When Two Worlds Collide
Bakura || EnTiegon
Dakota although warm, shivered where she sat. The unknown surrounding her from all sides, she could feel eyes watching her from a distance. The feeling un-nerved her greatly.
Taka watched the wolf in the distance, thinking it was someone he knew. He woke up in a small patch of trees not far from where he stood but his three legs had forced him to stop. When he saw the strange grey wolf waking up, he limped cautiously over to her but as he got closer, he realised that the wolf wasn't who he thought it would be. He shook his head and his tail twitched uncomfortably as he sat in front of the wolf, but still at a distance, like he was a statue of a jaguar instead of the real thing.
Dakota smiled warily at the stranger. "A jaguar..." She mused aloud before getting to her feet. She took in their surroundings without taking her attention off of the male. She frowned as her eyes caught the blackness swirling in the sky above them. "Mana! Gemma!" She called out, allowing her voice to echo with the hope that her sisters will respond.
Taka jumped back, facing the wolf, but his only back leg slipped underneath him and he dropped to the ground. Almost immediately he stood back up, his tail curled around his left leg and his ears down. He hadn't expected to hear the wolf talk. He looked up into the sky, but the only thing he saw was grey-blue sky. 'You can talk?' he asked the wolf, wishing that at least one of his five dragon friends was with him. Or his father.
"Of cause I can." Dakota replied looking back at the stranger. "I'm a human."
'You can change forms? Like me? I... I... We're alone here.' Taka began looking around, the sudden realisation of being along with a stranger hammering into his head.
"Yeah...' Dakota agreed. "We are..." Her tail twitched as she thought about the situation she was now in. 'Alone with a full grown male jaguar. Great I've really over done it this time.' She got to her feet and stepped back, rising her hackles and lifting her tail slightly to make herself seem bigger. Feeling a bit safer now that she was slightly bigger then the stranger, she turned and started walking away, ears cocked back to trace the Jaguar's movements by sound. "Seeya round.”
'I'm not an adult, in case you were wondering. I'm still really just a kid. I'm a...target when I'm alone.' Taka sighed, not wanting to be alone even if his companion was someone he didn't even know. 'I'm not even fully grown yet. I won't be until I'm eighteen. I'm only just fifteen. I'll be bigger than my father, despite my disability.' Taka lowered his head and closed his eyes remembering what his father had told him merely three days ago about his birth.
Dakota stopped, paw off the ground looking back at the now known teen. She sighed softly, 'I can't leave him here on his own...' Resigned to her decision, she shook herself, lowering her hackles and tail before, she trotted back over to him and sat down, still keeping a little distance between them. She straightened her back, raising her eyes to meet his higher gaze. "Well we are alone right now so you don't need to worry about being a target." She started, smiling softly at the younger. "I will stay with you till we find someone you know."
'Thank you. I'm Taka.' Taka opened his eyes and looked at the wolf. 'I'm sorry, but I thought that you were someone else I knew. A family friend.'
Relaxing slightly, Dakota laid down with her head resting on her paws. "Your welcome Taka, they call me Dakota." She replied and then thought about what the teen had said. "Your family... Were you with them before here?"
'Mum and Dad sent my brothers, sisters and I to our rooms when this storm grew wild. Mum went to calm my baby brother and sister down cause the storm had woken them while dad made sure that nothing was majorly wrong with the house and the dog. I heard him walking past my room in his true form before I blinked and found I was falling, in my jaguar form, into the unknown. Then I blacked out. I woke up not far away from here. In the band of trees.' Taka explained, pointing to the band of trees just beyond where he was before lying down. 'What about you? Who are Mana and Gemma?'
"Mana and Gemma are my sisters... I was out with them when the storm hit,unfortunately we were in the middle of a desert." Dakota said shaking her fur as if she was still drenched from the storm water. "I shimmered us home and we went inside, but then I blacked out and the next thing I know, I'm here..."
'Shimmered?'
"Oh yeah, shimmer!" Dakota yelled jumping to her feet in excitement. She shut her eyes and her body rippled before vanishing. 'Yes...' She thought as she felt the familiar tingle of power.'It's working.' She focused on re-appearing in her bedroom back home, but she felt her body collide with something solid and she was flung back down, striking her ground hard beside Taka. "Ow... Ok, so it doesn't work..." She whimpered, shifting into a seated position, paw pressed against her now aching side.
'Are you alright? You disappeared and the next thing I knew, you were falling from the sky.' Taka asked, getting up and trying to do a visual check to see if she was alright.
Dakota pulled her paw from her side and shook her body before focusing back on Taka. "I'll be fine, there is only slight pain. What you just saw was my ability to shimmer." She responded, licking lightly at the shoulder which had struck the ground.
'But it didn't work.' Taka sighed, closing his eyes.
When he blinked and opened them again, his eyes were blood red. He turned around and roared into the forest, hoping that someone would here him. His roar sounded more like a dragon's than an ordinary jaguar's call. But he was quickly weakened. His ears twitched and he fell to his side panting, his eyes closed.
"Taka?" Dakota asked worried, before she realized what he was doing. Their families and friends had be around here somewhere. She threw back her head and howled, allowing her demonic skin to take over. With the end of her howl, her demonic skin faded away and she glanced around them to see if anyone had heard either of their calls, but there was only silence. She sat down beside Taka, looking at her paws with a frown as they waited.
"Dakota!" A female voice yelled, and her ears perked up. She glanced towards the forest where Taka had first been to see Gemma sprinting through the trees towards them. Dakota looked down at Taka with a smile. "That's one of my sisters, Gemma... Maybe we should move, we might run into someone you know." Dakota suggested worried that no one had answered the youngers call yet.
Gemma slowed to a stop and nuzzled into Dakota's shoulder affectionately before sitting down, eyes drawn to Taka with curiosity.
Taka opened his eyes and looked up at the sky, noticing that there was a blue and black wolf beside Dakota. He blinked a couple of times, his eyes returning to their chestnut brown colour, and dragged himself into a sitting position. He shook himself before looking at the strange wolf confused. Realising that it was one of Dakota's family, he bowed his head.
'Hello. I'm Taka.' he said to Gemma before turning to Dakota. 'Please don't. If anyone answered my call, it would either be my friends Fortuna, Tobias, Sakura or Iora. They're always the ones who listen out for my call in case I need help getting out of trouble. Sometimes I use it as a sort of beacon. They aren't dangerous, more timid than anything. Especially Tobias. Tobias is like me a little, I guess. Managing to get into trouble when he wasn't really looking for it.'
"That's not good, but at least your friends should be here somewhere." Gemma commented thinking of the kind of trouble she and Dakota used to get into when they were younger. She glanced around the empty clearing shifting uncomfortably on her paws, ears perked up and alert.
"So, you just want to wait here then?" Dakota asked Taka, ignoring Gemma's anxious demeanour.
'One of them will come. soon.'
'Taka!' an eagle's call rang out from the sky.
Taka looked up and noticed a golden eagle soaring above. He noticed the circular pattern that it was flying in and realised that it was debating against itself whether or not to land. In an attempt to show that it was alright to land, he pushed his hind leg off the ground so that he stood on his front legs and twitched his tail.
Both Dakota and Gemma followed Taka's gaze to the sky and watched as the eagle circled above them.
"One of your friends?" Dakota asked noticing Taka's reaction to the bird.
'Yeah. That's Tobias.' Taka explained, returning to his standing position.
Tobias circled around once more before diving at Taka, only to stop his descend with a few flaps of his wings and land in front of Taka. He looked behind him at the two wolves and quickly went to preen his feathers, uncomfortable about the two.
'It's okay, Tobias. They're cool.' Taka said, nudging his friend gently in the chest.
Dakota watched them for a moment before nudging Gemma, the two of them turned to leave. "Thankyou for keeping me company Taka, but we have both found someone we know now, so we are going to head off. I wish you both luck with finding your others." She smiled warmly then she and Gemma started off in the direction of the forest.
Tobias watched the wolves leave, almost glad to have them gone, before turning back to Taka with an extremely worried look on his face, making it seem like he was going to cry. 'We are doomed.' Tobias said.
'Why?' Taka asked, wishing that Gemma and Dakota would stay to hear this.
'While I was flying around. I noticed something very important about this place that makes us doomed.'
Dakota's ears twitched at what Tobias had said, despite the distance already between them, she could still hear their conversation.
"What are they saying?" Gemma asked, noticing that Dakota's ears were swivelling to catch their words.
"The bird, Tobias is saying that while he was flying around he noticed something very important about this place that makes us all doomed." Dakota said repeating the eagles worry. Gemma nodded and stayed silent so Dakota could continue listening.
'Explain to me why we're doomed. I'm not understanding.' Taka grumbled, not liking the way Tobias was talking.
'We're on an island. An island that looks like a donut from the sky because we're standing in the centre of the donut and the trees form a ring around us. Including those two. We're stuck on an island! And there's a gigantic landmass on the horizon! far away!!' Tobias said, flapping his wings in panic.
'Tobias. Calm down. You know what stress does to you. Or do you want to end up in some weird hospital that we manage to miraculously find in this place.'
'No.'
'Then calm down.'
Dakota shook her head, flattening her ears in a display of sadness.
"What? What is it?" Gemma asked worried and Dakota's ears shot back up.
"Follow me." Was all she said as she leapt into the air and flew as high as she could, Gemma right behind her. When Dakota stopped, Gemma looked at her confused as to what they were suppose to be doing before noticing Dakota was staring down below them. She followed Dakota's glaze to the ground and gasped.
"Tobias was right!" She yelled in shock. "We are stuck."
"We're on an island..." Dakota muttered, as she scanned the area for any other signs of life. Gemma thought for a moment before looking at Dakota with questioning eyes. "Can you shimmer?"
"No, there's a force field..." Dakota replied as she started descending back to the ground near Taka and Tobias, Gemma began to follow her but stopped, her eyes focused on a figure moving through the forest.
"Hey, isn't that Mana?" She asked, paw pointing to a brown wolf who had sat down grooming herself amongst the trees.
"It is!" Dakota confirmed with a cry of happiness. "Mana!" She called and at the raise of the wolfs head, Dakota and Gemma started for the forest again.
'You don't believe me, do you?' Tobias muttered.
'Would you be upset if I said no?' Taka asked.
'I'll show you.'
Tobias flew into the air and led Taka around the island. To Taka's surprise, Tobias was telling the truth about the island. Tobias landed gently on his back and the two circled the island with their heads down in defeat, sighing as they thought of how they were even going to try and get to the other landmass.
Gemma crashed into Mana as Dakota landed lightly beside the two.
"Glad to see a familiar face." Mana said relieved. "I ran into this really cranky tiger and she attacked me." Mana whined as she licked at her wounded paw which was dripping with blood. Gemma nuzzled Mana's head out of the way and licked at the wound, smiling when it healed. "Thanks." Mana sighed with relief and Gemma just smiled back.
"The main thing is that we are together now." Dakota stated and her sisters nodded in agreement. "Now I wonder who else is here..." Dakota thought aloud and Mana tilted her head.
"I saw a group not too far from here, and over heard they were looking for kids. I think there was a couple of jaguars, a panther and the tiger that attacked me..." Dakota looked thoughtful over her words and Gemma shouldered her with a grin.
"We should keep moving, try and find more of us. Airborne is quicker." She said before taking off with a bound, Dakota and Mana chuckled at her before following. They flew above the tree line to study the strange island beneath them and search for the rest of their family.
Taka stopped in the middle of the donut island, back where he had started, and looked at Tobias.
'Admit it, Tobias. we're not going to get out of this alive.' he said.
'I wouldn't be too sure, man. look.' Tobias said and pointed up at the sky.
"We should split up, three different directions and meet back in the middle with anyone we find?" Dakota suggested and at the others nods she smiled. "Go!" She directed Gemma and Mana before taking off to search her own third.
Taka looked up, but all he saw was grey-blue sky. With a sigh, he lowered his head down again. 'I don't know what planet you're on, Tobias. But there's nothing there.' he said.
'There is. My eyes must be better than yours for this. But I swear it was Kainan.' Tobias replied.
'Tobias. Kainan's dead. He has been for years. How can he be here?'
'Kratia. For the last time CALM DOWN. Getting angry won't solve our current problem of not knowing where we are or where our families are.' Sarabi growled, looking from Kratia to Ritara and Ebony and back again.
'No? Then I bet you can tell me where my lunatic cousins managed to get to.' Kratia growled in response.
'WE don't even know where WE are so how do you expect us to know where your cousins are?'
'Will you two stop it? It's not helping Ritara.' Ebony growled before turning back to Ritara.
Ritara lay on the ground with her paw over her face. She had tried so hard to find her baby twins as well as Taka, but all she ended up finding was nothing. And it frightened her to think what might have happened to either one of the three.
Gemma swiftly swept through her third and after finding nothing, she returned to the spot where they had split. Landing lightly, just aways from Taka and Tobias, she rolled onto her back and watched the sky as she waited for Dakota and Mana to finish searching their thirds.
Mana's area was clear of everything, nothing but grass and the line of trees that made up the edging of the small island, she scanned the ground once more before doubling back. She lowered to the ground, then trotted over to Gemma with a huff.
"Nothing..." She reported. "You?"
"Nothing." Gemma sighed and continued to watch the skys as Mana dropped to her stomach beside her.
Dakota had found the group that Mana had mentioned right away, but she continued to cover her third. Her search was unsuccessful so on her way back, she re-located the small group of cats and landed just afar from them. Cautiously she cleared her throat.
"Excuse me..."
Kratia's head snapped in the newcomers direction, but both Ebony and Sarabi leapt at her and managed to hold her down. 'Get OFF me.' she growled.
'We are not having another scare mission. You already attacked one wolf today, we don't want you attacking another. The next thing we know, you're going to be attacking Anjiti.' Sarabi growled in her ear before turning to Ebony. ' Ritara's upset and Kratia's acting like a dragon with a bad hair-day. I can manage to keep Kratia calm enough for her not to do anything stupid. Can you do the honours?'
'I think I better.' Ebony replied, getting off Kratia and walking over to the newcomer. 'Sorry about that. Kratia's a little on edge about not having her husband, sister-in-law, children, nieces and nephews here and not knowing what kind of trouble her cousins could be causing. She already attacked someone not long ago and that's upset the second jaguar over there even more than she already is. I'm Ebony. The tiger is Kratia. The jaguar pinning Kratia down is Sarabi and the upset jaguar is Ritara. If you were the wolf that Kratia attacked, I'm awfully sorry about what happened.'
"It's quite alright, no harm was done." Dakota chuckled before bowing her head. "I'm Dakota, the wolf that Kratia met earlier is my twin sister Mana. She did have a small wound on her paw, but she will be fine." Dakota smiled before a curious look passed through her eyes. "Are you by any chance looking for Taka and Tobias?"
'Taka!! You know where my baby boy is? You know where Taka is?' Ritara asked, getting up and running over to Dakota.
'Strike two off the kids check list.' Kratia mumbled.
'Are you calming down now, or is that just me?' Sarabi asked.
'Are you a salamander or a jaguar?' Kratia replied.
'Kratia's back.'
Dakota laughed lightly at the twos banter before re-focusing on the distressed jaguar before her with a soft smile. "Yes, I was with him a little while ago." She twitched her ear before flicking her tail before them. "Come all four of you, lay your tails against mine and I will take you to the younglings."
Ritara eagerly wrapped her tail around Dakota's and waited impatiently for the others to do so. Ebony lay her tail on top of Dakota's with Sarabi and Kratia following her example a little more cautiously.
Dakota allowed her power to pulse throughout her body and into the four cats, the five of them rippled before vanishing. She focused on the two friends and with another ripple, the five of them appeared around the Jaguar teen and the eagle. Seeing Dakota appear with the cats, Gemma and Mana ran over, meeting Dakota a few paces from the group. Dakota sat down with her sisters, watching the family with a soft smile. Both Gemma and Mana shifted into comfortable positions and Gemma watched Mana with confusion. She was glaring at the group with a soft growl. Dakota glanced to her, bearing a similar look of confusion. "What are you growling about?" She asked, voice laced with concern.
"That's the tiger!" Mana yelped softly, so the other group couldn't hear her. She continued glaring at Kratia from where she sat. Gemma's eyes shifted to the group to take in Kratia before returning to Mana. She couldn't hold back the laughter.
"God, you’re such a wimp Mana!" At Gemma's mirth Dakota chuckled and Mana's glare shifted from her attacker to her sisters.
'Taka!' Ritara sighed, running over to her son.
'Mum!' Taka said, surprised that his mother just appeared out of nowhere. He ran over to his mother and snuggled into her fur, his momentum knocking the light-weight eagle off his back. Kratia ran over and caught Tobias before he was able to crash land into the ground. He looked up at her and she smiled.
'Good to see you two are okay.'She said, all trace of her cousins gone from her mind along with her anger.
'Thanks Kratia. For, well, saving me from the wraith of the ground.' Tobias said.
Dakota waited a moment before she turned away from the happy group, Gemma and Mana shifted to follow her.
"Taka..." Her voice was lost then she glanced over her shoulder at him with a soft smile. "Thankyou." She whispered then she sprinted a few metres before leaping into the air and allowing the wind to take her higher, Mana and Gemma watched as she circled above the small group before they joined her in the sky. The three of them began the flight towards the higher land.
"We will continue our search up here?" Mana guessed and Dakota nodded.
Taka looked up just in time to see them disappear. 'Wait! What am I being thanked for?' he called into the sky, not to receive an answer.
'Where are we?' Ebony asked.
'On an island. There's a big landmass on the horizon but I don't know how we're going to get there. And I though I saw Kainan flying ahead before.' Tobias said.
'Tobias. Kainan's dead.' Kratia whispered.
'That's what I told him.' Taka said, still looking up into the sky for any signs of the three wolves.
The three sisters landed on the skirts of the huge landmass and looked around.
"It looks the same, miles of nothing!" Mana complained but Gemma hushed her.
"Let’s take a look around, on foot so we don't miss anything." Dakota suggested and the three started scouting the ground for any sign of life or a familiar scent.
'Need help down there?' A deep voice from the sky called.
A great green Asian dragon flew into sight and landed quietly beside the small group, his scales sparkling in the sun as he turned his head to look at the group beside him. He smiled, a little confused, at the wide eyes and disbelieving shakes of heads. Tobias was the first to recover fully at the sight.
'Kainan!' five people said at once.
'See. I told you I saw him.' he said, causing Kainan to laugh whole-heartedly.
'I see you're stuck. Hop on and I'll get to the main land. And you don't have to worry. I'm as solid as a rock.' Kainan said, lowering himself so that the cats could climb onto his back.
Taka instantly climbed onto his back, followed by Tobias, but the adults weren't so quick to react. Eventually the women climbed onto the supposed to be dead dragon's back and Kainan leapt into the air.
Dakota noticed the slight breeze surrounding them had stopped and her head shot up, Mana and Gemma looked around confused.
"Did time just stop?" Mana asked and Dakota jumped beside her.
"It's got to be Jordon!!" She yelled in excitement. "Jordon, Jordon!" She howled for her friend, Gemma and Mana joining in at her first break. Eventually the black and silver wolf they were calling for stumbled into the clearing and ran over to them. The slight breeze picked up again once she stopped before them.
"Hey guys, it's good to see you." She greeted and she was tackled to the ground by her three happy friends.
The small band of friends and family watched as the island slowly sank. Kainan began flying over to the landmass, but everything froze for a few seconds. When everything went back to normal, Taka looked at Tobias confused.
'Could that have been Kaygis or even Shadow?' he asked.
'No. This was different.' Kainan replied.
Kainan landed on the landmass and lifted everyone off his back, placing them carefully onto the ground before walking off into nothing. Taka and Tobias looked around, but couldn't find anything. They turned when they heard Ritara begin to cry again.
Jordon wiggled out from beneath Gemma and Dakota and playfully batted Mana away from her with a laugh. Mana danced away from the offending paw and the four of them sat down in a circle.
"Have you seen anyone else yet?" Dakota asked hopefully and Jordon looked at the ground.
"I think I saw Bane a while ago..." She said before raising her eyes to meet Dakota's. "But I couldn't be sure as he had two white cubs with him, I didn't want to risk approaching on my own in case it wasn't him..."
'Mum?' Taka asked, confused.
'She's just worried about Tidus and Aquile. She was like that when we couldn't find you Taka.' Ebony explained.
'We'll find them, mum. Lets go.'
'Taka's right. We should go and find the others.' Kratia said.
Ritara nodded and the group continued to search for the rest of the Rebels gang. Tobias flew over head and spotted Dakota, Gemma and Mana not far from where Taka and the adults were heading, so he circled over them in an attempt to gather the groups again in case any of the two groups needed help.
'You're growing up to be just like your father, you know that?' Sarabi said to her nephew as they walked.
'So I've been told.' Taka replied.
Bane sighed, resting time was over. He picked up the male cub and placed him on his back before lightly lifting the she-cub by the scruff. With a slight stagger in his step he began walking again. 'I've got to find their parents...' He thought before breaking into a run.
Dakota nodded to Mana's words before she looked up and noticed Tobias. "Looks like their back again." She mused and Mana, Gemma and Jordon all looked up at the eagle circling above them.
Taka noticed Tobias circling around someone or something and rushed over to where Tobias was, the adults following. He skidded to a stop as he entered the clearing, but the skid made him sit down. He looked up at Tobias, confused, and then looked down at the four women in front of him, tilting his head to the side slightly. His ears flickered as he heard his mother begin to cry again and the four adults walked up behind him, but his eyes remained on the four in front of him. Tobias landed heavily beside him, but he got up and dusted himself off.
'Dakota. Gemma. Mana. Wolf I do not know.' Taka said, acknowledging the four wolves presence.
"Taka." Dakota said turning to look at him, Gemma, Mana and Jordon also glanced over. "Tobias and adults..." Dakota added, noticing the others with her young friend. She glanced to Mana before looking back at the others. "You wouldn't be seeking two lost white cubs would you?"
'Tidus. Aquile. Where are they?' Ritara growled, getting suspicious as to how this wolf always seems to know where her children were.
'Mum.' Taka looked at his mother surprised at her reaction.
'Ritara. Don't get all feisty on us now. You can get angry when we find out who did this.' Sarabi whispered in Ritara's ear.
'Yes. We are.' Kratia said, then she noticed Mana. 'Sorry I snapped at you. I...uh...was kind of mad with my cousins before this happened and I guess my anger came with me and worsened when I found myself lost.' she added, bowing her head in shame.
"It's quiet alright Sarabi... She has every right to not trust us." Gemma said, she knew that it did seem kind of suspicious.
"We're lost aswell and are sure the rest of us, including our young are on this land mass." Jordon explained and Mana just nodded at Kratia. Dakota stepped ahead of her family, cautiously towards the other group.
"We were not aware that the young belonged to you. It was simply a question as I know none of my family bare any white cubs. My sister-in-law, Jordon." Dakota gestured towards the wolf by her side. "Informs me she saw what looked like my husband, Bane with them, but she isn't certain that it is him. I'm hoping that when we find my husband, we will find your cubs."
Ritara nodded, tears welling up in her eyes again. 'They're probably hungry. It's about time for their feed, if this place has time.' she sobbed.
'Mum.' Taka sighed, sinking to the ground as he thought about how scared the twins sounded when the storm hit.
'We'll find them. Just like we'll find everyone else.' Tobias said, placing his wing over Taka's shoulder before looking up at the wolves that could quiet possibly eat him. 'And by that I mean everyone we all know. Your friends and ours.'
'Where do we start?' Ebony asked.
"Well..." Jordon started carefully stepping up beside Dakota, moving slowly so not to scare anyone. "We have four airborne and six grounded among us. Maybe we should go in groups of three. Two grounded and one airborne, the final airborne will stay here so that the flyer with each two grounded can direct the groups back to this meeting spot?"
Dakota nodded. "I agree, what do you guys think?" Dakota asked directing her question to the other group.
'I'm with Taka no matter what you people say. We don't leave each other behind.' Tobias said, puffing out his chest and trying to act all brave even though he felt like he was facing death at the moment. Taka looked at him and smiled.
'I'll stay with Ritara. She needs her sister-in-law.' Sarabi said.
'Leaving Kratia and I as a pair.' Ebony added jumping up and down, eager to start the search for the missing babies.
'I guess I'll take it as a 'sounds good'. Who's going to be with us?' Kratia asked, answering Dakota's question.
"Well, I'll stay here." Mana volunteered with a grin.
Dakota shook her head fondly, her eyes glanced to Gemma and Jordon before shifting back at the other group.
"Jordon will go with Taka and Tobias, Gemma will fly with Kratia and Ebony and I will accompany Ritara and Sarabi." Dakota arranged before looking at Ritara. "I would prefer to be near in case we do find your cubs." She said softly, Jordon nuzzled her shoulder slightly and Dakota could see Gemma smiling out of the corner of her eye.
'Ok.' Taka said, getting up.
Tobias looked up at Jordon and seemed to lose all his confidence again. He was afraid that she was going to do something bad to him, like try and eat him. He watched the two other groups leave with the other group members before looking back at Jordon.
"Ha-ha!" Jordon laughed as she jumped to the side, her rump up, her chest touching the ground and her tail wagging playfully in the air. "So..." She started before rolling onto her back. "Where do we go first?" She asked, a childlike smile on her face.
Mana shook her head at the youngers playfulness before she flew upwards directly above Jordon, Tobias and Taka, she could see the other two groups clearly in the distance. With a deep breath, she shut her eyes and listened for any updates.
Dakota walked slowly beside Ritara and Sarabi. "I really hope we can be friends, and lose this tension that has settled between us..." She said low, looking at her paws as they moved.
Gemma was flying low but above Kratia and Ebony, she made no contact with them as she flew. *I think it's best to keep weary of these... Others.* Gemma projected to her sisters, both Mana and Dakota heard her words as if they were their own thoughts.
*I agree.* Mana responded and Dakota's ears lay back against her head. *Maybe we should give them a chance...* She thought but neither Gemma nor Mana responded, all she received was silence.
'You're older than us...I think.' Taka said, looking at the weirdly playful wolf in front of him.
'And you're really starting to freak me out, no offence. But your bigger than me, and you could easily kill me if you wanted to. And those teeth of yours...' a shiver ran down Tobias' spine at the thought of being the wolfs dinner.
'You're going to be fine. If not... well, she's going to have to kill us both. Anyway, you're probably older than us so you should lead. Tobias, take to the air if your wacko imagination is going to get the better of you. And, before anything happens, I'm sorry if I drag you back.' Taka said, turning to show Jordon his missing limb.
Ignoring the birds worry and words, she got to her feet and lowered her head to get a closer look at the Jaguar's leg. She frowned lightly. "Will you be alright to walk? I mean you can sit on my back if you want." Jordon offered, worried about the youngers leg.
'I'll be ok, I've had to ever since I was born. But I get tired easily. That's why I'm apologising before hand.' Taka said with a smile. He was starting to like this wolf. She reminded him of Kinara and Mazari.
'I think that was my fault.' Ritara sighed, feeling her tears welling in her eyes again. 'I'm just, really worried about my cubs. They can't talk yet but their eyes are open and they like getting into trouble. If they're alone, Tidus is bound to lead his sister into danger somehow. Oh, I hope they're safe.'
Sarabi nudged her under her chin to try and calm her down, knowing that no word would truly calm her down until she found her cubs unharmed.
Ebony looked up at Gemma, confused. She couldn't understand why the flying wolf wasn't communicating with them. Kratia looked up at Gemma, only to see what Ebony was looking at, but then looked back down to Ebony before lightly hitting her on her shoulder. 'Didnt your mother, or Kaygis for that matter, ever tell you that it's rude to stare? If she doesn't want to know us, fine. But it won't stop us from trying to know you!' she called her last sentence up to Gemma, knowing that she could hear everything that they said.
Jordon smiled. "Well the offer is up whenever you need it kid, come on, let’s start searching." She turned and started in a new direction to the other groups. "We will see you soon Mana." She yelled to the brown wolf.
"Yeah, you take care of the young ones!" Mana commanded and Jordon smiled.
"Will do." She called back, Mana watched them walk off before closing her eyes again.
Dakota glanced at Ritara. *Guys...* She projected to Mana and Gemma. *They’re just as worried as we are... About everything, we should give them a chance.* She said, directing it more at Gemma, knowing that Mana would have already given in.
Gemma was silent for a few moments before her reluctant voice came back. *Fine... I’ll give them a go.*
*That's all I ask.* Dakota responded, then she stopped walking.
After closing her connection to her sisters, Gemma's sub-concious began to wander while her concious scanned the ground for any signs of life. Her mind drifted back to the day at school when Chambitsu had taken Jordon, Dakota had fought the elementals and she had unknowingly turned on Dakota during the fight. She was drawn from her thoughts when a strange, yet familiar scent spiked the air and Gemma flew ahead, before landing in front of Kratia and Ebony sideways, blocking their path.
Tobias flapped onto Taka's shoulder as they watched Jordon leaving without them. 'You know what to do.' he said to Taka.
Taka nodded and ran after Jordon in a sort of loping movement. Tobias spread his wings and allowed the wind that rushed past him to lift him into the air. Taka skidded to a stop just in front of Jordon and sat down so that he wouldn't fall before looking back at Jordon. 'We're ready.' he said with a smile.
'Is something wrong?' Sarabi asked, looking at Dakota confused.
Ritara wiped her paw over her face, removing the tears that ran down her cheeks, before looking at Dakota as well.
'Is there a problem up ahead?' Kratia asked, sitting down.
'Okay, I'm really confused. How can you fly without wings?' Ebony asked.
"Ok then, let’s go." Jordon said before walking around Taka, but this time she stopped to make sure he was following.
Dakota shook her head and looked up at them. "I just got an idea. I might be able to shimmer to Bane and the cubs." She said hoping she was right.
Gemma's ears twitched at their questions, which she pointedly ignored, before they lay back against her head. Her lip raised as a snarl broke from her chest, her paws spread evenly on the ground as the earth's vibrations sent shock-waves throughout her body. For a split second it was quiet then she tackled both Kratia and Ebony to the side as a rock spike shot up through the ground. Gemma was back on her feet just in time to dodge another spike. She landed before the two cats snarling, hackles raised as a brown wolf appeared before the three of them.
Taka limped after Jordon, easily keeping up with her. 'I'm coming, I'm coming.' he said, twitching his tail.
'Shimmer?' Sarabi asked, even more confused than what she already was.
'What the...?' Kratia cursed, watching as a wolf appeared out of the earth.
'Um, can I safely say that now I really wish that either Bosko, Choby, Raimundo, Julien, Kubikuro or Link were here?' Ebony asked.
'And you don't think I'm a good fighter?'
'Does it matter? You're a white tiger. That guy's, well, an earth bound wolf. How can a tiger fight a wolf that can probably throw big, heavy boulders at you?'
"Yeah it's how I got you to Taka and Tobias that first time." She explained laying her tail before them.
Gemma looked back at Kratia and Ebony. "Stay back this won’t take long..." Her voice was a snarl, but it wasn’t directed at them. She turned to Dusty. "How did you manage to come back, Dakota killed you 11 years ago!" She yelled and Dusty just smiled at her.
"You must have wanted me back." He cackled. "Or how else am I here?" His voice was taunting and Gemma rushed him, he descended into the ground throwing Gemma over him and onto her shoulder, she yelped, her pain echoing through Dakota. Gemma shook her head. "Dirty little cheat!" She yelled regaining her feet. "Fight like a real wolf!"
'Are you alright?' Ritara asked, concerned.
'This isn't the time for that now, Ebony. Now be quiet and watch.' Kratia hissed, keeping her eye on the supposed to be dead wolf in front of her. Her instincts had taken over again and she waited for the right time to strike at this obvious threat.
"Yeah, but Gemma, Kratia and Ebony are in trouble..."
*Who’s the threat?* Dakota asked sitting down ears against her head eyes shut.
*Dusty...* Gemma replied.
*Ok, take care of him, don’t let the others fight or get hurt.* Dakota commanded.
*Sure thing.* Gemma replied as she once again leapt between Dusty and the two cats she was protecting.
Mana heard their telepathic convocation but stayed out of it and did her job waiting for the others to return.
Gemma landed lightly between the threat and her companions. Dusty shot a spike upward under Gemma, for her plan to work she needed to bleed, so she allowed the spike cut into her ribs as she dodged most of the damage, releasing a yelp due to the pain, her body dropped to the ground, injured side up. She held her breath and slowed her heart, giving off the impression that she was dead. She could feel the blood from her side pool slightly sticking to her fur in an uncomfortable way, but she didn't move. Dusty then re-appeared beside her, he glanced down at her "lifeless" body before turning towards Kratia and Ebony. With a smirk, he advanced on them.
Kratia growled, getting ready to pounce, but before she knew it, Ebony was attacking her. 'What are you doing?!' she growled, shocked at the sudden attack.
'You did say to watch. and I have been watching. I've been watching you planning on trying to get yourself killed. If people from the dead can come back to life here, what's the bet that people who are alive can also be killed? If you die, Bosko dies. If Bosko dies, there'll be a whole chain of events that we don't want to have happen. Remember what happened when Luigi died?'
'You've got to be kidding me. I'm being given advice from a cat who's been in captivity longer than I have. You know Ebony, there are times you get on my nerve. And this just so happens to be one of those times.' Kratia leapt out from under Ebony and slashed at her face, but Ebony dodged and counter-attacked with a kick into the bigger cat's chest.
Dusty closed in on the now fighting cats. Gemma’s eyes shot open as she slid across the floor silently, leaving a trail of blood behind her. She latched onto Dusty's leg and stood up swinging him, she then let go mid swing and Dusty's brown body smashed against a tree, yelped and slunk to the ground.
"God! Stop your bickering!" She yelled at Kratia and Ebony, she then leapt into the air and let the wind take her higher, once she was high enough and tilted herself towards the ground. As she gained speed she started baralling in the air, tendrals of wind forming around her body the faster she got, she hot up into the air and from a steady hight she dived down at Dusty, throughout her decent more and more tendrals of wind formed around her and just before she hit, she opened her jaw. She clamped down over his neck, her back legs coming down over her, when her back paws touched the ground beneath her she used her whole body weight to lift Dusty up by his neck and in one swift movement she tossed him over her body without releasing her grip on his neck. The force of the throw and the grip Gemma had on his neck tore straight through the soft flesh and Dusty's body landed motionless about 3 meters from his attacker. Gemma then dropped to the ground, licked over the wound on her ribcage and once it was closed she lay her head on the ground, and let out a tired sigh.
'I'm not going to hurt her. If anything, she'll hurt me. She's a tiger, I'm a panther. The odds were stacked against me from the start. She's too fast for me. Besides, why would I hurt someone who's...nevermind. Just be thankful I somehow managed to stop her from ruining something important.' Ebony called, dodging Kratia as she leapt at her.
"Well, he's finished now." Gemma said staggering to her feet. "So let’s keep searching."
Kratia leapt at Gemma, but was pinned down by Ebony again. Ebony slapped her paw over the tiger's face growling. 'That's enough, Kratia. It's over. The kill has been made. We do not attack friends. I think you'll find that being born a wild tiger would have had you turning into a man-hunter with the way you act. You've been hanging out with Lakshmi for too long.' she growled.
Sarabi sighed. 'Please don't tell me that Kratia's gone into hunting mode.' She asked Dakota.
Dakota opened her eyes and glanced at them. "I'm afraid so, she just tried to attack Gemma..."
'Gemma's on her side. Is she crazy?' Ritara asked Sarabi.
'That's her natural instinct. If she had been raised differently, she'd be a killer. Lakshmi probably hasn't helped. But enough about this. Kratia will snap out of it.' Sarabi replied before turning to Dakota. 'What is this Shimmer thing? Explain it to us a little more.'
Kratia looked up at Ebony, realising what she had done, and calmly eased herself away from the black panther. She looked at Gemma and then down at the ground almost instantly. 'Sorry.' she whispered, realising what she did to make Ebony slap her across the face.
"It's fine..." Gemma said unsure about the white tiger before her. She pushed off the ground and flew up above them. "Let’s keep moving." She called down then started flying in the direction they were going.
*I don’t know if I can trust them, I’m sorry.* Gemma projected and Dakota shook her head.
*It’s ok, at least you tried.* She then looked up at Sarabi.
"Well it's basically the ability to move from one place to another instantaneously. If I think of someone, somewhere or even something, I can shimmer there simply by closing my eyes and willing myself to be there. During a shimmer it basically looks like my body is rippling as it fades." She explained as best she could.
'We need to get to Kratia. Something's not right.' Ritara said, her tail twitching as she thought about Kratia.
'We'll have to let Ebony deal with it. Right now, were looking for your cubs that are probably thinking that they're starving.'Sarabi said before turning back to Dakota. 'That shimmer thing. It only works if its with someone you know, right?' she asked.
'Great one Kratia. You over react and you nearly kill Gemma. She's on our side! She's not the bad guy! She's not some hunter that you're trying to protect Ritara from. If only Bosko could have seen you.' Ebony growled before trotting after the shadow of the flying dog.
*He'd want to divorce. It was because of Luigi that we even got together. I guess Luigi's death is playing heavy on my mind still. I'm a fool. A great big, kill all you see fool. I don't deserve Bosko. I don't deserve my boys. I don't even deserve the cubs I carry. The mission, girl. Stick to it. Get out of your fantasy land.* Kratia thought, sighing. She looked up at Gemma and lowered her head further, trying her best to follow them.
'There's nothing ahead. What do we do?' Tobias called, soaring over head.
'How far do we have to search?' Taka asked, starting to fall behind.
"No, It can be a total stranger I'm trying to get too. As long as I know their name and can create a general picture of them in my mind, that will set them apart from others of the same name, I can find them easily." She smiled.
Gemma continued to fly occasionally glancing down to the two cats below her, making sure they were still there and ok. 'Whilst I may not trust Kratia, I will not let harm befall them.' She thought to herself before lowering just slightly so she was closer to them.
Jordon ran back to Taka and lifted him onto her back in one swift movement then trotted till she was beneath Tobias again. "We will go a little while longer then we will start heading back.”
'Thanks.' Taka whispered, out of breath.
' I can see better than you can and there is nothing. Can't we all just rest a little while. I can't stay up here forever.' Tobias called down.
'The cubs names are Tidus and Aquile. But they won't answer. They can't. Unless you include mews as talking.' Ritara sighed, feeling that they really needed to be with Kratia despite needing to look for her cubs.
"You’re welcome." Jordon answered then she glanced up at Tobias. "Ok, If you can't spot anything from that height then there isn't much in this direction. Let’s start heading back."
"Alright, now place your tails on mine and I'll take us to them." Dakota directed.
Mana ran over to a row of trees just down from the meeting point, she tore shreds of pine and carried the pile over to the meeting point. She dropped the pile and picked up a strip piercing it into the ground and supporting it with surrounding dirt, she then did the same thing three more times creating a square with the sticks. She then lay more of the pine around it making a shelter. When satisfied it was good enough, she ran back and got more pine, the first shelter was ok for four animals so she would need to make at least two more. The pile she brought back was twice the size of the other pile. She put together two more shelters then used the remaining pine and sticks to create a pile in the centre of the three shelters.
*Now I just need fire.* She thought, both Dakota and Gemma's ears twitched at her thought but they both ignored it, kind of worried about what Mana could possibly need fire for and their minds did not want to go there right now.
Mana was about to give up when she heard a screech from above, she glanced up to see Phoenix flying overhead.
"Phoenix!" She yelled up to him and he swooped down, he landed beside her and they hugged.
"Glad to see someone I know in this dusty place." He said happily as he flapped his wings.
"Same here." Mana replied just as happy. "Can you light this for me?" Mana said gesturing towards the pile of sticks and pine.
Phoenix blew a small flame at the pile and it lit up. Both Mana and Phoenix, settled in by the fire.
"The others should be back soon." She smiled
"Awesome...” Phoenix answered unsure about something.
Mana was worried but let it go.
'Hope you don't mind the extra load, but my wings feel like they're about to drop off.' Tobias said, swooping down and landing on Taka's shoulder. 'I'll take flight after a few mintues rest.'
Sarabi placed her tail on Dakota's and waited for Ritara to do the same but Ritara was reluctant to at first. 'I seriously think we should be with Kratia. Something's not right. I can feel it.' She said as she rapped her tail around Dakota's.
'Ritara. I'm sure she's fine.' Sarabi said, placing her paw on Ritara's.
'No. This is bad. And I mean bad.'
Kratia looked up from her sorrow filled thoughts wondering how far ahead Ebony and Gemma had gotten without her. Before she knew it, she had closed her eyes and collapsed. She could sense that something was wrong inside of her, but the only thing she could do was pray that she wasn't having a miscarriage.
Ebony looked behind her to see where the white tiger was, her anger gone and worry streaking across her mind. When she didn't see Kratia she looked up to make sure that Gemma was still above her. 'Gemma! Something's wrong! Where's Kratia!' she called up to the blue, black and white wolf.
"It’s cool, rest as long as you like, you’re as light as a feather." She laughed going from a slow walk to a trot.
Gemma looked down to Ebony, her eyes turned frantic as she scanned the ground.
"I can’t see her!" She yelled down to Ebony now very worried.
Dakota felt a jolt run through her shoulder and she was knocked to her side on the ground, she shook her head and sat back up confused. *That was weird.* She thought as both Mana and Gemma perked up their ears.
*What was?* Mana questioned.
*My body just collapsed onto its side...*
*Kratia!* Gemma thought as she swooped down to Ebony grabbing her by the scruff and took off in the direction they came, scanning the ground for the white tiger.
'Thanks.' Tobias whispered as he tucked his head under his wing and fell asleep.
'Are you alright?' Sarabi asked, getting really worried for Ritara and her cubs, Kratia and now Dakota.
Ritara had flicked her tail off Dakota's and was now pacing between the wolf and a tree not far away. Now she was sure that something was wrong.
'Kratia! Kratia where are you!' Ebony called down from being carried off by Gemma. Her worry had grown when Gemma just randomly swooped down at her, picked her up like a cub and took off with her back the way they had come.
Kratia's ears twitched when she heard a wolf howling not to far away and when she heard Ebony's calls from somewhere above her, but she dare not open her eyes and break her prayers. Tears had already sprung to her eyes at the very thought of losing her unborn cubs and they began to stream down her face when she felt liquid douse her tail.
Dakota glanced at the sound of the wolf howling.
"Bane!" She yelled before howling back.
The distant wolf howled again and Dakota knew he and the cubs were ok.
"Ritara, Tidus and Aquile are ok." Dakota called back to her then her ear twitched when another howl sounded. "Baby panthers?" She turned to Sarabi, "Have you got two newborn, blind, panther cubs? Cause Bane found them too, they're all ok, he’s bringing all four cubs back to the meeting point. We should get to Kratia"
Gemma glanced, she saw Kratia lying down beside a rock in the dirt path they had been walking. "Down there!" She yelled as she lowered Ebony to Kratia and landed herself.
'Blind Panthers...? Ritara! Whoever found Tidus and Aquile found Jacob and Finealta! Ebony's cubs! What in the world is going on here?' Sarabi said, jumping up and down. But then she stopped. 'What about Luigi? A three month old male golden jaguar cub that won't stop talking about how hungry he is and about how funny his cousin looks, is he there too?'
Ebony licked at Kratia's tears before noticing her blood-stained tail. 'No.' She whispered. 'No. Kratia no. This can't be happening.'
Kratia's ear twitched at the sound of Ebony's voice and she flinched remembering what the black panther had said after she leapt at Gemma. The tears kept coming, but she didn't say a word.
Dakota howled back to Bane and sat down awaiting a response. After a minute or two he howled back.
Dakota turned to Sarabi with sadness. "He hasn't..." She whispered. "But he will keep an eye out as he brings the other cub’s back." She finished her voice a little stronger.
"Kratia..." Gemma whispered she nuzzled into Kratia’s paw then looked at Ebony.
"Let’s get her back to the meeting point, we will continue looking tomorrow..." Gemma’s voice was low, she didn't want to stop looking for her kids but she had to, although she didn't feel anything for these two cats she couldn't bare the pain Dakota must be feeling through her empathic ability.
'Ok.' Sarabi sighed. 'But the main thing is the young ones have been found.' She said a little happier.
She went over to Ritara and licked her ear. 'The rare cubs have been found by someone good. Yours and Ebony's.'
*Papa. Please don't let it be so. Please let me still carry the cubs. Papa please. I don't want this to happen.* Kratia thought as tears continued to stream down her face.
When she heard Gemma talk about abandoning the search for the time being, she dug her claws into the ground and refused to leave.
'Come on Kratia. We need to go. I don't think...' Ebony began, remembering how stressed Kratia had been before this had happened.
"You guys head back..." Dakota said looking at the two worried Jaguars. "I'm just going to look a little while longer. Please head back alone and do not worry." She glanced up to see the smoke from the fire Phoenix lit. "Follow the smoke back to the camping site, and wait there for Ebony, Kratia, Taka, Tobias and Jordon. There’s someone I have to find before the night is up. You will recognize Bane straight away, he carries my scent, so don’t be afraid to approach him when he shows up, the cubs are in good hands." Dakota finished before leaping into the air and flying off.
*Sisters, our search begins now.* She thought and Mana and Gemma nodded.
"Ebony, take Kratia back to camp, I will keep looking a while, just follow the smoke." She briefly explained before launching into the air and flying in Dakota's direction.
Mana looked at Phoenix. "Dakota and Gemma need me, wait here for Jordon." She said before springing into the air and flying off.
Jordon ran into the camp just as Mana took off, she saw Phoenix and reared, Taka and Tobias falling off her back, she then ran over to Phoenix, transformed into her bird form and tackled Phoenix to the ground.
Tobias woke suddenly and ruffled his wings when he found Taka staring at him, just as shocked as he was. Taka sat up and shook his head before turning to see Jordon as a black and grey articuno and a Phoenix over-excited to see each other. He looked back at Tobias, who also looked back at him, and they both shook their heads. 'Nah.' They said together.
Ritara turned to Sarabi after watching Dakota fly off. 'Let's not follow what she said and go find Kratia, cause I'm not liking they way she just left us like that.' she said.
'You don't trust her?' Sarabi asked, shocked.
'It's not that. I do trust her, as much as I trust anyone I just met and who have just managed to locate my cubs for me. It's just...I'm worried about Kratia. You know how hard she's been working and how hard we've all been trying to get her to relax after we found out about her pregnancy. I'm just worried that something wrong's happened with it. You know, that sixth sense that I get sometimes.'
'That thing. That's scary. Ok, but your asking an almost impossible thing out of me. A jaguar can't track a tiger as much as a dog can track.'
'But you can still track.'
Sarabi nodded her head and closed her eyes before picking up the scent of blood and running in the direction that it was coming from. Ritara followed close behind.
'Gemma! I can't do it! Gemma! This is no use. Kratia, we have to go back. Come on. I need your help on this one.' Ebony begged, trying her hardest to get the white tiger to listen to her.
Gemma heard Ebony yell out to her but she couldn't go back, this was more important, they had to find Krystal and they had to find her now. She flew faster towards Dakota.
Mana picked up both their scents ready to collide and flew faster as well. They met above a ring of trees and started searching.
Jordon sat down beside Phoenix smiling happily.
'Um, Taka...Did you ever get that feeling that something completely unnatural was happening?' Tobias asked, looking at Jordon and the Phoenix.
'Besides the time that Shadow fell in love with Iora? Or the time when Julien decided to practically steal Saran from the zoo because he loved her, like we've been told?' Taka replied.
'More like that crazy panther friend of ours who fell in love with a dragon.'
'Then yes.'
'No offense, or anything like that, Jordon. But, what's going on here? Is that phoenix like your boyfriend or something?' Tobias asked, flying up to the safety of the trees in case she decided to attack him for getting the wrong impression.
Ebony looked up startled when Sarabi and Ritara burst through the trees, and ran up to Kratia. 'No. Kratia.' Ritara said, noticing the tiger's blood-stained tail.
'This isn't good. What's Bosko going to think of this?' Sarabi muttered.
'Forget what Bosko's going to think, what's more important is looking after Kratia on it.' Ebony growled.
'Ebony's right. But we need to get her back to the camp.' Ritara said, ignoring how Kratia felt about leaving and lifting her onto her back carefully.
Ebony and Sarabi followed Ritara as she took the upset white tiger back to the camp, finally following Dakota's advice and following the smoke back to camp.
"More like husband." Jordon said glancing up at Tobias.
The three sisters were flying when Dakota caught glimpse of an orange jaguar cub. "Luigi!" Dakota called landing by the tree he hid behind.
'Husband!' Tobias nearly fell out of the tree.
'I'll take that as a more like Julien and Saran situation.' Taka said, running under Tobias in case he did fall.
'Ebony. We found Finealta and Jacob. They're safe. Probably as hungry as Tidus and Aquile, but safe. Dakota's husband is bringing them to camp.' Sarabi said, trying to make the walk back sound less boring.
'They're safe! That's good. I was starting to get worried because Kaygis hadn't tried to contact me to say that he was with them.' Ebony said, relieved.
'You thought they were with Kaygis this whole time I was freaking out about Taka, Tidus and Aquile?' Ritara asked.
'Naturally.'
'You are unbelievable.'
Luigi looked around the tree he was hiding behind and saw a big wolf looking down at him. He growled a little, before deciding to continue playing his little game that he and his newly found lion cub friend were playing. That's hen he smiled at the wolf and dashed behind the tree again. He then jumped to the other side of the tree and sat behind the wolf, waiting for her to do something. When nothing happened, he twitched his tail and tilted his head. 'Are you going to play with me and my new friend?' he asked, childishly.
"It’s not that surprising..." Jordon said a little upset.
Bane trotted with three of the babies on his back and one in his mouth. "It’s alright little ones, well get you back to your parents soon." He ducked through a row of trees but stopped when he heard yowling. Bane shook his head and turned in the direction of the yowling. He came into a small clearing to see 3 lion cubs on and around a rock. He trotted over to them but stopped just in case they got scared. "Hello little ones..." He said softly putting the black cub down and placing the white cubs down as well. He took a careful step forward.
Dakota shook her head. "Sorry little one but I’m looking for my Niece, Lelani. By any chance is your mother, Sarabi?"
'It's just...well...you don't look like you should be old enough to marry.' Taka explained while Tobias got over his little fright.
Zelda saw the cubs and ran up to them, playfully nudging two of the white cubs and licking the other two gently on the back. She turned to her brother and sister, before half lying down and twitching the tip of her tail. 'Aztec. Tammy. This guy found Tidus, Aquile, Jacob and Fini.' she called out, bouncing over to them.
'Yeah. But you need to meet my new friend. She's very fast, but she hasn't found me yet. Maybe I should have climbed the tree instead.' Luigi said, looking from the tree to the wolf in front of him.
"Dude I’m thirty-two" Jordon said laughing at their shock.
"Finally names..." Bane whispered. Then again he placed Tidus, Aquile & Fini onto his back and picked Jacob up by the scruff. "Come on kids, let’s get you back to your parents." He said through Jacob's scruff.
"Very fast?" Dakota asked. "Cub..." She glanced at Gemma and Mana "Lelani!"
'Oh. Sorry.' Taka's ears drooped as he bowed his head. Tobias hid his head under his wing in shame.
'That's her! That's her name! It's like me, but it's not like me. We're playing hide and seek.' Luigi said, jumping up and down before hiding behind the tree again. He poked his head around the tree again and cheekily smiled at the wolf in front of him. 'Are you playing or not?' he asked.
'AZTEC! TAMMY! ZELDA! WHERE ARE YOU!' A deep voice roared through the forest. The three lion cubs looked around and watched as a scared brown male lion walked out from behind a bush. 'Uncle Bosko!' They called, running up to him and pouncing on him.
'Calm down you three. Is anyone else with you?' Bosko asked.
'Jacob, Tidus, Aquile, Fini and this wolf.' Zelda said, jumping up and down again.
'Jacob, Tidus, Aquile and Finealta? and a strange wolf?'
'Yeah. He showed up with them. They look hungry but they seem ok.'
'Thank you...' Bosko started, waiting for the wolf to introduce himself.
"It’s fine." Jordon said, as she shuffled over. "Come sit by the fire and keep warm while we wait for the adults."
Mana and Gemma disappeared, Dakota glanced for them. "God you two are childish!"
"Lelani! It’s Aunty Dakota! Please come out!" She yelled and after a couple minutes of silence a small white cub walked out from behind a tree.
"Lelani..." Dakota sighed relieved. "Gemma, Mana! She’s here." Dakota yelled out and they appeared again.
"Aunt Gemma, Aunt Mana!" Lelani yelled not even remotely interested in the fact that Dakota was sitting there.
Bane cleared his throat and stepped forward. "I'm Bane." He said lightly. "Last I checked my wife, Dakota is with Ritara and Sarabi. My sister-in-law, Gemma is with Kratia and Ebony, and my step-sister Jordon is with Taka & Tobias. I’m heading there now with the cubs, but..." He said stepping back away from the cubs he had been carrying. "I wouldn't want to get in your way." His tail shifted by his legs as he lowered to the ground before the lion.
Tobias glided down onto Taka's shoulder and Taka limped over to the fire where he lay down and began to fall asleep. Tobias stared, transfixed, into the flames in front of him.
Ritara walked into the camp with Kratia sobbing into her neck and Sarabi and Ebony just behind her. She saw Taka asleep by the fire and placed Kratia beside him before trying to clean the blood off her friend's tail. Ebony and Sarabi noticed Jordon and the phoenix watching the two boys but they didn't say a word about Kratia unless they were asked.
'Now we have to start all over again.' Luigi pouted, walking out from behind the tree. But a smile grew on his face when he thought of something else. 'Are you going to start a new game with us? We could play tag or hide and seek or guess or...or tag.'
'Thank you Bane, for finding the cubs. I'm Bosko. Don't worry. You're not in my way. You mentioned Kratia. Do you know how she is going? I hope she's relaxing.' Bosko asked, getting worried about his wife.
Jordon glanced at Kratia and the others. She stood up and slowly stepped towards her. "Is she ok?"
"We will once we get back to camp?" Dakota asked glancing at Mana and Gemma.
"Yeah once your mummy knows your ok we will play." Gemma smiled and Mana nodded in agreement.
"Yay! I get to see mummy and daddy?" Lelani asked.
"Later." Dakota patted her then picked up Luigi, placed him on her back and started walking, Gemma picked up Lelani and did the same then all three started heading back.
"Your welcome... Um I haven’t actually seen any of them, but I’m heading back now, so she should be at camp with the others, we just have to follow the smoke." Bane explained glancing to the stream of smoke rising from the trees. He then slowly and unsurely, picked up Tidus, Aquile and Finealta and placed them on his back, he then picked Jacob up by the scruff and awaited Bosko's movement.
'Well, she's been really stressed lately and...we think she may have had a miscarriage.' Sarabi replied, looking down at Kratia sorrowfully.
'But I want to play now!' Luigi screamed, looking for the best way to get off Dakota's back.
' I understand. Sorry for the pressure.' Bosko sighed, worry showing plainly on his face. He lay down so that Aztec and Zelda could ride on his back, before picking up Tammy by the scruff of her neck. He closed his eyes, remembering how he used to play with his brother when they were cubs, before looking at Bane and motioning for him to lead the way.
"Ohh..." Jordon said sorry she had asked before glancing up at the sky "Move her into one of the shelters that Mana made, she should be warmer there its seems as if it could storm and take a stick of fire just to make her a little one, that should increase the warmth."
