Manny stood alone on a hilltop as he gazed a passing herd from up above.

The smiles on their faces showed they were content, but was it a happiness that was more than just layers of superficiality?

Manny would never know.

He began to grow apart from Diego and Sid ever since their adventure landed them on a trek of a lifetime, a trek that included finding his soul mate, and, more importantly, a family to be a part of - to provide for.

However, the wooly-mammoth was beginning to have his doubts.

"Maybe this isn't right." Manny thought solemnly to himself, wind caressing him gently across brown fur.

"Maybe he should leave."

Just then, the sabre from before reappeared, full-fledged and ready to tackle the mammoth on should it present itself hostile once again.

"Diego," Manny managed to choke out. "about before .. I just wanted to say that I'm -"

"Manny, I'm leaving," the feline intervened.

The mammoth quickly shook that thought in disbelief.

"Wait, what?" he asked sternly, assuring to know if what he had thought just moments ago was turning into a tangible reality.

"I told you, I'm leaving," Diego answered once again.

"Listen, I was going to say 'sorry' but you-"

"It isn't that,"

Manny paused for a few moments. If he hadn't upset the tiger enough to make him leave, then why else would his friend suddenly decide to leave the pack?

"You've got a family, Manny. A daughter, a wife- things that are going to take up most of your time. It was great when we were bachelors roaming the land without a care, but now, you've got them. Peaches and Ellie need you. I've seen how defensive you are over them, and that's good, but.." Diego stopped for a moment to collect his composure "I have to go,".

Manny grew slightly irritated. "Well, if you go then you can expect Sid to stay with us!"

"Is that a peace offering?" Diego smirked as he turned opposite the mammoth.

"Hope you find everything you're looking for, Diego" Manny called out after him.

"Yeah.. you too,"

and the saber made course towards a new direction.

"Where's Manny and Diego?" Sid asked as he helped Crash and Eddie set up a fire for the night.

"They're there somewhere," Peach's mother answered as she cuddled her daughter closer to her body for protection and warmth from the spewing flames.

"That's too bad," Sid answered nonchalantly. "They woke up as friends this morning and now, this happens. What is it with mammals these days?" the sloth inadvertently asked to himself, unaware that his tail suddenly caught on fire.

"You're burning!" Eddie exclaimed. "Woo-hoo!" Crash chimed in.

"AAAAAEEEIIAAH!" Sid panicked, running smack-dab into a tree.

"Guys!" Ellie shouted as she sought after Sid, patting his tail quickly until the scorching flames were out.

"Sid?" she called out to him. The sloth was in limbo.

"Sid!" Ellie called again.

"Ellie," the sloth dryly managed to whisper out "did Manny ever tell you you have beautiful eyes?"

The wooly-mammoth breathed out a sigh of relief; Sid was back and alive again.

"Hey guys," Ellie's husband reappeared before the group amongst the bushes.

"Is everything all right?" his mate inquired.

"Uh," he glanced quickly at his daughter who was being playfully entertained by the two opossum brothers before her.

"No," he whispered cautiously. "Diego, well, he's decided to leave us,"

This caught his mate completely by surprise.

"What? Why? Don't tell me it was something you said?"

"Diego's leaving!" Sid exclaimed as he looked in utter disbelief into the male mammoth's small beady-rounded eyes.

"Shh! Not in front of the kids, Sid!" Ellie's mate scolded.

"But they didn't- I didn't," Sid's voice turned into a cowering whimper.

"We didn't even get to say goodbye," he looked on with sad eyes.

Night fell faster than he thought. Diego was hot on his heels when he spotted a lonely looking fawn grazing upon an open prairie. He had inched close enough to get himself in range, but only to have the doe notice him and take off in a random direction.

Diego grew furious. He had gone 9 hours without eating and was working up an appetite when he sought after the one that got away.

"Damn," the saber cussed under his breath, stopping to regain equilibrium. He knew how precious time was limited, but he had no other choice but to call it a night.

The saber proceeded to saunter cautiously, hazel eyes twinkling with the reflection of a forlorn sunset as they hid behind the veil of a starless night sky.

Diego searched everywhere, somewhere, anywhere, so long as he found a place to spend the next few remaining hours. The saber then came across a comfortable-looking burrow, chancing himself to take a risk inside and see whether or not there was something already accommodated there. He helped himself inside.

Diego rested his cinnamon-coated paws above the other as he turned beautiful emerald orbs towards the sky.

Perhaps life had something more in store for him after all..?

"Diego!"

Perhaps not.

"Diego, Diego, I found you!" Sid came strolling up the hill, heaving raspy breaths.

"Sid?" Diego questioned "What are you doing here? How did you find me?"

The sloth had recuperated his breath by now. "I got a little help from a pal,"

"Ugh," Diego moaned in disgust. He then immediately regretted stopping by Fast Tony's place and asking for directions regarding the mammals' great migration.

"Why'd you leave, Diego?" Sid's face turned serious.

"I," the saber had no choice but to answer. The sloth would have his way and find out whether his companion wanted him to or not.

"Manny, he's.."

"Yeah?"

"Well, he's got a family now, Sid, and like it or not, we're nothing but obstacles for him. We've had a great time, but... it's time to look forward toward our own lives now,"

"Well, you've still got me!"

The tiger didn't look surprised. "Good night, Sid." the tiger turned away from the sleazy mammal and disclosed his other thoughts from the rest of the world.