CHAPTER 16
Secret Slipped
Ducky was sleeping uneasily, strange sleep stories consuming her mind. After the eventful day with their mothers yesterday, she could only think about her Funny Flyer. Returning to her routine of sleeping at home with her family seemed to have a negative affect on her. Just one night sleeping without Petrie by her side felt unbearable, and it didn’t even feel like it was just for one night, but rather like a whole Night Circle cycle.
Suddenly, she felt a pleasant sensation on her cheek which instantly tickled her, and she started giggling as she tried to stay asleep. However, it was to become elusive, as the ticklishness increased and forced her to laugh out loud.
The Swimmer opened her eyes and looked up, only to find Spike playfully licking her cheek to wake her up.
“Spike!” she giggled, “Stop!”
Convinced that Ducky was awake, Spike stopped licking his sister and allowed her to sit up. The Swimmer yawned and stretched her arms before she stood up and walked groggily.
“Good morning, Spike,” she spoke to her foster brother.
Spike grunted happily as a way of saying “good morning,” and Ducky looked around and saw that all her siblings were already having breakfast.
“Last one up today?” she sighed, “I must have overslept-ed.”
“Good morning, Ducky,” came Mama Swimmer’s voice.
Ducky looked up and saw her mother smiling down at her, handing her a tree star.
“Good morning, Mama,” the six-year old replied.
“You’re up a little late this morning,” said Papa Swimmer.
“I thought-ed so,” sighed Ducky.
“Don’t you worry, dear,” assured Mama Swimmer, “You haven’t missed anything. Your friends will probably be here in a little bit.”
Ducky brightened a little at the mention of her friends. There was one friend she particularly could not wait to see again.
“It’s been three days since you last played with Littlefoot and the others, as far as I understand it,” Papa Swimmer pointed out.
“I know, said Ducky softly, “I miss playing with them.”
“Listen. Ms. Flyer and I are going to go visit with Hyp’s father,” informed Mama Swimmer, “After what happened yesterday, I do not intend for that brat to go unpunished.”
“He deserves to be punished,” said Ducky as she felt her renewed rage towards Hyp building up within her. It was clear she hadn’t forgiven him for nearly drowning both her and Petrie in that pool of Sinking Sand.
“Don’t you worry, dear. I’ll take care of things. Meanwhile, you and Spike can go play with your other friends,” said Mama Swimmer kindly.
“Okay, Mama,” said Ducky, calming herself down as she tried to forget about dealing with Hyp, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Ducky,” replied Mama Swimmer.
“I’ll look after the rest of the kids, dear,” smiled Papa Swimmer.
“That’s good, dear. Thanks for your help,” his mate replied, and she kissed his cheek before speaking to Ducky again, “Well, I’d better be going. You and Spike have a good day, okay?”
“We will, Mama,” answered Ducky, with Spike nodding along.
“Okay, kids. I’ll see you later,” said Mama Swimmer, and she turned and left the nest.
“Bye, Mama!” called Ducky before her mother disappeared.
“Hey, Ducky,” one of her brothers said once their mother had gone, “Is it okay if we talk with you for a minute?”
Ducky felt rather uneasy about talking with her siblings, given everything she had been through over the past seven days, but, being the kind-hearted girl she was, she didn’t want to disappoint them.
“Um, … okay,” she answered, just as several more of her siblings walked up to her.
“Some of us haven’t been able to help but notice that you’ve been acting strangely lately whenever Petrie is around,” said a sister.
Ducky gulped nervously. She was sure her siblings had somehow managed to spy on them at some point during the past week. She hoped they hadn’t managed to find out about her love for Petrie.
“Whenever Petrie comes over to pick you up, you get more cheerful than we’ve ever seen you,” a second brother pointed out.
“Oh, and that’s another thing,” said a second sister, “We’ve been used to seeing all of your friends pick you up before, but lately Petrie is always the first one here, and more often than now, your friends sometimes come here later, asking where you are.”
Ducky looked away as she struggled to think of an excuse that would convince her siblings, although that quickly proved to be easier said than done …
“Is there something going on between you and Petrie that nobody else knows about?” asked the first brother.
“Ahem,” their father suddenly coughed, “Kids, I don’t think this matter should be discussed right now.”
“But, Daddy!?” whined one of the girls, “We really wanna know!”
“I’m sorry, children, but there are some things that your sister may not want you to bother her with. This is considered something … personal, if you will, and I’m sure Ducky doesn’t want anyone bothering her about her personal business.”
“You mean, … something private?” asked one of the boys.
“Yes,” nodded Papa Swimmer, “This is a very private matter that Ducky does not wish to share with anyone.”
“But then, … why do you and Mama know about it?” said another one of the boys, looking very confused.
Just as Papa Swimmer was about to speak again, her daughter suddenly coughed a little, and she nodded to him as a gesture indicating that she was willing to tell her siblings if they really wanted to know. He was extremely hesitant to let her speak the truth. With Ducky having quite a lot of siblings, it seemed, there would surely be a severe risk of her secret being exposed to the rest of the valley; a forbidden secret that could see her exiled for the rest of her days.
Ducky sighed sadly as she looked down, trying to think of the right words to say. She knew she wouldn’t be able to keep the secret away from her siblings forever, even if their father tried to keep them away.
“Okay,” she began as she made eye contact with them again, “I am not sure you would like this, … but … Petrie and I are most than just best friends.”
Her siblings stayed silent as she paused and chose her words carefully …
“Petrie and I are … in love.”
The Swimmer children all gasped in surprise, and their eyes were wide as they stared at their sister.
“You are in love with a Flyer?” gasped the second brother.
Ducky looked down in shame, “Yes.”
“But Ducky, … you’re a Swimmer. He’s a Flyer,” said the first brother, “You’re in love with someone from another kind. I’m not sure anyone around here would like that.”
“You could get banished for that!” gasped the second sister, “We would lose you forever!”
“Mommy and Daddy are okay with me being in love with Petrie,” said Ducky, “So is his Mama, and so are our friends, and so are Littlefoot’s grandma and grandpa.”
“They do?” stammered the first brother, unable to believe that anyone could accept such a relationship taking place, one that was considered such a heinous, despicable crime that deserved nothing less than humiliation and a lifetime of banishment.
“They do, they do,” replied Ducky, “In fact, Mama feels so happy for me and Petrie.”
“But what about Mr. Threehorn?” said the first brother, “If he finds out, you’ll surely get kicked out of the Great Valley.”
“Perhaps, … unless Littlefoot’s grandparents can convince him otherwise,” their father pointed out.
The children simply stayed silent and looked at their oldest sister in absolute disbelief. This caused her to sink her head again in shame, sure that her siblings would turn against her.
“You hate me now, don’t you?” she sniffled.
“We don’t hate you, Ducky,” said the second brother, “You’re our most special sister we’ve ever had. We just don’t want to lose you because of Mr. Threehorn finding out that you’re in love with a Flyer.”
Ducky looked up at her siblings, and they all looked as if they were worried for her.
“You mean, … you are okay that I am in love with Petrie?” she said softly.
“We’re okay with it as long as you don’t get caught,” said the first sister, “We care about you, Ducky, and we don’t want you to get kicked out because of a relationship with someone from another kind.”
Ducky grinned faintly at her siblings, and they all grinned back. A moment ago, she had been dreading the idea of them finding out, yet they had also accepted it. Their only worry was if she and Petrie got caught by Mr. Threehorn and he would then try to banish them from the valley.
She looked at her father, and she saw a grin flash across his face, too.
“Thanks, everyone,” she said, “Just promise you will not tell anybody.”
“That would really mean a lot to the whole family if we could keep this a secret for as long as we can,” said Papa Swimmer, “I’m happy you care very much for your sister.”
“We won’t tell anyone, Ducky,” her siblings all promised just as Spike licked her cheek again.
“Spike!” Ducky giggled, “Stop!”
“I think Spike wants to play with you, Ducky,” chuckled their father.
“Okay. I am going to find my friends, and I will see you later,” said Ducky, and she turned to her foster brother, “Come on, Spike!”
“See you later, Ducky!” the Swimmer children replied as they watched Ducky and Spike take off towards the Gang’s regular meeting place.
Ducky felt so relieved to have gained the support of her siblings when it came to her relationship with Petrie. With there being yet another obstacle out of the way, she could now focus on what she wanted to do with her friends, but also what she especially wanted to do with her beloved Petrie.
The Bright Circle’s light once more blasted through the entryway of the Flyer family’s cave, and Petrie felt his eyelids being hit with bright light. He shifted a little as he tried to stay asleep. He had been having dreadful sleep stories again, and he was tossing and turning in his sleep.
