A/N: After a hiatus and after losing the first complete version due to an unfortunate PC explosion, I bring to you the next chapter of Vale Guardian. Begone chapter 3! Chapter 4 will be spicy look forward to it.

As always thanks for stopping by and please leave a comment on your way out if you can. 3

Word Count: 5,686 Words. 31,473 Characters.

Story Word Count: 12,971 Words. 71,462 Characters.


The Great Divide had parted the dusty hard ground creating a makeshift canyon that stretched on for miles on end. Serene had been too concerned about other things to see how catastrophic the earthshake had been, but now as her and her son traveled alongside it she saw the complete extent of the damage.

Apart from the howling wind, it was eerily silent.

Over the edge led to a sharp drop, leading down into the dark depths where light couldn't reach. One single look at it gave her a fright she hadn't felt since she was a child. It was like she stepped into some kind of burial grounds, and knowing what she knew it technically was.

Was there anywhere to cross over? She thought, craning her neck to look around, with a rounding sigh she conceded.

Perhaps not.

"Cera!" Littlefoot chirped, breaking her train of thought as he ran ahead of her.

It did not take more than a normal walk to keep up with him. She looked ahead of her son to the one he was running to.

A young orange Threehorn stood at the edge of the divide looking down into it. Serene recognized her as the same one she had saved earlier, she was alone and without a guardian of any kind.

Serene must admit she didn't know what had happened to her after they parted ways that day but she reasoned that Cera had attempted to get back to her family. She was stuck on the wrong side of the divide just like they were.

"Cera, Hello!" Littlefoot greeted, happy to see her again. Serene admitted it was a change of pace to see another dinosaur alive.

"What do you want?" She spat.

Of course, that didn't mean that Cera was happy to see him.

"Nothing," He chuckled, "Where are you going?"

"I'm going to find my own kind. They're on the other side."

"I've looked around this side of the chasm. You can't climb up the other side."

"Maybe you can't," Cera said, then she stepped down onto a slope that led into the chasm. The ground there was dusty and covered in loose rock, it did not look like it would give much traction or make for good footing.

"I'm going to the Great Valley. Maybe, we could... help each other!" Littlefoot had a hopeful, almost excited even, expression.

"A Three-horn-" Cera grunted, toe claws digging into the gravel as she struggled to climb down. "does not need help from a Long-neck-" Cera gave a kick, sending a cloud of dust right into Littlefoot's face, however that action had caused her to lose her footing and with a gasp, Cera slipped down the slope screaming all the way.

On instinct, Serene reached out and tried to grab her by the scruff only for her teeth to faze right through her.

Serene cringed, sucking a sharp breath through her teeth. She lowered her head into the chasm, Cera was laying flat on her belly at the bottom. She pushed herself up to her haunches, her lip trembled and her face scrunched up in upset. Serene frowned, looking at the Threehorn from different angles, searching for any maladies. She was a little dirty from sliding down here but otherwise, she looked fine, she's just shaken up is all.

"W-well, at least we wouldn't be alone," Littlefoot called from above.

"Well," Cera sniffed, bitting it back any tears before they could form, "when l find my sisters, l won't BE alone. So, go away."

Then she turned and went deeper into the chasm, muttering to herself.

"Three-horns can be very dangerous.

They only talk with other three-horns,

and they only travel with other three-horns…"

As Cera's body and voice disappeared inside of the cavern, Serene's throat felt tight, motherly instincts screaming with alarm. She was stuck in between a rock and a hard place. On one foot, someone should really look after Cera, sure she was rude but that was no cause for death, on the other foot...she could not leave Littlefoot alone either.

With a sigh, she lifted her head out of the cavern. Littlefoot had his head hung low. He grabbed his Treestar before dragging himself away, Serene slowly following him.

"Littlefoot…" Serene said, "It's only for the best, the other kinds they... they keep to themselves...remember?"

Her unheard words were more to convince herself, she realized, a futile attempt to soothe her anxieties.

Cera was fine, she told herself, anything down there is long dead. There is nothing partially dangerous if she's careful.

Serene tried her best to ignore that bad feeling in her gut about Cera, yet she couldn't ignore that something definitely felt off.

