It Came from the Mysterious Beyond

by Jongoji245

Rating: everyone
Tags: Main 7 (EqG), Dazzlings, Alternate Universe, Original Character, Other, Adventure, Equestria Girls, Crossover
Length: 17136

When Dapplewood mysteriously disappears, our heroines (and hero's) must trust a stranger.

As magic slowly makes its way to the Human World, many strange anomalies began appearing. When Dapplewood suddenly disappears into a portal near the Natural History Museum, a stranger who goes by the name Thud takes his place.

Dapplewood himself, trapped in a world ruled by sapient dinosaurs, finds that friends come in all forms.

But the question remains: can a leopard, er Fast Biter, change his stripes or forever stay in his true nature.

Occurs in the Old (After A Second Homecoming) and New (After Camping is Just Dazzling) Timelines (the former ending here) sometime between the Friendship Games shorts and Friendship Games itself.

Size Chart included.

Published 2015-10-07 14:40:02 UTC
Last updated 2016-03-06 14:12:26 UTC

Chapter 2 (Old Timeline): Raptors and Sirens

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 6 (New Timeline): Into the Mysterious Beyond

What has been the usual school ambience at Canterlot High continued on until...

"What!?"

That very word echoed across the halls, turning every student's attention to the room the Rainbooms would practice. Inside said band along with the Maximals and Dazzlings gathered. Applejack's hand was over Pinkie Pie's mouth as she spoke very fast about their recent discovery.

“Woah, woah, Thud is a Velociraptor?" - Rainbow Dash rubbed her head to process the new information - "Like the ones from Jurassic Park?” asked Rainbow Dash

“That," - Cosgrove raised a hand - "or a Deinonychus, a Dromaeosaurus, a Utahraptor, or even a Rahonavis for all I know.”

“That… is.... Awesome!!!” Rainbow Dash stretched her arms with glee.

“All right, let us do a head count here:” - Applejack placed her fingers on her hand - “We had a pony visit us, a pack of sirens living among us, and now a dinosaur?”

“Makes sense" - Sunset looked at Aria - "the dinosaur is in love with one of them.”

As the other classmates began looking at her as well, Aria began to blush.

“Oh, I knew it," - Sonata hugged her sister - "You’re in love with the new kid!”

“Shut up, Sonata!" - Aria pushed Sonata aside

“Oh don’t feel embarrassed, darling." Rarity added - "You and Thud have so much in common. You are tough, sassy, and have…" Rarity began pulling her fist, raising a few eyebrows.

“This does give us another clue where to find Dapplewood.” Said Sunset as she approached the raptor. “Thud, do you remember the first place you came in?”

The raptor looked blankly at the horizon before walking out the door. The group followed Thud to the corner of the school where he first came to this world and where Dapplewood was tossed, finding the portal.

“Chelsey," - Cosgrove stepped toward the portal - "You and the others stand guard-”

“Woah, woah!" - Applejack gripped Cosgrove's forearm a pulled - "Hold your horses, you don’t even know this place.”

Cosgrove looked to Thud, “He does.”

“I’ll come with you.” Said Sunset

“I got your back too, buddy!” Said Rainbow Dash

“So do Ah.” Said Applejack

They looked at the remaining five girls and four Maximals before Aria walked up.

“Only to take a break from Taco Brain.” said the Siren, receiving a growl back from her blue sister.

Sunset stepped in front of the group.

“But, we must be careful, for all we know,” - Sunset was interrupted when Rainbow Dash rushed into the portal - “The journey in and out could be very painful.”

Sunset turned around and entered the portal. Thud, Applejack, Aria, and Cosgrove followed respectively. They all screamed, as if on a roller coaster, as they spiraled their way to the new world.

"Really? I can't be something that flies?"

Cosgrove slowly opened his eyes to the sight of grass and the sound of a soft whine. He looked around and found Applejack, now a Chasmosaurus reasoning with Rainbow Dash, now a Gallimimus (which shared a beak color akin to her hair). A pair of red-orange digitigrade feet walked up to him. Cosgrove looked up and saw Sunset Shimmer who is now, fitting enough, a Tsintaosaurus. He slowly rose to his feet and found that he towered over her a little. That is until he craned his head and found that his long neck carried his little head high; the body was still a head smaller in height.

The four dinosaurs turned over to the sound of a bellow. It appeared to have come from Aria, now a Baryonyx as she followed Thud, once again a Utahraptor. Sunset began walking towards the two Sharpteeth.

"Uh, guys..."

Sunset, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash turned to find Cosgrove just standing there. Applejack shuffled her feet around, moving forward a few feet before answering, "Move your left legs forward, then your right legs."

Cosgrove lifted his back left leg first, then his left arm placed them a further distance from where he was standing. He repeated the same method with his right legs. To maintain balance, Cosgrove made his neck almost in line with his body, bringing his head next to the bodies of his older friends.

Applejack turned her head to Rainbow, still having her arms crossed, “Still could be worse, sugar cube.”

“Shut up!”

Around the same time Dapplewood and his posse of dinosaur's made their way through the secret caverns, carrying a few stuffed leaves. While the larger members of the group climbed up the tall ledge leading through the outside, Chomper struggled to climb up. Littlefoot helped Chomper up the ledge as they walked to the land outside the Great Wall. Having walked through the dark caves, the Domehead winced at the much brighter outdoors.

"In the Mysterious Beyond again we are." Said Ruby.

Cera looked around, "Well, where are those two yolk breathers?"

Suddenly, out of the bushes came the two Struthiomimus brothers. While satisfied with their deal is met, they noticed Dapplewood has come along with familiar faces

"It's those kids again Ozzy!"

"You little whelp!" - Ozzy shoved the Domehead to the ground - "You gave away our plans!"

After grabbing the leaves, Littlefoot stood between the two.

"You leave my friend alone!"

"He didn't know you like we do," - Ducky shook her head - "nope, nope nope."

"Don't you kids know that nice guys finish last? - Ozzy pulled out an egg - "Only the insipid ones get what they want."

Licking his bill, he crunched down on it. His eyes shot wide open before he screamed in pain.

Strut fared little better with his tree sweets. With a considerable effort, the Egg Stealer "chewed" down on his rather nonsucculent meal.

"Maybe they aren't ripe yet, Oz."

"No, they aren't," - Ozzy spat out what appeared to crushed pebbles - "Because they are not food!"

The gray Struthiomimus threw the stone to the ground before turning to find Cera shooting a raspberry before running behind the hill.

The kids ran as fast as their legs, or wings in Petrie's case, can carry them. But the Egg Stealers, their ancestors evolved to be built like horses, easily caught up to them, cornering them to a wall.

"We've had it with you sap suckers," - Ozzy lurched over to the group of eight kids - "We'll get rid of you once and for all."

Ozzy paid no attention as an even larger shadow loomed over them.

Strut pokes his brother, "Uhm, Ozzy..."

The egg stealer turned around and found the group of larger dinosaur's, including the carnivorous ones.

Cosgrove craned his neck to the Struthiomimus brothers as he gave a very slow growl.

In a last desperate act, Ozzy grabbed Chomper by the throat.

"Don't move, or the little Sharptooth gets it!" Ozzy placed a claw at Chomper's throat.

"Hey! Leave him alone you big bully!" Cera rammed the Egg Stealer's leg, turning him around.

Cosgrove shifted his head over to Aria, giving her a little wink.

Ozzy grabbed the young Threehorn by the snout, "Why you little-"

"You know, my Sharptooth friends are... " - Cosgrove drew his neck back as Aria began to growl - "Quite hungry."

Ozzy took notice too late as the Siren clamps her jaws onto his tail and pulled him up, dropping Chomper to the floor. As the Baryonyx held him high, Thud jumped and snapped at him time and again. Sunset walked around Aria with a smug look on her beak.

"But we're feeling generous." Said Sunset before giving a nod.

Aria growled then arched back and flung Ozzy far away into a forest. Strut began shaking at the larger herd when Applejack turned her nose horn at him.

"Uhm... Ozzy!" Strut began running to where Ozzy was flung - "Wait for me!!"

The small threat ended, Applejack stepped began walking to the young dinosaurs.

"Ya’ll right little ones?"

"Little?" - Cera stepped in front of the similar colored dinosaur - "We were doing just fine."

Littlefoot elbowed Cera.

"Have any of you seen a dinosaur by the name Dapplewood?" Asked Rainbow Dash

The gang of seven slowly turned their heads at Dapplewood. The Domehead approached the larger group of dinosaurs. It took him a good hard look before he recognized their color schemes, aside from the two Sharpteeth. He embraced his brother's leg.

"We were so worried." Said Cosgrove

Sunset lowered herself on all fours

"Thank you for watching him."

"Your thanks we appreciate." Said Ruby.

The gang began to look back as Thud approached them.

"Is that, Thud?" Whispered Ducky

"Eeyup, how you know him?" asked Applejack

"He is one of the Fast Biters that work with Red Claw." Chomper answered

"And now he's not that far behind." Said Cera

The larger dinosaurs looked at each other.

"Thud is with us." Said Sunset

"Yeah, say that to the Sharptooth." Said Cera, only to receive a growl from Aria.

"Are you Far Walkers?" Asked Littlefoot

"You may say we've gone pretty far, kid." Said Rainbow Dash, rubbing the Longneck's head.

"We're here to bring Dapplewood to our world." Added Cosgrove as he lowered his head to Littlefoot.

Littlefoot cocked his head, "Your world?"

"We'll explain later," - Sunset rose up on her hind legs as a roar is heard - "right now its not safe here."

The mixed age herd began to retrace their steps. The gang of seven, Littlefoot in particular, were in the middle of a conversation.

"So you journeyed all this way to the Valley?" - Sunset eyeballed the young Longneck - "You kids must have been very brave."

"Yeah!" - Cera raised her horn, showing her usual pride - "We found the valley together."

"But with them I was not." Ruby added.

"And I wasn't hatched yet." Chomper continued.

Littlefoot increased his pace.

"So if you say that you guys came from another world..." - Piano music began to play in the background - "Does that mean you live beyond the Mysterious Beyond?"

At the end of the song, the herd arrived at the portal. The gang of seven looked at the rift in splendor, even Cera could not believe her eyes.
Applejack turned her head to the younger dinosaur.

"Believe us now, sugarcube?"

Cera slouched her shoulders, "Dad's gonna kill me..."

Petrie hovered around the portal, "It shine like bright circle, only smaller."

"Yes, that's where you fell in, Dapplewood" - Cosgrove craned his neck to Thud -"And where Thud came in."

"And now we can go-" Rainbow Dash then came beak to snout with a blue Utahraptor

Prologue

In the beginning, it was pure darkness. Then came a spark, followed by others until the dark void become illuminated in a blue-violet color.

Things come and go, fast or slow, but the magic friendship carries on. Even the tiniest atoms share their particles with one another in harmony.

The atoms started grouping together, forming organelles, then complete eukaryotic cells, zooming outward until the finished piece comes together: a tiny mammal named Tickles.

The little mammal scampered about the thick foliage unaware that a Troodon was camouflaged.

Many Millennia ago, when the world was new, many strange creatures dominated the land.

Tickles comes across a stuck log in the middle of a river. He crosses halfway before stopping and sniffing the air. A few feet behind the Troodon creeps up to the small mammal. Just when it is about to strike, a massive ripple disturbs the log. The Troodon retreats with a screeching sound, while Tickles darts to the other side. He climbs to the top of a mangrove tree and looks up.

