I didn't know where to put this and Rhombus recommended this part of the forum, so...

Since this forum is focused on a film and TV series with dinosaurs and other extinct animals as the stars, I thought the PBS Eons youtube channel might be relevant for your interests: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzR-rom72PHN9Zg7RML9EbA

This is a educational youtube series supported by PBS that covers various extinct living things throughout history, the context of the environment of time that led certain life to flourish or die off, and and covers some aspects of hominid and human evolution. I have been watching the channel for a few years now and I love it. There is more than a bit of dinosaur content but I do recommend the rest, as the life and topics covered are fascinating and informative. I could imagine some wanting to make anthros of the armored fish. Warning, though, there are a lot of videos to catch up on if this really grabs you.

Here's a minute and a half video that introduces the channel that will hopefully give you a taste of it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__LyE_vX3sY

Great drawing. All the tiny longnecks peeking out while Shorty pauses mid-bite gave me the amusing thought they’re little imps about to make their prey one of their own.

I don’t remember my first impressions of Shorty but I’m fond of him now. He is a character very much effected by his experience. Some of his hostile behavior can be seen as self-sabotage, as he got rejected by parental projects and doesn’t seem close to his former charges, so why bother trying. He doesn’t seem to have spelled out to Bron he wants the latter to be his adopted father. I surmise he doesn’t want to be rejected again and thinks their fond but somewhat distant association is the best it’s going to get but then whoops Littlefoot comes into the scene. Fortunately, Littlefoot’s kind enough invite him into the family (Bron and his bond with him is a bit cricketty, with the showing versus telling clash of Bron’s character but this isn’t a Bron thread.). Shorty would be grateful but I suspect that feeling of inadequacy would continue with Littlefoot’s reputation something Bron would be proud of. Still, with the right upbringing I’m sure he can grow to be more confidant and secure.

At his best, I think he would still have that edge but be a spunky, mischievous brother Littlefoot could play and roughhouse around with. Teasing would be part of his repertoire. I once looked up Shorty’s kind and they grow bigger than Littlefoot’s, so I have the amusing headcanon he would teasingly request to be called “big brother” to mess with Littlefoot, whatever ages the two are. I can see him being friends with Cera with their similar demeanor but I think he could be good friends with Spike. They are both adopted brothers (and green ), so I can see them relating and Spike even helping him with his issues. Spike’s laidback disconcern with social norms can help Shorty relax about how he’s perceived and if he measures up. Plus, he and Spike can be mischievous. The pranks they and Cera can get up to…oh god.

For fanfiction with Shorty, I do have a few ideas with him in ensembles and featuring him. One involves the gang’s parents being de-aged back to kids for a week and Shorty having fun with that with Bron. I might put him through the wringer in some stories because for certain characters, I show love with torment, but one thing I will never do is give Shorty a sad death. I’m not much about killing characters in general but he is an instant “Nope!” for me. Even one idea I have where Littlefoot passes on in old age and meets him in the afterlife is more for the warm fuzzles. All in all, I want him to go on to have a happy life.

In the sadly unlikely event LBT continues I hope he returns. I’m not happy he wasn’t present in 14, but I would keep Etta and Wild Arms (And I have a headcanon to get around the inconsistency of his absence). Those two would be more members of Bron’s herd Shorty could bounce off of in amusing and interesting ways (and more how he gets along with Littlefoot and the gang).

FF.net Link: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12535668/20/We-Will-Hold-On-Forever

--


Cera prowled through the grass around Tria with a menacing smirk.

“I’m going to get you, Tricia,” she said.

Tricia squealed and ducked behind Tria’s tail, peaking over with anticipation. Cera stalked closer. She jumped around the tail. Tricia yelped and ran, Cera not far behind her. They passed in front of their parents, Cera hearing Tria failing to stifle her giggles. Tricia disappeared from sight around their father but her laughter made it easy to follow.

“You can’t run forever, Tricia.” Cera growled. “Soon, you will be in my belly!”

Tricia cried out, sounding more than delighted at the thought of being eaten. This sincere joy made Cera’s heart rise. The first thing that happened when Cera woke up was Tricia bouncing close to her, begging her older sister to play with her. Normally, being awakened made Cera grumbly but seeing Tricia so happy made it not last long. After they had their morning meal, Cera played sharptooth with Tricia, not even minding playing the bad guy again. They circled around their parents, Cera finding it a bit repetitive but loving it. On one run, she glimpsed her father’s distracted, miserable look. Cera’s stomach squelched but she put down those thoughts about yesterday before they even started and ran even faster after Tricia. 

After a few laps around their parents, Cera built up speed and tackled Tricia, the two rolling before Cera ended up on her back with Tricia pinned to her big sister’s stomach. Tricia gasped. Cera smirked.

“I’m sorry, did I say in my belly? I meant on my belly!”

With that, Cera squished Tricia against her tummy. Tricia laughed as she flailed out, her ticklish wiggles caused giggles to escape from Cera. Tricia weaponized this, and with a mischievous smile, wiggled more to get Cera to laugh. They wrestled for a bit before they tired out and rested, Tricia still held in Cera’s forelegs. Tricia snuggled against Cera’s stomach.

“Cera…” Tricia said.

Cera smiled. Really, it was good to have a sister. Her only other remaining sister had long since grown and was busy looking after her twin children but Cera got to experience sisterhood again with Tricia. The toddler had an open, unjudging zest for life that made Cera able to cut loose. She didn’t have to put on any airs around Tricia. It was relaxing and Cera wouldn’t have it anyway other way. She pressed a foreleg around Tricia.

“Sister.” Tricia murmured.

“Yes?” Cera asked, smiling at being addressed that way but Tricia was looking around.

“Sister?” Tricia asked.

“What is it?” Cera said, confused. Was Tricia talking about her or not?

Tricia gazed about more, also confused, appearing to be struggling with how to say something.

“Sis – sis – sister.” Tricia frowned and blinked before hitting upon something. “Sisters! Ah! Sisters?”

She looked up at Cera questioningly, who was flummoxed.

“What about sisters?”

Tricia threw her eyes to their surroundings once more before looking at Cera. “Sisters?”

Cera stared, uncomprehending. Then a jolt went through her. She suddenly knew what sisters she was referring to. Cera had trouble meeting Tricia’ eye.

“Our sisters from a few days back, they are…” Cera gulped. “They won’t be back.”

Tricia tilted her head, too young to understand. Cera squirmed.

“That was a onetime thing,” she continued. “You can’t…none of us will-” The clench in her stomach became painful. “Look, can we not talk about this?”
   
Tricia shook her head. Tricia pawed at her but Cera rolled over, depositing Tricia on the grass and facing away from her. She felt Tricia paw at her pack.

“Sisters! Sisters!”

“They aren’t around.” Cera said. “Stop! Leave me alone!”

Cera pressed her forepaws into her ears. Tricia patted to Cera’s front, pawing at her frill. Cera glimpsed Tricia staring at her, stricken, saying “sisters, sisters” again and again. Cera tried to block out the sound, hating that she was treating Tricia like this, but the reminder of her lost sisters was too painful for her. The altercation got their parents’ attention.

“What’s going on?” Mr. Threehorn asked.

“She wants to know where the…other sisters went.” Cera closed her eyes. “I – I can’t deal with it. Get her off my case.”

Mr. Threehorn stiffened. After a moment, he forced himself to his feet and nosed at his youngest daughter.
   
“Come over, Tricia,” he said.

Reluctantly, Tricia patted away, sitting with her parents.

“You see, your other sisters have – been gone for a long time.” Mr. Threehorn said. “They – they are not here anymore and-”

Mr. Threehorn fell silent. After a moment, Tria took over, voice gentle as she spoke to an unsure Tricia but she sent a mixed look to Mr. Threehorn as she did so. Mr. Threehorn tried to listen but he looked away, eyes on the grass. Cera was barely aware of this, her back to her family, forepaws to her ears and full of shame.

*Some threehorn I am.*

Cera gritted her teeth. Why couldn’t she face these past anguishes? She was a threehorn, she should be able to face anything. Yet the minute a tough topic like this came up, she turned and muffled her ears like a scared baby. What example was she being to Tricia? On the other hand, she couldn’t help being annoyed. Why did her younger sister have to bring up the past in the first place? It was over and done, so why couldn’t she let it rest. Cera knew she was being unfair but she couldn’t help it. Why was everyone so focused on looking back? Even she got to it as well, when she felt guilty about her past actions. She felt her chest cool. She had to be tougher than this. She had to double down on being able to take anything. She couldn’t let this weakness get to her.

Her thoughts were cut off by another voice joining the muffled murmurs. Reluctantly freeing her ears, Cera looked around and saw Lizzie had appeared out of a hole, calling over to get Mr. Threehorn and Tria’s attention. Cera brightened. It had been awhile since she hung out with Lizzie. She would pop over and play with them, though it wasn’t as often as Cera liked. Cera went over, planning to hail Lizzie, when she saw the worried look on the tiny longnecks’ face.

“What’s going on?” Cera said.

Lizzie started, forcing a smile. “Hey Cera. How have been you been? It’s nothing much, just talking with your folks and…” She looked down. “Well, I’m here to tell them that the old flyer Don went after Ruby, Chomper, and Petrie.”

Cera stared. She felt as though the air had been punched out of her. “No. You’re kidding me.”

“They are fine but poor Chomper got kicked.” Lizzie replied. “Petrie’s mother and some other dinosaurs scared Don off. It – seems they aren’t only going for Littlefoot.”

“Petrie’s mother sent her here to tell us we should go meet with Littlefoot and his grandparents.” Tria explained. “Her plan is to have all your friends and their parents get together so you can be protested.”

“So we’re going to be gathered up and protected like shiny stones,” Cera said, grimacing. “Great.”

“We are not going to go along with this, Cera.” Mr. Threehorn said, lips pressed together. “Tria and I can protect you ourselves. We can take anything these Anchors give us.”

“What are you talking about, Topsy?” Tria demanded. “Do you remember how hard we had to fight Verter before he died? With them revived and given power by this Wing Father, it’ll be even harder if we face one of these Anchors, never mind four.”

“Four?” he repeated. He blanked for a second before he shook his head. “You – you’re right. Better to be safe than sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

Cera and the others stared at him. This was the second time her father lapsed back to his old attitude in the last few days. What was going on? Tria shook her head.

“I’ll go and drop Tricia off to your eldest daughter before rejoining.” Tria said. “Come Tricia, it’s time for you to see Dinah and Dana again. Your big big sister will have to look after you while your mommy and daddy take care of this important job.”

“Now Tria, you don’t have to do that.” Mr. Threehorn said. “Stay with Tricia and the others. Don’t get involved with this dangerous business.”

“With these Anchors, we’ll need all the help we can get.” Tria replied. “I’ll see you two later.”

Tricia was even more confused as Tria got her to walk onward but didn’t appear put off about visiting the rambunctious twins again. Cera’s heart lurched a built as Tricia left.

“Well, see you all later.” Lizzie said. “Remember, Cera and her friends can always take shelter in our tunnels if they need to.”

Mr. Threehorn nodded. “Give Big Daddy my regards.”

With that, he turned and walked off, Cera following. She barely glimpsed Lizzie watching their retreating forms before she popped back underground.

“Well…at least I can see my friends again.” Cera muttered.

“This isn’t a fun excursion, Cera.” Mr. Threehorn said. “You’ll have to stay close to make sure no one can take you. There won’t be a lot you can do so you won’t risk yourself, okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it.”

Mr. Threehorn noted Cera lower her head, the slight encouragement that had been rising in her snuffed out at his words. He felt like kicking himself.

*When am I going to stop screwing up as a father?*

He tried to shake himself from these doubts. He had been doing a terrible job keeping his personal problems to himself ever since his dead family came back. He should be strong but these tragedies and struggles were grounding him down so much he couldn’t even comfort Tricia. Why was he becoming so inept? Was Verter right and the Great Valley was making him weak? He had to do better than that. He to work harder to push down his struggles, so his family could live a happier life.

Relief flooded Mr. Threehorn when the pair finally reached Littlefoot and his grandparents’ nest. The rest of the children were present, huddled around Littlefoot a few feet from the grandparents and Mama Swimmer, eyes to the ground and miserable. Cera picked up her pace to settle into the grass beside them, seeing her friends’ expressions and souring. Mama Swimmer surveying their surroundings nervously with Grandpa and Grandma Longneck. Mr. Threehorn was just wondering where Mama Flyer was when the flyer in question flapped in and landed with a sigh.

“My kids have been moved to my former mate’s nest,” she said. “He isn’t happy about this, but he will make sure to look after them.”

“We make do with what we can.” Grandma Longneck said. “I assume Tria is dropping Tricia off to your eldest daughter, Mr. Threehorn?”

Mr. Threehorn nodded. “She’ll turn back up when she’s done with that.”

“Good.” Grandpa Longneck closed his eyes. “Then once she returns, we can start our watch.”

Mr. Threehorn was momentarily nonplussed. Though he had seen Grandpa and Grandma longneck at the end of their rope before, the shame in their expressions was completely new. If even they were feeling the strain, what did that bode for everyone else?

To distract himself, he examined their surroundings. They were sitting in a wide clearing on a hill. On either side of them were a forest while to the back and front of them was open grassland, giving them a good look of the valley. That was good, Mr. Threehorn thought. This would give them a good handle of their surroundings. The number of trees to the left was small enough that terming it as a forest was stretching it, but these were so tightly wound together no one larger than Don could hide in them. The deeper forest on the right went downhill and someone would have to run fast to get up and catch up to them. Even with whatever powers they had, it would still take more work for those Anchors to move quickly uphill. Mr. Threehorn nodded to himself. This area was as safe as could be. He settled by the other parents, finding himself keeping his eyes to the sky. Meanwhile, Cera, looked Littlefoot up and down.

“What’s got you so down in the tar pit?” she asked.

“A lot.” Littlefoot averted his gaze. “Sorry for getting you guys involved in this.”

“Hey, you do not need to say sorry about what you shouldn’t be sorry for.” Ruby said.

“This just mean Wing Father’s fault.” Petrie said.

“We do not blame you.” Ducky said. “Really, really.”

Spike nudged Littlefoot’s shoulder with his snout. The others nodded. Littlefoot squirmed. He didn’t feel he earned their goodwill. He had been eating silently with his grandparents when Mama Flyer came with Ruby, Chomper, Petrie, and the big intimidating whiptail longneck and explained what happened. The Anchors were going after his friends to get to him. Even though he knew it didn’t make sense, he couldn’t help but feel guilt, that his adventuring ways with his friends were responsible for their current predicament.

Eventually, Tria came into view, warm smile a bit tired.

“Tricia is in good hands,” she told them. “At least Dinah and Dana will distract her with their mischief.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Grandpa Longneck smiled. “Now we must start the watch, and plan how to counter the Anchors.”

“Can we counter them?” Mama Swimmer asked. “It doesn’t sound like those people have a weakness.”

“Everyone has a weakness.” Grandma Longneck replied, a bit sharply. She took a breath to calm herself. “Even the most powerful. We just need to find what it is.”

“How?” Mr. Threehorn said. “It’s not like it’s going to be somewhere obvious.”

“We investigate.” Grandma Longneck said. “Know the enemy. If we know who they are, we can beat them. We’ll talk to people who knew them or saw them. We already have Mr. Thicknose on it. Granted, his demeanor has become strangely dryer recently and that could affect his ability to talk with people, but he’s doing what he can.”

“So you are suggesting we also have someone else ask around?” Tria asked.

“Exactly.” Grandpa Longneck said. “We need to learn more about the Anchors, if and when their behaviors changed, if they expressed any fears they haven’t before. We’ll need someone to talk with those who have had contact with Patty and Verter and see what they can say.”

“A bit late for that.” Mr. Threehorn snorted. “Their herd ran off as soon as they finished filling their stomachs this morning, remember? I’m relieved only a few valley dinosaurs took the coward’s way out and joined them in getting out of here.”

“I admit, we kind of overlooked that. We could send Petrie’s mother to talk with them. Even if they walked at top speed, they couldn’t have gotten too far from the valley.”

“You want to send her to Mysterious Beyond?” Petrie asked. “But it dangerous. What if there more Anchors there, ones that can fly?”

“Don’t worry, I can handle it.” Mama Flyer said. “I was about to make the suggestion anyway. I’ll make sure to have some backup with me, Petrie. I’ll be fine.”

“O-okay.” Petrie said. “Be safe.”

Mama Flyer smiled and looked at the other grownups. “I’ll be onto it now. See you after the bright circle passes the middle point in the sky.”
   
She took off, disappearing over some trees, Petrie watching with mixed emotions. Cera kicked a pebble.

“So we are going to be guarded like shiny stones,” she muttered. “Great.”

“I know, dear.” Tria said. “But at least you get to be with friends.”

“Tria has a point.” Grandpa Longneck smiled. “Just because you’re being watched doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourselves, within reason.”

“Should we be having fun now?” Ducky asked. “It is harder to have fun with scary things around, it is, it is.”

Spike nodded, mumbling in uncertainty. Oddly, he wasn’t making eye contact with Ducky.
 
“But it’s not impossible.” Mama Swimmer said. “Why, I have seen you children have fun during very harsh times. It’s when times are tough that it’s important to enjoy life. I don’t know about Ruby and Chomper’s situation before coming here but I guess their parents gave them similar advice.”

“So it really is okay to play now?” Littlefoot said.

“You’re not tarred to your spots.” Mr. Threehorn shifted, gaze to the side. “Just stick close and don’t wander far, so we can keep you safe.”

“Play. Don’t hold yourselves back.” Grandma Longneck said. “We want you to be careful, but we also want you to have a childhood. Don’t waste it.”
   
Something in that tone moved the children. Littlefoot thought back to the previous hard times in his life, especially his journey with his friends to the Great Valley. They had managed to have some fun then. Even if he was depressed a bit, wouldn’t it be better if he had fun now, especially with his friends with him? His grandparents pleading expressions made him square his shoulders.

“Well, what are we waiting for?” he asked. “It would be a waste to – ow!”

For Cera went over and gently bonked Littlefoot on the shoulder. The others stared until she skittered forward and back in a chasing fashion.

“Well, aren’t you going to run?” she asked. “Tag’s no fun when they don’t run.”

“What?” Littlefoot shook his head. “We have already done tags a lot of times, why don’t we – hey!”

For Chomper had bumped at his shoulder with his fist, smiling.

“Then let’s have two people do the tagging,” he said.

“I was just about to say that.” Cera’s caught Chomper’s eye, who exchanged smirks. “It would be a lot of fun to get away from more than one tagger at the same time. Everyone better start running.”

“But you tagged Littlefoot.” Ducky said. “I thought he would be it.”

“That was an example. We two are still the taggers and everyone are the tagged.” Cera bowed her head. “So – run!”

The others were still for a moment, unsure. Then Cera placed a foot forward and they scattered with giggles. Cera and Chomper looked around before deciding to chase Ducky, the three running toward the small collection of tightly packed trees, the taggers playfully bumping their shoulders together to dislodge their competitor.

“You can’t escape, swimmer!” Cera growled.

“No,” Chomper said, putting on his own growly voice, “You can’t escape me!”

Ducky giggled. “It is so hard being popular, it is, it is.”

They were gaining on her, only a foot but as she almost got too close to the packed trees, she was saved when Spike walked passed and scooped Ducky up with his head, quickly moving out of the taggers’ reach.

“Hey, riding on Spike is cheating!” Cera said.

Ducky giggled, both she and Spike hesitating when they made eye contact but smiling as she patted him in appreciation. “You did not say no one could ride on other people, no, no, n-”

She yelped when Chomper got up an extra burst of speed and tagged them both. There was a groan of disappointment as Ducky slid off. But then she and Spike looked at each other with mischievous faces and ran for Cera and Chomper, who yelped and ran parallel to the packed trees attempting to balance on the slope of the hill, panting.

“You just had to tag both of them.” Cera said.

“I didn’t think this through, okay.” Chomper said.

“Hey, remember what I said about not going far?” Mr. Threehorn called out. “Get back here!”

“Oh, sorry, sorry!” Ducky said.

Jumping, the four slowly turned direction and ran back to the parents. Soon Ruby ran in and Ducky looked at her and cried for Spike to move forward. Despite being the fastest of runners, Ruby was going slower so she wouldn’t speed past the safety of the parents. She laughed as they came closer.

“This is so weird,” she panted. “Real danger is so scary but when we play it, it is fun.”

“That’s because it’s pretend, duh!” Cera said, running alongside her. “Pretend danger is always more fun than real danger!”

The gang ran around, moving in circles in front of the parents and even running between them, the role of tagger switching back and forth. Ruby got struck and her fast movement made her a quick threat the gang had to really run from. Despite flying, Petrie got tagged when Ruby reared onto her toes and tapped him. Petrie appeared put him out until he realized his position as flyer and flew after his friends with all the playful menace he could muster. Eventually, the game devolved, with more than two people becoming taggers at once and they were all running in circles and almost into each other. Littlefoot took a moment to rest on the edge of the chaos and smile fondly at the scene. They were being silly and having a ball. After all the struggles he had been through, he felt this was worth it. He was so happy about the current moment, he didn’t realize everyone turned to him with ominous grins until they started slinking toward him.

“Uh-oh,” he said.

They pounced. Littlefoot turned to run but he only took a few steps when they piled onto him. Littlefoot laughed.

“Hey, that’s not fair,” he said. “Are we even playing tag anymore?”

“You always get away too easily,” Cera teased. “Now we’re making up for it.”

With that, they pressed their hands and forefeet on him with a unifying cry of “tag!” Frowning, he shoved back with his own body, saying “tag!” They pushed back and forth on who should be it, quickly devolving into silly mayhem./The others started tagging Littlefoot in a ticklish way, and Littlefoot did so return, making quick use of his forefeet and even hind feet. Littlefoot was having fun, his giggles mixing in with the others. Littlefoot gradually noticed he couldn’t find any pink that indicated Ruby’s presence. It confused him but he didn’t think much about it until Cera pushed him down and his sideways gaze was of Ruby whispering to his grandparents.

Littlefoot stared. Ruby’s back was to Littlefoot and his friends. She gesticulated as she spoke, his grandparents’ features twisting with horror. The other parents were too busy watching the gang’s antics or the surroundings to notice. Before he could understand what happened, Spike pulled him up with his forelegs with a mischievous chuckle and they collapsed into a wrestling pile. Though Littlefoot’s laughed as he fought against them, the image of Ruby and his grandparents’ brief exchange was burned in his mind.

*What was that about?*

She and Mama Flyer had explained what happened in the altercation with Don. It had horrified Littlefoot and his grandparents but what could be so important that Ruby didn’t talk to his grandparents until everyone was distracted? Maybe she was discussing the full details of the encounter, like if Don did something even more violent or maybe how Anchor bodies worked after dying? That sounded like it, but his grandparents’ reactions didn’t quite match that information…

Ruby appeared to finish and sprinted to the others.

