Hey guys, it's me again! I didn't want to keep you all waiting for here you go! Also thank-you White Hunter and wolfordgang (guest) for reviewing. So just sit back and enjoy the chapter.
P.S. this is my next longest chapter
After making up, Diego began leading Roshan back up the cliff. The two shared a good laugh on the way chit-chatting as they made up the cliff. The boy rode on the saber's back as he held on chunks of the tiger's fur. Diego groaned in pain a little from the boy's grip but didn't complain as the saber clawed his paws onto the rocks.
Back on the top, Gazzi was on her knees with her head low with her face stuffed in sadness.
"Gazzi!" Sid called
Jumping in surprise, the orange sloth jumped around to see Sid, his friends, and another human running towards her.
"Sid! What are you doing here?" Gazzi exclaimed, happily
"What am I doing here, what are you…" said Sid, before Gazzi grasped him into a bear-hug
"Oh my goodness, I thought you were dead!" Gazzi exclaimed, with tears in her eyes
Sid's head started to blow up into a balloon due to Gazzi's strong grip was starting to make him suffocate to death.
"Not yet…I'm not…can't…breathe!" said Sid stammered
"Oops, sorry" Gazzi apologized, releasing Sid
(GASPING)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
"Are you alright?" Gazzi asked, in concern
"Air never tasted so good" Sid admitted
Minho came walking up to Gazzi. "Roshan, where's Roshan?" he asked her
"He was right up here with me before the floor started breaking and then he…" Gazzi explained, before she feel into sadness again
"And then what?" Manny questioned
"He…He…" Gazzi stammered, sadly pointing her finger out towards the cliff
The trio followed to where she was pointing when shockingly they discovered it was at the cliff, where Roshan was last standing.
"No…NO!" Manny cried
"He's gone!" Iorek cried
"I can't believe this!" Sid cried
"Wait, LOOK!" said Minho, pointing out
The trio looked back when suddenly a hand reached out and grabbed the ledge. Everyone was startled at first fearing it was a Howler climbing up before they discovered it was only Roshan. The boy grunted panting for air as he pulled himself to get back on the safer grounds.
"Roshan!" the group exclaimed, in surprise
Minho immediately rushed over to his friend's rescue as he grabbed one of Roshan's hands. Using his strength, Minho managed to pull him back on the ground.
"You okay, brother?" Minho asked his friend
"Always! Oh could you also give me a hand" said Roshan
Looking down from the ledge, Minho nodded in agreement. The two knelt down over the ledge as each grabbed an orange paw; working together, they pulled Diego right back onto the safer grounds.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
"Thanks kids" said Diego, gratefully
"Anytime buddy" Roshan replied
"What's up, fuzz-ball" Minho replied, holding a hand out to him
Diego smiled and high-fived Minho back showing no grudge against the boy. He then noticed the others walking towards them, especially Manny. The tiger was paying more attention to Manny the most; he saw the mammoth was still scolding him after knowing the truth and he didn't know if he would forgive him or not.
"Hey guys" Diego greeted
"It's good to see you're okay, buddy" Sid greeted back, happily
"Thanks Sid. Glad to know" Diego replied back
Manny gently pushed Sid to the side. "Why did you come back?" he questioned
Diego glanced back at Roshan, who nodded with a warm smile, before he started walking towards his two friends. Manny and Sid eye-balled to each other and once Diego was close enough he stopped.
