Ice Age: The Breakdown

by Psi Kat

Chapter 3! I'm on a roll!

I'm hoping to introduce my characters in this chapter...if not, then maybe next chapter.

kittykatpt: Thanks a bunchie!

Tikaani: (grins) I was going for humor. Thanks!

Forever: I might. You'll just have to see, won't you:) Thanks for the review!

Let's get to the excitement, shall we?

Disclaimed in first chapter.

The group had started moving again, and it was nearing night time. They were all in silence, except for Sid, who was still humming "Walking On Sunshine." No one was even trying to stop him. They were still in shock. Finally, Sid asked, "Say, Ellie, what made you start singing back there?"

Ellie had to think about that for a moment. "I don't really know," she said finally. "I just remember hearing some music and then, the next thing I knew, I was pouring my heart out in song." She frowned in puzzlement. Then Diego spoke. "Let's hope it doesn't happen again. Whether it was fun or not, it was...not normal." This caused Sid to laugh again. "Since when have we been normal, Tigey?" Finally, the tension was broken as they all laughed at the true statement. Then Sid whispered to Diego, "Plus, you're jealous that you don't have a girlfriend!" Diego stopped short. "I am not!" he snarled. "Sure..." Sid said, smirking. Then he quickly waddled off before Diego could kill him.

Just then, some bushes up ahead started shaking. Everyone froze. "Who's there?" Diego growled. In response, there was a yell. A young saber cub rolled out of the bushes. Crash and Eddie both saw him and screamed, hiding behind Diego. The cub looked up and saw everyone looking at him. He froze, not knowing if he should look scared or fierce. Sid studied him, then said, "Guys, it's only a cub. He can't hurt us."

At once, the cub pounced on Sid. "Just because I'm young doesn't mean I can't cause damage," he growled, a strong paw on Sid's windpipe. "Ok, ok, you win," Sid gasped. "Let him go, kid. He isn't worth killing," Diego said evenly. The cub's expression grew a bit more respectful, and he let Sid go.

"So, you have a name?" Manny asked. The cub looked up in surprise. "My name's Augustus," he replied. Sid smiled. "Hello, Augustus. My name is Sid. Call me Sid," he said cheerfully. Augustus nodded, giving him a strange look. Sid then tapped Manny and Ellie. "This is Manny and Ellie. Don't worry, they're really quite nice!" He then pointed to the possums. "That's Crash and that's Eddie. Be careful." Finally, he hopped onto Diego's back and somehow managed to stay on. "And this is Diego!" Augustus just laughed. "You are quite a weird group," he commented brightly. Sid grinned back. "Yup! You got that right!" he said before getting thrown by Diego.

Then Ellie, being the motherly sort, asked him, "Where's your family, Augustus?" Augustus looked sad at that. "There's just my big sister, and I've gotten separated from her," he replied. A lightning bug went off in Sid's head. This was perfect! And Diego would never hear the end of it. "Well, maybe we can help you find her," Sid offered. Augustus looked even more surprised. "You'll help me find her?" he asked. Sid of course nodded, as did Ellie. Manny then agreed, followed by the possums. "Let's go, then," Diego said coolly. He wasn't too sure about the idea of meeting a female saber, mostly because he knew Sid. But off they went anyway.

As they set off, rock music started blaring around them. Before anyone could stop anything, Augustus began singing,

"One way or another
I'm gonna find ya
I'm gonna getcha, getcha, getcha, getcha!"

Sid began to sing with him.

"One way or another,
I'm gonna find ya,
I'm gonna getcha, getcha, getcha, getcha!"

Crash, Eddie, and Ellie took over the next verse.

"One way or another,
I'm gonna see ya,
I'm gonna meetcha, meetcha, meetcha, meetcha!"

At this point, everyone joined in. Even, to his surprise, Diego found himself singing with the group.

"One day, maybe next week
I'm gonna meetcha, I'll meetcha, I'll meetcha!
I will go past your house
And if the lights are all down,
I'll see who's around..."

At this, they were interrupted by another voice singing. A female voice. One that was getting closer.

"One way or another...
I'm gonna find ya...
I'm gonna getcha, getcha, getcha, getcha..."

Augustus perked up. "That's her!" he cried. The music screeched to a stop. The voice had stopped as well, then footsteps approached and another saber came into view. Her eyes landed on Augustus. She sighed. "Augustus, where have you been?" she asked, sounding stern but looking relieved. Augustus shrugged. "Here and there," he replied. The newcomer rolled her eyes. Then she turned her gaze to Manny, who was nearest. "Were you staying with him?" she asked. Manny nodded, a bit surprised that she wasn't scared or trying to kill them. "Thank you," came the reply. She then nodded to Augustus and turned to leave.

"Hey, wait!" Sid ran up to her. She gave him a puzzled look. "Hi, I'm Sid," he said. She gave him a that's-great-now-buzz-off look. "Alexandra. Call me Alex," she said simply. "Well, Alex, where are you headed?" She shrugged. "Wherever we feel like going," she replied. Sid smiled at her. "Why don't you come with us?" he asked, extending his arm toward his herd. Alex looked over at the amusing sight. Her eyes gave them a little sweep before landing on Diego. She looked surprised. But, if another saber was there, then why not? "Sure, we can stick around," she said with a smile. "She glanced at the other members. "You don't mind two extra members?" she asked carefully. Everyone but Diego shook their heads. Augustus cheered. "This is going to be so much fun!" he said happily.

More music began playing, this time very light and fun. "Oh, no," Diego groaned to himself. The others heard it too. "Again?" Alex wondered out loud. Then she looked at the sky, with was filling with moonlight and stars. She smiled. Then she sang.

"We get it on most every night,
When that moon gets big and bright
It's a supernatural delight
Everybody's dancing in the moonlight!"

Ellie looked at the sky too. Almost dreamily, she added,

"Everybody here is out of sight;
They don't bark and they don't bite.
They keep things loose, they keep things alive.
Everybody's dancing in the moonlight!"

Then, as unexpected as it was, Diego took the chorus all by himself.

"Dancing in the moonlight!
Everybody's feeling warm and bright!
It's such a fine and natural sight!
Everybody's dancing in the moonlight!"

And they continued to sing into the distance.

Weee...those songs ("One Way Or Another" and "Dancing In The Moonlight") are two of my favorites!

So, what's with Augustus and Alexandra? You'll just have to see! (evil grin)

Read, review, and write lots of stories!

Psi Kat