The Seven Hunters

[CeraTheRed]

The last part excited me. Well, we all knew it would come to this eventually, but, now, Bron has finally caught up. Littlefoot's decision isn't too surprising. I just hope it ends well. Good to see the Rainbow Faces are making their plan. I, personally, hope that works. It's the last part that I REALLY liked, though. The idea of who that could be is a nice ending to the chapter.

[vonboy]

I really hope littlefoot's plan works out, as I'd hate for them to have to kill Bron off to save theiorselves. It doesn't seem very likely he could convince Bron that it's him, but he must try.

Maybe he could try out Petrie's approach? Telling him something that happened between them that only the two of them would know?

[rhombus]

Thanks for the feedback.  

vonboy:

I really hope littlefoot's plan works out, as I'd hate for them to have to kill Bron off to save theiorselves. It doesn't seem very likely he could convince Bron that it's him, but he must try.

Maybe he could try out Petrie's approach? Telling him something that happened between them that only the two of them would know?

Your thinking is on the right track.  Littlefoot will undoubtedly have to rely upon shared experiences and possible the shared dream (Ruby's parents had the same dream, so maybe Bron did as well) in order to make his case.  Of course, that all will depend on Littlefoot preventing Bron from killing him so that he has enough time to actually tell his tale...

CeraTheRed:

The last part excited me. Well, we all knew it would come to this eventually, but, now, Bron has finally caught up. Littlefoot's decision isn't too surprising. I just hope it ends well. Good to see the Rainbow Faces are making their plan. I, personally, hope that works. It's the last part that I REALLY liked, though. The idea of who that could be is a nice ending to the chapter.

Thanks for the review.  The next two chapters will primarily be focused on Littlefoot and his attempt to contact Bron.  As for the sharptooth flyer... well... we will see the consequences of that later.  Having Red Claw realize that the valley's residents are out of their safe valley will not be a good thing for the hapless herbivores.

[Ducky123]

Erm, sorry that this review of chp 38 will be rather short but I lost my well elaborated review when my laptop suddenly decided to do a restart without me asking And now I don't wanna write it again for I spent too much time on it and time is rather scarce on my end...

I really like the first scene since it is so full of emotion, wisdom and really great in terms of style Petrie's reaction to Pterano leaving is much more mature than one might expect. I really lhad to snicker at the insults they were throwing at each other The playing scene was very enjoyable to read as well... and then Calin appears Now that's interesting to say the least...
It's also nice to hear from the Longnecks

I caught two colouring mistakes where you haven't marked thoughts as such and a few typos...

Trying to read another one tomorrow

[rhombus]

Thanks for the feedback, Ducky.   I appreciate your thoughts even if they are shortened on account of the laptop issue.  I must admit that Pterano was a character that I had some trouble relating to when I initially tried to write his dialogue.  But I became more comfortable with the character as I began to write his scenes.  As for Calin, well... That is going to cause some interesting complications indeed.

Sorry to make you a bit further behind , but chapter 42 will be posted shortly. I already have a few people on fanfiction.net telling me to hurry up.   I might have to delay the next chapter by one day just in order to annoy those impatient people.

[rhombus]

Fanfiction link:  https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9990125/43/The-Seven-Hunters

Chapter 42   Enemy mine: A new perspective

“Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

As Chomper's breathing slowed down to a steady rhythm, Ruby knew that the small sharptooth was finally asleep.

The poor little biter was deeply concerned about Littlefoot.  This was a sentiment that the rose colored fast biter and, for that matter, everyone else in the pack shared.  She had the luxury of still being able to contact her parents, albeit from a distance.  But Littlefoot was now left with no one.  The only parent which he now had contact with wanted the fast biter dead.  None of his family knew of his fate.  This was a fate that was shared by Spike, Ducky, and Cera of course, but it was far more prominent in Littlefoot's case.  It was far more tragic when the unreachable goal was right in front of your face, as opposed to a distant memory.  Bron's arrival meant that no one could simply let go of their old lives and move on with being sharpteeth.  No... Now they had to confront their pasts.  It was not an undertaking that appealed to any of them.

Being careful not to wake the others who were resting right beside her, Ruby rose from her prone position and stretched.  She had promised to check up on Littlefoot and she supposed that she had better make good on her promise to Chomper.  With hesitant eyes, she looked towards the edge of the forest where Littlefoot was sitting previously.

But no one was there.

She blinked.  Had Littlefoot gone deeper in the forest in order to get more privacy?  Had he decided to sleep away from the pack for the night?  Knowing that she wouldn't get her answers simply staring at empty space, she advanced towards his last known resting spot.  Perhaps it was time to put her tracking skills to the test...

......

Littlefoot creeped through the tall grass in a slow, methodical fashion.  Despite his resolution to confront his father alone, his mind was screaming its objections to this course of action.  The possibilities of what could happen were plain for him to see.  He could be killed.  He could be chased.  At the very least, he could leave disappointed at his father's response.  However, he knew that he had to try.  He would not write off his only chance to speak with his father one last time, nor would he willingly condemn the longneck to death.  He had to take this chance, no matter how small, in order to explain his side of the story to his wayward parent.  Of that he was unwavering.

However, there was still the question of how to approach him.

This was something that Littlefoot had thought about for several moments.  He couldn't just wake Bron up and tell him that he was Bron's son.  No... That would be a good way to get killed.  He needed to gain the longneck's trust (or at least cooperation) through other means and then he could slowly reveal the truth.  Although the former longneck was hesitant to be dishonest with his father, he knew that the consequences of inaction would only lead to Bron's death in self-defense or, worse yet, the death of Littlefoot and his friends.  If avoiding that outcome meant lying to his father then that was something that he would do.

He knew exactly the story he would use as well.

It was obvious from the threat that Bron screamed upon their escape and his single-minded focus during the chase that Bron wanted Chomper dead.  Apparently he blamed Chomper for Littlefoot’s "death" and the "deaths" of his friends as well.  So that was the angle that he would use.  If Bron thought that he was willing to betray Chomper and lead Bron to the wayward sharptooth then perhaps that would give Littlefoot enough time to try to convince his father of his story.  If not...

If not, then Littlefoot would try to escape and do what he had to do.  He had to give his father the best possible chance of avoiding a date with death, but if his sole remaining parent insisted on bringing harm to his friends then Littlefoot knew that he would do whatever it took to protect the pack.  He could hate himself later.  It would simply be one more unforgivable transgression built upon nearly a half year of unsavory deeds.  Littlefoot almost couldn't recognize himself anymore.

Littlefoot leaned himself closer to the ground.  He could tell that he was getting closer to the spiketail herd as he could hear the distinct rumbling from the sleeping multitudes.  The stench of the robust herbivores was also becoming overpowering.  He had heard others joke about Spike's odor back when they were herbivores in the valley, but with his improved sniffer he had to admit that spiketails diffidently had a distinct stench.  Shaking his head at his momentary burst of wistfulness, he decided to peek over the grass and take a look at what lay before him.

Spiketails.  Dozens upon dozens of spiketails lay before him.  Each lay prone on the bare ground in a scene of restful slumber.  Only one of the herd members seemed different than the others.  A large...  Female...  Littlefoot could deduce from the scent radiating from her direction, was shifting uneasy in her sleep.  There was no male accompanying her as soft moans and sighs could be heard emanating from her mouth.

That must be Tippy's mother. Littlefoot thought to himself.  Poor Tippy...

Littlefoot only spared a few moments, however, before resuming his visual search.  The nearly full night circle gave him enough light to examine the land around him.  His enhanced sharptooth eyes were able to pick out details that his old herbivorous body would have overlooked.  He needed to find Bron.  But curiously he couldn't see anything out of the ordinary in his range of vision.  Maybe he should try another area or...

There they are!

To his far left he could see two much larger forms.  These dinosaurs were obviously not spiketails.  These were the sleeping forms of Bron and Doc.  The pack's potential downfall.  He would have to approach them carefully.  But he would have to be mindful of unforeseen dangers.  It wasn't typically the known dangers that got you, it was the unknown...

Crack!

Littlefoot crashed to the ground in a defensive maneuver as he swiveled and raised his claws in a protective pose.  Someone had snuck up on him!  But how could that be?  He was the best at sneaking on prey in the pack.  In fact only one of the pack was better than him at that feat and that was...

"You are here, Littlefoot.  But why are you here?"

Ruby.

Littlefoot sighed.  He had wanted to go alone as he knew that the rest of the pack would try to stop him.  However, it seemed that his hopes of a clean getaway were now dashed.  He supposed that he had to salvage the situation.  With a hesitant gesture, he raised his clawed hand and gestured for Ruby to move in closer.  As she did so, Littlefoot whispered into her ear.

"I can't let Bron end it like this... I have to stop him."

Ruby stared at Littlefoot for a few moments in disbelief.  Then she placed her forelimbs at her sides in a show of indignation.  Ruby was furious.  Her whispered response was very nearly a hiss.

"I won't let you, Seeker!  I am a friend and friends don't allow friends to kill themselves."  As Littlefoot took on a dark expression, Ruby stared right back and pointed a single claw at Littlefoot's face.  "I care for you, Seeker.  Everyone does.  Even if you don't think that you deserve it."

Littlefoot was taken aback by Ruby's impassioned retort and took a moment to compose himself.  Finally after a brief moment he responded.

"I am not going to kill myself, Ruby.  That is not why I am here."

Ruby shook her head.  "That may be so, Seeker, but Bron will kill you all the same.  It is too risky!"  She sighed in exasperation.  "What would you tell your daddy in order to make him believe you anyway?  Because I don't think he would believe you regardless of what you tell him."

Littlefoot sighed.  Ruby was at least getting to a point where he could tell her his plan.  He supposed that it was time to let her know what he had in mind.

"Well... You see... I am thinking about tricking him..."  Littlefoot then elaborated on his exact plan.  It took several moments and Ruby seemed ready to interject at several times, but she allowed him to finish.  "So that is what I plan to do."

Ruby stared at Littlefoot for several moments.  It was an expression that made Littlefoot want to crawl under a rock.  He knew that this was not going to go his way.

"That is crazy, Seeker.  He could crush you before you have a chance to speak... he could think you're crazy and then crush you...  There is too much that could go wrong!"  She then placed her clawed hand on his should and shook her head.  "I'm sorry, Seeker.  But you have to go back to the den..."

Littlefoot shook in agitation.  "I won't go until I try to stop my dad!"

Ruby sighed.  "Then I will get the rest of the pack, Seeker.  As your friend, I can't let you do this.  I can't let you do this because you are my friend."

Littlefoot collapsed to the ground and began to look despondently at the fast biter.  His emotional state was not lost on Ruby.

"It will get better, Littlefoot."  She apparently figured it was time to use his leaf-eater name as he was reflecting on that part of his life.  "I don't know how... But it will get better."

Littlefoot shook his head.  "Not for my dad!  And not for me!"  He then rose to his full height in a manic frenzy.  Some of the spiketail's in the adjacent herd began to stir.  Littlefoot noticed this and immediately lowered his voice, but not his emotions.  "If I kill my dad or sit aside and watch him die then I will never forgive myself.  Do you understand?"  His tone brokered no disagreement.  "I don't care who you are.  This is something that I have to do.  If it doesn't work..."  His voice broke for a moment, but he recomposed himself.  "If it doesn't work then we will do what we must...  But right now, I must do this."

Littlefoot awaited the rose colored fast biter's rebuttal, but none came.  With some trepidation, he looked back in her direction.  He immediately observed his pink counterpart shake her head in an exasperated expression.

"Fine, Seeker.  But I am going with you."

Littlefoot shook his head at this.  "No... Ponder, I can't have you risk..."

He didn't get to finish that statement, as Ruby grasped both of his shoulders with her clawed hands.  Her counterpart brokered no disagreement.  "Shut up."  Littlefoot blinked at that most un-Ruby-like statement.  "You just told me that it was worth risking your life to stop your daddy.  That stopping your daddy was worth risking your life.  If that is so, Seeker, then you have to accept that it is worth having me tag along.  Because I would never forgive myself if I allowed something to happen to you."

Littlefoot was taken aback at his friend's expression of loyalty and love.  He was so shocked that he almost didn't know what to say.  Words would not do his emotions justice.  Instead, he only said one thing.

"You're... You're a true friend, Ruby."

Ruby's expression softened.  Littlefoot's grateful expression and use of her leaf-eater name communicated volumes that words simply couldn't express.  Knowing that any further words would be inadequate, she gave an equally understated response.

"As are you, Littlefoot."

With no further words being exchanged between the two fast biters, both of them emerged from the tall grass.  They had a meeting with Bron to attend to.  The consequences would be anyone's guess.

......

Meanwhile, high above the lowlands:

Despite the coming of the night, Petrie continued his flight over the darkened expanse that was the lowlands.  The former home of the pack seemed so peaceful in the black void of the night, but the darkness was broken by the magnificent light of the night circle.  It was because of the night circle that Petrie decided to fly on, despite the pervasive darkness.  He still remembered where Skytail's pack used to reside and he felt that he could still find it.  There was just enough light.

