My Little Pony: The Land Before Time

by Jongoji245


The Great Migration

As Celestia rose over the barren wilderness, the massive herd of dinosaurs continued their journey west.

Joined once more, the herd continued their journey to find the great land of plenty.

As the herd walked over a hill to a massive desert, Apple Bloom and Babs looked back. The stomping grounds their forefathers browsed for centuries has become nothing more than the desert they were going into. Apple Bloom lowered her head.

"Apple Bloom, Babs, don't lag!" Applejack beckoned.

Giving one last glance, the two young three horns ran over and kept up with the herd. When Celestia was high in the sky, the desert heat became intense, with very little passes for shade. Scorpan stopped and looked at the sun, now at high noon. He snorted, turning to Thunderhooves.

"We're moving too slow."

"I'll pick up the pace." Thunderhooves responded before the Thicknose bellowed, prompting the herd to pick up speed.

The herd began climbing up a mountain range. As they gained altitude, the heat from the desert gradually gave way to temperatures 45 degrees or less. While a relief at first, the higher they reached, the more intense the wind became, and soon they felt the snow on their feet. Not risking being blown away, the fliers landed walked in-between their larger herd members. Thunderhooves noticed the shine of the ice as they began their descent.

"Be careful, it's slippery!" The Pachyrhinosaurus warned before moving along.

But that warning didn't reach the Crusader's dino counterparts. Since the wind died down, they took this opportunity to play in the snow. Scootaloo, the more daring of the three, took the chance to slide down the hill. Finding the fun in this, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom joined in. But the fun was short-lived when they couldn't stop at the said slippery parts. Bumping into one of the grown-ups, the domino effect caused them to slide down the hill.

Scorpan turned around, "What is going on back-?"

The large Duckbill's eyes widened at the avalanche of dinosaurs before they collided with him all the way down the mountain face. As they groaned, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo popped out of the snow.

"Woo hoo!" Scootaloo popped out last, fist bumping Apple Bloom's shoulder "Yeah who's up for round-"

The Crusaders noticed the angry expressions of their herd, especially that of Applejack.

Onward they marched from the mountains to a dusty volcanic plain. Being far from the volcanoes, the herd is safe for the time being.

Everywhere they traveled the land changed around them and reminded them how going to Canterlot Crater was important.

At one point the herd was in the middle of passing over a dead Saurolophus, no doubt one of the stragglers from a previous herd. Big Mac looked at the corpse when he heard a screech. Looking at the distance, the same pack of velociraptors watched them. Taking one last look, Big Mac kept up to the herd. After going the herd walked a good distance away from the corpse, the Fast Biters began feasting on the dead animal.

Now the herd was in a grassy savanna, a godsend from the harsh environments they passed, but the walk wasn't over. Granny Smith collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily.

"Up an' at 'em, Granny!" - Applejack walked over to Granny's side and began to push - "Can't let those things, eat you! They're out there waiting."

Applejack looked back to notice the raptors not following them. They themselves were still at the ash field wolfing down the animal, unaware that a larger animal was approaching them. Chrysalis looked behind before scattering off. When the pack looked back, they also saw the problem. Grogar, a Carnotaurus, was also following the herd. His huge size deterred the smaller predators before he too feasted on the corpse.

Scorpan stopped, his hoof-like toes scraping the cracked ground of a river bed. He turned to find his herd slowing down to a stop. There is still a massive lake to their side and the greenery to match. But the leader has the final word whether to stop or not.

"Scorpan," Thunderhooves beckoned " there is a more protected spot further down the-"

"We rest here for now." Scorpan interrupted "Go ahead, send them up."

With a nod, Thunderhooves gave the word, prompting the herd to rest. Having walked for quite a while, the youngsters and elders felt the incredible relief on their bones as they lied down. A few stingy members fought for the good spots.

Night Dancer walked among the rested members before she bellowed, calling their attention.

"Listen up, I will need volunteers to help me on night watch." - She warned - "We have heard that Tirek roams these lands."

As mumbling came about the herd, Big Mac, Braeburn, Big Hooves, Hooflock, and Flash Sentry joined the Edmontosaurus. As Apple Bloom and Babs watched them take their posts, Pip scurried past them.

"What's you're hurry, little 'un?" Asked Applejack.

"Lion Tamer's gonna tell us a story!" - answered Pip before turning his small head to the young Three Horns - "You wanna join us?"

Apple Bloom and Babs looked at the much older Chasmosaurus, who merely raised an eyebrow. The youngsters responded by widening their eyes, trying to appeal to Applejack. The larger beast curled a smile.

"Aw shucks," - Applejack admitted - "just be back before it's too long, okay?"

The two young Threehorns got up to their feet and followed the Ankle Biter to their destination. Joining them was all the hatchlings they met on their journey near the reflection of a pool. Lion Tamer rested his great body in front of them.

