The Way Things Are
By: Heather Beery
This is a prequel about Diego's past. Ever wonder why he hates humans at the beginning of Ice Age so much? Find out here. I'll try to update a longer chapter soon! J
Chapter 1
A Life Lost
"Diego, look, it's Soto", Zeke, one of the young cub's friends exclaimed. The two rushed over to Soto, a slightly older looking cub. "Diego, hey, slow down", Zeke exclaimed, trying to keep up with him as they raced up to Soto.
"Soto, where's my papa", Diego asked urgently. Soto hung his head in sympathy and said;
"Come with me Diego, there's something you have to see." Diego motioned for Zeke to stay there as he followed Soto. About five minutes later Soto stopped at a ledge. Diego came to see Soto hanging his head sadly, just in front of Diego's father; Akarin, who was on the ground. Diego held back tears when he saw Akarin had a spear in his side. His left side was stained red with blood. Diego approached his father cautiously and whispered;
"Papa, Papa?" Then he noticed that Akarin was barely breathing. The saber turned weakly to his son and whispered hoarsely;
"Diego, my son, I love you very much, but I must leave you know, remember to be strong and let your instincts and your heart guide you, goodbye Diego……." The cub nudged his father and whispered;
"Papa, don't go, please don't go Papa….." He buried his face in Akarin's fur for comfort. Then he lifted his head and saw the spear. He glared at it as his body filled with rage and fury. "Humans did this, they'll pay for killing my father, I swear they'll pay." Soto came over to him and put a comforting paw on his shoulder.
"It's all right Diego, don't worry, we'll get those humans for this", Soto assured him. Diego turned to Soto and said, walking away;
"Come on, let's go tell the pack." Diego took one last look at his father lying lifeless on the ground. He silently said, "Goodbye Papa, I'll miss you." And with that he and Soto walked off.
To Be Continued……………