Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original characters in Ice Age. They all belong to Twentieth Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios, not to me. I also do not own the Lion King characters, for they are owned by Disney. All lines in bold are either from any of the Ice Age movies, any of the Lion King movies, either Brother Bear movie, or from a song that will be specified at the beginning of the applying chapter.

Chapter 2

Diego's P.O.V.

I keep a vigilant watch over my family as they sleep. Being a parent is great! I can't wait for the cubs to open their eyes and ears. When that day comes, I'll start being called Daddy by twelve cubs. Unlike humans, saber cubs can learn words in a couple of hours. Human kids take seven or eight months to learn one word. I find myself thinking about what color eyes all of the cubs will have. I turn my attention away from the cave's entrance, and look down on my sleeping family. For some reason I can't explain, I like to watch Shira sleep. Maybe it's because when she sleeps, I know she is putting her trust in me. She trusts that I will keep her safe. Even if I do fall asleep, the slightest noise wakes me up. There are some perks to being a light sleeper. Before I know it, Shira and I are changing out watch shifts. Each shift is three hours long, so there are three shifts each night. As Shira wraps her body closer around the cubs, I lick behind her ears and place my paw inside hers. When she is situated around the cubs, we kiss each other goodnight for a second time. We both purr as we kiss, and it is a good thing the cubs can't hear yet, because our purring is very loud. We now pull away from each other, and a yawn escapes my mouth.

"Good night, Shira," I drowsily say.

"Good night, Diego," Shira replies.

I take one last look around the cave before placing my head on my paws and beginning to dream. However, a nightmare is what overcomes my happy dreams.

I look around the setting of my nightmare. There is a vast amount of snow blanketing the ground, and a fire is below the ledge I am standing on. I am back at Half Peak.

"Alert the troops. We attack at dawn."

I look over my shoulder and find none other than Soto. It is after seeing his face that I realize what this nightmare is from. This conversation comes from before I meet Manny and Sid. I begin to walk towards the rest the pack, regardless of my pleas to end this nightmare. My eyelids feel too heavy to lift, and I know that I must experience this event for a second time. Lenny, Oscar, and Zeke are in my sight, but they don't see or hear me. As I stand in the shadows of the fading daylight, the others have a conversation.

Flashback

"Humans! When is Soto gonna get over his obsession with humans?" Oscar wonders out loud.

"We could be hittin' that migration that just went south!" Lenny complains.

"Oh, don't even talk about it. It makes my teeth itch," Zeke whines.

I take this chance to step out of the shadows.

"Listen up! We attack the humans at dawn," I reveal to my worthless pack mates.

"See? Yeah. Right. There. Now. That's what just- That's just what we're sayin'!" Zeke announces.

"What about that walking buffet headed south?" Lenny argues.

"YOU'LL be a walking buffet, if you don't do what Soto says," I threaten.

Being second-in-command sure does have its perks. You get to boss around everyone lower than you, and strike fear into their hearts.

"Then let's get the orders from SOTO. Why do we have to hear it from YOU?" Oscar challenges.

As usual, Oscar challenges the orders I give him. He wants to be second-in-command, but Soto knows that I'm a million times better than Oscar. Even though Oscar is many years older than me, I have more experience and talent.

"Because Diego is the ONLY ONE I trust," Soto says as he enters the clearing.

Oscar swallows uneasily, and I know that Soto has set him straight.

"You mangy pack of worthless kittens! Those humans are heading back to Glacier Pass. This is our chance to send them a message they won't forget. Does everyone understand?" Soto reveals to the rest of the pack.

"Yes, yes. Send your message. Heave your revenge. Please, whatever you wa-"Zeke starts until Soto slaps him in the head.

"Get some rest! Diego will give you your marching orders at dawn," Soto commands.

End of Flashback

My body begins to twitch as I awake from my nightmare. My eyes quickly open, and I see Shira looking at me in concern.

"Diego, what's wrong?" she asks as the cubs nurse for the first time during the night.

"I had another nightmare," I reveal.

Shira's P.O.V.

"What was this one about?" I inquire as the cubs finish nursing.

"This one was where I had a conversation with your dad's old pack. I was giving the others orders for attacking the humans," Diego sighs.