The pond was crisp and clean as fish swam too and fro below the surface. It was hypnotic, the rhythmic patterns they made would put anyone in a trance. Serene only absentmindedly stared at its depths, too deep in contemplation to notice the beauty of it.

Littlefoot's reflection peered back at him with an emotionless stare as he laid at the pond's edge.

How long can this go on for?

Serene has seen this type of sadness before. This was the type of grief that some never recovered from. Some never moved again. It was as if they had died yet they still breathed... but never for very long. She feared a horrible fate would befall her son if this continued for too long.

It would be easier if-

She sighed.

Easier if.

If.

It would be easier if Littlefoot just forgot about her.

Serene lashed at the pool with her tail, expecting a great splash yet receiving nothing for her effort, this only fueled her rage further.

Damn it all.

Her anger was not directed at Littlefoot, heavens no not Littlefoot, she was angry at herself, the sharptooth, the earthshake that separated them all, the whole world itself!

Why?

Why did this have to happen?

Tell me why!?

She gave a sharp huff, crossing her forelegs as she looked away, she tried to let her anger fade but she found even that to be a useless endeavor.

What was the point even?

A splash. Quiet and small as it was, the sound of something exiting the water's surface was clear as day to her senses. Serene opened her eyes to see a young swimmer at the water's edge her big blue eyes staring curiously at her son.

"Hello," She said, then after getting no answer from Littlefoot she repeated, "I said hello.

A tear rolled down Littlefoot's face, The Swimmer momentarily frowned as she watched the tear trail off his face and land on the ground.

"What is your name?" She asked then she gasped, "Maybe you cannot talk yet. Huh? Huh?"

"Don't you know anything?" Littlefoot said, his tone dismissive, "Long-necks don't talk to... uh... whatever you are." He got up wanting to turn away yet The Swimmer hopped towards him.

"Me?" The Swimmer said, "I'm a long-neck, too. See?"

She stretched her neck out as long as it would go.

"And l have a long tail like you."

She stretched out her tail as well. Serene stared at her with a confused smile, while Littlefoot gave her a knowing smirk.

"All right…" The Swimmer gave up, sitting down, "I'm not a long-neck. I'm a swimmer, but l am all alone, l am. l lost my family in the big earthshake."

Littlefoot paused for a moment, "Um... you want to go with me?" He asked with hopeful excitement.

"Yeah!" The Swimmer shouted with a jump, then she quickly quieted herself. "Oh. Oh, yes, yes, yes! l do, l do!"

"All right. Come on…" Littlefoot leaped into the water, he looked back at her, "but you have to keep up."

"l will keep up. l will." She hummed, leaping across tree roots as she followed her new friend. "Where are we going?"

"To the Great Valley." Littlefoot said. " l won't stop until l find my grandparents."

I wonder how mum and dad are doing...Serene mused. I hope they're alright. Then she left them behind when she saved her son and-

Ancestors… The last time they saw her alive was the night before her death.

The last thing she told them was good night…

She didn't even get to say goodbye.

Serene gave a heavy sigh, closing her eyes in a pained expression.

"Do you think my family went to the Great Valley, too?"

The Swimmer's voice brought her back to reality, and Serene reasoned that maybe she should focus on them for now.

Yes...that sounded good.

"Maybe," Littlefoot said, stepping up onto dry land again, "My mother said it's where all the herds were going."

Serene hummed.

"Oh, l hope. l hope."

"My name's Littlefoot." He said over his shoulder.

"Mine is Ducky. Yep, that's what it is."

Serene smiled, what a cute name.

Ducky started to hum as they walked on, hum shifting into some sort of song of doots and deets as they bopped up and down, hoping across the dry cracked ground.

What are you two doing? Serene mused watching them with a gentle smile.

"Don't step on a crack, or you'll fall and break your back," Ducky landed both laughing at the silly game they just partook in."

Then a loud gurgle filled the air.

Ducky chuckled, "My stomach is talking."

"Mine too," Littlefoot agreed, he looked up at a big leaf hanging just in reach, "Hmm. l wonder what this tastes like."

Like ash and skyfire.

Dry and burnt tasting.

Littlefoot took a bite, trying to pull it down.

Then the fern gave a startled scream.

Serene flinched.

What in the world?

"The tree is talking," Ducky said.

