Chapter 14: Enemies
Characters: Sid, Diego
(but does involve the other main herd members, plus my OC's)
Genre: Angst, Drama
Request: Stubborn Saber
"SID!"
The shrill voice rang through the air, and was at the point of pulling every tree whose roots were weaker than the volume out of the group. If you were close enough, it felt like the ground was shaking. Trying to scrape for the comical effect, you'd suspect birds to fall out of the trees they were sleeping in, or fly away from the noise. Yeah? No? Well, whoever said no was right! The birds crept along the branches of the trees, and peered down at the drama. They were the only ones that came along to find out what he had done this time...
Sid was standing in front of Diego and Shira, both whom looked really pissed off. Teal, Codi, and Shamrock were quivering at the level of sound their father was using, so they seeked refuge behind their mother's leg. She was saying nothing at all- did she have to? Was the look on her face not enough to scary anyone? "Heh... is it too late to say sorry?" He asked sheepishly.
...
"NOOOOOOOO!"
It was almost two weeks since she raised the alarm to everyone else on Sid's cry, as she was first to hear it. She was quite the proper woman now; Independent, caring, compassionate about her family... even those whom she hadn't seen in a while.
When they reached the area, close to the Geyser fields, they all looked at the exact area where the feud unfolded. "Is this where it happened?" The boys were talking properly when it happened, and their uncles missed so much... "I can't... remember?" The place they stayed in was quite nice, growing tall trees with leaves the size of umbrellas, and bared beautiful flowers and delicious fruits on the lower branches and bushes.
However, it never truly felt like home.
"I was such a stupid kid." She whispered in slight anger, her dragging along the ground heavy enough to unsettle to soil.
"But- Jade..." A little white ball sat beside her. Hearing him by her, she turned to see the very cub she got to name at his birth. "According to Papa it isn't your fault."
"It was hardly Uncle Sid's fault all the same... he needed help looking after you three." There was a cute, malicious chuckle coming from behind her. "Only Mom, Dad, and I were the only ones who could take you three on solo... we each kept you in line when one had to look after you alone." Jade laughed too, but the flashback wasn't far behind the short-lived joy. "I was insisting that I had to go with Peaches... they let me off, and they had to go to him..."
Sid on his knees, his paws tangled into a begging gesture, in front of Diego and Shira, with the triplets running in Jade's directions. Shira watched them, before nodding towards Jade with a tired, annoyed look. Jade tried to communicate non verbally by sending her mother a look of inquisitiveness, but by the time she was sending it, Shira's attention was on the pleading Sloth at her feet. As for Diego, he didn't notice the others had arrived. He was blinded with fury that no one could understand or see the reason why since they were absent, and just arrived... until the triplets closed in on them.
They went to pounce on their sister, whom let them win it, and it was a quick glance that let them see the small amount of smoke rising from Teal's tail, and the limp in his leg. Jade just took one look and asked, loud enough to finally catch her father's attention;
"What happened?" Her father said nothing, and they all looked down at the Sloth. "Sid?"
Sid looked up at her. "Nothing!"
Diego snarled. "You nearly let one of the triplets die!"
Jade gasped. "Sid!" Manny and Brooke said aloud- Manny's was in a snap, while Brooke was in shock.
"No!" Sid spun around, and waved his arms in front of him, in a gesture of protection. "I didn't!"
"Teal was this close," Diego raised a paw, his claws twisted in a gesture to look like he was pinching at the air. "To being fried in the geyser field." No one could summon the words to speak. Jade checked Teal over; apart from the tip of his little fluffy tail, which was slightly black (only noticeable if you take the time to look really closely.) he seemed fine... but the limp was there. "He hurt himself, under your supposed 'care'... That is the last time you'll ever be trust with my kids ever again." Diego's voice ran with such a venomous flow, no one dared to say anything.
"But Dad-" Apart from Jade. She was daring enough to rebel against her father when he was angry. "How could he handle three cubs on his own?"
"Exactly!" Sid praised her by turning to face her, on his knees, and bowing like he was worshiping a Goddess. "Thank you!"
Diego rolled his eyes. "Even so, he should have asked someone to help him out. My son was close to dying either way."
"But Dad... you can't go against him."