"Why do you keep having similar nightmares?"

"What do you mean?" Diego questions.

"Both of your nightmares contained at least one of our fathers. Why do you think they keep replaying in your mind?" I cautiously ask.

"The nightmares came to me after you told me you were pregnant. Both the nightmares contain our fathers. I think I know what it is," my mate tells me.

"What's the reason why you keep having these nightmares?" I press.

"I don't know what to do as a father! My father died when I was eight weeks old, and my step-father wanted nothing to do with me. I'm worried that I won't be able to give our cubs the attention and life they deserve," Diego blurts out.

"Diego, you're already an excellent father," I tell him.

"I am?"

"Yes! You took great care of me when I was pregnant. That's evidence number one that you're a great father. Secondly, you have put yourself in life or death situations to save me and these cubs. Thirdly, you have given each one of the plenty of attention since they were born. Finally, you keep such a vigilant watch that nothing could hurt us. I never want to hear you say that you're not a good father. Even without a male role model, you still no what to do," I honestly tell Diego.

"What can I say? I've got killer instincts," Diego blushes.

"That's why I know you are a good father. I can think of no one else in the whole world that I would want to be the father of my cubs."

"That's good, because I don't know anyone who I would allow to take that spot," he laughs.

"Good night, Diego," I say as I curl around the cubs to go to sleep.

"Good night, Shira," Diego replies as he switches into guard duty mode.

I quickly fall asleep and dream of all the adventures Diego and I can have with the cubs.

Kovu's P.O.V.

The sun is about to rise on the horizon. I quicken my pace and arrive at my cave. I see that Kiara has Ari and Layla under her paw, and is keeping them close. I begin to enter the cave. As soon as my first paw hits the ground, I hear growling. Kiara is growling at me as she remains wrapped around our cubs.

"Kiara, relax. It's just me," I point out.

"Why did you not come back yesterday?" Kiara demands.

"I was trying to find you some meat. There wasn't any prey for miles," I lie.

"That's a lie! I found prey two minutes after walking into the forest," she angrily says.

"Kiara, I'm sorry! I'm trying to do what's best for our family," I persuade.

"I can easily take our two cubs and raise them WITHOUT YOU!" Kiara threatens.

My face switches into one of panic. If Kiara takes Ari and Layla away, I won't have any heirs to take to my father's pride.

"I suppose you want me to get you some food since you didn't have any dinner," I say.

"Actually, I hunted yesterday and sustained my hunger to where I had enough milk for the twins," Kiara retorts.

"You haven't gone hunting by yourself since the fire I saved you from," I remind.

"Well, I have to do what's best for MY cubs!" Kiara screams at me.

"They're MY cubs TOO!" I remind.

"A mother's bond with her cubs is always stronger than the father's!" my mate yells.

"Am I interrupting something?" Zazu asks as he comes in.

"No, Zazu, Kovu was just leaving."

"That's good, because your father wants to talk with him," Zazu tells us.

"I'll talk to him after I get some lunch," I sigh.

This talk is probably going to be about how I've been treating Kiara. Before Zazu can say anything else, I sprint out of the cave to catch something to satisfy my hunger. As I approach a herd of deer, Zazu shouts to get my attention. The herd of deer runs away, and I lose my temper.

"Oh, look, Zazu. You've made me lose my lunch," I say in a disappointed tone.

"You'll lose more than that when the king gets through with you. He's as mad as a hippo with a hernia," Zazu smirks.

Vitani's P.O.V.

I sprawl out on my favorite ledge on Pride Rock. The sun is shining bright in the sky, and it is a good day for hunting. I, however, do not join my hunting party like I usually do. Ever since Simba, Nala, Kiara, and Kovu disappeared two days ago, my mate, Koda, decided that the two of us should take over as temporary king and queen. Also, I can't go hunting because I'm thirteen and a half weeks pregnant. This being said, Koda is with my hunting party, eager to get a meal for me and our unborn cub. I see Koda as he approaches, and I stand up to greet him. I nuzzle my mate's head, and he licks my cheek in affection.

"Sarabi, Sarafina, and I caught a zebra for lunch," Koda tells me.

"Where is it?" I giggle, for I don't see a zebra carcass at his feet.

"We dragged it under that acacia tree for you," he replies.