The mightiest of these creatures were the dinosaurs.

The source of the ripple is revealed to be a Mamenchisaurus as it feasted on the tree leaves. It was soon joined by others of it's kind.

While these awesome creatures are so unlike us, in ways, they act like us.

On field clearing, a herd of Edmontosaurus graze while occasionally bellowing out to each other.

They chatter

Far away near a misty river bed, two Pachycephalosaurus bray at each other. The opponent on the left side lowers its head and begins to charge. The other one followed suit.

They argue

Just as they butted heads, we a moved much further away again. At a barren field, a herd of mixed species stood around a lonely Pteranodon who goes by the name Pterano. At first skeptical, the leader, a Brachiosaurus, tilted his head before giving a warm smile.

They forgive

As the herd continues their journey the view pans away to a different location.

And they even form friendships

In a rocky outcrop, a young T. Rex by the name Chomper clambers onto a ledge and sniffs the air.

"Huh, I thought I would've found some Sharpteeth by now." Said the little dinosaur as he walked to a cave. "Maybe I could rest before continuing."

The infant laid down near the mouth of a cave and slept. But he was interrupted by a series of low growls. He awoke and found him face to face with a pack of Utahraptors by the name Screech, Thud, and Howler.

"Oh, I didn't know you lived here," - Chomper looks behind him before opening his scrawny arms - "but maybe we could be friends?"

The raptors kept hissing at him.

"Right, you are sharpteeth so..." The baby Rex thought for a while before letting out a small roar.

The raptors looked at each other, then began chasing Chomper out of the cave. The raptors would have been their next meal had he not escaped under a log. The baby almost fell off a cliff leading to a river. The raptors followed his scent to the exact area. However, he was directly under them. Chomper threw a pebble, getting their attention, but lead them to a hill of loose rocks. They slipped and fell into a river.

The current swept away the green raptor furthest from the pack.

Chapter 1 (Old Timeline): The Great Rift

Back at a more modern world, Cosgrove and Dapplewood stepped out of the Natural History Museum. They happily strolled through the park.

“Nice to visit the museum for the first time since you got back.”

Dapplewood looked up at his brother and answered him with a nod. Cosgrove returned with a smirk.

“Well, we should meet the others over at Sugarcube Corner. Gotta check out Diver’s swim team Varsity.”

When they turned around a corner, they were confronted by Garble and his friends Clump and Spyro.

"Garble not now." Cosgrove rubbed his temples.

Garble pointed to Dapplewood, "That little flea got me in trouble and he isn't in school!"

"That little flea, is my brother." - Cosgrove bridged between Garble and Dapplewood - "You got something against him, you go against me, fizzle hair."

Spyro and Clump giggled before noticing the glare their leader gave them.

Garble pointed his finger at Cosgrove

"Get him!"

"Dapplewood, run!" Yelled Cosgrove as he punched Clump coming at him first. With his back turned after flinging Spyro away, Garble snatched him from behind and held him long enough for the other two to punch him in the stomach.

Dapplewood ran to an alley near the museum when the ground began to shake.

Back at the dinosaur world, Thud was walking in the wilderness. Time and time again he called out to his pack, but to no avail. Suddenly, the ground began to shake.

At the intensity of the Tremor, both Dapplewood and the raptor fell into a portal.

Now a human, Thud found himself to be somewhat smaller in size. He explored his new environment; no Dinosaur's to see, but humans.
He looked around and found Cosgrove still being ground to a pulp. He noticed the yellow teen's unusual hands and began to run towards them.

Garble released Cosgrove, who then collapsed to the ground. The bullies laughed as Cosgrove coughed up blood. Garble bent down.

"Not so tough with out your Maximal buddies."

Cosgrove strained a few indistinguishable words through his bloodied teeth.

Garble crouched lower before sarcastically asking, "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that."

Cosgrove spat blood on Garble. The red head clutched the boy's hair and smacked him to the floor.

"Well, we lost the other punk." - Garble gave a toothy grin as he cracked his knuckles - "But we could give out a message, won't we boys?"

Just as Garble was about to kick Cosgrove again, he turned to the sound of running shoes. He saw the green person who then gave out a raspy screech. The gang looked in confusion.

"Was that supposed to scare me? Because you’re bad at it." Without a moments notice, the raptor leapt at Garble and brought him to the ground.

"P-please, take it easy."

The raptor growled before placing his foot on Garble's throat. The raptor's eyes widened when his usual killing claws were replaced by a shoe.
Garble shoved the foot aside and ran off. The former raptor looked at his hands and his newfound body before looking at the injured Cosgrove.

Elsewhere, Garble and gang ran past the Mane Six. They looked at each other before retracing their steps.

The raptor lifted up Cosgrove. when he sniffed fresh blood. His pupils widened as he opened his mouth, ready to take a bite off a human.

"Put him down!"

The raptor turned around and found himself surrounded by a group of teenage girls.

"You wanna piece of him, you going to go through us." Said Applejack.

The raptor growled at the girls.

"Wait..." - Cosgrove slumped forward - "He... Helped me..."

Dapplewood slowly opened his eyes and found himself in barren wilderness, akin to the badlands. As he got up, he found that his hands have claws, alongside a tail, and most of all, no clothes. He looked up to the sound of a screech. There were flying reptiles in the air instead of birds. His hunch became even more clear when the earth rumbled, becoming louder and louder.

He found himself face to face with a fully grown T. Rex. This one was grey in color with a cream underbelly. Likewise it had a large scar running from it's left eye down to its finger. The dinosaur snapped at Dapplewood , prompting him to flee. He dashed through a few rocks, increasing his distance from the large theropod. Surprised he outwitted such a famed predator he "laughed" through his teeth.

That is until he came across the same blue and red Utahraptors that chased Chomper. The two beasts chased him down across the fern prairies to a more mountainous region. Without much choice, Dapplewood struggled to climb up a bedrock hill, something that not even the raptors could climb.

While safe in the tunnel, Dapplewood almost began to cry when he heard a soft roar on the other side of the tunnel. Following the light, he came across a massive green valley populated by dinosaurs, herbivorous ones at that. Better to stay there than outside, he followed the cliff edge down. Maybe he could find help.

Chapter 1 (New Timeline): The Great Rift

Author's Note

Due note that I will not use images for the New Timeline Chapters out of repetitiveness. You may still see them in the Old Timeline Chapters.

Chapter 1 (New Timeline): The Great Rift

Back at a more modern world, Dapplewood just finished a half day at school, sitting at the stairs to text his brother.

"Just finished school. Ready for pickup."

Well over the end of the other line and a good distance away, Cosgrove felt the vibration, picking up his phone and texting back.

"Okay, will arrive for you shortly. Be careful; Garble and his goons have skipped school.

Dapplewood sent the phone to sleep before walking down the stairs and turned around. As he walked to the asphalt that covered most of the playground, his ears picked up a soft hissing sound. Hugging to the wall, his grey-purple eyes spotted the people his brother warned him about. Garble, Clump, and Spyro were at a wall, snickering and chuckling as they spray paint the wall with obscene imagery. The boy recorded footage before sending it to the police. Just as he was finished, Dapplewood is snatched away and brought over before Garble.

"Well, well." - The red head chuckled - "Look what we have here."

"Looks like the little cub got lost from the pack." Laughed Spyro.

"C'mon little man." - Clump pinched his cheeks - "Say something. Oh, that's right you can't!"

With a curl from his nose, Dapplewood took out his phone, linked up a few voice clips from opposite genders before playing: "Maximals superior, Garble inferior."

A long drawn out silence with an increasing curl from Garble's lip. The bully grabbed Dapplewood by his orange shirt, drawing him up to his face. "You snide son of a-"

With one motion, the youngest Maximal bit him straight on the nose, pressing his legs against Garble's chest to pry him off. The bully held his oozing nose, glaring at the Elementary student as he spat at the ground before rubbing his mouth.

"Tiny!" He growled, beckoning a kid around Dapplewood's age.

Like his Equestrian counterpart, Tiny in this world had an unusually large limb, in this case, his left arm being twice the bulk. Dapplewood spat on his hand, rubbing his bangs into a mohawk, and putting on the sunglasses before rushing at his challenger. Tiny swung a left hook at Dapplewood, who blocked it and gave him a full kick on the tummy. Tiny tried to raise his left arm but was pinned down by a kid sneaker. Dapplewood stared him down underneath the glasses as he gave a snarl.

His victory was short lived when the ground began to shake. The tremor became much more intense, reaching the town square. Every citizen took procedure; seeking cover under the tables, moving to more vacant areas, or in the rest of the Maximal's case, staying in their car.

Back at the dinosaur world, Thud was walking in the wilderness. Time and time again he called out to his pack, but to no avail. Suddenly, the ground began to shake.

Back at the Human world, the Tremors shake Dapplewood off of Tiny. When they have ended, Garble snatched the boy from behind, holding him in one arm. "I may not have pummeled your brother, kid. But I can have a little ball with you."

Clump squinted his eyes at an unusual glow from a corner of the school, "Hey Garble! Have a look at this."

The group of bullies walked around the corner, seeing before them a glowing portal with small fragments of glass floating around it.

"Well, what do you know." - Garble gripped Dapplewood's pant's with another hand - "And we have just the guinea pig to test it."

At the dinosaur world, the tremor of the earthquake intensified, causing Thud fall into the portal and the same time Dapplewood was thrown in. The two beings spiraled out of control as they reached the other side of their respective destinations.

Back at the human world, Cosgrove was looking attentively at his phone, waiting for a response from his brother. Out of the usual rhythm, he narrowed his eyes. "Step on it, Zip!"

Back at Great Valley Drive, Garble held his arms crossed as he waited for the result. " Worked with that stranger from the Battle of the Bands. Still, one less Maximal to worry." He chuckled as he and his gang turned around to continue their work when another hum sounded off.

Now a human, Thud found himself to be somewhat smaller in size and in a new environment; no Dinosaur's to see, but humans. Garble stared at the green person who, believing him to be a threat, gave out a raspy screech. The gang looked in confusion.

"Was that supposed to scare me? Because you’re bad at it." Without a moment's notice, the raptor leaped at Garble and brought him to the ground.

"P-please, take it easy."

The raptor growled before placing his foot on Garble's throat. The raptor's eyes widened when his usual killing claws were replaced by a shoe.
Garble shoved the foot aside and ran off with his gang. The former raptor looked at his hands and his newfound body before exploring the world around him. Compared to his world, it was much more smelly thanks to a couple centuries of industrial pollution. He looked ahead, finding a yellow human running towards him.

Dapplewood slowly opened his eyes and found himself in barren wilderness, akin to the badlands. As he got up, he found that his hands have claws, alongside a tail, and most of all, no clothes. He couldn't find his cellphone to call his brother. He looked up to the sound of a screech. There were flying reptiles in the air instead of birds. His hunch became even clearer when the earth rumbled, becoming louder and louder.

He found himself face to face with a fully grown T. Rex. This one was gray in color with a cream underbelly. Likewise, it had a large scar running from it's left eye down to its finger. The dinosaur snapped at Dapplewood , prompting him to flee. He dashed through a few rocks, increasing his distance from the large theropod. Surprised he outwitted such a famed predator he "laughed" through his teeth.

That is until he came across the same blue and red Utahraptors that chased Chomper. The two beasts chased him down across the fern prairies to a more mountainous region. Without much choice, Dapplewood struggled to climb up a bedrock hill, something that not even the raptors could climb.

