Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

A massive dark green biter trudged through the murky swamp of the Mysterious Beyond. In his mighty jaws, he carried a large chunk of meat. It had been a tedious search, but the reward was worth it: a carcass of an old three-horn that died earlier in the day. After eating his fill, he tore off a big chuck to carry back to his nest.

He hadn't gone far when he caught the scent of another biter nearby—an old adversary. He dropped his catch and stood defensively over it as the biter drew closer.

"Show yourself, Red Claw!" he demanded. "I know you're there!"

The intruder emerged from the rocks: a male biter with tan skin and a reddened left eye. From his eye, a long, ragged scar snaked down his side and to one of the claws on his thin hands.

"Strongfang," he greeted condescendingly. "What a surprise."

"What do you want, Red Claw?" Strongfang growled. "And where are your fast-biter cronies?"

"Screech and Thud?" Red Claw replied. "Oh, they're off on their own hunt. I just came to express my condolences."

Strongfang narrowed his eyes, wary. "What for?"

Red Claw sneered. "You mean you haven't you heard? Sharptooth is dead."

Strongfang froze, his eyes widening in shock.

"That's impossible!" he snarled. "No one has been able to defeat him! You're lying!"

"Come now," Red Claw said, "what would I have to gain by lying about this? Everyone in the Mysterious Beyond has heard about it. Apparently, his defeaters were six little children: a long-neck, a three-horn, a spike-tail, a swimmer, and flyer…"—he then slyly grinned—"…and a human that resembled someone named Elaine."

Strongfang stiffened at that name. "That can't be! She disappeared years ago!"

"That's what the rumors say," Red Claw haughtily replied. "Once again, my condolences for the loss of your kin."

Strongfang lunged and viciously snapped at Red Claw, narrowly missing his throat.

"Don't you dare speak of my brother to me!" he roared.

"Temperamental as always, Strongfang," Red Claw said smugly. "Oh, that's right. Sharptooth may have been your brother, but you two never got along. He was the strong one. You're the weak one."

Strongfang growled, arching his back and showing all his teeth, warning Red Claw to back down. Red Claw shrugged before turning away.

"I didn't come here looking for a fight," he said. "I just came to tell you the news. But there is an advantage for me with Sharptooth being gone."

Strongfang glared. "And what would that be?"

Red Claw smiled maliciously. "I can become the next 'Walking Terror'."

"Ha!" Strongfang scoffed. "Don't deceive yourself. You'll never become the 'Walking Terror', especially when you have to rely on two little fast-biters to hunt for you."

Red Claw's right eye flashed at the comment, and his wicked grin turned to an angry snarl.

"Don't forget; it was because of you that I now rely on those fast-biters!" he said, gesturing to his left eye.

Strongfang growled. "Even with both eyes, you were just a coward who only wanted to be a threat, and I can see that hasn't changed. Now leave me be."

Strongfang picked up his food and walked away. Red Claw watched him with venomous hatred until he was out of sight.

"I'll make you eat those words, Strongfang," he growled in a low, threatening tone. "Enjoy the evening while you can. By dawn, you won't have a precious hatchling to wait for anymore."

On an outcrop overlooking the swamp, Strongfang entered a small cave and placed the food down. His mate, a dark yellow female biter, slept beside a nest. Inside the nest was a single egg surrounded by broken pieces of other eggs, a sad reminder to Strongfang of that awful night.

Desperate for food, he and his mate decided to hunt together. While they were gone, two egg-stealers invaded their nest, devouring most of their eggs. The two biters chased them off before they could, but the damage was already done.

They had lost most of their unborn children. All they had left was one egg.

Since then, Strongfang vowed to defend his family with his life. His mate guarded the nest, and he hunted for her.

"Rena, wake up," he said softly, nudging her with his snout.

Rena winced and opened her eyes. Strongfang pushed the fresh meat towards her.

"I brought you some food."

Rena smiled gratefully, rubbing her snout against her mate's. "Thank you, Strongfang."

"How are you feeling?" the male asked.

"Calm down, Strongfang. I'm alright."

Strongfang smiled at Rena as she ate. He could not believe how fortunate he was to have been chosen by her during the Time of Great Choosing. After the death of his family, meeting her was truly a miracle.

As he thought of his family, the news of Sharptooth stormed into the forefront of Strongfang's mind, and he turned away bitterly.

Rena noticed his change in mood. "Strongfang, is everything okay?"

Strongfang looked at his mate.

"I heard news of Sharptooth today," he said.

The female biter gasped and stood. Just the sound of that name was enough to make her fearful.

"Is he here?" she asked, her voice quivering.

Strongfang shook his head. "No. He's dead."

Rena fell silent and stared with wide eyes.

"He was defeated by five flat-teeth children and a human that looked like Elaine," Strongfang said.

"Are you sure?" Rena whispered.

"That's what Red Claw told me."

The moment that name was mentioned, Rena glared suspiciously.

"You know what Red Claw's like," she said. "Why would you believe a word he says?"

"Not even Red Claw would lie about this," Strongfang replied. "Sharptooth was feared by both flat-teeth and biters. He abused his strength and slayed all who got in his way, even his own flesh and blood."

Rena looked down for a moment before shaking her head. "You're right. But I thought you and Sharptooth—"

"I know Sharptooth was my brother!" he snapped, cutting Rena off. "But I'm not proud of it and you know that! He's always been dead to me!"

"That's not what I was going to say!" Rena snarled indignantly. "I was going to say that I thought you and Sharptooth hated each other! And I can see I was right!"

Strongfang grimaced and let out a deep sigh.

"I'm sorry," he said, remorseful. "I just…I don't know. Ever since those egg-eaters…"

The biter clenched, unable to bring himself to say it.

"I don't want to lose my only family," he muttered, feeling a complete coward for admitting his weakness.

Rena slowly walked up to him and gently nuzzled her face against his. He returned the gesture.

"I understand," Rena consoled, "but our egg's Hatching Day is almost here. I can feel it. Once it hatches, we'll leave this place and find a much safer home."

Strongfang nodded. The sooner their egg hatched, the better.

As Rena returned to her meal, Strongfang stepped outside. Turning his gaze to the left, he saw an enormous range of mountains.

The Great Wall.

And just beyond it, the flat-teeth haven. The place that was forbidden for biter to enter.

The Great Valley.

As he stared at the Wall, he thought of Red Claw's story. Many biters believed flat-teeth were nothing more than dim-witted creatures for them to hunt and feast on. But after all that he had heard, Strongfang wondered if they were more intelligent than they thought. Not just instinct-driven creatures.

And those six children Red Claw mentioned. Were they also somewhere on the other side of that wall?

Inside the Great Valley?

Chapter Text

TWANG!

ZIP!

THUNK!

Littlefoot skidded to a halt and looked back over the path he had raced across.

"How'd you do this time?" he asked his rider.

Aylene Carter leapt off his back and checked the targets on the trees, smiling with satisfaction.

"Closer than last time," she grunted as she pulled an arrow from one of the targets. "Thanks for helping me practice today, Littlefoot. I'm really starting to get the hang of riding you."

Littlefoot smiled. "No problem, Aylene. Besides, this is kind of fun."

"Well, I can't exactly practice this kind of archery back in my world," she said, pulling the last arrow out of her target. "I can practice in my backyard, but riding on an animal in my world, not so much. But this skill could come in handy in the future, especially here."

"Your world does sound very interesting," the Apatosaurus commented. "I would like to see it sometime."

Aylene made a face. "Yeah, but like I said before, dinosaurs in my world are…you know."

Littlefoot slowly nodded. The truth she had told him about dinosaurs in her world being extinct still disturbed him.

"So," Aylene continued, "having a living dinosaur show up would be…well…chaotic, to say the least."

She wrung her hands together as she imagined the consequences, which were not pretty.

"Especially if you start talking," she added. "I know you shocked me the first time we met, and that took some doing."

Littlefoot frowned. "I understand."

Aylene clasped the green stone around her neck and exhaled. "Not that it will happen anyway. Grandma told me that only humans can travel between worlds. Though she's not sure why."

"What's it like to go back and forth between worlds anyway?" Littlefoot asked.

Aylene paused and thought about the question for a moment.

"Well, honestly, I'm starting to get used to it," she admitted. "The problem is that when I get back. I get sweaty and dirty. Fortunately, the bathroom is across the hall from my room. It's not far to go for a shower."

Aylene sighed heavily and rubbed the back of her neck. "But my mom's starting to get suspicious. She started to notice how dirty my clothes were getting. So, I've started doing my own laundry as soon as I get back. And yesterday, I heard her complain to Dad that some of the spices and snacks are disappearing from the cupboards."

Littlefoot snickered.

"I'm just glad that time either stops or slows way down in my world when I come here," Aylene said flatly. "Or else I'd really be dealing with some awkward questions. I promised Grandma I'd keep the Time Stone's power a secret with my life."

Aylene then sadly looked away and gripped her arm. Littlefoot knew Aylene well enough to know that she only did that when something troubled her.

"Aylene?"

"It's just…I hate lying to my parents like this," she admitted. "But…I don't think they'd understand. I don't know how to explain it, but when I'm here, when I'm with you guys, I feel like I'm a part of something much bigger. It's like I have to be here. I need to be here. Mom and Dad would just worry, but I can take care of myself."

"I know you can," Littlefoot encouraged. "You proved it when we first traveled to the Great Valley. You took care of us and took down Sharptooth. There's nothing you can't do!"

Aylene smiled softly as she remembered her first adventure. Even after over a month, it seemed like yesterday that she and her friends defeated Sharptooth, the most feared Tyrannosaurus Rex in the world.

"I didn't do it alone," she said. "I couldn't have done it without you guys."

"Littlefoot!" a voice called. "Littlefoot! It's time to come home!"

Littlefoot walked up next to Aylene. "That's Grandpa. Come on."

Aylene nodded, slipped her bow over her shoulder and mounted back onto the long-neck. He set off running through the trees.

The sun shone through the leaves, and the grass gently swayed as a light breeze swept across. The Great Valley's rich vegetation stretched for miles, all the way to the Great Wall that encircled the land. Waterfalls poured from the high cliffs and down into crystal clear rivers that gracefully flowed into lakes that sparkled like gems. Everywhere the two friends looked, they saw various herbivore herds grazing upon the lush food and little hatchlings running around and enjoying their play.

The Great Valley was indeed a wonderful place to be.

Littlefoot and Aylene reached an elder Apatosaurus walking toward a small clump of trees. He looked down at them and greeted them with a warm smile.

"Hiya, Grandpa," Littlfoot said happily, trotting to a stop.

"Hello, Littlefoot," Grandpa Longneck replied to his grandson. He then looked at the little human. "And welcome back, Aylene."

"Thanks, sir," said Aylene. "It's great to be back."

"Would you care to join us for breakfast?"

"Sure."

"Then come along, you two," Grandpa Longneck said, gesturing to another tree covered with leaves in the shape of stars.

"Okay, I'm hungry," said Littlefoot, licking his chops.

As they passed by a clump of tall grass, something caught Aylene's eye, and she turned around sharply.

"Something wrong, Aylene?" Littlefoot asked.

Aylene shrugged. "It's nothing. I thought I saw the grass move. Probably just the wind."

A pair of three-clawed hands parted the tall reeds.

A pale tan and gray Struthiomimus, almost the size of an ostrich, peeked out through the grass, his sharp focus on the creature riding the little long-neck. So unlike any other he had seen before.

Was that the "human" everyone was talking about lately?

He had heard about this human's skill and razor-sharp wit. But seeing her now made him doubtful. She's too small to be a match for him. And she certainly couldn't be smarter than him.

He soon lost interest in the girl and turned his attention to the rest of the valley.

"I like this place," he said with a malicious grin. "Yes, I like this place a lot. Don't you, Strut?"

A munching sound came from the grass beside him.

"Strut, get up here!" he ordered harshly.

Another Struthiomimus – slightly darker in coloration – popped into view, chewing on a mouthful of grass.

"What?" he asked, swallowing his snack. "I'm eating."

"Spit that stuff out!" the other demanded, disgusted. "Go on, spit it out!"

"But Ozzy, I'm hungry!" Strut whined.

Ozzy smacked his brother across the face, causing him to spit out the grass and cough.

"Spit it out you grass guzzler!" he chastised. "No brother of mine is going to eat vegetation." He then changed his tone from angry to strict. "Not while I'm around."

Strut sighed with frustration. "Then what are we going to eat, Ozzy?"

"Eggs, dear brother," Ozzy simply said.

Strut groaned with dread. "Last time we had those, we were nearly eating sharp-tooth food! Ugh, I'm going to have sleep-terrors for weeks!"

"Why do you think we came here?" Ozzy gestured to the vast, lush expanse that was the Great Valley. "Look around! The Valley is full of nothing but stupid flat-teeth. As well as nice, plump, juicy…eggs."

The egg-stealer brothers stalked through the undergrowth, looking for an unguarded nest to snatch a meal.

Chapter Text

The tree creaked and strained under the weight of Grandpa Longneck's forepaw. He gently pushed it down towards his grandson, offering him the lone leaf in the shape of a star near the top.

"Here you are, Littlefoot." Grandpa Longneck offered. "The last tree-star's for you."

Fresh dew collected on the foliage sprinkled onto Littlefoot's nose as he stood up on his hind legs and snatched the leaf in his mouth. He munched up the tree star and swallowed it in seconds, licking his lips afterward.

"Great trick, Grandpa," Littlefoot commented.

"It's not a trick, Littlefoot," the elder Apatosaurus chuckled. "All long-necks can do it."

"Great!" Littlefoot replied eagerly. "Let me try, Grandpa!"

Sitting on a nearby rock, whittling off the bark of a stick with her pocketknife, Aylene looked up and frowned. Already, she could tell Littlefoot's attempt wasn't going to work. Not wanting to discourage her friend, she stayed quiet and watched.

Littlefoot rushed over to a short tree with a thick trunk. He first tried to bend the tree down with just one paw, but it stayed upright, refusing to budge. He then tried pushing it down with both forepaws, only making the tree wiggle but not budge. Littlefoot grunted and climbed up a bit more, causing the tree to bend.

"Careful, Littlefoot," Grandpa Longneck warned as his grandson.

Then, like a catapult, the tree flung Littlefoot off, and he tumbled across the ground. When he stopped, the ground below him began to shake. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a stream of dark smoke shoot out of the earth.

He had landed in the middle of a geyser field!

Grandpa Longneck grabbed the little Apatosaurus by the scruff and pulled him away just as the geyser below him erupted with hot fumes.

Aylene leapt from her rock and ran toward the two long-necks. "Littlefoot! You okay?"

Littlefoot frowned. "I'm fine. But I guess I'm too little, huh?"

Grandpa Longneck brought his grandson over and gently placed him on the ground next to Aylene.

"Well, your name is 'Littlefoot' after all," Aylene joked, trying to lighten the mood.

Littlefoot glared. Aylene turned red and looked away, realizing what she said.

"Sorry," she said apologetically. "That sounded better in my head."

"You're still very young," Grandpa Longneck explained, seeing his grandson's frustration. "But you'll get the hang of it someday."

Littlefoot stomped the ground with his forepaw. "Oh, I hate being little!"

Frustrated, the long-neck dropped his head so hard that Aylene heard a loud smack as his chin hit the ground. She knelt beside him and rubbed the back of his neck.

"Don't worry," Grandpa Longneck encouraged. "You'll be grown up soon enough."

"Yeah," replied Aylene. "All of us grow up at some point."

Littlefoot looked up at the human, "Easy for you to say. You're older than us."

"Yeah," Aylene shrugged, "but you're bigger than I am. And I'm still technically a kid."

From behind, there came a familiar voice.

"Hey, Littlefoot! Aylene!"

Just a few yards away, at the top of a small hill, Cera stood tall. Littlefoot and Aylene smiled as they saw their friend.

"C'mon!" she said, beckoning them with her head.

"Grandpa, can we go play?" Littlefoot asked as he looked back at the elder Apatosaurus.

The elder longneck smiled and lifted his tail. "Have fun."

"Thanks."

"Hold on, Littlefoot," Aylene said. "Let me get my things."

Folding up her pocketknife, Aylene rushed back towards the rock. She put the knife in her bag and her newly made arrows in her quiver. She strapped her quiver around her waist, hoisted her gym bag onto her shoulders, grabbed her bow, and then leapt onto the long-neck's back.

Grandpa Longneck watched his grandson and little human friend race toward the yellow three-horn.

"The Valley is a wonderful place to grow up," he whispered.

The trio met up with Ducky, Petrie, and Spike, who were waiting by the watering hole.

"Well, looks like the Gang's all here," Aylene grinned.

"Let's play! Let's play!" Ducky cheered.

"Not it!" Littlefoot shouted.

"Not it!" Ducky followed.

"Well, I'm not it!" Cera laughed.

Petrie flew above the group. "Me no it either!"

"I'm not it!" Aylene replied.

"SPIKE'S IT!" The five gleefully shouted in unison.

The children ran across the valley, laughing with joy.

Oh, to run free across a peaceful valley! The best feeling in the world!

Ozzy poked his head up over the tall grass, sniffing the air. A delicious smell that only an egg-eater like him could enjoy reached his nostrils.

"Smell something, Ozzy?" Strut asked, keeping low to the ground.

Ozzy glanced to his left. "Hmm, yes. Breakfast! Follow me."

The brothers slowly crept toward a nest at the base of a slope and surrounded by thick, tall grass near a cluster of trees on the opposite side of a dirt path.

The mother of the nest wasn't anywhere in sight. What luck.

Ozzy hurried to the nest and snatched an egg. He licked his chops, eagerly anticipating the delicious meal in the palm of his hand. He brought the egg to his mouth…

Suddenly, something hard struck Struthiomimus on the head, making him see stars. The egg wobbled in his hand before falling back into the nest, completely unharmed.

Disoriented, Ozzy bit down on the object in his hand. He hollered out as the nasty jab of pain raced through his mouth and head.

A rock had landed on his head and slid off into his hand.

Ozzy threw it aside and spat out pebbles.

Strut peaked through the grass. "Ozzy, did you get a—"

Another rock flew out of nowhere and hit Strut on the head with a painful pow.

"Egg…" he finished dizzily.

He then fell back, his brain rattled by a sudden migraine.

Ozzy rubbed his aching head before immediately turning back to the nest. But as he reached for an egg, an angry voice shouted.

"Hey, you kids!"

Startled, Ozzy fled back into the bushes. He disappeared just as a Maiasaura came into view at the end of the dirt path.

"Stop rolling those rocks down the hill!"

At the top of the slope, Littlefoot and Cera peeked over, inadvertently knocking one more rock down. Fortunately, it rolled away from the nest and into the grass.

"My nest is in there!" the mother dinosaur warned, pointing to the reeds.

"Sorry," Littlefoot apologized.

He and Cera walked away from the ledge toward the Gang. They all sat down on the grass.

Cera sighed and grumbled, "Aw, it wasn't much fun anyway."

"Yep, yep, yep," Ducky replied downheartedly, slumping against Cera's side. "No fun at all."

Petrie lighted down on top of the three-horn's frill and deeply exhaled. "Boring."

"Then…why were we doing it in the first place?" Aylene asked, frowning.

Everyone just exchanged looks. None of them could remember the reason. Not that it still mattered now.

"Well, what do you want to do now?" asked Littlefoot.

Spike expressed his lack of suggestions with a simple grunt. Aylene shrugged her shoulders.

Then, Ducky's face lit up, and she jumped to her feet.

"I know! I know!" she exclaimed excitedly. "We can go to the Sheltering Grass and play 'Sharptooth Attack!'"

Ducky ran around, imitating Sharptooth with roars and snarls, eliciting laughs from her friends. All except for Cera, who made a face.

"No way," she said, shaking her head. "Not if I have to be Sharptooth again."

Petrie thought for a moment before gliding over to Spike.

"Hey, how about Spike be Sharptooth?" he suggested.

Spike munched on the vegetation in his mouth, looking as spacy as ever.

Ducky ran over to her adopted brother. "Oh, yes, yes, Spike!"

"Okay, Spike?" Petrie asked, leaning down to Spike's face. "Huh?"

"Please!" pleaded Ducky.

After a few quick munches, Spike nodded in passive agreement.

"See, he no mind," said Petrie.

Ducky jumped and cheered for joy.

Satisfied, Cera got to her feet. "Alright, let's go!"

Ducky mounted onto Spike. "Yep, yep, yep! We are going to the Sheltering Grass!"

Aylene climbed onto Littlefoot as the rest of the Gang slid down the opposite side of the hill. Before he could join them, Littlefoot suddenly flinched. He skidded to a stop.

"Wait, you guys!" he alerted.

The others stopped and turned back to him.

"What is it, Littlefoot?" Aylene asked.

"The Sheltering Grass is on the other side of the sinking sand," Littlefoot replied, concerned.

"Sinking sa…oh, do you mean quicksand?" Aylene said.

"I mean sand that pulls you under if you step on it."

Aylene nodded. "Yep, that sounds like quicksand."

"So, what's your point, Littlefoot?" interjected Cera.

Littlefoot hesitated. "Well, my grandparents don't want me going across the sinking sand without them."

"Oh, that right," Petrie said, remembering the danger. "Sinking sand dangerous!"

To emphasize his point, the flyer made some bubbling sounds, and he sank behind Cera's frill as if drowning.

Ducky sighed, her enthusiasm replaced with apprehension. "Yes, it is. It is."

"Aw, you're just a bunch of eggs," Cera said brashly, jerking her head up and making Petrie tumble off her back. "I could cross the sinking sands with my eyes closed."

Petrie jolted up, his eyes wide at the bold declaration. "With her eyes closed?"

"And not looking where she is going?" Ducky replied, fearful.

Spike gasped, dropping his head down and covered his eyes with his paws.

Petrie's mood suddenly changed, and he leapt to his feet. "That sound fun! Petrie try it!"

Petrie shut his eyes, stuck his beak in the air, and walked forward. He didn't go more than a few paces before bumping into Spike's face. They snapped their eyes open at the same time, seeing only black pupils. The two screamed and scrambled away from each other. Petrie nervously chuckled as he tried to calm himself down.

Cera rolled her eyes at the scene.

"Hey, are you scaredy-eggs coming or not!" she called.

After considering for a moment, Spike, Ducky, and Petrie followed her.

Ducky looked back at the long-neck and human. "Littlefoot! Aylene! You guys coming?"

Littlefoot and Aylene exchanged worried glances. Their friends were heading straight into danger in the name of reckless fun.

"We have to go with them," she said in a hushed but urgent tone. "Remember what happened last time we didn't."

Littlefoot nodded. He needed no further convincing.

With that, the group ran off to the Sheltering Grass.

Chapter Text

The Gang soon arrived at the tall grass. The quicksand blocked their way like a castle moat, keeping them from reaching their destination.

"How are we going to get across?" asked Littlefoot.

Ducky cautiously stuck her foot into the goo. It stuck to her like glue, stretching like putty as she tried to pull her foot out. With some effort, she yanked herself free and stepped back.

"I cannot swim in this," she stated. "Oh no. No, no, no."

"Seriously, this doesn't look like a great idea," said Aylene. "Let's just go back and—"

"Petrie fly across!" Petrie interjected, cheerfully flying up and hovering over the group.

Ducky giggled. "Petrie, we no have wings. No, no, no, we cannot fly."

Petrie groaned as he gracefully dropped back to the ground, frowning at the reminder that his friends couldn't fly like he could.

"Poor Petrie," Ducky empathized.

"Guys, listen," said Aylene, raising her voice. "This is a really bad idea. I think we should—"

Cera cut off the human with a boastful statement, "My dad just jumps from rock to rock."

"Yeah, but your dad's got longer legs than us," Littlefoot pointed out.

Aylene scowled and folded her arms. Did her friends forget she was even here?

"Big deal, I could do it, too," said Cera proudly. "Watch."

"Cera, wait!" Aylene cried.

Before she could stop her, Cera ran forward and jumped. As she landed on the closest boulder sticking out of the goo, her hind legs fell into the quicksand. She managed to pull them out, quickly finding her balance on the small rock.