"Listen I know you'll never forgive me, and I don't blame you. I wouldn't forgive me either. I know I should've told you what happened all those years ago but I didn't have nerve to do it. Okay, I was ignorant and small-minded" Diego reasoned
"Your damn right you didn't" Manny replied, scolding him
(SID GASPS)
"Manny! Language please!" Sid warned
"What's wrong with that?" Manny replied, agitatedly
"May I remind you there are kids listening out there!" Sid mentioned, pointing out to the computer screen
Manny rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Carry on"
"Look Manny. When I first met you, I didn't know who you were. At first, I thought you were just this big stubborn-headed, loud-mouth mammal who didn't care about anything in the world but himself. But along the way I learned only one thing about you: you needed a friend. Sid needed a friend too…and so did I. You changed me to be something I wasn't meant to be and I thank-you for that. I also learned responsibility and I wanted to put that to use for once in my life, so here it goes…I had a responsibility for Roshan; to protect him, to guide him wherever he goes, and to save him. You have that same responsibility for him too, buddy. This kid cares about all of us and now I realize that our job is to be protecting him…not off alone, but as a family" Diego explained
"English please! Or would you rather like me to hear it in some other boring language" Manny said, ignorantly
Diego slapped his paw over his head in annoyance. "I messed up…I messed up, okay. I'm sorry. I'm also sorry I didn't tell you and Sid the truth about my past and I regret it!"
"Do you?" Manny asked, agitatedly
Diego nodded. "Please Manny, I want to make things right again. And I want to start by protecting Roshan"
Manny was a little hesitant as he slowly started thinking about it. Soon he felt a slight tug on his trunk and he looked down to see it was the boy.
"I've forgiven him, Manny. My father did once told me this; he said that, 'forgiveness is one of the better virtues in life'. And I learned to use it…and you should too" Roshan told him
Manny was convinced by the kid's words and finally started to think it through. After 16 long years of forming the Herd and after everything they've been through from over the years of facing spills, reptiles, pirates he shouldn't be holding a grudge against his friends especially his family. Diego waited for an answer but Manny was still too stubborn to say a word.
"Uhh…I hate to break this little moment here, but may I remind you that Lolo may die!" Minho pointed out
"Oh my god, Lolo! We gotta get back to her!" Roshan cried out
"Calm yourself, young one. We'll get you back to her as soon as possible" Iorek told them, reassuringly
"Yeah, you two can discuss this later. C'mon!" Sid said, to Manny and Diego
"We ain't finished. You hear me!" Manny said, pointing his trunk at the saber's face
"But Manny…" Diego protested
Roshan placed a hand on the saber's shoulder. "It's okay. You did great, now let's go"
Manny plucked up Roshan around the waist and placed him on his back; Minho hopped onto Diego's back while Sid and Gazzi hopped onto Iorek's back. The trio then immediately started heading back to where the others were in a hurry.
"Hang on Lolo, we're coming" said Roshan, grasping the herbs
In the next scene, the others found a nearby cave that fit enough for both animals and humans. Inside, Lolo was huffing, puffing, and coughing with sweat that was soaking up her entire body. The bite on her leg started to get more severe and the young girl felt her body becoming weaker.
(COUGHING)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
Shira allowed the young human to rest on her side along with her little hyrax friend. Meanwhile, Rowan was nursing Newt wrapping bandages over his wounded chest.
(NEWT GROANING IN PAIN)
"Take it easy, love, not so tight" Newt told her
"Sorry. How do you feel?" Rowan asked the skinner boy
"I've experienced worst pains in my younger years. If I can get over them I can over this one" said Newt, with a smile
Rowan smiled and kissed him on the cheek and stood up to check on Lolo. Suddenly Peaches and Louis came walking by with flowers and berries.
"Here" said Peaches, giving the boy the flowers
"Aww, for me? You shouldn't have" said Newt, feeling surprised
"It's an act of kindness" Peaches replied, smiling
"I can see that. Thanks Sweet Peach" said Newt
"Sweet Peach? No one's ever called me that before" Peaches admitted
"Why is that a bad thing?" Newt asked
Peaches shook her head. "No, I think its sweet…like you"
Newt warmly smiled and grasped the teenage mammoth's trunk and kissed it which made the mammoth blush under her fur.
"Uhh…w-would you…uhh, like some company?" Peaches offered
"Be my guests" said Newt, in agreement
Peaches and Louis made themselves comfy as the mammoth and the mole hog sat between the British boy.