"No, it issont," Littlefoot said, his voice muffled due to the leaf stuffed in his mouth.

"You should not eat talking trees. Nope, nope, nope."

Serene got a closer look trying to see what was making that sound, then with a mighty tug from Littlefoot, a small creature came tumbling down the leaf, landing right on his snout.

Littlefoot let go with a scream, the leaf smacking back sending the small creature flying back and crashing through the crumbling dry ground, Ducky screamed and hid underneath Littlefoot for safety.

Serene stepped over to the ground that the creature smashed through, there was a small cave-like area below it fell into, she gazed into it seeing two wide terrified eyes staring back up at her.

Ducky looked into the cave as well, "Who are you? Huh?"

"M-my name Petrie," The Creature stuttered.

Ducky giggled, "Petrie, huh? Funny name." She backed up letting the creature come into the light and that is when Serene saw what he was.

He was a young flyer.

There's a lot of children running around by themselves, Serene grimaced.

"Uh, l-l flied?" Petrie said hopefully.

"No," Ducky frowned, "You falled."

"l falled?" Petrie fell to the ground dramatically, chattering excessively to himself in frustration.

"You cannot fly?" Ducky pointed to the fern he was on earlier, "Then how did you get up there?"

"l climb." Petrie hopped in the air mimicking a climbing movement.

"But you're a flier, not a faller." Littlefoot said.

"Hard thing to fly," Petrie groaned, pouting.

"l guess it is," Littlefoot said.

"We can't do it. Nope, we cannot," Ducky added.

Serene gave a sigh, rolling her eyes with a smile.

Guess we'll have to take him with us as well.

...

How many has it been? Rooter has long since lost count. The death toll seemed much like this cavern, long, terrifying, and seemingly never-ending.

Perhaps he had gotten lost?

That could be true, however, he wasn't looking to leave just yet anyway.

There was no need to rush, this job did not require speed, he could just take things at his own pace for the most part.

Light cascaded across the cavern, revealing the body of a large Sharptooth lying limply across the rocks. Rooter recognized this one immediately.

"Seems you've finally met your end, Red Eye," Rooter said, "Was it worth it?"

A sound filled the air as if contradicting his statement. It was subtle but Rooter heard it all the same, it sounded like an intake of breath, and he took a step back foot hanging in mid-air, disbelief filling his features.

"You're... You're not actually dead are you?" He put his fore-leg back on the ground giving a sigh, "No...no your not."

He heard the sound of a yelp then skidding and before Rooter could turn around he felt a weird sensation but a familiar one, someone had passed through him. He was rather lucky he was incorporeal right now otherwise a blow like that could've hurt whoever was going at that speed.

An orange Threehorn rolled to a stop not too far from him.

Rooter sighed. What is Cera doing here?

He's not a babysitter.

Where was the Vale Guardian when you needed him?

He grunted.

Ugh...He forgot.

The light shined on Red Eye's sleeping form again, Cera gave a shriek, the sound causing rocks to break off from the ceiling, and ran away.

Rooter covered his ears with his forelegs, sneering with a bark, "You're going to cause a cave-in if you keep doing that!"

Cera slowly peeked from being a rock, shaking like a leaf, she slowly stepped forward eyeing up the Sharptooth. After seeing that Red Eye was unresponsive, Cera's face turned into a naughty smirk and she hummed slinking forward.

Rooter watched her approach with a raised brow, "What are you up to, kid?"

Cera stared up at Red Eye's head, pausing for a moment.

You're not going to-

Cera stuck out her tongue at him and rammed his snout.

Of course, you are... Of course, you're going to do that.

Then she rammed him again, then a third time, the fourth time she bounced off his snout and ran some distance away. She stopped and turned, kicking at the ground in preparation for a charge.

Rooter simply stepped out of the way and shook his head, he thought of the many ways this wasn't going to end well. And as Cera charged, he counted in his mind.

3

2

1

The Sharptooth's eye snapped open, pupil shrinking upon seeing the small Threehorn in front of it.

Cera skidded to a stop with a scream, after finally kicking enough to gain traction she turned and ran in the opposite direction as fast as her little legs could carry her.

"That serves you right!" Rooter shouted after her retreating form, "Go on, get!"

