh, good lord.", he groaned.
Groans and yacks from the group also rang out as the predator seemed to be giving up as it pulled its head back out.
"I don't think he can reach us.", Littlefoot said.
And that was when the Giganotosaurus suddenly lifted only the tip of the large rock and flung it over exposing the whole group.
"Yes he can!", Cole yelped, "Run for it!"
They did just as the predator lunged forward only to get a mouthful of sand which it spat out before it continued chasing the group. They ran until they came to the cliff overlooking the ocean where they paused.
"Oh no, the big water.", Petrie yelped.
"And the swimming sharptooth.", Nod added as he gestured to the dark fin skimming across the surface.
The gang turned to see the Giganotosaurus emerge from the trees still lumbering their way.
"Never mind that sharptooth.", Cera whimpered, "Worry about this one."
Cole noticed some old bark nearby and what he guessed was a stick which he wished he could get to, but as the predator stepped forward, the gang stepped back before they felt the ledge and paused.
"Oh, I wish we had help.", Mutt whimpered.
"If we make it out alive, remind me to thank you all.", Cole muttered.
Just as the predator was about to step forward, there came a chomp from behind it and it roared in agony before pulling out it's tail to reveal Chomper biting down hard earning a round of cheers from the group. Cole brightened as he saw an opening as the predator was too busy with Chomper to notice him.
"Hang on!", he called before sprinting to the tree.
Cole, what are you doing?!", Cera called out in fear.
Cole ignored her as he got to the tree and started tearing off a huge flat piece of bark and grabbing a knot before hoisting it like a shield and pulling the think branch which came away and stood straight like a sword while Chomper still hung on while the predator looked ready to chomp down on him.
"Chomper, let go!", Cole called out.
/
Chomper did so just as the predator bit down on his tail making it roar in pain again. Cole gave a whistle and the predator looked his way making Cole shiver.
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea.", he thought.
Just then a couple more roars came from behind him making Cole turn to see Strongfang and Rena show up looking pretty mad. Cole turned to the group, but didn't have time to say anything before he jumped to the side to avoid the Giganotosaurus' feet while Stongfang took the first round. Cole darted in and smacked it's leg a couple times before Stongfang bit down on it's shoulder drawing blood before it raked it's claws across Strongfang's snout making him let go before he backed off and Rena took over.
"Look at Cole go.", Littlefoot said in awe.
Cole felt the cheering behind him and grew determined as he suddenly grabbed the tail of the Giganotosaurus and was soon on its back racing towards the head before it raked its foot talons on Rena's leg making her roar in pain and flinch. Before it used its tail however, Cole had reached the head and used his stick to stab it in the eyes while avoiding its claws and fangs. Strongfang arrived and with a mighty swing of his tail sent the predator falling back towards the ledge and the group!
"Get out of the way!", Cole yelled.
The group bolted while Chomper was caught by the tail and sent over the edge with Cole and the Giganotosaurus. With a splash, they all fell into the briny deep for a moment before Cole opened his eyes and saw Chomper holding his breath before Cole gestured upward and they tried to swim as the Giganotosaurus still tried to chomp on them before something got hold of him and dragged him downward and away from the duo.
"Whew, lucky.", Cole muttered.
Chomper said nothing, but they heard cheering from above and they looked upward to see the gang and Chomper's parents looking down at them happily.
"Now how are we getting up there?", Cole asked.
As if to answer him, the water churned and Barry, Chad, and Onyx suddenly came up.
"Oh, look who it is.", Hyp stated.
Barry smiled as he swam closer to Cole and Chomper.
"Well now, dis is a surprise.", he said cheerfully, "You takin a swim?"
"We were almost eaten by that predator that sunk.", Cole muttered.
"We know bro.", Chad answered, "We totally took him underwater."
Cole noticed that in the time he was in the water, he had lost his sword and shield, but he was beyond caring as he was thankful for the assistance.
"Well, thanks for the help Barry.", he said, "But would you know how to get back up there cause I can't really swim or climb very well."
"Don't ya worry little ting.", Barry answered smiling, "Ol Barry and his pack know how ya get back up de ledge. Onyx, get Elsie."
Cole looked curious as Onyx suddenly turned to the open sea, lowered her head under the water and gave some kind of call on a seashell that she picked up from the rockface.
"Who's Elsie?", Cole asked.
/
Just then, a large shadow in the water came towards the group, but Barry and his pack didn't seem bothered.
"Oh, here she is mon.", Barry said happily, "Now let go and let her take ya up."