"Uhh…here you go" said Louis, holding a hand-full of berries
"That's bloody kind of you. Thanks mole hog" said Newt
"You gotta keep your strength up, you know. Peaches says no wounded friend should go starving" said Louis
"Well looks like Peaches is lucky to have a friend like you" Newt told him
Peaches smiled at her friend as the mole hog nervously smiled. "Yeah…yeah I' am" Louis replied back
At a pond, Rowan dipped and dabbed a wet cloth into the water. Heading back into the cave she placed it over Lolo's head to see if it would help.
"You're gonna be fine, Lolo. I promise" Rowan whispered, sadly
After she left, Shira continued watching over her as she comforted the young girl by nuzzling her head against Lolo's head to see if it would help. Her little hyrax friend even joined in with her, as he cuddled up against her shoulder.
"Please, please be alright" Shira begged
(GASPS)
(GROANS IN PAIN)
The sabress felt a sharp pain hit her stomach but decided to let it when she had more things to worry about. Shira then licked the girl's cheek but only making her shiver more as she let out a few coughs.
(COUGHS)
Kodak was standing near the entrance of the cave keeping a sharp eye out for Roshan and the other's to return, as Ellie came walking up beside him.
"Any sign of them?" Ellie asked the older boy
Kodak shook his head and reported. "Not yet, ma'am"
"Ma'am? I like that sound of that…Ooh you're nose!" Ellie said, pointing out
"What…" said Kodak, placing a finger to his nose when he noticed a trail of blood was streaming down to his lip. "…ooh, it's nothing really"
"Here, let me wipe it off" Ellie offered
"No ma'am it's fine really, I…" said Kodak, before Ellie's washed it off with some water she picked up from the small pond with her trunk
"There. That should do it" said Ellie, happily
"Uhh…thank-you Miss Ellie" said Kodak
"You don't have to thank me, sweetheart, just be happy I'm always here to help" Ellie said, ruffling his head
Kodak smiled a little before suddenly he spotted Roshan, Minho, Manny, Sid, Diego, Iorek and even Gazzi all running towards the cave.
"THERE THEY ARE!" Kodak shouted
"Ooh thank goodness! And there's Diego too!" Ellie exclaimed, happily
"Ellie! Are we too late?" Manny called out
"No you're not. But Lolo's getting worse" Ellie reported
"You have to save her!" Shira shouted
"We haven't got much time. We need to work quickly" said Rowan, walking up beside Ellie
"I'm on it!" said Roshan, hopping off of the mammoth's back
Ellie and Kodak moved aside to let Roshan through as he made his way towards Shira and Lolo. Kneeling down, the boy got to work by crushing the herbs and placing them in a wooden shape bowl as he started mixing up the ingredients to make the antidote. The others watched patiently as Roshan stirred the bowl. Once he was down, he took a small hand-full of crushed herb cream and he gently began applying it to Lolo's injured leg.
(LOLO GROANING IN PAIN)
Shira comforted the young girl with a few loving licks to the cheek. Lolo's heavy breathing soon started to simmer down as the medicine started to kick in. Soon, Lolo finally stopped crying and she fell into a deep slumber.
"I think that did it" Roshan whispered
(ROARING FIERCLY)
Roshan was suddenly startled, when he felt some sharp claws sinking into his skin which caused him to fall backwards to the floor.
"Whoa!" cried Roshan, holding his arm
(ROARING FIERCLY)
Shira roared painfully as the sabress clawed her paws into the ground. Everyone had their ears covered by the screeching of the sabress's voice; Manny immediately plucked up Lolo away from the pregnant tigress before Diego rushed over to his wife's side.
"Shira, kitty, what's wrong?" Diego asked her, in concern
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
"Diego…(panting)…the babies…" Shira breathed
"So, what about the babies?" Diego asked, confusingly
"No I mean…(panting)…the babies…they're coming!" Shira breathed
"Babies are coming…" said Diego, feeling confused before his mind was shot in realization. "BABIES? COMING? WHAT!?"