Dakota shook her head and reached around, she grabbed him by the scruff and pulled him off then started walking holding him by the scruff. Gemma and Mana followed, Lelani making no attempt at making this hard on Gemma.
Bane nodded then turned and started towards camp.
Ritara nodded and nudged Kratia gently behind the ear. 'Come on, Kratia. Lets get you inside out of a possible storm.' She said.
Kratia made no movement to object or to show that she had heard. She allowed Ritara to drag her into the closest shelter, but she didn't say a word about what was going on. She just kept on whispering 'Bosko' to herself. Ebony made a small camp fire just out side the shelter for her while Sarabi went over to sit on the opposite side of Jordon.
'How long do we wait for the others to show up?'she asked.
'This is no fun. You're like mummy. I'm hungry and mummy won't let me have any milk. She says I need to eat meat now. But I like my milk.' Luigi growled, not impressed about not being able to play.
Bosko followed with Aztec and Zelda curled up on his back asleep, thinking about his wife and his brother.
"They should be back soon..." Jordon answered not really sure, but she smiled when Dakota, Gemma and Mana trotted into the camp.
"Sarabi, is this your little bundle of joy?" Dakota asked trotting over and placing Luigi by the fire.
Bane kept twitching his ear to make sure that Bosko was following him, but he was unsure and almost scared to try and spark some kind of convocation.
Sarabi turned to see Dakota place her son by the camp. 'Unfortunately. Please tell me he hasn't been asking for milk?' she said, watching as Luigi began stalking her.
'If only he could do that to some form of meat that he can sink his teeth into.' Ebony whispered to Ritara.
'I know. I'm not even his mother and he's asking me for milk. That little terror really does take after Luigi.' Ritara replied.
Bosko kept up with the wolf quite easily, but wasn't able to even think about starting a conversation with him because of Tammy being in his mouth. His eyes kept darting to Bane's ears, curious about why he was so edgy. He purred quietly when he felt Aztec stir, but immediately stopped when he felt the white lion cub fall back to sleep.
"Ahh yeah, he said I was just like you, with the stopping his play and ignoring his comments about wanting milk." Dakota laughed as Gemma walked over to the fire and placed Lelani down.
"Hey girl." Jordon said, chest on the floor, tail in the air wagging playfully. "Come here" Her voice was soft and warm and Lelani ran over to her and jumped on her back.
"Aunty!" She yelled.
Bane twitched when he heard the purr and his trot slowed as he smelt the fire was closer.
'Mummy. I'm hungry.' Luigi said, jumping onto his mother's back.
'Well, I've got no milk for you. We just have to figure out how we're going to get meat to eat.' Sarabi said, opening the answer for anyone with any suggestions on the lack of food.
Ritara stuck her head out of the shelter to see who was there, but whimpered and looked back at Kratia, who had managed to fall asleep, before returning to her friend's side.
Bosko slowed down and nudged Bane gently on the shoulder. He looked at the wolf confused and then at the smoke in front of them, trying to figure out how far it was going to be before they reached the meeting point. *How far till we get there?* he asked in his lion's voice.
Bane jumped at the slight nudge, but he calmed a little bit and focused on what Bosko was implying. He was a little startled as he heard the voice but answered the lion's question.
"Just past these trees." Bane spoke his voice muffled with the black cub’s fur.
Dakota glanced around. "Well there has to be some kind of quality about this place, I mean it seems as if it’s just my pack and your gang." Dakota spoke her thoughts.
"Yeah," Gemma added stepping beside her. "Dusty appeared... I thought about the past, that fight with the elements and that day, and he appeared and attacked us, flesh and blood."
Jordon looked up at them. "Maybe if we think about something that has happened in the past 10 or so years of our lives it might materialise..."
Bosko nodded, keeping quiet so as not to wake Aztec again.
'I'm hungry, Mummy!' Luigi yelled, tugging on Sarabi's ear.
'How about you got to sleep next to your cousin. When you wake up, I'm sure there will be food for you. And when there is, then you can taste just how good meat really is for you. And when we figure out how to get home, you can try some veggies.' Sarabi said, trying hard not to growl.
'Veggies. Yuck.'
'You haven't even tried it yet.'
'It's stil yuck.'
'The older kids weren't as troublesome as you are.'
Luigi stood still on his mother's back and smiled. Sarabi turned to face Luigi and noticed his smile. She shook her head and sighed just as Ebony went in to the shelter to check on Kratia. Ritara walked out shortly after and lay down beside the fire. 'I don't like this.' she sighed.
Dakota glanced back at Ritara then looked into the cave.
"Well maybe if we..." Mana started but stopped when Dakota walked off mid sentence. She trotted towards the hut that Mana had made, but stopped before the doors as if waiting for an ok to enter.
Ebony looked up and lifted her paw to her mouth, motioning for Dakota to be quiet.
Dakota, so she didn’t make noise pushed her self off the ground and floated into the hut. She lightly landed by Kratia's side, she looked up at Ebony and gently placed her paw on Kratia’s she then shut her eyes and the heart on her shoulder started glowing.
Ebony looked at Dakota confused. She looked down at Kratia's still sleeping form before looking up at the entrance, startled. Sarabi was at the door watching what Dakota was doing, but she looked at Ebony when she saw the panther look up startled. 'Luigi's keeping Ritara company and trying to see what's wrong with her.' she explained in a whisper.
Dakota's ear twitched as she heard Sarabi enter, but she didn’t break her focus. She shook her head and went to open her eyes as her paw sparked and broke contact with Kratia's paw. The force of the spark sent her flying back into the stick wall of the hut, her body flung through the sticks and smashed into the ground on the outside.
"Dakota!" Gemma and Mana yelled in sync as they ran over to her and helped her to her feet.
"They should be back soon..." Jordon answered not really sure, but she smiled when Dakota, Gemma and Mana trotted into the camp.
"Sarabi, is this your little bundle of joy?" Dakota asked trotting over and placing Luigi by the fire.
Bane kept twitching his ear to make sure that Bosko was following him, but he was unsure and almost scared to try and spark some kind of convocation.
Ritara quietly moved the now sleeping Luigi beside the sleeping Taka and Tobias before rushing over to Dakota to make sure she was okay. Sarabi jumped through the hole in the wall, concerned about everyone and everything, but didn't move to the downed wolf feeling that she was already crowded enough as it is.
'Are you alright? i heard a crash and...yeah' Ritara asked as soon as she was a Dakota's side.
'What happened?' Sarabi called from the hole in the hut wall.
Dakota shook her head and slowly sat up. "What do you want first, the good news or the bad news?" Her voice was soft as she winced.
Gemma stood beside her with Mana on her other side supporting her, Jordon ran over and sat before her.
Ritara and Sarabi looked at each other before looking back at Dakota. 'Bad news.' they said as one.
'it's better the bad news first.' Ritara added.
"Well..." Dakota said lifting her paw off the ground. "My shoulder shattered on impact with the floor."
'Ok. now we really need Julien here. or at least one of the dragons.' Ritara whispered, looking up at the sky in hopes that one of the dragons would see the smoke and arrive.
'That's not good.' Sarabi said.
'What about the good news?' Ebony asked from inside the hut. Kratia stirred at hr voice, but remained asleep.
Dakota coughed up a bit of blood then shook her head again, she glanced at Ritara with a neutral expression. "It’s alright, I have my own way of healing."
Gemma nodded without Dakota even having to look at her. She dug her teeth into her leg as Dakota dropped to the ground. Gemma's leg started bleeding and she moved it to Dakota who bit over Gemma's new wound and took a couple of mouthfuls of blood, after swallowing them her heart shone bright red, then died black as she jumped to her feet, her shoulder completely healed. Gemma licked her self-inflected wound and it closed over.
Dakota looked at Gemma "Thanks sis." She appraised nuzzling her then she looked over at Ebony. "I just did an ultrasound on Kratia and she has two healthy female cubs." She explained her expression glowing.
'You mean...?' Ritara started, unable to finish.
'She didn't have a miscarriage like we all thought!' Sarabi exclaimed, finishing Ritara's question.
'What on this godforsaken planet is going on here? how can you...ultrasounds are for computers. and how can you heal by drinking blood? this is just too con...' Ebony started, confused, before looking up into the sky.
a giant shadow flew over the area and a loud, pained shriek filled the air.
Bosko looked up as a giant shadow flew over him and Bane. a shiver ran down his spine and he looked at the cubs on Bane's back and in his mouth, worried for their safety.
Bane also noticed the shadow and broke into a run. "We need to hurry!" He yelled back to Bosko as he sprinted towards the fire.
Dakota looked at Ebony. "If you want to know we must talk in private..." Dakota explained not even phased by the shadow above.
Ebony nodded and walked over to Dakota, waiting for her to lead the way to some secluded sector.
Bosko ran after Bane, confused about his reaction, but he stopped and watched as the shadow melted itself into a black and red triceratops and plummeted to the ground. from the back of the triceratops, a small figure fell away from the dinosaur and scrambled at the air in an attempt to gain some sort of land under its feet.
Tobias woke when he felt the earth shudder underneath him and he looked around. there was what looked like a dust storm about to enter the camp, but just above that he saw a small figure about to collide with the ground. desperately, he took to the air and tried to reach the falling creature before it too collided into the ground.
Dakota walked into a hut away from the commotion and awaited Ebony's company.
Bane skidded into camp, his feet just meeting Jordon’s as she caught two of the three cubs from his back. He placed down the remaining two and sniffed the ground looking for Dakota.
Gemma and Mana walked over to Jordon and the four cubs.
Ebony followed Dakota, still confused about everything.
Tobias flew till he felt like his wings were about to fall off, but he didn't slow until he felt the added weight of a guinea pig on his back. he turned around and headed back to camp before the dust cloud cleared around the triceratops, unconscious and broken boned, not far away from the camp.
Bosko walked into the camp, still confused about the triceratops that formed in mid-air. he placed the sleeping cubs he carried next to Taka and Luigi before looking around for Kratia.
Ritara lay down and waited as Tidus and Aquile clambered over each other to get to her. the hungry cubs happily suckled by their mother's side, quenching their thirst, before finally falling asleep beside her.
Bane ran back over to Gemma, Jordon and Mana. "Dakota, where is she, is she safe?" He asked before breathing.
"Leave her be, Bane..." Gemma said.
"She needs a little while alone with Ebony." Mana explained and Bane nodded, he then walked over to the fire where he sat down awaiting his wife’s company. Jordon laid down and curled her tail around Ebony's two small cubs, keeping them warm till she was ready to come get them. Gemma lay down beside Jordon and the two baby panthers awaiting the return of her own husband and babies.
Tobias flew into camp just before his wings gave way on him and he fell to the ground, the guinea pig falling into the dirt and skidding into Bane. Tobias lay panting on the ground, unsure of his safety or the guinea pigs.
Bosko was still looking around the camp for Kratia when he stopped on the other side of the fire across from Bane. 'has anyone seen my wife? i was told that she was here, but i don't see her.' he asked
Ebony walked into the hut with her head down and sat across from Dakota. 'Why is everything so confusing?' she asked, still trying to clear her confusion.
Bane pawed at the guneapig. 'Food or part of this other strange group.' he thought, he picked it up and walked over to Bosko, he then placed it before the lion. "Yours I suppose?" he asked sitting down.
Dakota sat up. "What exactly is confusing you?"
'Everything. This place we're trapped in. You drinking blood and healing. You being a living ultrasound machine. Gemma acting strangely and phoenix with tiger. Everything. I'm just a zoo panther who lived in Norway before having cubs to the master of time.' Ebony confessed.
'Excuse me. I am not food.' The guinea pig growled, growing into the form of an adult black panther.
'Kaygis. He never said you were.' Bosko said, defending the wolf.
'He was thinking it. Just cause I'm the only suitable prey around doesn't mean you can go eating the one that can kill you with but a single thought.'
"Sorry..." She responded. "I can't answer about this place... But the blood, have you ever heard of Vampires?"
"I'm sorry... I'm just so hungry, I havnt drunk in weeks..." He shook his head, then looked up realising who he was talking to and sprinted off, grabbing Lelani by the scruff as he ran, he sprinted out of camp. "We have to find You mother, father and sister." He explained to the confused cub and she allowed him to carry her into the unknown.
'Yeah. my whole group is friends with one. Though we don't see him much anymore. he watches from the shadows and makes sure that nothing bad is happening to the group at night. and soemtimes he'll fight with two of the other members, but he doesn't do anything too deadly.' Ebony said, confused now about the whole vampire question.
'ok. so we have two vampires running around, or is that cub a third?' Kaygis said.
'What? is flick running around in this place trying to find something as well?' Bosko asked.
'i don't know. all i know is that i was about to become a snack for a vampire. i'm the only one around here besides flick that actually knows what its like to be prey. and now i'm being hunted by my fellow prey guild member.'
'To be honest. i hope he isnt. He's been unstable ever since Damien recruited Slayer.'
'unstable...Reece!' Kaygis ran around the camp looking for his brother.
"Bane... My husband is a Vampire..." Dakota explained waiting for Ebony to freak out or have some kind of reaction.
"Brother!" Bane called out, as he swung Lelani onto his back so his voice was stronger. "Akira, Krystal!"
'Boys are pathetic.' Sarabi growled to herself as she slunk into the trees after Bane and Lelani.
'Has anyone seen my brother. The last time i saw him, he was falling from the sky as a triceratops. I'm afraid he may have broken something. By the way, for those who don't know me. I'm Kaygis, master of time.' Kaygis said, sitting by the fire with the tip of his tail in the fire.
'You're married to a vampire? at least you don't have to live with the fact that if your husband dies, the world will die and the keeper of time will fade away causing the distruction of the universe.' Ebony asked, shrugging it off like a fly on her shoulder.
Gemma looked at Kaygis. "Show-off!" She yelled before her, Mana and Jordon carried Ebony's two cubs walked into a hut, getting comfortable.
Bane heard something behind him and jumped. He hid Lelani behind him as his body grew bigger, his tail shorter and his fangs longer. He snarled at the empty ground behind him, his sabre fangs stretching out below his chin.
"Yes... I'm married to a Vampire and my sister, Gemma her blood contains revein... A herb that can kill my husband if he ingests enough of it otherwise it will just paralyse him... She is the mother of Phoenix, so her blood contains healing powers, that's why I healed so quickly after drinking it..." Dakota explained as best she could but then stopped talking, and awaited then next question from the list Ebony originally created that she had forgotten.
'Well, Master...your tail's on fire.' Bosko said, a little confused at his friend's behaviour, before walking up to the entrance of the hut that the two wolves and tiger walked into, his head down and his ears flat against his head in submission.
'It is?' Kaygis asked, before looking at his burning tail. 'It is.'
'Kaygis. put out your tail. it stinks!' Ritara growled.
Kaygis dug a small hole in the ground beside him and placed the tip of his tail in it before burying it with dirt.
Sarabi stopped in the darkness, watching Bane. She looked up at the tree beside her, judging how much time she would have if he decided to attack. she didn't have much time. Silently, she cursed herself for breaking the branch she had been about to jump off. The only thing she wanted to do was apologise about Kaygis.
'Does the vampire thing lead into how you're a walking ultrasound machine?' Ebony asked.
Jordon looked up from her lying position to the Lion that just looked in, she snarled low, but neither Mana or Gemma glanced at him, they knew he had been with Bane and therefore must not be dangerous. Jordon moved protectively over Ebony's newborns as her ears flattened against her head. "Can we help you?" She snarled.
Bane noticed it was Sarabi and he faded his form back to his wolf self. "Sorry... I didn't know who it was." he apologized as Lelani walked under him and stood between his two front legs.
"I'm an empath..." Dakota started "I can sense pain... Emotional, physical or any other form you can think of, if you get cut, I get cut, if you die, I die... I could project a picture of Kratia’s cubs as if they were my own by letting her into my heart..." Dakota explained in total trust.
'I...uh...just wanted to apologise for my friend's rude behaviour. He must have hit his head or something because he's not usually like this. That and I wanted to make sure that the cubs were still going strong. Finealta is rare in the jaguar world and Jacob hasn't been too well lately. Every few days i go and check on them and...well...I can't deny my job when I'm looking after my friends' children.' Bosko whispered, getting the feeling that he wasn't wanted.
'No. It was my fault. I...I shouldn't have been jumping through the trees. I just wanted to apologise on behalf of Kaygis. Usually he's more, I don't know, secretive and doesn't go all demented like he did. I'm sorry if you're thinking that we're just stupid mortals that don't know what we're talking about.' Sarabi said, feeling it was a little safer to take a few steps out of the shadows.
'Empath? I...I don't understand. I don't fully understand any of that.' Ebony whispered, lying down in confusion.
Jordon eased up almost immediately, this lion was defiantly no threat. "I understand." She said in a soft tone, then she lay her head on her paws, her tail still lightly wrapped around the newborns she sheltered. She gave no indication if Bosko could enter or no indication that he couldn't, but she trusted Gemma and Mana's judgement... He was allowed to enter if wanted.
Bane sat down all hostility gone. "I won't hurt you..." He assured. "It's just when I let the vampire fact slip most people... Or in your case morphers get all angry and want me dead." He said looking at his paws with sorrow. "I don't... I haven’t killed a human before for feeding, I only hunt animals... but I haven’t drunk in over two weeks... So I'm pretty weak..." He turned away from her ashamed.
"Do you trust me?" Dakota asked.
Bosko still waited at the entrance, still unsure if he was allowed to check the health of the newborns.
'How much blood would you take if I said you could take some of mine to last you a little longer?' Sarabi asked, wondering why she was even putting herself in danger.
Ebony nodded, unable to speak.
Gemma looked up at the lion. "Enter." She spoke softly then went back to her original position looking at her paws eyes shut.
Bane was shocked by the question as he shook his head and thought about it. "Only a vial full..." He said sure that that would satisfy him. "But I will not." He stepped back Lelani following his paws. "I can't..."
Dakota bit her paw and it started bleeding, Dakota's paw poured out blood at the same time. She raised her paw so Ebony could see then licked Ebony's paw clean as her paw healed over, before laying down awaiting Ebony to either slap her or understand.
'How'd you...do that?' Ebony asked, getting even more confused than before.
'Why can't you?' Sarabi asked, sitting down as she tried not to let her ears fall to the back of her head.
Bosko shook his head and walked in. He lay down beside Jordon before picking Jacob up carefully and doing a quick check over him. He did a quick visual check over Finealta, before getting up again. 'They're weak.' he muttered to himself. 'I hope Jacob makes it through this. He's so weak and so ill. It's just not right.' He turned to walk out of the hut but stopped and swept his tail gently over the cubs. 'Don't worry, kids. We'll get you a drink soon.' He whispered before turning to the females 'Thank you ladies.' He said before he walked out of the hut.
"Wait!" Jordon called hoping the lion had heard her and would come back.
"Because... the only person... I have ever taken blood from... and not willingly mind you... was Dakota." He said hesitant to share the information.
"My empathic ability allows me to feel what other's feel... I showed you when I bit your paw. When someone close to me or someone that I have a connection with, gets hurt, I get their symptoms and when they heal I do to." Dakota said trying to shed some light
Bosko stopped just outside the hut and turned back to look into the hut at the tiger who lay by the cubs. 'Yes, miss?' He asked, confused as to why he was called back.
'I see. What about the cub? She looks hungry. Maybe even hungrier than you slightly.' Sarabi asked, looking down at the ground.
'So if I were to suddenly fall ill, not that I'm jynxing myself or anything, you'd...' Ebony said, trying to get the thought stuck in her head.
"Gemma..." Jordon started... "Gemma has pups less than two weeks old... She has plenty of milk... I know it's wolfs milk but would it suffice the babies till their mother is available?" Jordon asked.
"Lelani..." Bane said looking at the cub between his leg. "Lelani is brother's daughter... She is human, she eat's normally..." Bane explained. "I don't mean to be rude or offensive about not wanting your blood, It's just, I wouldn’t feel comfortable, drinking from someone other than my life and soul... Lelani has no need for blood with her human system..."
"Yes I would fall ill as well." Dakota finished hoping Ebony understood now.
'Give it a try if you wish. I actually don't think that Ebony's milk is good for Jacob. I'm willing to try just about anything to save him. I've...I've already lost one of my friend's cubs. I don't...I don't want to lose another.' Bosko said, hurt streaming through his eyes at the thought of trying to save Luigi Vitello's brother as well as when he failed to rescue his brother's twin sister.
'Ok. I understand. I doubt you'll need my help looking for your brother then.' Sarabi said, getting up and beginning to turn away.
'Ok, I understand...sort of.' Ebony gave a small smile.
"My milk, It contains healing powers, as I have phoenix blood flowing through my veins, It should be very good for them but only if you’re sure." Gemma said slowly raising.
"Sarabi..." Bane said low. "Would you like to help us? I would hate something to happen to me and Lelani be stranded again..." With that said Lelani jumped up on Bane's back and curled up.
Dakota nodded... "Was there anything else you wanted to know?"
'Like I said. I'd give my life to save him.' Bosko said, lowering his head sub-consciously as he remembered the looks on Sarabi's and Raimundo's faces when he told them about Luigi's brother.
'Are you sure? Are you sure I wouldn't be a burden in some way?' Sarabi asked looking back at Bane.
'Can it be something personal on my account?' Ebony asked, her voice quiet and sad.
"Ok..." Gemma said as Jordon moved over. Gemma lay down on her side so the newborns could reach her teats.
"I'm sure" Bane answered nodding slightly. "Three sets of eyes are better then two, besides I'm going slow so I don’t miss anything." He smiled at her.
"Sure I don’t mind." Dakota answered.
'Thank you. For your help.' Bosko said as he watched Jacob and Finealta find their way to Gemma's side before silently backing away from the females.
Sarabi nodded and limped over to the vampiric wolf and lion cub.
'My son, Jacob. He hasn't been well, lately. He's only a newborn and he's gotten everyone worried. He's not drinking like he should. Would you, by any chance, happen to know or find out what's wrong with him?' Ebony asked, tears welling up in her eyes.
"My pleasure." Gemma answered relaxing as she stretched her claws into the dirt and started to fall asleep.
Bane put his nose to the ground and slowed to Sarabi's pace as he tried to pick up the scent of another animal on this island. A small snore pulled him off the trail and he glanced back at the cub resting peacefully on his back. He then glanced at Sarabi with a sheepish smile. "So much for three sets of eyes." He chuckled slightly before continuing on the trail for another form of life.
"Well that's easy..." Dakota said happy that she knew the answer. "Only if it's in your best interest, my sister, Gemma, has newborns under two weeks and still has fresh milk, her milk, like her contains the healing powers of a phoenix, have him drink her milk a few times and he will be right as rain." Dakota smiled at Ebony, hoping that she hadn't said anything wrong.
'I'm just worried that it's the milk itself. What will happen then?' Ebony asked.
Sarabi looked around for any sign of another life form, before stopping. She realised that she had no idea what kind of animal she was looking for. 'What animal is your brother?' She asked.
Bane glanced at Sarabi. "Skype should be in wolf form."
Dakota got up and walked over to Ebony, she then sat down and closed her eyes, her head pointing towards the floor.
'Something's wrong, isn't there.' Ebony sighed, closing her eyes.
'Wolf.' Sarabi nodded before limping ahead slightly, looking anywhere a lion could be hiding. She even looked in the branches remembering how Bosko's brother and sister liked to hide in trees when they played with him, Even Mazari when he was hiding from going to the clinic for a check-up.
Dakota shook her head. "It's not you..." She said looking up at Ebony.
Bane howled hoping to hear from anyone, his friends and family or even Sarabi's friends and family.
'Then what is it?' Ebony asked, looking up at Dakota pleadingly.
'Skype! Anyone else! These are friends calling!' Sarabi called before her ears picked up on a distant howl.
"I... I'm not sure..." Dakota said depressed she didn't know.
Bane glanced in the direction of the male wolf howl "Did you hear that?" He asked Sarabi, but before he got his answer another wolf howled, this time a female and similar, familiar.
'I heard both, if that's what you mean.' Sarabi said, trying to find where the first howl had come from.
Ebony got up and started to leave, before realising that Kaygis was outside. She turned around and went to curl up in the darkest corner of the hut, placing her paw over her face as tears fell down her cheeks.
Dakota stood up and walked over to Ebony lying down beside her. "Are you ok?" She asked licking away the tears as they fell.
Bane nodded as the she wolf howled again. He listened to its tune. "Charmed!" He yelled out hoping he had it right.
"Bane!" A distant voice yelled back.
'I don't know what's wrong with my son. And my husband just lost his company. And i'm on maternity leave at the moment so we're not getting enough money to sustain us with food. Next to that, Kaygis is going to court over his company and...it's just bad. Now we're trapped here with no food. Can't we do what Gemma or Mana or someone suggested and think urgently about food?' Ebony sobbed, trusting in Dakota more than she was trusting herself at that moment.
Sarabi stepped forward slightly as she heard the first wolf howl again, but the pressure on her paw made it sting. She raised it again with a hiss, trying to ignore the pain.
Dakota looked at her as she remembered Jordon's suggestion. She decided to give it ago, she thought back to when her and Gemma were cubs and that day they took down their first Zebra. She disappeared as did Gemma, Jordon moved sheltering the newborns again wondering what happened to Gemma. Dakota reappeared with Gemma beside her their claws and teeth digging into an already dead zebra on the ground. Gemma quickly let go. "What happened?"
"I thought about our first hunt." Dakota said letting go of the zebra and looking at her. "This is the zebra we killed all those years ago." She then glanced up at Ebony and nudged the zebra towards her. "Eat..." She whispered as Gemma ran back out and rejoined Jordon, Mana and the newborns. She walked over and Jordon moved out of her way, she then relay down for the cubs to continue drinking.
Charmed howled again and looked back at the male, "Come on she said, that’s a friend of mine, he can help us." She said before taking off In Bane's direction.
Bane howled back and sat down waiting for Charmed to burst through the trees.
Ebony ate like she hadn't eaten for weeks. When she felt like she was done, she nudged the zebra over to Dakota. 'Here. You eat.' she said, still worried.
Zolo shook his head before dashing after the red and black wolf.
"Bane! Bane!" Charmed yelled as she burst through the trees and dived on him nuzzling into him, when she stopped she sat up. "Is mum ok?"
Bane nodded to her and Charmed sighed with relief. "What about my siblings?" At that Bane looked away a sad expression taking over his face.
"We... We haven’t found them." At that Charmed whimpered but stopped when she noticed Lelani asleep on Bane's back.
"Thank god one of them is safe." She whispered and all Bane could do was nod.
Lelani twitched and her eyes fluttered open, at the site of Charmed she leapt off Bane's back before jumping onto Charmed’s and biting into her ear, tugging on the appendage happily. Charmed chuckled. "Good to see you too squirt." She smiled at the cub and then turned back to Bane.
Dakota looked at the zebra, out of the hut and then at Ebony's worried expression. Her ear twitched. "I have an idea." She smiled as she walked out of the hut and howled for Bane.
Bane's ears perked up as he looked back towards camp, then up at the sky. "We should head back now."
'Sarabi!' zolo exclaimed as he skidded to a stop in front of the jaguar. 'Someone i know. No offense.' He said, turning to the other wolves.
'Zolo.' Sarabi sighed. 'What happened? You're drenched.'
'Yeah. I went for a swim cause I was bored and couldn't be bothered to even look for anyone, including Kilier and Kurt.' He replied sarcastically. ' I was being chased by something and ran into a river, coming out on this side of it.'
'Come on. Lead the way, Bane.' Sarabi turned to Bane with a slight shake of her head.
'What's wrong, Dakota?' Ritara asked, getting up and placing Tidus and Aquile by the fire so they could sleep next to their brother.
Bosko walked out of the hut that Kratia was still asleep in, confused.
"I'll explain when Bane gets back." She said to Ritara before running off towards the pine trees
and shredding strips off.
Bane nodded, with Charmed by his side and with Lelani on Charmed's back, they then headed back to camp.
Zolo and Sarabi followed, curious about why someone had howled back at camp.
Dakota ran back to the edge of the camp that Mana had made up and dropped the pine she collected.
"Hey everyone, collect some more pine and make a few more huts. As we find other members of the two groups were going to run out of room, so expand the camp and add more huts!" She yelled before starting to pile the pine as if she was making a ten by ten meter pen. She sprinted across camp when she was out of pine to grab more.
Bane trotted into camp just as Dakota sprinted past him, but she didn't stop. He watched her run over to a pine tree and started shredding it before he walked into the hut where he knew Mana, Gemma and Jordon were, Charmed following him.
'How many trees do you need downed?' Bosko asked, closing his eyes and growling as his mane and tail turned to fire and his paws sparked with fire. He opened his eyes again and looked around.
Reece woke up and shook his massive head. He roared, calling for anyone he knew and expecially his brother, before stumbling into the camp unable to feel his hind right leg. He didn't know where he was or what he was, just that he needed to find someone he knew.
Kaygis dug his tail out of the ground and shook his head, standing by Bosko and waiting for any orders that needed to be given. He saw Tobias lying in the middle of the camp and gently picked him up and moved him into one of the huts. He didn't realise it was the hut that the other females were in. Nor did he realise that his cubs were in there being fed by Gemma.
Sarabi and Zolo walked into the camp and Sarabi went into the hut that Kratia was in, Zolo close behind her. She didn't want to get in the way of any construction that was going on and Zolo wanted to see his cousin to make sure that she was okay.
Bane lay down at the entrance of the hut watching Dakota as Charmed walked in. She nuzzled her mother and lay down not questioning the balls of fur she was feeding.
Dakota shredded some more pine and instead of running back through the camp, she blinked to the other side where she was building the pen. "Enough pine and wood to make about four or five more huts!" She yelled back to Bosko as she continued working on the pen.
Bosko walked up to a tree and, with one sweep of his paw, cut right through the base of the tree, leaving only a metre high stump. 'Would that do?' He asked Dakota before moving to another tree. 'Or would you like another?'
Reece saw what Bosko was doing and charged at the nearest tree, using all his strength to uproot it.
Dakota looked at the tree as it fell to the ground, she then blinked, shaved the tree thin and blinked the pile of pine to the other side of the camp by the pen she was making. "Another please." She smiled as she started using the tree worth of shavings to build the pen rib deep for a human then used the remaining wood and pine to strengthen the pen.
A loud crack filled the air and Reece roared before turning into a tyrannosaurus rex. He shook his massive head and looked down at the camp before picking up the tree he just uprooted and dropping it next to Dakota. Bosko looked up at Reece and instantly sat down. 'Ah, Kaygis or Dakota. I think we have a slight problem.' He said.
Dakota glanced up at the Tyrannosaurus Rex as she slowly backed away whimpering. Bane looked up as he heard his wife whimper and when he noticed the dinosaur he leapt across the camp skidding between then in his Sabre-tooth form snarling at the dinosaur.
Charmed, Mana, Jordon and Gemma heard the commotion, so Gemma sent the girls out. They saw the Tyrannosaurus and also leapt beside Bane protecting Dakota. Jordon was a Borophagus, Mana was a Andrewsarchus and Charmed an Alioramus.
'Reece. Don't.' Kaygis roared, running between the king of the tyrant lizards and the other ancient beasts, saber-wolf and ordinary wolf.
Reece went to take a step towards his brother, when he heard a grinding crack coming from deep inside him. He closed his eyes as pain shot through him before roaring in pain and falling to the ground, unconscious again.
'Reece!' kaygis roared again, running up to his brother and trying to wake him up.
Dakota knocked her protectors out of the way and ran to their sides.
"What is it? What’s wrong with him?" She asked worried.
'I don't know. When i found him, he was a dying liopleurodon stranded on land. And not a drop of water in sight. A few minutes later he melted into an articuno, an ice bird pokemon, and we set off to find the rest of my friends and family. About five minutes later he turned into a giant pterosaur underneath me and then five minute after that he turned into a triceratops and sent the both of us falling to our deaths. He must have landed on his leg or something, I don't know. I was rescued by Tobias. I think this place is making his genetic coding go crazy. He's unstable.' Kaygis explained, still trying to wake his brother up. 'I think his leg's broken.' He added.
"Gemma!" Dakota called to her sister. "Bane, go mind the cubs I need my sister." She said to him and he deformed back into a wolf, then ran to the hut, he switched places with Gemma and watched her ran out before curling around the newborns to keep them warm. "Yes Dakota?" Gemma asked, she then glanced at the Dinosaur.
"Kaygis... Gemma can heal him and stabilize his genetic makeup, but only if you let her." Gemma slightly stepped forward as Dakota explained, but she stopped awaiting Kaygis' answer.
'It will kill him. He'll die if you stabilise his genetic make up. He's supposed to be human. It was thanks to me that he's the way he is. We were playing when i threw the ball into my parents laboratory and he went after it and a whole bunch of chemicals poured over him. Ever since then his human self, his true being, has been unstable. If you stabilise his coding, he'll revert to human form and die. This place, it destroys ones human self. I can sense it. By all means, find out why he collapsed and heal him. But i don't want my brother to die.' Kaygis said, trying to hide the tears that sprung in his eyes.
Dakota took in what he had said and looked at Gemma who nodded. Gemma slashed through her leg and gathered some blood on her fangs, she then walked over to the massive dinosaur's jaw and dropped blood into his mouth. When she was sure she had given him enough she used her back paws to kick his jaw shut forcing him to swallow.
'What are you doing? I didn't mean to heal him on the cost of your own injury.' Kaygis whimpered.
'It's okay, Kaygis.' Ebony whispered walking out of the hut. 'If Gemma is anything like Dakota, she has healing powers. That's how they heal. They are healere.'
"Yeah..." Dakota said thankful that someone Kaygis would actually listen to had stepped forward. Gemma licked her leg and the wound closed over.
"See." She said stretching her leg out so Kaygis could see she was fine. "No wound, no blood."
Kaygis suddenly realised that Bosko's senses were able to pick up the scent and turned to his friend, hoping he was going to be okay. Bosko had reverted back to his normal lion form when he caught the scent of the blood and he was slowly walking over to the edge of the forest, but before he reached the edge of the trees he closed his eyes and threw up.
'Bosko.' Ebony said, rushing to his side.
"Is he alright?" Dakota asked Kaygis as Gemma, Mana, Jordon & Charmed all walked back to their hut, Mana, Jordon & Charmed reverting back to their normal forms along the way. They entered the hut relieving Bane of his babysitting duty, then they all lay back down with the newborns getting comfortable as Bane lay at the entrance of the hut watching Dakota.
'He doesn't take well to blood. And he is a vet. So it makes things a little challenging.' Ebony explained.
"Ohh..." Dakota said she then looked at the Dino, then back at Bosko.
"Bosko, are you still good to keep the wood moving?" Dakota asked him as she looked at the massive log on the ground beside the dinosaur.
'I can...I can try.' Bosko grumbled, still trying to settle his stomach.
Reece suddenly woke up then and shook his head. he looked at the wolf by the uprooted tree and then at the forest beside him. He got up, tested his foot and roared before biting into another tree and uprooting that one. He carefully dropped the tree beside the first tree and looked at Dakota at eye-level before closing his eyes and melting into a smilodon.
Dakota nuzzled the Sabre before her and sat down. "Thank you." She smiled, she then started tearing strips of the two new trees and continued to build the pen to a good strength.
'Anything else?' Reece asked in a thick Scottish accent, wishing he was still a dinosaur.
"Really all we need now is a few more huts to sleep in." Dakota answered not looking away from her work.
Reece nodded his head and closed his eyes focusing on the image of the legendary pokemon, Groudon. when he opened his eyes again, he found himself looking down at Dakota who was at his knee. but he could feel the earth flowing through him.
with a single, short roar, he had swept everyone in the camp into the centre and nodded to himself, glad that everyone in the camp, though confused at what had happened, were out of harms way. concentrating hard, he reformed the earth to form two caves about the size of a two story house and big enough to fit around twenty animals comfortably in. he formed the caves in a 'Y' formation in front of him before looking down at Dakota's sorry excuse for a pen. * That's not going to last very long like that.* he thought. he closed his eyes and ordered the earth to coat the wooden structure before collapsing to the ground and melting into the form of a cute black and red kitten. *Okay. This is embarrassing.*
Dakota looked at the newely decked out camp site, then at her rocky pen, then at the tiny kitten. she ran and jumped up on the rocky wall of the ten by ten pen.
"Everyone!" Dakota yelled as the animals in the camp site looked up at her.
"Who's Hungry!"
Luigi woke up and looked around confused. He heard the mention of food and immediately looked up at his mother. 'Can I have some milk now please?' he asked.
'No.' Sarabi growled, annoyed that he was still begging her for milk. ' You can eat meat instead.'
Reece looked around at his new creation before curling up and falling asleep.
"No ones hungry!" Dakota yelled. "Ok I'll keep all the food to myself!" Then she jumped down into the pen.
"Wait!" Gemma said jumping forward. "I'm starving!"
"Me too!" Mana added.
"And dont forget us!" Bane yelled, Charmed, Lelani and Jordon beside him.
Dakota looked back over the wall, she then jumped up.
"Alright some confessers! Anyone else?" She asked, her question directed at the other group.
'As the oldest, besides the sleeping black and red kitten, and the leader's wife, I speak for everyone when I say yes.' Ritara said before looking at Bosko. 'Just keep some for when Bosko feels up to eating.'
'Why can't I have any milk?' Luigi asked.
' You're going to start eating solid food now. You're big enough and strong enough and the only way you're going to be as strong as your father is if you eat meat.' Sarabi replied.
'Well he is.' Kaygis sighed.
Dakota dropped down and looked at Gemma. "Join me?" She said.
Gemma walked up beside her sister as the both of them placed their paws on the edge of the stone wall as if looking at something in the pen. 'Think about that day we looked into that hunter's paddock, this pen is the same size as the paddock was, picture the animals in your head and what you saw that day.' She projected to Gemma then the both of them thought about it, about the hundreds of various prey that were in the paddock. They switched places as the pen filled with over 200 prey. Dakota then jumped back up on the stone wall and looked at the hungry crowd before her.
"This place allows us to bring back similar situations, other people, animal friends that have passed on, we can bring them back here. These 200 or so prey are from a past memory of mine and Gemma's, a day long ago when we came across a hunter's paddock. If you find our food supply is low picture another scene where you were hunting and taking down an animal, that will happen, if you picture yourself, with your jaw over the animals neck, the animal will appear with you attached to its neck there's your meal for a day. Now come get something to eat! Fill your stomachs!" Dakota yelled she then jumped aside out of the rampage of animals.
Gemma & Charmed shared a zebra, Mana took her own zebra to share with Lelani, and Bane grasped an antelope for him and Dakota to share.
Kratia woke up and saw the mass of prey in front of her. Before anyone knew what she was doing, she dashed into the mass and took down the largest animal she could find. When she came out, she was dragging a water buffalo by the horn. She placed the food so that everyone could find a place to eat before tearing a chunk of meat off and placing it in front of Luigi.
'That should see you through.' she said, before hungrily attacking the dead beast.
She was shortly joined by everyone else in her group except Bosko, Tobias, Sarabi and Reece. Sarabi nudged the meat closer to her son, trying to get him to eat it.
'It looks yucky.' Luigi said, refusing to eat it.
'If you don't eat, you won't get to be like daddy. Just try it.' Sarabi replied.
Luigi nibbled at the meat, still unsure of it, before finding he liked it and devouring it. He looked up at his mother with a smile before dashing over to the rest of the meat and sinking his teeth into it beside his cousin. Sarabi sighed. 'Thank you lord.' she said before going over and eating herself.
Dakota walked over and joined Bane. She bit into the tender flesh of the Antelope's chest as Bane ripped a leg away and started draining it.
Gemma and Charmed halved their Zebra, Gemma getting the Chest and Charmed getting the rump.
Mana ripped off a juicy slab of meat and passed it to Lelani who tentatively but into it, trying its taste before she ate it quickly and started eating from the area Mana had removed the slab from. Mana smiled at the cub before she started nawing on the shoulder.
Jordon looked at the seven cubs left with her and sighed. She picked up the younget white jaguar cub and placed her up on her own scruff, said cub was soon followed by the other two white jaguar cubs which she placed on her back. She then looked down at the remaining four, she nudged the three lion cubs awake before picking up the last black jaguar cub.
"Come on." She said to the three that were able to walk before she turned and headed towards the den she was in before.
Bosko shook his head, watching Jordon take the cubs into the cave, and went over to Tobias. He nudged the eagle gently before checking him over. Tobias screamed when he felt Bosko press into his left wing. The fall he had taken had left his wing broken. 'Hold on, Tobias. I'll get you something to eat and see if I can't put that wing in a spint for you.' Bosko said quietly before going over to the water buffalo meat and tearing some of the meat for the eagle.
He placed the meat where Tobias could easily reach it before going to find some form of material to make a splint out of. He tripped over Reece, who had melted into the form of a black and red andrewsarchus, as he looked, but he continued as if nothing had happened.
Gemma looked up from her food to the Eagle shrieking out in pain, but she didn’t move. She was not asked for help and there for wouldn’t help until she was asked. She looked back down at her meal and continued eating.
Tobias watched Bosko leave before managing to get up and walked over to Gemma, his left wing dragging on the ground.
'Excuse me Gemma. You heal people, right?' he asked, hoping Bosko stayed away from the camp
Gemma looked up from her food to the ragged bird before her. Her eyes trailed over the limp wing and she nodded.
"Yes I do heal... but the only way to heal your wing is for you to drink some of my blood..." She said sure the bird would walk away in disgust.
'I try and turn myself into a vampire. Wouldn't Dad be pleased.' Tobias muttered under his breath. ' Bosko's old fasioned. I've broken my arm before, and it's not good. I don't want to go through the pain and boredom again. I want to be able to fly and find my family. Please, can you help?' He asked, returning his attention to Gemma.
"Ok." Gemma said thinking about how she was going to do this, feeding a bird her blood was a new one. She pierced her paw with her teeth and lifted her paw for the bird, her blood dripping down to the grass below.
Tobias opened his beak under the wolf's paw and drank a couple of drops of blood before moving his head away from the paw. After a few seconds he flapped his wing to test it. Happy, he hugged Gemma's leg with a smile. 'Thank you.' he said, before perching himself on her shoulder.
"Your very welcome." Gemma smile back happy she could help, she then licked her paw clean and the pierced wounds closed over.
'Is this everyone or...' Tobias asked, wondering how many people he would have to look out for.
Bosko came back into camp with a couple of twigs in his mouth. Seeing Tobias perched on Gemma's shoulder, he threw the twigs into the fire and walked into one of the two caves.
Reece woke up, feeling uncomfortable with the crowd, and walked out of the camp. As he walked, he turned into a rhino. Unable to see where he was going very clearly, he kept tripping over small rocks. When he looked back, he could just see a sliver of smoke trail behind him. Smiling, he lay down in time for him to melt into his favourite form, a red and black luxray.
"There are many more of my family and friends..." Gemma replied upset, worried about her newborn.
'Something's wrong. You're not happy. Did I say something wrong?' Tobias said, trying to figure out what he had said wrong.
Reece looked up when he heard the shuffle of paws on the ground. Walking down the path were Choby and Raimundo. Following close behind them were Emma, Jaymie and the other two eagle boys. 'Straight ahead. There's a camp. You can't miss it. You'll find Taka, Ritara, Tidus, Aquile, Bosko, Kaygis, Kratia, Ebony, Tobias, Sarabi, Zolo, Jacob, Finealta, Aztec, Tammy, Zelda and Little Luigi.' He said.
Choby nodded. 'Thanks.' he said before continuing, but Raimundo stopped. 'Why aren't you with them?' he asked.
'Rai. You know how I am with crowds. I'll go back when I'm ready.'
Gemma looked up at Tobias. "Yeah it's nothing you said... Everthing's all right."
Tobias flapped his wings and took off, lightly brushing Gemma's head as he flew off. He landed neatly on the buffalo carcass and ate his fill before going to rest in a near by tree. He didn't notice his brothers fly up to his side, glad to see he was alright.
'Is this the right place?' Raimundo asked Choby even though the question was open to all.
Gemma's ears lay against her head as she closed her eyes. 'There’s nothing I can do for tonight...' She thought, she looked up at Charmed. "Charmed, can you please go relieve Jordon of the cubs for a while, she needs to eat too." With that said she walked into the cave closest to her, not checking who was inside and lay down in the furthest corner whimpering lightly.
Ebony shook her head before going over to her cubs. She tried to get Jacob to suckle, but once again he wouldn't drink. She tried desperately to get him to drink, but he wouldn't drink.
Kratia saw Gemma walk off and went to the entrance of the cave that she had gone in. She wasn't sure if she was allowed in but she didn't want to seem rude. 'Is everything alright?' she called softly.
'I guess it is.' Choby answered his brother, trotting up to Ritara and nudging her.
'Choby.' Ritara sighed. She licked the scars over his right eye before resting her head under his. Taka walked over to his father and pawed at him, playfully, with Tidus and Aquile close behind him.
With the arrival of another member of the cubs pack Jordon stood and left the cave quietly she ran into Charmed at the entrance.
"Ebony is in there now, I think it's best to leave her and the cubs be till we are needed again." Charmed nodded in understanding and watched as Jordon walked away, she then sat down at the entrance of the cave, she glanced in to see Ebony trying to feed her black cub but didn't interfere when she noticed the cub wasn't suckling, it wasn't her place to do anything unless asked for help.
Jordon looked around the camp, the other group had found a few more members. 'That's good... I wonder how my boys are doing...' She sighed and made her way over to the pen, she jumped the wall and took down a small Zebra. She then dragged it out of the pen and leapt into a nearby tree where Phoenix was sleeping. She lay the kill before phoenix and started eating. Phoenix awoke at the smell of meat, he deformed into his tiger form and joined Jordon for dinner.
Gemma removed her paw from her muzzle as the tears fell down her cheeks. "Yeah..." She whispered. "I'm ok..."
'Are you sure?' Kratia asked, sensing the tears in Gemma's voice.
Emma and Jaymie sat looking around at the camp, trying to keep their minds off Choby and Raimundo's lost and found love. they noticed the giant pen filled with prey and trotted up, resting their paws over the edge of a gate like area and watching the animals in the crowded pen.
Reece looked up at the sound of rustling through the trees, but he lowered his head down. He fought with himself to stay in the form of a luxray, but his body shook and he melted into a red and black lion. Cursing himself and the place that he was in, he watched the surrounding area for any signs of threatening life.
The tears Gemma was trying to hold back gave way as they trickled to the ground. "No..." She whimpered lightly.
Bane nuzzled Dakota and trotted over to Mana and Lelani, worried about why Gemma had walked off. Charmed noticed the movement and walked over to the two females aswell. Dakota watched the group form but she didn't go to them, she walked over to the two new animals looking into the prey pen. She jumped up on the wall and lay down.
"Feel free to help yourself." She smiled trying to be friendly.
Skype and Tsume trotted through the snow that surrounded them, Bloodshot & Snowdrift flying above them.
"Guys we should probably find shelter..." Snowdrift suggested. "We'll continue looking for Zanzabar and the others tomorrow."
Skype glanced up at him.
"Ok..." He said disappointed that they had to stop looking but he knew it was best.
Kratia entered the cave and lay down beside Gemma. 'What's wrong. I'm not such a bad tiger, you know. You can tell me.' she whispered, licking at the tears that ran down the wolf's face.
Emma and Jaymie looked at each other before looking up at the wolf on the wall. 'We're not allowed to hunt the penned in animals.' Emma said, a cautious smile on her face.
'Uncle Bosko, Aunt Kratia and mother keep on telling us not to hunt them because they're in for their check ups or they're in to heal.' Jaymie explained.
Reece got up and went to investigate the cause of the rustling. He found a small cave and went in, melting into a wolf as he investigated the cave.
Gemma looked at Kratia confused. "I..." She started, but she couldn’t finish as she again looked away.
Dakota smiled at the pre-teens. 'They must live near a vet.' She thought then with a extended blink she shifted a zebra out of the pen into the camp site.
"Quick look, that zebra's not in the pen, so I guess you can hunt it." Dakota winked at them hoping they wouldn't starve themselves on a stupid rule.
'I help anyone I can.' Kratia said, hoping that would clear the confusion. 'You can trust me. What's wrong?'
Emma and Jaymie looked at each other and smiled before racing each other to see who could catch the zebra first. Both cheetah and lioness cubs ran into each other quite a few times before finally managing to catch and kill the zebra. They ate hungrily before playing around. Then they looked up at the wolf on the wall and ran over to her, jumping up at her in an attempt to knock her off the wall playfully. They never noticed as Tobias's brother's swooped down on the kill in order to fill their own stomachs.
Reece folowed the cave until he walked out onto snow. He shivered as a cold blast of wide shot through his fur and shook his paw before going to explore the area.
"My... My boy..." She started glancing out at the now falling snow. "Newborn... Less then a month old... Out in this weather... And his older brother..." She couldn't say any more as her head fell to her paws and the tears continued to fall.
Dakota tumbled backwards off the wall into the prey pen disturbing some of the prey, she then jumped the wall and playfully pranced around the cubs.
Bloodshot came to a stop ahead of the others.
"What is the matter Brother?" Snowdrift called flying up beside his brother, Skype and Tsume ran up beside the two dragons.
"This rock..." Bloodshot said before shooting a stream of blue fire at it melting it completely forming a cave like structure. "Would make a perfectly good shelter for us to stay the night in." He smiled as the four of them adjusted in the cave and curled up, waiting for morning to come and the snow to stop falling.
'It will be ok. We'll find them. I'll go kick Bosko out of the cave he's in and get him to go find them if you want me to. It would keep him busy. And he could take some of the boys so that it wouldn't be too crowded around here for you.' Kratia suggested, trying to calm Gemma down.
Jaymie leapt at Dakota but instead of landing on her back, she flew over her and rolled into a tree. She watched, upside down, as Emma trotted up to her before her tail flicked itself in front of her eyes. Growling, she pawed at her tail before rolling onto her side. Emma stopped when a snowflake fell on her nose. 'It's snowing. I've never seen it snow before.' she said confused.
Reece walked around the side of the cave and walked himself back to where he had started. His newly discovered, snow filled section of the world now turned out to be just the old area being covered by snow. disappointed, he walked back to the camp, melting back into his tyrannosaurus rex form.
"It's ok..." Gemma cried low hoping that they were ok.
Dakota laughed glad the cubs were happy, she then walked to the edge of the camp, looking out into the distance.
"Aden..." She whispered as she lay down, her head on her paws.
Bane, Jordon, Charmed and Mana all walked to the entrance of the cave that Kratia and Gemma were in.
"Mum... You Alright?" Charmed asked stepping in first.
Lelani ran over to Dakota and huddled against her side quickly falling asleep.
Tsume sat at the mouth of the cave looking out into the white snow that now surrounded almost everything he saw.
"Please be ok..." He whispered.
Kratia looked up at Charmed and stood, ready to leave if need be.
Emma and Jaymie looked at each other before curling up beside Dakota themselves. They didn't go to sleep, just lay there trying to keep warm. The snow had finally gotten to them. 'Who's Aden?' Jaymie asked.
Reece stomped around, trying to find the camp again. The snow had turned the trails white and he was sure he was alone out in the snow. He roared, trying to find anyone that would respond to his call, but no one answered. Insantly he knew he was lost. The only thing he wished was that his forms didn't go crazy and melt him into an animal that couldn't stand the cold.
"Please..." Gemma called. "Please don't go..." She whispered and Charmed knew she was talking to Kraita. So Charmed lead Bane, Jordon and Mana to the back of the cave where the 4 of them lay down getting comfortable out of the snow.
Dakota glanced at Jaymie, but only for a second, before glancing back out at the snow covered land.
"He... He is my sisters youngest." Dakota explained her worry started to come out but she shook her head, which she then lay on her paws.
" Ok." Kratia smiled, laying back down.
" We'll go out and find him for you, won't we Emma?" Jaymie said, jumping up and looking from Dakota to Emma to the exit of the camp and back again.
" But it's cold. Why do you want to go on a search party when it's SNOWING!" Emma growled, glaring at her lion friend.
Reece stopped behind a rock formation and sniffed at the frozen air. He could smell dragons, a lion and a wolf, but he wasn't sure of he knew them or not. He went to go see, when he melted into the form of a leopard cub. The snow came up to his chin, and it felt like it was freezing him from the inside out. Desperately, he jumped through the snow in an attempt to find shelter, but the snow had made him colder despite his sad efforts to keep warm and he was forced to lie on the snow in full view of the cave.
"Thankyou..." Gemma whispered.
"The only place you girls are going in this weather is into the cave now come on." Dakota said standing. She picked up Lelani and started towards the cave her sisters and family now resided in.
Tsume shook his head and looked up at the blinding snow whisking around the mouth of the cave. He focused on what looked like a hole and noticed the baby leopard cub lying in the snow shivering. He stood and walked out into the snow before picking up the cub and walking back into the cave. He lay down curling his tail over the cub in an attempt to warm it up. He didn't say anything he just continued to look out into the snow hoping they were alright.
Kratia smiled and lay her head on her paws.
Jaymie watched Dakota leave before bounding into the cave that the three eagles had just flown into. Emma was hot on her tail, not wanting to feel another snowflake touch her coat. Once inside, she looked out into the abandoned camp, wondering where Reece was.
Reece shivered feverishly from the cold. He felt a warm blanket over him and he opened his eyes slightly. He found he was lying next to an adult male wolf and figured that the wolf was using his tail to keep him warm, but it seemed like the cold was going to freeze his body. Before he knew it, he closed his eyes and fell asleep, the cold seeming to take over his mind.
Dakota watched the cubs run into the cave, then she trotted over to Mana, Bane and Jordon. She placed Lelani down against Bane and lay down beside Mana.
Tsume noticed the cub was still shivering so without waking or moving said cub he stood up and lay down on his opposite side blocking the wind and snow from getting at the cub.
It didn't take long for Emma to fall asleep, but she was soon noticed by Choby whe she did. Choby carefully picked the cheetah cub up around the stomach and moved her deeper into the den out of the cold, where she snuggled deep into Bosko's side beside Jaymie and Taka.
' I don't like this.' Raimundo whispered.
' What's not to like? It's snowing!' Kaygis said excitedly.
' Exactly. Your brother is out there somewhere. And so are eveyone else. Including the other groups family. We've got birds out there some where. And dragons.'
' dragons are fire.'
' Yeah. But panther's aren't. They can't stand the cold. Shadow, Tyson and Midnight are still out there somewhere.'
Reece woke up a few hours later, feeling like his body could snap in two with the cold. He looked up at the wolf and smiled through the cold he felt. 'Thank you.' he said in his thick Scottish accent and through his chattering teeth.
"Your welcome." Tsume answered, his attention was once again pulled to the snow.
"Gemma..." He whispered.
Gemma shifted closer to Kratia as she shivered from the coldness. Dakota and Mana were lying on there backs with their feet in the air not even bothered by the temperture, Bane, Jordon & Lelani were all asleep.
"Sis..." Mana started, "Do you think well find everyone?"
Dakota looked at Mana's worried expression, she couldn't lie "I dont know..." She admitted. "But I hope we do."
'Gemma? Blue and black wolf?' Reece asked, wondering if the blue and black wolf was the wolf that this wolf was talking about.
