Return to the Land of Mists
Prologue:
“Oh, I can’t wait!”
With a cheerful expression, the lavender coloured longneck cast a glance ahead. Under the sinking afternoon light, the distant mountains glowed invitingly and that sight, most welcome after days of numbing travel across hostile and eventless wastelands, told her that the destination of their migration would finally be reached today.
“What are you gazing about, Ali?” A beige coloured longneck, a young adolescent like her, piped up as he caught up to the distracted female.
“Oh, hello Rhett,” Ali greeted the male absentmindedly. Even though he was quite a douche, the boy was the closest to a friend Ali had in her migratory herd. It was reason enough to put up with him even though her true circle of friends was residing just where they were headed to.
“It’s just a dumb valley, y’know?” Rhett mentioned casually, his smug, casually flirty look resting on the girl. Rhett never tried to hide his romantic interest in the girl, rejection upon rejection not dissuading him in the slightest. Bold tales and actions didn’t seem to work on Ali (anymore) and the idiotic girl only ever had that dumb flathead from the Valley on her mind, not noticing his worth at all. But it didn’t discern him from trying.
“Shut your mouth, Rhett,” Ali deadpanned, demonstratively turning around to give him a cold shoulder, although it didn’t seem to bother the boy.
“Looking forward to seeing that dumbass again, huh?” the boy continued with mocking words, pissing his friend off even further.
“If you don’t have anything nice to say, just bugger off, idiot!” Ali was fuming, whirling around and glaring at the blunt boy. “Once we are there, you better behave, Rhett!”
“Relax, Ali, I would never think of misbehaving,” Rhett said in a placatory manner, though Ali didn’t buy it.
“Just leave me alone…”
Rhett shrugged and strolled away lest he anger the girl any further but this wouldn’t be the last time he’d try to talk the lavender girl out of falling for that softie from the Valley. Yes, he would show Ali soon enough how awesome he truly was.
Ali sighed as she was once again alone. By tomorrow, she would meet Littlefoot, Cera, Ducky, Petrie and Spike as well as their new friends. For about half a cycle of the Night Circle, she’d get a rare respite from her ordinary life, a life she was growing tired of rapidly… Only a few more hours and they would arrive at the Great Valley.
*
“Oh, what a nice day this has been!”
Littlefoot merrily jogged through the densely populated valley that he called home, the Great Valley. It was evening and the young, adolescent boy was just on his way home from playing games with his bunch of friends. Eventually, the young longneck had forged his way through wide meadows, green jungle and the broad river that was the source of the Valley’s fertility.
“Hello Grandma, good evening Grandpa!” the boy called as he barged into the clearing where their nest was located.
“Good evening, Littlefoot,” the two elderly longnecks replied with a look of joy on their faces. “Had a good day?”
“You bet!” the boy answered merrily.
His grandfather gave a chuckle. “That is good to know, Littlefoot. Grandma and I are glad that you are having so much fun each day. It certainly seems that it helps you grow.”
Littlefoot grinned proudly. Since the last Cold Time, his size had more than doubled and similar effects could be seen on his friends as they all entered the Time of Great Growing. It nevertheless didn’t stop them from playing games and being jolly and silly as usual.
“Yeah, seems like it,” he replied. “How about you two? Did you have a good day too?”
“Yes, Littlefoot, quite so,” his grandmother answered his inquiry with a friendly smile.
“Actually, Littlefoot, we received some news today which you might find intriguing to hear,” his grandfather mentioned, some youthful mirth apparent on his features.
“Oh, what is it, grandpa? Please tell me!” Littlefoot exclaimed in excitement. “It’s not dad’s time to come visit us already, is it?”
“Haha, oh no, certainly not!” His grandpa chuckled at his grandson’s curiosity.
“But your guess isn’t far off, Littlefoot,” his grandmother chimed in mystically.
“Oh?” Not too far off… Littlefoot quickly brainstormed what other good news might be related to the arrival of his dad’s herd – which obviously wasn’t going to happen, but maybe something similar? Was his dad coming without the herd? No, even if that were the case, his grandparents wouldn’t leave him hanging like that and, besides, his dad’s visit wasn’t due before the end of the next cold time. Why would he come here now? Unless it was an emergency, it didn’t make any sense at all! No it had to be something else…
“So it must be another herd coming which I know…” His brain was working extra shifts. What other herds did he know? Surely, there couldn’t be that many… “Oh…” That was when it clicked in his mind. A face he hadn’t seen in a long time suddenly appeared in front of his inner eye, involuntarily making him smile awkwardly.
“Ali’s – I mean, Old One’s herd?!” Littlefoot’s questioning stare wandered from one grandparent to the other; both were nodding firmly, rejoicing in the excitement and joy that their grandson was suddenly expressing.
“No way! A-are they really coming? When?!” His abrupt ecstasy earned the young longneck some more chuckles on his expense.
“The scouting flyers confirmed their arrival for this evening so you should be able to go see your friend about now,” his grandfather explained matter-of-factly.
“Wait, you’d let me go?! Even though it’s already late?” The surprise couldn’t be greater.