"Babies!" Peaches and Ellie cried out
(NEWT SCREAMING LIKE A GIRL)
"AGH!" cried Crash and Eddie, playing dead
"Oh no you don't, if so much as one stork comes down with a bundle of brats I'll smack it's beak right on backwards!" Granny said, sternly
"THE BABIES ARE COMING, THE BABIES ARE COMING, THE BABIES ARE COMING…" Diego panicked, running around in circles
(SLAP)
"OW!" cried Diego, snapping back into motion
"Snap out of it, Diego!" Rowan told him
We'll handle this. Everyone out of the cave right now!" Ellie ordered everyone
"No one is to enter this cave until after we've delivered the packages!" Rowan called out
"Now GO!" Ellie commanded
"But my wife, she needs me…" Diego protested
"Get out, Get out, GET OUT!" Shira roared
Startled, Diego's eyes widened in shock before he eye-balled to Rowan; then the girl pointed her finger towards the exit of the cave.
"…on second thought, she's all yours" Diego finished, and he exited out of the cave
1 hour later…
Everyone was waiting patiently outside the cave; Manny sat next to his daughter, including Louis; and holding onto a sleeping human girl, Lolo, in his trunk as he rocked her gently; Roshan sat next to Manny lying his head on the mammoth's leg sleeping like a baby. Crash and Eddie were also sitting on top of their brother-in-law's head biting their tails in boredom. Sid sat next to Gazzi as the two were showing off awkward looks as one of them tried scooting a little closer to each other, while Granny was snoring like a choo-choo train. Iorek sat with Minho, Newt, and Kodak as the three boys laid against the polar bear's side for back-support. Diego was lying on his hind legs being as quiet as a mouse, waiting for an answer inside the cave for any news.
He soon heard laughter behind him, as Diego turned around to see Newt, Minho, and Kodak talking in conversation. The saber figured after the trouble he caused against the three he knew this was the right time to apologize.
"Hey kids" Diego greeted, getting their attentions
"Hiya fuzz-ball" said Minho, with a smile
"What's going on, Big D" said Kodak
Newt patted the saber on top of the head with joy. "Hey thanks whiskers"
Diego rose a brow in confusion. "For what?"
"For this" said Newt, pointing to his wounded chest
"You're thanking me for hurting you?" Diego questioned
"Yeah, Sweet Peach over there has been babying me. She hasn't left my bloody side ever since if it weren't for ya" Newt reassured him
Kodak rose a brow; Minho slapped his hand over his head; Diego only chuckled under his breath. Clearing his throat, Diego began speaking out to them.
"Listen guys, you don't have to be nice I know I've caused you enough trouble already. And if it makes you feel any better you guys don't have to trust me anymore. I understand" Diego told them
Just before Diego turned away, Kodak stopped him. "Hold on! Don't leave just yet"
Diego was listening and decided to hear what the older boy had to say; especially Minho and Newt. Kodak took some deep though and sighed.
"Don't blame yourself for this. If anyone is to blame here…it's me" Kodak confessed
"What do you mean?" Diego questioned him
"Look I know you guys don't like me, I know you don't care about what I have to say so here it goes. I've been a jerk. There I said it! I've been a big, fat jerk and I treated you all like crap! I realize now, I should be the one saying I'm sorry…to all of you. So here it goes…I'm sorry" Kodak confessed
Minho and Newt were speechless as their jaws hung low; Diego stared with wide-eyes but refused to release his jaw.
"Bloody hell" Newt responded
"Whoa, didn't see that coming" Minho admitted
"I gotta hand it to ya, kid…that's actually the first nicest thing you've ever said to anyone" Diego said to Kodak, feeling surprised
Kodak stifled a smile, before it faded away. "But I don't know if it'll be the last"
Newt rested his hand on Kodak's shoulder. "Mate, even though you're a bloody jerk you don't deserve to die. I mean if I hadn't jumped in your way, Diego here, would have scarred you for life. But on the bright side for me is that I get to show off everyone my cool new battle scar!"
