Hey guys Stooge Man here! Thank-you all for waiting so patiently again things have been crazy since these last few months so I apologize for that. Anyway another chapter is up so just sit back and enjoy!
Manny and the others were shocked by what the hawk and the bear had just said as they all had their jaws hanging low. The kids did the same too while Roshan just stood speechless. He didn't know what to say or what to do as his heart sank and his body was unsteady. He felt his mind all blurring with darkness and he started to fall but Iorek steadied the boy back on his feet. The ice bear allowed the boy to lean against his shoulder for support.
"Roshan…Roshan, answer me boy" Iorek demanded
Roshan still didn't answer as he only breathed and felt his heart beating fast. One tear from his eye went lose streaming down his face before whipping it away with his sleeve.
"Roshan?" said Shaylyn
Roshan managed to calm himself down after a few deep breaths. He then looked back up at her with now a confused but frightened look upon his face.
"Why…Why is my father sick?" Roshan questioned, sadly
"Well I-I…you see boy…" Shaylyn stuttered, sadly
"What the hell's going on back at the village?" Roshan questioned
"I-I don't know" Shaylyn sadly replied. "I'm sorry Roshan. I don't know how or why your father got terribly ill but I do know one thing"
"What's that?" Roshan asked
"Your uncle; Ragnar has stepped up and made himself leader of your father's tribe" Shaylyn told him
(GASPS)
Roshan, Rowan, Newt, Minho, Lolo, and Kodak all expressed worried glances as some grew nervous and some grew a very scared. The other herd members, however, grew confused on what the big deal was.
"Your father has a brother?" said Manny
Roshan glanced at the mammoth before nodding in reply. "Yes" he responded
"How come you never told us about him before?" Diego asked
"Because if I'd told you, you all would've been scared too early" said Roshan
"It's just your uncle substituting for your dad's place, Roshan. What's so bad about that?" said Ellie
"It means now we have a bigger problem" Roshan replied to her
"Why? Why is it a problem?" Manny questioned
"Just listen guys" said Roshan, telling the Herd to come closer to him. "As bad as you think my people are. This man is worse"
"How do you figure?" said Peaches
"The thing is Sweet Peach, not only is this man bad but he's manipulative" Newt explained, painfully holding his chest
"He's ruthless" Minho added
"He's poisonous" Rowan added
"I don't understand any of this. Get to the real point here" Shira asked the kids
Lolo gruntingly stood up while limping on one of her legs. "He kills animals, Shira. He kills all animal kinds"
Shira, who grew worried, held her cubs close to her; Louis clenched onto Peaches hair-knot tight; Crash grew scared too while Eddie shook his head in disbelief thinking this was a joke.
"Ha-Ha, stupid animals" Eddie scoffed
"That's US" Crash confirmed him
(EDDIE YELPS IN FEAR)
"Nah, I'm sure it can't be that big of a problem. We've been hated by encounters dozens of times all thanks to him right here" said Sid, referring to Manny
"Hey!" Manny yelled
"Sid's right on this one, Manny" said Diego, to his friend. "Every time we're stuck in a jam it always has to be you that start's everything"
"Don't make me pummel the both of you" Manny warned
"You're missing the point here, guys!" Roshan shouted. "Ragnar is a cruel person and when it comes to him making my father see things his way he turns it into his own darkness"
Kodak, who had been quiet for a while, was shaking in fear with guilt spread around inside his stomach. He kept invisioning everything that Ragnar forced him to do which started to make his head spin in circles. He couldn't take it anymore; but if he tells them the truth now, his days of becoming a lead hunter will be over. But the guilt was too much for him. Enough is enough.
"I think I know why he's dying" Kodak spoke out
Everyone's mouths glued shut and they all spun around to face the older human boy face-to-face. Minho, looking suspicious, stepped a little closer
"What exactly do you know?" Minho questioned
Kodak gulped. "I…I can't lie to you anymore. The truth is…I was ordered by your uncle, Roshan to have you and your friends be kept away from the village as far as possible"
"What?" Roshan asked
"Excuse me?" Rowan questioned
"I also know something else, too. The venom you got from that Howler is truly poison, Ragnar told me he was gonna use it on an arrow and shoot your father with it. And now…it seems like he's succeeded already" Kodak confessed
"And you knew?" Rowan questioned
"This whole bloody time you knew what was happening?" Newt questioned
Kodak nodded nervously. "Yes" he replied
Enraged, Minho started marching towards Kodak rolling his sleeves up. Roshan tried to stop him but was able to hold him back.
