Thanks for the reviews, Ducky. You totally right about proof reading the chapter's.
And yes, Hope is a very important theme later on in the story.

Heal Mama Swimmer
Hurt Redclaw

Littlefoot: 14
Cera: 12
Ducky: 19
Petrie: 14
Spike: 12
Chomper: 12
Ruby: 16
Ali: 15
Guido: 14
Mo: 11
Redclaw: 1 (-1)
Mama Swimmer: 13 (+1)
Mama Flyer: 14
Hyp: 6  
Pterano: 11
Sierra: 14
Strut: 14
Mr. Thicknose: 10
Littlefoot's Mother: 11
Bron: 10

Chapter 8: The Terrible Truth

Ducky awoke in the afternoon after a very good night sleep, she had a strange dream that she and her mother were moving through a dark cave, then through an opening she could see a night time sky which was literally dotted with innumerable stars, all that she remembered was going through that opening and just seeing the starlit sky above and the pleasant smell of water.
Ducky stretched her arms and yawned. That was when she opened her eyes to find nothing in front of her but brown "Huh?, where am I?" thought Ducky in alarm, their was no sign of Spike or any other of her siblings.
Ducky was becoming increasingly worried, all she could see was brown. Curiously she touched the brown barrier ahead of her. It felt smooth and warm and was moving up and down slowly. "Like someone breathing" thought Ducky. finally she knew where she was, in the warm embrace of her mother.
"Mama?" asked Ducky.
There was a slow movement from her mother's body which was closely followed by a long, tired yawn. Then her mother turned her head to look at her, she smiled. "Good morning Ducky, sleep well?" she said quietly.
Ducky nodded. "Yep yep yep".
Sura lifted her tail and revealed the clearing to Ducky.
Ducky gasped at the beauty of the little clearing.
"Where are we? why aren't we at home?" asked Ducky
"We are in the Hidden Clearing dear, only me, your father and your aunt know of this place" replied her mother.
"Why are we here?" asked Ducky looking up at her mother to notice that for some reason she looked way more grim and serious then Ducky had ever seen.
"We are here to train-"
"Why are we the only ones here?, where are our family".
"Ducky!" said Sura loudly in order to get her attention, Ducky looked up at her mother curiously.
"Your brothers and sisters are safe, back at the nest and we are here because we have to do some special training" she said.
Ducky looked very excited now, she was up on her feet with a wide smile on her face, her tail was wagging very quickly.
Sura put a hand on her daughter and said in a bitter trembling voice "Ducky......there is......something I need......to tell you". she said, as the tears began to fall from her eyes.
Ducky noticed, her happy expression turned to one of concern.
"What's wrong mama? why are you crying?"
Sura lowered her head and gently nuzzled her daughter, she found it very difficult to break the news to Ducky. She broke off from her daughter, but she kept her head at Ducky's level, so their eyes locked. Ducky's eyes showed worry and concern for her mother, while Sura's eyes showed unimaginable sadness.
Sura took a deep breath and dried her tears.
"Ducky" she said quietly, placing her hand gently around her daughter. "There is one Trial that I have not told you about......and it is called The Leaders Trial of Destiny".
Ducky looked curiously at her mother "What is that Mama?" she asked.
"The Trial of Destiny is the highest test that a youngling can face, only the best Swimmer is chosen to take it. The Trial tests everyone of the Swimmers ability to the extreme. Those that complete the Trial will become the next herd leader when they grow up, as they are considered worthy of the title if they complete the Trial, for it is the hardest of all to complete". Sura's voice started to tremble "and......you have been chosen to take the Trial".
Ducky looked excited, it was unlike any of the other reactions that Sura had seen, everyone who had heard about it despaired at the thought, but Ducky did not know what she was facing.
"Ducky" Sura said "the Trial takes place at the Crescent Caves, but...no youngling who has ever taken the Trial.......has ever survived it.
