"I most certainly did!" Norton exclaimed, and Pterano smiled as he heard Devon's crack, though he did not initially move to respond to it just yet. He just gave off a soft chuckle, and winked at Devon knowingly as he nudged him. His sister was of course busy with her children, hugging them tightly and doting over them and their return. "I've also told him about myself." Norton was saying. "And though we're still getting over the initial shock of it all... well more him than me, as I've always known he was my father, I think he's more happy than anything."
Further away, the longnecks were thinking things over. "I see..." Grandpa Longneck was saying. "I am sorry to hear about his family... but I'm afraid we have some pressing issues to attend to first." the elder stated, giving his grandson and Chomper a grave look. "As a matter of fact... it needs to be addressed right away." he moved away from Littlefoot now, heading toward the general center of the group. "IF we can return to the Great Valley... we'll talk about it then." he promised.
Pterano was finally speaking up, looking into his sister's eyes and asking, "Why is everyone out here? Surely it couldn't have been for us! Is something wrong with..." before he could finish, he felt the ground shaking a little under him, and looked to see Grandpa Longneck stomping to get everyone's attention.
"Ahem.. attention... attention, please!" he called. "We are facing a most unusual set of circumstances. Our valley has been covered in a black fog." Littlefoot shifted as he heard this, his features suddenly growing very serious. The male and female Rainbow Faces looked at each other, solemn expressions upon both their features. Pterano, too, suddenly experienced a sense of dread at the longneck's words. "It obscures all vision, and we aren't sure if it is dangerous or not. Naturally, this causes some problems, as we are unable to enter and get food."
As Pterano listened, his eyes suddenly darted to the left, and came to rest upon the most graceful form of the female flyer he had been talking to just yesterday. She had vanished in the confusion, but there she was now, her wings folded about her like a cape, and a look of indifference upon her features as she watched the speaking longneck. Pterano smiled a little as he watched her, temporarily missing what Grandpa Longneck was saying, though caught bits of it here and there.
"I was thinking we divide up into several groups, and each head off in a different direction to look for food. Each group should have at least one flyer, in order to inform the others if green spots have been found. The groups should also be large enough to deter sharptooth attack. I... am also thinking about retiring from the Great Valley Council soon. My mate will probably be doing the same because of age. I am hoping to contact my son, and try and get him to come here at some point in the future. I'd like to appoint Cyrix and another to fill my place, the second as temporary for now. Because of the act of protecting our children out in the Mysterious Beyond has somewhat redeemed him in my eyes, I was thinking of asking Pterano to take my place."
Pterano's head jerked away from the female, and suddenly widened as he looked directly at Grandpa Longneck. "Er... what?" he asked, confused.
"Pterano, I would like to ask you to take my place on the Great Valley Council until my son can arrive... IF he can arrive." he quickly added. "Cyrix can instruct you on our ways..." Pterano opened his beak and lifted a finger to speak, but the longneck kept going. "You will have much responsibility, but also will be monitored as well." Pterano tried to speak again, but the longneck continued. "Furthermore, I'd like you to lead one of the search groups. I... have my reservations about this... but I feel it will be a good test for you, as you have to be given a chance after all."
Pterano's mind was whirling. All of these major decisions! First he'd be replacing Grandpa Longneck, and then he'd be leading one of the searches? Shaking his head, he tried clearing it, feeling suddenly weak at the knees. "Ah... yes... of... of course!" he said, trying his best to puff out his chest. "I... I just feel as if I need some time to..."
"Good." Grandpa said, nodding, and not letting him finish. "Now then... I'd like for us to start dividing up into groups. You may go where you please, but I'd like the children to be paired with at least one adult." Littlefoot looked directly at his grandparents... the longnecks he loved unconditionally, and who filled his heart with such joy, happiness, and fulfillment. He then looked over at Pterano, who seemed ashen from the recent decision. He looked at Petrie too, and tried to read his friend's emotions on this.
"Hey Chomper... I... I think I'm gonna go with Pterano." he said, and started walking over toward the flyer, much to his grandparents' surprise.
"Littlefoot! Where are you going?" he heard his grandfather ask.
"I... I want to give Pterano a chance. You said he needs to prove himself... and he looks overwhelmed with things. I'll volunteer to go with him, and help him out. I'm not sure of many others who would offer to follow him, after all." he explained, and looked up at the shocked flyer.
"Absolutely not! You're not going with him!" the sudden irascible tone in his grandfather's voice surprised the young longneck, and he looked at him with uncertainly. Grandpa Longneck swatted his tail out in frustration, but suddenly stopped as he heard Littlefoot speak.
"Why? You said that he... deserved a chance." His grandfather seemed to realized how he'd come across, and he softened considerably upon hearing Littlefoot's voice, his dark features starting to melt.
"Er... well yes... I DID say that but... I didn't think that you would... choose that. You..."
"I'm old enough now where I have to start thinking for myself. I'm gonna be all grown up in a few more years!" the longneck insisted. "I should start making decisions on my own... and this is my choice. I love you guys... I love you so much... but I also believe in doing what's right. Pterano's had a really rough time... leaving our herd for many years... and then being exiled again upon returning... and yeah, he's made a lot of mistakes and deserved it... but his mistakes shouldn't prejudice others against him either, and I feel that he has to start somewhere, and since you took this step in nominating him as your replacement, I'll take a step of my own."
Grandpa Longneck studied his grandson for a moment, but saw the determination and purity in his eyes. "You said I should pay attention to my instincts, and that was back when I didn't trust Pterano at all!" he said, reminding them of that. "Well... this time... they're saying to give him a chance... and also help you determine if he really is a good choice to sit on the Council." this caused his grandfather to break out into a smile, and he nodded in understanding.
"Alright then... the rest of us will keep dividing up into what will hopefully be larger groups. But I'll let you do this, Littlefoot. You have made a good point."