Safe in the tunnel, Dapplewood panted like mad when his ears picked up a soft roar on the other side of the tunnel. Following the light, he came across a massive green valley populated by dinosaurs, herbivorous ones at that. Better to stay there than outside, he followed the cliff edge down. Maybe he could find help.

Chapter 2 (New Timeline): Sirens and Raptors

Back at the human world, now joined by Sunset Shimmer and the Rainbooms, the Maximals were discussing with the raptor.

"So you don't know where Dapplewood is, nor do you even know where you came from?" Sunset's only answer was a blank stare from the dinosaur.

"Do ya even know your own name?" Asked Applejack.

The raptor merely stamped on the floor. No response from them, so he stamped on the floor again. Pinkie Pie, getting the idea, had her face beam with excitement.

"I don't think he can-" Rainbow Dash was interrupted when Pinkie Pie jumped in front of her.

"Oh, oh! I love charades!" Pinkie was a few inches from the raptor's nose

"Okay, okay. Is it... Thumper?"

Thud stamped the floor again.

"No, Tapper?"

Thud stamped a third time

No. Thud?

The raptor gave a toothy grin.

"Wow, weird name."

"As for Dapplewood's whereabouts." - Cosgrove crossed his arms - "I'll say that he is at the Syrups for a slumber party."

"On a school night." Questioned Diver

"Then we better find him soon darling because lies would make it worse." Said Rarity.

"She's right there, slugger." - Continued Applejack - "No need to get your pa all fussy either."

Cosgrove shook his head in agreement.

"So Thud, live anywhere in particular?" Asked Rainbow Dash.

Thud shook his head, causing the group to groan.

"Well, I can't have you stay here." Said Cosgrove before turning to Applejack.

"Oh no!" - Applejack flailed her arms -"You know how Big Mac is to strangers livin' in the house." Applejack then turned over to Rarity.
"I don't know if he would rob the boutique."

They all turned to Sunset who answered, "There is one location, but I'm not sure their owners will be happy about it."

Indeed, over at Longmont, the reception of a stranger being at a far away place wasn't that much recieved.

"Yay! A new roommate!" Sonata raised her arms up high.

Not amused by having a young man in their mansion, Aria crossed her arms.

"Sunset, does he even have a job?" The stiff Siren asked

The Rainbooms and Maximals looked at Thud who have them a look of confusion.

"Sorry, but we don't take kindly to freeloaders." Aria continued

Chelsey looked at the many employees walking around the hall, stretching her arm out.

"You could dress him up temporarily."

"Really?" - Aria leaned forward, raising an eyebrow - "A person, with virtually no documentation besides his name being a sound effect."

"At least until he gets on his feet, darling." Rarity rebuked.

Aria looked at the group especially Sonata and Pinkie Pie as they looked at her with puppy dog eyes.

With a groan, Aria answered, "Fine," She sized up to Thud "but don't make me regret this."

"Yay!" Sonata grabbed Thud and dragged him into the mansion before slamming the door.

The group looked at each other with bemused looks before shrugging their shoulders and leaving the complex.

Propping Thud on the dining room table, Sonata ran back to the chef's kitchen, releasing fog out of the window, before running back out with a platter on her hand.

"I present the Sonata Exquisite." - The Siren removed the lid, revealing a pair of steaming tacos-
"Bon Appetite!"

Thud scowled at the unusual food, gave a good sniff and hissed at them. Sonata drew the platter away with a shocked look on her face. As she walked away slowly, Aria was watching with a smug look on her face. Guess that's two people who don't like tacos. Thud stood on his two legs when he heard a small growl, looking down to find a Pomeranian nipping at his cargo pants. The raptor picked up the small dog, bringing it before his face.

"Here." - Aria tossed him the uniform - "Adagio's corporate party is coming up soon."

As the siren left the dining room, Thud looked at the miniature dog again. The animal looked at him with soft eyes, though that didn't stop him from unhinging his mouth.

Later the following evening, one of the guests just swallowed a small serving of sushi before moving along. Everywhere around the courtyard, corporate couples from Barnyard Bargains to Mokusoft admired the mansion as they strolled about. At the patio, Adagio held a wine glass as she watched her guests walk about. Though deprived of their magical pendants after the Battle of the Bands, it was still very tempting to hum a small note and gain power from their negative energy.

"I must say, Miss Adagio," - Adagio turned around, seeing Filthy and Spoiled Rich walking towards her - "you provide some of the most exquisite parties."

"Thank you, Mr. Rich." - The Siren took a sip of wine - "I understand that you are also quite a party animal yourself."

"Absurd!" - Spoiled stepped forward, motioning a servant to refill her glass - "We Riches are above-"

Her banter was interrupted when the glass was overfilled, spilling the fermented juice over her wrist and part of her dress.

"Hey! Watch where you are pouring!" - The servant Spoiled scolded was none other than Thud as he gave his usual blank stare.

Adagio snapped her fingers, summoning another servant to wipe up the mess, "My apologies, I shall see to it that this issue is... corrected."

Indeed, after the party had ended, Thud sat on a chair in front of Adagio's office table. The leader sorted away a few files before turning her violet eyes to the foreigner. "Your name, skeptical. Your date and place of birth, unavailable. And so is your past employment history."

"He came from Greenland!" Said Sonata, getting a look from her sister and a face-palm from Aria.

"As for you two, I expected better from you. I have planned this occasion to not have any flaws, and now I have to rearrange the trust on Barnyard Bargains." - Adagio shifted her eyes to Aria - "You will bring him back to where you found him."

"What, me?!" Aria exclaimed.

"Oh, oh! Can I come too?" Sonata added.

"Oh yes," - Adagio heard Aria make a few indistinguishable noises before announcing - "the better to make my work a lot easier. That'll be all."

With a turn of Adagio's chair, the conversation was over. Sonata skipped down the walkway while her sister growled before gripping onto Thud's ear and pulled him down the hall and across the mansion to her chambers. As she went to bed, the Siren noticed Thud sleeping on the floor. She walked over and nudged him. In self-defense the raptor raised his head and snapped at her. After a soft growl, he curled his head back to sleep. Aria raised her shoulders before going to bed.

Chapter 3: Welcome to the Great Valley

Dapplewood explores his new environment, taking the splendor of the massive reptiles roaming around. He also was intrigued of the various phrases they use to describe themselves. The Longnecks feasted on the higher branches, the Swimmers dipped their heads in the water to grab some water reeds and, amusingly enough, the Spiketails ramming a tree twice their size.

He soon came across two dome heads ramming against a tree. He looked at the water’s reflection and found that he was one as well. He approached them, but by the time he waves his hand, the two fled in fear. In confusion, he looked at himself again and found that unlike them, he also had a pair of horns on his snout.

As he hasn’t eaten anything since breakfast, the question is now what to eat. He grabbed a “tree star” and placed it in his mouth. A strange sensation rubbed against his tongue, like that of toasted bread, following when he swallowed the leaf. He grabbed some more and stuffed them down his mouth before moving on. Avoiding being squished on by the larger natives, he came across a blossom tree. After smelling one of the buds closest to him, his mouth watered. If he had an idea on how a leaf would taste then maybe-

“What do you think your doing?!”

Dapplewood turned and was nose to nose with a Triceratops, or Three Horn in their calling. He appeared to be middle aged, but was no less dangerous.

“Those tree sweats are for a special occasion, everyone is waiting to have one of those tree sweets!" - Topsy kept walking towards Dapplewood - "So I don’t want to see any of you dome heads knocking them off!”

Dapplewood fell to the ground as more tremors were felt. He looked behind him, finding an elderly sauropod.

"Now Mr. Threehorn," - Grandpa Longneck lowered his head down - "there aren't that many dome heads in the Valley." - He turns his head to Dapplewood - "Maybe you didn't know at the time, is that possible little one?

Dapplewood shook his head rapidly.

The Triceratops, frustrated at being rebuked again, stamped his foot.

“Humph!” - Topsy continued to glare at him as he turned around - “And I thought Longnecks stick to each other.”

Dapplewood and Grandpa Longneck watched as Topsy walked over the horizon.

"You know little one," - Grandpa Longneck looked to the human - "why don't you play with my grandson? Last I saw him he was at the watering hole."

Dapplewood followed the general direction given to him when he heard arguing. He poked his head through some bushes and found two mixed species herds of children arguing with each other. One group consisted of a juvenile Muttaburrasaurus, Hypsilophodon, and Nodosaurus. The individuals of the other group, were younger, but consisted of an Apatosaurus, Triceratops, Saurolophus, Pteranodon, Stegosaurus, T. rex, and Oviraptor.

"But Hyp, none of us get the first tree sweet on the tree, its decided by the grown-ups." Said Littlefoot.

"Yeah, well we are going to be grown-ups soon then we'll get that first tree sweet," - Hyp looked to his friends - "right guys?"

"Yeah!" Said the Nod.

The two bullies turned to the third one.

"Oh uh... Yeah!" Mutt finished.

The triceratops, Cera, stepped forward

"Well we will be much bigger and the bigger grown up always decide!" rebuked Cera.

"Oh yeah?! Then we will make sure you never grow up!" Hyp

The group of bullies began to march at the little dinosaurs when Dapplewood stepped in between them.

"Well, what do you want?" Nod glared at the boy.

Dapplewood stood silent but tall, much to Hyp's chagrin.

"Oh, we have a hero. All right hatchling, play the hero." Hyp spoke jokingly as he flicked the dome head on the nose.

As the bullies laughed, Dapplewood grabbed a stone, juggled a little, then smacked Hyp on the head. Mutt and Nod were shocked that their leader was hit so hard. Hyp looked at his reflection from a small pond, seeing a black eye.

Hyp growled at the gang "You'll pay for that, Numbskull! Get him!"

The children, sans Dapplewood, screamed before running away. Hyp, Mutt, and Nod were close behind. Petrie flew to Dapplewood's side.

"You teach those bullies good!" The flier complemented

"Yeah," - Cera looked behind her - "a little too good!"

Their smaller size made it easy to enter the thicker parts of the valley's jungles. Hyp, Mutt, and Nod stopped in their tracks.

"Where'd he go, Hyp?" - Nod turned to his two-footer leader -"Huh, Hyp where'd he go?"

Hyp looked around and found Dapplewood's tail just out of the bushes. He stamped his way to the fifth limb.

"Alright, hatchling" - Hyp grabbed the tail - "now you'll know how this really hurts!"

"Yeah!" Nod turned to Mutt, getting him out of his listlessness.

"Yeah, dummy!"

Hyp continued to tug and the tail when it pulled away from him. The actual owner, an adult Pachycephalosaurus, rose up from the thicket and growled at the trespassers.

"Me first!" Hyp shoved his friends out of the way as he darted as fast as he could.

Mutt and Nod followed soon after, the Dome Head charging at them.

Meanwhile, the group of young dinosaurs came out of the thicket.

"We haven't used rocks that way, no no no."

"You must be new here, we don't often get some heads to hang with us. I'm Littlefoot, this is Cera,"

The triceratops raised her snout in the air with a prideful smile.

"Ducky,"

"Oh yes yes yes."

"Petrie,"

"Me brave flyer."

"Spike"

The stegosaurus merely nodded.

"Chomper,"

"Hi!"

"And Ruby."

"Hello, my friend my friend hello."

"Welcome to the great valley. What's your name?"