Petrie covered his face with his wing to shield his eyes from the morning light, and he quickly sat up with a brief scream before he began panting.
“Petrie?” came his mother’s voice just as he felt her patting her back, “Are you alright?”
Petrie glanced upward to see his mother looking worriedly at him. He gulped and let out a few more deep breaths to calm himself down. These nightmares just seemed like they would never end.
“Bad sleep story,” he gasped.
“Again?” sighed Mama Flyer.
Petrie glanced at his still-sleeping siblings before he took a deep breath and began …
“Me find Ducky in Sinking Sand, and me try to pull her out, but then me look back and see Hyp, and he kick me off rock and into Sinking Sand. Then, me suddenly fall in some dark cave, and … those … Sailback Sharpteeth chase me again, and they say they still want me for killing their son.”
“Whoa, wait. Those same Sailback Sharpteeth from your other sleep stories?” said his mother as a sudden thought spiraled into her head, one she felt very uncomfortable thinking about.
Petrie nodded and replied, “W-what if … that Sharptooth who try to kill us in Black Rock … have … mommy and daddy? What it they find out it me who trap him? What if there really are Sharpteeth after me!?”
Mama Flyer let out a dreadful sigh as she soothingly caressed her son. She, in fact, was beginning to believe somewhat that Petrie’s worries may be true if those Sharpteeth continued to haunt him in his sleep. The more they kept appearing in his sleep stories, the more it seemed to dawn on the possibility that it just might be true. Could it be that these sleep stories were a foretelling of the little Flyer’s future? Could he have sealed his own fate by luring that adolescent Sharptooth into that trap? Could there truly be Sailbacks somewhere out there in the Mysterious Beyond, … hungry, not for food, … but for revenge?
“It true, isn’t it!?” cried Petrie once he noticed his mother staring off into space, obviously contemplating her thoughts.
This snapped her back to reality, and she quickly started cuddling her son again to calm him down.
“I don’t know for sure if it’s true or not, dear. No one else would possibly believe such a thing, … but if it is, … then I will stand by you and protect you at all costs. You know I only want my precious child to be safe,” she assured him.
“But what if-,” Petrie said, but it was all he could utter before his mother shushed him by closing his beak with her hand.
“Let’s not dwell on that right now, Petrie. You know the Great Valley is safe and very-well protected, and you have friends to find and play with,” she spoke gently to him.
Petrie sighed. He had run out of arguments, so he spoke no more of the matter that had been stuck in his mind since that dreadful night after their return from Black Rock.
“Oh, and I almost forgot. Mrs. Swimmer and I need to go see Hyp and his father today. We’ve got to teach that kid a little lesson.”
Hearing Hyp’s name renewed the rage Petrie had been keeping within him after that nasty incident the previous day.
“Me still no forgive him for nearly making us drown in Sinking Sand,” he hissed.
“Don’t worry about him, dear,” assured Mama Flyer as she gently picked up Petrie and carried him out onto the ledge in front of the cave, “Mrs. Swimmer and I can handle him. In the meantime, you’ve got some friends to play with. You haven’t played with Littlefoot and the others for quite a few days now, and they must be wondering what has been going on with you and Ducky.”
“Me know,” sighed Petrie.
“Here, my little one,” said Mama Flyer, setting her son down and picking up a red tree sweet that had been stashed with some other plants in the cave, “Why don’t you have a nice red tree sweet for breakfast?”
Petrie grinned faintly as he took the tree sweet, and he took a small bite from it. The taste was sensational, so he decided to eat it slowly.
“Me really miss playing with Littlefoot and others,” the little Flyer said thoughtfully as he thought about his small group of loyal friends, “Me and Ducky really miss out on so much fun.”
“Even though you two had so much fun of your own,” reminded Mama Flyer.
“Me know,” chuckled Petrie as he thought of the warm times he had shared with Ducky in the last two days, “It nice just being with Ducky for while, but it be great to get back in with our friends again.”
“And besides, when all your friends are around, times can be more fun than those when you’re just hanging out with Ducky,” Mama Flyer pointed out.
“You right,” said Petrie thoughtfully, “Me think today will be so much fun!”
“That’s the spirit, Petrie,” chuckled Mama Flyer, “Now, go ahead and finish up your red tree star, and you can go play with all your good friends, while I take care of some business with Hyp’s father.”
“Okay, Mama,” nodded Petrie before taking another bite of his breakfast.
“I’ll see you later, son,” grinned Mama Flyer, and she lifted herself off the ledge.
“See you later, Mama!” Petrie called as his mother soared away.
Now that he was alone, the little Flyer began thinking about what he would do with Ducky the next time they were alone. He could not get her out of his mind for even one second, and with each minute that passed, he felt like he loved her more than ever. He was sure that Ducky was feeling the same about him, too.
“Me no can wait to see smile on Ducky face today,” Petrie said to himself as he stared off into space, “We may have friends with us today, … but me especially no can wait to jump into Ducky arms when me join them.”
He momentarily forgot that it wasn’t quite the best idea to just jump into Ducky’s arms when in the presence of their friends, as Cera was likely still trying to get to them.
“Me hope Cera no know,” he said nervously, “If she know, then she tell her dad, then we get banished for sure.”
Quickly snapping out of his thoughts, Petrie finished his red tree sweet, and he stood up and glanced down at the valley below, admiring its glorious beauty. He could feel that today was going to be a great day since it was just so gorgeous outside.
“Well, Ducky … and friends, … here me come!” he cheered delightfully as he flapped his wings and took to the skies, with their regular meeting place as his destination.
The Flyer failed to notice that while he was talking to himself, his siblings had woken up and eavesdropped on him to take advantage of their mother being out, and had overheard every word he said.
“So, … Petrie is in love with Ducky after all,” gasped the older sister.
“And Mama sounds like she’s okay with it,” added the younger brother.
“Then, why did she tell us that he wasn’t?” asked the younger sister.
“Obviously because she didn’t want us to spread it to everyone,” answered the oldest brother.
“Wait! Our brother is in love with a Swimmer!?” said the younger sister in deep shock, “He could get banished from the valley!”
“Good riddance,” murmured the oldest brother.
“And Ducky, too!” his brother added, “They’re both in great danger!”
“So, what’s the big deal!?” he asked, “And since when did you care?”
“The big deal is that he’s our brother and he’s going to be banished!” the younger sister retorted.
“Well, we can’t do anything about it since we’re still grounded,” sighed the younger brother.
“But I care about Petrie,” panted the younger sister, “We may have had hard times with him, but he’s our brother, and we can’t let him get thrown out just because he’s in love with a Swimmer.”
“See if I care!” ranted the oldest brother.
At this, the younger of the two girls walked right up to their oldest sibling and slapped him across the face so hard that he fell on his side.
“OW!” he cried.
“Listen, Donnie! I’ve had enough of you controlling all of us!” the younger sister yelled, “I once thought you were just trying to teach us all that Petrie is just some whiney little baby, but now I realize you’re such a big jerk! You delight in nothing but torturing Petrie to no end, and I can’t take it anymore! You’re just a big, sick black-hearted maniac who loves picking on everyone and manipulating us into siding with you! I hate you, Donnie! I hate you, I HATE YOU!”
Her siblings froze and stared at her as if they were suddenly frightened by her presence. This seemed eerily similar to Petrie’s outbursts, but for someone whom had sided with them for so long when it came to abusing their youngest brother, this seemed out of character.
“Uh, … P-Pearlwing?”
“Don’t Pearlwing me!” she snapped back at the sibling whom had spoken her name, the middle brother, and she pointed back to Donnie, “This big brat has what turned all our lives so miserable! I can’t stand listening to him anymore!”
“In that case, maybe we should just throw you out like we tried to do to Petrie!” growled Donnie.
“Or maybe we should throw you out!” retorted Pearlwing.
The two Flyers glared at each other like they were challenging each other to a fight to the death, but their two other siblings grabbed Pearlwing and pulled her back before she could even make an attempt at attacking their oldest sibling.
“Okay! Let’s not start fighting until we have yet another family feud like we already have with Petrie!” yelled the middle brother, “We are going to talk to Mommy about this when she gets home!”
“Are you kidding!? She’ll yell at us again!” argued the oldest sister, “We all got grounded because we made fun of Petrie being in love with Ducky!”
“Yes, but we know that our suspicions were correct all along!” Pearlwing put in, “If we tell her that we know that our brother’s in love with Ducky, then she’ll understand.”