She brazenly looked over her shoulder. "See?"

At that moment, Cera lost her footing and fell into the Sinking Sands.

"CERA!" shouted the others.

Cera screamed and lashed around violently, the quicksand holding her firmly in its clutches.

"Cera, hang on!" Littlefoot yelled.

He rushed forward with Spike and Ducky following.

"No, guys!" Aylene shouted. "Stop!"

Before she could do anything, Littlefoot, with Ducky on his back, leapt onto the rock closest to Cera. Ducky slid down his neck and off his snout and grabbed Cera by her horn while Littlefoot grabbed Ducky's tail.

Littlefoot lost his balance on the rock, and his forelegs fell into the muck.

"Guys!" Aylene shrieked.

Littlefoot struggled to regain his balance and keep hold of Ducky. He slipped, dunking his head into the goo. He resurfaced in fright, shaking off the quicksand.

"Oh, no!" Petrie franticly flew around the group. "What can we do?"

"I'll go get help!" Aylene said.

Petrie flew in front of her, blocking her exit. "No! We're not supposed to be here! If grown-ups find out, we all in big trouble!"

"Petrie, we don't have a choice!" Aylene protested.

Spike decided to take the matter into his own paws. He jumped on the rock and pulled hard on Littlefoot's tail.

"Hurray, Spike!" Ducky cheered.

"That it, Spike! You help!" Petrie encouraged. "Wait, I help! I pull, too!"

"No, Petrie, don't!" Aylene begged.

But the little flyer had already flown past her. He grabbed Spike's tail and began pulling as hard as he could. Like the deadliest game of tug-of-war, the group struggled to pull Cera out of the quicksand and not end up in it themselves. Cera struggled, coughing as the goo tightened its grip around her.

Then, to Aylene's horror, Littlefoot and Spike lost their footholds, and the whole group plunged right into quicksand!

They shouted and screamed as they thrashed wildly in a panic. Petrie tried to fly out, but the gunk on his wings made them heavy like lead. Ducky scrambled to get onto Littlefoot's head but fell back into the quicksand.

"HELP! HELP!"

"GUYS, STOP STRUGGLING!" Aylene ordered. "YOU'LL ONLY SINK FASTER!"

Everyone stopped and looked at the girl. Although they were frightened, they heeded her warning and stopped thrashing wildly. The sand continued to pull them under, but the process had slowed.

"Aylene, help us!" Ducky pleaded as she felt herself sink even more.

Aylene's face paled, and she trembled. She couldn't get help now. It'd be too late. She had to save them now.

"Don't worry!" she said, gesturing ease with her hands. "I'll get you out! Just stay calm!"

"Just hurry!" Littlefoot panted as the sand slowly continued to pull him under.

Aylene looked around franticly for something useful. She had to find something sturdy enough to hold dinosaurs but flexible enough to work with.

"Think, Aylene!" she muttered to herself. "Think! Think! Think!"

She turned to her right and saw it.

A large, long vine up in a tree!

Aylene ran to the tree and climbed the trunk without hesitation. Forgetting her fear of heights, she reached the branch where the lower end of the vine rested and, with one good thrust, threw it over to the ground, having a good chunk land with a heavy thump.

She paused, swallowing back her fear and grabbing the vine. She took a deep breath, released the branch, and let herself slip down the vine.

"AYLENE, HURRY!" Cera choked, her head barely above the muck now.

"Oh, why do I always have to save them?" Aylene said to herself.

She grabbed the end of the vine, ran toward the edge of the quicksand and threw it at the group.

"Cera, Ducky, Petrie, you first!"

Cera managed to grab the end with her mouth and held it tightly. Petrie and Ducky gripped the vine for dear life as Aylene began to pull them out. Her feet dug into the ground, and she struggled to walk back. She then turned around, hoisted the vine over her right shoulder, and pulled with all her strength. The vine burned her skin as it harshly rubbed against her shoulder, and her arms and legs hurt horribly as she strained to pull her friends out.

But she continued, fighting through the pain, not stopping for a second.

At the same time, Cera waded through the sand to get to the edge, helping Aylene's efforts.

After a slow effort, Aylene pulled Cera, Petrie, and Ducky onto solid earth.

"Now help me save Littlefoot and Spike!" Aylene ordered, heaving as she threw the vine back into the quicksand.

"Spike, you go first!" Littlefoot ordered.

Spike, now up to his ears in the quicksand, grabbed the vine. The others on the shore immediately tugged and pulled Spike out quickly.

"Littlefoot, catch!"

Aylene threw the vine out one last time.

But the vine fell short.

Littlefoot lunged for it, but the quicksand held his legs firm, and his head dunked back into the sand. His back and neck strained, but his head remained under.

He was stuck!

"LITTLEFOOT!" Aylene shrieked, horrified.

Thinking quickly, she rushed forward and jumped.

"AYLENE!" the others shouted, fearful.

Aylene clumsily landed on the boulder, then leapt right into the quicksand. It quickly formed around her, trying to pull her under. She ducked as low as she could and felt around for the long-neck's head. When she found it, she pushed up with her right hand and rapidly cleared away the muck on top with her left. In a few heart-stopping seconds, she yanked Littlefoot's head out. He gasped and coughed for air, terror glistening in his eyes.

"A-Aylene!" he choked.

Aylene then grabbed the vine and gave the end to Littlefoot. He took it in his mouth, and she grasped it with both hands.

"PULL!" she screamed.

The others immediately obeyed and worked together to pull their friends out.

After about a minute, Aylene and Littlefoot scrambled onto the shore. The others collapsed and panted as their wave of panic slowly subsided. Littlefoot, still traumatized by his near-death experience, collapsed in Aylene's lap, shivering. She hugged him tightly for a brief moment, fighting back the tears of fright forming in her eyes.

That was too close.

Finally, Aylene said, "C'mon, let's get out of here."

Everyone silently agreed. Slowly, they got up and walked back down the path. They wanted to rest, but not here.

"Is everyone alright?" Aylene asked as they continued.

"We are now," Cera replied. "Thanks, Aylene. Good thing we've got you on our team."

To everyone's surprise, Aylene didn't smile at the compliment. Instead, she spun around, put her hands on her hips, and scowled at the group, making them freeze.

"If it's such a good thing I'm on your team, then didn't you listen to me?" she snapped.

"We thought that we could make it," Ducky shyly answered, feeling intimidated. "We're sorry if we worried you. We are, we are."

"WORRIED ME?!" Aylene cried, furious. "YOU GUYS SCARED ME TO DEATH! DON'T EVER SCARE ME LIKE THAT AGAIN! GOT IT?!"

The Gang shrunk back. It was so unlike Aylene to get this angry that she looked threatening.

Aylene saw the looks on her friends' faces through her rage, and she caught her temper. She recoiled in guilt, glancing away.

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean…I just…"

Aylene grimaced, unable to finish her sentence.

"It's okay," Littlefoot replied uneasily. "The important thing is that we're okay, and the grown-ups didn't catch us."

"Catch you doing what?" said a harsh, deep voice from behind.

The Gang jumped and turned around. The dinosaur adults were standing over them, glowering.

"Daddy," said Cera, nervously smiling as she addressed the old three-horn who called them out. "Uh…how long have you all been standing there?"

"Long enough to hear a few things," Topps replied with a hint of anger in his voice, "What was with all the screaming? It sounded like you were calling for help. And why are you all covered in sand?"

The group of friends looked at each other with worried expressions. They had been caught, and they had to tell the truth now.

"Well," Aylene started, "you see…"

Chapter Text

The Night Circle grew brighter as night approached. Strongfang stood sentry while Rena slept next to the egg. Ever since he heard about Sharptooth's defeat, memories of his youth kept flooding into the forefront of his mind, haunting him.

And the one that lingered the longest, the day Sharptooth did the unthinkable.

Sharptooth turned towards Strongfang. Fresh blood dripped from his fangs—blood from the body of the dead biter that lay at his feet.

His father! Their father!

"Sharptooth, how could you do this!?" Strongfang said, horrified.

"Only the strongest can survive," snarled Sharptooth. "This old fool was weak."

"He was our father!" Strongfang rebuked. "He just refused to go along with your plan! And you…You killed him!"

Sharptooth stomped toward the younger biter. "Do you not remember what that herd of long-necks did to us? They killed our mother, brothers and sisters! Justice must be done!"

"They were defending themselves!" Strongfang shouted, stepping back. "They have that right, and you know it. This isn't justice. This is savagery!"

Sharptooth growled angrily. "You sound just like that fool of a father. You still believe what he told you about the Laws of Nature. He was the one who was wrong!"

"No!"

"We rule over the leaf eaters!" roared Sharptooth. "They're mindless creatures that only exist to be food! And it was the long-necks that killed our family! They must be wiped out!"

Strongfang's eyes flashed in rage. "You don't feel love for our family!" he roared. "You never did! I won't let you use their death to commit this crime!"

Sharptooth lunged at his younger brother's throat. Strongfang backed away before charging forward and biting down on his back. Sharptooth wrenched himself free and whipped around to attack.

Strongfang fought for his life.

Blood flew and splattered on the ground as they struck each other over and over, barely dodging the other's brutal attacks. Their roars and snarls echoed across the land like thunder, causing other dinosaurs—leaf-eaters and biters alike—to flee in a panic.

The Bright Circle had almost set below the western horizon when the two biters fight finally ended. Both were exhausted and bloody but, miraculously, alive.

"I may be the younger brother," Strongfang grunted in pain, "but you know I hold the same strength as you. I'll never fall to you."

Sharptooth looked at his brother and grinned wickedly. "Maybe. But I have other ways of hurting you."

Strongfang narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Sharptooth stood as tall as he could and looked down on the younger biter. "Consider this a promise. When you find a mate and have hatchlings, I'll find you, and your family will die by my jaws."

Strongfang's eyes widened in horror. "You'd really kill your own kin?"

"Kin?" Sharptooth snorted. "You never were my brother! Your heart is too soft!"

"At least I have a heart!" Strongfang bellowed. "You're mad, Sharptooth! Mad!"

Strongfang charged at Sharptooth, but his brother swung his tail, striking him in the side and knocking him to the ground. The cuts on his body stung horribly as he hit the dirt. He twisted in pain, breathing heavily. He looked up at the monster before him, his eyes gleaming with anger and fear.

"Mark my words," Sharptooth snarled viciously, "the day will come when all will fear me, leaf eaters and biters. Fear itself will strike their hearts when they so much as hear my name. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some hunting to do. I think I'll start with the Great Valley."

"You can't!" Strongfang protested. "Hunting in the Great Valley is forbidden!"

"Says who?" Sharptooth replied. "The Laws have no power over me. And neither do you. Farewell, Strongfang."

With those final words, Shaprtooth turned and walked away into the Bright Circle's light, casting an ominous shadow behind him.

"SHARPTOOTH!" howledStrongfang.

With the last of his strength spent, the brother of Sharptooth collapsed.

Strongfang growled and shoved the memory away. Those events happened a long time ago. They don't matter anymore. Sharptooth was dead, no longer a threat to him or his family.

That hopeful thought caused another to surface. The news of who defeated Sharptooth. A young long-neck, three-horn, swimmer, flyer, spike-tail, and a human girl who looked like Elaine.

Strongfang knew of Elaine from the stories he had heard about her and her long-neck companion. Their skill and teamwork made them nearly unbeatable. Even more remarkable, they were among the few who could take on Sharptooth and live to tell the tale.

The biter shook his head. He had to stop thinking about this. He turned and looked back at Rena. A sense of comfort washed over him as he watched her sleep. All those horrible memories in his past meant nothing now. He quietly walked over and laid down on the other side of the nest. He looked at the egg lying among the dirt and softly smiled.

"I promise," he whispered, "I will not let anything happen to my family."

Strongfang yawned one last time before closing his eyes. At last, he dozed off.

Watching from a far distance near the edge of a cliff, Red Claw maliciously grinned.

"Screech! Thud!" he commanded in a hushed voice.

A blue and a green fast-biter emerged from behind the rocks.

"Yes, Red Claw?" the blue one answered in a raspy voice.

"While I create a distraction," Red Claw growled in a low voice, "one of you will sneak into the nest, grab the egg, and get out. But remember, I want it unharmed. If I'm going to enjoy my revenge, I want it to be unspoiled!"

The two fast-biters nodded, and the three silently began to creep close to the sleeping family.

Ozzy peaked out from behind the rocks at the foot of the Great Wall, grinning.

"Now is the time for all good little eggs to be safely tucked into their nests," he sneered.

Beside him, Struat yawned and laid down.

"I wouldn't mind being tucked in. I'm "egg"-austed," he said, chuckling at his own pun.

Annoyed, Ozzy looked down at his brother and kicked him in the snout. Strut grunted and shook his head.

"Would you stop complaining?!" snapped Ozzy.

"But Ozzy," his younger brother complained, "I'm tired. And I'm hungry. Couldn't I just have an itty-bitty little green nighttime snack?"

"No!" Ozzy scolded harshly. "Can't you see I'm trying to wean you away from that "stuff". From now on, you've got to think, feel, and breathe only one food group: eggs."

"Ozzy, what's the matter with a little vegetation?" Strut questioned. "Last time we had eggs, we were nearly sharp-tooth bait!"

"Oh, you're not still fretting about that, are you?" the elder egg-stealer groaned.

"Yes, I am, as a matter of fact," Strut replied, shivering at the memory. "If you hadn't insisted on us eating the whole nest, we wouldn't have been chased at all."

"And we still left behind one juicy egg," Ozzy mumbled angrily to himself.

"Ozzy, can't we play it safe and just have some green food instead?" Strut moaned.

"Do not worry, dear brother," Ozzy looked over the Great Valley, "The Valley will be asleep. Tonight, we feast."

The two quickly and quietly ran across the Valley. Hiding in the shadows, they searched nests full of eggs. They crept among the tall grass as they approached two elder longnecks and a hatchling until they were out of earshot.

"Littlefoot," Grandpa Longneck said as he lowered his head toward the little hatchling, "Your grandma and I just don't want to lose you."

"You are all we have," Grandma Longneck replied.

Littlefoot sighed with frustration. "It's so hard to be little."

Grandma Longneck softly laughed. "Oh, you'll grow up faster than you think. Be patient. Enjoy being young while it lasts."

"And stay close to the herd," Grandpa Longneck added.

Littlefoot groaned at the lecture.

"We feel safe here in the Valley," The elder male Apatosaurus continued, looking out towards the surrounding cliffs. "The Great Wall protects us from sharp-teeth and other dangers of the Mysterious Beyond. But there are dangers in Valley as well, Littlefoot. You must always be careful."

"But my friends..." the little long-neck began.

"Hush now," Grandma Longneck gently interrupted, "It's time for sleep."

As Grandma Longneck guided Littlefoot to the nest, Grandpa Longneck walked towards the river.

Aylene sat slumped on the edge of the bank, staring at her reflection. Her legs dangled off the edge, just inches away from the water.

"Aylene?" Grandpa Longneck said softly.

Aylene turned around, showing a dismal face. "Yes, sir?"

"Are you alright?" the Apatosaurus asked, concerned.

Aylene shook her head. "I'm still thinking about what happened today. I shouldn't have yelled at them like that."

Grandpa Longneck lowered his head to her level. "Oh, Aylene, I know you didn't mean to make the other children feel bad. I understand that you got scared."

Aylene looked away. "I just…" she licked her lips and sighed. "Ever since Littlefoot's mother…"

Aylene grimaced at the memory.

"I still have nightmares about it," she confessed, gripping her head, "I can't help but think that it was my fault."

"Aylene."

"I just keep thinking that if I had done something sooner," the girl continued bitterly, "Sharptooth wouldn't have… I just…"

Aylene's eyes stung, and she clutched handfuls of her hair.

"I don't want to lose my friends!" she said tearfully. "I don't want to see Littlefoot hurt like that ever again!"

Aylene hid her face and shivered, fighting back the urge to cry. Grandpa Longneck looked at the little human with sympathy and gently nuzzled his face against her. The girl lifted her head and looked at the mighty sauropod.

"I understand, Aylene," Grandpa Longneck said kindly. "I, too, want to keep my family and friends safe. But what happened then wasn't your fault. And what you've done since then is what matters the most. I can tell you've become stronger than when we first met you."

Aylene gave a weak smile, wiping away a single tear.

Then, the long-neck turned away. "Now come. It's time to sleep."

"Okay."

Aylene got up and followed Grandpa Longneck back to the nesting ground.

She walked over to Littlefoot, who lay curled up in a ball, and Grandpa Longneck continued over to his mate. Littlefoot saw Aylene approached and lifted his head.

"Hey, Littlefoot," she said, sitting down and leaning up against his side. "You okay?"

Littlefoot looked at her guiltily. "Aylene, listen, I'm sorry that I scared you today. I didn't mean—"

"I know," Aylene interrupted, "I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have yelled at you. I didn't mean to. I just…"

Aylene's voice trailed off, and the two sat in silence, unable to express their apologies further.

The wind gently rustled the leaves in the trees, and the night sang with the chirping of crickets. The stars twinkled brightly in the sky, and the full moon shone down on them with a radiant glow.

They were both about to fall asleep when they heard a hushed voice.

"Littlefoot. Aylene."

The two friends turned in the direction the voice came from—a patch of tall grass just behind them.

"Cera?" Aylene whispered.

"Guys, over here!" the voice whispered again.

It was Cera's voice. No doubt.

Littlefoot and Aylene got up and crept over to the tall reeds. Cera poked her head out.

"What are you doing here?" Littlefoot whispered.

"I can't sleep," Cera replied quietly. "It's important. We've gotta talk."

Littlefoot and Aylene poked their heads through as Cera turned back into the grass.

"Now?" Littlefoot asked rather loudly.

"Shh!" Cera quickly shushed. "Yes, now."

When Littlefoot hesitated, the three-horn got back in his face.

"Scared of the dark?" she hissed.

"I'm not scared," Littlefoot shot back in a whisper.

Cera motioned with her head. "Then c'mon. Let's get the others."

"Just give me a minute," Aylene said.

She quietly rushed over and grabbed her things. She'd never go anywhere without them—especially her bow and arrows.

She then jumped onto Littlefoot's back, and they and Cera ran off into the night to gather the rest of their little herd.

Chapter Text

The moon had risen high into the night sky as the Gang reached the top of Tall Peak, the highest plateau on the east side of the Great Valley. While Littlefoot, Aylene, Spike, Ducky, and Petrie sat down, Cera paced back and forth.

"Yep, yep, yep, we are all here," Ducky said, sighing. "Yes, we are."

"But what we here for?" Petrie shrugged.

"Yes, is there a problem?" Ducky asked.

"Grown-ups!" Cera snarled, walking past the group. "I suppose you all got the same lecture I did?"

Everyone except Aylene nodded.

"Me too young to wander far," said Petrie, sarcastically imitating his mother.

"We are not grown-ups and should remember it," Ducky added, tapping her head with her finger.

"There are many dangers," Littlefoot replied blandly, rolling his eyes. "I must always be careful."

"Don't hang around with long-necks, beak-faces, spike-tails, and humans," Cera gruffly stated.

Realizing what she said, she awkwardly looked back at her companions. They were all looking at her with wide eyes.

"Well, it was mostly the same lecture," she said sheepishly,

"C'mon, guys," Aylene said. "The adults are just worried that you'll get hurt."

Cera stomped into Aylene's face, making her lean back. "That's the problem! They don't think we can take care of ourselves. We've got to do something so that the grown-ups will stop treating us like hatchlings!"

Petrie folded his wings and leapt next to the three-horn. "Cera right!"

"I agree," replied Ducky. "I do, I do!"

"Guys, you nearly drowned in quicksand today!" Aylene interjected forcefully. "If anything happened to you, how do you think they would feel? The reason why they're protective is because they care!"

"Hey, who's side are you on?" Cera snapped.

"It's not about sides!" Aylene shot back. "I'm the eldest of the group, so I have to be responsible for you!"

At that statement, the Gang looked at Aylene, surprised.

"What?" she asked, feeling awkward.

"Aylene," Littlefoot said gently, "is something wrong?"

Aylene tensed her shoulders. "Why would there be anything wrong?"

"Well, we know you wouldn't be acting this way if everything were fine," replied Littlefoot. "You can tell us. We're your friends."

Aylene glanced away, feeling uncomfortable by her friends' stares. Would they hear her out? They wanted so badly to be independent. Would they even see her point of view?

She sighed. Whether or not they would understand, she wasn't going to have any relief until she told them the truth.

They were her friends. She had to be at least honest with them.

"Okay, yes. You got me. There is something bothering me."

Ducky walked over and placed a hand on the girl's arm. "Well then, tell us. Maybe we can help."

"It's just that…"

Aylene hesitated, searching for the right words. Finally, she turned to Littlefoot sullenly and rubbed the back of her neck.

"I'm sorry to bring this up, Littlefoot, but ever since your mother…I mean…"

Littlefoot looked away—the sadness from that awful memory glistening in his eyes.

"Ever since that night," Aylene continued tentatively, "I've always been afraid of losing you guys. Afraid of seeing you hurt."

"But you never afraid, Aylene," said Petrie. "You always brave. Remember when you stood up to Sharptooth?'

Aylene looked at the flyer. "Of course, I remember. And that's why I feel it's my responsibility to protect you guys. Because you're more than just my friends; you're my herd. That's why I snapped today. I thought…I thought I was going to lose you."

Aylene pulled her knees in and hugged her legs. Now that she had confessed, it all sounded stupid and desperate.

Littlefoot shifted his position and gently nudged her face. She gave a small smile before returning the gesture with a hug.

"You should've told us sooner," said Littlefoot.

Aylene sighed. "I know. I just never knew how to say it."

The others glanced at the ground, realizing how their actions affected their friend. Even Cera, though still angry that the grown-ups constantly told them what to do, felt a nasty jab of guilt.

Aylene saw the effect and turned around, resting her arms on the rocks' edge and looking out over the Valley.

"I don't mean to make you guys feel bad," she said sullenly. "I want you to know why I acted the way I did. Although I…"

At that moment, something caught Aylene's eye. She squinted, trying to see through the darkness. Something down below, just a few yards from the foot of the plateau, moved among the shadows.

"Aylene?" Ducky said, concerned by her silence.

Aylene remained silent; her face intense with alert concentration.

Two creatures were walking away from a family of sleeping Saurolophus.

Suddenly, she jolted up. "Struthiomimus! By Ducky's nest!"

Everyone looked in the direction of her pointing finger. Two egg-stealers were skulking across the plain, trying to hide in the shadows of the trees. They gasped in terror as they saw that one of them had an egg in its clutches.

"Hey, they're stealing an egg!" Littlefoot exclaimed.

"They're egg-napping part of our family!" Ducky whispered, horrified.

"C'mon, let's go tell the grown-ups!"

Littlefoot got up and began to run down the slope. Cera rushed out in front of him.

"No, wait!" she said with a confident grin. "If we catch them ourselves, it'll show everyone that we're not babies anymore!"

"I don't know about that," Littlefoot replied, hesitant.

Cera forcefully got in his face. "Look, scaredy, there's six of us and only two of them. What could go wrong?"

"Well…"

Aylene came from behind and mounted onto Littlefoot's back. "I don't like it either, but it'll be too late by the time we get the adults. I think we can handle this one."

She looked at Littlefoot. His expression changed from unsure to trusting, and he nodded.

"Just stay close to me, okay?" Aylene ordered. "I don't want to have another incident like the one we had today."

"You got it!" Cera nodded. "Now, c'mon, let's go get them!"

Ducky leapt onto Spike, and they joined the others as they hurried down the slope. Petrie flew up into the sky to get a better view. He saw the gray streaks of the egg-stealers and followed. The rest below saw his flight pattern and followed. They ran for a good distance away from the sleeping dinosaurs. The two ran into the shadows of a small glen, disappearing from view.

Fortunately, the darkness could not conceal their voices.

"Okay, now I get the first bite!" one snapped harshly. "After all, this was my idea!"

Hearing that, Aylene quickly slung her bow off her shoulder and grabbed an arrow.

"Keep running, guys," she ordered quietly, nocking the arrow. "Time to put my training to the test."

