Reply To: The Land Before Time XVIII: Journey Under the Great Valley
CHAPTER THREE: THE LEGEND OF THE FIRE ROCK
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“No, Grandpa, I haven’t.” said Littlefoot, his interest peaking even more.
“They say that underneath the Great Valley, there is a rock that will make one have knowledge and experience beyond one’s years.” said Grandpa Longneck, who liked telling stories and legends to children, especially his grandson.
“What does it look like?” Littlefoot asked. He hoped he could find it. Then he could show them all.
“It is red and glowing. It is big and located in the middle of a river of Flowing Fire.” said Grandpa Longneck.
“Has anyone ever gotten it before?” asked Littlefoot, who thought it seemed the hard to get type of thing based on what Grandpa Longneck had just said.
“Some have tried, but none of them made it.” answered Grandpa Longneck mysteriously.
Littlefoot gulped. That didn’t sound good. But, then again, he imagined how cool he’d be if he got it.
“How does one get to it?” asked Littlefoot, still not deterred despite hearing that some had died trying to get it.
“There is said to be an entrance to it in a cave. However, the passage in the cave was blocked off long ago to stop others from going in. This happened many cold times ago. Before I was born in fact.” replied Grandpa Longneck
“Where at?” Littlefoot asked.
“Nobody knows.” said Grandpa Longneck.
“I’ll go find it.” said Littlefoot, who already had visions in his head of him getting the mysterious Fire Rock and running the Great Valley.
He started to run off. “GET BACK HERE!” yelled Grandma Longneck.
“What is it?” he asked in annoyance.
“Don’t you have something to say?” asked Grandma Longneck, pursing her lips.
“Yes, thanks for telling me about the Fire Rock. I’ll be going to get it now.” said Littlefoot, starting to head off. The two older Longnecks looked at each other and shook their heads. Grandpa Longneck blocked Littlefoot’s way with his tail. The teenaged Apatosaurus glared in annoyance at his grandparents.
“I meant about your behavior.” said Grandma Longneck, frowning.
“Oh, er…sorry.” muttered Littlefoot half-heartedly. “See you tonight. I’m going to find the Fire Rock.” he said happily. He headed off to go look for the Fire Rock.
Guess he didn’t get the point. We’ll have to punish him more. his grandparents both thought at the same time.
“LITTLEFOOT!” shouted Grandma Longneck angrily.
“Why do you keep calling me? Perhaps I should change my name as you keep calling me so much. Maybe I’ll be Mr. Underappreciated.” snapped the Longneck in annoyance, turning around and slowly coming back to them. Both Irene and Ignatius had had enough of his behavior!
“Well, ‘Mr. Underappreciated’, for your continued lip, belligerence, and unapologetic behavior, you are now banned from going out for the rest of the day.” said Grandpa Longneck firmly.
“Are you serious?!” whined Littlefoot.
“As serious as an Earthshake!” said both of his grandparents sternly and firmly.
Littlefoot pouted. “That isn’t going to change our minds.” scolded Grandpa Longneck.
“This is going to be one long day!” Littlefoot moaned, shaking his head.
“Oh, teenagers! It’s been a long time since we were that age.” whispered Grandma Longneck to her mate.
“Yes, what a fool I was then. Glad I’m wiser now.” whispered Grandpa Longneck back.
Littlefoot wasn’t allowed to go searching that day, for he was grounded. The next day, he started looking as soon as the Bright Circle rose. Littlefoot went into a cave. Ducky came across him. “What are you doing Littlefoot?” asked Ducky.
“Don’t bother me right now Ducky. I’m looking for the Fire Rock.” he said.
“What is that? I never hearded of it before.” asked Ducky.
“It is a rock that makes one smarter and more experienced.” replied Littlefoot.
“Well, the way you’ve been acting lately, I think you’d need several.” came Cera’s voice. She went into the room, Petrie on her back. Spike came behind her.
“Oh shut up!” groaned Littlefoot.
“What do you want with this rock anyway?” asked Cera.
“I want to be in charge of the Great Valley. I’m going to be the new leader. I can do better than the grownups. I’ll show them!” said Littlefoot braggadociously.
“This is one of your schemes to be cool, isn’t it?” grumbled Cera.
“I’m cool now. And I can be cooler still if I had that Rock.” said Littlefoot hungrily. Cera groaned.
“Yes, I have to be cool somehow.” said Littlefoot.
“Well, right now you are acting like a creep.” said Cera angrily.
“Who are you and what you do with Littlefoot?” asked Petrie.
“What is with you guys?” snarled Littlefoot.
“Me wish me could get the old Littlefoot back. He was nicer.” said Petrie.
“I’m fine Petrie!” snapped Littlefoot.
“I want the old Littlefoot back. He was cooler. He was. He was.” said Ducky.
“Not like Liam!” retorted Littlefoot.
“Ever since you’ve been with Liam, you’ve turned into a monster.” grumbled Cera.
“You’re just jealous!” snapped Littlefoot.
Spike groaned in exasperation. He was wondering what was up with his friend.
“You too Spike? What is with you all? You are being such sticks in the mud!” Littlefoot snapped at his four friends, storming off in a fury.
“Littlefoot having moment.” said Petrie, shaking his head.
“I am worried about him. I am. I am.” chimed in Ducky.
“Hmmmmmpppph, the nerve of him!” muttered Cera, sticking her nose up in the air in disgust.
Littlefoot came to Liam and his gang. “What is up Littlefoot my man?” asked Liam. Littlefoot told him about the Fire Rock. “Perfect!” said Liam, grinning. Littlefoot felt glad to be accepted and to have been thought to have had a good idea. Little did he realize that Liam and he did not have the same motives for finding it.