“Pah! Like that’ll do us any good!” snorted Donnie.
“We have to do something!” shouted Pearlwing, “Petrie is our brother, and we can’t let him get kicked out of the Great Valley!”
The four children could only just sit where they were, unable to think of a way to save Petrie from potentially being banished. Donnie still didn’t seem to care, but now with Pearlwing’s sudden change of heart, the others were all beginning to think that something must be done to save their youngest brother. As long as they remained grounded, though, it seemed that they were hopeless in saving their brother from a tragic fate.
Ducky and Spike smiled as they saw Littlefoot, Cera, Chomper and Ruby waiting for them at their meeting place, and they cheerfully ran up to them. For Ducky, this felt like something that hadn’t happened in a long while.
“Hi, guys!” the Swimmer cheered.
“Hi, Ducky! Hi, Spike!” the other kids replied.
“We’ve missed you so much, Ducky!” said Chomper.
“And Petrie, too!” added Ruby.
Hearing Petrie’s name prompted Ducky to look around, realizing that their Flyer friend had not yet arrived.
“What have you and Petrie been up to?” asked Cera.
Ducky gulped once she heard those words from the Threehorn, and she stayed silent.
“Having some cute times with Petrie, I’d imagine,” Cera put in.
“Not so loud, Cera!” Ducky fired back, “I do not want anyone to hear that!”
Cera sighed and quickly shut her mouth.
“Sorry,” she murmured.
“Speaking of which, where is Petrie?” asked Ducky.
“Gee, I don’t know,” answered Littlefoot.
No sooner did he say that when a certain voice called to them with a cheerful giggle …
“Hello, guys!”
Everyone looked up towards the sky. They recognized that voice anywhere. Ducky, of course, was so delighted that she almost couldn’t contain her excitement.
“Petrie!” they all cheered.
Sure enough, Petrie came soaring towards them with a bright smile on his face. He looked so happy to see all his friends again, but he was especially happy to see Ducky’s cheerful smile.
The kids watched as Petrie charged straight towards Ducky, and the Swimmer jumped and caught her boyfriend in her arms before landing on her back, hugging him tightly. The Flyer instantly began kissing his girlfriend’s bill all over, earning cute laughs from her, and the Gang could only agree that it was an adorable sight, although Cera seemed a little grossed out by it.
“How me Sweet Swimmer today?” asked Petrie.
“I am doing very good, my Funny Flyer!” chuckled Ducky.
Most of the Gang laughed as they heard their nicknames. They sounded rather adorable. This drew the lovers’ attention to their friends, and Petrie suddenly gasped in horror when he spotted a particular Threehorn in their presence.
“Oops,” he said to himself as he realized that he might have just made a big mistake.
“What do you mean, ‘oops’?” asked Cera dumbfoundedly.
“It is okay, Petrie,” said Ducky as Petrie stared at the Threehorn with a dumbstruck look on his face, unable to understand why she was reacting this way, “Cera already knows.”
“What!?” panicked Petrie, “Cera know!? She might go tell her dad, and we get banished!”
“Petrie, I’m not going to tell my dad,” reassured Cera with a slightly impatient tone.
“How you know me in Ducky … together?” asked Petrie.
“Okay. It was when you got tossed to Black Rock and your mom set off to rescue you. Ducky didn’t react very well, and I knew that there was something special going on between you two.”
She paused and brought her voice down to a whisper to make sure no one else could hear her …
“So, I deduced that you two were in love,” she finished.
Petrie’s face paled, and he began to shake as he tightly held Ducky so that she could “protect” him.
“I gave my word that I would not tell my dad,” Cera went on as she looked at Petrie, “I’m keeping my word. If Dad ever finds out, I won’t let him send you away from this valley. In fact, I’d imagine Tria would probably be okay with your relationship if she knew. She’s nothing like Dad. My friends are more important to me than trying to keep Dad happy all the time, because my Dad is never happy anyway, unless he’s with Tria.”
Petrie felt most of his uneasiness drift away, and he settled down while Ducky hugged him for warmth.
“Yes, I find this absolutely weird, but I’m not one to betray my friends,” said Cera, “We may have had our rough times, Petrie, but you’re still my friend, and I don’t want to see you or Ducky get thrown out. Who cares what my dad thinks?”
“I certainly don’t,” said Chomper, “What I really care about is how others think about this. This should be allowed in this valley, whether others like it or not.”
“You’re certainly one to talk about this,” commented a somewhat impressed Cera.
“Grandma told me that love between different kinds should not be considered a crime in the Great Valley, but banishing children should be,” said Littlefoot.
“It should, it should,” agreed Ducky.
“So, that means you two can relax now that we’re all accepting of your relationship,” the Longneck pointed out.
Ducky and Petrie smiled at each other as the Flyer let out a sigh of relief. Now that all their friends in the Gang knew about their relationship and accepted, he knew they could all have tons of fun without there being anymore tension between them.
“So, guys, who’s up for a game of ‘Hide and Seek’?” asked Littlefoot.
“Count me in!” Petrie answered immediately.
“Me, too!” added Ruby.
Spike murmured and nodded.
“Okay, then! Who wants to be it?” asked Littlefoot.
“I’ve been ‘it’ way too many times, so not me,” replied Cera.
“Petrie’s rarely ever been ‘it’, Maybe he should be ‘it’ today,” suggested Ruby.
“Hehe! Okay! Me kinda tired of always hiding,” said Petrie.
“Alright, everyone! Let’s hide!” said Chomper.
With that, everyone but Petrie scurried away to find a good hiding place, while the Flyer covered his eyes with his wings and counted down.
“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. Ready or not, here me come!”
Petrie opened his eyes and got himself airborne to begin seeking for his hiding pals.
Mama Swimmer and Mama Flyer were strolling through the valley, on their way to Hyp’s home. The only thing that was on their minds was giving him a valuable lesson after what he had done. They would not allow him to escape red-handed after Ducky and Petrie had nearly drowned in that Sinking Sand. They were going to teach him once and for all.
“This will give him a lesson he certainly won’t forget,” said Mama Swimmer.
“I’m not sure if he’ll change for good, but we can at least stop him from torturing our children. I will not let him lay one finger on my little Petrie again if he doesn’t learn from this,” said Mama Flyer.
“Oh, he’d better learn from this,” replied Mama Swimmer.
Soon, the two spotted a dinosaur that looked a lot like Hyp, only that he was bigger and looked older. They knew it could only be his father.
“Excuse me,” said Mama Flyer.
Hyp’s father perked up and saw the two approaching him with cross looks on their faces. The only thing he knew that could make them come to him looking so cross was Hyp bullying their children.
“Hello, Ms. Flyer, Mrs. Swimmer,” he said, “Can I help you?”
“Is Hyp home?” asked Mama Swimmer, “We all need to have a little chat.”
“Ugh! What did he do this time?” asked Hyp’s father.
“He almost caused our children to drown in some sinking sand!” shouted Mama Flyer angrily.
Hyp’s father gasped and facepalmed. He knew his son had been quite ruthless before, but this sounded like a step too far.
“HYP!” he screamed on top of his lungs, “WILL YOU COME HERE PLEASE!?”
The three eyed the forest next to them and saw Hyp cowering behind a tree after seeing the two mothers arrive. He knew he was in for some big trouble, but he didn’t want to face such severe consequences.
“Hyp!” his father shouted as he eyed him furiously, “Get over here now!”
After several gulps, he cautiously approached them and refused to make eye contact. He didn’t want to see the furious glances from his father or the two mothers of the kids he had nearly killed.
“You have a lot of explaining to do, young man,” his father said sternly, “Is it true that you nearly made some Swimmer and Flyer children drown in some sinking sand?”
“I didn’t mean to,” murmured Hyp.
“I saw one of your friends whisper something in your ear,” said Mama Swimmer, “That convinces me that you did it on purpose.”
“What exactly did he do?” asked Hyp’s father.
“It goes like this,” Mama Flyer began, “We were in the forest with my son, Petrie, and her daughter, Ducky, and while we were looking around, browsing plants, Hyp and his two no-good sidekicks interrupted us, and he swung his tail at Petrie. My little baby flew across the forest and fell into some sinking sand. Ducky tried to pull him out, but the sinking sand pulled them both in and nearly drowned them. Mrs. Swimmer and I had to pull them out. Thankfully, they were both alright!”
“WHAT!?” Hyp’s father roared once the Flyer had finished her description of the events that had unfolded, and he glared at his son, “That was very absurd of you, Hyp! How could you even think of doing that!? Causing harm to little children is one of the worst things any dinosaur could do in the Great Valley!”
