Panting, Max glanced back over his shoulder at the exhausted group of animals that followed him. It had been one week since Ollie's death, five days since the companions realized that they had taken a detour somewhere, and four days since it last snowed or rained. At least it's not snowing, but we could really use some rain! Max thought quietly, noticing how this unusually hot winter day was affecting the group as they crossed over a large riverbed that had dried up long ago. Groaning, Max forced himself to take another step forward.

I... need... water... Duke told himself, the sun beating down on his thick fur. Sweetpea rode on his head, suffering from the heat. "Guys, come on! We'll get across this riverbed and rest in the shade under those trees!" Max urged the group on from the lead. Snowball moaned as he dragged his feet, Ozone and Leonard walking behind him. Just then, the poodle collapsed into the dust, panting heavily. He's too tired to walk any farther, Duke thought sadly, feeling pity for the injured poodle. "Here, I'll carry him," he offered, lowering himself so Snowball and Ozone could help Leonard up.

"Rhonda, I think I'm stuck," Pops complained, his wheels sinking into soft ground. Huffing, Chloe didn't turn around and continued limping forward. In the end, it was Mel and Buddy who helped the elderly dog. The pair hadn't joked around like they did before. Ollie's demise had hit them hard. Taking another step forward, Gidget looked around to see who needed help. It was then she realized that she had fallen quite a ways behind the rest. Exhausted, she tried to pick up the pace. By now, Max and Chloe had reached the other side.

"Everything okay Guinea Pig Joe?" Pops directed the question towards Norman. Beside him, Tiberius had laid down. The young guinea pig nodded his head and replied, "Just resting." Turning around to face the hawk, Norman spoke softly, "Tiberius, come on. We have to keep moving." Coughing slightly, Tiberius responded, "Give me a few more seconds." Sighing, the guinea pig was about to sit down when the old hawk asked, "Did you here that Norman?" Before he could ask what his friend meant, Norman not only heard a faint noise but he felt a vibration too. "What's happening?" Mel cried, hiding behind Buddy. The dachshund remarked, "Sounds like thunder. Maybe we're finally going to get some rain."

From the bank of the dry riverbed, Max could feel the vibration through his feet too. "Please don't be the bear again!" Chloe wailed, the fur on her back bristling with fear. "Wait, that wasn't your stomach?!" Snowball commented, a look of worry spreading on his face. Behind him, Duke and Ozone were noticing what was going on as well, while Leonard opened one eye. Sweetpea peeked out from the top of Duke's head. "I'll see what's happening," Ozone muttered as he stepped off the bank, his tail twitching with agitation. Letting Sweetpea off, Duke followed the hairless cat.

Max was about to lay down in the shade when he felt the vibrations grow stronger and heard a loud roar as a giant wave of water crashed down the once dry riverbed. Worse of all, he heard screams from his friends who were helplessly stuck in the wake of the flashflood...