“Of course, go see your friend if you wish,” his grandmother spoke warmly. Littlefoot rejoiced.
“Yaaaaaaaaay!!!” Hopping up and down, he exclaimed. “THANK YOU!” More subdued, he then added. “Why are you letting me though?”
“Well, you are growing,” his grandpa answered awkwardly. “We believe it is about time that we stop treating you like a child, who is a danger to himself.”
“You are entering the Time of Great Growing, dear, we cannot keep you safe forever so you will need to learn depending on yourself,” his grandmother explained calmly.
“Yes, and going home late, finding your way back in the dark is a first step… although there are no dangers to fear here in the Great Valley…” Suddenly, the old male’s expression changed from that of a teacher to that of a comedian. “Besides…” Littlefoot could feel the mirthful glance resting on his features. “We figured you young ones would just sneak out at night anyway so we might as well allow it while having a little faith in you lot; don’t do something stupid though.”
“Gee, thanks, you two,” Littlefoot announced with a slightly bashful look which soon turned into a chuckle. “Well, I’ll be off then!” The boy was about to run off when a last question entered his mind. “Umm, where would I likely find Ali?”
“The herd should have arrived at the main entrance into the Valley,” his grandpa answered promptly with a kind smile; it was enough for Littlefoot to know where he had to go.
“Thanks! Seeya later!” he called before dashing off, excitement and joy as well as strange sense of freedom running through his veins. Would he really get to talk to his friend though or would she be too tired from the long journey and sleeping as soon as they arrived?
*
“There they are!”
It didn’t take the boy too long to locate the huge herd of longnecks. The Bright Circle had disappeared while he’d been talking to his grandparents but there was still more than sufficient light, the evening colours making everything from trees to rocks to dinosaurs around him shine in mysterious hues and shades. Just as he had thought, the herd of longnecks hadn’t wandered far from the entrance into the valley, settling down at the first suitable area they encountered. At the edge of the valley, reaching all the way up to the higher elevations grew a secluded forest, stretching a little way into the walls – a small valley within the Valley. A side branch of the big river that fed the whole valley precious water to sustain its marvelous vegetation - their little paradise, was reaching all the way out here and that was where more than a hundred large figures were residing. Some could be seen resting or sleeping, some were talking to fellow herd members and many others were engaged in restoring their nutrients in a fulfilling feast, spreading all the way out into the forest.
Littlefoot hid in a bush on a small hill on the opposite side and tried to observe the herd, his objective to figure out where Ali might or might not be. His gaze cast across each and every longneck in the minutes to follow, however the Bright Circle continued to sink further below the horizon, dwindling his light source and his chances to spot the fellow child.
“Just where might she be?” Soon, he managed to spot their leader, Old One, as everyone called the old and, supposedly, wise longneck, although none of his past experiences with her had given him any hint of the existence of such wisdom yet. Much to his disdain, he also recognized a longneck he’d rather have overlooked.
“Rhett… so that braggart is still with them? Though he is not with Ali, strange…” During Ali’s previous visit, Ali had been all eyes and ears for Rhett and his made up stories so it had taken a devious plan and a lot of trouble to uncover his false deeds. Rhett had played with them sometimes afterwards, however he had never become friendly with any of them; and it wasn’t hard to tell that Rhett held a grudge against them for uncovering his lies and schemes. Needless to say, Littlefoot wasn’t too happy to see him though at least we wasn’t squirming around Ali like a blood-sucking insect this time – at least for now… Would he still be strutting around the lavender-coloured girl whom he really liked, getting in the way of their short reunion again?
“Come to think of it, shouldn’t Ali be near him?” Littlefoot scanned the immediate surrounding area more thoroughly than before though the result remained the same. Ali was nowhere to be found.
“Just where might she be?” Littlefoot was at a loss; how should he find her within this sheer mass of adult longnecks? Or did something happen to her? No, Littlefoot didn’t even want to consider the mere inkling of such a thought. To calm his trembling nerves, he took his stare off the herd for once and turned it to the reddish-pink sky which turned more and more towards blue and violet hues. A single blinky light began to pop up on the sky as daylight progressively faded with the retreat of the mighty Circle. More and more longnecks concluded their feasts on the Valley’s rich treestars and various other delicate foods and sat down to rest and sleep – normally, it was about this time of the day when he’d better run home fast too. Ever so grateful for his new freedom, for it gave him a faint chance to speak to Ali, Littlefoot returned to the task at hand. Suppressing a yawn, a refreshed his focus and pondered.
“If she isn’t anywhere to be found here, I’ve gotta check inside the forest!” The view into the forest was very limited, for it extended quite a distance into the very outskirts of his home. Given that he hadn’t seen her in the open and the bordering parts of the forest, odds weren’t too low that he might find her inside if he went looking for her there, although it meant leaving his outlook to mingle with many strangers. It seemed like his only chance though. Not wasting any more time, he entered a jog at a decent pace, hurrying in order to be able to rely on the last remaining rays of light. Before long, he found himself inside the dark forest, trees standing tight but only in some places, allowing grown-ups to pass through. Without hesitation, he mixed with them, pretending to belong to them as he sharpened his ears to filter out several conversations nearby…
“… can’t wait to meet Littlefoot tomorrow!”
