Birds Of The Same Feather: The Final Chapter

Chapter Eight - The Final Chapter

The following morning Dignitas awoke to find D.J. happily smiling as he gently strung a few playful cords on his piano. His mother Sharona was cooking breakfast as she too smiled happily as she sipped her coffee. Dignitas however wasn’t in such a cheerful mood because his thoughts were being haunted by memories of the times he had spent with his peacock love, and he was missing her terribly. He didn’t want to ruin his mother and D.J. morning happiness with his sadness and depression, so he went outside for a bit of fresh air.

Shortly thereafter, he returned running back inside the house. “Mom ….. Dad…. You have to come and see this, he shouted to the both of them as he waved for them to come outside.”

The old eagle and Sharona rushed outside to see what had startled Dignitas. They found the old hen gone from under the rock! The huge boulder had been pushed to the side, and Heidi was gone! Yet what was even more startling was a large pocket knife that had been left behind, still folded, as it lay not too far from the boulder.

D.J. and Sharona looked at each other in horror. “HUMANS – they both yelled simultaneously.” They both took Dignitas by each of his wings and ran in the house!

“Mom? Dad? What’s wrong? What’s going on, Dignitas asked frantically?”

The old eagle and Sharona were already engaged in a fearful conversation with one another and didn’t hear Dignitas talking to them.

“They have never come this far up before on the New Earth. The heat and high altitude is unbearable to them here. They have a reason for coming and it’s obvious someone led them here! There is nothing here but solid rock and us. Why have they come and how did they find us – D.J. asked Sharona?”

“I don’t know honey, but I am about to take to the skies and find out, Sharona replied with determination!”

Just as Sharona was getting ready to leave, a little blue bird flew in their window. She greeted Sharona with a courteous bow. “Sharona, the blue bird began to speak in spurts because she was tired and out of breath. The vultures have trapped all the land animals in scattered places throughout the new earth. Some are in caves, while others are in deep ditches. It has also been discovered that they are working with the humans, the blue bird yelled as she gasped for air.”

“For heavens sake! This is turning into an episode of The First 48 hours and C.S.I. All of this bad news is putting a big damper on last night, Sharona remarked with her hands on her hips.”

“I can’t believe you flew all this way to inform me. Thank you little blue bird. Please stay here with the eagle. You will be safe here, Sharona instructed.”

“Dignitas – darling, go get your satchel, you are coming with me. I lost you during one fire storm, yet I’ll be damn if I lose you in a fight, Sharona remarked pumped with adrenaline!”

Dignitas came back with his satchel. Sharona went to the curio cabinet and pushed a hidden button. The oak stand rotated into the wall and on the other side of it was a huge gun storage. She let her eyes scroll up and down her collection and chose a .454 Raging Bull revolver. She reached in a drawer, pulled out a box of shells and loaded her gun. She then put the loaded gun and extra bullets in Dignitas satchel, and threw it around her neck.

“Here – you might need this, Sharona told the bald eagle as she tossed him a sawed-off shotgun.”

D.J. set back in his rocking chair as he put the shot gun aside. “You can take a bird out the old world, but you can’t take the old world out the bird! You go get em girl! Ooooh weee!” D.J. chuckled loudly as he rocked in his chair, impressed with Sharona’s brawn.

“Son, when your momma pull that thing out, make sure you standing behind her – the eagle warned Dignitas, as he continued to chuckle.”

“Yes sir, Dignitas responded to the eagle filled with excitement.” He was eager to see what it was his mother did for the world and all its animals whereas everyone gave her so much respect.

Dignitas and Sharon took flight. They flew all over the New Earth to see where the animals were being trapped. To her surprise, it was an isolated problem. The only animals that were trapped were all the local animals that had helped in raising Dignitas. All other animals worldwide, were still roaming free.

