Hey there everyone! Hope you're ready for the next chapter because here it is—just sit back, relax, and enjoy yourselves!
The moon entered the ski and back at the cave, where the remaining herd members and humans were staying. Everyone was wide awake. No one could sleep. They were all too worried about what's become of their friends and family.
Lolo was more worried about her friend Roshan. She couldn't stand to sit here while her friend is battling off the Howlers. As Rowan was too, watching the horizon from outside the cave.
Newt, having recovered from his injuries, was playing with Ariene, Redstripe, Nadia, and Hunter who were chasing Louis all around the cave.
(CUBS MEWING)
(LOUIS SCREAMING)
"PEACHES DO SOMETHING THEY'RE GONNA EAT ME!" Louis screamed, in terror
Peaches popped up settling down next to Newt. "Louis, it's just a game of tag"
"Tagging me in their teeth isn't playing tag at all!" Louis cried
Meanwhile, Gazzi intended Granny with a little sloth-bonding and it would seem that the two were getting along real great together.
"…and that's when I met the love of my life" said Granny, finishing her story
"And did you both live happily ever after?" Gazzi asked, with curiosity
"NAH! Some other big lug got jealous and threw my man off a cliff and then that hunk became Sidney's grandfather. Boy was he an UGLY looking fella" said Granny, before sighing lovingly. "Ah, but I loved him"
Gazzi felt love beating inside her heart. "Do you think Sid believes in love at first sight?
Granny snorted. "After seeing what he still is, the other women would believe in love at first fright"
Gazzi's face fell into confusion by what Granny just said just now.
The scenes changes back to Rowan was pacing around the campfire having feeling overwhelmed right now of what was going on out there. Ellie watched the overreacting human exaggerate herself and she decided to do what she does best: being a mother
"Rowan, you've been circling that campfire for a long time" said Ellie, standing in her way
"What? It calms me" Rowan deceived
Ellie shook her head. "No it doesn't"
Rowan lowered her head and sighed. "Okay…it's not"
Ellie placed her trunk under the girl's chin and tilted her head upwards. "I know you're worried about your families. I've been there. But my boys always make it back"
"That's what I'm worried about" Rowan responded
Shira came walking out from behind Ellie. "Chick, if our boys can get out of a situation then your boys can do the same"
"But I can't just sit here letting them get all the credit" Rowan pointed out
"Credit?" Shira questioned
"I mean naturally men are supposed to be brave, good-looking, and tougher than women if you know what I mean" said Rowan
"Where you getting at, Rowan?" Ellie questioned
Rowan answered, "Just because I'm a girl…doesn't mean that I can't fight like one of the boys" Rowan answered their questions. "Strong women aren't simply born, my dears. We were forged with the challenges of life and with each challenge we've grown mentally and emotionally. We could move forward with our heads held up high and a strength that can't be denied. We're women who've been through a storm and survived. We are…"
"Seriously! Are you persuading us to leave the cave and go rescue our husbands and the humans?" Shira questioned
Rowan's shoulders rose up. "Pretty much"
Granny came walking in between the mammoth and the sabress. "I don't know about you ladies, but I'm with her! No male ain't gonna tell Granny what to do"
"Same!" said Gazzi, stepping up. "Even if I do die, I'll lively happily with Sid in the afterlife"
Ellie having enough stepped in. "Now hold on, just a minute. Just because of a little motivation speech from a child doesn't mean we should leave"
"I'm gonna have to agree with her, Rowan, and besides I have cubs to love and worry right now" Shira said, walked up to the human girl
"Backing-out I see, eh?" Rowan asked, crossing her arms in disbelief
Shira frowned and walked up to the girl. "Our husbands worry for us"
"Then why worry in here when we could be fighting out there instead?" Rowan said, being sassy
"Are you calling us 'cowards' missy?" Gazzi questioned
Rowan smirked "That is if you choose to be, sweetheart"
"Is everything all right in here ladies?" Newt demanded, coming in with Peaches and Louis
"Everything is fine just…lady talk…that's all" Ellie assured
"That's lie" Rowan confirmed
"Rowan, please…" said Ellie
"Mom if Rowan says we should be out there helping dad then I say we go help" said Peaches, agreeing with wanting to go with Rowan's plan
Ellie gasped. "Peaches…"
"Me too!" Said Louis
"…Louis"
"Make it three" said Newt
"OH YOU GOTTA BE KIDDING?!" Ellie exclaimed
"QQQQQUUUUUIIIIIEEEEETTTTT!" Shira roared, turning everyone silent. "No one is going anywhere! We stay together…in here…and that's final!"
Everyone said nothing. They were all shuddered by the sabress's temper that it caused this argument to be put behind them. Shira huffed and puffed before sighing deeply in a calm soothing matter.
"Sorry I shouted like that. Now if you'll excuse me I have cubs to tuck in thank-you" said Shira, starting to walk away.
Newt gulped. "Yeah…about that"
Shira quickly spun around into the skinny boy's attention. "What?"
Newt made a nervous chuckle and wiped the sweat off his forehead as he tried mumbling what he was trying to say but it wouldn't come out.
Shira, looking strict, got up in front of Newt's face with the deadliest glare she could show. A face like hers made poor Newt tremble to his knees.
"Come on string bean let it out, now" Shira demanded
Newt chuckled and smiled. "You're not gonna like this, but…"
Seconds later…
"WHAT!" Shira roared
Shira bursted out of the cave and started picking up her cubs scents. When she did she suddenly noticed some fresh footprints in the snow that leaded straight to an area with black smoke that was blazing into the night sky. However, not only did she notice her cubs paw-prints but a human girls footprints as well. Rowan, Newt, Ellie, Gazzi, Peaches, Louis, and Granny ran of the cave.
"Lolo" Rowan called out
"Lolo" Newt called, doing the same
"Cubs" Shira shouted, "WHERE ARE YOU!"
Gazzi gave the human a stern look. "How could you let them go?"
"Hey it's not my fault, Lolo said she and the sprouts had to go take a leak so I let them" Newt explained
"And you believed her?" Granny questioned. "Let me tell you something, boy, you may have grown but your head is jacked up"
"But…" Newt protested, before Granny interrupted him again
"Not only is your head jacked up…but your face jacked up, your body jacked up, your legs jacked up. You're just a jackass" said Granny
"WILL YOU CUT OUT THE BLAME-GAME ALREADY! My cubs are out there heading for that village of yours!" Shira yelled
"Well then let's go after them" said Peaches
"They can't be too far up ahead" said Newt
"C'mon!" Louis cheered
Ellie stepped in. "But Manny said…"
"SHUT UP ELLIE!" Everyone talked back, and everyone started going after the trail of foot-prints and paw-prints
All except Rowan who walked up to be with a now annoyed-Ellie as the girl expressed a rebellious smile on her face.
"Looks like my speech inspired everyone" said Rowan
Ellie grumbled to herself while placing Rowan on her back and started following after the others into the wilderness towards the black smoke that was still smoking up into the night sky.
Moments later…
Lolo was seen riding on a wooden sled that was being pulled by Ariene, Redstripe, Nadia, and Hunter. The little human girl held out catnip in front of the cubs faces that was tied to a piece of string, tied to a wooden stick. The cubs had so much energy that they wouldn't stop running till they have caught the catnip.
(CUBS MEWING IN EXCITEMENT)
"Hang on Roshy! We're coming!" said Lolo, in determination
Ooh Lolo! Wonder what will happen next? What will happen to Roshan? Will Manny, Sid, Diego, and the rest be able to protect the village from the Howlers? Stay tuned and please review because the final battle is yet to come!