The words hit Ducky like ton of boulders, she gasped as the realisation suddenly hit her.
Sura continued, what she had to say would not be pleasant but Ducky had to know what she was up against "I have seen the whole river turned red with blood each time a youngling takes the Trial".
Ducky looked horrified, she had her hands over her mouth was now breathing very fast, fear was taking her. Ducky backed away a few paces, before she tripped over a stick and fell on her belly, she was now breathing very fast and her eyes were wet with tears.
She spoke in a very small, fearful voice to her mother "I have...to do that?". she asked. Sura nodded her head once, it broke her heart to watch her daughter struggle like this.
"What about Spike and......" it was all to much for Ducky, something within her gave in and she broke down into tears. She was expected to perform a Trial thet will more then likely be the death of her and upon thinking of her friends and family, Ducky could no longer contain herself "I do not want to do this oh no no no, do I have to do this." she asked.
Sura nodded. "I'm afraid so dear, I've tried to stop it from happening but Sculra threatened to hurt you and if I refused" she said bitterly.
Ducky ran to her mother and embraced her beak. "I'm scared I am I am".
Sura nuzzled her frightened daughter. She put a hand around her and held her to her chest, she then wrapped her tail around her and hummed softly in an vain attempt to calm her daughter. "What am I going to do?, I'm so scared I-"
"shhhh" said Sura, giving Ducky another comforting nuzzle "I'm here dear, your safe here" she said softly.
Ducky remained inconsolable for a while, she held on tightly to the only stable thing she had: her mother and sobbed loudly.
After a while Ducky began to calm down and Sura would be able to tell her the plan.
"Ducky just because no one has survived the Trial does not mean you will not survive too, I will help you prepare for the Trial dear". said Sura in a reassuring voice. Ducky looked up at her mother, her face was drenched in tears.
"I have a plan". said her mother " I will teach you the Swimmer's Wisdoms".
"I already know the Wisdoms mama I do I do." said Ducky.
"Ahhhhhh. but not the Wisdoms unique to your kind dear, I will teach you the skills that will allow you survive the Trial" said Sura.
Ducky's face brightened considerably.
"We will train here in the Hidden Clearing where it is safe" continued Sura "But I need you to promise me Ducky that you will not tell anyone what I have just told you, not your friends or any of your brothers and sisters, not even Spike".
Ducky looked taken aback.
"Why?" she asked in dismay.
"Because" said her mother " this news will be very hard on them and also to keep you safe from the other grown up's especially Sculra, you see dear I'm not supposed to be allowed to teach you the secrets, only other grown-up's can learn them and if Sculra found out she would try to hurt you."
Ducky looked shocked "Who is Sculra?" she asked.
"She is the High Elder Swimmer Ducky" replied Sura "But you must keep away from her, she was the one who chose you to do the Trial so I don't want you to go anywhere near her lest she hurt you".
Ducky nodded.
"Now promise me dear that you will not tell anybody what we are doing" said Sura.
Ducky looked down for a moment, then she raised her head and said in a small quite voice "I promise mama".
Sura smiled and nuzzled her little one.
"Now Ducky" she said more seriously " the skills I will teach you will not be easy to master, they will be very hard, but they will keep you alive so you must try your best to master them and remember dear, no matter how hard it may seem never give up hope".
"Yep yep yep I will do my best and I will not give up hope mama no no no" said Ducky in a determined voice.
Sura smiled again, there would be a time for training but that was not today, right now she was just going to be there for her beautiful daughter.
"I know you'll make me proud Ducky, I know you will" she said as she nuzzled her daughter one last time. "You'll do it Ducky, I know you will" thought Sura, she would make sure of it.