Kratia moved closer to Gemma to keep her warm, but she began to wonder if she was allowed to stay in the other group's den. She looked outside at the trees and thought about making a fire in both caves so that both groups had some kind of warmth to take the edge off the chill for them. She looked at Dakota and Mana, overhearing their conversation, and sighed. *I hope we do too, Dakota. I hope we do too* She thought as she thought about the missing members of her own group.
"Yeah, as black as the nights sky, as white as freshly fallen snow and as blue as the worlds deepest ocean." Tsume whispered his mind travelling.
Mana shook her head and rolled onto her stomach. "Goodnight sis, we will continue to search in the morning."
"Yep..." Dakota barely whispered back. She was watching the snow fall awaiting sleep.
'I know where she is. The problem is, I can't seem to find my way back to where she is.' Reece smiled, still shaking from the cold.
Kratia looked around. She was the only one awake. Quickly and quietly, she dashed out of the cave to find some bits of wood that the snow hadn't gotten to and gathered two piles. She went back to Dakota's den with the first pile and set up a small campfire before doing the same in the other den. Then she woke Bosko quietly and got him to light the second campfire. Once he did so, he went back to sleep, not even noticing when Kratia licked him on the cheek. 'Thank you.' She whispered in his ear before lighting a spare stick and placing in on the campfire in Dakota's den and lying beside Gemma again, this time able to fall asleep.
"You do?" Tsume asked looking at the cub curled up against him. "Well it doesn't matter... I can't go back to her without the boys anyway..." His voice was hurt and he started to tear.
Dakota's eyes opened slightly at Kratia's movement, she smiled as the tiger lit a fire before lying down beside Gemma. She glanced out at the snow one last time, allowing the heat to enter her cold body before falling asleep.
'We'll find them.' Reece said, ignoring the cold and going to sit just outside the cave. 'Don't worry.'
He thought about becoming a polar bear and, thankful, he did. Then he sat in the snow, watching the night go by and hoping that the inhabitants of the cave went to sleep.
"I hope so..." Tsume whispered curling in on himself.
When morning came, Reece shook the snow from his mane and pawed at the ground. During the night he had melted from a polar bear into a turtle, a german shepherd dog, some small dinosaur that he didn't even know existed, what could only have been a small fire pokemon with a long snout and flames on its back (cyndaquil or something like that that he could only catch the name of when he called out in frustration), a tiger, a dragon and a rat. Just before sunrise he had become a unicorn. Now he was praying that the others didn't think of him as breakfast. But he couldn't help but wonder what the purple-ish blue flash of light on the horizon was when he noticed it around midnight.
Tobias woke as the first rays lit the entrance of the cave he was in. Beside him, with their heads tucked under their wings, were his two brothers Barb and Cragus. Quietly he flew to the entrance and looked over the snow. " How are we ever going to find anyone in this weather? There's no trail to lead us to them. Or if there were, it would be gone now." He whispered to himself before his stomach began to grumble.
Skype rolled over, stretching out and yawning. His outstretched paws kicked Tsume in the side, he leapt up in shock falling backwards onto Snowdrift's pointy tail. His yelp echoed through the cave waking the two dragons from their peaceful slumber. The two dragons and the wolf glared at Skype who was smiling sheepishly at them. "Good morning."
Dakota yawned and shook her body stretching out her claws and the kinks that had formed throughout the night. She looked around the cave she was in. Gemma and Kratia were still asleep, so where Bane, Mana, Lelani & Charmed. Dakota's ear twitched. 'Where are Jordon and Phoenix?' She thought to herself, she trotted over to the lip of the cave and looked out into the snow cover camp site. The fire was out, Tobias was at the lip of the other groups cave and sure enough, both Jordon and Phoenix were still in the tree they had been eating in the previous afternoon. Phoenix as in his bird form keeping the both of them warm. Dakota shook her head before trotting out into the campsite. She dug out the fire and blew a small flame at the sticks to dry them. Once she was happy that they were dry she then picked them up, patted the snow back into place and lay the sticks on top. She glanced around looking for a rock or two and she spotted 3 stones beside the other groups cave. She quietly trotted over to the stones nodding to Tobias as she went. She picked one up in her mouth, placed her right paw on one and her left paw on the other. She then blinked back to the fire and placed the three rocks together along with the sticks on top of them. Once again she blew a small flame, then sat down before the relit fire, looking up at the sky.
Reece spin around at the sudden yelp and snorted when he noticed that the others were awake. He shook his head again before turning to look back in the direction that the light had come from before looking back the way he had gone the day before. But he kept an eye on the four in the cave just in case.
"Morning, Dakota." Tobias called when he noticed the grey wolf sitting by the relit fire. "Any idea on what we're going to do about finding the other?"
Tsume glanced out at the Unicorn and sighed, he trotted over to sit beside him looking at his tail that had curled around his paws. "So... How shall we go about todays search, will you be joining us?"
Skype ran passed his old friend and jumped out into the snow. He rolled onto his back wagging his tail as his eyes trained on the greyish-black sky. He released a sigh, ear twitching as he waited for the Unicorn to respond. Snowdrift and Bloodshot both left the cave to stretch out their wings and breath in the morning air.
Dakota glanced back at the bird and smiled. "Morning." She whispered before looking back into the flickering flames of the paw built fire before her. "I Think we should do something similar to what we did yesterday. We have more fliers now so we can send out more search parties. Leave some members here to look after the cubs and pups while the adults go out looking..."
*At least they don't think I'm breakfast.* Reece thought before looking down at the wolf. 'I'll join you. But I can't promise how much help I'll be during the search. Whatever this place is, it's scrambling up my morphing. I can't tell whether I'll become a baby wolf one minute or a giant lizard the next.' He said, flicking his ears behind him trying to listen for anyone that could be calling for friends or family.
"Okay then, when do we start?" Tobias asked, taking flight and landing on Dakota's shoulder.
"That's quiet alright." Skype said, his ear twitching throwing snow on his face, He shook his head both Snowdrift and Bloodshot laughed at uncles actions.
Skype glared at them but they only laughed harder. Tsume released a chuckle before glancing back at the unicorn beside him.
"That's quiet alright, whilst you may be big or small you can still see." He said befoe sneezing. "Sheesh... Ohh we didn't catch your name?" The phrase came out as a question as Tsume shook off the small flakes of snow that had gathered on his tail.
"We should probably wake everyone up and we can get started right away." A voice spoke from behind them. Dakota glanced behind her to see Bane at the lip of their cave. He looked wide awake and anxious.
" The name's Reece. Reece Valore." the unicorn replied before melting into a black and red thylacine and scratching at an itch behind his jaw. " And you?"
" Not before breakfast." Tobias muttered, beginning to preen his feathers. " How did you get food yesterday?"
"I'm Tsume, this." He said pointing to Skype with his paw. "Is Skype, my friend. The white dragon is Snowdrift & the red dragon is Bloodshot, their Skype's nephews." Tsume explained before stretching across the snow letting it cool his stomach, hoping to quell his hunger for a little longer.
Skype had started jumping around his nephews who were now teenage tigers, with their respective red and white coats covered in black stripes.
"Dakota nodded to him. We will all eat." She then pointed towards the pen of prey with the tip of her tail. "Plenty of food for everyone to fill their stomachs before we head out." She said.
She nuzzled into Bane as he sat down beside her before the fire, a small smile on her face.
" Well, I saw a weird purple/blue light last night in that direction. Should we start there?" Reece asked, pointing with his paw to a place North west from where he was standing.
" Any rats?" Tobias asked.
" What's going on out here?" Choby asked with a yawn, stretching out before walking over to the fire.
Without a word, but a worried glance at Bane, Tobias took flight and landed on Choby's back where he began preening his feathers once more.
"That sounds good to me. What about you guys?" Tsume asked looking out at his friends.
Skype nodded and the two tigers just started off in the direction Reece pointed.
"There's is none in there, but if you picture your last encounter with a rat in your head, the rat should appear." Dakota explained, she then nodded in greeting to the jaguar and held out her tail. "I'm Dakota and this is Bane." She smiled friendly and chuckled at Bane who looked upset that he had scared Tobias.
Reece followed the tigers quietly, occasionally shaking the snow from his paws, but he couldn't help his curiosity to find out what the light was. Or his hunger for that matter. Without realising, he began thinking about the deer herd he had seen in the wildlife park on his island home. The next thing he knew was that he could smell them, just a little way ahead. And the rich smell quickly woke his hungry stomach and frozen nose.
" Pleased to meet you. I'm Choby Vitello. Older of the Vitello Twins and leader of the Rebels Gang." Choby replied, holding Dakota's tail with his own for a few seconds before twitching it in front of Bane. " And don't mind Tobias. It takes him a while to get used to unfamiliar faces."
Tobias, on the other hand, was circling the camp looking down at the snow. He had tried thinking about the last time he saw a rat, but everytime he did, he ended up thinking about Kaygis. So he ended up thinking about a snow shoe hare that he had seen at one point on the television. The next thing he knew was that one of the small snow mounds had transformed itself into said hare and was trying to escape death.
"But that was in the TV!" Tobias exclaimed in shock, trying to keep air borne. Eventually, natural instinct came into play and he started circling the hare and calculating the best way to kill it.
Tsume looked over at Skype who was not far behind the Thylacine with his nose to the groud, sniffing the width of the path they walked on. 'I hope we find everyone soon.' He thought to him self before glancing at the two tigers who were bounding around, tripping over eachother with a smile. Skype sneezed when he snorted a small bit of snow and shook his head. He stopped walking and rubbed at his nose with his paw, 'This is stupid! I can't smell a thing.' He sighed and kept on trying to pick up on a scent. Any scent would do, just find something.
Bane glanced at Dakota's happy expression and smiled himself before raising his own tail to hold the offered. "It's quiet alright, I did want to eat him when we first met..." He sighed before whispering, "I don't blame him for not trusting me, sometimes I don't trust myself."
Dakota nuzzled into him in an attempt to cheer him up but he just turned away from her. She let out a deep breath before looking to Choby and smiling.
"Hope you guys are hungry, because I smell deer." Reece yiped before trotting into the trees. He easily passed the first two trees before he was able to hear them. And that was when his hunting senses kicked in. He had to force himself to stop so that he could make sure that he was being followed. But, of course, that led to him morphing into a black stag with red antlers and hooves. *Great.* He thought to himself.
" You wanted to..." Choby started softly, almost as if thinking aloud to himself, but then thought better of it and looked away.
It almost looked like he was listening to someone whispering in his ear. Especially when his ears flicked back and his tail twitched slightly, pulling it away from Dakota and Bane. But he shook his head and looked over to where Tobias was dragging a rather large snow shoe hare across the ground to the Rebels' cave. Needless to say, the young golden eagle was tiring easily at the fact that the hare was so large and he was so young. Just because he had an adult's feathers didn't mean he had the strength of one.
" Where the...? There are no snow shoe hares in Australia. How in Gaia did he manage to find one? If fact, how did he even know about them?" The male jagaur asked instead.
"Really?" Skype asked raising his nose to the air and attempting to get a wiff of their mouth-watering smell, but nothing came to him. He growled low. "I really hate winter." He whined before he trotted after Reece, Tsume right on his hills. Bloodshot and Snowdrift noticed them all moving towards a herd just afar off and decided to stay out of the way. Tsume and Skype caught up to Reece and slowed to a stop in the bush beside him. Tsume noticed Reece's change in form and couldn't help but let out a loud laugh which was quickly silenced by Skypes paw diging into his ribs.
"Shut it!" He barked before turning to the now, Stag. "Can... Can you hunt in that form?" He asked trying to be serious.
Bane nodded shamefully and continued to look away dejected. "Unfortunatly the time at which we we're brought here was no more then an hour before, Bane and the others were leaving for their monthly hunt. Needless to say, he was starving and anything at all would have seemed like good meal to him." Her voice lowered extreamly low as she finished. "Not to mention poor Kaygis." Her voice rose again as she took on a smile. "But he is completely harmless now that he has fed, so no need to worry."
Dakota awaited a reply but at the lack of response she glanced at the jaguar before her giving him a curious gaze, she followed where he was looking with her eyes and smiled at the site of the young golden eagle draging a large hare across the snow covered ground.
Her ear twitched when she heard Choby's confused words and she looked back at him. "To be honest with you, I'm not sure we are even in Australia. We could be anywhere, as for how he found it, maybe he has a distant memory of one? There doesn't seem to be any other animal, food or no around here, only us and what we conjure through our thoughts." She said expressing her thoughts about the island, if you could call it that, that their two groups were currently stuck on.
"Why not turn into a gold fish, next time. Or even better...a flea." Reece muttered to himself before raising his voice slightly to address his fellow hunters. " I have no control over my body in this world. It's really quiet annoying. I could try tricking one of them into coming to their doom? Or we can wait five minutes and see what I turn into then?"
Choby sighed as he watched the eagle and the hare disappear into the cave. " You're probably right about the not being in Australia thing. But, you see, Tobias and his brothers were hatched and raised in Australia. There are no snow shoe hares in Australia due to the lack of snow in the winter. If anything he's been watching Julien's animal documentaries again." He answered, chosing to ignore the remarks about vampires. He was friends with one after all.
*Look who's talking. You turned the kid into a vamipre. And now you're talking like you've lived in snow all your life. You were born in a 'furgen' rainforest!* The annoying voice grumbled in his ear. Choby prayed that these strangers didn't realise what he had.
" I did not. And FYI, you were born in a rainforest. I was born out of your mind." The visible jaguar grumbled under his breath.
*You were still born in a rainforest.*
" Shut it."
*Get back in the cave. It's cold.*
Choby ignored his other self and stayed outside. Instead, he began wondering what was going to happen now and how he was going to get food. Or, even better, what he was going to eat. From the cave he heard Tobias calling his brothers to breakfast...loud enough to wake everyone else at the same time.
"That's quiet an idea." Skype nodded before looking over at Tsume glaring at him.
Said wolf sighed and looked over at Reece.
"I agree with Skype, It's a good idea. Just lure one of them over here and we will take care of the kill." He said before looking off to the side defiantly.
"That would make sense, I suppose seeing one on TV works just as well as seeing one in real life." Dakota shrugged, grateful that their new friend didn't react badly to Bane and his... hindrance.
Dakota noticed Choby's expression change to the look that crosses her own face when she is talking to Mana or Gemma through their link. 'Strange.' She thought to herself before glancing over at Bane to see if he noticed as well, but he was still looking down at his paws. Her ear twitched when she heard Tobias call out and a faint voice entered her mind. 'What's strange?' She glanced towards the cave to see a sleepy Mana trot through the mouth and look around their camp site. 'Nothing, everything's all right.' Dakota responded as Mana approached them, she took her seat beside Dakota and yawned. She looked over at Choby with a worried expression but noticed Dakota smiling and relaxed slightly.
"Good morning guys." She greeted, Dakota nodded in greeting and Bane's ear just twitched in acknowledgement of her presence.
Gemma noticed that Dakota, Bane and Mana were no longer in the cave. She looked over at Charmed and Lelani who were curled up still in a deep sleep, then she glanced down at Kratia who was also still asleep. Shrugging her shoulders she lay her head back on her paws and stared at the cave wall deep in thought.
*Why do I have a bad feeling about this?* Reece thought to himself as he moved towards the herd of deer.
Sure enough, the herd's stag came charging at him and nearly bowled him over. It was then that he decided that he didn't like hunting. But somehow he managed to get the stag back to the others... before he morphed into a crab.
" Morning." Choby replied with a slight nod before Kaygis shot out of their cave with three lion cubs and one jaguar cub hot on his tail.
" I'm sorry, Cho, but you nephew hurts!" the black panther called as he passed.
" Charge!" Jaymie yelled from the cave entrance.
" But it's COLD!" Emma protested.
" Just go with it!"
All Choby could do was sigh as Jaymie desperately tried to get Emma to join the chase.
Kratia woke with a start, tears streaming down her face from the memories that the night had purged from her mind. She didn't realise that most of the other campers were awake. But she wished badly that she hadn't slept away from her husband. It made her feel alone and vulnerable in her current state. And it scared her.
Skype and Tsume stayed hidden in the bushes as they watched Reece approach the herd. When the stag charged him Skype went to jump out of their hiding spot but Tsume held him back.
"Not yet." He hissed and Skype nodded watching as Reece managed to get the stag within range of them before he morphed into a crab.
"Damn It!" Skype yelled as the stag went to step back, just before the stags hoof crushed Reece, a flash of white appeared off to the left and Snowdrift swooped over, he lifted Reece into the air and flew back over to Bloodshot who was also in his dragon form, both continued to stay out of the hunters way. Skype leapt out of the bush and sprinted towards the stag, Tsume by his side. The flash of light and Snowdrift's sudden appearance had startled the stag and he was galloping further away from his herd. When they were close enough Tsume leapt up onto the Stags back and sunk his teeth into its shoulder. The stag tried to buck him off but he held on tight digging his claws into its sides. Skype attacked the second the stag started to slow down, he went straight for the throat. Both held on as the stag fell to the ground and held it down till the kill was successful. Once they were sure it was down they both let go.
"Guys, time to eat!" Skype called out as both he and Tsume started to eat their fill. Bloodshot and Snowdrift flew over, with Reece still in Snowdrifts claws, when they landed Snowdrift put Reece down and both dragons started eating.
Gemma sat up when she realised that Kratia was awake. She nuzzled into the tiger comfortingly before standing up and stretching.
"Thankyou for last night Kratia. It really means alot to me that you stayed." She spoke out softly.
Lelani and Charmed both woke up when they heard Gemma talking. Lelani ran straight out of the cave while Charmed nuzzled Gemma before following the younger out into the snow.
Lelani noticed the panther being chased by the 4 cubs and sprinted out after them, catching them easily, she jumped onto Kaygis' back growling playfully. Charmed joined Dakota, Mana and Bane by the fire the three girls were laughed at the site and a small smile made its way onto Bane's face.
" I knew this was going to happen. I just knew it." Reece grumbled angrily, his pincers clicking wildly. But he soon admitted defeat and looked up and Snwdrift. " Thanks."
Kratia nodded slightly, to acknowledge Gemma's thanks. But she quickly realised that she needed to leave and stood up.
" I'm sorry. I need to go." she whispered, trying not to let the tears in her voice choke her words.
With that, she walked into the Rebels cave and over to where Bosko lay, looking up at her with concern in his eyes. He licked her face free of tears once she was safely by his side, but he was waiting for when she tucked her head in his mane before he soothed her. He already had a fair guess as to what had caused the tears. And even though he knew that at least one of the causes were his missing boys, he just prayed that those two, though able to look after themselves, didn't get themselves into more trouble than they could get out of.
Raimundo watched the scene outside unfold from the relative warmth of the cave before turning back to look at the rest of the inhabitants. Zolo was arguing with Taka over who had just won a game that they had made up, both of them were early risers but Raimundo couldn't understand why Taka would be. He wasn't part of the army like Zolo was. Tobias and his brothers, Barb and Cragus, were enjoying their little piece of entertainment while they were having breakfast. Ritara and Ebony were both feeding. Finally Sarabi pulled him from his thoughts with a gentle nuzzle into his neck.
" Morning." He sighed.
" A cold morning." Sarabi replied. " But I can't complain. I finally got your son to eat meat."
" You did?"
" Yeah. Now come on. I have a feeling someone's going to have to save Kaygis." And with that, she left for the campfire.
" Why me?" Raimundo mumbled, reading between the lines of what his wife had said, before grudgingly following her.
" Oof. Choby help me! I didn't need this kind of wake up call!" Kaygis called over to the group as Luigi jmped onto his stomach, winding him.
" But they like you!" Choby laughed, refusing to do anything. Instead, he turned to Emma and Jaymie (who had gotten as far as the campfire before deciding that the chase wasn't interesting enough) with a smile. " I think Uncle Kaygis would like to play with you to. Why don't you go help Luigi and the others?"
" But it's still cold." Emma protested.
" Trust me. You'll warm up faster running around."
" Told you." Jaymie grumbled before managing to drag Emma away from the fire.
" God, you're a terror Choby." Sarabi said with a sigh, going to sit by him and nodding a greeting at the other group.
" I try." Choby replied with a smile.
Snowdrift looked over at the crab and nodded.
"Your welcome." He grumbled before he returned to eating.
Bloodshot was the first to finish eating backed away from the kill and sat back waiting for the others to finish. Snowdrift soon joined him followed closely by Skype and Tsume. There was still a fair bit of meat left on the Stag carcass.
"I wasn't as hungry as I thought." Skype laughed, he was starving right up till they brought the Stag down, then he didn't feel so hungry any more when they started eating.
"Same here." Tsume laughed.
Gemma watched her go, she could smell the scent of tears and was worried about the tiger, she obviously had her own problems and didn't need Gemma whining to her. Her ears lay back on her head as she got up and trotted out of the cave. She stopped to look around at the scene. Jordon and Phoenix were now awake and chatting up in one of the trees by their cave. Dakota, Mana, Charmed & Bane were all sitting around the campfire with some members of the other group and little Lelani was torturing a panther from the other group by tugging on his ear. She looked out into the clearing through the trees and sighed. 'I won't burden anyone else by worrying. Tsume will find Link and the girls and bring them back to me.' She thought as she trudged over to the camp fire. Both Dakota and Mana looked at her sympathetically, they were both worried about her newborns and Aden aswell. The three were too young to fend for themselves and were probably all alone, this weather is harsh on a pup but the 3 of them are in their 2nd and 3rd weeks of life. 'All we can hope is that Link or one of the others is with them Gemma, the girls will be ok.' Dakota reassure and Gemma looked startled, she forgot that her sisters could hear her thoughts. She put on a smile as she sat down before the fire but inside she was crying.
By the time the others had filled their stomachs, Reece was getting really hungry. He couldn't remember the last time he had had something to eat. *And this,* he thought to himself. *is why you never leave for the bush with insignificant rations of food.*
The only good thing when he next morphed was that he was able to finally eat. Everything else he severely despised. This was also one of those times where he cursed himself for being able to morph into any animal. He just wished that he didn't have to become a designer poodle.
" Okay, kids. That's enough. I think i... eh... ehaha...hahaha." Kaygis had no chance to finish his sentence. Emma had just found the ticklish spot on his back just above his left leg.
The poor panther was in histerics by the time Luigi had gotten off his back and began headbutting his stomach for some unknown reason. Aside from the headbutting jaguar cub and the lion cub that was chewing on his ear, Emma was having an argument with Jaymie, her back paws sliding down the panthers back while her front paws were trying to push her friend off his leg. Aztec had found his tail to be amuzing (again) and his sisters were jumping all over the place. The scene looked quite amuzing.
" Do you reckon we should help him?" Sarabi asked.
Choby and Raimundo looked at each other before replying. " Nah."
Snowdrift and Bloodshot didn't seem to notice Reece's form change as they were both once again playing around in their tiger forms. Tsume was trying extremely hard to not burst out laughing, the only thing stopping him was Skype's paws around his muzzle, Skype showed no reaction to Reece's bizarre morph.
The three sisters were laughing at the scene and the poor panther. Bane, while finding the scene funny, felt sorry for Kaygis and got up, he trotted over to them. He picked Lelani off of Kaygis' head and placed her beside him, she ran off towards the fire and sat down by Charmed clawing at the snow.
"Come on kids, I think the poor guys had enough." Bane chuckled as he nudged Luigi lightly.
As roughly as he could, Reece tore into the remains of the carcass. He could hear the failed attempts of not laughing coming from Tsume and he was not pleased at all. But his anger must have had some effect to his morphing because after five minutes he became an andrewsarchus and ripped off one of the stags legs easily before becoming a 15 metre long titanoboa which easily swallowed the stag whole.
Reluctantly, most of the cubs got off Kaygis and decided that playing with each other was better than jumping on their 'uncle'. The only one who didn't think so was Aztec, who was happily chewing on Kaygis's tail.
" Thanks." Kaygis replied after he was able to breathe again. With a sigh, he turned to the white lion cub. " Come on, Aztec. That's enough now."
Unfortunately, Aztec wasn't happy with that and ignored the black panther resulting in Kaygis picking him up by the scruff of his neck and forcing his tail out of the cubs mouth. Then he stood up, placed the cub back on the ground and inspected any damage. Not that there was much to inspect.
" If I bruise, I'm blaming it on you Choby!" He called playfully.
" I'll make sure the doctors know the 'truth', then?" Choby replied with a cheeky smile on his face.
" Boys." Sarabi sighed. " Anyway, what's for breakfast?"
Tsume stopped laughing at the site of the massive boa, both he and Skype backed up slightly when Reece swallowed the carcass whole. Skype looked up at Reece chuckling nervously.
"Full?"
Bane laughed lightly at the little white lion cub before heading back over to the fire and re-claiming his seat beside Dakota. The laughing died down and Dakota glanced to Sarabi when she asked about Breakfast.
"Anything, I guess. Considering everything is produced by thoughts and memories you could basically have anything at all." Gemma responded before she walked alittle away from the fire. A fox appeared a couple meters from her and she chased after it.
Reece turned his massive head to look at the nervous wolf and lion and blinked an eye at them before raising his head to look at the bright flash of purple-ish blue light that lit the sky. It was almost like a small explosion or a meteor had fallen from the sky. But something was wrong. With a pained hiss, his eyes rolled into the back of his skull and his head came crashing to the ground.
" Anything?" Choby and Raimundo asked, a longing look on their faces.
Both Skype and Tsume flinched at the bright light before noticing the snakes collapse.
"Reece!" Skype yelled as both lion and wolf ran over to him.
At the sound of their Uncles yell both Bloodshot and Snowdrift flew over and looked at Reece with worried eyes as Skype's small (in comparison to the snakes large body) paws shook Reece trying to get a response from him.
Dakota nodded, "Anything at all." She responded before she and Bane walked off with Lelani trailing them. The elders attacked a small deer that appeared before them, then the three of them lay down eating and talking quietly. Charmed ran off to join Gemma who had caught the fox and was happily eating. Mana decided on what to have for breakfast and went on chase after a small dwarf rabbit.
The only response that Reece gave them was to morph into an unconscious Tasmanian devil.
" Anything." Choby and Raimundo sighed, getting a dreamy look on their faces.
The next thing that Sarabi knew was that two large capybaras had appeared. Choby and Raimundo instantly went in for the kill. Five minutes later, Sarabi found herself sharing one of the capybaras with Raimundo, Luigi, Emma and Jaymie. Choby and Kaygis helped Tammy, Aztec and Zelda polish off the second.
Once they had all eaten their fills, Choby, Raimundo and Kaygis each thought of something else to eat and gifted those still in the cave with a breakfast of 'calf a la carnivore'.
"Well at least hes smaller now." Tsume commented off handedly.
"Tsume!" Skype scolded before looking over at Reece. "What do you think is wrong with him? Could it have something to do with that light?"
Jordon stirred at the smell of food and she jumped up excited. She realised too late that she was in a tree when the branch cracked beneath her and both she and phoenix plummeted to the ground below. Phoenix was awoken by the impact with the hard snow, he sat up glaring at his wife.
"Sorry." Jordon apologized and the two shared a laugh before they sat down to share a zebra calf.
Dakota and the rest of their group ignored the two's antics as they were all used to it.
Reece began stirring a few seconds later, the only problem was he didn't know who he was, where he was or who the bigger predators were. Slowly he got to his feet and shook himself off before looking around to try and sort things out. When he noticed Tsume and Skype, he opened his jaws wide and gave a high pitched screech before turning around and running as fast as he could into the nearest bush to hide. But one thing was certain, he had to get to that light.
*Just like Octavian* Sarabi thought to herself before looking over to the area beond the campsite. " Are we going to be doing any searching today or what?" She asked.
Both Tsume and Skype watched Reece with confused expressions.
"Hey, wait were not going to hurt you." Skype said taking small steps towards the bush where he was hiding. Something was off about him and Skype knew it. "What's wrong?"
Dakota looked up from her meal licking her lips. "I think that it would be a good idea. We shouldn't send everyone out just small party's at a time, I'd hate for us to lose more members then we find." She said, looking around for others opinions about today's plan.
" He's out of control." Reece managed to mumble, even though he was confused himself about what he was saying. " They're trying to... aarrgghh!"
Pain raked through his head as he tried to work everything out. Without him realising, he began morphing again. But this time it was in quick succession. Within the expanse of five minutes, he had become a large fire breathing dog which easily burnt the bush to cinders, a large wild boar with deadly tusks, a dodo bird, a killer whale and a horse. Finally he stopped with a St Bernard morph and looked up at Tsume and Skype.
" What happened?" He asked.
" That sounds good. WE've already lost Reece. And with him being unstable..." Sarabi said with a small nod, trailed off at the thought of what could happen to Kaygis's brother.
But just as she finished speaking, a metallic bell-like roar sounded through the air. It sounded desperate and lost, almost like it was afraid. But there was no way of pinpointing where the sound was coming from.
"Were not really sure ourselves, You seemed really scared of us as if you didn't even know us then you ran from us and hid in this bush." Skype explained.
Snowdrift and Bloodshot flew over to join the 3 by the singed bush and Snowdrift finished Skype's explanation.
"You seemed to be in pain. mumbling something about someone being out of control, then you morphed 5 times in arow. Are you feeling alright?"
Dakota nodded to Sarabi as she stood up, her head then exploded with pain, she wasn't sure what was wrong but it wasn't her in pain. When it cleared she shook her head with a confused expression. Bane looked at her with worry.
"What happened?" He asked and she just shook her head.
"I'm not sure... But I know what the family feels like, it wasn't a person I recognize, must be a member of the others group." She responded.
Bane was about to say something else when they heard the roar.
" I don't know." Reece replied slowly. " I remember seeing a bright light and that's all. I swear this place is messed up."
Kaygis instantly shot out of the cave and looked up into the sky. " That sounded like Iora." He exclaimed. " It sounded like she's in trouble."
"I agree." Tsume said he grumbled something else under his breath that went unheard.
Skype sighed at him before looking back to Reece. "Speaking of the light, perhaps we should start there, it might be someone either of us know." He said before standing and heading off in said direction.
"Who's Lora?" Gemma asked as the group hoarded around Dakota who had her paw over her muzzle with a look of extreme thought on her face.
"Aunty, what's wrong?" Lelani asked her but Dakota either ignored her or didn't hear her.
" Yeah, okay." Reece sighed.
Shakily he got to his feet and followed the lion, though his movement was slow. Whatever had happened to him during that mental blank had made him extremely tired. He wondered how far he'd get before he collapsed.
" Not Lora. Iora. With an 'i'." Kaygis corrected. " She's... She's a very, very special dragon. And if she dies, then the universe gets destroyed. At least, my world does. Not so sure about yours." After a few seconds of silence and unsuccessful searching, he cried out in frustration. " If something's happened to her, Julien's going to kill me!"
" Kaygis, calm down! Stressing is not going to help with anything! Especially not with your condition." Sarabi called.
" I guess you're right."
But by this time, Sarabi had noticed Dakota's distant look. " Is everything okay, Dakota?" She asked.
Skype glanced back and went to move to help Reece walk but Tsume beat him to it, he pushed his shoulder into Reece's and held him up straight walking at his pace.
"Ahh with a 'I' not a 'L'" Mana laughed nudging Gemma who blushed at her mistake.
"Not funny, I've never been good with names." Gemma growled trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Everything will be alright, we will find everyone and get off this island and back to our homes." Bane tried to reassure everyone seems Dakota was distracted by something. She didn't noticed the small squabble between Kaygis and Sarabi, she was too rapped up in the pain coursing through her leg and the liquid trailing down her thigh. Her bleeding leg was hidded from site from everyone so no one had noticed. She was trying to focus on who it belonged too but she couldn't pinpoint who it was. She could only think of one person who would be experiencing this symptom and that was Moonlight.
Dakota jolted out of her trance when she was nudged by Gemma, who was looking at her with concern.
"Brothers near." Was all she said before she stood up, she started limping out of the campsite, a trail of blood following her.
Reece jumped at the sudden contact, almost tripping on a small rock, and turned to the wolf, his eyes brimming with confusion, shock, tiredness and a slight hint of pain. And the fact that he had big, sad eyes when he was in a st bernard morph probably made him look worse. " You're..." He tried to say, before his tiredness overtook his voice.
" Dakota?" Sarabi called after the wolf. Then she noticed that Kaygis was following her. " Kaygis? Where are you going?"
" Not that I'm doubting anyone's abilities or anything, but I don't think we should be going out alone." Kaygis replied. "Besides, we may find lost people. We'll need at least one person from each group going out in case we find someone from either of the two groups. And I might be lucky enough to find Iora."
" Then I'm going with you."
" No, you're staying here and looking after Luigi. He needs to relearn everything and only you and Raimundo can do that."
" How can you be so sure that my son is Luigi?"
" I just do, okay? It's hard to explain."
" Everything is hard to explain with you!"
" Can you blame me? Look at my life Sarabi! Look at what I am! I have to be open to everything and anything!"
" I'm still going with you!"
" You stubborn woman! You need to stay here!"
" I need to go find my family!"
" And I need to find Julien! Something's wrong. I can feel it. And finding Iora is a step at figuring out what is going on."
" You're obssessed! We could have kids out there! Monty could be out there!"
" Okay, that's just scary. I am definitely not worried about him. I'm worried for the trouble that he could get into. And for your information, I am not obssessed. I am just severely concerned about everyone and everything. If Julien's in trouble, which I hope he's not, we can't have whoever's got Julien getting Iora as well. And I can only hope that they haven't got Shadow."
" What does Shadow have to do with any of this?"
" Put it this way, my son is more powerful than me. He's more valuable that me."
" Well, we can go find them together."
" Goddamnit, woman! You've got a cub to look after! Stay here!"
" Fine! Raimundo! Get your tail out here!"
" Don't drag me into this!" Raimundo yelled from back in the cave.
" Then get out here and follow Kaygis!" Sarabi ordered.
" He can look after himself!"
" You're no help!"
Meanwhile, Kaygis was sneaking away, hoping that Sarabi didn't see him.
Tsume snorted before looking away. Skype smiled back at them, It was hard for Tsume to warm up to anyone but he seemed to be tolerant of Reece. Snowdrift and Bloodshot flew ahead, occasionally glancing back to make sure everyone was ok.
Gemma and Mana watched Dakota walk away with sad eyes. Bane just sat there, he knew that there was nothing he could do from past experiences and If it was Moonlight Dakota had sensed it was for the best if he stayed out of the way.
"We must help her find brother." Mana said as she glanced back out to see Kaygis starting to follow Dakota. They listened to the squabble between Kaygis and Sarabi, unsure what was happening. When they noticed Kaygis slip off while Sarabi was momentarily distracted, they took the opportunity to leave themselves. Both of them took off at a run and leapt into the air, easily gliding through the sky till they were floating above Dakota. They stayed at her pace as she limped along, her blood pooling in each snowy pawprint she made.
Dakota knew both her sisters were flying above her but she ignored them. Krystal was with Moonlight when he got shot, prehaps she could find her niece and brother at the same time. Her ear twitched when she heard someone following her from behind and she stopped glancing back to see Kaygis.
"Is no one else coming?" She asked him with a confused look on her face, she rose her back leg up so she didn't have to put weight on it.
Before the group had even gotten to the next glade that was a short distance away from them, Reece had to stop. His breath was coming in heavy gasps and he was dragging his already frozen paws through the snow. The next thing he knew was that he was shrinking and his body was changing. He called out weakly in frustration, but it seemed to be more like a call from a weak red-tail hawk. But there was one thing he was certain about. He was still too weak to take flight.
" I really do hate my life, right now. No job. No home. And now, no control. What deity hates me?" He muttered to himself.
" Yeah." A voice called from the surrounding trees.
" Zolo?" Kaygis asked as the golden wolf came out of the trees.
" Yeah, it's me. Do you know what you started back there? I swear it's world war six."
" Hey, don't forget about us!" Another voice called from the sky.
" We don't want to be in the war zone, either!" A third called down next to the second.
Kaygis looked up to find a dull brown and dull golden brown eagle flying above the golden wolf. " Barb and Cragus. I should have known." He sighed, before turning back to Dakota. " Does this answer your question?" He asked, not intending to be mean about it.
Tsume jumped slightly when he felt Reece change, he wasn't sure what to do now that the dog was a bird. It was clear the hawk was too tired to fly and he sighed in frustration. 'Why did I have to take a liking to the odd one.'
"I guess you can ride on my back if you really need to he grumbled before he used his tail to lift Reece up onto his back, he sat him on his shoulder blades before he ran to catch up to Skype who was a little ahead of them.
Dakota huffed, but not out of anger, she was getting tired and her pace slowed slightly.
"The more eyes the better." She spoke hoping it was loud enough for the others to hear.
Gemma lowered herself so she was just off the floor.
"It would be better for you to levitate sis, your using way too much energy trotting along like this." She spoke with pure concern.
"Whilst it would be better for me, if I keep to the ground I can leave a blood trail, Skype or Krystal could stumble across it, they know my scent and would either follow it back to camp or straight to us. I'll be fine." She growled continuing on through the growing pain. Gemma nodded seemingly accepting her explanation and she drifted back up towards Mana to relay Dakota's message.
" Thanks." Reece sighed, before closing his eyes and blacking out over the wolf's neck.
Kaygis trotted up beside the wolf, ready to let her lean on him if she needed it. He didn't know why, but for some reason, she reminded him of the first love of his life... the one he had still to get over. With a sigh, he pushed the thought out of his mind and looked back to Zolo.
" You heard the lady, trails are good." He said.
" That wasn't exactly what she said." Zolo replied with a slight flick of his ears.
" It's what she meant. So, get trail making."
" Yeah. How am I supposed to do that?"
" You're a bright kid. You'll figure it out."
" Thanks."
Kaygis merely smiled before looking up at the two eagles. But he found that they were already on the look out. Then the air was filled with another metallic bell-like roar, this time closer but still distant. *Oh, Iora. Where are you?* The black panther thought.
"Tch, whatever." Tsume muttered, he adjusted Reece so he was steady and continued on. Skype was smiling beside him and Tsume growled. "Stop smiling like an idiot, he's hurt. That's the only reason I'm being nice!" He snapped out and Skype just nodded.
"Sure it is." He teased and Tsume just turned his head away from his brother-in-law.
"Thankyou." Dakota whispered when she noticed Kaygis walking beside her to offer her support should she need it. The pain coursing through her was really starting to take its toll, she just hoped she could find Moonlight soon and tend to his wound or she would surely pass out. She smiled slightly at his words, she could hear Mana and Gemma snickering above them at the word 'Lady'. It was the first time she had been called one mainly due to her unladylike nature. It made her smile to know that Kaygis held some kind of respect for women.
Gemma was swerving out of boredom and the roar so close by startled her slightly and she bumped into Mana who then bit her tongue. Said sibling glared at her and to avoid a confrontation Gemma smiled slightly, before shutting her eyes before allowing gravity to drag her towards the hard snow below and away from her fuming sister.
" Your welcome." Kaygis replied equally as soft. But even though he had banished the thoughts from his mind, a tear still strayed into his eye.
Zolo, not knowing how he was going to mark a trail for any of his friends or family, decided to a combination of things. The first thing he did was go up to a tree and scratch the bark off it. Then he moved to a tree a short distance away and continued the pattern. But what was odd about it was that it was in the shape of a 'z' like Zorro had appeared and marked the trees with his sword. Zolo couldn't help it if the trade mark was exactly like the old mexican hero. The only difference would have to have been the first tree he scratched at. Somehow he had made it say 'Follow blood trail'.
" Well he did say to think of something." He muttered to himself as he marked his sixth tree.
Above them, Barb and Cragus took turns in searching around the group. When one eventually got tired, he dipped down to Zolo and his brother would take his place. But both seemed to cringe as they noticed a flash of gold arch on the horizon and heard the roar.
"Gemma." Dakota called out weakly. Said wolf pulled up just before she hit the snow and floated beside Dakota with her tail dragging in the snow and her feet up in the air.
"What?" She asked wondering why her sister had called her.
"Can..." Dakota coughed slightly and staggered before regaining herself and continuing on. "Can you track the light, the roar echo's so we cant pinpoint it but the light shouldn't be too hard to follow." She grunted out as one of her front paws found a sharp stone which successfully cut her paw pad. She just sighed and continued limping along.
"Alright, I'll try." Gemma answered before she allowed the breeze to lift her back up to Mana.
"We're tracking it." Was all she said before she took of higher into the sky and a fast speed, Mana was flying right behind her.
Dakota sighed as she saw them speed off and smiled slightly, "They're always full of energy those two." She whispered before looking over at Kaygis with concern, she licked away the tear. "What's wrong, I've had a faint sense that something has been bothering you ever since you joined me on this walk?"
Skype was trotting ahead of Tsume, nose to the ground swerving down the path trying to pick up any scents. His frozen nose wasn't helping him at all. He froze though just as they passed what looked to be an abandoned cave. He could hear teeth chattering.
"Snowdrift! Bloodshot!" He called ahead to the two dragons who stopped and came back, Tsume stopped beside him and they all looked at him confused.
Zander's ears perked up at the yell of two familiar names in a familiar voice. He licked the cub he had been curled around on the head before cautiously walking forward.
"Skype, is that you?" He called lightly still hidden in the shadows of the damp cave.
The four concious animals all looked over at the cave when they heard the faint voice. Skype stepped forward, after all It was him that had been addressed.
"Yes, I'm Skype. Who are you?" He asked looking warily into the shadows.
A cough followed by the appearance of grey and white fur.
"It's me, I'm so glad I've found someone." He stumbled forward and shivered before looking up at Snowdrift and Bloodshot. "Could one of you please light a fire in the cave?"
Snowdrift nodded, before the five of them trotted into the damp cave. Zander resumed his position curled around the cub while Tsume lay the bird down beside. Bloodshot lit a fire and they all got comfortable, warming up in.
" It's..." Kaygis began, but stopped himself and looked around to make sure that Zolo, Barb and Cragus weren't near enough to listen in on him. " Can I trust you?" He asked instead.
Dakota was confused by the question but understood slightly, she was a complete stranger after all.
"Of cause, I would never betray the trust of a friend." Dakota said softly, she was watching the snow pass beneath her now, her vision was starting to blur slightly.
"Mana do you smell that? I think its..." She started looking to her sister with confusion. "Fire." They both said at the same time before moving faster towards where the latest flash of light had come from. Someone was in danger and they had to move quickly.
" Well... when I was younger, I had a girlfriend. And she had a rough life, you could say. I don't know what day it is in this world, but back in mine it was..." Kaygis sighed before continuing. " It was the day she died. I was there when it happened... and I couldn't stop her." But that's when he noticed that Dakota seemed to be getting weaker. " Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm sorry." She whispered when he finished talking, she could feel how sad he was even with Moonlight's injury clouding her empathy. She stumbled again over a rock protruding from the snow and had to stop. She was loosing alot of blood from the wound on her leg and her cut paw wasn't helping any. She drew in a deep breath before raising her head and continuing on.
"I'm fine, I've just gotta find my brother."
By now Zander had stopped shaking and was busy watching the flames flicker before him.
"So have you come across anyone else?" Skype asked Zandar who had lay down to get comfortable before the fire.
"Just this little tyke beside me." He said gesturing towards the white jaguar cub who was sleeping peacefully with Zander's tail wrapped around her. "She's not even part of our group though, so I'm assuming he..." He said gesturing to the still unconscious hawk resting in the snow by Tsume. "Knows her." He finished before he started coughing.
Skype patted him on the back in an attempt to quell him.
" Well find him. Don't worry." Kaygis then looked up to where Barb was flying just ahead of them. " How's it going up there?"
" I think I see Iora! Not far to the North-West of here! It's almost like she doesn't want to move from where she is! I think she may be hurt! She sounds it!" The dull golden brown eagle.
" Please don't let her be hurt."
At the sound of someone coughing, Reece began to stir. Unfortunately for him, he also morphed into a caterpillar and then straight into a snow leopard. With a yawn, he looked around at the group around the campfire.
" Where am I?" he asked sleepily.
Then he noticed the white jaguar coughing uncontrolably and shaking slightly. He had only seen it once before, but he knew what it was almost imediately. " Zyanya!" He called out, instantly awake.
Dakota nodded to the panther trotting beside her, smiling slightly at his reassuring words. She staggered slightly as a gust of wind picked up. A Snowstorm was heading their way.
"Judging by the level of snow and wind, we have a few hours before the main storm hits, we need to be back at camp by then."
Mana and Gemma slowed to a stop when the came before a gorge. It was extremely deep, yet due to the snowdrift along the edge, anyone at a full tilt run could easily miss that its there and go over the edge. Just as they went to continue on Gemma yelped and dived down towards the edge. Mana although confused gave chase, they both dropped to the ground before the edge and Gemma dug some of the snow out of the way before gasping. She picked the red cloth between her teeth, it was slightly torn like someone had grabbed at it to stop him from falling and it came away from his neck.
"Moonlight's Bandanna..." Mana whimpered as she sniffed the cloth. "Do you think perhaps, he fell into the gorge?"
"Dakota didn't show any wounds of a high fall, perhaps something broke his fall, his scent is still strong so he was here recently and I can smell Krystal with him, but there is a third scent. Very unfamiliar..."
"We should take his bandanna back to Dakota..." Mana whispered, "And tell her what we found."
Gemma nodded in agreement.
"We will take this back to her, point her and the others in the right direction and then head back towards the fire." Mana looked confused but then remembered what Gemma was talking about and nodded, then both wolves took off back their sister.
Zander gave Skype a grateful look as he felt his coughing fit subside. He felt the small bundle of fur beside him shiver coughs erupted from its small body.
"See," Zander said as he noticed the snow leopard on the other side of the fire wake up. The leopards sudden alertness and worry made it clear he knew the white jaguar cub curled up against Zander. "I told you, they have to be friends or something. Have you guys seen anyone else from their group? Or ours for that matter?"
Skype shook his head sadly.
"Just us." Tsume spoke up and the group fell silent.
"So Spitz and Holly are still missing..." He whimpered lightly staring into the fire keeping them all warm.
" Zyanya!" Reece jumped to his feet and hurried over to his leaders' sister. " Oh, God. Why here? Why now? I have no idea what I'm doing. Zyanya!"
He began pacing back and forth, completely not helping the jaguar at all, trying to remember what it was that Choby and Raimundo had told him about their sister. After a few seconds he mumbled 'What is wrong with that family?' before trying to lie the jaguar on her side.
" Snowstorm. Great." Kaygis grumbled, overhearing Dakota. He then raised his head and called out to the eagles. " Call off the search! You two won't be able to handle the winds! Another storm's rolling in!"
" I hate storms." Barb muttered as he swooped down to land on Kaygis' back.
" Tell me about it." Cragus sighed from Zolo's back.
" My guess is that you're not going to get off, are you?" Zolo asked.
" Not unless you want to lose me in that snow. Do you realise how deep that stuff is?"
" No. I'm just walking through it."
" Am I the only mature one here?" Kaygis asked as the wolf and eagles continued to banter.
Zander moved away from the teen to give the snow leopard some room and he sat by his family.
"Ahh..." He asked nervously. "Is she alright, I thought it was just a shiver... But I'm assuming by your reaction its more then that..." He lay his ears against his skull and lowered his head. "Is there anything i can do?" Skype and Tsume looked at Zander confused but they could see how worried he was about the teen he spend little to no time with so they stayed silent.
"If... If you guys wish to turn back, I completely understand. I however, must keep searching." Dakota murmured.
She twitched when a familiar scent flowed into the wind around her. "Brother." She yelped as she started running in the direction the scent was coming from. "Moonlight!" She skidded to a stop when she saw both her sisters appear in the distance without their brother.
Said wolves landed before her and Gemma dropped the bandanna over Dakota's paws.
"We... We found it near a gorge hidden by a snowdrift." Mana explained as she brushed her paw over her nose to try and relieve the frozen feeling.
"We couldn't find Moonlight or Krystal anywhere... And there was a third, unfamiliar scent with them. I believe it was a she-dragon."
Dakota picked up the Bandanna and closed her eyes. Both Gemma and Mana awaited her to rejoin them.
" She is definitely not alright. She has cancer. So unless you can figure out a cure..." Reece sighed, trying to calm himself down for Zyanya's sake.
Slowly the coughing fit died away, leaving a once more sleeping jaguar in it wake.
" Iora." Kaygis exclaimed, his head jolting up at the mention of a she-dragon.
For a split second he went rigid and his eyes glazed over. He saw a long, black and gold blur horizontally race past him as he looked in the direction that Mana and Gemma had come from, disrupting the bandana from its place above the gorge. He heard the coughing sound of Iora's searching call echo in his ears. He could almost smell the blood that she had smelt. Then he was brought back to the present when another roar echoed through the area.
" She was searching for him." He whispered.
Zander cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I... I'm sorry, I didn't know." He whimpered before getting up and unsteadly trotting from the cave. Both Skype and Tsume watched him leave with sad eyes and both released twin sighs.
As Zander left the cave both Snowdrift & Bloodshot looked to him with worry.
"Is everything alright uncle?" Snowdrift asked as Zander trotted over to Bloodshot and lay down over the dragons front leg.
"Yeah, just bad memories you know." He whimpered before closing his eyes.
A shiver ran through his body and Bloodshot lay his tail over the wolf and curled slightly trying to warm him up.
"Just sleep now." He said as he lay his wing over Zander for extra warmth.
It wasn't long till said wolf slipped into a state of unconsciousness.
Dakota's eyes snapped open at Kaygis' voice and she turned to the panther. Whilst it was only very sudden and short Dakota noticed him freeze and the glazed look cross his eyes.
"Kota, we need to follow another trail at the moment, but Moonlight is in the direction we came from. Good luck." Mana said before nuzzling Dakota.
Gemma then nuzzled her as well before both sisters took off in the direction of the fire they were originally following.
"Be careful!" Dakota called after them before she looked back at Kaygis.
"Who was searching for who? What did you see?" She asked in a soft voice.
" What I do? Was it something I said?" Reece asked.
He was about to wrap himself around Zyanya when he turned into a snowy owl. With a sigh, he trudged up to the jaguar draped one of his wings around her.
" Iora. She's a good kid, you know. If she senses anyone's hurt she'll do anything she can to help them. She was looking for your brother. My guess is that she's trying to get someone over there to help him." Kaygis replied as Zolo trotted up beside him.
"No... No it's nothing you did or said. Zander just has... A lot of trouble dealing with people with cancer. As someone very close to him, died of it not long ago." Skype explained still watching the cave entrance with worry.
"Although, he has a tough nature, he is a very sensitive wolf. Don't let his actions get you down, he just needs some time to himself." Tsume twitched his ear in slight annoyance as he stared into the fire before him.
"How much futher do you think the fire is?" Mana asked floating on her back with her eyes closed.
"Not very far." Came Gemma's excited reply.
Mana turned over to see what she meant and saw what her sister saw.
"Bloodshot! Snowdrift!" She called out with excitement as both her and Gemma dove down towards the cave where 2 of their family members lay in the snow.
Said dragons looked up at the two wolves.
"Mana! Gemma!" Snowdrift called back as the two wolves landed before them.
"Then we best get moving, judging by the distance of which Mana & Gemma came into view, we have quiet a walk before us. I want to find them as soon as possible. If its alright with you, we run." Dakota said before shooting off in the direction her sisters pointed out. She had a limp in her run, but still moved as fast as a cheetah.
" Don't you just love it when someone asks you something and then they just go and do it?" Zolo grumbled sarcastically.
" Shut up and run." Kaygis growled in reply. " We're going to have to keep her tracks in sight before the snowstorm hits if we're ever going to catch her. I'm not as fast as I once was."
" When it comes to running."
But the two ran off after the wolf in any case.
Slowly, Zyanya opened her eyes. The first thing she registered was the red and black snowy owl. Then she noticed everyone else. And none of them were people she knew... except maybe Reece.
" Where am I?" She asked croakily, a thick Brazilian accent coating her words.
" None of us are sure, Zyanya." Reece replied, managing to be calm despite the fact that he was almost sure that she was looking at him with some kind of hungry look in her eye.
" Where's Choby?"
" We're trying to find that out, too. I got separated from him."
" Who are you?" Zyanya directed the question to the others in the cave.
Dakota felt her compainions presence fading behind her and knew that they were falling behind, she shook her body and continued on, straining past the pain. She just had to find them. She lowered her tail towards the snow and let it droop so she left a bigger trail for her new friends to follow.
Skype cleared his throat and glanced at Tsume before talking.
"I'm Skype and this is my brother-in-law, Tsume. We stumbled upon you and Zander whilst trying to find the others."
" Zandar?" Zyanya asked. Then she realised something else. " What is that white stuff? Why is it so cold?"
Reece, unfortunately, couldn't answer. Before he knew what was going on, he had transformed into a frog and was beginning to turn into a frogsicle. And, even more unfortunately, Zyanya could provide little warmth despite her size. He was really starting to hate his life right about now.
By the time Zolo and Kaygis had picked up on the bigger trail, Zolo was ready to drop out of sheer exhaustion. Barb and Cragus kept urging him on, though. Kaygis, however, seemed to be getting new bursts of speed whenever he began to get tired. The younger ones assumed he was using his master of time abilities. Not a sound passed between them, though... unless you counted Barb and Cragus. But by the time they finally had Dakota back in their sights, a great jet of golden flame shot into the air, seemingly melting a small part of the snow filled land.
"Zander, is the grey wolf that found you. Hes just outside with Snowdrift & Bloodshot. They are my nephews." Skype explained. He smiled slightly when Tsume grumbled something under his breathe before getting up and walking around the fire.
He lay down behind Zyanya and curled around both her and Reece, using his tail to cover the frogs small body.
Dakota's vision was starting to blur from both pain and the snow, she was starting to tire and it wasn't long before she felt the others presence behind her. They were catching up fast. She started to slow down even futher when a stream of golden flames shot into the air not far from her. New found hope washed over her and she sprinted in the direction of melted snow and a bright light.
" But what's that white stuff? I've never seen anything like it in the rainforest." Zyana insisted.
Reece, on the other hand, was looking up at Tsume in what he hoped was his best 'thank you and sorry' look. But considering he was a frog...
" I'm a coming Iora!" Kaygis roared and charged ahead of everyone else (including Dakota). With that jet of flame that the golden dragon had shot up, he was almost sure that she was trying to keep injured bodies from freezing over. What he failed to notice was the rock. It was a relatively small rock, but large enough to trip over... and that was exactly what Kaygis did. He tripped over the rock. Then he became air bourne for a few scary minutes before landing on his head and rolling down a hill and into a tree. He didn't even realise when he called out " Watch that first step, guys!"
Instead, he picked himself up, stumbled around a little and fell down again, wondering why the world was spinning. Thankfully Barb had the sense to fly off before he got hurt himself. Once he was safely in a nearby tree, he settled himself with watching Kaygis in concerned amusement. Zolo merely skidded to a halt and watched the scene thinking What just happened?
"The white stuff is called snow, It is quiet cold but it does have its uses." Skype explained, he yawned and lay his head on his paws.
Tsume noticed Reeces attempt at smiling and sighed before glaring at the cave wall.
Dakota watched as she was overtaken and speed up slightly. If Kaygis was this excited something must be there. Her frozen paws trudged through the wet snow as she tried to run faster, she heard Kaygis call out but couldn't hear what he said and before she knew it her paw was aching and she was rolling down a hill. Her back smashed against the same tree Kaygis hit and she dropped to her stomach in the snow. She shook her head to clear her spinning vision and glanced over at the panther.