She soon discovered that Vito the vulture was only working with one human. When she focused in during flight, she could see Vito and his little bunch of filthy vultures capturing the pigeons and stuffing them in a deep hole. The very same hole he had dug earlier with the oil rigging drill. Pete the pigeon and the beautiful peacock Scarlett had been thrown down a volcano on a remote island that was located far from the pigeon hole. A huge boulder had been placed on top of the volcano to seal it shut, preventing any means of escape. Sharona and Dignitas continued to watch carefully from a high mountain top as Vito gave further instructions to his vile crew of heartless vultures.

“You know what my little darling – mommies gonna let you have some fun. As soon as Vito and his bunch flies off, I want you to fly over, scoop the human up, take him high into the sky, and then drop him – Sharona instructed to Dignitas.”

“But mom, if I do that – won’t that kill the human? It’s not like he has wings and can fly, Dignitas asked innocently?”

“That’s the idea son! Because the truth of the matter is – that human has come to harvest us animals. If we don’t do something about that particular one, she pointed - then more will come! Then every bird and land animal trapped will get stripped of its feathers or hide, gutted, boiled or fried in hot grease! Except for me, you and the eagle, we are big birds – we will get baked and stuffed with dressing and served with cranberry sauce. Do you get the picture, she asked as she explained the outcome to Dignitas?”

Dignitas swallowed hard as he visualized his mother being placed on a dinner table as the main feast. The look of rage filled his eyes. As soon as Vito and the remaining vultures took off, he immediately went for the human, who was shoving more pigeons down the hole. Dignitas swooped in fast on the human and snatched him up by the shoulders. He began to increase speed as he reached higher altitude. He snapped the human neck in midair, then dropped him. Sharona heard a distant thump and smiled. My son is gonna do well, she thought to herself.

Dignitas flew back to the mountain top where his mom awaited. “Now what – he asked?”

“I see you put your own twist on that situation you just took care of – Sharona smiled. Now we have to figure out how to free everyone. There is no one else here but me, you, D.J. and the little blue bird. The vultures will be back soon. When they find the human dead, they will come after us. We need to get home quick to warn D.J and the blue bird, and hide them somewhere safer, Sharona explained.”

When they finally made it home, it was already too late. The house was torn apart indicative of a long fight and struggle. Sharona bent down and picked up the eagles reading glasses and walking cane from the floor. Suddenly Dignitas and Sharona was startled by a movement in the kitchen. It was the little blue bird. She had hidden in the kitchen cabinet, and the heavy door had shut behind her. She was trying her best to get out. Dignitas assisted at opening the cabinet door for her, and the little blue bird immediately flew out.

“Quickly! We must go now! The vultures are taking D.J to the volcano. I heard Vito say it’s going to erupt any moment now, the little blue bird screamed as she flew out the door.”

It was now a true race against the clock. Dignitas and Sharona had to save everyone. The little blue bird would have to act as the sole eyes in the sky and needed to report everything that was going on. The song “Runnin” by Les Paul Roque played throughout the lands and motivated Sharona and Dignitas to do their best.

Soon after “Q & A” by Les Paul Roque played softly throughout the lands, Sharona and Dignitas quickly drew up plans to free all the captured animals.

They squeezed sticks of dynamite through little holes in the cave walls, so that all the furry, four legged animals could blow their way out. They threw food and water down to the pigeons. Checked in on all others as they reassured D.J., Pete and the Peacock they would be back for them. They were flying back and forth between each trap most of the day, all while avoiding the vultures that had returned and were carelessly watching over the trapped animals and pigeon hole.

It did not take long for Dignitas and his mom to discover that the hardest animals to save would be the pigeons, because there were so many of them stuffed down that tight narrow hole! On top of all that, and to make matters worse, none of them had any survival or fighting skills. They didn’t know how to use their wings to climb. The hole was too narrow extending upward for them to spread their wings and fly out. They didn’t know how to use hand or power tools. They didn’t know how to do anything, because they refused to learn new things and had not evolved. So, as they had done for many years, they simply waited to be fed, and waited to be saved. Pete was the only pigeon that had partially evolved and he was stuck in a volcano two thousand miles away and could not provide them with any assistance. Shortly from the volcano were the larger animals, who were stuck in a cave.

