So this is the last chapter until Monday. Drama will return soon though. There are some sweet moments in this one. Please just read to know what they are.

Also, I CAN'T KEEP UP WITH THE AMOUNT OF VIEWS I GET! 6,800? WHEN'D THAT HAPPEN?

Responses!

MusicRocks807: I'm glad it's still awesome! And I have no idea when it will end!

Pinkie Pie 101: The cubs are still only a few days old. I'm trying to speed up the timing as much as I can. But I hope I can see that picture soon! It sounds really cool!

Now please enjoy Chapter 24 before Diego interrupts me!

Chapter 24

With everything that had happened on the island in the last two months, Manny wasn't quite sure about this vacation. True, he wanted to have some time for himself and Ellie, but he still worried about the others. They were a family after all. No matter what they had been through, together or apart, they stuck by each other's sides. A vacation wasn't going to help that.

"Manny just got on the ship already," Ellie finally said.

Manny blinked out of his thoughts and looked at his mate. "Yeah. Right behind you Ellie."

The two finally boarded onto the ship Roshan lent to them for any kind of trip they wanted. Now it was finally being put to use as Manny and Ellie were taking a break from their crazy family. Manny still dreaded what would happen while he was away. He especially worried about his daughter. Peaches was growing up too fast for him to keep up. With Louis crushing on her, it was easier to watch them. Now, she was close to a relationship with the step-son of the first real enemy of the herd. It was a nightmare for him to think about it.

"She'll be fine," Ellie reassured, knowing what he was thinking. "Nalek is a great saber. I wouldn't mind the idea of them together."

Manny grunted in distaste. "He's a saber, the step-son of Soto, hangs with pirates, and he's a saber!" he all but shouted in irritation. "I don't trust him."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "Well, I do. We've all gotten to know him better."

"Not me. Diego and Shira are the only sabers allowed in the herd."

"So you're gonna kick their new cubs out?" Ellie arched her brow, challenging him.

Manny paled. "Not what I meant! Their cubs can stay. But Hala and Nalek were here after that whole situation started. Now with Oscar back, I'm sure he's just spying on us for Soto and the others. Raz and her cohorts are probably doing the same. And I bet Gutt's not even dead, just like what happened with Soto."

Ellie rolled her eyes. "You're rationalizing again. It's clear you need a vacation more than I do. But we're going to relax together." She placed her trunk on his, rubbing the now faint cuts from his fight with Soto. "It will take your mind off of a lot."

The male sighed. "I…just have a bad feeling. If anything happens to them, I wouldn't be able to live myself."

Ellie smiled reassuringly. "I'm positive nothing will go wrong. Now, let's go on that much needed vacation."

Rudy was relaxing by the falls. His cuts and gashes had been treated by Roshan and Lekin and now they were resting not far from the baryonyx. Rein had stopped by multiple times to check on them. Koal came with her a few times so he could see the huge dino. The village kids weren't really allowed near him just in case Rudy thought they were a snack. But with three new cubs around, he would have to learn how to control his hunting.

The baryonyx's eyes shot open when Rein and Koal walked up. Rudy lifted his head, sniffing the air. He growled warily and nudged Roshan awake. The tribe leader yawned and opened his eyes, jumping at how close Rudy was to him.

"What is it Rudy?" he asked, breathing hard from the scare.

Rudy growled again, trying to tell him something was wrong. Fortunately, Roshan understood, waking Lekin and ordering Rein and Koal to stay with the baryonyx. He then picked up his spear that laid nearby and ran through the forest toward the shore. Lekin followed close behind. Rein watched her love disappear within the trees, wondering what was wrong.

"What is going on?" Koal asked curiously.

"I am not sure Koal," Rein answered. "I am not sure."

The dino growled to them, trying to comfort them. Rein picked up on the friendly tone. She laid a hand on his snout, feeling the smooth, rubbery skin for the first time. Koal stayed behind the woman, fearful of the dino.

"He will not hurt Koal," the woman reassured.

"How do you know that?" the boy asked. "How do you know he will not make me a snack?"

"He is a gentle giant," Rein explained. "I have heard the stories of how he protected three young tyrannosauruses during the continent split. He is just a big sweetheart."