There it is!  Petrie thought to himself.  Old home.

Petrie could see the former residence of the pack.  He knew that Skytail's pack had planned on moving into to the small cave after Littlefoot's pack left, so it only made sense for Petrie to begin his search there.  Having not been present for the recent developments involving Calin, the flyer still hoped that when he found them he could get more information on the mysterious fast biter.  It would also be a good chance to catch up with their old allies.  They hadn't had a chance to speak with Skytail's pack since their departure several months ago.  It would be good to catch up with old friends.  

Feeling determined, Petrie silently descended from his height and directed himself towards the welcoming cave.

......

The barren land, just outside the Land of Shallow Waters:

Night had also fallen on the barren lands outside of the Land of Shallow Waters.  In the dust covered expanse only the reflected light of the night circle gave any illumination.  Yet, that was enough to make the arid land visible to those with keen night vision.

And Calin, being a predator, was one of those.

Stopping for a moment in his monotonous jog, he looked up at the night circle.  Superficially there was nothing special about the brilliant orb.  In fact, Calin never bothered to pay careful attention to celestial features anyway.  Staring at stars and reading omens into their movements was a vapid superstition that he left to the weak-minded.  He couldn't care less about how they moved, why the existed, or even what they actually were.  They didn't seem to help him in any discernible way except to bring light to his night hunts.  However, something different was going on tonight.  Calin could feel it.  A feeling that he couldn't quite explain.  Something instinctual that seemed to scream in his subconscious.  But for all of his peering at the night circle, he could see nothing out of the ordinary.

"Heh... It's just the same grey ball."  Calin muttered to himself.  

Feeling a bit useless staring at the orb, he promptly resumed his journey across the sand.  It was time to begin to put his plots into motion.  Ever since the incident with the other fast biter pack his life had taken a turn for the worse.

"Argh!  Damn tail!"  Calin hissed as he clutched the suddenly pain-stricken appendage.  He was indisposed with pain for several moments to such an extent that tears actually threatened to appear in his eyes.  But after a few moments the pain eased.  That had been the worst attack in several days.

Sucking down a deep breath, Calin recomposed himself after a moment.  Normally, he would feel a slight throbbing pain and know that a major attack was on the way.  He had used this knowledge to his advantage and hid the true extent of his disability to the others in his pack.  Any sign of weakness would have meant a challenge for leadership and a prompt death for the tan fast biter.  It was a system that he quite approved of when he was the dominant fast biter.

When, that was.  He was certainly not the leader anymore.

He soon learned that the orange substance that he found on his tail after Skytail's attack was from a poisonous sap.  He deduced that Skytail must have poisoned him, hence why he had attempted a seemingly fruitless final attack.  Skytail wanted Calin dead even from the grave.  Calin suspected that a weaker dinosaur would have granted Skytail his final wish, but Calin resolved to spite the fool.  Calin refused to die until he was good and ready.

After three days of worsening pain, Calin finally decided to leave the pack one night when everyone else was asleep and to find the plant that had been used against him.  After many hours of crushing plants that look similar to the ones around Skytail's final stand, Calin finally found the culprit.  A robust looking green plant with small green bulbs.  Pleased with himself, he grabbed the plant and went back to the pack.  He was not so pleased the next day, however, when he asked if anyone in the pack knew what the plant was.  Calin made up the story that he had once seen a fast biter use it on a rival and that he was simply curious, but he suspected that his second-in-command, Goron, knew the truth.  As Goron smiled a predatory smile, one of the pack members informed him that it was called the agony bush.  If the sap were to get into an injury it would cause no real damage, but it would result in permanent pain that would radiate from the sight of the injury.  Many dinosaurs would throw themselves off of cliffs in order to stop the unending agony that the plant inflicted.  Needless to say, Calin was not too pleased to learn about the instrument of his troubles.

The bastard wanted to push me to suicide, but I am stronger than that!  Calin thought through the pain.  I won't grant him the satisfaction.

The next few days were among the most challenging in Calin's life.  He now knew that he had a permanent disability that, although he could hide it for hours at a time, would eventually force him to show weakness to the other members of the pack.  That would be a death sentence for Calin.  He needed time to regroup and ensure his own survival.  For a few moments he actually considered leaving Red Claw's alliance, but he soon dropped the idea as that would certainly get him killed.  He also couldn't simply resign and let Goron get the position.  In another pack that would be acceptable, but in his pack that would be seen as weakness.  No, he had to find a way to be stripped of his leadership without being killed in the process.  That way he could learn to hide the searing pain and retake his position of power.  After a few days of pondering, and a few close calls as far as pain attacks were concerned, Calin finally had an idea.

"You wanted to see me, Calin?  I trust you have not failed in your mission?"

Calin cringed at the insinuation.  Failure would mean death for those responsible for failure.  Thankfully, that was not what he was going to report to the massive sharptooth.

"No, Red Claw.  We have killed two adult swimmers."

Red Claw nodded.  "Good.  I would hate to have to lose you, Calin.  Your foolish decision to attack the spiketail herd without my reinforcement made me question your worth.  It is nice to see that you are finally doing something right."

Calin was careful to keep his expression neutral.  He hated to be talked down to like this.  He knew full well that Red Claw didn't care about his pack anymore than Calin did.  Red Claw's interest, like Calin's own, was simply for the accumulation of power.  Red Claw was angry at Calin because many useful fast biters had died in the battle.  The put down had also given Red Claw another chance to make Calin suitably humbled.  Or, at least, it would if Calin's were capable of humility.

Calin cleared his throat.  "Um... sir...  There is one thing I wanted to talk to you about."

Red Claw looked at the fast biter oddly.  Few talked to Red Claw more than what was necessary.  The fact that Calin was risking more time around the sharptooth was an exceptional occurrence.  Red Claw simply gestured for Calin to continue.

"The pack is very large and strong, sir, but it could be stronger."  This was the hard part, Calin mused, faking compassion, an emotion that he never really felt.  "And I am responsible for the weakness of the pack.  My orders cost many lives."  He did his best solemn expression.  "I... I think there is a way that I can undo the damage."

Red Claw tilted his head at this.  "Continue..."

Calin nodded.  So far so good.  "I could acquire some new members from other lands.  The Land of Shallow Waters and the Land of Blue Lakes have both been overlooked so far.  I could lead a few expeditions to see if any suitable candidates are available in those lands."

Red Claw's face was impassive.  "That may be a good idea, but surely a lower ranked dinosaur would be better suited for the job.  Perhaps Goron or..."

"No, sir."  Calin interrupted.  When he saw Red Claw's surprised face, he immediately continued.  "My apologies, sir.  But I need to make amends and... Goron needs to gain first-hand leadership experience in case I am killed."  

And assuming that he isn't the one to do it.  Calin mused.

Red Claw stared at him for a few moments and Calin feared that he would refuse, but then the massive beast answered.  "Very well.  You will go to the Land of Shallow Waters, as it is closer.  You will scout out for other suitable recruits.  If you find any then the pack will join you in claiming the new recruits."

Calin was extremely pleased.  But that was until he heard what Red Claw said next.

"And Calin..."

Calin looked at the large tyrannosaurus.  "Yes, sir."

"Make sure to bring Goron with you...  That way you can personally supervise him as he gets leadership experience."  Red Claw seemed to have a gleam in his eye.  With an obvious show of malice, he added:  "Be safe."  

Calin shook the memories from his head.  So now here he was, with a contingent of six other fast biters including his hated rival and second-in-command, Goron.  He suspected that Red Claw intentionally picked adversarial deputies so that the fast biter leader would always feel threatened from below.  If that was the plan, then it was incredibly successful.  No one could plot against Red Claw when they were too busy avoiding plots from within their own pack.

Knowing that Goron was untrustworthy and would challenge him as soon as he knew that he could get away with it, Calin had acquired a new ally.  One that could be a bit more malleable than the insufferable Goron.

"Zarc!"  Calin called happily.  "I see that you are still here.  I figured that you might have gone to sleep."

The blue fast biter, who was only slightly shorter than Calin, seemed to scoff at that.  "I do as I'm ordered.  I know what happens to those who don't."

Calin smile grew slightly.  Yep, there is the reason I like Zarc.  He is loyal and honest to those who he trusts.  And for some reason he trusted Calin.  This made him the perfect tool.  "Well, that is true.  I do have news on the packs in these lands."

Zarc looked at Calin with an inquisitive expression.  "Good news or bad news."

Calin gave a slight nod.  "Interesting news."

The other fast biter's mouth fell slightly in stunned silence, but he then immediately composed himself.  Calin had just dropped quite the revelation on the other fast biter.

'Interesting news' was the code that they would use in the event that the leadership plan would be put into action.  Calin knew that he could not survive for long as the leader, but he could survive at a lower rank with the backing of a stronger fast biter.  Thus he found Zarc, a useful fool who trusted Calin for some odd reason.  It seemed that Zarc had felt personally grateful when Calin had appointed him as a tracking leader and he had never forgotten that kind gesture.  Calin had not done it out of sympathy, of course, but nonetheless the misconception had apparently gained Calin an ally.  An ally he desperately needed now.  

Calin had explained to Zarc how Goron was certain to take the reins of leadership soon.  Zarc had asked him why Calin suspected this and he, uncharacteristically for him, decided to tell the truth.  He knew Zarc's character and knew that the reveal of Calin's disability would further solidify the other fast biter's trust and appeal to his empathy.  True enough, it worked.  Zarc was concerned that Calin would not last long without a challenge to the leadership.  Calin also shrewdly mentioned that Goron would probably kill all of Calin's allies as well in order to remove threats.  This was hyperbole, of course, but it worked to concern Zarc about his own safety should Goron come to power.  He soon was quite open to Calin's planned conspiracy.  Calin would lead Goron into a situation during their expedition where one of two things would happen: either they would succeed in their mission and ensure that Goron died in the process; or they would fail in their mission and both Zarc and Calin blame for the failure on Goron, who was leading the mission.  In either case, Calin would be free from Goron.  He would either be dead from their treachery or from the justice of the remainder of the pack, who would fear Red Claw's reprisal.  After the fun of killing Goron was out of the way, then there would be the simple matter of Calin recommending Zarc for the leadership of the pack for which Zarc would promise Calin protection as Zarc's second-in-command.  

It was a brilliant plan, Calin reflected.  Now all he had to do was put it into action.

Zarc tilted his head to the left and raised two claws.  This was obvious code for Calin: Goron had two of his goons within hearing distance of the conversation.  Calin would have to be careful here in how he described the situation.

"There is a pack of fast biters and a flyer.  But they also have a two-footer with them."  Calin answered truthfully.

Zarc nodded his understanding.  "Did the two-footer have parents?  That would be quite a mess."

Calin smiled.  "I did not see his parents."  The implication was clear: but they are there.  "It might be best for us to take two routes in order to surround the fast biters.  This would be the perfect opportunity for my deputy."  Another clear message: have Goron take a path that I recommend, straight into danger.

Zarc nodded one last time.  "Excellent.  I am sure Deputy Goron will be pleased with your findings.  Come back and rest, Calin.  I am sure that we will need it for the morning."

Calin smiled.  Yes, I am sure that we will.  

With no further conversation, both fast biters slowly walked towards their temporary encampment.  Come the morning, they would travel to the main encampment and alert Goron.  Then the real fun would begin.  

Whether the members of Littlefoot's pack came back as unwilling recruits or corpses, Calin didn't particularly care.  His formal mission was not his true objective anymore.  All that mattered is that soon Goron would be dead and hopefully that cheeky bastard Littlefoot would join him.  He looked forward to slaughtering them both.

......

Where are they?! They not there!

Petrie was beside himself with worry.  The den of Skytail's pack was empty.  Entirely empty.  Worse yet, it showed no signs of being inhabited within the last several days.  It was not beyond the realm of possibility that the pack could have departed for another home, but Petrie still feared for the worse.  Whether it was some throwback to his panicky nature as a leaf-eater, or something instinctual that he couldn't quite define, he felt great trepidation at this development.

Deciding that he couldn't sleep in his current emotional state, Petrie decided to continue his search in the lowlands.  Which is what he was doing now.  The bright light of the moon provided just enough illumination to make his efforts useful.  He doubted that he could see much detail, but he could certainly spot a fast biter if it were in the open.  With a flurry of head movement, he scanned the scene below him.

The tall grasses of the lowlands seemed to flow like ripples in a stream.  Their brilliant green color was muted to a dull grey in the darkness of the night, which only added to water-like appearance.  The dark silhouette of trees dotted the landscape from time to time, but the only constant was the swaying fields of grass and the river.

River seem bigger.  Petrie thought to himself.  Lowlands get wetter?