“I hope there is enough space for me to give less space to Littlefoot,” she called.

Cera raised her head and grinned. “Don’t worry. There is plenty to go around.”

Littlefoot hesitated. Still, he chuckled as Ruby joined the pile and the silly tag game. He decided not to question Ruby. Everyone needed time to cope with bad stuff and it would be courteous not to bring it up with her. Those details weren’t his place anyway, especially if it was about Anchors’ bodies might work. That could be gross. Leave it to the grownups. He felt guilty his grandparents had to deal with such intense challenges but he was too tired to be demanding about it now. With that, he aimed to tag Ruby with some extra ticklish pats and have his worries melt away in the roughhousing that followed.

--

Littlefoot lay with his friends, all of them pressed together. The night circle hung in the dark sky. Littlefoot heard the snores of his friends, tired but content. They played a lot today. Once the gang got over their silly version of tag, they played toss the seed, kicked around a rock that caused each of them to yelp every time they hit it, and hide and seek, taking advantage of the limited space set forth by Mr. Threehorn to hide among their parents. It caused much amusement while Mr. Threehorn almost scolded them for distracting him from watching the surrounding. They continued playing throughout the day, only stopping to eat and rest, their moods rising more and more.

All the while, the parents murmured among themselves, trying to puzzle out the mystery of Wing Father and his Anchors. When evening neared, Petrie was relieved when Mama Flyer returned. The gang had slowed their play to eavesdrop but the grownups spoke too quietly for them to hear. The parents looked uneasy but the gang made sure not to think too much about it. Mama Swimmer eventually left to search for information and give Mama Flyer a chance to rest. When bedtime was announced, the gang gathered together, their exhaustion making it easy for them to wink out one by one. Currently, Littlefoot could hear the grownups whispering about who would take the first night watches. He let his mind wander, thinking about this was how life should be. He looked forward to the fun they could get up to tomorrow and hoped they would continue to get up to it in the many cold times to come…

Littlefoot didn’t know when he fell asleep but the next thing he was aware of, he had started and found himself awake. His friends were still snoring around him. He felt a cool tightness around his heart. He shook his head and shifted to get in a better position, avoiding the upsetting thoughts that accompanied that cool feeling. He lay there, hearing keen only to become aware of the shifting of an enormous body.

“I’m worried about Littlefoot.”

Littlefoot’s stomach squelched. That was his grandma speaking. Littlefoot opened an eye slightly and glimpsed Grandpa Longneck turning to her.

“That’s only natural. The dangers Patty and the others present can only make you worry.”

 “You know that’s not what I’m talking about.”

There was silence. Grandpa Longneck sighed.

“I knew that having another go at raising a child would be filled with just as many challenges as the first time,” he said. “Only after the last several cold times have I come to appreciate it. We haven’t been doing a good job. I suspected mortality would be a struggle for Littlefoot but we haven’t prepared him enough.”

“We should have seen it coming.” Grandma Longneck murmured. “Even during those first few days of ghosts, he was showing the strain. I thought he was struggling to comprehend this strangeness like we all were. But those struggles were of a more personal nature. We should have caught them earlier.”

“Yes,” Grandpa Longneck said, “maybe then, we could have helped him. Whenever our words did help him, though, something happened to further throw him off.”

“And when we said the wrong thing…oh, I could see him further slipping away. I don’t know what to do.”

Littlefoot glimpsed his grandparents nuzzling each other.

“I don’t know as well.” Grandpa Longneck said. “I didn’t expect him to blow up like he did with Mr. Clubtail’s death. We shouldn’t have kept pushing him about the circle of life. We should have been more delicate with him last night about his connection with his mother. Instead, we fumbled horribly. Why do we keep messing up like this?”

“We shouldn’t keep going on this grim track.” Grandma Longneck said. “At – at least we got Littlefoot away from Patty before anything could happen.”

“Yes. He is safe with us. They can’t take advantage of his great resentment. We can always do better next time.”

The grandparents nuzzled again. Littlefoot closed his eyes. In addition to everything else, he was bringing misery to his grandparents. They were the best, always forgiving and patient. He kept taking advantage of that. He shouldn’t have snapped last night. When was he going to stop ruining their lives for himself? Before he could go further down that line of thought, his grandmother replied.

“Maybe that’s why they want Littlefoot. He always had a great passion, and with his anger at the circle of life, maybe those four think they could use that temptation to get Littlefoot to join their cause.”

Temptation? What temptation? Littlefoot stirred in unease. Was it about ending the circle of life? He wasn’t happy about the circle of life but he didn’t trust the Anchors and this Wing Father. Besides, he made that obvious. Was it related to what Ruby said to them? What would cause his grandparents to have that look of horror?

Eventually, Grandpa and Grandma Longneck woke up Mr. Threehorn and Tria so they could take their watch.

“Nothing out of the ordinary so far.” Grandpa Longneck said. “The children seem to be sleeping well.”

“That information Petrie’s mother got wasn’t of much help.” Mr. Threehorn grumbled. “’Patty talking to herself.’ That isn’t much to go on.”

“Maybe this Wing Father can speak in their minds, and they can hold conversations with him.” Grandma Longneck said. “After these last few days, it’s something we might have to accept. Anyway, keep an ear open for anything. In the meantime, we’ll rest and-”

It happened suddenly.

The collection of trees to the left creaked and several burst down as a shadow flung itself out at the gathering of kids. Littlefoot shot up, no longer bothering to pretend sleeping. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck and Mr. Threehorn and Tria got to their feet but the shape rumbled at top speed. Littlefoot barely had time to think, to even turn to wake his friends. He could only watch helplessly as that dark shape loomed larger, rapidly closing the distance over to them…

Then passed and ran into the forest. Littlefoot sat there reeling, left untouched. A pair of screams rend the air and he turned and noticed two of his friends missing. Mama Flyer woke up and joined the other standing parents while Littlefoot’s friends started awake and looked around in alarm.

“Oh no.” Mr. Threehorn said, eyes wide. “Cera!”

“And Chomper.” Tria’s started running. “Follow, kids!”

At once, the four other parents took off. Littlefoot followed in their wake, and the others staggered after, moving quicker as sleep was drove out of them by the realization of what happened. Grandma Longneck reared back to fling her tail under their feet and slide them onto her back. Despite their large weight, the grownups covered a great distance, dodging around the trees, crashing some over so as not to delay. The grass flew under them and the stars above winked in and out of sight. Cera and Chomper continued screaming, terror in their voices, putting enough drive in the grownups’ run that they began to see the tail of a fleeing threehorn flicker in the darkness. Mr. Threehorn ran ahead, roaring.

“Verter!”

Verter laughed, slightly muffled but mocking into the night. Snarling, Mr. Threehorn put in more speed and thrust his horns at Verter’s backside. Verter staggered but kept on going, lashing his tail out and striking Mr. Threehorn in the face. Mr. Threehorn cried out, staggering more dangerously than he should from what should be a light blow, but he thrust himself back on all fours and shook his head, a bruise growing on the side of his head. Tria caught up and she took turns with her husband ramming their horns into Verter’s flesh. Verter grunted and lashed his tail out, not reacting much to the stabs to his backside. Mama Flyer zoomed down, slashing in and out of view at his face with her beak and talons, but no red came out. Verter continued his strike back with his tail but Mr. Threehorn and Tria dodged more easily and he could only take so much before it messed with his balance and he toppled down. Cera and Chomper were flung into in the air. The adults stopped running, their feet digging up earth so they wouldn’t topple over Verter. But the Cera and Chomper sailed through the air screaming, passing near the great treetops. Mama Flyer hastily flew out to catch them but she was too far away and they were rapidly arcing down toward the ground…

“Cera! Chomper!” Littlefoot shouted.

Another figure ran into view. Mama Swimmer dived, catching Cera and Chomper in her arms, landed on her back and rolling. She got to her feet and quickly went to the parents.

“Here, Grandma!”

Mama Swimmer placed them among Littlefoot and the others. Cera and Chomper lay on their knees, shaking, eyes darting about as fear and uncertainty fought for dominance. Their friends closed protectively around them.

“It’s okay, it’s okay, you’re with us now.” Littlefoot said.

“The grownups will protect us.” Ducky said.

Verter got to his feet and the parents stepped back as they glared, gazes burning with the promise of hurt if he approached.

“I was just coming along to report back what I learned.” Mama Swimmer’s eyes narrowed. “Looks like I came just in time.”

“You have some nerve trying to steal my daughter and Chomper under our nose, Verter!” Mr. Threehorn snapped.

Verter chuckled as he turned to them.

“You were the one with the nerve,” he said. “Guarding the children on one side out in the open with trees on either side? You were asking for them to get kidnapped.”

“What are you planning?” Tria demanded. “You were planning to hold them hostage for Littlefoot, weren’t you?”

“Yes, holding Cera and Chomper would be advantageous in a way.” Verter’s eyes glittered. “I would be holding under my toe the two responsible for my death.”

“Don’t you dare blame them for that!” Mr. Threehorn snarled. “You were kidnapping them. This is all on you.”

“Ah, but who was it that gave me permission to train them but you, Topps old pal.” Verter replied. “Even when you had doubts about their capability, you decided it was worth the risk. You didn’t watch long enough to make sure I wasn’t doing anything untoward to them.”

Mr. Threehorn was thrown. “I thought I could trust you – wait, how do you know that?”

“I’m more observant than you think.” Verter said. “That is the crux of the matter. Even when you had qualms, you didn’t step in and put your foot down. For all your bluster, can’t you see how the valley has made you weak?”

“You’re wrong!” Mr. Threehorn said, though a flicker of doubt went across his dark eyes. “I stopped you then – and it’s what I’m doing now!”

“But now you wouldn’t have four undead dinosaurs going against you. You wouldn’t be in this situation if you still had your pride.” Verter’s smirked. “Though mind you, you picked a new mate that is just as weak-willed.”

Tria’s eyes narrowed. “I always suspected there was something wrong with you.”
 
“You never did anything about it.”

“You tricked us! I thought you were our friend.”

“And that’s where you always fail,” Verter said. “You always must make amends so as not to disturb the peace. You’re weak. You might present yourself as flirtatious and brave but all it takes is a few strong wills to break you down.”

“Why should I listen to you?” Tria said.

“Because I know who you are.” He stepped forward. “When the valley determined to exterminate the Tinysauruses, did you stand up against it? I bet you didn’t. You went along with the hysteria and it didn’t occur to you they might be wrong.”

She winced. “I - I am ashamed of that. But I planned to do better -”

“Did you get better? With me, you crumbled before my reasoning.  You couldn’t even stand up to my will despite your knowledge of the ‘limits’ of children. You couldn’t keep your family together. Tell me, as a first time mother, is this what you imagined you would be doing?”

Tria opened and closed her mouth, unable to form words. Despite herself, uncertainty came into her expression. While distracted, Verter charged and rammed her aside, leaping up for the children atop Grandma Longneck’s back. The gang screamed as those blue eyes came closer. Grandma Longneck’s tail slapped Verter away, and Mama Swimmer ran in, slamming her elbow into his neck, making him Verter stagger back, annoyed. Mr. Threehorn pulled Tria back to her feet.

“Are you alright, Tria?” he asked.

Tria pushed him away. “I’m fine. I’ve faced worse blows out in the Mysterious Beyond.”

Mr. Threehorn stepped back, staring at her with concern. Verter laughed.

“Quiet, as you should be,” he said. “It will be worth it to give you what you deserve in the end.”

“Enough.” Grandpa Longneck said sternly. “Mr. Threehorn and Tria are better than you ever could be. You won’t sleight them.”
   
“Why a supposed savior like Wing Father would resurrect someone like you I don’t understand.” Mama Flyer said. “How does this demonstrate what you are doing is noble?”

“There needs to be enforcers.” Verter replied. “Sometimes you have to make tough alliances to do what must be done.”

“Is that what Wing Father is telling you/” Mama Swimmer snapped. “I have heard Patty, Don, and Tega have been talking to themselves more than usual, as though they are having a conversation with someone. Maybe Wing Father is also talking in your head? Is he telling you what to say right now?”

For some reason, Verter shifted and averted his gaze. “I can explain the logic of our group myself. But there are a lot of things that can’t be explained. Topps sliding back, for example. Whenever you think he gets better, he comes back to his old grumpy, stupid ways. He just doesn’t seem to learn his lesson. Isn’t that strange?”

“Everyone slides back.” Grandpa Longneck said. “Sometimes, it takes many attempts to adjust to a new way of living.”

Verter laughed. “Nice try, but I know the answer. I can see with Topps old habits die hard but I know that isn’t the case.”

“You don’t know Mr. Threehorn as well as you think.”

“You would be wrong. I already know why he’s like this. I know more about the situation than you do!”

“What is it?” Grandpa Longneck demanded, tone harsh. “It isn’t a good look for a supposed world savior to behave like a child!”

“Temper, temper.” Verter said. “We must address other matters first. For example, Cera - how are your cousins doing?”

Cera flinched. She cringed down, looking away when he looked at her.

“You don’t need to answer, Cera.” Grandpa Longneck said. “He’s only planning to play with your mind.”

“It’s a sincere question.” Verter said. “Are they the same as usual?”

“I – I – I don’t know.” Cera said. “They didn’t seem that much different from when I last saw them.”

“Not much different.” Verter murmured. “Isn’t that interesting? In all this time, they haven’t changed or improved much in talking at all. How much time has passed?”

“What? What does time have to do with anything?” Grandpa Longneck asked, baffled.

“Yeah.” Mr. Threehorn said. “You’d better not be thinking of harming my grandkids, Verter!”

“Pipe down, they’re only an example.” Verter said. “I’m just wondering – how many Times of Great Giving did you have? Nibbling Days? Visits from that longneck squirt’s papa?”

“How should we know?” Mama Swimmer said. “We haven’t been keeping track.”

“Come on, you’re parents. You must be marking the time as your kids grow. Tria must have been with a few of those holidays, even some of those only recently celebrated. How many cold times has it been since you all came to the Great Valley?”

“What is this about?” Mama Flyer said.

“Indulge me.” Verter smiled innocently. “Come on, some of you. What could be the harm?”

A few of the grownups glared. They didn’t trust a thing of what he could be proposing, and saw the ominous anticipation right through his innocent act. Nevertheless, Mama Flyer and Grandma Longneck turned inward to start calculating. The rest had their eyes on Verter, waiting for any sudden moves. Even in their fear, a few of the gang also tried to count, Ducky ticking off her fingers, though they kept losing track so much they gave up. Mama Flyer and Grandma Longneck frowned, as though they ran across an error in their calculations, and started over. After several moments, they stopped and counted again. They were beginning to look nervous.

“No…” Mama Flyer said. “There must be some mistake.”

“Figured it out?” Verter asked.

“I must be miscounting.” Grandma Longneck said. “That can’t be the number.”

“W-what is it, dear?” Grandpa Longneck asked, tearing his eyes from Verter briefly to cast a concerned glance at his mate.

“Yes, what is getting you so concerned?” Verter said.

“No.” Mama Flyer shook her head. “I won’t say it. It’s wrong, it makes no sense.”

“Won’t accept what, Mama?” Petrie said.

“But it doesn’t add up.” Grandma Longneck said. “Otherwise – that would mean-”

“W-why is counting suddenly so scary?” Ducky asked.

“What’s got you all worked up?” Mr. Threehorn asked. “Just spit it out, already.”

“We can’t.” Grandma Longneck said. “It’s just too preposterous.”

“How?” Littlefoot asked. “Grandma, what is it?”

“For once, I agree with Topps and the little longneck.” Verter said. “Come on, you can do it. Say it.”

“It’s just – no.” Mama Flyer shook her head. “I refuse to accept this.”

“Say the number!”

There were flinches. Mama Flyer and Grandma Longneck’s gazes wavered, not wanting to meet anyone’s eye. But then Grandma Longneck closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
 
“Twenty,” she said.

“That’s right.” Verter said. “Time has stopped. It’s been twenty cold times since you arrived in the Great Valley. You have been the same age this entire time.”

For a moment, there was silence. Everyone stared, minds blank, feeling a whoosh in their stomachs like missing a step on a climb. There was the shush of a gentle wind and the sound of branches waving in the air. Then Littlefoot shook his head.

“What are you talking about?” he said. “It’s you and the other Anchors who have stayed the same. Patty said she was dead for twenty cold times. None of you can age. That’s why she always had to move from herd to herd.”

“Is that what she said?” Verter asked. “Or did you just think that up yourself and she went along with it?”

“She…” Littlefoot wracked his brain for when she said it yesterday, only to realize that wasn’t what she said at all.

“But that doesn’t make any sense.” Grandpa Longneck said. “Seasons still pass. There are still cold times and warm times. If time really has stopped, we wouldn’t have those.”

“Let me clarify.” Verter said. “It is like the same cold time is restarting over and over again. The seasons still pass and the weather might be different each time, but people don’t grow or change.”

“Now that’s nonsense.” Mr. Threehorn said. “Chomper was born and grew up during our children’s time in the valley. Ducky’s mother’s many children, Dinah, Dana, Tricia, so many kids have been born and grown since we came to the valley. Time can’t be stopped if kids are still born and growing.”

“Yes, Chomper has grown.” Verter replied. “But has your dear Cera and her friends grown with him?”

“Why, sure, they-” Mr. Threehorn stopped, looking unnerved. “Sh-sharpteeth just grow more quickly, that’s all.”

Verter chuckled. “Nice try. That’s the problem, isn’t it? Children are still born and they do grow…but it stops, doesn’t it? At some point, they just remain adorable little toddlers, struggling to smush words together. That does lead to things like Chomper seeming to grow up faster than the other kids.”

“Ah.” Petrie said. “That – that do explain why Spike grow so quickly after being born on journey to valley.”

Spike murmured his reluctant agreement, eyes to the side, unsettled.

“But we have grown too.” Ducky protested. “We are much bigger than when we met on our first adventures, we are, we are.”

“That was when only Patty became one with Wing Father. Some growth is allowed when he has only one connection with the world. After Tega died from the Great Valley fire, that changed.”

“Stop this! We are bigger!” Littlefoot shouted. “A few cold times back, I couldn’t reach a branch from the Tree Sweet tree on Nibbling Day but by the time the day came around again, I grew tall enough that I could eat one of them off the branch.”

Verter laughed. “Is that your measure of how you’ve grown? Comparing yourself to a tree? You do realize trees grow too. Their branches grow up, out – and even down.”

Littlefoot flinched. He looked down, starting to shake.

“It – it just takes forever for children to grow.” Tria said. “Yeah. Becoming an adult takes a while and it can feel like a long time.”

“Yes. Though-“ Mr. Threehorn hesitated. “I don’t remember my eldest daughter taking this long to grow.”

“Me neither.” Grandma Longneck said. “I don’t think we spent that much time raising Littlefoot’s mother. It was long but compared to how long we have been raising Littlefoot-”

“Exactly.” Verter said, pouncing on this. “Isn’t it strange these kids are able to have so many adventures in the short time of childhood? Each time they go off, you parents have let down your guard. If it was happening so much in a short amount of time, wouldn’t you be alert all times in case your kids sneak off again? Some time, a lot of time, must pass for you to let your guard down enough so they could slip off again. Then again, you could be incompetent parents but even that’s unbelievable. This change has been in front of you the whole time, but you never noticed it.”

This pronouncement was greeted with silence. Everyone’s eyes were wide. Littlefoot looked down, remembering the words of the first sharptooth. "Even you haven't noticed the greatest terror – the one that has been staring you in the face this entire time." That was what he meant. They have stopped growing and time wasn’t moving on. They had never noticed but when they did, they would be terrified. Littlefoot and his friends looked at each other uncertainty. He even spared a glance to his grandparents. Nothing was out of the ordinary – they were just as he always knew them. There were a few minor changes, but Littlefoot could have met them for the first time now and there would be barely any difference.

And that was precisely the problem.

“When I said I wasn’t in any hurry to grow up,” Littlefoot said, shaking, “I didn’t mean like this.”

“I thought my two horns were coming in late.” Cera said. “I just thought it was late development or something.”

“No wonder our brothers and sisters never changed much.” Ducky said.

Spike nodded anxiously, and mumbled his agreement

“Each star day that passed, we stayed the same.” Ruby said, “I have had so many…why didn’t any of us notice?”

“How could any of you?” Verter said. “When you’re a kid, it feels like childhood will be forever. The effect of Wing Father is to make sure you don’t passively notice. That’s what I mean when I pointed out good old Topps and other people keep snapping back in their mental growth. You can only change as a person so much before you revert back to who you are. All of this was done by the simple presence of three Anchors. Think of what the effects will be now that all four of us around.”

“Of course.” Littlefoot said. “That’s why Hyp and his friends keep being mean again.”

“And why Chomper and some of us are still struggling with the same old struggles.” Ruby said. “We have dealt with them, but Wing Father’s influence means we snap back and have to deal with them again.”

Mr. Threehorn’s mouth was opened. “So…that means we’ll be the age we are…stay the people we are …forever?”

Verter’s smirk widened, “Well…let’s just say I wouldn’t expect any growth spurts from your children anytime soon.”
 
A distant buzzing came over Littlefoot. Some of his friends also started shaking. They loved their childhood – the play, the laughter, the friendship – they wouldn’t trade it for anything. But the prospect of never reaching adulthood, remaining as they were, was too much for them.

“That’s not fair.” Cera whispered. “I’ve looked forward to growing up, seeing what I can really do with three horns. You – you can’t take that from me!”

Chomper shook his head. “I don’t want to be small forever!”

“Me want to be strong and brave like Mama and Uncle Pterano.” Petrie said. “So me can’t be that?”

“Not if Verter and his Anchors get their way.” Ruby glared. “You are robbing everyone of the ability to change into better people!”

 “No need to be mad at me.” Verter said. “Wing Father made the rules. I’m just delivering the message.”

“And that’s supposed to make us feel better?” Littlefoot snapped. “You’re part of something that’s making us suffer, taking away our futures. Of course we’re mad at you!”

Verter laughed. Few were surprised by that but there was a hysterical note that made fear curdle in Littlefoot’s stomach. Verter gave Littlefoot a wicked look.

“Robbing futures? That is rich, coming from you.” Verter said. “In fact, you should be thanking us. In a world without death, you won’t have to worry about losing anyone again. In fact, the word ‘again’ will be superfluous with your past.”

Littlefoot was vaguely aware that Ruby, Chomper, and his grandparents looked uncomfortable but he didn’t pay attention to that.

“What are you talking about?” he demanded.

“Feelings of loss will be a thing of the past.” Verter said. “Don’t you get what Wing Father’s effects are? I thought you would figure it out, especially with these ghosts-”

“Don’t listen to him, Littlefoot?” Grandpa Longneck cut in.

“He’s talking nonsense.” Grandma Longneck said. “He’s just trying to upset you.”

“What’s this?” Verter said, examining the grandparents with interest. “It seems some among your number already know what we’re going to discuss.”