Aylene aimed at the patch of shadows among the trees, barely seeing the two egg-eaters. Lowering her aim down slightly for a warning shot, she released the arrow. It zipped through the air and struck the ground in front of the Struthiomimus. The shot surprised the one holding the egg so much that it almost slipped out of his grasp.

"Drop that egg!" shouted Cera.

The two egg-stealers looked up and saw the young ones running towards them.

"Uh-oh, we've been spotted!" grunted the one with the egg. "I told you not to be so obvious!"

He shoved the egg to the other one and then set off running. The second one, still dazed by the arrow, looked at the egg for a moment before snapping back to reality.

"Ozzy, wait for me!" he yelled, racing after him.

"Bring back my brother or sister!" cried Ducky.

The two groups rushed across the valley toward the east wall. When the Gang reached the base of the cliffs, they stopped. The two egg-stealers nimbly made their way up the rugged paths in the wall.

"They're headed for the Mysterious Beyond," Cera said nervously. "Maybe we should get help after all."

"It's too late now," replied Aylene. "They'll get away!"

As she clutched his back, Littlefoot ran forward and climbed up the rocks. When the two got on the ridge, they looked back and saw that the others were hesitant, scared of going into the wasteland beyond the wall.

"This was your idea!" Littlefoot said harshly to Cera, "Are you coming or not?"

Cera frowned, unsure of what to do, and embarrassed because of it. Littlefoot looked back at Aylene, who nodded as if she had read his mind. She held on as he ran along the same path as the egg-stealers.

Cera then scowled before kicking up dirt with her left forepaw. She wasn't going to turn back now, no matter how scared she might be. She rushed forward in a huff, smashing a large boulder into pebbles with a head-on collision, and raced after her friends. Seeing the others on the move, Spike ran after them with Ducky hanging onto him. Petrie flew above, looking for the Struthiomimus. As soon as he did, he circled back and down to his friend's level.

"Me see them!" he said urgently. "They heading up that cliff!"

"Good job, Petrie!" replied Aylene. "Let's go. Hurry!"

Chapter Text

In the Mysterious Beyond…

Strongfang's eyes snapped open. The earth beneath him trembled with thundering footsteps. He looked up sharply. A dark figure ran towards the nest with two smaller shadows in front.

He sniffed the air, and all his senses awoke with alarm.

"Red Claw!" he roared.

Strongfang swiftly rose to his feet, and beside him, Rena awoke. She looked at the mouth of the cave and saw Red Claw at the entrance, casting an ominous shadow into the hollow. Beside him were Screech and Thud, snarling viciously.

"Evening, Strongfang," Red Claw growled, "I'd say "good evening", but it won't be for you."

"What do you want, Red Claw?" Strongfang snarled, standing protectively in front of his mate and egg.

Red Claw's face changed from smug to dangerously serious.

"Revenge," he snarled. "As well as eliminating the competition. Any members of Sharptooth's family must be destroyed."

"You can't defeat me," Strongfang snapped ferociously. "Don't forget I'm the one who gave you that scar."

Red Claw scowled. "Oh, I remember alright."

The giant bitter and the fast bitters began to move in closer.

"Leave now, Red Claw!" Rena growled, now standing beside her mate.

The sight of the female biter made Red Claw's flash with vengeance.

"And you, Rena!" he shouted angrily. "How could you choose him over me? Not only is he Sharptooth's brother, but he's also crazy! Do you honestly believe in the "Laws of Nature" nonsense like him? Why would you choose him?"

"I love Strongfang, Red Claw," Rena replied, her voice strong with conviction. "Not you. And I'm not sorry."

Red Claw let out a low guttural growl. "Not yet. But you will be soon!"

Red Claw roared in rage and charged at Strongfang. Strongfang dodged and bit down on Red Claw's tail, drawing blood. The scarred biter snarled and thrashed around as Strongfang began to drag him toward the entrance of the cave. With some effort, Strongfang threw Red Claw out. Red Claw stumbled back and fell flat on his back.

"Rena!" Strongfang shouted. "Take the egg and run!"

"I won't leave you!" Rena said, worried for her mate.

"You must! Save our only hatchling! I'll be fine! Just go!"

Rena hesitated for a moment. Then, reluctantly, she turned around to grab the egg. A nasty shock coursed through her when she saw the empty nest.

The egg was gone!

"No!" she cried out as she desperately scanned around the cave to find it.

Outside, Red Claw had gotten to his feet again and advanced on Strongfang again.

"You'll pay for calling me a coward!" he roared.

He lunged forward to bite Strongfang's throat. Strongfang backed away just in time and snarled viciously, showing all his teeth.

"I will become the next "Walking Terror"!"

"You will never become the "Walking Terror"!" Strongfang declared. "No one should become that!"

"And I suppose you're going to stop me?!" Red Claw sneered angrily.

Strongfang roared in reply. He charged forward, his jaws aimed at Red Claw's neck. Red Claw sidestepped and bit down on Strongfang's flank. Strongfang howled in pain as Red Claw's teeth sank into his skin. But instead of thrashing around, he turned and bit Red Claw in the leg.

Red Claw roared in pain, releasing Strongfang from his grip.

On the Great Wall…

Ozzy and Strut hurried up the side of the cliff. Strut tossed the stolen egg to Ozzy and hoisted himself onto the ledge. The two stopped for a moment to catch their breath.

"How big are they?" panted Ozzy.

Strut looked back, nervous. The night circle's light on the edge of the cliff made the silhouettes of their pursuers appear distorted and jagged. Most of all, they stretched across the ground, making them look massive.

"Oh, they're big!" Strut said fearfully to his brother. "Very big!"

The two egg-stealers hastily made their way up the cliff. As Ozzy reached the peak and looked over, he gasped in horror. A large, deep gap separated them from the opposite side, with the ledge about a foot lower from theirs.

When Strut joined his brother, they both looked around frantically for a way to escape. They had only two options: attempt the leap or turn back to face their chasers.

"You first!" Ozzy shouted.

Then, he pushed Strut over the ledge.

Strut managed to jump off the ledge, giving himself enough lift to make it across. He screamed as he flew across the pit and onto the opposite ridge.

Ozzy tightly gripped the egg with both hands and jumped across the gap, barely making the landing himself. The moment his feet touched the ground, the two sprinted off.

With the Gang…

The Gang raced to the top of the cliff, but they all stopped when they reached the crevasse. Petrie flew over and examined the gap. He then gracefully landed on the opposite edge and turned to the others.

"It not so far," he said encouragingly. "You can do it."

Littlefoot looked back at Aylene. Shutting her eyes, she fell flat on her stomach and tightly gripped the base of his neck.

"Just let me know when it's over," she said, trembling.

Littlefoot stepped back, then raced forward and jumped. Aylene screamed as the long-neck left the ground and sailed over the abyss. Littlefoot landed heavily on the ledge, stumbling a foot or two before skidding to a stop.

"It's over," he said to Aylene.

Aylene slowly opened her eyes and sighed heavily.

"I hate heights," she wheezed. "And I hate jumping from them!"

"No time to worry about that," Littlefoot replied. "We have to catch up with the egg-stealers."

Aylene sat up. "Right"

She turned to the others.

"Spike, you next!" she ordered.

Spike didn't hesitate for a moment. He jumped the crevasse with no fear. But because his mass weighed him down, he didn't make the full jump. Luckily, he managed to grab the edge with his forepaws and hoist himself up using the cliff's rough exterior.

Cera lowered her head. "Ducky, get on and hold on tight."

Ducky nodded and climbed on, holding tightly onto Cera's frill. Cera took a deep breath and ran forward. She jumped across the precipice and caught the ledge with her forepaws. She hastily raised herself up and crawled onto the ledge.

"We are okay," Ducky replied. "We are, we are."

Aylene gave a brief smile of relief. She then motioned the others with her hand to follow.

"C'mon," she said, "we have to catch up with the Struthiomimus before it's too late."

With that, the Gang set out again to pursue the egg stealers. Above, dark, ominous clouds began to cover the moon, casting shadows on the earth below.

In the Mysterious Beyond…

Rena franticly searched for the missing egg as the cave grew darker still. In the sky, big sky puffies covered the night circle, rendering her sense of sight useless.

But it didn't dull her sense of smell.

She sniffed the air for the egg's scent. When she found it, she traced it from the nest toward some rocks near the back of the cave. She followed the trail and caught two other scents.

From Red Claw's minions!

Then, she heard two wicked voices at the mouth of the cave.

"I got it!"

"Good, now let's get out of here!"

"Hehe, Red Claw's going to enjoy his revenge on this little egg, isn't he?"

The female biter whipped around and saw the shadows of Screech and Thud sneaking out of the cave with a smooth, white object in Thud's clutches.

The egg!

Rena roared ferociously as she darted toward the fast biters. "GIVE ME BACK MY EGG!"

Thud leapt back as the massive jaws of the angry female barely missed him. At the same time, sky-water began coming down in torrents, and lightning flashed across the sky, followed by deafening thunder.

Thud lost his grip on the egg as he stumbled back and fell. The egg rolled across the ground and off the edge of the cliff.

"NO!" Rena cried as she attempted to stop the egg.

But it was too late.

She missed the egg. And it rolled off the edge.

Strongfang looked over to his mate to see she had fallen. He almost cried out to her, but Red Claw cut him off with an attack to the throat. Strongfang circled around and nearly bit Red Claw's tail. The two males snarled at one another as they anticipated the other's attack.

Rena, enraged and grief-stricken, got to her feet and turned toward the fast biters. She lunged at them, wanting to snatch them up in her jaws. But they were quick and evaded her attack.

"YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!" she angrily cried.

The fast biters raced away towards the rocky plain they came from. Rena ran after them. The sky-water poured down mercilessly, blurring her vision. The ground beneath her began to become slippery and made her feet stick.

Thanks to their size, Screech and Thud quickly maneuvered through the rocks with little difficulty. While the mud beneath them slowed them down, they still sprinted through the large boulder maze.

Rena chased them as far as she could before the rocks became too clustered for her to maneuver through. Angered and heartbroken, she hastily made her way back to help Strongfang.

The sharp-tooth egg fell, rolled off the cliff's edge, and landed in a narrow groove in a ledge slanted downward. It rolled down the small path toward the swamp below. The ledge jutted out at the end of the pathway, causing the egg to flip up into the air. It sailed over the murky swamp below and onto the opposite ledge close to the Great Wall. The egg landed right in the center of a skeletonized sharp-tooth foot, completely, miraculously, unharmed.

On the Great Wall…

"I hope this egg is worth it," Strut heaved as the two egg stealers continued up the Wall.

"Worth it?!" Ozzy snapped, snatching the egg out of Strut's grip. "ALL eggs are worth it, Bark Breath!"

Ozzy rubbed his face against the egg's smooth surface before shoving it back into Strut's hands.

"Now, c'mon!" he ordered.

Strut took a step before stopping to look over the edge, trying to see if their pursuers were below.

"Who are those guys?" he asked himself.

Seeing nothing, he hurried after his brother.

He and Ozzy had been hearing stories about the most feared sharp-tooth, Sharptooth himself, being defeated by six children: a long-neck, a three-horn, a swimmer, a flyer, a spike-tail, and a human. While the stories varied in the details, the ones who defeated him were in every story they heard.

Is it possible that the ones chasing them were the same ones from the stories?

If so, Strut wondered if he and Ozzy should be worried.

With the Gang…

"Oh no," Cera moaned as rain fell from the sky.

"C'mon, we gotta keep going!" Littlefoot urged as the Gang walked through the same gulley the egg-stealers had taken.

Aylene got off Littlefoot and walked beside him, shielding her eyes from the torrential raindrops. She struggled and strained her eyes to see down the path in front of them.

"Acting grown-up is hard," Ducky sighed, wiping her forehead. "It is, it is."

Petrie, worn out and winded, landed on Spike's back and fell flat on his front. His wings ached from all the flying, making the cold rain an almost welcome relief. He heavily panted and groaned as he struggled to stay awake.

"My feet hurt," Cera exhaled miserably as the group pressed on.

"Don't give up now, guys," Aylene encouraged. "Don't forget, we're the ones who defeated Sharptooth, the most feared T-Rex of them all. We can get through this storm."

Hearing about their past victory raised everyone's spirits, causing them to give weak smiles of pride and determination.

"You're right, Aylene," Littlefoot nodded. "If we can defeat Sharptooth, we can stop those Strutha…uh…Struthma…um…"

The long-neck struggled to form the word, but his mouth seemed unable to.

"Struthiomimus," Aylene finally said.

"Yeah, what you said," Littlefoot replied sheepishly before clearing his throat and saying confidently, "Anyway, with that said, we better keep moving."

Ozzy and Strut reached a pile of rocks that stood as a small wall between the Valley and the Mysterious Beyond. Using two other ledges like stairs, they hopped up onto an outcrop where the mouth of a cave led into the side of a large cliff on their left. Ozzy made it up with just two jumps, while Strut struggled a bit because of the egg.

Once on the ledge, Ozzy triumphantly laughed. "Haha! We made it, Strut! Those little grass-nippers will never be able to follow us now."

He turned and looked at their prize with a hungry grin, ignoring his brother's fatigue, and mischievously rubbed his hands together. "It won't be long, egg. Soon you'll be nestled in the pit of my stomach!"

Ozzy gave one more chuckle before confidently strolling into the cave.

"Oz," Strut panted as he followed his elder brother, "when is it your turn to hold the egg?"

Seconds later, the Gang arrived at the base of the boulder wall. The rain slowly began to lessen as they searched for any sign of the Struthiomimus.

"Where'd they go?" Petrie asked.

"I don't see anybody," Cera said, scanning the area.

Littlefoot and Aylene approached the base of the cliff towering over them on their left. They squinted and barely made out a dark opening on the ledge above them.

"They must've gone in there," Aylene said, pointing to the cave entrance, "C'mon."

Everyone made their way up the small ridges and onto the ledge with the cave. While Littlefoot, Aylene, Petrie, Ducky, and Spike didn't hesitate to enter the dark cavern, Cera stopped and stared into the darkness. She stepped back as her slight fear began to take over.

"Cera, what's taking you?" Littlefoot asked forcefully as he and Aylene emerged from the cave.

"Um, nothing," the three-horn shyly answered. She then snobbishly turned away and stuck her horn up in the air. "I just don't feel like going in there right now, that's all."

"Cera!" Aylene protested.

Cera let out a huff in resistance.

Littlefoot sighed and turned back into the cave. "Alright then, we're going without you."

As Aylene turned around and began to follow Littlefoot, she called back to Cera, "I hope you like thunderstorms!"

Then, right on cue, a large flash of lightning cut through the sky, and a clap of thunder seemed to shake the earth. Cera screamed in terror and raced into the cave.

Aylene sharply turned around and raised a finger to her lips.

"Shh! Quiet!" she whispered urgently.

Cera looked around nervously, her eyes struggling to adjust to the darkness. The most she could see were the outlines of her friends; apart from that, she could hardly see anything.

"It sure is dark in here," she nervously said.

"Next time, I'll be sure to bring a flashlight," Aylene grumbled.

As if responding to her idea, the Time Stone around her neck suddenly grew brighter. She jumped as the small burst of light startled her.

"Whoa!"

Everyone stared in awe and wonder as the charm grew brighter and brighter. After a second or two, it settled on a slightly dim, pale green light.

Though not much, the Time Stone emitted enough for the group to see the cave around them. The interior seemed to be made of something like sandstone. Stalactites grew down from the ceiling, dripping water onto the stalagmites below.

"Well, that's handy," Littlefoot commented, looking at Aylene's Time Stone.

Aylene grinned, holding the charm in front of her. "Heh, looks like I still have a lot to learn about this thing. I wonder what other kind of hocus-pocus it's going to throw at me next."

With a small source of light guiding their way, the group quickly made their way through the caverns, hoping they'd find the egg-stealers in time.

Chapter Text

Cera looked at Aylene and gasped.

"Whoa!"

"What?" Aylene asked.

"You actually look kind of scary right now," Cera replied.

The light from Aylene's Time Stone cast shadows upwards, making her face look sinister.

"Thanks a lot," Aylene mumbled as she rolled her eyes.

Suddenly, Littlefoot stopped and, in a hushed voice, commanded, "Shh! Listen."

As they approached a corner, they heard the two egg-stealers gasping for air. Aylene quickly grabbed the Stone to conceal its light, shrouding the caverns in darkness again. Only a soft blue glow from luminous rocks in the walls could be seen.

"Okay, Strut," one of the Struthiomimus said in a deep, commanding voice, "now it's my turn to hold the egg."

The Gang froze when they heard the egg-stealer lick his chops. Ducky became frantic at the thought of her unborn brother or sister being eaten.

"We got to do something fast!" she whispered fearfully.

Desperate, Aylene bit her thumbnail as she tried to think of a plan.

They had to get the egg away, but they also had to distract the Struthiomimus. If only they had something to scare them with.

Wait. Scare.

Aylene glanced at the Time Stone in her hand, and its concealed light gave her an idea.

"Guys, follow my lead," she whispered, I've got an idea."

Aylene darted around the corner and let go of her Time Stone, letting it swing freely around her neck. She jumped in front of the egg-stealers just as one of them tried to break the egg open.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" she shouted.

The egg-stealers both screamed in terror and dropped the egg.

A terrifying creature with an angry scowl stood before them. The light from the stone around its neck cast intense shadows on its face and body, making it even more frightening.

Then, lightning flashed from outside, and thunder echoed throughout the caverns.

The two egg-stealers took one look at the creature scattered, shrieking in terror.

"GUYS!" Aylene shouted at the top of her lungs. "GET THE EGG!"

The Gang rushed out and attempted to grab the egg rolling on the ground. Each scrambled to find it, stumbling through the shadows and running into each other.

Cera became lost in the darkness and confusion. Before she knew it, a pillar of rock appeared before her. Unable to stop in time, she smashed into it with tremendous force. The column crumbled, and the whole cavern began to shake. Chunks of rock fell from the ceiling, crushing the stalagmites below.

"CAVE IN!" Aylene screamed. "EVERYBODY RUN!"

Littlefoot ran by Aylene, and she jumped onto his back. Together with the rest of the Gang, they raced to get out of the cavern.

A rolling wave of fallen rocks seemed to chase after them. Soon, they ran right into a dead end. The impact of the rocks pushed them out of a weak spot in the wall, sending them flying out of the cave and onto the wall of boulders.

The avalanche of rocks spilled onto the barrier, causing it to crumble. It carried the six children down the path toward a swamp in the Mysterious Beyond.

The same rockslide swept up the Struthiomimus and carried them down the path back to the Great Valley. The two tumbled down, and the stolen egg fell with them.

"Whatever you do, Strut!" Ozzy grunted, getting smacked by loose stones. "Don't, OW, lose that egg!"

Strut quickly and desperately tried to grab the egg as he surfed on a large slab of stone. He almost got it in his clutches when the rocks abruptly came to a halt and buried him and his brother.

Strut lost his grip on the egg, and it rolled away from the fallen rocks. It continued down the slope until it reached the nest it had been taken from. It rolled up against a small mound and flipped into the cluster of its un-hatched siblings.

The Gang screamed as the rockslide carried them down toward a ledge that dropped off into murky water full of dinosaur skeletons.

As the path leveled out, they stopped just short of the edge. Only a few rocks toppled over the outcrop, breaking apart a skeleton as they fell into the swamp.

Littlefoot and Aylene sat up, groaning, and shook away the dizziness from their heads, and Aylene gripped hers as a sharp pain rushed through her brain.

At that moment, Ducky's screaming voice broke the silence.

"HELP!"

Littlefoot and Aylene quickly got up and ran over to the edge. Hanging on to the outcrop, Ducky held onto a slippery vine for dear life, and Petrie held onto her tail. Aylene quickly bent down, grabbed Ducky by the waist, and hoisted her and Petrie up. As Aylene lowered them, Petrie let go and fluttered over to a clump of rocks.

"Are you guys okay?" she asked, setting Ducky down on a small rock.

"Ugh," Petrie moaned. "Petrie not okay. Me hurt everywhere!"

Petrie fell onto the stones and whined, his wings aching with dull pain.

Suddenly, the rocks below him moved and fell away!

Cera rose to her feet, causing the rocks to tumble off her. Petrie jumped as he found himself staring directly into her angry face.

"Augh!" he squawked. "Good Cera!"

Frustrated, Cera snorted and blew Petrie off her face.

"Ow," the Triceratops groaned, rubbing her horn with her paw, "I think I bent my horn."

"Where is Spike?" Ducky asked, worried.

As if to answer her question, the ground below Cera began to shake. Then, Spike emerged from the rubble, and Cera slipped off his back.

Ducky shouted joyfully as Spike walked toward her and immediately started to smother her with licks, making her laugh and fall over onto her back.

"Spike! Stop it! I'm okay, I am!"

The rest of the Gang joined in the laughter. They were safe and together.

Suddenly, a loud and angry roar from somewhere beyond interrupted their moment of joy. They ran to the edge of the outcrop and stopped in terror.

They were looking out over a swamp land. Scattered in the murky waters, among the knotted roots of trees and slippery vines, were the skeletons of various dinosaurs, from duckbills to three-horned to long-necked dinosaurs. The skeleton of a giant T-Rex lay above them on a curved rock.

"Wh-Where are we?" Ducky shivered.

"I…" Littlefoot hesitated before finally saying. "I think we're in the Mysterious Beyond."

Rena rushed at Red Claw. She bit down hard into his tail before he could bite Strongfang's neck, and Red Claw roared in pain. He whipped around to the female biter, attempting to bite her flank. Strongfang dashed forward with tremendous force and knocked Red Claw away. The scarred biter stumbled back before falling over onto his side.

"Now get out, Red Claw!" Strongfang snarled angrily.

Red Claw struggled to get to his feet and shot the dark green biter a vengeful look.

"This isn't over yet, Strongfang!" he warned, his words dripping with venom. "You haven't seen the last of me!"

With that, Red Claw raced off toward the maze of rocks and disappeared.

Strongfang glared, resisting the urge to pursue him. His trance broke when he heard his mate whimper. He quickly turned around and saw Rena collapse to the ground. She shivered violently as tears streamed down her face.

"Rena!" Strongfang exclaimed, alarmed. He hurried to his. "Rena, are you hurt?"

"Oh, Strongfang!" the female biter sobbed. "I tried to stop them! But I couldn't save it!"

Strongfang froze. "What do you mean?"

"The egg!" Rena wailed in sadness. "I couldn't save the egg! It's gone!"

Those words cut through Strongfang deeper than any sharp tooth could.

Their egg was gone. He failed to protect his family.

Why? Why did it always have to be this way? First his father and now his future hatchling!

Feeling as if his heart had just been ripped from his chest, Strongfang lifted his head and roared in anguishing grief and anger.

"NOOOOOOOOOO!"

A violent roar broke the silence.

When the five dinosaur children heard it, they all became fearful. It sounded agonizing and terrifying. Spike trembled and immediately drove his head into the ground so hard he broke through. Petrie flew right past Aylene and gripped Littlefoot's neck, causing him to choke.

For Aylene, she heard the deep, anguished voice of a man cry out. She looked sharply in the direction the voice came from, catching her breath and raising her hands to her front. The Stone around her neck flickered a faint light before turning dull again.

"I want to go home," Cera whimpered.

"Petrie go home, too," Petrie whined, looking up at Littlefoot with pleaded eyes.

"But what about the egg?" Ducky reminded. "We cannot leave it here all alone."

"I'm…I'm afraid it got smooshed," Littlefoot said sadly.

As much as he didn't want to say it, Littlefoot knew the egg couldn't have survived that rockslide. So did the others. And Ducky's sad, tearful face made it even more painful.

"Bye-bye, baby sister," she sobbed. "Or baby brother."

Spike lifted his head out of the ground. Seeing his adoptive sister upset made Spike whimper in sadness.

"Don't cry, Ducky," Littlefoot said, trying to comfort the swimmer. "It's…It's all part of the Great Circle of Life."

Aylene gently placed a hand on Littlefoot's neck and solemnly shook her head. This wasn't the time to talk about that.