He held no concern for her at this moment, she'll be alright with that head start she got. Rooter stood sighing and shaking his head disapprovingly as he watched Red Eye push himself up to his feet.

This will never end at this rate.

...

Serene kept herself at the front of the pack, keeping vigilant for dangers. She sucked in a sharp breath through clenched teeth. She tapped Littlefoot with her tail in warning.

A low dangerous snarl filled the air.

"Quiet," Littlefoot shushed his friends, "Stay low."

All three crouched behind a big tree root, a large Sailback stepped into view revealing its sharp teeth with a snarl. It gave a flick of its tongue tasting the air, the smell of the swamp air masked any scent of the gang so it passed by looking for its next meal elsewhere.

Serene didn't let her guard down till it roamed out of sight.

She gave a sigh of relief.

It's gone. We're safe now-

A distant roar met her ears.

Ah...I guess spoke too soon.

The sound was strange, even the gang paused in their tracks when they heard, it almost sounded like...like it was from underground?

Serene's face scrunched up in bemusement.

What made that sound?

Littlefoot shook it off and moved on.

Petrie hopped up on his tail and scurried up his back, neck and onto his head hiding under the soft Treestar, Petrie sighed in contentment.

"Oww," Littlefoot growled, "Petrie, get off!"

Petrie peeked out of the Treestar, laying in a lazy pose, "You got nice flat-head. Flat-head," He giggled.

Serene rolled her eyes.

Littlefoot cleared his throat. "My name is not flat-head. My Name. Is. Littlefoot."

Petrie gasped, "Littlefoot!?" then he wrapped the Treestar around himself like a blanket.

"Are you just gonna stay up there?"

Petrie gave a huff as he tried to flatten the Treestar against Littlefoot's head. "...Yes!"

"Well, you can't!" Littlefoot tried to shake him off, "You're tearing my Treestar."

Petrie gasped in horror.

"It is very special, very," Ducky, who was rocking on the ground, explained. She got to her feet and looked up at them. "His mother gave it to him...She did."

"Oooooo," Petrie moaned in awe, picking up the Treestar and nodding. "Mother present. Very important. Oh yes. I keep safes. Don't let nobodies touch."

Then the flyer rolled up the Treestar and held it over his shoulder then he walked back and forth on Littlefoot's head like he was patrolling a territory border.

"Yep, Petrie," Ducky said, "You keep it safe. Yep yep yep!"

"Nope nope nope!" Littlefoot disagreed, "I'm not a carrier, get off!"

Littlefoot grabbed the rolled up Treestar in his mouth and started to walk.

"You're a flyer, now. Start. Flying!" Littlefoot said as he started to pick up the pace.

"Open your wings, Petrie!" Ducky ran after them flapping her arms trying to be supportive "Open!"

Petrie made noises and pleaded to stop while trying to hold on for dear life as Littlefoot kept running. Ducky continued to give support and Littlefoot told him to open his skinny wings and that he could fly.

Serene walked after them. "Now, Knock it off you two," She called after them.

"DANGERRRRRRR!" Petrie shrieked.

"Where?" Ducky, who was now on Littlefoot's back, asked.

"Th-th-there! Ahead!"

Serene looked in front, spotting the skeleton of a long-dead dinosaur, but before anyone could think Littlefoot skidded on the mud and rammed his back into the skeleton's rib-cage. In panic Littlefoot ran as fast as his legs could carry him, all the while the skeleton still clung to his back.

"It's just bones!" Serene called out to them, yet to no avail as he continued to run haphazardly. An unfamiliar scream filled her ears and she saw Cera running towards them as well.

Littlefoot hopped down a little hill and upon contact with the ground, the bones flung off of him and at Cera knocking her flat on her back.

There the Threehorn laid, trying to catch her breath.

"Cera! It's you…" Littlefoot said just as out of breath as her as he approached, "What happened? Why are you so frightened."

"Frightened? Me?" Cera asked smugly as she got up and went under Littlefoot with a laugh.

Cera's smugness was definitely a front if Serene ever saw one. Something had happened to her after they separated. That roar from earlier...did that have something to do with her? Why was she so panicked?

Cera shot back, "Why are you so frightened?"

"We're not frightened!" Littlefoot said, then he added to the others, "Are we?"

"Nope, nope!" Ducky chimed.