Petrie was beginning to piece together how the lowlands had changed since the pack left.  Right before they had left, the lowlands seemed to be running dry and prey was becoming more scarce.  But now it seemed like a second wet season had graced the lowlands with its presence.  Perhaps the pack could have stayed here a bit longer...  Though Petrie was glad that they moved on.  Chomper had been reunited with his parents and they had helped the pack immensely in their adoption of the sharptooth life.  They now had the skills necessary to survive in an inhospitable world.  Me could not get education like that in the lowlands.  Petrie thought introspectively.  Dein say learning is pain.  Me have to feel pain to...  Wait!  What that!?

Petrie stopped his forward motion and hovered in stunned silence.  The outer edge of the night circle had begun to take on a reddish crimson color.  The color of fresh blood.  A full lunar eclipse was beginning as the shadow of the Earth passed over the visage of the moon, but neither Petrie nor any of the dinosaurs could have known this.  For them it was either seen as a strange celestial event or as an omen of things to come.  The effect on the poor flyer was to be left with a feeling of dread and foreboding.  

Petrie sighed.  Now deciding that spending any more time on his fruitless search would only worsen things, he decided that he needed to perch somewhere for the night.  He could resume his mission in the morning.  With a cursory eye, he looked at the dark silhouettes of the trees in search of a suitable place to rest.  Looking up the river he could see a large tree that seemed to reside right next to the overflowing water.  Its dark form stood in stark contrast to the grass, which was now turning from grey to red as the night circle's color changed with the coming of the eclipse.  It was as if the entire lowland was bleeding from some unseen injury.  

Petrie's unease grew.

As he proceeded to slow his speed and descend upon the massive tree, his eyes caught something in the night circle's light.  It was almost invisible due to the tree's shadow in the moonlight, but a bright burst of reflected light was emanating off of some object in the distance.  With some curiosity, Petrie steered clear of the tree and tried to take a closer look at the mysterious object.  With a slight plop, Petrie landed and took a closer look.  He immediately knew what these were.

Bones.  Petrie thought to himself.  Me getting scared over bones.  Silly Petrie.  He was internally berating himself for being so scared of his situation.  The moon was probably just going through one of its phases and Skytail's pack had probably just moved on.  He assured himself that he was freaking out over nothing.  But yet...

That feeling of unease remained.

Petrie looked back at the bones with a look of annoyance.  With a sigh, he proceeded to fly over and get a better look.  As soon as he resolved this mystery that his brain was fixated on, then he could calm down and go to sleep.  As he flew over the tree's shadow and allowed his eyes to adjust to the lower light, he mused that he was beginning to act like his old leaf-eater self.  Being scared at everything that was unknown or different.  Me supposed to be a big sharptooth now. He berated himself.  Not scaredy egg!  This just bones.  They nothing...  

As he looked up from the ground at the bones, he could see that his eyes had adjusted.  Though at that very moment, he wished that they hadn't.  He could recognize the bones in front of him.

These were the bones of a fast biter.  A young one.

Petrie couldn't know for sure if these were from one of Skytail's friends, but when taken together with the abandoned den, it painted a grim picture.  The bones were rather fresh.  In fact, there were still bits of flesh hanging on the skull.  Despite his misgivings, Petrie knew what he had to do.  He had to make sure.  What the eyes could not see, the sniffer could reveal.

Paralyzed with horror and fear, Petrie forced himself to walk to the skull of the hapless fast biter.  With great trepidation, he secured his wing on what remained of its snout, and he sniffed into the vacant eye socket.

Petrie's eyes went wide in shock as he fell backwards from the skull.  It was as if something had broken within the flyer.  After several moments, however, Petrie braced himself on the ground with his wings.  His eyes clinched closed, with his face facing the ground.  His body began to shake with repressed emotion as his breathing became labored in his grief.  Only a barely choked out whisper identified the source of his grief.  The identity of the friend he would never speak to again.

"Goodbye, Skytail...”

......

The skeleton of his son continued to question him.  Tears were somehow flowing down his son's empty eye sockets as worms continued to eat the remaining flesh on his otherwise skeletal back.

"Dad?  Why weren't you there?"

"I'm... I'm sorry, son.  I was with the herd.  If only I would have known... I could have stopped Chomper... I could have..."

Bron stared at his front feet.  They were caked in blood.  His son's blood.  Because he was responsible for allowing Littlefoot to continue his friendship with Chomper.  He could have forbade it, but he did nothing.  He was just as guilty of his son's murder just as much as Chomper was.

"Why?  First you let mother die and now me..."

"Son... I'm sorry... I'm sorry..."

Bron woke up with a start.

That was the second time that he had that same sleep story since he arrived at the Land of Shallow Waters.  As he arrived at the apparent home of the traitor Chomper, it seemed that his own subconscious was reminding Bron that he was also guilty in his own way.  He wasn't there for his mate when she died and he wasn't there for Littlefoot either.  He had truly let down everyone that he loved.

As he blinked back the tears that had started, he looked towards the small green longneck that was still resting peacefully beside him.

Well, not quite everybody.  Shorty is still here.

Bron was quite certain that caring for Littlefoot's adopted brother was the only thing that kept him going anymore.  Well, that and trying to avenge his son.  He may have been a terrible father in his own eyes, but he could still protect that one small part of Littlefoot's legacy.

Unsteadily, Bron rose to his feet, being careful to avoid putting much weight on his injured foot.  The fast biter had done quite a number on him.  Whoever Chomper had selected for his allies were definitely dangerous.  This motivated Bron even more to bring Chomper's reign of terror to an end.  First the children, then Tippy... It had to end here!  Of that, Bron was resolute.

The journey to the watering hole was slow, but steady.  He needed to wash the taste of adrenaline in his mouth from the terrible sleep story.  Perhaps a long cool drink would also help him get his thoughts together.  His feelings of guilt and revenge were becoming mixed in recent days.  He was almost wondering if he wasn't going mad.  With Chomper haunting his waking hours and his son haunting his dreams, Bron's life had become a nonstop spiral of despair.

Finally arriving at his destination, he looked down at his reflection in the water.  The night circle, now blood red, gave him an almost horrific appearance in the water.  As if he was staring at himself drowning in blood.  Suddenly, the thought of taking a drink no longer sounded too appetizing to him.  With a sigh, he debated whether to turn back.  That was when he heard an unexpected greeting.

"Hello, Bron."

Bron turned, but he could see no one.  The voice had come from behind some nearby bushes.  The weirdly accented voice had not identified itself, but yet it sounded familiar somehow.  Bron couldn't quite figure out why.  His response was gruff.

"Who goes there?"

Bron fixed his eyes at the bushes where he thought that he had heard the voice.  That was when he heard a second voice.  A feminine one this time.

"Sharpteeth who will lead you to Chomper."

Bron stood in silence for a few moments.  But then he laughed.  A cruel, humorless laugh.   How could this be happening?  Were they offering to turn on their leader?  Why in the hell should he believe them?

"Oh!  Did he teach you all leaf-eater?  How very courteous of him.  I guess he wanted you to know what the food was saying!"  Bron was working himself into a frenzy.  He never thought he would be having a conversation with a sharptooth, let alone the ones that killed his son.  That was when the other part of her statement registered in his brain.  They would lead him to Chomper.  He already knew his answer to that.  

"Why would you do that?  Did he treat you as well as he treated his friends!?"  He responded cruelly.  "You all killed my son!  You killed many of the valley's sons and daughters!  There will be no deals!  No mercy!"

The male answered.  "I did not kill your son and neither did my partner here...  But if you are willing to follow us then we will lead you to the others."

Bron gritted his teeth.  He could deduce where this was going.  "I spare you in exchange for the others?"

There was silence for a few moments.  Then there was a monotone answer.  "Yes."

Bron's appearance darkened as he considered the offer.  This would be his best chance to find Chomper and to eliminate his allies.  If that meant temporarily using a few sharpteeth then so be it.  Furthermore, it would be nice for Chomper to taste betrayal just like he had betrayed his son.  It would be poetic justice for the purple sharptooth.  Bron smiled at the thought.

"I accept."  Bron called out imperiously.  "Show yourselves and lead the way.  But if you try to betray me then I will put an end to you and find the others myself..."

As Bron stood in silence, two fast biters appeared out of the foliage.  One was brown and the other was pink.  The pink one seemed unreadable, whereas the brown one appeared to be frightened.  That was one emotion that Bron was glad to induce in the enemy.  If he had his way, it would be the only emotion that they would ever feel.  After a few moments, the pink fast biter nudged the brown one and they both began to walk forward slowly.  Bron studied them for a moment.

And then he began to follow.

[CeraTheRed]

An UPDATE! Things seem to be progressing slowly, especially with Littlefoot and Bron. I'm interested to see where that'll lead. An interesting development with Calin, too. I'd also like to know where THAT will lead. Also, poor Petrie and Tippy's mom...

[Ducky123]

Review of chapter 39:

Whoa! Already the first paragraph leaves me surprised... What kind of wicked plan does Calin follow? We know he's an ally of Redclaw... too bad that Littlefoot and the others aren't aware of that.

Hmm, now that's funny. Ruby switches roles with Cera and, likewise, I have written a scene today where Littlefoot and Cera switch roles too :blink: The discussion is interesting, no doubt. Nobody really knows what to make of Calin; well, besides Ruby of course who seems to have a very determined opinion about him. I wonder what kind of story she is going to tell her friends...

Now that is a wonderful tale It explains how Ruby's parents met quite well. It also explains why Ruby has this opinion about Calin excellently
Now Littlefoot's propose is a good one. A membership on probation... Petrie, though, might discover something really bad since half of the old pack is gone.

Now we finally know the story between Thud and Taunt. It's nice to see them reunited after all the mistakes of Thud. It's also nince to see Breeze alive

I really like the turn this story is currently performing. Good job like always!

Spike had to rely upon his powers of observation in order to read people beck when he was a spiketail

Back.

when he heard the other fast biter give a sigh of annoyance at something.

It was odd that the other fast biter had spent the entire trip telling him stories about his adventures in the Mysterious Beyond, but did not even bother to mention his name or his sister.

Fastbiter?

[rhombus]

Thanks for the review, Ducky!   I am glad that you enjoyed chapter 39.  Many of the events in that chapter and the previous one will have implications for the next several chapters.  Especially the actions of Calin and the entry of the longnecks into the Land of Shallow Waters.

Oh, and thanks for the corrections as well.  It seems that I put "fast biter" out of habit, but rest assured Detras and Pearl are still the same omnivores that we saw in Act 2.  

[Ducky123]

Review of chapter 40: (finally catching up, whew!)

The relationship between Taunt and Thud is very interesting... It'll be quite a hard bit of work to build up some trust and love since Thud had betrayed his son. It'll also be interesting to see how Breeze will be integrated... Also,  I wonder if there might be some love in the air... not necessarily in the next chapters but towards the end perhaps? Breeze and Taunt seem to be fond of each other.
Another very interesting thing is that Thud and the Seven Hunters have met already... with not so promising results I wonder how he will adapt to joining their pack, which is what the three survivors are probably doing as soon as they're healthy again I presume, yep, yep, yep!

Ugh! You know how to create twists; you really do! Both Littlefoot and Calin were playing a game and I don't know who won to be honest. Littlefoot's intentions are obvious: He never wanted him to join, only to use him, which is, on the one hand, a very rational thing to do but, on the other hand, just so very untypically Littlefoot. As a leafeater, he would have voiced up his objections about such unfairness and bad treatment but Seeker is not Littlefoot in terms of that. As for Calin's plans, I'm limited to assumptions. Why would he like to join their group? To spy them out? To convert them? Rather the former, if at all... Well, though I can't deny that he now has a fair reason to launch an attack on them... for being insulted. A very unstable situation... He's also better off avoiding Spike now :unsure: Poor Tippy!

I still find it really hard to believe that Doc has a son It's nice to see how he cares for him. I think it's good that Bron is with Doc... or bad? Depends on the situation I suppose...
I feel very sorry for Tippy's mother. She herself may not be fully aware of her son's fate but she will be soon, likely.
Now what if the two meet Calin? *smirks evilly*

Uh oh... I saw that one coming. I'm very excited to discover how Spike is going to react to Tippy's death other than screaming around... or to see the Seven Hunters having a long overdue encounter

They are what they were made and the past is past but still they won't ever forget how they lived before the change.. Tippy's death opens an old scar not only in Spike, I reckon. Though, only Spike has a personal connection to the unlucky Spiketail so he suffers most by far. It was a wise decision to bring him away from the scene. Maybe the rest of the pack were better off leaving the corpse since they're being hunted... but then again if they are quick enough...
Anyway, great passage. yep, yep, yep!

Oh, this has to happen How dare you to use SUCH a cliffhangar??? Well, too good I'm lacking behind anyway so I can juuuuuuuuust continue... tomorrow

This story is getting really thrilling! Great chapter!

This was the first step in the process of being accepting into a pack.

Being accepted.

Ducky nodded at Cera's statement. "I don't think that he was telling the truth. Oh, no, no, no!"

Ducky would rather say "do not"

[rhombus]

Thanks for the review, Ducky!   As always, thanks for the corrections.  I have made the indicated corrections.