(KODAK, MINHO, AND DIEGO LAUGHING)
Kodak showed his support for the British boy, placing his hand on his friend's shoulder which Newt gratefully accepted it. Minho's soon laugh faded away quickly when he was a little hesitant at the saber before he finally spoke out.
"Umm…Diego?" Minho responded, getting the saber's attention. "I'm sorry I doubted you earlier. Also, sorry I punched you"
"Ah it's okay. I deserved it anyway" Diego assured the boy
"For being an idiot?" Minho asked, with a smirk
"You got it" Diego replied back. "So are we friends again?"
Holding out a paw, the three boys looked at each other hesitantly before they all smiled at the tiger with their gratitude's. The three then each placed a hand on the saber's paw.
"We've always been your friend, mate" Newt reassured
"Always have been" Minho replied
"And always will be" Kodak replied
Diego smiled. "Thanks kids"
Sid soon took Gazzi off to the side away from the others, so they could be alone behind a boulder.
"There's one thing I gotta know, Gazzi. How did you find us?" Sid asked her
"Ooh well…you see it was like this, Sid. After you took off with the rest of your friends no one had offered me to come with. I was rejected by everyone I encountered. But after I met you, you seemed so kind and caring so I decided to follow you and your family's footprints" Gazzi explained
"You? You've been following us?" Sid asked
"Yep. This whole time" Gazzi answered
Sid laughed weirdly. "I bet you do that to all the boys"
Gazzi chuckled. "Yeah I tried, but usually they all run away too quick"
(LAUGHING)
"You know you could have told us about it. We'd welcome you to join us" Sid reminded her
"I know I should've, but…when I saw the humans with you I thought maybe they were holding you hostage. At first I thought they were savages but if it hadn't been for that, young one, I would've been killed. He's no monster…he saved my life. What-?...What's his name?" said Gazzi
"Roshan" Sid told her
"…Yeah, Roshan saved my life. He's a brave young man" Gazzi commented
"Bravest little biped in the world. Including myself even" Sid commented
Gazzi chuckled. "How'd you met him?"
The two sloths sat down against the boulder as Sid began telling his life-long story on how he saved Roshan and met up with Manny and Diego.
"Well Gazzi it started a very long-long-long-long-long-long-long-long-long-long time ago…" Sid babbled, telling off his story
Meanwhile, Lolo's eyes slowly blinked twice before she finally began to open them. She turned her head sideways up to discover Manny, who was holding her, pleasantly. Then she looked forward when she saw her little hyrax friend sleeping on her stomach. The young girl made a tired smile and gently rubbed its head with her finger.
The little hyrax's eyes popped open when he felt someone rubbing him, before he discovered Lolo was finally awake.
(HYRAX CHITTERING EXCITEDLY)
"Woo-hoo!" exclaimed the little hyrax
"Huh? What's the matter with…" said Manny, before he saw Lolo was awake. "…Ooh! Hey there sleepy head"
The chattering of the mammal's voice suddenly woke Roshan up as he looked up in front of him. There he saw Lolo petting the hyrax before the boy jumped from his seat and quickly made his way over to her.
"She's awake" Manny reported, with a smile
"Lolo!" Roshan cried out
Roshan gently stroked her hair as he began to check her over for her wound. She weakly let out a smile and placed a hand on her friend's head and began to ruffle it.
"Roshy…" Lolo responded
Roshan glanced up when he heard her voice as he began to express joy on his face.
"Hey, hey Lolo. It's me" Roshan replied
"Where…where am I?" Lolo asked
"Your safe Lolo…we saved you. You're going to be alright now" Roshan answered
Lolo glanced up when she recognized both the mammoth's face. "Manny…Peaches"
Manny smiled joyously before Peaches gasped in surprise.
