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CHAPTER NINE: PTERO'S GETAWAY

At night, as usual, Ptero was bored. He'd come back from hunting. He was getting better at it. Ptero had a great sense of humor. He snuck undetected behind an elderly silver Pterodactylus. "PHHHHHHHHHHHHHHBTTTTT!" Ptero went. He then quickly flew off before the poor Sharptooth could spot him.

Goodness, that Longneck hatchling must really have upset my stomach. the elderly Sharp Beak commented, shaking his head. Ptero had a hard time not laughing.

Ptero next grabbed some ferns. He tickled a female Sharp Beak, then moved away in time. The female turned to glare at a nearby male. What did you do that for? she snapped.

I didn't. replied the male.

SMACK! The female hit him. Can't keep your claws to yourself, can you? she grumbled.

Ptero was giggling now some distance away. He suddenly felt talons grab his shoulders.

Enough Ptero! You will not make a good Sharp Beak King acting like this! snapped Agatha. Ptero was annoyed. His mother wouldn't even let him play practical jokes.

Please Mother, it was just some jokes! You don't seem like you can take a joke! Ptero replied.

Agatha wasn't amused by Ptero's smart-aleck remark. Stop your snotty mouthing Ptero! You can go to bed now for being so rude! Let that be a lesson to you! Agatha snapped.

This was the last straw. He made up his mind to take off early the next morning. He wanted to be free for a while from his mother's heavy hand.

He woke up as the Bright Circle broke the horizon. He crept swiftly and silently, using all of his hunting training, not to sneak up on prey, but to escape the pack's territory without being detected. Father, forgive me. I just need a break. I hope you can understand. he thought as he snuck off. He wanted to go exploring. It couldn't hurt after all. Agatha soon woke and saw that her son was gone. Dread filled her. She had the same look on her face as Petrie's mother had had some years ago when Petrie had ran off with Littlefoot to avoid the herds breaking up.

Where is Ptero? Where is he? she asked. Her pack couldn't find him either. He must have left. I want him found! Anybody caught goofing off will wish they had met a hungry Sharptooth instead when I'm done with them! she said warningly. They took off after her.

Ptero heard the pack coming. He sighed. His mother wouldn't give him a single break. He turned and hid in a tree. It was a tree that had many ferns. These tickled him but he kept still, as annoying as it was, as he wanted a chance to explore the world.

Agatha was frightened. If she lost her son then she would have no heir to take over the pack after her. Also, if Ptero found out he was a leaf eater, she would be in big trouble. He might even find out the truth of what had happened to Sydo. I want that boy found! said Agatha.

Ptero waited till they had passed and then went the opposite way. He might have gotten away unnoticed had not an Ichthyornis spotted him. There he is! she yelled, pointing toward him. Ptero took off.

After him! I want my boy back! shouted Agatha the Sharp Beak Queen to her pack.

Littlefoot, and his friends, meanwhile, kept hearing the cries of Sharp Beaks throughout the day. "There are so many of them." cried Littlefoot in alarm.

"Not to worry, they aren't in here." Grandma Longneck reassured him.

"I have never hearded so many before." remarked Ducky.

"It like they looking for something." Petrie said.

"Whatever it is, it's really unlucky." Cera remarked.

Spike was sticking his head into water to eat green food. He came out with a mouthful of green food, which he chewed on and then swallowed. "What do you think about the Sharp Beaks, Spike? Are you afraid?" asked Ducky.

ERRRRP! Spike belched, and, unfortunately, as Ducky was right next to his mouth, she got hit with the brunt of it.

"Ew! Spike! That was gross! It was! It was!" Ducky complained, waving her hands in the air.

"Oops!" said Spike, embarrassed.

"Perhaps you kids should go play further away from the Great Wall if the Sharp Beaks are scaring you." suggested Grandpa Longneck.

"Good idea." said Littlefoot. He took off. The others followed him. Cera was at the back of the group.

"Hey! Wait for me!" she yelled, running after them.

Ptero, meanwhile, spent a lot of that day dodging his pack. Eventually, around nightfall, he'd finally given them the slip in the dark. He rested, for he thought that Agatha and her pack couldn't find him. He knew what good eyesight Sharp Beaks had, being part one himself. Thus, he hid among leaves. He saw the pack go overhead. They went right past him. He stayed quiet till they were gone.

Agatha ordered her pack to keep going. Some whined, but she said that any that didn't like it could leave and never come back. Thus, they continued searching, elsewhere, for the rest of the night.

Ptero, meanwhile, snuggled in the leaves. He found that it sure was cold out there away from the nest. "It sure is cold out here. This wasn't what I had in mind when I wanted to go explore the world." he said, shivering. He was about asleep when he heard a noise. His eyes flew open and he looked up!

A huge shadow appeared, moving nearer and nearer. Ptero stepped back from it, nervous. A huge dinosaur came into sight. It was a Two Footer and was green and blue and had red eyes. It was an Albertosaurus.

He quickly realized that it was a Sharptooth from the claws and fangs it had. He falsely assumed that one Sharptooth wouldn't hurt another.

Ptero knew the Sharptooth language. Hello there, my name is Ptero. he said.

Hello Ptero, my name is Albert. replied the Albertosaurus.

So, what brings you here? Ptero asked.

Looking for a meal. Albert replied.

A meal. That didn't sound like a bad idea. Yeah, I'm hungry too. Perhaps we can catch something. It's nice to have a new friend. I've been with Mother all this time. I never got to get out much. said Ptero. Well, I already found a meal. replied the Albertosaurus.

Ptero, who didn't realize the danger he was in, said Great. What is it? I love Stinging Buzzers. Also, I love hoppers. I like Tickly Fuzzies. And , he said, licking his lips I'd love Flatteeth. I'd love to hunt one of those.

You look filling enough for a snack. I don't need to go hunt any of those other things. said Albert.

Ptero was panicky now. No, you misunderstood me. I'm a Sharptooth like you! I'm just a kid! You wouldn't eat me! he cried. The Sharptooth licked his lips. Yes I would! he replied. He moved forward and snapped at Ptero, who only just moved away in time.

I taste like Spiketail tush. You don't want to eat me. replied Ptero, sweating nervously. The Sharptooth snapped at him again, and again he barely got away.

Ptero was terrified. "Noooo! Mother! Mother! Help me! " he cried. The Sharptooth went to strike him with his claws. Ptero moved aside and, feeling that he had no choice, sank his teeth into one of the claws. Albert cried out in pain. Ptero used the opportunity to fly away. The Albertosaurus sulked off, having lost his meal. Ptero breathed a sigh of relief. That had been really close!