"You ok Kaygis?"
Gemma and Mana landed before the duo and sat down. Both were panting from all the flying they had done.
"It's good to see the both of you." Mana said between breathes and she smiled.
"A familiar face is always welcomed." Snowdrift said as he shifted into a more comfortable position.
"So, have you found anyone else?" Gemma asked hope shrouding her voice.
Bloodshot lifted his wing slightly so the two girls could see Zander curled up, sleeping contentedly.
"Both Skype and Tsume are in the cave along with two others. We aren't sure who they are but their family is lost like ours." Bloodshot explained motioning towards the cave behind them.
Kaygis only managed a small 'Uh' before he began twitching. Still at the top of the hill, Zolo gave a loud curse and hurried to aid his friend. His only thought was that his collision with the tree had brought on the sudden seizure.
" Snow? What can you do with it?" Zyanya asked as Reece tried to transform himself into something more suitable to his current situation. Instead he ended up turning into a mockingjay.
Dakota noticed Kaygis start twitching and jumped to her feet. She ran over to him and placed her paw against his neck. His excelerated heart rate worried her, she felt very strange and knew the symptoms were coming for him. She turned to Zolo.
"Whats wrong with him?"
"It's used to preserve food, and on hot days its a nice way to cool down. It's also fun to play in..." Skype explained, he then heard Tsume mutter. "When it's not freezing your whole body..." A smile crossed his face before his ear twitched towards the entrance of the cave.
"Everything alright out there guys?" He called out and when silence answered him he rose to his feet and started to leave the cave, he turned back to the others. "I'll be right back, just wanna check on them." Then he left the cave.
He looked around and noticed that both dragons were asleep and he could see Zanders paw sticking out from under bloodshots wing. Smiling slighty, he went to leave when he noticed his sisters asleep a couple meters away.
"Mana! Gemma!" At his loud voice the 5 members of his family outside the cave all jumped.
" He has epilepsy. We can't do anything except not panic for his sake." Zolo explained before turning to Kaygis. " Come on, Kay. You can do it. Come back to us."
After a few seconds, Kaygis settled down and began breathing again. He weakly looked around and his eyes found Zolo.
" Hey, buddy. How ya doing?" He heard Zolo ask.
But he didn't reply. Instead, he tried to get up. Managing to sit up, he looked at Dakota in a drunken like state before trying to figure out who she was.
" Play? In cold?" Zyanya seemed genuinely perplexed by the thought, but she was momentarily distracted by Reece when he invultarily sang out the four syllables that combined to make both Mana and Gemma's names.
Dakota nodded and looked down on her new friend worriedly. She breathed a sigh of relief when his breathing returned to its normal state and her body felt normal again. She noticed the unstable look in his eyes and smiled. It reminded her of Zander after a night out.
"Are you ok?" She asked in a low voice, her head hurt alittle so she didn't want to worsen what felt like the beguning of a headache.
Tsume froze at the names his brother called out, She had found him. And before he could find the pups, she was going to be so mad. His eyes were watching the lip of the cave hoping that Gemma wouldn't come in.
Gemma, who was still disorientated from sleep was tackled to the ground and nuzzled. She didn't open her eyes to see who had attacked her. His voice told her that. Mana soon fell to the same fate. When both girls sat up Skype was sitting before them smiling and wagging his tail.
"It's great to see you both!" He said a bit too loudly for their liking, Gemma flinched slightly and Mana covered her ears with her paws.
"Not so loud please."
" What..." Kaygis began, his words slurring as he tried to make sense of the world around him. " Where... who... are you?"
Again Reece was compelled my the sensation to sing out Mana and Gemma's names. Only this time he was silenced halfway through when Zyanya poked him in the chest with one of her paws, trying to figure out what he was.
" What is he?" she asked in a somewhat disapproving voice.
"It's me, Dakota." She looked at the dazed panther infront her before looking back over to Zolo with a confused look on her face.
Tsume flinched at the mention of their names again and squeezed his eyes shut.
"Sorry." Skype apologized, he continued to wag his tail and fidget on the spot.
A short silence took over the three of them before Skype jumped to his snow frozen paws and turned back to the cave. "Come inside and warm up." He smiled before trotting back into the cave with both Mana & Gemma on overly excited his hills.
" He gets like this sometimes." Cragus explained to the grey wolf.
" It's us; Barb, Cragus and Zolo. You had another one of your fits." Zolo explained. " You had Dakota worried."
" Dakota?" Kaygis asked slowly before his mind returned to him. " Dakota. Iora!" Then the headache showed itself. " Headache. What in this Godforsaken world did I run in to?"
" What are you, Reece?" Zyanya asked, still poking at the now annoyed bird.
In an attempt to get the jaguar to stop, he ruffled up his feathers and puffed out his chest. Unfortunately that didn't work, so he ended up flying onto Tsume's shoulder and tried to comfort him despite the inevitable meeting that was only minutes away.
"Ohh..." Dakota looked down at her paws still slightly confused but accepted the golden wolfs explaination.
At the panthers sudden reaction Dakota stepped back slightly. "You ran into a tree." She couldn't help the slight chuckle that left her head throbbing with pain. She lifted her paw to her head and flattened her ears in pain.
Tsume acknowledged his new friends presence with a grunt before the sound of paw steps alerted him to their approach and he whimpered slightly. Skype trotted straight over to the fire, he sat down getting comfortable and Mana joined him. Gemma stopped at the mouth of the cave and glanced at everyone inside. When her eyes finally landed on Tsume, she noticed the absence of their pup and her husbands downtrodden look and sighed. She moved over to him and lay down so her nose was touching his. Tsume looked at her confused by her reaction, but she just smiled reassuringly at him and nuzzled into his face before getting comfortable. It wasn't long till both Tsume and Gemma fell into a peaceful sleep. Both Skype and Mana noticed the exchange and sighed in relief.
"I'm glad she took that well." Mana commented and Skype nodded in agreement.
" Into a tree..." Kaygis raised his own paw to his head and felt the beginnings of a bump forming on it. " That explains the bump."
As one, Zolo and the eagle brothers heaved a heavy sigh, Barb shaking his feathers as if he were shaking his head. Just then, another earth shattering roar echoed through the air. And this time it sounded closer.
Gently Reece hopped off the grey wolf's shoulder and willed himself to transform into something larger and warmer than the mockingjay that he was. He had hoped he would become a bear or wolf or something like that. What he got instead was a red and black bipedal dino-lizard... and a confused and wary look from Zyanya. He didn't even notice his tail was on fire, he was that busy trying to figure out what he had become.
Dakota smiled at her new friends removing her paw from her sore head. Her head whipped up at the sound of the roar and her ears perked with excitement, headache long forgotten.
"They're near!" She cried out in excitement running with renewed energy in the roars direction.
Skype and Mana both pulled strange faces at the new form Reece had taken on. Skype nudged Mana with his paw and motioned towards him.
"Didn't Kilika mention a friend who looks very similar to him." He asked still watching the confused lizard.
"I believe so, but her friend was orange, not black..." Skype nodded in acceptance of her words and their conversation ended there.
Snowdrift looked into the cave with mild interest before he rose and stretched out his claws and wings. He looked over at his brother and a silent exchange passed between them. Bloodshot then rose, careful of Zander and mimicked his brothers actions. He then nudged Zander awake.
"Uncle?" Said wolfs eyes opened and he looked up at his nephews in confusion.
"We're going to hunt, we wil be back later. You should go into the cave where it's warm." Bloodshot explained and Zander nodded sleepily.
He got up and trotted through the opening, curling up beside his sister and attempting to fall asleep again.
Both Bloodshot and Snowdrift watched him go before taking to the sky in the direction that they had smelt their Aunts scent on the wind.
" Iora!" Kaygis hissed under his breath, dashing after Dakota himself.
" Why did I even bother coming on this trip?" Zolo roared out before storming off after the two older animals, Barb and Cragus following his lead.
The golden and black asian dragon looked down at the blue and white wolf lying on his right side against her scales and under her left wing. She knew that if she didn't get him help soon, he wasn't going to last long in this cold weather. She also knew that the lion knew that something was seriously wrong with the wolf. She just had to look in the lion's eyes to know that. The lion was currently curled up against the wolf's stomach (both she and her were trying to keep the wolf's body warm) and she had done all she could to try and stop the bleeding, but she hoped it was enough to save him. Julien had taught her that cold weather and deep wounds were never a good sign.
" This is crazy." She growled to herself. " Please don't tell me we're the only ones here." With that, she sent another fire ball into the air to try and keep the injured wolf warm but not burn him or the lion.
" Um... Reece... you have fire... on your tail." Zyana stuttered, not sure if she should even say anything or not.
" What?" Reece asked, surprising himself that he could final speak in all of his forms again. Then he turmed around and noticed the yellow and orange flame that was sitting comfortably on the end of his tail. " Ai!!!! Notgoodnotgoodnotgood! I'm on fire! Ai!!!" He screamed, running around the cave like a madman while trying to put the fire out and yet not put the fire out at the same time.
Dakota's ear twitched to acknowledge the animals following her as she continued towards their friend and hopefully her brother. She could scent his blood along the path they ran, she really hoped he was safe and ok.
Krystal snuggled closer to her uncle in an attemp to warm his shivering body. She had been there when the hunter had took aim at her and Moonlight had jumped in the way taking the bullet bone deep in the thigh. She licked the blood stained fur around his wound and lay back down on her paws. She was confused as to who the dragon that found them was but she was greatful to all the help they had received from her. She looked up at moonlights face and acknowledged his laboured breath with drooped ears.
"I'm sorry uncle, I'm too weak to use my powers." She whimpered before sniffling and trying to hold her tears in. Her ears twitched when their companion spoke and she flinched at the words. 'I hope daddy or someone finds us soon...'
Mana watched their short conversation with mild interest till Reece started overacting. She could tell from where she sat that the flame as not burning his skin and she remembered Kilika saying that her friends flame was natural, 'It won't hurt him, only us.' It was then that a yowl echoed through the cave and she looked over to see Zander soothing his singed paw. She leapt up and tackled Reece to the ground careful of the flame that had already singed Zander.
"Calm down! The flame won't hurt you, but it will hurt us." She emphasised her point by pawing his head in Zanders wounded direction.
"Can you still scent her brother?" Snowdrift asked his red companion as they flew over the snowy forest below.
"Hai brother, she is near." Bloodshot answered, he had his eyes shut and his mouth slightly ajar, allowing the blood scents to lead him to his Aunt. He lowered himself towards the ground when a strong scent wafted beneath his nose. His eyes shot open and he pointed a sharp claw towards a trail of red amongst the white snow. "There!"
Both him and his brother took off towards the trail, altering their course to follow the blood, that should hopefully lead them to Dakota.
" Because you hate babysitting!" Kaygis called back to Zolo as he tried (and failed) to pick up speed that he never had in the first place. He did, however, manage to skid to a halt before he fell to his death in the deep, snow-covered valley that had suddenly emerged in front of them.
" Yeah...safe..." Reece muttered softly, before his eyes rolled into the back of his head.
Zyanya sat herself up to look at the scene around her better. " Somehow I don't think that was supposed to happen." she muttered.
Bloodshot pulled up when he noticed his brother had stopped, they both landed by a big tree at the bottom of a steep slope.
"What is it brother." He watched as Snowdrift trotted over the expanse of snow at the trees base with interest.
"She's with another," he replied before sniffing, lashing his tail slightly behind him in agitation. "A male," He glanced up at the tree, placed one taloned fore-paw against it so he was standing in his hind legs and sniffed the bark. "A panther."
Bloodshot growled slightly, 'She better be ok...' he thought before looking at his brother who was walking on his hind legs, wings spread behind him for balance, nose to the air sniffing. "Anything else brother?"
"Yes." He stated in a soft voice. "More males," he shook his head when he snorted a snowflake and sniffed again. "A wolf and 2 eagles are accompanying the panther and Aunt Dakota." He then dropped to his pads and trotted over to the blood trail.
Bloodshot continued to growl looking over the scene then he followed his brothers board almost annoyed gaze.
"What is it." He ask confused.
Snowdrift lashed at his brother with his tail just missing the red scaled shoulder. "You brother are a fool." He screeched before starting back the way they had come, following the blood trail. "You lead us the wrong way!" And with a beat of his wings, Snowdrift took off back up the trail, a sorry Bloodshot on his tail.
Dakota followed suit digging her claws into the icy ground and pulling up beside the black panther. She wafted the air rising from in the valley and she couldn't stop her tail from wagging.
"There's defiantly presences down there." She hoped excitedly before leaping off the edge and drifting down into the darkness below.
When her sight cleared she could see the silhouettes of 3 figures and again her tail wagged expressing her happiness. She flew back up towards the edge of the valley and floated above Kaygis, she grabbed him by the nape, hooking her two fore-paws beneath the panthers elbows. She then took off into the air slowly and carefully lowering the both of them into the valley.
Mana sniffed the still body she was standing on. "Ahh he's fine, still breathing." She muttered before walking back to her spot by the fire and laying down beside Skype who had drifted off to sleep. Zander also settled down, wrapping his tail around his singed paw as he tried to rest.
" Ah, Dakota? Is this safe? You do realise I've been in surgery before, right?" Kaygis asked nervously as he looked down into the valley.
Zolo watched the two disappear into the depths and immediately began looking for a way down to the valley floor. His answer came in the form of two golden eagles somehow managing to lift him into the air and fly him down similar to how Dakota had taken Kaygis. To say he was scared would be an understandment. He had seen Barb and Cragus carrying something heavy and let's just say, he wanted to keep his life and all his limbs unbroken.
Zyanya looked around at the sleeping (and unconscious, in Reece's case) animals, not sure what to do. Even though it was cold and she had just had an attack, she felt wide awake and wanted to explore the world outside the cave. However, she recognised that Zander was the one who had found her and that his paw had been badly burnt. She didn't know what happened next, but the next thing she knew was that she had gone out into the snow and was packing some in a rather large strip of bark that she managed to pull off one of the near by trees. She then used the bark to carry snow back into the cave and gently placed the snow on the burn, hoping that it would help settle the burn and that it wasn't too painful for the wolf.
"Sorry my friend, I wasn't aware about your surgery but rest assured, this is completely safe. I won't drop you so there is no need to worry." Dakota reassured just as the ground came into view. She lightly placed the panther on his feet and landed beside him smiling.
Mana lay with one eye closed and the other keeping an eye one the cave entrance. Both Snowdrift and Bloodshot had left so there was no one to watch the entrance while everyone slept. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed that the Zyanya was still awake and looked slightly confused about what to do now. She thought that maybe Zyanya would lie down and go to sleep but she was shocked when the white jaguar zipped out of the cave. She rose her head wondering if she should follow or not when the cat came back in with some snow on bark. She smiled slightly as Zyanya patted the snow on Zander's paw and looked back out of the cave.
Zander flinched and looked up at Zyanya as she treated his wounded paw.
"Thankyou little one." He thanked with a smile when she finished, he nuzzled her slightly before lying his head over his good paw.
Bloodshot and Snowdrift pulled up before a valley edge where Dakota's blood trail ends. "She must be down in that valley."Snowdrift stated and both dragons shared a look before they plunged into the darkness below.
" That's okay. Thanks." Kaygis replied, returning the smile faintly.
Next to them, Zolo came crashing to the ground, somehow managing to survive the fall and not get any broken bones.
" Well, that's what you get for struggling!" Barb screeched down at the wolf, his shrill voice echoing through the valley.
Shakily, Zolo got back onto his feet and began sniffing the air. Ever since that time, nearly a decade ago, when his brother-in-law had unknowingly led Kaygis into the clutches of some creepy creature that liked to take over peoples' minds and that same creature had killed one of his best friends, he'd had a sort of fear of dark, shadowy places like valleys and caves. They reminded him too much of those days. That was when he picked up on the scent of death and decay and, for lack of a better word, pure evil.
" Guys. There's something down here." He stage whispered as Barb and Cragus came to land on his and Kaygis' backs.
Zyanya gave Zander a small smile and whispered, " No. Thank you for finding me. This is the least I could do."
She then decided that the snow wasn't really that bad and went for a little walk around the cave to try and make herself tired. All she accomplished was managing to get herself cold, so she went back into the cave to warm up and remembering a time when she used to watch her brother playing in the cave when the bears wouldn't let him go outside.
Dakota glanced over at Zolo and noticed the look of fear in his eyes.
"It's only our friends down here, don't worry." She sniffed the air just in case and her nose came up with nothing out of the usual. "We should be fine if we stick together, now come on. They are only over here." She trotted off in the direction that she had seen the three silhouettes. She broke into a run when they came into view and she skidded just before them in a cloud of dust.
"Aunty!" Krystal cried out happy to see a familiar face. "Uncle is hurt, what do I do, I havn't fed yet and my healing powers are too week to fix him." Dakota nuzzled into Moonlight's neck and licked him on the forehead before looking up at the she-dragon who was with them. "Your name is Iora I presume?"
Zander watched her moving around the cave with a smile, she reminded him of his son. Always full of energy even when he should be resting. He closed his eyes once Zyanya settled down.
Bloodshot and Snowdrift decended into the darkness and noticed the silhouettes below them. Snowdrift landed lightly beside Kaygis while Bloodshot kept afloat above them, lightly beating his wings in the darkness.
"Would you be the male's accompyning Aunt Dakota? If so, Where is she?" He spoke in a soft voice hoping that the panther would answer him.
" No." Zolo whispered as he watched Dakota charging through the darkness. " You don't understand. It's in here."
" Zolo, you feeling alright?" Barb asked, quite concerned about his friend.
Kaygis looked at Zolo and took notice of the flattened ears, slightly raised tail and slightly bared fangs. He then took in the same scent that the wolf had picked up. Almost instantly, he remembered the torture that he had to indure while he was dying and an echoing scream rang through the valley as he dropped to his knees.
Instantly, Cragus took to the skies and it was he who answered the white dragon that landed beside Kaygis. " We are. She went after some silhuettes; our friend Iora and a couple of other figures, i think one of them was a downed canine."
" That is me." Iora replied with a nod of her head. Her thoughts were instantly trained on the pain-filled scream that echoed through the valley, however, before she even got to ask who this new wolf was. " Uncle Kaygis!" she roared out. But she didn't move for fear of injuring the already injured wolf beside her.
"Bloodshot, who is the downed canine?" Snowdrift asked looking up at his brother.
The red dragon closed his eyes and breathed in deep.
"Aunt Dakota's scent is overpowering but I can scent Uncle Moonlight as well." He answered before he flew off in the direction their scents were the strongest.
"Now, Are you alright panther?" Snowdrift asked resting his wing over Kaygis' back in a form of comfort.
Dakota nodded to acknowledge Iora's reply before turning back to Krystal. "Put pressure on the wound, I'll go find Gemma." Dakota told her before she turned to leave. It was then that the pain-filled scream echoed through the valley, made by the panther that she had come to know as a friend in this short time. "Kaygis!" She cried out in worry, but before she could run towards them Bloodshot landed before her.
"Aunt Dakota, We have finally found you." He nuzzled into her before speaking again. "Brother is with the panther, Aunt Gemma, Aunt Mana, Uncle Zander, Uncle Skype and Uncle Tsume are back at the cave we made with a multiple form-changer and a white jaguar."
Dakota nodded, happy they found some of their families.
"Bloodshot, I need you to go get Gemma. Moonlight was shot just before we were dragged her and it's effecting him greatly now. Bring the others if they wish to come, and the strangers belong to this dragon." Dakota explained in a rush, she wanted to make sure Kaygis was ok.
"Yes, Aunt Dakota." Bloodshot then took off into the sky speeding back towards the cave.
With a quick glance back at the dragon and her family Dakota ran off into the dark towards her friend.
Again Kaygis screamed at the light touch but his mind seemed to be elsewhere. " No... get... away..."
Zolo turned from the darkness to look at his friend. He had seen him like this only once before and that was when he had been locked in a cage with a broken foot (which he had done to himself) and was dying from heart failure. And it had taken an annoyed and heavily pregnant Kilier to knock some sense into him. Unfortunately it had also taken Lynk everything he had to stop Kilier from actually knocking the panther unconscious... and neither of the two were there now. That's when the evil laughter came.
" Oh, you people are too easily manipulated. First the cyborg. Now the polar bear and labrador. Too easy... too easy. And so round two begins... Master." A sly voice hissed, extending its 's' sounds like a snake.
" I told you it was here." Zolo growled, lowering himself into a protective stance.
" Wait. Did he say labrador?" Barb asked, turning to look at his brother who nodded his head in reply.
" Monty." They both sighed.
Iora watched Dakota ran off, still trying to figure out what she should do about Moonlight. She ended up staying with the injured wolf, thinking about the red dragon that had been happy to find the grey wolf. He reminded her of her brother Uphere but only in colour. That made her remember the fight that both of her brothers, Uphere and Demanicus, had been having before she ended up in this place. Knowing them, they were probably still fighting. If that was the case, she was glad that they weren't anywhere near the valley. With a sigh, she curled around the lion and wolf and plucked one of her smoother scales from her underbelly.
" Here. This may help." She said, handing the scale to the lion.
Zyanya was just about to fall asleep after what felt like hours of not being able to when she felt rather than saw a shadow flying towards the cave. Instantly jumping up, she ran into the furthest part of the cave thinking that her father's ghost had come to haunt her. Even though it had been years since Choby had killed him and freed the rainforest of his tyrany, she still had nightmares about him. It was the one thing she couldn't help aside from her cancer. She didn't even notice when Reece began to evolve when she accidentally stepped on the base of his tail.
Snowdrift's wing flinched slightly so it was over Kaygis but not touching him and he cooed lightly hoping to quell the shaken panther.
Dakota skidded before the group just as the laughter filled the air around them.
Dakota glared over at Zolo but her attention stayed on the echoing voice around them. "Show yourself coward!" She yelled raising her tail and hackles and snarling into the darkness.
Krystal looked at the scale then back at the dragon with a grateful smile. She coiled her tail and pushed it down against Moonlights wound and then took the scale in her paw. With a slight whimper she bit into the tender paw of her paw and allowed the blood to pool on the scale she was handed. She then licked the wound closed, waiting as it took a couple minutes to work as her healing had be slowed due to hunger. She used the same paw to open her uncle's jaw and poured the blood on the scale into his mouth. The scale was then discarded behind her and a paw was placed over Moonlights muzzle forcing him to swallow. She then returned her right paw to the wound removing her tail in the process.
"That should help slightly with the healing process. Don't worry uncle, Aunty will get here soon. Then you will be all better." She whispered petting him with her free paw.
Despite his annoyance at his wagging tail, Bloodshot let out roar of urgency as he landed at the lip of the cave.
"Aunt Gemma! Uncle Skype!" He looked into the cave.
Mana jolted out of her thoughts at the roar so close to the cave.
"Bloodshot!" She called out waking Skype, Tsume, Zander and Gemma from their slumber.
Said wolves glared over at Mana for waking them when Bloodshot appeared.
"Aunt Gemma, Uncle Skype, you both must follow me. Brother and I have found Aunt Dakota, Cousin Krystal and a wounded Uncle Moonlight. Aunt Dakota requests your aid in healing Uncle Moonlight. You must hurry." With that said he took off back towards the valley.
Mana ran out of the cave and flew up high into the air. She watched where Bloodshot entered the ground with her keen eyesight and returned to the cave.
"Whose coming?" She asked eager to get going.
After much debating and an attempted waking of Reece it was decided that Skype, Gemma and Zander would go, while Mana waited here with Tsume, Zyanya and an unconscious Reece. Mana flew out of the cave with Gemma beside her and showed Gemma where Bloodshot had disappeared with the point of her paw. Gemma nodded and while Mana headed back into the cave to wait till the (Current) lizard woke up, she headed in the direction at a slow pace so her companions on the ground could keep up.
" Coward, am I? I think not, pup. I am over one thousand years old. And I have been planning ever since I was a young one hidden amongst the fiercest of dragons. You wish to see me? Soon... soon. First-" the creature spoke smoothly.
" WE HAVE LOLLIPOPS!!!" the sure sound of an excited young boy efficiently cut off the creature.
" Silence, fool! How can I plan world domination with you blabbering on about little sugar filled sweets that you can't even digest without getting sick?"
" YOU PROMISED!"
" Montague Faolan Haythen! How many times have we told you, never accept anything from strangers! Now get back here this instant!" Zolo growled, trying to get his sister's nephew out of the danger that he had (once more) gotten himself into.
All this time, Kaygis had fallen on his side in pain and was trying to stay conscious. Even though there was nothing happening to him, he already felt like he was being severely tortured; more specifically like his soul being ripped from his body. It was not a pleasant feeling. Of course, that was when the adult male polar bear rose on his hind legs and out of the darkness, letting lose a mighty roar before charging blindly towards Zolo and Dakota, intent on attacking them.
" Crikey. Octavian." Zolo grumbled, his tail lowering slightly in fear.
Iora heard the bear's roar and instantly realised something was seriously wrong. Her older (though adopted) brother never roared like that unless he was really livid, and even that was rare. The only time she remembered Octavian's rage was when Uphere had totalled his brand new car and snuck into his hidden stack of drugs and told both his parents about it, and Demanicus had melted his prized judo and wrestling trophies (of course, by accident) when he was praticing his fire breath attacks that same day. And combining that with the pain filled scream of Kaygis, she was almost sure that there was trouble. But she forced herself to look away from the direction that Dakota had run off into and returned her gaze to the two she was looking after.
" What did you just do?" She asked the lion, trying to keep her mind from what was happening further down the valley.
Slowly, Reece woke up and raised his head. He'd had the strangest dream that he was trapped in some other world with people he didn't even know and his shape-shifting abilities had gone haywire. When he looked around, he found out that it wasn't a dream. On the bright side, he was no longer a bipedal lizard with a flame on his tail. He was now a bipedal dragon... but he still had the flame on the end of his tail.
Must be from the same family. He thought to himself as he sat up and shook himself off, effectively hitting his head on the roof of the cave. That's when he noticed that there were people missing. " Um... weren't there more of us?" He asked aloud.
" They ran off." Zyanya said, returning to the front of the cave now that she was sure that her father's ghost was not out to get her.
" Where and why?"
" Um..."
Dakota watched the exchange in confusion. 'Is this one of their friends playing a joke?' She thought to herself before looking down at the pain ridden Kaygis.
"Snowdrift, take Kaygis over to Iora, Krystal and Moonlight. Keep him safe." Dakota said as she nuzzled the panthers face. Snowdrift nodded and lightly picked up the panther in his forearms, he then flew off in the direction Dakota had come from.Dakota's attention was immediantly taken from the two of them when the polar bear charged at them. She growled unsure about the white creature but relaxed a bit when she Zolo recognized the bear. Dakota looked up as Bloodshot decended into the valley and landed beside her.
"Aunt Gemma is on her way." He explained before looking down at his confused Aunt. "Is everything alright down here Aunt Dakota?"
"I'm not sure..." Dakota responded watching the polar bear and Zolo with confusion and slight interest.
Krystal looked up at the dragon unsure what to say, she had always been told to never tell a stranger what she was, because most of the time it never turned out ok. She started to quake slightly realising that if she told this dragon and the dragon got mad, she wouldn't be able to defend herself in her weakend state.
"I... I'm..." She started but was stopped by the voice of her younger cousin.
"She is a vampire." Snowdrift said lightly as he placed Kaygis down by Moonlight and Krystal. "She was giving him some of her blood, it contains healing powers that can heal even the deepest of wounds. However she is weak from not feeding and does not have the blood to spare, even if it will help alittle." He explained while scoulding Krystal at the same time. Krystal's ears drooped at her cousins dissaproval but she cheered up when she noticed he was smiling at her.
Gemma lowered closer to the ground as they neared the Valleys edge.
"It's just up ahead." She told the boys and true to her word they skidded to a stop at the valley wall. "I'll go ahead, you guys find away down." Gemma told them before diving head first into the shadows below.
Skype and Zander scouted the edge looking for a way down which Skype found about 20 meters to the left of where Gemma went down. They slowly and carefully made their way down the valley wall till their feet touched the cold snow below them. They both looked around and Skype's keen eyesight picked up two silhouettes in the shadows. Skype nudged Zander and Zander was just about to call out to the two figures assuming it was Gemma with one of the others when the both of them were tackled to the side, both knocked their heads against the compact snow they were once standing on and Zander fell unconscious immediately. Skype teetering on the edge caught site of a sleek lion just before his eyes slid shut and he joined his friend in the world of unconsciousness.
Mana was sitting at the cave entrance watching the snow fall while Tsume sat by the fire watching as Reece came too. He had noticed the lizard grew to almost three times the size he was when he was knocked out. Tsume grunted as he also sat up and wiped his face with his fore-paws
Mana looked at the white jaguar with a slight smile before looking back outside. Tsume shook his fur of any loose snow that he had laid in and answered Reece's question.
"Bloodshot, our nephew came to retrieve Gemma, they found Moonlight and he needed healing. We waited back here for you to wake up so we could go also. Are you travel-worthy?"
" Strange... for a vampire." Iora to herself before shaking her head and viciously ripping off another of her scales, this time making sure that there was blood dripping from the wound.
Gently humming a soft tune, she placed a single drop of blood on Kaygis' tongue and prayed that he was going to be okay. She was making a great risk soothing the Master of Time in this way. But something just told her to try.
" What happened to him?" She growled at the smaller white dragon, positioning her upper body in an 's' formation similar to a snake. " What is going on over there?"
" Okay, Octavian. Just calm down. We're not your enemy. We're your friends. It's me, Zolo. Remember?" Zolo said, before having to jump out of the way before he was run over by the run away polar bear.
In frustration, Octavian roared again and turned to face the golden wolf. But his usually warm, hazel-brown eyes were dark and filled with pain. Whatever it was that the creature had done, it had hurt him. Intantly, Zolo was filled with rage at the sight before him. It just wasn't right.
" Basilisk! You'll pay for what you did to Octavian!" he roared, charging into the darkness.
" Am I travel-worthy? Um..." Reece looked at his wings before gingerly testing them. " I think so."
"Our world must be different then in your world..." Krystal mumbled watching Iora gave Kaygis a drop of her blood.'Maybe she can heal too?' She asked herself before focusing on applying pressure to Moonlight's wound.
Snowdrift looked at Iora shocked by her harsh words and slightly offended by her anger towards him.
"I have done nothing to the panther, if that is what you ask. As for what really happened, I am unsure. What I can say happened, is that when brother and I landed, the panther cried out in pain, it appears to have been mental as he has no physical damage," Snowdrift explained before looking away and snorting, refusing to look back at the she-dragon.
Dakota stepped out of the way narrowly missing the polar bear when he charged at Zolo. By the golden wolfs words Dakota could tell that he wasn't himself and that he was being controlled.
"Snowdrift!" She called out to her nephew, "Cage him, he is being controlled and we need to stop him without hurting him!" Snowdrift nodded in understanding and flew over to the angered polarbear, he dropped to his paws before the other white creature and spread out his wings catching the brunt of the beasts charge right in the stomach. He held on tight and slowly started to make an Ice shield around the both of them. Dakota watched as the both of them vanished behind the thick sheet of white ice and turned to follow Zolo into the shadows when Gemma landed before her.
"Dakota, where is Moonlight?" She asked in a rush and Dakota pointed her in the right direction. Both then ran off, Dakota towards the enemy and Gemma towards her injured brother,Bloodshot followed her.
Gemma stopped at the sight of her brother, the dragon and Krystal. Bloodshot moved so he was beside Krystal and Moonlight. Gemma ran over to the blue wolf and nuzzled him before looking at the wound, from which Krystal had removed her paws and moved out of the way. Gemma could smell the scent of his blood but also the metallic smell of the bullet still in his thigh.
"Krystal, hold him down. This will hurt." She said and Krystal jumped to help, pinning the slightly shaking body of her Uncle down, leaving the wound with room so Gemma could work. Satisfied with the lions success in holding her brother down, Gemma dug her muzzle into the open barely healing wound and Moonlight yelped in pain, struggling against Krystal with what little energy he had.
"Stay still Uncle! Gemma is getting the bullet out so she can heal your wound!" Krystal shouted putting more pressure when Moonlight almost got free. Gemma shifted her muzzle slightly and gripped the bullet between her teeth and pulled back out, Moonlight yelped again but then stopped when Bloodshot cooed to try and calm him. Gemma spat out the bullet out beside them along with a small amount of flesh that she had accidentally grabbed in the process.
"Its ok brother, just a minute more." She whispered, then she bit into her own leg and drew blood out onto her fangs. She quickly so not to waste any, leaned over and her blood dripped into the wound, which healed over with a sizzling sound and a small cloud of steam. She then licked her own leg closed and cleaned her muzzle before looking back at her brother who was breathing deeply with his eyes closed. Gemma curled up beside him, falling asleep herself.
Tsume nodded before trotting over to the large dragon and nuzzling under a clawed hand so said hand was resting on his back. "If you need help just lean on me, I'm stronger then I look." He said smiling slightly.
"We should get going, another blizzard is coming, we will all have the shelter in the valley till it passes before heading back to camp." Mana explained before trotting out of the cave. Tsume nodded then looked up waiting for Reece to move so he could help him.
" Or maybe it was just what I was taught." Iora whispered with a smile, knowing full well that Krystal had been talking to herself.
Turning her head in a full circle, she whiped the smile from her face and attempted something she had never done before in her life; create a fireball. The attack was aimed straight at the threat, but it had also drained Iora to the point of collapse. She was a healer, not a defender. That title belonged to her brothers and sister.
Zolo had barely enough time to grab the labrador pup by the scruff of his neck before Iora's first fireball managed to light the darkness. That was when he saw the eight legged, poison coated creature that had killed his best friend for the first time. And it made him mad. Without thinking, he dropped Monty heavily on the ground and charged at the creature.
" You'll pay for what you did to Mikon! I'll do to you what the others couldn't! Say your prayers, Basilisk, because they'll be the last thing you ever do!" He howled, charging at full speed.
" In that case... Zyanya, get on my back." Reece said, lowering himself to the ground slightly so the white jaguar to easily get on his back.
" Are you sure about this, Reece?" the white jaguar questioned.
" Positive."
Tentatively, Zyanya climbed onto the red and black fire dragon's back. What she didn't expect was when Reece and Tsume walked outside and the former tested out his new wings. After being satisfied with his ability to fly, he grabbed Tsume gently around his middle and leapt into the sky, hovering slightly to see what Mana was doing.
Krystal twitched her ear at the dragon but smiled slightly. Bloodshot hoped out of the way when the she-dragon shot out the fireball and caught her before she fell.
"Are you alright Miss Iora?" He asked lowering her softly to the ground, his annoyance completely forgotten.
Krystal looked over at her worriedly but stayed with her uncle.
Dakota lept to the side dodging the fireball that appeared through the darkness and looked around at the slight light said ball of fire had created. She heard the golden wolfs words before he charged and she dived at him pinning him to the ground.
"We can't rush in, he'll kill you!" She growled raising her tail and hackles when she noticed slight movement from the Basilisk through the shadows that had returned. "We must have level heads if we are to survive through this." Dakota backed slowly off the wolf hoping he would heed her advice.
Tsume followed his friend out of the cave and yelped in suprise when he was picked up. He looked up at the red and black dragon and decided that he would give his friend what little trust he had to give. He went slack in Reece's arms so the dragon would be able to carry him with ease. Mana watched with slight suprise at Tsume's compliant nature and leapt into the air gliding up beside the others.
"Follow me." She said and she took off towards the Valley
Skype and Zander roused awake at the same time, Zander looked around confused while Skype shook the last drapes of sleep out of him.
"What hap..." Zander started but his question was cut short when a paw smashed his muzzle into the ground.
"Sush!" He was hushed before the paw released him, he placed his paw over his aching jaw in an attempt to sooth the pain he felt. "Don't you know anything about stealth Zander." The lion growled lowly at him before brushing up against Skype and nipping his ear. "We must be cautious. The two you saw were approaching are not friends, well at least I know one of them is not a friend. After whats happened I'm not so sure about the labrador..."
"Akira, What's going on. Why arn't you with the others, are they still here?" Skype asked confused. Akira gave him a glare and her nose twitched as she answered with a bit of distane.
"You know why I'm not with them..." She growled before lowering her voice. "From what I can tell, Moonlight has been healed and Dakota is with a golden wolf about the fight a Basilisk." Her voice was board which annoyed Skype somewhat.
"Can you at least show some concern, she is my brothers mate." He noted before looking out though the shadows hoping to catch a glimpse of anything but was unable to see past his own nose with his tired eyes.
"Krystal is with Moonlight and Gemma, I... I wasn't able to approach so she needs to be fed..." Akira whispered and Skype nodded before scenting his daughter and heading in her direction, a sore Zander following on his hills. Akira watched them go and sighed when they dissapeared from view. She then stalked through the shadows with her enhanced vision towards where she knew a bloody fight was going to break out.
After a few more painful shudders, Kaygis began to calm down a little. Weakly he looked around and noticed that he had once more been moved (he was really beginning to hate this). He was still in the valley, but Zolo and Dakota were nowhere in sight. What he found was a pair of wolves, a lion (that smelled suspiciously like a female version of Flick), a dragon that looked similar to Uphere, and a weakened Iora. At the sight of the she-dragon, he knew instantly what had happened.
" Iora... what have you done?" He asked faintly.
Slowly Iora raised her head from the ground and tried to focus on her surroundings. But the energy she had used just to create that one small fireball had exhausted her despite the years of trying to do just that.
" That... that was the first time... I've ever done that." She whispered, her voice croaky.
Zolo looked up at Dakota with a growl. But it wasn't until he was sure that the grey wolf was off him entirely that he shot up and tried for a new attack on the basilisk. The image of Mikon's death burned fresh in his mind and, though he had heard Dakota's words, it was urging him to speed up. And with each step, his muscles became tight and ready to pounce. Barb and Cragus could only watch in fear as the golden wolf charged once more at the basilisk, protecting a now scared Monty at a (hopefully) safe distance from the fight.
" Sorry for the change in scenery." Reece apologised to the wolf he held gently but firmly in his grasp.
He then did a qick check up with Zyanya to make sure that she was as secure as she could be, gave Mana a nod of his head and rushed after her. But no matter how fast or how far he flew, he couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was happening. And he was almost certain that his brother was caught up in it. He always was.
"Then that would have drained majority of your energy." He stated looking down at his fore-paws, he could restore her energy by sharing his own with her but he was unsure if he should should or not.
Krystal had heard the Panthers words and seems no one else had she decided to answer him.
"She made a fireball that she shot towards the fight over there." Her tail twitched in said fights direction but she didn't look away from her uncle, watching as he lay, deep in slumber with a sleeping Gemma by his side.
Dakota watched him sprint off in the enemies direction with tempered worry. 'So bent on revenge.' She sighed before trotting after the golden wolf at a slower pace prepared to jump in if the younger needed help.
"It's alright..." Tsume whispered as he watched the snow rush below him. Mana smiled slightly 'Gemma's made him a real softy.' She shook her head ruffling some uncomfortably fallen snow off her neck. "There it is there." She yelled to the pointing a paw in the valley's direction. She then took off back in their camps direction.
" Just... let me sleep." Iora begged. " I'll... be okay."
" No!" Kaygis growled, managing to stand up though he did wobble slightly on the spot. " Do you realise what you have done, Iora? You could have killed us both... you could have killed us all! A Master cannot take blood from any dragon let alone the Keeper. Didn't your father tell you this?"
All Iora could do was stare in horror.
" This is for Mikon!" Zolo growled, leaping into the air.
He was about to sink his teeth into the creature's neck when the basilisk side-stepped him and forced him to spin around upon landing.
" You don't stand a chance against me." the basilisk laughed.
" You'll eat those words." Zolo growled, lunging at the basilisk once more.
But one quick flick of the basilisk's poison-coated tail aimed at his chest sent him flying into the valley wall. A yelp escaped him before he slid from the rocks and fell through the snow and to the solid ground below. Still he growled at the threat... until his entire body seemed to go slack and he slipped into a laboured unconsciousness; the poison already beginning to spread through his body.
Reece pointed his nose in the direction that Mana was heading and sniffed at the air before he whispered, " It's going to get rough. Hold on."
Then he shot off in the direction Mana pointed. As he got closer, he realised the trouble that Zolo was in and shot a jet of fire on top of the basilisk. He had fought with the creature before... but not like this. Not giving the basilisk a chance to retaliate, he turned himself towards where he could easily see Iora and gently placed Tsume and Zyana down on the ground before taking flight once more and heading over to where the fight with the basilisk was going on.
Neither Bloodshot or Krystal knew what the two were talking about so they just sat back watching them in confusion. Bloodshot decided to ignore them and curled up beside Moonlight and Krystal to sleep.
Dakota stopped frozen on the spot. She shook her head before dropping to her belly, feeling the pain coursing through her new friends body.
"Damn it Zolo, I told you not too." She growled out between clenched teeth as she tried to keep consciousness whilst still looking threatening in hopes that the Basilisk would keep its distance. Akira growled slightly from the shadows behind the Basilisk when she saw that Zolo was knocked unconscious and Dakota was slowly fading due to her empathic ability. She snuck around keeping a distance between her and the enemy and trotted over to the golden wolf and sat down by him, she used her paw to tilt his head back and lowered her jaw.
"This may hurt alittle, but I'm going to suck the venom out alright." She stated more then asked before lowering her elongated fangs and sinking them into the wolf's bloodstream. She started sucking out the venom quickly, but was mindful to be gentle with the wolf.
Tsume shook his fur now that he was back on the ground just as Skype and Zander trotted over.
"Daddy!" Krystal yelled before running over to her father and nuzzling him. Zander moved over to Moonlight and nuzzled him before nodding in greeting to Tsume who returned the gesture.
"Daddy, you should go help Aunty Kota, I think she and the others are In trouble." Krystal said worriedly. Skype nodded before the three males ran in the direction Reece had just taken off in.
" I... I'm sorry." Iora muttered, already feeling her strength returning despite her need for sleep. " This world is different from our home. I thought..."
" It doesn't matter. It's done." Kaygis muttered before twitching his ears in the direction of where Zolo lay.
Knowing full well that he was going back into the heart of the danger, he raced off to try and find his friend. With each step that he took, he could feel himself succuming to the pain filled memories. But the fact that he could sense Zolo's life coming to a close urged him to forget those memories and focus on trying to save the golden wolf. He was forced to a halt when he noticed the lion that was at Zolo's throat.
" What do you think you're doing to him? Get away from him!" He snarled, pinning his ears back and otherwise getting ready to fight.
The basilisk, of course, had dodged Reece's first attack and had raised the spines on its back to try and protect itself. Reece, however, just kept shooting jets of fire at it. And he was doing just fine too, until he was forced to transform again. Thankfully he was still able to fight. Unfortunately, he was unable to fight long range like he had hoped. He was a half-man, half-bull creature with a double bladed polearm, double bladed axe and grappling hook. How he managed to transform into a half human creature and with weapons was beyond his comprehension. But he saw the basilisk as a sort of stress reliever and that was enough for him.
What surprised him, too, was that he actually knew how to use those weapons to the best of their abilities. Before he knew what he was doing, he was swinging the grappling hook all over the place and charging down the basilisk with his polearm at the ready. The next few minutes were all a blur to his mind. All he knew was that by the time he was forced to stop for some air, he was sweaty and had deep scratches all over his arms, chest and back. he couldn't even feel the poison that was surly cursing through his veins. But he knew that when he changed again, the poison would no longer be in effect.
The good thing about it was that the basilisk had also sustained damage. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to end him.
Tsume, Zander and Skype pulled up beside Dakota who had finally fallen unconscious and huddled around her. Zander nudged her hard in the side trying to rouse her awake but she didn't move. Both Tsume and Skype growled at the site of their fallen sister and whipped around looking for the attacker. When spotted Skype shot towards the beast using his enhanced speed, he dodged an attack from Reece that was aimed for the beast and tackled it to the ground, biting into its shoulder in an attempt to hinder its movements, his paws using his enhanced strength to pin the weakened body below him to the ground.
"Quickly! While I can hold him!" He yelled out to Reece, shifting slightly so the creatures throat and underbelly was exposed but without relenting his strong hold on it. Tsume didn't move though he stayed by Dakota and Zander ready to defend if Skype and Reece failed.
Akira ignored the panther sucking the last remains of poison from the body before she retracted her fangs and licked the wound clean so it could heal closed. She looked over at the angry panther with a passive expression.
"If you must know, I was sucking the poison from his system, it's all gone now, his blood is clean, he should live. " she stated before trotting back into the shadows to watch her husband and the changing creature fight the beast.
With an over-powering and shrill hiss reminiscent to a shriek of pain, the basilisk instantly fell unconscious. Reece looked at the severely eroded double-bladed polearm and discarded it for the axe. That was when he noticed the wind begin to pick up and felt the snow storm almost upon them. Shaking his head and with an echoing bellow, he charged at the unconscious basilisk with raised axe and brought it swiftly down. After a few minutes, he lifed his axe and turned to the others.
" It is done." He sighed before collapsing.
" I'll be the judge of that." Kaygis muttered, turning to Zolo and discovering that the vampire had been right.
With a growl at his own annoyance, he tried to nudge the golden wolf awake. His efforts were in vain. But he stopped trying when he heard the bellow from his brother. His neck cracked as he turned to watch the execution and he heaved a sigh of relief as the pain-filled memories disappeared along with the basilisk's body. What he didn't expect to see was his own brother disappear on the wind as if he were a ghost.
" No! Reece!" He roared, running as fast as he could to try and save his brother from this mysterious change of events, all thoughts of Zolo all but gone from his mind. By the time he got there, however, the minotaur was gone.
Skype leapt out of the way once the Baslilsk had fallen unconscious and watched as Reece finished the job. Skype nodded at the Minotaur but worry crossed his eyes when Reece collapsed.
"Reece!" Tsume called out running over to his fallen friend. He sat down before the creature unsure what to do as Reece's body dissapeared into nothing. His ears flattened at then cry from Kaygis and when the panther arrived and his friends body was completely gone he howled out for their lost comrade. Skype's ears drooped at the loss of their new friend and his brothers howls of pain. Zander helped Dakota up, she had woken up at the sound of Tsume's howl and she and Zander went over to the group, she sat by the saddened wolf joining the howl. From inside the ice shield Snowdrift could tell the fight was over, he released the polar bear and melted the ice shield around them, before stepping out and slowly making his way to the mourning group. He sat down, wrapping his tail around his feet, much like a cat and called out joining the other.
Akira watched sadly as her mate and family mourned over the stranger, she swallowed her pride and ran over to Skype sitting beside him and nuzzling him in comfort. She and Dakota shared a look of understanding, their fighting at a standstill through this time of need.
Gemma roused from her sleep and her ears perked at the sound of her mate's mournful howl and she sighed sadly. "I knew something would happen." She whispered before nuzzling both Krystal and Moonlight before she closed her eyes listening to the other's howl.
'Dakota!' Mana called out as the camp came into view, she waited till her sister ceased howling and continued once she got a 'Yes?' In return. 'Who have we found, I'm reporting to camp.' Mana listened carefully as Dakota listed who they had found and frowned about what had happened to Reece. 'Alright, I'll tell them.' She cut the link when Dakota started howling again. She sighed before dropping down at the entrance of the camp. She breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the warm fire, her family and their new friends.
"Guys!" She yelled out getting the camps attention. "We have located others! Rest assured that the following people are safe. From our pack we found Krystal, Skype, Tsume, Zander, Akira, Bloodshot & Snowdrift! From the other gang we found Iora, Zyanya, Monty & Octavian. I also have bad news. The valley where we found Iora, Monty & Octavian also housed a Basilisk. Zolo sustained a poisonous wound and was knocked unconscious, Akira removed the poison from his system and he is ok for now. unfortunately Reece wasn't so lucky. he fought against the Basilisk, weakening the beast enough so Skype was able to knocked it to the ground effectively knocking it unconscious at the same time. Reece then delivered the final blow, but then he collapsed and his body faded with the wind. This is all I can say on the matter though, sorry..." She stopped for a minute before looking back out at the others and speaking again. "There is a snowstorm closing in, so they will return once the storm is settled. Dakota will keep us informed on their whereabouts at all times." She finished before trudging over to the fire and laying down by a saddened Bane, Lelani & Charmed. Jordon and Phoenix felt joy that thief sons were found but the showed no joy.
Octavian let out a roar and shook his head to clear it as soon as he was free from the ice and the basilisk. The first thing that came back to his mind was that he and Monty were in trouble, no thanks to the labrador pup. He was about to charge at the now non-existant basilisk when he realised that there were a whole chorus of mournful cries echoing through the wind in the valley. Listening to the chorus, he caught the scent of Reece as it too disappeared into the wind. Finally looking around, he noticed that everyone was sporting rather long faces. He could even hear Kaygis muttering under his breath 'His not dead. We'll find him again.' over and over again. He also noticed Zolo a little way off sleeping over by the valley wall and that the snowstorm had hit the top of the valley. With a sigh, he went over to the sleeping wolf and placed him on his back before going over to Monty and the eagle brothers to pick up the pup.
" Come on, folks. Storm's hit. There's a cave not far from here that can fit everyone in it." He grumbled despite not knowing what had exactly happened.
He then began to trudge through the snow to where the large cave was that he and Monty had woken up in, hoping that the others would follow. He only felt Barb and Cragus when they landed on Zolo's still sleeping form.
" Reece? He's... gone?" Ebony whispered, unable to get her voice higher than that after hearing about her brother-in-law's fate.
" We'll find him, Eb. He's not gone forever." Kratia reassured her after moving back into her own cave.
" At least we found Iora and Monty. It's one step closer to getting home." Bosko sighed.
" You mean, at least we found that little terrorist so that we could keep him out of trouble." Choby growled, unknowingly changing into Conrad.
Luigi, however, trotted up to the cave entrance and looked out at the darkening sky, only understanding that his godfather was gone.
Tsume nodded sadly to the Octavian's words and started following the polar bear, Zander, Skype and Akira right behind him.
"We will go get the others." Dakota said as her and Snowdrift headed over to the other half of the group in the valley.
Krystal and Gemma looked over when the two approached.
"Is everything alright?" Gemma asked worriedly.
"We lost Reece..." Dakota said sadly with her ears laid flat on her head.
"Octavian said he has a cave we can shelter In until the snowstorm above dissipates. Once the storm is over we will head back to the camp that they set up where more of our families reside." Snowdrift explained as he nudged his brother who got up, stretching out his wings and legs. Snowdrift then wrapped his tail around Moonlight lifting the wolf onto his back, nestled between his wings. Krystal jumped onto Bloodshot's back and with Gemma and Dakota walking beside them both dragons set off towards the bear. Bloodshot stopped after a few meters looking back at Iora.
"Are you not coming?" He asked, tail twitching as he awaited a response.
Iora gave a faint nod and shakily stood up. Quietly she and Zyanya followed the small group into the cave marked only by a polar bear's paw prints. Along the way she noticed that Kaygis had yet to move and she worried for her Master. He was staring down at the spot where Reece had once been, occasionally scratching at the snow as if trying to dig out his brother. There was only one other time that she had seen him like this and it was during that one day where he seemed to disappear off the face of the planet. She had been sick and he had come to Julien's to seek comfort in his Keeper. But she knew that she would neer be able to gain his trust in something like this so she turned her head away and walked into the cave; Zyanya instantly curling up next to the mass of fur that was Octavian, Zolo and Monty in the back of the cave.
Bloodshot and Snowdrift both curled up at the face of the cave, with Moonlight still on Snowdrift's back, both dragons hated being confined and refused to follow their aunts and uncles into the cave. Dakota respected their wishes and walked in and curling up with Zander, Skype and Akira off to the right of the cave. Tsume stayed out the front with Snowdrift and Bloodshot. He lay over the red dragons paw, sheltered beneath the dragon's wing. Both dragons and the wolf were asleep within minutes, just like their family members within the cave.
The snowstorm lasted near on a week and Iora was worried. Kaygis still had yet to come into the cave. By the time the morning of day five hit, she was getting visibly agitated. Zolo had woken up on the morning of the first day, but he hadn't been able to stand then. Now he was walking around the cave and telling his war stories to try and pass the time. Octavian had also been interrogated by the golden wolf and had explained that he remembered nothing of the experience.
Monty, as usual, was causing trouble and speaking aloud everyone's thoughts as well as throwing rocks at the dragons and wolf outside. Barb and Cragus had thought of various games to keep the puppy occupied, but it just didn't seem to work. even Zyanya was having problems controlling the pup. All the while Iora kept on staring, unblinkingly, out of the cave. She didn't even budge when Monty thought of eating a gigantic lollipop and ended up eating most, if not all, of the thing and then proceeded to become even more hyper than what he was. That was when all of the Rebels boys seemed to label the pup assuper-hyperactive.
Krystal and Zander both kept themselves occupied by playing a game with their paws that they had invented out of boredom and listening to Zolo's war stories when he told them. Zander was currently laying by himself by the fire that Dakota had made the first morning. Akira and Skype, kept together most of the time amusing themselves, at the moment Skype and Akira had taken Krystal out into the valley to hunt as the teens energy was depleted and she needed to feed. Bloodshot, Snowdrift and Tsume stayed at the front of the cave talking amongst themselves, trying not to get angered at the lab pup or sleeping, which all three were currently doing. Moonlight had awoken the first morning and stayed with his brother and nephews at the caves entrance. Gemma and Dakota spent majority of the time making sure that everyone was ok and keeping the fire lit. They were currently resting a little bit away from Iora. Dakota could feel the she-dragons worry and curiosity got the better of her. She got up bumping Gemma in the process and trotted over to the dragon. Gemma nestled into her tail now that the other warm fur was gone. Dakota sat down by the she-dragon and followed her gaze out of the cave.
"Your worried about Kaygis aren't you?" She asked quietly.
" Yes." Iora said quietly, not taking her eyes from the cave entrance. Behind her, she could hear the snores that indicated a certain Montague Haythen on a sugar low amongst the quiet talk that was Barb, Cragus, Octavian and Zyanya talking the latest fan fiction stories that they had read.
"I'm sure his ok." Dakota reassured the dragon before reluctantly asking. "Would you like me to go talk to him, see if I can convince him to come into the cave?" She hoped the she dragon wold cheer up, the sadness and worry radiating off her was drowning dakota's senses.
Krystal sprinted after the zebra she had just summoned while Akira and Skype watched from where they were resting. Dakota had told them how to get food and They await as an opportunity for their daughter to practice hunting. They watched as Krystal successfully took down the zebra and both smiled. Krystal dragged her catch over to them smiling in triumph, her tail twitched at the proud smiles she saw on her parents face and she purred when they both praised her with affectionate licks.
"Good job Krystal, now feed, you need to build up some energy." Skype said softly, then the family off three settled down to have their meal before returning to the cave full and happy.
" But the storm? Wouldn't that..." Iora questioned.
The group of three entered the cave, Krystal headed over to Zander who was happy for the company while Akira and Skype headed to an unoccupied area to sleep off their meal in peace. Dakota watched them enter happy they had finally settled enough to hunt before she looked up at Iora. "The storm can't reach us down here. Some wind and snow is coming down but we are safe to go out into the valley if we please. So he is safe where he is but I will still go check on him if you want. I can imagine he is pretty cold out there, probably hungry and thirsty too and depending on if he's had some sleep he will be tired aswell." Dakota rambled as she headed towards the cave entrance, intent on going to find the panther now that she thought about the condition he could be in.
