Reply To: The Land Before Time XXI: Hunter Valley
CHAPTER FIVE: THE DARK CAVE
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Meanwhile, in the Great Valley, Grandpa Longneck looked at his wife.
“I do not like the looks of that storm. The kids were out there in it.” he said.
“They are older now dear. We have to trust them.” his wife replied.
“I hope they are ok.” he said.
“I’m sure they are.” replied Grandma Longneck.
Meanwhile, in Hunter Valley, Leafie and her friends headed further into the cave. The wind from the storm had made a lot of noise. I do not like it in here. griped Leafie, moving further into the Dark Cave.
Better than the stomach of a Sharptooth. Lorenzo said.
Leafie was very nervous. The wind whistled through the cave. Leafie kept wondering if it was a Fast Biter coming to make a meal of her. Though she knew her friends cared for her, she had a nasty feeling that the rest of Hunter Valley would view her as nothing more than dinner. She bumped a rock, sending it with a KER-SPLUNK into some nearby water. What? she gasped.
It’s just a rock. Thorn said.
I still feel uneasy. I keep feeling like there’s someone else in here. she said.
Meanwhile, Littlefoot and his friends came to. “Where are we?” he asked, his head pounding like a sledgehammer. He was still disoriented. And it didn’t help that there wasn’t much light in here. And, much to their horror, they soon found that the storm had blocked the entrance to the cave. They had to hope there was another way out or else they would die. Poor Ptero would go mad and they dreaded to think what he might do to them when hunger totally ran his mind. He was half-Sharptooth after all. He was their friend and wouldn’t harm them when in his right mind. However, when totally hungry, he’d be just another Sharptooth. Littlefoot had learned this when Chomper, having been trapped in a cave once with him and Shorty, had bitten him in the tail on instinct. Chomper luckily had snapped back to himself and they had found a way out, but he still knew what he was facing if they didn’t get out this time. However, death that way, at least for him, would beat death by thirst and starvation. It was Ptero that he’d feel the sorriest for if it came to that.
Leafie moved forward in the cave. It did sound eerie. However, it was safer than being out there in the storm, with Sharpteeth that would love to have her for dinner. She was worried about her future. She had always stayed in the confines of Hunter Valley her entire life. Where would she go now?
OOOOOOOH! OOOOOOH! Wind moved through the cave. She jumped. She thought she saw a shadow. She moved forward, her tail raised. She had learned that it could be used as a weapon if anything unpleasant came across her. Luckily, it was just Lorenzo.
Oh, it’s you. sighed Leafie in relief. I’ve been meaning to ask, why are we going in here exactly? It’s really eerie.
There is a way out of Hunter Valley from here. It doesn’t go past the pack like the entrances on the other side do. Lorenzo replied.
Where will I go once I leave Hunter Valley? she asked.
Not sure. The Mysterious Beyond I guess. he replied. That’s the world outside of Hunter Valley. he said at her blank look.
Will I be safe from being eaten there? she asked.
Kind of. There are Sharpteeth out there too. At least, unlike here, they aren’t looking for you, so you have that advantage. Lorenzo said. Leafie rolled her eyes.
I wish I could find some of my own kind to go with. Leafie sighed.
I’d love to help but every time I approach a Flattooth, they run away. So I’ve never been able to find anyone to take you. Lorenzo replied.
Wish I could go somewhere where I wouldn’t have to fear being eaten by Sharpteeth. Leafie said.
I don’t think there is such a place Leafie. Lorenzo replied.
Lorenzo suddenly began sniffing the air. Flatteeth. he said.
Yeah, how do I smell? grumbled Leafie.
Not you! replied Lorenzo in annoyance.
Another Flattooth? Here?! Excitement rose in her. She might at last see another of her own kind.
Littlefoot and his friends moved forward in the dark. It was lucky for them that Ptero was part Sharp Beak and hence could see in this very dim light.
Littlefoot stepped into water, making a loud splash. “Huh?” he gasped.
“It’s an underground stream.” said Ptero.
“Then it will lead us out of here….I hope.” Littlefoot said.
Leafie, meanwhile, asked Lorenzo Do you think that these Flatteeth will take me in?