The boy stopped immediately, his heart beating tightly in his chest as he tried to locate the voice which was so unmistakably Ali’s.
“Left of me...” The purple-gray longneck whirled around. A few trees were growing in front of his eyes, blocking some of the view, but the most important, most recognizable part of his friend – her head with those engaging blue eyes and that dreamy smile as she was caught in memories of him, was clearly visible through a gap in the foliage. His face was brightening as if the Bright Circle had decided to skip to morning time right away. The boy didn’t hesitate; entering a swift sprint, only slowing when the lavender-coloured longneck came into view in her full glory. Considering that his fast advance must have caused quite a ruckus, it didn’t surprise the young longneck in the slightest when the girl turned around to face him, her surprised gaze, her beautiful eyes, shining blue like a crystal, meeting those of his own. Ali recognized him immediately and her face grew a big smile.
“Littlefoot!” Ali leapt forward, dropping whatever she had been chewing on, and closed the remaining distance between them with a single move. In a wild approach, perhaps a little too wild, Ali ran up to Littlefoot and greeted him with an overjoyed nuzzle.
“Ali!” Littlefoot laughed, returning the greeting gesture just as lively once he had gotten over the initial surprise and awkwardness – her mother was watching after all. “So good to see you!” he shouted loudly with no regard to the other longnecks around which was met by Ali’s friendly, even slightly cute smile. It was in many ways a much happier reunion than the previous year’s. "So Ali is no longer following Rhett after all, huh?" It was a logical conclusion of Ali’s happy reaction quite as opposed to the previous visit though Littlefoot was simply too happy at that moment to bother asking about something as annoying as Rhett, simply rejoicing in the moment.
“Have you been looking for me?” Ali asked with an innocent chuckle; their faces were only inches apart.
“W-well,” Littlefoot replied, slightly nervous and shaky due to the sheer excitement and joy. “I just got news that you were here visiting our Valley so…I… thought I’d say hello and uhh invite you to play with everyone tomorrow?”
Ali’s gaze craned around to face the tall form of her mother casually observing the exchange. “May I?” Littlefoot bowed slightly and smiled politely when the grown-up’s eyes rested upon him.
“Of course,” she replied eventually with a tired voice which was an obvious leftover of the hardships travel brought along. “But now you must eat up and rest.”
“Sure mum,” Ali tweeted happily, turning back to Littlefoot with a smile.
“Count me in tomorrow!”
Littlefoot’s eyes widened significantly as Ali promised to play with them tomorrow. Not risking disturbing the small family of two any longer, he cut things short now.
“I’ll come pick you up tomorrow, let’s make this a surprise for the others too!” he exclaimed merrily.
“Sure!” Ali laughed; that seemed like a splendid idea indeed.
“Good night then!” Littlefoot announced, bowing once again in front of Ali’s mother politely before he dashed off with a grin wider than his face could contain.
“See you tomorrow, Littlefoot! I can’t waiiiiit!” Ali yelled just before the boy disappeared behind the vegetation.
*
With a happy, squirmy feeling, the boy made his way back home in no time, darkness and a slight sleepiness no enemies for the growing child. Just looking forward to the games with Ali and his friends could be enough to keep him running for the whole night if only he had a mind to do it. However, Littlefoot knew the value of a good night’s rest so he took no detours on his trip back home. Just before his eyes fell shut in the shadow of his snoring grandparents (had they really trusted him enough to go to sleep without waiting for his return?), his mind pictured the goggling faces of his friends when Ali would walk up beside him tomorrow. It surely was an amusing thought. One last time, he thought of all the happy faces Ali had made just earlier before he drifted off to sleep under the watchful eyes of the moon and the many stars. Tomorrow would be a great day.
Or so he thought.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
This will be my Fanfiction Prompt Challenge response for the months Jan-June. A medium length story which will adapt all 6 prompts during that time interval somewhere along the line. This chapter does not cover any prompt but the next chapter should cover the January prompt.
I had a really hard time deciding how to call this story since it has many themes which I could have build it upon. I'm still not sure if this title is the best but for now consider it final ;)Cera
So this story is set roughly one year after the tv-series and about half a year after LBT 14, assuming that movie happened after the events of the series and assuming the series all happened within the span of a year. They are entering the time of Great Growing which allows for some interesting developments.
This story may show some similarities to Shorty's Dark Past simply due to the fact that it is also developing the relationship between Littlefoot and Ali but under a completely different setting and with a completely different obstacle. Rhett still hasn't given up on Ali :rolleye
For some reason, I had a really literate moment while proofreading so the middle part got a lot longer and the writing and description ended up much better I believe. Let me know what you think (what do you think might be happening? Why will they return to the Valley of Mists as the title suggests? Questions... bring them on! Though I won't spoil the answers, obviously ;)Cera )
Hope you enjoyed this little introduction. The next chapter should be ready by the end of the month :exactly