Disclaimer: I do not own Ice Age
Chapter 7:
Finality
(Author's Note: Dang it! I wanted to purposefuly wait on this last chapter for abit, but it got me hooked! I coudn't stop writing!)
Shira lay in the dying storm, watching the forest below where Grotunn and her mate tumbled down into. Diego had to be alive, right? He didn't' look so beaten up when he crashed into Grotunn. She rose up, her legs wobbly and slowly began the treacherous descent. She could see the sun peeking over the horizon, basking the windswept landscape in its warm rays. The stormy clouds retreated and it seemed like terror was never here. But her heart ached with it.
As she was nearing the bottom, she lost her footing. She scrabbled at the rock, seeking something to hang onto. She fell. Landing onto the forest floor, because her thoughts were in the clouds, she didn't realize she was at the bottom. A nervous laughed escaped her as she picked herself up, ready for the search.
She prowled along, noting the broken branches were they crashed through. She started following them, grateful for the clue. A sound pricked her ears, the circling of vultures. She looked up at them and started to head in their direction. I hope Melody's ok. And if Diego was alive, did that mean Grotunn lied about Aaron too? Many hopeful and troublesome thoughts ran through her as she came across the grisly scene.
Grotunn was dead, killed in the favorite manner of Captain Gutt. Lying near him was Diego, sleeping soundly. She sighed with relief, and walked over to Diego to wake him up. She stopped in her tracks and looked at him again. She was shocked; Diego was missing his left eye. Blood was plastered all over his face.
She lay down and began to gently clean his face. Diego softly purred in his sleep, happy with the affection. Shira smiled at him, he was still the same old softie, no matter his looks. She nudged him, trying to wake him so they could leave this place.
His eye cracked open a little bit; looking at Shira he became crestfallen. Distressed at the information he carried, he looked away. "What is it?" she whispered. Diego didn't answer he got up and walked away from the corpse, looking for a better spot to tell the tale. Shira followed him. They came onto the beach, and as they gazed upon the rising sun. "I guess your battle hardened sbare now, huh? Shira joked, attempting to lighten the mood. Diego smirked but it easily faded, he told her everything. They wept, and held each other, mourning their lost child.
"Whens Mommy coming back? Huh? When?" Melody pestered Sid.
"Probably very soon." Sid replied, not annoyed at the slightest of the constant asking.
"Do you think she found Daddy? Or Aaron?" She asked.
"Enough with the questions! We already answered you lots of times!" Manny begged.
"Manny! She's just worried, stop being so harsh!" Ellie reprimanded him.
"But it's all she's doing! It's driving me crazy!" he whined.
'I'm hungry. Are they food?" Melody asked again, pointing at the possums.
"Everyone be quiet! I see someone! Ellie shouted.
They all quieted. They looked off to the forest and saw two figures were walking to the cave, supporting each other. "Mommy!" Melody cried, running off to the sabres. "Is that Diego?" Manny asked, squinting at the distant figures. "It seems like it!" Ellie replied. They all ran out to welcome home the warriors.
"Diego, what happened to your eye?" Manny gasped, shocked at the state of him.
Diego was flabbergasted at the directness of Manny and grasped for words.
"Grotunn removed it." Shira said for Diego.
"And what about Grotunn?" Ellie asked.
"I killed him." Diego growled.
"And Aaron?" Sid asked.
A few years later:
Their faces said everything. Answering their questions as best they can, Diego and Shira eventually left with Melody to find a new cave. The old one now has too many bad memories. They settled down, ready to rebuild their new lives; they deserved to be happy now.
Diego lay on the sandy ground, watching the waves gently lap at his feet. Shira lay next to him, keeping him company. They were reflecting on Aaron's short time in the world. They also were thinking on other things, their pasts and what is to come. "It all seems like a bad dream now." Shira whispered. Diego grimaced; he knew that experience was worse than nightmare.
Lyle pounced on them.
"Dad tell us a story!" He yelled.
"Why should I do that?" Diego questioned his little cub.
"You promised to!" yelled Larka copying her brother and jumping on Diego.
"Come on Dad! Stop being no fun!" yelled Fell, who started to bat at Diego's ears.
"All right, but if you all aren't in the cave in ten seconds I'm gonna eat all of ya!" growled Diego with fake menace.
The cubs screamed with delight as they raced off to the cave, Diego in pursuit. Shira laughed, following them into the cave. She sat down next to Melody as Diego began to tell his story, the cubs in rapt attention. "Once upon a time, there was this crazy weasel. He lived in this land full of…." Diego told them. Shira smiled at the overly exaggerated tale he told her before. Life was perfect, she had Diego and their cubs. This was the happiest she had felt in a long, long time.
And thats it! This is where that emotional roller-coaster has taken us! Through the darkness and into the light!
I hope you enjoyed this as much I did!
Thank you to all those who gave me feedback so far: KaylaDestroyer, AquilaTempestas, Tigey Wigey, malia, movielover432, wanting2moveon, MichaelAndDiegoAreMySunshine , and guest, whoever you are!
Please review!
Also the sequel is out! The Fire Within! :)