"Besides," Cera replied in a kind voice, "there's a whole nest full of eggs at home."

Ducky sniffled and sat down between the T-Rex's skeletonized claws.

"Yes, but this one was special," she said. "It was going to be my favorite favorite. All blue and orange and speckled. There was not another egg like it in the whole world."

Aylene opened her mouth to say something. But then, a pearly white object above Ducky caught her eye.

"Hey, what's that?" she mumbled.

She walked over to it and knelt down. She gasped in surprise and picked up something nestled in the T-Rex's foot. Then, she turned to the others.

"Guys, look what I found!" she exclaimed.

"THE EGG!" Ducky shouted happily.

Aylene brought the egg over to the elated swimmer as the rest of the Gang sighed in relief.

"Oh, hello, baby brother or sister!" Ducky said happily as she hugged the egg and rubbed her face against it. "Hey, you growed! This is going to be a very big baby brother or sister!"

"Well, at least we know it's safe," said Cera.

"Now we just need to get it back to the nest," Petrie stated.

Littlefoot's smile soon turned into a concerned frown as he watched Aylene.

Usually, he could tell what she felt by her face, but he couldn't read it this time. She wasn't smiling, but she wasn't frowning either. She just seemed to stare at the egg blankly.

"Everything okay, Aylene?" he asked.

Aylene blinked. "Huh?" She shook her head before saying, "Oh, yeah."

"Well, what are we waiting for?" Cera asked, turning back towards the pass. "Let's get it back to the nest. I can't wait to tell the grown-ups how we saved the egg."

"Yeah, they no treat us like babies anymore," Petrie replied triumphantly as he flew off the ground and after Cera.

With Aylene carrying the egg in her arms, the group slowly made their way toward the opening.

The girl bit her lip, glancing back and forth between her friends and the egg. She knew the egg wasn't Ducky's the moment she sat down next to the swimmer, but she didn't seem to have the heart to speak the truth. Not after seeing Ducky so happy.

So, against her better judgment, she kept her mouth shut.

She had already made her friends feel awful twice in one day, and she didn't want to strike out with a third.

She just hoped she did the right thing.

With Strongfang and Rena…

Strongfang tenderly nuzzled his mate as she cried.

The future hatchling they had tried so hard to protect was now gone.

"I'm sorry, Strongfang," Rena said, her voice breaking with grief. "I tried to save it, but I couldn't get to it in time."

"No," Strongfang replied, his voice low and comforting, "it was my fault. If I hadn't insulted Red Claw, he wouldn't have wanted revenge. I'm the one who should be sorry."

Rena slowly lifted her head and rubbed her face against her mate's. Strongfang returned the gesture, grateful he still had her.

"Let's just move away from here," the female said bitterly. "The sooner the better."

Strongfang nodded in agreement. He wanted to get away from this place as soon as possible.

As Rena got up, Strongfang sniffed the air for any sign of Red Claw and his minions.

Instead, he caught six different scents: a young long-neck, three-horn, duck-bill, flyer, spike-tail, and one of an animal he didn't know of.

He followed the scent trail. It came from the ledge below them. Because of the darkness of night, all he could see were six small, black dots near the edge of the swamp below.

"What is it, Strongfang?" Rena asked.

"I think I smell breakfast." the male biter replied. "C'mon, we're going to need our strength if we're going to travel."

With the Gang…

It was nearly sunrise when the Gang got back to the nest. Ducky and Spike's mother and siblings were still asleep as they approached.

Aylene carefully set the egg on the ground to let Ducky roll it back to the nest. As she drew closer, Aylene wrung her hands together.

What if Ducky's egg really did get smooshed? She'd be more heartbroken than before. She had to say something. She just had to.

"Ducky, wait, that's not—" she started.

But before she could finish, Ducky reached her nest and stopped short, gasping in shock.

"Go on, Ducky," Littlefoot whispered. "Put it back."

"It is back!" Ducky replied in the same voice. "Look!"

All six gathered the nest and looked in it.

There were seven eggs all nestled together. Not a single one was missing.

Aylene sighed with relief. None of the eggs were harmed.

But that still left one question.

Who's egg did they find?

A few minutes later, the Gang found a secluded spot and placed the strange egg in a clump of grass.

"So, if Ducky's egg was there all the time, who's egg is this?" Littlefoot asked.

"Well, it's possible that the Struthiomimus we chased stole this egg," Aylene replied. "And we just happen to see them walking by Ducky's nest."

"Yeah," Littlefoot said, "but do you know what kind of egg it is, Aylene?"

Aylene looked over at the egg for a moment. "Well, it is pretty big. It might be a sauropod egg. Or a long-neck egg, as you would say. But I'm afraid I'm not too familiar with dinosaur eggs, so I really can't tell you."

"That means won't know for sure until it hatches," Cera pointed out.

"Yes, then we can take it back to its family!" Ducky cheerfully replied.

"But who's going to take care of it until it hatches?" Littlefoot questioned.

"We are, of course," Cera answered gruffly. "After all, we're not babies."

"I'm not so sure," Aylene said. "I think we should tell the grown-ups about this."

She got up and started to walk away.

"No!" Cera snapped, running after the human.

She caught up with Aylene and stepped right in front of her, making the girl stop in her tracks.

"If they find out where we were, they'll put us back in our nests!" Cera said harshly. "We don't tell the grown-ups anything!"

Aylene stared at Cera for a moment. Out of all of Cera's ideas today, this had to be the worst one yet.

"Promise?" Cera said through her teeth, trying to get up in Aylene's face.

"Okay, okay, I promise!" Aylene replied, nervously backed away.

"Good," Cera snorted. "Now, let's get back home before anyone notices we're gone."

As the others returned to their nesting grounds, Littlefoot and Aylene walked together.

"Are you sure you can keep that promise?" Littlefoot tentatively asked. "You know that it's a risky one."

Aylene shrugged. "I don't know, Littlefoot. I just hope I can do the right thing."

A few minutes later, the two made it back to Littlefoot's nest.

Exhausted and achy, Littlefoot settled down, and Aylene curled up against his side. Despite the sun's brilliant light shining down over the Wall, they fell asleep instantly.

Unfortunately, their sleep was short-lived.

About an hour later, which felt like only a few minutes, they both felt something nudge them.

"Littlefoot, Aylene," said a gentle voice, "it's time to get up. The sun is already rising into the sky."

Littlefoot and Aylene tiredly opened one eye each and looked up at Grandma Longneck, moaning from their lack of a good night's rest.

Chapter Text

At the base of the Great Wall, a pile of rocks trembled and toppled over.

Strut clumsily emerged from the rocks, shaking his head and stumbling forward.

"Ugh," he groaned. "I feel like a mountain fell on me."

"It did!" said an irate, almost inaudible voice.

Strut stepped onto a flat rock and glanced around, confused. "Is that you, Ozzy? Where are you?"

"You're standing on me!"

Strut bent over and looked underneath the rock. He yelped in surprise when he saw a pair of eyes staring angrily back at him. He immediately jumped off, and Ozzy emerged from the rocks, knocking them to the side and shaking the dizziness from his head.

"Did you save the egg?" he asked gruffly.

Strut gulped at the question.

"Uh, the, uh, the egg?" he stuttered, nervous.

Ozzy got in his brother's face, forcing him to look him in the eye.

"Oh, you mean the egg!" Strut replied, his mind racing for excuses. "Well… I don't...that is…I mean,…uh…those kids! Yeah, that's it! Those kids did it! They stole our egg! The nerve!"

Ozzy leaned back and turned to the Great Valley, glaring at the landscape with revenge in his eyes.

"They did, did they?" he growled. "Well, they'll pay. And dearly!"

Elsewhere…

Aylene aimed at a fish in the river and released her arrow, making a clean shot. She slipped her bow over her shoulder, waded into the river, and took the arrow with the fish skewered on the end.

She brought it over to the small fire pit she had set up and set the fish on a rock beside it. She carefully dislodged the arrow before throwing it into the fire. Then, she took her pocket knife out of her bag and cut off a piece of the fish's side. When she had a nice chunk, she carefully set in on one of the rocks that made up the fire pit. She then took the rest of the fish to a bush and buried it in a small hole.

"Don't want to repeat that incident again," she grumbled. "Besides, fish make great fertilizer. It's this bush's lucky day."

She returned to the fire, applied hand sanitizer, and then took a bleach cloth to clean her knife.

"Always disinfect after you handle fish," she reminded aloud.

She then put the cloth into a plastic bag, folded her knife, and stuck them and her hand sanitizer into her gym pack before pulling out three different spice containers.

Being careful around the flames, she sprinkled the spices on the fillet and let it sit for a moment.

"So," a gruff voice suddenly came from behind, "you decided to have fish again."

Aylene's face glazed over with irritation as she recognized the voice.

"What do you want this time, Topps?" she said flatly, turning around to look at the large, gray Triceratops.

"I saw some smoke, and I figured it was you," Topps replied with a stern frown. "So, where's the rest of the fish?"

Aylene turned away.

"Don't worry," she replied cynically, "I didn't gut it this time. I remembered how you freaked the last time I did. And now I don't know what's worse: nightmares about Sharptooth, or nightmares about you trying to trample me."

Topps growled at the statement. Aylene clenched her fists at the sound, trying to hide her fear.

"I just took off the right amount and threw the rest into the fire," Aylene finished, keeping her tone even.

"Hmph," grunted the elder three-horn, "you say you're a leaf-eater and meat-eater, yet you mostly eat fish and don't even eat leaves."

"I told you before," Aylene said, irritated, "I'm an omnivore. I have to eat meat to get protein because it's essential for my nutrition. I can eat fruits and vegetables but can't eat leaves like you can."

"I still don't see why you should eat meat in our world," Topps grumbled.

Gritting her teeth, Aylene turned back with an apathetic glare. "You sure need the same thing told to you over and over again, don't you?"

The Triceratops growled again at Aylene's comment, making her brace herself.

"You do realize I'm bigger than you?" Topps warned.

"Yes," Aylene replied, "and you know Cera's one of my friends."

"Humph!" Topps snorted.

Aylene turned back to her fillet of fish. "Now, did you come by to ask me something, or did you just want to insult my diet again?"

"As a matter of fact, I do have a question. Where's Cera?"

"She's probably with Littlefoot and the others, as usual."

"And why aren't you with them?" Topps asked gruffly. "Aren't you and Littlefoot always together?"

"I wanted to spare him and the others the sight of watching me catch a fish," Aylene replied dully.

"Well, do you know where they are?" Topps asked again, becoming even more irritated.

"No," Aylene simply said.

"Really?"

"Yes. Really."

The Triceratops huffed again before turning and walking away, making the ground vibrate with his heavy footsteps, and mumbling something Aylene couldn't quite hear. Though she had a pretty good idea of what it could be.

Despite having saved his daughter, Aylene had never been able to get on Topps's good side. The moment he found out about her being an omnivore, he kept making nasty comments about her dietary needs every chance he got. For Cera's sake, Aylene just took it, no matter how much his words vexed her.

"At this rate, I'll have skin thicker than a honey badger's," she grumbled.

When the fish was cooked, Aylene carefully removed the rock with the fillet and put out the fire with dirt. She then rummaged through her bag and pulled out a camping fork.

"Hope the others are looking after the egg," she said before eating.

In a secluded glen…

Littlefoot, Cera, Petrie, Ducky, and Spike stood around a moss-covered tree stump, looking at the egg and waiting for something to happen.

"How long do we have to wait?" asked Cera.

Littlefoot shrugged. "Gee, I don't know. Could be a long time."

Petrie glided over to the egg and crawled on top of it.

"My mama sit on eggs to keep warm. Make hatch," he said, trying to lay on top of it. "Me sit on egg."

With the egg being at least four times the size of the little Pteranodon, it looked like he was hugging it rather than sitting on it. As Petrie shifted position, the egg tipped over, making him scramble upright.

"I wonder what it's going to be," Cera said inquisitively. "A girl, I hope."

"Maybe it flyer, like me!" Petrie suggested, lifting off the egg with the flap of his wings and gliding over to Spike before landing on his snout.

"Or a swimmer like me!" Ducky happily said, leaping onto the egg and making swimming motions.

Littlefoot smiled as an idea came into his head. "Hey, why can't we be its parents?"

The rest of the Gang laughed at the random idea.

"Don't be silly, Littlefoot," Cera grinned. "How can we be its parents?"

"Well, we'll raise it," Littlefoot suggested. "Teach it stuff. It'll be fun."

Ducky leapt for joy at the thought and lovingly hugged the egg. "Oh, yes, yes, yes! I will be a very good mama!"

"We be good parents," Petrie confidently agreed.

Spike abruptly nodded, jostling Petrie.

"Well, I think I'll make the best parent," Cera proudly said.

"Why's that, Cera?" asked Littlefoot.

"Because I'll let her do anything she wants," the young Triceratops replied, affectionately nuzzling the egg.

"Hmm, that sound good to me!" Petrie responded to the idea.

"You can't be serious."

The Gang turned and saw Aylene standing in the clearing's opening with one hand on her hip and an eyebrow raised.

"Aylene," said Littlefoot, surprised. "How long were you there?"

"When you started talking about raising the hatchling," Aylene said, walking towards them. "Guys, I know you want to be independent, but there's a reason why your parents say 'no'."

Cera groaned, rolling her eyes. "We know, we know, 'it's because they care.' But come on, Aylene. We defeated Sharptooth on our own, didn't we? We can handle a hatchling."

Aylene sat down next to the stump and looked at the Triceratops, "Cera, raising a hatchling isn't the same as defeating a full-grown, deranged T-Rex. That was a one-time deal. Taking care of a baby is a full-time job."

"How would you know that?" Cera asked, slightly irritated.

Aylene stared blankly. "Because I know it's a full-time job for me keeping you five out of trouble."

While the other four friends snickered at the comment, Cera gruffly looked away, unamused by Aylene's sarcasm. The human smirked at her reaction before brushing her hair behind her ear.

"Besides that," Aylene continued, her tone returning to serious, "this hatchling obviously has a family. We should return it to them."

Littlefoot nodded. "I guess you're right, Aylene. We'll bring it home after it hatches, just so we know which family it belongs to."

The rest silently agreed to the idea. It couldn't hurt to wait until after the egg hatched. It'd save them the trouble of finding out which nest it had been taken from in the first place.

Aylene smiled and shrugged. "Fair enough."

After she said that, the egg suddenly moved.

"Look!" Ducky shrieked with excitement.

Everyone's attention focused on the squirming object. Seconds later, thin cracks began to form. One side of the egg bulged for a quick moment.

"It hatching!" Petrie screeched, excited.

Then, the shell broke, and a foot with three large, clawed toes kicked through the shell.

Aylene gasped, recognizing the claws. "Uh oh!"

"What is it, Aylene?" Littlefoot asked, nervous by her sudden outburst.

The egg broke again, revealing another foot and a tail. The hatchling finally broke the last of it and sat up, a large slab of eggshell still on its head. The hatchling moved its head back, and the shell flew off.

There was no mistake about what this hatchling was. It wasn't a flyer. It wasn't a swimmer. And it certainly wasn't a long-neck.

"Um, guys," Aylene said stiffly, "it's a…"

Before the human could finish her sentence, the little hatchling opened its mouth and yawned, revealing small, sharp teeth.

The other five screamed in fright.

"SHARP-TOOTH!"

Chapter Text

The five dinosaur children sprinted away in a panic.

"SHARP-TOOTH!" Cera screamed, bolting through the brush with the other four following.

"Guys, wait!" Aylene cried, rushing after them.

A small, lonely whimper made the human stop dead in her tracks. She turned around. The little T-Rex looked at her with big, red eyes that shined with innocence.

Aylene glanced in the direction her friends had run off to, then back at the hatchling. Seeing him all alone in the tree stump, she walked back toward him and knelt down.

His skin was a light purple, with his underbelly being a paler shade. His feet were rather big, with three claws on each. Oddly enough, he had three claws on each hand instead of two. He was definitely a T-Rex, so why did he have three claws instead of two? Was it some kind of genetic disorder for T-Rexes?

Aylene then noticed his eyes. They didn't look like the eyes she saw when Sharptooth had attacked them. No rage, anger, or even hatred. Just like her friends, the eyes looked human.

Only they were filled with innocence. Pure innocence.

The second Aylene's eyes met his, the little T-Rex chirped happily and reached his small arms out to her.

Aylene hesitated. Then, she reached back.

Cera, Petrie, Ducky, and Spike were in such a haste to get away that they didn't notice Littlefoot skid to a halt and turn back.

Aylene wasn't with them. Without a moment of hesitation, he ran back to find his friend. He couldn't bear the thought of his friend being hurt or eaten by that sharp-tooth. He had to help her.

But when he reached the clearing, he came upon a shocking scene.

Aylene was holding the little sharp-tooth!

"Aylene!" the long-neck gasped, almost horrified.

Aylene just smiled. "It's okay, Littlefoot. He's not dangerous at all."

Littlefoot, shell-shocked, stared at the baby sharp-tooth.

Aylene giggled as the hatchling in her arms squirmed and made little squeaky noises. He soon found a fascination with Aylene's hair, swatting and sniffing it as he cheerfully cooed and chirped.

Cautiously, Littlefoot walked forward and lowered his head to the little T-Rex's level. The hatchling huddled against Aylene when he saw the strange, long-necked dinosaur.

"It's alright," said Littlefoot tenderly. "I won't hurt you."

The T-Rex's big eyes lit up with trust, and he affectionately licked Littlefoot on the cheek, who laughed as it tickled him.

"You are friendly, aren't you?" he said.

The hatchling squeaked in delight and looked at Littlefoot with happiness and affection.

Littlefoot looked at Aylene. "Hey, I bet he thinks we're his parents."

Aylene shrugged. "Well, we may not be his real parents, but we should still take care of him for the time being."

Littlefoot nodded. "Yeah, and I'm sure the others will help, too. Once they see how nice he is."

The T-Rex let out a chirp before squirming out of Aylene's arms, surprising her. He tried to clumsily walk toward Littlefoot's leg, only to trip and fall over on his snout.

"Oh!" Aylene exclaimed.

Littlefoot backed away and lowered his head down to the hatchling's level.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.

The baby T-Rex lifted his head and looked at Littlefoot with sad eyes, moaning.

The more Littlefoot saw emotions in this hatchling's face, the more surprised he became. Whenever he saw a sharp-tooth, he saw nothing but mindless hunger and rage.

Not this time. The emotions in this hatchling's face were genuine. This hatchling wasn't mindless at all.

The baby T-Rex looked down as one tear fell from his eye.

"It's okay," Aylene said, gently rubbing his back. "You just fell."

The hatchling turned and looked at Aylene with a weak smile, making his face even more adorable.

"You know, Aylene," said Littlefoot. "He needs a name."

Then, from seemingly out of nowhere, a large dragonfly few down near Aylene's face. She squeaked in fright and jolted away from the insect.

On the other hand, the little T-Rex saw the dragonfly, and his eyes seemed to turn to mischief. The dragonfly flew down to his level, and he snapped at it with his jaws, making a "chomping" sound. His eyes stayed on the dragonfly as it landed on a blade of grass.

Littlefoot perked up. "I know, we'll call him Chomper."

As if responding to Littlefoot's idea, Chomper bit down on the dragonfly, breaking its wings and spewing some yellow fluid all over his mouth.

Littlefoot stepped back, gulping.

Aylene glanced back and forth between Chomper and Littlefoot, frowning. She had no issue with Chomper eating insects, even feeling secretly relieved, but she wasn't sure about Littlefoot.

But judging from the disturbed look on his face, not very well.

"I guess you're hungry, huh?" the long-neck said nervously to Chomper.

The little T-Rex innocently looked up at Littlefoot as he swallowed the chewed-up dragonfly and licked his chops clean. Once again, the honesty in Chomper's eyes made it impossible for Littlefoot to stay afraid of him, even if the reminder of Chomper's diet still made him uncomfortable.

"Gee, I…I know what sharp-teeth like but…"

"Well, to be specific, he's a Tyrannosaurus Rex," Aylene stated out of compulsion.

Littlefoot sharply turned toward Aylene with a concerned face, the word striking up a memory.

"Tyrannosaurus Rex? Isn't that what you said…Sharptooth was?" he asked.

"Yeah," Aylene answered casually, "but that doesn't mean Chomper is like him. Sharptooth was just a mindless monster. Chomper seems to be just the opposite."

Littlefoot glanced away for a moment, "I…guess you're right." He then got an idea. "But maybe we can teach him to eat leaves."

Aylene brought a hand to her mouth, trying to hide a smirk. "Littlefoot, he's a carnivore. He can't eat vegetation like herbivores or even omnivores."

"Well, there's no harm in trying, right?"

Littlefoot lifted his head, grabbed a branch with a few leaves with his mouth, and yanked it off the tree. He dropped the branch down in front of Chomper.

"Here," he said, "these leaves are really tasty. Try some."

Chomper looked at the leaves for a moment before snatching the twig up in his mouth and started to munch.

Knowing that this wasn't going to work, Aylene counted down from three. The moment she hit 'one', Chomper spat out the contents, making a disgusted noise. Aylene couldn't help but snicker at the sight.

Littlefoot sighed, discouraged. "This is going to be harder than I thought."

"I told you, he can't eat leaves," Aylene repeated.

"Well then, what do we do?" Littlefoot asked.

Aylene thought for a moment. She knew theropods could digest real meat so long as it had been ground up. But their main diet most likely consisted of insects since they'd be easier to break down.

Then, an idea came to her.

"Maybe he'd like some fish."

"That could work," Littlefoot replied. "But I think we're going to need some more advice. I'll see if I can get some from my grandparents."

"Okay," Aylene hesitantly replied. "Just don't bring Chomper up. I'm not so sure how they would react if they knew a carnivore was in the Valley."

Littlefoot nodded in agreement. Right now, it'd probably be best if they kept Chomper a secret.

Aylene adjusted her bow over her shoulder. "In the meantime, I'll see if I can catch some fish for our hungry guest."

"Right.

Littlefoot then lowered his head and nuzzled Chomper, who squeaked in delight.

"Now you stay with Aylene, Chomper," he said. "She'll keep you safe."

Chomper nodded with a small chirp.

With that, Littlefoot set off down through the grove to a grassy meadow.

Aylene bent down and petted Chomper's head. "Well, come on, Chomper. Let's get you some lunch."

Chomper chirped happily and got to his feet.

Aylene strolled next to the little hatchling, who had seemed to master walking in just a matter of seconds.

"Well, you certainly learned how to walk quicker than I did," Aylene said playfully. "Took me three years to just stand up."

While Chomper didn't quite understand what Aylene said, he laughed anyway, making lots of high-pitched squeaks and clicks. That caused Aylene to smile in cheerful amusement.

The two exited the glen and saw a river just a few feet away. In the stream, a school of fish carelessly swam through the water.

Aylene took the bow off her shoulder and grabbed an arrow. "Okay, partner. Let's rustle up some grub."

Chapter Text

Aylene smirked as Chomper gobbled up the last of the fish she had caught for him. Then, to avoid touching it, she used a large slab of tree bark to gather up the skeleton he left behind, brought it to a nearby bush, and buried it.

"You sure eat fast for a little guy," she commented.

Chomper stared up at her with innocent eyes and chirped contentedly, eliciting another smile from her.

Aylene gathered her things and stuffed them in her bag. She put it on her back and slipped her bow over her right shoulder.

She then thought of the rest of the Gang and frowned. Knowing them, they'd come looking for her and Littlefoot soon enough. How was she going to convince them Chomper was harmless?

As she thought this, something grabbed her arm. She looked down to see Chomper hugging and rubbing his face against it. She giggled at his adorableness.

"Oh, you're just too cute," she said, petting Chomper's head, who cooed with delight.

Suddenly, two voices began talking a few yards away.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Threehorn," the first one said in a voice like a young man.

"Afternoon," Topp's voice shortly followed.

Aylene's breathing hitched, and she whipped her head around in the direction the voices came from.

"Oh no, Topps!" she whispered fearfully.

"Have you seen the young ones?" the old three-horn's voice asked.