“You are so lucky that our children made it out alive!” roared Mama Swimmer.
“Hyp, I’m not going to be barking at you all morning long, so I’m going to ask you one simple question: What were you thinking!?” asked Hyp’s father, “WHAT WERE YOU THINKING!?”
Hyp looked up at his enraged father and glanced over at the equally-outraged Flyer and Swimmer mothers. He didn’t know how he could explain why he had bullied their children without making them even more upset.
“I saw them kissing in the forest,” he whispered shyly.
“You what!?” gasped Hyp’s father in utter disbelief, and he looked at the two mothers with wide eyes of horror, “What did I just hear!?”
“I saw Ducky and Petrie kissing,” Hyp repeated.
“You despicable, little brat!” screamed Mama Swimmer, and she began to charge at Hyp, only for Mama Flyer to hold her back.
“Would one even think of such a thing happening?” she hissed once she had calmed her friend down, “You must be completely out of your mind! Just the thought of a Swimmer and Flyer kissing is an outrage! IT’S A SCANDAL!”
Hyp’s father glared at his son, full of bitter resentment over such an outrageous claim. He somehow doubted whether his claim was true, but he was not willing to place anymore burden on the already-outraged Swimmer and Flyer mothers, so he quickly thought of a way to let the subject drop …
“So that’s why you nearly drowned them!?” he roared at his son, “You and your little friends decided to pick on a couple of kids who YOU so heinously claimed are in love with each other just for your own satisfaction!? YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY DISGRACEFUL!”
“But Dad, I wasn’t the one who came up with the idea of throwing them into the sink-,“ Hyp said before his father cut him off.
“I don’t care whose idea it was!” he yelled, “You have no right to make their lives miserable because of some ridiculous lie! Burying them in sinking sand for your own pleasure!? OH! I can’t even look at you right now!”
“We nearly lost our precious babies because of you, and we will not tolerate you ever laying one finger on a hatchling any longer!” shouted Mama Flyer.
“We demand an apology from you, young man!” stated Mama Swimmer.
Hyp looked down in shame. He didn’t have the heart to apologize to the mothers of the children he had nearly killed.
“Go on, Hyp! Apologize at once!” roared his father.
With a sad sigh, and tears dripping down his face, Hyp looked up at the two furious mothers and gulped nervously.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured.
“You’re sorry and?” Mama Flyer snorted at him.
“And … I … promise never to do it again,” added Hyp hesitantly.
“That’s better,” said Mama Flyer in a calmer yet still angry voice.
“Don’t even think that you will be escaping punishment, young man,” Hyp’s father snorted at his son, “Harming children is considered a crime. It’s what got Ms. Flyer’s brother banished from this valley, and you’re lucky it’s not happening to you because you’re only at your Time of Great Growing.”
“Y-yes, Dad,” sniffled Hyp.
“You are grounded for a whole Night Circle cycle, Hyp,” his father announced, “You will not be allowed to leave home, and your two nonsensical friends will not be allowed to see you.”
“I’m sorry!” he cried, “I just couldn’t help it!”
“Help with what?” asked his father.
“When I thought I saw Ducky and Petrie kissing, I didn’t know what to make-,”
“WHAT!?” a fifth voice suddenly roared, accompanied by the sound of feet storming towards them aggressively, stunning everyone into silence.
Mama Flyer and Mama Swimmer’s hearts stopped, and they looked at each other in horror as a certain Threehorn charged towards them. Simply the sight of him at a time like this seemed to spell an upcoming tragedy for them …
There stood none other than Topps, his face filled with wrath, his horns aiming furiously towards them, growling with immense anger.
The two felt their hearts racing with fear. This was the one dinosaur they did NOT want to let have knowledge of Ducky and Petrie’s relationship. Now, it seemed certain that their children would soon be in grave danger. The end was suddenly so near at the worst time possible.
Hyp and his father looked at each other uneasily as Topps approached the group with an angry glare.
“What did I just hear!?” the Threehorn roared as he stopped right in front of Hyp.
The adolescent dinosaur was so startled by Topps’ approach that he lost his footing and fell to the ground. He hyperventilated as he looked into the Threehorn’s angry eyes.
“Mr. Threehorn-,” Hyp’s father tried to speak up, but Topps ignored him and eyed Hyp with death glare.
“WHAT DID I JUST HEAR!?” he screamed.
Hyp screamed and cried fearfully as his eyes poured tears down his face. He looked away from the aggressive Threehorn and closed his eyes.
“D-Du-Ducky and Petrie,” he stuttered, “I had some … s-strange vision in which I … saw them … k-k-ki-kissing.”
Immediately, Topps shifted his glare towards Mama Swimmer and Mama Flyer as if he was threatening to kill them. The two mothers tried to maintain their cool in an effort to hide just how horrified they truly were at the prospect of their children’s secret being blown.
“Are you two hiding something from me!?” Topps growled at them.
“Absolutely not!” hissed Mama Swimmer, “Hyp was being completely delusional last night with his stupid claims!”
“I don’t believe you,” retorted Topps, and before either of them could respond, the Threehorn suddenly swung his tail at them and knocked them both down. Just as they were trying to get back up, he pinned them to the ground with his forelimbs.
“Mr. Threehorn!” gasped Hyp’s father, “Stop this!”
“TELL THE TRUTH!” screamed Topps.
“I swear!” panted Mama Swimmer, “Hyp’s claims were delusions!”
“LIAR!”
“Stop!” shrieked Mama Flyer.
“Am I not to understand that we have a relationship between dinosaurs of different kinds taking place in our Great Valley!? Two of my daughter’s friends are in love each other!?”
“NO!” the mothers both screamed.
“That is the sickest thing I’ve ever heard in my life!” he yelled, “A child Flyer and a child Swimmer in love!? I will not let your families go unpunished for this! You know the rule about such relationships! Anyone who falls in love with someone from another kind shall be banished from the Great Valley!”
“Mr. Threehorn! They’re just children!” Hyp’s father argued, but Topps was buying none of it.
“I don’t care if they’re just children! They’re among my daughter’s friends, and if she sees them loving each other, she’ll get ideas from it! I will not allow this to happen to my Cera! I want Ducky and Petrie out of the Great Valley … NOW!”
“Topsy!” called a voice which made him groan in frustration, “What is with all the yelling?”
The dinosaurs looked and found Tria approaching them crossly. She gasped in horror once she noticed her own mate pinning two of their fellow Elders to the ground.
“Topps! Get off them right now!” she roared at them, “What do you think you’re doing!?”
“I suppose you haven’t heard from these two secret-keeping ones that their children are in love with each other!?” shouted Topps as he reluctantly stepped away and allowed Mama Swimmer and Mama Flyer to slowly get themselves back on their feet.
“Topps, what are you talking about?” asked Tria.
“Ducky and Petrie are in a relationship!” roared Topps.
Tria stared at her mate with wide eyes, then she looked at Mama Flyer and Mama Swimmer.
“Is it not true?” she gasped.
“No!” the mothers both yelled.
“LIE!” screamed Topps, “Relationships between different kinds are forbidden in the Great Valley, and anyone who defies that rule is to face immediate banishment!”
“Topps!” shouted Tria, “How could you even think about banishing children, especially given the fact that they are some of Cera’s most loyal friends!?”
“That makes it a lot worse!” argued Topps, “I fear that Cera will get ideas from watching Ducky and Petrie kissing each other like a couple of lovebirds! I will not allow it in this valley!”
“I’m not one to make immediate judgments if Mrs. Swimmer and Ms. Flyer are sincere in saying their children are not involved in such a relationship. As such, I say they’re innocent until proven guilty!”
“I don’t care what you think about this matter, Tria! Immediate action must be taken!” her mate retorted.
“In that case, we’ll have to inform the Longnecks first,” informed Tria.
“Oh, please! Leave those soft-hearted Longnecks to allow them to escape red-handed!? Worst idea ever! They always disagree with us Threehorns, and I won’t let that happen this time!” Topps ranted.
“I will tell you right now, Topps, you can’t just give Ducky and Petrie the one-way flight to the Mysterious Beyond! We have no proof that they’re in a relationship!” Tria argued.
“Pah!” snorted Topps, “I’m going to bring Cera home at once! I will not let her anywhere near those little pests until this matter is settled!”
Those cold words managed to build a fury inside Mama Swimmer and Mama Flyer, and they glared at the Threehorn. They hated it whenever he insulted their children.
“Excuse me!?” Mama Flyer yelled, “What did you just call OUR children!?”