Dapplewood, even in his new form, can't speak.

"Uhm, aren't you going to tell us?" Asked Cera.

Dapplewood wrote his name in the dirt.

"Wow, that almost sounds like your name Little Foot." Said Ruby.

"But why you no say your name?" Asked Petrie.

Dapplewood tapped his throat before waving his finger.

"You can't talk? Asked Littlefoot, to which Dapplewood nodded.

"Well, that's something we haven't had in a long while?" Said Cera. Littlefoot gave her a glare.

"Do not worry Dapplewood, Spike cannot talk either. Right Spike?" Said Ducky

Spike made a sound of approval. Dapplewood smiled.

"Littlefoot!" Yelled a voice. "Littlefoot, it's time to come home!"

"Ducky! Spike!"

"Cera, time for bed!"

"Petrie," the group looked up and saw a blue Pteranodon "It's time to come home"

"Bye bye." Petrie opened his wings before taking off - "Coming, Mama!"

As the others began walking Littlefoot turned around

"Well, see you tomorrow, Dapplewood?"

The boy nodded as five of the little Dinosaur's made their journey back home. Chomper and Ruby looked at him.

"What's wrong Dapplewood?" asked Chomper

The boy continued to look around as the sun began to set.

"I don't think he has a home Chomper." - Ruby's faced beamed -"Hey maybe live with us you can!"

Dapplewood shrugged before following the two dinosaurs. Unknown to them, two Struthiomimus or egg stealers were watching from a bush.

Confused, Strut asks, "And how would that Dome Head help get us in our plan, Oz?"

"Because dear brother," Ozzy raised a finger "though he is a two footer, he is as dumb as that spike tail. While the rest of the valley accuses him, we will eat their nice juicy eggs!"

"You mean I will eat my tree sweets."

"Yes, Strut..." - Begrudged Ozzy as he wrapped his arm around his brother - "you will get your tree sweets. Just leave this to moi."

Later that night, Chomper, Ruby, and Dapplewood slept on a cave floor. The valley's mountainous barrier prevented a breeze from blowing down, making a cavern living pretty comfy.

Dapplewood was stirred by the sound of falling pebbles. He walked to the mouth of the cave with sleepy eyes when a pair of claws snatched him. Pulling him to a jungle, another pair of hands wrapped around him.

"Keep quiet, you and you won't get hurt!" - Strut noticed Dapplewood and Ozzy gave him a "really?" Kind of look -"What?"

"Listen, little Dome Head. We know you don't have a home. We can take you to your home. But you need to do us this one favor. Bring us a couple of eggs, non-poached-"

"And those tree sweets!" Said Strut before being kicked in the stomach by Ozzy.

"Yes... When you are done with that, take this tunnel and meet us on the other side."

Dapplewood turned around, thought for a moment, then turned back. The two egg thieves were gone. He then returned to the cave and resumed sleep.

Chapter 4 (Old Timeline): The Following Morning (Part 1)

As the rising sun brightened the apartment, Thud was fast asleep, though his tummy kept making rumbles. Suddenly he was shaken awake.

"Sun's up!" - Shout Sonata from one side of the raptor's head -"Time for school!" She zipped back to her room, changed into her usual attire, then zipped to the kitchen.

Thud merely growled before going back to sleep. Thirty minutes later he was shoved again, he looked up and saw Aria.

"C'mon, its time to go." Aria crossed her arms and began tapping her foot.

Thud hissed at her as he closed his eyes again. Aria grabbed onto his long trench coat before being kicked in the stomach. If her gem wasn't destroyed in the Battle of the Bands, this would be a peace of cake. Still, there were other ways to skin a cat.

"All right," - Aria drew out her belt -"want it that way?" Aria caught Thud's attention with a snap of her belt.

Behind a closed door, Sunset just pulled up one of her boots when he heard several crashes from outside her room.

"What is going-?!" Sunset found Aria tightening her belt around Thud's neck. The siren looked at Celestia's former student while the raptor kept clawing at her jeans. With an unamused look on her face, Sunset merely scoffed.

"Come on, lets go!" Aria pulled the stubborn dinosaur out the door.

Sonata, holding a lunch box with the characters from Invader Zim, walked past her.

"I think he likes her." Sonata giggled, not noticing the weird look Sunset gave her.

Over at school Cosgrove was with the rest of the Maximals regarding Dapplewood's whereabouts when he felt a tap on the shoulder. He turned around and saw the two Sirens, Unicorn, and raptor.

"You're turn to watch him." Aria loosens the belt, leaving a red band on Thud's green neck.

"But beware," - Sonata hissed - He doesn't like tacos!"

As the three Seniors left the cafeteria, Cosgrove gave Thud a look before noticing his friends moving away from the two.

"I don't want to know what happened between you three." Said Cosgrove as he took one massive bite of breakfast sausage.

Two morning bells later, Cosgrove and his chaperone are at his first scheduled class, ecology. Mrs. Moynihan drew down a board.

"Now, as a predator ascends on the food chain, the more specialized it becomes. That does come at a price, for if any of the lower chains become disrupted, the apex predator cannot adapt any further and will go extinct." - Moynihan flips to the next slide - "A cheetah, for example is specialized in taking down swift prey, but if such prey is displaced by more heavily built creatures..." - She switches to a slide of an elephant - "Like the elephant, then the cheetah will be replaced by more powerful predators-"

Suddenly Thud leapt at the screen. His nails tore into the material before the lights turned on. Thud turned to the teacher as she fidgeted her glasses.

"Of course such things are constantly disturbed by human encroachment."

Cosgrove face palmed, "And I thought Pinkie Pie was random..."

A few hours later was gym class. Thud was out of place among the younger students, seeing as he was taller. The class was playing a game of football. Button Mash was in the lead charge when Featherweight grabbed the ball and started going the opposite direction. Thud’s predator instincts kicked in and chased the scrawny boy down, opened his mouth and bit down hard on his shoulder. Bulk Biceps blew hard on his whistle, catching Cosgrove's attention.

"Thud!!" Shouted Cosgrove

Thud sat on a chair next to the principal's office, the girls stood there as they watched Cosgrove defend the new student against Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna. Zecora, in their world a school councilor, stepped out.

"Girls, the situation is not right, please remove him from our sight."

Thud stepped out of the office with the Rainbooms and began walking down the hall. As they neared the front foyer, they heard arguing.

Turning to another hall, they saw the Diamond Dogs pestering Sonata and Aria, with the latter defending her sister. Thud screeched and charged at them. When he was close, the raptor leapt onto the Fido and began scraping his face. Rover and Spot, having dealt with this beforehand, ran up to the Rainbooms.

"Help! Help!" Spot begged "Make the freak stop and we'll stop!"

In a amazing feet of strength, Applejack lifted the raptor with one arm and pushed him to a locker. The gang left the hall. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie approached the two sirens.

"Are you..." Fluttershy whispered as she stretched her hand.

"I'm okay," Aria smacked her hand away "wouldn't say the same to Sonata."

"Hey, I helped!" Sonata bounced back

Thud glared at Applejack as Sunset came from her right side.

"Thud, you can't just attack people ...I should know" finished Sunset as she rubbed the damaged locker. She looked at the raptor again and noticed something odd about him. Thud's two-mohawk hairdo was gradually becoming red.

As she pondered why this is happening, the group turned to find Cosgrove, his head hanging low.

"Thud is not to be on school grounds till further notice." The sophomore gestured Applejack to let him go. "I need to have a word with our good friend." Cosgrove grabbed the raptor's upper arm, took him into his car and drove away.

Sunset began walking away from her friends towards the library.

"Where are you going, darling?" asked Rarity.

Without turning away Sunset answered, "To gather some research."

Meanwhile at the Natural History Museum, Cosgrove and Thud sat in silence near the lobby centerpiece, an Apatosaurus skeleton.

With a deep breath, the sophomore asked, "Okay, what are you really?"

Thud remained silent, cocking his head as he tried to understand what he was asking.

"Whether your another Siren, a Unicorn, or... whatever," - Cosgrove placed his hand on his shoulder - "we're here for you, just as we have for Sunset and the Dazzlings."

Thud began eying the fossil hall and walked inside. Cosgrove followed him and when Thud stopped at a skeleton of a birdlike animal, he rubbed his chin.

Back at Canterlot High, Sunset Shimmer had a few books open regarding the breeding behaviors in animals, birds in particular. Just as she focused on the text regarding the frigate bird, she turned to the sound of a pigeon cooing. Walking up the stairs to the top of the the building, she found a male pigeon stretching his wings in front of a group of female pigeons. Sunset placed a finger on her chin as she studied the mating dance. Realization began to strike as she widened her eyes.

"He couldn't be..."

Author's Note

Guest starring Mrs. Moynihan from the TV series Dino Squad

Chapter 4 (New Timeline) The Following Morning (Part 1)

As the rising sun brightened the Siren's Estate, Thud was fast asleep, though his tummy kept making rumbles. Suddenly he was shaken awake.

"Sun's up!" - Shout Sonata from one side of the raptor's head -"Today's the day of the road trip!" She zipped back to her room, changed into her usual attire, then zipped to the kitchen.

Thud merely growled before going back to sleep. Thirty minutes later he is shoved again, he looked up and saw Aria.

"C'mon, it's a long drive back to Estes." Aria crossed her arms and began tapping her foot.

Thud hissed at her as he closed his eyes again. Aria grabbed onto his long trench coat before being kicked in the stomach. If her gem wasn't destroyed in the Battle of the Bands, this would be a piece of cake. Still, there were other ways to skin a cat.

"All right," - Aria drew out her belt -"want it that way?" Aria caught Thud's attention with a snap of her belt.

Behind a closed door, Adagio finished her shower when she heard several crashes from outside. With a growl, Adagio held the wrapped towel to her body as she walked down the hall, up the stairs and kicked the door open.

"What is going-?!" Adagio found Aria tightening her belt around Thud's neck. The siren looked at her warm colored sister while the raptor kept clawing at her jeans. With an unamused look on her face, Adagio merely scoffed.

"Come on, let's go!" Aria pulled the stubborn dinosaur out the door.

Sonata, holding a lunch box with the characters from Invader Zim, walked past her.

"I think he likes her." Sonata giggled, not noticing the weird look her sister gave her as she left.

The Siren turned back to the stairs before looking down. "This hall has been quiet since I have come home."

Over at school Cosgrove was with the rest of the Maximals regarding Dapplewood's whereabouts when he felt a tap on the shoulder. He turned around and saw the two Sirens and raptor.

"Your turn to watch him." Aria loosens the belt, leaving a red band on Thud's green neck.

"But beware," - Sonata hissed - He doesn't like tacos!"

As the three Seniors left the cafeteria, Cosgrove gave Thud a look before noticing his friends moving away from the two.

"I don't want to know what happened between you four." Said Cosgrove as he took one massive bite of breakfast sausage.

Two-morning bells later, Cosgrove and his chaperone are at his first scheduled class, ecology. Mrs. Moynihan drew down a board.

"Now, as a predator ascends on the food chain, the more specialized it becomes. That does come at a price, for if any of the lower chains become disrupted, the apex predator cannot adapt any further and will go extinct." - Moynihan flips to the next slide - "A cheetah, for example, is specialized in taking down swift prey, but if such prey is displaced by more heavily built creatures..." - She switches to a slide of an elephant - "Like the elephant, then the cheetah will be replaced by more powerful predators-"

Suddenly Thud leaped at the screen. His nails tore into the material before the lights turned on. Thud turned to the teacher as she fidgeted her glasses.