"Well, I saw that human girl go down that way earlier. Maybe she met up with the other children," the other voice replied.

"Thanks."

Soon after, the ground started to shake, and each tremor got stronger and stronger by the second. Aylene's eyes widened in horror.

Topps was heading her way!

If he saw Chomper…

Aylene snatched Chomper up and darted back into the brush. Her sudden action surprised Chomper, causing him to squeak and squirm.

Then, something clamped down on Aylene's arm and pierced her skin.

"Ow!" she shrieked.

Chomper fell out of Aylene's arms and onto a small bush. Rattled but unharmed, he turned around to see her gripping her right arm and hugging it close to her body. She gritted her teeth as a sharp sting shot through her lower arm.

Aylene pulled her arm away and checked. Her arm had a bite mark on it.

She then looked at Chomper. His teeth had a pale red color on the tips.

The little hatchling whimpered when he saw the bite. Aylene frowned as the innocence in his voice and eyes seemed to jab her in the chest.

"It's okay, Chomper," she gently said. "I'm fine."

"Cera!" Topp's voice called from close by.

Startled, Aylene grabbed Chomper again and ducked down into the bushes.

"Chomper, you have to be quiet, okay!" she ordered in a whisper.

Sensing Aylene's urgency, Chomper shut his mouth and huddled close against her. Aylene peeked through the bushes and saw Topps standing just a few feet away.

She bit her lip as she watched the Triceratops survey the area, hoping and hoping he wouldn't look in the bushes.

Finally, he let out a grunt and marched away.

Aylene watched him leave. When he disappeared from view, she completely deflated.

"That was a close call," she sighed with relief.

As Chomper squirmed in her arms, Aylene remembered the bite mark on her arm and frowned.

"I better do something about this before the others see it," she mumbled. "They'll freak if they do. I know they will. If it was my left arm, I could hide it under my arm guard. Oh, well."

After carefully putting Chomper down, Aylene took her bag off and opened it. She pulled out a roll of bandage, a metal clasp, and some antibiotic ointment. She applied the ointment to each of the tooth punctures. The bite wasn't deep, but she didn't want to take any chances, especially since T-Rexes in her world were rumored to have a septic bite.

"I hope that theory about T-Rexes having a septic bite is wrong," she said nervously. "Or Chomper's too young to have it yet."

She then rolled her arm up in the bandage and clasped it in place. With the bandage in place, she gathered up her supplies and put them back in her bag.

Aylene looked back at Chomper, who had a rather sad expression. Aylene smiled reassuringly and gently rubbed his head.

"It's okay, Chomper," she said. "It was an accident. I know you didn't mean to bite me. Besides, it doesn't hurt."

The little T-Rex gazed up at her, and she brought a finger to her lips and winked.

"We'll just keep this between us, okay?" she grinned.

Chomper's frown turned into a smile, and he nodded in agreement.

Littlefoot walked to the edge of a pond, where his grandparents were grazing on the greens below the surface. Knowing that Aylene was waiting for him with Chomper, he decided to get some basic information about caring for infants.

"Um, Grandma, Grandpa?" he tentatively asked. "Can I talk to you?"

The two large Apatosauruses raised their heads out of the water, with Grandma Longneck still munching on some water greens.

"Of course, Littlefoot," said Grandpa Longneck. "What is it?"

The little long-neck pondered the thought for a moment. How was he going to ask this? He remembered what Aylene said about not mentioning Chomper, so he had to think of a good excuse without bringing up the little T-Rex.

Finally, he said, "Well, uh…I want to know about babies."

Both Grandpa and Grandma Longneck were taken aback by Littlefoot's statement. They looked at each other for a moment in confusion.

Why on earth would Littlefoot want to know something like that?

"Littlefoot," Grandpa Longneck said, lowering her head to his level, "you're too young to worry about babies."

Littlefoot paused for a moment before stuttering. "Well…it's…uh…it's just that…I'm curious."

Grandpa and Grandma Longneck regarded the explanation. Littlefoot forced a smile, feeling a little awkward under their scrutinizing stare.

Then, Grandma Longneck sighed. "Alright, what would you like to know?"

Letting out a small sigh, Littlefoot asked, "Um…how do babies get enough to eat?"

"The grown-ups find food for them, of course," Grandma Longneck replied.

"But what if they won't eat what you give them?" Littlefoot asked, remembering how Chomper spat out the vegetation he gave him.

"You wouldn't always eat what we gave you," said Grandpa Longneck.

Littlefoot blinked in surprise. "I didn't?"

"That's right," the elder replied. "But when you got hungry enough, you always ate."

"I did?"

Grandpa Longneck nodded.

"All babies eat when they're hungry, Littlefoot," Grandma Longneck explained. "Now, anything else you'd like to know?"

Littlefoot thought for a moment before deciding he didn't need to ask any more questions. His biggest concern had been addressed, and he still had to find his friends.

"No, that's good," he said, shaking his head. "Thanks, bye!"

With that, the young long-neck turned around and raced back through the forest.

"Kids," Grandpa Longneck chuckled, "they want to grow up so fast."

Grandma Longneck smiled. "Yes, and once they do, they wish they were young again."

The pair shared a warm laugh and an affectionate cuddle.

Cera, Ducky, Petrie, and Spike nervously walked back to the place where the sharp-tooth had hatched. As soon as they realized Littlefoot and Aylene were missing, and after they got their wits back, they went back to look for them.

They reached the spot where they had last seen them, but all they found were eggshell pieces on the stump.

"I don't see Littlefoot or Aylene anywhere," Cera said, concerned.

Petrie flew over to the long and landed among the eggshell pieces. He dropped his shoulders and sat down.

"Maybe sharp-tooth eat them," he stated, sorrowfully.

Everyone looked woefully at the stump. Ducky sniffled, and Spike let out a sad groan. The thought of their friends getting eaten filled them with a heavy sadness.

Suddenly, an angry voice broke their moment of lament.

"Well, well, if it isn't the plant grazers who spoiled our supper."

All four children looked up sharply, gasping in fear. The two Struthiomimus from last night stood before them, staring them down with wicked intent.

"It is the egg stealers!" shrieked Ducky.

"W-What we do?!" said Petrie, trembling.

"RUN!" Cera screamed.

The children ran off into the forest, shrieking in terror.

"Where's my egg, you rotten little sprout crunchers!" Ozzy shouted as he and Strut gave chase.

"Aylene! Chomper! Where are you guys?"

Littlefoot returned to where he had last seen Aylene and Chomper, only to find they were gone. He tried his luck down by the river, but they weren't there either.

"Where could they have gone?" he said, pensive. "I guess I shouldn't worry too much since Chomper's with Aylene. Maybe they went to look for the others."

The second he voiced this, Littlefoot heard a scream and turned sharply. Off in the distance, he could see Cera, Petrie, Ducky, and Spike on the edge of a cliff.

They were trapped by the two egg stealers from last night!

Without hesitation, Littlefoot sprinted off toward the base of the cliff to help his friends.

"Hold on, guys! I'm coming!"

Aylene and Chomper came to the edge of the quicksand pit. The little biter had gotten restless and wanted to do some exploring. Concerned about Chomper's safety, Aylene did her best to stay within the shelter of the forest. Chomper chirped happily as he trotted alongside her.

The moment she saw the gooey pit, memories of yesterday stormed into her mind, making her frown. Of all the places they could've wandered to, it had to be here.

At the same time, the quicksand caught Chomper's attention, and he curiously wandered over to it.

Aylene returned to the present just in time to see Chomper about to step into the muck.

"Chomper!"

She ran over and snatched up the little T-Rex, who squeaked in surprise. She quickly backed away from the quicksand before putting Chomper back on the ground.

"Chomper, you have to stay away from that," Aylene ordered, pointing to the death pit. "That's quicksand. If you step on it, it'll pull you down, and you won't be able to get out."

Chomper looked up at Aylene and whimpered. Again, the innocence in his eyes made it hard for the girl to lecture him further. She took a deep breath and smiled.

"It's okay," she said. "Just remember to keep your distance from it, okay?"

Chomper nodded and made a squeaky sound that came out as "uh-huh", making Aylene giggle.

Suddenly, the two heard screaming.

"HELP US!"

Aylene and Chomper jumped and turned in the direction the terrified voices came from.

"My friends!" Aylene cried.

Some distance away, she saw the Struthiomimus from last night cornering Cera, Ducky, Petrie, and Spike at the edge of a cliff.

At the same time, she saw Littlefoot running up the path toward them.

"They need my help!" she said. "C'mon, Chomper!"

Aylene picked a confused Chomper and ran to her friends' rescue.

Chapter Text

Cera, Petrie, Ducky, and Spike fearfully backed away as Ozzy and Strut continued to close in on them. With each step they took back, the less room on the edge they had.

They were trapped.

"Now," Ozzy growled, "what did you do with my egg?!"

"Your egg?!" Cera shrieked. "We didn't do anything to it! It hatched!"

"It…HATCHED!" the egg stealer shouted, angered. "Before I could eat it my egg hatched!"

Seeing his brother's ire, Strut stepped forward.

"C-C-Calm down, Ozzy," he stuttered anxiously. "I-I-It was just an egg."

Ozzy whipped around and scowled at Strut.

"It was not just an egg; it was our DINNER!" he yelled before whacking his tail against Strut's head.

Ozzy then turned his attention to the children, who huddled close together.

"I'm warning you, you little leaf-lickers!" he said threateningly. "Stay out of my way, or I'll—"

"Leave my friends alone!"

Ozzy and Strut turned around fast. The four children looked in the same direction, and their faces lit up when they saw who spoke out in their defense.

"Littlefoot!" Cera cried.

"We are saved!" Ducky replied, relieved.

Littlefoot stared down the egg stealers, firmly planting his feet on the ground. He arched his back and lowered his head to show the Struthiomimus knew he wasn't fooling around. If these two wanted to hurt his friends, they'd have to go through him first.

But his show of strength didn't faze Ozzy. He found it amusing. A weak, defenseless hatchling trying to be brave. Laughable.

"Just what I can't stand," he said, extending his talons. "A bossy weed-whacker!"

Nervous but wanting to hold his ground, Littlefoot stepped back to get a better footing. But as he did, his right hind foot stepped on a small stone, causing it to slip out from under him, and he lost his balance and fell on his side. He sharply looked up and saw Ozzy standing over him.

Just as Ozzy got close enough to scratch Littlefoot's side, there was a twang, and an arrow struck the ground next to Ozzy, making him and Littlefoot yelp. Ozzy stumbled back, and Littlefoot coiled up into a ball.

"Step away from the Apatosaurus, Struthiominus!"

Recognizing the voice, Littlefoot whipped his head around and smiled.

"Aylene!"

Aylene stood stock-still with another arrow already on the string, ready to pull back. She scowled menacingly at Ozzy.

"Get this straight, bozo!" Aylene snarled, "No one hurts my friends without facing me first!"

Ozzy narrowed his eyes at her, recognizing something in her face and voice. Then, a look of angry shock came over his face, and he pointed at her.

"YOU!" he shouted. "You were the one that played that nasty glowing trick on us in the cavern!"

Aylene grinned impishly, holding back a laugh. "Yeah, and you should've seen your faces! Priceless!"

"Why, you little…"

Ozzy then paused for a moment, screwing up his face.

"What's the matter?" Aylene taunted. "Can't come up with a clever insult for me?"

Ozzy scowled even harder. He jumped over Littlefoot and stalked toward Aylene. But she didn't move. She didn't even lift the sternness from her face. It intensified as he got closer.

"Littlefoot!" she yelled.

Understanding her signal, Littlefoot quickly got up from his spot, ran past Strut, who just stood dazed, and placed himself protectively in front of his friends.

When Ozzy got too close, Aylene swiftly pulled back her arrow and fired. It zipped right past him, sharply grazing his side and making him wince. He glanced at the thin scratch before shooting Aylene a poisonous scowl. She readied another arrow and pointed it at him in a single, fluid motion.

"That was a warning," she growled. "If you lay so much as a finger on my friends, I won't miss."

Suddenly, a large shadow cast over the cliff face just above the group.

"Aylene! Behind you!" screamed Cera.

Everyone looked up and saw a dark silhouette.

A T-Rex silhouette.

The shadow snapped its jaws up and down, making a chomping sound that echoed through the ravine below.

"SHARP-TOOTH!" the five dinosaur children screamed.

"SHARP-TOOTH!" the Struthiomimus screeched, clutching each other out of fear.

"Chomper?" Aylene smirked, recognizing the shape.

Ozzy and Strut were so scared they darted toward the cliff's edge, leaping over the children and down into the ravine below. Littlefoot and the others watched as they tumbled down the wall and disappeared into a cloud of dust. They turned back to their biggest concern.

The shadow got closer.

To their surprise, Aylene wasn't frightened at all. She wasn't even defensive or alert anymore.

Instead, she burst out laughing.

"Oh, man! I thought I gave them the biggest scare, but that was hilarious!"

"Aylene!" Cera screamed, scared and confused. "There's a sharp-tooth behind you!"

The human just looked up at the group.

"Oh, don't worry, guys," she giggled. "This one's on our side."

"Huh?" Petrie said.

"Chomper, come here!" Aylene called.

A few seconds later, the T-Rex hatchling came running toward the human from behind some rocks. Aylene knelt and scooped Chomper up in her arms, hugging him close. Chomper returned the gesture by hugging her around the neck and rubbing his face against hers, squeaking in delight.

"Chomper!" Littlefoot laughed and ran to him and Aylene.

"Chomper?" Cera question. "What's a "chomper"?"

"It is his name, silly!" Duckly giggled.

"Good job, Chomper," Aylene complimented the little T-Rex. "You really saved us."

Chomper looked up to see Littlefoot right in front of him. Littlefoot gratefully nuzzled his face against the T-Rex's, causing him to giggle. In return, Chomper happily hugged Littlefoot's snout.

The Apatosaurus turned to the others. "See, you guys? Chomper's a nice T-Rex. He would never hurt us."

The hatchling looked at the others, cooing with delight at seeing new faces. Aylene set him down, and he ran to them. Seeing innocence and happiness, Cera, Ducky, Petrie, and Spike couldn't help but smile.

"Thanks, Chomper," said Cera.

"You're so nice, Chomper," Ducky replied happily.

"Me like you, Chomper," Petrie added.

Littlefoot smiled at the sight. Then, he looked over Aylene's arm and saw something with a tannish color wrapped around it.

"Aylene, what happened to your arm?" he asked, curious.

Surprised by the question, Aylene's eyes widened, and she gripped it. She had forgotten about the bandage. If she told them that Chomper bit her, except for Littlefoot, they'd be afraid of him. And just when they were starting to like him.

"Oh, uh," she paused, franticly thinking of an excuse, "I…just scratched myself on a branch. Chomper and I were exploring the Valley, and while I was pushing back some branches, one of them cut my arm. But it's nothing, really. Just a minor scratch."

Aylene gripped her arm tighter at the lie before clearing her throat and gesturing to the others.

"Anyway, Chomper, this is Cera."

The Triceratops nodded.

"This is Spike."

The Stegosaurus smiled proudly.

"Petrie."

The Pteranodon waved.

"And Ducky."

The Saurolophus approached Chomper and greeted him with open arms.

"Hi, Chomper," she said. "I think you're very cute!"

The little T-Rex happily walked into Ducky's embrace, squealing softly.

"Looks like we have a new member of our herd now," said Cera.

"Which means we can be best friends by and by," replied Petrie. "I could teach him to fly."

"What about the water?" said Ducky. "I could take him for a swim."

"Whoa, slow down, guys," Littlefoot said quickly. "Remember, he's still a baby."

"Besides, T-Rex's can't fly," Aylene pointed out.

"Well, he can still hang around with us," Cera said.

Aylene smiled proudly. "Yep, because we're a family, and he's one of us now."

Chomper wandered back over to Aylene and hugged her leg. She smiled as he rubbed his face against it, tickling her.

"Let's celebrate!" Ducky shouted joyfully.

The others cheered happily. Aylene opened her bag and pulled out her green ocarina. She put it to her lips and began to play a merry tune. Immediately, everyone ran in a circle to the beat of the music. They had escaped danger and got a new herd member. This was indeed a moment to celebrate.

Then, as everyone stopped to catch their breath, Cera let out a terrified scream.

"HE BIT ME! CHOMPER BIT ME!"

Aylene stopped playing, and everyone froze, turning to the three-horn.

"I-I'm sure he didn't mean it," Aylene quickly said.

"You call this not meaning it!" Cera snarled.

Chomper was holding onto her tail with his teeth.

Everyone gasped, even Aylene. Chomper didn't look innocent anymore. While his eyes still retained their human likeness, something about them had changed to almost sinister.

The look on his face almost reminded them of…Sharptooth!

"Chomper!" Littlefoot scolded.

Chomper blinked, noticing everyone staring at him. His expression changed dramatically to sadness and confusion as Cera lowered her tail. He let go and hesitantly walked over to Littlefoot, whimpering something that sounded like, "What did I do?".

"A sharp-tooth can never be one of us!" Cera angrily said as she marched up to Littlefoot. "NEVER!"

"Don't say that!" Littlefoot countered.

"You know it's true!" Cera scowled. "He has to go!"

"No!" the longneck shouted. "He stays!"

Cera, still frightened about the situation and not thinking clearly about her actions, rammed the side of her head against Littlefoot's chest, forcing some air out of him.

"He goes!" she growled.

"He stays!" Littlefoot responded, ramming into Cera.

"Oh, not again," Aylene mumbled.

She put her ocarina back in its case and into her bag. Once again, she'd have to break up this conflict.

Meanwhile, Ducky slowly approached a hurt and confused Chomper.

"Chomper, you did not mean to bite Cera, did you?" asked the swimmer. "Huh? Huh?"

Chomper just looked at Ducky sadly before simply saying, "Huh?"

Ducky shrugged. "I do not think he knows."

"Guys, knock it off!" Aylene commanded Littlefoot and Cera, marching into their fight.

She tried to prevent Cera from ramming into Littlefoot again, but the Triceratops swung her head around, and her horn caught a hold of Aylene's bandage. The metal clip slipped out of place, and the fabric unraveled off her arm.

The fight between Cera and Littlefoot did stop, but not in the way Aylene wanted it to. For now, the situation just got a lot worse.

Cera gasped when she saw the red marks on the human's arm.

"That looks more like a bite mark than a branch cut to me, Aylene!" she cried.

Everyone stared at Aylene's wound. Chomper, starting to feel guiltier, rushed over to her. She knelt down and pulled the little T-Rex close to her.

"It's not what you think!" Aylene said, desperate. "It was my fault. I startled him, and he just bit me."

"But he still bit you!" Cera pointed out.

"Yeah, but—!"

"Aylene, open your eyes!" shouted the three-horn, cutting the human off. "We can't keep him, and that's final!"

Cera ran off behind the rocks near the base of the cliff towering above them.

"But Cera, he's just a baby," Littlefoot pleaded. "He needs us."

Aylene frowned, feeling tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. Although Cera wasn't being fair to Chomper, deep down, Aylene knew she was right about one thing. They couldn't keep Chomper. They couldn't care for him. He needs a T-Rex family who can teach him how to be a T-Rex.

But as Chomper clutched Aylene for comfort, and as she held him close, she felt a horrible jab in her chest. She wasn't even saying goodbye, and she could already feel the pain of seeing him go.

"But what if he try to eat us?" Petrie fearfully said aloud.

"Petrie!" Aylene chided, making the flyer recoil

Seeing the situation now, Littlefoot frantically tried to think of a solution to end this panic. The very thing he and Aylene feared was happening. But maybe if Chomper realized the situation, he'd change.

"Don't you see, Chomper?" he said to the T-Rex, who looked up at him with teary eyes. "You can't be a biter. Biters aren't allowed in this Valley."

"Littlefoot!" Aylene gasped in disbelief. She couldn't believe Littlefoot just said something like that.

And apparently, neither could Chomper. He stared at the long-neck as the tears streamed down his face.

Littlefoot stiffened. He didn't make the situation better. He made it worse.

Not knowing what else to do, Chomper let go of Aylene and backed away from the group, whimpering.

"Chomper, wait!" Littlefoot pleaded. "I didn't mean–!"

Before Littlefoot could stop him, Chomper turned and ran away toward the Valley.

"Chomper, don't go!" Aylene cried.

She quickly grabbed her things and threw them on. But before she could run after the hatchling, Ducky spoke up.

"Uh, Aylene," she said sheepishly. "Maybe before you bring Chomper back, you should think about it. Chomper is…different than us. He is."

Aylene clenched at the remark, and a hot anger rose up in her. On top of being worried about Chomper, those words roused a painful memory she had tried so hard to forget.

"I'm sure you said the same thing about me after I told you I was an omnivore!" she accused.

Everyone recoiled, their faces saying it all. They remembered everything about that day, from how shocked they were by Aylene's confession, to her leaving them with pain in her eyes.

Having nothing else to say, Aylene turned away and ran off after Chomper.

Littlefoot winced. What Aylene said hurt, but he understood why she said it.

He forced back his tears and stood tall.

"I don't care if he's different," he said with conviction. "We should at least follow him to make sure he doesn't get hurt."

Upon hearing the situation, Cera emerged from behind the rocks. "But Aylene—"

"Had every right to be angry with us!" Littlefoot forcefully interrupted. "We turned our backs on her once. I'm not going to make that mistake again. Come on, members of our herd are in trouble!"

With that, the others hesitantly set out running after Littlefoot.

The bright circle reached the middle of the sky as Strongfang and Rena reached the T-Rex carcass. Still feeling the sorrow of losing their only egg, they searched the area for the scent of their meal.

But as Strongfang sniffed the foot of the decayed skeleton, his eyes widened with shock.

"Rena, do you smell that?"

The female bitter carefully lowered her head near Strongfang's and smelled the air.

"The egg!" she gasped. "I-It was just here?"

They looked around the area, seeing no signs of broken eggshells or gooey remains. That meant the egg had somehow remained intact.

Feeling hope rising, Strongfang sniffed the area again. Reading the scent patterns, he realized something that made a shiver run down his spine.

"Our prey must've found our egg," he said fearfully. "Their scents must've masked the egg's just enough that we couldn't smell it from up there."

"But there are no remains," Rena pointed out. "So, where could it be?"

Strongfang followed the trail of scents of rocks up to the Great Wall. Cautiously, he walked up the path with Rena following. The passage led them into a canyon. They continued through it and were soon looking upon a lush, green land.

"The Great Valley!" Rena gasped. "They brought the egg here?"

"It would seem so," Strongfang replied. "And if it hatches here…"

The large biter scowled hard.

"They will pay if they so much as lay a hand on our hatchling!" he growled.

"But entering the Valley is forbidden," Rena reminded.

"They kidnapped our child," Strongfang said. "We have a right to protect our young. You know that."

Rena considered her mate's words, and her face morphed into a fierce determination. They had to save their hatchling, even if it meant entering the Great Valley.

"You're right," she snarled. "Let's go."

At last, the two biters stormed into the Valley, following the scent of the ones who took their egg.

They will get their hatchling back, one way or another!

Chapter Text

Just minutes after the Gang raced down the cliff, Ozzy and Strut climbed back up the face of the cliff. They were bruised, scratched, and tangled up in vines from their tumble down the ravine.

After about an hour of slipping on rocks and struggling to keep hold of roots sticking out of the cliffside, the two finally hoisted themselves up and over the edge. They both stopped for a moment to catch their breath.

"Next time, we look before we leap," Ozzy panted gruffly.

"You think the sharp-tooth finished those kids off, Ozzy?" Strut asked, winded.

"I hope so," The elder angrily mumbled as he threw the vines off his tail.

The memory of that human girl standing up to him made him scowl. How could he have been intimidated by something as small as her? The confidence in her eyes, her skill with that weird branch, and those sharp sticks. He'd never say it, but she spooked him, making him seethe.

How could something that small be so brave?

But if that sharp-tooth from before got her and her friends, then he and Strut were free of them. No one could stop them from getting their meal now.

"Now, let's get ourselves an egg and eat," he said, and Strut hurried back to the Great Valley.