"Let me tell you of a tale, one that comes way back." - The elderly Duckbill cleared his throat - "A long time ago:" - We move back in time to when the land was much greener. Two young Longnecks were playing around - "Tall Stepper and Posey were having a great time. So much that the wind itself became very jealous. Swirling around her, Posey was taken to the Wind's home, far up in a tall mountain. Though he was scared, Tall Stepper knew that if he was going to save his sister, he must gain courage." - the young sauropod reached the mouth of the cave, finding his sister surrounded by the wind - "The wind made a deal: if he could be beaten in a race down the mountain, then Posey will be released. No one had beaten the wind before, but he had to do it for his sister." - Tall Stepper began to make long bounds down the mountain, gaining the courage before running ever faster - "And with the courage gained, Tall Stepper had beaten the wind and won his sister!"

"Yay!!!" Shouted the children, sans Apple Bloom and Babs Seed.

"Was that really true?" Apple Bloom asked.

Lion Tamer chuckled, "No one knows, but that's one of the great mysteries of life."

"Yeah but-" Apple Bloom was shushed by Scootaloo.

"Apple Bloom!" Scootaloo berated.

"Please do not interrupt!" Added Indigo Blue.

"What happened nexth?" Twist asked

"Tall Stepper's herd, in their journey across the land, founded the most beautiful place in the world."

"Canterlot Crater!" answered the children.

"Yes, and life in there was good, until one day, Sombra appeared. And he wasn't just any Sharptooth, but one with a heart black as shadow!"

The herd of Longnecks fled for their lives until Posey got her foot caught under a tree root. Tall Stepper, taking notice, rushed back and tried to pull his sister out when Sombra caught up to them.

"This is my favorite part!" Cosgrove whispered.

"But just as Tall Stepper thought all hope was lost," - Sombra almost devoured him when he spotted another larger Longneck - "The Lone Dinosaur appeared on the horizon." - Back in the present, the more enticed youngsters scooted closer - "It was a spectacle no one has ever seen before, a lone Leaf Eater taking on a Sharptooth."

Sombra and the Lone Dinosaur sparred around. The Sharptooth's snapping teeth just missed the great beast before being whipped on the back, leaving a red mark. As he roared in pain, The Longneck made another tail attack on the legs, knocking Sombra down.

"But then"

With his foot claws, Sombra raked his foot across the Lone Dinosaur's chest, leaving three brutal gashes. The Longneck staggered back when Sombra bite down on his front leg and swung him to the ground. Posey walked forward before being stopped by her brother. Believing he is dead, Sombra roared into the air. The Long Dinosaur slowly opened his eyes before wrapping his tail around Sombra's leg and dropping him to the ground. When he got up, The Lone Dinosaur kept pushing him until with a final whip of his long tail, Sombra fell off the cliffside with a massive thud. Tall Stepper's herd and the other inhabitants cheered for this great victory. But the Lone Dinosaur was indifferent, and began walking out of the Crater.

Tall Stepper followed him for while, "Come back, come back!"

The Lone Dinosaur gave him a look before sighing and continued on his journey.

"And just as suddenly as he appeared, The Lone Dinosaur went away."

"No one ever saw him again?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Well," Lion Tamer continued "Legend has it that not long after Sombra's death,"

About a week after, the inhabitants of Canterlot Crater were browsing when an earthquake disturbed the peace. As the individuals ran for safety, the collision of continental plates caused a rock formation to rise out of the ground. As it "grew," it began to take shape of a Longneck. The inhabitants awed at Mother Nature's artwork one it completed.

"And they called it: Saurus Rock." Lion Tamer finished "And they say it's still there to this very day, watching over the world as The Lone Dinosaur did many a century ago."

"I hope so," - Cosgrove stepped forward - "I want to see the circle of teeth around its neck."

"Real teeth?" Featherweight asked.

"Sombra's teeth." The young Longneck chuckled.

Snips and Snails were shaking after the intense story. Babs, noticing this, crept behind them.

"They say that Sombra's ghost comes out after dark, searching for his teeth!" Babs then leaped at them, scaring the jeebies out of them.

"Hey, that wasn't cool!" Snips berated as the children laughed on the ground.

Lion Tamer also chuckled, "Well, I haven't heard that part of the story, but they do say that if anything wrong happened to Saurus Rock," - the Edmontosaurus furrowed his eyebrow - "bad luck will descend upon the world."

That laughter quickly died down, taking note of the seriousness of his voice. The silence was interrupted when Loopty Hoop approached them.

"Lion Tamer, are you filling these kids heads with nonsense and just before bedtime?!" - Loopty questioned her husband, who only responded with inaudible words - "I know, but its late, time for young ones to rest for another day."

Zipper was the first to acknowledge that with a yawn and slowly began crawling back to his parents. The rest of the children began walking to their herds until Cosgrove was the only one left. A third figure approached him.

"That means you too, Cosgrove." Night Dancer added.

Cosgrove yawned, "Yes, Mom." - He began his journey back to the herd - "I'm The Lone Dinosaur, I can find my way home in the dark, all-" - He was interrupted when a monstrous roar is heard somewhere, waking even the most drowsy of the herd. After a long awkward silence, the young Alamosaurus turned his head around - "You... coming?"