The relationship between Taunt and Thud is very interesting... It'll be quite a hard bit of work to build up some trust and love since Thud had betrayed his son.

Yes, indeed.   Father and son are only in the first stage of recovering their broken relationship.  That will undoubtedly take time.  Taunt's caustic wit and Thud's stoicism might make that somewhat difficult as well.

It'll also be interesting to see how Breeze will be integrated... Also, I wonder if there might be some love in the air... not necessarily in the next chapters but towards the end perhaps?  Breeze and Taunt seem to be fond of each other.

Believe it or not, that was not my intention.  Though, in retrospect, I can see how that impression could be obtained.  The way I viewed it was simply a friendly show of comradeship in order to lift Breeze's spirits.  Now how Cera would interpret that display if she were to see it... That might come into play later.

Both Littlefoot and Calin were playing a game and I don't know who won to be honest. Littlefoot's intentions are obvious: He never wanted him to join, only to use him, which is, on the one hand, a very rational thing to do but, on the other hand, just so very untypically Littlefoot. As a leafeater, he would have voiced up his objections about such unfairness and bad treatment but Seeker is not Littlefoot in terms of that.

A very good observation.  However, Littlefoot is not being quite as cruel as his actions here may indicate at first glance.  If he were to outright decline Calin's membership then that would be a grave insult and it would reflect poorly on Littlefoot.  By giving Calin a chance to prove himself, Littlefoot is technically giving him an out by which he doesn't appear disgraceful.  That being said, you are correct that this would be very Machiavellian for Littlefoot.  However, he has picked up a few things since he became "Seeker" and he now realizes that sometimes its better to appear guilty than it is to appear weak.  He still has his idealistic core, but he now seems more willing to use cynical tactics in order to ensure the "best" outcome.  This may be elaborated on a bit later.

They are what they were made and the past is past but still they won't ever forget how they lived before the change.. Tippy's death opens an old scar not only in Spike, I reckon. Though, only Spike has a personal connection to the unlucky Spiketail so he suffers most by far. It was a wise decision to bring him away from the scene. Maybe the rest of the pack were better off leaving the corpse since they're being hunted... but then again if they are quick enough...

Indeed, Tippy is a reminder of who they used to be.  In a way it was easier for them to act like sharpteeth when they are not surrounded by those they love.  Then they can pretend that they were always carnivores.  But the inclusion of those from their past (especially as possible food) breaks that veneer and reopens their minds to doubts.  Hence their haste in removing Spike from the situation.

As for being quick enough...

Oh, this has to happen 

Yep, yep, yep!   Bron and Littlefoot are finally reunited... but not on exactly the best of terms.  You will see how this initial encounter plays out in the next chapter.   I hope that you enjoy that installment.

[Ducky123]

Review of chapter 41.

My, Bron is really determined to eliminate Chomper... Well, I don't believe that anything serious will happen to the Seven Hunters (I can't imagine you killing one of them ) but Bron charging at them like that is... scary.

Geez! That was a close call for Chomper... These spears become ever more important to the pack it seems. Bron's rage is extremely determined... they might have escaped for now but Bron, like he said, won't give up until he has avenged his son... The situation will have to be solved diplomatically, somehow...

Or physically... Man, that is some tricky situation and you have shown the turmoil of each of them (particularly of Littlefoot and Spike) really, really well
It is only logical that Littlefoot is extremely disturbed and emotionally shaky since his own flesh and blood is after them, unaware of their true idendity. His rage won't give them any considerable chance of talking some sense into the Longneck and he is not likely to even believe what he hears. Therefore, I must agree with Dein that violence has to be prevented by using violence themselves. I can't believe that you're going to kill Bron and Doc... Whatever is going to happen will be thrilling

Nice conversation between Ruby and Chomper Ruby is showing why she has been named "Ponder". She is right that Littlefoot needs some time for himself to think all of this over.

Hmm, I'm beginning to recognise some elements of your original plot Here's hope to a diplomatic solution!

Haven Valley? The equivalent of the unnamed oasis in my fanfiction... Yet another thing I remember being in your original plot is the Great Valleians leaving their home... though I don't think it were to be the Swarming Gobblers driving them out...
An interesting development since their new temporary home is not as sheltered from Sharpteeth as the Great Valley...

Redclaw has a flyer scout? Who might that be...

Another very enjoyable chapter! It made my R.E lesson so much more interesting

No typos... at least I couldn't catch any.

[rhombus]

Thanks for the feedback.  

Or physically... Man, that is some tricky situation and you have shown the turmoil of each of them (particularly of Littlefoot and Spike) really, really well

Thanks.  I found this part of the chapter to actually be the hardest to write on account of the conflicting emotions of the various characters.  What Littlefoot would be feeling was obvious, but for Spike it is a bit more complex.  He has also lost a friend in the intervening few moments, so he would be feeling a confusing mix of guilt, anger, and pity.  I am glad that you feel that I captured that well.

Or physically... Man, that is some tricky situation and you have shown the turmoil of each of them (particularly of Littlefoot and Spike) really, really well in-yes.gif
It is only logical that Littlefoot is extremely disturbed and emotionally shaky since his own flesh and blood is after them, unaware of their true idendity. His rage won't give them any considerable chance of talking some sense into the Longneck and he is not likely to even believe what he hears. Therefore, I must agree with Dein that violence has to be prevented by using violence themselves. I can't believe that you're going to kill Bron and Doc... Whatever is going to happen will be thrilling 

Oh yeah... You will get a taste of what is coming in the next chapter.   Needless to say, Littlefoot's plan is not particularly well thought out, having been made in desperation.

Hmm, I'm beginning to recognise some elements of your original plot

Yeah, it is odd how after several major divergences from my original plan, the original plot seems to be coming together again.  You will probably come across a few more of the original plot elements in the next few chapters.

Thanks again for the review.   I should have the next chapter posted within the hour.

[rhombus]

Fanfiction link:  https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9990125/44/The-Seven-Hunters

Chapter 43   Despair

“There is an ancient tribal proverb I once heard in India. It says that before we can see properly we must first shed our tears to clear the way.”
― Libba Bray


This was easily the most surreal event in Ruby's life.

Here they were walking with Littlefoot's father, a dinosaur who wanted them all dead, under the false pretense of leading him to their friends.  However, despite Littlefoot's sorrow, Bron's rage, and Ruby's fear, they were walking peacefully towards the mud pits in the center of the swamp.  It was the calm before the storm.  The blood red light of the eclipsed moon seemed to herald the turmoil that lay ahead.  As their walk led them to an unknown outcome, Ruby took a brief moment to reflect upon what had brought them to this place.

Only a few moments ago they had introduced themselves to Littlefoot's father.  His immediate reaction nearly made her resort to their fallback option of evading Bron in the forest, but Littlefoot was able to dissuade Bron from attacking the duo.  He told his estranged father that they were not the ones who killed his son, but rather the rest of the pack was the culprits.  A simple offer of the lives of the others in place of their own was enough to make Bron agree to the arrangement.  It was almost creepy how quickly his suggestion had worked.

Probably because he plans on killing us after he is done with the others. Ruby deduced.

She had not really known Bron all that well, having only met him a few times while she resided in the valley.  In fact, she knew Shorty a lot better than she knew Littlefoot's father.  She had been introduced by Littlefoot back when Bron had first entered the valley after her and Chomper took up residency.  Her introduction to the longneck had seemed to have gone well enough.  However, an overheard argument later in the day told a different story.  It seemed that Bron had strong disagreements with the residents allowing Chomper and Ruby into the valley.

"What are you thinking?!  He is a sharptooth and she is a fast runner!  Have you not learned anything?!"

Ruby tensed up at that as she listened from her hiding spot in the bushes.  She had been trying to find some snapping shells, only to hear the signs of disagreement from the longnecks.  Despite her usual cautiousness, she couldn't fight her curiosity.  She had to find out what was going on.

And right now it seemed that they were arguing about her and Chomper.

"Now, Bron...  Both Ruby and Chomper have proven themselves to be trustworthy guests of the valley.  In fact, Littlefoot helped to raise Chomper when he hatched."  Grandpa responded.

"What."  Bron was stunned into a flat monotone.  What sort of insanity were the grandparents talking about?

"Littlefoot told us the entire tale after he rejoined us in Haven Valley after the swarming leaf gobblers ate the valley's food.  Apparently, back when the swimmers were having their last batch of eggs, Ducky saw eggstealers taking an egg from the valley..."

Ruby could only listen to the grandparents' explanation of the events that led to Chomper being hatched and eventually reunited with his parents.  It was a story that she had heard before and that she relayed to the valley in the process of getting the residents to agree to let them stay.  For poor Bron, however, it was a first.

"Littlefoot... helped to raise a sharptooth?"  Bron shook his head.  "It doesn't matter how nice he is now... He will grow up one day and be a threat to everyone."  He grunted in frustration.  "I would expect this idealism from Littlefoot, but both of you should know better..."

"Now listen here, Bron..."  

The argument continued, as Ruby could only shake her head in frustration and sadness.

Eventually Bron had agreed to accept Chomper and Ruby.  He made it very clear that he would only accept the decision of the valley if the "egg-stealer" and the "baby killer" were forced to leave after a few Cold Times.  Otherwise, he threatened, that he would insist on taking Littlefoot out of the valley and joining with his herd.  As it was already the plan of the valley to only let them stay for a few Cold Times, both grandparents simply nodded at his proposal.  Ruby, however, never really forgave Bron for his harshness concerning her and Chomper, nor his imperious ideas on how to manage Littlefoot's living arrangements.  Surely Bron realized that he couldn't simply order Littlefoot to join his herd?  He would simply go on an "adventure" and end up back into the valley again.  That was because Littlefoot shared his father's stubbornness, but not his closed-mindedness.  

It was that closed-mindedness in Bron that she couldn't stand.  She knew that it was formed when he had lost his mate to a sharptooth attack, but that was no excuse in Ruby's mind.  After all, Littlefoot had befriended Chomper despite losing his mother to a sharptooth of the same kind.  That was a story that he had once confided to her in detail after she had caught him looking thoughtful in a secluded spot in the valley.  The fact that he could relay that story to her in a calm demeanor meant that he had confronted the reality of his mother's death for quite some time.  If Littlefoot could make peace with what had happened, why couldn't Bron?  Ruby suspected that she was missing something.  Perhaps Bron still felt guilt of some kind?  But why would he feel guilty?  Based upon Littlefoot's story, Bron wasn't even there when the sharptooth...

Oh.  Ruby finally made the logical deduction.  He acts like he is guilty, because he thinks he is guilty. Well, that was another more piece of the puzzle for Ruby to consider.

Now, of course, there was also the matter of their "deaths" to contend with.

The closed-mindedness, guilt, and imperious attitude that Bron had exhibited during her time in the valley had apparently manifested itself into a quest for revenge.  His guilt over the death of his mate was now intermingled with the "deaths" of his son and his friends.  She remembered something that Chomper's father had once told them during their training.

The most dangerous prey is the one who knows it is doomed.  Beware the one who fights without hope.

She did not quite understand what Dein was getting at when he first said that to them, but now she realized the full implications of his lesson.  Bron was fully capable and willing to avenge his son and he didn't care if he died in the process.  He was now a danger to them all.  Either they would have to dissuade him from his mission with the truth, or else they would have to kill him.

There was no other alternative left open to them now.

With some trepidation, she looked towards the brown fast biter that was walking beside her.  Littlefoot was now in a stalking posture as he walked briskly in the direction they had agreed to earlier.  His eyes were focused on the path ahead, but they seemed to be preoccupied with much more than their direction.  No, she deduced, he was contemplating the conversation ahead and their contingency plan.  If they couldn't convince Bron of their identity then they would make sure that he couldn't harm anyone else.  That was exactly why they were heading towards the mud pits right now and not to the den.  That was where Littlefoot had decided that the conversation... or murder... should take place.

Ruby frowned.  She couldn't imagine how Littlefoot must have felt planning out not only his conversation with his father, but also the killing of his own father.  And he had wanted to do this completely alone.  He wanted all of the risk and responsibility to fall upon his shoulders.  Maybe he inherited that from his father too.  Ruby deduced.  Taking all of the blame for himself.  Himself taking all of the blame.  Maybe they are more alike than they realize?

As the two fast biters exchanged a glance, Ruby realized that was exactly what she was afraid of.

......

Littlefoot could see the fear in Ruby's eyes.

He couldn't quite pinpoint whether she was fearful of this situation, Bron's reaction, or Littlefoot's own.  He had to admit that he was feeling great trepidation at the prospect of the conversation he would soon have to start.  Even if he were to somehow convince his father of his identity, how would Bron react?  It was obvious from the amount of time that had gone by, that Littlefoot and the others had not simply been living off of insects for their survival.  Not only that, but Bron had seen them try to drag Tippy's body away.  No, his father knew that he was a killer.  Even in the most optimistic scenario his father would be distraught over that revelation.  It was not something that Littlefoot had considered very much in rushing off to his hastily concocted plan, as he had mainly worried about telling Bron his true identity, but now the full implications of what that would entail was finally crashing down upon the former longneck's head.