The grandparents started. His friends and the other parents looked confused. For some reason, only Ruby and Chomper looked nervous. After a few moments, Petrie became nervous as well.

“What?” Littlefoot said, staring.

“It – it’s nothing.” Grandpa Longneck said. “As Grandma just said, he’s just trying to upset us. We should focus on driving him away.”

“But you seemed to interrupt just when I was about to reveal more about this situation.” Verter said.

“That is a coincidence.” Grandma Longneck said. “We have had enough of you tormenting Littlefoot.”

“Liar.” Verter laughed. His gaze flicked to Littlefoot and the others, smirk widening. “And a few of your friends seem to know as well. What a coincidence.”

Littlefoot started, and look at the friends who had been nervous

“Ruby? Chomper? Petrie?” he said. “What – what do you know?”

“It’s nothing.” Chomper said quickly.

“Everything just scary.” Petrie said, forcing a laugh “We only just-”

“Does this have something to do with what Don said to you?” Littlefoot said.

Ruby, Chomper, and Petrie froze. Ducky and Spike turned to the three in confusion, Spike making a soft questioning noise. Verter examined them with interest.

“Don?” he said. “So that flyer rushed in to have some fun too. It seems like they decided this information was too much for you, Littlefoot. How patronizing, especially since you have an important responsibility here.”

Littlefoot looked around at his friends and grandparents, expression uncertain. He shouldn’t be trusting whatever Verter said; he hurt his friends and planned to hurt all of them more. But his instincts couldn’t help but remind them of the suspicious talk he glimpsed earlier today…

“You don’t need to listen to him, Littlefoot.” Grandpa Longneck said. “Whatever truth there might be to his words, it would be used to manipulate us.”

“But what is he talking about?” Mr. Threehorn asked. “What do you know?”

“Yes, that’s right Topps.” Verter said. “This benefits you too.”

“Don’t engage with him.” Grandma Longneck said. “He wants to play us against each other. We mustn’t sink down to it.” 

“Sink down?” Verter said. “It’s your own fault we have to torment you to cooperate.”

“That you will sink to torment us to go along is all the reason for us not to cooperate.” Grandpa Longneck said. “Let us all remember Verter’s previous conduct, and that this Wing Father chose people like him. We are only protecting those we value and-”

“I saw Ruby talking to you two!” Littlefoot interrupted.

His grandparents’ eyes widened.

“You saw…?” Grandpa Longneck asked.

“While we were playing, I saw her speaking with you.” Littlefoot replied. He had a hard time meeting their eye. “I thought she was talking about how scary the meeting with Don was…but it’s more, isn’t it?”

The other parents stirred, gazing at the grandparents in confusion.

“I – I didn’t notice this.” Mama Swimmer said.

“Nor I.” Tria said. “I guess we were too busy watching the kids having fun.”

Verter chuckled. “That was their plan. Oh, your grandparents and friends have been hiding things from you, Littlefoot. Especially since it’s so relevant to your interests.”

“It has no relevance to him.” Grandpa Longneck said. “It is only an attempt to manipulate him. It would only make him more upset.”

“What is it?” Littlefoot asked.

“Littlefoot, it is okay.” Grandma Longneck said. “We are trying to protect you. This isn’t something you need to hear, especially now.”
   
“But I have been through a lot in my life.” Littlefoot said.

“Only more reason we don’t want you to go through any more pain than necessary.”

“Even if I want to learn? I – I don’t like it when you hide stuff from me.”

That made Grandpa and Grandma Longneck falter. Verter chuckled.

“It seems I will have to fill in where your grandparents failed.” He prodded his chin. “Where was I? Oh, yeah. I thought you would make the connection with the ghosts. Wing Father’s influence, which is also causing time to be stopped, is indirectly causing those ghosts and ghosts are the spirits of the dead from the past. You know what that means.”

“Quiet! Quiet!” Grandpa Longneck said desperately. “Don’t poison our grandson’s ears, don’t!”

“The dead from the past will also come back!” Verter continued. “Isn’t that great, Littlefoot? You can have a complete family again.”

All the air escaped from Littlefoot. He gazed at Verter, feeling outside himself.

“You’re talking about Mother,” he croaked. “Patty said death shall be stopped…and if that’s for already dead people too, then Mother will come back.”

Verter smiled in satisfaction. “That’s what your friends and grandparents were hiding from you.”

Littlefoot slowly turned to Ruby, Chomper, and Petrie.

“You all knew?” he asked faintly.

Ruby averted her gaze. “I was planning to tell you at some point. I just thought with your struggles, that some point shouldn’t be now.”

Chomper nodded. “She didn’t say it was going to be forever.”

“Were you really going to tell me though?” Littlefoot asked.

Ruby and Chomper started, and averted their gazes.

“Me didn’t know about this.” Petrie blurted. “Me just with Ruby and Chomper when they talk about it, and they told Petrie to keep quiet.”

“And you just went along, even if you didn’t know anything?”

Petrie shuffled guiltily. Littlefoot examined them with disappointment.

“Littlefoot, they just didn’t want to upset you.” Grandma Longneck said.

“After what happened last night, we didn’t wish to weigh you down.” Grandpa Longneck said.

“I’d understand that, but why didn’t you tell the rest of us?” Mr. Threehorn asked. “This is a big thing to hide. It’s something we should have known.”

“We didn’t want to upset any of you.” Grandma Longneck said. “We were having trouble wrapping our mind around it. If we told you this, you would likely be too upset to concentrate on watching the children.”

“You think I wouldn’t be upset when I found out you hid this from me?” Littlefoot demanded, a hint of anger coming in. “I’ve already been through so much. You could have told me.”

“It’s just that, Littlefoot.” Grandma Longneck said. “With all the stress these Anchors put you through, did you want to learn this fact that would put you in further conflict about their goals?”

“I – I don’t know.” Littlefoot shook his head. “What the Anchors are doing isn’t right but-” he closed his eyes, “Mother…I miss her so much.”

There was only silence as the grandparents watched him with grief.

“Do you really look down on us?” Verter asked.

“Of course we look down on you.” Littlefoot said, faltering. “Wing Father chose people like you. The sharptooth who killed Mother tried to kill us. If he told us about this time thing, then Wing Father must be connected to him. That makes him bad.”

“You are using your own morals to judge Wing Father.” Verter stepped forward. “For people who have never lived or died, don’t you think they would have different values on what’s important? He wanted to make sure you were ready. Even if you failed, him changing the world would have brought you and his friends back anyway. All of this is for the greater good of stopping death.”

“If he understands death enough to want to stop it, he should comprehend the pain he is putting all of us through.” Grandpa Longneck scoffed. “That is just an excuse for being cruel.”

“Are you really sure of that?”

Grandpa Longneck opened his mouth but uncertainty came to his and Grandma’s face.

“This is the path that must be taken. There are no other options now.” Verter continued. “A choice must be made, and there is only one choice now.”

“No, we refuse!” Grandma Longneck said. “This isn’t right.”

“Oh really. This is about stopping death. It is noble. You see the good in it, Topps old pal. Don’t you want to see your old family again?”

“Don’t you dare mention them!” Mr. Threehorn snarled. “What – whatever my feelings about them – what you’re doing is wrong and sick.”

“Yes.” Grandpa Longneck said. “You are tormenting us into agreeing to this. This is a big change. This is too much for one child to decide.”

Verter’s smirk widened. “Then it’s a good thing Littlefoot won’t be deciding alone, is it?”

Littlefoot suddenly became aware of his friends stiffening around him. The parents also became still, staring.

“What – what do you mean?” Mr. Threehorn said.

“I mean, Littlefoot isn’t the only who decides on this.” Verter said. “Others have to play there part. Fortunately, they are already gathered here now.”

Verter’s eyes fell on not just Littlefoot but all of his friends. Mama Swimmer’s breath picked up.

“No,” she said. “No, no, no, no, no. Not them. Oh please not them.”

“That’s right.” Verter said. “All of Littlefoot’s friends are also chosen.”

There was silence. Cera shook her head.

“This has got to be a joke,” she said. “You Anchors said that Littlefoot is needed for this. You didn’t say that anyone else is needed.”

“It started with Littlefoot.” Verter said. “He is pretty important but we needed more people for this role. Through him, we managed to find just those we need. How good is that?”

“This is not good.” Ducky said. “Does – does that mean you are going to go after all of us.”

“It’s a big responsibility, changing the world.” Verter said. “If you don’t cooperate, we will have no choice but to be harsh.”

“Guys.” Littlefoot whispered, shaking “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“Forget about that!” Cera breathed hard. “This isn’t true. You’re messing with us. You’re just trying to manipulate Littlefoot into going along.”

“I took you and Chomper for a reason, Cera!”

“To make Littlefoot chase after us!”

“And bring two of the seven we need for the ceremony to change the world.” Verter said. “You can accomplish more than one thing with an action at the same time. That is what I was trying to do.”

“I – is this really true?” Chomper said. “To make us all change something as big as – I – I can’t even think of it.” 

“There’s a reason why the other Anchors were so scared of me having you.”

Ruby looked down. She remembered what Don said early this morning, about how Littlefoot’s other friends should come and watch, and his odd tone at the time. That must have been what he was talking about but he didn’t want to give the game away too early...

“You know the responsibility you have now.” Verter said. “It isn’t Littlefoot’s alone. Now come. The whole world is waiting.”

“No.” Petrie shook his head. “No, no, me no want to be in charge of something that big.”

“Don’t put us into this!” Ruby said. “We don’t want to hand over the world to anybody.”

Spike shook his head hard, whimpering. He panted, utter terror reflected in his violet eyes.

“What alternative do you have?” Verter asked. “Can you stop Wing Father? What can you do?”

“Stop tormenting our children!” Grandma Longneck said.

“How can you do this?” Mama Swimmer said. “Please, don’t subject our children to this.”

“This is too much for them.” Mr. Threehorn said. “They have been through enough. This could break them.”

“In the face of the greater good, does that matter?” Verter smirked. “We will have what we want, and that’s that.”

“We will stop you.” Grandpa Longneck panted. “We will find a way. There is always a way.”

“What can you do to someone who was never alive or dead? They are out of your reach. Even if you harmed us Anchors, it won’t do anything to him. By the time you can touch him, it will already be too late. Do you think if you wait long enough, he will go away?”

They stood there in silence. Verter stepped forward.

“If Littlefoot and his friends don’t agree to their responsibility,” he continued, “things aren’t going to go back to the way they were. Ghosts are going to continue appearing. They will torment loved ones and rivals, making them think they were always there until the truth is learned and they have to go away. People who have changed will continue to snap back in mental growth. None of you are ever going to physically grow. This is going to be how things are until those children make their decision. Any delay only leads to more suffering. That leaves only one choice for them.”

“No.” Tria said. “Don’t come any closer. Leave our children alone!”

“There must be something we can do!” Mama Flyer said. “There must!”

“Oh really. What can you do?” Verter said.

He continued to get closer. The parents backed away, utter terror on their faces. Littlefoot and his friends couldn’t think, minds blinded by fear. They didn’t want this but they didn’t know where to turn, where to run or how get out of this. They could only watch as Verter closed the distance with them, eyes glittering with malice…

A tail whipped into view, whamming into the ground, forcing Verter to step back.

“Verter, enough!” Patty’s voice said. She walked into view, glaring. “You are revealing too much too fast. You shouldn’t be acting on your own.”

“I’m just having some fun.” Verter said. “Don’t make everything boring.”

“This is much too cruel. Wing Father wouldn’t approve of this.”

“Is that what you think?” Verter stepped closer. “We have talked. You don’t know him as much as you think.”

Patty looked a bit uncomfortable but she glared. “Does Wing Father approve of what you’re doing?”

Verter hesitated, lowering his head as though listening to someone. He sighed.

“Okay, I’ll go. No use angering the master.” He turned and started away. He looked back. “This isn’t over. Soon, we will have you all.”

He vanished into the night. The parents remained tense. Patty didn’t move, watching them unreadably. Her gaze focused on Littlefoot, who looked away, anger, fear, and grief mixing in him.

“Isn’t it nice?” she said. “That you have all this extra time with your grandparents?”

She turned and walked away. Littlefoot started to shake. The revelation that time had stopped was horrible but if it hadn’t happened, he wouldn’t have had all these wonderful moments with grandparents. They would have passed, far sooner before he came to really appreciate their presence. Everyone was silent. Then-

“Mommy.” Chomper said. He looked down. “I have been away from Mommy and Daddy for so long. I thought it was awhile but cold times. I can’t take these scary things anymore.”

“Chomper…” Ruby said.

Chomper’s eyes filled with tears. “I want Mommy and Daddy, I want Mommy and Daddy! I don’t want to deal with this alone! I’m scared! Mommy! Daddy!”

Ruby embraced him. The others could only remain silent, his cries filling the air. They were at a loss, unable to comprehend and fearful of what had just been revealed. They were against a power that could stop time and development, and bring people back from the dead. Nothing was going to change if they resisted and the ghosts would keep coming. It filled many of them with fear and desperation. Was there anything they could do?


--

Note: I hope to post the next pair of chapters around October or November.

Thank you for the review. The first chapters were a bit clunky writing-wise but I hope I improved on that front. I’m trying to model my writing on a writer or two. I have the story split into around five arcs, so nothing like the ghost appearances would be too repetitive. Again, I’m glad you read this story despite how different it is. Oh, I have plans for what’s to come.

I wouldn’t blame you for not reviewing every single chapter, as that can be personally draining. However, if it’s for my sake, getting a deluge of reviews most definitely isn’t a problem for me. I love them. Again, you don’t have to if it’s too draining and time-consuming, but I would be welcome to it.

Glad you like the developments with recent chapters and Wing Father. I already know what kind of character and trajectory I have in mind for the characters, so I hope the execution is satisfying. I look forward to your future reviews.

@Sovereign Thank you for the reviews. There are some odd moments you saw I planned there, and they will be explained. I’m glad you liked the final scene. It was one of the first I wrote for this story and I wrote and rewrote it to get it exactly right. It’s good those efforts paid off.

As for the next chapter, I’m glad the Wing Father plotline has your attention. That was a lot of work to seed in. I’m also glad the new characters’ allegiance with him is a surprise and how those kinds of revelatory scenes played out agreed with you. Yeah, I can kind of see the criticism with some of the cliché lines. I did think about some of them near the end might have needed work, but the flow felt good enough and I was on the lookout for other issues. Though I did think Tega’s “chosen one” was alleviated by her eyeroll and dry sarcasm. As for Wing Father, let’s say I know his motivations and a lot of how he’s doing things. That will be explained. Hopefully it will stand up to expectations. I look forward to your feedback in the next chapter.

@rhombus Thanks for the reviews. I’m glad you liked the buildup before the reveals. I worked hard to try to get them right. Yeah, information dump through dialogue can be tricky but I remember reading them being done well in Harry Potter and I must have taken cues from them. I know who Wing Father is, and everything will become clear about him. Tega is a piece of work but I would hesitate using the word “psychopath.” That word gives me the impression it indicates someone was bad from birth but she wasn’t. She was a loner who chose to be more distant with others until she disconnected from people. The Anchors are ordinary people who in other circumstances might be decent or harmless but through their choices and circumstances, choose to do very horrible things.

From your reaction to Verter coming back, I so wanted to be the fly on the wall when you and other readers came across that moment. It’s one of those wham moments I enjoy making. I’m glad the buildup I have been going up to all this time was worth it for you. Mr. Threehorn’s characterization seems to still be an issue? I’ve been trying to show how this situation has been slowly cracking through his usual demeanor and how that demeanor isn’t healthy with coping with this situation. I’ll see how I handle this in future chapters.

Note: Sorry for the late post. I kept getting distracted. I'll try to focus more for the next set of chapters.

FF.net Link:  https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12535668/17/We-Will-Hold-On-Forever

--


“If the killer’s still out there, we need to remain on our guard.” Grandma Longneck said. “We can’t let this tragedy distract us from the threat still among us.”

Whispers went around the meeting circle. As evening fell, a meeting had been called. The news of Verter’s death had shocked the Great Valley and many came along to sort out what had happened. The gang stood next to Cera and her family, crowding around her and Chomper to protect them from the stares and murmurs sent their way. Mr. Threehorn and Tria stood beside them, Tria believing their presence to be important. Mr. Threehorn’s head was lowered, not appearing to be aware of his surroundings, Tricia pressed against his forefoot and babbled up to him occasionally with toddlerish concern. There had been some hope that Verter’s death meant the danger was over but that wasn’t the case.

“Verter wasn’t the killer?” A domehead repeated. “Then who is it?”

“I’m afraid we don’t know.” Grandpa Longneck said. “Sadly, there appears to be more than one selfish person in the valley.”

There was silence as this was taken in. Nervous looks were sent around.

“But that doesn’t make any sense.” Don said. He perched on the tallest rock spire, frowning. “For Wing Father’s sake, he too smoothly took advantage of the Mr. Clubtail death situation. Others saw it too, I heard them talk about it.”

“If you have lived in the Great Valley long enough, you should know rumors don’t always represent the truth.” Grandma Longneck replied. Don huffed and crossed his wings. “Unfortunately, extremism exists in every kind. But Tria and Mr. Threehorn knew him well enough that they could tell he was telling the truth.”
 
“So they say.” The spikethumb leader said. She was furious. She hadn’t reacted well to finding out one of her own was dead. She glared around, as though trying to suss out the truth by who caught her eye-line wrong. “How do we know this isn’t a dispute gone wrong that led to a cover up?”

The meeting turned tense. Patty caught Littlefoot’s eye and shook her head in exasperation. The spikethumb leader noticed this and frowned, sending her a look of warning. Several eyes started going for Cera and Chomper among their circle of friends. Tricia became nervous and stepped back to hobble next to her sister. Mr. Threehorn stirred, raising his head to glare

“What are you trying to say?” he demanded.

“Topsy, you don’t need to -” Tria began.

“I can fight my own battles.” He stepped forward and glared. “Just come out and say it: you think this is a murder.”

The spikethumb leader didn’t deny it. “I’m merely trying to get to the bottom of what happened to one of my herd members. You have to admit, it is suspicious.”

“Hah, a likely story. You want to stir things up, that’s what. He was my friend. People don’t tend to kill their friends if they get annoyed with each other.”

“I have seen others kill for little better. The best friendships have collapsed into the worst grudges in my time. It can turn especially deadly if pride is valued and-”

“You think it was something that petty?” Mr. Threehorn demanded. “We threehorns might fight, but we don’t all kill each other based on whims, or we wouldn’t survive as a kind. Growing up with someone doesn’t make it easy to kill them, you know. He was my friend. Even – even if he wasn’t honest about his reputation. Even if he tricked us about training Cera and Chomper.” His voice cracked. “Even if he was going to take them away.”

“Topsy…” Tria stepped closer.

“I’m fine, I’m fine!” he said loudly. “I can handle this. Tomorrow’s going to be another day. I’ll just move on like I always – stop looking at me like that!”

For everyone were staring at him. Mr. Threehorn staggered, trying to glare but his breaths shuddered. Tria pressed against him. Grandpa Longneck looked at the spikethumb leader.

“Are you convinced now?” he asked. Awkward, the spikethumb leader bowed her head. “Whatever our feelings about the Verter matter, the killer is still around. We must remain on our guard. Grandma and I, along with Mr. Thicknose and his volunteers, will continue our search for clues. If anyone has any suspicions, report them to us. If there’s nothing else to say, the meeting is adjourned.”

The crowd broke off, some leaving but others standing together in whispering groups. Still pressing against her mate supportively, Tria looked at the gang.

“I’m afraid we have to go, kids,” she said. “Topsy…we all need rest.”

“That’s fine.” Littlefoot said. He looked at Cera. “Maybe we can hang out tomorrow?”

Cera was looking away but sighed. “Might as well.”

She joining her parents in walking into the night, Tricia walking alongside her and cooing worriedly.

“Poor Cera’s dad.” Ducky said, watching them go. “It must be so hard, having to hurt his best friend.”

“I think it’s hurting everyone.” Littlefoot sighed. “Tria knew him too. Will we see you tomorrow Chomper? You need the company.”

“Mmm.” Chomper said, looking down.

The others stared at him with concern. Spike gave a coo and nudged Chomper, who didn’t appear to notice. Mama Flyer’s voice called out.

“Kids, are you ready to go yet?” she said. “You too, Ruby and Chomper. I need to get you to your cave.”

“Huh? Oh, yes!” Ruby put a hand around Chomper. “Let’s go, Chomper.”

Petrie gave a wave before joining them with his mother and siblings. Soon Mama Swimmer came by with her entourage of children, and Ducky and Spike had to go as well. Littlefoot turned to his grandparents, who stood nearby, talking with Mr. Thicknose.

“Not that we have had much luck in finding anything so far.” Mr. Thicknose sighed, keeping his voice low. “We have barely scrounged up anything since we started.”

“We shouldn’t give up.” Grandma Longneck said. “These things take time. We can’t expect a result right away.”

“I’m sure we will find the killer eventually.” Grandpa Longneck sighed. “The problem is what he might do before we track him down.”

Littlefoot looked at them, crestfallen. His grandparents noticed and sent him apologetic looks. It appeared he would be away from his grandparents for some time yet. He had had some good days with Patty and looked forward to them but he wanted things to be back to the way they were. His heart became heavy. How long was this crises going to last?

--

Ruby sat outside of the Secret Cavern. She slid a rock under her hand and her right foot kicked the dirt. In the rising bright circle, she glimpsed the shapes of other valley residents move between the trees, the rumbles of feet and mutters of conversation somewhat subdued. Verter’s actions and his death had rattled everyone. It was another shocking thing to happen to the Great Valley. At the pace of things, no one knew when they woke up today if all the valley residents might still be alive tomorrow. All this only added to the unease that settled in her stomach.

“Ruby!”

She looked up as Petrie flew in, managing a smile as he landed beside her.

“Morning, Petrie,” she said. “How is the morning going?”

“Um, okay.” Petrie settled down beside her. “Rest of family on way again.”

She nodded, staring ahead. He fidgeted in his lap, stealing looks of her expression.

“Erm…are you okay?” he asked. “You seem bothered.”

She traced a line in the rock. “Maybe. Just -” she sighed. “I was wrong. I didn’t realize Verter was a threat. There were all those hints he wasn’t nonthreatening but I didn’t put them together. I just wanted to trust Cera and Chomper, but that trust got them hurt and…”

“Hey, it okay.” Petrie said, going over and patted Ruby’s hand. “None of us thought a friend of Cera’s parents would be bad. It normal not to notice.”

“You noticed.” Ruby’s down gaze slide to him. “I didn’t believe until the crises forced me to believe.”

“Well…” he squirmed. A pleased smile came across his beak. “Me am happy me get something right. Did you see me put clues together? Me never do something so fast. You will be able to do that again.”