"Of course such things are constantly disturbed by human encroachment."

Cosgrove face palmed, "And I thought Pinkie Pie was random..."

A few hours later was gym class. Thud was out of place among the younger students, seeing as he was taller. The class was playing a game of football. Button Mash was in the lead charge when Featherweight grabbed the ball and started going the opposite direction. Thud’s predator instincts kicked in and chased the scrawny boy down, opened his mouth and bit down hard on his shoulder. Bulk Biceps blew hard on his whistle, catching Cosgrove's attention.

"Thud!!" Shouted Cosgrove

Thud sat on a chair next to the principal's office, the girls stood there as they watched Cosgrove talk in Thud's defense against Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna. Zecora, in their world a school counselor, stepped out.

"Girls, the situation is not right, please remove him from our sight."

Thud stepped out of the office with the Rainbooms and began walking down the hall. Exiting out the front and to the parking lot, they heard arguing between the Diamond Dogs, Sonata, and Aria, the latter two now having a busted up car. Thud screeched and charged at them. When he was close, the raptor leaped onto the Fido and began scraping his face. Rover and Spot, having dealt with this beforehand, ran up to the Rainbooms.

"Help! Help!" Spot begs "Make the freak stop and we'll stop!"

In an amazing feet of strength, Applejack lifted the raptor with one arm and slammed him to the ground. The trio-gang left the school as Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie approached the two sirens.

"Are you..." Fluttershy whispered as she stretched her hand.

"I'm okay," Aria smacked her hand away "wouldn't say the same to Sonata."

"Hey, I helped!" Sonata bounced back

Thud glared at Applejack as Sunset came from her right side.

"Thud, you can't just attack people ...I should know" finished Sunset as she rubbed the damaged locker. She looked at the raptor again and noticed something odd about him. Thud's two-mohawk hairdo was gradually becoming red.

As she pondered why this is happening, the group turned to find Cosgrove, his head hanging low.

"Just got another day of detention." The sophomore gestured Applejack to let him go. "I need to have a word with our good friend." Cosgrove grabbed the raptor's upper arm, took him into his car and drove away.

Sunset began walking away from her friends towards the library.

"Where are you going, darling?" asked Rarity.

Without turning away Sunset answered, "To gather some research."

Meanwhile, at the Natural History Museum, Cosgrove and Thud sat in silence near the lobby centerpiece, an Apatosaurus skeleton.

With a deep breath, the sophomore asked, "Okay, what are you really?"

Thud remained silent, cocking his head as he tried to understand what he was asking.

"Whether your another Siren, a Unicorn, or... whatever," - Cosgrove placed his hand on his shoulder - "we're here for you, just as we have for the Dazzlings."

Thud began eying the fossil hall and walked inside. Cosgrove followed him and when Thud stopped at a skeleton of a birdlike animal, he rubbed his chin.

Back at Canterlot High, Sunset Shimmer had a few books open regarding the breeding behaviors in animals, birds in particular. Just as she focused on the text regarding the frigate bird, she turned to the sound of a pigeon cooing. Walking up the stairs to the top of the building, she found a male pigeon stretching his wings in front of a group of female pigeons. Sunset placed a finger on her chin as she studied the mating dance. Realization began to strike as she widened her eyes.

"He couldn't be..."

Chapter 5: The Following Morning Part 2

Compared to the human world, and contrary to popular belief, the dinosaur world was primarily one of peace and quiet. Living in the Great Valley, one could easily earn a day's sleep. There have been a few incidents of danger in the valley ranging from flooding, volcanic eruptions, and even reports of insurrection among the leaf eaters, but those are too fleeting. As the Bright Circle rose above the mountain wall surrounding the valley, the air was disturbed by the yawns of dinosaurs, the loudest of which coming from the Hollow Horns.

A few hours into the new day, Dapplewood joined up with his new pals as they fed on the green food. Littlefoot, being the largest of the group fed on leaves from a small tree. Petrie, being able to fly, fed on the more tender greens that the young Longneck couldn't reach. Ducky tried to eat whatever bush leaves were left after Spike bolted down most of it. Chomper, being the only Sharptooth in the Great Valley, satisfied his hunger by eating insects. It's not as easy as it sounds; the young T. rex constantly chased a butterfly in circles. Ruby was an oddity; she does eat plants, especially sweet bubbles, but when Dapplewood arrived, the Oviraptor was shin deep in water as she fished out a clam. Using the two teeth on the roof of her mouth, Ruby broke the shell with a loud crunch. Dapplewood caught interest in a tree with pear-shaped fruit on its branches. While he is as tall as Littlefoot and Ruby, the fruit are well beyond his reach. Dapplewood attempted to climb it but as his kind are earth walkers, he just slid down the tree, leaving claws marks on the bark.

"Ever tried, you know, ramming the tree?" Cera asked sarcastically

Dapplewood stretched his arms palms up.

"You're a dome head!" - Cera rolled her eyes - "Use your head!"

After seeing the "reply" being Dapplewood furrowing his eyebrows, the young Threehorn scraped the ground before charging at him with a bray. Dapplewood ran out of the way as she charged towards the tree. With a mighty thump, the tree shook violently as the tree sweets fell to the grassy floor. Cera grabbed one, strutted over to Dapplewood with her head and tail held high and sat next to him. She eyed the last tree sweet on the tree before looking at the boy.

"The trick" - Cera flipped the tree sweet into the air and catches it in her mouth - "is not feeling anything."

As she chewed her food, Dapplewood approached the tree. He arched up and rammed the plant several times, but the tree sweet stubbornly refuses to fall. The Domehead ran back twelve feet before he turned around, scratched the ground and charged towards the tree. With yet another massive thump, the tree shook violently. Dapplewood's first attempt at using the "cranio-impactus" method left him dazed; he turned to see three duplicates each of his friends. The tree, as if feeling remorse, kindly released it's remaining possession. Springboarding off his snout, Dapplewood grabbed the fruit and showed it to Cera.

"Hmmm, not bad for a first timer." Said Cera with a smug look on her face.

Dapplewood walked over to the riverbank and sat down. As he ate his tree sweet, Littlefoot approached him.

"So Dapplewood, where did you come from?" Littlefoot asked

Dapplewood stopped eating, placed the remaining fruit in the water, and pointed to the east.

"From the Mysterious Beyond?" Littlefoot continued

Dapplewood cocked his head.

"The Mysterious Island?" said Chomper

Dapplewood furthered this with a raised brow when Petrie landed on his snout.

“Or maybe he like Guido, he no know where he come from.”

Dapplewood thought for a moment. First, he flopped on the ground, then began running in place before stopping and guiding his right index finger on his left eye down to his finger.

“You were chased by Red Claw?” Said Cera

Dapplewood repeated the gesture again.

“That right, Red Claw have nasty scar.” said Petrie

“Gives him his name it does.” Ruby continued

“You are lucky," - Chomper walked up to the Dapplewood - "Red Claw is the biggest, meanest Sharptooth ever.”

“Not to mention his Fast Biters, oh no no no no…” Said Ducky

Dapplewood looked on the ground. Littlefoot gave a worried expression.

“What’s wrong?” Littlefoot asked

Dapplewood casts his shadow on a rock, then raised his hand over his head to have the shadow illustrate an elegant looking animal.

“An egg stealer?” - Cera noticed Dapplewood raised his middle and pointer fingers - “Two egg stealers?”

“Like the ones that we saw before?” Said Ducky worryingly

Spike responded with a mere “uh-huh”

“Well we can’t give them our eggs," - Littlefoot turned his head over to Dapplewood - "they love eggs.”

Dapplewood pointed to general direction of the tree sweet tree.

Cera cocked her head, “Why would they want the tree sweets?”

Dapplewood rubbed his head before spotting a hill full of red clay. His face beamed as he gestured his friends to follow him.

“An idea he has" - Ruby motioned her friends - "follow we shall.”

The Gang of Seven follow him. Elsewhere, the mostly eaten tree sweet went through a runoff in the valley. The fruity carcass ended it's trip at a river bank in the Mysterious Beyond. A massive shadow looms over as a gray snout sniffs the fruit, hisses through it’s teeth and walked away, squishing the fruit in the process.

Chapter 6 (Old Timeline): Into the Mysterious Beyond

What has been the usual school ambience at Canterlot High continued on until...

That very word echoed across the halls, turning every student's attention to the room the Rainbooms would practice. Inside, said band along with the Maximals and Dazzlings gathered. Applejack's hand was over Pinkie Pie's mouth as she spoke very fast about their recent discovery.

“Woah, woah, Thud is a Velociraptor?" - Rainbow Dash rubbed her head to process the new information - "Like the ones from Jurassic Park?” asked Rainbow Dash

“That," - Cosgrove raised a hand - "or a Deinonychus, a Dromaeosaurus, a Utahraptor, or even a Rahonavis for all I know.”

"Dapplewood?" Diver asked.

Chelsey nodded - ”Dappledwood."

“That… is.... Awesome!!!” Rainbow Dash stretched her arms with glee.

“All right, let us do a head count here:” - Applejack placed her fingers on her hand - “We got a unicorn, a pack of sirens, and now a dinosaur?”

“Makes sense" - Sunset looked at Aria - "the dinosaur is in love with one of them.”

As the other classmates began looking at her as well, Aria began to blush.

“Oh, I knew it," - Sonata hugged her sister - "You’re in love with the new kid!”

“Shut up, Sonata!" - Aria pushed Sonata aside - "What are we, Changelings?”

“Oh don’t feel embarrassed, darling." Rarity added - "You and Thud have so much in common. You are tough, sassy, and have…" Rarity began pulsing her fist, raising a few eyebrows.

“This does give us another clue where to find Dapplewood.” Said Sunset as she approached the raptor. “Thud, do you remember the first place you came in?”

The raptor looked blankly at the horizon before walking out the door. The group followed Thud to the alley where he first came to this world and where Dapplewood ran back to. They found a strange anomaly, floating material of what appears to be glass circled around a bright light.

“Chelsey," - Cosgrove stepped toward the portal - "You and the others stand guard-”

“Woah, woah!" - Applejack gripped Cosgrove's forearm a pulled - "Hold your horses, slugger, you don’t even know this place.”

Cosgrove looked to Thud, “He does.”

“I’ll come with you.” Said Sunset

“I got your back too, buddy!” Said Rainbow Dash

“So do Ah.” Said Applejack

They looked at the remaining five girls and four Maximals, before Aria walked up.

“Only to take a break from Taco Brain.” said the Siren, receiving a growl back from her blue sister.

Sunset stepped in front of the group.

“But, I’m going to warn you first” - Sunset was interrupted when Rainbow Dash rushed into the portal - “The journey in and out, is very painful.”

Sunset turned around and entered the portal. Thud, Applejack, Aria, and Cosgrove followed respectively. They all screamed, as if on a roller coaster, as they spiraled their way to the new world.

"Really? I can't be something that flies?"

Cosgrove slowly opened his eyes to the sight of grass and the sound of a soft whine. He looked around and found Applejack, now a Chasmosaurus reasoning with Rainbow Dash, now a Gallimimus (which shared a beak color akin to her hair). A pair of red-orange digigrade feet walked up to him. Cosgrove looked up and saw Sunset Shimmer who is now, fitting enough, a Tsintaosaurus. He slowly rose to his feet and found that he towered over her a little. That is until he craned his head and found that his long neck carried his little head high; the body was still a head smaller in height.