Vito had made some sort of metal grate cover that sealed the pigeons in the hole. The square holes of the cover were too small for big tools to be squeezed thru. However, Dignitas managed to squeeze down hammers, pliers, screwdrivers, rope, disassembled digging picks, gardening tools, as well as other hand tools, nails, screws and two long wooden ladders that he had taken apart piece by piece. All the pigeons needed to do was reconstruct the ladder and tools, possibly find another hole to climb out of or make another hole and escape.

The song “Wescott” by Les Paul Roque played throughout the lands as Dignitas and Sharona once again took flight and flew back and forth from the cave to the volcano. Dignitas ran the fuse from the cave door to a tree in which he hid behind, lit it, and blew up the big boulders covering entrance to the cave. Sharona worked hard at the volcano by wrapping multiple strands of rope around the one huge boulder that sealed the volcano opening. It was evident that the human had played a significant role in sealing in all the animals, the vultures did not have the physical strength to lift the boulders. Meanwhile, the little blue bird sat atop the cover where the pigeons were as she tried to teach them how to use their wings to climb. That didn’t work, so she tried to instruct them on how to assemble the tools and ladder, yet they were unwilling to grasp the concepts. They insisted Dignitas would save them, and they continued to wait patiently.

The large animals were finally free, although covered in dust. Dignitas instructed the strongest of them to rescue the other animals from the ditches and then meet him at the volcano. The cows, bulls and horses went. The other animals set out in a stampede towards the hole where the pigeons were trapped. The song “Don’t Save Her” by Project Pat was heard throughout the lands as Dignitas thought of how badly the beautiful peacock had treated him. They had two thousand miles to travel, and had to hurry before the other vultures got back.

The large animals consisting of the cows, bulls and horses finally made it to the volcano. Sharona was waiting with the ends of the ropes in hand. Each animal pulled as Dignitas, Sharona and a bull pushed at the huge boulder.

D.J. yelled from deep inside. “Hurry guys, it’s starting to heat up in here, we are about to be some baked birds!”

Pete comforted Scarlett the beautiful peacock as she cried a river of tears. “We are going to be cooked alive, aren’t we – the peacock cried out as she burst even more heavily in tears?”

“No – Pete consoled her. Dignitas and his mother are great birds, they will free us. Don’t worry – he hugged her.”

“We are working as hard and as quickly as we can. This rock is heavy and huge, and is wedged in so tight. It looks like it’s been screwed on. Stay calm and be patient, we will not stop until we free the three of you – Dignitas promised.”

“I have an idea, Sharona sprinted off on foot.” She returned with a horse who was carrying a case of bottled water and began to gulp them down quickly until they were all gone.

“Ummm - mom, this is no time for refreshments. Couldn’t one bottle quench your thrist – Dignitas asked Sharona with a seriously confused look on his face?”

Sharona winked at her curious son and sat atop the big boulder. Moments later gushing water soaked the rock and made it crumble with a sizzling noise.

“Ughhh – mom! Really mom? Disgusting! Yuck – Dignitas cried out sarcastically, until he realized what had just happened.”

Sharona leaped off the rock! “Shut up and push quickly, she instructed Dignitas.”

Dignitas yelled to the other animals, “Hurry up and pull before the rope breaks”. The rock continued to sizzle and erode away. Everyone gave one last push and pull and the boulder came free, as small chunks crumbled and fell inside the volcano. D.J., Pete, and the beautiful peacock flew out.

Sharona hugged and kissed D.J. tenderly, as he smiled contently with the innocence of a child. The beautiful peacock ran to Dignitas and hugged him close. “I am so glad you save me, she told Dignitas.” He roughly pushed her away and went over to his pigeon brother. He hugged him tightly, released him and gave him a pat on the back.

