The Land Before Time XII: The Great Day of the Flyers (2006) Plot Summary Explained

Petrie has always been a nervous flyer, and the Day of the Flyers requires all young birds to fly in precise group formations to prove they are ready to fly with the adults. His love of individuality makes staying in formation difficult, causing him to struggle more than his siblings.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show Petrie having trouble keeping up with his siblings during practice flights.

• petrie
• nervous flyer
• flying formation
• day of flyers.anxiety

Guido is a Microraptor, a small two-winged dinosaur that has never been seen in the Great Valley before. He is the strangest looking creature the valley residents have ever encountered, and he has never seen another like himself, which is why he struggles to understand what he is.

Foreshadowing: Guido's unusual appearance and lack of knowledge about his own kind hint at his Microraptor nature.

• guido
• microraptor
• species
• new dinosaur

Guido begins sleepwalking on the night before the Day of the Flyers. He walks out of the Great Valley into the Mysterious Beyond, and Petrie and his friends follow him, unintentionally leaving the safety of the valley.

Foreshadowing: Earlier that evening, Guido was trying to figure out what he is, suggesting his subconscious mind was processing his identity crisis.

• guido
• sleepwalking
• mysterious beyond
• night adventure

When the Spinosaurus chases them in the Mysterious Beyond, Petrie, Guido, and the others work together to trap it between two rocks, forcing the predator to retreat. This gives them enough time to flee back to the Great Valley.

Foreshadowing: The Spinosaurus was alerted when Guido's different appearance alarmed the predator.

• spinosaurus
• escape
• chase
• trap
• rocks

Guido tells Petrie to be himself. Instead of trying to fit into the precise formation like his siblings, Petrie performs his own unique flying style during the Day of the Flyers, which inspires the other young flyers to embrace their individuality as well.

Foreshadowing: Guido's own struggle with being different and not fitting in sets up his advice to Petrie.

• guido advice
• be yourself
• flying exhibition
• petrie unique flight

Cera's father has a new mate named Tria, and they are expecting a baby hatchling. Cera feels uncertain about this new family arrangement and worries about her place in the family, especially as her father seems more focused on his new mate and upcoming baby.

Foreshadowing: The tension between Cera and her father's new family is introduced early when Cera observes her father and Tria together.

• cera
• father
• tria
• new mate
• family dynamics
• sibling jealousy

Cera slowly begins to bond with her new baby sister Tricia throughout the film. This bond is cemented when Tricia falls into the river and Cera quickly catches her before she hits the water again, saving her little sister. The rescue solidifies Cera's role as a protective older sibling.

Foreshadowing: Cera's initial hesitation to accept Tria gradually shifts as she observes the new baby.

• cera
• tricia
• sister bond
• rescue
• family

While watching and following the flyers during the Day of the Flyers, baby Tricia slips from the crowd and falls into a river. The current carries her straight toward a dangerous waterfall.

Foreshadowing: The excitement of the flying exhibition distracts the adults from watching the hatchling closely.

• tricia falls
• river
• waterfall
• danger
• baby

Guido, Petrie, and Petrie's siblings rush to rescue Tricia. They manage to grab her from the current but accidentally drop her in the scramble. Cera then arrives and catches her sister just before she hits the water again, saving her from falling back into the river.

Foreshadowing: The group follows the river to catch up to Tricia as she floats toward the waterfall.

• tricia rescue
• cera catches
• river
• guido petrie

After being rescued, baby Tricia utters her first word, which is 'Cera.' This moment seals the bond between Tricia and her sister, confirming Cera's place in the family and showing that the hatchling recognizes and trusts her older sister.

Foreshadowing: Cera's act of catching Tricia just before she fell into the water again demonstrates her commitment to protecting her new sister.

• tricia first word
• cerasaurus
• sister bond
• family