"Hey there squirt" Manny whispered
"Lolo…(sobs)…thank-god you're okay" Peaches sobbed, quietly
"D-Don't…Don't cry" said Lolo, grasping her trunk
(SNIFFLES)
"I'm not crying…(sobs)…just got a little dust in my eye" Peaches lied, wiping her tears away
Lolo then looked at her little hyrax friend as he sadly smiled at her with joy. The young girl smiled back and she spread her arms out for a hug.
"Chippy" said Lolo
(HYRAX CITTERING HAPPILY)
Chippy scurried towards Lolo, cuddling his body against the little girl's cheek and shoulder. Lolo hugged him in return.
"Umm…excuse me?" said Louis, sliding down Peaches trunk. "Can I, uh…you know"
"Get over here, Louis" Lolo responded, accepting his permission
Louis smiled and hopped off his friend's trunk and landed right into Lolo's arms as she began cuddling two little creatures in return.
(WHISTLING)
Roshan's whistle caught everyone's attentions as they spun around to face the boy including Manny, Peaches, and Chippy.
"She's awake everyone, SHE'S AWAKE!" Roshan called out
Everyone scattered to their feet rushing over to greet Lolo in the happiest way they showed. The whole group circled around her as giving hugs, kisses, and so much love leaving Lolo in tears and happiness.
"W-Where…Where's Rowan…and Ellie…and Shira?" Lolo asked Roshan
"Ellie and Rowan are helping Shira deliver her babies. They're coming out" Roshan whispered to her
"You mean…" Lolo asked, and Roshan nodded in reply
Lolo's tiredness quickly faded away and her face lightened up with excitement when she understood what he meant.
"Oh boy, why didn't you say so!" Lolo cheered, scrambling out of Manny's grip
"Whoa, whoa! Take it easy…" said Manny
But Lolo got out of the mammoth's grasp, but before she could go see the babies for herself her wounded leg gave out on her and she stumbled towards the floor.
(LOLO CRIES OUT)
(LOLO SCREAMING)
Luckily for her, Diego caught Lolo just in time as the saber dived down letting the little girl grasp onto his warm-fuzzy head.
"Take it easy, kid. You can't go in just yet, we're still waiting for a call" Diego reminded her
Lolo's face dropped along with her arms before she made a pouty face and sat herself on the floor.
"NO FAIR!" Lolo pouted, crossing her arms
Diego made himself comfy as he laid himself down behind the little girl to support her back.
"Trust me, kid. I had the same reaction as you when I saw the look on my wife's face" Diego assured her
"I never get to have any fun" Lolo pouted
"No fun, huh? Hey…hey what's that up there?" Diego questioned
"Huh?" Lolo asked, before she raised it up high. "What's up there?"
"I don't know let me see…" Diego replied
Diego expressed a playful grin and the tiger pounced clutching his arms around the young girl. Lolo bursted into laughter as she screamed in torture before the saber started tickling her non-stop.
(LOLO LAUGHING)
(DIEGO LAUGHING)
"HA-HA-HA…Stop it!...HA-HA-HA…I'm ticklish!" Lolo exclaimed, laughing
"Thanks for telling me. Now I never stop!" Diego said, laughing
"NNNNNOOOOO…HA-HA-HA!" Lolo screamed, laughing her head off
(LAUGHING CONTINUES)
The others watched amusingly at the two. Roshan did too, while covering his mouth, trying to hold the laughter inside of him. Soon Newt, Minho, and Kodak walked over to stand beside their friend.
"Bloody hell, it's a miracle. How'd she recover so quickly?" Newt asked
"Must be the boundless energy of children" Minho joked
Diego then finally stopped allowing Lolo to breathe before she stuck her tongue out at the three boys, leaving Diego chuckling under his breath as the girl did the same again.
(WHISTLES)
Everyone immediately faced the direction to where the whistling was coming from when they saw Rowan and Ellie stepping out of the cave.