“But I’m supposed to be the smart one,” she said. She closed her eyes. “I’m here to help learn how to stop Red Claw. I went with Don to help make my thinking better. I could have figured it out earlier and got Cera and Chomper away from Verter. That I didn’t notice or believe meant that Chomper and Cera nearly-”

Ruby became quiet. The thought of failing Chomper, nearly losing her best friend and the one she swore to protect, was more than she could take. She felt Petrie touch her hand.

“Cera and Chomper still here,” he said quietly. “Bad things happen but they got away. If me know anything from not being very good at thinking is that friends help each other. If one can’t think of anything, someone else does. Besides, we try better next time. We can always do more lessons when Don come back again.”

She turned to him, staring, as though not knowing how to take his words. Then she smiled.

“Thanks, Petrie. You must be smart, if you can make me feel better.”

“Uh, no problem.” Petrie laughed. His expression was proud. He took in the moment before hesitating. “Um, me scared to know, but how Chomper doing?”

Sighing, Ruby got up and waved for him to follow. They entered the Secret Caverns, Petrie flapping after her through the few twist and turns until they came upon Chomper, back curled to them.

“He has been like this since we went asleep,” she whispered to Petrie. “I don’t know if he has done any sleeping.”
 
He winced. “Oh. But he better be up soon. Mama and brothers and sisters are coming.”

She nodded. Ruby patted forward, trying to keep footsteps delicate. 

“Chomper?”

The young sharptooth didn’t move.

“Are you up? It’s morning. I don’t mean to bother you but it’s time to get up.”

There was some silence. Chomper twitched and curled inward.

“I don’t want to get up,” he mumbled. “I’m tired.”

“But getting up at the proper time is important.” Ruby protested. “Besides, we can’t stay here.”

“My family nearly here.” Petrie said. “They escort us to friends. You want to be with friends, right?”

“Petrie?” Chomper looked up briefly, He placed his head down. “Just leave me here. I’m not worth it.”

“Of course you’re worth it.  You’re our friend.” Ruby said.

“Is – is this about you biting Verter to help Cera?” Petrie said tentatively. “That not make you want to eat dinosaurs, right?”

“No. I barely noticed. I’ve been too sad to feel anything about it.” Chomper stirred. “Heh, that just fits. I can’t even become a threat.”

“Don’t talk about yourself like that.” Ruby said. “It’s not safe to be alone. Can’t we at least be sad around other people?”

“Just so I can be protected?” he sighed. “Like always.”

“We kids. We need protecting.” Petrie said. “It not fun but there no help in that.”

“But I’m supposed to be better than that!”

Ruby and Petrie jumped. Chomper turned around, eyes morose.

“I should be able to protect you guys,” he continued. “I thought this training could let me help you the next time dangers come around. But it was for nothing. It was just so Verter could use me.”

“That’s Verter’s fault, not your fault.” Ruby said. “Come on Chomper, let’s go see our friends. They miss us. They want us to be together again.”

“What would be the point?” Chomper rolled back to show his back again. “I’ll just bother everyone because I can’t take care of myself. When danger comes, I’ll just get rescued again. I’m useless. I can’t do anything!”

Ruby and Petrie watched, at a loss. Neither of them had seen Chomper this despondent. Sure, he could get down when he felt he didn’t fit in but he always bounced back. Ruby clenched her fist. For a moment, she wanted to attack Verter, to make him suffer for what he did to her wonderful friend.

“You’re wrong Chomper,” she said. “You have helped us out so many times. You’re understanding of the sharptooth language has got out of many scrapes and your understanding of how sharpteeth think made sure we got out of even more scrapes. And I haven’t got to your sniffer yet, how it helps find enemies and friends and …”

She fell silent. Petrie glance at her in confusion, but Ruby was staring into the middle distance, eyes wide.

“Of course. Sniffer…sniffing…why didn’t I think of this before?” she murmured.

“You think what before?” Petrie asked.

“Chomper’s sniffer!” she exclaimed. “He have been able track down so many people and locations. Maybe he can track down the killer.”

“What?” Chomper looked up, confused.

“No, just think! The grownups are having a hard time finding the killer. Maybe we can use Chomper’s nose to find a trail to where Mr. Clubtail fell.”

“R-really?” Petrie struggled a bit to keep up, a sliver of anxiety showing through. “Oh, now me think, it sound like good idea.”

“It’s an important idea. If we can sniff down what happened to Mr. Clubtail, we can stop the killer. And the valley can be at peace again. Everyone can finally relax.” Ruby stood taller, putting her hands on her hips. “You’re not useless Chomper. And I’m going to prove it.”

Before anyone could reply, Ruby snatched Chomper’s hand and he yelped as she pulled him to his feet, pulling him out of the cave as a confused Petrie followed.

“There you three are!” Mama Flyer said, flapping with her other children as she descended toward them. ”Why are you walking so fast? I know we must be cautious but there’s no need to rush-”

“Now’s the time for rushing.” Ruby panted. “We need to find Grandpa and Grandma Longneck now.”

They rushed past as they entered the forest, Chomper staggering and eyes wide as he struggled to keep up. Petrie’s wings were flapping in a blur, trying not to be left behind. Mama Flyer and her other children stared before they hastily flapped to catch up.

“Wait, slow down Ruby,” she said. “Why do you need to talk with Grandpa and Grandma Longneck? Is it important?”

“Very important.” Ruby said. “I have an important idea and I need to tell them before-”

“Before what, Ruby?”

Ruby and Chomper tripped and nearly fell over each other. Petrie yelped and had to flap his wings forward to stop himself from smacking into Ruby’s neck. They all looked around before raising their heads, finding an elderly flyer standing on a branch not far up, leaning against the tree and watching them.

“Don, there you are!” Petrie said.

“Sorry we didn’t talk to you much after Verter yesterday.” Ruby said. “After Cera and Chomper got rescued, we wanted to be with them.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine.” Don said. “Perfectly understandable.” He jumped, flapping to slow his descent and land on the ground. “Is Chomper well?”

“I’m – I’m fine, sir.” Chomper mumbled, looking down.

“Good. Good.” Don said. He looked…thoughtful, as though he didn’t know what to make of a recent event and wasn’t sure he liked it. Still, this was the least severe any of them had ever seen him. “I’m quite proud of what you two accomplished. It is because of your ingenuity that you saved your friends.”

“Really?” Petrie perked up. He smiled proudly. “We did do good, didn’t we?”

Ruby looked down. “But I didn’t think it was possible that Verter would be the killer.”

“No big deal. You at least had the intelligence to be persuaded and help make sure that threehorn wouldn’t be a further threat.” Don said. “Any further issues can be worked over in our future talks.” He looked around. “Where are you off to anyway?”

“We off to Littlefoot’s grandparents because Ruby have idea on how to find killer.” Petrie said.

Don paused. “She has?”

Ruby nodded. “I just remembered Chomper has a good sense of smell. If he could smell where Mr. Clubtail was before he fell, then we can find the killer’s smell.”

“What?” Mama Flyer said. “Oh, so that’s why you were in such a rush.”

“That does sound like a good idea.” One of Petrie’s sisters said.

“Chomper is a sharptooth.” One of Petrie’s brothers added. “They’re very good at smelling things.”

The other siblings chimed in their agreement, bursting with energy at the idea. Don pressed his beak together.

“Yes, yes,” he said. “With that logic, it’s…natural why you see it has value.”

Ruby smiled, nodding. “With Chomper’s nose, we will be able to find out what happened. Then we can take care of the killer. All our worries will soon be gone.”

“You shouldn’t do it.”

Ruby and the others glanced up in shock. Don stood there, fists on hips, gazing sternly.

“What?” Ruby said. “But Chomper’s sniffer is very good. He finds Mr. Clubtail’s scent, and we find the killer. It is a good idea.”

“Really?” Don asked “This is too obvious to be effective.” He leaned closer. “For Wing Father’s sake, this idea hasn’t been thoroughly thought over.”

“We rushed to the conclusion Verter was the killer and you supported it,” she replied. “I’m just applying what I already know, since I know his nose for as long as I’ve known Chomper.”

“What you already know can have holes. Firsthand knowledge can’t always be trusted. I’m the elder here, I know what I’m talking about.”

There was silence as they glared at each other. Chomper and the flyer family watched them, not sure what to say.

“Wow, this sure got tense.” One of Petrie’s brother murmured.

“L-look,” Mama Flyer said, flying closer “why not have Ruby talk to Grandpa and Grandma Longneck about it. They’re wise. If there is problem with the idea, they’ll bring it up.”

“Good idea, Mama.” Petrie brightened. “They very smart. They know what to do.”

“Not all elders are wise.” Don said, not looking at him. “Those longnecks have been fooled before. They cannot be trusted to take the proper action.”

“You say elders should be respected, yet when we bring up elders we can to talk to, you dismiss them.” Ruby’s eyes narrowed. “You just want to be the only one listened to. You don’t like us listening to someone who’s not you.”

Don’s eyes flashed. “Don’t talk to me like that.”

“You need to hear it. I admit, I’m disappointed. I thought you were more willing to listen to others’ opinions but you still have a ways to go.” She turned away. “Talking can be useful but we can’t talk forever. I need to do something to help the valley now.”

Don grabbed Ruby’s arm. There were gasps and Ruby stepped back in shock.

“Don.” Mama Flyer said. “Let her go.”

He ignored her, staring into Ruby’s eyes. “Do not do this,” he said lowly. “For Wing Father’s sake. You won’t like what might happen.”
 
Ruby stared, flinching as a stinging cool came to her chest. But her mouth became grim and she wrenched his hand off. “Whatever happens, the consequences of this killer’s actions have already happened. They need to be taken care of.”

She turned and stalked off, dragging a confused Chomper with her. Mama Flyer and her children followed, glaring at Don as they passed. Only Petrie remained, hesitating, before facing him.

“Sorry,” he said. “Me sure she not hate you. Maybe we can talk about it at a meeting later.”

“Yes.” Don intoned. “Yes, of course.”

Turning, Petrie flew off, though he strangely winced a bit. For a while, Don stood there, staring at where Petrie’s figure disappeared with the others. The buzz of insects was in the air. Closing his eyes, he sighed.

“I’m sorry, children,” he said.

--

Tria lay with Mr. Threehorn near their nest. The laughter of children and the crackle of a moving rock echoed not far off. Cera sat with Littlefoot, Ducky, and Spike in a circle, rolling a rock between them. Tricia ran after the rock, giggling as she tried to catch it and nearly turning herself dizzy as the others each pushed it in a different direction. The others occasionally smiled and laughed at Tricia’s antics. Tria smiled. After Cera’s whole ordeal, she deserved to have her friends with her. It heartened Tria to hear their enjoyment.

“They are really going at it,” she said.

“Mmm.” Mr. Threehorn said.

“It’s nice to have a break from all the training. We needed this.”

“Yeah.”

Glancing at him, Tria tried to keep her smile. “And look at Tricia playing with them. It’s nice to see her engaging with other children. I hope she can manage to make friends of her own soon.”

Mr. Threehorn gazed focused. After a few seconds watching the kids, lips twitching. “I hope she doesn’t get friends like Littlefoot and the others.”

“Oh, come on.” Tria laughed.

“I mean it, that would be trouble. Do we want two daughters who get themselves in dangerous adventures every other cold time?”

“You just want her to goo-goo, gaa-gaa with you all the time,” she teased.

“Well,” he averted his gaze, “you got me there.”

They laughed. Tria looked to him and smiled, affection clear.

“I’m happy you could still laugh, Topsy,” she said.

“Of course I can laugh. I do have a sense of humor.” Mr. Threehorn said. “Do you think I would have got through the struggles I did if I didn’t find some things funny?”

“I’m glad. We need to find the small joys in life. It what makes living worth it.” Tria paused. “In light of that, I’m wondering if we can talk.”

“Oh?”

“About…what happened yesterday.”

His smile dropped. “Right.”

She waited for him to speak but his lips remained pressed together.

“That was really traumatic,” Tria said at length. “I was wondering how…you were doing.”

“Fine,” he said. He looked away. “It’s not the first loss I’ve had to deal with.”

“Are you sure? He was…you know. That must really hurt.”

“Verter…” his voice caught and he shook his head. “He made the nest he laid in.”

“That doesn’t stop someone from feeling bad.” Tria said.

“Don’t worry. It’ll go away. It all-” His voice became harsh. “Why are we talking about this now?”

“I’m worried about you.” Tria said. “I’m not unaffected by what happened either. I was thinking we can help each other.”

“Our focus should be having a family time with our daughters.” Mr. Threehorn turned his head away. “It is what they need.”

“I know but we should take care of ourselves too. We can’t take care of them if we’re bothered by tragedies in the past.”

 “I’m not bothered by it.” Mr. Threehorn said. “There are other ways to take care of ourselves. Lingering over the past won’t help that.”

“Topsy, please-”

“I said I’m not-!” he said loudly. He closed his eyes, inhaling. “It doesn’t matter what happened yesterday. What matters is making our daughters happy. This is not the time for it.”

“R-right.” Tria said. “It has been only a day. Sorry. But maybe when things to settle down, we can discuss it then.”

“I appreciate your concern,” Mr. Threehorn said, “but that’s never going to be needed. I’m fine. I just need to keep going. You shouldn’t worry about me.”

She wanted to say more but she found herself settling down. “Y-yes. If you say so.”

Tria fell silent. They lay together, bodies still close, but she felt further away from him than ever.

*Why?* she thought. *Why won’t you let me help you, Topsy? Why can’t I do anything to reach you?*

Meanwhile, Cera and the others continued to roll the rock between them, ignorant of the tension that flared some distance behind them. Tricia was breathless as she ran after the rock, nearing Littlefoot when he caught it and redirecting when he pushed it to Ducky, their spirits rising as they watched her go.

“It’s great to be together again.” Littlefoot said.

“You could say that again.” Cera said.  “It’s a relief not to be moving around so much for once. I don’t think that’ll change for me anytime soon.”

“Oh, that is okay.” Ducky said. “After being apart for so long, playing like this is fine, it is, it is.”

Spike grunted with agreement, catching the rock and punting it to Tricia, who squealed with delight.

“It’s only been three days.” Cera said. “It’s not like we haven’t done our own thing before.”

“But those three days felt like forever.” Ducky said.

“With this ghost stuff, these days have felt really long.” Cera admitted. “Though really, we’ve been together more times than we’ve been not.”

Littlefoot nodded. “I can’t believe we’ve been together longer than it took for us to go to the valley. That feels so far away now.”

“Time sure goes slow when you’re not having fun,” she said. The others laughed. “I don’t want to grow up yet. I still want to have time to play. I think Tria said that when you’re a kid, it feels like forever but when it feels done, it’s like no time at all.”

There were nods, some of them gazing up as they remembered their many adventures as friends. It was amazing what could be packed within the short span of childhood. With this, they forgot the rock, which was being tugged back and forth by Spike and Tricia as the two giggled along. Glancing around, Littlefoot hesitated but decided to speak.

“Speaking of time, um…how are you been doing?”

“Fine.” Cera frowned. “After so much time moving, I got to sleep in for once. It’s been good.”

“I mean…is there anything bothering you?” he said.

“I don’t know.” She glared at them. “Why aren’t you bothered about not being with Patty and Tega? Where are they anyway?”

“Patty came around but said she couldn’t look after me because she was busy.” Littlefoot explained. “She didn’t say with what but maybe that grouchy spikethumb leader has the herd in a meeting.”

“We barely saw Tega.” Ducky said. “She did not show up this morning.” Spike made a thoughtful sound as she continued. “Me and Spike are worried but maybe she wants to give us space.”

“Weird for her to leave someone in the lurch.” Cera said wryly. “Then again, it’s very bright today. Maybe she wants to keep to the shade so she won’t get hot. Petrie, Ruby, and Chomper aren’t here either.”

“Petrie’s mother is going over to escort them to us.” Littlefoot said. “Things are still dangerous. Chomper might also need some rest.”

“Yeah.” Cera softened a bit. “Hope that little guy can enjoy himself.”

“Mmm.” Littlefoot nodded, a smile flitting in. He looked at her again, hesitating, but his concern made him press on. “I don’t mean to keep pressing but are you okay? You went through a lot.”

“I’m fine.” Cera crossed her forelegs, looking away. “Mr. Thicknose and a few others helped treat me and Chomper’s injuries. We’ll be alright.”

“Are you sure?” Ducky asked. “Yesterday sounded really scary. If you want to talk about it, we will listen.”

“No thanks. I have been through it and it’s done.” Cera said. “I just want to move on.”

“But is that good?” Littlefoot asked. “Just ignoring something doesn’t always make it go away. Sometimes talking it out helps. When I talk with my grandparents about things, it can make me feel better.”

“Do you talk with your grandparents about everything?” she retorted. “You aren’t scarred for life if you just keep some things to yourself. You are still happy.”

“But I think that is for small things.” Ducky said. “This is a scary thing. When me and Spike talk about a problem scary or small, it helps us better understand it.” Spike nodded, and she smiled. “See? You do not have to do it right now but if we can talk about it, you will feel better even more.”

Littlefoot nodded. “It is a bit soon, so you’re probably not in the mood, but we’re always willing to listen.”

“You will be waiting for a long time, then, because that is never going to happen.” Cera flopped her head onto her forelegs. “I understand what happened. I got tricked into doing a load of hard work and then someone up and died. I don’t want a talk to tell me something that obvious.”

“But this Verter situation sounded bigger than that.” Ducky protested. “It would be good to-”

“Stop bothering me about it!” Cera snapped. The others jumped, Tricia yelping and staring at her in surprise. “You always try to butt in whenever I look the least a bit sad. You and Ducky are particularly bad about this, Littlefoot. What, am I bothering the feel-good mood of our get togethers by not being happy all the time?”

“Hey, don’t be like that!” Littlefoot said. “We’re just worried about you. We want to make sure you’re okay.”

“Well, you’re not doing a good job at it. Leave me alone. Some people just want to deal with things on their own. Can’t you think about that instead of how you would do it for once? That especially goes for you, Ducky. You always try to fix things how you would fix things, trying to make everyone smiley and perky, and I’m getting sick of it. Can’t you stop babying everyone for once, it’s annoying, you’re annoying, sometimes you should just-”

“Cera, Cera!” Ducky said, waving her arms. “Stop!”       

Cera stopped. Ducky had stepped back in shock. Spike and Littlefoot glared at her, a little hurt in Littlefoot’s eyes. Tricia started crying, head raised as tears streamed down her cheeks. Spike tried to nuzzle her but it was no use. Cera stared, a sinking in her stomach. Verter had said something about her turning against her friends in the future because of her selfishness. Was this a hint of things to come?

In the silence that followed, there was a rumble of feet. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck approached, expressions troubled.

“We didn’t expect to see you again so soon.” Tria said.

“After your experience yesterday, we thought we should check on you.” Grandpa Longneck answered. He turned to survey Littlefoot and the others. “Petrie, Ruby, and Chomper aren’t here yet.”

“Don’t worry.” Mr. Threehorn said. “I’m – I’m sure Petrie’s mother is bringing them here now.” He tried to focus on the grandparents. “Have you found anything?”

Grandma Longneck sighed. “No. It’s like we’re going in circles. It’s really starting to feel like something killed Mr. Clubtail and disappeared off the land.”

“So the killer might be a ghost.” Mr. Threehorn muttered. “Great.”

“Unless this ghost is like the sharptooth, I don’t think it’s that situation.” Grandpa Longneck frowned. ”Though…it is strange. Grandma and I have been keeping an ear out for any sign people might be dealing with ghosts and nothing. No one has been behaving odd at all.”

“Do you think it’s over?” Tria asked hopefully.

“I don’t think so,” he replied. “It doesn’t seem like it would end that easily. It’s likely happening more elsewhere. We must be on our guard. It could surge back any time.”

She shuddered. “That would be the last thing we need, for…him to come back as a ghost.” Mr. Threehorn looked away.

“We should be cautious but not get too ahead of ourselves.” Grandma Longneck said. “We still need to protect ourselves from this killer. We need to find a way to track him down.” She sighed. “I only hope we can find a lead that can actually do that…”

“Grandpa and Grandma Longneck! Mr. Threehorn! Tria!”

The grownups started. Littlefoot and the others raised their heads. Ruby and Chomper approached at top speed, Chomper stumbling and huffing as Ruby pulled him along. Petrie and his mother and siblings trailed after in the air, only slightly less breathless. She stopped in front of the grownups and panted, eyes urgent and alive.

“What’s the matter, Ruby?” Grandpa Longneck asked.

“You aren’t going to claim another friend is a bad person, are you?” Tria said warily.

“No.” Ruby said, righting herself. “At least, I hope this idea won’t lead to that. But I have an idea on how to track down the killer.”

This got Littlefoot and the others’ attention. They got up, going over to stand next to them. Even Tricia, walking over to sniffle next to her mother’s foreleg, looked up to see what all the excitement was.

“Really?” Littlefoot asked. “You have an idea?”

“The definite one.” Ruby said. “It was so important when I thought about it, I had to find you guys.”

“We appreciate your duty. But did you have to drag Chomper halfway across the valley to tell us?” Grandma Longneck asked. Chomper stood bowed, looking about ready to fall over. “He has went through a lot. He needs rest.”

“But Chomper is part of the idea! I was thinking of using his sniffer to track down what happened to Mr. Clubtail.”

Many eyes widened. Mr. Threehorn, who looked tired, stirred with surprise.

“What?” he said.

“Chomper has the best nose of anyone I know.” Ruby said. “And I don’t know of anyone with a nose like his. It has helped us so much in knowing where good people and bad people are. I’m sure he could sniff us to whoever hurt Mr. Clubtail.”

“Oh yes.” Ducky said. “Chomper’s nose would help very much, it would, it would.”

Spike bayed with a smile at the idea. Tria turned to the sharptooth youth.

“So you are suggesting…Chomper should be part of this investigation?” she said.

“Yes.” Ruby said. “He can help us find the spot where what happened to Mr. Clubtail happened. He can sniff the spot and find the killer’s scent. It was so obvious. I’m almost mad I didn’t think about it in the first place.”

“Good job, Ruby!” Littlefoot said.

“We always knew you could think of a solution!” Cera said, smile a bit forced. “No wonder you rushed over here to tell us.”

“I’m not sure.” Mr. Threehorn turned to Chomper, eyes narrowed. “How can we trust he won’t lead us into a trap for his sharptooth friends?”

Chomper flinched. Everyone turned and stared at him.

“What are you talking about, Topsy?” Tria asked. “Just yesterday, you said you supported Chomper. You worked hard to save him. What have you changed your mind all of a sudden?”

“Huh?” Mr. Threehorn flinched. He stared, blank-eyed for a moment, then shook his head. “Oh. You – you’re right. I remember. I just – I don’t know what came over me.”

The others stared at him. Cera stepped toward him, eyes shining with great worry.

“Uh, anyway, this sounds like a good idea.” Littlefoot said.

“We can always count on Ruby to come up with a plan, yep, yep, yep.” Ducky said.

