Reply To: The Land Before Time XXI: Hunter Valley
CHAPTER FOUR: THE STORM
________________________________________
Overhead in the Mysterious Beyond, meanwhile, the sky was overcast and getting darker. It was getting later in the afternoon but this darkness was due to the coming storm. “I fear sky water is going to fall soon.” grumbled Cera. They hoped not. They didn’t like getting soaked. They were on their way back to the Great Valley.
“A little water will not hurt you. It will not. It will not.” said Ducky.
“We no Swimmers like you! It annoying to us!” said Petrie.
It began to rain. “Just great!” moaned Cera.
“At least we aren’t being chased by Sharpteeth.” said Guido, trying to remain optimistic.
However, he’d spoken too soon. They suddenly heard something coming after them, something with loud thundering footsteps. It was the Tarborsaurus pack coming back. They were NOT happy. The kids tried to hide again, but this time, they couldn’t find as good of a spot. They hoped Ptero could dupe them again.
You lied. There were no Flatteeth! shouted the pack leader angrily at Ptero.
Yes there were. Perhaps you should check again. replied Ptero.
The Tarborsaurus leader sniffed the air. I smell them around here.
Yeah, they were here earlier. That’s why you smell them. Ptero lied.
No, I don’t think so. I see them over there. said another Tarborsaurus, pointing at the kids.
Wait, no, that’s um, not Flatteeth, that’s, er, those things you see in the desert when it gets really hot. You know, things that aren’t really there. said Ptero nervously. The Flatteeth and Guido took off. Several Tarborsauruses snarled angrily.
Well, it was nice chatting with you, but I’ve got to be flying off. Ptero said nervously to the pack leader. He flew off.
Why you little…..! snarled the pack leader at Ptero in fury. SNAP! he snapped his fangs at Ptero. SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! Ptero narrowly dodged him many times.
No need to get snappy with me. Ptero smarted off.
You smart-aleck little brat! grumbled the pack leader.
Better than a dumb-aleck. Ptero said, this time dodging a swipe from the leader’s claws.
SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH! It began to rain hard. The Sharpteeth were still after them. WHOOSH! WHOOSH! The wind really picked up. It was starting to blow Petrie, Guido, and Ptero around. “Me no like this!” whined Petrie. KABOOM! KABOOM! KABOOM! Lightning flashed in the sky.
“This bad flying weather!” said Petrie.
“Still safer in the air.” said Guido.
Meanwhile, Flavia, Lorenzo, Thorn, Farrell, Cheramie, and Leafie tiptoed through Hunter Valley. Leafie, who had been hidden most of her life, didn’t know where she was going. They heard someone coming. Leafie quickly hid. Luckily she had hidden in mud. And even more luckily, her friends had the sense to put leaves over her head.
It was Xavier, the pack leader. There is a storm going on. Some trees are being blown over. You kids should take cover. he said.
We are quite capable of taking care of ourselves. grumbled Thorn.
ROOOOARRR! Xavier advanced forward. I don’t need any lip from you young man! he snarled.
Sorry sir. apologized Thorn.
Dakota has a most interesting story. He says that you are hiding a Flattooth. said Xavier.
Dakota is a fibber and just likes your attention! lied Lorenzo.
Xavier sniffed the air. I do smell a Clubtail! he said, continuing to sniff. He might not know exactly where Leafie was, but he might find her if he stayed around long enough. Leafie wondered if she could fend him off with her tail.
Oh, we had Clubtail for dinner. lied Flavia quickly.
Most delicious. Pity you couldn’t have had some. added Farrell.
Dakota was just jealous that we didn’t give him any and so he made that whole story up. said Cheramie in annoyance.
Well, be sure that you get to shelter soon. I don’t like the looks of this storm. said Xavier. He left.
When they were sure he was truly gone, Leafie came out. My life is in danger here every moment that I stay. I need to go somewhere else, don’t I? she said. She had always felt that ever since learning the truth. They nodded.
The wind was indeed getting bad. They headed toward the Dark Cave. They were nervous about going in. However, if Leafie got injured out here in the open, she’d be a meal faster than Ozzy moving when heading toward a huge unguarded nesting ground. They headed inside. The place sounded eerie. The walls made the place echo, and wind going through the cave made it sound as though evil spirits were in the place.
Meanwhile, in the Mysterious Beyond, the Sharpteeth were getting closer. Cera jabbed one in the toe with one of her two horns. The Sharptooth fell over and two others tripped over him like the Three Stooges. Littlefoot and his friends laughed.
However, more Sharpteeth were coming. It looked bad. But then…WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH! A funnel cloud appeared. “It’s a Sky Twirly! Run!” cried Littlefoot in horror.
The Sharpteeth were getting closer. And so was the Sky Twirly. SWOOSH! WHOOSH! The wind was really picking up. SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH! The rain was causing it to be hard to see. It was quite dark out now due to all the clouds.
“The Sharpteeth won’t be able to find us in this!” said Cera.
“I hope that’s the case!” said Guido.
“Sharpteeth can smell us even if they can’t see us. Let’s hope that this Sky Water washes away our smells.” said Ptero.
The Sharpteeth were getting nearer. It looked bad. Then the Sky Twirly came. It narrowly missed the Sharpteeth. The Sharpteeth got thrown by the winds all the same. Littlefoot and his friends hoped that the Sharpteeth were killed. Then, however, the Sky Twirly went their way. “Oh no!” they cried, their mouths open in horror.
They were able to move aside. However, rocks and trees were thrown everywhere. They ran as fast as they could down a path and into a canyon. They had never gone this way before. Behind them, the Sky Twirly had caused the canyon to close by a rock slide. They hoped that there was another way out or else they, minus Petrie, Ptero, and Guido, might die of hunger in here.
The Sky Twirly didn’t go into the canyon, but the winds intensified around them. SWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSHHHH! The winds reverberated across the canyon walls and struck rocks. The group headed into a cave. As they entered, rocks hit them and they soon fell a short distance into the cave. They blacked out.
Outside, the weather turned for the better and the sky soon cleared. Around though, there was a mess of debris that blocked a lot of the canyon. Also, out in the Mysterious Beyond, the Sharpteeth got up. They were a bit bruised but otherwise unharmed. And they were determined to get the teens for a meal. They sniffed the air eagerly. They couldn’t get into the canyon but they weren’t about to give up.
Find them! I want them to pay for showing us up! said the pack leader to his group. They sniffed the air, trying to find another way to get to Littlefoot and his friends.