Cole felt something under his feet and suddenly, he was rising before he noticed an elderly looking Elasmosaurus who looked his way kindly before looking to Barry and his pack.
"Hi there Barry. What's the call for?", she asked kindly.
"Hey Elsie, me little friends need transportation.", Barry answered, "Mind helpin dem out?"
Elsie nodded and craned her neck to the ledge above while Cole climbed up with Chomper on his back.
"Thanks for the help madam.", Cole said politely when they got to Elsie's head.
"No problem.", she told him, "Watch the eyes now."
Cole did so and once they were on solid ground again, Chomper got off Cole's back and raced back to his parents who looked grateful as they looked Cole's way.
"Thank you Cole.", Rena spoke kindly, "You've earned your right to be safe under our care."
Strongfang came down and sniffed as Spike breathed out and suddenly withdrew and lowered his voice while turning to his family.
"Something that smells that bad couldn't taste good anyway.", he muttered.
"What did he just say?", Littlefoot asked.
Cole looked a bit nervous, but Chomper spoke up before he did.
"He uh… he says the same goes for him.", he said quickly.
Cole gave a salute like a soldier to his general.
"I trust I lived up to the promise I made earlier today?", he asked.
Strongfang sighed rolling his eyes while Rena looked his way firmly.
"Okay, I admit it. You did and I'm grateful for your protection and assistance."
"My pleasure.", Cole responded.
Cera looked a little bit guilty.
"You know, I think that while Chomper and his folks may be sharpteeth, they're a family just like our families."
"Except our families don't eat us.", Petrie said playfully.
Littlefoot looked a bit worried as he looked out.
"Our families.", he said, "Not that we'll never see our-"
"Hey, never say never.", Cole said quickly, "Besides, I'm sure Ms. Elsie would be honored to grant us passage."
Elsie looked onboard right away.
"Well, "On the other side of the pond" as they say?", she asked.
Chomper looked a bit unsure.
"Are you sure you have to go?", he asked.
Cole looked Chomper's way understandingly.
"Hey, remember what I told you back when you left us the first time?", he asked.
Chomper suddenly looked more at ease.
"Well, good-bye everyone.", he said, "I'll always remember you."
"And we'll always remember you too.", Cole told him.
/
As the gang got on Elsie's back and settled, they waved good-bye to Chomper, his parents, Barry and Barry's pack as they waved back.
"Come back and visit again mon.", Barry called out cheerfully.
As Elsie pulled away from the island and got towards the mainland, she started talking.
"So there I was minding my own business when this elderly longneck showed up on the beach."
Littlefoot looked awestruck.
"That's my grandpa."
"Is he now?", Elsie asked happily, "So that's where you get your good looks. If only he had flippers, we'd be quite a pair swimming about in the sea."
Cera groaned as she slumped to lying down.
"Oh, I'm so sick.", she groaned.
"Don't worry.", Cole told her, "You'll get your sea legs soon."
Petrie suddenly looked interested.
"Hey, since we all together so often, we need a name."
Hyp looked interested.
"Yeah, that would be great.", he agreed, "How about the Valley Gang?"
Cole looked thoughtful.
"I got a better one.", he answered, "The Fellowship of the Stone."
The whole group cheered for the name as they soon came to the shore that was lined with plants for miles as the grownups gathered. After they gang came ashore, Cole observed as the gang reunited with their respective families before they started thanking Elsie.
"Good-bye and thank you so much.", Grandpa Longneck said gratefully.
"Toodle-oo.", Elsie said playfully as she turned to return to the sea, "I'll stop by for chat shall I? Ta-ta."
She dived beneath the waves before Littlefoot turned to his grandfather.
"I'm sorry Grandpa.", he admitted, "We just wanted to find enough food so we'd all stay together."
Grandpa Longneck chuckled.
"And I think you succeeded."
Cole nodded as he gestured to the landscape for the group to know what he was talking about.
"If they hadn't been looking for us, they probably wouldn't have found this place.", he said cheerfully, "We can live here til the Great Valley is green again."
"We don't have to split up?", Petrie asked.
"I don't think so.", Cole answered.
The grownups seemed to agree and the kids soon went down to a small stream to play when Cole felt the feeling as he followed the group.
"Well, I guess I have to leave.", Cole stated.
The group looked understanding as Cole felt the feeling again as they exchanged good-byes.
"Well, until we meet again, stay strong my fellowship.", Cole said waving.
And in the time it takes to wink an eye, a fog covered Cole and everything went black instantly.
(A/N: I'd like to thank LORfan2187 for the suggestion used here.)