Diego growled, making Sid stop begging, and hold his mouth in pure fear. "I can," he stated matter-of-factually. "this is the last of his screw ups, that has one of my kids involved. My son would have been dad if your mother and I weren't passing through." He spoke with such anger, so shaken and fit to bursting, Jade felt her rebellious side shrinking to a pea's size. "I must add this is your baby brother- one of three- what would you be saying if he was dead? Would you still be fighting on his side?"
Her ears flattened, and she knew she had to back down; turning to Sid, she gave a look of apology, before letting her head lower a little. "No... I wouldn't."
Diego nodded in triumph, and with that, Shira picked up Shamrock, and Jade quietly followed suite by taking Codi. Before Diego picked up Teal, he looked at Sid with pure hatred. "I hope you realize that we can't forgive you over this..." Jade merely glanced at Sid, who stared at Diego with wide, frightened, and remorseful eyes as Diego announced when a quick statement, which Shira mentally agreed to... something that seemed like a prison sentence...
Which they lived in til now. "Is it going to be weird seeing them all again?" Shamrock asked softly, keeping close to Jade at all times as they walked.
He must want to forgive Sid, despite his words. Jade thought. If he didn't, he wouldn't want to come back...
"Of course it will," Shira, their mother said with a small smile. They were still walking, in a clump behind their father, and Shira's mate Diego. He had been quiet the entire time, even when Codi lapped around him, laughing and eagerly claiming; "Look how fast I can go Dad! You watching?" He then bounded ahead, around a tree at random, and then back at them.
There was a little smile on the older Saber's face, but when he saw his daughter looking at him, he cleared his throat and kept going, much to his son's confusion. "Keep it up Codi and you'll get better and better." The kid didn't notice his tone; his mind was only on the words of... wisdom? Would that be the word?
"Your father and I have come to a conclusion about Sid..." Shira whispered to Jade after they let Diego walk a little further ahead. "And it's for the best."
"I hope so..." Jade knew that if she asked what the answer was, her mother would not tell her. When they first arrived the triplet's asked how long they were going to be away... and there was no response.
Jade looked around in awe, noticing every little detail of the area. The pile of what seemed to be just earth was right in front of her, with small little wisps of smoke rising from it, was the very geyser that Teal wondered to closely too, resulting their duration away from the rest of the herd.
She got to see Peaches at the lake though.
Jade wasn't too sure if Peaches told the others they were still communicated, only separated by a vast hole in the ground full of cold, sweet water. She was never caught, although she was unsure what her father would've thought about her still talking to at least one of their beloved members of the real herd they belonged to. Their family...
"It seems like eternity since I was here..."
"They should be here soon." Diego sat a few feet away from the geyser, staring down at it intently. "I hope they don't have us waiting long..."
Jade turned to her mother, who just smiled at her. The triplets looked up at her curiously, but she took a deep breath, and cautiously crawled towards him. At each step she took, she paused, and eyed her father alarmingly, before taking another step, and continuing the process again and again. "Uh... dad?"
His gazed was suddenly fixed on her. "Yes?"
"Have you made amends?" She asked.
Diego raised an eyebrow. "Make amends?"
Jade looked up at the trees that surrounded them. "Yeah... meaning to compensate or make up for a wrongdoing... synonyms would be atone for, make up for, make good, redress the balance..."
"With Sid? You'll see." Hope was starting to set sail... was it going to keep floating and stay safe? Diego sighed, and wrapped his arm around his daughter, and pulled her close for the first time in a long time. "It's... hard, to explain. I want to? But when it comes to putting little ones, especially with one of your own, in the hands, or paws, or claws of someone else? They're responsible for whatever happens to your young."
"I get that... but I should've helped Sid..."
"We all depended on you a bit too much... you needed your free time." Diego ruffled the top of her head. "You're a good kid Jade... and for what you went through... back when you were known to us as Savannah the human, you have a big heart... a heart that's too big."
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"You see the good in everyone," he stated softly.
"But that's sometimes good... isn't it?" She whispered coldly, making Diego move away from her slowly.
"Yes, but you want to see the good in all instead of the bad... no matter the mistakes they make." Diego stood up straight, taking in the warm rays the sun ascended on him. "Sid made a mistake..." there was a rustle in the bushes, and the pack of sabers turned their attention on the sound. One by one, familiar faces crawled out of the bushes and spread out into the clearing. Jade watched each of them, and they mirrored the same expression; uncertainty, yet happy to see them... until Sid came out last. He hasn't changed one bit, none of them did... but Brooke's tummy looked a bit bigger then before.