Rowan smiled joyously. "It's time" she replied
Once Roshan picked up Lolo, everyone else slowly began making their way over to the cave. Diego, who was up front, felt nervous in his gut while the rest of the Herd followed him from behind. Once Diego entered the cave he came to a halt as his jaw hung low with astonishment on his face; then his eyes started swelling with tears. As the others entered in they saw Diego was crying before they paused too and saw what appeared to be one of the most beautiful thing they ever sawn.
"Hey guys. Meet the newest members of the Herd" Shira greeted
Shira was nursing what appeared to be four healthy saber-tooth cubs: two were males and two were females.
"Shira, I…" Diego said, sadly
"Diego…come closer. Meet your kids" Shira responded, signaling him to come here
Sid gently shoved his pal in the shoulder. The saber turned to all his friends as they all nodded in reply without saying a word. Clearing his throat, Diego slowly began to make his way over to greet his new cubs. As he was walking, the saber discovered how different each cub looked alike: the first male cub was orange (just like his father), but with a red stripes running down from his forehead to in-between his shoulder, and his eyes were hazel green; the first female cub was silver/grey (just like her mother) with black-tipped ears, her eyes were as crystal as blue, and she had a star-shaped marking on her forehead; the second male cub had a dusty brown color with black stripes and a black-tipped tail, he had white fur on his muzzle, chest and stomach, and his eyes were as amber as gold; and lastly the second female cub had a dark brown color with a tanned color chest and her eyes were red/brown.
The two newly parents looked down at their cubs before looking into each other's eyes; then they lovely nuzzled in return.
"Diego, we're finally parents" Shira whispered, joyously
"Shira about what happened back there, I'm so sorry I ran off. I promise I'll never, EVER…leave you again" Diego whispered, in apology
"None of that matters, tiger. I'm just glad you made it" Shira whispered, and she kissed her husband on the lips
The two sabers shared mouth-to-mouth making it a long kiss. But there moment was soon interrupted when Diego felt something…or someone rubbing against his legs. He looked down before he smiled at the sight of his two cubs snuggling up against his front paws.
(MEOWS)
(PURRING)
Diego laid himself down allowing two of the cubs to pounce out at him. One of the males was biting his ear; one of the females was trying to bite off his nose.
Diego chuckled. "Hey kids. Daddy's here"
(MEOWS)
(SQUEAKS)
Diego nuzzled his cubs as they did the same back to him. Everyone soon started to gather around a little closer to take a good look at Diego and Shira's new babies. Manny, who was hiding his anger from him, had Ellie and Peaches close to him as the two snuggled up to him with teary looks; Sid and Gazzi were sniffling and crying with joy while using Manny's trunk as a tissue; Granny was teary too as the old sloth hugged her cane with a warm smile; Crash and Eddie were already sobbing in delight blowing their nose into each other's tails; Louis and Chippy were hugging it out but they refused to let a single tear drop; Iorek watched in triumph feeling happy for the saber couple now that they are parents. Soon Roshan (who was carrying Lolo with him), Rowan, Newt, Minho, and Kodak walked over together as one as they greeted their friend's newborns.
Roshan then set Lolo gently onto the ground next the sabress.
"Lolo!" Shira exclaimed, in surprise
"Shira!" Lolo exclaimed, as she wrapped her arms around the tigress's neck
"Oh my gosh, I thought you were gone for good!" Shira replied, letting a few tears drop
"I love you, Shira" Lolo replied
"I love you too, sweetheart" Lolo replied, licking her cheek
(PURRING)
(MEOWS)
(SQUEAKS)
The two glanced down when one of the silver/grey cubs was climbing into Lolo's lap. Then climbing into her folded arms, the cub curled herself into a ball as she snuggled herself before drifting asleep. Lolo giggled and cuddled the cub back while Shira watched in amusement.
"You know what you should name her…Ariene" Lolo suggested, naming the silver/grey cub
"Ariene?" Shira asked
"Yeah! I don't know it just came to me. But she does looks like an 'Ariene' don't you think?" said Lolo
Shira thought about it for a moment as she looked down at her sleeping daughter before she smiled joyously and nodded.