"You did this? You sick son of a bastard!" Minho roared
(PUNCH)
"ARGH!" cried Kodak, getting punched in the face
Kodak fell to the floor leaving everyone gasping in shock. Kodak, who groaning, tried to stand up when he revealed a line of blood streaming down from one of his nostrils. He looked up at Minho who glaring furiously at him, marching towards to give him a second punch. But Roshan quickly got in front, preventing his friend from taking another hit, along with Diego's help.
"Calm down!" Roshan whispered
"Why should I?" Minho whispered, angrily
"It's not worth it!" Diego told him
"Really? After everything he's done to us you're gonna stick up for this rat!" said Minho
"Hurting him won't make things better!" Diego told him
Kodak held both hands over his nose, trying to hold the blood in. Sid and Gazzi rushed over to lend the older boy a helping paw and they picked him right back up. Kodak removed his hands revealing two strings of blood streaming down his nostrils; he wiped it off with his sleeve.
"I probably deserved that" Kodak admitted, holding his nose
"Yeah, well there's more of what you're gonna get next!" Minho said, coldly
(STOMPS)
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Manny shouted
The rumbling caused Minho to freeze in motion. His heart began to race by a beat before he took a deep breath. Once he was finally calm he gave his friend and the saber a reassuring look, to which the two accepted, and was released.
"Alright shank, just ask us all one question. Why? Why would you help Ragnar kill his own brother?" Minho questioned
"You don't understand! I didn't have a choice!" Kodak replied
"Or maybe you were just afraid of losing your spot as hunting captain, is that why?" Minho questioned
"It's not like that! He threatened me if I didn't take orders!" Kodak explained
"And in the process you tried having us all killed!" Minho said, angrily
"What more do you want? Look everyone what I did was…wrong. I have no excuse. I'm sorry, I' am so, so, sorry" Kodak apologized
Kodak fell to his knees with his head lowered while everybody else stayed speechless. Saddened expressions were left upon the Herd's faces; so were the kids. Finally, Shira who was the first to stand up began making her way over to Kodak. Resting her lower on the ground, the silver sabress rested her paw under the boy's chin and gently nudged his head up so that he could see her.
"What? If you got something to hit me with do it, get it over with! I deserve it!" Kodak said, devastatingly
(SHUSHING)
Shira shushed him with one claw against the boy's lips. "Listen to me, we all have a choice. Choices are made not only by your kind…but by ours as too everyday-every month-andevery year" she explained
"Not if you were me, lady. You don't know what it's like having to do someone else's dirty work and not get credit for it" Kodak responded
Shira stifled a smile. "Actually…I do"
Kodak rose his head up in bewilderment. "What?"
"You see, Kodak, back in my days I was a pirate. I worked on an ice ship under the rule of a crazy primate named Captain Gutt. I was his first mate" Shira explained, her past
"Really? Did he appreciate you?" Kodak asked, surprised
"Yes. I thought I was loyal to him, at first, but then he didn't turn out so caring. He was a ruthless pirate" Shira told him
"But…why join a pirate crew when you're better off staying in a pack?" Kodak asked
"I had to follow Gutt's orders, though. I had no choice because he threatened me if I didn't cooperate with him" Shira stated, saddened with her ears flattened
"B-B-But that wasn't fair…to you that is" said Kodak
(SIGHS)
Shira sighed before she smiled warmly at him as the silver sabress tilted Kodak's head up again.
"But on one day…my luck changed" said Shira
"How?" Kodak asked
"That grumpy sack with a heart over there" Shira stated, referring to Diego
"HEY! How many times do I have to tell all of you I'm not that soft!" Diego confirmed, irritated
"No just grumpy" Sid teased
(GROWLING FEROCIOUSLY)
Sid cringed in fear. "…but made of stone"
Kodak chuckled under his breath and turned back to let Shra finish her past story.
"Exactly how did you end up with being that guy's wife?" Kodak asked
"Simple…joining a Herd" Shira answered
"And how did that work for you?" Kodak asked, smiling
"One of the best choices I've made in my life! A better life to be with someone who accepted who I was meant to be" Shira said, smiling back
"I gotta say…you really picked the right path" Kodak admitted
"And I'm continuing to stay on it…for the rest of my life" Shira finished
After Shira had finally finished, Kodak began to think it over. Suddenly something soft and furry was nuzzling against him. He looked down when he discovered it was the unnamed, dusty-brown, cub.
