𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐃 | 𝐣𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐣𝐢

𝐗𝐗. 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞

Roni recalled a blinding flash of white light. When she opened her eyes, she was almost certain that she'd gone blind as all she saw was white still. However, after she blinked a few times, she realized that it was just the snow that surrounded them. A smile slowly formed on her face as the realization dawned on her that they'd done it. They'd beaten the game again.

Roni looked toward the sky and released a genuine, heartfelt laugh. As Martha was the closest, the two celebrated with a quick hug before making their rounds around the rest of the group.

"Yes!" Bethany cheered as she pulled Matt into a tight hug. "We won!"

"We did it!" Fridge cheered while Spencer picked him up and hugged him. Fridge's bruised ego quickly returned though as Spencer continued to hold him in the air. "Put me down. Put me down, damn it. Stop it."

Spencer laughed as he set Fridge back down on the ground. "Okay."

Eddie trudged back up the hill and held the jewel up into the air with a triumphant cheer. "Is this what you were looking for? This little thing?"

"Grandpa, you guys were incredible," Spencer complimented him.

"Yeah, that's the thing about Milo." Eddie turned toward his friend with a smile. "He's got a lot of skills."

Spencer chuckled. "Milo and Eddie."

Eddie slowly nodded his head and fondly looked over his shoulder. "Milo and Eddie."

The celebration was interrupted by barking that could be heard over the next hill. Danny's head whipped over his shoulder and Roni could tell that he was paranoid that the hyenas had returned to claim him.

Eddie gestured toward the sled that approached them. "What are we doing here now?"

The sled skidded to a stop before them and the man riding on the back pulled the goggles onto the top of his head, revealing himself as none other than Nigel Billingsley.

"Well done, intrepid adventurers." Nigel congratulated them. "You have saved Jumanji. Again. And now, with your permission, Dr. Bravestone, I will take the jewel from here."

Spencer nodded his head in agreement and handed the jewel off to Nigel as if he couldn't be rid of it soon enough, even though they'd really only had it within their possession for about five minutes.

"I will protect it with my life and return it to the care of the elder at the Avian Province," Nigel promised, "And so your work here is done. All of Jumanji thanks you. And, sadly, this is where we part."

"I don't know what's sad about it. I'm ready to get the hell out of here." Fridge shook his head and threw the backpack off his shoulders, prepared to shake Nigel's hand. However, he stopped as Milo whinnied from behind. "What? Really? Hey, guys, you're not gonna believe this."

"What'd he say?" Martha asked.

"He says that he—"

"He wants to stay," Eddie interrupted Fridge's translation.

Fridge nodded his head. "He says somebody's gotta stay and look after this place. And that he's 75 years old and he just learned how to fly."

"But he won't be able to get out," Spencer tried to remind him.

"He knows." Eddie nodded. His expression grew sorrowful as he prepared to part with his friend. "Oh, Milo. I feel like I just got you back. Now I'm losing you for good."

Milo whinnied and Fridge translated for him. "You're not losing me, buddy. I'll always be with you."

"Being your partner..." Eddie hesitated, and his voice cracked, "is one of the best things I ever got to be."