Cera slid back down and faced the others. "Well, you should be! I could be with the other Threehorns but I chose to come back to warn you…"

From what?

"I. Met."

Cera hopped towards them.

"The Sharptooth!"

WHAT!?

Petrie gasped and scurried up to hold on to Littlefoot's neck. "SHARPTOOTH!"

That's...No, that's not right.

"Come on Cera," Littlefoot said more calmly than Serene could ever be at this moment in time, "The Sharptooth is dead. He fell down into the big underground."

"And that'sssss. Where he met meee," Cera said.

That's a lie. She's lying.

"Ohhh," Duck was in awe, "Dear, brave Cera."

She has to be lying.

"Dear, brave Cera," Petrie repeated much to Littlefoot's shock and annoyance.

Because if she isn't lying…

"Yes, I am brave," Cera said smugly.

Then...

"Sharptooth is dead!" Littlefoot exclaimed.

"My father told me that flat-heads had very small brains," Cera countered with a sneer.

Serene was thoroughly flustered, only barely comprehending the conversation. Her mind was in overdrive, fuzzy and dismayed, eyes darting around like a crazed animal.

Cera hopped on a log. "I was all alone with him in the dark…" She said, Petrie gave a whimper.

There was no possible reason that Monster could have survived the fall and yet she was so worried at that prospect of being wrong about it.

"Just the Sharptooth and me…"

Cera was obviously playing it up, but all lies at least had some truth to it.

Maybe she had found his corpse down below-

Something called in the distance, similar to the roar she heard some time ago.

-What was that!?

Everyone else seemed to ignore it, however.

Ducky hid under the piece of wood Cera was standing on. "I could hear him breathing," Cera breathed heavily adding a little growl to it. Ducky yelped and hopped up top of the piece of wood, Cera approached her.

That roar from before, what if…What if that was him?

"I could see his one big ugly eye looking for meeee."

Serene shook her head, she doubts it, nothing is making sense.

Ducky gasped, and Cera added another breathy growl. "What did you do? Huh, huh?"

Her head is aching.

Cera turned, "I walked right up to him-"

Serene closed her eyes trying to get a hold of herself. No need to panic. It's fine.

"-I looked him straight in the eye… and said…

AURGH!" Cera roared pouncing on the end of the plank with all her might.

Ducky, who had the misfortune of being on the opposite end of the plank, was catapulted into the air with a yell.

DUCKY!?

Acting on instinct Serene lept after her, following where the young swimmer flew. She climbed up and over the edge of an opening, that opening had led to the outside where Ducky had landed not far from her.

Are you alright little one?

Ducky was a little shaken up but otherwise fine. Serene took a glance behind her, noticing the sharp decline she had just jumped up from, that was more a cliff-face how did she-

Loud snoring filled the air, breaking her out of her thoughts.

Littlefoot called Ducky's name yet both her and Serene were focusing on the snoring emanating from a tuft of grass.

Ducky entered the grass with a "Helloooo."

Serene looked in from above, spotting a stark white undamaged egg; the source of the snoring. Ducky also discovered this after putting her ear up against it.

"Hello?" Ducky repeated.

The hatchling inside responded by bashing a crack on its shell, and not long after a green face with two lazy eyes peeked out at Ducky only to disappear back into the egg.

Serene chuckled, a typical child who doesn't want to get up in the morning.

"You should come out. You should," Ducky climbed onto the egg, "You are late. Yes, you are. Yep yep yep."

All she got in response was another snore.

After giving a glare, Ducky grabbed the loose part of the eggshell and tossed it off, looking into the egg's interior herself.

"You are all alone," Suddenly the green face emerged from the egg revealing a slightly beaky snout and the same lazy eyes staring back at Ducky, "Are you not scared?"

The newly hatched dinosaur gave a big yawn as their egg fell backward, they simply laid there with their tongue flopping out of their mouth.

"We're going to the Great Valley," Ducky said while removing the rest of the egg, "You can go with us. Yes, you can."

With the last part of the egg on top of them gone, the hatchling's little bumpy tail flopped down.

"Uhhh… You are a Spiketail so we will call you Spike." Ducky stepped out of the grass with a giggle, Serene moved her head from the grass as well to give him room.