With a sigh, Iora finally turned away from the cave entrance and watched Dakota. She didn't say anything - not trusting herself to say anthing incase it was the wrong thing to say - but she did give a small nod and continued to stare out the cave.
Not getting a response from the dragon Dakota quickly made her way out of the cave. She scented the air immediately finding the panthers position in the dark and headed in that direction. She thought of and took down a fawn along the way and she dragged the carcass along side her. She sat down by the panther who had still not moved from where Reece disappeared. She dropped the fawn down before summoning a bowl of water and a blanket. She nudged the bowl before her friend and lay the blanket over his hunches using her teeth. She then sat down by him quietly waiting for him to react to her presence.
" He's really gone, isn't he." Kaygis whispered quietly, finally falling onto his stomach.
"I do not believe he is completely gone, perhaps he was taken to another part of this world? Once this snowstorm has settled and we are able to return back to camp, you and me will head out again. Don't fret my friend, we will find him." Dakota tried consoling nuzzling into Kaygis' chest in an attempt to comfort him, when she pulled back she stood and pushed the fawn towards him, raising her tail slightly. "Now you should eat and have something to drink. Then we will head back to the cave to wait this out." He voice was commanding and left no room for defiance but it was also soft and soothing. 'I hope he will begin to feel better once he has had a rest.' She thought to herself worriedly.
" Yeah, okay." The panther sighed.
Slowly he ripped off one of the fawn's legs and tried to convince his body to eat. All he could mange was licking off the still warm blood and eating the now blood flavoured snow. With a shake of his head, he looked up at the storm above him. A single snowflake landed on the tip of his nose, but it was all he needed.
" We can leave here, tomorrow. The storm's dying out. A spring breeze is on its way." He said.
Dakota looked down lowering her tail, she wasn't exactly happy with him not eating but she accepted his response and grabbed the fawns remaining back leg. "Come on, lets head back to the cave." She flicked her tail as she started dragging the carcass back towards the cave.
Mana twitched when her older sisters voice entered her head. She stretched and went to the entrance of the den, the sight of the snow letting up outside made her smile. She called out to her family and watched as they all roused awake before looked over at her expectantly. Dakota had kept them updated over the past week or so and they knew Mana had another message from their alpha.
"Dakota has told me the snowstorm will calm down enough for them to travel home tomorrow! Rejoice that they are all well and safe." She called out smiling as happy face appeared throughout the den. She then looked to the left of their cave, 'The other group will need to know about this too, but I don't fancy going out in the snow.' She glanced out at the snowstorm with a shutter before blinking into the other den. She appeared at the front of their den and sat down waiting for them to notice her.
Kaygis looked at the snowflake and whispered, " Inveniam te cito... fratres."
Then he blew the snowflake back into the sky and followed Dakota back to the cave when he snuggled against Iora's warm scales and instantly fell asleep.
" Storm er a la opp." Ebony said, standing up and walking over to the cave entrance.
" You may have taught Kaygis how to speak Norweigen, Ebony. But we can't speak it." Sarabi sighed, wanting to curl up and forget the world like Taka and Tobias had done.
" I said that the storm is letting up. Now, if you don't mind, I need to leave this place."
With that, Ebony left the cave - and the now excited group resting inside. As she left, she nodded a greeting to Mana before continuing on her way. She made her way to the food pen and thought of a couple of zebra and a capybara, easily taking down all three. Then, one by one, she dragged them back to the cave for the others before catching herself a small pig. Then she sat in the middle of camp and ate, enjoying both the meat and the blood flavoured snow underneath.
Dakota dropped the kill by the entrance for anyone who wanted it and curled up beside Gemma. She smiled seeing that Kaygis had already fallen asleep, she looked at Gemma who was lying awake and nuzzled her before watching the entrance of the cave.
Mana nodded in greeting to the panther before she turned tail and left the den. Ignoring the frozen feelings taking over her paws she trotted to the entrance of their campsite and looked out through the sheets of snow falling before her eyes. She noticed a figure off in the distance and stood up.
"Ebony! Come here for a minute?" She called to her friend, 'It might be someone from their group, if not my own.'
She noticed the figure was slowly making its way towards their camp.
Dakota's ear twitched when she heard her sister's words and she sat up Gemma mimicking her actions. 'Can you tell who it is?' Gemma asked out of curiosity. 'No.' Came the twins reply.
Curious, Ebony rose from her meal and went to see what the wolf wanted, licking her lips clean as she went.
" What is it?" She asked once she had reached her destination.
"There's... Someone in the snow." She said pointing towards the unknown figure with her paw. "But I can't see well enough to know who it is." Mana sponged glancing at Ebony before looking back out at the stranger.
Carefully Ebony sniffed at the air, trying to separate snow from life form. She must have become too used to Australian heat because she couldn't make the two out. But she was sure of one thing. They did ot belong in her life.
" Sorry. Don't know them, if that's what you're asking." She replied, hoping to go back to her pig.
Mana nodded before her eyes trailed the stranger, she could just make out the form of a fox, but said fox was about a head taller then herself and behind the fox she could see multiple tails swaying in the wind. A growl escaped her throat neither her or Ebony knew who the stranger was.
"Friend or Foe?" She called out and was surprised when the figure stopped, as if only just noticing them.
"Friend! Please you must help me!" The male voice called out, filled with urgency. He stopped before the two panting slightly.
His coat was a icy blue, his front legs to his elbows and his back legs to an inch before his spine were midnight black in colour, as were his ears. His tail was for most of the part icy blue like his body, the tail tip was Snow White and covering about a quarter of the tail starting from that tail tip was a bloody crimson colour. His face was white and his eyes were a stunning blue. The fox sat down out of exhaustion, his pink tongue lollying out the side of his mouth. Mana was shocked, the kitsune was beautiful and now that she could count the fox's tails there were five.
" Who are you and what do you want, Fremmede." Ebony growled slightly, flatening her ears as she inched between the Rebels' cave and the possible threat.
"Please, we need shelter out of the snow. I'm not sure how we got here but we've been wondering for weeks." The kitsune's face was flushed from his exertion and he had to lay down when his legs begun to shake. When his stomach touched the ground, the five tails also rested in the snow. Now that Mana could see behind the male, she saw two things, four more tails and a kit that looked just old enough to stop suckling curled up, four tails wrapped around its small body in an attempt to keep the cub warm.
" He's yours to deal with, Mana. We have blind ones with us. We will not let him near them. Especially considering he is a male." Ebony mutered defensively before turning back to her pig and dragging it to her cave so that she could continue feeding in relative peace.
" Who was that?" Raimundo asked, stealing a glance out at the kitsune.
" A multi-tailed fox with a newborn. I have made it clear he is not welcome in this cave." Ebony replied once she had placed her food down and managed to convince her cubs to suckle.
"I understand." The fox, getting that he isn't to go near any of the cubs in their camp. He pulled his tails and cub closer to himself and waited for mana to address him.
"May I ask your name, the cubs name and if its not to personal, where is your mate?" Mana asked sitting down, she wished to know more before she invited the stranger near her family.
"My name is Tasuki, my cub is named Kurama and my mate, Ayame... Died, she was shot by a hunter not long before we appeared here." The kitsune explained shaking slightly.
Mana nodded before turning back towards her den. "One night, prove you mean no harm and Dakota will decide about you tomorrow."
"Dakota?" Tasuki asked but Mana just nodded not saying anything else. With a twitch of her tail as an order to Tasuki to follow she headed into their den with the kitsune close behind. She ignored the confused looks of everyone and sat down by Bane watching as Tasuki shook the snow from his fur, before laying his kit on the soft snow and curling around him, away from everyone.
Mana sighed before laying down and closing her eyes. Intent on ignoring any questions till Dakota could look over the kitsune, 'No use getting close if the Alpha says no.' she thought, she was starting to like the kitsune already.
Kaygis woke the instant he felt a warm spring breeze ruffle his fur. It reminded him of home and even had the scent of eucalyptus trees mixed in with the last of the snow. Standing up, he shook his coat and walked outside. Like he had predicted, the storm had disipated and was replaced by the beginnings of spring. It was time to head back to the campsite.
" Okay, everyone!" He roared, walking back into the cave. " Get your lazy buts up because it's morning and the storm is over! Today's the day we head back to camp! And if you don't get up now, I'm leaving you behind!"
With that said, he proceeded to exit the cave. Zolo and Octavian, having been trained to wake up as soon as the call was given, woke instantly and, after a shake off, were ready to leave. Iora raised her head sleepily but followed the orders. Monty and the eagles were another story. Zolo ended up carrying the pup while the eagles repositioned themselves on Iora's back.
Dakota growled angrily at the rude awakening and looked around to see her family rising, they all stretched and shook waking up. Dakota kicked Gemma who had slept through the obnoxious panthers roar and the wolf jolted to her feet.
"I'm here, I'm awake." She yelped before noticing it was just her sister, the two shared a playful glare before Zander, Krystal, Skype and a reluctant Akira surrounded Dakota and Gemma waiting for Dakota to give the ok.
Dakota nodded for them to follow and walked out of the group and through the cave entrance, the three lions and wolf followed Kaygis while Dakota and Gemma stopped to wake the two dragons and two wolves still asleep at the caves entrance.
"Moonlight, Tsume, Bloodshot, Snowdrift, we have to leave." The four animals roused awake and tiredly followed Dakota and Gemma as they trotted to catch up to Kaygis.
Kaygis looked down at the others as they exited the cave before turning back to look across the land before him. Jumping up the valley wall was easy enough for him - especially since he had bent time to get up to the top in one piece. But he was kind enough to reform the edge so that it created a solid path for the others to walk on. With a sigh he climbed up the nearest tree and used the branches as stepping stones - a trick he learnt off Ritara - to head off to the west and away from the main camp. He needed to find his brother but more importantly he needed to find his son and his Keeper. Iora would be safe as soon as she got into camp.
Octavian looked around the valley, trying to figure out where Kaygis had gone. He was almost certain that the new path into the valley was the panther's doing. But he couldn't understand why he couldn't see, hear or smell him at all. Confused, he turned to Zolo and Dakota.
" How can a black panther disappear in weather like this?" He asked.
" He's a founder. Anything is possible with a founder." Zolo answered with a slight shrug, though he was carrying a still sleeping Monty so his reply came out a little muffled.
Dakota sighed, she knew he would do something like this.
"He's gone off to find Reece, and by the urgency I felt from him, someone else aswell. I'm sure he will return to camp once he finds them." She explained as she leapt into th air allowing her body of float as she looked over the group. "Everyone, we must get going. Kaygis has made a path out of the valley for the walkers. Come on." She watched as Bloodshot and Snowdrift both beat down their wings rising up and out of the valley. Moonlight was on Snowdrift's back and Tsume was on Bloodshot's. Gemma leapt up and joined Dakota while Skype, Akira, Zander and Krystal made their way up the path and out of the valley.
Tasuki was the first to wake up in the Eternally Bound cave. He rose stretching and looked around at the caves sleeping members. He then looked down at his still asleep cub, he picked up the kit and placed him by Mana, the kit rolled over and snuggled into the female for warmth now that his fathers fur was gone. He then looked out of the cave, he trotted out into the camp unknown to him, two green eyes were watching him. Mana smiled and lay her paw around the kit before snuggling up to him. Tasuki moved around the camp lighting the fire with sticks and some of his inner flame before heading over to the pen, he easily took down a male stag dragging that as well as two small bunnies back to the cave. He dropped the bunnies where he had slept and lay the stag in the middle of the den. He walked over to the bunnies picking both up. He slowly placed one bunny before his son and the she-wolf before tenderly making his way over to the other cub he knew was in the den. He approached the white lion cub who was curled up against a large red, black and white female wolf. Said wolf jolted at his presence and snarled, flattening her ears in warning for him not to get too close. Mana looked over at the disturbance and growled lightly seeing Tasuki was so close to Lelani. The kitsune lowered to the ground all nine of his tails folding below his body and his ears flattened to his head in complete submission. He crawled as close as he dared near the vicious female and the cub before placing the bunny down and quickly retreating back to the kill. He tore of a leg tenderly aware of two sets of eyes on him now and he headed back to his corner to eat. Charmed looked at the bunny with confusion then up at the kitsune who was, despite the distance, still showing complete submission even going as far to roll onto his back while he ate. A smile quirked on Mana's lips at the site.
" See?" Zolo said, still through Monty's fur. " He's gone off to find... wait, what?" That was when he dropped Monty accidentally. " He's gone off to find Julien? Oh, great."
" Uncle Zolo, that hurt!" Monty barked before running between his legs and biting hard into his tail.
" Runt! Get back here!"
Monty, however, climbed up onto Iora's back and stubbornly refused to move. He then curled up between Barb and Cragus and went back to sleep. Iora merely shook her head at the scene and walked up the path after Skype, Akira, Zander and Krystal, Octavian surprisingly able to keep balance as he walked beside her. Zolo walked behind, nursing his slightly bleeding tail. He never knew that the pup's teeth were so sharp.
Ritara and Ebony sat at the entrance of the Rebels' cave, watching the kitsune to make sure that he did not try to harm their cubs. The others in the cave had noticed the change in their behaviours almost as soon as Ebony had mentioned him the night before. But what got half the cave was when Choby positioned himself in such a place and was practically staring at the kitsune through solid rock and everything. Just the slightest move from the strange male made Conrad appear... and Raimundo was quite amused by it. Once the mothers deemed it all clear, they went out and took down a mother buffalo and her calf and dragged them into the cave.
" You know what I reckon?" Raimundo said, giving everyone a bloody smile as he sat up from his place at the breakfast table. " I reckon you three are over reacting."
" And when he decides that he's had enough of Luigi, what would you do?" Sarabi asked.
" I'd kill him." Bosko and Raimundo replied with a growl, leaving Sarabi speachless and half the cave laughing.
" Don't think you were expecting that, hey Sarabi." Kratia laughed.
" Shut up and eat." Sarabi grumbled.
Meanwhile, Choby was nagging at his brother. " Now who's over-reacting?"
" You're practically stalking the guy." Raimundo growled.
" I have a right to. Tidus and Aquile are my cubs too." With that, he threw a paw full of slop at his brother's face issuing an all out food fight. No one (except the newborns, of course) was spared. Not even the snow outside.
Dakota watched them laughing, Gemma joining in before both wolves flew up and out of the valley landing beside their family. She looked over to Bloodshot who was scenting the air trying to find Dakota's faint blood trail that was buried under a week worth of snow. The dragon sighed in frustration. "It's extremely faint, however Aunt Mana's faint scent from when she ran back to camp before the storm is helping. I can lead us there." he told Dakota who nodded stepping back in a gesture that it was Bloodshot they should follow. The red dragon waited for the others to reach the top of the valley before he started off in the direction of camp at a pace the others could keep up with. Snowdrift, Dakota & Gemma flew up so they were above the group and could scout for danger. Zander, Skype, Akira and Krystal started off at a trot after them.
Tasuki had just finished eating when Mana finally got up, the she-wolf stretched out yawning before she looked around the cave. She released a sharp short howl which made the kitsune jump. At their Beta's howl everyone got up stretching out as they all woke up. Jordon released her claws flicking her tail as some of her bones cracked snapping into more comfortable positions, she nodded to Mana as she left the cave with Phoenix right behind her, his wings barely missing Tasuki's head as the Phoenix passed. Charmed carefully got up and went over to Tasuki's kill. She kept a close eye on him now that Lelani was unguarded, she quickly took a chunk of meat that would suffice her for now and returned to the cub. She nudged Lelani awake and when the cub yawned she pushed the rabbit towards her. Lelani greedily fed as her tail wagged happily behind her. Charmed smiled and sat down to eat her food, she closed her eyed not particularly worried that Tasuki would try anything, he seemed noble enough to let them eat in peace, even if he was a threat. Mana nudged Kurama awake and when the kit glanced up at their he started shivering and immediately looking around for his father. Mana heard a low whine and looked over to Tasuki. He was once again being submissing, belly up. He was asking for permission to approach, Mana nodded her consent and he rolled back over keeping low to the ground with his tail below him he moved over to Mana, Bane and his cub. His cautiousness showed the closer he got and when he was but a meter away he dropped to his stomach and whined again. This time it was directed at his cub, Kurama stopped shaking at the sight of this father and looked back up at Mana, this time with curiosity. Mana nudged the rabbit towards the cub, who looked at his father for consent before eating. Mana then stepped over the kit, her tail brushing against him as she went to get some food herself. Bane who had been watching the kitsune's actions since waking had decided that he was no threat, what ever Dakota decided, it was fine if he stayed.
"Have you eaten?" He asked his voice deep as he stood up, his tail was risen slightly showing he was an alpha.
"H-Hai alpha..." Tasuki nodded stuttering as he responded.
"Then walk with me." With that Bane dropped his tail before exiting the cave, Tasuki following obediently.
Mana watched them go before returning back to the cub with her share of the kill. She whined at the cub and licked his head in an attempt to comfort him, in his distressed state now that he could no longer see his father.
" Oh man. Seriously?" Octavian moaned. " I'm a wrestler, not a sprinter."
" Run now, whine later." Zolo grumbled, easily surpassing the polar bear.
Iora followed silently, finally deciding to take flight now that she could feel an up-draft.
Suddenly, Choby turned away from the food fight and went to stand in the entrance of the cave. Conrad quickly took over from there and gladly glared at the kitsune as he passed with Bane, ears flat and teeth bared giving off a murderous look considering he still had blood on his face from breakfast.
"We can rest when you need it Octavian. There is no rush." Dakota said as she flew down closer to the polar bear so she didn't have to yell.
Bane looked over at the rebels den when he felt the glare and noticed Choby seemed off and was threatening Tasuki. Bane snarled his tail risen higher then nessessary, stranger or no Bane hated people threatening his companions. Tasuki, confused by Bane's reaction, lay down waiting till his alpha gave the signal to move. Bane glared at the jaguar before starting out of camp, he stopped when Tasuki was still pinned to the ground awaiting an order.
"Come." He heard Bane call and that was all he needed to take off out of camp after the wolf.
" Thank the heavens." Octavian muttered.
Conrad, seeing the raised tail and snarl on the wolf's face, gave a small mock charge and roared out a warning to not mess with either him or his cubs before settling himself down when he noticed the kitsune follow Bane away from the camp. That was also when he noticed that the cave had gone quiet.
" You do know that you're goin to get us kicked out, if you keep that up." Raimundo warned.
" I'm only doing what I must to protect my family." Conrad replied before laying down to clean himself.
Dakota nodded but instead of returning to Gemma's side she dropped down to trot alongside the Polar bear.
Bane heard the roar and it annoyed him slightly, but there was nothing he could do. His tail lowered once again and he sighed. "Your alot of work you know..." He spoke lightly and Tasuki's ears drooped.
"I-I'll go get my kit and leave... I-I you wish." Despite his appearance Tasuki was timid and docile, he hoped that the alpha would accept him, with Ayame gone and in this strange place, he had nowhere for him and his kit to go.
"My mate will decide if you leave or not. I can not tell you that answer, but continue to be kind to our pack and treat us with respects. I see no reason why you should leave. Choby and the others will have to accept the fact that your stay should that be what Dakota decides." Bane said as he lay down in the snow under a tree, he rolled around in the snow exposing his throat and stomach to show Tasuki that he had Bane's trust. Tasuki lay down beside his alpha with a sigh.
After what felt like hours, Octavian finally began to slow. Like he had said earlier, he was built for strength not speed. Panting heavily, he turned to Dakota and tried not to snort in her face as he tried to get air into his lungs.
" How... long... till we... get there?" He tried to asked.
"Sorry, I'm not sure. Would you like to rest?" Dakota asked just before Bloodshot released a roar and took off at high speed.
"Guess we are just about there, come on." Dakota yelled in her excitement, she concentrated on Octavian as she leapt into the air and the polar bear slowly rose of the ground as well. "Perhaps, this will help with all your running." She winked at the now floating polar bear before she shot off as well closely followed by her family.
Bane looked up at the sky with a smile. Tasuki followed his gaze confused till he heard the males words. "And here she comes now."
" Woah... woah... hold on there, Dakota. Are you sure this is safe?" Octavian asked, shock lacing every word.
Zolo looked up to try and figure out what the commotion was and nearly stopped in his tracks. " Okay, Zolo. Just keep running. Ignore the floating polar bear. It will just freak you out." He whispered to himself before hurrying to regain his place.
Dakota stopped when she heard the polar bears faint voice and rushed back to see what was wrong. She noticed his worried look and laughed. "Don't worry, it's completely safe, as long as I stay airborne your fine." Dakota explained before wrapping her tail around the bears paw and starting off back to camp, this time at a slower pace.
Bloodshot and Snowdrift entered the camp in a rush of air, putting out the fire as they landed. They were then greeted by Mana, Phoenix, Jordon, Charmed and little Lelani. Tsume and Moonlight hopped down from their nephew's backs and everyone chatted excitedly, catching up. Phoenix and Jordon fussed over their sons making sure they were ok while Krystal, Skype and Akira all crowded around Charmed and Lelani both parents and older sister bathed the cub with their tongues happy to see her ok.
"Thankyou for looking after her Charmed." Skype appraised, nuzzling the younger.
"Your both welcome." Charmed responded before turning towards their cave. "Come everyone, come settle in."
With that everyone headed into the cave, even Bloodshot and Snowdrift ignored their dislike of small spaces and followed their family in, changing into their tiger forms so they didn't take up too much space.
Bane watched as his family rushed past basically not even noticing him. That was when Gemma landed before him spraying both him and Tasuki with snow from the force of her landing.
"Brother." She nodded in greeting before she started licking her fur. She nodded to Tasuki but otherwise didn't question his presence.
" Okay. Thanks." Octavian replied, managing to calm down enough to thank his 'pilot' for the lift.
Below him, he saw Zolo dash into the cave with Zyanya close behind. The two were instantly met by Choby, Raimundo and Kratia. Just by watching, he could tell that Kratia was telling her cousin off. Choby and Raimundo went into protective brother mode and began making sure that Zyanya was fine and that nothing had happened to her. Only Ebony seemed upset about the fact that Kaygis was not with them.
Iora landed closer to the edge of camp before walking the rest of the way to the Rebels and being greeting in turn. The eagle brothers, Tobias included, flew off around the camp, getting re-aquainted with each other. Monty was sent straight into the cave with Bosko, who grumbled something about not liking baby-sitting duty.
Dakota lowered her friend towards the camp and once her paws touched solid ground, gravity hit Octavian's body once again. Dakota then released his paw and bowed before trotting back out of the camp, following her mate's scent. When she left the camp she could see her mate, sister and a stranger off to the left. Se went over to the walking straight past the stranger to greet her mate by rubbing up against his chest from nose to tail tip. She then sat down between Bane and Gemma.
"Tasuki, you are the nine-tailed fox that appeared last night with your kit Kurama. Your mate Ayame was shot and killed by a hunter reciently and you have been wondering here for afew weeks. My sister Mana and the black panther, Ebony found you just outside the camp right?" Dakota asked confirming what she already knew when the shocked kitsune nodded. 'How did she know all of that?' He thought to himself.
"I heared your whole conversation with my sister, that was brave of you to approach Charmed while she was guarding Lelani, even our males are afraid of her occasionally.
"I-I f-figured the c-cub would be hungry..." Tasuki answered dropping to his stomach so he was no longer taller then Dakota.
"It's quiet alright, I commend your courage. Such a timid fox should not have been able to get so close, but your determination to prove yourself to Mana was what helped you complete the task. I can also tell just by looking at you, despite your appearance, you could never harm a cub, especially not when you are trying to rear a kit of your own. Should the cub need anything the mother usually provides, Gemma would be happy to help." With that said Dakota walked back towards the den, wanting to see the kit with her own eyes.
Tasuki looked after her shocked and confused while Bane and Gemma just smiled
Tobias turned to his brothers who were resting in the branches of nearby trees. None of them had realised that they were going to be eavesdropping on a private matter. They had only thought to rest.
" Choby's not going to like this." He whispered quietly, trying not to let those below here him.
" Ah, so what? I'm hungry. Want some grubs?" Cragus replied, tearing at the bark of his tree to get at the grubs inside.
" Crag, you're a predator not an insectivore. Stop that." Barb reprimanded.
" It's a good source of protein. Barega and his pack taught me."
" You two don't care, do you?" Tobias grumbled.
Recieving nothing but an argument on meat and grubs, he took off into the sky to alert Choby. Along the way, he met up with Octavian who was scratching at the ground like he was glad to be back on its earthy texture. The polar bear raised himself on his hind legs and held up his paw in greeting, which Tobias brushed his wing against, before returning all four paws to the ground and beginning to size up the nearest tree. Turning back to the cave, Tobias dived in and landed on a ledge near the entrance. He waddled to the left a little bit so that he was more comfortable, then proceeded with his report.
" I didn't mean to. Honest." He started.
" What didn't you mean to do?" Choby sighed.
" Eavesdrop on Dakota. I think she's accepted the kitsune."
" Excuse me." Choby growled, standing up and stalking out of the cave.
Raimundo could only watch as his brother headed into the forest, praying that he wasn't about to do anything stupid.
Dakota trotted into the cave and headed straight over to Mana who was curled around an orange ball of fur. She sat down by her sister and nuzzled her before gesturing to the kit. Mana uncurled and stood back so Dakota could examine the kit, she nuzzled the kit when he uncurled and looked up at her with confusion, he glanced back at Mana who smiled reassuringly and the kit smiled as well, he rubbed up against Dakota's legs in greeting and Dakota whined licking the kit before she picked him up and trotted out of the den, heading towards the kits father. Mana watched her go, saddened that the kit was gone, she shook herself before heading over to Charmed, Lelani, Krystal, Akira and Skype who were all grouped at the back of the cave.
Bane's sensitive ears twitched, he had known Tobias had heard their conversation and stood up discretely moving so he was between Tasuki and the camp. Gemma noticed his movement and remembered that the other pack had cubs of their own. 'Ohh great, Dakota we might have a fight on our hands...' Gemma whined standing, her tail level with her back. She kept glancing around as if expecting someone to jump out at them.
Dakota heard Gemma's words and sprinted towards them when she saw an enraged Choby leave the other den and enter the forest.
" Um... did I do something wrong?" Tobias asked, starting to tuck his head under his wings.
" He would have found out anyway." Raimundo sighed.
" Rai. You may want to go after him. That's where Bane headed with the kitsune." Sarabi whispered, sitting beside her husband.
Raimundo hissed something under his breath in Portugese before dashing out after his brother. He had to put out the fire before it turned into a raging inferno.
Choby stalked through the forest with his head low trying to fight the Beast for control of his body. He could hear the distance calls from his brother but he ignored them. He could also hear the food argument between Barb and Cragus. That was all it took for Conrad to emerge. Just one roar ended the argument instantly and both eagles took to the air in shock and fear. Another brought down the nearest tree - blazing claw marks mangling its form. All the while, Conrad knew that his brother would be after him.
Dakota pulled up beside her family just as the enraged jaguars roar split through the air. She noticed Cragus and Barb take to the sky, they were both sporting looks of shock and fear, a tree also fell not far from where the eagles emerged.
"Something's wrong, his aura has changed." Dakota growled as she placed Kurama before his father. She stood protectively before the group, looking out through the trees. She could see Choby a few meters back and her growl rose into a snarl, her ears flattening and her tail rising high. 'I won't let him get close.'
Raimundo was almost at his brother when he heard Dakota snarl and saw Conrad turn in that direction. He also noticed that he had called upon the Gift of the Rainbow Moon. The real battle was about to begin.
If only Dakota had just kept quiet.
" Choby-Conrad Phillips Faron Vitello Takasson!" Raimundo roared, easily gaining his brother's attention. " Stand down!"
" Never!" Conrad roared.
With that, Raimundo leapt into the air with claws spread wide and ablaze. Conrad sprung as well; the two meeting in mid air and landing heavily after the first few swipes forced them back to the earth.
At the sight of Raimundo and Choby fighting Dakota looked at her family confused. Gemma had changed into her jaguar cub form and was distracting Kurama with a game of chase, Tasuki was watching them making sure they didn't stray too far. Bane stood beside Dakota and licked her shoulder where a large slash appeared, she also had severally other cuts covering her body. All her wounds coming from both Raimundo and Choby, she staggered slightly, not being able to ignore the pain as the brothers were and shook herself, keeping her stance and trying to stay conscious.
Raimundo managed to knock Conrad to the ground with a swipe to the face and a quick dash into his chest, but it was only so that he could catch his own breath in time for the next attack. Fighting his brother was almost like fighting himself which meant that he had to be on top of his game. Unfortunately, he missed the quick recovery of his brother and didn't realise until he felt Conrad's teeth dig themselves deep into his lower back. With a roar of pain, he twisted himself and was able to grab his brother's tail. The result was an echoing crack as the bone broke and Conrad tearing a big chunk of fur and muscle out of Raimundo's back.
In order to try and get his brother off him, Conrad scraped across Raimundo's left hind paw and managed to bite into his thigh as he was being thrown into the nearest tree. The groan that followed came from the tree. But, unfortunately for Raimundo, the attack did not knock his brother out like planned. It only proved that his brother had a thick head. Either way - as Conrad slid to the ground - Raimundo was forced to the ground when his leg gave way.
" Conrad. Calm down. Now! You're going too far!" Raimundo growled.
His reply was a deep snarl and another charge.
Dakota yelped as pain shot through her back and tail, she dropped to the ground as pain coursed through her whole being. Tasuki, noticing his alphas pain whimpered and lay down beside the fallen wolf licking her back to try and quell the bleeding, Bane doing the same thing on her other side. Gemma noticed her sister's pain and looked out at the raging fight, she wanted to make sure Dakota was ok but had to keep with the cub.
Akira perked up from her spot in the den, she was no longer in control of her body, she could feel another presence and knowing from past experience never to fight them, she let the presence take hold of her. her body morphed shrinking in size, while her fur turned black, her body grew sleeker and her tail straightened out, loosing the tuff on the end. Faint jaguar markings could just barely be seen in the fire-lit cave and her eye colour dulled turning pale in comparison to their usual colour. With the spirit leading her body, the now jaguar-cub, left the den, crossed the camp and headed towards the fight.
Conrad had Raimundo by his already injured leg and he just thrown him into a tree, effectively managing to knock him unconscious, when he noticed the black jaguar cub walking through the trees towards him. At first he growled, but then he noticed the pale golden and soft tint to his sister's eyes. Instantly his own eyes widened and he took a step back.
" Iliana? Is that... Is that really you?" He asked, his body trembling as tears sprung into his eyes.
" Yes, Conrad. It is I. What are you doing?" The cub replied, her voice ever so slightly echoing around itself.
" I was... I was... I was trying to protect Ritara... and the cubs... and the others. I couldn't help-"
" So you knocked Raimundo out. He was only trying to get you to calm down. The creature you fear, the kitsune, is no threat to you or anyone else here. He is much like that lizard friend of yours, Flick or whatever his name is, when you first met him. Appearances can be decieving, brother. Get to know him and see."
" But, Iliana."
" I love you." With that, the cub closed her eyes and left the body she had inhabited for that brief expanse of time, returning to her place as Zyanya's guardian.
Dakota's body went limp as she was knocked unconscious from the blow Raimundo had just received. Bane, now that the male had fallen, tensed to fight should Choby turn on them, but the small group watched as the conversation passed between a small black jaguar that had just showed up and Choby who had seemed to have calmed down.
Akira felt the presence leave her body and as she took control she could feel her body grow again, all the changes reverting back to her natural self. She looked at the jaguar before her confused as to how the cub spirit could quell the anger he so obviously felt but she let it go. She looked over to make sure her family was safe before retreating back to camp.
Slowly Conrad lowered his head, allowing Choby to take over once more. After a few minutes, he looked up at the opposite group, trying to understand his sister's words. Instead, a single tear rolled down the side of his face and he ran off into the direction of camp, his heart aching so badly he wanted to run into the cave wall and knock himself out. He still didn't forgive himself for believing his murderous father's words about her death.
" Choby?" He heard Raimundo question weakly as he left.
Tsuki ran over to the fallen jaguar and tenderly used his tails and shoulder to help him to his feet.
"Are you alright?" He questioned worriedly. In a roundabout way it was his fault that the jaguar gotten hurt and he felt responsible for it.
Bane had managed to get a still unconscious Dakota onto his back before he headed towards the two by the tree, Gemma and Kurama close behind.
Akira entered the den, curling up by Skype. The one thing she hated about spirits is that she could see everything that had happened to them in their life time, "That poor cub..." She whimpered, Skype nuzzled her unsure what was wrong but she just continued to whimper, before she fell asleep a single tear rolled down her cheek.
Raimundo grunted in pain as fur met with open wounds and he found he couldn't put pressure on his left hind leg but managed to keep himself from reprimanding the help.
" I'm sorry you all had to see that." He managed to get out. " My brother's anger... it can get quite... out of hand at times. Only a small handful of family members can calm him when he gets like that. I was aiming to knock him out before things got really out of hand. It kind of backfired."
He gingerly tried to take a step forward, but ended up collapsing again. Turning to examine the wound, he gave an annoyed hiss before resting his scratched face on his front paws. " Guess I'm sleeping out here for a while." He muttered.
"It is quiet alright Raimundo, If you like Gemma could heal..." He started before he noticed the two cubs were already well into the camp grounds. He growled lightly but it wasn't angry.
"Scratch that." A sheepish smile crossed his face, he glanced over his shoulder to check on his mate, wondering if he should stay or leave. Tasuki released the jaguar when he decided to stay. He looked down at his paws before stepping back slightly and transforming, flames flickering around his body as the transformation took place. His body grew till he was twice his original size and once it was finished growing the flames vanished, he lay down on his stomach, his head still higher then Bane.
"I could carry you, if you wish." his voice was deep as he spoke, hoping that perhaps he could help the injured jaguar. Bane was slightly shocked by the kitsune's transformation but smiled when the offer was made. 'He will make a great addition to out family.'
Raimundo looked deep into Tasuki's blue eyes, searching for something that he didn't know about. All he saw was the willingness to help despite the shy and timid tendancies. There was practically no fight in the guy. But he knew that if he showed him the kindness and respect that he deserved, the Rebels would follow... Choby more reluctantly, but he'd still follow.
" Alright." He said with a grimace that was supposed to be a soft smile.
Tasuki's tails wagged slightly at the acceptance of his help, being very careful of the jaguars wounds he used his tails to lift Raimundo onto his back. He lightly placed him against his scruff before he gently stood up, him and Bane then headed back into the camp, once back in the campsite Bane went back into the cave placing Dakota down with Mana and laying down beside her. Gemma and Kurama were playing around the cave. Tasuki watched him go and whimpered slightly. As he was left alone he stopped a meter from. The entrance to Raimundo's den and whined in distress, unsure if he should go it due to what had just happened.
At the sight of the kitsune, Ebony jumped up and bared her fangs at the possible threat; Jacob and Finealta between her legs to protect them.
" I thought I told you never to come here." She growled. " What are you doing here?"
" He's with me!" Raimundo called down, trying to figure out how to get on the ground without hurting himself. " Or rather, helping me. Where's my brother?"
" Asleep thanks to a well placed paw." Bosko replied, looking around in confused amuzement. " Did you know he was about to knock himself out courtesy of the back wall?"
" No, sorry. I was trying to stand up."
" What happened?" Sarabi and Ritara both asked, Ritara a little more roughly considering the possible danger her cubs could be in.
At the anger in the panthers voice Tasuki's ears flattened and his tails tucked between his legs.
"I apologise, I'm only trying to help." He whined as he lay down, he gently lifted Raimundo from his back before placing the jaguar down beside him. "Sorry Raimundo, but they will have to come get you. It's clear I'm not welcome." Tasuki whispered as his body reverted to his normal size. He lowered his head and trudged back to the den he knew he would be welcome in.
" It's alright, big guy. The girls are just a bit riled up because of the newborns. Give them a little bit of time and they should get used to you. I'll just have to drag my but in there myself. I'll be fine." Raimundo said, somehow managing to smile this time.
Bosko walked over and made Raimundo lean up against him despite the scent of blood tingling his nose. " Thanks for bringing out leader back." He said before leading Raimundo into the cave while ordering Zolo and the older kids to find soft things for Raimundo to lie on.
" Now would you like to answer me?" Sarabi asked, going over and licking at her husband's various wounds.
" The Beast got control again. I had to do something." Raimundo replied.
" So you got into a fight."
Raimundo thought for a little while before giving a little smile that ended up turning into a grimace of pain. " Yeah." He said.
As soon as Zolo and the kids returned with as much soft, unmeltable stuff they could find, Raimundo lay himself down and instantly fell asleep.
Tasuki's ears perked at the two males words but the didn't make him feel any better. He entered the cave to see Snowdrift, Zander, Moonlight, Tsume, Akira, Skype, Krystal, Lelani, Charmed and Kurama all asleep in various spots around the cave. Bloodshot was awake due to the immense smell of blood but he stayed with his brother, Zander and Moonlight. He trotted over Charmed, the female looked up at him with slight distrust but allowed him closer. Tasuki approached slowly sniffing lightly to get the Scents of both Charmed and Lelani, recognising them as his new family, he nuzzled Kurama lightly brushing Lelani in the process and backed off before walking over to Bane, Dakota, Gemma and Mana who were grouped at the back of the cave. Dakota looked over at their newest family member and smiled.
"Are you ok, Tasuki?" She asked, she struggled to her feet with help from her sisters and limped towards the Kitsune, brushing up against him as they both shared scents.
"I am alpha." He smiled slight but it didn't reach his eyes, she was wounded because of him. He lay down up set by this fact. "I'm sorry."
Bane nudged him before walking off to get comfortable by the den fire. Gemma and Dakota followed him, mana watched them leave and she sat down looking at the kitsune who had still to move from his position. She lay down and placed her neck over his. He smiled slightly before the still awake inhabitants of the cave were taken into the world of dreams
Kaygis looked up at the star studded sky. Not even they could tell him where he was or which way was which. The only things they could tell him were where the camp was and every bit of useless information that there possibly could be. There wasn't even anything about Reece hidden in their ever bright knowledge. It was beginning to bug him. With a sigh, he looked down into the lake that he rested beside. As soon as he was a safe distance away from the others, he had sought out water. This was what he found. And, after resting a few hours, he woke just in time to see the sunset. Looking back up at the stars, he let loose a sigh.
" Where are you, Reece?" He whispered, before getting up and continuing his search through the cover of darkness.
Just like the previous morning Tasuki was the first up again, only this time Mana lay by his side. He got up and stretched before locating his kit who was still asleep with Charmed. He smiled as he made his way out of the den, intent on a stroll through the camp, he once again lit the fire before heading over to the den and getting his new family seem breakfast. He dragged his kill, a caribou and another two rabbits back to the den. This time when he approached Charmed to give the cub and kit the rabbits Charmed was completely clam. Tasuki smiled at her before he left the cave again. He went over to the fire and lay down on his back, scratching an itch by his shoulder blade that had been annoying him since his rising.
This time it was Iora that watched Tasuki hunting for the other group. As soon as the animals in the pen had calmed, she went and plucked out a nice fat chicken that was roaming too close to the edge of the pen. Unfortunately for her and Bosko, Raimundo had gotten sick during the night and the wound on his back had become infected. Bosko had to rely on her extensive knowledge of wilderness first aid in order to try and at least settle the inflammation. What made their night worse was when they found out that Choby had a broken rib from the fight. So they had both leaders out of comission.
Going back into the cave, she quickly made some chicken broth and force-fed the younger twin while Bosko tried to convince Choby that the green mush was going to help with the pain. With a sigh, Iora looked out at the soft clouds dotting the sky and prayed that things didn't get worse.
Bane, Skype and Akira were all awoke when their sensitive ears picked up whimpering that was echoing throughout the den. Bane rose from his comfortable positing, stretching before he nudged Dakota awake. The grey wolf yelped in pain and Bane's ears drooped, he had unknowingly nudged her broken rib. Akira stayed where she was watching from a distance as Skype woke Gemma up. Their healer and Beta grumbled about being woken up so early but she got up shaking sleep from her before she noticed her sisters condition. She sat down lightly placing her paw against Dakota's side, for which she received a yelp.
Tasuki jolted from his back to his feet at the yelping coming from his new packs cave. He ran back quickly heading over and sitting down awaiting orders, hoping he could help in some way.
"The fight between Raimundo and Choby broke a rib, and the wound on her back is infected." Gemma said before she licked the wound hoping her powers would heal it but knowing nothing would happen. Not unless the brother's wounds were healed. "I'll be back..." She whispered before trotting out of their den and to the entrance of the other den.
"Guys?" She called out, refusing herself entry without permission.
" What's wrong?" Iora asked over the top of Choby's curses and refusal to eat the green mush in front of him.
" Choby, shut up. You'll wake everyone else up." Bosko growled softly, stealing the remains of the chicken and trying to get the male jaguar to eat the green mush if it was spread on the chicken.
"Dakota is also suffering from the wounds that the brothers share. With your permission and their blessings. I would like to heal them for both their sake and Dakota's." Gemma explained, she continued to sit at the cave entrance.
" Does it have anything to do with this green mush that this fool is trying to feed me?" Choby asked, wishing he could use his tail instead of his paw to point at Bosko.
Bosko had opted to slice the pieces of salvaged chicken in half and use them like slices of bread to make a sort of green mush sandwich. Raimundo, who had woken up for the twentieth time, was looking at his brother like he was a child before concerning himself with trying to eat the broth that Iora was giving him.
"I can heal all your wounds completely in the matter of minutes, without the... Green mush." Gemma responded unsure if this was a good idea or not.
" I'm in!" Choby practically screamed out, sitting up and managing to knock his head on Bosko's jaw.
" Choby!" Bosko growled, fire in his eyes.
Choby merely smiled cheekily as he slunk over to his new healer and made himself comfortable beside her. Raimundo, on the other hand, had gone back to sleep.
Gemma looked over his body noting which wounds would need blood and which ones were well enough for just a lick. She started with the smaller wounds cleaning the fur of blood while she closed all the smaller wounds smiling as his skin knit back together before her eyes. Once she was done she lightly rolled him over to do his other side. When she was sure she had gotten all the smaller wounds, she cut into her leg collecting some of her blood on her fangs, she then started healing his deeper wounds, dripping her blood into the open cuts and the cleaning the fur around the now closed wounds. She again turned him over to heal his other side before she licked her leg closed, her self-inflicted wound healing over much like Choby's.
Mana had awoken when Gemma left the cave and went over to see what was wrong.
"Gemma's is healing Raimundo and Choby." Bane explained and Mana nodded before sitting down and watching Dakota.
Tasuki watched in amazement as Dakota's wounds started to heal over, over half of her wounds disappeared before his eyes, he looked at Bane and Mana confused but they just smiled, waiting for her to be fully healed.
She then placed her paw lightly against his side, checking his ribs before sitting back licking her shoulder in her nervousness.
"To heal your ribs, ill need you to take some of my blood." She said as she made a smaller cut on her paw pad, she held out her paw to the jaguar, her blood splashing to the ground turning the dirt and snow a dark crimson.
" Well now, Choby. Getting your own personal bath. And by a beautiful woman, at that. You should be lucky that Ritara isn't up yet or you will be in trouble." Bosko teased.
Choby growled in reply, refraining from actually saying something. The smaller wounds tingled as they began healing, but he didn't heed them any mind. What he did mind, however, was when Gemma had nudged his broken ribs and sent pain streaking through his body. He had to physically restrain himself from attacking her and ended up hissing at her instead. But seeing no other way than to drink the wolf's blood in order to stop the pain, he gave a stiff nod of his head in acceptance to her words, unsure whether or not he should just drink or say something first.
Gemma smiled at Bosko's words. "Your just lucky my mate didn't follow me or you would need more healing." She chuckled lightly before she moved her paw so her blood was dripping into the Jaguar's open mouth. She placed her spare paw over his ribs and as he swallowed her blood, a large crack was heard signalling that the bones had realigned, she could feel the rib knitting back together, his side rising to accommodate the now whole rib bone. She then checked his tail, swinging it back and forth with her paw, confirming that it was also healed. She smiled taking back her paw and licking it closed. "You are completely healed." She smiled before looking over at Raimundo, "Is it alright if I work on him whilst he is asleep, his back may take a bit of blood and time to heal."
A large sigh fell from a still sleeping Dakota as her ribs and tail healed with a crack as the bones came back together. Tasuki flinched at the sound but was happy she was progressively getting better. They continued to watch, waiting for the other wounds to heal over and hoping her Back wouldn't be scared from the huge infected gash.
" Sorry to say, but I'm more afraid of Ritara and Kratia." Bosko said with a smile before muttering under his breath about something to do with 'compliment'.
" Give it up, Bosko. You're not going to win." Choby sighed before turning his attention back to Gemma. " Thank you... for healing me. Do what you must for Raimundo. I can't bare to lose him, even if it was my fault. I'm also sorry about what happened yesterday. I didn't mean to get out of control like I did."
Gemma smiled, she had recognised it as a compliment even if she didn't portray it, accepting compliments wasn't one of her strong points. She looked at Choby with a smile.
"He will be fine once I finish the treatment. He will need basic treatments as I have you, although he won't need to ingest my blood. His back however, I will have to heal layer by layer, as it is quiet deep and between each layer I will have to clean the infection. Which could take a while." She explained, waiting for confirmation that she could go over to him.
" As I said, do what you must for my brother." Choby said with a nod.
Gemma nodded before trotting over to the other Jaguar. She sat down looking at the work that needed to be done. Similar to Choby, he had the minor wounds and some deeper gashes, his worst was his back. She would have to be careful not to wake him as it may be painful. She started with the smaller wounds cleaning both the blood and fur while each one closed over, she lightly turned him to do the other side before starting on the deeper gashes. She created another small wound on her leg so she could access her blood the heal the gashes over, watching with a smile as they closed over. She then turned him before doing the other side, entranced by the slash on his shoulder. As it knit back together the lion head that was produced by a cluster of brown spots on also reformed. She then sat back thinking about the best way to heal Raimundo's back. She decided it as best to have him on his stomach and gently rolled him again. With full access to his back she lightly cleaned the wound, spitting every now and then to get the infection out of her mouth. Shen it was clean enough she cut into her shoulder and let her blood drip into the wound, layer by layer, cleaning after each one the wound eventually closed over as if it was never there. She cleaned the blood off his fur, making sure the wound was closed before she closed her shoulder and sighed. She looked over at Bosko's and Choby with a smile.
It took ten minutes for the wound on Dakota's back to fully heal, she whined through the whole thing but the three watching her sighed when she finally, started to sleep peacefully, fully healed.
Raimundo growled in his already restless sleep as Gemma was healing him, but remained asleep. Iora, on the other hand, was transfixed with Gemma's healing abilities - though she wisely decided not to question her about it in case it got her head bitten off by the busy wolf. When it was all over, Bosko gave her a weak smile of thanks before having to walk out of the cave in order to get the scent of blood out of his nose. Choby did more, bowing his thanks to the wolf.
" Thank you for healing the both of us, Gemma." He said.
"Your welcome, I must apologise. Dakota's decisions can be a little rash and whilst she knew him for barely an hour when she decided to let him stay, Dakota would not have said yes unless she had complete faith that Tasuki means no harm. I myself believe he is mourning, he has a cub to look after, and is all alone with his mate's passing. The way he interacts with Lelani is remarkable, for a male who is not of blood, he treats her as if she was his own kit. He brings no threat to anyone. Please do try and accept his presence, he may be of use to us when the final fight to get outs of here comes along." Gemma responded as she turned to leave. She moved slowly as she knew the dragon had something to ask her.
Now that Dakota was ok, the Bane, Mana and Tasuki huddled around the caribou eating quietly. Tasuki didn't even seem shocked when Bane drained the meat instead of actually eating it. He just smiled when they shared a look, his tails swishing happily behind him.
Choby merely nodded and went to go back to where he had been laying down beside Ritara. It wasn't that he wasn't willing to try, it was more because he didn't know how he was going to be able to trust a stranger around newborns. He still didn't entirely trust strangers around his first litter and they were practically teenagers. Iora was just about to ask Gemma about her healing abilities when Bosko rushed back into the cave.
" Choby!" He panted. " You've got to come see this!"
With that, he hurried back out of the cave. Choby watched him go, blinking a couple of times, and getting really annoyed with the black lion considering he had only just gotten comfortable.
" Now!" Bosko's roar echoed through the camp.
" Iora, stay here. Want to check this out, Gemma?" Choby asked, forcing himself to his feet despite his body protesting.
Gemma growled, her curiosity was peaked and she really wanted to know what Iora was going to ask her. "I will accompany you but after what ever this is you must come back here and rest. While you are healed your body is still drained of energy." Gemma explained before she trotted after the jaguar, throwing an apologetic look over her shoulder at Iora.
Charmed was jolted awake when the two cubs beside her woke, they were in such a rush to get to their breakfast that they trampled her. She shook her head but couldn't help smiling at the site of them. She got up and looked around the den, Dakota was asleep by the fire, Bane, Mana and Tasuki were eating. Bloodshot, Snowdrift (both still in their tiger forms), Moonlight and Zander were all huddled off to her left in a heap of fur. Akira, Krystal, Skype and Tsume were off to her right, sleeping in a more civil manner. He she couldn't see Jordon or Phoenix but assumed they had fallen asleep in a tree outside again. She headed over to the three by the kill and sat down to join them. She had been seated for less then a minute when they all heard Bosko's angry roar, curiosity perked the four of them and they all left the cave, heading out into the camp.
Jordon jolted awake, loosing the grip she had on the branch and falling to the ground below. Phoenix was beside her the second she hit the ground, just mising catching her. Jordon stayed the way she was, on her back feet in the air and tail twitching in annoyance, till the both of them noticed Bane and the others emerging from the den with clear curiosity in their eyes. She sat up looking at her husband before the two joined the group of four.
" Tell that to him." Choby grumbled, walking slowly to try and rest his body a little.
They found Bosko deep in the forest digging at something in a patch of dirt. In between the specks of dirt, the shadows from the trees and Bosko's massive paws, was something green and silver. Choby lay down under a nearby tree and watched his friend dig, occasionally closing his eyes for a nap.
Iora followed them out of the cave and lay down in the middle of camp, glaring at the forest. In her boredom, she dug through the still melting snow and found the old campfire. She then looked up into the lightening sky and snorted at the sun for not being able to get any sleep the night before. Her tail ficked when she felt the others begin to stir to Bosko's urgent roar but resumed glaring in the direction that Choby and Gemma had gone.
Gemma was happy when she saw her friend lay down, 'At least he gets some rest.' She moved over to Bosko with a child-like curiosity shining in her eyes as she circled him impatintly waiting for him to finish digging.
"What is it?" She whined, she hated not knowing.
Bane truged over to Iora and sat down beside her, he had noticed the dragon's annoyance the minute he spotted her. What's going on?" He asked as Mana, Charmed and Jordon made themselves comfortable by the two. Tasuki sat directly beside Bane bowing politely and Phoenix was flying around above them, enjoying the morning breeze.
Bosko dug a little bit more before he managed to free the edge of a green and silver box complete with a side handle. Grasping the handle with his teeth, he pulled as hard as he could. Unfortunately for him it was stuck fast.
" It's a box of some sort." He replied, needing a rest from his exertions. " Don't know what kind of box it is, but it's heavy."
" Bosko found something in the forest." Iora grumbled. She twitched her black and gold wings slightly in annoyance before looking over to Bane and the others. " Gemma and Choby went after him to see what it was."
Gemma nodded and looked at the box before she got excited wanting to know what was inside. She started digging deeper around the box hoping that she could loosen the dirt around it a bit more so they could pull it out. She was nearing the bottom of the deep box when her paw in mid swipe caught on something metal and she yelped pulling her bleeding paw back. She looked into the whole to see what looked like barb wire in amongst the dirt, it seemed to be there to stop her from digging the box out. She growled at it before taking the sharp metal between her jaws and yanking, trying to rip it from the earth. In her anger at not being able to dig any more she didn't even notice when her mouth began to bleed.
Bane nodded in understanding before giving Mana and Tasuki a pointed look before he headed back into the den. He trotted over to Dakota and lay down, he paw drew his attention and when he saw blood dripping from her closed jaw he glared out of the cave. 'Gemma, what are you doing?'
Mana sighed before getting up and trailing towards the forest, "Come on Tasuki, lets go find that hyperactive female." With a nod Tasuki followed her into the trees outside of their camp. Jordon watched them go before her and Phoenix returned to their tree.
Choby opened his eyes at the growl and noticed Gemma's paw and mouth bleeding as well as the barbed wire that she was pulling on. Instantly he became worried. " Gemma. Stop. Let go of the wire before you hurt yourself even more than you are now." He called out to her, sitting up suddenly and making his head spin.
" Holy... I did not see that coming." Bosko muttered under his breath. " Choby's right, Gemma. You should let go."
Iora watched the others disperse in their various directions before raking at the ground. She hated being ignored and told what to do. Especially when she had just worked most of the night trying to make sure that the sick healed. Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.
Unaware that she had been harming herself Gemma looked at them confused before the taste and scent of her own blood reached her senses she dropped the wire and winced slightly before spitting out a mouthful of blood and focusing on ignoring the pain. "Stupid wire." She muttered before she wrapped her fore-paws around the top handle of the box and jumping into the air, attempting to pull it from the earth by flying up. When that failed she let go of the box and sat down with a sigh. "Stupid box." Her ears drooped at not being able to recover it. Just then both Mana and Tasuki ran over to them. Tasuki ducked low to the ground, wary of Choby and Bosko as he moved over to Gemma and licked her face when he noticed she was injured.
"Are you alright Beta?" He asked softly, lowering his head so he was shorter then her. Mana sat by her other side cleaning the blood from her muzzle.
At the sight of the kitsune, Choby instantly withdrew into himself and lay his head on his paws, remembering both his sister's and Gemma's words. He knew what he had to do... he just wasn't ready to do it yet. Instead he focussed on Bosko and watched as flames began to dance across his friend's mane and tail. Once Bosko was able to feel the strength of his Warrior form take a hold of his body, he charged at the box and clamped his teeth around the side handle once more. Digging his feet into the ground, he began tugging on the box once more.
Tasuki's eyes widened at the site of Bosko's mane and tail on fire. He yelped when Mana's tail lightly lay across his back in comfort and when he realised it was his friend he smiled softly at her.
"What is he trying to do Gemma?" Tasuki asked softly watching as the lion tugged at the unmoving box.
"He found this box and called us over to look at it, we've been trying to get it out since but no luck." Gemma explained softly and Tasuki nodded before moving slowly towards the lion and box, he transformed doubling his size and wrapped two tails around the spare handles before stepping over Bosko and pulling with all his body weight and muscle. He felt the box budge slightly and lifted Bosko out of the way with two of his spare tails before wrapping another tail around the handle Bosko had a hold of, and he tugged really hard, leaping forward. He was flung forward when the box came free, his body smacked into the tree and he fell to the ground beside Choby, his body reverting back to its smaller form. The box landed where Bosko lay, unharmed.
All Choby did was look up before he noticed the over lage kitsune flying at him. With a hiss, he scurried to his feet and up the tree next to the one he had been laying under. As soon as he was on what he thought was a safe distance away from the kitsune, he looked down the six branches of his new tree and hissed once more at the kitsune before getting comfortable and closing his eyes.