“She always come up with good ideas.” Petrie managed a smile. “Now all we need to do is put it into action. Then valley can be safe.”
 
“Hang on.” Grandpa Longneck interrupted. He shifted. “We don’t feel very comfortable about this.”

“You and Chomper went through a lot yesterday, Ruby.” Grandma Longneck said. “As your parents aren’t here, we are obligated to watch over you. We don’t feel right pushing you into adult responsibilities.”

“But this might be the only way to find out what happened to Mr. Clubtail!” Ruby protested. “From what I have been hearing, you haven’t found any clues. This can find clues faster. With the killer about, shouldn’t we find him as soon as possible?”

“Well…” Mama Flyer hesitated. “I don’t mean to intrude but there is merit to that idea.”

“You can trust Ruby and Chomper.” Petrie said. “Me see her think a lot with Don’s lessons. She very grownup. They can do this.”

“You can also trust Chomper’s sniffer.” Littlefoot said. “Are there any other good sniffers around? If you give them a chance, I’m sure they’ll help you here too. Come on. What have you got to lose?”

Spike nodded, thrusting his head to Chomper and giving a “eh” filled with passion. Petrie’s brothers and sisters also nodded, having become fond of Ruby and Chomper in their few escorts. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck glanced at each other. They appeared uncomfortable as they had a mental debate in their mind. Grandpa Longneck looked to the sharptooth youth.

“What do you think, Chomper?” he asked. “What is your position on this?”

Chomper appeared caught off guard. Glancing around, he sighed. “I guess it can’t hurt.”

That wasn’t the vote of confidence Ruby and the gang were searching for. But it seemed to do the trick. The grandparents hesitated. Reluctantly, they looked at Mama Flyer, Tria, and Mr. Threehorn. Mama Flyer was concerned but looked thoughtful. Tria only looked worried. Mr. Threehorn was mostly distracted, too disturbed by his sudden regression in attitude to think one way or the other. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck sent concerned glances at Ruby and Chomper, weighing the benefits of resolving the killer issue quickly versus the ethics of employing children. The gang waited with baited breath.

Grandpa Longneck sighed. “Very well. Since you volunteered.”

The gang brightened and there were happy cries. Ruby pumped a fist up.

“Yes!” she said. “You’ll be a big help Chomper, you’ll see.”

“But it will only be the two of you.” Grandpa Longneck continued. “The rest of you are staying behind.”

“What?” Littlefoot said. Everyone else’s cheers died down

“You heard us.” Grandma Longneck said. “We won’t be endangering any more children than we have to. This is already a hard decision.”

“But Ruby and Chomper friends!” Petrie protested. “We can’t leave them behind.”

“That is sweet Petrie, but think.” Mama Flyer said. “As hard as it is to hear, what can you contribute? Chomper will be offering his nose and Ruby her support. The rest of you aren’t needed.”

“We can also support them.” Ducky said, Spike nodding. “It will help them to have their friends with them.”

“They will have Grandpa and Grandma Longneck with them.” Tria said. “They are very kind. They can offer all the support Ruby and Chomper need. I’m not happy about this but I trust they will be safely looked after. We don’t want any of you kids hurt.”

“You’re underestimating us.” Cera growled. “You really think we don’t have much to offer?”

”This is not negotiable.” Grandpa Longneck said. “Our decision is final. You all are children. You have been through more than enough. Enjoy the day, and you will hear back from us later.”

“This is so unfair.” Cera muttered. “We did all the hard work to get them listened to and we’re getting left behind.”

The grandparents ignored her. They turned to Ruby and Chomper.

”We are taking your request but reluctantly.” Grandpa Longneck said. “Ordinarily, we wouldn’t do this but with the lack of progress, we have little choice. Stay close to us and obey our instructions. If there is danger and we tell you to run, run and don’t look back. If we find the killer’s scent and where he is, please listen to our request and leave with a trusted grownup.”

“I’m coming too.” Mr. Threehorn said, stepping forward.

“Topsy, are you sure?” Tria asked.

“I’m tired of just sitting around doing nothing,” he said. “If there’s a chance you’ll find this killer, you’ll need protection. I can offer that.”

Grandpa Longneck hesitated. “Are you sure? After what just happened, maybe you should rest.”

“I’m fine!” Mr. Threehorn said, a bit forcefully. “That was – nothing. Just let me help here.”

Grandpa Longneck still looked reluctant but at Mr. Threehorn’s level gaze, he sighed. “Then your help will be welcome.” He turned to his mate. “What should we do with Mr. Thicknose and his volunteers?”

“I think we could at least notify them.” Grandma Longneck said. “How should we begin the search? I was thinking we-”

The pair continued talking, Mr. Threehorn occasionally chipping in, impatient to get going. Chomper didn’t show much excitement, resigned he was going to play this role. Ruby was relieved as she listened, but she was almost guilty as she glanced at Littlefoot and the others, who stood there with a mix of worry and resentment. As the grandparents and Mr. Threehorn continued to talk, Patty walked in on the scene.

“Patty, perfect timing.” Grandpa Longneck said, noticing her. “We have hit upon a potentially good idea to find the killer. Can you watch over Littlefoot for us?”

“Really?” Patty raised her head with slight surprise at the news. At length, she nodded. “Of course. You need space to do this important work. Littlefoot, come on.”

“Huh?” Littlefoot said. “But-” He glanced at his friends. He sighed. “Sorry guys.”
   
He departed from his friends, joining Patty. His head was lowered as they walked off.

“It looks like they are quite busy.” Patty said.

“Yeah.” Littlefoot sighed. “Ruby and Chomper are going to help. But I’m worried. I wish there was something I can do.”

“Hmm,” she said, thoughtful. “Well, I think there’s one way we can help.”

“Really?” he asked.

“Follow me. I’ll show you where we need to go.”

Patty hurried her pace. In spite of himself, Littlefoot became curious, and moved after her.
Back with Cera and the others, they watched the grandparents and Mr. Threehorn wrap up their discussion. They stepped apart, nodding.

“So that’s the plan.” Grandpa Longneck said. “Ruby? Chomper? Time to go.”

“Okay.” Ruby put an arm on Chomper’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Chomper. This will work out.”

With that, they turned and walked away with their backs to the kids.

“Come on Cera, kids, it’s time to go.” Tria said.

“We have to go too, Petrie.” Mama Flyer said.

“Yeah, come on.” One of Petrie’s brothers said. “We’re going to meet Dad today.”

“Um, okay.” Petrie said. He traded uncertain looks with the others and followed his family into the sky.

The flyers ascended, the land below dropping down a bit as they flew above the trees, making a beeline for their nest. They flew in a reverse-V formation with their mother in the lead, Petrie flying at the back left end.

“You know Petrie, your father and I are proud of you,” Mama Flyer said, eyes ahead. “Even if your killer prediction wasn’t accurate, it still saved your friends and…”

Petrie spotted a particularly high tree coming up. He hesitated. Glancing around to note his siblings were all staring ahead, he circled and ducked behind the tree as his family passed, laying low among the leaves as his mother spoke.

“…what we expected, we are happy for you and want you to know…Petrie? Petrie!”

Petrie sighed. “Sorry Mama. Me have to do this.”

Meanwhile, Tria led Cera, Ducky and Spike through a forested path. Tricia hopped along near her mother’s forefoot, cheering herself up by dancing between the shadows of the trees. Cera, Ducky, and Spike kept up near Tria’s rear left foot, Cera glaring at the grass.

“If you want to, Ducky and Spike, you can stay with us.” Tria said. “I always enjoy the company of Cera’s friends. After these horrible few days, I think what we all need is a relaxing dip in the mud pool.”

Cera caught Ducky and Spike’s eye and flicked her gaze to the right. The siblings looked blank but at her glare, they caught on and nodded, starting to edge to the left line of bushes.

“I know you aren’t a fan of the mud Ducky but it’s really good.” Tria was saying. “You didn’t mind when we all tried it the first time. You just need to sink in and…” She paused and looked around. “Cera? Ducky, Spike? Oh, come on. Are we really going to do this?”

Cera, Ducky, and Spike galloped and hid behind a tree, Cera’s eyes lowered in determination.

“No, I’m not going to be sent off while the grownups do the important work,” she muttered. “We’re going to find out what’s happening.”

Ducky nodded. “Though are you okay? Don’t you feel bad about Tria and Tricia?”

Cera cringed and looked around as Tria continued to call for them.

“I’ll make it up to them.” Cera said. “Besides, I’m worried about Daddy. Come on. Let’s not hang around.”

Ducky and Spike nodded. With one last backward glance, they started running in the opposite direction. The three dodged around tree trunks and bushes, careful not to trip over or hit anything.

“How do we make sure they do not catch us?” Ducky asked.

“By moving fast.” Cera said. “Let’s not be seen. The important thing is to catch up with Chomper and Ruby and-”

She yelped when what she presumed was an odd green branch up ahead abruptly turned out of view and was replaced by a face. Cera skidded to a halt, finding herself inches from the baleful eyes of a spiketail.

“And just where do you think you’re going?” The spiketail asked.

“I-” Cera stammered. “That is, I-”

“Relax Cera, it is only Tega.” Ducky said. 

Cera turned, and looked at the spiketail. “Wait, you’re Tega?”

Tega stepped forward, out from the obscuring foliage as she chewed a piece of grass. Cera stepped out of the way as Ducky and Spike approached, smiling at the spiketail.

“We haven’t seen you in a while Tega.” Ducky said. “Where have you been?”

“I just wanted to give you space.” Tega said. “Your friends were through a lot.”

“Oh, I knew it.” Ducky clicked her fingers, chuckling. “That is very nice of you. We have been very worried about our friends. We wanted to spend time with them. In fact, we are so worried, we are following Ruby and Chomper right now as they help find a way to find the killer.”

“Ducky.” Cera hissed.

“What?” Ducky said innocently. “She is our friend. She will not tell on us.”

Tega’s lips twitched into a smile. “You’re stalking your friends, huh? I’m amazed you would go that far.”

“They are doing scary work.” Ducky said. “We are happy they are brave, but we want to make sure they are okay.”

“Is that really necessary?” Tega said. “I have seen them go by. With two elder longnecks and a threehorn with them, they have all the help and protection their self-interest could ask for. Not that anyone would hurt them. With their connections to the Mysterious Beyond, who would dare do in such important children?”

Cera frowned, glancing suspiciously at Tega. Spike made a questioning face and exchanged looks with his sister, whose cheer drained slightly as she considered Tega.

“Um, what are you trying to say?” Ducky asked.

“How will Ruby and Chomper benefit?” Tega asked. “It will only lead to embarrassment when what you did is revealed. Did Ruby and Chomper protest much when you weren’t allowed to go?”

“No. I – I do not remember them saying anything about it.”

“That indicates how much benefit they see in you coming along. It will be very inconvenient and-”

“Hey, guys.” Petrie’s voice said. His small flapping figure came up from the trees and descended down. “Sorry to be late. Me was trying to-” He stopped when he spotted Tega. “Oh hey, Tega. Uh, what happening?”

“I think Tega is saying we should not follow Ruby and Chomper.” Ducky said.

Petrie’s head darted between them. “Wait, what?”

“I’m happy you actually put the clues together.” Tega said.

“But why?” Ducky asked. “Why do you not want us to go?”

“Think about it. Is this something that is really in your interest? Not only might you be going into potential danger but you will get in trouble when you return to your parents. You kids get in enough trouble. Is this worth the risk?”

“It is. We will be following Ruby and Chomper and-” Petrie paused and looked to the others. “Um, what will we be doing?”

“We will be supporting them from a distance.” Ducky said defensively. “We will help them if they need it, with whatever might hurt them and whatever they find.”

“Right.” Petrie nodded. “That!”

“Hmm, funny.” Tega said. “From that last part, it sounds like you’re more interested in fulfilling you’re self-interested curiosity.”

“Hey!” Cera said indignantly.

“It not like that!” Petrie protested.

“That seems to be your primary interest.” Tega said. “You were spurned by your parents not allowing you first dibs on the killer news and so you left your families at the first opportunity to get that. Pretty natural for children your age, thinking about your immediate interests while not considering your longer term ones.”

“Please Tega, can we not have this talk now?” Ducky pleaded. “We might be a bit curious but we are worried for our friends, we are. We just want to help them.”

“You won’t accomplish much.” Tega frowned. “All you would be doing is making your lives more complicated for something you will find out later anyway.”

“Tega-“

“Did your parents not notice you go?” Tega interrupted. The gang froze. “I bet they did. You’re going to get in trouble and the longer you’re away, the more trouble you’ll be in. They might do something drastic to make sure you don’t do this again, like keep you away from your friends. With you kids being apart for so many days, is that what you want? That would be an inconvenience for me. All this, just so you could learn what you’d find out later anyway. This is the time to decide between your immediate self-interest and your longer term one. Are you really going to risk so much for such a minor issue?”

Ducky and the others hesitated, eyes wavering down. Ducky pressed a hand to her chest. That issue didn’t occur to them. If – when – they were found by their families, they would be in so much trouble. With their track record, they really might have their time with their friends taken away. Mama Swimmer might go for something that would hurt to make sure Ducky and Spike wouldn’t step out of line again. Ducky cringed at the thought of being separated from her beloved friends for many days, especially after they have been away for so long. Then she thought about Ruby and Chomper and how they were doing this dangerous duty away from their friends after everything they had been through. Ducky became firm.

“For the last time, we are doing this because we care. Can we talk about this later? We are following them.”

The others also hardened and nodded. They began to walk passed Tega to their destination when a spiked tail was put in their way.

“I insist,” Tega said. “I prefer you two to still be around. I would not like the two of you to be in trouble.”

This gave some pause. Ducky softened a bit but shook her head.

“I am sorry but we what do not like more is not being with our friends now. We will see you later.”

Ducky moved around the tail and walked off, wincing and rubbing her chest. The three followed behind her as Tega became distant.

“Are you just going to go along with them Spike?” Tega called. “I thought you were done being ordered around.”

Spike stopped. His eyes were wide.

“You might be going into potential danger,” she continued. “You’ll be in trouble, all because you follow your friends around as expected. Is that what you really want?”

He stayed in place. Ducky, Cera, and Petrie turned around, expressions uncertain.

“Spike?” Ducky said.

Spike’s eyes searched the ground, pressing a foreleg to his chest. It was true he wanted to live an ordinary life. He didn’t like getting in trouble. But there was also something he wanted just as much. His eyes hardened and he glared at Tega, making clear he wanted to look after Ruby and Chomper as well. Wincing a bit, he galloped past his friends, making them cheer.

“Alright!” Cera said.

“Way to go, Spike!” Petrie cheered.

Tega watched the four disappear into the distance. For a while, she chewed silently, eyes still on the spot where she last saw them. Then she spat out her grass.

“Well, it was fun while it lasted,” she said.

--

Ruby and Chomper stood near the sweet bubble glen, the grandparents and Mr. Threehorn beside them. They had arrived back at the spot where Mr. Clubtail’s body had been found. It looked like an ordinary glen. The leaves waved in the low wind and the sweet bubbles shown in the late morning light. Even a few dinosaurs were grazing nearby. Only the slight indentation in the grass indicated the horror that was discovered a few days ago. Mr. Thicknose and his volunteers had been notified of the plan with Chomper and they would unite with them later if they had a suspect that was to be confronted.

“You could pick up Mr. Clubtail’s scent here.” Grandpa Longneck said. “This is the most direct way to do this short of…this is more appropriate for you two.”

Ruby nodded. They waited for Chomper to start whiffing the grass but he merely stood in front of the spot, eyes lowered.

“Well?” Mr. Threehorn said gruffly. “Are you going to sniff the spot or what?”

“Oh.” Chomper said. “Right.”

Chomper went over to the depression and sniffed. Ruby and the grownups watched as he meandered around, smelling it. Mr. Threehorn already looked like he was regretting this. It appeared he thought he would be into something more involved and energetic than this. It took a bit, as Chomper moved around the depression sluggishly. At last, he stopped. They wondered from his stillness if he didn’t find anything. Then they heard sniffles and realized he was crying.

“I miss him,” he said. “I miss him. I…”

Softening, Ruby closed the distance and embraced him. Chomper’s breaths shuddered, and he pressed his head onto her stomach, some falling tears glimpsed by the grownups. Mr. Threehorn shuffled and looked away.

“Take – take your time,” he said. “There is no rush.”

For a bit, Ruby stroked Chomper’s back, his occasional sniffles the only sound around. At last, he broke from her.

“I – I have the scent,” he said. “Let’s go.”

“You sure?” Grandpa Longneck said.

“Yeah.” Chomper wiped his eyes and gave a last sniffle. “Might as well see where this goes.”

Clearing his throat, he put his nose to the ground. Giving a few experimental sniffs, he began walking. Looking guilty for her suggestion, Ruby followed, and the uncertain grownups brought up the rear.

A few longneck lengths back, Cera and the others stalked after them from a distance. They darted between foliage and giant rocks, keeping an eye on what was happening.

“He seems to have the scent.” Ducky whispered. “Good job, Chomper. Maybe this will help him feel better.”

Spike gave a “eh” and nodded, frowning in concern for his fellow sniffer.

“Me hope killer not watching.” Petrie said, looking around nervously. “If he sees they get too close, he might do something.”

“And that’s why we’re following.” Cera said. Her eyes focused on Mr. Threehorn in particular. “We’ll make sure nothing happens to any of them. See, that’s useful. Us, being selfish. Where does she get off calling us that?”

“I think Tega was worried about us.” Ducky said. “She just has a funny way of showing it, through that selfishness talk and stuff like that.”

“I don’t know.” Cera muttered. “There is something weird about that spiketail.”

“Tega would not do anything bad.” Ducky gave her a glare “She is nice, really, really.”

Cera opened her mouth to retort but remembering how she snapped at Ducky and the others earlier, she shook her head. “Forget it.”

As the gang broke off from their bush to jog forward and hide behind a thick tree, Chomper and his group found themselves walking close to the base of the Great Wall. The mountains that surrounded the Great Valley loomed large but the bright circle wasn’t yet in the position where the mountains would cast a shadow over the two groups. There were giant tracks indicating where the grownups have searched this way. The grandparents looked around, encouraged yet disquieted.

“So, we were on the right track.” Grandpa Longneck whispered. “Mr. Clubtail was pulled along this place.”

“Hopefully, it won’t lead to the same dead end.” Grandma Longneck said. “It’s a wonder the killer could have moved the body a great distance. That would be exhausting work.”

“Wouldn’t someone who worked that hard leave their scent on the body?” Mr. Threehorn said. More loudly, he asked. “Hey Chomper, did you smell any other scents with Mr. Clubtail’s?”

Chomper paused, head raised in thought. “Uh…maybe? I think there are a few scents tangled with his.”

The grownups slowed, eyes widening.

“Did you say…a few?” Grandpa Longneck asked.

“Yeah, there is more than one. It’s weird.” He sniffed harder and frowned. “I can’t identity them. For some reason, my sniffer won’t let me.” He scratched his chest. “Some do smell familiar though. Like I met them before.”

The grandparents and Mr. Threehorn exchanged uneasy looks.

“That would be bad, if some valley residents did this.” Grandma Longneck said. “This could lead to an uproar.”

“It would be worth it.” Mr. Threehorn said. “It doesn’t matter how long they lived here, they need to be punished for what they did.”

They continued to follow Chomper as he sniffed down the scent trail, the grass and tracks becoming sparse. They were going beyond the search territory. For a while, they walked, moving through bare earth, with slight depressions and rocks and boulders dotted about. Chomper paused or raised his head often as he sniffed, sometimes making their hearts skip a beat and Ruby look worried, but he always found the scent again and continued onward. Their legs were becoming sore as the bright circle moved into the middle position in the sky. Then Chomper stopped and sniffed around, putting his nose into the ground at the base of another depression before he stood up. The others watched nervously.

“Have you lost the scent?” Ruby asked.

“No, it stops.” Chomper said.

“How is that different?” Mr. Threehorn asked.

“It doesn’t go any further. Mr. Clubtail didn’t go beyond here. I know it sounds strange but the smells goes…up.” Chomper looked up, sniffing. “I think this is where Mr. Clubtail fell.”

“Really?” Grandpa Longneck said.

They crowded closer. Mr. Threehorn brought his head to the ground as they looked at the slight depression, clear of the debris from elsewhere but slightly larger and more ovular than the rest.

“Now that I’m looking for it, I think this is a crater where someone fell.” Mr. Threehorn noted. “Someone did a good job of clearing it up. I can barely tell it apart from the others boulder craters.”

“The killer, probably.” Grandma Longneck said. “It is disturbing he appears to have help. Was this their plan, or did his friends decide to clean up after a mistake he made?”

“I don’t know.” Grandpa Longneck looked up at a distant protrusion along the mountain above them that indicated a path. “I have the feeling the answer will be somewhere up there.”

Chomper looked down. “Sorry I couldn’t get the answer right away.”

“What are you talking about?” Grandpa Longneck smiled. “We have a place to look for further clues.”

Grandma Longneck nodded. “We would have been stuck if it wasn’t for you and Ruby’s help.”

“Yeah.” Mr. Threehorn said, with a flicker of a smile. “I’ve got to admit, you kids are resourceful. Now we might finally get to the bottom of this.”

Chomper stared at the grownups. He turned to Ruby, who smiled and nodded, a satisfied tilt to her beak. She had put him up to this to show what he was capable of. Even if they didn’t find penultimate clue right away, they got somewhere substantial, which could help the Great Valley deal with this killer. Slowly, a tentative smile formed on Chomper’s lips. Maybe he could be of use to his friends after all.

Meanwhile, Cera and the others watched from the safety of a stray boulder as Chomper and the others stood on the bare ground near the Great Wall. They were too far to hear what the others were saying but the grownups and Chomper and Ruby were bunched up together. The gang peered around their hiding spot, straining not to fall over.

“What happening?” Petrie asked. “Ooh, they find clue?”

“It seems so.” Cera agreed. “They are looking very closely at that one spot on the ground. What could it be?”

“Maybe me can fly over sneakily and hear what they are talking about,” he suggested.

“If you do that, one of them might look up and see you,” she said.

Petrie huffed. “Hey, why you no listen? My idea could be useful.”

Ducky leaned forward from her position on Spike. “There must be some way to hear them. It would be bad if we got into this much trouble and could not hear-” She stopped, rising. “Wait, what is that?”

“What is what?” Cera asked.

“That sound. Did you not hear it? It sounded like crackling rocks.”

They fell silent, not sure what they were trying to hear. It was Spike who first caught onto it, raising his head with an “Hmm?” Then the rest heard it. A distant creaking, the sound of rocks somewhere high being disturbed. 

“Me hear it.” Petrie said. “It must be coming from Great Wall. What is it?”

A crackle mixed in with the creaking, the volume louder. It caused the four to shuffle uneasily.

“Where it coming from?” Ducky looked around. “Follow the sound. Follow...”

