Mustering his last bit of courage, Tobin crept toward the fox, who still remained standing on the edge of the ledge. His paws trembled and his scales quivered. Images of a gigantic monster ripping its way through the land tore through his mind.
But when Tobin inched next to Dawn and squinted into the distance, he saw no such sight. In fact, except for the crater—which looked much smaller from here—there was nothing to see at all. There was no movement. No color. No life. With its thick coat of ash and sparse sprinkling of trees, the land looked still and gray. The area resembled a dark, forgotten graveyard. Even though it was a bleak view, Tobin exhaled a sigh of relief.
“Let’s look on the other side,” Dawn said. Moving carefully, she walked along the ledge, which circled the mountain. Bismark rode on her back, and Tobin followed, staying as far from the edge as possible.
“Bismark,” Dawn said, “do you see anything here?”
“Just the bright bushy tail of my one true love.” He swooned.
The fox glanced over her shoulder. Her brow furrowed with disapproval. “Other way, Bismark,” she chided.
The sugar glider replied with an innocent shrug.
“Wait a moment,” said Tobin, “I think I see something after all. There, on the ground.” The pangolin craned his short, armored neck and rubbed his small, dark eyes.
Immediately, the fox spun back and followed her friend’s gaze. “It looks like a mound of rocks,” she said.
“Oh goodness.” Tobin sighed. “That’s not very unusual or helpful. I’m sorry.”
Dawn narrowed her keen, amber eyes. Something appeared a bit strange. The rocks weren’t exactly a mound—they were stacked upon one another, forming more of a tower. It was circular in shape—about the height of a tree, but wider. And though it looked hollow, the opening on top was partially blocked, as if someone had scattered sticks over it.
“What is it, my sweet?” asked Bismark. “What do your lovely, amber eyes behold?”
“I’m not sure,” murmured Dawn. “It almost looks like … a fortress.”
“What?” The sugar glider squeezed between his two friends. “Let me see.”
The Brigade-mates peered down.
“I don’t know,” Tobin said. A deep rumble rose from his belly. The pangolin was always hungry for a tasty snack, and it felt like ages since he had last eaten. “From this height, the rocks just look like beetles.” He paused. “Or ants, dipped in a little bit of honey.” He licked his lips as his thoughts turned completely to food. He closed his eyes. Visions of tender termites danced in his head.
Following his nose, Tobin wandered off to the side in search of a juicy morsel. Those two don’t need me now anyway, he thought. My eyesight is too poor to be of any real use. And I’ll be much more alert when my tummy is full. Tobin nodded, convincing himself. He climbed down onto a lower ledge and began to explore it. “I’ll go back once I sniff out a tasty snack.”
Then he stopped. His imaginary feast was interrupted by a strange noise from above—a crackling of sorts. It sounded like sparks shooting out of a fire. The pangolin cocked his head. The sound grew louder, heavier, closer, until it rang like thunder in his ears. He looked up. A dark wave of rocks was tumbling right toward him, crushing all that stood in its path. Tobin froze in fear.
“Tobin! Watch out!” Dawn’s shrill cry jolted the paralyzed pangolin.
Frantically, he scrambled back toward his friends. He took a running jump and clawed his way up to where Dawn and Bismark were standing. Gasping and panting, Tobin turned his head to see the rockslide smash the spot where he’d stood just moments before.
“Are you all right?” asked the fox. She bent over her friend with concern.
“Are you kidding?” cried Bismark. “He’s more than all right… he’s magnifico!” The sugar glider gave Tobin a firm pat on the back. “We should give you a nickname to honor your newfound speed. Perhaps speedy-scales, crazy-claws, zippety-zoo!”
“Oh goodness,” gasped Tobin, finally recovering his breath. “That rockslide came out of nowhere!”
Dawn narrowed her eyes and stood tall. “Yes,” she murmured. Her voice was tinged with suspicion. “It certainly did.”