Authors note- So, chapter 19 was supposed to be a last chapter. But no worries, I have a few more ideas up my sleeve. This chapter isn't very realistic. I have no idea how far apart earthquakes can be… oops I just gave it away. Just note that the valley is extremely huge. So the dinosaur lands are only underneath part of the valley, not all of it. Just remember that. :D
Peaches was playing happily with her two best friends, Oliver and Todd. A butterfly landed on her trunk which made her smile warmly. Oliver and Todd, on the other hand, thought it would be more fun to try and catch them with their claws and teeth. Peaches rolled her eyes and gently placed the butterfly on Todd's nose. He giggled and smiled.
"Oliver! Todd!" Dakota called "Were going to the lake to fish. Want to come?"
"You bet!" Oliver called "Bye Peaches"
"Yeah bye Peaches" Todd copied. Typical brothers.
It was a little bit of a hike to get there so fist things first, the cubs ran over to the water to fetch a drink. Diego did the same and smiled coolly. He splashed them and quickly looked away as if he was innocent. They flashed him a playful smile, filling their mouths with water until their cheeks were fully extended. Diego laughed and ran away, his cubs following. They finally caught up to him and pinned him to the ground, squirting water all over his face.
Dakota whistled to get their attention and all three of them looked up. She winked at them and jumped into the water making a big splash. The twins giggled and followed her example. Dakota came out first with a nice sized fish in her mouth which she shared with Diego. Todd came out next caring a smaller fish but it was perfect size for him. Oliver came out last with an enormous fish. It was so big, he had to drag it by its tail.
On the way home they came across a meadow full of dandelions. Oliver and Todd looked at each other and ran into the meadow with no hesitation. Diego's nose tickled as he and Dakota walked along the sidelines. He sneezed and Dakota slightly nuzzled up against him for comfort.
"Mother? Did you ever met a dinosaur?" Oliver asked
Dakota pulled her ears back "Sorta"
"Really? I hear their like 10 times bigger than mammoths. Their screech can be heard a mile away and they only eat meat" Todd explained
"Who told you all of this?" Diego asked
"Uncle Buck" Oliver said happily "He told us bunches of stories about the dinosaur lands"
"Can we go there one day?" Todd asked
Dakota faked a chuckle "Most certainly not"
"Why not?" Todd asked
"Because it's too dangerous. Especially, for young cubs like you"
"Oh yeah. Dinosaurs love to chew on cubs because the meat is so fresh" Diego teased
"Diego!"
He smiled nervously "Kidding. Kidding. Besides, they won't have to worry about that because their never going to go near that cave" He gave Oliver and Todd a stern look "Right?
"They nodded "Right"
* * *
Later that day, when everything seemed to be perfect, the ground began to shake… again.
I bet your probably all thinking it's another dinosaur. Well, your not even close. The ground began to split in two- yup, you guessed it, earthquake.
"EARTHQUAKE!" Sid yelled
Ellie tired to grab Peaches with her trunk but it was no use, the earth was already separated. It was so far apart that not even Diego or Dakota could jump it.
"Mother?" Peaches called. Oliver and Todd were on the other side too as well as Buck.
"This is a disaster!" Ellie said
"Calm down, their with Buck" Diego said
"This is a disaster!" She repeated
"Looks like we got ourselves a little situation" Buck yelled, as if it were no big deal "No worries, we'll just have to find some way across. You go South. We'll go North"
Manny glanced at Peaches and then glanced at Ellie. They both looked like a nervous wreck "It's okay, Peaches. Go with Buck, he'll take care of you" Manny assured her
"Oliver, Todd, that goes for you too" Dakota called
Oliver and Todd looked at each other and grinned. To them, this was all fun and games. No parents? This was heaven for the two twins. Although Peaches was very concerned. She did not like being away from her parents.
Manny and the others hesitated at first but then forced themselves to go South. If there was any hope of getting across, they would have to get moving. Peaches stood their until they were out of sight.
"Peaches! Come on!" Todd called. She shook her head out of her daze and ran over to catch up with them. To be honest, Peaches was not so sure Buck was parenting material. Let alone, babysitting material.
Oliver growled playfully at his brother and pounced onto him, causing the two twins to tumbled over each other.
Buck huffed and picked the up "Let's have none of that. When your with me, there is only one rule: Always listen to Buck"
They nodded slowly and he placed them down gently. Oliver attempted to pounce onto Todd again but Peaches came in between them, blocking them from any physical violence.
"Guys. Cut it out" She ordered.
They both let out a low growl but got over it in seconds.