Well, Sura has told Ducky of the Trial and of the Swimmer Wisdoms and has made her promise not to tell anyone about the training. Stay tuned for the next chapters.

As some of you may already know, I'm writing a fanfic called the Swimmer Trials, which is similar to The Great Day of The Flyers. But Ducky is chosen to do a Trial that no one has survived. The story is about the lead up to the Trial, the big day and the aftermath.

Any comments and feedback you have can go in here as I would really appreciate it.

7,844

Chapter 7: Many Meetings

Ruphus walked swiftly away from the watering hole at the lunch break. He had to find Sculra and knock some sense into her, he didn't care how he would do it but he was determined to do all he could to protect his sweet young daughter, who had probably begun her training with Sura by now.
Ruphus remembered what had happened in the morning when he woke the children up. The tide of questions about the whereabouts of their mother and Ducky was enormous. Ruphus had to be clever here in order to keep his cover from being blown. "Well children Ducky has gone with your mother to do some training for the Individual Trials, the training is taken in private so they left early and sometimes it can take a few days, so don't be surprised if they are gone a few days" said Ruphus.
This response seemed to satisfy everyone except Spike who was always very close to Ducky and didn't like the fact that Ducky had disappeared over night without saying goodbye. But he was thankfully okay with it.
Ruphus continued on his trek until he found Sculra by the great tree star tree.
He advanced cautiously forward.
"Well hello Ruphus" said Sculra in an unusually kind voice "and what brings you here?"
Ruphus glared at her, he knew that she fancied him, but he already had his lovely mate Sura. Ruphus reflected "This must be another reason why she doesn't like Sura. Sura has taken the mate that Sculra always wanted. Giving Ducky the Trial might just be a way to get back at Sura". The thought disgusted him, that Sculra would try to get back at Sura for silly reasons and the way she would do it was to sent Ducky to her death.
"You know why I'm here Sculra, so you can drop the act.
"Sculra rolled her eyes "Such a pity, this had to happen but it's not that bad a loss, I mean we could have had many wonderful children, that were ten times better then Sura's" she said in a sweet girly voice.
Ruphus felt his fist clench, he glared furiously at Sculra then he spoke in a very serious and firm voice.
"I would not trade any of my children for you even if you were the last female in the world" he said in a angry, low voice. "How can you take pleasure from this? How could you take away Ducky from me and Sura? she does not deserve this".
"I assure you Ruphus" said Sculra in an irritated voice. "I take no pleasure from this, but is she not the fastest Swimmer in your family and didn't she save that young Spiketail when he fell into the river?".
"Ducky was also saved by Sura on that occasion you seem to have forgotten Sculra. Look why don't you just let her go and stop the Trial? It is a tradition that we should have forsaken long ago. Look Sura and I will do anything for you to stop the Trial" replied Ruphus.
Sculra eyed him closely, then a wide smile spread across her face.
"You'll do anything to save your daughter?" she asked curiously.
"I would".
Sculra smiled and said in a sly voice "My terms are this: you shall forsake Sura and be my mate, Sura will then resign her position as herd leader then she and the rest of her children will then leave the Valley and never return,  then I might consider stopping the Trial".
Ruphus stared at her his anger was at boiling point "So after Sura resigns and leaves with her children and I become you mate YOU WILL ONLY CONSIDER STOPPING THE TRIALS!". Ruphus yelled, he finally lost control and charged Sculra knocking her to the ground and pinning her with his foot. "HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOU HAD TO SENT YOUR CHILDREN TO THEIR DEATHS!" shouted Ruphus at the top of his lungs. He didn't notice that he had attracted a few adult Swimmers who watched the scene with numb shock.
Ruphus pushed his foot over Sculra's neck and pushed down firmly, he had taken to much from this vile fiend and now he would end her life.
Sculra choked and struggled but she was helpless to save herself.
This gave Ruphus immense satisfaction but before he could complete the job, he was grabbed from behind by at least three Swimmers and pulled away from Sculra.
Sculra got back to her feet and glared at Ruphus. "I will enjoy watching your dear mate's reaction when her daughter's blood fills the river and all that remains of her is a bloodied bit of flesh!" she hissed fiercely. "I don't know why you bother saving her when you've got more children coming".
"What?" said Ruphus suddenly taken aback.
"Didn't you know?" said Sculra suddenly curious "Sura is pregnant".
Ruphus gasped in astonishment "Sura's......pregnant?" he thought, how could he fail notice, he knew perfectly why Sura hadn't told him, she had done it before: made it a surprise but in this case with the Trials coming up she also did it to stop Sculra finding out in order to keep the eggs safe. "Looks like she failed at that" thought Ruphus, he looked at Sculra.
"Yes, I knew from the first moment Ruphus with all the pregnancies I've seen, I would be surprised if I hadn't noticed" she replied to Ruphus questioned look. Sura will lay eggs soon so I suggest that you watch your step in the future or those eggs will never hatch".
"You wouldn't dare!" said Ruphus.
"You just make sure that Ducky takes the Trial and no one will get hurt" said Sculra in her sweetest voice.
"Except Ducky, you want Ducky to......". Ruphus was breathing hard and fast he could not bring himself to say it. "Just to hurt Sura. YOUR A MONSTER!" he yelled, he knew their would be no compromise now, this talk was a waste of time, so he played his last card.
"If you harm any of my children, smash any of Sura's eggs or kill my daughter then I will not rest until you share her fate" he said in a deadly voice before he turned and left without another word or backward glance. "If only those other Swimmers had not intervened then Sculra would be dead and Ducky would be safe" he thought "and all this trouble would not be". Ruphus was right, but there was a lot more trouble to come before the big day.