(MEOWS)
Kodak gently picked up the cub and held him to his face. The dusty-brown sniffed him before taking a small bite out of his nose. The older boy couldn't help but smile before the cub started licking his cheek.
"Hehe…you'll be a better hunter than I ever was" Kodak whispered, to the cub
"Hunter, huh?" said Shira. "That sounds like an interesting name to me"
"Me too" said Diego, in agreement
Kodak couldn't agree more and the cub smiled back at him. "I think the last one should be named...Hunter"
"We were just thinking the same way" Diego responded
"Then it's settled. Hunter it is!" Shira announced
Kodak's then showed a look of determination. He understood now that being with Roshan, Rowan, Minho, Newt, and Lolo was all the adventure he could ever ask for. He carefully placed Hunter back with the other cubs and stood up on his feet again.
"I can help you. All of you" Kodak spoke out
Minho scoffed. "Help us? Why in the world would you want to help us now?"
Kodak was silent before he spoke out again. "Because it's the right thing to do"
The kids didn't know what to say to this before Roshan was the first to take the first steps forward. He walked up and once he was close, he smilingly held a hand out.
"Welcome Aboard, partner" Roshan announced
Kodak smiled back and grasped his hand, then he gave him a hug. Rowan joined in by presenting him with a kiss on the cheek; Newt presented him with a playful pat on the shoulder; Lolo also presented him with a hug; Minho, who was reluctant, gave in and presented him a hug as well. The Herd gathered around watching the kids on this wonderful moment.
"Alright you kids got plenty of time for that later. Right we need a plan, and I have one!" Manny announced
"Then let's do it!" said Kodak, in triumph
Roshan turned his hawk and bear friend. "You guys with us?"
"I'm all in" Iorek announced
"I'll your eyes in the sky, young one" Shaylyn announced
Gazzi also stepped in. "I'll do anything for those who've risked their lives to save me"
Manny smiled. "Alright here's what we're gonna do…"
It took nearly over an hour to devise a whole plan but once everyone knew what they needed to do they were all ready.
"And remember none of us attack until the kids give us the signal. Sid, Diego? You got your ends covered right?" Manny stated, his two friends
"Will do!" Sid said, saluting him
"You bet!" Diego reported
Sid suddenly felt someone grasping his paw and turned to see it was Gazzi as she pulled him close to her.
"Good luck, handsome" Gazii told him
"Have no fear, my sweet Gazzi! For I 'Lord of the Flame' will see that he saves the day!" Sid said, heroically
"My hero" Gazzi admitted
(KISS)
Sid blushed and fell in a goofy state of love. A kiss on the cheek was so powerful it made the sloth faint. Luckily for him, Gazzi was able to keep him steady on his feet again.
Manny was inspecting the groups he had placed as he started doing a check-up to see if they all knew they're parts in the plan.
"Iorek and Shaylyn?" Manny called
"You have my word, friend" Iorek reported
"I'll get us where we need to go" Shaylyn reported
Manny nodded and walked over to the kids. "Kids?"
"Sir-Yes-Sir!" The Kids reported
Manny nodded and kneeled down to Roshan. " Can you trust me to be your guardian, kid?"
Roshan folded his arms with a smile. "I always did"
Manny smiled before wrapping his trunk around the boy's waist and placed him on his back. Ellie watched from outside the cave along with Shira, Peaches, Gazzi, Rowan, Newt, Lolo, Granny, Louis, Chippy, and the cubs who were ordered to stay behind and look after things.
"This plan looks so dumb I wish it had a face so I can smack it!" said Granny
"Why must you be so negative?" Louis asked
"Why do you hide in a hole?" Granny insulted
Lolo, however, was reluctant that she had to stay; she wanted to help to badly. Diego sensed her sad look and began heading his way over to see what the matter was.