“Our kids are not pests!” added Mama Swimmer, “That is just despicable!”
“Yeah, well so are them falling in love!” Topps retorted, shooting the mothers a death glare, “Don’t think you’ve escaped punishment, because I even might just banish you for lying to me about the matter!”
“Just go! Leave us alone!” shouted Mama Flyer.
“We have nothing more to say to you right now with your disregard towards our children!” added Mama Swimmer.
“Fine, but you haven’t heard the last of this!” replied Topps, and he turned away and left in outrage, cursing vulgarities under his breath.
Once Topps was gone, Mama Swimmer and Mama Flyer looked at each other in complete despair. Now that the grimmest dinosaur in the Great Valley was on Ducky and Petrie’s case, they began hyperventilating in fear for the safety of their precious children.
“Is it true? Tell me it’s not true,” said Tria after a moment of eerie silence had gone by.
Mama Swimmer and Mama Flyer panted and stared at the purple Threehorn for what seemed like ages, and even if no words were spoken, she could tell just from their expressions that it was all true and they were desperately trying to cover it up.
“I am so sorry,” Tria apologized to the Swimmer and Flyer with a grim expression, “Personally, I don’t mind if it is true, but I’m afraid we’ve got quite a sticky situation in our hands.”
“You can say that again!” panted Mama Swimmer, “Your mate wanted to banish our children to the Mysterious Beyond, and we cannot let that happen to them! My little Ducky! I can’t bear the thought of losing her!”
“I can’t let my little Petrie suffer the same fate as his uncle, Pterano,” added Mama Flyer, “My little baby is too precious for me to let him suffer such a tragic fate.”
“Listen, … we’ll inform the Longnecks about the situation, and see what they can do to help,” suggested Tria.
Mama Swimmer had so nearly forgotten that the Longnecks were already aware of the case, but it did little to brighten her spirits since Topps was very likely to spread his influence around the valley in a frantic effort to rid them of Ducky and Petrie.
“You go inform Littlefoot’s grandparents, and we’ll go get Petrie and Ducky,” instructed Mama Flyer.
“I’m on it,” answered Tria, and she immediately turned and left.
With Tria gone, Mama Flyer glared at Hyp, the one who had slipped to Topps about Ducky and Petrie, and potentially the one whom would be responsible for getting them banished and ruining all their lives forever. She wanted to crush his skull in for slipping their kids’ secret.
“I hope you’re happy, Hyp!” the Flyer roared while breathing heavily in an effort to contain her anger, “You may have just ruined all our lives! Now, my little Petrie and Mrs. Swimmer’s little Ducky may get kicked out of our home because of you, you arrogant, little beast! I will never forgive you for this, and you’re so lucky I’m not going to just slash your throat with my wing!”
Hyp sat where he was in horror, breathing heavily as he anticipated that Mama Flyer would finish him off at any moment. He looked up at his father, but all he got was a grim expression. His father apparently felt so sorry for Ducky and Petrie, and he had nothing to say to his son.
“Ms. Flyer! Please!” Mama Swimmer stepped in, holding Mama Flyer by the arms in an effort to calm her down, “I’m just as mad at Hyp as you are, but we have more important things to worry about than threatening the one who slipped our children’s secret.”
Mama Flyer gradually slowed her breathing, and she managed to calm down at least long enough to forget about wanting to kill Hyp.
“You’re right,” she sighed.
“Come on, Ms. Flyer. Let’s fetch Ducky and Petrie,” said Mama Swimmer gently, then she turned to Hyp with a furious glare, “If Ducky and Petrie get banished, you will pay for this! Mark my words!”
“I can’t bear to see how they’ll react to the dreadful news,” lamented Mama Flyer as they set off together, leaving a traumatized Hyp alone with his father.
“Me neither,” agreed Mama Swimmer, “This is going to hit them pretty hard, and they’re going to be living at least the next few days in fear.”
“Oh, just the thought of that,” gasped Mama Flyer in agony.
Without another word, the duo journeyed through the valley in an effort to hopefully find Ducky and Petrie before Topps did.
The Gang was still playing “Hide and Seek,” and for good reason. Petrie was having a very hard time trying to find his hiding friends. Although he had managed to find Littlefoot, Spike and Chomper, the girls seemed elusive. He knew his friends had been good hiders, but he didn’t anticipate that they were this good at it.
“Where are you, guys!?” he called as he soared through the forest.
There was no response.
“Maybe me no should have been ‘it’ today,” he lamented.
Before long, he got tired of flying and decided to land on a tree branch to get a good view of the grounds below him. He hoped that from high up, he could find at least one of the three girls still hiding from him.
Then, he looked down and spotted Topps walking through the forest with an angry look on his face. It seemed quite obvious that he was looking for Cera. Petrie scooted next to the tree so that the Threehorn wouldn’t spot him, as he could tell just from his facial expression that he was in no mood for any childish nonsense. Within a moment, Topps had disappeared.
“Me guess Cera upset her daddy again,” Petrie whispered to himself.
Barely a moment later, he heard the echoes of Cera and her father arguing with each other, but since they were so far away, he couldn’t make out what they were talking about.
“Oh, boy. Cera dad really angry with her today,” he whispered.
A moment later, Topps came strolling through the area again, in the other direction, with Cera reluctantly following him.
Once they disappeared, Petrie was about to take off again and continue his search for his other friends, when he heard an echoing call from an ever-so-familiar voice.
“Petrie!”
The Flyer shifted his gaze towards the sky and found his mother flying directly towards him. He felt dumbfounded about her sudden arrival, since it was never like any of their folks to interrupt them in the middle of one of their games, perhaps except Mr. Threehorn. Something fishy would have to be going on.
“Mama?” Petrie said awkwardly.
In a matter of seconds, Mama Flyer landed on the branch her son was perching on, and she gently pulled him in for a hug with an expression of shock and horror written on her face. Petrie could tell right away that this was not a good sign.
“Petrie,” Mama Flyer panted as a tear slipped from her eye, “Thank goodness I found you.”
“What is it, Mama?” asked Petrie, “Me right in middle of playing ‘hide and seek’, and me no find me friends yet.”
“Never mind about now, Petrie,” said Mama Flyer frantically, “I …”
She couldn’t find the words to inform her son of the tragic news that awaited him. She knew he would not be able to take it very well the instant he was told.
“What is it?” Petrie asked again as he began to have hunches as to what his mother had to tell him.
“I … I have some terrible news, Petrie,” Mama Flyer sniffled.
“What happen?” asked Petrie as his heart began to race with worry, “Someone get very sick? Sailback Sharpteeth from me sleep stories trying to attack Great Valley?”
“No, my little one,” Mama Flyer trembled, “Nobody’s gotten sick, nor are there Sharpteeth trying to penetrate the valley walls. It’s worse; much, worse.”
Petrie could only think of one other possibility, and it was one he knew that could mean deep trouble.
“It’s Mr. Threehorn.” Mama Flyer bluntly worded.
Petrie’s eyes were wide with horror, and his mouth was agape in realization that the worst had just happened. Mama Flyer took one glance at her son’s terrified expression, and she quickly regretted what she had said, but she had to break the news to him one way or the other.
“No!” he gasped, “You no mean!?”
“Yes, Petrie. I’m afraid it’s happened,” Mama Flyer said before she briefly paused, tears streaming from her eyes, “He found out.”
Petrie’s heart exploded, and he stood where he was, speechless. He could not believe that their secret had been slipped this soon, and now he could be facing banishment from the Great Valley any day now. Tears filled up in his eyes and threatened to come pouring down his cheeks. His beak quivered in fear and sadness. He wanted to fly away, screaming and bawling his eyes out, but his mother kept him tightly in a hug to prevent his escape while he tried to keep the tears in.
“I’m so sorry, Petrie,” sniffled Mama Flyer.
“How he find out?” Petrie panted, his emotions still waiting to explode.
“He overheard the conversation Mrs. Swimmer and I had with Hyp and his father, and Hyp blurted out that he saw you and Ducky kissing,” explained Mama Flyer.