Bosko, on the other hand, blinked at both the kitsune and the now obvious tool box. With a shake to get rid of any dirt on his fur, he allowed his flames to die before going over to the tool box and checking it out. It wasn't until he'd search every inch of it that he found writing on the back in silver on the green surface.
" Hey! This thing's destruction proof!" He called out, excitedly.
Tasuki struggled to his feet before looking up at Choby with sad eyes.
"Sorry." He whispered before slinking back over to Gemma and Mana, he lay down looking away from the group with his ears back and his tails curled against him. Mana looked down at him with sad eyes before glaring at Choby angrily, she managed to stop herself from growling though at Gemma stern look.
"Gemma got up, brushing up against the kitsune as she made her way over to Bosko.
"What do you mean destruction proof?"
Bane looked down at Dakota who yelped in her sleep before she rolled onto her back.
"Can't you ever get a rest from your ability..." He said quietly before he curled around her and tried to go to sleep.
The other inhabitants of the cave had awoken during the commotion and were all either eating, talking, resting or in the cubs case playing tag.
" It says it right here 'MONTY PROOF'. That means that if its Monty proof, then it's practically destruction proof. It's also fire proof, water proof, ground proof, lightning proof..." Bosko said, reading off the list on the back of the tool box.
Meanwhile, up in the tree, Choby opened his eyes - having finally managed to calm his racing heart - and looked at Mana incredulously. " Well, I'm sorry I had a nine-tailed fox three times my size flying at me and got scared!" He roared down at her.
Gemma nodded, looking over the box herself.
"So... How do we open it?" She asked bluntly looking at Bosko who seem to know more about the box then all of them.
Mana whined lightly at Tasuki trying the cheer the fox up but he only got up and started walking back towards camp, his ears back, eyes closed and all nine of his tails dragging in the dirt behind him. Mana watched him go with sad eyes before she followed him. 'See you back at the den...' She thought to Gemma as she trudged after the saddened fox.
Gemma was about to call out to them to stop but she stopped herself. It was obvious the kitsune needed comfort and Mana wasn't planing on leaving his side. It was best to just let them go, she refocus her attention back on Bosko.
" I think..." Bosko moved to the front of the box, too rapt up in it to realise that Tasuki and Mana were leaving. That's when he noticed a red button where there should have been a latch. " I think you need to press..."
" No, Bosko! Wait! Didn't anyone ever tell you not to-" Choby called down to the lion, jumping out of the tree in a panic.
" This."
It was only a light tap, but the tool box instantly opened up into something that was three times as wide and five times as long as what it originally was, not to mention about the same size as Bosko when he stood on his hind legs. Shelves and draws covered its interior and just about every tool imaginable was safely stored within. Looking through it, Bosko could easily make out computer motherboards, microchips, wires and other electrical equipment inside. There was even a mirror and a radio complete iPod dock and loudspeakers. Even the little fan on one of the lower shelves looked like it was still in working order.
" Press the red button." Choby sighed, finally landing on the ground.
" Wow. It's got everything in it but the kitchen sink." Bosko said in amazement.
Gemma looked at the expanse of stuff with mild interest. Her curiosity sated she turned and left the two cats alone with the weird tool box. She trotted into camp to see Mana's tail disappear into their den. Slightly upset herself Gemma headed into their den. Tasuki and Mana were laying down not far from The entrance, she walked pass them, her tail brushing against Tasuki in a way to reassure him before she head over to Dakota. She lay down watching the still lit fire in their den.
" And this is why you don't go pressing the red button!" Choby roared, sneaking a peak inside the tool box himself. " Now how do you plan of closing it again, Genius?"
" Good question." Bosko replied.
" You're unbelieveable. I'm going to follow everyone else's advice and get out of here. I need sleep. And that's something I obviously can't get out here."
With that, the jaguar left the lion to mull over how to close the tool box and made himself comfortable once more as soon as he had returned to the cave. Bosko watched him leave before pressing the red button on the inside of the box. Instantly the box shrunk to it closed position. Not wanting to leave it out in the forest, Bosko picked it up and found it surprisingly lighter than what it was when they had been trying to dig it free.
*Well, it said it belonged to Lynk on the top of that list. If I take it back to camp, then Lynk won't have to find it... if we find Lynk.* He thought on his way back.
The den was eerily quiet to Tasuki, he lay awake with Mana by his left and Both Kurama and Lelani curled up on his right. Everyone in the den had fallen into a lazy sleep after they all had breakfast and a morning talk. He rose to his feet slowly, so he didn't wake Mana and he nudged his kit.
"Kurama..." The kit stirred and looked up at him with a sleepy smile. Tasuki picked the kit up and put him against his scruff where the kit got comfortable and went back to sleep. Lelani scooted over in her sleep and curled up against Mana, the older curling around her younger companion. Tasuki licked Mana's cheek wearing a saddened expression before she nuzzled the sleeping wolf.
"I'm sorry, even if Alpha has accepted me, I can't stay. I will miss you." He whined lowly before he swiftly made his way out of the cave, through the camp and out into the forest. He looked back for a minute before continuing into the unknown at a slower, heavier pace.
Iora sleepily raised her head when she sensed someone leaving and just managed to catch the tips of Tasuki's tails disappearing into the forest. With a yawn, she rose to her feet and trotted after the kitsune. " Hey!" she called when she was a safe distance away from the ears of everyone else. " Kitsune, no. Tasuki. Where are you going? I thought you were welcome."
Tasuki looked over his shoulder at the gold and black dragon trailing behind him.
"Alpha has accepted me and so has the pack, however I can not continue to stay where I am untrusted. It is no life for my kit if everyone around me is afraid of me, it is clear I can no gain your groups trust." He responded as he continued walking away. "I'll be off now, please apologise to Alpha for me." With that he sprinted off through the trees.
" You have mine and Raimundo's. And Bosko's." Iora whispered, confused, as she watched the kitsune run off.
She remained that way - as still as a statue - until the sun was well into the sky and right above the camp. Only then did she move, nostrils flared and muscles tensed. With a roar, she leapt into the air and didn't stop until she was high above the campsite, undistinguishable from the blinding sun. A second, even angrier roar filled the air as she twisted around herself before diving straight down towards the camp, mindless of anyone who was out in the open. Her usually round pupils were nothing more than thin slits barely visible in her golden irises.
Tasuki glanced back when he heard the she-dragon's angry roars and sped up. The last thing he wanted was pursuers, he had done nothing but help and try and earn their trust since getting to that camp but clearly it wasn't enough.
The whole cave jolted awake at the sound of the angry roars and they all looked around confused, noting Bloodshot and Snowdrift were still in the den just as confused as everyone else Bane trotted towards the entrance.
"It must be Iora." He stated as everyone started to crowed the entrance.
"Guys, Tasuki is gone and so is Kurama," Mana called slightly panicked.
She, Gemma, Bane and Dakota all left the den telling everyone else to stay in for their own safety. They looked around the campsite in confusion before Bane looked up spotting the angry black and gold dragon diving straight for the camp.
Everyone in the Rebels cave was also jolted by the roars. The next thing anyone knew was that the ground began trembling as Iora landed in the campsite and another loud roar echoed through the entire cave. When someone was brave enough to turn their eyes to the cave entrance, they found a very angry female dragon snarling at them with her head in the cave. Beyond her massive head, her talons could easily be seen kneeding at the ground as if it were sand she was shifting through her claws. Her tail was also whipping back and forth dangerously.
" Iora?" Choby asked, trying to figure out what was wrong this time.
His reply was another roar in the face complete with a stomp of her foot and a slap of her tail when it met with the side of the cave.
Instinctively, the jagaur retreated to the back of the cave.
" Iora, calm down and tell us what's wrong. Why are you angry?" Octavian decided to try his luck.
The only thing he succeeded in was getting his sister to snarl at him and snort in his face. Unfortunately, the whole cave was filled with the smoke that came out of her nostrils.
Bane, Dakota, Gemma and Mana watched as Iora roared and stomped before the rebels den entrance. They couldn't figure out what was wrong with her.
"Maybe it has something to do with Tasuki and Kurama disappearing." Mana suggested, hoping the both of them were alright. Bane ran over to the angry she dragon and stood infront of her, attempting to get her to back up. He could see her smoke was filling the cave and knew it wouldn't be good for the cubs.
"Iora, what's gotten into you!" Hey asked confused by the dragons unusual behaviour. "The smoke you releasing could harm the cubs!"
Iora raised her head, barely recognising who Bane was, and decided that a swipe with her claws would coax Choby out. She knew he was the reason why the kitsune was gone. And, if she could help it, she would make the jaguar realise what he had done... the hard way. A quick snap of her jaws sent her back into the sky where she waited against the sun, once more practically invisible.
" Maybe it would be safer if we get the cubs out of here." Bosko said, following Bane's words.
Above them, Iora gave another roar, preparing to dive again.
Bane dodged the swiped before he slunk back to his family.
"Bring them into our den, In this mood it is safer to not have them out in the open." Dakota called, Mana, Gemma and Bane all entered their den as Dakota ran over to the other den to help transport the cubs between caves and get everyone across the camp unharmed.
"We need to find out whats set her off and what she wants." Dakota told them worried for Lelani's saftey also.
Raimundo, now wide awake, led the Rebels into Dakota's den - leaning against Sarabi for support as she carried her nephew. Ritara and Ebony were close to follow with Aquile and Jacob, Ebony hoping Dakota would help her with her daughter. One by one, they moved den with Choby and Octavian being the last to move. That was when Iora struck. As silent as the wind, she dived down and surrounded Choby just as Octavian dipped his head into Dakota's den, pinning him down with her paw and wrapping her snake like body around him so that he couldn't escape.
Dakota watched as they all started out and ran into the den picking up Finealta and following Ritara and Ebony quickly back to her own den. She placed the small panther cub down beside Lelani and went to leave the den again to hopefully calm down the dragon when Iora pinned Choby to the ground. Unsure what was wrong with Iora or how to stop her, all she could was wait. Charmed had quickly curled around Lelani and Finealta to protect them should the dragon get more vicious and come after them. Tension spread throughout the cave as all the original inhabitants crowded around their new den mates, waiting to see what would happen.
" Iora! Calm down! Stop it!" Choby roared in a panic, trying to escape her grasp.
Iora only tightened her grip.
Raimundo, worried for his brother's safety, stuck his head out of the den and noticed his brother's struggles through the dragon's coils. " Iora, stop it! You'll hurt him!" He called out.
" Silence!" Iora roared.
"What is wrong with her?" Dakota whispered as she stood beside Raimundo, worried for his brothers saftey and hoping Iora would calm down.
Mana stood guard before Bloodshot, Snowdrift, Zander and Moonlight while Gemma stood protectivly over Charmed and the two pups. Skype and Akira were growling lightly from the back of the cave with Krystal behind them. Bane moved up to Raimundo's other side watching silently.
" Iora, I said stop it!" Raimundo growled. " What has my brother - your leader - done to you?"
The she dragon looked at the younger twin and roared at him before turning back to face Choby, her claws digging lightly into his shoulders and making them bleed slightly.
" ANSWER ME!" Raimundo roared, getting annoyed with the dragon now.
" Tasuki." Was all Iora growled softly under her breath.
Mana ran out of the cave to stand by the angry dragon not fazed by her angry nature now that Tasuki's been mentioned.
"What of Tasuki, do you know where he is? He isn't in the cave or the den. Dakota stepped forward confused. 'I was sure that their group cared nothing for the kitsune. I wonder what Choby has done to make Iora so angry, where is that kit.' She growled angrly. 'He better show up so this can be sorted out, I just hope Iora isn't angry cause he is harmed in any way.'
Mana and Gemma twitched at Dakota's thoughts, Mana sending Dakota a glare over her shoulder. 'Don't even think that!'
Both Dakota and Gemma were shocked at her anger, but backed down closing their minds so not to anger the agitated wolf anymore.
Iora seemed to sober up a little bit as the memory of Tasuki running off pushed on her anger.
" He ran off. I don't know where." She said before slamming Choby into the ground, her anger returning. " Because he couldn't control himself and learn to trust!"
Mana's ears drooped. "So he just up and left?" She asked, her head lowered and she turned trudging past Bane, Raimundo and Dakota back into the cave. Gemma trotted over to her trying to cheer her up but the brown wolf just trotted. Dakota watched her younger sisters with sadened eyes. 'So he's left us...'. Her ears drooped, she would have liked to get to know him better, but now he was gone, taking his cub with him. Lelani ran up to Dakota looking up at the older wolf in confusion.
"Do dat means Kura is go too?" She asked trying her best to form the words she wanted to say. Dakota looked up the cub giving her a saddened nod before looking back out at Choby and Iora. Lelani whined before runing back to Charmed looking for comfort from the loss of her new friend.
" And he thought all of us..." Raimundo started, unable to finish his sentence.
Iora gave a curt nod and continued to growl at Choby. She could understand Ebony and Ritara's reasons for mistrust, but not Choby's. So it was his fault that Tasuki and his pup were gone and that Mana and Lelani and the others were upset. With another roar, she shot up into the air... this time with Choby clutched in her paws.
" Choby!" Raimundo roared up in concern. He had a bad feeling about what was happening.
"Iora!" Dakota called up to the dragon. "It's ok, both Tasuki and Kurama are ok! As long as I have our connection with them I will be able to feel everything they do. I can feel that Tasuki is sad and Kurama is confused but other then that they are completely safe, they are also warm. So i assume they have found a cave and settled by a fire for the time being. It is not directly Choby's fault, I myself will take Choby's punishment. If he didn't feel comfortable enough to stay then it was me that failed him! Please, bring Choby back down safely..." Dakota tried stepping out of the cave and rising so she stood on her back legs.
"Please!"
" Iora, please. I didn't know. I was going to give him a chance - I got my senses got handed to me about it - but he left before I even had a chance. I'm sorry." Choby begged as the she dragon climbed higher and higher into the air.
Iora finally stopped in her currently favourite place; in front of the sun so that no one could see her. She had heard Dakota's words and Choby's, but it wasn't until she looked down into the turmoil that she had left the camp in. Raimundo was literally running in circles trying to locate them against the sun. Dakota looked a little more calm than Raimundo, almost like she was getting ready to fly up herself and settle things in the air. Watching them, and looking into the eyes of those hidden in the cave, she knew she had over-reacted. With a sigh, she looked down at Choby.
" No. I am." She whispered, her slitted pupils enlarging until they were their usual round selves.
Slowly, she descended back into the camp.
Dakota sighed as she noticed the She-Dragon was coming back down, She looked behind her.
"It's ok now." She said with a smile before running out futher into the camp so that when Iora landed, she would be standing before the two.
Charmed sighed with relief, sitting by the cubs and licking them.
"It's alright, your safe now." She purred at them hoping to quell their shaking and it worked. Skype and Akira both shared a sigh as they sat down allowing Krystal to move where she please. Moonlight had been watching his sister through the whole thing and smiled. 'She still has so much to learn, but i believe her Alpha training is almost complete.' He glanced at Bloodshot and Snowdrift who were now visibly relaxed, they had moved over him and Zander when Gemma had ran off but all was calm now that the threat was deminished. Bane, Gemma and Mana who were all huddled in the back of the cave barely heard the news, still upset and worried about Tasuki and Kurama.
Octavian and the others visibly calmed at the news, but Ritara still looked upset. And Sarabi wasn't sure if they were still welcome in the other's den. Slowly, the golden jaguaress exited the den and sat by a now calm Raimundo to watch as Iora landed before them and gently placed Choby on the ground.
As soon as the male jaguar was on the ground, Iora looked over the animals before her. Then, with the hint of a tear in the corner of her eye, she took off towards the deep forest and coiled herself around a thick tree, tying her tail around herself to keep her in place while her hind paws gripped the tree and her front paws gripped the branch that her head and neck rested on. And just to make sure she wasn't found that easily, she darkened her scales so that they were almost the same colour as the bark. Only then did the tear roll down her face and to the ground below.
Dakota stepped forward planing to follow when she thought better of it. She looked at the other group then back to the den where everyone else were.
"I don't know about you guys... But I do not feel like going anywhere today." She spoke softly as her ears drooped and her tail dragged on the ground. She headed back into the cave unsure what to do now.
" We better head back to our own cave, anyway. Smoke looks like its cleared." Sarabi sighed, lowering her head and heading back into Dakota's den to help either Ritara or Ebony.
" Rebels, up and out." Raimundo called weakly. " Bosko to me. Octavian standby."
Almost immediately, the Rebels stood up and followed their leader's orders. Sarabi ended up helping Ebony with Finealta while Taka took his little brother. Choby ended up having to be lifted up onto Octavian's back in order to get him back into the cave - not even Conrad wanted to take over and walk the distance for fear of his own body giving out on him. Raimundo could sympathise; even though he was practically healed, his body still felt weak. Slowly they all moved back into their own cave. Only the eagles stayed out, preferring to rest in the tree branches and wonder how Iora was faring with the whole thing.
In an argument somewhere on the other side of the valley, a bright flash of light silenced all. After a few minutes of silence the black and cream wolf glared at the tiger beside him who was still looking in the air wondering why nothing was happening. Confused, the tiger began looking out over the horizon, thinking that something was going to happen further out in the land. She stopped when she noticed the wolf's death glare.
" Thank you, woman! You have just lost me my arm!" The wolf growled as soon as he was sure the tiger's attention was focussed on him alone.
" I thought you had a flare or whatever built in it." the tiger replied.
" Do you honestly think I would want to blow up my own arm? Better yet, do you even know what a flare is?"
" Um... a bright light?"
" Okay, so you do know what a flare is. The point here is that you do not touch other people's property without permission.Especially detachable arms. Got it?"
This time it was the tiger's turn to glare. Neither of the two noticed the small bundle on the tiger's back begin to stir.
Dakota curled up with Gemma and Mana. Bane watched as the rebels cleared out of his den to head back to their own. He approached Raimundo just outside of the den and sat down beside him.
"I'd like to apologise for the last few days. Not much has gone right at all an I hope that the waters will settle by tomorrow when we will continue this hunt... You should head back to your cave and get some rest." With that said he headed back into his cave and laydown beside the girls, eyes watching the front of the cave.
Tasuki yawned as he lept through the small hole out of the den, he had not long stopped running from the campsite and had found a wall that was hollow, he had broken through the outer barrier making a door and entered before leaving his kit there to find sticks and leaves to make a fire and bedding for the to of them. The fire was made now all he had to do was find the leaves for bedding. He used his illusion powers to cover the hole so no one would know it was there and that his kit was curled up saftely inside. He looked around quickly finding a wiltng tree, he collected as much leaves as his large kitsune form could carry before taking them back to the den piles at a time using his smaller form to get through the entrance. He sighed when he was finally done, He placed Kurama on the smaller bed before laying down on the bigger one and watching as the flickering fire.
"Now what to do about food." He muttered to himself as his stomach growled at him, he had forgotten to eat that morning.
" Don't worry about it." Raimundo sighed.
He nodded at Bane's advise and looked up into the sky one last time before heading back into the cave, leaning on Bosko to help him. What he didn't notice was the bright flash of light that was on target with their campsite. He was that tired, he didn't even feel the slight shake of earth as whatever it was crashed into the place where the main campfire once stood, creating a small crater.
Bane jumped when the camp shook and leapt to his feet and running out ofthe cave to investigate. He noticed the crater where the campfire once stood and slunk towards it with caution. He peaked into the whole to see what had dropped into their camp and howled out in shock.
"Gahh!"He yelped stepping back. "It's a hand!"
Octavian and Bosko, after having placed Choby and Raimundo on the ground to rest, were playing a game of tic-tac-toe to see who the game would put to sleep first when they both heard Bane's yelp. Instantly, both of them were up and running to see what the problem was.
" What's wrong? Are we under attack?" Octavian asked, wide awake and looking for the source of the commotion.
" I think you need to get some sleep." Bosko muttered under his breath as he leaned into the crater to see what was inside. " Well, at least it's not a... wait, is that..." He looked to Bane for comformation just in case he was the one that needed sleep.
"Unless I'm seeing things too, it's a hand." Bane said shivering before leaning down and picking the had up. He placed it on the ground before him and nudged before looking at Bosko.
"It's made of metal..." He sniffed it confused about this new fact.
" It's made of... oh, no." Bosko muttered, noticing the wires that were also accompanying the hand. He then looked behind him and noticed the polar bear standing on his hind legs to get a better view of the hand. " Octavian. Why don't you go inside and tell Zolo we've found what we think is his brother-in-law's hand. That's a good boy."
Grumbling, Octavian fell to all fours and went to do what he was told. Bosko was able to catch something about 'understanding Iora' as the bear went into the cave, but shook his head and ignored the bear.
"You know who this hand belongs too?" Bane asked confused, if there is a hand in the middle of camp that means someone is severly injured, metal or not. "We must find them, if there missing their arm they may be in trouble." Bane said still quiet confused about the object before him.
" Oh, yeah. He's definitely in trouble." Zolo said sarcastically, walking out of the cave with a yawn. " I'd feel more sorry for the guy who did that to him."
" Zolo. you're talking to a guy that doesn't understand." Bosko said, looking at Bane.
" Oh... Bane, have you ever heard of a cyborg before?"
"No sorry, I haven't... My wife is a Ghost Rider but other then that, appart from my vampiric abilitys, I've never come across a... Cyborg?"
" Okay then... think machine man." Zolo said.
Bosko looked at the still confused wolf. " It's not working."
" Okay then. Looks like we're just going to have to go find him. First things first."
Zolo closed his eyes for a few minutes, trying to think of something, and a faint smile crossed his wolf lips. The memory was of a time when he and his friends had gone to the easter show and found a naturo showbag there. Mikon had decided to by the bag and wouldn't stop acting like a ninja the whole time he had at. When he opened his eyes again a black drawstring bag with red clouds patterened on it was resting at his feet. After stuffing the mechanical arm into the bag and managing to slide his head and left forepaw through the drawstring, he trotted to the other side of the crater and looked back.
" You guys coming or what?" He asked, tilting his head to the side.
Bane looked on still slightly confused. "Well I guess the only way I'm going to understand is if i see the guy for myself. With that he leapt over the crater and waited for Bosko to join them so they could leave.
Bosko looked back at the cave, unsure of whether or not he should go. He noticed Kratia watching him and give him a small nod before turning back into the cave to look after the others. Looking back at Zolo and Bane, he gave a small nod and joined them on the other side of the crater. With a small 'yip-yip' that sounded like it should never have come from a wolf, Zolo easily managed to track down Skype and Akira's scents and took off into the forest towards the valley. Bosko had to run in order to keep up with him.
Bane easily kept beside the golden wolf, trotting at a leasurly pace. He could smell that they were following his brothers trail and wondererd about what this mechanical man would look like when they finally met. He laughed lightly to himself. 'Dakota is going to kill me, not telling her where I went. I'm in so much trouble.'
" What's so funny?" Zolo asked, glancing at the wolf beside him.
Before he knew it, he and Bane were at the edge of valley... and Bosko was somewhere behind them, hopefully still on the trail. Now that the snow had cleared a little, he was able to see the other side of the valley. What he saw was mountains and plains... but no creature that looked like a three legged wolf. Nor could he find a way onto the other side of the valley.
"Just that my wife is going to kill me for not allerting her of my abesnse." Bane chuckled before he looked down into the ditch. He had an idea to get to the other side but it would take time and effort. "Prehaps if we go into the valley and cross it, then we can climb the wall on the other side." He suggested, paws already on the edge.
" Yeah, maybe." Zolo agreed, choosing not to comment about Bane's reply to his question. " But we've got to wait for Bosko, first."
Just then, a slightly out of breath Bosko appeared, glaring daggers at the two wolves in front of him. He allowed his gaze to linge for a while on the valley and the mountains before returning to Bane and Zolo with an even fiercer gaze.
" I hope you do not expect me to climb." He growled.
" If we don't find a path, we're going to have to." Zolo replied with a smug look on his face clearly stating that he was definitely intending to follow Bane's plan.
Bane looked at Bosko with a smile before he looked down in the trench. "If this will be a problem, I could carry you." He said before looking back over his shoulder at the out of breath lion.
" I'll be fine." Bosko grumbled before leading the way down the path and into the valley.
Zolo followed, pestering him all the way down about being slow and feeling like he needed to prove he was still fit. Bosko merely growled. Finally the lion snapped.
" You're as bad as my brother!" He roared, his voice echoing around the rocks.
Silence fell between the two as the image of Luigi's death haunted their minds. Bosko turned away continued onward to the other side of the valley.
Bane watched them enter the valley and waited for a minute before leaping down into the darkness and landing lightly beside them once they reached the valley floor. He trotted along side them taking the lead slightly when they reached the wall. He leapt up, using his lengthened claws to dig into the rocks, each paw print indenting into the wall making a path for his two friends climb. Once he got to the top he looked back down into the darkness and waited for them to reach him.
Both Bosko and Zolo watched Bane climb before Bosko moved away and pratically shoved the golden into the rock.
" Okay, okay. I'll go next." Zolo muttered.
With that, he began the climb. Bosko watched for a few minutes to make sure that there was enough distance before starting himself. Once they were at the top, both boys shook themselves down and looked around. It was then that they dicovered that night had fallen.
" Thanks for the path, Bane." Bosko said.
Bane nodded smiling lightly. "Are you two still right to continue through the night or do you want to make up camp.
Dakota yawned and stretched before she glanced out of the cave seeing night had fallen. She stood up and glanced around the cave, the first thing she noticed was Bane's absence. 'The dip is probably out by the fire.' She thought leaving the cave and heading towards the campfire, she was slightly annoyed when she couldn't see Bane anywhere. She headed over to the rebels den and stuck her head inside.
"Hey, has anyone seen Bane? I can't find him." She said as she sat down in the entrance.
Tasuki yawned as he stretched before the dwindling fire. He blew more flames on it to raise its heat before he glanced over at a still sleeping Kurama. He smiled lightly before heading to the entrance. He looked through the hole to make sure the coast was clear but a whine escaped his throat as he smelt the scents of Bane, Bosko and Zolo. He could also see them standing not far away from his hideout. He quickly put out the fire and strengthened the barrier covering the entrance of the den.
" We'll keep going tonight. Besides, I want to be as far away from this place as posible. It's where the basilisk showed up." Zolo said, looking up at the stars to try and pin-point where he was and which way they should search.
Kratia looked up at Dakota's inquiry from where she was gently keeping her paw on Monty's tail - the pup had been trying to get into his uncle's tool box for the sixth time that afternoon. " Last I saw of him, he was with Bosko and Zolo. They've gone on a search party for the owner of the metal arm that Bane found. We're pretty sure he's one of our guys. Sorry, I forgot to tell you. I've had to make sure the twins were resting and that Monty was kept under control." She said.
" Another night wth you and still no food." Lakshmi sighed.
Lynk looked at her, but otherwise ignored her. Instead, he focussed on the panda cub and wolf pup that were curled up next to her, trying to figure out how they were going to feed them. They had found the wolf pup about an hour after Lakshmi had so elegantly detached Lynk's arm for him. Now, both Lynk and Lakshmi had no way to feed two extremely young and extremely dependant babies.
" Damn, I wish their mother's were here." Lynk sighed, looking up into the star-studded sky.
Bane nodded in understanding, he felt a spike of energy off to his left and when he glanced to see what it was all he could see was a big rock. His attention was drawn to the sky also, "There's no moon tonight."
Dakota growled not in anger but in annoyance.
"That darn wolf!" She barked before running back to her den to wake Gemma and Mana.
Both sturred and looked at their older sister with confusion. "What is it?" Mana yawned, her question followed by Gemma's slightly ammused words. "You seem annoyed, whats Bane done now?"
"He took off on a search without us." She yelled in her anger before calming down when she noticed Lelani sturing by Charmed. "He promised not to do it anymore." She whimpered before laying down and huffing.
" At least there's still the stars." Zolo replied, picking a direction and trotting straight ahead.
" What's wrong, Bane?" Bosko asked, noticing that the darker wolf was looking over at a big rock.
Kratia watched Dakota leave, trying to figure out what had just happened. she turned to Sarabi and Ritara and found that they were equally as confused. From somewhere else in the cave she heard Choby mutter something under his breath and someone else exclaim, " I know couples have spats, but that was just odd."
Bane wtched Zolo trot off before looking back at Bosko. "I felt a pike of energy, it felt familiar but I can't place who it came from." He looked over at the rock again before following Zolo. "Come on, lets go." He called back.
Tasuki quietly watched them leave and sighed in relief. He went over to Kurama and sat down watching the Kit sleep.
"I'll head out soon and find some food for us, don't worry." He nuzzled Kurama before trotting back to the entrance and keeping an eye out, waiting for a clear path to leave with enough time to saftely close the den behind him.
Both Mana and Gemma just laughed at their sisters expense.
"Calm down Dakota, he'll be fine. I'm sure there is no vengeful wolf packs after him or Skype."Mana said but Dakota just growled at her.
With a nod and a flick of his ear towards the rock, Bosko followed the others. They only stopped once when Zolo thought he could smell roast beef and got his mind distracted. So Bosko took the lead and decided to head west following the mountain range down. It wasn't until the next morning that Zolo finally planted himself on the ground and refused to move until he got a couple of hours rest.
Tasuki had been watching the entrance of his den throughout the night, loosing track of time. It was only when the sun began to rise that he left the den. He closed it back over before runing through the trees. 'Jeez I wish there was a rabbit or something. Maybe that small antelope I killed for Ayame just before Kurama was born.' He licked his lips a the thought before looking up and seeing an antelope just ahead of him.'What do you know, breakfast.' He smiled before sprinting at the beast and easily taking her down. He then proceeded to drag the carcass back to his den.
Bane sat down, he wasn't tired but he could see the others were. He rolled onto his back and closed his eyes, awaiting the time when they would set off again.
Kaygis woke early with the cold sun gently gracing his back. The remains of last night's dinner - his mother's famous roast beef with basil and rosemary, medium-rare and with the blood and wine sauce still dripping - rested on a rock plate beside him which he happily finished for breakfast. Once breakfast was done, he looked out over the land. But there was no one there. Last night he thought he had heard Bosko and Zolo's voices. Bane's too, come to think about it. It was like the time where he had almost run in Lynk, Lakshmi and Kokoda nearly three or four days ago. The three of them had been so hungry that Kaygis couldn't help but conveniently place a large bottle of panda milk and an even large sign right in front of them as well as an already sick bull that he conveniently killed for them.
With a sigh, he sat up and looked up into the mountains. His search west had led him to a path that led back to the main camp. That was when he had noticed the mountains and though that he should continue his search in that direction. But he had put it off by thinking over it through the night. In the end, he ended up having a nightmare about his son and those mountains which made his mind up when he woke. With a yawn, a stretch and a shake, he continued his search.
" Don't worry, Shadow. I'm coming. And hopefully with Julien and your uncle." He whispered to the wind.
Zolo woke exactly two hours after he had fallen asleep, rested and ready to continue the search. Unfortunately, due to having spent the past two nights awake, Bosko was even harder to wake than usual. And Zolo tried everything. Bosko only woke when the golden wolf threatened to hit him with Lynk's arm.
" You do know that if you knock me out, I'll still be asleep." Bosko grumbled not long after having been threatened.
" Good point." Zolo said thoughtfully. " Hey, Bane. You want to lead this time and we can take turns?"
Tasuki froze just as he got back to his den. 'Someone's near.' He thought to himself confused about how he hadn't sensed the panthers presence eariler on. 'Prehaps, he is from my new packs group.' He turned around focusing in the distance for the panther he knew was near. When he spotted the animal he immediantly shivered. 'He's from the other group.' Tasuki whined lightly in fear before quickly entering his den just managing to drag the antelope through the small hole a meter of the ground. He then sealed the entrance again before panting lightly. 'I hope he didn't notice me.'
Bane shook himself when the other two had finally woken up. He himself rarely needed sleep but the rest hadn't hurt. He looked up at Zolo's question.
"I have no idea who we are looking for or what they look like. If your following a trail, I would end up leading us astray and we would loose the chance to find your friends..." Bane explained confused about why they wanted him to lead for a while.
" Bane, Bane, Bane." Zolo said, shaking his head. " We left the trail when we left the valley. As for the guy we're looking for; his a black, brown, cream and green wolf with green eyes and a currently missing arm. He also goes by the name of Lynk."
Bane blinked at the golden wolf. "So we've just been walking blindly." He asked. "Are you serious, this is something Mana would do, I at least thought you were following some sign of where they are." Bane growled storming off in the direction they were already heading. "If we get lost then I'll be in even bigger trouble then I already am!" He yelled back, extreamly ticked off. 'So much for a short walk, find their friends and head back to camp.' "Now hurry up, If I don't return today I have no doubt she will come after us."
" Welcome to the life of Zolo." Bosko muttered, following the angered vampire but at a safe distance.
" We won't get lost. As soon as we find Lynk he'd be able to pick up the trail in an instant. Even then there's still our scents we can back track on. Beside, the scent of the undead is stronger than the living." Zolo replied, trotting up beside the lion.
" Zolo, do you want to get yourself killed? Because if you keep that up, you definitely will get it."
Lynk raised his head from sleep and sniffed at the air. " I'm close." he muttered.
" No duh, Sherlock. You're lying right there." Lakshmi growled, already getting annoyed with the wolf.
" Do you even know who Sherlock is?"
" Um..."
" Didn't think so. Back on track, my arm is close... and getting closer."
" I will never understand you and your robotic ways." The tigress sighed with a shake of her head.
" You don't need too. All you need to do is leave that to me and get up. We're going to meet my arm and whoever's retrieved it for me. There may be food on the way, too."
Instantly, Lakshmi carefully got up so as not to dirturb the sleeping children; the magic word having been spoken. She gently picked up Kokoda by his neck as Lynk did the same to the grey pup. Then the two headed back the way that they had come, following Lynk's radar like ears to pinpoint the exact location of his arm.
Bane ignored their words, whilst he would never kill them he was very tempted to harm them right now. Bane stopped, pulling off to the side and gesturing for the other two to keep going. He shook his body harshly trying to calm down.'Damn it!' He growled angerly and sat down, his tail twitching in annoyance. He could feel his angry trying to release itself and if the other two were near when it did, he would most certainly hurt them, and severly at that. His blood red claws dug into the dirt below him as he tried to keep his anger in. 'I never should have left Dakota...' His control was slipping fast and his hackles raised while his growl grew into a deep snarl.
Tasuki gentaly woke Kurama and nudged the antelope towards his kit. He had already torn the fur away so the kit could easily access the meat. He smiled when Kurama dug into the meat eating quickly to sate his hunger. Tasuki then started to eat himself.
Lynk stopped suddenly and turned his head due east. Something wasn't right. Before Lakshmi knew what was going on, he had placed the grey pup on her back and loped off. " Take the pup. Follow slowly." He called over his shoulder.
Bosko was the first to notice that something wasn't right with Bane and stopped, instantly gaining Zolo's attention.
" Empty the bag and back away slowly." He whispered to the confused wolf.
" Why?" Zolo asked, confused.
" Don't question. Just do it. I've had enough practice with Choby to know when someone's true power is emerging."
Slowly, Bosko began following his own advice, backing up from the vampire muttering something under his breath. Still confused, Zolo slipped the bag from his back and slid the arm out of it before leaving the bag on the ground and following Bosko's example. As he watched, though, he saw a figure in the distance running towards them.
" He's coming." Was all he muttered.
Bane clenched his eyes shut. 'The idiots! Why didn't they leave!' Bane shook himself again as another wave of pure hot anger washed through him and his claws raked through the dirt. He felt his vicious side go to leap towards his friends who had stupidly only backed up and he only just overpowered it by throwing himself back against a conveniently placed rock. The action though knocked his reasonable side unconsious leaving his vicious side to take over. His green eyes bled red and he stalked towards his two friends, kicking the limb as he crossed over it. He lowered into a crouch and readied himself to leap for the kill.
" Ever get the feeling you should have run instead of back up slowly?" Zolo asked, not daring to take his eyes off Bane.
" If you want to run, be my guest. But I never go down without a fight." Bosko replied, reverting ot his fire lion form.
" Some fights you can't win."
" My pride is waiting."
" You're unbelieveable."
Lynk took in the situation in an instant. With a final leap, he landed lightly next to his arm and silently reattached it to his stump of a leg. Almost immediately the metal sheets that made up his forearm lifted and turned themselves around to create his paw. As soon as the last of his fur had covered the metal, he turned to Bane with a growl, switching himself to full metal mode.
" Get away from them, vampire, or else meet your end." He snarled.
Bane smiled at the now flaming lion, but it never reached his eyes.
"Pride or no, thats a stupid move." His ears twitched at the sound of metal he turned to see the owner of the detatched arm. "I'd like to see you try. Bane has suppressed me ever since he met that stupid she-wolf! I have been kept under tie ever since I managed to get out that day I almost killed him. He is a weakling and first chance I get I will kill Dakota and the rest of his wreched family. Then there will be nothing to keep me within him any longer. However going near Dakota supresses my presence completely so for now, I'll just have to get rid of Bane's friends, starting with those two. However your presence hinders my plans. I am a combination of Bane's true wolf form and his Vampiric self. I can tell your strength and could probably overpower you but I do not wish to test the waters. As long as I keep away from Dakota, I will remain in charge of this stubborn wolf. Keep that in mind should we cross paths again" With that said Bane vanished.
Lynk watched him run off towards the valley, able to detect what no one else could, before going over to Zolo and Bosko.
" Are you two okay?" he asked.
" Yeah. Scared, but okay." Bosko said, returning to his true form.
" I wouldn't do that if I were you. How many of you are there?"
" A whole campsite full, including Dakota and her group. Why?" Zolo asked.
" We need to get out of here. Where is this campsite?"
" Across the valley."
Lynk swore under his breath just as Lakshmi arrived with Kokoda and the wolf pup.
" Well I see you've got your arm back." the tigress stated.
" You be quiet, woman. We've got a bigger problem at the moment. That valley we saw is now home to a temperamental and highly dangerous vampire. We have no idea how to get to Bosko and Zolo's camp without getting hurt. Man, I wish I had the Blade Falcon with me."
" You wish and it shall be." Bosko and Zolo muttered.
" What?" Lakshmi asked, wondering if this world had done something to their brains.
But Lynk instantly knew what they meant as soon as he felt the familiar buzz inside of him that was the welcoming call of his plane. Doing a mental check, he found that everything was still as he had left it; unscathed. He also found out that it was near the valley... and near that burst of magic that he had felt a few days ago. With a single order, he led their little group towards the valley and his plane.
Bane stalked along the valley wall. "Stupid robot!" He growled, his success was trampled by that others appearence. "I'll just have to find someone else who I can take down. There are still so many of Bane's family out here, I'm sure it can't be that hard to track some down." With that said he stalked west, following a path which had no scents so it had yet to be checked. 'Prehaps, I can keep this fool down. Longer then I thought. He is fighting to get control back but he is weaker then usual. Prehaps his weak mind is focused more on something else then getting free.' Bane ran off not notcing the plane that appeared behind him.
Tasuki's whole pelt stood on end as the light flittering through his cave entrance was covered and his cave was plunged into darkness. He slunk towards the entrance looking out, all he could see was a sheet of green and silver metal as far as he could see left, right, up and down. He growled and released a burst of energy to strengthen the shield even more.
"I will not let them in." He wasn't sure what the contraption was or if anyone was with it but Kurama was his main priority.
Bane looked behind him as the burst of energy drew his attention and at the site of the plane he growled, before continuing. 'I guess the bigger the object, the more energy that is released to form it.'
Within a day, and in a run, the group found itself in front of the Blade Falcon. True to its name, it resembled a massive green and black, metallic falcon. It was also home to weapons never to be found in the clutches of the world’s most high-tech facility; all hand-made. In other words, it was not to be messed with. With a smile, Lynk placed his paw on the side of his plane.
“ Blade Falcon, command sequence H.O.W.L.” He said.
Befehlssequenz H.O.W.L. – aktiviert. A robotic voice replied in German as the door opened to allow access into the plane.
“ Okay. Everyone in. Then we’ll take off and head on over to the camp and to safety. We may also get the chance to tell this Dakota of this rampaging vampire. Hopefully before he kills someone important.”
“ No offense, Lynk, but how are you going to fly?” Zolo asked as Lynk shut the door behind him.
“ That, my dear brother, is command sequence H.O.W.L.”
With that, he took his place in the pilot seat and started the plane. Using voice commands and the now wolf-friendly control panel, he got the plane into the sky and flew over the valley and towards the camp.
Tasuki sighed relaxing slightly and lowering the amount of power he had put into the barrier around his den. He looked over at Kurama who was watching him with a confused expression. "Don't worry little one." He said as he walked over and nuzzled his kit, "We will head off tomorrow, most probably south, so we don't have to worry about running into Bane or anyone back at the den." The kit yipped and curled up, his father headed over to his own bed and lay down, thinking about the pack he had left behind.
Bane sat on the large boulder he had came across licking the blood from his paws and muzzle. He had failed so far to find anyone at all and so had taken his anger out on a large male bull, that he had summoned and easily taken down.
In no time at all, Lynk was over the campsite and descending into the clearing not far from it. After a smooth and practically noiseless touch down, Lynk shut off the Blade Falcon and opened the door. Almost immediately, Zolo had leaped off the plane and over to Dakota where he started begging and surrendering to her.
" I'm sorry, Dakota! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do it! I'm sorry!" He whined.
Lakshmi and Bosko were next to get off the plane, followed shortly by Lynk as soon as he had locked his 'baby' up and put the security system on. Gently, Lakshmi placed the babies a safe distance away from the crater while Bosko checked over them both and thought up a bottle of panda milk for the cub. He wasn't sure, but he had a feeling that the pup belonged to one of Dakota's people.
Dakota had awoke with a strange feeling in her gut. 'Bane's still not back yet...' She thought as she trotted out of the cave, everyone else was still asleep. She was startled when the golden wolf her husband was supposedly with ran up to her and started begging for forgiveness.
"Woah, woah Zolo. What's the matter?" It was then Dakota noticed Bosko and a tiger place down a panda cub and a grey-mini version of Gemma. 'Aden?' She thought, it was less then a minute before a Blue, black and white figure shot out of her cave running straight for the cubs.
"Aden!" Gemma yipped before she bathed the small pup with her tongue."I'm so glad your safe!" Gemma then turned to the two adults standing by the cubs. "How can I ever thankyou for finding my baby?" She asked, but before she got an answer she picked Aden up and rushed back into the cave. She went up the back and curled up by Mana, allowing the pup to have a well deserved feed. Tsume raised from his sleeping spot and trotted over to the three of them. He lay down watching his pup suckle, with a huge smile on his face. Charmed soon joined them, leaving Lelani with the cubs parents and sister. She sat down beside Tsume and licked her younger brother on the head. "I just hope Link is alright aswell, that little trouble maker." The group laughed lightly, waking Mana who smiled fondly at the found pup.
Dakota smiled over to the two who had found her nephew and smiled sheepishly. 'At least she said thankyou.'
" Bane. He... I... we... got him mad." Zolo said, his voice getting softer as he spoke. " And now he's on a rampage. I'm sorry!"
Kratia ran out of the cave to make sure that everyone was safe and sound, Monty following in hot pursuit when he felt the unmistakable presence of his uncle. With a flying leap, the pup managed to tackle into Lynk without causing severe brain damage, despite what some already think of him having.
" Uncle Lynk! Did you bring chocolate?" He asked.
" You don't need chocolate." Lynk replied with a sigh.
" Did you bring lollies?"
" You don't need them, either."
" Did you bring chips?"
" You're not going to stop asking, are you?"
" Did you?"
" I'll take that as a no. Have you been good?"
" Yes!"
" By good, do you mean asking for lollipops from basilisks?" Bosko asked, having heard the story.
" Monty, you didn't." Lynk said, knowing that it was probably true.
" Maybe..." the pup said cheekily.
" Into the cave. Now!"
" Yes, Uncle Lynk."
Lynk went over to Bosko, Lakshmi, Kratia and Kokoda. " He'll be okay, right?"
" Give him time." The white tiger said with a smile.
"What! That... That... Gahh When I get my paws on him I'll drag him back here by his tail and tie us together with rope!" She snarled. "Mana!" She yelled and her sister ran out of the cave been woken by her sisters enraged shout. When she saw Dakota she knew something was wrong. Her sister was bristling and snarling, ears a flat against her head and tail raised.
"Yes Alpha?" Mana asked, using Dakota's title just incase.
"Mind the camp, me and my Husband have a few words and fists to share." Dakota snarled before she started stalking out of the camp with a dumbfounded Mana watching her.
Zolo merely sank further into the ground. If it was at all possible, he would have dug himself a hole and burried himself in it. This wolf was even scarier than his cousin and sister combined. In fact, she was even scarier than Lakshmi when she was angry.
Lynk, sensing trouble, decided then would be a good idea to get out of the main campsite. " I think I better retune my arm." He said before dashing into the cave.
" And I better check on the others." Bosko added, not far behind.
" Cowards." Lakshmi hissed.
" We're not cowards!" Bosko and Lynk's voices called from inside the cave.
Mana sighed as she watched the boys flee from Dakota's wrath.
"It can't be helped, when mad she is a voice to be reckoned with. I just hope she finds Bane before he hurts someone." Mana said before she sat down by the crater keeping an eye on the den. She would uphold her duty, no matter what.
Dakota stalked through the trees for a few more meters before taking off into the air.
"I'm coming for you. Hold him back just a little longer." Her voice had dropped soft and she looked over the lands below her with worry.
" Either way, I think it's best if we get inside." Kratia said, picking up Kokoda and leading Lakshmi into the cave. " Be safe, Mana."
Iora, sensing danger, uncoiled herself from her tree and returned to the campsite. Almost immediately she planted herself on top of the Rebels cave.
Mana nodded to them as they returned to their den and smiled when she noticed Iora's return to camp. She remembered what had made the dragon flee in the first place and sighed, her tail wrapping around her legs and her ears drooped. "Tasuki..." She whined lightly and looked to the sky. 'I hope he's ok.'
'Just hope Bane hasn't found him.' Came her sisters irritated thoughts and it made Mana bristle.
'I'll skin him myself if he lays a paw on Tasuki or Kurama!' Mana yelled back now pacing circles around the crater in the earth.
'My only choice at keeping anyone alive is if I find Bane'
The immense anger she could feel flowing of her husband was leaving a trail straight to the enraged wolf. Dakota touched down at the valley where they had fought the Basilisk and she started sniffing the ground. 'So they crossed huh?' she leapt from one side of the valley to the other touching down lightly, before sniffing the floor again. 'Two paths the one north is both his normal scent and his angered scent, but the one west is all pure hatred. And Tasuki has been here recently.' She then sprinted west following his trail that occasionally reeks of blood that isn't Banes.
Tasuki watched through his entrance as Dakota came and left. "I believe something is wrong Kurama..." He called back to his kit who was watching him with curiosity. "For Alpha to be this far from camp and alone, something is amiss. As soon as both Dakota and Bane have headed back to camp, we will set off."
Kurama nodded, still not completely understanding but knowing something wasn't right by his fathers urgency.
Bane looked behind him as he moved along a stream. 'Dakota is finally chasing me.' He thought before looking forward with a smirk. 'This will be fun.' With that thought he vanished.
" Mana." Iora greeted faintly with a nod of her head before looking up into the darkening sky and taking enough energy to sustain her for as long as she needed. She was going to have to be on her highest vigilant in order to keep everyone safe, even if Lynk was with them.
Mana looked up as the sun set and the camp darkened before sighing. "Look's like a cold, sleepless night for me." She said as she lay down, watching the entrance to the camp.
Dakota ran as the night fell and closed her eyes using her senses to guide her through the forest she had entered. Not long ago she had passed a boulder in the middle of a field and had scented both Bane and the fresh kill he had slaughtered. She was angered even more then usual. 'He doesn't kill without cause, that beast must really have control of him this time.' She thought as she followed his faint scent weeving between trees and rocks, she then pulled up beside a river where he had stopped. 'No! He's trail has vanished... That means...' She looked behind her back the way she had come. "The camp!" She yelped before leaping into the air and flying straight in the direction of the camp and all her friends and family. 'If I get there first, he can't harm them.'
Bane picked up when Dakota had started back to camp the moment she took to the sky and continued to run. 'Almost there, another minute and then everyone Bane cares about will be gone.' With a chuckle Bane leapt through the last tree cover and into the entrance to the campsite.
Immediantly Mana was too her feet.
"I knew it wouldn't be long till you would come for us now that Dakota is looking for you." She snarled, bristling at him.
Iora shook her head, rustling her scales in the process, before raising her jaws. From the forest, she head the grating of something big and heavy creeping towards the clreaing; probably the Blade Falcon working through wireless communications with Lynk. That also meant that Lynk had made his way to the front of the cave, teeth bared and ready to spring if need be. Running her thoughts through everyone in the cave below her, she was almost certain that Bosko was in his fire lion form and that the twins, despite how weak they might have been, in their own fire forms. Even Zolo seemed more prepared, sporting the saber that Lynk had made him for his birthday one time.
" You want a fight? We will gladly accept your offer." Iora snarled, feeling her fire finally warming her insides. She was well aware of the sound of leathery wings beating heavily against the sky heading towards the camp.
Bane laughed at the foolishness of the others.
"You honestly think you can beat me, I admit, I ran from Lynk when I first saw him, I was still struggling to control Bane but now he can't do a thing to stop me. "My mind is clear and none of you stand a chance!"
Mana growled, she was unsure of the health and strength of the other den but she knew that apart from Akira, no one in their pack was strong enough to take on Bane's true form, even Skype could only hold him for so long.
"Akira, Skype! You need to hold him till Dakota returns, he can't leave the camp but he can't be allowed to Injure anyone!" Mana howled out and both Akira and Skype exited the cave. Skype took on a similar look to Bane, as he allowed his true self to surface, Akira stayed the same though, her body having naturally fused both sides together.
"So brother, you have finally emerged from within Bane's hold." Skype's now deeper voice spoke as he circled around Bane so he was blocking the exit to the camp. Akira also moved but so she was infront of Mana.
"You should do well to listen to your creater Beast! You will not harm anyone here and should you try. I will be your opponent. You hear this rebels, now that he has full control he will rip you to shreds if he gets near you, cub, adult, teen or otherwise. Stay behind me at all times, never venture too close. Once Dakota gets here he will be reverted back." With that said Akira started to pace a line before both dens, moving fast so she rarely left a gap in her line of defence.
Bane growled at her.
"You threaten me! You're no match for me, you've allowed these human's to tame your beast half, you will not be able to fight me. The fool I control can not surface and I have nothing holding me back. Your attention is divided though, your focusing on protecting the camp. And all it takes..." Akira took a second to glance back at everyone and thats when Bane struck, he leapt forward. "Is for you to look away for a second." Akira looked back just intime to dive forward, tackling a mid air Bane to the ground below, the ground cracked under their combined weight and force and Akira smirked at the pinned wolf.
"You can't defeat me, your just a pup compared to me."
Dakota crossed over the valley when she heard the whole conversation enter her head. 'Damn it!' She allowed her body to move faster, hoping she could get there in time. Even Akira had her limits.
" Never underestimate the Rebels." Lynk growled, emerging from the cave.
Behind him came Bosko, Conrad, Raimundo and Zolo - ech one armed with either fire or a man-made weapon. Zolo's saber crackled and sparked with electricity, illuminating his face in ghostly light. A roar sonded in the cave and Octavian and Lakshmi emerged, exposing their sides to the threat but only to show that they protecting the entrance to their caves. Even Jaymie, Emma, Taka and the eagle brothers prepared themselves beyond the tiger and polar bear.
" We have fought against tough oponents like you and we will do it again." Iora roared, loosing a jet of golden flame as she did so.
" Gladly." A deep male voice growled from somewhere in the forest.
" We have seen war and death. We have trained under the best. How would you fair against us?" A second, slightly higher, voice growled from the forest.
" Demanicus. Uphere." Iora muttered, the hint of a smile gracing her lips for just a second.
Twin pairs of red eyes specked the forest behind Skype as the two massive western dragons made their way through the trees and into the clearing - the red one of the two shaking his head as if raring for the fight to begin while the black raised his lips over his forearm long teeth.
Due to the commotion out in the camp Bloodshot and Snowdrift had roused awake and moved to guard the den when they noticed what was wrong, everyone else lay towards the back of the cave all ready to fight if nessessary, both Charmed and Gemma behind the group, looking after Aden and Lelani.
Mana ran over to the rebels den and stood before them to stop them from coming out. She watched as Akira and Bane snarled and bristled, attacking eachother, each hit drawing blood form one of the two fighters.
"Please, you must not interfere. I know his presence puts your family and friends in danger but we must wound him as little as possible. Whilst he has no control over his actions when Dakota returns the side you see will be subdued. If his current side gets too wounded when his good side rearises he will die. And I warn you now, if you think Bane may be a challenge, kill his human side and you will not survive Dakota's wraith. I can promise you that. There are some things you do not know about her and trust me, you do not wish to know them."
Akira slashed Bane across the should with more force then intended and her claws buried to the bone. She had been expecting him to dodge.
"Damn it, Bane! Your purposefully letting me hurt you." Akira yelled, she would have to lower the strength of her attacks so she didn't hurt his body too much.
"Well if I don't kill all of you, for her mates death, Dakota sure will." Bane is new deep voice laughed emptily as he dived at Akira again, having transferred his pain to Bane's unconscious pure soul, he felt no pain from the injury in his shoulder.
Dakota faulted, her body plummeting to the ground on her deeply wounded shoulder, she had major cuts all over her body but she could see her bone in the open wound.
"Akira, be careful!" She shouted as if the lion could hear her. She then took off at a run limping on her three available legs. 'I better make it in time.'
" Want us to stun him? We can do that, you know." Lynk asked, instantly switching his settings to stun mode.
" So what? I come here looking for a fight and I get the cold shoulder? Not cool!" Uphere growled in annoyance.
" Then go on defence and make sure he doesn't leave camp!" Iora called down from the top of the cave as Bosko, Zolo and the Vitello twins moved to make a wider 'V' to protect the cave entrance.
"Don't bother, stunning him, I can hold him long enough!" Akira yelled as she dodged Bane's attack and countered by grabbing him by the back of the neck and smashing him into the ground. "That should stop you for a little while." She said but growled when he rose to his feet with ease, having transfered his damage to Bane again.
"Don't you get it, you can't hurt me, All damage done to me hits Bane directly!" Bane charged Akira again with little hesitation. "Come on 'Master.' Do some real damage."
Dakota's dropped to her stomach mid step, she felt as if she had been smashed into the ground on her back, she releasing a yelp. 'Mana damn it! Tell Akira not to be so rough, I can barely get three steps without smashing into the ground again.! With a growl and a huff Dakota stood up and started off again, she was still quiet abit away.
Mana whined lightly before looking over at Akira and Bane who were locked in flashes of claws and teeth. "Akira! Dakota says to not use so much force, every time you knock him down Dakota takes the brunt of the hit too. Remember that, the harder you fight Bane the longer it will take Dakota to get here!"
" Really? What does she look like?" Demanicus asked, getting bored of this.
" Grey wolf." Iora replied.
" On it."
With that, the black dragon shot into the nght sky. It didn't take him long to find the injured grey wolf running towards camp. As gently as he could, he turned around and picked up the wolf.