By noon the news among the Swimmers that Ducky was taking the Trial had circulated around the Valley and it hit many very hard, the possibility of losing a such a young innocent and happy child was just unthinkable and this news quickly spread to the other herds and Grandma Longneck.
As the bright circle began it's decent Grandma Longneck met up with Grandpa Longneck.
"Hello dear" he said as she approached "I'm going to get Littlefoot, it's late and-" Grandpa stopped when he saw the expression on his mates face, she had tears in her eyes.
"What's wrong dear?".
Grandma took a breath "You should not get Littlefoot just yet, we need to talk".
"What is it?"
"Do you remember The Swimmer Trials?" she asked
Grandpa seemed to understand what she was getting at "The Trial of Destiny?" he asked. Grandma nodded and began to sob quietly, her mate nuzzled until she calmed enough to talk.
"Sura's......daughter......Ducky has been......chosen" she said between sobs.
Grandpa's face took on a grim look.
"Oh dear, she's such a lovely little Swimmer, why did it have to be her?" he said sadly, he sounded like he had aged several years after he heard the news.
"Why don't they...just throw...that cursed Swimmer leader...out? stuttered Grandma through her tears, the news had hit her hard, she always liked Ducky, she was so selfless and kind, to hear that she would probably be dead soon was a very hard prospect to accept.
"Sculra has all the power and only Sura stands against her dear. Does Littlefoot know about this?" asked Grandpa
Grandma shook her head. She did not want to think about how Littlefoot would react after being told that he would be helpless to save Ducky from death, just as he had been when he lost his mother. "It's not fair on him" said Grandma mournfully "he has already lost his mother and now he is faced with losing one of his best friends".
Grandpa nuzzled her again.
"No it isn't" he said "but we can help out Sura, anything we could do to help could make a difference".
"What about Littlefoot?" asked Grandma "we'll have to tell him soon".
"We will tell him when it is the last few days before the Trials, or if he asks, I don't want him to bear this burden longer then he must" replied Grampa.
The two longnecks nuzzled each other, they knew what they would do. Finally Grandma asked the crucial question:
"Do you think Ducky can successfully complete the Trial and survive?".
"I hope so dear, I hope so" replied Grandpa.

In the evening, after sundown Ruphus and Merri lay next to each other, the rest of the children were fast asleep. Merri told Ruphus how Littlefoot and his friends had enquired about Ducky's absence, when they came to watch the family train.
"I told them exactly what you told our children and they brought it, I feel so sorry for them, Ducky is in danger and they don't even know about it" said Merri.
Ruphus then told her about his talk with Sculra, she was just as shocked and angry as he had been when Ruphus told her what her demands were.
"That dirty foul mouthed son of a......" she said furiously continuing with her curses. "How could she be so heartless and selfish?" she asked.
"I don't know" replied Ruphus "She just is".
He took a long breath and finally voiced his concerns to Merri.
"I think we should consider fleeing to the mysterious beyond" he said.
Merri stared at Ruphus, her mouth hung agape.
"Why?".
"Because" said Ruphus "I don't think Ducky can master the Swimmer Wisdoms, you know there is a reason that only elders are allowed to learn then, they are considered way beyond the abilities of a youngling and Ducky's ability to master those skills is the only thing that will save her".
Merri considered what Ruphus said.
"Sura is a good parent and a good teacher, I'm sure she can teach Ducky the wisdoms, and by the way, running is out of the question. Sculra will just sent out word to the other herds that we've been banished and what will we do then? It is a bad idea, we won't survive long and we have too many children to look after" said Merri with reasoning.
"We are about to have a whole lot more"
Merri looked at Ruphus.
"Sura's pregnant".
The announcement shocked Merri just as it had done with Ruphus.
"That's great news, but why didn't she tell us?"
Ruphus sighed. "She didn't want Sculra to find out, it would mean more danger after she lays her eggs, which won't be long I'm sure, but Sculra already knows, she told me and she already started threatening the loss of the eggs before they are even laid".
Merri pondered this for a while, it seemed that their troubles were only growing bigger and bigger each day, and they could not resist or Sculra would hurt the children and they couldn't stop her, she had many allies while they had none.
Merri looked at Ruphus. "I wonder how Sura and Ducky are going in the Hidden Clearing?" she said quietly.
"I hope those two are okay" thought Ruphus. He wanted to be there to help Ducky but he had to look after the rest of the children. "and I hope Ducky will be okay" he thought before turning in for sleep.

