Disclaimer: I do not own 'Ice Age' other than my OC, which is being introduced in the next chapter.

Note: Thank you for the reviews Varanus Prasinus, it's nice to have someone interested in my story, being it my first Ice Age fanfiction. Fiat Noctum, it's alright, English isn't my first language too.

Enjoy, and happy reading.

Ironic, Isn't It?, Chapter Two

Manfred was left rearranging the playground after the children had left. It was afternoon, and the others should be getting back soon. After walking out, and closing the play place, he returned to his herd in their usual spot away from all the other animals. He found the twins entertaining Peaches and Ellie, and Sid examining the two logs he figured the sloth has found. Everyone was present except for Diego.

"Hey, hey, Manny." came Sid's excited call, the sloth held out the logs he had been playing with, "Did you see that?"

"See what?" Manfred was tired, he wasn't really interested.

"I found a way to create fire, watch this."

Sid set one of the logs on the ground on it's side, holding it before it could roll away, and with the flat surface of the other, he set it down on top. He then cupped the top log and started rubbing the log with both of his hands, letting the bottom surface rub the log under it. A spark, and then another before the log on the bottom was on fire.

"Yes! The Lord of Flames is back." Sid cheered.

"Wow," Manny said, not surprised. "It look you that long to figure out how to create a fire? Where were your parents when you were suppose to be learning your camping skills, Sid?"

"I don't know somewhere, I was better off without them anyway." Sid picked up the two logs and threw it into the extinguished campfire, which slowly ignited the other surrounding twigs and branches creating the campfire. He wiped his hands away and found a spot beside the mammoth.

"So uh, where's Diego?" he asked.

"No idea," Manny replied, "Probably still hunting."

"Yeah, I guess so." Sid stood, "Well I'm off to play with little Peachy."

He clasped his hands together, "She's just so cute, he looks just like her mother; thank god."

He earned a glare from the mammoth, and Sid chuckled nervously, "Not that it's a bad thing it didn't ended up looking like you."

He hurried off before Manny can harm him, if he was planning on it.

Manfred looked to the distance just in time to see Diego come into view of the winding road. The saber looked googly eyed before he shook his head and regained balance from his limping state. The mammoth also noticed the bump on the saber's head which caused him to raise a brow. He watched as Diego entered their campsite and sat down.

"So, where did you get that lovely bump on your head?" Manny asked.

Diego winced when he raised a paw and tried to touch his bump, "I hit a boulder when I was hunting. I-it's nothing, really."

He smiled, "How is everyone?"

"Good," Manny looked to Ellie, watching her pick a small branch of berries for Peaches and the others to eat, "How about you?"

"Fine, fine." Diego replied, resting his chin on his crossed paws and closing his eyes to rest.

"I mean, you don't feel... strange, do you?" Manny turned his eyes to look at the saber.

The smilodon tiger's eyes snapped back open, and he raised his head, "Why? Do I look strange to you?"

"No, it's just that..." Manny sighed, "Ellie things you look weak; tired weak."

Diego lowered his head again, resting it on his paws, and sadly replied, "Y-yeah, she's right. I've been having this terrible fatigue I can't seem to get rid of. I'm sure it's nothing."

"If you need to hunt someplace else, we can always come with you."

"Really?"

"We're a herd, remember? We take care of each other." Manny replied.

Diego smiled, "Thanks, but no thanks. I think I can manage, Manfred. Hey, have you ever thought about whatever happened to Buck?" he said to avoid the other subject.

Manny raised a brow, "What, you mean, that insane weasel?"

"Well he's not really insane, he's more like... 'super weasel'."

"Hm, cute."

Diego chuckled, "Come on, big guy, I know you miss him too."

"Sure, whatever you say, pal." Manny said, "He saved us, I'll thank him for that."

"I wouldn't be surprised if we have to go and save him this time."

"You mean if the ground were to crack open, and we'd fall through and end up back in that horrible place? No, I don't think so."

A rumble. Manny and Diego got up. Another rumble, and the ground beneath them began to crack. Diego raised a brow.

"Huh, looks like your prediction came true, big guy."

"Ironic, isn't it?" replied Manfred. Everyone else was confused.

"What, are you guys talking about?" Ellie said, but her question was never answered for she suddenly fell through the ground along with Peaches and the opossums; who's screams faded away.

"Ellie!" Manfred cried out worriedly, he planned to run over to the hole, but the ground beneath him gave away as well and he fell through.

Sid screamed in horror, "Goodbye cruel world!"

Diego leaped away from a falling branch, "Not now Sid--SID!"

He saw the sloth's ground gave away, but didn't notice his own. Diego fell into a dark abyss, not knowing what was awaiting for him down below.

Please do comment, it helps me continue the story. You may also give me ideas and I'll try to incorporate into the story.