The crackle became deep, creaky. They looked about, the sound too echoey with distance, but Petrie cast his eyes up and gave a soft cry. A huge pile of rocks and boulders was lined on top of the Great Wall mountain looming over them. The pile was higher than a longneck and it pushed forward and back, creaking, like a sharptooth ready to pounce. What really put their hearts in their throats was when they traced their eyes down and saw the line of the rock piles aligned perfectly with the group they were watching.

“Oh no, no, no.” Ducky whispered.

“That aimed for Littlefoot’s grandparents and Cera’s dad.” Petrie said. “But why? Oh, this bad. Is – this killer?”

Spike whimpered with worry. The crackle became louder yet. The large rock and boulder pile shifted forward and a few already began cracking down. Ruby and Chomper and the grownups continued conversing, oblivious.

“They’re too busy talking to know what’s coming.” Cera’s breaths quickened. “We need to warn them, we need to -”

“There you children are!”

The four jumped. Tria stood behind them, looking furious.

“Do you understand the kind of trouble you’re in?” she continued. “Why, I have a half a mind to-”

Crack. The pile of rocks and boulders shook, creaking with the sound of something on the point of no return. Mr. Threehorn, the grandparents, and Ruby and Chomper started upon hearing Tria’s voice and craned their heads to look back, still in the danger zone.

Abandoning all pretense, Cera jumped into view. “Daddy, everyone, look out! Rock slide coming! There’s a rock slide coming!”

The grandparents, Mr. Threehorn, Ruby, and Chomper stared, uncomprehending. They looked up just in time to see the rock pile far above creak and frozen in place. They started moving-

Bang! Bang! Bang! The rocks and boulders burst out with explosive force. They rolled down the mountain, gathering up loose rocks and other debris, becoming a narrow but thick wave. Some rocks and boulders were projected far enough by the force to fall straight down, a few crashing onto the Great Wall path but most fell past. Standing at the edge of the danger zone, Ruby and Chomper cried out and scrambled ahead. Grandpa and Grandma Longneck and Mr. Threehorn made to follow but several boulders crashed down and formed an obstacle ahead of them. Looking up with mouths open, the three backed away but the wave of earth was too fast and Cera and the others could only watch in horror as it converged upon them…

--

Littlefoot followed Patty through the valley, the sound of footsteps and the conversations of valley residents fading in and out around them. He couldn’t help looking back every now and again but his attention kept getting drawn back to Patty, and her promise of action.

“Sorry for being absent,” she said. “After all the chaos Verter caused, the herd leader was rather reluctant to let us go.”

“That’s okay.” Littlefoot replied. “This Verter thing has messed everything up. At least I got to spend some time with my friends.” He paused. “Um, where are we going?”

“A very important place.” Patty said, staring ahead. “To tell you the truth, after all the drama Verter caused, I felt I had to do something. This valley had suffered enough: the ghosts, Verter’s scheming…no one should live like this. So I sneaked off from the herd and started looking around to find the cause of all this negativity. And today, I found something.”

“You mean you found what is causing the ghosts?” he said quickly.

“I found a way to fix things.” She turned and smiled at him. “Soon, the ghost drama and all the struggles related to it will be over.”

“Really? It’s here? In the Great Valley?”

“That’s where we are going now. We are going to put an end to this.”

Littlefoot sighed, smiling. “Thank goodness. Everything has been so tense since those ghosts showed up. Everyone will be glad when it’s over.”

“It’s an imperfect phenomena.” Patty agreed. “People see their loved ones again but if they remember they’re dead, they go back. It would be better if that was fixed. To really be honest, I have been searching for a solution since I got to the Great Valley. I’ve been exploring, becoming familiar with its routes.”

“Really? Wow.” Littlefoot said. He hung his head. “But you have been wasting your time playing with me.”

“Don’t say that.” She smiled at him. “Helping one person is as important as helping entire herds. Sometimes, I need reminding of that. Ah, there’s the tunnel.”

They had been walking in a rightly direction, making a beeline for one side of the Great Wall. They came across a cave, tall and wide, large enough for someone of Patty’s size to fit comfortably. They entered, the sound of their footsteps and breaths bouncing off the walls of a long tunnel that curved upward, like some of the mountain paths on the Great Wall. Littlefoot looked around, amazed. He never realized this kind of place was here before.

“I also came to you because you’re important for this.” Patty continued. “I needed someone familiar with adventure to help put an end to the ghosts.”

“Me?” Littlefoot said, surprised. “But I’m just a kid. You have been adventuring much longer, couldn’t you do it?”

“As much as I’m willing to, I can’t do this on my own.” She smiled sadly. “I need someone with a much greater wanderlust than I have, some experience in fending off sharpteeth and helping others. I have a feeling you would make a wise decision, Littlefoot.”

“O-okay,” he said, looking down. “I’m…honored you trust me like this. But what does this ghost stopping thing require?”

“I’m afraid I can’t go into detail. There is a limited time where we can do this.”

“What, if we don’t get there in time, the ghosts will keeping coming forever?” he said quickly.

“I just don’t want to people to deal with this any more than they have to.” Patty said. More quietly, she continued. “I just hope this works.”

She hurried her pace, and Littlefoot followed, mind a whirlwind. This was moving so quickly, his brain was having a hard time catching up. Still, it made sense if she didn’t want people to continue suffering from the ghosts any more than they have to. He was being trusted with an important responsibility. He wondered what he was supposed to do. Was there a magic rock they were supposed to make a wish on? Were they supposed to call down the stars to help block a hole where ghosts were leaking? Or were they supposed to say a fancy phrase or song? He had a hard time conceptualizing what might happen. He only had his grandfather’s stories and the Stone of Cold Fire to go back to but they weren’t real. Whatever it was, he had to be ready or the ghosts might be here forever. He had to get some semblance of his old valley life back. How were his friends and grandparents going to react? They would be proud, no doubt about that, if amused or annoyed he was in the middle of something so important again. But a part of him couldn’t help wondering what Patty would do after that, when her duty would be over…

Littlefoot was distracted from his thoughts by a distant crash. Feeling a pit in his stomach, he galloped to an opening the size of a pebbleback in the tunnel ahead and saw debris ranging from rocks to boulders falling from the Great Wall on the opposite side, material that should be still and solid falling unnaturally like water. It was a narrow band compared to some of the other rockslides he saw but it made up for it with its intensity. He just had enough time to glimpse a couple of familiar tiny figures rapidly backing away before they were obscured by dust blooming in from the rockslide. The sound of debris surging down gradually quieted to a rumble and a great brown plume was spreading out. Littlefoot was unable to see what happened to the dinosaurs below. Patty stood ahead of him, frozen, before gazing back in alarm.

“What happened?” she asked.

“All the rocks fell on the other side.” Littlefoot replied. “I saw Grandpa, Grandma, and Mr. Threehorn near the Great Wall there and everything’s cloudy.” He stared, panting. “They might have gotten buried. We have to help them!”

Patty’s brow creased in worry. “If we keep going, we can use the path on the other side to help them from there.”

“Get to the other side? We can’t do anything up here. We need to get back to the ground and dig them out.”

“The rockslide could be top heavy. Relieving the pressure from above would make it easier for them to climb out.”

Littlefoot looked outside uncertainly. She had a point. If the rock pile was large, then they would need a high place to help clear it away. Yet as the dust cleared a bit, he saw it wouldn’t help.

“No, look.” He stepped aside to give Patty room to peer through. “All the rocks are near the ground. Turning around and helping on the ground will be faster.”

She looked through the opening, thinking. “Okay. There must be a path on the other side that could get us back to the ground quicker. We can go there.”

“Why are you so insistent we take a path ahead?” Littlefoot said. “Time is of the essence! Please, Grandpa and Grandma are there. I can’t lose them!”

Patty began to look uncomfortable. Littlefoot supposed this was reminding her of the loss of her mother. A drop of guilt came into his chest but there were more urgent matters now.

“There must be a way out from the other side,” she said. “I’m sure we could find it.”

Littlefoot gave her a disbelieving stare. “Didn’t you say you were familiar with the paths around here? Why do you suddenly not know now? ”

“I’m still new to the valley.” Patty looked back and forth, desperate. “I haven’t memorized everything. Don’t leave. We still need to stop the ghosts, remember?”

That gave Littlefoot some pause, a cool of reason coming to his chest. It would be really bad if they had the opportunity to stop it and didn’t take it. Then he thought of his grandparents, and his desperation hardened his resolve.

“No, my grandparents could reallynbe hurt. You didn’t say there was a narrow time we can do this. We could just go back later.”

”I – I did hint that.” Though Patty looked like she regretted it. “But, it’s just –” She looked ahead. “There must be a way through the tunnels. If we could…”

“Stop delaying! My grandparents need help now! If there’s no path and we have to go back, that’s time where their situation could get even worse.” Littlefoot took a deep breath and turned. “We need to go the quicker route back.”

“Littlefoot, please-”

“No!” Littlefoot said. “I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but I’m not staying around. If you want to waste time looking for another path down, fine. I’m going the quicker way.”

With that, Littlefoot turned around and began running, his chest searing. He knew he might have hurt Patty’s feelings but they could make up about it later. Right now, he had to move as quickly as he could and-

Wham! Something long and thin snatched his tail. He fell to the ground, yowling in pain. Patty held onto him with his tail, her grip tight, her expression a sign of desperation.

“Patty, what are you doing?” Littlefoot demanded. “Let go!”

“Littlefoot, I promise that if you come with me, your grandparents and everyone you love will be safe.” Patty said. “You only need to spend some time with me.”

“You’re not making any sense! What does this ghost stopping thing have to do with it?”

“Everything!” she said. “This solution will help them more than anything. Once you’re done, you can be with them – forever.”

“What are you talking about?” Littlefoot asked. “If something happens to them, then I can’t be with them. If we do this, I – I can’t even see them as ghosts.” His voice broke and for a second, he gazed down with pain. Then he glared up. “Let me go, Patty. Let – me – go!”

“Please, listen!” Patty said, a little anger coming in. “What can you do? Other dinosaurs are probably going to the scene now. Even they would struggle carrying them out, so how would you fair? I’ve helped many large dinosaurs out there, I know! I have carried longnecks, threehorns, and their weight is overwhelming, and that’s leaving aside the clubtail-”

She stopped. She looked down at Littlefoot, eyes wide, like she hadn’t meant to say that. He stopped struggling. He looked up, a cool of unease in his stomach.

“Clubtail,” he said. “Why did you say clubtail?”

“I – I helped clubtails.” Patty said. “There are a lot out there.” She chuckled nervously. “Why, I helped so many, I’m sure I helped some who like seeing the night circle as a sweet bubble too.”

“How do you know about that?” Littlefoot asked. “Mr. Clubtail only told my friends and our families that.”

She jerked. “Y-your grandparents told the others. I overheard it at some point. It was his secret but since his death, they naturally told everyone so they could guess where he and the killer were.”

“If you only overheard it, why do you look guilty about it?”

She opened her mouth but no sound came out. Littlefoot slowly stood up.

“Patty, what happened? You’ve been acting strange. D-do you have a suspicion? Did you see what happened?”

Patty remained silent. He shifted uncomfortably.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? You – you didn’t do anything, right? Just – tell me what happened. Please, say something. Patty!”

Patty watched Littlefoot for a long moment. She didn’t appear to know what to say. Then she lowered her head and sighed.

“You see too much sometimes,” she said.

@rhombus Thank you for the review. Developing Verter and his motivations was fun and I feel it is better than my initial “general serial killer” idea. There will be repercussions to in future chapters, oh there will be.

Aside question but how am I doing with Tria? I know she doesn’t have many fans, but I’m the type of writer who wants to give every character a fair shot and explore them while keeping them in-character.

Petrie, Ruby, and Don sat a distance from the nest. They were doing another of their debates after dinosaur watching. Petrie never thought it would be hard work to sit around and think a lot. He wished he had been able to offer more of his observations but his throat felt a bit parched. Ruby did a lot of the talking. Mama Flyer was out on an errand and had asked before she left if anyone had any food requests. Don declined to have any as usual but Petrie ordered for those red berries she got two days back. He felt like he needed all the help he could get. His brothers and sisters sent bewildered looks every now and then but didn’t say anything. Papa Flyer tended to the little flyers, playing a little hopping game with them with his hand. He was determinedly not looking at Don.

Ruby tapped her chin, frowning. She had been taking in what she observed from the passing dinosaurs and debating with Don. Now it was her turn to make an argument and she considered Don’s request. 

“What do you want?” she asked.

“Just give out your best argument.” Don said. “It’s values and deficiencies. We shall see how much progress our discussions had.”

“Really?” Ruby said. “I’m not sure. I don’t really have an argument to respond to.”

“Pick one, any of them.” He waved a hand. “For Wing Father’s sake, respond to, say, the theory the killer is someone angry with Mr. Clubtail. We discussed it before. Just take some time to think about it.”

Ruby frowned and rubbed her chin. Petrie watched as the thoughts moved across her eyes and she tried to clink them together.

“I think that idea has value,” she said at last, “but you would have to look at Mr. Clubtail’s injuries first to see if it was someone angry who did it. If it was an angry person who did it, then the injuries would have anger marks. If so, there are other things to think about. Mr. Clubtail doesn’t seem like the type to make a comment that would make someone murderous but there are angry people who would murder others for mild insults. My parents told me some angry people have very delicate pride. So we would have to look for people who have delicate prides and have been violent. Mind you, that angry someone might be clear-headed enough to attack in a way that doesn’t leave those marks behind and plan his revenge carefully but it is a possibility to consider. Even people with grudges can be smart at times.”

Don examined her, and Ruby sat tensely. Then his expression relaxed.

“Not bad. Not bad at all,” he admitted. “That argument is quite convincing.”

Ruby smiled. Petrie looked up with a smile.

“Good job, Ruby!” he said.

Don watched them with a look that was almost…positive.

“I didn’t think you would be able to keep up but you certainly work hard,” he said. “You have improved much in these three days.”

“We have all improved.” Petrie said. “Well, me haven’t improved as much but…”

“Hey, you have.” Ruby said, placing a hand on his back. “I have seen you make some nice observations of passing dinosaurs and give nice ideas in our debates. You have improved but it hard to see it unless you see it as someone other than yourself.”

“True,” he murmured. “Well, me find it hard to say thoughts well and me not see all the things Ruby sees – almost like they ghosts.”

“Ghosts?” Don started, looking around. He glared. “Don’t scare me like that.”

Petrie jerked, confused. “What? Oh, sorry.”

“Though where have the ghosts gone?” Ruby mused. “They have been gone for a while now.”

“Maybe it’s like the weather.” Don said. “They move through and are now elsewhere to bother other people. Anyway, to return to Petrie’s concerns, everyone improves at different paces. It’s pointless to compare and contrast about it – that would only get in the way. For Wing Father’s sake, don’t let your guard down though. You still have much progress to make.”

“Yes, Don.” Ruby said, almost rolling her eyes.

Petrie sighed but found himself smiling. Don’s advice sounded right. He was still a bit envious but he was determined to work harder and concentrate on his own pace. Really, Don offered more than a bit of sound advice. Being in each other’s presence seemed to do them all good. Though Don didn’t smile, this was the most at ease Petrie had ever seen the elderly flyer. Being exposed to people who he could teach and interact with must have softened him. Petrie smiled. Maybe he was good inside after all.

“Moving on, we also need to consider other perspectives.” Don said. “We should return to the idea that Mr. Clubtail’s death was a means for another end. Do you still push against that?”

“Well, not so much against it,” Ruby frowned. “It’s just we don’t know much that leans toward it.”

Petrie nodded. “Someone could do this to get people scared and make those like Littlefoot’s grandparents look bad so they be leader but nobody doing that.”

“People don’t kill only for grandiose purposes.” Don said. “Often it is done for smaller reasons but coveted for with a passion that can kill.”

“Well, that isn’t very specific.” Ruby crossed her arms. “There are a lot of people who want things but not all people make what they want obvious.”

“But what if it was a desire that was very open, so deep that even those not paying attention could see it?”

“Oh, you mean like Verter?” Petrie said. “Everyone really notice he want to train Cera and Chomper. It kind of strange. Even me could see…see…” He sat up. “Wait.”

Ruby glanced at him questioningly but she too stiffened. They looked at Don expecting him to scoff or roll his eyes at the implied idea but he only watched them patiently.

“You can’t be serious.” Ruby said.

“I’m not saying anything.” Don said.

“Verter do this?” Petrie cried. “That would be…no, no. He Cera’s parents’ friend.”

“Being friends doesn’t preclude people from nefarious actions.” 

“You wrong. Friends would never do something like that. Though,” Petrie touched his chin, “it weird he couldn’t train Cera and Chomper first day they met and after Mr. Clubtail die, he get what he wanted.”

“That could be a coincidence.” Ruby said. “He wouldn’t go that far – I mean, just to train Cera and Chomper? Who would do that?”

“Ah, but that’s the thing.” Don replied. “One of your friends is a sharptooth.”

“Yes!” Petrie said. He hopped to his feet, pacing around with nervous energy. “Threehorns hate sharpteeth but they both can be mean and like fighting. What if Verter really want them to help him with threehorn fighting? Oh, this bad, this bad.”

“That’s right.” Don nodded with satisfaction. “It’s good to have someone see sense.”

“But not everyone who like fighting are the killing type.” Ruby said. She looked anxious. “Killing isn’t exactly common among threehorns anymore, at least not from what I heard.”

“Have you checked with all threehorns?” Don asked. “Even if that were true, wouldn’t it still be wise to investigate the matter?”

“Yes, Ruby.” Petrie said. “There are scary patterns around him. Shouldn’t that be enough to check on them?”

“That – that does concern me.” Ruby touched her chin. “Still…”

Before she could continue, Mama Flyer flew in. She landed at the nest, looking rather breathless. Papa Flyer looked up in puzzlement.

“What’s got you all rushed?” he asked.

“Cera, Chomper, and Verter weren’t at their usual training spot.” Mama Flyer said.

Petrie and Ruby sat up. Don whipped his head around.

“What?” he said.

Papa Flyer shrugged. “Well, they might be training elsewhere.”

“I thought of that but I checked the other fighting grounds and even the nearby resting places and they weren’t there either.” Mama Flyer rubbed an arm uneasily. “I don’t mean to cause alarm but it is strange.”

Petrie felt a stir in his stomach. There was a slight feeling of dread, distant but building, a tingly rush familiar from his and his friends’ adventures but that only made him more confused and nervous.

“What – what happening?” he said. “Are – are friends in danger? They are, aren’t they!”

“That should be obvious.” Don said sharply. “Something suspicious is going on. We need to take action.”

“Okay.” Petrie said, opening his wings. “Taking action now!” 

“Wait!” Ruby raised a hand. “This might be nothing. We don’t want to interrupt their practice just because our minds went to scary places.”

“You have put the clues together.” Don looked frightened. He made shooing motions forward. “Go on, talk to them! In this time, do you really want to take a chance with your friends?”

“Yes, Ruby.” Petrie clasped his hands. “Me worried about them. We have these clues, shouldn’t we do something now?”

Ruby hesitated, glancing at him and Don. Petrie stared up at her, hoping she would take this seriously. They had to do something quickly. She still looked conflicted, but as she rubbed her chest, she began to look scared. Ruby raised a hand to her beak.

“Chomper…” she said.

She got up and Petrie had to hastily fly after to catch up as they went over to his parents.

“Uh...we don’t mean to concern you but what you just talked about might be a concerning situation.” Ruby said.

Mama and Papa Flyer turned and stared. They were surprised but as the seconds went by, a hint of concern came in.

Meanwhile, Tria heard a crackle and she stepped back as she examined the remains of the boulder. It was mid-afternoon, and she had continued training since their earlier conversation. Though she was covered in dust and some scratches, she was in a much better mood. Her mate had continued to give feedback, and though it could be stern, it was fairer. She had paced herself better, taking more breaks to eat and rest. Those might be little matters but in the end, they helped made the training easier to handle. Mr. Threehorn got up from where he had been watching and walked over.

“Three strikes,” he said. “Good job, dear.”

“You think so?” Tria asked. “I don’t feel like I did that much different.”

“You followed my instructions and made the little changes that make all the difference.” Mr. Threehorn said. “There is still much you need to improve on but you have made progress.”

“Really?” she smiled. “Well, maybe I have it in me for this fighting thing after all. Thanks for being a good trainer.”

“Well…” He looked away. “After earlier, I’m not sure I’d call myself good.”

“Hey, we all make mistakes. I wouldn’t have had any idea of how to improve myself without you. Thanks, Topsy. I mean it.”

Mr. Threehorn lowered his head bashfully but smiled. They stared at each other and for a moment, Tria thought they were back to how their relationship was before…

“Mr. Threehorn! Tria!”

The pair turned. Ruby was living up to her kind’s name, running toward them as fast as her long legs could carry her,  Petrie and Mama Flyer flying not far behind her. Ruby slumped in front of Mr. Threehorn and Tria, panting as she caught her breath.

“What’s the problem?” Mr. Threehorn asked.

“It’s Cera and Chomper.” Ruby said, straightening. “Petrie’s mother couldn’t find them at their training spot.”

Tria and Mr. Threehorn stiffened. They stepped closer.

“What?” Tria said.

“Mama say she usually see them at their fighting ground.” Petrie answered. “Now she can’t see them there.”

“They could be taking a break-” Mr. Threehorn began.

“But Petrie’s mother also looked at their likely break spots and they weren’t at those spots.” Ruby said. “It’s worrying they aren’t seen in public with this killer around. We think you should look for them before anything worrying happens.”

“Why, has there been news on the killer?” Tria said quickly.

“Well,” Mama Flyer hesitated, “we think there might be a suspect close to them.”

“Who is it?” Mr. Threehorn said. “Is it someone who could cause even Verter trouble, or…?”

Ruby, Petrie, and Mama Flyer stiffened and glanced at each other nervously. For a moment, Mr. Threehorn and Tria were confused. Then something clicked.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Mr. Threehorn said. “He would never-”

“Are you implying what I think you’re implying?” Tria said shakily.

“It wasn’t so much my idea as Petrie’s and Ruby’s.” Mama Flyer said.

“Those two?” Mr. Threehorn glared. “What could they possibly know about this killer?”

“We noticed some strange patterns about your friend.” Ruby said. “Wasn’t it strange that after you refused your friend’s offer to train Cera and Chomper, Mr. Clubtail’s died the next day and you were forced to let him train them?”

“That’s just a coincidence,” he said impatiently. “That doesn’t prove anything.”
   
“But he training them so hard.” Petrie said. “They so tired they can barely move and think. That make them dependent on him.”

Tria nodded reluctantly. “It is harder than we like…”

“But it’s necessary.” Mr. Threehorn said firmly. “Being a stern trainer is normal.”

“But the first day with training, he allowed them to play with us.” Ruby said. “After we expressed our concerns about him, the next day they didn’t show up.”