Hope you like the chapter.

I know you to mean. Sculra in a vile villain but she has many allies and if Sura went up against her she would not stand a chance even if Chomper was on her side.

Speaking of chapter's here is the next one.

Chapter 5: Panic and a  Plan

Ruphus and Merri were also having lunch back at the nest. They were both deep in conversation about the Trials.
"So what's the training plan?" asked Merri.
"We plan to have two training sessions a week".
"How do think the children will go?"
"Just fine Merri, honestly your so much like Sura" Chuckled Ruphus. The difference between Sura and Merri was hardly any difference at all.
"That would be because we are sisters, twins. Do really expect that we wouldn't be similar Ruphus?"replied Merri.
"I'm just saying that you can worry just as badly as Sura".
They both exchanged glances.
"Sura is worried about the Trial of Destiny" said Ruphus quietly.
"I can perfectly understand her, she has campaigned against it ever since she found out about it, but I don't understand why it's called The Trial of Destiny, it doesn't describe the Trial at all" said Merri, who was also worried about "that" Trial.
Ruphus frowned "The name is just a label, so that no one knows it's true nature". The Trial of Destiny was a closely guarded secret amongst the Swimmers but it was anything but a secret as every adult in the valley knew it and despised it.
"I do hope that Sculra sees sense this time. I don't want to see any of the children go to their deaths" said Merri looking down.
"Well for once" said Ruphus "I'm more worried then you".
"You don't think she'd pick any of our little ones?".
"I wouldn't put it past her, you know how much she dislikes Sura, especially after she took in Spike and because of the fact that Sura forsook all the more terrible Swimmer traditions. I have a bad feeling that she won't rest until she can get back at Sura for defying her and the Trial of Destiny is the ideal opportunity. I hope I am wrong". said Ruphus nervously.
"So do I" agreed Merri.
The two Swimmers continued eating in silence, each buried in their own thoughts until they heard the sound of footsteps fast approaching. The two turned around to see Sura arriving.
Ruphus and Merri could both tell something was very wrong by Sura's panicked expression. Sura did not stop until she was in the arms of her mate.
"Sura, what's wrong?" asked Ruphus in a concerned voice.
Sura trembled "It's......Ducky". Sura looked up tears were pouring down her face.
Merri and Ruphus both looked at her with concerned expressions. "What had happened?" they both thought.
"What's wrong with Ducky, is she hurt?" asked Ruphus in as much a calm voice as he could muster although his fear showed in his expression.
"She's......She's...been chosen".
Sura heard gasps of horror from her sister and mate.
"Oh no" wailed Merri.
"We can't let her compete" said Ruphus determinedly.  
Sura looked up at her mate "Sculra threatened to kill her if we refused". A fresh wave of tears broke out over her.
"WHAT!!?" yelled both Merri and Ruphus.
"That foul son of a tar pit threatened to kill our daughter!?" shouted Ruphus fiercely.
Sura nodded. "She threatened to throw her in the raging rapids".
Merri's mouth was opened in shock while Ruphus looked furious.
The raging rapids was a water way that led out of the Great Valley, but the violent waters were impossible to navigate for even the best adult Swimmers let alone a young one who would never make it out alive.
"What do we do then?" said Merri who was on the verge of tears "It seems like we have no choice but to let Ducky take the Trial".
Sura gave a mournful cry "No one has ever survived that Trial".
"She might be the first" said Ruphus in an attempt to calm Sura, but to no avail.
"I bet that is what everybody thought when they heard the news and look what happened to their children what is to stop the same thing from happening to our little Ducky?" said Merri mournfully.
Sura stopped crying and suddenly made up her mind but she needed to confirm her idea with her family. "Do you think that an adult could survive that Trial?"
The others looked at her blankly.
"I don't know" said Merri
"I believe so" said Ruphus slowly although he failed to see what Sura was getting at, "Ducky is not an adult Sura" he said
"If I am to send my sweet daughter to perform in that good for nothing Trial then I will teach her the Wisdom of the elder Swimmer's. Both Merri and Ruphus stared at Sura in shock. "A child might not survive the Trial but a child who knows the wisdom's of our race might".
The Swimmer wisdom's were a whole range of techniques and skills that only a few elders knew, only the most oldest or important elders were ever allowed to learn them.
"Sura" said Merri slowly, she could hardly believe what she had just heard. "Those secrets are forbidden except to the elders".
"It will give Ducky the best chance anyone has ever had" said Sura firmly.
"Your treading in dangerous waters Sura, have you any idea what Sculra would do if she found out?". enquired Ruphus quietly.
"It will be no different then if she did the Trials without the knowledge that I will teach her" said Sura.
"Alright, we're with you but what are we going to tell the rest of the children?" asked Ruphus.
"We won't tell them anything if we have to dear, only us and Ducky should know. I don't know how they'd handle the possibility of losing Ducky. Also I will train Ducky in Hidden Clearing from tomorrow" said Sura firmly.
"And how are you going to break the news to her?" asked Merri
"I'll tell her when we get to the clearing, but you must help cover for me if Sculra should come snooping, if she found out what we're doing..." said Sura.
"Okay we'll cover for you if she comes and I'll train the children and I'll also go and have a chat to Sculra tomorrow, see if I can change her mind" said Ruphus.
"It sounds like we've got a plan then" said Sura. Se felt a lot more hopeful that Ducky could survive.