The four dinosaurs turned over to the sound of a bellow. It appeared to have come from Aria, now a Baryonyx as she followed Thud, once again a Utahraptor. Sunset began walking towards the two Sharpteeth.

"Uhm, Sunset..."

Sunset turned to find Cosgrove just standing there. With a chuckle, the former Unicorn walked over to him.

"Move your left legs forward, then your right legs."

Cosgrove lifted his back left leg first, then his left arm placed them a further distance from where he was standing. He repeated the same method with his right legs. To maintain balance, Cosgrove made his neck almost in line with his body. Sunset and Cosgrove began to follow as the latter craned his great neck back.

“Yo Applejack, Rainbow Dash" - He catches their attention - "You wanna be left behind?”

Applejack and Rainbow Dash turned their attention to them as they began their walk.

“Still could be worse sugarcube.”

“Shut up!”

...

Around the same time Dapplewood and his posse of dinosaur's made their way through the secret caverns, carrying a few stuffed leaves. While the larger members of the group climbed up the tall ledge leading through the outside, Chomper struggled to climb up. Littlefoot helped Chomper up the ledge as they walked to the land outside the Great Wall. Having walked through the dark caves, the Domehead winced at the much brighter outdoors.

"In the Mysterious Beyond again we are." Said Ruby.

Cera looked around, "Well, where are those two yolk breathers?"

Suddenly, out of the bushes came the two Struthiomimus brothers. While satisfied with their deal is met, they noticed Dapplewood has come along with familiar faces

"Its those kids again Ozzy!"

"You little whelp!" - Ozzy shoved the Domehead to the ground - "You gave away our plans!"

After grabbing the leaves, Littlefoot stood between the two.

"You leave my friend alone!"

"He didn't know you like we do," - Ducky shook her head - "nope, nope nope."

"Don't you kids know that nice guys finish last? - Ozzy pulled out an egg - "Only the insipid ones get what they want."

Licking his bill, he crunched down on it. His eyes shot wide open before he screamed in pain.

Strut fared little better with his tree sweets. With a considerable effort, the Egg Stealer "chewed" down on his rather non succulent meal.

"Maybe they aren't ripe yet, Oz."

"No, they aren't," - Ozzy spat out what appeared to crushed pebbles - "Because they are not food!"

The grey Struthiomimus threw the stone to the ground before turning to find Cera shooting a raspberry before running behind the hill.

The kids ran as fast as their legs, or wings in Petrie's case, can carry them. But the Egg Stealers, their ancestors evolved to be built like horses, easily caught up to them, cornering them to a wall.

"We've had it with you sap suckers," - Ozzy lurched over to the group of eight kids - "We'll get rid of you once and for all."

Ozzy paid no attention as an even larger shadow loomed over them.

Strut pokes his brother, "Uhm, Ozzy..."

The egg stealer turned around and found the group of larger dinosaur's, including the carnivorous ones.

Cosgrove craned his neck to the Struthiomimus brothers as he gave a very slow growl.

In a last desperate act, Ozzy grabbed Chomper by the throat.

"Don't move, or the little Sharptooth gets it!" Ozzy placed a claw at Chomper's throat.

"Hey! Leave him alone you big bully!" Cera rammed the Egg Stealer's leg, turning him around.

Cosgrove shifted his head over to Aria, giving her a little wink.

Ozzy grabbed the young Threehorn by the snout, "Why you little-"

"You know, my Sharptooth friends are... " - Cosgrove drew his neck back as Aria began to growl -"Quite hungry."

Ozzy took notice too late as the Siren clamps her jaws onto his tail and pulled him up, dropping Chomper to the floor. As the Baryonyx held him high, Thud jumped and snapped at him time and again. Sunset walked around Aria with a smug look on her beak.

"But we're feeling generous." Said Sunset before giving a nod.

Aria growled then arched back and flung Ozzy far away into a forest. Strut began shaking at the larger herd when Applejack turned her nose horn at him.

"Uhm... Ozzy!" Strut began running to where Ozzy was flung - "Wait for me!!"

The small threat ended, Applejack stepped began walking to the young dinosaurs.

"Ya’ll right little ones?"

"Little?" - Cera stepped in front of the similar colored dinosaur - "We were doing just fine."

Littlefoot elbowed Cera.

"Have any of you seen a dinosaur by the name Dapplewood?" Asked Rainbow Dash

The gang of seven slowly turned their heads at Dapplewood. The Domehead approached the larger group of dinosaurs. It took him a good hard look before he recognized their color schemes, aside from the two Sharpteeth. He embraced his brother's leg.

"We missed you much." Said Cosgrove

Sunset lowered herself on all fours

"Thank you for watching him."

"Your thanks we appreciate." Said Ruby.

The gang began to look back as Thud approached them.

"Is that, Thud?" Whispered Ducky

"Eeyup, how you know him?" asked Applejack

"He is one of the Fast Biters that work with Red Claw." Chomper answered

"And now he's not that far behind." Said Cera

The larger dinosaurs looked at each other.

"Thud is with us." Said Sunset

"Yeah, say that to the Sharptooth." Said Cera, only to receive a growl from Aria.

"Are you Far Walkers?" Asked Littlefoot

"You may say we've gone pretty far, kid." Said Rainbow Dash, rubbing the Longneck's head.

"We're here to bring Dapplewood to our world." Cosgrove lifted his younger brother onto his back.

Littlefoot cocked his head, "Your world?"

"We'll explain later," - Sunset rose up on her hind legs as a roar is heard - "right now its not safe here."

The mixed age herd began to retrace their steps. The gang of seven, Littlefoot in particular, were in the middle of a conversation.

"So you journeyed all this way to the Valley?" - Sunset eyeballed the young Longneck - "You kids must have been very brave."

"Yeah!" Cera raised her horn, showing her usual pride "We found the valley together."

"But with them I was not." Ruby added.

"And I wasn't hatched yet." Chomper continued.

Littlefoot increased his pace.

"So if you say that you guys came from another world..." Piano music began to play in the background "Does that mean you live beyond the Mysterious Beyond?"

At the end of the song, the herd arrived at the portal. The gang of seven looked at the rift in splendor, even Cera could not believe her eyes.
Applejack turned her head to the younger dinosaur.

"Believe us now, sugarcube?"

Cera slouched her shoulders, "Dad's gonna kill me..."

Petrie hovered around the portal, "It shine like bright circle, only smaller."

"Yes, that's where you fell in, Dapplewood" - Cosgrove craned his neck to Thud -"And where Thud came in."

"And now we can go-" Rainbow Dash then came beak to snout with a blue Utahraptor

Chapter 7: Sharptooth Attack

"It's Screech!" Shouted Ducky

A howl came from the other side of the group as a red-violet Utahraptor is seen roaring on a fallen log.

"And Howler!" Shouted Chomper.

Rainbow Dash noticed Thud walking out of the group.

"I knew it! He led us into a trap!" Berated Cera

Thud made some clicks and chirps to Screech. Chomper squinted, trying to understand what they are saying.

"No, I think…”

Before Chomper could finish, the two Utahraptors began snapping at each other. The two leaped at each other rolling on the ground until Screech managed to pin his former partner to get a clear shot at a killing bite. Suddenly with a mighty bellow, Aria swatted the blue Fast Biter. She bridged herself between the two raptors.

While the others watched Aria duke it out with Screech, Applejack eyed Howler charging towards the group. Pushing the ground, she turned around and faced the utahraptor. The beast stopped and gave a snarl.

“You wanna tango, varmint?" Applejack scraped the ground with a snort "I dealt with timberwolves more rugged than you!”

Howler roared at her and started striding towards her. Applejack charged as well, lowering her horns as she got closer to her foe. The raptor sneered as he noticed that Applejack couldn’t see as well. He dashed around her quickly. Applejack skidded to a stopped and eyed Howler making a sound like that of a laugh. He then noticed the farm girl grin. When he looked forward-

WHAP!!

Howler flew a few feet in the air before flopping on his back. He looked up and found Cosgrove sidestepping towards him, tail waving back and forth. Applejack stamped forward, alerting the Fast Biter to his feet.

"Oh, this is so awesome!" Rainbow squeaked as the kids cheered on.

Aria continued to bellow at Screech, keeping him away from the others. Avoiding her snapping teeth, Screech dashed around and leaped at the siren. She screamed as the claws and teeth dug into her skin. Thud ran up her tail, bit Screech by the neck and suplexes him down to the ground. The green Utahraptor hopped off Aria as she shrugged off her injuries.

An experienced hunter, Howler turned his attention away from Applejack and instead to the larger but armor-less Cosgrove. Cosgrove flung his tail at the Utahraptor. Howler dodged under the appendage and snapped his jaws hard at the sauropod's legs. In his pain, Cosgrove reared up, lifting Howler up to his tippy toes. Cosgrove grabbed the beast with his teeth and flung him over to Applejack. Landing on her head, the farmer flipped her head upward, launching the carnivore even further.

Applejack inspected the tooth marks on Cosgrove's leg before glaring at Howler.

"You are going home hungry" - Applejack tilts her snout up - "and sorry tonight!"

Suddenly, a great roar is heard. The gang turned to the sound as is echoed away.

Thoom.

Howler began to chuckle.

THOOM

"Stay close, kids." Sunset gathered the children underneath herself.

THOOM!

Screech joined up with Howler when a shadow engulfed the wall behind them.

"Red Claw!" Shouted Littlefoot and the gang.

"That's Red Claw?" Rainbow Dash looked on as the beast revealed itself.

The monstrous Tyrannosaurus utters a massive bellow, sniffed the air and caught sight of the herd. Stomping his way towards them, he towered even Cosgrove's dinosaur form. When he spotted Thud, his old friend, and Aria in her theropod form with the leaf eaters, he roared in anger, with Screech and Howler giving a nasty smile.

"That..." - Chomper gulped - "ain't good..."

The three Sharpteeth charged at the herd. Applejack, Cosgrove, Aria, and Thud formed a line.

"Sunset, you and Rainbow Dash get the kids to safety!" Said Cosgrove

Rainbow Dash stepped forward, "Aw, but I want to-"

"We're serious, Rainbow!" - Applejack turned her head to Rainbow Dash - "We can hold them off for a while." - She looked back as the charging Sharpteeth - "Ah hope."

Cosgrove and Aria came up to Red Claw while Applejack and Thud each fought Howler and Screech respectively.

Dapplewood stopped and looked at the upcoming battle before Rainbow Dash got in front of him.

"Don't look back, come on!" The Rainbow Face guided him away.

Applejack shook her head violently and stamped her feet. Howler leaped into the air and landed on her frill. The farm girl bucked and brushed as the Utahraptor tore into the holes of the frill.

Thud and Screech kept making mock lunges at each other as they snapped their jaws and flayed their claws.

Aria first made her charge against Red Claw and pushed him a few feet. The T. rex retaliated by biting into her nape and flung her to a rock. The Siren looked up as the rex placed his foot on her. Cosgrove wrapped his tail around his other leg and pulled him to the ground. Red Claw looked up as the Longneck pressed his forefeet on his head and chest. Cosgrove struggled to kept hold as Red Claw flailed his back legs.

The rest of the herd was a good distance away from the battle when Dapplewood stopped and turned back. Sunset stopped and found the boy going the opposite direction.

"Dapplewood!" Sunset turned around and began running after him.