If only my dad had stayed away...  Littlefoot sadly thought to himself.  If that would have happened then he and his friends could have continued being sharpteeth away from the notice of their parents.  They could continue on without their children, thinking that they had died as innocent leaf-eaters.  Likewise, the pack could have gone on being what they had no other choice in being.  But that was not to be.  Littlefoot's past had made its visitation upon the pack.  Now he had to deal with the consequences.

No matter how distasteful they may be.

Littlefoot looked once more at his father.  Bron was keeping pace with them and remained about one longneck length apart from them.  Bron's expression communicated little more than distaste at the two specimens that lay before him.  His expression and that lack of space between them, meant that if this situation went bad then they would have little room for error in escaping from the massive herbivore.  Injury to his leg or not, Bron was still a grave threat.  He had to make sure that Ruby was ready for what may lay ahead.

Littlefoot turned his head back towards Ruby and gave a slight nod.  At Ruby's curious expression, he softly hissed a question in a high-pitched tone that leaf-eaters could not hear.

"Are you ready for this, Ponder?"

The rose colored fast biter paused for a moment, but then gave a slight nod.  She then hissed back at her partner.

"Yes.  Are you?"

Littlefoot shook his head.  "No, but it has to be now or never.  We are close to the mud pits."  

With a slight gesture, he directed Ruby to move behind him, as he turned in order to better face Bron.  As the two fast biters changed configuration, Bron seemed to advance towards them, perhaps suspecting an escape was imminent.  But his pace slowed to match theirs again when he was within half a longneck length.  They were now in the planned configuration for what would happen next.  All that had to happen in order for Littlefoot's plan to begin was for him to start the conversation.

Littlefoot swallowed in a loud gulp.  It was time.  Looking back towards his father, he began with a seemingly odd question.

"Have you been having any odd sleep stories, Bron?"

......

Bron frowned at the brown fast biter.  He had no idea what the sharptooth was up to, but he did not like it one bit.  He was not here to make conversation; he was here to avenge his son.  The only reason he was even allowing these vile creatures to escort him was because of their offer to lead them to Chomper and the rest of his minions.  He had his doubts as to their sincerity, but he knew that he could easily crush any of them that got in his way.  It wasn't like they were full-grown sharpteeth.

Like Chomper's parents.

That last thought made Bron hesitate for a moment.  In his rush to avenge his son, he had overlooked a rather obvious complication: what if Chomper's parents were nearby?  True, the grandparents both thought that it was likely that Chomper's parents had long since died, hence why they never retrieved their son, but he still had some doubts.  However, they had not come to Chomper's aid when he was being chased... So maybe they were out of the way.  But the possibility of a fatal complication to his plans did give him pause.  Still, he had gone too far to retreat now.  He had made his choice and he was determined to follow it to its conclusion.

Putting his confusing jumble of thoughts away for a moment, Bron decided to shut down the inquisitive sharptooth.

"My sleep stories are none of your business, sharptooth."  He answered in barely restrained anger.  "Just shut up and take me to your leader.  That is my only use for you."

The brown fast biter seemed to hesitate for a moment, as they continued their journey to who knows where.  But, after a few moments, the sharptooth decided to speak again.

"I have had some weird sleep stories.  Especially about five months ago, in the spring."

Bron sighed.  It seemed that this fast biter couldn't take a hint.  Maybe the other pack members were bullying him for being so stupid.  Maybe that was why the brown fast biter wanted them all dead?  In any case, Bron did not want to converse with this disgusting creature so he simply tried to ignore his story.  Perhaps he would take the silence as a hint.

"In the sleep story, I was a brown longneck."  The brown fast biter began.  "A child."  He added almost as if it were an afterthought.  "I was running away from a fast biter.  He nearly caught up to me, but I survived.  I found a cave that seemed to be promising shelter from the brute."

Bron tried to ignore the words of the fast biter, but they were causing deeply repressed memories to flood back into Bron's consciousness.  He had had an odd dream about a week before he entered the valley and found out that Littlefoot had been killed.  In fact, now that he thought about it, he had the sleep story around the same time that the other residents said that the children were killed by the sharpteeth.  The odd dream seemed to replay in his mind.

Littlefoot ran as fast as his legs would carry him.  In this desolate hellscape it appeared that there was no shelter, no hope.  As the fast biter speedily advanced towards the longneck, Bron panicked.

"Run Littlefoot!  I will save you!"

Bron placed himself in front of the longneck, but neither Littlefoot nor the fast biter seemed to notice.  Without paying much heed to this development, Bron struck out at the carnivore with his mighty tail.

Only to see the fast biter run right through his tail.  It was as if Bron were a ghost.

Now suitably freaked out, Bron lunged in order to pick up Littlefoot by the scruff of his neck.  This too failed as Littlefoot went right through Bron's face.  Bron was a spectator in this sleep story, not a participant.

"In the cave I found seven different paths.  I knew my friends had gone in the other six, but they were all blocked.  That was when the other sharpteeth appeared."

Bron was terrified for his son.  Chomper, a sharptooth flyer, and four fast biters appeared from the other paths.  Littlefoot now had only one avenue of escape available to him and he ran with all of his might.

"Run, Littlefoot!"  Bron encouraged.  He had no idea why his son was being confronted with this situation, but he deeply regretted not being able to help.  He simply hoped Littlefoot's amazing luck would hold out and that he would escape from this situation as he had escaped from many others.

He watched as his son ran into a somewhat well-lit chamber.  Light shined through the ceiling, as there was a hole in the canopy of the cave.  There were no other openings which were visible, only a pool of water existed as a distinct feature in this place.  In horror, Bron watched as the sharpteeth approached Littlefoot.  He could only scream in frustration and fear as Littlefoot crotched down in acceptance of the end that awaited him.  It seemed that his luck had finally run out.

"But they didn't hurt me.  In fact, they wanted me to look into the pool of water."

Bron watched in curiosity as Littlefoot slowly approached the pool of water.  It almost seemed to shine a deep blue.  Like a blue star in the pitch black darkness of the cave.  Nonetheless, Littlefoot did as the sharpteeth directed and stared at his reflection.  Bron was horrified to see what happened next.

Littlefoot's appearance in the reflection was not that of a young longneck, but that of a fast biter!  He had distinct claws on his forelimbs and two piercing yellow eyes.  What madness was this?!

Bron then looked up at Littlefoot, only to see that the brown fast biter that had been chasing his son earlier had now taken his place.  His son had become his own worst enemy - a sharptooth.

"That was certainly a weird sleep story."  The brown fast biter finished.

Bron stared at the fast biters that were in front of him.  All of their forward progress was now halted, as he directed his full attention on what the fast biter had stated.  This was too perfect to be coincidence.  The sleep story that the brown fast biter had mentioned was the exact same sleep story that Bron remembered from that night so long ago.  Likewise, Bron now realized something else.

The two fast biters that were now in front of him were two of the sharpteeth in the dream.  In fact, the fast biter that had chased his son and replaced him now stood right in front of Bron.  The implications were too unsettling and horrifying for Bron's mind to process them right away.  He reacted with a distraught question.

"Who are you?"

The rose colored fast biter seemed to nod at Bron's question, as if something had just been confirmed to her.  She then placed a clawed hand on the brown fast biter's back in an apparent show of support.  With some hesitation, the brown fast biter continued.

"You once told me, Bron.  That the most important test in the Big Longneck Test was the test of judgment.  I passed it when I decided not to cross the lava-filled crevice.  You remember that, do you not?"

Bron took a step back.  "No... No..."

"I wish... that we could have told the valley residents what happened to us, but the stone made us forget leaf-eater.  Chomper had to re-teach us the language...  But even if we could explain would anyone even listen?"

Bron stared at the brown fast biter in horrified silence.  He couldn't acknowledge the obvious conclusion out of fear that saying it would make it come true.  With some trepidation, he gave the brown fast biter an order.

"Tell me your name, sharptooth."

The brown fast biter looked into the longneck's eyes.  The yellow eyes of the carnivore joined the gaze of their counterparts in the mighty longneck.  Despite not knowing sharptooth body language, he could tell that the fast biter was looking at him with a distinct longing.  A longing for recognition and approval.  He now knew who stood before him.  The stranger's words a few moments later confirmed the reality beyond all doubt.

"It's me, dad.  It's Littlefoot."

......

Ruby looked on in anticipation at the massive longneck.  Littlefoot had just confirmed his identity for his father, who now had a stunned expression on his face.  What Bron would do now would have massive implications for how the entire situation developed.  Either he would accept Littlefoot's declaration, or they would have to move into the mud pits and spring their trap upon the longneck.

It all depended on what happened next.

Almost imperceptivity at first, Ruby could see Bron beginning to shake.  The shaking soon became much more apparent, almost a cross between a nervous jitter and a seizure.  It was obvious that the longneck was holding something back and it would have to give sooner or later.

That was when Bron let out an ear-piercing screech into the night sky.

Both Ruby and Littlefoot then bolted into the forest

......

After running for several seconds, Littlefoot heard something that made him pause.

"Littlefoot!"

It was the grief-stricken cry of his father.  Littlefoot then realized that Bron had not screamed as a prelude to an attack, but rather in grief over his son's fate.  Felling a bit guilty over his knee-jerk reaction, Littlefoot stopped his forward momentum.

He and Ruby were now in a secluded area full of mud pits, which existed in the swamp.  This was where, had Bron decided to charge at them they had planned to lure him into charging into a mud pit.  They already had their path planned out which would allow them to avoid sinking in the mud, but the path was far too small for the massive longneck.  They would have been successful at trapping his father in the mud had it come to that... and then Chomper's parents could attend to the rest.

Feeling great relief that his initial interpretation of Bron's actions were wrong, Littlefoot took a deep breath.  As he heard Bron bellow out his name again, Littlefoot decided to answer his father.

"I am here, dad."

Littlefoot could hear the rumbling get closer, until finally his father appeared from the trees.  His father's face was masked by tears and his expression was one of disbelief and grief.  The longneck's body was hunched over in an expression of utter exhaustion and his neck seemed to hang lower than usual.  Gone was the self-assured leader of a herd.  Gone was the revenge-seeking herbivore.  Now all that remained was a dinosaur who seemed to have been destroyed by what fate had sent his way.  The events of the last several months had taken their toll.  Now that the anger had departed from Bron's features, Littlefoot could see that.

Littlefoot could relate to his emotional state.  He was a grief-stricken emotional wreck at the moment as well.  He could only carry his normal posture with extreme difficulty.  Every fiber of his body wanted to collapse on the ground in exhaustion, but his current situation would not permit that.  No, it was time to have a badly needed conversation.

"How could this happen?"  Bron moaned as he approached Littlefoot slowly.  

Littlefoot could feel Ruby place a hand on his shoulder, but he grasped it and shook his head.  No, he was not afraid of his father.  Not anymore.  He did not know how this would end, but he knew that murder was out of question for either side.  Now Bron simply wanted to know why and how this happened.  Littlefoot feared that he could not provide a satisfactory answer.

Bron then raised his large foot slightly, which caused Ruby to retreat back.  Littlefoot simply touched Bron's massive foot with his much smaller clawed appendage.  Littlefoot could hear Bron's breathing become much more rapid and unsteady.  He decided to answer his question before Bron became any more distressed than he already was.

"We decided to make a wish on the stone.  And it did this to us."

......

Shorty stared at the scene before him in mute horror.  He had decided to follow Bron in order to see what his father figure was doing when he suddenly left the herd.  He was surprised to see the sharpteeth make a deal with the massive longneck, but nothing could prepare him for the revelations that came next.

Littlefoot's a sharptooth... A sharptooth... A sharptooth...

The thoughts bounced around in the little longneck's head, but they didn't seem to really sink in.  How could he accept such an impossible thing?  His brother had been killed... or so he had believed... and now he was a sharptooth.  Despite his amazement at the situation, he couldn't bring himself to speak or make his presence known.  His mouth refused to vocalize and his feet refused to move.  He was forced by his own body to watch the scene before him.

"But how...  This sort of thing just doesn't happen!"

Shorty could see Littlefoot look down for a moment, before answering.

"We... uh... We made a wish on the stone...  We wished to be strong enough to defeat Red Claw."  Shorty could see Littlefoot look almost apologetic, as Bron's expression darkened.  Littlefoot quickly continued.  "I guess that it took us literally."

Bron's reaction was almost immediate.

"So... All of this happened... BECAUSE OF A STUPID WISH!"

Shorty cringed.  It was understandable that Bron would be angry and frustrated over the foolishness of Littlefoot and his friends, but surely now was not the time for such a reaction?  However, the entire valley had been worried and grief-stricken for months, Bron had given up his herd to his second-in-command, and Littlefoot's life as a longneck was over.  In a way it was perfectly understandable for Bron to be filled with rage.  All of that pain and loss... all because Littlefoot and his friends couldn't do as they were told.

