Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original Ice Age characters. They belong to Twentieth Century Fox. All lines in bold are either from any of the Ice Age movies, any of the Lion King movies, Bolt, The Wild, either Brother Bear movie, or from a song that will be specified at the beginning of the applying chapter.

Chapter 25

Manny's P.O.V.

"Manny, we need to go after him," Sid begs me.

"I know, Sid. It's what you do in a herd."

The three of us are walking back to the herd with Buck in the lead. We reach the camp, causing Ellie and Peaches to stand up.

"Did you find out what all the screaming was about?" Ellie asks.

"Yes, but what happened isn't good," Buck answers.

"Where's Uncle Diego? He told me he would teach me how to play Saber-tooth Scare," Peaches questions.

"That's where the bad part comes into play. Shira was captured by Diego's old pack and her old crew. Diego went to look for her and bring her back," I tell the others.

"You let him go ALONE?" Ellie scorns.

"Diego can handle himself. He's a full-grown saber for crying out loud! Plus, he didn't want anyone to follow him," I say.

"Daddy, you need to help him," Peaches begs.

"I plan on it. Sid, Buck, and I will go help him. Peaches and Ellie, you need to stay here in case Shira comes back and needs help delivering their cubs if they come early. Crash, Eddie, Louis, and Pinky, you four are lookouts."

Shira's P.O.V.

I wake up to find that Squint is tying vines around me. The vines are getting tighter, and they are cording into my stomachs. The cubs are capable of vigorously moving now that they're due in a couple of days. This is exactly what they're doing now. I feel them roll over in my stomach. This action hurts enough on its own, but coupled with the fact that the vines are squeezing my stomach too; I am uncomfortable on so many levels. When I look down, I notice that I can see the shape of one of the cubs as it turns. Squint has left, since he has tied the vines, so I know the coast is clear.

"Don't worry cubs. Daddy will come to save us before you're born. I know you can't hear me, but talking to you makes me feel better."

Flynn comes in with several fruits.

"I snuck you some food, because you looked hungry to me."

"Thank you, Flynn."

He has no idea how hungry I am. I graciously eat every last piece of fruit Flynn brings me. I know I must keep up my strength if I want the cubs to be healthy when they come into the world. I lay my head down on my paws and wait for Diego's arrival.

Diego's P.O.V.

I wake up underneath the boulder. Pain travels through my body, and I wince at the sensation. Trying to get up is useless. A sound in the undergrowth catches my attention.

"Diego!" Manny yells in a voice filled with panic.

"Manny! Am I glad to see you. Can you get me out of this?" I ask.

"Sure can. Buck, come and help me. Make sure Diego has enough room to get out."

Buck comes over and stands to the side.

"Hey, Diesel Weasel!" I grin.

"Hold still, Tiger. Manny and I will get you out of this," Buck says.

With lots of pain and several attempts to escape, I am out from under the rock. I attempt to stand up, but dizziness takes control.

"Do you need me to carry you?" Manny questions.

No, I'm still trying to save whatever dignity I have left," I smirk.

"At least lean on me until you don't feel light-headed."

"Okay. If you're going to twist my paw," I sigh.

"Hey, guys! Wait for me!" Sid calls.

"Granny?!"

Peaches' P.O.V.

"Peaches, go after your father and uncles," my mom says.

"Yes, mom. What do I tell Dad when I find them?" I respond.

"You tell your father that I sent you to find him. They need a female there to deal with female-related needs."

"I thought Diego knew how to deliver babies," Uncle Crash speaks up.

"Yeah, didn't he help deliver Peaches?" Uncle Eddie inquires.

"Yes, he did. Diego knows how to deliver mammoth babies. Saber cubs have to be delivered a whole other way."

"You have to help the saber cubs take their first breath, Uncle Crash," I remind.

"How do you do that?" my possum uncles ask.

"You lick their back and nose to get their lungs working."

"How are you going to do that?"

"She's not. Peaches is going to give the newborn cub to either Diego or Shira to lick," Mom says.

"Plus, I'm the only one who knows what juniper looks like," I point out to my uncles.

"You better get going, baby. I love you," my mom tells me.