“Hyp, you evil monster!” Petrie thought as he shifted his thoughts to Hyp. The little Flyer would never find it in his heart to forgive Hyp, now that he had slipped their secret to Cera’s grumpy father, and he could surely be responsible for getting him and Ducky banished from their beloved home. However, once he thought about his potential banishment, he could only lament in his thoughts that nothing would be able to save him or Ducky from having to say “goodbye” to their home, or worse, their families and friends. He couldn’t bear the thought of them becoming outcasts with no family or no home, and the fact that it was only a matter of time before that happened tore his heart to pieces. He didn’t want to have to say “goodbye” to his loving mother, nor did he want to say “goodbye” to Littlefoot and his other friends, or the home they had gone through so much pain and horror to find in the first place. Just the thought of such a hard-earned life being taken away from him so heartlessly …
Finally, Petrie could no longer hold it in, and he let out an ear-piercing scream and buried his face in his mother’s chest. The tears came pouring from his eyes in torrents and immediately drenched his cheeks to the point they felt cold. Mama Flyer instantly wrapped both wings around her heartbroken son to offer him warmth and comfort. Tears streamed from her eyes as it tore her up to see her son in such a terrible struggle, and she was sure that they would not be together for much longer.
“Petrie, are you okay up there?” a voice echoed from below, which could only have been from the Swimmer he loved so much.
Mama Flyer looked down and saw Littlefoot, Ducky, Spike, Chomper and Ruby all looking up at them with concern. She knew immediately that they had heard his heartbreaking scream.
“What is the matter, Petrie?” asked Ducky as a few tears leaked from her eyes, as she couldn’t stand it to see her boyfriend in so much pain.
“Ducky, … I think you’d better head home immediately,” sniffled Mama Flyer, “I’m afraid … it’s not good.”
Ducky gasped fearfully and immediately began sprinting her way back home, not even stopping to say goodbye to her friends. She only knew she just had to go home. Chances were that her parents must have had terrible news they had to share with her. She was afraid it may have had something to do with her and Petrie once she saw him crying and his mother tearfully hugging him …
Suddenly, … she began fearing the worst …
Ducky never slowed down until she saw her family’s nest, and she arrived just in time to witness a nightmare …
“What!?” her father screamed as he and her mother held each other with horror etched on both their faces. Her siblings were gathered around them, gasping as if they had just heard something horrible.
“Hyp blurted out loud that he saw Petrie and our little Ducky kissing, and Mr. Threehorn was right behind his back when he said that!” cried Mama Swimmer, “He had no idea he was there until … it was too late!”
“No!” gasped Papa Swimmer, “This can’t be-“
“AAAAAAAAAHHHH! NAAAAOOO!” Mama Swimmer suddenly screamed so loudly that the children ran back into the nest and cowered inside, while Ducky hid herself behind the rock Petrie would occasionally land on, and her heart stopped as she watched her mother collapse to the ground and start wailing like a child as if she had just lost someone so close to her, “NAAAOOO! OH, PLEASE NO!”
“Oh, my goodness!” Papa Swimmer yelled as he crouched down and pulled her mate back up before hugging her tightly, “Oh, my dear.”
“OH, BRIGHT CIRCLE! WHY!? PLEASE, NOT OUR LITTLE DUCKY! OH, NO! OH, NO! NO! NO, NO, NO, NO, no, no, no, no, no!”
Ducky couldn’t bear to watch her mother struggling like this, but she also couldn’t bear to leave her parents while they were in this unimaginable turmoil. The thought of losing her home and her family just because she was in love with Petrie felt too much for her to take. After they had traveled so far for so long just to find them, and even drowned a Sharptooth along the way, it was so unfair for it to even be possible that she and Petrie were about to lose all of that in just a matter of days, maybe even tomorrow, … or possibly today. Could this be the last she ever saw of her family? Could these be the last moments she ever spent in the Great Valley that was suddenly about to turn against her?
She looked up at the sky and briefly thought of Judy. She wondered what she would say if she had been around to see what had just unfolded. She knew her friend would have been happy with the idea that she had found such a sweet companion in Petrie, but now that this very compassion they had for each other was about to have them exiled for the rest of their days, she wished she could see Judy right now, … if just for a moment.
“Okay, dear. Just settle down, and we’ll go find Ducky and bring her home immediately,” Papa Swimmer soothed his mate, although she only continued to weep so hopelessly.
Once she overheard those words, Ducky knew she couldn’t stay hidden. She had to reveal herself to her parents, even if they were possibly going to lash out at her.
With a gulp of reluctance, the little Swimmer stepped out from behind the rock and slowly walked towards her parents. She felt the tears building in her eyes as the thought of losing almost everything she loved began to break her heart. She involuntarily let out one single sniffle, and that alone was enough to gain their attention.
They almost instantly turned to find their little daughter approaching them, tears welling in her eyes, her bill quivering as she tried to hard to keep it in.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Mama Swimmer pulled herself away from her mate and scooped up Ducky in her arms.
“Oh, Ducky!” she cried as she brought her daughter to her chest and hugged her so tightly that she almost couldn’t breathe, “Oh, my little baby!”
“It cannot be!” cried Ducky, “Please! NO! IT CANNOT BE!”
“I’m so sorry, my dear Ducky!” her mother wept as it became clear her daughter had overheard everything, “I’m afraid it’s happened! Mr. Threehorn has … found out!”
“Oh, no, no, NO, NO, NAAAOOOO!” Ducky yelled as she felt tears begin to spill from her eyes. This felt just as horrible as that terrible morning when she found Judy and her family’s dead bodies. She felt her heart rate speed up to the point that it felt like it could jump out of her chest. Her stomach lurched, and she felt something building up in her throat. The thought of her and Petrie facing permanent exile her feel so sick inside that she couldn’t hold it in. She held her neck with her hands in an attempt to keep it in, but it proved to be in vain.
Mama Swimmer noticed this once she heard her daughter hyperventilating, and she reacted quickly by setting her back on the ground. The little Swimmer ran as quickly as she could towards the trees bordering the nest, and she shut her eyes as she felt her neck filling up.
Her family looked away once they heard the gruesome sound belching and liquid splattering all over the ground. Her father groaned in disgust and buried his face with his hands in disbelief.
“Our poor little daughter!” wailed Mama Swimmer.
“This is exactly what I was afraid of!” her mate cried, “This is just what I feared would happen! Oh, what will become of us!?”
“Oh, what are we going to do!?” wept Mama Swimmer.
“I … I don’t know, dear,” softened Papa Swimmer as she held her mate closely.
“No way!” said one of the other children, “Is it … true!?”
“Our sister is going away!?” cried another.
“No! Please don’t let them take Ducky away!” wept a third.
A majority of Ducky’s siblings jumped out of the nest and gathered around their distraught parents. The babies in the nest, although having no idea what was going on, also began to cry once they saw that virtually everyone else present was in tears. The whole family was suddenly in such a terrible state of desperation and hopelessness. It all seemed so unfair that they were about to lose perhaps the most special member of the entire family, a cute little girl who was always so happy and cheerful, always willing to lend a helping hand, to think that any time now she’d be forced out of their lives forever.
“I can’t believe this is happening! What are we gonna do!? We can’t just let Mr. Threehorn throw Ducky and Petrie out!” cried one of the boys.
“Your father and I … feel just as terrible as you do, kids,” sobbed Mama Swimmer, “All that we can do is hope that the Longnecks can talk him out of it. Thankfully, the Longnecks are already on our side.”
“Our only hope is for other dinosaurs to agree with them, because if we can’t get the support that concerns our current situation, … then … we may lose our beloved Ducky,” sniffled Papa Swimmer.
They were momentarily interrupted by the sound of Ducky vomiting again. They could that tell this had hit her just as hard as Judy’s untimely death, and her and Petrie’s nightmares were beginning to come true. In just a matter of days, or even hours, they would be exiled from the Great Valley just for being in love with each other, and spend the rest of their days as outcasts in the Mysterious Beyond, always on the run from Sharpteeth that lurked at every corner, with no family and no home to go to. No child deserved to live a life like that, but fate seemed to be against them for their “forbidden” relationship.
Eventually, Ducky emerged from behind the tree. She had managed to stop her vomiting, but tears were pouring torrentially down her face. She could not imagine that she and Petrie would become outcasts just because of their love for each other. She could not have imagined herself or Petrie spending the rest of their days on the run as exiles because of what they were.
“I cannot believe we are going to be banished-ed! No, no, no!” Ducky cried.
“Come here, Ducky,” said Mama Swimmer gently, and she once again lifted her daughter and caressed her warmly, “I’ll take you over to the river, so you can have a nice, warm bath. Maybe that will cheer you up a little until we can figure out what we’re going to do. Would you like that, my little one?”
“Okay, Mama,” sniffled Ducky.
“That’s my sweet, little girl,” her mother sniffled as she turned towards the river that was just a few steps away.