Shorty could see Littlefoot look down to the ground.  He looked chastised, but more than that he looked as if he held all of the guilt upon his shoulders.  His answer was nearly inaudible.

"Yes."

Bron shuddered as he took in a deep breath.  Shorty dreaded what may be coming.

But his reaction was calmer than the green longneck expected.  Far calmer.

"Do you have any idea, Littlefoot?  Do you have any idea..."  Bron shook his head, as Littlefoot looked up at the massive longneck.  Shorty could not see his expression from this angle.  "Do you know how long we all searched for you... and for the others?  How many tears we have shed?  How much pain..."  Bron began to break down again.  "Son... why couldn't you have listened to your grandparents?"

Littlefoot looked down, but he said nothing.

Bron then bowed his head to where the fast biter was and gave him a light nudge.  "I went searching for you when I came to the valley...  The others warned me against doing it, but I went anyway...  I crossed barren lands and rivers...  And in a field between two forests I found longneck bones...  I thought that they were yours, Littlefoot."  Bron's voice broke.  "I have been hunting for your ëkillers’ ever since."

Littlefoot looked at his father with a horrified expression.  His mouth hung agape as he processed that information.  Elsewhere, Shorty could hear the pink fast biter begin to weep about a longneck's length from the father and son.  She was obviously moved by the display and shamed by the pain that they have caused.

"And you didn't know that we were the 'killers'...  Dad..."  Littlefoot began.  "I'm sorry."

Bron nodded.  "So am I...."

Shorty stared at the two dinosaurs from his hiding spot behind a bush and began to debate making his presence known.  He knew that he would be in trouble, but he hardly cared about that.  Not anymore.  That was his brother out there.

However, as he was placing his foot on the other side of the bush, he heard a question that made him stop cold.

"Littlefoot, you are a sharptooth now...  You have not just been feeding on buzzers..."  Littlefoot noticeably closed his eyes at that deduction.  It appeared that Littlefoot knew what was coming.  "Son, you have killed."

This was something that Shorty had not considered, but obviously Littlefoot would have had to survive somehow out here.  If plants were no longer available to him...

"Yes, dad.  I have killed."

Bron immediately looked away and turned his back from his son.  It was as if Littlefoot's face suddenly filled the longneck with shame and regret.  Littlefoot quickly noted this change in demeanor and hunched over in an exhausted posture.  Ruby quickly came to his side and placed a comforting hand on his back, but it seemed to have no effect.  The truth was out and now the both of them would have to deal with Bron's response.

As Shorty looked over at the brown longneck, he realized that the response was forthcoming.

"Tippy... How could you do that to Tippy?!"

Shorty felt the tears roll down his eyes.  That was a question that he had as well.  How could Littlefoot do that?  To betray one of Spike's old friends...  It was horrific in the extreme.

Littlefoot blinked.  "We didn't hurt Tippy..."

Bron gave a bitter laugh.  "Don't lie to me son!  I saw you all drag his body away!"

Littlefoot gave a grunt of annoyance.  "We found his body.  Somebody else killed him first.  We decided to eat what was left."  Bron looked sick at that revelation.  "If we can eat without killing, dad, then we do so.  But sometimes we don't have a choice."

Shorty felt some relief at Littlefoot's words.  At least they had not been the ones to kill Tippy.  The death of the little spiketail had made Shorty mourn greatly as he had few friends in the herd.  At least now he could rest assured that the instrument of his death wasn't his own adopted brother.  However, with dawning horror, Shorty realized that Bron was not having the same relieved reaction.

Bron began to shake at his son's words.  Shorty could see his face take on a flushed appearance.  Bron was more upset than he could ever remember his adopted father being.  Looking back at Littlefoot, he could see much the same expression.  Both of them were angry and tired.  Shorty knew something was about to give.

He was tragically correct.

"You know how your mother died, Littlefoot.  Have you forgotten her?  How can you..."  His voice became shaky.  "Of all people do that?!"  Bron then worked himself up into a frenzy as he continued to look away.  "Your mother and I raised you better than that!"

Littlefoot quaked in anger.  It seemed that the mention of his mother made something snap in the former longneck.  Shorty began to feel fearful when he saw the expression in Littlefoot's eyes.  Bron had gone too far.

"You didn't raise me at all!"

Everything seemed to stop in the clearing once that affirmation was made.  No insects could be heard, nor could a breeze or the waves of the river.  Silence descended upon the scene.  Only the echo of the brown fast biter's accusation could be heard.

"You have no idea what I have been through!  No bloody idea!"  Littlefoot began pacing now and Shorty could see the concerned look on the pink fast biter's face.  It looked as if she feared that he was about to push Bron too far.

She might be right.  Shorty sadly thought.

"We were chased by our own families... We couldn't find any shelter, no food, no allies, nothing!  Then... After we had been chased by Screech and Thud... We began to go hungry..."  Littlefoot's eyes took on a glazed look as he began to recount the memory.  The look of horror was clearly visible from Shorty's perspective.  "It was horrible, dad.  The most horrible thing you can imagine...  We began to snap at one another...  I began to dream horrific dreams...  We could only think of food... of meat."  He sucked in a breath.  "It was like my mind was being ripped from me...  If I didn't hunt then I would eventually snap and kill someone..." He looked towards his father with mournful eyes, but the longneck was still looking in the opposing direction.  "I had no choice.  We had to do it."

......

Bron quaked.  He still looked away as Littlefoot's words greeted his ears, but he couldn't really perceive them.  For far too long, Bron had hated sharpteeth.  All sharpteeth.  He had lost his uncle, several siblings, and his mate to their insatiable need for flesh.  He considered them nothing but threats.  The only good sharptooth was a dead one.  After facing so much pain at their claws, so much loss, he couldn't process having his own son join their ranks.  To willingly kill and eat flesh.  To exact the same pain on other dinosaurs that he had felt earlier in life.  It was the antithesis of everything that he stood for.  He couldn't imagine making peace with such a monstrous outcome, but he also couldn't imagine harming his son.  He was now faced with having two unshakable propositions that he had held in life being challenged: that sharpteeth were evil and that his family was everything.  This, coupled with his grief over the change and guilt over not being there for his son, was simply too much for the longneck.  He had never run away from an adversary before in his life.  It was antithetical to everything that he believed in.  But when faced with the horrific implications of what lay before him, he did something that he had never done before.

He fled.

He had to get away and sort this out in his mind.  Only then could he confront his son.  Only then...

......

"Dad!  Dad..."

Littlefoot began to weep again as the massive longneck fled without another word.  It seemed that Littlefoot had succeeded in preventing the destruction of the pack, but he had lost a battle as well.  His father did not appear to accept Littlefoot for what he now was.  It seemed that he would now be fatherless once more.  He did not truly realize how much he had missed his father until he found him once more, but now the emotional wounds were again fresh and raw.  His grief could not be contained.

He could feel the arms of another fast biter wrap around him.  Ruby. He couldn't really process the words of comfort and encouragement that she was saying, but her mere presence seemed to help ground him.  After a few minutes that seemed like hours, he could finally begin to become aware of what she was saying.

"He'll be back, Seeker.  He needs to think.  Thinking is what he needs."

Littlefoot tried to dry his eyes.  "He hates me."

Ruby gave the brown fast biter a concerned expression.  "No, Seeker.  You're dad doesn't hate you.  If he hated you then he wouldn't be your dad.  He didn't try to attack you, did he?"

Littlefoot nodded.  That was true, his father did not react violently.  He had simply ran away.  In much the same way that Littlefoot had ran away from Bron when he was first confronted with the truth that he had a father.  A father that had been absent for most of his life.  Perhaps Bron was simply trying to understand a hard truth as well.  If so, then he couldn't get discouraged.  Perhaps he should give Bron some time and then confront him again?  That was what Bron did after Littlefoot had...

Crack!

Littlefoot's thoughts were interrupted when he heard a loud crack from the bushes behind him.  Both him and Ruby turned to the sudden sound and were transfixed at the dinosaur that stood in front of them.  This was a face that Littlefoot thought he would never see again.  Looking terrified, yet hopeful, the small green longneck hesitantly greeted his adopted brother.

"Littlefoot?"

[CeraTheRed]

So, Bron now knows the truth...and did NOT take it well. That's to be expected. Also as expected, the father-son moment was emotional. At least Shorty seems to understand, though...and also knows. We can only hope things improve from here. Shorty's understanding is a good sign, though. Overall, I enjoyed this chapter. Especially since Ruby was there, too. It was clear by the end, Littlefoot needed some comfort.

[rhombus]

Thanks for the review.   Yeah... Bron did not take the news well at all, which was to be expected.  However, Shorty seems to be a bit more understanding about his adopted brother's condition.  The next chapter will mostly be a continuation of the events of this chapter.

[Ducky123]

Review of chapter 42:

The first scene is already a very good one, full of emotions and quite full of surprises. That Ruby would be the one following Littlefoot (the following already being a surprise as it is ) is fairly obvious on second thought, though Cera and Ducky could have done so too, technically. Her use of language is pretty harsh for Ruby's terms but she also keeps her sing-song talk. She's obviously trying to stop Littlefoot at all costs (and has some good arguments) but Littlefoot shows the stubbornness of a threehorn I'm really amazed how deep and strong their friendship must be. A great scene! How could you possibly outdo this? I just have this feeling you will  

Petrie is going to be disappointed, I reckon I have a suspicion concerning Petrie though but I won't reveal it... yet.

Calin, Calin... What a conspiracy going on The poison really changes some things, it seems. Would they aim at the Seven Hunters if Skytail hadn't inflicted that injury upon Calin? At any case, I really like the information about the pack itself and the role Redclaw seems to play. That'll be thrillling for sure

Okay,  my guess concerning Petrie is wrong so far... A lunar eclipse? Nice idea actually Oh, and Petrie identified Skytail's bones... That, of course, will mean more bad news for the Seven Hunters... as if they didn't have to take enough as it is

Not bad... Bron's reaction is quite funny and the two seem to have convinced him... trust me, if it weren't 1AM right now I'd read the next one too Awesome chapter!

Cain could feel it

Calin.

[rhombus]

Thanks for the review, Ducky.  

The first scene is already a very good one, full of emotions and quite full of surprises. That Ruby would be the one following Littlefoot (the following already being a surprise as it is Dino_grins.gif) is fairly obvious on second thought, though Cera and Ducky could have done so too, technically. Her use of language is pretty harsh for Ruby's terms but she also keeps her sing-song talk. She's obviously trying to stop Littlefoot at all costs (and has some good arguments) but Littlefoot shows the stubbornness of a threehorn dino_tongue.gif I'm really amazed how deep and strong their friendship must be. A great scene! How could you possibly outdo this? I just have this feeling you will laugh.gif

Thanks.  I tried to show the depth of their relationship (which despite the earlier pestering by Spike, is still just a deep friendship at the moment) but I tried to do so by using their actions do the talking.  And yes, the language used by Ruby was quite harsh (in fact it would seem a bit harsh even for Cera, now that I think about it) but she is trying to dissuade him from his crazy idea.  When she fails to do so, she finally tells him that she is going along as well.  It seems that Ruby's attachment to Littlefoot is deeper than either she or he suspect.

Calin, Calin... What a conspiracy going on

Indeed.  Calin is always scheming for an advantage over his friends and foes (and to him they are the same thing) so it is only logical that the sociopathic fast biter would take his own injury as a chance to scheme a way to survive.   As you might imagine, this will have major repercussions later on.

The poison really changes some things, it seems. Would they aim at the Seven Hunters if Skytail hadn't inflicted that injury upon Calin?

Very good observation. It seems that Skytail's last ditch effort at revenge has actually endangered his allies.  In the same manner that Calin underestimated Skytail, Skytail underestimated Calin.  Calin will do anything to survive, even if it means to make up a reason to launch another raid.

As for the typo of calling him "Cain" instead of Calin, although Calin has proven himself evil enough to warrant that name change, you are correct in that it was a typo.  I have made the correction.

I hope that you enjoy chapter 43.  

[rhombus]

Fanfiction link: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9990125/45/The-Seven-Hunters

Chapter 44   Acceptance

“Understanding is the first step to acceptance, and only with acceptance can there be recovery.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Bron lay prone at the shore of the watering hole, which was within visual range of the herd.  His entire body ached at the constant shaking that it had endured for the last hour.  His emotional turmoil was being replicated as physical turmoil as the signs of grief and pain ran its course.  Now that he had openly wept for longer than any other period of his life he felt only one remaining thing.

He felt empty.

He had focused on his son's actions as a sharptooth instead of comforting him with an undoubtedly horrific transformation.  He had used his own mate, Littlefoot's mother, as a tool to strike out at his son's deeds.  In the heat of the moment Bron thought what he was doing was right.  That sharpteeth were evil, vile creatures and that his son should not have adopted that lifestyle.  But, Bron now realized, he was lying to himself.  Littlefoot now had no choice.  He had to either eat or die of starvation.  And his words had been so full of pain and anguish...

"You have no idea what I have been through!  No bloody idea!"  