“That’s-” Mr. Threehorn faltered. “He probably just has to pack a lot of training in the day. They need to prepare with this threat around.”

“But without any breaks or time for friends?” Petrie said. “Me not good with training but me thought you start easy before going hard.”

“That’s true.” Tria said. “You did begin easy with me.”

“And you told him Cera hit rocks and we adventure a lot but he say nothing about training until he find Chomper,” he said. “He very interested in Chomper. Ain’t that strange?”

Mr. Threehorn looked uncomfortable. “I – I know him. He’s been my friend for a long time. He wouldn’t do anything bad.”

“But you haven’t seen him for a long time.” Ruby said. “People can change, especially if trying to survive in the Mysterious Beyond. I know, my parents have talked about it.”

Mr. Threehorn appeared troubled by this. He tried to glare but his gaze flickered as he thought some things over. Petrie spoke up.

“Verter alone with Cera and Chomper,” he said. “We might be silly but – we worried about them. Can you check?”

“I just –” Mr. Threehorn shook his head. “This could be nothing. You’re being paranoid. We shouldn’t embarrass them by interrupting.”

“But wouldn’t it be better to check just in case?” Ruby asked. She clasped her hands. “Please, Chomper is with them. You could excuse yourself if it is nothing…but isn’t that better than not doing anything and this being something?”

Mr. Threehorn opened and closed his mouth. There was silence.

“Topsy, I think we should check on them.” Tria said nervously. “What do you think? Topsy!”

Mr. Threehorn didn’t say anything. His eyes were wide.

--

Cera groaned. She felt groggy. The last thing she remembered was Verter taking them somewhere to relax. She hadn’t planned on falling asleep but at least she got some rest. Still, she wasn’t very comfortable. She was lying on hard, cracked earth. She thought Verter was going to take her and Chomper to some place nice and grassy, no wonder she didn’t feel well-rested. Even her body felt a bit restricted in movement…

Then she shifted around and realized her body wasn’t restricted by exhaustion but by plant matter tied around her.

Opening her eyes, she looked around and found herself on one of the cliff trails in the Mysterious Beyond. She saw the many bare mountains and rock formations rise in front of her, only distant scrappy tuffs of trees and grass to add variety to the scenery. A rock from the cliff parted and fell, tacking against the mountain before landing with a distant crumble. It was a long way down. Nervously, Cera slid away from the edge. A groan made her turn. Chomper lay several feet to her left, rubbing his muzzle.

“What happened?” he mumbled.

Cera turned and stared. Any wry comment she had about wishing a height-enthusiast like him was closer to the edge instead left her when she saw he was bound up as well. “Chomper…”

“Ah, now you’re awake.” Verter’s voice came over them. “Move.”

Only then did she become aware of a green jawline and forelegs hovering at the edge of her vision. “Huh?”

“I said, move!”

The tug became harder and Cera and Chomper yelped as they were pulled to their feet. Verter’s forelegs moved quickly as he walked down the path. The pair attempted to keep up, stumbling, startled as they looked at themselves. They were covered with vines, crisscrossing their torsos and above and around their limbs. They constricted their movements, making them barely able to keep up. The vines led up to Verter’s neck, where it was smoothly tied around. They stared at the back of his frill with confusion and a bit of fear.

“What are you trying to pull?” Cera demanded.

“Is this a prank?” Chomper said nervously. “Seriously, why are we tied up?”

Verter didn’t respond, still moving. He wasn’t so much as looking at them. They were forced to move at a fast walk, their muscles aching with the exhaustion of today’s training but Cera still had enough energy to be annoyed.

“Hey, we asked you a question!” she snapped. “Don’t ignore us!”

“Stop moving so fast.” Chomper panted, struggling to keep up. “Come on, let us rest. Some of us still haven’t recovered from training.”

“No breaks.” Verter said.

“What do you mean, no breaks?” Cera said. “Come on, let us go. Let-”

Verter walked faster, and Cera and Chomper were all but running just to meet his gait. Looking around, they appeared to be on a Great Wall path on the Mysterious Beyond side of the mountain. Though she couldn’t look back, Cera could tell they were moving rapidly from the entrance to the Great Valley, the path sloping down to some distant, imperceptible point on the ground. Cera’s chest burned with cold, like earlier when Verter made his break offer, and a terrible suspicion came to her mind.

“No, no, no,” she said. “This has got to be a joke. You can’t be seriously thinking of-”

“What, Cera?” Chomper said. He was also getting scared. “Verter, please stop. We’re still tired, and haven’t eaten in a while.”

“You will eat when told to.” Verter’s voice was firm. “We will only be making stops when absolutely necessary.”

“What are you talking about?” Cera asked nervously. “Why are you taking us out of the valley? Let us go. Seriously, let us go!”

Cera stopped and placed her feet into some deep cracks. She stopped for a second and the vine connected to her tightened and struggled. But there was a tug and Cera flipped and landed, legs kicking as she was dragged on her side. The vines couldn’t cushion some of her skin from being scratched from the pebbles and protrusions. Cera cried out and scrambled, having to throw herself to her side to stagger back to her feet, wincing from a few cuts and scrapes.

“Cera!” Chomper cried. “Verter, please. Why are you acting like this?”

“Chomper, he’s not going to listen to us!” Cera said. “We need to free ourselves. We-”

She bent down to bite on the vines on her left leg but her head was constricted a few inches out of reach. She tried to do the same for her other leg but she got the same result. She saw the vine trailing over her connected to Verter and attempted to hop and bite at it, but they were walking too fast.

“I – I can’t reach it!” she said.

“Should you be doing that?” Chomper asked. “I mean, maybe this is part of training.”

“What part of training involves suddenly waking up and being tied in vines?” Cera said. “Come on, do you remember falling asleep? Something weird is going on and we need to take action!”

Chomper looked unsure but the more he thought about it, the more fear came to his eyes. He twisted his head this way and that, biting for the vines on his chest and ankles, teeth missing them by inches.

“Ugh, ah, I can’t reach them either!” he said. “My head’s too big. What do we do?”

Cera glared up. “Stop right now, Verter. We mean it. We don’t want to go along with this. We’ll – we’ll scream. We’ll call for help. Help! We’re being kidnapped! Hel-“

Crack! Cera had a brief glimpse of a something thick and green rapidly coming in before her cry for help became a yowl when the base of her sore horn got snapped. Verter pulled the whipping vine back as he stood in place, blue eyes furious.

“Do you want to bring sharpteeth on us?” he hissed. “Don’t make this any harder than it has to be.”

“You’re the one who’s making this hard!” Cera said, glaring. “You’re kidnapping us, we fight back. Oh, if Dad knew-”

Her words were interrupted by a scream when her right leg got cracked by the vine, nearly collapsing as those tired leg muscles flared with agony. Chomper watched with disbelief.

“Cera!” he cried. “Verter, stop! This has got to be a joke, right? You can’t really be doing this.”

“Quiet! I don’t want any backtalk.” Verter flicked the vine back. “I was patient with your useless babbling but you’re going to be silent and do as I say.”

“No!” Cera said, breaths shaky but defiance in her gaze. “We’re not being dragged away from our home. We’re not living with you or-”

Verter raised the vine and Cera’s world soon became a blaze of pain. She cringed and cried out with each whip, that vine hitting sore muscles and cuts with agonizing accuracy. Cera shut her eyes, waiting for the assault to stop. She could barely make out Chomper yelling and struggling for her.

“Stop it, stop hurting her!”

“Let that be a lesson to you.” Verter brought his head close, breaths billowing into her. “This is how we are going to conduct ourselves from now on.”

“No, we aren’t.” Cera said faintly. The reality of the situation was setting in and she was shaking. “You’re taking us from our family, our friends. Daddy. Tri-”
   
Crack. Another strike from that vine. Cera lowered her head and whimpered, a new thrum of pain joining the rest. She swore he wasn’t leaving a single mark yet every strike was more painful than she could bear.

“Stop Verter!” Chomper said. He was almost crying. “I thought you were our friend.”

“I am.” Verter said. “I am doing what’s best for you.”

“No, you aren’t! A true friend wouldn’t do this, wouldn’t drag us from our home and-”

This time, the vine came for him. It cracked his tail. Chomper stumbled and gave a whine, pain shaking through him.

“We’ll be concentrating on survival now.” Verter said. “Keep your mind on that basic mission.”

Cera shook her head hard. “No, no. I don’t want this.”

“Do I have to hit you again?”

“Don’t touch her!” Chomper said.

“Because if you moan and groan one more time-”

“I said, don’t! Touch her!”

Verter glared at Chomper. “What are you going to do? Do you have a way to stop me?”
   
Verter whipped his vine in Cera’s direction. She cringed, closing her eyes. It kept missing but she could feel it whoosh over her closer…closer…

“Stop! Don’t you dare!” Chomper closed his eyes, shaking. “If you hurt her – if you hurt her –” His eyes opened, revealing slits. “If you hurt her…”

Snarling, Chomper rushed toward Verter’s left forefoot and bit at it. Crying out, Verter raised the foot, pushing Chomper to the ground. Chomper lay on his back for a second but he leapt back up and disappeared behind Verter’s foot, clawing and biting sounds in the air. Wincing, Verter raised his foot and pressed Chomper onto his back, leaving only Chomper’s head exposed, roaring and twisting in place.

“Chomper,” Verter said. “Stop.”

That foot came down an inch more. Those struggles slowed. After a few seconds, the snarling abated and only a whimper could be heard.
   
“That’s better.” Verter said. “That wasn’t much, but we’ll see about sharpening those skills. Are you going to cooperate?”

He released Chomper, who rose to his feet. He was shaking, tears in his eyes. There was a bit of red on his claws and muzzle, but he looked nothing more than defeated. Satisfied, Verter stepped forward.

“Well, shall we get go-”

There was a scream. Verter’s eyes darted to Cera as she fell to her side, spitting as her face twisted in agony. Not too far from her mouth was the vine connecting her to Verter, with chew marks on it. As much as she loathed taking advantage of Chomper’s plight, Cera couldn’t stand there and do nothing. She thought if she could bite down on the connecting vine, she could escape and possibly lead a distraction that could free Chomper as well. But the second she bit on the vine, her mouth was filled with a terrible burning sensation and she couldn’t help crying out. For a moment, all her world was that horrible taste coating her mouth, and she pressed her cheek to the ground as she tried to lick and spit it out. Then she saw Verter watching her and froze.

“It seems I’m going to have to be harsh.” he said quietly.

Verter raised his head and Cera and Chomper cried out as they were thrown off their feet. They struggled dangling on their connecting vine as he swooped them over the cliff. Cera screamed when the long drop came into view.

“What are you doing?” she said, tongue numb.

“You thought you could bite your way to freedom?” Verter asked. “I chose those vines because they were nauseating for both green and meat eaters. This is your punishment for being disobedient.”

Cera whimpered and struggled in the air. The rock near the bottom of the mountain must be as large as her head but it looked like a pebble from this distance. Already, she imagined what would happen if she fell, the rush of air around her, her body moving wildly as that distant ground rapidly neared. Her stomach dropped with every creak her connecting vine made and she closed her eyes.

“Alright, enough!” she said. “I don’t like this!”

“Admitting weakness? That’s a change.” Verter mocked.

“You made your point, okay?” Chomper said. “Leave her alone.”

“If she wanted to be left alone, she should have cooperated.” Verter said. “Now she suffers the consequences and-”

There was a snap. Cera fell an inch, vine creaking, body swinging about wildly.

“What?” Verter said, startled.

“Cera!” Chomper said. “Get us out of here!”

Cera’s connecting vine made another snap. Her heart seized. Though she only bit the vine once, it had been hard and now it couldn’t take her weight. She screamed as she fell a few feet, the momentum of the fall making her swing even more. Panicked, Verter stepped back, but that only made Cera swing forward. She yelled, waving her legs to put up some resistance, but she couldn’t stop herself from nearing the cliff face at too fast a pace…

She stopped abruptly. She panted, swinging in place only a few inches from the wall of rock. Then she was jerked and pulled up. She was unsure of what was happening until Mr. Threehorn’s determined face briefly came into view, grunting as he pulled her to the side and put her on the firm, assuring ground. Her heart soared.

“Daddy!” she said.

He smiled at her and for a moment, her worries fell away and all was right with the world…

Then she felt a jerk in her connecting vine and she was dragged away. Cera staggered, scrabbling her legs under her as she looked behind her, at the father she was being taken away from. 

“Verter, what do you think you’re going?” Tria’s voice demanded.

“Verter!” Mr. Threehorn said.

Verter stopped. His eyes searched the ground, conflict in his gaze.

“We are just going out to train,” he said finally.

“Verter-” Mr. Threehorn began.

“This is perfectly ordinary, you don’t need to wor-”

“Verter, look at me!”

Verter flinched. Slowly, he turned around, Cera and Chomper tugged to turn with him until she was near the rock wall and Chomper the cliffs. Mr. Threehorn stood two threehorn-lengths away, Tria a step behind him.

“Don’t tell me you are doing what I think you’re doing.” Mr. Threehorn said. His voice broke. “You aren’t taking them away, right?”

Verter opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Lowering his head, he sighed.

“It would have been better if you didn’t see this,” he said.

Mr. Threehorn’s breath shook. He closed his eyes and composed himself.

“Just tell us what this is all about?” he said harshly.

Verter was silent for a moment.

“Looks like I’m not getting out of this,” he said. “I thought you would understand, Topps. More than anybody. Has the Great Valley really changed you that much?”
 
“What are you talking about?” Tria demanded. “We would have never approved of you taking our kids.”

“I was never talking to you.” Verter said, glaring at her. “Have you really forgotten, Topps? The struggle to survive? Our threehorn way? I’ve fought so many battles out there in the Mysterious Beyond, and I haven’t.”

“Yes, I remember.” Mr. Threehorn said. “I remember how hard I had to be on my opponents to win. Sometimes I had to give them injuries they might still carry so we could survive.”

Verter nodded dreamily. “The Mysterious Beyond tends to bring that out of us. In the search for food, territory, standing, we fight. We threehorns are made to struggle in tough environments to survive. In a way, it’s a natural home for our way. That’s why I’ve been out there for so long. To fight until you both are tired and scratched up…ah, you never feel more alive. I like after all the effort and risk, you can ground an opponent into submitting defeat. Getting that look of humiliation and resentment…I can never get enough of it.”

Mr. Threehorn sighed. “So you like fighting. You aren’t the first threehorn to be like that. What does this have to do with…?” He fell silent, looking uneasy

Verter continued, not appearing to have heard. “Not everyone is humiliated or resentful when they get defeated. Some just get back up and move on like nothing happened. Oh, that made me mad. Even when others expressed appreciation for a good fight, I didn’t feel like they were taking me seriously. They mightn’t always say much but I could tell they were looking down on me. My pride couldn’t take it. So to get that feeling of satisfaction, I had to be go far to get that look of humiliation. Sometimes I had to go a lot farther.”

There was a chill. Cera stepped back and even Chomper with a flare of his nostrils widened his eyes as he got the implications of his words. Her parents stared.

“Oh no.” Mr. Threehorn said. “Verter, you can’t mean...?”

“I beat them until even the light left their eyes.” Verter said, with relish. “To see that contempt get replaced by fear and desperation as they realize there is no escape …that is power. I would make them regret ever challenging me or not taking me seriously by making them pay with their lives. That will only make sure others don’t question me. It is an extension of how we threehorns should be, and I am proud.”

Verter raised his head, blue eyes transported. Cera could see Chomper standing back, mouth open in horror. Mr. Threehorn and Tria watched with disbelief and pain. Then Verter lowered his head with disappointment.

“But that way has been falling,” he continued. “Ever since the great earthshake, threehorns have been turning away from our ruthless instincts. Now there is more talking, cooperation – not only amongst each other but with other kinds. This hasn’t been happening only with threehorns. Even other aggressive kinds have been suffering this decline. Even domeheads, domeheads are going this way. I saw two of them express concern for Cera and Chomper when we started training. There is a malaise going on and the Great Valley is the worst of it. All this softness and cooperation…it makes me sick!”

Verter spat at the ground, and Cera jumped away. Mr. Threehorn was shaking his head.

“So it is true,” he said. “You really did do this. Verter, why?”

“Why?” Verter repeated. “Topps, aren’t we threehorns? Isn’t aggression part of our nature? We fight to show dominance, to show who is right. What I am doing is only a natural extension of this.”

“No.” Mr. Threehorn shook his head. “We might be harsh but what we wouldn’t go so far as to be cruel.”

“Really? I remember the smirks you wore when you put others in their place. Don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy making them squeal and moan?”

He winced. “That – that’s…”

Verter sighed. “This is why I didn’t talk to you. You have been in the Great Valley too long. But these two still have potential. They could embrace who they really are. Having lived in the valley, I knew they might resist my thinking, so I had to subtly move them onto my path.”

“So that’s what this is about.” Cera said shakily. “You were training us to make us like you.”

“It makes a scary sense.” Chomper said. “I mean, he worked us so hard we couldn’t think – and he stopped us from going to our friends so they couldn’t tell us something might be wrong.”

“I was planning on taking it slow, to wean them from their weak friends, but with the suspicions about me rising, I had to speed things up.” Verter said. “Don’t worry, I’ll treat them well. Cera could know what it’s like to be a true threehorn. And I will have Chomper. Just think, having a sharptooth by your side in the Mysterious Beyond. With the right training and instruction, no one would dare challenge us. It would be a useful way to show power and not be disrespected again. The valley has left them weak and servile, but with me they could show their true potential. Out there, they would be strong and fierce and take no quarter just like threehorns and sharpteeth should!”

Cera, Chomper, and her parents listened to this, horrified. She felt like something had been torn out of her. She liked Verter, how he laughed at her jokes and was so easygoing. Even with her annoyance and suspicion lately, that he was acting friendly just to make them go along with his plan was still a betrayal. She could see the devastation in Chomper’s face. All that hard work and encouragement was just to achieve Verter’s own ends. But her parents looked worse. Their mouths were open, disbelieving. Their friend, their best friend had done all these terrible things…

“They’re not going with you.”

Verter’s gaze turned, colding. “What?”

“They’re not going to with you.” Tria repeated. “You have lost your mind. ’Making them as their kinds should?’ They’re coming back to the valley where they belong. ”

“She – she’s right.” Mr. Threehorn found his voice. “We never agreed to this, the harshness of the training or this plan to have them live with you in the Mysterious Beyond. Give them back.”

Verter’s expression became plaintive. “Topps, really-”

“Cera and Chomper didn’t agree to this either. That you took them against their will…I can’t approve of that. They shouldn’t be dragged off to the Mysterious Beyond to endure who-knows-what.”

“They will be enduring it with me.” Verter insisted. “I’ll make sure they come to no harm. They need this to become stronger, to become the people they’re meant to be.”

“What you want them to be.” Mr. Threehorn replied. “What they need is to be with those they love and have a childhood. Cera and her friends have endured enough hardship. It’s why we went to the Great Valley in the first place, to have a better life. I won’t have you take that away from them.”   

Verter growled. “You’re making a big mistake. The world is harsh. They need this.”

“They also need happiness.” Tria said. “However tough things might be, kids need to enjoy life. Even for our kind, it’s what they deserve.”

Verter’s burning gaze turned to her. “You…you ruined him. He used to be so tough and strong, but you had to come in with your softness, and make him weak. Why couldn’t you just stay away?”

Tria stepped back. Before she could say anything, Mr. Threehorn cut in.

“Don’t go acting like I had no say in what happened,” he said. “I’ve been changing long before Tria came around. What you’re suggesting isn’t something I’d ever wanted for my girls. I won’t allow you twist my Cera with your sick games.”

Verter opened and closed his mouth, faltering to uncertainty. He glanced between Cera and Chomper, the longing in that gaze making her stomach twist. He looked at Mr. Threehorn and Tria.

“We – we can work this out, right?” Verter said plaintively. “You can have your daughter back in exchange for Chomper.”

Chomper blanched. “W-what?”

“Come on, it’s sensible. He’s only going to burden you anyway.” Verter continued. “A sharptooth child, in the Great Valley? You said it yourself Topps, you fear what will happen when he grows up. I could take him away, make sure you won’t have to deal with him again. I’ll make sure he won’t be a danger to anyone.”

“He’s lying.” Cera said. “He just said he was going to use him in threehorn fights. He’s going to make Chomper attack innocent people.”

“No, no.” Chomper shook his head. “Please don’t make me do this.”

“There are no innocents in the world of threehorn battles.” Verter said. “I’ll put him to proper use in this leaf eater world. I’ll make sure he won’t become the threat to others he would otherwise.”

“Please!” Chomper pleaded. “I don’t want this. I want to be with my friends, I don’t want to do these terrible things!”

Cera looked at him stricken, and glared at Verter. “Chomper isn’t a threat, he wouldn’t hurt anyone.”

“Is that what you call this?” Verter raised his left forepaw, revealing scratches and bite marks. “You see the red on his muzzle. He was going wild on me not long ago.”

“Chomper was defending me from your whipping, that doesn’t count!”

“But it signals what’s to come,” he said. “You knew this was going to end in heartbreak either way. Why not cut your losses? Come on Topps, you were always suspicious of him anyway. You know I’m right.”

Mr. Threehorn’s expression faltered. Tria sent him a concerned look and Cera’s heart lurched when she saw there was conflict in his gaze.

“Daddy, no!” Cera said. “Don’t even think about it! He’s my friend, he…”

She looked to Chomper and trailed off. He looked so scared. The concept of being forced to go with Verter petrified him. But Chomper looked down and his eyes filled with a sad resignation. He had been struck by the comments about the future dangers he presented. Cera chilled. Was some part of him really going to go along with this? Mr. Threehorn sighed.

“You’re right,” he said. “I was always suspicious of him. And his departure would bring pain.”

Chomper looked up, eyes wide. Verter smiled smugly.

“Yes, you finally see-” he said.

“However,” Mr. Threehorn interrupted, “he has also helped my daughter and their friends through many dangers. He cares for them so much he volunteered for your training. For someone so young, that is exceptional. He is very kind. He will have to leave one day but at least we want him to leave with that kindness intact. Whatever real concerns I have, I’m not going to allow you to twist him for your schemes. He and Cera are coming home, and if you don’t cooperate Verter,” he quieted, “you know what we’ll have to do.”

Mr. Threehorn lowered his horns and stood unwaveringly. Relieved, Tria lowered her head beside him. Chomper stared at him, eyes wet with wonder and appreciation.

“Mr. Threehorn…” he said.

Cera was also relieved. Whatever her father’s feelings, he was going to do the right thing. She sent a smile at Chomper but then she turned to Verter. He was stunned. For a moment, something hurt crossed his gaze but then he lowered his head and those blue eyes became cold.

“So be it,” he said.