"You didn't have to do that for me," I insist.

"Well, actually, we were getting hot, so we brought the carcass to that tree."

"I knew there had to be a reason," I giggle.

"How's our little warrior doing?" Koda asks me with a smile.

Koda always refers to our unborn cub as our "little warrior." It's a term that works regardless on if the cub is a boy or a girl.

"Our little warrior's doing great. I think we're both hungry, though," I grin.

"Well, let's go eat," my mate says as he begins to walk towards the acacia tree.

I follow him through the lush, green grass that is associated with the rainy season. Upon reaching the acacia tree, Sarabi and Sarafina stand up to greet me. They softly nuzzle my head like they do to Kiara. Being Kiara's sister-in-law has made all of the difference to my adaption into the Pride Lands.

"Great work, Sarabi and Sarafina. I appreciate the zebra. I only wish I could have come with you," I tell the older lionesses.

"It's perfectly fine, Vitani. We know that you don't want to risk injuring yourself or your unborn cub. Plus, it's always enjoyable to see what new ways Koda has developed to catch and kill prey," Sarabi assures.

"His plans are pretty humorous," I chuckle.

"They are good enough to catch zebra," Koda defends.

"After you, Vitani," Sarafina tells me.

"You guys caught it. The three of you should eat first," I humbly reply.

"That's true, but you have more than one mouth to feed. Go ahead and take your share of the carcass," Sarabi insists.

"I thought males were supposed to eat first," I say.

"Simba and I will let any female, especially a pregnant one, eat before us," Koda assures.

I settle down carefully on my stomach before tearing open part of the zebra carcass. Koda lies down beside me, while Sarabi and Sarafina are opposite of us. As I continue eating, a feeling occurs in my stomach. Anxiety overwhelms me as I try to think of what is happening. I close my eyes for a minute as the sensation occurs again. My maternal instincts tell me what is happening.

"Koda," I breathe.

"What's wrong, Vitani," Koda asks in concern.

"There's nothing wrong. Come over to me," I reply.

He scoots closer to me, his paws facing my body. Perfect!

"Now, I want you to place your paw on my stomach," I command.

Koda positions his paw right where the sensation has been happening.

"Do you want it right here?" he questions.

"That's perfect," I smile.

No sooner than his paw is situated does the same movement occur.

"Is that…?" Koda inquires with wide eyes.

"Yes. Our cub is kicking," I smile.

"This is so cool!" he tells me.

A much harder kick goes through my stomach.

"Our little warrior sure is strong," I laugh.

"Our cub gets that from his or her mother and father," Koda grins.

The unborn cub inside my stomach kicks for a few more minutes before stopping.

"Vitani, come quick!" a lioness from my old Outsider pride yells as she comes up.

"What's happening?" I inquire.

"There's a lion on the eastern border. He looks an awful lot like someone from your past," she tells me.

"Is it far away?" Koda asks.

He knows I can't run long distances since I'm roughly fourteen weeks pregnant.

"It's about two miles."

"Let's get moving," I suggest.

"We have to hurry!" the other lioness tells me.

"I'm three months pregnant. I can't run anywhere, unless it's a short distance, because the extra weight of my developing cub pulls my stomach down. Don't you remember that Koda and I are going to be parents?" I remind.

"Oh, yes, I forgot. How many are you having?"

"We're having a single cub," Koda reveals to her.

"How do you know for sure?" she questions.

"Rafiki told us when we asked. We wanted to know how many cubs I'm carrying," I answer.

The three of us set out, with Koda and me in the lead. As we approach the eastern border, I smell a familiar scent. I inhale deeply to try and figure out where I know the scent from. I then realize who the scent belongs to.

"Oh my gosh," I whisper.

"What's wrong, baby? You look like you've seen a ghost," Koda wonders.

"The scent of that lion is familiar from my past," I reveal.

"Who is it?" my mate asks in concern.

"It's someone I never thought I'd see again," I exclaim.

Author's Note: Who is the mysterious lion on the eastern border? Leave your guess in the comments section; I love it when people interact with my story. Also, I own my OC character of Koda, so if anyone wants to use him, you have to ask me first. Thanks, as always, for your views! I'll try to post the next chapter as soon as I can!