"We were chased by our own families... We couldn't find any shelter, no food, no allies, nothing!  Then... After we had been chased by Screech and Thud... We began to go hungry..."  

"It was horrible, dad.  The most horrible thing you can imagine...  We began to snap at one another...  I began to dream horrific dreams...  We could only think of food... of meat."

"It was like my mind was being ripped from me...  If I didn't hunt then I would eventually snap and kill someone..."

 "I had no choice.  We had to do it."

And what had he done?  He had run away.  He could face off with sharpteeth and stand tall against the biggest dangers, but he could not be courageous around his son.

And he knew why.

"I betrayed him..."  Bron weakly condemned himself.  "I should have stuck around when he was laid."  Instead he had tried to find a more fruitful home, only to find that his mate had been forced to leave weeks before he arrived.

"I should have been there when I found him again."  Somewhere deep in his mind he knew that this wasn't true.  The herd depended on him and no suitable leader had arisen yet.  So when he rediscovered his son, he couldn't really stay in the valley.  Not without risking the lives of dozens of other longnecks.  Nonetheless, in his emotional state, he blamed himself.

Despite all of the rationalizations that he made up after Littlefoot's "death" and despite the ideals of duty and obligation that he erected as his mantra, he could no longer hide the true reasons for his actions over the last several months.  The hatred of Chomper, the need to strike out after his son's killers, the single-minded focus, they were all proxies for his feelings of guilt.  He knew that he had failed to be there when Littlefoot needed him, so he had to project another being as the enemy.  Chomper, because of the actions that he was accused of, made the perfect scapegoat.  Yes, there was a legitimate need to protect the valley from sharpteeth that knew too much, but he knew that was not the real reason why he hunted Chomper down.

He wanted absolution for his failures.  But deep inside he knew that would not come.  His son was dead, or so he thought, and so were his chances at earning forgiveness.  Such was his fate.

When his son finally did prove his identity, he was awestruck and horrified.  His entire world had been turned on its head.  Not having time to confront his confusing jumble of emotions, he projected his own inadequacies upon his son.  His son had not betrayed his mother's legacy, Bron had.  What would she think of his reactions now?

Now, Bron had to try to pick up the pieces.  He had left without even saying goodbye to his son.  He would have to make amends and, for that matter, explain the situation to Shorty.

How in the name of sanity am I going to do that?

He looked over at the herd.  From this distance he couldn't see much detail, but he could still see the outlines of the various dinosaurs.  The arrogant leader, the mournful mother, the massive longneck that was Doc...  He could see them all.  He could even see his and Shorty's resting spots.  His was empty for the time being, but he knew that he would soon need to fill it.  He would need to be well-rested for when he confronted his son again, but he would need to be careful not to wake Shorty when he went back to the herd, his adopted son was a notoriously light sleeper.  If he waked up...

Wait...  Where is Shorty?

At Shorty's usual resting place there was nothing to be seen, just a depression in the grass where Shorty usually rested.  That could only mean that Shorty had decided to leave the safety of the herd at night...

Oh no!  Did he follow me?

Ignoring his previous plan of letting the morning come before confronting Littlefoot, Bron began to run in the direction of the clearing where he had last seen him and the pink fast biter.  If Shorty had followed him then that was the most likely place that he would have been.  And if he was not then he needed their help if he was going to find Shorty before another sharptooth did.  

He just hoped that he wasn't too late and that Littlefoot was still there.

......

Littlefoot couldn't believe his eyes.  Just moments after his father had departed from their meeting his adopted brother had decided to make an appearance.  Had he been thinking more clearly, he would have realized that Shorty was acting skittish at the sight of his brother.  Understandably, as his Littlefoot was now a fast biter, a killer of leaf-eaters.  But in that moment he was riding on a sudden emotional high after the abysmal low of moments past.  As a result, he made what was possibly the most ill-advised action that he could have taken.  With sudden swiftness, Littlefoot leapt to his feet and lunged at his adopted brother.

And embraced him.

Shorty was frozen in place at Littlefoot's sudden action.  A frightened scream never made it out of his mouth, as he soon realized that his brother's actions were not an attack, but an emotional greeting.  As if he needed any more indication, his brother's happy sobs were all the confirmation that he needed.  He returned Littlefoot's embrace with a light nuzzle to the fast biter's neck.  The two brother's were finally together again.

"I've missed you, Shorty."  Came the muffled affirmation from the longneck's shoulder.  The accent was strange, but yet there was something in that voice that was clearly Littlefoot's.  Littlefoot the fast biter.  Shorty was still trying to wrap his mind around that.

"I've missed you too."  The green longneck affirmed.  "So has dad."  He added.

At that affirmation, Shorty could feel Littlefoot's embrace weaken as he finally resumed an upright position.  His eyes were still wet with moisture, Shorty could see, but his expression was suddenly far more controlled.  Littlefoot took in a few steadying breaths before he finally spoke.

"Yeah... But he doesn't seem to miss me now."  He gave a light, bitter laugh. "Why should he?  I'm... I'm what he hates the most."

Shorty looked at the brown fast biter with a look of both disbelief and pity.  Some part of his subconscious also noted that the pink fast biter was also looking sympathetic at Littlefoot's affirmation.  Bron's actions and words had obviously impacted the fast biter deeply.

"But he doesn't hate you, Littlefoot."  Shorty responded quickly.  Surely Littlefoot knew this?  

Littlefoot sighed.   "I know...  I guess...  But..."

Shorty didn't let him get out another word.  "I know Bron, Littlefoot.  Heck...  I have known him longer than you have..."  

Shorty cringed when he saw that his words made Littlefoot look even more distraught.  He hadn't meant to make the implication that Bron and Littlefoot had not had much time together, but that truth was out there anyway.  For better or worse, Littlefoot had lost his mother and been raised by his grandparents.  Bron gave Littlefoot lessons from time to time when he was in the valley, sure, but that was far from a full-time parental relationship.  Nonetheless, the relationship between Littlefoot and his long-absent father still deeply touched the sharptooth, and Shorty knew it.  He immediately tried to finish his statement.

"What I mean..."  Shorty resumed.  "Is that I know that he never runs away from an enemy.  If he thought you were an enemy then he would have stood and faced you."

Littlefoot blinked.  Shorty's words made a lot of sense.  But that opened up another question in the brown fast biter.

"Then why did he run away from me?"

Shorty sighed.  He figured that he should be honest here.  "I don't know.  But I think... I think... That he doesn't know what to do.  He has no one that he can fight... No one he can get help from..."  Shorty shook his head.  "He's afraid, Littlefoot.  Our dad is afraid."

Littlefoot looked down.   "Of me?"

Shorty shook his head.  "Of what you have become... and... I don't know."  The green longneck looked away, as if the sight of the two fast biters horrified him.  

This drastic change in demeanor that was not lost on the two sharpteeth who were present.  Both Littlefoot and Ruby shared a glance.  Ruby gave him a slight nod.  Much was communicated in that simple gesture. This was his family, so she would not interfere.  But he did have her support.

For that he was grateful.

Littlefoot carefully studies his brother for a brief moment.  His face was focused away from the two sharpteeth and his neck was bowed in a position of shame.  Is he ashamed of me... No...  No, that wasn't it.  The body posture was all wrong.  The shame he was facing was not from the two sharpteeth, but within himself.  Now, Littlefoot understood Shorty's unspoken words.

"He...  He's afraid of himself?  But...  Why?  Is he afraid he will snap and kill me..."  Shorty immediately interrupted Littlefoot.

"No!"  Both fast biters actually stepped back as the green longneck suddenly returned to a lively state and faced them with an agitated stare.  Then, looking stunned at himself, he calmed down again.  His focus towards the ground, he clarified the situation for the two dinosaurs.  "He's ashamed of himself."

Littlefoot looked utterly confused at this.  Ruby, despite her aim of non-interfering, couldn't help but to mouth the obvious question.

"Why?"

Shorty sighed as he pawed the ground, still keeping his face averted.  "He...  He changed after you left, Littlefoot.  We all did."  Shorty looked at the sky for a moment, as if he were trying to recollect something.  "He wanted nothing but revenge.  He wanted Chomper and all of you... or who he thought you were... killed.  He was willing to sacrifice everything to do that."

Littlefoot nodded, but still did not understand.   "That sounds heroic, Shorty.  Why does he feel ashamed over that?"

Shorty shook his head.  "After he found your body... um... what he thought was your body, he made some changes."  

Shorty finally refocused his gaze on Littlefoot.  His eyes communicated fatigue and dread.  The sort of dread that a person feels when they are about to share unpleasant news.  Even with that revelation, however, Littlefoot did not expect what he heard next.

"He assigned a new herd leader and left the herd."

Littlefoot was agape. "What?!"

Shorty nodded.  "He felt that he betrayed you...  That he let you down...  He was...  Well, he wasn't quite Bron anymore."  Shorty looked down again.  "When we got word that you were all here...  He volunteered to avenge you and your friends."  Shorty licked his lips.  "I wanted to go to.  I wanted nothing more than to see the sharpteeth die horribly..."  Shorty finally sat down, as if a massive weight stood on his shoulders.  "I guess that makes me no better than them."

Littlefoot now had a far different expression on his face, one of pity.  The roles seemed to have been reversed.   "Shorty... Dad..."  Littlefoot was so floored by these revelations that he wished he could address them both, even though one of them wasn't present. "I wouldn't want you to live in anger or to die avenging me..."   Littlefoot shook his head.   "I would want you to live on.  To live happily..."  Now it was Littlefoot's turn to sigh.   "Part of the reason that we didn't come back and let everyone know what happened was that we thought everyone would be better off if they thought we were dead..."

Shorty looked appalled as Littlefoot continued.

"We thought... I thought that it would be better that you all thought that I died as a brave leaf-eater, rather than know that I am a killer now.  I thought that would break your hearts..."

Littlefoot then looked at Shorty.  It seemed that both the pack and the adults had made horrible decisions.  And, as Littlefoot knew, the first step in fixing a mistake was admitting a mistake.

Littlefoot gave a weak laugh.   "I guess... I guess we all kind of missed up, huh?"

Shorty couldn't help but laugh slightly as well.  Now that the truth was out there, never mind how horrible it was, it felt like the weight of the world was off of their shoulders.  As a result, both brothers expressed some humor at their plight now that the full scope of their folly was exposed.  Shorty offered his own analysis.

"I guess stupidity kind of runs in the family, huh?"

As both brothers laughed at the absurdity of the situation, Ruby could only look on.  She had yet to find anything humorous in their depressing situation, but at least Littlefoot appeared to be in better spirits.  She decided that she would wait for them to finish and then she would address a question of her own.

That was until she heard a commotion downwind of her.

"So that's where you two were.  Decided to have some kissing time to yourselves?"  It was Cera.  "You had us all worried, you know.  We thought that Littlefoot might try something stupid like talk to..."

Cera then saw Shorty.  Comprehension then dawned on the yellow fast biter.  Littlefoot must have tried to talk to Bron alone.  

She sniffed the air.  There were the clear smells of Ruby and Littlefoot, which were as distinct and unique to her as a dinosaur's face.  There were also the scents of two longnecks.  A juvenile, obviously coming from Shorty, and the scent of an adult male longneck that had left a few moments prior.  It was confirmed then.  Littlefoot had talked to Bron and he did not consult her or anyone else... Except Ruby.

An odd mixture of relief and rage began to flash on the fast biter's face.  If he had been successful then the pack was safe, but the risk that Littlefoot had taken was unwise in the extreme.  Likewise, she was disappointed with Ruby.  She should have known better than to allow him to pull this stunt.  Before converting her language to leaf-eater, Cera said one final thing to Littlefoot in sharptooth.

"Littlefoot, your father may not have killed you, but I might.  What were you thinking?"  As Littlefoot began to speak, she waved him off.  "Later...  We will discuss this later."  She then glared at Ruby.  "All three of us."  Her tone conveyed no leniency.  She had ranted at him when he risked himself for the egg-stealers back in the lowlands and she would do so again here.  He was not a pack of one; he was the leader of the pack.  They did things together.  She would remind her leader of this fact even if she had to beat it into him.

A moment later, screeches and hisses of delight emanated from the bushes, as the remainder of the fast biters arrived on the scene.  Cera and Littlefoot both waved at the others to approach slowly, as Shorty nearly bolted at their merriment.  They had to be reminded that merriment coming from a sharptooth was not considered a pleasant sound by herbivores, and for good reason.  After they quieted down and slowed their forward progress, Shorty quickly calmed.  Realizing who these dinosaurs must be, he fixed them with a warm smile.  Littlefoot began the introductions.

"That's Spike.  That's Ducky.  That's..."  He was then interrupted by Shorty.

"Cera."  He then looked at Littlefoot.  "Right?  You all have similar colors."

Littlefoot smiled and nodded.  But then the remaining land walker in the group appeared from the bushes.

Chomper.