He launched forward. Cera and Chomper screamed as they were thrown off their feet, smacking and staggering into the ground as Verter closed the distance with Mr. Threehorn. Horns clanked as they pushed against each other, Cera and Chomper being tugged back and forth by the strength of the horn ramming. Mr. Threehorn dug his feet into the ground, maintaining position, but Verter pulled his head back and jabbed him with several forceful thrusts.

Mr. Threehorn jabbed back, going for Verter at odd angles. But Verter bent his head in little degrees, meeting them point by point, and he pushed hard at one of those jabs, making Mr. Threehorn stumble. He whipped his vine into Mr. Threehorn’s eye and Cera winced as her father cried out. Verter took advantage of this and jabbed harder, harder, eliciting pained growls as he got past the horns and drew blood…

A pink blur came in and Tria pushed past her mate, her horns clanking with his.

Verter snarled. “Stay out of this, female! You don’t belong here!”

“You brought Cera and her friend into this.” Tria said. “You got me involved.”

Snorting, Verter pushed hard. Tria did the same, running grooves into the earth as she tried to move him back. But Verter was the one who pushed her up the path. He pulled back and scratched his left horn into her frill, causing her to yell before he forced her back with a vine whip. Recovered, Mr. Threehorn charged in and resumed the fight, horns clanking as he put all his strength into pushing Verter down the path. Glaring, Verter spat into his eye. Mr. Threehorn yelped and Verter used that moment of weakness to bash his horns into Mr. Threehorn’s.

“You – had – so – much – potential!” Verter growled with each crash. “You had to go and squander it!”

“I’m not like you. I would never become you!” Mr. Threehorn said.

Verter snarled, and plowed in harder. The blows they exchanged were powerful, their gazes filled with anger and hatred. Cera staggered along, watching with wide eyes. This was wrong. Her father and Verter had laughed, had got along with such ease. That they were fighting so viciously felt like some sick sleep story. With each violent attack, it was like they were tearing their bond apart.

In the confusion, Cera saw a pink form moving on her side of the fight but Verter thrust from Mr. Threehorn and struck his head to the side. Tria yelled as she was slammed into the rock wall.
   
“Oh no you don’t!” Verter said. “I worked too hard to let go of them!”

Tria staggered back and shook her head, glaring. “They aren’t shiny rocks. We’ll get them!”

“You think only a few days of training would prepare you for this?” He stepped closer. “You weren’t born for this kind of thing and you never will!”

Yelling, Tria charged in. Mr. Threehorn staggered back to recover as she crashed her horns into Verter’s and they grappled. Verter pushed back, his mighty muscles allowing him to make her stumble her feet up the path. Cera watched, transfixed. She had never saw her stepmother fight with such passion, even against the first sharptooth. Tria barely avoided having those horns clank into her frill and stepped back. He gave a mocking smirk. Enraged, she stepped back and moved in with all her speed.

Crash! The loudest meeting of horns yet, and Verter stumbled back, dazed. Though tired from being pulled back and forth, Cera smiled proudly.

“Way to go, Tria!” she said. “Get him!”

But Tria hesitated. Something about Verter’s unfocused gaze disturbed her. She looked unsure but Verter shook his head and charged, Cera and Chomper stumbling and tripping as their legs barely kept up. Starting, Tria tilted her head at him and her horns crashed into his at an angle.

Verter flinched and pushed forward but couldn’t, the odd angle locking them in place. Tria was relieved. But Verter, irritated, wasn’t done. Slowly, he bent his head. Tria gasped as her horns creaked and bent. She tried to stay her ground but the creaks became louder and she shouted and had to pull her horns out. Before she could react, Verter went forward, slamming into her side and making her topple to the ground. Verter walked over and whipped her face with the vine, eliciting a cry.

“This is what you get for getting in my way!” he growled. “You were too weak to ever be a threehorn!”

Cera saw Verter’s eyes linger on her lower neck before raising his head.

“No!” Cera launched herself at his foot. “Stop hurting my family! Tria! I mean-”

Verter pushed her away, and she tumbled back, dazed by the blow.

“Where was I?” he said. “Oh yeah.”

He raised his head and went down to strike a particularly hard blow with his horns.

“Oh no, you don’t!”

Mr. Threehorn charged in and slammed Verter away with the side of his head, knocking Verter down. Cera fell on her side and Chomper jumped, almost getting struck by Verter’s stumbling foreleg. Stunned, Verter was about to get to his feet when Mr. Threehorn’s horns clanked into his. Angered, Verter grabbed the vine with his mouth and whipped Mr. Threehorn’s face, eliciting ow’s. But Mr. Threehorn caught the vine with his teeth. Wincing from the taste, he ground it down until the long end snapped off.

“Not so strong without that vine to whip about, huh?” Mr. Threehorn taunted. “Now you’ll have to fight like a fair threehorn.”

“You would have made the same choices in my position.” Verter got to his feet and pushed back. “There is a reason we became friends. You agreed with the harsh decisions the herd made and did some brutal things yourself. If you had made a slightly different set of choices, you would be right by my side.”

“No! Even at my worst, I never hurt and killed others just to satisfy my ego!”

“But you could have.” Verter said.

“But I didn’t.” Mr. Threehorn said. He faltered a bit. “That – that’s what matters.”

Verter sighed. “So it is. It’s too late to turn you now. But we can’t say the same for Cera and Chomper.”

“In your sleep stories!” Cera said, glaring. “We won’t follow you!”

“Do you really want to try taming a sharptooth?” Chomper growled. “You never know when I might turn around and bite your head off!”

“That’s what you say now but I’ve seen stronger wills broken with the right treatment.” Verter said. “Experience can change people. Even if you two somehow escape, you could still become like me.”

“No!” Chomper shook his head. “I wouldn’t dare!”

“You don’t know that.” Verter thrust Mr. Threehorn back. “Do you think people like me are born this way? I didn’t know this was where I would go but here I am.”

“Don’t listen to him, kids!” Mr. Threehorn panted, struggling to regain the advantage. “He’s trying to mess with you.”

“I had an adventurous personality like you, and look where that lead me.” Verter continued. “I can see that temper and those moments of selfishness leading you down a grim path, Cera.”

“What?” Cera yelped. “How do you know that?”

“I listened to you two while you were climbing. You shouldn’t have been so open about your feelings around others. You might have friends you care about now, but who knows, you might grow into someone who would come to abandon them for your pride.”

Cera closed her eyes, shaking her head. “No, no! I’d never!”

Mr. Threehorn pushed hard, anger energizing him. “Shut up, Verter!”

Verter ranked his horns in and made his opponent stagger back. “Oh and there’s Chomper. Once so friendly, that kindness to his leaf eater friends turns embittered when he has to hunt their kind and he lashes out at leaf eaters and sharpteeth alike. So sad.”

“No! I’ll…” Chomper gulped. “I’ll eat if I have to but I won’t be cruel.”

“That’s just it!” Verter pushed Mr. Threehorn up the path. “You don’t know! The future is filled with many unknowns. You can’t prepare for everything. Even if you try to resist, you wouldn’t be able to deny what draws you. You say you wouldn’t commit harm but with what you don’t know about the future, can either of you be sure of that?”

Cera and Chomper looked down. Even with fighting pulling her this way and that, she couldn’t help the distressing thoughts coming to her mind. Verter was right. She didn’t know what the future held. She thought things would be more or less the same as they were now but who said her behavior during her first encounters with her friends wouldn’t resurface? They have before. What if the choices presented to her made her abandon them for her own selfish interests? Or she fought with them like her father and Verter were doing now, all those warm feelings turned to hatred? Cera had been avoiding thoughts about the past for the pain they brought but she realized the future was just as treacherous. Suddenly, she didn’t want to think about what was to come. She only wanted to get out of here and be back with her friends, playing and enjoying her time with them and hoping things would always be this way.

Chomper was looking worse. He gazed into the middle distance, mouth open. For someone who cared so deeply, the thought his future departure might involve hurting his loved ones tore him up. He was aware he would have to eat leaf eaters again someday, but what if the struggle of the transition made him attack others and cause suffering? He shut his eyes and lowered his head but the images kept coming to him. The pair’s turmoil caused Verter to laugh.   

“See? You’re be better off leaving them to me, I’ll take care of their problems,” he said.

Mr. Threehorn growled. “Never! I’ll never let you influence the- ah!”

Verter’s horns slipped through and scratched the top of Mr. Threehorn’s frill. Verter pushed hard and Mr. Threehorn was toppled off his feet. He panted, laying on his side. He attempted to get up but struggled, suddenly very exhausted. He looked up at Verter, whose countenance was grim.

“Don’t make me do this, Topps,” he said quietly. “Even after all this, you’re still my old pal. Don’t let me down even more.”

Mr. Threehorn had enough energy to glare up. “A father never gives up.”

Verter sighed. “A disappointing end to a promising friendship.” His lips twisted. “I can’t promise this won’t be quick.”

He stepped back, aiming his horns at Mr. Threehorn’s neck. Cera and Chomper stirred, gazing up with dread.

“No Cera’s dad, don’t.” Chomper said.

“Daddy, just get out of here!” Cera said.

She and Chomper threw themselves at Verter’s forefeet. Cera rammed into the flesh with all the practice Verter had taught her, hearing the sounds of Chomper biting and scratching with equal force. But he only lightly kicked them away. Lying on the ground, she looked up at her father in fear. She saw his eyes stray toward her and Chomper. He couldn’t do more than jostle on the spot. Exhausted, with pain thrumming through her, Cera could only watch as Verter pulled his head back and thrust his horns down in a blur of speed…

There was a rush of feet and Mr. Threehorn pulled out of the way. He got no more than a scratch to the nose as Verter’s horns jutted past into the dirt. Mr. Threehorn disappeared from view but Verter stopped and cried out in dismay as Mr. Threehorn’s horns clanked into his, the pointy ends coming in from the left from Cera’s perspective. Verter jostled, pinned in place by the horns.

“You just don’t know when to quit, do you!” he snarled. “Don’t think I haven’t gotten this kind of trick before.”

“I know that.” Mr. Threehorn said.

“Then what are you trying to-”

Mr. Threehorn roared. Verter stopped, confused, but he almost didn’t hear the quiet rumble of feet before a crunching sound filled Cera’s ears. Verter’s eyes went wide and he struggled harder but there was a snap and a slackness came above Cera’s neck.

“Run, Cera!”

Obeying Tria’s voice, Cera ran, adrenaline masking the exhaustion as she fled pass Verter’s head. Her movements were restricted by the vines on her body but at least she was free. Tria ducked back and made to go around Verter to get Chomper’s vine.

“No!”

Verter jostled his horns out and slammed the side of his face into Mr. Threehorn’s, raising a rear foot to kick Tria as she passed. She gave a cry, scrambling as the force of the blow made her skid perpendicularly to the edge. Cera’s heart stopped but Tria regrouped and ran passed Verter, getting to Mr. Threehorn, who looked a bit dazed but still ready to fight. He stood protectively near Cera, who pressed herself against the rock wall. Verter backed away, forefoot pressing Chomper back.

“I won’t give him up.” Verter growled. “You may have her but I’m not giving him up.”

“Verter, enough!” Mr. Threehorn said. “Release Chomper and come back to speak for your crimes.”

“Crimes? Ha!” Verter laughed. “This is the threehorn life. Chomper is only going to make it more entertaining.”

Tria ran forward and crackled her horns against Verter’s, clinking them in, walking backwards to drag him back. “Oh, you’re not getting away.”

Verter unhooked himself and clanked back, growling. “Like you can do anything to stop me.”

“I just saved Cera, didn’t I?”

“Only with your sappy mate’s help! Even if he tries the same trick again, you won’t have a second victory.”

“Are Chomper and Cera really that important to you? Is what why you really did it? Murdered Mr. Clubtail?”

“What?” Verter blinked.

“You plotted that so you can have Cera and Chomper to yourself and influence them how you see fit. Oh, that was so convenient, I should have seen that com-”

“What are you talking about?” he demanded.

“Don’t play dumb.” Tria said. “I’m talking about how you killed Mr. Clubtail.”

“That wasn’t me!” Verter said, glaring. “I admit, I was planning on doing something but he was already dead when I found him. I merely took advantage of the situation.”

“What?” she blinked. “But – then who killed him?”

“Don’t listen, Tria.” Mr. Threehorn said. “He’s only trying to distract us.”

“Y-yeah.” Tria glared. “You won’t get away.”

Verter snarled. “You’re delirious – both of you!”

He pushed her away. Tria shook herself and rammed back, jostling her horns into Verter’s hard. She tried to get her mind back on task. She really screwed up when she hesitated over dazing Verter. She had been rattled by the damage she could do to another person when she should have found a way to free one of the kids. Now she tried to brace herself and discover how to free Chomper. She saw the poor sharptooth youth pant as he was jerked around, looking ready to collapse. She could bite the connecting vine off Verter’s neck vine if she stunned him again but then Chomper would have to drag all that plant weight behind him. Tria could bite it at the nape of Chomper’s neck but she would have to be quick before Verter roused himself. Mr. Threehorn could go in to free Chomper to deal with the time issue but that would leave Cera defenseless and Verter would notice this. There must be a way. Tria grappled with Verter, attempting to push her sharp points at the skin around the base of his horns, ignoring the aches and pains wincing through her.

“Avert your eyes, Cera.” Mr. Threehorn was saying. “This isn’t going to be pretty. We might have to fight extra hard and I don’t want you to…Cera?”

Tria’s heart fluttered at the confusion and faint panic in her mate’s voice. She wanted to look around to check what happened but she couldn’t with the fight she was in. A flutter of movement went past her and there was a faint crunch. Verter froze, and both battlers’ eyes turned to the side. Cera was grinding her teeth on Chomper’s connecting vine, moans muffled as she tried to rip into the nasty plant material. She froze when Verter looked at her, his face contorting with anger.

“Don’t you dare!”

He threw a forefoot back but Cera hastily worked on the vine and it broke apart. The forefoot hit the place they stood a second too late as the pair darted under Verter and Tria’s heads, going up the steep path, Cera poking at Chomper’s tail to urge him on.

“Go, go, g-!” she said.

There was a growl, and Cera screamed as she turned and found Verter in her face. He swiped one forepaw and another at her, Cera barely dodging and ducking as vines constricted her movement. He backed her against the wall and, though a part of her knew she had to run, those furious eyes rooted her to the spot.

“Useless girl,” he snarled, his face looming close. “You had to go and ruin everythin-”

There was a snarl and Chomper jumped in front of her.

“Stay away from her!” he said.

Verter drew back, thrown off for a moment, but he swiped a forefoot forward. Tria rushed in and crashed Verter aside with the side of her head.

“Get behind us, kids,” she said.

The pair moved. Tria pushed her horns into Verter’s, who watched Cera and Chomper rush up the path.

“No!”

He clanked Tria aside and went to follow but yowled when she bit his tail to keep him back. Mr. Threehorn almost reached them as he galloped down but Verter lashed his tail out of Tria’s teeth and pursued. Mr. Threehorn met his horns with his, just keeping them back in time for Cera and Chomper to get behind him as they backed up the path. They got to the top, where the ground was level, Verter pulling back and standing near the edge. Mr. Threehorn moved to block the pair from view, Tria catching up to present a united front

“Stop this, Verter.” Mr. Threehorn said. “You lost.”

Verter’s contracted pupils turned on him. “You…this is all because of you…”

He charged forward, ramming his horns into Mr. Threehorn’s.

“If only you hadn’t changed!” Verter said. “If only you hadn’t betrayed your own kind!”

“I haven’t betrayed anyone.” Mr. Threehorn said. “Verter, stop. Don’t make me-”

Verter screamed, and broke through Mr. Threehorn’s horns. He charged for Cera and Chomper, who screamed and circled around Tria, Verter following. Tria grabbed the dangling vines on his neck with her teeth when he passed, making him stop and gasp as his throat was constricted. Tria gritted her teeth and attempted to keep him in place but Verter’s progressed forward step by step, making Cera and Chomper back to the edge. The vines snapped and he charged, Cera and Chomper jumping and running along the cliff, the vines slowing their legs as the booms of those forefeet came in inches from their tails. Cera cried out when her tail tip felt an agonizing pressure, and fell onto her side as Verter pinned her in place.

“I will have one of you!” Verter said, breathing close. “I will show everyone who’s the strongest! Even if I have to-”

“Let her go!”

Verter turned and looked up. Mr. Threehorn ran in, pushing Verter hard, rocks crackling as the latter’s hind feet scrambled to stay on the edge. Cera felt the pressure lift up and the pain became that of a bruise exposed to air. She scrambled to run, Chomper doubling back for her and pulling her onward. Verter’s rear feet staggered as he pushed back against Mr. Threehorn with equal force, blue eyes boring into the dark with anger.

“You just had to get in my way!” he said. “Traitor! Traitor! Trait-”

There was a crackle and faster than anyone could react, Verter slid over the edge. Mr. Threehorn’s jaw dropped and he ran over but Verter was already falling, screaming, legs grabbing at the air as his figure shrank with distance. Cera and Chomper closed their eyes and pressed their faces into each other but they couldn’t block out the scream that went on for far too long before there was a thud, and they were left with silence. Shaking, Cera pulled herself away and looked around.

Tria stood a few paces back, mouth agape. Mr. Threehorn was near the edge, looking down, frozen. Cera couldn’t tell if he was breathing.

“T-Topsy?” Tria said.

Mr. Threehorn didn’t respond. Hesitantly, Tria stepped closer.

“Topsy, are you alright?” she asked.

Still, nothing. A shape seemed to be reflected in his eyes. Looking for anything, Tria glanced at the kids. Chomper’s head lay on Cera’s cheek, breaths shuddering, occasionally whimpering. Cera kept her gaze from the edge. She didn’t want to even glimpse what was left of Verter; she saw enough today.

“Topsy, we should get going.” Tria said. “The kids need to be treated, right?”

Mr. Threehorn’s lips twitched. “R-right.”

It didn’t take long to get back into the valley. Cera was barely aware of when their vines were bitten off or their wounds washed. Her feet passed through the tickle of grass. The trees were still, no breeze in the air. Occasionally, they went by a collection of flowers. Everything around her was distant, like on the other side of a canyon. Other dinosaurs passed by, voices indistinct. It was like another day in the Great Valley but it couldn’t be. It didn’t feel real after what she went through. Cera moved with Chomper and her parents, gaze vacant. Right now, all she wanted to do was retreat to her nest and escape the world in sleep stories…

“There you guys are!”

Littlefoot and the others were running towards them, accompanied by Grandpa and Grandma Longneck. They stopped, gazing at the four’s injuries with concern.

“My goodness, what happened?” Grandma Longneck asked.

Tria glanced around. Mr. Threehorn was still staring at the grass blankly and since no one else seemed fit to speak, she took a deep breath.

“We found Verter dragging Cera and Chomper out of the valley,” she said. “He wanted to use them for his brutal threehorn ways. When we told him to give them back, he refused and we were forced to…”

There were hitches in breath. Littlefoot and the others looked at Cera and Chomper.

“Is that true?” Littlefoot asked.

Cera nodded distantly. “He – he was taking us away. He wasn’t going to let us see our family or friends again.”

Littlefoot gave a soft gasp and he and the others came forward and embraced them. Cera didn’t protest, leaning into their touch, a part of her hoping they wouldn’t let go. She glimpsed Chomper inches to her right, small in Ruby’s arms.

“I’m sorry.” Grandpa Longneck said. “That must have been horrible for you.”

“Was he planning this this whole time?” Grandma Longneck asked.

“He pretty much admitted it.” Tria answered. “He used Mr. Clubtail’s death to pressure Cera and Chomper to train with him. He worked them so much he hoped to have them depend on him and they could be persuaded to leave. He claimed to still be our friend but he kidnapped Cera and Chomper behind our backs and-”

Crash! Cera and the others broke apart as Mr. Threehorn’s left foot buckled. He leaned into the ground, eyes suddenly all too wide.

“Daddy?” Cera said.

"Topsy, what’s wrong?” Tria asked.

Mr. Threehorn didn’t respond. He panted, breaths climbing in pitch until he screamed, screamed like something had been torn out of him. Cera broke from her friends, running over to press into Mr. Threehorn’s forefoot.

“Daddy, what is it?” Cera said. “What’s wrong?”

“We’re alright, dear.” Tria pressed into his side. “We’re here.”

Mr. Threehorn didn’t appear to hear. He continued screaming, breaking off with gasping breaths before he screamed again. Cera hadn’t heard anything like this before and that it came from her father was terrifying. Gradually, it subsided and he leaned there, shaking. The gang and the grandparents watched, horrified, sympathetic.

“You two should rest. We’ll have those wounds tended to.” Grandma Longneck said. “Still I can’t believe Verter killed Mr. Clubtail. All for the children…”

 “Mr. Clubtail…” Chomper looked up. “Is this our fault? All because we didn’t agree to train with him the first time?”

“Don’t blame yourselves.” Grandpa Longneck said. “Mr. Clubtail’s murder is the fault of Verter alone. Even if he did this to get you, you bear no fault in his actions.”

“That is if he was the one who did this.” Tria said.

Grandma Longneck stirred. “What do you mean?”

“When we were fighting, I accused him of killing Mr. Clubtail. He looked shocked. It was as though he found the idea ridiculous.”

“Is that so?” Grandpa Longneck said uncertainly. “Well, he was good at hiding his emotions. Maybe that was just an act-”

“But this was after we confronted him. I was fighting up close with him, it looked too genuine. I don’t think we can rest easy.” Tria turned, looking around at the valley. “The killer’s still out there.”


--

Note: Hope to have the next set of chapters up by February or March next year.

@Sovereign Thank you for the review. Sorry for the slow pace. Originally, we were going to get to the action much faster but I realized that meant certain events would happen in an odd, rushed manner.

Originally, Cera was a bit more open about how she views her past but I thought it might be too honest for her, so I cut it down. It gave the pair an opportunity to bond a bit, especially as they haven’t had much time to directly talk with each other in these past chapters. I’m glad you like the confrontation with Ducky’s siblings. I had that conflict, so I thought I might as well have a scene showing it.

Yeah, it is of note that the ghosts haven’t been showing up for a while. That was intentional but I kind of forgot for characters to point it out. I should rectify that in the next chapters.

@rhombus I appreciate the review. Chomper likes Verter and with his issues, wants to put himself into the training, so I had to pace any doubt in a slower manner. I did want to follow up the talk about Spike and his aversion to adventure with some action and what better way than some misinterpreted talk about games and adventure. As I said above, I’ll try to fiddle with the ghost issue more.

@rhombus I appreciate the review. I didn’t think of Verter and Mr. Threehorn’s argument in terms of threehorns but I can see that. Mr. Threehorn disengaging is more to show how he’s mellowed since settling in the valley and my story’s events have been grinding him down. Glad you like the other parts too.

As for sweating, I did pause to google about if dinosaurs sweated after you mentioned it but my skimming was inconclusive. I don’t know if I will change that line or previous mentions of sweat but I’ll make sure to edit it out of future chapters.