Rudy's wide mouth twitched and Rein could almost see his eyes thank her. Koal hesitantly stepped forward to touch Rudy like Rein had. When he was an inch away, Rudy moved forward and nosed the boy's hand. Koal flinched, his eyes closed. When he opened them again, Rudy had a gentle smile in his eyes. That's when Koal saw the missing tooth. The boy had heard the story from Roshan about what Buck had done. He loved the saying.

"An eye for a tooth, huh Rudy?" the boy said with a playful grin.

The baryonyx smirked, nuzzling the boy's head carefully.

Koal laughed at this. "It is cool that Buck survived though. I bet it was some fight."

Rudy gave a growl that sounded more a chuckle that said "You bet" and laid back down to rest. Koal hugged the dino while Rein went to tending the wounds.

Shira was now chatting with Hala in the saber cave. Oscar had left to help Diego hunt, leaving the saberesses to talk about their lives and gossip. It kinda sickened the male about that, but he let it go quickly. Oscar found Diego at the river in no time, not even needing to track him through the forest. The only odd thing was a pile of fish not far from his old friend.

"When does a saber change his diet?" Oscar questioned as he neared.

Diego looked up and smirked. "When he leaves a pack and joins a herd. I had to out of new living conditions. Also, Manny would be a bit worse than Soto on a bad day if I ate someone form the herd."

Oscar grinned in understanding. "Don't think I wanna see that anytime soon." He watched as Diego caught another trout. "Can ya teach me that?"

A new smirk graced Diego's lips. "Sure thing Ossy."

Oscar always hated that nickname. "Just get on with it."

After a good ten minutes of learning how to properly track a fish as it swam and trying not to fall in, Oscar had finally caught a good sized trout. Diego smiled in satisfaction of teaching his old friend a new skill.

"Now, we have to get these back to the cave somehow," Diego announced.

Oscar looked at him. "How exactly do we do that?"

Diego was already pulling a giant leaf toward the pile of fresh fish and started piling them on. Oscar shrugged and helped him out. After every fish was on, they dragged the load back to the cave. The two chatted about their time apart, catching up quickly. Diego even learned something interesting.

"So you do have a thing for Hala?" he guessed as he held the leaf stem in his mouth. "I knew something was going between you two."

"Yeah, well, she has a thing for me too," Oscar added, his face saddened. "But when I came back for Soto, I also came back for Hala and Nalek. After he had injured the dino, he rushed to the ship. I didn't have time to get them. They were happier here anyway."

Diego was confused. "How was Hala really found?"

Oscar sighed. "I found her when Soto was barely alive." They were finally near the cave and Oscar was about to continue, but a few screams filled the air. "What was that?"

Diego dropped the leaf at the cave entrance and ran toward the clearing. Oscar didn't hesitate in following him. They were halfway there when Big Momma was running alongside them. They entered the clearing to find every teen, plus Buck and Eddie, covered with some weird kind of sludge. Ethan was trying to wipe the mystery gunk off of himself while the girls stood shaking in surprise. Louis and Eddie were looking at themselves while Buck stood in the middle, and angry look on his face. Shelly, Egbert and Yoko were cleaning another with their tails. Then Diego spotted Peaches and Nalek. His eyes were wide at the fact that the mammoth and saber were tied together, nose-to-nose, and covered from head to tail with the gooey gunk.

Peaches was wide-eyed from what Diego could see. Nalek was blushing heavily at the close proximity. The vine that kept them tied together was covered with the mystery goo and Big Momma was already trying to cut the vine with her teeth. She roared in disgust. Oscar walked over and trying to slice it with his claws, not even leaving a scratch.

"Please get us out of here!" Peaches pleaded.

Buck stalked over and easily cut the vine with his knife. Both teens toppled over with a loud thud. Everyone looked at Buck. The weasel pointed up to a branch. The group scanned up to find a snake and opossum trying to hold back their laughter.

"CRASH!" Diego roared.

Crash stopped and looked down. "Peaches and Nalek were the intended targets!"

"Stay back," Roshan threatened.

Soto and his gang circled the two warriors. "Not gonna happen junior."

Uh oh . . . . Looks like evil has returned! Let's see what happens... after Winter Formal tonight! I need a break like Manny and Ellie right now. But Diego is prowling around outside my window. Wait... Crap. It's Oscar. *looks at Buck* What did you do?

Buck: *puts hands up in surrender* Nothing! Honest!

Well this will be fun. I better go check on Oscar and then get ready for formal. See you guys soon!

P.S. if you want a certain situation to happen, lemme know so I can try it out! Til then!