Shorty sucked down a breath as the purple sharptooth fixed him with an amazed expression.  This was the very sharptooth that he had hated for months.  This was the sharptooth that he thought was a monster, a traitor, and a fiend.  This was the sharptooth that he thought had killed his brother and close friends.  But now he could see him for what he really was...  A child.  Just a child like himself who was trying to do the best that he could in a cruel world.  In their rage, both Shorty and Bron wanted the sharpteeth dead for their actions, but were they any better?  Sharpteeth killed because they were hungry, but the longnecks were prepared to kill for the sake of vendetta.  In that moment, Shorty wondered if that made him more monstrous than any sharptooth.  Shaking his head at that thought, he addressed the purple sharptooth.

"Hey, Chomper."  His voice was soft and apologetic.  "It's been a long time hasn't it?"

At that affirmation it seemed that the lid on conversation lifted and everyone began to converse with the visibly overwhelmed green longneck.  There was so much to discuss and catch up on.  With the exceptions of their sharpteeth and claws, it was as if nothing had changed in the group of old friends.  Shorty's heart leapt at the return of a world that he had feared was lost forever.  But yet his friends remained, albeit changed.

On that night Shorty did something that he nearly hadn't done since Littlefoot's "death".

He smiled.

......

It took several moments for the conversations to settle down, as everyone wanted to speak to the green longneck.  Finally another dinosaur that they had known them in their old lives had returned and they could reminisce about the old times and see how their old friend was doing.

Eventually, though,  one of them asked a question that had to be asked.

"So, uh..."  It was Spike.   "How are our parents?"

The conversations ended in a hushed silence.  Everyone knew the probable answer to that question, but no one looked forward to having the answer confirmed.

Shorty sighed.  He had just had this conversation with Littlefoot, he was not looking forward to a repeat.  "Well... They are about as well as you expect..."  The silence remained as Shorty looked up at Spike and the others.  "Everyone was upset and several wanted revenge, but Bron eventually volunteered for the job.  We left with the spiketail herd as soon as we heard you all were in the Land of Shallow Waters."

The jubilant reunion had now taken on a much more somber tone as everyone was reminded of how their departure must have affected their families.  Shorty was not finished, however.

"Mr. Threehorn improved defenses.  Everyone was scared that the sharpteeth...  that you guys... would invade the valley."

Ducky looked perplexed by that insinuation and asked an obvious question. "Why would we do that?  We are kids.  We are, we are."

Spike didn't look up as he seemed to have immediately deduced the answer.   "We know the ways in."  The heads of everyone present turned towards the dark green fast biter.   "We could lead... bigger sharpteeth in."

Shorty nodded.  "Yeah...  They were really scared of that.  Especially Petrie's mom.  She flew patrols everyday just to make sure that you all weren't sneaking up on the valley..."  He then looked around.  "Um... Where is Petrie?"  When no one answered him immediately, he continued.  "Surely, he didn't..."

Cera didn't let him finish.   "No, he's okay.  That flyer is too annoying for anything to eat him."  Upon seeing that she had earned Littlefoot's annoyed scowl, she gave him a slight satisfied smile continued. "He is scouting for us right now.  We had a rather unpleasant guest and he is trying to learn more about him from our allies."

Shorty's eyes went wide.  "Your allies?"

Littlefoot nodded.   "Yeah...  There were some fast biters in the lowlands that are our friends."

Shorty's eyes darkened for a moment.  "Those were your allies!  They tried killing us!"  His eyes bored directly into Littlefoot's.

As he stared into the depths of Shorty's eyes, he could see horror and sadness there.  He had to admit that this was a perfectly understandable reaction on the part of his brother.  It was true that Skytail and the others would kill for food and Shorty certainly constituted suitable food for a sharptooth.  However, he couldn't blame his brother for reacting angry to the revelation.  He was now on the other end of the circle of life.  They each had different roles to play and it was hard to be sympathetic to the predators when you were on the menu.  Littlefoot was about to speak, when Ruby interjected.

"Well, it may have been somebody else.  Somebody else it may have been." At Shorty's disbelieving scowl, she continued. "There are other fast biters.  What did they look like?"

Littlefoot nodded slightly.  Ruby was using a good strategy.  Make Shorty consider other possibilities in order to lessen his feelings of betrayal and anger.  At the same time, maybe they could learn more about Skytail's situation as Shorty recounted their appearance.

Shorty shifted his gaze downward for a moment, as if he were recalling a horrific memory.  Which, Littlefoot deduced, he most certainly was.  "There were so many of them... so many...  At least two dozen."

Littlefoot, Ruby, and Cera shared glances.  That was far more than a normal pack.  What was going on in the lowlands?

"Several of them went after me and Tippy..."  Shorty tried to control his face in order to hide his fear, but he failed miserably.  "My dad couldn't hold them off...  Then finally Doc came and crushed the a few of them.  They ran off after that."  Shorty nodded.  "Thank goodness sharpteeth are cowards."

Shorty immediately thought about what he had said and looked back up at the sharpteeth who were listening to his tale.  "Um... what I mean is..."

Littlefoot cut him off. "It's alright."  

Some prejudices, like hatred of sharpteeth, seemed to almost be embedded into the instincts of herbivores.  Littlefoot decided that it was probably for the best.  It was only natural to feel contempt for those who wished you harm and sharpteeth were, for better or worse, the biggest threat that longnecks faced.  More importantly, however, Shorty's words had confirmed something to the brown fast biter.  The pack that Shorty described was most certainly not Skytail's pack.  Something must have happened.

"That... doesn't sound like our allies, Shorty."  Littlefoot then looked back to the others.   "I hope that they are alright."

Ducky swallowed hard.   "And Petrie too!  We sent him out there all alone!"

Littlefoot swallowed.   "I think Petrie will be okay, Ducky.  He can fly, after all."  Although in truth he was somewhat concerned.  They had often taken him for granted.  He was a valuable scout and friend, but he was somewhat vulnerable if he was forced to the ground.  He hoped that his latest orders weren't the ones that would doom his close friend.  Despite his misgivings, however, he kept his face neutral.  He needed to keep Ducky calm.  Becoming agitated at what they couldn't change would not help anyone.

Shorty looked down.  "I am sorry about earlier, but... You guys eat dinosaurs now.  You can't expect me to forget that."

Cera nodded.   "We know, Shorty.  That is why... I guess we never tried to tell our folks...  Maybe it's better that way."

Littlefoot looked over at the yellow fast biter.   "That's what Shorty and I were talking about earlier.  I think that was a mistake.  We need to let them know." Littlefoot sighed and looked at the rest of the pack.  He then spoke in sharptooth.  "We have a lot to talk about, guys.  We will need to have a meeting tomorrow."

Cera grunted.  "Yeah... plus we need to talk about you being an idiot and going out here on your own!"  She then paused for a moment.  "How did that conversation go anyway?"

Littlefoot sighed.  "Not well... He ran off and he didn't seem too happy about..."  He cut himself off when he heard a distant rumbling.

The rumbling of footsteps.

The footsteps of a running sauropod.

Littlefoot looked at Shorty.   "It sounds like dad knows that you are gone."

Shorty sighed.  "Ah crap!"

The six sharpteeth and green longneck all gathered into a tight formation, with Shorty at the front.  No one seemed to know what to expect in the second encounter with Bron.  Littlefoot waited in anticipation for several moments with the others.  Finally, however, the footsteps got louder and the rumbling got stronger until the trees and bushes were pushed aside.  The long neck of a brown sauropod emerged from the foliage and immediately focused on the two brothers.  The brown fast biter and the green longneck, now separated in their kinds but united in family.  The reaction of the longneck was not what Littlefoot had expected however.

Bron gave a relieved sigh.

"You had me worried sick, Shorty...  did you follow me?"

Shorty gave a curt nod.  "I heard everything."

Bron's face softened.  Littlefoot was expecting a strong rebuke for Shorty sneaking off like he did, but yet no rebuke was forthcoming.  Instead, Bron seemed to actually look apologetic at his adopted son for hearing what he had heard.  Then Bron turned his head and looked in Littlefoot's direction.  What he then saw was not what he expected.

Sadness and regret.

Littlefoot shifted uncomfortably under Bron's gaze.  He had no idea how to approach his father, considering how their previous meeting had gone.  He was pleased that there was no anger or hatred on his parent's face, but he didn't know what Bron was expressing regret over.  Was it over how he reacted?  Or was it over Littlefoot's existence?  Bron had made it quite clear to the former longneck that he was a disgrace to his mother's memory and Littlefoot was not going to let that go anytime soon.  There was just too much raw emotion there; too much anguish.  He would let Bron make the first move.

Bron closed his eyes for a moment before reopening them and gazing at the sky.  Littlefoot watched as his father looked at the night circle, which had now returned to its original hue; the eclipse having ended some time before.  He almost jumped when he heard his father speak.

"I guess that we all are under the same sky, aren't we?  It doesn't change even if we do."  Bron sighed deeply in an expression of regret.  "Son, I wronged you..."

Littlefoot was taken aback by his father's words.  Why was he suddenly changing his opinion?  Was Littlefoot not still the carnivore that he was an hour ago?  He continued to listen in stunned silence.

"I was madder at myself than I was at you... You have no choice, do you?"

At Littlefoot's slight shake of the head, Bron continued.

"I was so angry...  so vengeful...  I thought of nothing else...  So when I finally found you...  I...  I didn't know what to do."  Tears were flowing again from the massive longneck's eyes.  "I still don't, really...  My son is a sharptooth!  It isn't something that I can accept but I have no choice."

Littlefoot then broke from the formation that he and the others had made and began to approach his father.  He stepped forward with uncertain steps towards an uncertain resolution, but wasn't that what they had been doing this entire time?  They were simply hapless kids who had been forced into an astonishing situation and had no choice but to accept their new circumstances.  Likewise, his father now had been forced into accepting the fact that his very own son had been converted into the thing he most hated, a sharptooth.  His father screwed up in his initial meeting with his changed son.  But didn't Littlefoot and his friends screw up for most of their initial week as sharpteeth?  Had they not resisted their new natures until they were forced to accept the inevitable?  Yes, Littlefoot decided, he would be willing to forgive his father.  But getting Bron to forgive himself would be a far harder proposition.

Unaware of the mental resolution in Littlefoot's head, Bron continued.  "I'm sorry, son.  I don't know what to do."

Littlefoot stopped and look at his father with an unreadable expression.  Calmly, he gestured for the longneck to get near him, which Bron very slowly did.  As the massive longneck lowered his head towards Littlefoot, the fast biter said two little sentences.

"I don't know either, dad.  But let's figure it out together."

As father and son then nuzzled tearfully, the others looked on.  None of them had dry eyes at the emotional display that they now were witnessing.  It was a sight that most of them never thought that they would see.  Visible relief could be seen on all of their faces as they took in the sight.  Their uncertainties about the future remained, but there was now at least one thing that they could be certain about.

Bron would be part of it.

......

The next morning in the Barren Lands:

The tan fast biter seemed to loiter for a moment, as if he suspected that someone was watching him.  He looked over to the rocky outcroppings to his left and stared at them for a while.  He sniffed the air, but did not appear to smell anything out of the ordinary.  He then took two steps towards the outcropping when a voice caused him to stop.

"Ah, Calin!  I take it you are ready for this?"  The voice had a tinge of mockery to it, despite the superficial friendliness.

Calin turned and smiled back.  "Why, of course!  I do hope you are ready for this, Goron."  Calin's smiled with a toothy grin.  His teeth seemed to look like little knives, as his expression conveyed only thinly-veiled contempt.

With no other words being exchanged between the rivals, they began a slow journey with the rest of the raiding party towards their destination.  They did not see the eyes peeking over the rocky outcropping.

......

They had caught Calin's scent several days ago as they were heading towards the Land of Shallow Waters and they had been following the fiend's stench ever since.  Now, finally, they had caught sight of the fast biter and could see the size of the raiding party that he had acquired.  It seemed that an assault on Littlefoot's pack was imminent.

"It's Calin, alright.  He seems to be heading towards our friends."  Thud's voice was controlled, but deep emotions were right underneath the surface.  A mixture of hatred for Calin and fear for his friends.  He may have fled at his leader's urging during his pack's last stand, but he resolved not to run this time.  He would fight or die.  He would not let his friends and allies fight alone.

Thud nodded at his son's affirmation.  "Then we will need to catch up with them first.  Are you ready to run, son?  Breeze?"

Breeze grunted.  "I am always ready!"

Taunt gave a cocky smile.  "We are fast biters, are we not?"

Thud smiled at his son and his friend.  "Well then...  Let us leave the wind in our wake!"

At the age-old affirmation of fast biter speed, all three fast biters sprinted into the clearing and took a straight course towards the Land of Shallow Waters.  When their friends faced the oncoming threat, they would have reinforcements.  

They just hoped that it would prove to be enough.

[CeraTheRed]

Dang! Another more brotherly heartfelt discussion, and now it seems Littlefoot and Bron are in the right page now, anyway. And, it looks like the pack was right about Calin being dangerous. Sheesh! I hope they make it outta the incoming storm.