*

The Bright Circle was setting over the Great Valley and Ducky along with her friends and siblings were still at the watering hole waiting for Sura to return. Ducky had already told her friends everything she knew about the Trials and about the training her mother was giving to her and her siblings. None of them noticed how low the Bright Circle was getting until they had finished talking about the Trials. That is when Ducky noticed her mother's absence and called out for her but she did not return.
"Where is your mother Ducky?" asked Chomper "I thought she only left to have lunch then she'd come back and continue your training".
"I do not know oh no no no" said Ducky sounding a little worried.
But before any of them could begin to speculate about Ducky's mother's whereabouts she arrived looking very tired.
"Mama" said Ducky running forward to meet her. "Where were you? You never returned nope nope nope".
Sura bent down and gave her daughter a soft nuzzle. "Sorry, I got held up dear, had a talk with the high elder about the trials. Come on little ones it's time we went home" Sura called to the rest of her children.
"Goodnight Ducky" called The Gang as she left for home.

Sura walked toward the nest with her children though she kept an eye on Ducky. "Oh dear" she thought "She was so young and innocent and happy why does she have to suffer like this? She's already been through too much". Sura took a deep breath and quickly brushed a tear from her eye so none of her children would see how stressed she was. "Sculra was right about one thing" thought Sura "Ducky is probably the best Swimmer of her age in the Valley if anything she has the best chance to beat the Trial and I'll make sure that she is ready when the time comes". Sura felt a little better, maybe the situation wasn't as dark as it looked.

Thanks and to think this is only the beginning.
and yes. Sculra is in a totally other league to Mrs Maia, so I can't blame you for not liking her. She is in fact one of the main villains in the story but not the only one.

I have edited my first three chapters to include some more of the story as well as to correct any mistakes