Cosgrove, hearing Dapplewood's name, craned his neck and found his brother running into the portal before stepping off Red Claw

"Broth-" Red Claw kicked him to the side.

Sunset was just at the Portal when she caught the Rex approaching Cosgrove. The beast pinned the sauropod down and aimed his jaws at the head. The unicorn-turned-human-turned-dinosaur whacked Red Claw with her tail. Just when she aimed another tail swipe, Red Claw returned the favor, knocking her a few feet. Aria bit his foot before being kicked in the face.

Applejack flung Howler away when she spotted Aria, Cosgrove, and Sunset fighting the T. rex.

"Hang on there!" Applejack was about to run when she spotted Thud being flung over.

Screech was about to make a killing bite when he spotted the lone Threehorn. Applejack assumed a battle pose before noticing Howler stalking behind. Howler roared before Screech leaped at her. Applejack roared as she struggled to get the raptor off of her. Howler leaped at her sides, biting into her back and scratching her stomach.

"Applejack!" Rainbow screamed, "Kids, stay" - Rainbow Dash found that the group of children was missing - "here?"

Chomper, Cera, and Petrie ran up to the raptor infested Applejack with the first biting Screech on the tail. The blue Utahraptor yelps before turning to the Good Sharptooth. Howler sees his partner chasing his tail and released his grip from the farmer, who then flopped on the ground. Before the raptor could reach his partner, Petrie flew up to him and tapped onto his snout.

"Ha, ha!" - Petrie gave a raspberry before dodging Howler's snapping jaws - "Can't catch me!"

Cera ran up to Applejack's left.

"It's too tough for you, kid." - Applejack groaned - "Get out while you still can."

"Threehorns" -Cera began pushing at the farmer's sides "never run away from a fight!"

Red Claw manages to knock out Aria and Sunset before proceeding to try again at the injured Cosgrove. But as his good eye was focused on his next meal, Spike rammed him in the shin. When the Sharptooth began to falter, Littlefoot ran underneath his heel, causing Red Claw to land on his back with a loud thump. Aria grabbed the T. rex by the back of the neck and applied all her weight to keep him still.

Littlefoot, Ducky, Spike, and Ruby ran up to Sunset Shimmer.

"All right you are?" asked the pink Oviraptor.

"I'm fine," - Sunset looked over to Cosgrove as she got up on her feet "But go help Cosgrove!"

The four young dinosaurs ran up to the much larger sauropod as he strained to get up.

"Can you get up?" Littlefoot asked.

"I'm trying," - Cosgrove tried again before groaning- "but it hurts adding weight to my leg."

As Ducky tried to comfort him, her larger friends ran to the other side and began pushing.

Back at Applejack's side of the battle, Screech whacked his tail on the ground, freeing it from Chomper's jaws. The young sharp tooth began to whimper as the raptor opened its jaws. Then as if out of nowhere, Rainbow Dash drop kicked the beast, shoving him a few feet away but enough to entice him. The sports captain ran in circles around the raptor. Screech managed to aim his bite, but at the last moment, he bit his own tail again. Rainbow placed her claws on her hips, looking smug at the injured Fast Biter.

"Am I awesome or-"

Suddenly Howler snatched her away with his claws. Rainbow Dash scratched at his chest to no avail. Petrie began tapping at the raptor's face again.

"You put my friend down now!" The small pterosaur demanded before being blown away by Howler's roar onto Applejack's snout.

Applejack, though weakened, managed to topple the carnivore over, pin him down and bit down hard on his arm. The captured beast screamed as he tried to break loose.

In a fit of rage, Red Claw broke free of Aria's grip and began charging towards Cosgrove, shoving Sunset aside in the process. As Ducky screamed at the charging Sharptooth, Thud vaulted off the ground and latched onto the T. rex. Red Claw began shaking him off when Cosgrove, now on all of his feet whipped the beast's head with his tail.

As the battle continued, Screech turned his attention to the portal. Now unguarded, the raptor sneered and began to run towards it. The leaf eaters turned to the fleeing raptor.

"No!" Sunset stretched out her hand.

Just as Screech reached the portal, a massive claw slapped him the other direction. What came out of the portal appeared to be an okapi-sized goose with giant claws, her orange and peach plumage looking familiar.

"About time you showed up, Chelsey!" - Cosgrove narrowly dodged Red Claw's jaws - "Where are the others?"

After she whistled, the raptor's turned to the sound of stamping feet as Dapplewood ran out of the portal. Behind him were Rarity (an Edmontonia), Sonata (a Sinraptor), Zipper (an Ornithocheirus), Pinkie Pie (an Iguanodon), Diver (a Deinosuchus), Fluttershy (a Camarasarus), Apple Bloom (also a Chasmosaurus), Sweetie Belle (a Polocanthus), Scootaloo (a Chirostenotes), Big Mac (again a Chasmosaurus), and Flash Sentry (a Camptosaurus).

"Aw yeah, the calvaries here!" Said Rainbow Dash.

The two raptors were intimidated by the size of the herd they fled. Red Claw was about to make a killing bite on Cosgrove before spotting Screech and Howler running. The great Sharptooth looked at the good herd consisting of 1 adult Sharptooth, seventeen sub-adult dinosaurs, and eight hatchlings stand up before him. He still towered over them as he gave out a bellow that echoed across the Mysterious Beyond.

"What we do now?" Asked Petrie.

Thud made a screech, then Aria began to roar, then Sonata. Cosgrove bellowed through his massive neck. The other members of the Maximals hissed, trumpeted, and screeched. Applejack, Sunset, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash and Rarity looked at each other.

"Don't look at me," - Rarity lifted her head aloof - "I will not participate in this uncivilized behavior." Rarity protested

They turned again to a higher pitched bellow as Fluttershy joined in.

"Maybe just this once." Said Sunset before she joined in with a trumpet amplified by her "horn."

The rest of them, even Chomper, in as they began walking forward towards Red Claw. The Sharptooth tried to shoo them away, but his roars were drowned out. While he did fight Grandpa Longneck and Topsy in the Hidden Canyon, never before did he see that many leaf eaters stand up to him. He turned tail and ran.

Author's Note

In the draft on Deviantart, there wasn't much participation from Sunset, Rainbow Dash and the Gang of Seven, as well as five individuals less of the calvalry. It would make sense to have them participate in the battle (There are even a few scenes in the Land Before Time series where the children to some extent fight off the Sharpteeth themselves).

Chapter 8 (Old Timeline): Remembering

After the roaring died down, the kids admired their older peers.

"Oooh." Whispered Petrie

"Never seen Red Claw like that I have." Commented Ruby

"Its like it was so... So..." Cera thought as she tried to find a word to describe it.

"Awesome?" Answered Rainbow Dash

"Yes," Ducky jumped a few inches into the air, "that was awesome, yes yes yes!"

The Calvary looked down at Dapplewood.

"It wouldn't be possible without Dapplewood." Said Fluttershy

"Yeah, DW came to us first thing he came out!" Squeaked Pinkie Pie as she rubbed the boy's bald skull.

"Whelp, guess we can go on home." Said Applejack as the group looked to a lone Thud.

"Well buddy... The choice is still your's." Pinkie "bounced," if you can describe a car sized animal jumping, to Thud, "You can come with us or stay here. Either way, we can always visit."

"No." Sunset said flat out.

"Why not, Darling?" asked Rarity

"Yeah, we can walk in here whenever we want!" Said Rainbow Dash

"That's a problem, everything can come through. Look around you, this place is too dangerous." Said Sunset

"So what," - Chelsey shrugged her shoulders - "we can take em just like we all did to the Dazzlings." Said Chelsey before getting a snarl from Sonata.

"Yeah, but what if there were going to be three, then five, or ten dinosaurs making their way to our world" - Sunset pointed at the tracks Red Claw left - "What if this Red Claw came through the portal."

"So, what are you saying?" Rainbow Dash asked

"We're going to have to have to close the portal." Sunset finished before turning to Dapplewood.

Dapplewood made a bunch of frantic hand signals in a desperate attempt to reason.

"Dapplewood," - Cosgrove walked to his brother - "she's right. The next time this happens we may come out worse" - Cosgrove stretched his bloodied leg - "than this."

The herd, Thud included, walked into the portal until only Sunset, Dapplewood, and Cosgrove were left with the gang of seven.

"We can give you a moment to say goodbye." Said Sunset.

Dapplewood turned to his friends.

"We're sorry you have to leave, Dapplewood." Said Littlefoot

"Yeah, Dapplewood," The Threehorn nudged him "you were very brave." Said Cera

"And so are your friends, yep yep yep." Said Ducky.

Her Spiketail brother nodded in agreement.

"You showed those bullies back home whose boss!" Complemented Petrie, moving his hands in a boxing motion.

Chomper walked forward and looked up at Cosgrove and Sunset.

"Are you sure you can make Thud your friend?" The young theropod tapped his claws "I tried that already it didn't turn out well..."

Sunset and Cosgrove looked to each other before the former gave a smirk. Cosgrove lowered his head to Chomper's height.

"We've handled worst." Cosgrove answered.

Dapplewood turned to find Ruby standing in front of him.

"Just know that wherever you are you will always have..."

Upon finishing the song, the gang of seven give Dapplewood a group hug. The Domehead teared up before breaking the embrace. He gave one last look at his friends before leaving the realm of the dinosaurs.

When Dapplewood returned to the human world, he noticed Thud, Sunset, Rainbow Dash, Cosgrove, Applejack, and Aria with bruises and cuts.
Aria noticed the young boy staring at the large welt in her midsection.

"Hey, Cosgrove you're brother's looking at me funny." Said Aria in her usual tone.

Cosplay turned around and patted his brother, "Don't worry, bro, we'll do okay."

"So, anyone hungry?" Asked Rarity as her stomach rumbled.

"Oh, oh! Can we get tacos?!" Sonata asked

"No, Sonata!" Said Aria

"Why not go to a steak house?" Said a voice

They turned over to the raptor who for the first time spoke.

"I've been eye balling it since we were walking over to here." - Thud bowed to Aria, extending his green hand - "If you would accompany me."

Aria's violet face flushed a red hue. She looked at the others. Some still had shocked expressions, others remained silent, but Pinkie Pie and Sonata giggled. The violet siren slowly took the raptor's hand before Rarity squeaked in excitement.

"Oh shut up..." They both said as they began their walk out the alley.

The Main Six, the Maximals, and Dapplewood began their walk. Sunset stayed behind, her eyes looking at the anomaly.

"You coming, Sugarcube?" Asked Applejack

"Yeah!" - Sunset turned around - "Just give me a moment."

With magic ebbing it's way to this world, Sunset pondered if this was just a taste of things to come. What joys and dangers would arise from rifts like these? On another hand, one such rift reminded her just how close she is to home. Sunset looked up at the night sky and with a deep breath,

Remembering, remembering
is a kind of a funny thing
It makes me think of time gone by
Friends are made by saying "Hi"
Thoughts I'll always hold dear
Remembering makes re-appear
But even when the thoughts are sad
I'll always have remembering

My remembering

Later that evening, Sunset entered her apartment, walked quietly to her room, and took her messaging book from her backpack.

She began to write, “Dear Princess Twilight…”

Chapter 8 (New Timeline): Remembering

After the roaring dies down, the kids admired their older peers.

"Oooh." Whispered Petrie

"Never seen Red Claw like that I have." Commented Ruby

"It's like it was so... So..." Cera thought as she tried to find a word to describe it.