"Okay then, Ariene it is" said Shira agreeing with her
"I love that name" Peaches commented
"Yeah it sounds fitting" Ellie commented
"Nice name" Rowan commented
"Yeah, I like it too. But how about the rest? What are we gonna name them?" Diego reminded
Newt caught sight of the orange male fur cub trying to bite the tip of his shoe. The skinner boy gently picked the cub up and studied it when suddenly he got an idea to name the next cub.
"How about Redstripe for this one" Newt suggested, raising the cub up
"Redstripe?" Diego and Shira asked
"Yeah, I mean after all he's covered in red-stripes you know" Newt pointed out
"Redstripe, I kinda like the sound of that" Diego admitted
Shira sighed. "Fine, Redstripe it is"
Diego then looked down at his second female cub, (the one with the dark-brown color), who was cuddling against his father's front paw. He thought about for a moment before suddenly a name came to him and he liked to share it with Roshan.
"Hey kid" Diego called out
"Yeah Diego?" said Roshan
"I was wondering...would it be okay, if… if I could name my daughter after your mother?" Diego asked him
"Nadia?" Roshan asked
The saber happily nodded. The boy thought about it for a brief second before he saw the brown female cub coming towards him. He knelt down and held his hands out allowing the female cub to climb into his grasp. Picking her up, Roshan studied the cub when he saw only the cuteness on her tiny little face. The dark-brown female cub studied him also as she smiled and let out a squeaky roar.
(MEOWS)
Roshan let out a grin as he brought the cub closer to his face before she began licking his cheek. The boy giggled by the feeling of her sharp tongue and decided to go on agreement with Diego.
"I'd be honored to have your daughter be named after my mother" Roshan answered
"Nadia it is" said Diego, happily
"Ooh-Ooh! What about the last cub, what's his name gonna be? Tell us, Tell us, TELL US!" Sid exclaimed, jumping up and down
"Well…" said Shira
(LOUD SCREECHING)
Startled, everyone jumped and covered their ears by the loud screeching that came outside of the cave. Roshan look towards when suddenly Shaylyn came flying much to the boy's surprise when he recognized her.
Manny stood in front of the others. "Stand back everyone! I got this!"
"NO WAIT!" Roshan cried out
"DO NOT HARM A FEATHER ON HER HEAD, MANFRED!" Iorek shouted
"Out of my way slushy bear, I'm trying to protect my family!" Manny shouted, angrily
"She is family, Manny" Roshan assured him
"What?" Manny replied
"She won't hurt us, I promise. Believe me she's an old friend of ours" Iorek assured back
Roshan turned to face the hawk. "Aunt Shay!"
Running towards her, he grasped the bird into a hug. Shaylyn, surprised by this, hugged him back after not seeing him for so long felt like it has been forever.
"Whoa Roshan, easy on the feathers I need those to fly later you know" Shaylyn told him, smiling
"Sorry I…" Roshan stammered. "Wh-What are you doing here?"
Shaylyn lowered her head without looking at the boy as Iorek made his way over to stand next to the two.
"What?" said Roshan
"What's happened, Shaylyn?" Iorek asked her
"I…I'm afraid it's very bad news, boys" Shaylyn replied
Everyone slowly gathered over to see what the commotion was all about. Iorek and Shaylyn were in a quiet conversation with each other while Roshan stayed silent for the time being. After the hawk finished talking, Iorek turned to the boy looking showing a horrifying expression.
"Iorek…what is it?" Roshan asked
"My boy…it's your father…" Iorek stammered, trying to finish the news
"…and he's dying" Shaylyn finished
Well everyone another chapter done! The cubs have finally arrived: Ariene, Redstripe, Nadia and…(who will be named next?), and Shaylyn's delivered the horrifying news to Roshan, his friends, and the Herd. What will happen next? Anyway please review and keep spreading me some more and stay tuned because more will be coming your way!
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