“I did not want to lose the brother closest to me. We have to hurry Pete. There is no time to waste. Your entire pigeon family is stuffed in a deep narrow hole. They are losing air and the vultures will be coming back soon – Dignitas quickly explained to Pete.”

“Is Rebecca down there too, Pete asked Dignitas with a deep, hurtful expression upon his face?”

“Yes Pete, she is, so is mother pigeon – Dignitas replied.”

Tears formed in Petes eyes. “She has my eggs Dignitas. I found out a few weeks after I left home.”

Dignitas hugged his pigeon brother again, as tears also began to form in his eyes. “I know Pete, I know! Hurry, lets go now – Dignitas rushed.”

“Rebecca? Eggs? Who is Rebecca Pete? Who is the father of those eggs Pete – the Peacock angrily questioned, demanding answers.”

Dignitas and Pete simply ignored her as they took flight and set out for the pigeon hole.

“Pete…. Pete…. Answer me Pete! Do you hear me Pete, the peacock screamed?”

“Would you shut up! This aint the time for that! You have no right to be jealous about anything with the way you been carrying on around here. Yeah, I saw you! I’ve had my eyes on you since day one, you little chicken head! You date filthy, flesh eating vultures! Now what does that say about you? You stay away from my son – understand! I do not like you, and probably will never like you, Sharona told the peacock.”

Meanwhile, all the other furry animals as well as Dignitas and Pete were about three miles from the hole where the pigeons were trapped. In a distance, Dignitas could see a fire was burning in the forest. Upon the blue bird inspection, it was discovered Vito and some of his vulture buddies were dousing the forest trees from up above with containers filled with gasoline, causing the fire to spread to other parts of the forest at a rapid rate. The land animals soon became trapped and could not travel any further. Dignitas called his mom on her cell phone.

Ring …. Ring…. went Sharona’s phone, she quickly answers. “Mom, Vito has started a huge forest fire. It’s burning out of control. The land animals can’t get thru – Dignitas yelled frantically over the phone.”

Sharona let out a long sigh. “Listen to me baby. You must make them retreat. They will all be killed if they continue forward. Make them retreat now Dignitas. I will be there as soon as I get D.J. and this little chicken head you two left behind to safety. Until then, you must stop Vito and the other vultures from destroying the forest and lands.”

“Okay mom – will do, Dignitas agreed and set out in motion!”

Pete went on ahead and started doing battle with the vultures, although they were double-teaming him, he kept his mind on saving his family and that motivated him. Dignitas took a deep breath and dived thru the black smoke and burning flames. He swooped down on the land animals who were still trying to press forward and told them to retreat. They immediately did as they were instructed.

Back at the pigeon hole, there was too much different activity going on. None of the pigeons were on the same page, or in tune with the beat of the same drummer. Some were begging to be rescued. Some were trying to grasp the concept of climbing a rope. Some were complaining about being hungry. Some were complaining about the space being small and that their feathers were getting all ruffled and bent out of shape. Some were concerned about the landfill being destroyed by the fire, because that was their food source. Some were taking naps. Some were playing games with each other to keep from being bored. All while the tools and ladders that were thrown down laid untouched in a pile under the hole. They honestly had no concerns about their safety and took it for granted that they would be saved and continued to wait on Dignitas and Pete. It was clearly evident they didn’t have their priorities in order. They were foolish and carefree!

On the other side of town, Sharona and the bald eagle were engaged in a heated conversation…..

“No Sharona, it is time he knew! It’s been too long already, D.J. argued with Sharona.”

Sharona put her hands on her hips and let out a long sigh, leaned in close to D.J. and planted a long, deep kiss upon his cheek. “You have never been wrong my love. If you say it’s time – then it is time.” She slowly backed away from D.J. as the cloudy, smoke filled skies opened and the bright rays of the sun brightly shined thru and down upon D.J.

D.J. outstretched his glorious wings and shot off the ground in a bolt of fire! Grindin Pun song “Catch Light” began to sound throughout the lands. The higher he rose to the sun, the mightier the flames grew that surrounded him. Sharona looked on as she smiled adoringly. D.J. was now soaring thru the sky with much speed and grace. The peacock’s eyes enlarged and brightened with amazement!

