I own nothing.
John looked out of the plane window and allowed a tear to escape his eye as he watched Jellystone Park, his home, literally fall apart and cover with lava from the mountains that had turned into volcanoes. He looked at the envelope in his hands and remembered Yogi's words.
"There is a plane waiting for you that's gonna take you to another airport that has a bigger plane. From there you will be taken to safety. Don't worry about us sir. We'll be fine."
Fine nothing. By now his bear was burned by the ashes. Cindy and Booboo with him.
He opened the envelope in his lap. "It had a red ticket, a picture of the four of them that had been taken at Yogi's surprise birthday party years ago and a small note.
Don't die with us. Live.
He put the items in the envelope and secured it in his shirt pocket. Yogi wanted him to live. Guess someone had to take care of the animals that were going to be saved.
Once the plane landed he was met at the gate by someone demanding to know what kind of card he had. He drew out the red ticket. In an instant the gateman softened. Was there something he knew that the Ranger didn't? He was let on board.
The flight over the continent showed the devastation. He shut his eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep. A haunting presence kept the nightmares away.
Yogi refused to leave until his friend was safe on board the Ark.
Once he arrived John took his luggage and went to the gates. He was then told which of the giant arks he was to go to. He went in and was showed to a room.
John dropped his suitcases and sat on the bed. It was then that he let his grief out.
All of a sudden the smell of pine filled the room and he felt arms go around him…furry arms.
A final goodbye.
"Rest in peace my friend," John whispered. He felt a nuzzle and the ghostly presence left.
He felt the impact of the first wave as the typhoon hit the arks. He felt the ship move as the engines started.
It was all so surreal…so dreamlike. Was he really one of a few select people to survive the destruction of the world? He was very aware that the only reason he was alive was because of Yogi. No wonder he worked so hard …to get enough money for a ticket to save his life. Had Yogi always known?
Well he always was smarter than the average bear.
A few days later he was approached by a crewmember and asked if he knew how to bring a bear cub into the world. He had nodded and went down to the animals where a female grizzly bear was giving birth. He astonished everyone when he did it flawlessly…until he told them that he'd been a Ranger for Jellystone Park.
Then they understood and asked him if he'd name the cub.
He looked at the little boy and smiled sadly. "Yes…Yogi."
They nodded in understanding.
John returned to his room feeling better. In a way his friend was alive once again.