" Dragon Airlines, at your service. Your pilot, Demanicus Guerra, wishes to express his deepest apologies if he has scared you. Please remain as calm as possible as we fly with all speeds to Campsite Danger." He said.
Mana watched the black dragon fly off, "Please hurry." She whispered as she watched him dissapear in the distance.
Bane and Akira had stopped to circle throwing insults at eachother, Mana noted that Akira looked tired and was trying to stall time.
Dakota was about to attack the dragon that had lifted her off the ground, she wasn't scared but she couldn't afford any more distractions right now. His words comforted her slightly and as the camp came closed Dakota snapped at the Dragon's foot, her body plunged but she swirved mid air aiming straight for Bane and Akira. Akira just managed to dodge Dakota as she slamed full force into Bane, the both of them skidded through the ground and smashed straight though the thick stone wall of their cave. They both stopped in the middle of the eternally bound cave, everyone inside was on edge hoping Bane had reverted but they took defencive stances when Bane struggled to his feet chuckling.
"I win this time Dakota, Bane is too weak." He laughed lightly moving towards what he assumed was the unconsious Dakota lying in the dust. He was just about to pounce when he was knocked in the back of the head by Dakota's tail. He crashed to the ground unconsious and Dakota just smiled.
"You may be getting stronger but you still can't beat me." With that said she left her husband in a heap in the cave and trotted back into the camp. "It's all good, Sorry about that, everything is back under control."
Demanicus growled as the pain made his claw tingle, but he lowered himself beside his brother and watched the fight end. As soon as it was over he went to lick his wound to help it heal but was instantly hit by a mass of gold and black scales. It didn't take him long at all to realise that it was his sister and two very loud and very pleased machine-gun like purrs errupted from within both male dragon's, combining with the wind-chime like purr from Iora.
" Thank the gods you're safe, Iora." He whispered. " We'd thought something happened to you."
" If something has happened besides the obvious, just let us know and we'll teach the bugger a leason." Uphere added.
Iora had other things on her mind, though. " You're back! When did you get back?"
" During that storm before we were sucked into some weird vortex." Uphere said.
" We wanted to surprise you, Akira and the others by showing up at breakfast." Demanicus added.
" What did you do during your training?" the she-dragon asked.
" We had to fight each other on the top of Mt Everest for an entire week with no breaks. And that was after we spent an entire month there without food or sleep, freezing our buts off while apparently 'building our inner strength and spirits'." Uphere grumbled.
" But look where it got you."
" Yeah. We found new respect for Akira and her love for ice. We couldn't stand it, I tell you!"
Lynk watched the three dragons with a smile on his face. It had been a while since anyone from the Rebels had seen Demanicus and Uphere after Julien had sent them off for training five years ago. The boys had grown during that time, going from the size of a full grown african elephant to the size of a spinosaurus. They were about the same size that Julien was when the Rebels had first met the red and gold dragon. But something was nagging in the back of his mind.
" You do know that we'll probably forget all this once it's over, right?" He said.
" That's usually how it goes." Bosko sighed, returning to his normal form and slinking into the cave, followed by the Vitello twins.
" I hope it doesn't happen." Zolo replied. " I want to remember my new friends. Even if they do try to kill me."
Dakota chuckled lightly at Zolo's words before she, Skype and Akira all headed back into the cave. She moved over to Bane and called Gemma over to heal him. Dakota felt relief as she watched her sister give her husband a tongue bath. All her wounds healed over and after alittle spilled blood from Gemma, her shoulder recovered also. The two sisters nuzzled before Gemma returned to her pup. Akira moved over to an unoccupied part of the cave to rest her tired body and Skype joined her. Dakota curled around Bane and decided to get some rest herself, hopefully Bane would wake up soon. Everyone in the cave got out of their defensive group and went back to resting in their own spots. Both Snowdrift and Bloodshot transformed into the dragon forms and curled up before the entrance to the cave, ready for sleep. Mana watched the two dragons who had spent the better part of the past week sleeping.
"Lazy beasts." She laughed lightly as she trotted past them into the cave and over to her sister and Bane. She lay down beside them, looking at the hole Dakota and Bane had made through their cave wall. "That was too close. He can't be allowed to transform again."
Tasuki sighed as he felt Dakota's presence back at the camp, along with Bane's. "Come Kurama, we must go now." He picked up the kit before breaking his barrier and leaping free of his den. He changed into his larger kitsune form in a burst of fire and placed his kit against his scruff, with that he headed south into the mountians.
"Surely up here, they will be less likely to find us." He said as he leapt up the slopes, making his way into the rocky lands up ahead.
" Go on, Zolo. Go get some rest." Lynk said, realising that it was getting late.
Zolo tried to hide the yawn that was creeping through him as his said " What about you?"
" I need to reset myself after what Lakshmi did to me. Somwhow she managed to damage the mobility chip in my arm. I've fixed it, but I need to reset myself to finish off the final codes. You rest up and I'll see you tomorrow night."
" Sure. Don't be out of commission too long, though. Never know when we might need you."
" Night, Squirt." Lynk smiled as he watched his brother-in-law make himself comfortable near the cave entrance.
" Don't call me that." Zolo grumbled before giving a final yawn and falling asleep.
Lynk shook his head as he called the Blade Falcon towards the centre of camp so that its 'beak' was in the clearing. He then walked into the cave and took out his tool box so that he had all the space he needed to open it and get what he needed. As quietly as he could, so as not to disturb anyone, he managed to revert only his forearm and opened the control hatch, continuing with his repairs before reverting his arm back into his paw, taking a long, thick cable from his tool box and opening the 'beak' of the Blade Falcon to reveal not an engine, but a massive power pack. He set the power pack to reset mode before attaching one end of the cable to the pack and returning to his place in front of the tool box. Once he was comfortable, he plugged himself into the other end of the cable with the help of one of his other many gadjets he had in his tool box. The last thing he was able to do before he shut down was close his tool box.
Above him, the three older dragons chased each other through the sky, glad that they were together and that Iora had finally found her fire.
The sun began rising just as Tasuki found a small stream. He placed Kurama down by the water and drank his fill, he then cleaned his kit with the river water and quickly cleaned himself.
"We will continue for the rest of the day, then settle down tonight." He said as he continued moving, Kurama scrambled after him trying to keep up.
Dakota stretched and yawned as sun started to flitter through the hole in the cave wall. She looked down at Bane who was still slumbering peacefully beside her.
"I guess I better go get breakfast for everyone." She said as she stumbled out of the cave, she tripped over Bloodshot's paw and went head first into Mana, the both of them yelped. They lay sprawled out before the cave glaring at the still sleeping dragon.
" You know what, Uphere?" Demanicus said, turning from the rising sun. " I kind of like this place."
" How can you like a place that turns the good into the bad and brings to life your worst nightmares?" The red dragon replied.
" There's all the drink you want by the barrel load at just a thought!"
" That's probably the only good thing about this place."
At that moment, a very sleepy Iora lashed her tail out at her brothers' heads. " Tell me you two have not been up all night drinking and partying."
" No!" Both male dragons denied.
" Then what are those barrels in your paws?"
" Um..."
With another swing of her tail aimed for her brothers' heads, the she-dragon got up and gave a massive yawn. She had practically dropped out of the sky around midnight the night before out of sheer exhaustion. The last thing she needed to deal with were drunk dragons. So, with another swing of her tail as she got up, she destroyed the barrels and procceeded to the food pen to choose the ingredients of her brothers' breakfast; eggs, chicken and pork (specifically bacon).
It didn't take her long to pick the four biggest, fatest chickens and the two biggest, fatest pigs as well as about four dozen eggs. Once she was done, she thought about the deep fryer and stove that her work had as well as a portable power pack and instantly began cooking. By the time she was done with the greasy meal, Uphere was already trying to get away. It was useless. The food was stuffed down his throat. Once that was done, Iora cleared away her things and left the boys to their own sick beds.
" Morning, Dakota. Morning, Mana." She said as she passed their den to go examine the side of the wall for repair damage. Maybe she could kick Demanicus and Uphere into fixing the wall later, once they were done being sick.
Dakota and Mana both grumbled a goodmorning to the she-dragon as the struggled out of their tangle of limbs and fur. Dakota made her way over to the food pen with Mana close behind. She quickly took down a large buck while Mana took down a female zebra. They dragged their kills back towards the den, Mana left the female zebra beside Bloodshot for the two dragon brothers to eat when they awoke and Dakota dragged the large buck into the den, she lay it by the small camp fire that had gone out during the course of the night. She then headed out of the den and headed back to the pen to get something for her and Mana to eat, the two wolf sisters then sat down by the crater to enjoy their meal. Gemma emerged from the den with a big yawn, she headed over to her sisters and sat down by them to share their breakfast.
"How's Aden doing?" Dakota asked as she looked up at her younger sister.
"He's doing better, he was quiet weak and hungry but I've managed to help him get his strength back. He is sleeping by Tsume right now." Gemma explained and Dakota nodded.
"So do you think we are doing any hunting today?" Mana asked her two sisters and both wolves shrugged.
"Don't know."
Zolo woke with a yawn to the smell of eggs. Curious, he walked out of the cave and looked around, watching Dakota and Mana taking down breakfast for their family. After a scratch behind the ear, he looked over the land in front of him. It was too dark out there for him to feel truly safe; too many unknown dangers that he didn't know about. At least when he was deployed in the army, he knew of his target and he knew of his goal. Here, he was as blind as a bat. And he didn't like the feeling.
" Rotten place! When can we go home?" he growled up at the sun, knowing full well that he most porbably won't get an answer.
With a sigh, he downed a few elk and a couple of wild boars and dragged them into the cave for the others to eat before taking a rabbit for himself and going over to eat beside Lynk who, despite having a cable attached to the base of his neck, was lying on his stomach and looking quiet alert.
" You're not going to last long out here, either." He grumbled to the unresponsive wolf before proceeding to rip his rabbit to shreds in frustration.
Dakota sighed as she lay licking the blood from her muzzle and cleaning her paws.
"Do you suppose we can go out today?" She asked as she looked up at the sky for any sign of impending weather change.
"It looks like we might have alright weather today, we should see what the others are doing." Mana said and Gemma nodded in agreement, still gnawing away at a bone.
Tasuki and Kurama had been following the river for over an hour when they came across a horse. He was drinking from the river, neighing softly, almost as if he was whimpering. Tasuki approached him with caution, Kurama behind him for protection.
"Are you ok?" He asked softly, lowering to the ground so not to startle the black stallion.
Kratia walked out into the main camp after having eaten her fill of breakfast. It wasn't hard to spot her cousin considering the giant mess that surrounded both him and the small animal. With a sigh, she looked up into the sky. She knew his frustration well. She felt it every day she woke up in the strange world. But she was a founding member of the Rebels gang and she knew that she had to be strong in times like this... even if it was a little strange. Shaking her head clear of its thoughts, she went over to Zolo.
" When you're done destroying that poor animal, I would like to talk civily to you." she growled, instantly gaining her Zolo's attention.
" What's wrong?" Zolo asked.
" Your frustration is obvious. But it's going to turn you into that poor rabbit of yours. Now to business. Your sister may be out there somewhere as well as you niece and nephews. Are you going to search for them or not?"
" I've done my fair share of searching, Kratia. The last time anyone went on a search, I almost got us all killed because I got Bane angry. I think it would be safer if I... um... supervise Uphere and Demanicus."
" No one in this camp drinks! I'm going to pass a law with Dakota and the girls."
With that, Kratia turned and went back into the Rebels cave to see what Sarabi, Ritara and Ebony thought of her newly made law. She planned to visit Dakota on the matter soon after.
Kaygis leapt onto a sturdy looking ledge. He was on one of the more ragged looking mountains in the range and he feared that some kind of evil was hidden within the more ragged areas of the mountain range. What he didn't expect to find was his son; intact, healthy and, above all, with a demonic gleam in his eyes.
" Hello, Dad." the smaller black jaguar said, refusing to take his eyes off his father's.
" Shadow. What are you doing up here? You could get yourself killed. Come on. I'm taking you back to camp." Kaygis replied, taking a step towards his son.
" Oh, I'm not going. I'm here to stop you, actually."
" Stop me? What are you talking about, Shadow?"
" You're getting too close, Dad. Sorry."
With that, Shadow raised himself onto his hind legs for maximum strength before slamming his front paws into the ground. Deep purple flames rose from the bare rock below the two animals, racing themselves as they travelled the ledge to where Kaygis stood. Kaygis had no time to react. In no time at all, the flames had reached him and flung him off the mountain. The last thing he saw as every bone in his body was shattered by the mountain was his son watching his death. The only thing he felt was numbness spreading through his entire body as he slowly began to disintegrate and his life was ended. So it was that he didn't realise that he had been teleported back to camp or that Iora was shrieking as if she herself had been victim to his pain.
"Hey, I wonder if all of our family and friends are here, how do we know its not just a selective few and that we haven't already found everyone. You know it could be a possibly that they are all back home sleeping. I think that..." Gemma smiled as Mana continued to babble.
She immediately looked down at Dakota when her older sister's head hit the floor as if she had been knocked unconscious. Startled she leapt to her feet and hastily looked around that was when she noticed Kaygis' still form appear not to far from them.
"Ebony!" She yelped as she ran over to the male, hoping he was ok.
Vox's ears twitched as he heard paw-steps approaching him from the left. He glanced up to see a male 9-tailed kitsune and a kit watching him with worry. He didn't have the ability of speech but in place of this he had the ability to telepathically communicate.
*I am fine kitsune, just a little lost and am unsure where my Alpha is.* She thought to Tasuki and the kitsune jumped startled before he smiled up at the black stallion.
"So your searching for your family?" Tasuki asked and Vox nodded in confirmation. "By any chance is your Alpha's name Dakota?"
Vox's eyes widened and he looked at the kitsune suspiciously.
*How do you know?* He snorted glaring at the smaller being.
Tasuki lowered slightly and backed up.
"Alpha accepted me into the pack about three days ago. I would take you to her but I will not return there. I apologize." Tasuki explained looking away from the horse.
Vox watched how Tasuki had moved and listened to his words with his tuned hearing. *Nothing but the truth huh?* He neighed lightly. *I'm glad Alpha is safe, that's good enough for me. If it is alright with you, I wish to stick with you and your kit. I owe my life to Alpha and you are part of her family now, which makes it my responsibility to keep you and your kit safe.*
Tasuki smiled lightly at that and used his tails to usher Kurama out from behind him and towards Vox. Kurama's body shook as he looked up at the beast, he stood lower then Vox's knee-cap and felt as if the horse could trample him with just one of his hooves.
"H-H-Hello..." He stuttered and Vox smiled.
*No need to be afraid young one.* Vox then picked the kit up with his blunt teeth and placed him on his back. *You can ride up here while we move.* His tail flicked back and forth at the kit's apparent joy at a free ride. Kurama had the biggest grin Tasuki had seen in a while and he smiled aswell.
"Are you right to move, or are you still drinking?" Tasuki asked and a nod from the horse told him they were leaving.
With that said Tasuki and Vox trotted off, side by side.
All of a sudden, fear gripped at Ebony. The second she heard Gemma's call, she was out of the cave like a bullet. Kratia, who had been explaining her idea for a law between the two groups, instantly fell silent as the entire cave watched the black jaguar leap at the sound of Gemma's voice. Outside the cave, Demanicus and Uphere had somehow managed to keep their sister's cries to tear filled sobs. But nothing could prepare any of the Rebels for what was to come.
" Kaygis!" Ebony called, rushing to her husband's side.
In an instant, the rest of the Rebels were at the front of the cave. But the instant Ebony reached Kaygis' side and noticed his dull eyes, she could not stop her tears from streaming down her face.
" Kaygis, come on. Don't do this to me. Please. Jeg trenger deg." She pleaded, licking at his face. Slowly, she turned to Gemma. " Could you..."
Gemma had sat back watching sadly as Ebony pleaded with the still body of her husband. She could tell it was bad from the site of him, but didn't know the extent. When Ebony spoke to her she nodded silently. She passed a saddened look back to her older sisters and sighed when she saw Mana cradling Dakota against herself. She moved beside Ebony and looked down at Kaygis' still form. With a light sigh she sniffed his neck and was relieved to find a very faint heartbeat, she nuzzled his chin lightly before realisation hit her and she pulled back with a yelp.
"What? How is that possible, how is he still alive!" She asked extremely confused.
“ He... he's alive?” Ebony whispered, not sure if she had heard the wolf correctly.
Instantly her tears stopped falling, but she flinched at the sound of bones snapping back into place. Worried that something else was happening to Kaygis, she turned to his reforming body. That was when she noticed his chest puff out like a balloon as his rib cage rebuilt itself. But the thing that got her tears rolling down her face once more was when she heard Kaygis take a deep breath and saw his eyes slowly regain their shine.
“ Kaygis.” She sighed, continuing her licking of his face though at a slower pace.
“ E-Ebony?” Kaygis tried to say before his still reforming body protested to his attempts.
“ Sh, I'm here.” The black jaguaress, however, was having difficulties speaking herself; her tears constricting her throat.
“ H-h-how? W-what...”
"How is it that you have healed?" Gemma asked confused, a quick glance behind her told her that he was going to be fine, Dakota was on her feet, sitting beside Mana and looking over at them. "You should be near-death. If not dead." Gemma whispered as she looked back at the pair.
"Speaking of which, how did this happen Kaygis." Dakota asked as her and Mana limped over. "Such a fast recovery couldn't even be done by Gemma. Broken bones haven't healed so fast here before." She said, speaking her thoughts out loud. "Could it be the fact that you basically died? Which brings the question. Can we actually die here?" She looked at the others to see their thoughts on the subject.
"It's quiet rocky up here my friend, be careful!" Tasuki called down to Vox as he leapt from rock to rock, the further into the mountains they went the rockier it got. He looked ahead of himself and was faced with more steep rocky hills. "I guess its up from here on out." He thought as he looked back to check on his kit and pack mate. Vox used his powerful legs to pull himself up the last rock and stood beside Tasuki.
*We should rest on the next expanse of flat ground.* He thought and Tasuki nodded, before the both of them took off up the rocks again.
" I-I... I d-don't..." Before Kaygis could finish his sentence, his eyes rolled into the back of his head as an unconscious sleep took hold.
Ebony gently placed his head on her paws as she cooed " Shh. Everything's going to be okay. Just rest."
Iora lifted her head from where she lay, in the final stages of calming down. " He was dead. I could feel it." She whispered, her tears falling silently down her cheeks. " This place isn't like any other that I've experienced- been to or otherwise. I don't think we could die here, even if we wanted to."
Shadow watched the horse and kitsunes below him, thinking back on the past few hours. " What have I done?" He muttered to the wind as the image of his father's falling body made itself prominent in his mind once more.
" What you had to, lad." A thick scottish accented voice replied from above him. With a flurry of wings, a slightly more controlled red and black giant bald eagle landed next to the black jaguar. " We are not ready to return."
" But Uncle Reece... I killed my own father."
" You know just as well as I do that this place is not a natural world. You did not kill your father. The blue hatchling's mind made sure of that. Julien's mind also made sure that he returned as safely as possible to the camp. Now come. We need to get those three away from here. The dragons are not yet ready to be woken up."
" When can we go home?"
" When the groups have found everyone that is here other than the dragons. Then the four of us can return to our respective families and lead them to the dragons. Now let's head back to Valkyre and Danielle and report. They may be wondering where we are by now. And we cannot communicate with other members of their group while we're doing this job."
With that, and a nod from the boy, Reece took to the skies as Shadow disappeared into his namesake.
Dakota nodded in understanding, knowing that the panther had to rest. She then limped sleepily back towards the cave with Gemma's at her side helping her stand.
"We will have to have a camp meeting to discuss what has happened tonight when Kaygis and Dakota are up for it. So at sundown, we will all gather here." With that said Mana followed Gemma and Dakota into the Eternally Bound cave.
Tasuki huffed as his tongue lolled out the side of his mouth.
"I don't think there is anyone out this way Vox." He called back to the stallion who was a few ledges below. "But over the next rock is a place where we can rest." He then leapt up the last few meters and settled himself on the flat surface.
Vox quickly climbed the rest of the way, careful of Kurama who was sleeping on his back. When he reached the older kitsune he lay down, to catch his breath. *Tasuki, we must be careful, I sense danger near us.* He thought as he breathed deep to regain his breath.
"We only have a few more rises till we reach the top. We will explore once we get up there and if we find nothing we will leave. Only a couple more days." The kitsune explained as he lapped up water that he had summoned in a small bowl before him Vox had explained about the worlds power to him. When they were both rested and had drunk their fill, they set off again.
As the sun began to set, Lynk woke with a purr of his system rebooting. Looking around, he noticed that everyone (including the Eternally Bound group) was sitting around a newly made campfire. Even Demanicus and Uphere were curled around the campfire, acting like a living wall around the combined groups. Slowly he got up and began walking towards the gathering. He didn't even notice when the cable that was attached to his neck detached itself. What he did notice, however, was that Kaygis was now with them.
“ What's going on?” He asked the nearest member of the Rebels.
“ Mana's called a group meeting. You woke up just in time.” Bosko replied as the cyborg took his place behind him in his brother's absence.
“ So... we're all here. To be honest, I didn't think Lynk would wake up in time. But it looks like even he can sense when things are happening while he is in... suspension. But enough about that. What's wrong? Why has this meeting been called, Mana?” Choby said, starting the meeting.
Mana nodded to acknowledge Lynk as he joined the group. She sat before the new fire with Gemma, Tsume and Aden on her left, and Dakota and Bane on her right. The rest of the pack were mixed amongst the Rebels gang."I've called this meeting for a few reasons. The first being that I believe, we need to communicate more, I understand we are still strangers to each other but we will need to work together to get out of here. From now on we will eat together and discuss what we will be doing for the day, no more putting off what needs to be done. For now we will discuss this world. So far, we have found out that you can manifest things from your past, either being living or otherwise. After an extensive talk with Gemma, she explained to me that Kaygis, actually did die, however this world revived him. We also believe that it is only our groups here. The problem with this is we don't know if we have already found everyone who is actually here or if there is still every other member of our families out there. This we will only know by continuing the searches. Now is there anyone who has something to say about my words, or who has something they want to bring up?" Mana spoke and she looked around the group waiting for someone to respond.
A light-coated Belgian Malinois stood, balancing on one of the spikes that protected the dragons below.
"This sucks." She muttered as she watched her friend and the two kitsunes below. They were getting closer, she could smell that they were only afew mountain tops away.
Wind rushed by her as a red-wheaten Rhodesian Ridgeback landed on the spike beside her.
"Are they still there Danielle?" She asked and the Malinois nodded.
"We will have to stop them soon. How are the dragons Valkyre?" Danielle asked looking over at her friend.
The vampire nodded before looking down over the mountain range. "They are fine... Come on we should go turn them away."
Danielle nodded and both dogs leapt down into the hills and made their way down to the two who were slowly approaching.
Vox looked behind him and laughed lightly when a tired Tasuki tripped on one of the smaller peaks and went head first into the ground. *Watch your step.* He teased and he got a glare from the Kitsune as he righted himself. They had been moving for most of the day. After the first couple hours of getting what seemed like nowhere, they decided to go on for longer. Now the sun was lowering behind the mountains and it would be dark soon. Tasuki climbed up beside his new friend and the horse smiled lightly.
"It's going to be dark soon, we should find a place to rest." He said and they both shared a nod before climbing higher to find a flat surface.
Vox froze mid rock and whipped his head around. *Someones here.* He told Tasuki before balancing himself and getting a better look around. The kitsune stopped also, surveying the area for any danger.
"Hello boys." A female voice echoed around them and Kurama stirred slightly.
Tasuki jumped up on a rock beside Vox so he was level height with the horses back a and he cooed to the kit to try and get him to go back to sleep. Just as the Kurama fell asleep again Danielle and Valkyre dropped down in front of the three of them.
*Valkyre, Danielle!* Vox neighed happily, his thoughts projecting to all three of the canines.
"Evening Vox, Kitsune." Danielle greeted, bowing before their visitors.
"I'm sorry but we must request you leave the mountain range cam daybreak." Valkyre said eyeing Tasuki with a sheltered look.
*Sister, may I ask why?*' Vox asked directing his question at Valkyre.
"That is not important. We know that the kitsune is now apart of our pack and that he knows the way back to the camp where some of our group have gathered with the others. I will give you one hint though, you will find other family and friends west from the camp towards the river, in amongs the trees." Valkyre explained and she turned to leave.
"You may rest here for the night, come daybreak, if you are not gone. You will be forced to leave." Danielle said, and with a flick of her tail both the Belgian Malinois and Rhodesian Ridgeback were gone.
Vox looked down at Tasuki and they both shared a confused look before Vox settled down to eat, Tasuki catching 2 small rabbits for him and Kurama, who had just awoken and Vox manifesting his own dinner. Tasuki created a barrier to protect them and the three soon entered the world of dreams.
Choby and Raimundo looked around at the gathered Rebels (both choosing to ignore a now sleeping Uphere), before returning to look at Mana. From what they could gather, there was no questions hanging over the Rebels.
" I can't believe he actually killed me." They heard Kaygis mutter under his breath at the mention of his own death. Ebony ran her head under his chin in comfort, but they knew that she was still traumatised by the news.
Finally, Raimundo spoke. " Looks like there's no questions. What about with you-"
" Wait!" Kratia spoke up, gaining Raimundo's confused attention. " I was discussing this with Ritara, Sarabi and Ebony earlier and was going to discuss it with Dakota if certain events hadn't occured, but I was thinking that we should pass a law or something concerning drinking habits. Zolo hinted at it this morning and it's quiet obvious when dragons begin drinking. I say 'no drink'. What do you say?"
Her proposal, which she had guessed, caused the Rebels men to squirm uncomfortably in their places. Zolo, actually curled up and tried to pretend that he wasn't there.
" You crazy, woman? Some of us actually need the stuff." Bosko protested.
"I agree," Dakota responded and her pack nodded in acceptance of her Decision. "We need to keep level head's whilst here as danger could be just about anywhere. We have no room for drunkenness and hangovers."
"Sorry boys," Mana called out. "But I agree with Dakota's point, We can't afford to slip up, even if we are unable to pass away, it will still leave us vulnerable and we really don't know much about the no-death theory to test it in by being stupid."
" Then it's official." Ritara stated, Sarabi nodding her approval. " Kratia's law 'No Drink' is in place starting from this moment on. Sorry, Bosko, but it looks like you're going to have to go cold turkey."
Bosko merely mumbled under his breath until Kratia whispered something in his ear and he fell silent. Raimundo, one of the only boys who didn't mind one bit about the law, looked around.
" Anything else that would like to be added?" He asked no one in particular.
"I believe we have nothing more to add." Gemma said as she looked down at a drowsy Aden leaning against her leg. "So if you will excuse me, someone is tired." She smiled as she picked up the pup and trotted into their cave, "Good night guys." Dakota called as she, Mana, Bane, Tsume, Zander, Akira, Skype, Krystal, Lelani, Charmed, Jordon and Phoenix. Both Bloodshot and Snowdrift curled up in the cave entrance once everyone was inside.
" Goodnight, guys." Raimundo replied with a nod of his head and his thoughts running a mile a minute.
The Rebels, including Iora, then followed Gemma's lead and returned to their cave. Demanicus, however, watched them go before shaking his brother awake.
" Go away, Demanicus." Uphere growled sleepily.
" Not now. I need to talk to you." Demanicus whispered in his ear.
" What?"
" firstly, no more partying. Kratia's made a law against it and everyone's agreed."
" Great. Can I go back to sleep now."
" No. I was thinking..."
With that, the black dragon resorted to the dragon language and whispered his plan to his brother; making sure that no one would over hear them. Once the plans were made, and Uphere was wide awake, the two set off into the forest looking for what they needed to complete their self appointed task.
Snowdrift and Bloodshot watched the other two dragons suspiciously. They looked at eachother before rising from their spots as guards of the den. They both took off into the sky, high enough that the other dragons wouldn't notice them. They followed them silently.
"What do you think they are doing?" Snowdrift asked and Bloodshot shook his head.
"Not sure, but I don't completely trust them."
Uphere twitched his tail slightly before looking around, effectively making it so that he could check the skies without it being noticable.
" We're being followed, brother." He whispered.
" Of course we are." Demanicus replied, not really caring. Instead he turned his gaze from the distant mountains to the red dragon beside him. " Seeing as you're the 'builder' and I'm the 'contractor', do you think a small mountain top would help us?"
" Demanicus. I'm pretty sure they would notice a mountain suddenly next to them, wouldn't you?"
" Personally, I think they would notice everything about this."
" Then why did you..."
" You know why."
" Fine. We use rocks and boulders. Not mountains. You head down south while I stay and grab the wood."
" Deal."
With that, the black dragon took to the skies and headed off to the mountains; his scales making him practically invisible in the night.
"Look's like they are more experienced then I thought brother." Snowdrift told Bloodshot as he listened to their whispered words. "You follow the black one." Bloodshot nodded and took off after the other dragon, easily matching his speed.
"May I ask what it is you are doing?" He asked the black dragon, being as direct as ever.
Snowdrift watched his brother go and dropped to the ground. Landing lightly beside the red dragon.
"Good evening." He greeted instead of jumping straight to the point like he knew his brother would, he's suspicious not rude.
" I'm... working. And I suggest either helping me move rocks or going home and letting me do the heavy work." Demanicus replied, flicking his tail slightly in annoyance. If he'd have thought the younger dragons were ready for this kind of work, he would have asked for it before he and Uphere left. He didn't expect them to follow.
" Hello to you, little one. Why are you out this far from the camp?" Uphere asked, deciding to play to the chick's mind and ignore anything to do with the past conversation with his brother. While he spoke, he marked a particularly large tree with his tail and moved on to choose the next tree a short distance from the first.
Bloodshot nodded to the black dragon before picking a boulder two-thirds his size and securing it with his paws and tail, before he took to the sky, flying back towards camp.
"I would appreciate not being referred to as little one. Whilst my body is still young, I have the wisdom of a two-thousand four-hundred year old European dragon. Do not decide anything about me, by the size of my body." Snowdrift spoke lightly, before he glanced at the line the older had made. "I see your looking to combine the dens." He said, he knew all along what they were doing but he decided to let his brother guess, or be told by the black dragon. "Is there anything I can do to help."
" Not bad. Not bad at all." Demanicus muttered to himself before taking a third of the mountain top he had landed on with him back to camp. Needless to say he was quiet comfortable with the weight of the boulder that was twice the size of his own body.
" My deepest apologies, Elder. I had no idea. The combining of the dens was my brother's idea. And I would be most honoured if you would help me gather large enough trees to rebuild and reinforce the wall and roof structures of the caves." Uphere said with the utmost respect, bowing so low to the ground he was practically sinking into it.
Bloodshot grumbled under his breath as he landed at the entrance of camp. He waited for the other dragon and noticed the size of the boulder he was carrying. He then looked down at his own and back to the black dragon.
"I suppose the boulders need to be bigger then the one I carried?" He asked, the boulder he had carried here was light, he could go much heavier. He just wasn't sure how big they needed to be.
"There is no need to bow friend. My brother and I merely wished to know what your intentions were." Snowdrift said as he looked up at the mark the older dragon had made with his tail. "I will gladly help, if it means my family will have better shelter. I am aware Mana wishes to become more acquainted with your family." He stood up on his hind legs and used his claw to mark another tree at a similar height.
" Hmm." Demanicus said slowly, almost to himself, as he placed down his boulder and compared the rocks to the caves. " I think... maybe another two or three trips. With the size of these rocks." He then turned to the smaller dragon. " Ready for another round?"
" That is the reason behind this project, Elder." Uphere said, returning to his feet.
He then moved to the first tree he marked and sliced his tail through the trunk just above the roots. Once he was done, he dug up the remaining stump as well, thinking that he could also use them in the construction of the new, larger cave. If not, then they could be used as nest boxes for the young and the mothers with young. That was also where the leaves of the trees came into play. He even made sure to gather all the moss and vines he could find. His work continued like that for quite a few hours; marking and logging trees.
Bloodshot nodded in understanding, "Yeah." He replied before beating his wings down and taking off back towards the mountains where they had retrieved the first two boulders. He found one of similar size to the one Demanicus had taken and wrapped his tail around it, before digging his claws in and lifting it into the air, It was quiet heavy but his stubborn nature wouldn't allow him to put the boulder back down. With a few hard flaps, he was high enough that he could glide most of the way back to camp.
"Alright." Snowdrift replied as he went about the same work as Uphere, his young side begun to get board and he spaced out here and there but otherwise kept working beside the older dragon.
As stubborn as a mule Demanicus thought to himself as he watched the smaller dragon struggle with the boulder he was carrying. I guess it has something to do with the scale colour. Uphere's the same.
Nevertheless, for fear of the smaller dragon being unable to lift anything bigger than what he already was carrying, He took another boulder the same weight as the last and carried it back to camp.
As soon as Uphere thought that they had enough trees, he sat down and tried to figure out how he was going to get everything back to camp. Combined, the two had about six hundred felled trees and that included stumps, moss and vines. If anything, there was more than enough there to make two layers of wall and roof. In fact, he was thinking so hard that he didn't notice the massive pile of rope that was getting tangled in with his swinging tail. As soon as he noticed it, however, he began tying two piles of three hundred logs to his tail and tried to walk back to camp with them. He didn't get very far before he fell flat on his face, though. Unfortunately, that only made him try harder.
Bloodshot glided the last few meters into camp and landed heavily beside his last boulder. He breathed a small sigh of relief as he waited for Demanicus to land beside him.
Snowdrift watched as Uphere tied the logs with rope and couldn't help but laugh slightly when the dragon face-planted in the dirt. He walked over and tugged one of the ropes loose from the older dragons tail and tied it to his own, He then tugged it behind him as he started towards camp.
" Maybe you should try a slightly smaller sized rock. How's that sound?" Demanicus offered as he landed with his second boulder and getting ready to fly off again.
Uphere glared at the smaller white dragon as he passed before getting up and shaking himself free of unwanted dirt. He then followed the white dragon back to camp, picking up moss and vines as he went.
"I am fine carrying my own weight, I offered to help, If this is the size we need, then I'll carry another. Do you think we will need any more?" He asked as he spread his wings to stretch the slightly sore muscles.
Snowdrift smiled as he tugged the logs into camp. He stopped beside the last boulder his brother had carried and detached the rope from his tail.
"If you need more boulders, I am also capable of helping." Snowdrift said to Demanicus and Bloodshot huffed.
"Always stealing my jobs." He muttered under his breath.
" Sorry, kid. I'm only trying to make it so that you don't hurt yourself. Uphere and I both know what its like to pull a wing muscle and end up falling out of the sky. It's not fun." Demanicus said with slight concern in his voice.
Uphere, who was just coming in from the surrounding forest, flexed his wings at the memory. But his brother's words bugged him slightly. " Mani, they are Elders. You know just as well as I do that you can't talk that way to Elders." He hissed under his breath.
" They don't look like Elders."
" Their minds are thousands of years old. They are Elders. Therefore you must not disrespect Elders."
" There's something wrong with you... again. How can an Elder look so young?"
" For all we know, they may have found a way to make themselves look young. Or this world could have made them young. Now, I can't believe I am saying this, but you must show respect."
" I can't believe you just said that either." Demanicus said, eyeing his younger brother warily. " Let's just grab some more mountain and get back here so we can rest and begin work in the morning. Preferrably to what our weights can carry."
Bloodshot growled at the black dragon, offended but he was stopped by Snowdrift.
"It is ok brother, if he chooses not to believe our words, we have no right to enforce them. After all our bodys are quiet young." He said lightly and Bloodshot just glared off to the left. He hated being called young, if not more so then his brother.
"If you believe it or not Demanicus, we will not force you. Believe what you want, but remember. We may still be small, but we have more knowledge then the two of you combined." With that said Snowdrift took off towards the mountains with Bloodshot close behind.
" No offense Elders, but between our sister and our father, we know a fair bit ourselves. Maybe not as ancient, but we know a fair bit." Uphere said, still slightly riled up by his brother.
" Yeah. Tell Iora that you've got more knowledge than her and she'll be... what's the word? Angry?" Demanicus added.
" Angry is an understatement. Get her mad and you'll know it for the next century."
" Okay, enough talk. We've got work to do. And if you two are Elders, that gives me even more cause for concern."
With that, Demanicus dashed into the night sky as fast as he could.
Snowdrift heard the words and laughed slightly, he had already figured that Iora was easily angered and that's why he had warned his brother to keep his distance from her. They may be ancient, but both knew not to mess with an angry she-dragon, besides they would never question her knowledge to their own. Their mother had always said to respect a female over everything else, and they both greatly respected her words.
Snowdrift landed lightly on a boulder the size of the one his brother had just carried and steadily lifted it into the air. With a glare from the white dragon, Bloodshot lifted a smaller boulder and flew up to his brother.
"Do not push yourself too hard brother." Snowdrift said and Bloodshot nodded before they made their way back to camp.
As soon as he had reached the mountains, Demanicus picked up another boulder the same size as the last two that he had carried. On his way back to the camp, he noticed that Uphere was carrying a rock three times the size of himself. And it was cclear in the red dargon's eyes that he was only just starting to struggle with the weight. In other words, he had gone to his weight limit.
" Show off." The black dragon mumbled.
When he touched down at camp, he decided on one more thing. " Okay, guys. Let's get some rest and then we can work on the renovation in the morning."
Uphere touched down and nodded his agreement.
Both Snowdrift and Bloodshot both nodded to their elders words and they headed back over to their cave before curling up at the entrance and going to sleep.
Tasuki yawned as he stretched, not even fazed when his paws entered their campfire, claws digging into the burnt wood. He yawned deeply before standing up and shaking.
"Vox, Kurama." He called to his two sleeping companions and the older of the two woke up.
*What is it Tasuki?* Vox asked as he got to his feet, careful of a still sleeping Kurama who had curled up beside him.*Daybreak right.* Tasuki nodded as he trampled out the fire and picked his kit up. He stood on his back legs, leaning his front paws against Vox's side as he placed a still snoozing Kurama on the horses back.
"We should get going..." He suggested as he dropped back to his paws and turned back the way they had came.
*So we head west into the forest on the camp's side of the river?* Vox asked and Tasuki nodded before they started to descend the mountain range.
Valkyre and Danielle stood not far from them, watching as the left.
"I'm glad brother left willingly." Valkyre said with a sigh and Danielle nodded in agreeance.
Snowdrift awoke with a yawn and flicked his tail at his brother to wake the red dragon. Bloodshot got up and stretched before taking to the air to give his wings some relief after having them against his body all night. Snowdrift followed him into the air and they danced about in the sky above the camp.
Demanicus woke to the sound of wings beating against the air and noticed the smaller dragons dancing above the camp. With a smile, he turned to his brother. Uphere was still asleep with his front paws in the air and his head upside down on the ground. And by the sounds of it, he was having a common nightmare.
" Akira. Stop it. I'm not an ice dragon like you. I'll freeze." the red dragon mumbled in his sleep before turning over.
" Uphere, wake up." the black dragon cooed softly. " It's just a dream. I have a feeling Akira's still at home."
Slowly, Uphere woke. But it wasn't until after he downed an entire cow that his mind decided that he was alright to wake up. Once he was ready, though, he and his brother began to work out how they were going to rebuild the cave. Demanicus thought of a really long tape measure and began working on the measurements while Uphere scratched it into one of the few hundred stumps that he and Snowdrift had collected the night before. In no time at all, the two larger dragons were stripping the trees of their branches and making the first wall of logs.
"Demanicus and Uphere have awoken." Snowdrift stated as his wing glided lightly over his brother's as they crossed paths in the sky.
"Shall we land and help them with the combining of our two caves?" Bloodshot asked and his answer was Snowdrift diving out of the sky.
The white dragon landed lightly beside the other two with Bloodshot at his side.
"Is there something my brother and I can do to help construction along?" Snowdrift asked as his tail twitched in excitement at being useful.
Demanicus stopped work for a split second to look at the smaller dragons, causing Uphere to make a mad dash as some of the logs that the two were tying together began rolling away. " Sorry, Uphi." the black dragon sighed before replying to the white dragon. " If you want, you two could help Uphere with making the walls while I go make sure that we've got the right dimentions for the wall and roof."
" If I find out we need more vines," Uphere grumbled as he tried to reinforce the logs that his brother had let roll. " You're going to be the one to find them."
" Why me?"
" Because it would be your fault."
" But you were the one to get the vines in the first place."
" That doesn't matter. You would have been the one to break them. Not me."
Despite himself Snowdrift chuckled at Uphere's words, before he moved over and helped the red dragon steady the logs, making it easier for him to tie them together.
"I will return soon..." Bloodshot grunted as he eyed Demanicus, still unsure of the black dragon.
He then beat down his wings and took off out of the camp, he allowed himself to drift down towards the soft grass among the small forest that lined the right side of their camp. He took a quick drink from the small stream before he set to work collecting some more vines. 'Best to have to many then not enough.'
With a shake of his head, Demanicus headed back to the caves to make sure that he had the right dimensions. It was only then that he remembered Kaygis telling him that 'in order for a building to be stable, the foundations had to be set into the ground' and he growled in annoyance with himself at having forgotten that 'minor' detail. So, with a couple of wing strokes to try and calm himself down, he began adding the extra few metres the walls would have to go to the calculations he had already gathered, altering things here and there to accomidate the situation. Once he was satisfied, he returned and explained what had happened to Uphere and Snowdrift.
" What!" Uphere roared, loud enough to wake the entire forest.
" Will you quiet down?" Demanicus hissed before continuing. " I miscalculated. The walls need to be deeper otherwise they're not going to stay where we want them to. And because of that, we're going to need more logs to the tops of the walls so that they reach the desired height. We're also going to need to add three layers of logs to the roof as the base."
" Why did I trust you with the dimentions?"
" Because you were still half asleep."
" That's the thing! We're not going to have enough of anything!"
" Look around, Uphere. We have an entire forest. We have an entire mountain range. We had a nearby lake that can supply mud. We have our strength and our breaths. We even have the ability to make our imagination come to life. We have everything we need."
" But we don't have Reece. He could have done the change with one word. We're going to take days!" Uphere growled, tying a knot a little too tightly and snapping it in frustration.
Demanicus sighed, knowing his brother was right. But still he spoke. " Just calm down, Uphere. We'll get through this. Five dragons plus vampires plus everyone else. We can do this."
Snowdrift stood back slightly keeping out of the two brothers way till the vine snapped.
"Perhaps I can be of assistance with this problem." He said as he dripped some of his saliva onto the snapped vine he then blew on it and the liquid froze up, turning to solid metal and holding the vine together, successfully securing the logs that had fallen when the vine broke.
"Maybe steel would work better then mud? That way we won't have to keep travelling to the river."
Tasuki trotted ahead of Vox, quickly and quietly. Vox watched him from the few meters distance between them.'There's something wrong with him.' He thought to himself, shielding his thoughts from the kitsune. Ever since they had set off down the mountain, Tasuki had been distancing himself and rarely talking. 'Perhaps I have done something to annoy him. The black horse shook his purple mane in confusion. 'What have I done?'
Tasuki twitched as his paws entered the stream. He could see the plains before them and the Valley far off.
"We must hurry." He called back, picking up the pace. "I sense the danger from the Valley, we best go around it."
Vox nodded in understanding and watched sadly as the kitsune altered his course and kept the distance between them.
The larger dragons watched the vine fuse together and turn into metal before turning to look at Snowdrift. Their faces were identical; not believing what they had just seen. But they were quickly reminded of slightly weirder incidents. While they were in training, they had visited a school for dodos as well as witnessed a 'rising of the dead' ceremony which literally had the dead rising from the grave. Demanicus even had a girlfriend who was a thylacine and Uphere was best friends with a saber-tooth cat, a triceratops, a t-rex, an andrewsarchus and a wooly mammoth.
" Looks like we have a way to hold the pieces together." Uphere said, still in shock.
Demanicus was the first to recover completely. " We still need cement! We can't just 'milk' Snowdrift of his saliva! Everyone will get mad!"
Snowdrift laughed lightly at the two dragon's shocked expressions and at Demanicus' words.
"You have nothing to worry about, I am quiet capable of releasing the amount of steel we will need to create the structure. Alpha will have no problem." He said with full confidence before looking down at the floor with a frown. "Mother on the other hand..."
Bloodshot looked at the pile of vines he had collected and looked around at the trees. 'Perhaps some more moss, branches and leaves aswell.' With that thought he used his tail to knock down another tree and began collecting again.
Halfway across the field now, Tasuki could just see the edge of the valley off to his left. With great speed he sprinted forward, ducking into the cover of trees. He stopped and waited for the sounds of Hooves before he started walking again.
Vox snorted as he galloped across the remaining plains to catch up to the kitsune 'Has he forgotten I have his kit?'
Demanicus glared at Snowdrift, his red eyes gleaming dangerously in the morning light. " We still need cement." He repeated, before heading back to the caves and beginning work on the trench that the new walls would sit in.
Uphere heaved a sigh. " Forgive him, Elder. He can be quite determined at times."
Snowdrift lowered slightly under the black dragons glare, shifting his wings closer to his body.
"Alright." He said calmly, not wishing to anger the other. With Demanicus' presence at a safe distance Snowdrift regained his posture and smiled at Uphere's words. "It is ok, I do not expect any special treatment, even If we are older in spirit, our bodies are still young and I have no doubt Demanicus could defeat my brothers or I in a fair fight." Realising his words, Snowdrift looked to the ground saddened. 'I wish we were still out looking for Zanzabar...' He sighed lightly.
Vox caught sight of Tasuki's tails and slowed down, noticing the kitsune had returned to a light trot. He glanced over his shoulder at a still sleeping Kurama and smiled. He froze as a familiar presence entered his mind. *Tasuki! I sense Bloodshot!* He called out, quickening to catch the kitsune before he got too close to the dragon.
Tasuki flicked his tails at the demon horses words. He was well aware of who was on the other side of the bushes he stood before. He waited for Vox to catch him before stepping out, clear into the red dragons view.
Bloodshot looked up as he heard rustling, his eyes widened slightly at the sight of Tasuki and he dropped the log he was working on when Vox also emerged.
"Vox, Tasuki." He called in shock but Tasuki just continued to look back at Vox.
*I thought you did not wish to approach another, you said...* Vox was very confused and if the kitsune's lowered tails and drooped ears weren't an indication that something was wrong, the sad look in his eyes spoke wonders.
Tasuki looked back to Bloodshot and smiled lightly.
"Found him by the river, figured you guys would want him back." Bloodshot could see right through his happy façade and frowned.
"Why did you leave in the first place?" He asked, he could tell it hurt the fox to be in his presence. "Mana, really misses you..." Tasuki sighed, he knew she would be brought up.
"She's better off without me." She whispered as he walked over to Vox, he stood up against the horses side and went to grab his kit, but slipped when the Vox stepped aside.
*What are you doing* He snorted glaring at the fox.
"Grabbing my kit, that way you can return to your family and we can be on our way." Tasuki said confused.
*Didn't I say I would stay with you. Stubborn fox, we have a goal. Now we should keep going.* He moved passed the stunned fox and over to the confused dragon. *Bloodshot, please tell Alpha, Tasuki, Kurama and I are fine. We are scouting this side of the forest for members of our family. We were informed that they may be this way.* He then trotted on after Bloodshot nodded sadly. *Hurry up nine-tails!* Tasuki jolted as the shout entered his mind and he sprinted to catch up to his friend. Bloodshot watched them disappear deeper into the forest with a slight smile.
"At least they are well."
By mid morning, Demanicus returned to Snowdrift and his brother having completed the trench. The trench, though pointed off at the corners, was a dragon's length away from the back walls of both already existing cave and was two metres deep. He even had a trough full of water near the site (which Snowdrift had helped supply earlier) and had a small cement mixer already mixing the cement that was going to be used to set the walls into the ground.
" Is that large wall ready?" He asked as he watched Snowdrift and Uphere working on one of the smaller side walls.
"Yes, we have completed the main wall." Snowdrift replied as he continued to go about his business.
Bloodshot landed off to the left of them with a heavy thump, scattered around him were enough vines, moss, branches and leaves to build 2 shelters. Snowdrift looked over at his brother and laughed, Bloodshot had vines tangled around his wings and moss on his head.
"Very smooth landing brother." All the white dragon got was a heated glare from the red one.
Tasuki looked up at the purple tail swishing a couple meters in-front of him, he was still mad at himself for thinking the horse would leave and treating him the way he had. He moved beside him so he could look up at his friend's face.
His ears laid back against his skull, all nine tails dragging in the dirt as he stuttered an apology to his friend. "I-I'm sorry...."
*Do not fret, it is fine* Vox thought and Tasuki looked up at him confused but nodded and the two of them continued on in silence. The two beings froze when they heard voices off to their left, just beyond the thicket they were passing. They quietly looked through and saw 2 full grown male wolves, the first wolf, slightly smaller then the second was orange in colour with black stripes, grey undersides, half a right ear and a scar over his left eye. The second wolf, the taller of the two was red in colour with white undersides, black markings, four metal plates on the bridge of his nose, a scar on his lip and gold eyes.
"I just don't ok." the first male growled out in frustration, heavy paw-prints followed as the male stalked back and forth.
"Well we can't just sit here, we must return to the others. I sense this place isn't safe for those alone." A second male voice, softer then the first spoke.
"And I sense that the black and brown mutt back there can't control his power which could kill us, vampires or not!" Retaliated the first male.
"I believe Kubikuro can contain it, we will not be harmed by him. Now as your Beta I say we go back." The second growled raising his tail to show dominance over the other.
"Fine, but if we get killed its your fault." The first muttered and both wolves set off north.
Vox looked down at Tasuki, *Should we follow them?* Tasuki nodded, and the two of them followed the two wolves quietly on the opposite side of the thicket.
" Okay then." Demanicus nodded before turning to Bloodshot. " Want to get untangled and help me with the wall?"
Black tipped brown ears twitched slightly to the trees behind their owner before returning to their original position. A black tipped tail twitched in response. Only then did Kubikuro roll on to his back and expose his underside, seemingly unaware of the awaiting attack. At that moment, two smaller flashes appeared from the shadows - one was white and blue, the other was brown - only to get thrown back into the trees by the older wolf.
" Come on, you two. I know you can do better than that." Kubikuro laughed, watching as his nephews got to their feet and charged at him again.
Off to the side, Kilier turned to Anjiti. " How long do you think we're going to take this time?"
" Who knows? But after training is over, we are all continuing on our way!" Anjiti replied, making her last sentence louder so that the boys could hear her words clearly.
Hope, who had been having a quick nap while her brothers were training with her uncle, lifted her head at that moment to the sound of all three males groaning. " I still don't understand why Uncle Kubikuro always insists that Seth and Krieg train." She said before a yawn captured her.
" That Asylum fellow sensed that there was something not right with this place, and quite frankly I agree with him." Anjiti replied. " That is why your uncle is training your brothers."
" Don't worry, Hope. You'll get your share of training as well." Kilier added, already planning when her daughter was going to be trained.
At that moment, Kubikuro sat up and turned to face the south. " Our vampires have returned." He informed the others, with a hint of a grin spreading across one side of his face. " And they've brought friends."
Bloodshot kicked the last vine to the side and shook the moss from his body before glaring at the older dragon.
"Blood..." Snowdrift growled at his brother and the red dragon huffed.
"Fine, just tell me what to do."
"So the mutt has great senses." Talus muttered as he and Asylum entered the area where they had been staying with the others.
Hunter looked up from his curled position at the opposite side of the camp, smiling at the two wolves return. Talus ignored him but Asylum bowed in greeting, then the two wolves moved away from the others and sat down.
Tasuki leapt up into a tree to his left just as the others came into view. Vox watched his movement before walking slowly into the open. He scanned the group of canines, relief washing over him as he spotted Hunter.
*Hunter!* He called out happily, projecting his thoughts so all occupants in the area could hear him.
"Vox." The golden wolf with off-white under-patterns and silver eyes called out.
Tasuki watched from the tree as Vox moved over to the wolf. Concern shone in his eyes for his kit but he knew Vox would look after Kurama.
" Hey. I didn't mean to get you worked up." Demanicus said, trying to calm the smaller red dragon himself. " I need your help on getting this wall here to the back of the caves. How are you with mess and muck?"
" Friends of yours?" Hope asked Hunter shyly, well aware of her mother's gaze at her words.
Seth stopped fighting with his uncle and looked at his younger sister, watching her closely. With a sigh, he turned back to the new arrivals. He could sense what was going on with his sister, but he also knew that Hunter was a lot older than the three of them. The golden wolf had to, at least, be around their mother's age. Hope had no chance. And Seth wasn't the only one who saw it.
" Hope. Give up. It's not going to happen." Krieg said, stretching to loosen his tense muscles.
" I can dream, can't I?" the white female barked back.
" We'll talk about this later." Kilier butted in.
" I agree." Kubikuro added. " In the mean time, come down fron there, kitsune! We won't hurt you! Watashi wa inu no meiyo ni kore o iu!"
"I am fine with the dirty work." He mumbled as he flew over to take one side of the wall, waiting for Demanicus to take the other.
Snowdrift shook his head at his brother before continuing his work on the smaller side wall.
Hunter glanced at the white teen and nodded. He had known since meeting the others that the pup had a small crush on him. 'Oh how jealous Charmed would be at hearing that information.' He laughed lightly before nuzzling into black and purple horse.
Tasuki snorted at the dogs words.
"Huh, Inu no meiyo wa watashiniha nani no imi mo nai..." He called down, staying put.
He watched as the horse and wolf conversed and rose slightly when Hunter moved beside Vox.
"Hey there little one." Hunter said as he leaned on Vox's side and lightly nudged the sleeping Kit.
Kurama yawned and shook himself before blinking his eyes open. He yelped lightly at the site of the wolf
"Otōsan!" The kit scrambled out of the wolfs way and perched on Vox's head shaking.
Tasuki was beside his kit in an instant, his light, lean body standing on Vox's back snarling at the wolf. He licked Kurama to try and calm the shaking kit down.
"Its ok Kurama, Papa's here."
Vox smiled slightly at at the kitsune's protective nature. *Tasuki, get off me* The addressed looked down at his friend and leapt off him taking Kurama along. He placed the kit between his legs so he stood protectively over him.
"Sorry about that."
" Alright then." Demanicus said as he took hold of the unattended side. " Let's go build a bigger cave."
With that, he and Bloodshot took to the skies and began work on the structure of the new cave.
" Hey! How long have you made the sides?" Uphere roared over to his brother.
" Use your body!" Demanicus roared back.
" What's that supposed to mean?" Uphere asked Snowdrift, looking confused.
" Inu no meiyo wa nani mo imi shimase? Nan okami no meiyo ni tsuite?" Kubikuro tried again.
Anjiti ignored her husband for the time being and returned her attention to the vampires. " What brings you back here, Asylum, Talus?" she asked, sincerely.
Meanwhile, Hope was fighting both of her brothers for their assumptions and Seth was fighting Krieg for wanting to play with the scared fox kit. In other words, it was just a mess of blue, white and brown fur that Kilier really couldn't be bothered to sort out. She was more interested in the newcomers. But she still kept an eye out on her children.
" Who are your friends, Hunter?" She asked, referring to the horse and foxes.
Bloodshot smiled at the black dragons enthusiasm and got right to work
Snowdrift looked at Uphere with his head tilted. "Perhaps he means the length of your body. Tip to tail, that is how long the sides are."