“Ohhhh…… Wowwww, said the peacock!”

As D.J. made his slow descend, the reasons for Sharona and the peacock amazement became more evident. D.J. returned in his truest form – a majestic fire bird. He was a sensational sight of pure glory! There he stood larger than Sharona and Dignitas, deeply colored and beaming brightly with gold and burgundy feathers. Sharona smiled in admiration as she ran over to hug and kiss him.

“Whew - you’re still hot! Now that’s the bird I fell in love with, Sharona remarked as her arms draped around D.J. neck.”

D.J. smiled innocently. “Woman, you know you have always brought out the best in me, being incognito for all those years was so boring – D.J. responded as he stroked the crown of feathers atop Sharona head, and planted a sweet kiss.

“Wow, how many of you are there, the peacock questioned with excited curiosity?”

“None of your business, Sharona and D.J. both replied simultaneously, as they giggled.”

“Come on Sharona, we have to help our son, D.J. instructed as he gently pushed Sharona away and took flight.”

Sharona did not hesitate to spread her mighty wings and took flight as well. It wasn’t long before they made it to the huge fight in progress! As it turned out, Pete was actually getting the best of the vultures. The little blue bird had flown for help and many of the other large flying fowls were there assisting Pete as well. There were loose feathers everywhere falling from the sky! Although the land animals had to retreat, they were helping tremendously on the ground by containing the forest fire. Some had put on firemen protective clothing as they held onto large hoses and extinguished the forest fire using water from a huge lake. Others drove the big red fire engines in the center of the forest as they also helped put the fire out. Some birds that weren’t fighting were flying planes to douse the flames from the air. They were all working as a team to get the job done.

Sharona and D.J. finally made it to the hole where the pigeons were trapped. Dignitas was there pulling and prying at the grated covering trying to free them. He saw his mom, but did not recognize the other bird that accompanied her.

“So, what’s the situation here son, D.J. asked?”

“D.J. – Dignitas asked confusingly?”

“Yea, it’s me! Me and your mom will explain later, but for right now we gotta free these birds. With all that smoke polluting the air, rain is definitely coming, D.J. informed them.”

And in that instant – BOOM! A huge bolt of lightning struck in the distance and the sound of thunder rolled across the lands. Immediately rains began to pour down upon them.

“Darn it, D.J. – sometimes I don’t like it when you are right, Sharona complained.”

D.J. looked at Dignitas with one eyebrow arched. “Son, this hole is gonna fill up with water real quick. We gotta get these birds out of there, he pointed downward at the hole.”

“I know….. I know! This cover seems to be made of the heaviest metal and it seems to be welded shut. I can’t figure out how this hole is set up. It appears to be one way in, and one way out. I have tried everything! They are stuffed in there too tight. The hole is narrow all the way down, then opens up to a deep pit. I have thrown down rope, disassembled ladders, shovels, picks, hand tools and any other tool that could fit down there so they could climb or dig themselves out, but they don’t know how to use anything – Dignitas explained with frustration in his voice.”

D.J. suddenly became angry. “WHAT! Son, are you serious? So, you mean to tell me, they have everything they need to get out of this bad situation, and they can’t even use simple tools? Not just any tool, but tools that have been used since the beginning of time – D.J. yelled as flames rose from his crown!”

“Yes – that is correct sir, Dignitas answered as he held his head down in shame.”

D.J. shook his head in disbelief as Sharona remained silent and watched carefully from behind.

“Pick your head up Dignitas, what did I teach you before about that? You have nothing to be ashamed of. This - my son is not an unfortunate circumstance – this is a test! A test of ones will. A test of their will…!” D.J. shook his fingers in the air as he spoke and then pointed at the hole where the pigeons were trapped. He simply turned and walked away! Sharona quickly got in motion and followed behind him. As the two majestic birds took flight, they never turned back to look at their son. Dignitas already knew what that meant and flew away to help Pete fight off the vultures.