"Awesome?" Answered Rainbow Dash

"Yes," Ducky jumped a few inches into the air, "that was awesome, yes yes yes!"

The Calvary looked down at Dapplewood.

"It wouldn't be possible without Dapplewood." Said Fluttershy

"Yeah, DW came to us first thing he came out!" Squeaked Pinkie Pie as she rubbed the boy's bald skull.

"Whelp, guess we can go on home." Said Applejack as the group looked to a lone Thud.

"Well, buddy... The choice is still your's." Pinkie "bounced," if you can describe a car-sized animal jumping, to Thud, "You can come with us or stay here. Either way, we can always visit."

"No." Sunset said flat out.

"Why not, Sunset?" asked Rarity

"Yeah, we can walk in here whenever we want!" Said Rainbow Dash

"That's a problem, everything can come through. Look around you, this place is too dangerous." Said Sunset

"So what," - Chelsey shrugged her shoulders - "we can take em just like you did to the Dazzlings." Said Chelsey before getting a snarl from Sonata.

"Yeah, but what if there were going to be three, then five, or ten dinosaurs making their way to our world" - Sunset pointed at the tracks Red Claw left - "What if this Red Claw came through the portal."

"So, what are you saying?" Rainbow Dash asked

"We're going to have to have to close the portal." Sunset finished before turning to Dapplewood.

Dapplewood made a bunch of frantic hand signals in a desperate attempt to reason.

"Dapplewood," - Cosgrove walked to his brother - "she's right. The next time this happens we may come out worse" - Cosgrove stretched his bloodied leg - "than this."

The herd, Thud included, walked into the portal until only Sunset, Dapplewood, and Cosgrove are left with the gang of seven.

"We can give you a moment to say goodbye." Said Sunset.

Dapplewood turned to his friends.

"We're sorry you have to leave, Dapplewood." Said Littlefoot

"Yeah, Dapplewood," The Threehorn nudged him "you were very brave." Said Cera

"And so are your friends, yep yep yep." Said Ducky.

Her Spiketail brother nodded in agreement.

"You showed those bullies back home whose boss!" Complemented Petrie, moving his hands in a boxing motion.

Chomper walked forward and looked up at Cosgrove and Sunset.

"Are you sure you can make Thud your friend?" - The young theropod tapped his claws - "I tried that already it didn't turn out well..."

Sunset and Cosgrove looked to each other before the former gave a smirk. Cosgrove lowered his head to Chomper's height.

"We've handled worst." Cosgrove answered.

Dapplewood turned to find Ruby standing in front of him.

"Just know that wherever you are you will always have..."

Upon finishing the song, the gang of seven give Dapplewood a group hug. The Domehead teared up before breaking the embrace. He gave one last look at his friends before leaving the realm of the dinosaurs.

When Dapplewood returned to the human world, he noticed Thud, Sunset, Rainbow Dash, Cosgrove, Applejack, and Aria with bruises and cuts. Aria noticed the young boy staring at the large welt in her midsection given by Red Claw.

"Hey, Cosgrove you're brother's looking at me funny." Said Aria in her usual tone.

Cosplay turned around and patted his brother, "Don't worry, bro, we'll do okay."

"So, anyone hungry?" Asked Rarity as her stomach rumbled.

"Oh, oh! Can we get tacos?!" Sonata asked

"No, Sonata!" Said Aria

"Why not go to a steak house?" Said a voice

They turned over to the raptor who for the first time spoke.

"I've been eyeballing it since we were walking over to here." - Thud bowed to Aria, extending his green hand - "If you would accompany me."

Aria's violet face flushed a red hue. She looked at the others. Some still had shocked expressions, others remained silent, but Pinkie Pie and Sonata giggled. The violet siren slowly took the raptor's hand before Rarity squeaked in excitement.

"Oh shut up..." They both said as they began their walk out the alley.

The Main Six, the Maximals, and Dapplewood began their walk. Sunset stayed behind, her eyes looking at the anomaly.

"You coming, sugar cube?" Asked Applejack

"Yeah!" - Sunset turned around - "Just give me a moment."

It's another adventure dealt with, but the question is why did it occur. It could relate to Roma Candle bringing Twilight's crown into their world, but it still wouldn't explain why they sprout ears, horns, wings, and ponytails whenever they play music. With magic ebbing it's way to this world, this was just probably just a taste of things to come. What joys and dangers would arise from rifts like these? Sunset looked up at the night sky, taking a look at the twinkling twin stars, and took a deep breath,

Remembering, remembering
is a kind of a funny thing
It makes me think of time gone by
A glad hello, a sad goodbye
Thoughts I'll always hold dear
Remembering makes re-appear
For good, for bad, or even sad
I'll always have remembering

My remembering

Later that evening after the friendly dinner, Sunset entered her home, walked quietly to her room, and took her messaging book from her backpack.

She began to write, “Dear Princess Twilight…”

Epilogue: Peaceful Valley

A few weeks have come and gone and a lot has happened since then.

With his newfound ability to speak, Thud was able to convince Principal Luna and Vice Principal Luna that he can be a model student. The two principals, having dealt with this twice now, merely shrugged and stamped an approval letter. He has also taken a job at the Flim Flam Brother’s pawn shop, much to a few of his friend’s dismay. With that in mind, he was officially allowed into the apartment. School rumors have it that both Thud and Aria have had cuddle time, but not a word has gotten out of Sonata. He still had a few acts of rage, but not enough to be a threat.

Dapplewood still hoped to one day return to the world of the dinosaurs, maybe introduce Golden Caramel to the group. Dapplewood even talked about it to his parents, only to get a good laugh. All over his wall were drawings of the gang of seven, including himself and his friends in dinosaur form. He did notice, however, that his brother has been away for longer periods of time than usual. The last few nights he heard the front door open, heavy sounding steps going up the stairs and into the room next to him. Early the next morning, he would wake up and leave the house.

On Saturday, Dapplewood found a very spruced up Cosgrove washing dishes while a crockpot full of kale and bison stew warmed up beside him.

“Oh hi, Dapplewood.” Cosgrove greeted before licking his chops and continued cleaning. After a long silence, “Uhm… Applejack’s having a get together later today if you wanna come over.”

Cosgrove twisted his body to look at Dapplewood joining his index fingers before making a walking motion.

“Sure," - Cosgrove chuckled - "Golden Caramel would love to come.”

Hopping into the car, they drove to Golden Caramel's house. With the condition from her mother that she be home by sundown, the deaf girl joined them. Dapplewood looked out the window as they passed the alley, the portal was no longer there. It was noon when they have arrived at Sweet Apple Acres. Cosplay walked away from the two younger children.

“Now," - Cosgrove unloaded the crockpot from his car - "I need to help them set up, stay together okay?”

Dapplewood nodded before he and Golden Caramel walked towards the barn. When Cosgrove sat the crockpot on the table, he saw Applejack walk up to him and tipped her hat. Cosgrove returned with an A-Okay hand signal.

Dapplewood and Golden Caramel walked around, taking a look at the rather amazing sight for a family consisting mostly of young adults. Though they have livestock, the scent was that of apples, giving the farm a very tidy reputation.

“This tree sweet juice is delicious!”

Dapplewood stopped dead in his tracks at the familiar voice. He turned and found a boy his age with brown hair, and, like Chelsey, had piebald skin. Next to him was a girl with similar colorations to Pinkie and a dark violet boy with red eyes.

“Amazing how they make it as water it is.” Ruby added

The boy next to them was just finishing off a batch of chicken wings.

“Hmmm…." - Chomper liked his lips, leaving behind a red stain - Spicy….”

The three children noticed Dapplewood walking up to them with a grimace on his face.

“So that’s what you look like beyond the Mysterious Beyond.” Answered Littlefoot

Dapplewood’s slightly agape mouth began drawing in a smile. He immediately hugged the longneck who then gave a good laugh along with Chomper and Ruby.

As the day progressed, music began to play as The Rainbooms, the Maximals, The Crusaders, The Dazzlings, and Big Mac watched on as the group of five children went deeper into the orchard.

And with the combined help of the Equestrian and Human worlds, Littlefoot the Long Neck, Cera the Three Horn, Ducky the Swimmer, Petrie the Flyer, Spike the Spiketail, Chomper the Sharptooth, Ruby the Fast Runner, and Dapplewood the Human could come and visit their new worlds.

Littlefoot

I can't wait to see you

Petrie

See you

Ducky

See you

Cera, Ducky, and Spike’s head pop out of the bushes

Chomper

What's up, today?

Above them Petrie was on the branches of an apple tree shaking them, making loose leaves and blossoms fall.

Cera

Can you hear me calling?

Petrie

Calling

Ducky

Calling

Ruby

It's time, to play

Petrie vaulted himself off the tree and started running ahead of the group as they ran with him.

One by one they dive into a lake, which Dapplewood notices has a bright shine to the lake as each of his friends jumped in. Golden Caramel shies a little.

Littlefoot and Cera

Every cloud in the sky, green leaf on a tree

is reminding me, far away dreams really do come true

Dapplewood grabbed her hand and together they hopped into the pool. The magic changed Dapplewood back into a Pachycephalosaurus and Golden Caramel into a Maiasaura.

Together (Sans Spike, Dapplewood, and Golden Caramel)

Come on, let's go, let's go

and run around, run around

What a beautiful feeling we finally found

A peaceful valley

and everybody's having a good time now

At instrumental interlude, Littlefoot and the gang are joined by a few others Dapplewood wasn’t introduced. Those being Ali, Shorty, Guido, Rhett, Skitter and Lizzy. At a river, they saw Mo jump and laugh.

Shorty

Sun sets and rises

Guido

Rises

Mo

Rises

Ali

Plenty of things to see

Dapplewood suddenly fell back as Cera’s relatives Tricia, Dinah, and Dana bumped into him.

Cera

Everyday surprises

Lizzy

-prises

Skitter

-prises

Rhett

Sneaking up on you and me

Golden Caramel was sniffing an exotic flower before it was bolted down by Tippy.

The Bright Circle began to set as the large group of children were walking together.

Littlefoot and Cera

As we go to and fro

let sweet harmony flow

We're having fun now

Sky's so blue

And our dreams really do come true

Together (Sans Spike, Dapplewood, and Golden Caramel)

Yeah, let's go

and run around, run around

What a beautiful feeling we finally found

A peaceful valley

and everybody's having a good time now

The group of young dinosaurs clustered together on a large hill overlooking the valley.

“Dapplewood, Goldy!" The children turned to Cosgrove's voice in the distance "It’s time to come home!!”

Dapplewood repeated that in sign language before he and Golden Caramel began their trek down.

“Seeya, Dapplewood!” Said Petrie

“Bye!” Said Ducky

“See ya!” Said Cera

“Tell Applejack thanks for the food!” Said Chomper

“Goodbye, my friends, my friends, goodbye!” Said Ruby

Together (Offscreen, Sans Spike, Dapplewood, and Golden Caramel)

Come on, let's go, let's go

and run around, run around

What a beautiful feeling we finally found

A peaceful valley

and everybody's having a good time now

And before long, Dapplewood and his friends met up often. Back again and again, each visit their own adventure, the tale of his journey through The Land Before Time.

Author's Note

Thank you so much for reading this! Right now it's my third Top Story on Fimfiction.

In memory of James Horner (1953 - 2015)

I have an Audacity File that combines the 2 versions of "Peaceful Valley."