Sid glanced at Jade (who's attention was on Brooke), then Teal, then Codi, then Shira... and the Diego had the honor to be the last.
"Sid," he said steadily.
"It's about time..." A familiar mass stepped forward. Diego was a little taken aback. Where was this coming from? Surely it wasn't Ellie... taking, Sid's side? "Where have you been?" Diego scanned the space around him; everyone was looking at him with questions filling their eyes to the brim, almost spilling over if they didn't get their answers.
"You know what I'm here for," the saber ignored the mammoth. They both glared at each other for a moment, and Jade didn't realize she was holding her breath. "Now..." he turned to Sid. "I think it's better we sort this out... privately."
"Diego..." Sid said slowly. "I know you believe I was close to letting your son die... but he, in fact, was running for the gyser, and his was jumping over each one, I tried to stop him, and that's when it erupted... you gotta believe me..."
"Ludicrous."
"Dad..." Jade stammered. "We can sort this out-"
"Privately." He spoke so low it caught everyone off guard. "Shira, Jade, take the boys and go with the others." His gaze was fixed on every flinch, or intake of precious air that Sid dared to take in. "Now." Everyone looked at Shira, unsure what to do. She looked back at all of them. "Shira. Now."
Shira looked at her mate with a firm face and stance. "No."
"What?" His gaze was still on the sloth.
"Dad he's telling the truth." Teal stammered, shaking beside his mother. "I'm sorry I didn't say... but me and Codi and Shamrock were playing chase... and I jumped over the Geyser..."
Everyone looked at the little cub, before Sid did the same as Diego, curling his paws into fists. The sloth remained in the spot where he stood, even when Diego crept towards, him and started circling him. "Are we going to do this in a not-so-violent manner in front of your sons?"
Diego stopped briefly. "Maybe we could... if I was nice enough." With one swipe, Sid was on the ground. "But you answer me-" He placed a paw on his chest to hold him down.
"Dad!" Jade cried, bounding towards them. "Stop!"
"Stay out of this Jade!" Sid felt his chest tighten slight with the pressure Diego was applying, and soon enough, he clasped his claws around Diego's leg, and with the tips, dug into the Saber's flesh. Jade skidded to a halt, ear flattened atop her head in distraught, and helplessness. "I don't want you hurt..." She bit her lip worriedly, as the other just watched with the same expression. His eyes moved to the saber on him. "I'm sick and tired of not being given any chances to explain myself. No one gives me the time to hear what I have to say... once. Now, it's just you? Wake- up- Diego!" He was taking sharp breaths at each new layer of pressure. "Your daughter can see it... and your son said so! I deserve a second chance!" He looked at the others. *Cue music!* "You guys agree! I know you do!" Jade and the others looked at one another, but Diego had had enough...
Diego:
Listen up, there's not a moment to spare
It's quite a drop from the top. So how you feeling down there?
It's a cold?
*More pressure.*
Cruel?
*More...*
Harsh, reality?
*Sid started choking for air, tightening his grip, erupting a low venomous growl within Diego's throat.*
Got. stuck- here with your enemies-
Sid:
*Abruptly kicks for Diego's stomach, which made up ease the pressure.*
Who do you think you are,
Tearing us all apart?
*Diego decided to let go, and Sid leapt up and start stomping towards him, trashing his anger through song as the feline backed up, looking unshaken.*
Where did you think you could go?
'Cause everyone already knows,
It's twenty to one
Yeah, so you better run!
*Diego growled, and pounced.*
You got the world on its knees
*Sid swiftly moved.*
You're taking all that you please
*Diego did it again, and the next time, he got Sid on the ground again.*
You want more, you want more
Diego:
*A claw caught his cheek.*
But you'll get nothing from me!
*Sid kicked him in the stomach, which got him off.*
Sid:
You're like the burden we bear
Diego:
You're all the hate that we share
Both:
You want more, (you want more!)
But you'll get nothing from me!
We're enemies... enemies!
In a sudden snap, Jade jumped, and pushed her father away. He stared at her, with great shock.
Sid:
You started something that you just couldn't stop
You turned the ones that you love into the angriest mob
She growled lowly, while Peaches stood by her. He growled back, while Manny glared at his daughter for taking part in it.