Aylene gruffly hacked her way through the brush with a large stick. Although Chomper had gotten a head start, he had at least left clear footprints for her to follow. But that didn't stop her from being angry.

"Stupid dietary issues," she grumbled angrily, whacking down another dangling branch. "You just say you have to have meat in your diet, and you make others paranoid. And if you're a predator, you're condemned for life. Augh! I'm so mad right now I could just spit!"

Aylene continued to force her way through the branches and bushes in her path, keeping Chomper's tracks in sight.

"How can something with such little legs run so fast?" she said snippetly. "I've got ridiculously long legs, and I couldn't outrun Sharptooth to save my life!"

As she thought about Sharptooth again, the memory of that final battle rushed back like a flash flood, and she stopped dead in her tracks. She grimaced and lowered her head, remembering how frightened they all had been.

"Can I really blame them for being scared?" she sighed. "I mean, Cera might have overreacted, but I can't stay angry with her. And for crying out loud, we had a deranged carnivore chase us all the way to the Valley. And whether we like it or not, Chomper is going to have to eat meat to survive someday."

She then looked back up to the trail of T-Rex footprints and shook her head.

"That doesn't matter right now," she said. "He's still just a baby, and he's part of our herd now. I won't leave him. I'll have to apologize to the others, but I'll go back for them."

Aylene tightened her grip on the branch and continued through the forest.

"Chomper!" Littlefoot called. "Aylene!"

"Where are you?" Cera followed in kind.

The five dinosaur children lost track of Aylene soon after she entered the forest. Now, they found themselves wandering around, hoping to find her, Chomper, or both of them.

After an hour of searching, they were tired, hungry, and thirsty.

The last words Aylene said to them before she raced off still stuck in their minds, making them feel awful, especially Cera.

Because she did say that after they forced Aylene out of their herd.

Littlefoot sadly watched Aylene glance back over his shoulder at the group, her eyes glistening with tears. She looked away and walked out of view.

For a while, no one spoke a word.

Littlefoot soon lost his appetite. That deep, hollow pain he felt in his chest when his mother died reverberated as he looked back toward the path the human had taken. Aylene had given them so much, and they turned their backs on her just because she was half meat-eater.

"We can't let her go," he finally said.

Everyone suddenly stopped eating and looked at him.

"But Littlefoot," Ducky shyly said, "you heard what she said."

"I know what she said," Littlefoot replied. "But that doesn't matter. Shouldn't her actions speak more than her diet? She was the one who brought us all together. She got all these leaves for us. And she helped us get this far. After all she's done for us, we can't abandon her like this."

"Think about it, long-neck," Cera glared. "Aylene is different from us. Too different."

Littlefoot turned sharply toward her. "That doesn't matter!" he said sharply. "She may not be a dinosaur, but she is still a living creature with feelings, and we hurt them."

He then got up from his spot. "I'm going to find her and bring her back. You guys do what you want."

With that, Littlefoot turned and walked away. Ducky, Petrie, and Spike looked at each other for a moment. Finally, they all got up and ran after him.

"Littlefoot, wait for us!" Petrie yelled.

Cera grimaced. Were they really going to find that human? Was she really going to follow them? She hated the idea of going after that know-it-all human, but the thought of wandering around alone sounded even worse.

Frustrated, annoyed, and thinking she must be going crazy, Cera huffed irritably before running after.

"Wait for me," she mumbled.

What Aylene said at the cliff made Cera angry, but she saw why Aylene stood up for Chomper. She went through the same thing. No wonder she'd take his side.

But Cera, too proud to admit anything out loud, just kept quiet and marched on, content to stew in her thoughts.

"I am tired." Ducky groaned, slumping over on Spike's tail. "I am. I am."

"We can't stop, Ducky," Littlefoot said, winded. "Not until we find Chomper and Aylene."

Petrie, exhausted and sore in the wings, glided down and landed on Spike's back.

"Maybe we stop, they find us," he breathed.

"Stop whining and keep looking," Cera ordered gruffly.

"I thought you didn't care about Chomper?" Ducky questioned, surprised by Cera's attitude.

Cera responded by shooting an irritated look at the swimmer, and Ducky fell silent. Cera then turned away and continued with the search.

Littlefoot, being in the front, emerged out of the forest first. He heard a low rumbling and looked up to see they had arrived at the foot of the Smoking Mountain—or a volcano, as Aylene called it. Red and black smoke rose from the top and floated up to the sky, and chunks of burning ash floated down like leaves and landed on the rocky base below.

As Littlefoot stared at the volcano, he spotted something moving near the top and squinted to get a better look. When the image became clearer, his eyes widened.

"Cera, Ducky, Petrie, Spike, come quick!" he shouted.

The others soon exited from the woods and ran over to Littlefoot.

"It's Chomper!" he said, directing their gaze with his head. "He's on the Smoking Mountain."

The others looked and saw the little T-Rex running up the side of the volcano. He seemed to be dashing around randomly as if chasing something.

"He could fall into the gurgling pit, he could," Ducky said fearfully.

"Come back, Chomper!" Littlefoot called out. "It's too dangerous!"

But the little hatchling kept running.

"I don't think he can't hear me," Littlefoot said. "C'mon, we gotta get closer."

Aylene hacked away a large branch and soon found herself at the base of a volcano her friends called the Smoking Mountain. She stopped for a moment to catch her breath. Looking up at the volcano, she saw a small, purple speck running up the side. She squinted her eyes for a moment to get a better look.

"Chomper!" she gasped.

Seeing how dangerously close to the opening he was, Aylene set out running up the side of the mountain as fast as she could, not looking back once.

"Hang on, Chomper. I'm coming!"

Ozzy and Strut slowly snuck up on a nest of flyer eggs near the edge of a small ledge. With the mother nowhere in sight, they could safely steal an egg or two. They became even more pleased when they saw at least a dozen eggs.

But just as they were about to snatch one each, a shouting voice startled them.

"Chomper, come back!"

Startled, the two jumped and looked around franticly. Ozzy bumped into Strut, causing them to trip and fall off the ledge. By some miracle, they managed to reach out and grab the edge.

"We're coming, Chomper!"

"Don't move, Chomper!"

Strut looked down to where the voices were coming from.

"It's those kids again, Ozzy!" he said, startled.

Ozzy glanced below them. To his dismay, it was the little children from before. They were alive and well. And were making their way up the side of the mountain.

"We're coming, Chomper!" the three-horn called.

"Don't worry, Chomper!" the long-neck said in the same tone.

"If they scream any louder they're going to give us away!" Ozzy heaved as he struggled to get back on the ledge.

Suddenly, from above, an angry shriek caught their attention. They looked up fearfully and saw the mother of the nest had returned. Even worse, she saw them.

She swooped down towards them. Both egg stealers panicked and scrambled back onto the ledge before sprinting to the nearest cave. They practically threw themselves in just as the flyer reached them. When she missed them, she flew away from the cave, landed near the nest, and rested on the eggs.

Seeing their opportunity again gone, Ozzy clenched his fists and scowled hard.

"Those kids have ruined our lunch for the last time!" he growled viciously.

As Aylene approached the top, the air became harder and harder to breathe, and she started coughing.

All around her were pools of boiling water. Vapor rose out of them like a witch's cauldron, and their temperatures caused Aylene to become a little dizzy.

Still, she pressed onward. She had to find Chomper.

"Chomper!" she cried. "Chomper, if you can hear me, then answer!"

She coughed again, her throat becoming dry. She stopped for a moment and took off her gym bag. She quickly searched through it to find one of her water bottles. She opened it and chugged the contents. When she finished, she took a big gasp of air before and closed the bottle. She then put the bag back on and stood up.

"Chomper!" she cried even louder.

This time, she got a response.

Chomper, who had been chasing a dragonfly, heard the girl's voice and stopped in his tracks. He ran over to where it came from and saw Aylene trudging up the hill. He let out a delightful squeak and ran toward her. Aylene saw him and smiled with relief.

"Chomper!"

When the little T-Rex reached her, Aylene knelt and scooped him up in her arms, holding him close. Chomper nuzzled his face against Aylene's and hugged her neck.

"Oh, thank goodness you're okay." the girl whispered. "I was so worried."

At that moment, the two heard voices not too far from them. They sounded like…

"The others," Aylene said out loud.

Clutching Chomper tightly, she got up and made her way around the volcano as fast as she could.

The Gang arrived at a small pool of bubbling water. They had lost sight of Chomper and were wandering around, trying to pick up the trail.

Suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled. At the top of the mountain, the smoke grew darker and darker, and small chunks of burning rocks began to fly out of it.

The group of dinosaurs became nervous. The mountain looked like it could erupt at any moment.

"I…I think we better look for Chomper some place safer," Littlefoot said cautiously.

The Gang turned around to leave when they were met with a terrible shock.

The two Struthiomimus from before were advancing on them, cornering them against the edge of the hot water pit.

"Leaving so soon." Ozzy sneered. "But you haven't had your baths."

"Me no need bath." Petrie protested fearfully. "Me take one just yesterday."

Cera scowled and stepped forward and glared at the egg-stealers.

"You smelly old egg-stealers better watch it!" she said forcefully, causing them to stop. "Because it just so happens we're friends with a very mean sharp-tooth!"

"Sharp-teeth don't have friends!" Ozzy refuted.

"They do, too!" Littlefoot shot back.

"If a sharp-tooth's your friend, prove it!" the egg-stealer demanded.

"But Ozzy, we saw a sharp-tooth's shadow!" Strut reminded, his voice full of dread. "That's good enough for me."

"Boy, are you dumb!" Cera's scoffed. "That "scary" shadow wasn't a big sharp-tooth. It was just a baby."

"Cera!" Littlefoot snapped.

"Uh, I mean…"

Cera bit her lip. She had said too much. The apprehension in Ozzy's face disappeared, and revenge took its place.

"Times up, little ones!" Ozzy snarled, and he and his brother moved in closer again.

Suddenly, the ground trembled violently, and a loud explosion seemed to shake the sky. The volcano spewed out even larger rocks, all burning red, and a river of lava began to slide down the side of the opening.

Ozzy and Strut, completely forgetting about their revenge, made a mad dash away from the mountain. The young dinosaurs raced down the opposite path as the hot liquid rock flowed down as if chasing them, burning up everything in its path.

As the group vaulted over a large log near the base of the volcano, Ducky flew off Spike's tail and tumbled backward. When she got up, she screamed as the river of fire slowly advanced on her. She turned around and sprinted after her friends.

The Gang kept running until they came to a ledge that jutted out near the foot of the volcano with a small trench running beneath it. On the other side, another piece of land with an open plain led straight to another forest. But the gap separating the group from the opposite ledge was too far to jump.

Littlefoot glanced back for a moment. The lava was closing in on them.

"C'mon, this way!"

The group didn't get more than a few yards when Ozzy and Strut jumped down from the ledge above and blocked their path.

The Gang skidded to a halt. With the egg-stealers in front of them and the lava behind, they were trapped.

"I've had it with you, you little sap suckers!" Ozzy shouted angrily.

Strut snickered at his brother's comment, then let out a sharp, painful howl.

Chomper appeared out of nowhere and bit down on the egg stealer's tail.

"Chomper!" Littlefoot cried in relief.

The hatchling let go of Strut's tail and leapt off him. He ran to the others, who cheered at his return and rescue. He approached Littlefoot and embraced his neck, nuzzling his face against it and chirping happily.

"Chomper, I'm so glad you came back!" Littlefoot smiled.

"That's it!" Ozzy roared, his eyes blazing with hatred. "No more fooling around!"

The Gang started to back up as the egg stealers stomped toward them.

Then, a familiar voice shouted from above, "Stop, Struthiomimus!"

Aylene slid down the cliffside like a surfer between the Struthiomimus and her friends. She reached the bottom and turned to face Ozzy and Strut.

"Aylene!" the dinosaur children shouted.

Aylene glanced back over her shoulder and grinned. "Sorry I'm a little late."

"You again!" Ozzy snarled.

"Yes, me!" Aylene snapped as she readied an arrow.

"Why you little—!"

"By the way," Aylene said, glaring, "do you have any idea who we are?"

"What are you talking about, you little two-legger?" Ozzy yelled.

"You know of Sharptooth, the biggest and meanest of sharp-teeth! Or at least he used to be!"

Strut's eyes widened. "Wait, Ozzy, those stories we've been hearing! You don't think they could be…"

Strut's voice trailed off, and Ozzy thought for a moment before turning back to Aylene with disbelief.

"Are you saying that—!"

"That's right. We're the ones who defeated Sharptooth!" Aylene declared.

She then pulled back her arrow and pointed it directly at the two of them.

"Which means if you so much as lay a hand on my friends, I'll do the same thing to you!" she shouted.

At the same time, Littlefoot glanced back and forth between the Struthiomimus and the lava approaching from behind. As he looked over his shoulder again, he noticed an old tree sticking out of the ledge. It was long enough that it could reach the other side, and wide enough for them to walk on.

Determined to save his herd, he darted toward the tree and, using all his weight, pushed the tree down. The top landed on the opposite ledge with a loud thud, and he jumped onto the trunk.

"Quick, across the tree!" he ordered.

The Gang rushed over to him, except for Aylene, who kept her gaze fixed on the Struthiomimus.

"You guys go first!" she ordered. "I'll take up the rear! Hurry!"

"Be careful, Aylene!" Cera said. "Chomper, you go first."

Chomper obeyed and leapt onto the log. He hurried across the log and over to Littlefoot, who had already reached the ledge.

"Ducky, Spike, you next!" the three-horn ordered.

Spike lifted Ducky onto his back and stepped onto the log with Petrie flying above them. As they made their way across, the river of lava began to pour over the side into the ravine below.

"Aylene, c'mon!" Cera shouted.

Aylene backed up toward Cera with her arrow still pointed at Ozzy and Strut.

"Cera, can I trust you to carry me?" Aylene smirked.

"Of course you can," Cera replied with a grin.

Aylene climbed onto Cera, firmly pressing her knees against Cera's sides for support, and the Triceratops slowly and carefully walked across the log. When they were almost halfway there, Ozzy and Strut approached the fallen tree.

"Touch that log, and I'll shoot!" Aylene warned.

The two immediately stopped, and Ozzy glared back at Aylene. When she and Cera reached the other side, Aylene couldn't hold back the arrow anymore. Cera jumped off the tree, and Aylene relaxed her tired arms. She put her arrow away and got off of Cera.

"I'm first!" Ozzy demanded angrily. "I'm always first!"

The Gang looked up to see the Struthiomimus push his brother aside and hurry across the tree toward them. At the same time, the lava reached the tree, and it caught fire. Before Ozzy could reach their side, the burning log fell into the small gorge below.

"Ozzy, wait for me!" Strut shouted before jumping in after his brother.

The Gang backed away from the cliff and took a moment to catch their breath.

"If this were a game," Cera heaved, "I'd never want to play it again."

Aylene was about to respond when a large shadow cast over her, and a loud, angry voice seemed to pierce her ears.

"THERE YOU ARE, FLAT-TEETH!"

The children whipped around at the angry roar, gasping in terror at the sight before them.

Standing almost just above them were two angry adult T-Rexes—one dark green and the other yellowish brown.

"I think we're still "it"!" Petrie squawked.

"RUN!" Littlefoot yelled.

The Gang screamed and sprinted away as the T-Rexes behind lunged. Their massive jaws missed them, hitting the ground with two loud thumps. But instead of getting the children, they got a mouth full of grass and dirt.

Aylene ran as fast as she could, but she quickly fell behind. Littlefoot noticed and turned back to help his friend. When he reached her, Aylene jumped onto his back and gripped his tough skin for dear life. Littlefoot then darted over to Chomper and snatched him up by the tail, making him yelp, and tossed him to Aylene, who caught him with one arm.

The T-Rexes spat out the grass and dirt and chased after the children. The Gang raced down the path toward the Great Valley.

Chapter Text

In the grazing grounds of the Great Valley, Grandpa and Grandma Longneck were munching on some leaves when the sound of predatory roars broke the peaceful silence. Alarmed, they turned sharply in the direction it came from.

"Sharp-teeth!" Grandma Longneck gasped fearfully. "In the Valley?"

"We must warn the others!" Grandpa Longneck replied urgently.

The two hurried across the Valley to find the rest of the grown-ups.

"DON'T LOOK BACK, KEEP RUNNING!" Aylene screamed.

The two giant carnivores chased the Gang across the plain toward the forest. Littlefoot, Cera, Spike, and Chomper ran as fast as their legs could carry them while Petrie flew high in the skies above the reach of the monsters. Ducky wrapped her arms tightly around Spike's neck, and Aylene gripped Littlefoot with one hand and securely held Chomper, who clutched her so hard he trembled.

To the five young dinosaurs, the T-Rexes behind them roared again in what seemed to be frustration and anger. But for the young human, she heard something else. Something that nearly made her lose her grip on Littlefoot.

Around her neck, swinging this way and that, her Time Stone flashed small, quick bursts of light.

"WHICH OF YOU DID IT?" A voice shouted, sounding like a young man.

Aylene jolted, her already-pounding heart skipping a beat, and she whipped her head around.

"WE WILL SNATCH YOU ALL!" The second T-Rex roared in a voice that sounded like a young woman.

Aylene gasped in horror.

That T-Rex just…spoke!

The male T-Rex roared again, but to Aylene, he shouted, "COME BACK HERE, YOU RUNTS!"

Aylene shuddered and gripped Littlefoot's back even more, who took no notice.

What was going on? Why was she suddenly understanding what these T-Rexes were saying? And the way they spoke! They weren't mindless at all! They were outraged about something, but what?

"YOU CAN'T ESCAPE US!" the female roared. "YOU WILL PAY FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE!"

At that statement, Aylene's eyes widened, and her blood ran cold.

Pay for what they did?

Wait, were these T-Rexes FAMILY to Sharptooth? Are they hunting us out of revenge?

That must be it!

The fleeing children screamed as the massive hunters behind them stomped down some trees and continued to chase them into the woods.

After some zigzagging and dodging, the group finally found refuge among a thick group of bushes. Petrie swooped down and landed on Spike as Ducky slipped off his back. Aylene slid off Littlefoot's back and fell to her knees, letting Chomper slip out of her arms. She leaned forward, bracing herself on her hands.

"Is everyone okay?" Littlefoot asked in a hushed voice.

Everyone except for Aylene nodded.

For a moment, they sat in silence and listened fearfully as the thundering footsteps of their pursuers slowly moved further away.

"It dangerous out there," Petrie panted.

"I thought sharp-teeth couldn't get into the Valley," Cera sighed as she plopped down on her stomach.

Ducky walked up and leaned against her side.

"How did they get in?" she asked, breathless.

"I think it's…our fault," Littlefoot swallowed hard and lowered his head.

"What do you mean?" Cera asked. "What did we do?"

"We caused the rockslide that made a hole in the Great Wall," Littlefoot reminded.

Horror and guilt spread to the rest of the dinosaurs as they recalled last night's incident with the egg-stealers. That rockslide did send them out into the Mysterious Beyond, and none of them thought twice about the wall when they walked back home.

Then, Chomper let out an alarmed squeak. The others followed his gaze and saw Aylene in a state of shock. Her face had gone as pale as a cloud and damp with cold sweat. She shivered uncontrollably despite the heat and breathed heavily as if desperate for air. She then brought her hand up and clutched her chest like she had just been shot in the heart.

"Aylene, what's wrong?" Littlefoot asked, worried. "Are you hurt?"

Chomper rushed over and hugged her arm. Upon feeling the gesture, Aylene slowly looked up at the others, her face vivid with fright.

"Aylene, what's the matter?" Cera asked, distributed.

"Guys," Aylene said in a weak voice, "I…I think…I heard those T-Rexes…SPEAK!"

"WHAT?" the Gang shrieked.

"But that's impossible!" Cera protested, immediately getting to her feet. "Sharp-teeth can't speak!"

"I…I know it's hard to believe," Aylene replied, "but…but I heard them! I don't know why or how. I just did!"

"Well…what did they say?" Littlefoot asked, unnerved.

"I…," Aylene bit her lip, "I think they're after us."

"Well, of course they are." Cera groaned. "They just chased us!"

"No, I mean AFTER us!" Aylene emphasized, shivering. "I think…I think they might be related to…Sharptooth!"

A horrible chill swept through the group when Aylene spoke those words.

"Are you saying that…" Littlefoot trembled, his voice trailing off.

Aylene slowly shook her head. "I don't know. All I know is that they were upset about something and wanted to know which of us had done it."

The whole group exchanged haunted looks.

Were these T-Rexes here out of vengeance? And they were the targets?

"We lost them, Strongfang!" Rena snorted in irritation.

"Just keep searching," the male T-Rex growled. "They gotta be around here somewhere. Make sure the human is alive."

"Why?"

"Because I've got some questions only she can answer," Strongfang said in a low voice.

Rena paused, eyeing her mate suspiciously. Then, she nodded.

"I understand. I'll search by the watering hole."

"Just be careful," Strongfang said.

Rena acknowledged his concern before heading out. Strongfang sniffed the air, trying to find the scent of those runts.

As he walked around the forest, his mind drifted back to that human girl.

"She did resemble Elaine quite a lot," he murmured to himself. "But it wasn't her. But if she's not Elaine, then who is she?"

Upon thinking of Elaine, a memory from many years ago came into focus.

The Night Circle hung high in the sky as Strongfang wandered into the shadows of the forest. The cuts from the fight with Sharptooth several days ago had closed, leaving behind jagged scars. For many biters, scars were signs of pride. But for him, they were a bitter reminder of that horrible day.

As he traveled, he found many carcasses of dead longnecks. No doubt that was Sharptooth's doing, considering longneck was his favorite meat, and his grudge against them.

Needing to keep up his strength, Strongfang begrudgingly ate the remains, reminding himself that it was part of the Laws of Nature.

Over the next few days on his path, Strongfang came across dozens of slain and eaten leaf-eaters, all by the jaws of Sharptooth. Soon, he came upon even more horrific sights.

Bodies of biters like him. Slain by another biter. Sharptooth.

Strongfang knew the slash marks that covered them. They matched the same distinct killing style that only Sharptooth had mastered. Some even matched the scars on his own flesh.

The only comfort he could get was that none of the corpses of biters showed any signs of being eaten, and were only being feasted on by the insects or flying sharp-teeth that ate dead dinosaurs.

Sharptooth may have given into madness, but he seemed to have retained some sense. Biters may kill one another if defending their pack or territory, but to eat another was one of the worst things any biter could do. Their bodies were for the crawlers of the earth or the scavengers of the air.

Still, these acts made one thing clear: Sharptooth was a threat to all life. Flat-teeth and biters.

What could be done now?

As he thought this, Strongfang sauntered into the safety of an oasis and over to a pool of crystal-clear water. As he drank the cool, refreshing liquid, he heard heavy footsteps coming from far off in the distance.

Wary and curious, Strongfang slowly crept to the edge of the oasis. Making sure to stay in the shadows, he poked his head out of the trees and looked to the horizon.

Under the light of the Night Circle, he could just barely make out the features of two travelers passing by just a few yards away. One, a large long-neck with gray skin, and riding on its back, a small gangly creature.

The short brown reeds on its head gently swayed in the wind, and its blue eyes sparkled with the reflection of the stars. Its skin looked to be a peach color with a black top and baggy gray skin on the upper parts of its long legs. Its feet were black with no toes. It had something bulgy on its back, and a curved stick in its hand. Something like a small stone hung around its neck, shining a green light.

The creature must be one of those humans that other biters had been talking about for the past few years. And if it was traveling with a single long-neck, that could only mean one thing.

They were the Lone Wanders, a long-neck and human who traveled alone, and had defeated many biters.

Strongfang fell still, not daring to move a muscle until they had passed by. He had no desire to engage in a battle tonight.

From his hiding place, he could make out some grunts and grumbles the two were exchanging with each other. Were they talking? It didn't sound like it.

Then, Strongfang heard a word he did understand.

"Sharptooth."