Spike then popped his head out the grass and the first thing he did in life was... to take a big bite of the grass, devouring roots and all. Then he took another bite, then another swallowing a mouthful down in seconds. Then he reared up and took another bite, he eyed the last two tufts, whipped around, and stuffed the last parts in his mouth and down his gullet.

He had eaten all of it in less than a minute.

My, what an appetite.

However, they had found another problem as the spiketail decided that his old hatching site was a good place to take a nap. There was no moving him now, and they certainly could not carry him.

Ducky stared at him wondering how to solve this predicament.

Littlefoot called for Ducky again.

Serene started to look around the area, humming.

Hmm, I wonder if there's any sweet bubbles around.

Now that Serene thought of it, she had never seen such a group of dinosaurs traveling together in all her years.

A Longneck.

A Threehorn.

A Swimmer.

A Flyer.

And a Spiketail.

All heading towards a single goal. All heading to the Great Valley together.

Even though she had never seen this before, it felt right, as if everything is as it should be.

The group walked together, Spike being lured by Ducky with Sweet Bubbles, for a long while they walked till they all came across a small waterfall trailing into a small river below.

"Hmm...Treestars grow where there's lots of water," Littlefoot mused his gaze following where the water flowed, he head lowered to get a better look, "If we followed this water…"

Petrie sniffed then climbed onto Littlefoot's mussel, closely followed by Ducky. "Humph, no green foods here and I still hungry."

"I'm still hungry tooooo," Ducky moaned.

Littlefoot pulled his head back from under them, sending both falling into the small river.

Littlefoot paused and sniffed the air, "Can you smell something?"

Petrie sniffed while Ducky laid on top of his head.

"Sniff-Sniff- I- Sniff- I-Sniff-Sniff- I smell- Sniff-Sniff- I smell- Sniff-Sniff-Sniff- I smell…-Sniff- Hmm...Ducky."

"You smell me?" Ducky giggled.

Serene rolled her eyes, sighing playfully.

"Come on you two."

Littlefoot and a yawning Spike stood at the precipice of a cliff where the water trailed down into.

"I smell water, I smell..." Littlefoot said, giving a big sniff "Treestars!"

Serene gazed down into the land below and a wonderful sight met her eyes, a small bountiful amount of fresh trees lay at the bottom of their perch.

"Oh look, green food!" Ducky chimed.

"The Great Valley," Cera cheered, "I found it!"

"Cera!" Littlefoot blurted, annoyed with her, "Stop it."

Cera chuckled, "I found it."

A low rumble filled the air, driving worry into everyone's hearts.

What was that?

Serene looked back over her shoulder, paling when she saw the source of the sound.

"Earthshake!" Littlefoot yelled, "We've got to get out of here!"

Oh, that's not an earthshake Littlefoot…

"That way come on!" Littlefoot, Cera, and Petrie scrambled through the opening and tried to climb their way down the slope, leaving Spike and Ducky stuck behind.

"Spike, hurry up," Ducky pleaded with him.

"Ducky, Spike! Get out of there!" Littlefoot called.

Ducky froze, staring in horror at the approaching danger.

Suddenly a herd of Longnecks bashed through the rocks and rushed down towards the trees below.

Serene stole a glance behind herself and when she was certain that the kids were alright she sprinted ahead of the Longneck herd. Somehow she beat them to the trees, she gazed around frantically as she tried to think of something.

She needed to save a tree, just one tree for them.

There she saw a small lonely tree, perhaps they would miss that one. Or perhaps she would have to make them miss that one.

Being a Vale Guardian gives you abilities that many do not possess.

She made a Treestar appear out of thin air and she could make a tree disappear as well...or maybe…

Serene curled herself around the small tree, and she focused on it deeply. Imagining that same tree only colored differently, a different tree altogether, she felt a heavy strain on her body and she grits her teeth trying to bear it. Even though she struggled she was still aware that the Longneck herd had now arrived and was quickly chewing through all that the trees had to offer.

One of them approached her tree to eat, only for them to flinch back in horror.

"Poison Bubble Tree!"

One of the other longnecks gasped.

Serene grinned under the strain.

Yes… she's done it.

Thankfully, Serene did not have to endure this much longer as the longneck herd quickly finished off the other tree and set off elsewhere. When she was sure the last one left, she let go of her focus.