“Are they free Dignitas? Where is Rebecca and the eggs, Pete asked persistently?”

“I have given them everything they need my brother – they must help themselves. My mother and D.J. have left, Dignitas replied teary eyed.”

“No Dignitas! No! We just can’t leave them - Pete pleaded as he raced toward the pigeon hole.”

Pete pulled at the heavy grated cover, but could not get it to budge, then miraculously one single bar broke free. It was just large enough for Pete to squeeze inside, and down the dark hole he went. He soon reappeared and yelled for Dignitas, whom was busy searching for Vito. None-the-less, Dignitas went to see what his pigeon brother wanted.

“Dignitas, the water is high down there. I can’t see or hear anyone. My eggs Dignitas! Help me save my eggs! Pete dived back inside the water filled hole, this time resurfacing with a few cracked eggs. There is more, he said as he handed Dignitas his unhatched children.”

Dignitas quickly leaped into action! He retrieved his satchel and carefully wrapped each egg with thick leaves and put them gently in his bag. Pete emerged from the hole for the last time covered with mud. When he looked in Dignitas satchel, he counted a total of nine eggs he had retrieved from the now totally flooded pigeon hole.

“That’s all of them Dignitas. They were all floating at the top of the pit. I couldn’t see anyone. Not mom or Rebecca, Pete cried as he touched his eggs. We have to find Vito and destroy him so none of us will ever have to fear him again. We cannot allow him to keep doing this to us, Pete hurtfully told Dignitas.”

The heavy rains continued to pour as Pete and Dignitas took flight in search of Vito. The rains had put out the forest fire, but off in the distance, a new black smoke had filled the air. The volcano was beginning to erupt. Dignitas and Pete were met in flight by the blue bird.

“Dignitas come quick – the blue bird cried out. Vito has drenched your mother and father with crude oil and they cannot fly. They fell alongside the mountain, near the volcano. The hot lava will reach them soon!”

“My father? You called him my father! D.J. is my real father? He’s not just the old eagle that mentored me? Dignitas questioned the blue bird.”

“Ummmm - yes to all of that, but there is no time to explain! We have to save them now, yelled the blue bird.”

“I will be glad when all of this is over so someone can EXPLAIN EVERYTHING. All of you picked a very fine time to drop surprises and secrets on me. This is just great, Dignitas replied sarcastically as they all raced off in flight to the mountain side.”

As soon as Pete, Dignitas and the blue bird got there, they were met my Vito and a few of his vulture buddies. Pete immediately thought about his perished pigeon family and became enraged. He quickly began snapping the vultures wings and threw them one by one down the volcano as they cried out in pain!

Dignitas carefully hung the satchel on a very high tree branch and instructed the blue bird to watch over the eggs. Not far away, he could see his parents on the side of the mountain all covered in black, sticky oil. Vito was hovering over them pecking and plucking the feathers from their majestic crowns. His mother Sharona was almost bald!

Dignitas became crazy with rage and burst into flames as he took flight. The song “No Sunshine” by Grindin Pun roared throughout the lands. Dignitas let out a loud screech that echoed thru the mountains and skies as his feathers continued to ignite. He snatched Vito out the air and ripped his head clean off in midflight and continued at shredding him to pieces then released what was left of his body and let it fall back to the earth. Dignitas continued in his fiery flight as he screeched loudly. He swooped down in continuous rage and strongly lifted both of his parents from the mountain, as he carried them off, quickly fading from sight.

The following morning, Pete returned to the home of Dignitas and his parents. He was accompanied by the little blue bird, and around his shoulder, he held the satchel with his nine eggs still carefully wrapped inside.

Sharona and D.J. had just finished a long hot bath, and were combing the remaining oil from the tips of their feathers. They were sitting at the breakfast table in their robes sipping green tea. Sharona was still terribly upset about her plucked out crown feathers.

