How did Hyp and his friends...

[Coyote_A]

Here's something that I wondered ever since I first saw LBTIII (even though it's my least favourite sequel, second only to the horrible LBTXIII): how did Hyp and his two goons became friends? It was made clear in the original movie that such bonds between members of different species were rare and occurred only out of great necessity or with extra anti-prejudice individuals. And since neither of the "big gang's" members seems the latter... Do Hyp, Mutt and Nod have a story of their own we just never got to learn about?

[Littlefoot fan 1990]

I don't think it was ever mentioned in canon. I think they became friends because they all shared a liking to being bullies. That's my theory. It may not be an original idea; but, it seems believable to me.

I like it when writers don't reveal too much of the background characters. That way; all writers can share their theories of character backstories that were never mentioned in canon.

[Ducky123]

I see fanfiction potential here

Well, true. The herds usually sticked to their own kind unless in great need but in the Great Valley things changed. Even though they had everything in abundance now, they still kept the bonds that formed during their journey to the Great Valley. Now I think that Hyp, Mutt and Nod became friends because this "each herd on its own" attitude wasn't very present in the heads of the grown-ups anymore. And true, they probably found out they have something in common no matter their species: They love bullying others

[Kor]

It could have happened when the separate herds joined up and traveled together on their way to the Great Valley.   After some families got separated in the first movie.

[Coyote_A]

Well, since Littlefoot and the gang are old enough to remember the time most of the current inhabitants of the Great Valley moved in - Hyp and his two buddies definitely took part in it too... And yeah - what Ducky123 said: great fanfiction material right there.