Her legs refused to hold her up any longer and she crashed to the ground, body feeling heavy as a rock.

She laid curled around the tree she saved, barely noticing how that the tree went back to its normal state, a stream of light streamed in from the opening of the leafless trees above, she laid her head on the ground, eyes slipping closed as she tried to catch her breath.

I just- I need to- I just need to...Rest…

The next time Serene opened her eyes she was met with the strangest sight. Littlefoot was standing on top of Spike, Ducky was standing on Littlefoot's head and Petrie was held up by Ducky.

What in the world?

Did- Had- Had she passed out?

Possibly.

Serene still felt so weak at the moment, she could not do much else then watch as her kids tried to grab a bite to eat all the while Cera was crackling in laughter at the absurdity of the situation.

"You four look so ridiculous," Cera said.

Petrie wobbled up top but still managed to claw at the leaves on top of the tree knocking them to float back down to the ground. Spike who was interested in the falling leaves started gobbling them up, and when he had a mouthful he backed away leaving Littlefoot to try to cling to the tree only to eventually fall back down on to Spike's head.

"Ducky, Petrie, come down here we got green food!" Littlefoot called to the last two still clinging to a hanging branch at the top of the tree.

Ducky gave Petrie a big smooch on the cheek before letting herself fall down into the soft pile of leaves below.

Finally, the branch broke, sending Petrie falling down to the earth, the others called to him to open his wings and fly, yet he only opened them not giving a single flap and thus he only slowed his descent. Littlefoot gave a huff of breath to try and keep him up but to no avail as the flyer gently landed on the pile of leaves.

"I flyed?" Petrie asked, hopefully.

Ducky sighed, looking away.

"Oh...You'll get it next time, Petrie," Serene said breathlessly.

Littlefoot wandered to where Cera was. "Come on Cera, we've got green food!"

"I can get my own green food," Cera said.

The Threehorn kicked the ground and rammed the tree in front of her. She butted it a few more times getting more and more frustrated with each hit.

Serene gazed up.

There's no leaves in that tree…

She gazed back to her son to see him grab a bunch of green food in his maw, waiting for her to charge again. When Cera hit the tree again Littlefoot tossed the food at her.

With a smirk, Cera took a big bite of her food. "See. I can take care of myself."

Littlefoot gave a lighthearted sigh as he watched her move away.

"All by myself," She said walking over to a small yet flat rock platform, "and I'm not afraid to be alone."

The others started to finish their meals, barely paying attention to the boasting Threehorn girl.

"I know my way to go. And I'm not afraid of Sharptooth!" Cera laid down then she added, "I hope he doesn't eat any of you."

"Don't worry," Littlefoot said to the others, "There isn't any Sharptooth."

Scared, Ducky beckoned Spike to follow her.

Finding that she needed to find a better sleeping spot, with great difficulty Serene slowly got to her feet, she still felt heavy, she slowly approached the others.

Most of the gang snuggled up against Cera, while Littlefoot stood alone watching sadly, he sighed, "There isn't any Sharptooth…"

With his head hung low Littlefoot walked over to a large footprint in the long since dried mud, he crawled inside of the print and laid down face falling into that depressive gaze again.

Serene stared at him, oh my dear sweet Littlefoot…

However not very soon after, she heard the little pitter-patter of feet and saw Ducky jump into the footprint and walk up to Littlefoot to snuggle into his neck, a small smile on both of their faces.

Then Petrie walked to them as well and climbed on top of Littlefoot's head.

Then with a thump that shook the ground, Spike came to spoon against Littlefoot's back.

Serene craned her head away to where Cera was shivering in her sleep. She woke with a startle, looking around as she wondered where the others went. After seeing them all in the footprint, Cera wrapped her fore-legs around herself as she shivered further, unsure if she should join them.

"You too little one, come along." Serene waited for Cera to follow.

Both walked over to the foot-print, Cera climbing in to slide under Littlefoot's belly, and Serene gently curled around the footprint. She gave one last look at the snuggling young ones then she rested her head on the soft ground, giving a long drawn out sigh as her eyes slipped closed.

And she rested in the company of Littlefoot and his friends, feeling safe and content for the first time in a long while under the night sky.