The river glistened in the late morning light of the Bright Circle, but neither of them felt as if they were in their normal place. Now that the Great Valley was turning against them because of Ducky’s love for Petrie, this river felt as if it was from another place on Earth. It seemed that the Great Valley would never feel the same again.
“Okay, my little Ducky,” Mama Swimmer said kindly as she crouched into the river and soaked herself, “Jump in.”
Ducky was happy to oblige, and she jumped into the river with a splash. When she resurfaced, she sighed sadly and sat down on the shallow floor near the riverbank. She looked like she was in no mood for splashing fun with her mother, which was far from her usual self. All she really wanted was to bath herself calmly and peacefully.
“This is the worst-est day of my life. It is, it is,” the little Swimmer said solemnly, “M-maybe even worse than … J-Ju-Judy.”
“I’m so sorry, Ducky,” Mama Swimmer said again as she sat next to her daughter and affectionately rubbed her back continuously, “Hopefully, the Longnecks can fix this situation for us before it gets any worse.”
“What if they do not?” lamented Ducky doubtfully.
“I’ll do everything I can to make sure Mr. Threehorn does not take my precious daughter away from me,” vowed Mama Swimmer, “You are precious to me, Ducky. You are the future of my family, just as Petrie is the future of his, and I will never let you suffer the fate of living the life of an exile.”
Ducky looked up at her mother and grinned ever the slightest, although Mama Swimmer could tell that it wasn’t truly a grin. She looked as if she was ready to give up on her still-young life. There seemed to be no point in trying to move on when she was likely to spend the rest of her days as an exile with only Petrie to accompany her.
“Please don’t give up on me, sweetie,” said Mama Swimmer, “You are my precious child, and you belong to me … always.”
“T-thanks, Mama,” sniffled Ducky, feeling touched from her mother’s words, “I love you, Mama. I do, I do.”
“I love you, too, Ducky,” replied Mama Swimmer, and she kissed her daughter on her bill.
“Ducky?”
It wasn’t her mother’s voice whom had spoken her name, but instead it sounded … much older, … like an elderly dinosaur.
Ducky suddenly saw Littlefoot’s grandmother walking up to them with a look of concern.
“There you are, Ducky. Are you okay?” she asked.
“No, no, no,” answered Ducky, shaking her head.
“I heard about what happened with Mr. Threehorn,” informed Grandma Longneck, “I am very sorry that things had to take a bad turn.”
“I am so scared-ed, Grandma Longneck. I am, I am,” shivered Ducky, “I do not want to be banished-ed just because I love Petrie.”
“And you know I don’t want you or Petrie to be banished, either,” agreed Grandma Longneck, “Listen, Ducky. I have something important to tell you.”
“What is it, Mrs. Longneck?” asked Mama Swimmer.
“Tria, my mate and I were able to convince Mr. Threehorn to not banish you until tomorrow,” informed Grandma Longneck.
“Tomorrow!?” yelled Ducky in horror, “Does that mean that Petrie and I will leave the Great Valley tomorrow!?”
“No, Ducky. There is going to be a meeting tomorrow,” explained Grandma Longneck, “It wasn’t easy, but we managed to convince Mr. Threehorn to agree to a meeting, which will be held at the Rock Circle. This meeting will be attended by all the other dinosaurs in the Great Valley, and it will determine whether you will be allowed to stay in the valley … or get banished.”
“It seems to be the only thing that can save my daughter at this rate,” sighed Mama Swimmer, “We just have to hope that a majority of the Great Valley dinosaurs will side with us and not with Mr. Threehorn. Some of them are convinced that love between different kinds are considered a crime in the Great Valley.”
Ducky simply looked back down at her reflection in the river and let more tears slip down her cheeks. She was sure that very few dinosaurs in the Great Valley would side with them, and that would most definitely mean banishment.
“I’m sure this will turn out fine,” said Grandma Longneck, although, deep down, she had her doubts, too.
“I am not sure. No, no, no,” sighed Ducky.
“Anyways, I’d better go inform the other residents about the meeting,” said Grandma Longneck, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Ducky.”
“See you later,” said Ducky in a low voice.
With that, Grandma Longneck left Ducky alone with her mother, and the Swimmer refused to look away from her reflection in the river.
“Poor me,” she sniffled, “Poor Petrie. I cannot believe we have been found-ed out, … all because of that stupid Hyp.”
“Now, Ducky, Hyp didn’t mean to let it slip to Mr. Threehorn. He didn’t know he was right behind him,” said Mama Swimmer.
“I still hate him for what he did-ed to us,” pouted Ducky as her hatred towards Hyp only intensified, “First, he nearly makes me and Petrie drown in the sinking sand, and now he slips our secret and will probably get Petrie and I banished-ed.”
“I’m just as mad at Hyp as you are, Ducky,” consoled Mama Swimmer, “Right now, though, that’s the farthest thing from my mind. All that is on my mind right now is making sure you get to stay in this valley.”
Ducky had run out of words to say, and she simply sighed and lied down on her back. She instantly felt cold sensations covering her body, but she didn’t care.
“I promise, Ducky, … I will not let this happen to you,” said Mama Swimmer, “You and Petrie are perfect together, and we are going to prove it.”
“Petrie does not deserve this, either. No, no, no. I love him too much to bear him having to be on the run,” sniffled Ducky.
“We’ll do what we can do, dear,” assured Mama Swimmer, “Right now, though, why don’t we relax in the river, so you can refresh yourself?”
“Okay, Mama,” sighed Ducky.
Mama Swimmer stared uneasily at her daughter. She knew at heart that it was going to take more than just a miracle to allow her and Petrie to stay in the Great Valley.
Mama Flyer landed on the ledge of her family’s cave, with Petrie sobbing on her back, and she sat down and carefully lifted her son off her back and into her lap. Petrie promptly climbed up his mother’s chest and wrapped his wings around her neck. Mama Flyer responded by enveloping her son in her wings and kissing his beak warmly.
“This worst day of me life,” sobbed Petrie, “Me and Ducky no belong in Great Valley anymore.”
“Petrie, … you do belong in the Great Valley. You belong to me, and you always will belong to me,” assured Mama Flyer, “I will not let Mr. Threehorn go anywhere near you until this matter has been settled. We’ll do what we can do to stop him from exiling you and Ducky.”
Petrie didn’t feel much better after hearing that. In fact, he felt more doubtful than ever. He decided that he didn’t want to pour his misery all over his mother, and he turned and began to flap his wings, but Mama Flyer instantly stopped him and tightened his hug so that he couldn’t escape.
“Please, Petrie. Don’t run away from home,” Mama Flyer sniffled, “I care too much about you to let you take off and never come back. I love you, Petrie.”
This managed to get Petrie’s face to explode in tears again, and he once again buried his face against his mother’s neck.
“Me love you, too, Mama!” he wept.
“Aww, there, there, Petrie,” Mama Flyer tearfully consoled her son as she squeezed him in a hug, “Don’t cry, my little baby. I’m right here … just for you. Your Mommy will never let you go. I promise, Petrie, … I will not let you or Ducky become outcasts. You will always belong in the Great Valley, and you will always have me, and most importantly, you and Ducky will always have each other.”
Hearing Ducky’s name made Petrie think about how she would be able to take it if banishment was inevitable. He couldn’t imagine her having to run from Sharpteeth every couple of minutes for the rest of her life, even if he accompanied her. Children becoming outcasts felt like the saddest thing in the world, and for him and Ducky in danger of becoming among those whom had been condemned to a lifetime of suffering and homelessness felt like a complete nightmare that was only a few days, or hours, away.
“Petrie? Are you in there?” came another voice, and elder one by the sound of it.
Mama Flyer gently tapped Petrie’s head crest, and the little Flyer unhid his drenched face and spotted Grandpa Longneck standing right in front of their ledge.
“Oh, Mr. Longneck, it’s such a relief to see you,” sighed Mama Flyer.
“I’m sorry to hear about what happened today, Ms. Flyer,” consoled Grandpa Longneck, “I’m sure you and your poor son must be devastated.”
“I’m trying to hang in there, but my poor Petrie is feeling so distraught that he wants to run away,” explained Mama Flyer.
“Now there, Petrie, … there’s no need to run away from your troubles, even if the odds are against you,” said Grandpa Longneck.
“But what if Mr. Threehorn banish me and Ducky?” lamented Petrie, “Me no want to deal with it. Me just want to leave and take Ducky with me.”
“I understand, Petrie, but today is not the day to do it, nor will there ever be a day when that time comes, … hopefully,” said Grandpa Longneck.
“How did it go with Mr. Threehorn?” asked Mama Flyer.