Diego:
And their one last wish is that you pay for it
And there's no way you're getting out of this
Soon, Diego started chasing Sid around, seemingly ready pounce on him. Shira knew things were gonna get messy, so she took the triplets away, forcing Jade along with her so the triplets would have someone with them, leaving the others to watch on, unsure whether they should get involved anymore.
Sid:
Who do you think you are
Tearing us all apart?
Diego:
*Catching Sid and tossing him to the ground, he didn't see Sid's punch coming. The sloth's cheek was bleeding from the surprisingly minor cut he received*
Where did you think you could go?
*The punch caught the saber on the lip.*
'Cause everyone already knows,
*That got him off the sloth, before the tables turned once Sid tackled Diego so roughly he whacked his head off a rock.*
It's twenty to one
*Leaving a bit of blood on it, Diego roared so loud, their surroundings shook around them.*
Yeah, so you better run!
Sid:
*Pushing against Diego's head when he rammed painfully (for both of them) into his chest, his body desperate tried to push against the force.*
You got the world on its knees
*Getting the opportunity, the sloth jumped up, and pulled Diego by the ears once he was on his back.*
You're taking all that you please
You want more, (you want more!)
*Diego fell to the ground, with Sid still on his back. His weight had the sloth's leg wedged between him and the rocky hard ground.*
But you'll get nothing from me
Both:
You're like the burden we bear
*They quickly jumped up, and circled around each other.*
You're all the hate that we share
* Diego bared his claws.*
You want more, you want more
*Sid bared his teeth as viciously as possible.*
But you'll get nothing from me
*They jumped at each other, lashing out again with claws; both the blunt and sharp causing damage.*
We're enemies, enemies, enemies
*Manny and the others ran in their direction, with Shira and Jade soon in view. They heard the commotion, and told the triplets to stay where they were while they went to sort it out.*
Where did you think you could go?
*Manny pulled Diego back, and Ellie pulled Sid back, while Jade and Shira got in between.*
'Cause everyone already knows
It's twenty to one
Yeah, so you better run
*"Dad, Sid, stop please!" Jade snapped, but her voice was shaking.*
You've got the world on its knees
*"There is no need for this!" Shira growled, staring point blank at her mate.*
You've taken all that you please
*"He nearly killed one of our cubs Shira. Don't you get it?"*
You want more, you want more
*"And what is violence going to do to help it?" Shira pushed him away from Sid, while Jade stood in front of Sid protectively.*
But you'll get nothing from me
You're like the burden we bear
You're all the hate that we share
You want more, you want more
But you'll get nothing from me
*"Grow up and set a better example to your sons! They need you as a better role model than this!"
You've got the world on its knees
You've taken all that you please
You want more, you want more
But you'll get nothing from me
*Diego stopped fighting against his mate, and looked up at Sid. The sloth did the same, folding his arm.*
You're like the burden we bear
*Diego looked at Shira, and she moved out of the way, and made sure Jade did the same, although she could see the uncertainty in her daughter's slow, reluctant movements.*
You're all the hate that we share
*As if speaking to each other with their minds, Sid and Diego moved simultaneous, and stared blankly at on another in silence. The others watched from afar, but didn't move.*
You want more, you want more
*"Second chance?" Sid suggested, offering his gesture of truce.*
But you'll get nothing from me
We're enemies, enemies, enemies.
"Second chance," he replied firmly.
"The story would start with the herd gathered and Diego shouting at Sid that he's never babysitting his cubs again, due to a close call were one of the three scamps tried to ride a geyser whilst they were away hunting, Sid tries to apologise, but Diego and Shira aren't shifting on their decision. Sid then resorts to his usual whining and complaining that it's not fair and that he should get a second chance, attempting to get the other herd members to side with him, at first it doesn't work and that's when the song starts. Diego having enough of Sid begins the song, Sid sings the "Who do you think you are?" part and from here they trade lyrics back and forth. During the song scenes, such as these, will play out; Diego threatening/chasing Sid around camp, the Hyrax back Sid up, Peaches and Jade side with Sid and Manny will take Diego's side. When the song finishes Ellie and/or Shira break it all up, commenting on how they were all acting like bickering children before taking the cubs back to their home cave for an early afternoon nap." - Stubborn Saber
Much appreciation Stubborn Saber for sending in your request! I made a few changes, I hope you like it!
Ciao!