Upon hearing that, Strongfang became alert. Were these two searching for Sharptooth? If so, then maybe…

"This may be stupid of me," Strongfang whispered, "but Sharptooth must be stopped. I just hope the rumors about humans are true. If not…then I'll cross that path when I come to it."

Rallying his courage, Strongfang took a deep breath and raised his voice.

"Who are you, travelers?"

The long-neck stopped in his tracks. Strongfang stood still as they looked over in his direction. He tensed nervously when he saw them look at each other and exchanged another set of grunts and groans. Finally, the longneck nodded, and the human stood up, using her hand to brace herself against his neck.

"Who's there?" she asked. "You speak in the tongue of a Tyrannosaurus. If you are a foe, we're not afraid of you. And if you are a friend, then tell me your name."

Strongfang's eyes widened. The human did understand him, and he understood her.

The rumors were true.

After the initial shock, Strongfang shook his head and recollected himself.

"My name is Strongfang," he said. "Are you the human that the dinosaurs have been talking about?"

"My name is Elaine, if that's what you mean," the human replied.

"Tell me, Elaine," Strongfang growled, "are you and your companion seeking the biter called Sharptooth?"

"We are," Elaine answered sternly. "He has terrorized this land long enough, and we must put an end to it. If you try to stop us, we will be forced to fight you."

"Stop you?" Strongfang snarled. "He's a threat to my kind as well. He kills without reason or mercy, not only to the leaf-eaters but also to us biters. I could care less about what happens to him."

"Do you know where he is?"

"No." Strongfang's tone darkened. "But…I can tell you where he's going."

The human paused, waiting for his answer.

"He's heading for the Great Valley," Strongfang finally said. "If you two want to stop him, you better hurry before he turns the place into a graveyard."

Strongfang watched as the human straightened herself, barely seeing the confusion in her face.

"Why are you helping us?" she asked.

Strongfang let out a deep growl.

"Just stop him," he said solemnly. "That's all I ask, little human. Now go, you don't have much time."

Remaining still in the shadows, Strongfang watched as the human shared the conversation in the same language as her long-neck friend. Then, the two turned west and set out with haste.

Strongfang watched until they were out of sight. When they vanished into the dark, he wandered back toward the watering hole and laid down to rest.

"For the sake of all dinosaurs," he growled, "both leaf and meat eaters, you better win this fight, Lone Wanders."

At last, exhaustion took hold, and Strongfang fell asleep.

As the memory ended, Strongfang clenched.

"But they didn't," he whispered. "They just weakened him."

His thinking returned to that girl he saw running away with those little runts. She had a strong resemblance to Elaine, even wearing the exact same stone around her neck, but she was too young to be her.

"If she has the same stone," he thought aloud, "then is she somehow related to Elaine? Just who is she? And did she take our egg?"

Strongfang's then face hardened, and he gritted his teeth.

"No matter," he snarled. "I'll find out soon enough."

With that, he resumed searching for the leaf-eater children and their human companion.

Chapter Text

With the Gang…

The sound of another roar pierced the silence. But this one wasn't from a predator.

"Grandpa Longneck!" Aylene exclaimed.

Everyone turned sharply and saw the old Apatosaurus standing defensively in the middle of a large lake. Then, to their horror, especially Littlefoot's, the female sharp-tooth from before stormed out of the forest and into the water towards him.

"Grandpa!" Littlefoot cried.

Before anyone could stop him, Littlefoot bolted from his spot and towards the fight.

"Littlefoot, no!" Aylene screamed.

Without thinking, she got up and raced after him.

"Littlefoot, Aylene, get back here!" Cera shouted. "He's a grown-up! He can handle that old sharp-tooth!"

"No, he needs me!" Littlefoot called over his shoulder.

Aylene ran as fast as she could to catch up with him, but Littlefoot outpaced her.

Seeing two of his friends running toward the conflict, Chomper yelped and darted after them.

"Chomper, stay here!" Cera cried.

But Chomper ran on, seemingly not hearing her.

Cera grunted, frustrated about being ignored, and looked back at the battle at the lake. She stared as the memory of their battle with Sharptooth suddenly flooded back to her.

That's right! They defeated the "Walking Terror"! If they can defeat a sharp-tooth, they could do it again!

"C'mon guys," Cera said, turning back to the others with bravery, "we have to help them!"

"But Cera…" Ducky started to protest fearfully.

"This won't be the first time we risked our hides to defeat a T-Rex!" Cera said boldly. "If we can defeat Sharptooth, we can help the grown-ups defeat these two!"

Hearing of their past victory, the rest of the group instantly felt courageous, and they all rose to their feet.

With a cry of confidence for Cera, the Gang raced off.

Rena advanced on the old long-neck, going further into the lake.

"OUT OF MY WAY, LONG-NECK?!" she roared, evading an attack from his tail.

The long-neck's tail barely missed her snout as she ducked to avoid it. But when she stood up, it swung back and hit her across the face with tremendous force, knocking her over into the water and causing water to splash in all directions.

The long-neck backed up a few paces as Rena shook her head and lifted herself to her feet.

"You'll pay for that!" she snarled.

Bracing herself, Rena lunged forward and rammed into the long-neck's, knocking him off and into the water. She towered over him, letting out a triumphant roar. But before she could attack again, a dark blue flyer swooped in front of her face. She snapped her jaws, trying to snag the annoying pest in her mouth, but it evaded her every move.

The flyer led Rena away from the old long-neck and back to shore before flying up to the sky and out of her reach. Frustrated, Rena let out a roar that could shake the air itself.

Suddenly, a movement from below caught her attention, and she saw the small long-neck from before running out of the forest. When he saw her, he turned around and sprinted away from her.

"GET BACK HERE, RUNT!" she roared.

The little long-neck disappeared among the trees and bushes, but Rena still had his scent. He wouldn't escape her this time.

Littlefoot ran as fast as he could into the woods. When he raced between two large trees, he saw something move out of the corner of his eye. He stopped for a moment and looked to his left.

"Chomper?"

Chomper stood behind a large tree with a vine in his mouth. He followed the line and saw it had been wrapped around the tree's trunk and trailed on the ground to another tree on his right.

When he looked, Aylene poked her head out from behind the tree. In her hands, she held the other end of the vine.

"Aylene!"

"Littlefoot, help Chomper pull!" Aylene ordered.

The long-neck nodded and quickly rushed over behind the tree with Chomper. He grabbed the loose end of the vine in his mouth just as the roar of the female T-Rex broke the silence.

"I know you're here, long-neck runt!" Aylene heard her angrily say. "Come out!"

"Not on your life," Aylene said to herself through gritted teeth.

She glanced around the trunk. The T-Rex stepped into position!

"NOW!" she shouted.

The three pulled on the ends of the vine, tightening it around the tree trunks and creating trip wire. Before the T-Rex could notice the taught vine, her foot caught hold of it, and she fell to the ground with a hard thud.

With the T-Rex down, Aylene leapt out from behind the tree and ran past it.

"GUYS, C'MON!" she screamed to her friends.

Littlefoot and Chomper ran from the other side to meet her. As they met up, Aylene jumped up on Littlefoot's back, and they ran for a pile of rocks with an opening.

Dazed from the fall, Rena looked up as the human grunted something that sounded like an order. From behind the tree on her left, the long-neck came running by with something small in front of it. They moved so quickly that Rena couldn't quite see what the tiny thing was. She shook her head and rose to her feet.

"HUMAN!" she shouted. "GET BACK HERE!"

The human looked over her shoulder in terror, and Rena knew she had understood her. Why else would she respond to her like that while the long-neck didn't?

Rena advanced on the children again as they rushed toward the rocks. Outside a small opening, the yellow three-horn shrieked something in her flat-tooth language. The three running away from Rena raced toward the three-horn and followed her into the rocks.

Rena reached their small refuge and bent down, trying to see inside. The creatures screamed in unison and scrambled as far away from the opening as they could.

"I know you can understand me, human!" Aylene heard the T-Rex say. "Now come out!"

Aylene trembled at the back of the cave. Her courage seemed to have vanished, and she started feeling like that helpless girl who had first come into the world. Why was she talking directly to her? What did she want?

Then, there was a loud thump. The T-Rex twisted her face in pain like she had been struck and whipped around angrily.

Up in a tall coconut tree, Ducky and Petrie laughed as their first shot struck the sharp-tooth in the back of the head. Petrie plucked off another one them from the tree and handed it to Ducky. With good aim, Ducky threw it and struck the sharp-tooth in the snout.

"Take that, you mean old sharp-tooth!" she taunted.

The T-Rex turned her attention to her and Petrie and advanced on them. She got to the tree's base and jumped up, attempting to snatch them in her jaws.

Ducky and Petrie screamed, leaning away from those snapping teeth.

Seeing her friends in trouble, Cera raced out of the cave and towards the sharp-tooth.

"I'm coming, guys!" she shouted.

Something sharp drove into the bottom of Rena's heel, making her yelp in pain and whip around. The three-horn tumbled back after ramming her horn into her foot. She shook her head and looked up in time to see the female biter towering over her, fangs dripping with saliva.

Rena almost snatched the runt in her jaws, but the three-horn bolted away at the last second.

Irate, Rena pursued the three-horn through the forest. The little pest ran around a large pillar of rocks, squeaking over and over again. As Rena rounded the same corner and prepared to lunge for the three-horn, something heavy fell on her head.

Rena's world became distorted. She swayed for a moment before falling to the ground. The giant rock that had landed on her head broke in half, and then everything went black.

Cera huffed as she walked by the unconscious sharp-tooth. She ran past her and found Spike, who had pushed the boulder onto the predator. As he climbed down the cliffside, he saw Cera and grunted with relief. The two then hurried back to the hiding cave.

"We did it, Spike!" Cera cheered. "We flattened that dumb old, sharp-tooth!"

Then, without warning, a dark green T-Rex stormed through the trees right in front of her and Spike.

"WHAT DID YOU DO TO RENA?!" he bellowed angrily.

"AUGH!" Cera screamed in terror. "ANOTHER ONE!"

Cera bolted away as fast as she could back toward the rocks. When she looked back, she and the others gasped in horror.

He just stood as frozen as a statue as the giant T-Rex began to advance on him.

"SPIKE!" Petrie shrieked.

"DO NOT STAND THERE, SPIKE!" Ducky desperately cried. "RUN!"

But Spike still didn't move. He just stood trembling.

"You'll pay for this, spike-tail!" the male T-Rex snarled.

Seeing Spike in trouble, Aylene's courage surged through her like wildfire. She gripped her bow and ran out of the cave.

"AYLENE, NO!" Littlefoot screamed as he rushed to stop her.

Ignoring Littlefoot's plea, and narrowly escaping his clamping jaw, Aylene rushed out until she got in shooting distance. In one swift motion, she drew back her arrow, took aim, and released it. The arrow shot past the T-Rex, cutting his snout. He roared and stumbled back as the unexpected attack stung his nose.

"SPIKE, RUN NOW!" Aylene cried.

Snapping out of his frightened trance, Spike spun around and raced past Aylene toward the cave. She turned to follow, and a large foot stomped down in front of her.

Aylene screamed as the female T-Rex from before towered over her!

"AYLENE!" she heard her friends cry out.

Aylene backed away as the T-Rex lowered its head toward her right up against a tree. Her pulse raced, and her legs felt weak. She tried to reach for one of her arrows, but her arms were so shaky she couldn't get a good grip.

"I wouldn't try doing that if I were you, little human!" the monster snorted at her.

Aylene froze as terror seized her.

She was trapped!

"Rena!" the male shouted. "I'll deal with her! You take care of the kids!"

"No!" Aylene whispered in a weak, frightened voice.

The female T-Rex turned toward the rocks, and Littlefoot, Cera, Spike and Chomper scrambled back toward their little stronghold. But Littlefoot spun around so fast he tripped on his feet and fell over on his side.

"LITTLEFOOT!" the others cried.

Littlefoot looked back in time to see Rena tower over him.

Seeing her best friend in danger, Aylene completely forgot about the T-Rex behind her. She grabbed an arrow from her quiver and pulled it back. Just as Rena lowered her jaws toward the terrified long-neck, she released it, and the speeding projectile struck Rena across the back, making her screech in pain.

"RENA!" the T-Rex behind Aylene shouted.

The female T-Rex turned back to Aylene, scowling and baring all her teeth.

"STAY AWAY FROM HIM!" Aylene yelled at the top of her voice.

As those words left her mouth, the young dinosaurs froze and stared in shock. To them, what came out of her mouth weren't words.

Even Littlefoot stared, horrified. "Did Aylene just…growl?"

Chapter Text

Aylene swallowed hard and gripped her neck. Something in her throat felt different as she spoke. Like a sore throat without the soreness.

Her sudden outburst distracted the female T-Rex long enough for Littlefoot to get up and run back to the cave.

With all the distractions around, no one noticed the stone around Aylene's neck glowing faintly.

Rena glared at Aylene. "You've sure got a lot of nerve, little human!"

A large, powerful stomp came from behind, and Aylene whipped around. The male T-Rex towered over her like a nightmare. She backed against the tree again as he lowered his face to her. She trembled, and her chest heaved as she pressed herself against the trunk of the tree.

Something in his face looked familiar.

"Who are you?" he snarled.

Aylene didn't answer. His voice was familiar, too.

"Answer me!" the T-Rex demanded loudly, making Aylene cover her ears and shut her eyes. "Who are you?"

"My…My name is Aylene." she stuttered, summoning what little courage she had left. "Who are you?"

"My name is Strongfang," the T-Rex replied. "Now tell me, where did you get that stone around your neck?"

Aylene's eyes widened, and she quickly gripped the Time Stone tightly.

"Why do you want to know?" she asked.

"Where did you get the stone?" Strongfang repeated.

"My grandmother gave it to me!" Aylene shouted fearfully. "What's it to you?"

The T-Rex's eyes widened, and he stepped back. "Elaine's your grandmother?"

Aylene drew in a sharp breath of air, and Rena stared at her in surprise.

"How do you know my grandmother's name?"

As Aylene continued to talk, the Time Stone's light grew dimmer and dimmer.

Strongfang's eyes narrowed in on her, and she shrunk back.

"Why did you do it?" he growled.

"Do what?" Aylene asked, her blood becoming cold.

"You know perfectly well 'what'!" Rena roared, marching toward Aylene. "You didn't think you and your friends would get away with it, did you? We know you six were in the Mysterious Beyond when it happened!"

Aylene's eyes widened, and her heart nearly stopped.

Were they talking about Sharptooth? They must be!

"We were only defending ourselves!" she cried.

"How can you justify taking an innocent life 'defending yourselves'!" the female shot back.

"'Innocent'?" Aylene shrieked. "That monster tried to kill us!"

Strongfang's eyes flashed in rage, and Rena snarled viciously.

"HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT, HUMAN!" the male T-Rex roared.

Before Strongfang could do anything else, he and Rena were knocked away by two powerful tails, making Aylene yelp in surprise.

"Grandma, Grandpa!" she heard Littlefoot cry out.

"Leave our children alone!" Grandpa Longneck commanded.

"OUT OF OUR WAY, LONG-NECK!" Strongfang roared.

Within moments, many other elders of the Great Valley charged out of what seemed to be nowhere.

Topps charged at Strongfang and knocked him over onto his back.

"Strongfang!" Rena cried.

Seeing her distracted, Grandpa and Grandma Longneck hit her with their tails on each side of her, the force of their attack sending her to the ground.

Aylene panted hard and slid down the tree, rubbing her throat. She felt all the energy nearly drain from her limbs. Her head spun, her heart raced, and her stomach felt heavy and cold. She was just face-to-face with the world's greatest hunter, and by some miracle, she managed to survive to tell the tale.

When she heard footsteps approaching, she turned to see her friends running out of the cave toward her with panic in their eyes.

"Aylene!" Littlefoot cried. "Are you okay? Say something! Anything!"

"I…I'm fine, I think." she stuttered. "That was…scary."

"Hey, you talking normal again!" Petrie screamed as he flew himself and Ducky down from the tree.

"What?" Aylene breathed, confused.

"This isn't over, leaf eaters!" Rena shouted.

The kids watched as the adults drove the T-Rexes off into the forest opposite them. Once they vanished, everyone erupted in a triumphant cheer. Aylene grabbed her bow and got to her feet. She and the rest of the Gang then raced toward their rescuers.

But Chomper stopped short after a few paces. He looked at the group of adult leaf eaters and whimpered sadly. No one among the group that looked like his family.

Remembering what Littlefoot said about sharp-teeth not being allowed in the Valley, he quickly turned and ran into the woods again, feeling lost and alone.

Aylene smiled as she approached the adults. But when they saw her, their faces changed dramatically. Some looked at her with fear, others with suspicion, some with both. She and the other children stopped dead in their tracks. Something wasn't right.

"What?" she nervously asked.

"Do you care to tell us what that was all about, Aylene?" Topps glared.

"What do you mean?"

"Aylene," Cera said, nervous, "you just talked to two sharp-teeth."

"Well, yeah," the girl tentatively replied, "but you guys were right there. You heard me tell Rena not to attack you."

"Rena?" Grandma Longneck questioned.

"That's the female T-Rex's name," Aylene explained. "And the male's name is Strongfang. I told them not to attack my friends and—"

"That's what they told you?" Littlefoot interjected, wholly dumbfounded by Aylene's statement.

"You guys were right there!" Aylene stressed. "You heard me!"

"Aylene, you were growling and snarling," Littlefoot replied. "Like…a sharp-tooth!"

Aylene's eyes widened, and her jaw dropped. She glanced at the surrounding dinosaurs, suddenly frightened by their stares.

"But…But I didn't know!" she stammered, desperate. "They were speaking to me like you guys are now. And they understood what I was saying to them. I honestly don't know what happened back there!"

"How do we know you're telling the truth?" a large Iguanodon said, narrowing his eyes.

"I'd never—" Aylene pleaded. "Please, you have to believe me! I don't know how I understood or spoke to them. I just did!"

The grown-ups began to murmur, and Aylene felt her panic rising even higher. What were they going to do now?

Then, Littlefoot came up beside her.

"Well, whatever happened back there," he said, "we trust you enough to know that you were trying to protect us. And if you hadn't spoken up when you did, I don't think any of us would still be here right now."

"Yeah," Cera said, coming up beside Aylene. "You saved us all!"

Ducky, Petrie and Spike nodded in agreement and stood supportively around their friend. Aylene let out a small sigh of relief. At least her friends still believed her.

"This is all very touching," Topps interrupted, "but should we focus on figuring out how those sharp-teeth got into the Valley in the first place."

The Gang nervously exchanged looks. They knew perfectly well that they were responsible for the hole in the Great Wall, but what would the grown-ups do if they found out? They were in enough trouble already.

Still…

"Guys," Aylene whispered out of the corner of her mouth, "we should come clean on this one."

"What was that, Aylene?" Grandpa Longneck asked, lowering his head to the children's level.

The Gang looked at each other one last time, then sighed in defeat. Littlefoot raised his head.

"Well, last night, we were up on Tall Peak when we saw two egg-stealers walking away from Ducky's nest. We thought they had stolen an egg from the nest," he explained.

"What?" Ducky's mother exclaimed.

"But when we got back, we found all the eggs were safe," Ducky quickly said. "We did, we did!"

Despite the good news, the adults still waited for the rest of the children's story.

"Anyway," Aylene continued guiltily, "we chased after the Struthiomimus and ended up at the edge of the Mysterious Beyond."

"And there was a rockslide that made a big hole," Cera concluded, lowering her head.

"So that's how the sharp-teeth came through," Grandpa Longneck stated before turning to the elders. "Come everyone, we must close the opening at once."

Without hesitation, the adults began to head toward the Great Wall.

"Wait, we want to help," Littlefoot said.

"No, Littlefoot," Grandpa Longneck gently ordered. "It's too dangerous. You and the other young ones must stay here."

The children looked down at the ground, feeling guilt tightening in their chests.

The adults then walked away and discussed how they were going to close the wall.

"Well, I'm not going to stand around here," Cera stomped her front foot. "I'm going to help whether the grown-ups like it or not!"

Suddenly, Aylene jerked her head up and looked sharply around. Someone was missing from the group.

"Where's Chomper?" she asked, concerned. "Has anyone seen him?"

"Chomper?" Cera looked around.

"Where did you go, Chomper?" Ducky called.

Petrie flew a little ways above the group and surveyed the area.

"Me no see him anywhere!" he replied.

"We've got to find him!" Littlefoot said, worried. "He's out there all alone!"

"But Littlefoot," Cera protested, "your grandpa said to stay here!"

Aylene gripped her bow tighter and leapt onto Littlefoot's back.

"You guys wait here," she ordered. "We'll go look for Chomper. We'll be back as soon as we can."

With that, Littlefoot raced off toward the woods with Aylene holding onto his back.

"Littlefoot, Aylene, wait!" Cera cried as they disappeared into the trees.

"Oh, they're going to be in big trouble," Ducky replied worriedly.

Chapter Text

Strongfang and Rena trudged through the forest, exhausted, bitter, and disheartened.

"Elaine's granddaughter," Strongfang grumbled. "She looks so much like her."

"How dare she say that about our hatchling!" Rena growled. "And why? Why would anyone be so heartless as to…"

The female biter looked away sadly, unable to finish the sentence.

"I guess leaf-eaters are mindless creatures," Strongfang solemnly replied. "And she has obviously sided with them. But can we really blame them for doing what they did? To them, we are the enemies. I guess that's how it will always be."

Rena looked down. "I know, but I still hate them for what they did."

At that moment, the two biters heard grunting sounds. One sounded like a young leaf-eater, and the other like the girl from before. They followed the sounds and saw the long-neck from before and the human child. They appeared to be huddled around something. But seeing the one who insulted their only child made the two furious.

"Human!" Strongfang roared, getting the human's attention. "What are you doing here?"

Aylene stared at Strongfang with wide-eyed terror. She squeaked something at her long-neck companion and immediately leapt onto his back. The long-neck sprinted away with something purple running ahead of him.

"Get back here!" Rena shouted.

The two biters gave chase. The long-neck and little purple thing ran on an overgrown path deeper into the forest. Strongfang stomped down the trees as if they weren't even there.

Their prey ran up a small hill and attempted to cross a fallen log. As the long-neck and human reached the middle, the wood beneath them gave out, and they fell. The little purple thing stopped and ran back to them.

As they approached, Strongfang saw the long-neck's leg broke through in the log's floor, capturing him in the wood. The runt grunted something, and Aylene returned with a grumble of her own.

"You won't escape us this time!" Rena growled as she and her mate closed in.

In response, the little purple thing let out a small, curious whimper. Both biters suddenly stopped and stared at the little creature. It wasn't a leaf-eater. His features were just like...

"Hatchling," Strongfang quickly said, "speak!"

The little creature mumbled something, as if trying to make sense of what Strongfang said. Finally, as if something suddenly clicked in his mind, he raised his voice and roared.

"Daddy!"

Strongfang froze.

"He just…"

Amazed, Rena lowered her head toward the little thing. The long-neck seemed to cry out something, but the human gently raised her hand and grumbled something.

Rena licked the little hatchling, and to her joy, he responded by happily leaping onto her nose and squeaking.

"Mommy!"

"Strongfang!" Rena gasped, raising her head. "Our son! He's alive!"

Strongfang could hardly believe it. This was their hatchling. He just knew it.

They had a son! The leaf-eaters didn't kill him!

He was alive!

Feeling overwhelming joy, the two biters touched their snouts together, and the little hatchling hugged his father.

"He's safe!" Strongfang smiled. "Our son is safe!"

"Littlefoot," Aylene said, tears pricking at her eyes, "they're his mother and father!"

"Let's go, Rena," Strongfang said. "It's time for us to leave."

Then, as if forgetting about Littlefoot and Aylene, the two T-Rexes walked away with Chomper happily cooing and chirping.

"He found his family," Littlefoot smiled.

"Yeah," Aylene sighed, "he's where he belongs."

Remembering Littlefoot's trapped leg, Aylene grabbed it and helped him pull it out. Finally, with a loud crack, they got his foot free. They then climbed out of the log and began to walk back the way they came.

When they reached the end of the log, they stopped and looked back at the T-Rexes.