“I’m getting a weave – she said with a frown upon her face, as she looked at herself in the mirror.”

Pete came inside and gently passed the satchel to Dignitas. “You left these in the forest. There is no one left of the vultures. We destroyed them all, Pete informed his brother.”

“I am so sorry Pete. I did not mean to leave them. I was lost with anger and rage, Dignitas explained sorrowfully.”

“It’s okay brother. I knew your heart at that moment. Little blue bird here took great care watching over them, Pete consoled Dignitas.”

The pretty peacock came from out of a room to be nosy. “Them? What them? What’s in the satchel Pete, she asked?”

Sharona rose in authority from the breakfast table, still angry. “Missy – if you so much as lay one feather on them eggs, you will regret it, Sharona warned the peacock.”

“Mom, how did you know what was in the satchel, Dignitas asked?”

“No son – the question is, what don’t I know, Sharona teased Dignitas, as she gently took the egg filled satchel from the three youths. Move Chicken head, she demanded to the peacock as she pushed past her, bumping her slightly as she frowned.”

D.J. looked over at Sharona lovingly. “Just when you think you got an empty nest….. he chuckled softly.” He then turned to the pretty peacock. “If you know any better you won’t go near them eggs. You better not even look at them too long!” He chuckled once more as he rose from the table.

“Come here son, there are a lot of questions you need answers to. How about we walk this one out, my wings are still a little sticky and sore.” D.J. threw a fatherly wing around his son shoulder as they walked out the door.

“You see son, me and your mom had planned on taking and early retirement, that was until the great storms came…… their voices got lower and lower, fainter and fainter as they walked further in the distance.”

About two weeks passed and the newly hatched baby pigeons chirped loudly as they danced and played around Dignitas. Sharona had taught the pretty peacock everything she needed to know about mothering, and D.J. put the finishing touches on Dignitas leadership skills.

“Do you think our baby boy will be ok, Sharon asked D.J.?”

“He most certainly will – I have no doubts about it, D.J. responded. He has survived the great fires, you losing him, and passed all tests.”

“Well then, that settles it – we are off to retirement.” Sharona went in the closet and dragged out two huge suit cases.

“How long have those bags been packed woman, and who said I was going with you – D.J. joked?”

“They’ve been packed since your wife died, Sharona sarcastically replied.”

D.J. shook his head in humor as he and Sharona walked out the door. “Are you sure you didn’t crush Heidi with that big rock, he asked Sharona?”

“There you go – always bringing up the past and accusing me of things, Sharona giggled devilishly. I can’t wait to show you the paradise Vito tried to retire too. Words can’t describe it. It’s just breathtaking! I can’t believe the humans were going to give him all that land. We have to round up all of our friends and throw a party.” Sharona grabbed D.J. free hand. “This way honey, we have to take the private jet. Did you really think I was gonna fly with this heavy luggage?”

D.J. just smiled contently, as he listened to Sharona go back and forth speaking with so much excitement. He was actually quite happy his wife had returned to him and looked forward to spending the rest of his life in retirement with her. He promised himself he would never tell her that the old hen Heidi she crushed with the rock was actually his maid and not his wife.

Dignitas stood tall on the highest mountain top as he watched his parents fuss with one another, as they boarded their private jet. A massive falcon whom was the pilot saluted Dignitas as he prepared for takeoff. Dignitas nodded in approval.

Dignitas looked down among the lands to find all the land animals surrounding the mountain and looking up at him. He stood even taller, held his head high, ruffled his feathers and stuck his chest out proudly. James Brown song “The Boss” was heard throughout the lands as Dignitas Singularis was now the new watcher and keeper of the lands. Slowly all the land animals began to climb the mountain adoring him, as all the flying fowls circled above. Dignitas outstretched his mighty majestic wings and welcomed them. The song “People Make The World Go Round” by Les Paul Roque is heard as D.J. and Sharona are in flight looking down upon their great son.

{The End - Chapter Eight - The Final Chapter}