I think so. Lorenzo replied. If they don’t, I may be tempted to want to eat them. he thought.
They both saw a shadow approaching. They were already unnerved by the wind howling through the cave. The wind howling on a normal day would make the cave seem eerie, hence the thought that it might be haunted. However, on a day like today, it was plain nerve-wracking.
Lorenzo growled. He didn’t want Dakota or some other Fast Biter attacking Leafie. The light was really dim in this part of the cave. Lorenzo raised his claws, preparing to attack if need be. The shadowy figure leapt at Lorenzo and knocked him over and began to pummel him.
Nice try Dakota! You won’t be eating Leafie! the figure said. Leafie quickly realized that it was Thorn from his voice.
Thorn stop it! You’re hurting Lorenzo! Leafie snapped.
Thorn blushed with embarrassment and stopped attacking Lorenzo. So sorry. Mistook you for Dakota. Thorn said.
Meanwhile, out in Hunter Valley, Dakota, having helped clean up some of the mess from the storm, went looking for the kids. He hadn’t spotted them leaving out the other entrances and rightly guessed that they were headed for the Dark Cave to try and get Leafie out that way. His uncle had spotted the kids near the Dark Cave. Dakota had wanted to go after the group immediately but had been detained by his uncle, who had made him help out cleaning up the mess of the storm first.
He had already told his uncle Xavier about Leafie, but the kids must have fooled Xavier. Dakota, however, wasn’t to be deterred. He climbed up a big rock face, planning to climb down the other side into the Mysterious Beyond and ambush the Clubtail on the other side of the Dark Cave. However, much to his delight, he saw that the cave had been blocked off with debris and, besides that, the entrance to the desert had been totally closed with debris too. There was no way they could be going out that way. You won’t be going out that way Club Tail. You’re going to be my dinner and your buddy Lorenzo is going to get his. laughed Dakota.
Littlefoot and his friends had found a way to cross the stream. They saw light in the distance. “There’s a way out of here!” Littlefoot said. The group cheered. However, their joy was short-lived. They saw Farrell nearby. He was on the lookout for Dakota, not them, but, of course, they didn’t know that. “Oh great, a Fast Biter!” Guido moaned softly.
PHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHBBBBBBTTTT! “What is that?” asked Guido in alarm.
“Ut oh!” said Spike. Spike had broken wind. They gagged.
“Ew, Spike’s tush has blown a boomer!” said Ducky, fanning the air. The group ran. Farrell ran toward the spot where they had been, but found nothing.
What was that? asked Flavia, coming toward him. She sniffed the air. Eccch, you reek! she groaned.
I didn’t do it! said Farrell.
Well, somebody here had to have let one. Flavia said.
There are Flatteeth in the cave. said Lorenzo, coming toward them.
Smelly ones too. remarked Thorn, sniffing the air.
I’m going to try and find them. said Leafie. She ran off.
Leafie, wait…..! yelled Lorenzo after her.
Littlefoot went forward. He thought he heard something up ahead. He hoped that it was friendly and not another Fast Biter. He was ready to fight if need be.
Leafie moved forward. She wanted to find out what else was in the cave besides them. She turned a corner. She had the club on her tail raised in case she came across anything unpleasant.
Littlefoot also turned a corner. He heard something up ahead. He moved forward slowly.
Leafie moved forward slowly. She turned as she saw a shadow on the cave wall. She saw Littlefoot and he saw her.
Littlefoot and Leafie stared at each other. “AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” they both yelled. They ran around, knocking over cave teeth and making a large ruckus. Thorn, Cheramie, Lorenzo, Farrell, and Flavia came running into sight from one direction, their claws raised, prepared to fight to defend Leafie. Petrie, Ptero, Guido, Cera, Ducky, and Spike came running from the other, also prepared to fight to protect Littlefoot.
The Sharpteeth on Leafie’s side, thinking it might be Dakota or worse, came in, their teeth bared and claws raised. Littlefoot and his side started to attack the Sharpteeth, thinking them trying to harm them and Leafie. The Sharpteeth were ready to defend themselves. It looked like it could get ugly.