"Looks like they're heading back toward the Great Wall," Littlefoot said.

"Looks like it," Aylene shrugged. "I am glad Chomper found his family."

Suddenly, Aylene's eyes widened, and she slapped her forehead.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, distressed.

"What's wrong, Aylene?" the longneck asked.

"I thought they were looking for us because of Sharptooth," she stated. "But it was Chomper they were looking for. I think I might have accidentally called their son a monster."

Littlefoot blinked.

"Oh, man," Aylene groaned.

"It's okay," the longneck assured. "It was just a misunderstanding."

Aylene frowned. "Yeah, but I don't think they're going to forgive me for that."

"Well, c'mon, we better get back to the others," Littlefoot said.

Aylene nodded sadly. "I just wish we got the chance to say good-bye."

"Me, too," Littlefoot replied in the same tone. "But maybe it's better this way."

With a melancholic sigh, Aylene climbed onto Littlefoot's back, and he leapt off of the log.

But as soon as they touched the ground, they were met with a nasty shock.

Without warning, Ozzy and Strut jumped out of the bushes right in front of them. Littlefoot stepped back, and Aylene scowled as they walked closer.

"We've had it with you kids!" Ozzy growled. "We're getting rid of you once and for all!"

"You have to catch us first!" Aylene shot back.

Littlefoot darted past them and ran as fast as he could. The Struthiomimus raced after them.

"Aylene, can you use your arrows?" Littlefoot asked.

"I don't know," Aylene replied. "I've never done a backshot before. But I'll sure try. Just keep running."

But before Aylene could get her bow off her shoulder, the two egg-stealers caught up and pounced on her and Littlefoot. The two screamed and struggled, trying to get out of Ozzy and Strut's grip.

"Let us go!" Aylene screeched.

"Shut it, human!" Ozzy snapped.

Before Aylene could squirm out of his grip, Ozzy's hand harshly cupped over her mouth, scratching her cheek. She winced as the cut stung her face. Ozzy grabbed her around the waist with his other arm, pinning her arms to her side.

Aylene opened her eyes and turned to Littlefoot. Strut had wrestled him to the ground, gripping his neck and clamping his mouth shut.

Anger rose in Aylene's chest. She wanted to scream at Strut to let Littlefoot go, but Ozzy kept a tight hold on her mouth. She couldn't even open it to bite his hand.

Littlefoot didn't dare move. He could feel Strut's grip on his neck tighten, threatening to snap it. He looked at Aylene for help, but the older egg-stealer had her in his clutches. No matter how hard she struggled and kicked, it did her no good.

They were trapped!

"Hey, Oz," Strut said eagerly, "can we throw them off the Great Wall? Can we please?"

Ozzy grinned maliciously at the idea. "Why, yes."

Littlefoot and Aylene soon found themselves being dragged up towards the Great Wall. No matter how hard they struggled, they couldn't escape the clutches of the Struthiomimus.

Strongfang, Rena, and Chomper approached the opening in the Great Wall. A new happiness began growing in the family as the parents watched their son happily trot between them. Any hatred they felt towards the leaf-eaters before had vanished. Since they did not harm their son, Strongfang decided it'd be best if they left the Valley in peace.

"I have to ask, why did you leave those two alone?" Rena said. "They were easy picking."

"True," Strongfang nodded, "but you know the Laws of Nature. They are part of the Great Valley. Besides, even if not for the Laws, the children spared our son's life. And I'm sure they took care of him since he first hatched, too. He does have their scent on him."

"You really are merciful, Strongfang," Rena commented. "Sometimes, I think you're too merciful for your own good."

"Yes, I know," the male T-Rex looked down.

Rena then moved closer and gently nuzzled her face against his.

"But that's what I love about you," she purred.

Strongfang smiled and returned the gesture.

"I love you, too," he said. "Come, let's go home."

Suddenly, a loud, terrified shriek broke the peaceful silence. Hearing it, Chomper stopped and turned toward the direction it came from.

"Friends in trouble!" he said as he ran up the slope of the Great Wall. "Chomper must help!"

"Chomper?" Rena said, surprised.

"I think that's the name they gave him," Strongfang said.

"Let her go, or you'll be sorry!" Littlefoot cried, wrestling to get out of Ozzy's grip.

Aylene wanted to scream, 'Don't let go', but her voice died in her throat the moment she looked down.

Strut her up by the wrist, dangling her over the side of the cliff. Her heart skipped a beat, her breathing staggered, and her limbs went numb. Dizziness threatened to make her pass out as the distance from the ground kept zooming in and out of focus.

At the height they were at, if Strut let her go, she'd certainly break more than a few bones the moment she hit the ground.

"Sorry we didn't do this sooner!" Ozzy snapped at Littlefoot. "Say bye-bye to your friend, leaf-eater!"

At that moment, there came a loud, gravelly roar. Strut jumped in fear and pulled Aylene back over the edge. She lay on the ground, panting for air. Strut pointed to a large T-Rex shadow on the cliff face behind the group.

"It's…It's…" he stuttered, terrified.

"Oh, c'mon, are you falling for that shadow bit again?" Ozzy grunted, snatching Aylene's wrist out of his hand. "Look."

Everyone followed Ozzy's pointing finger to a little T-Re standing on a rock just a few feet away.

"Chomper!" Aylene cried.

Chomper replied by opening his mouth and attempting to roar like an adult T-Rex.

"GET AWAY FROM MY FRIENDS!" Aylene heard him say.

"Chomper, run!" Littlefoot shouted as Strut got up.

Before the little T-Rex could react, Strut sprinted over and grabbed Chomper by the neck. He struggled and squirmed, but Strut held onto him tightly as he brought him back to the others.

"You I liked much better as an egg!" Ozzy spat, glaring at Chomper.

"I wouldn't have done that if I were you," Aylene said, glancing over her shoulder.

"And what are you going to do about it?" Ozzy asked in a mocking tone. "Shoot me with one of your sticks?"

"It's not me you have to worry about," Aylene said before raising her voice and roaring, "Strongfang, Rena, up here!"

"What the—!"

Before Ozzy could finish his statement, two roars broke his concentration on the girl.

"LET GO OF MY SON!" Strongfang shouted as he jumped up below them.

Ozzy and Strut screamed in terror, let go of their prisoners, and sprinted away from the edge and down the incline. Aylene barely managed to scramble out of reach of Strongfang's mighty jaws as they snapped down on the ledge and broke a large chunk of it off. Further down, Rena jumped up and attempted to grab the egg stealers with her teeth. Like Strongfang, she bit off a large slab of rock.

Panicked, Ozzy and Strut ran down the incline as the two T-Rex parents chased after them. When she could see them more clearly, Rena's eyes widened. She recognized these two.

They were the same egg-stealers who raided their nest and nearly devoured all their eggs!

"EGG-STEALERS," she roared viciously, "YOU WON'T ESCAPE US AGAIN!"

Strongfang and Rena chased Ozzy and Strut even after they disappeared over the hill leading out of the Great Valley.

After the moment of terror had passed, Littlefoot got up from his spot and ran over to Aylene.

"Aylene, are you alright?" he asked.

"Y-Yeah," the human replied, "I think so. Are you?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Chomper ran up to his friends and chirped with concern. Aylene quickly got to her feet and gestured to him and Littlefoot.

"C'mon guys, let's go."

The group of three began to walk toward the opening when they heard a series of voices from behind.

"Hurry!"

"The opening! We must close it!"

"Littlefoot!" Aylene exclaimed.

"C'mon, Chomper," the long-neck said. "You have to catch up with your mom and dad!"

For a moment, Chomper looked back and forth between the gap in the wall and the Valley behind him. He whimpered in distress, as if the thought of leaving the Valley and his friends suddenly struck him.

"They're going to close up the opening, Chomper," Aylene said, picking up the hatchling. "You have to go now!"

Aylene carried Chomper to the top of the hill before setting him down. Littlefoot gently nudged him, silently urging him to go after his family. He and Aylene felt a pang of heartbreak as Chomper turned back to look at them with sad, whimpering eyes.

"We can't take care of you anymore, Chomper," Aylene explained, holding back her tears. "You need to be with your parents."

Chomper squeaked softly as he hugged the girl around the arm. She held him close as a small tear fell from her eye. The hatchling then turned to Littlefoot and nuzzled his face against his.

"I know," Littlefoot said, "We'll miss you, too. But…maybe we'll meet again someday. Go on now."

"Yes, hurry," Aylene said softly.

Chomper glanced one last time at his friends before running down the hill after his parents. Littlefoot sniffled as tears began to stream down his face. Aylene cupped her hand over her mouth, letting her own tears fall.

But seeing Chomper go wasn't enough. She had to make sure he reached his family safely. She wiped her tears away and stood up.

"Aylene?"

"Littlefoot, I'm going after him," she stated.

"What?"

"I just want to make sure he gets safely away."

"But the wall," Littlefoot reminded. "When they seal it, how will you get back in?"

"Don't worry, I'm a good climber," Aylene assured. "Besides, I have the Time Stone. If there's any trouble, I'll just open a portal and warp away."

"But—"

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. You tell others Chomper's safe and that I'll be back soon."

With her mind made up, Aylene set off down the hill as quickly and quietly as possible, making sure to stay out of sight of the T-Rexes.

Chapter Text

Aylene followed Chomper down a steep path, sticking close to the rock wall and hiding behind the ridges that jutted out. Although it pained her to see him leave, she couldn't risk him seeing her. He'd never go back with his parents.

Eventually, they came to a point where the path split in two. One path led down through the canyon and wound around to the left. The other slanted upward toward a cliff that overlooked the path below.

The roars of Chomper's parents and the screams of the Struthiomimus brothers were close now. Chomper followed the sounds on the lower path, and Aylene took the upper path to watch him from above.

Pretty soon, they came to an open area. Near one of the cliff faces, Strongfang and Rena snarled viciously at the opening of a small cave. From inside the cave, Aylene could hear Ozzy and Strut's panicked voices jumbled together. They might have escaped the T-Rexes, but now they were trapped.

"You can't hide in there forever, egg-stealers!" Rena growled. "You will pay for what you did!"

Chomper rounded the corner and chirped at his parents. Strongfang turned to his son as the little biter happily ran over to him. Aylene reached the end of the path and then got down on the ground.

"At least they didn't eat you, little one," Strongfang said as his son rubbed his face against his.

"Wait, Ozzy and Strut almost ATE Chomper as an egg?" Aylene whispered in shock. Then she scowled and clenched her jaw. "Okay, now I really don't like those guys!"

"GET OUT HERE!" Rena roared into the cave, causing Ozzy and Strut to panic even more.

"But I also don't want to watch them become dinner," Aylene muttered. "Chomper's with his family now, so I should get out of here."

Before she could move, the ground started to shake. Strongfang sensed the tremors, and his eyes widened. He quickly stood up, sniffed the air, and a look of worry came over his face.

"Rena, forget about the egg-stealers!" he said urgently. "We have to go now!"

Rena heard the fear in her mate's voice and stopped. She sniffed the air and tensed.

"It's him!" she replied.

Aylene raised an eyebrow. Who were they talking about? Who was coming? Whoever it was, if they were afraid of him, then she had to be alert as well.

"Come, Chomper," Strongfang nudged his son ahead of him. "We have to—"

"Well, well, well," a dark voice snickered, "What do we have here?"

Aylene looked sharply to the left and ducked back a T-Rex with tannish skin emerge from the rocks. A chill went down her spine when she saw his right eye was yellow, but his left was red. On his left side, a long scar stretched down to his hand to a claw on his hand as crimson as his eye. On each side of him were two Utahraptors: one green and the other blue.

Aylene slowly crawled back, wanting to stay out of sight.

"Red Claw!" Strongfang snarled. "What do you want?"

The tannish T-Rex looked down at Strongfang's feet, noticing the little hatchling moving closer toward his father, and a malicious grin spread across his face.

"So, the egg survived and hatched after all," he said. "Well, he is your son, and you are Sharptooth's brother, so I really shouldn't be surprised by the resilience."

"Stop calling me Sharptooth's brother!" Strongfang roared.

"But it's true," Red Claw growled. "And you can't escape the fact you are related to the greatest of us biters."

Aylene's heart almost stopped.

Strongfang is Sharptooth's brother?

That's why Aylene thought she had seen him before. His skin, his eyes, and even his body structure were the same as Sharptooth's.

She crawled away until she backed up into the cliff. When she felt her hand slip into a crevasse, she turned her head sharply and saw an opening wide enough for her to hide in. Wanting to get out of sight, she quickly and quietly slid into the crack. Once safely inside, she stood up and took a moment to catch her breath.

"Maybe," Strongfang snarled, "but you know that I will never be like him."

"Of course not," Red Claw replied, "you're too weak. But what about your son?"

Strongfang stepped closer to Chomper and arched his back, growling and showing all his teeth.

"He will never be like Sharptooth!" he declared. "Ever!"

Rena stepped forward beside her mate and snarled viciously. "Now get out, Red Claw! Leave us be!"

"I will," the tannish biter sneered, "once I've eliminated the competition!"

Suddenly, Red Claw charged forward and rammed into Strongfang. The dark green T-Rex stumbled back and hit the wall.

"Keep him busy!" Red Claw snapped at the two Utahraptors.

Immediately, Screech and Thud ran toward Strongfang and jumped on his back. The T-Rex hollered in pain as their claws dug into his hide. He whipped around violently, trying to shake them off, but their talons held firm.

Red Claw then turned to Rena and glared at the scared hatchling at her feet.

"I'm warning you, Red Claw," Rena snarled angrily. "Stay away from our son!"

"I would do so," the tannish biter replied, "if he wasn't the nephew of the last "Walking Terror"."

Aylene caught her breath again.

Chomper was Sharptooth's nephew?

Of course! If Strongfang is his brother, then Chomper would be related to him!

Aylene felt as if her ears were filling up with water. She leaned back against the wall, breathing deeply. She couldn't faint now. Her friend was in danger. She had to help.

Rena roared and attempted to bite down on Red Claw's neck. He backed away from the attack and head-butted her in the side. She yelped in pain as she missed her footing and fell over on her side.

Chomper squeaked in fear and ran over to her.

"Mommy!" he whimpered.

A dark shadow cast over him, and he looked up. Red Claw's gapping jaws swiftly closed in on him!

But before he could snatch Chomper, he heard a twang, followed by a swishing noise, and then felt a horrible sting in his back near his left shoulder. He let out a howl that caused Screech and Thud to become distracted.

Seeing his chance, Strongfang whipped his body around, and the two fast-biters flew off of him, slamming into the rock wall.

Strongfang turned sharply back to Red Claw and saw a stick with three feathery things on the end lodged in his back. His eyes widened as he recognized the stick.

"Who did that?!" Red Claw snarled.

As soon as Aylene fired that arrow, she quickly ducked back into the crevasse. At least with that distraction, Strongfang recovered in time. She then took another arrow out and strung the bow.

Strongfang rushed forward and bit down on the enemy biter's flank. Red Claw roared in pain and tried to wrench himself free. He swatted at Strongfang's snout and managed to scratch it, drawing blood at the same time.

The strike stung, but Strongfang refused to let go. He pushed Red Claw away from Rena and Chomper with all the strength he could muster.

Aylene peeked out of her hiding spot and over to Rena and Chomper.

The female T-Rex slowly came to, but the two Utahraptors were advancing on Chomper. Frightened and confused, he cowered away from the approaching fast-biters.

"You're ours, kid!" the greenish one snarled.

"Guess again, raptors!" a voice called out.

Suddenly, a sharp stick zipped in the air and struck the ground in front of the two fast-biters. They jumped back and then looked around.

Rena shook her head and opened her eyes. When she saw Screech and Thud dangerously close to Chomper, she whipped her tail around and knocked them away. They slammed into the rocky wall and slumped to the ground, unconscious.

Chomper looked back at his mother and immediately ran toward her. He whimpered as he hugged her face.

"It's okay, young one," she said gently. "No one's going to hurt you."

Rena then turned to Strongfang and Red Claw, grimacing as she struggled to decide whether to help him or protect Chomper. She couldn't lose her mate, but she couldn't lose their son either.

Suddenly, an arrow sliced through the air and struck Red Claw in the leg, causing him to waver and giving Strongfang just enough time to knock him aside. The enemy T-Rex stumbled backward and hit his head on a rock jutting out from the wall. Red Claw fell hard on the ground and groaned as the impact rattled his vision.

"Strongfang!" Rena cried out.

"Come, Rena," Strongfang panted. "We have to go now!"

"But what about Red Claw? And Screech and Thud?"

"Leave them," Strongfang grunted. "They're not worth it. Let's get away from here while we can."

"But they'll chase us!" Rena said.

"Don't worry," the male T-Rex replied, "I know a place where we can go for now. Let's get moving before they wake up!"

Rena hesitated for a moment before nodding.

"Come, Chomper," she said as she lowered her head toward the hatching, allowing him to jump onto her snout.

The family immediately made their way toward the winding path leading to the Mysterious Beyond. Just before they reached an exit that opened up to a vast, sandy plain, Strongfang stopped for a moment and looked back.

"Thanks, human," he said silently before rejoining his family.

Aylene watched from the crevasse as the T-Rex family ran away toward the Mysterious Beyond. Although the events left her shaken, she couldn't stop the tears from gathering in her eyes. Seeing little Chomper with his family both warmed and broke her heart.

At the same time, she couldn't believe that he was related to Sharptooth, the same T-Rex that tried to kill her and her friends not long ago.

As she thought about this, she decided to keep it to herself. Except for maybe Littlefoot, the others were still wary of him. And if they found out that he was the nephew of Sharptooth…

"I really don't want to think about that," she said, shaking her head. "I'll just keep it a secret for now. Anyway, I should probably get back."

Aylene stepped out of the crevasse. But before she could set out down back down the slope, she heard a familiar voice call out her name.

"AYLENE! WHERE ARE YOU?"

"Littlefoot?"

She ran to the path she used to follow Chomper, and saw Littlefoot running towards her.

"Littlefoot, what are you doing here?"

"I was worried about you," he replied, trying to catch his breath. "So, I decided to come looking for you. Then I heard all the roars and screeches. I thought you were in trouble."

"Didn't I tell you to go find the others?" Aylene frowned. "Besides, I was about to head back, anyway."

"What about Chomper?" Littlefoot asked. "Is he okay?"

"Don't worry, he's safe."

Aylene then looked past Littlefoot, and her eyes widened.

"Unlike us right now!" she pointed.

Littlefoot turned around fast and gasped in fear. Walking up the path were the last dinosaurs the two friends wanted to see.

Ozzy and Strut!

Chapter Text

Aylene stepped in front of Littlefoot and grabbed an arrow out of her quiver. Littlefoot stood defensively, arching his back, raising his tail, and firmly planting his feet. The two braced themselves for an oncoming attack. Being on the edge of a cliff, one false move could result in them plummeting to the ground below.

"You clowns just don't give up, do you?" Aylene snapped as she drew back the arrow and aimed it at Ozzy and Strut. "For the last time, leave us alone!"

"Why?" Ozzy glared at her.

"Because I'm sick of you trying to hurt my friends!" Aylene said through her teeth.

"No, why did you help that little sharp-tooth and his family?" he clarified. "You're just a child. Why did you do it?"

Aylene raised an eyebrow and loosened the tension on her bow for a moment, surprised by the question. She then scowled and tensed.

"Because he's my friend," she said. "And so are Littlefoot and the others."

"Why?" Ozzy shouted. "Why do you risk life and limb to save a bunch of kids?"

Aylene tightened her grip on the bow.

"They're my friends!" she shot back. "How many times do I have to say it?"

"So, you're saying you would risk your life for someone?" Strut asked, bewildered.

"Yes, I would!" Aylene nodded.

Littlefoot glanced at Aylene. He had seen her save him and the others on multiple occasions, but she had yet to come out and say that she'd risk her own life to save them until now.

"And what do you risk your lives for?" Aylene shouted at the egg-stealers. "A bunch of eggs for supper? And just because you couldn't get them, you decide to kill us for it? Lame!"

The Struthiominuses stepped back in surprise at the comment. Ozzy, feeling highly offended, scowled at the human and stomped forward.

"Why, you little—"

"You can get eggs anywhere!" Aylene forcefully interrupted. "My friends are irreplaceable! They were by my side when I needed comfort, and we were there for each other in times of danger. We look out for each other and stand by each other no matter what. No one hurts my friends without facing me first!"

Ozzy's face slowly changed from anger to a somewhat ambiguous expression.

Aylene drew back her arrow and pointed it directly at the two Struthiomimus, her eyes blazing with conviction.

"That's why, if you ever threaten them again, I'll show no mercy!"

For a moment, the two groups stood their ground, glaring at each other. Aylene felt her arm and hand beginning to cramp up with strained muscles. Either Ozzy and Strut had to make a move soon, or she'd have to lower her bow for a moment. But if she let her guard down, she and Littlefoot would be open for attack. She couldn't do that.

She had to stay strong.

Then, something unexpected happened.

Ozzy's face softened. Both Aylene and Littlefoot watched in surprise as he shook his head and chuckled.

"Well, looks like we can't compete with you, little human," he shrugged.

"Ozzy?" Strut asked, just as confused as the two children.

"What do you mean?" Aylene asked, suspicious.

"I mean, I can see why you're so strong for someone so small," the Struthiominus explained. "You're either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid, but I'll give you this. You certainly have guts. I can now see how you were able to defeat Sharptooth."

"It wasn't just me," Aylene corrected. "My friends were there with me. We did it together."

"Not to mention," Strut said, "you did save us from those sharp-teeth."

"I was saving Chomper," Aylene stated. "I didn't do it to save you or your brother."

"Regardless," Ozzy said, "and as much as we hate to admit it, I suppose we do owe you a debt of gratitude."

Aylene and Littlefoot stopped. She lowered her bow and relaxed her arms, for her muscles had gotten tired. But she still kept a good hold on the string.

"Are you trying to trick us?"

"No, not this time," Ozzy replied, brusque.

"Then leave us alone for good and that will be enough," Aylene demanded.

"Very well," Ozzy turned away. "Come on, Strut. Best for us to be moving on. I've gotten sick of this place."

"But Ozzy," Strut said, "don't you think we should also warn them?"

"Warn us about what?" Littlefoot asked.

Ozzy looked back at the two children for a moment and let out a deep breath.

"Well, since you are the ones who defeated Sharptooth," he said, "it's only fair to give you and your friends a warning."

"Yeah, apparently, your victory has spread throughout the Mysterious Beyond," Strut explained. "Not just to the flat-teeth, but also to other sharp-teeth as well."

Aylene swallowed hard. "It has?"

"Indeed," Ozzy said. "And let's just say that if they catch you two or any of your friends, your defeat will be seen as a sign of honor among the sharp-teeth."

Littlefoot froze, disturbed. "W-What? Why?"

"Well, Sharptooth was known as the "Walking Terror"," Strut said. "And by defeating his defeaters, whoever does will be considered the next one."

"That's never going to happen!" Aylene declared. "Not if I have anything to say about it."

"We're just warning you," Ozzy said, blasé. "And if we were you, we'd get back to the Great Valley as soon as possible. Well, farewell, little trouble-makers."

With that, the two Struthiominus raced down the path and disappeared among the rocks.

For a moment, Littlefoot and Aylene just stood there, somewhat dumbfounded by the event that had just taken place.

"Well, that was unexpected," Littlefoot sighed.

"You're telling me," Aylene replied. "I was sure that we would have to fight them again. I'm still not sure what changed their mind in the first place."

"Maybe it was your words," Littlefoot suggested. "They were pretty powerful."

Aylene turned her gaze to the ground and smiled, remembering her own words.

"Uh, Aylene, did you really mean all that?" Littlefoot asked tentatively. "I mean, risking your life for us?"

Aylene looked up at her friend, and her smile grew. She gently reached out her hand and placed it on his head.

"Every word."

Littlefoot smiled and then placed his head over her shoulder for a hug. Aylene returned the gesture with a warm embrace around his long neck. After a moment, the two friends pulled away.

"C'mon," Aylene said, "let's get back."

With that, the two friends set off toward the Great Valley.

Toward home.