"Something wrong?" Diego asked, the little girl
"It's not fair! I don't wanna stay I wanna help!" Lolo whined
"Is that so?" Diego asked, with a brow rose
"Yes!" Lolo replied
"Okay then, you wanna help us out? Fine, you can start by looking after the cubs" Diego offered
"Aww!" Lolo whined, sadly
Diego lifted the girl's head up with his paw. "Hey, someone needs to look after them and I'm counting on you to do it. Newt needs you also"
"But what if you don't come back? I don't wanna see you get hurt" said Lolo
"Don't you worry, they say sabers have nine lives" Diego assured, smiling
Lolo sadly smiled before looking reluctant again. She thought for a moment when she realized she'd be doing Diego a favor by helping his family, to protect them, and watch over them. She'd be also helping Rowan take care of Newt too. Her little face brightened with determination and decided to accept his offer.
"Okay, I'll do it" Lolo responded
Diego smiled and nuzzled the little girl as a token of thank-you in return. Lolo wrapped her arms around the tiger's neck hugging him tight; then a kiss on the forehead causing the saber to blush. Shira watched tearfully with a warm smile.
(PURRING)
"And if you do real good, I'll hire you to be the cubs babysitter" Diego whispered
"WHAT!" Sid whined. "How come she gets to be the babysitter? I earned that job fair and square!"
Diego then smiled big. "Would you like to work for free?"
"Boy would I!" Sid exclaimed, excitedly
"Well guess what?" said Diego
"What?" Sid asked
"You're fired!" Diego replied, coldly
"Gee thanks I…HEY!" Sid yelled
"WILL YOU TWO QUIT IT! C'mon we got a home to save!" Manny called
But they were about to leave, Rowan rushed over to have a minute with Roshan. Roshan slid off the mammoth's back and once he did Rowan wrapped her arms around him locking her mouth with his for a kiss. Locking mouth-to-mouth, twisting their lips, she presented it as a token for good luck.
"You come back alive" Rowan whispered
"I always will" Roshan assured
"Alright ARE WE READY?!" Manny announced
Shaylyn flapped her wings and flew up letting out a loud screech.
(SCREECHING)
"Ready!" Shaylyn shouted
(IOREK ROARING)
"Ready!" Iorek shouted
"Ready!" Minho shouted
"Ready!" Kodak shouted
"Us too!" Crash and Eddie shouted
"I gotta go to the bathroom!" Sid whined
"SHUT UP!" the others shouted back
"So am I! Let's do this" said Roshan
"LET'S MOVE OUT!" Manny announced
Manny slung Roshan over his back again and they began to head out. The others, who were staying behind, waved they're goodbyes. Soon Manny and the remaining members began to split up in their own teams taking different paths to the village while Shaylyn flew above the forest following the rest in pursuit.
Meanwhile back at the village, people started to protest against Ragnar demanding him to step down. But Ragnar didn't mind the hate as he patiently continued to smile villainously.
(EVERYONE MUTTERING)
(YELLING)
"What a joke!" shouted a man
"You can't be out chief!" a woman protested
"You don't even fit the title at all!" shouted an elderly person
"Runar is all we need!" shouted a little boy
(EVIL LAUGHING)
"I'm afraid you all don't have a choice!" Ragnar informed. "You will listen to my every command, my every will, and you will follow under my rule no matter how much you hate it!"
"That's force!" shouted a teen hunter
"That's how it's gonna be. And if any of you tries to disobey…" Ragnar informed, evilly
(WHISTLES)
At his words, the village simmered down when they suddenly heard strange noises coming from behind them. As they slowly turned, much to their horror, they were confronted by a large pack of Howlers. They growled and the snarled making the villagers look terrified. They began to surround the whole village by cowering the humans together in a circle. Ragnar crossed his arms as a Howler came walking up by his side and stood next to him.
(GASPS)
(GROWLING)
(ROARING)
(BARKING)
(PEOPLE WHIMPERING)
(CHILDREN AND BABIES CRYING)
Villainous as he stood. Ragnar evilly smirked with a sadistic expression before finishing his sentence. "…you're just as good as dead!"
"You're an inhuman monster!" cried a woman, holding her baby boy
"I'll take that as a compliment. So what's it gonna be my people? Are you gonna obey…or do you wanna be dead?" Ragnar threatened, the villagers
The villagers were speechless not knowing what to do while the pack of Howlers continued surrounding them along taking over the entire village claiming it to be theirs now.
Wow, what a twist! Will our heroes make it the village in time? Or will hope be all lost? Diego and Shira's last cub is named Hunter and Ragnar's taken over the whole village with the Howlers. What will happen next? Please review and stay tuned because more will be coming your way, and have a Happy New Year to 2017 everybody!