“We weren’t quite able to convince him to allow Ducky and Petrie to stay in the valley,” sighed Grandpa Longneck.
“Me knew it!” cried Petrie, “Me leaving! Goodbye, Mama! Goodbye, Great Valley!”
Just as Petrie began flapping his wings in yet another attempt to run away, Mama Flyer once again pulled him back and tightened his hug to stop him.
“Mama, please! Let Petrie go!” Petrie begged, swinging his feet back and forth while trying to squirm his way out of his mother’s hug, but to no avail.
“Petrie, … Tria, my mate and I were able to get Mr. Threehorn to agree to hold a meeting,” said Grandpa Longneck clearly so that Petrie could get the message.
That did the trick, and Petrie froze and stared awkwardly at the Longneck.
“Meeting?” he sniffled.
“There will be a meeting at the Rock Circle tomorrow. All the other dinosaurs of the Great Valley will attend. This hearing will determine whether you get to stay in the Great Valley … or be exiled, which doing to children leaves a bad taste in my mouth,” explained Grandpa Longneck.
“Oh, that make me feel whole lot better!” said Petrie sarcastically.
“I’m sure this meeting just might resolve our situation, Petrie,” said Mama Flyer, “All we need is for a majority of the Great Valley’s dinosaurs to agree to let you and Ducky stay. That should be enough for Mr. Threehorn to reconsider his actions.”
Petrie sighed in doubt, but he had run out of words to say, so he didn’t reply further.
“My mate and I are doing everything in our power to ensure that the Great Valley remains your home, Petrie, and Ducky’s, too,” said Grandpa Longneck with a wink, “I wouldn’t want Littlefoot to lose two of his most loyal friends who came with him to the Great Valley when we were sure that we had lost you forever.”
“That’s right,” agreed Mama Flyer, “I lost you once after that Earth Shake, and I nearly lost you many more times after that when you and your friends went on your many adventures. I refuse to let it happen to you again. You are too precious for me to allow you to lose your home in this valley. I want you to be able to stay, and Ducky’s family wants her to stay just as badly. You are not bad children just because you are in love with each other. You and Ducky are perfect for each other, and we will prove Mr. Threehorn wrong.”
Petrie looked up at his mother and saw that she was tearfully grinning at him. The child couldn’t help but return the grin, and he kissed her with a quivering beak.
“Thank you, Mama,” he sobbed.
“Anything for you, my precious son,” replied Mama Flyer.
“Now then, I’d better go inform the other dinosaurs about the meeting, and I’ll see you tomorrow at the Rock Circle. Don’t be late,” informed Grandpa Longneck, and he turned around to leave.
“Thank you, Grandpa Longneck,” sniffled Petrie.
“You’re welcome, Petrie. See you soon,” replied Grandpa Longneck.
Once the elder was gone, the two Flyers stared at each other with tears still streaming from their eyes. They were still worried about the possibility of losing each other just because the child was in love with a child from another kind. They desperately hoped that whatever the Longnecks had in mind would prevent Topps from turning Ducky and Petrie into exiles.
Suddenly, Petrie thought about Ducky again, and it saddened him to think of how she would react and how she would be able to take it if they became outcasts.
“Poor me, … and … poor Ducky,” he sniffled to himself, “Me no sure Ducky could take this. Me love her so much that me no want to see her so sad or get eaten by Sharptooth in Mysterious Beyond.”
“I’m sure Ducky is just as sad as you are,” consoled Mama Flyer, “Right now, though, all we can do is just wait for tomorrow’s meeting and hope that it goes well.”
“Me hope,” sighed Petrie.
Mama Flyer sighed and turned back for just a moment, and she noticed her four other children watching the sad scene with mixed expressions. Pearlwing appeared to be absolutely worried for Petrie, by the looks of it. Donnie, whom Petrie considered to be the worst of all, looked as if he wouldn’t care what happened to him. The two other children didn’t know what to make of all this, but it was very clear to their mother that they had overheard the entire thing.
Mama Flyer looked out to admire the Great Valley’s beauty, unable to imagine what it would be like if Ducky and Petrie were no longer allowed here. Suddenly, she noticed Mama Swimmer standing right in front of the ledge. The Flyer gasped from shock and nearly jumped, but she was careful not to let Petrie fall out of her wings.
“Oh! Mrs. Swimmer, you just about startled me,” she panted, getting Petrie’s attention and allowing him to notice their Swimmer visitor.
“Sorry about that, Ms. Flyer,” Mama Swimmer apologized, “I wasn’t planning on coming here on such short notice, but Ducky insisted that she come here just so she could be with Petrie for a while. She refuses to leave him all alone and sad.”
Sure enough, Mama Swimmer carefully placed Ducky on the rocky pathway that led to the ledge, and the little Swimmer instantly ran up the path as quickly as her legs would allow her to.
“Aw, that is very nice of her,” chuckled Mama Flyer, “I think that Ducky is the one dinosaur Petrie needs to be with right now. He wants to run away, but with Ducky around, I think they should be okay together until the meeting tomorrow.”
“I think so, too,” agreed Mama Swimmer.
Petrie squirmed out of his mother’s hug and waited anxiously for his girlfriend to appear from around the corner of the pathway. Sure enough, Ducky skidded around the last bend and ran up to the ledge. She panted wearily as she stopped in front of her boyfriend.
“Oh, Ducky!” sobbed Petrie, “You here!”
“I am here, Petrie. Yep, yep, yep,” replied Ducky, “I am here just for you.”
“Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!” cried Petrie, and the two lovers hugged each other as tightly as they could and shared their tears of love and worry.
Their mothers sniffled and grinned as the two children pampered each other and smooched each other’s faces. They looked so inseparable that it seemed that they would not let go of each other anytime soon.
“Me love you so much, Ducky, … me Sweet Swimmer,” wept Petrie.
“I love you so much, too, Petrie, … my Funny Flyer,” sobbed Ducky.
“Me no can believe this happening to us,” said Petrie, “All because of no-good Hyp.”
“I am sure Hyp did not mean to let our secret slip away, … but I still have not forgiven him for the sinking sand incident yesterday,” said Ducky.
“Me neither,” stammered Petrie, “Me never forgive him now, and now we may become exiles.”
“Maybe the meeting will keep us in the Great Valley,” said Ducky hopefully.
“What if it do no good?” quivered Petrie.
“Then we will face what is coming to us … together,” answered Ducky.
“Together?” sniffled Petrie.
“Together … always,” assured Ducky.
“Me no want to lose you, Ducky,” said Petrie.
“I do not want to lose you, either, Petrie. No, no, no,” said Ducky, “Listen. Even if we do become outcasts, I will never leave your side, my Funny Flyer. I will always protect you as if I was your big sister, and we will find a new life together elsewhere that we will be accepted-ed. You will always be my love, Petrie, and I will pamper you every day until the day we die.”
Petrie felt happy tears stream down his cheeks as he heard his girlfriend’s comforting words. He knew right then that Ducky would do whatever it took to ensure that they would never be torn apart regardless of what happened to them.
“Thank you, Ducky! Thank you,” the Flyer cried hysterically.
“You are welcome, Petrie,” Ducky responded, and she promptly kissed her boyfriend’s beak.
“Me no will leave your side, either, … me Sweet Swimmer,” Petrie began once he had composed himself, “Me will protect you from anything that stand in our way, even when you try to do same for me. Me may feel like little brother to you, … but, at heart, you love of me life, and me will always remember times we spent here in Great Valley if we have to travel somewhere else and start new life together. Me will warm you with me wings every day until we die, Ducky.”
“Aw, Petrie!” cried Ducky, “You are so sweet! You are, you are!”
“Me love you, Ducky!”
“I love you, too, Petrie!”
The two loving children continued their tight hug, while their mothers watched tearfully. They felt proud of their children for refusing to let go of each other through anything that stood in their path, whether they were allowed to stay in the valley or forced to go live someplace else where love between different kinds would not be an issue. Regardless of what might happen in tomorrow’s meeting, these were two kids who would not let anything rip them apart. They would be brave until the end.
Well, everything seems to have fallen to pieces now. Ducky and Petrie's secret has been spilled to everyone, and they may not have much longer in the Great Valley. Their lives may forever descend into despair, unless some miracle can keep them in the home they so do not deserve to lose for their love.
I am afraid to say that things will only continue to take a descent from here, and from here on out they will continue to branch out from the old version of this story for a completely different climax than what I came up with two years ago. There will be no more of those touchy love scenes like we've seen before. Things will only continue to build up until we eventually reach our big climax.
I'll see you soon with chapter 17.
