"I don't get it, I got to the city so much faster using this route," Norman whined, dragging his paws. Panting heavily, Gidget mumbled, "We'll be there in no time Norman, just like you said. Then we'll be back by morning." Looking up at the small dog, Norman whimpered, "Gidget, it is morning."

Suddenly a car rushed by. Startled, Gidget and Norman hunkered down. They may be on the side of the road but it was still terrifying to be so close to something that could kill. They've already passed the remains of roadkill. They didn't want to be next. Realizing that the car had passed, Gidget slowly got to her paws. Checking the coast, she sighed softly in relief. "It's okay Norman," she declared, "We can keep moving again."

"Gidget, I know you wanna find your owners, but I think this was a bad idea," Norman whimpered. Having started walking away, Gidget looked back. Still curled up into a ball from earlier, the young griffin cub mumbled, "This isn't the grand adventure I was thinking of. This is terrifying." Tears rolled down his face as he cried, "I wanna go home."

"Oh Norman, I'm so sorry," Gidget woofed quietly. Rushing back over to the upset cub, the fluffy white Pomeranian curled herself around him. Pulling him into an embrace, she gently licked his feathery head as she whispered, "I'm so sorry I dragged you along, I shouldn't have. You're right, this was a bad idea. I'm so sorry." Burying his face into her soft white fur, Norman gasped between sobs, "I... I wish... Dad was here..." Hugging him tighter, Gidget rasped, "Me too."

"Well well well, isn't this a surprise?" a new voice purred in a sickly sweet tone. Gidget's fur bristled. She knew this voice but unfortunately her short term memory loss wasn't helping her remember the speaker. Norman knew however as he gasped and said, "It's Ozone."

"You two sure are a long ways from home, aren't ya?" Ozone meowed. Perched on a ridge overlooking the road, the mountain lion had a sadistic grin painted across his face. Taking one careful step at a time, he made his way down from the ridge just as a crocodile and a fox crept out from their hiding spots on either side of the duo. Gidget and Norman trembled, they had been ambushed. Trying to sound brave, Norman squeaked, "We were just passing through, no need for the hostility."

"Really? To us, it looks like trespassing," Fox barked, running his tongue over his sharp fangs. Towering over everyone, Derick chuckled and sneered, "You should've stayed home little one. Your father must be really worried." Norman lowered his gaze. Putting the cub behind her as she faced off against the three predatory animals, Gidget growled, "You wouldn't dare hurt him. You'll declare war against Tiberius if you do and I don't think you want that."

"Yeah. But here's the thing. Years ago when we were kicked out, I managed to strike a deal with his old man," Ozone commented as he sat down, neatly wrapping his tail around himself. Inspecting his long claws on one paw, the mountain lion continued, "You see, not every animal likes to be confined to the Forest. And the old Forest King can't save every single critter that wanders beyond the boundaries and into our territory. So a deal was struck. If we found anyone beyond the Forest that wasn't clearly being led back, we had the right to eat them. And right now, you guys are on the menu." Gidget's eyes widened in horror. They were in trouble. Snickering as if he had somehow read her mind, Ozone whispered, "Boo."

"Norman run!" Gidget howled, springing into action. Norman didn't need any other invitation. The griffin cub bolted through the undergrowth with the fluffy white Pomeranian hot on his tail. The three predators watched as the pair ran away. "What are you waiting for?" Ozone snarled, "Go get them!"

The chase was on.

"Gidget! This way!" Norman squealed, leaping over a log. Following her friend, Gidget's blood ran cold when she heard footsteps. They were being hunted. Running as fast as she could, she yelped, "Keep going Norman! We gotta get back to the Forest!" All of the sudden, the fluffy white Pomeranian tripped over a tree root and crashed to the ground. She was getting up just as Norman raced to her side. "Come on Gidget, we gotta go," the cub urged. They were about to start running again when Fox darted in front of them, blocking their path. They turned around to find Derick lumbering through the undergrowth. Then their third path was blocked by Ozone.

They were trapped.

"I'm sorry Norman," Gidget whispered, hugging the cub close as they cowered at the base of the tree. The end was near. The predators were closing in. With Derick and Fox by his side, Ozone purred, "I'm gonna enjoy this meal." Just then, a leaf slammed into his face as the wind picked up. Spitting out a flower that blew in his mouth, Fox grumbled, "Was it windy earlier?" Knocking the leaf off his face, Ozone growled, "A storm is blowing in apparently!"

"What storm blows in this quickly?! It was sunny earlier!" Derick roared over the howling wind. There was a sudden clap of thunder and a flash of lightning. Everyone jumped, frightened out of their minds. "Sheesh, this is one freak storm," Ozone remarked, staring at the darkening skies above. Fox and Derick looked around, terrified. Gasping, Fox turned tail and ran, screaming, "Run!"

"What?" Ozone questioned. He was almost run over by Derick who bellowed, "Let's get out of here!" Confused, the mountain lion looked at Gidget and Norman. They were staring at something behind him. That's when he heard the crackle of lightning. His hackles raising in fear, Ozone mumbled, "Oh no..." He slowly turned around to come face to face with his worst nightmare.

"Norman, close your eyes," Tiberius growled, his eyes glowing an electric blue. Sparks of lightning flashed across his body and his wings were raised high, ready to strike. Norman obeyed, covering his face with his taloned forepaws. Gidget did the same, leaving Ozone to suffer his fate alone. Lowering himself to the ground as the Forest King came closer, the mountain lion stammered, "Your highness... how... how lovely it is... to see you again..."

"Spare me your theatrical excuses and get away from my children," Tiberius snarled, a growl rumbling in his throat. Scrambling to his paws, Ozone scurried away as fast as possible. Hissing, Tiberius charged at him, making sure the mountain lion got the message. Watching his rival race away, the griffin huffed angrily. At least the storm was dying down now.

"Oh thank goodness you're here, we were about to be eaten," Gidget exclaimed. She and Norman were overjoyed to see Tiberius. But as she approached the griffin, the Pomeranian could hear him growling yet. Then he whipped his head around, revealing his eyes still glowing an electric blue color. His anger wasn't finished. Gulping as she backed away, Gidget asked, "We're in trouble, aren't we?"

"Yeah..." Norman mumbled, casting his gaze downwards. They were in big trouble.