"Anata no meiyo no yakusoku no umu ni kakawarazu, tonikaku watashi o gaisuru koto ga dekinakattanode, kono nansensu ronsō wa ima teishi shimasu." Tasuki hissed he then turned to glare at Hunter.
Asylum looked back at the female and smirked, a pure white fang sticking over his lip.
"I've told you before, this place is wrong. It's not safe to be alone, even for a couple of vampires." Asylum trotted slowly over to Tasuki, curious about his nine tails.
Tasuki jumped lightly at the others presence but the male's scent calmed him. 'He must be related closely to Alpha Bane.'. An instant calm washed over him and he wasn't bothered at all when Asylum batted at one of his tails. Talus watched his brother in confusion before laughing at his playful actions.
Hunter sat back watching Asylum's actions confused before he glanced over at Anjiti.
"Ahh the horse is Vox, he belongs to Alpha. I don't know who the kitsune and kit are though." He explained smiling lightly.
Vox lowered his head in bow to the female before looking her in the eyes *It is nice to meet you. The kitsune is a new friend of mine, he is friends with Alpha, the kit is his. Their names are Tasuki and Kurama.*
" Maybe." Uphere agreed before positioning himself so that the logs were resting on top of him. " Here. Would this work? Would you be able to tie the logs together without my help?"
Demanicus held the wall in place after he and Bloodshot had placed it in the trench and waited for the trench to fill up with the cement mixure that he had gotten ready earlier. " How's that cement coming along?" He asked the red dragon, unable to see its progress from where he stood.
" The honour is mine, Great Stallion." Anjiti replied, also bowing.
" You're too old for your own good, Anjiti." Kilier mumbled before turning to the others. " Hi all. I'm Kilier. This is my brother-in-law, Kubikuro, and his wife, Anjiti. And these are my children, Seth, Krieg and Hope, who will stop fighthing this instant."
" Yes, Mum." The three younger dogs replied in unison as Anjiti gave her own reply, " I cannot go against what I was taught."
Kubikuro had other things on his mind, though. " As you wish, kitsune. Where are you heading, anyway?"
"That's perfect." Snowdrift said as he gathered some of the vine Bloodshot had returned with.
He then set to work tying the logs together, quickly so the other dragon could move as soon as possible.
"Almost there." He said as he continued to hold his tail against she side of the wall he was on. "There we go, your right to dry your side now." He called out as he blew his own red flame against the cement, setting it in place.
Vox smiled *There is no need for formality's miss, I am but a servant and friend for my Alpha, nothing more.*
Tasuki twitched slightly as Asylum bit his third tail, but continued to twitch them around, amused by the vampires fascination with them. Talus seeing his brother at ease, also moved over so he sat on Tasuki's opposite, he lay down and nuzzled into Kurama who pawed at his nose.
Tasuki smiled lightly, lifting his leg and nudging his kit towards the older wolf before he looked back at Kubikuro. His earlier anger completely gone.
"On a snowy night, I took shelter in the camp-site not too far from here. Both Alpha Dakota's family and forgive me if I've forgotten her name..." He closed his eyes as if trying to remember, before opening them again. "Ebony, the panther and her family are residing there. Alpha took me into their pack and I stayed a couple nights, But was uncomfortable and left. From there I have been looking for members from each group, hoping to help them even if I'm not there. I found Vox by the river, then after a short trip to the mountains we came here and found you guys." He explained before he looked down at Kurama and a very at ease Talus. "I wish for you to take my kit back to the den, he will lead you the way. I must continue searching, if there are any more of your family out here I will find them."
" On it." Demanicus said before shooting a jet of flame himself. Instantly the cement dried and the black dragon was able to move. That was when Iora poked her head out from around the Rebels' Cave.
" What are you two doing?" She asked.
" Building. What's it look like?" Demanicus replied before getting an idea. " Hey, do you want to help?"
" What's in it for me?"
" Umm... a bigger cave? We're trying to get it finished by the time night falls."
" Fine. What do you want me to do?"
" What do you think, Bloodshot?" Demanicus asked the red dragon beside him.
" Of course." Anjiti nodded.
" You found Ebony? What about Lynk? What about Kratia and Zolo? I'll kill that boy if I found out that he's gone and gotten himself in trouble." Kilier raced.
" I'm sure your brother is fine. And Lynk can take care of himself."
" What Kilier means to say is, are you sure about this, kitsune?" Kubikuro asked, gaining a glare from Kilier.
Bloodshot looked over at the black and gold she dragon before returning his gaze to the black dragon.
"It is your decision, I have no quarrels if she helps, or what it is she does."
"I am a loner, it felt as if your gang had outed me the moment I arrived. I will not be returning, besides," He said as he licked Kurama on the head, he then placed the kit on Talus' back. "I know Mana will look after my kit in my absence."
He then nuzzled Kurama.
"Papa has some business he has to attend to. You will go with Talus and Asylum, back to Mana." He explained and Kurama yipped happily at the thought of seeing Mana again.
Tasuki then looked over at the others and nodded before he turned, releasing his tails from Asylum's grip, he then, with Vox at his side. Headed back into the forest.
Kurama placed his paws on Talus' tuff and looked at the others.
"Weady go see Nii?" He asked shyly.
" Okay then. You can make the nests and build the temporary housing. We've got nesting materials this way." Demanicus decided before heading off to where the other two dragons were working.
Iora looked at Bloodshot confused before following her older brother. Almost instantly, she noticed the stumps, leaves and moss and looked to her brothers in disbelief. She then thought up a massive pile of matresses (each one large enough to fit two large lions on comfortably) as well as sheets and pillows.
" If you four think mothers with children are going to be comfortable on tree stumps, you're sorely mistaken. I'm glad I offered to help." She reprimanded the boys.
Kubikuro watched as the kitsune and the horse disappeared into the forest. " There goes a zenko kitsune who has seen some rough times. If only he'd allow me to be his friend. Then he may have been able to let go of some of those rough times. In any case, I'll have to find out the rest of the story when I get to camp and give the others a lesson in Japanese folklore... specifically the kitsune." He mumbled to himself.
But it was Hope who answered the small kit after looking around. " We're ready whenever you are, little Kurama." She smiled.
Bloodshot followed silently behind the two dragons and moved over to sit by his brother with his head bowed.
"I apologize miss. I have forgotten that majority in the camp have had the luxury of sleeping in a bed." Snowdrift spoke with his head bowed. "We may be able to re-construct the stumps for use as tables and such." He curled his tail around his legs, head still bowed.
Kurama nodded to the white female before he tugged on Talus' ear in an attempt to get the wolf to turn around.
"We need go dat way." He said pointing east.
Vox looked down at the Kitsune with worry. *Are you sure you are alright, leaving Kurama?*
The kitsune looked up at the daemon horse before nodding.
"Hai, he will be better off around a female. Specially when we will be moving around alot."
" Done deal." Iora stated, satisfied with Snowdrift's idea. " Demanicus, follow Uphere's example and get what I am assuming is a wall done."
" Yes, mother." Demanicus spat, earning him a slap upside the head.
Uphere, deciding to let things simmer down with his siblings, turned to Bloodshot. " If you could follow Snowdrift's example and make another wall the same length as Mani, that would be great."
" Aye, aye, Captain Kurama, Sir!" Krieg called out, giving a salute and standing at attention at Talus' left shoulder; a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face.
Seth sighed, starting to get embarrassed by his younger brother's antics. But he couldn't say anything. Instead he got ready and allowed the kit to lead him to where his friends were. Anjiti nudged Kubikuro's shoulder, telling him that they were about to leave, before turning to face the direction that the kit was pointing in.
Snowdrift smiled slightly that the female wasn't too mad at them. 'This will take a while.' He thought to himself as he continued on about his work.
Bloodshot looked at the other red dragon and nodded, before moving over the the black dragon and starting on the second wall.
Kurama nodded looking down at the teen. Asylum smiled before he took Talus' other side and they headed the way Kurama had pointed. After a few minutes the kit started to get board.
"Wun." He said jumping on Talus in excitement. "Wun, wun fast!"
Talus smiled at the kit before he sprinted off ahead, taking zigzags and coming back every time they got too far away. Hunter smiled at the kits sequels of approval, he moved up beside Asylum and nudged into him. The vampire looked down a the orange wolf in confusion, but Hunters infectious smile soon spread to his own face and they carried on it comfortable silence, discluding Kurama's happiness.
Mana awoke at the sound of faint squealing and leapt to her feet.
"Kurama!" She called out, before she sprinted out of the cave, dodging the dragons working on construction and bolting out into the forest.
Dakota kicked Bane sleeply in the ribs before mumbling what sounded like "Follow Her." She then rolled over, ignoring her grumbling mate. Bane shook sleep from his body and followed the fast wolf, having to use some of his vampiric speed to catch her.
"Mana slow down!" He yelped as he tripped on a pile of vines, not even stopping to wonder how they got there, he untangled himself and started to run again.
It happened quicker then he realised, Talus was turning on a zigzag and the next thing he knew he was on his back, with Bane standing ontop of him. Mana was off to the left nuzzling Kurama affectionately.
Asylum, recognizing Bane immediately, despite the passing years since their last encounter, ran over to the smaller wolf and nuzzled him.
"Brother, it is good to see you again."
Iora, Demanicus and Uphere all watched as Mana followed by Bane rushed through the construction site and into the forest. That was when they decided to stay out of their way incase someone ended up getting hurt upon their return. And Bane was a vampire so there was no doubt that whoever he ran into was going to get hurt as well. Thankfully, Uphere could relax for a little bit after Bane left - Snowdrift had finally finished one of the walls.
" You got some cement still behind the caves, bro?" the larger red dragon asked Demanicus.
" Yeah. I thought up a few big bags full." Demanicus replied.
" Okay. Let's get this wall up, Snowdrift."
" Meanwhile I'll get to work on the temporary sleeping quarters." Iora said, dragging her eyes from the forest.
With a quick thought, a massive barn emerged behind her and she disappeared inside with the matresses and pillows muttering something about 'making it livable'. Uphere just shook his head as he grabbed the wall and waited for Snowdrift to take the other side.
" Uh, Captain Kurama, Sir? We seem to have come across some distressed land lubbers. What are your orders?" Krieg asked confused, yet still keeping up his little game.
" Another vampire." Kubikuro noted, looking at Bane. " And he's got Lynk's scent on him. The brown wolf has Ebony's scent on her."
" Lynk's scent?" Kilier asked, not sure if she had heard right. Raising her lips slightly, she addressed the two new arrivals. "Who are you and what have you done to my husband and friend?"
Snowdrift and Bloodshot has also gotten out of the way of their family members before going back to work. Snowdrift nodded at the red dragon's words and picked up the other end of the side wall. Then with the help of Uphere and some cement, the wall was up in no time.
"Now we just need to set the cement, Uphere, you will have to do both side, I am unable to breath fire." Snowdrift said as he held up the wall.
Kurama looked away from Mana and over at Krieg. The teens words confused him untill he noticed Bane.
"Alpa!" He yipped as he ran over to the older wolf.
He leapt up onto his back and playfully bit his ear.
"Kurama?" Bane asked confused, he then glared down at his brother. "Where is Tasuki!" He snarled and Talus only smirked before kicking up, hitting Bane in the chest.
Asylum caught Kurama who was jolted from Bane's back as said wolf hit the ground afew meters away and Talus got up laughing. Bane was quick back on his feet and both wolves charged, snapping and scratching, trying to best the other. Asylum shook his head at their antics, he then took Kurama back over to Mana who now sat hear Kilier, Kubikuro, Anjiti and the teens.
"I apologise about them." He said to Mana as he gave Kurama back to her.
Mana licked Kurama on the head to assure he was ok before she nodded to Asylum before looking back at the others. Both wolves completely ignoring the raging fight behind them.
"We have done nothing to your mate and friend. They are back at the den, with multiple of your family as well as my own. Now may I ask where Tasuki is?" Her voice took on a worried tone towards the end as she looked down at Kurama who had curled around her leg. "And why you have Kurama?"
" On it." Uphere called back before letting loose a great jet of flame that, thankfully, didn't set the wall on fire. A few minutes later, he did the same thing again except on the other side. Then he inspected the work. " Two more walls for each side or one? Which do you think, Snowdrift?" He asked the white dragon.
Kubikuro looked back the way that the small group had come before turning to the brown female. " The zenko kitsune went off into the forest further with a demon stallion. They were apparently going in search of others of the families. Kurama was left with us to lead us to someone called Mana." He answered.
"Hum, I believe two would probably be best. It would make the structure stronger and provide a heavier shelter against rain and snow." Snowdrift said as he released the wall. "Shall we get to making another?"
"Ohh..." Mana whispered, her ears drooped and she sat down curling her tail around herself and Kurama. "Well, I'm Mana." She mumbled, disheartened that Tasuki had left once again.
" Two you say? Then two it shall be." Uphere said with a nod. " Let's get this finished."
With that, the larger red dragon returned to the log pile.
" What are you planning?' Demanicus asked warily.
" We're making two more sets of walls; one on either side of the base wall. Then we can start the demolition for the roof." Uphere replied.
" We're not going to be finished by the end of the day."
" Why did you think that was going to happen?"
" Um..."
" And you call me dense."
Demanicus growled at his brother for that. But other than that, he didn't move for fear of making Bloodshot stuff up on the wall somewhere. Uphere merely smirked as he got to work striping some more trees of their bark and branches.
Kubikuro nudged Mana gently under her muzzle. " Chin up, Mana. Your Tasuki will show up when your heart most wants him. You trust good old Kubikuro. He knows what he's talking about. Now let's get you back to the camp."
" Since when did he become a sage?" Kilier whispered in Anjiti's ear.
" I don't know. But I think I like it better than his hyperactive side." Anjiti replied.
" I don't know. I think I prefer his hyperactive side to this side. This side is just plain creepy."
But, as usual, it was Hope that got everyone back on track. " Uncle Kubi, where is this camp?"
" I've got Mana's scent. If it's okay with the rest of you, I'll lead." The brown and black dog replied.
Snowdrift watched Uphere walk off and looked at the wall they had just placed, 'The second wall would be roughly the same size give or take a log.' He thought hard and had to leap into the air, spreading his wings as another wall the same size as the one they just put up fell where he once stood with a loud crash. He sighed in relief.
"Uphere, perhaps we can fix this one up. Instead of starting from scratch again." He called out, flapping his wings at a lazy pace as he hovered over the new wall.
Mana smiled at the dog before standing up. She picked up Kurama by his scruff and held him, she then turned and walked back in the direction of camp, giving fair way between the fight and herself so neither her or Kurama got hurt. Asylum watched the group leave and walked over to his still fighting brothers. He sighed before sticking his foot into the cloud of dust. A thump was heard followed by the good hearted laughter of Bane. As the dust cleared Bane was lying on his back with Talus standing over him.
"Slow as ever little brother." Talus panted and Bane chuckled before kicking his brother lightly in a sign to get off him.
Talus moved, stretching as he did so and Bane got to his feet. They both look around but only saw Asylum.
"They already headed back to camp." Asylum answered their silent questions before trotting off himself, closely followed by his dusty, but happy younger brothers.
" What one?" Uphere called up to the white dragon. Then he noticed the new wall and he slowly realised where it must have come from. " Snowdrift! You are a genius! I'll be right there as soon as I finish this log. We're still going to need the logs for the roof."
After a couple of minutes, Uphere was back at the wall and helping Snowdrift fix up and attach the new wall to the concreted wall. Unfortunately, that's where they came to a stop.
" How are we going to attach the walls together?" Uphere asked as Demanicus and Bloodshot arrived with the wall for the other side and set that in concrete.
" I guess I'm not needed." Kubikuro muttered as he watched Anjiti lead Kilier and the kids after Mana.
Looking back at the fight still going on, he shook his head and hurried to catch up.
Bloodshot released a jet of fire at the wet concrete, setting his side. He then looked over at the red and white dragons.
"Snowdrift, perhaps your metal can hold them together?" The red dragon asked and Snowdrift nodded in understanding.
He then flew above the two walls, he looked down at the two logs and closed his eyes. He opened his mouth and breathed in deep before allowing the liquid metal his body produces to fall from his maw. He made sure that all gaps in the wall were covered in the liquid before he flapped his wings and blew at the wet walls, the metal hardened casing both walls together in a thin layer of strong metal. He then landed beside Uphere with a smile.
"How is that?"
Hunter smiled at Kubikuro's words as he trotted slowly beside Mana. They entered the camp at a slow pace and Mana stopped confused. Now that she wasn't in a rush she was able to examine what the others were doing.
"Whats going on?" She asked confused, Hunter sat down beside her watching the dragons work.
Uphere allowed a smile to cross his face as he inspected the metal wall.
" Perfect." He said then he realised something and his smile dropped. " Now we just have five more walls to go. And that'sbefore we can knock down most of the walls and roofs of the existing caves. I hope Iora's nearly ready with the barn."
" It's Iora. She's always ready." Demanicus replied, inspecting the metal wall himself.
At that moment, Iora poked her head out of the barn's large double doors and looked around. Noticing that the male dragons were working behind the caves, she crawled out of the barn and shook herself off before jumping up to the Rebel's roof.
" Almost done with the barn, in case you were wondering." She informed them, looking around at the construction. " Nice job, boys. But I think you'd better pick up the pace. It's starting to get late."
" If we have to work through the night, we will." Uphere said with a nod before turning to the smaller dragons. " Even if it is just me and Demanicus that have to work."
Iora nodded herself before leaping off the cave roof and starting to head back to the barn to finish things for the night. That was when she noticed the new arrivals.
" Afternoon, Mana, everyone else. Hope you don't mind, but the boys kind of took your words to heart. They're combining the caves." She said.
She shook herself off once more; getting ready to return to the barn. However, she stayed in front of the Eternally Bound Beta to await her next orders, her relief that six more of her friends had been found with no major injuries or enemies behind them. Seth and Krieg's wounds, she guessed, seemed like they were from their usual sibling fights.
Bloodshot snorted at the other red dragons words.
"We will have no problem working through the night." Snowdrift responded laying his tail over Bloodshot's shoulder in an attempt to quell his offended brother. "Now which wall are we working on next? Being able to materialize the walls we have already made will help us get this done quicker. I am unsure about your family but I am aware that Alpha Dakota and the pack will not be excited about spending the night in a barn, no matter how comfortable."
Kurama looked up at Iora and started shaking in Mana's grip. The wolf smiled slightly, she nodded to Iora's words before quickly making her way into their cave. She moved quietly over to where Gemma lay awake with Aden curled up at her side asleep and Dakota sitting by her side, they were talking quietly. Mana lay down lightly by her sisters and placed Kurama down beside the slightly bigger pup. Dakota watched with a slight smile as Kurama curled up against Mana and shut his eyes. She licked him on the head fondly before looking at Mana.
"Where is Tasuki?" Gemma asked also giving her attention to her older sister. "Why didn't he return with you and Kurama?"
At Gemma's words Mana's ears drooped and she closed her eyes.
"He wasn't there..."
Hunter watched Mana trot off before looking up at Iora, he wrapped his tail around his legs and flattened his ears but he kept her gaze, unsure if Mana wished for him to follow or not.
Iora watched Mana leave, finally noticing the young kitsune in her mouth, and smiled at the knowledge that he was finally safe. She then turned to the golden wolf in front of her in confusion, trying to figure out who he was. But she got distracted when Seth and Krieg leapt up at her, tackling her to the ground.
" Iora!" They howled happily in unison.
" Hello, you two. I'm glad to see you're okay. All of you." The golden dragon replied.
" And we're glad to see you. Who else is here?" Kubikuro asked.
" See for yourself. we're in the cave closest to the Blade Falcon. Though I can't say we'd be there for long considering Uphere and Demanicus are doing some... redecorating shall we say."
" Sounds like fun. I'll go check things out."
Anjiti and Kilier both nodded as Kubikuro, Hope and the boys went into the cave. Kilier followed not long after, but only when she noticed her daughter give Hunter a confused and worried look. Iora then turned back to Hunter, her head turned slightly in confusion.
" May I ask who you are?" She asked, lowering herself so that her face was level with his.
Demanicus turned to Uphere with silent words before responding to the white dragon. " Yeah, the Rebels don't take too lightly to sleeping in barns themselves, if they can help it. Don't get me wrong, they will sleep outside in the wild and in a house but that's a different story."
" But hopefully it will only be one night." Uphere added, noticing that he had angered Bloodshot... again.
Snowdrift nodded to the black dragon's words, he had figured as much.
"So shall we begun construction again?" Bloodshot grunted looking away from the three dragons and out into the forest.
Hunter twitched slightly at the younger females confused and worried gaze, and relaxed when she left. He shook his golden fur before re-gaining eye contact with the dragon who was now at his height.
"Iora, A beautiful name." He spoke purring lightly. "I am Hunter, adoptive son of Moonlight and proud mate of Charmed. It is a pleasure to meet you." He then stretched his paws in-front of himself and bowed.
Just as he sat up straight again Bane nudged into him affectionately as he passed, Asylum and Talus right behind him. Bane then rubbed against Iora's front leg as he passed her before trotting into their cave.
Hunter smiled at the three of them before looking back at the she-dragon.
"Is there anything I can do to help with the construction of the con-joined cave?"
"What do you mean he wasn't there?" Dakota growled and Mana sighed.
"When we got to the group a wolf named Talus was carrying Kurama, beside him was another wolf called Asylum. Bane seemed to recognize them. Hunter was with them also, as was some of the others gang, but no Tasuki..." She whimpered the last part and jolted slightly when a small tongue licked her cheek.
She looked down to see Kurama watching her with worried eyes.
"Wats wrong?" Mana smiled slightly at him before bathing his face with her tongue.
"I'm alright, you go back to sleep." She then nuzzled into him and the kit nodded before curling back up.
Bane trotted over to them and sat by Dakota's side. He nudged her shoulder before looking over to Asylum and Talus who sat by his side, Asylum was looking around the cave and Talus was watching Kurama with a goofy lopsided grin on his muzzle.
"Who are they?" Dakota asked looking over the two with confusion.
"They are my older brothers." Bane replied and at Dakota's shocked expression, he nodded. "Yep, those ones."
"It's a pleasure to meet the two of you." Dakota told them as she bowed slightly, both wolves nodded before going back to what they were doing.
Talus nudged into Mana's shoulder and the female looked up at him confused.
"The father said he will not be returning, he is entrusting his kit to you." Talus explained and beside him Asylum nodded dumbly.
"Nine-tails really likes you." He grinned, Mana blushed brightly beneath her fur before looking up at Dakota.
The she-wolf was watching Kurama with an intense gaze, as if trying to decipher something.
"Sister, what is wrong?" Gemma asked, worried about what was bothering Dakota.
"Vox is with him." She said lightly, looking at Mana. "He is safe, Vox is with him."
"What do you mean?" Mana asked confused, Bane and Gemma both shared the same look, while Asylum and Talus crowded the female, watching the kit sleep.
"Kurama's scent is surrounded by Vox's, they are travelling together. Vox will keep him safe."
" Of course, Elder. If we don't get this finished tonight, we have to get it finished for tomorrow night. Both our leaders would be mad if we don't." Uphere said, thinking up ways to get back on the smaller red dragon's good side again.
Demanicus, on the other hand, was looking up at the sky, judging how long they had left of daylight. Unfortunately, that was when he caught sight of the moon and shot into the sky, instantly worrying his brother.
" Demanicus? What's... oh no." The larger red dragon called before noticing what his brother was looking at.
A full moon was clearly visible in the darkening sky... and it's powers seemed to be reflecting in the black dragon.
" The honour is all mine, Hunter. And I must say, you have quite a strong name yourself... and a strong influence on young Hope Haythen back there." The golden dragon replied.
" I only hope her mother will be able to handle this kind of heart-break when she finds out about Hunter and charmed." Anjiti added.
" She'll get over it. In time. As for your question of help, Hunter, I'm going to need someone to let the others know what's going on. I'm almost finished getting the barn as comfortable and homey as I can, even if it is for a one night stay, but other than that, you'd have to talk to the male dragons about jobs. It's their project after all."
At that moment, Lynk trotted out of the gave and came to greet Anjiti and the new wolf. Unfortunately for him, he had to pass the new vampires at the same time and he began to loose control of himself. His ears tried to flatten themselves to the back of his head and the red tattoo curse mark began glowing. But he somehow managed to pull enough strength together and continued on his intended path.
" If you're planning what I think you're planning, Iora, I won't be able to follow it. There's too many vampires around here. Kilier and I are going to be living in the Blade Falcon if anyone needs us." He informed the Rebels outside of the cave after saying hello and introducing himself to Hunter.
" What about the kids?" Anjiti asked him.
" They and Kilier are free to come and go as they please. But I'll be plane-bound for the majority of the time. I'm sorry."
" If it has to be, it has to be." Iora muttered, only just noticing her oldest brother hovering in the sky with his eyes set on the moon. " This is bad."
The first thing that Demanicus felt as he looked into the moon was a deep cloud shroud his mind and refuse him access to his memories. A few minutes after that, he felt a tug at his heart and doubled over in pain. But he did not make a sound. Nor did he hear anything. The last thing he saw before he lost himself was a flash of gold as Iora shot into the sky.
" Demanicus. Snap out of it." Iora begged, not accomplishing anything.
But she was too late. Already the black dragon's pupils had dilated so much that they were practically non-existant. With striking speed and strength, he grabbed her front legs unexpectantly and let loose a massive roar that shook the ground. Out of reflex, Iora replied in her own metallic roar, but all she got out of it was a trip into the forest and the hard ground.
" Uphere!" The female dragon managed to call out before she hit the trees.
" Zhanouse." Uphere cursed under his breath before going up to take on his own brother.
Snowdrift nodded before he twitched. 'Something is wrong'
Bloodshot looked at his brother confused, that was when the both shivered. A burst of energy shot through their bodys, the brothers looked up at the black dragon in the sky.
"The moon." Bloodshot whispered, before looking to Uphere. "He's a were-dragon?" He stated more then asked.
"Dakota!" Snowdrift roared out hoping his Aunt had heard him.
"Yes, I noticed the little ones... Infatuation with me. I will not lead her on though. The next time we cross paths I will let her down gently. I wouldn't want the pup to be sad." Hunter said lightly before he looked over to the dragons.
He vaguely heard the conversation between Iora and Link but he was too interested in why the black dragon had suddenly taken off.
"What's bad?" He asked when Iora's muttered words reached his sensitive ears, he became worried when the she-dragon took flight. "Wait Iora, What is it?" He called up but he received no response.
He watched as she approached her brother in the sky, and after their roars and she was flung to the ground, he sprinted into the forest to make sure she was ok.
Dakota jolted to her feet as an immense energy flowed through her body.
"Something is very wrong, you guys stay here." She yelled as she ran out of the cave and into the camp.
She left the lip just as Snowdrift called out to her, she dropped to the ground winded, yelping lightly. After a minute she struggled to her feet and shook her body. 'Sometimes I hate being an empath.' She whined to herself before hurrying over to her nephews.
"I'm here, What is the problem?" Dakota asked in a rush, she sat down beside them and watched as Uphere flew up towards Demanicus.
"Something is wrong with the eldest." Snowdrift explained.
"I believe he is a were-dragon." Bloodshot added and Dakota's tail twitched.
"I've heard of them, they are like were-wolves, only much stronger. They do not change because of the night of the full moon has come. They only change when they see the full moon. He will be stuck like this till morning. If Uphere can not quell him, I will have to intervene."
Hunter pulled up beside Iora looking over her with worry.
"Are you alright, how badly are you hurt?"
"I'm fine."Iora replied stiffly, managing to get up off the trees that she had managed to fell in her fall. "I'm sorry I didn't respond to you earlier. I did hear you. But the thing is, my brother Demanicus has this illness that basically turns him into a were-dragon. He is stronger than me at the best of times, but when he sees the full moon..."
With a sigh, she tuned to the skies to watch as Uphere tried desperately to keep their brother at bay.
"Demanicus! Snap out of it! It's me, Uphere! Your brother!" The red dragon roared, trying to get through to his brother.
Demanicus merely swiped his tail at the side of Uphere's head. Unfortunately, he was that fast that the younger dragon barely had time to react. The force between the two attacks was so strong that it manage to throw the red dragon aside. Demanicus then turned around and began to assess the campsite below him. Uphere, however, managed to catch himself mid-air and charged at his brother before the black dragon was able to do anything that might have some dire consequences. As soon as he was close enough, he latched himself onto his brother and refused to let go.
"Seriously, Mani. Calm down. We need to get you some place secluded so that you can't go destroying everything that we've already worked hard on creating." The red dragon growled into his brother's ear, not realising that his words weren't getting through.
That was when Demanicus began twisting violently and threatening to shake Uphere off him. During one of his twists, he noticed Dakota watching him and regardless of Uphere still being on his back and trying to pin him down, he charged towards her; his maw beginning to glow with his inner flame.
"I'm glad you are ok." Hunter whispered before also looking to the sky. "We need to get you under shelter. Alpha will take care of this, She will keep everyone safe." He said as he moved to her side. "I may be small but if you need help you can lean on me"
Dakota watched the struggle, her tail twitching anxiously behind her.
"Get into the dens!" She shouted as she noticed the Black dragons eyes lock with hers. "All of you, get out of the camp-site!"
Knowing the dire situation both Bloodshot and Snowdrift shifted into their smaller tiger forms and sprinted into the closest cave, for cover, it just happened to be the rebels cave. The stood near the entrance away from the cave's inhabitants looking out to make sure Dakota was ok.
"Mana, go." Gemma growled out, Mana nodded before licking Kurama lightly before disappearing. Gemma shifted so both Aden and Kurama were curled up with her tail over them. Asylum had fallen asleep nose to nose with the Kit and Talus was lying on his back beside his older brother. Bane had been sitting at the cave entrance since Dakota left staring out into the camp-site watching what was happening.
Mana appeared on the roof of the eternally bound cave. Both sisters shared a look before Dakota vanished. Only to re-appear on the rebels cave roof.
"Uphere! Let him go, and take shelter!" Dakota yelled up to the red dragon before bracing herself, Mana also braced.
'We're in for an ugly fight.' They both thought.
Iora turned to face Hunter, a slight smile on her face. " Your help is great, my friend, but the trees will cover me. I will find one on the other side of camp and... merge with it, shall we say. You just get yourself to safety."
Kratia was about to go and find out what was going on, she had even stood and was about to take her first step, when she was blocked by Kubikuro, Bosko and her cousins. The resulting argument ended up getting Lynk and Anjiti involved as well when they ran into the cave in search for cover. Eventually, after a few minutes and another roar from Uphere outside, Zolo managed to win the argument and he cautiously made his way to where Bloodshot and Snowdrift were standing by the cave entrance.
" Hey, um... what's going on outside? All we can hear are roars and orders flying all over the place and its woken up some of the little ones. And we only just managed to get them and Monty to sleep." He said, still being cautious.
Uphere was't sure how he was able to do it, but he was able to feel his brother's flames as they crawled up his throat. And if there was any dragon's flame to watch out for, it was a black dragon's flame. The hottest of all fires, the black dragon's flame was at least three times hotter than Uphere's. Anything in the flame's path would be almost instantly disintegrated if not very, very well cooked. And that was why Uphere was disobeying Dakota. With as much strength as he could muster, and at the last second, he managed to turn Demanicus' head. The resulting fireball flew through the air and landed somewhere near the base of the mountains.
" Oh man, Demanicus. Come on!" He growled.
That was when Demanicus threw him off and he landed with a thud on his back in the centre of the campsite. The force, though, shot a jet of flame from his own mouth which he used to try and hold his brother back.
" See, Dakota. You need me." The red dragon growled when he needed to catch his breath.
"If your sure..." Hunter muttered before he sprinted through the forest and straight across the campsite and into the left den, running straight into Bloodshot and Snowdrift. The three of them toppling into a pile.
"Such grace Hunter." Bloodshot muttered as the two tigers and wolf untangled.
Snowdrift then turned to Zolo, "Demanicus has changed, tonight Is a full moon. Alpha and Beta are taking care of it."
"You dolt!" Dakota yelled at the red dragon who was now on the ground. "Take cover, regardless of if you would be helpful or not, anything that injures you injures me! Even if I'm not fighting, your wounds become mine, If you want to help go into your cave and don't get hurt." She snarled angerly, before she howled towards the sky, Mana joined in soon after.
In a rush of wind that blew around the whole camp, whipping dust, logs, moss and vines around below, both Dakota's and Mana's bodies ruffled. Their light body fur shifting to make way for its pitch black replacement, their darker socks, under-tail and ear colour shifted to a blood red, both their fangs and claws elongated and their blue eyes disappeared, being replaced by red pupil-less depths. With blinding speed Mana was in the air and on Demanicus back between his wings, she wrapped her paws around the black dragons throat and bit into the back of his neck. She then used the force of the wind surrounding her to lift the dragon further away from the camp. She stopped when she felt the wind whipping around them. They were just beneath the cloud cover. She then allowed her blue flames to flow from her body, they wrapped around the black dragons 6 limbs like a vine, completely immobilizing him. Dakota soon joined them in the sky, she stopped a few meters down from them and smiled.
"I can feel your anger." She called out hoping the dragon could hear her. "How it's consumed you enough to attack anyone no matter if we are friend or foe." She sat down, her tail twitching behind her. "You will stop this now."
" Did you just say... Demanicus has changed... and it's a full moon?" Zolo said quietly, swallowing hard. " Oh man, I wish Julien was here."
" But he's my brother!" Uphere whined as he watched Mana and Dakota both change themselves.
But despite his futile attempts to calm his brother, he watched from below as the scene began to unfold; his worry for his brother's safety growing with every twist and turn the black dragon made in the attempt to throw Mana off. Unfortunately, the red dragon could not stop his tail from twitching as he watched and heard his brother's roars. And he knew that, despite his wings still being pinned down, he was still an expert flyer.
Demanicus was quick to prove that when he flipped backwards and successfully managed to start spinning in mid air, trusting the called upon winds to support him and keep him airborne. The only time he stopped was when he heard Dakota speak, but her words did not register in his brain. With a snarl, he opened his maw and allowed a jet of black flames to shoot towards the red and black wolf.
" No Demanicus!" Uphere roared, leaping up and under the black dragon and taking hold of his brother by the throat with his own jaws. The only things he managed to do was cut off the flames and provide an extra set of cuffs for Demanicus.
"You stubborn Dura! His flame will not harm me." Dakota yelled at the red dragon before she shot a large burst of blue flame towards the three.
Mana closed her eyes as Dakota flame washed over her. She sighed, the blue flame was always more refreshing then the red one.
"Listen to me Demanicus." She growled allowing her body to emit a wave of energy that had an instant calming effect on any living being. "If this can work on Bane when he is in his made state then it can work on you." She closed her eyes and allowed the calming air to pulse from her body.
"Yes, that is what I said and do not worry Alpha will take care of it." Snowdrift said to the wolf before he peaked out to look at the mass of blue flames in the sky with growing ease as Mana's calming power began to reach even those in the caves.
Uphere and Demanicus both yelped at the sight of the blue flames coming toward them, but the instant their bodies touched the flames, they notedbthat they didn't feel a thing. Uphere dropped right out of the sky as soon as the flames reached Mana and her soothing abilities washed over him like a giant ocean wave. He even curled up and fell asleep as soon as he touched the bed of moss and vines that he had fallen on. Demanicus, on the other hand, only started shaking again and trying to call forth his fire. But to his luck, it wasn't working and he shot his head up in the direction of the moon as if trying to gain more strength than what he already had from it.
Dakota ceased her blue flame and watched as the red dragon descended to the ground with a smile, before she looked at the black dragon. She noted what he was trying to do and laughed lightly.
"Demanicus. Your body is too relaxed to rely on the power the moon gives you. Your mind may still wish harm on us but your body, for lack of better terms, doesn't care. It is too relaxed to produce the flame you desire. Now come down from there and use some of that power boost to help us finish construction." Dakota demanded as she herself allowed the wind to carry her to the ground, she landed lightly beside Uphere and watched as Mana slowly lowered the black dragon back towards the camp-site.
Demanicus stopped his struggles and turned to face Dakota, panting heavily. With a roar he shook himself down and allowed himself to be taken down to the ground. But he planned other things. Things that he would not remember come the morning. As soon as he felt his tail touch the ground, he used all his gathered strength to snap the flames that bound him and shot back into the sky, shaking his head as he stretched his limbs free of their sleeping state. He had no fire, but a trained dragon had other ways to fight... if only he was allowed.
The pressure Demanicus had used to snap the flames Mana had surrounded him in flung the she-wolf back, she knocked into the rebels cave, yelping as her back collided with the concrete wall knocking her unconscious. Dakota gritted her teeth as Mana's pain shot up her spine before she shook her head fiercely, shaking away the unconscious feeling that threatened to over come her as well. She then glared up at the black dragon and released a vicious snarl. She flew up into the air and came to a holt before the were-dragon.
"Do not try to fight me paw to paw, you will loose." She threatened, he had no flame left so she figured the only things he had left to fight with were his tail, claws and teeth. "I will no allow you to continue this, we have more important things to be worrying about then fighting eachother!" She growled before she shot towards the black dragon with blinding speed, her jaw wrapped around the dragons neck and she continued towards the ground. 'The impact will severely injure me but it should knock him out.' She thought as the ground came closer by the second.
Demanicus let loose a weak roar as Dakota flew at him and his vision began to blur as soon as the wolf clamped her jaws around his neck. That was when the sound of a larger, more experienced dragon's roar echoed across the land. The sound reverberated right through the black dragon, instantly waking him up from his own mind and returning his pupils to his eyes. When he looked up, the haze beginning to fade from his mind, he noticed that the once clear night had become extremely cloudy... almost stormy. After a few blinks to further clear his mind and try to figure out what was going on, he found that he was on collision with the trees. In a last attempt to save himself, he flung out his front claw and grabbed the nearest tree, wrapped his tail around the same tree and used his strength and wings to slow his descent.
Once he felt he was safe enough, he tried looking around in order to figure out what had just happened. What he found was that there was a red and black wolf attached to his neck... and his neck was beginning to get itchy. Next to that, he was mysteriously out of breath... and he was almost certain that a descent like the one he just did wouldn't have been so exhausting in the first place. The only thing on his mind was one simple question.
" What just happened?" He asked aloud.
Dakota's ear twitched at the roar and she felt as Demanicus' Were-dragon effects began to ware off and an immense relief washed through her. She ceased the wind that was fuelling their decent and with the dragons help they came to a stop before hitting the ground. Once at a complete stop Dakota sighed and released the black dragon vaguely hearing his question. She shook her head and her fur shimmered back to its light/dark and white grey colours, her claws and fangs retreated and her eyes bleed back to their deep blue colour. She licked at his neck lightly trying to sooth the itchy feeling before she jumped off him and floated in the air so she could look him in the eyes.
"You don't remember anything?" Dakota asked confused.
" Remember what? Did I miss something important?" Demanicus asked before shaking his head and neck.
He felt his neck crack in a number of places with great relief and he quickly realised that his itch had disappeared when Dakota had shone up in front of him. But he still couldn't figure out what had happened or why Dakota was with him. He did, however, have a sneaking suspicion that Dakota was the cause of the itch in his neck. With a sigh, he detached himself from the tree and landed gently on the ground below before looking up at the grey wolf in confusion as he waited for an answer.
Dakota cleared her throat awkwardly. 'How do you tell someone that you "attacked them to stop them attacking everyone else" lightly?' She shook her head and lowered herself so again she was eye level with the dragon.
"You, turned into a were-dragon, tonight is a full moon, you lightly injured Iora, Uphere and mildly injured Mana. The four of us were trying to stop you from harming everyone. I'm not sure how you reverted back but you did. I feel fine but I hope I haven't harmed you in anyway." She said lightly and her ears drooped. "I'm sorry I attacked you, I just didn't want to see anyone get hurt."
" I did what?" The black dragon asked, surprising himself by becoming even more confused that what he already was.
"So your not aware you can change?" She thought to herself out loud before dropping to the ground.
"Come on, lets not worry about this. We have construction to continue." Dakota smiled, hoping the whole thing could be put behind them.
Demanicus followed almost like an obedient dog but one thing was still playing on his mind.
" I changed?" He whispered quietly to himself.
Dakota's ear swivelled back at the sound of the dragons whispered voice. 'Perhaps he wasn't suppose to know.' She sighed and ran over to Mana when the camp spread out before them. She nudged the unconscious wolf attempting to wake her. Mana was still in her black and red form and that worried Dakota.
"Gemma!" She called out to her sister.
At the sound of Dakota's call, Gemma knew the fight was over. She stood up carefully, and stepped lightly over the cub and kit she was keeping warm. They shifted around in their sleep, becoming calm again when Charmed took Gemma's place.
"I'll be back." Gemma whispered as she nudged Aden before trotting out of the cave, Bane was close on her heels.
She noticed that Demanicus was back to normal and smiled, Bane stopped just outside of the cave examining the camp-site as Gemma quickly made her way over to Dakota and Mana.
Hunter, Bloodshot and Snowdrift slowly left the rebels cave when they noticed that the camp-site seemed calm. The two tigers went over to Demanicus while Hunter slowly walked around the cave to where the three sisters were. Bloodshot and Snowdrift sat down before the black dragon watching him warily.
"How are you feeling?" Snowdrift asked, his tail twitched irritably behind him, his body instinctively ready to run should the dragon show any signs of hostility.
Gemma looked down at Mana confused.
"Why is she still in that form?" She asked and Dakota just shook her head confused. "She didn't change back when she was knocked unconscious?" Again Dakota shook her head.
Hunter not wanting to disturb them walked around the group of three, brushing his tail against Gemma's to alert his"Aunt" of his presence before he headed toward the cave.
He passed Bane with a nod and looked in, towards the right of the cave Akira, Skype, Krystal and Lelani were curled up sleeping, just off from them also to the right lay Zander and Tsume, they were on their backs watching the roof of the cave and talking quietly. Off to the left of the cave was an oddly shaped flame, 'Must be Jordon and Phoenix.' he said to himself before his eyes fell on the one he was looking for. He moved quietly nodding to Tsume and Zander who looked over at him, he sat down lightly looking over Aden with a smile when he noticed Kurama he frowned slightly but didn't say anything. He lay down after licking Charmed on the face, before yawning.
"Sleep now Hunter, we can talk later." Charmed whispered to him and a faint nod came before his eyes slid shut.
"Try picking something up, you might figure out why she won't wake up." Gemma suggested and Dakota nodded, she held her paws out towards Mana, laying her ears back and closing her eyes.
"I can't feeling anything wrong with her. I only sense... No..." She whispered the last protest to herself before violently shaking her younger sister. "Mana! You wake up this Instant!" She snarled in her scared state. "Get up! Don't you dare give up!"
Gemma looked at Dakota confused before she realised what was wrong with Mana, her ears flattened.
"There is nothing I can do." She whispered and Dakota glared at her, before she sighed and lay down beside Mana whimpering.
" To be honest? Confused." The black dragon replied, lowering himself slightly so that he wasn't so high above the tigers.
Slowly, he began to look around in an attempt to cure his confusion. All he found was a sleeping Uphere and a trio of female wolves. And the scents he was picking up mainly included fear with just a tad bit of caution on the side. But the one he mainly felt - and this confused him greatly - was pain. Without even planning, his eyes turned back to Mana. His thoughts were only confirmed by Dakota's growls and he instantly began to wonder if Mana's pain was his doing. He wasn't even aware of Iora returning from her hiding spot on the other side of the forest.
" Demanicus, brother. Are you feeling alright?" He vaguely heard his little sister ask him.
For a reply, he went over and kicked Uphere off his bed. Uphere, having been in the middle of a wonderful dream, was not pleased. Annoyed, the red dragon lashed out at his older brother only to be chased back to the Rebels cave and away from his moss nest. Very confused, Iora and Uphere could only watch as Demanicus went over and picked up Mana's comatose body. The black dragon then went over to the nest and curled on top of it; Mana tucked safely between his side and his tail and being kept safe under his left wing.
" Uh, Demanicus? Are you sure that's wise?" Uphere asked, looking between the curled up black dragon and the two other female wolves.
The only reply he received was Demanicus lifting his head to face him and snorting a puff of smoke at him.
Snowdrift nodded at the black dragons words and watched as he moved over to his Aunts.
"Come Bloodshot, let us return to mother. From what just happened I don't think anyone is too interested in construction right now." Bloodshot nodded to Snowdrift and quietly followed his brother.
Both of them entered the cave and headed over to Phoenix and Jordon who were still curled up in a ball of fire. They lau down beside them and stared at the roof quietly.
Dakota jolted to her feet as the black dragon took her sister and she snarled, she went to stalk towards him when Gemma stopped her.
"Look again, with clear eyes." The blue, black and white wolf whispered and Dakota shook her head, looking over at Demanicus who was curled around Mana on the moss bed.
She sighed before sitting down and staring at her paws, Gemma lay down beside her. She lay her head on her paws and watching the black dragon with curiosity, confused about his actions.
The flicker of movement from Dakota instantly gained Demanicus' attention and he turned to watch her and her younger sister. Once he was clear that neither he nor Mana were in any danger from the older wolf, he lowered his head back down next to the black wolf he was protecting.
" If I've done anything to cause this, I'm sorry. If need be, I will protect you. No harm shall penetrate my barrier around you. I will wait until Tasuki returns if I must. Just please be okay." He whispered quietly into Mana's ear.
Dakota's sensitive ears heard the black dragon's words and she sighed before trudging into their den, she didn't even acknowledge Bane as she passed him, she just slunk in and lay down beside Charmed, Hunter, Aden and Kurama. She watched the kit with worry. 'Without Tasuki and with Mana unconscious, what will I do with him?' She asked herself before she felt Gemma's presence by her side. The two lay there thinking about what would happen now. Bane watched them from the entrance of the den, he wasn't sure what was wrong but knew to leave his mate be. He moved over to Demanicus and lay down in the dirt by the dragon, watching the entrance of the camp with sad eyes, it wasn't long till his eyes slid shut and his breathing evened out.
Tasuki lapped up some water from the stream, the had circled the back of the den and headed south again, they were now resting where he had first found Vox.
"Apart from the group, the rest of our hunt has been unsuccessful." He sighed as he turned to look at the horse who was lying by a small fire.
*Perhaps, everyone has been located?* Vox asked watching the kitsune. *Something else is bothering you, your... Aura has changed.* Tasuki looked at him with slight shock with he quickly masked with confusion.
"I don't know what you are referring too, I'm going to hunt." With that said, he trotted off into the darkening night.
Demanicus raised his head once again when he felt Bane's presence nearby. With a silent nod, he shifted himself so that he lay on his stomach instead of his side and spread his other wing over Bane as well. He then curled his head back around Mana and watched for any sign of her waking.
The sound of snickering reached the ears of the two black jaguars and forced Rictor to come to a halt with a growl.
" Rictor. Leave them along. They're not doing anything to harm either one of us." his girlfriend, Nikila, whispered in his ear.
" They are doing something, Nikila. They're making fun of us. Don't you care about that?" the male replied.
" Let them for all I care. The main thing is, at least they're not Magnar or Mazari."
" Kai and Ray are probably equal to just one of them."
" Hey, lovebirds!" The sure sound of Kai's voice called out from the deepening darkness. " You better not be... you know... making it up there."
Following closely behind was Ray's failed attempts to keep his laughter in check. And Rictor's anger sparked.
" That's it! I swear, Kai Guerra, when I get my hands on you and your brother I'm going to run you through with your own motorbikes' steering systems!" Rictor roared, instantly starting a chase.
" Boys! Get back here!" Nikila roared after them, trying to to loss either one of the three.
Unfortunately, the Guerra brothers were in too much of a rush trying to get away from an angry Rictor that they weren't looking where they were going. And Rictor was too focussed on trying to get revenge that he only had eyes for the two trouble-makers. Only Nikila saw the demon horse in front of them before they did, and so only she stopped in time. The other three crashed into the horse, discovered what they had crashed into and hurried to get off, sitting down and lowering their heads continuously muttering their apologies to what they had just done.
" I am so sorry." Nikila said, louder than the boys so that the horse was able to hear her words.
Vox shook his mane as he was knocked into, he stepped out of the fire he had been pushed into and studied the group before him. Two snow leopards one yellow-grey and the other white-grey as well as two black panthers one pure black and the other dark grey with afew visible spots. *Fear not.* He laughed lightly as his tail flicked behind him in excitement that someone had found them. *I do not recognize any of you. Forgive me if I'm wrong but are you related to or friends with Kubikuro, Anjiti or Kilier?*
Tasuki stalked after the antelope he had summoned, he really wasn't hungry but hunting was distracting him from his wondering mind. 'I just want to go back...' He shook the thought from his head and continued on. He looked behind him, he had moved a fair way away from his friend and hoped the horse was ok. Just as he turned back three streaks, one black and gold, one two-toned grey and the other brown, blurred through his vision affectively taking down the antelope he had been stalking. He watched as the two wolves and the cheetah took down the beast with teamwork and precision. Once the kill was made the black and gold cheetah glanced over her shoulder, she called out as the two wolves released short low howls signalling the success of the kill and dinner time. Tasuki backed up slightly out of view as the bushes off to the left of the three began to shake. A white and black teen wolf with a brown scarf emerged, close behind her was a brown tiger cub and Lelani.
'What is she doing out here with this group?' Tasuki asked himself confused. The white and black wolf and the two cubs made there way over to the three by the kill. The group of six then started eating. Tasuki was going to step towards them when the black cheetah shot up, her ears alert as she looked behind them, back at the bush.
"Magnar, Bria, Theluji & Samantha! Hurry up before these gluttons eat the whole kill!" She called out before returning to her meal.
Tasuki watched as the bushes shook again. 'Theres more?' He thought before scaling the nearest tree and watching them from up high.
Kai and Ray looked at each other before lifting their heads to the horse. " You know Aunt Anjiti and Uncle Kubikuro?" They asked.
" As for us, the three you mentioned are family friends." Rictor added. " I'm Rictor. This is Nikila. And those two over there are Kai and Ray. They're brothers. May I ask who you are?"
" Yeah, we're coming!" Bria called as she somehow managed to trudge through the forest towards the kill.
In front of her, Theluji and Samantha raced ahead; the first out of the Rebels group to reach the antelope and gourge themselves on what they could. Somewhere behind her, Magnar still plodded. It was worrying seeing him like that. Usually, he was the first in the kill, the first to get the best parts and always with his brother or else knowing where Mazari was. Never had the two been alone without the other's knowledge. And it was taking its told on the older brother. Finally, Bria reached the carcass and snagged a leg and part of the rump. Magnar, on the other hand, reached the carcass after it was almost completely gone and just sat down and looked sadly at the remains.
" Here." the adult polar bear urged, tearing off the rump from her leg and taking it over to the brown liger.
Magnar looked down at the slab of meat for a few minutes before giving an answer. " I'm not hungry." He murmured.
" Nonsense. You need to eat."
" I'm not hungry."
" Magnar, please. Just eat it." Samantha begged from where she lay next to the smaller polar bear cub.
" I won't eat until I find my brother."
With a sigh, Bria turned to face the others of their group.
Vox shook his mane again before lying back down, getting comfortable. *It's a pleasure to meet the four of you. Although I can't say much about knowing them. I met them for no more then five minutes before me and my friend were on our way. They are back at camp with a lot more of your friends and family.* Vox explained before he looked down at the fire that was getting smaller, he materialised some wood and placed it in before looking up at the four cats. *Sit and rest, Tasuki will be back soon, after he finishes his hunt.*
"Gahh! Damn it Link, you got blood on my scarf!" Akyme yelled at the male and he just smirked at her.
"You shouldn't wear it during meals." He laughed and the white wolf snapped at him quickly licking the blood from her scarf before it stained.
Shadow watched them laughing lightly before looking at the other group with slight annoyance, she picked up the piece of meat and shoved it in the liger's face.
"You will eat this now." She growled. "What good are you to your brother weak and hungry." Her tail flicked angrily behind her before she dropped the meat at the cats paws and turned away. "Not like I care if you starve or not, guess my family's kill isn't good enough for you." She snarled low before returning to the three wolves and two cubs.
She licked the two cubs before nuzzling the wolves.
Tasuki moved slightly in the tree to get a better look at Lelani, that's when he noticed she had Pink eyes and not Blue. A small twig snapped beneath him and immediately he had the cheetah's attention.
"Kitsune! Come down, this was originally your kill was it not? There is little left, but you should eat." She spoke and she sat down as Tasuki dropped to the ground.
Tasuki slunk over to the kill, and looked down at the next to nothing carcass, his ears drooped slightly and Shadow sighed.
"Akyme." She called, and the white wolf vanished.
She appeared less then a minute later with a small rabbit in her maw, she dropped the small animal before Tasuki before she cleaned her muzzle.
"Eat." Shadow said and Tasuki nodded, making quick work of the small body.
"Now tell me, who are you?" Shadow asked and Tasuki smiled a lopsided grin at her.
"I'm Tasuki." He blushed when Shadow licked his cheek and the cheetah laughed.
"Had abit of meat stuck in your fur."
" Thank you, sir." Rictor replied, moving to a lying position. Kai and Ray made to go sit next to him but he instantly turned to them with a growl. " You two can go sit on the other side of the fire."
Grumbling, the snow leopards did as they were told. Despite them being older by birth, he was still the son of the leader. But one look at Nikila told them that it was probably better that they did anyway for fear of them getting injured by the annoyed jagaur. Slowly, as Ray and Kai made themselves comfortable on the other side of the fire, the pure black panther lay down beside her boyfriend and nuzzled her head under his.
" You shouldn't be too hard on them, you know." She suggested.
" I know. But they should know not to tick me off, as well." Rictor replied softly before raising his voice. " So, Vox. Tell us. Who is this friend of yours? And may I ask why you cannot speak normally like us?"
Magnar shook his head roughly, splattering meat and blood around him, his eyes instantly changing from lost and worried to pure anger. Samantha even swore that she had seen a flicker of fire dance across his brown eyes. Unfortunately her attention was transfured to Theluji and her apparent fixation of tails, specifically Tasuki's tails. The young polar bear had waddled over to the fox and was sniffing, pawing and sticking her head in between and with the nine tails obviously thinking the fox was some sort of strange toy. Both Samantha and Bria instantly became very apologetic over the actions of Theluji to the kitsune. And that was when the spark in Magnar's eyes grew into uncontrolled dark grey flames covering his mane and tail tip.
" I am not weak!" He roared, pouncing on the cheetah. " Don't you ever say that I am weak again! I have inherrited my father's ability as a Makai Warrior, thus proving my strength! Never forget that!"
Vox smiled at the small tiff before looking at Nikila. *My friend's name is Tasuki, he is a nine-tailed kitsune who I met only afew days ago.* He responded to her first question before frowning at the second. *As for my silence, I was not born with the ability of speech. Dakota, my Alpha found me and taught me how to communicate telepathicly. It is my only means of communication as I am unable to write due to having no human form.* He explained, only telling half the story. He then sighed 'The rest is too painful to share.' He finished to himself.
"It is quiet alright, my tails interest alot of beings. It doesn't bother me." He then turned back to the group before him.
"Do any of you know..." He twitched mid-sentence and looked back at Magnar before noticing his intentions.
Tasuki leapt at the Liger, tackling him to the ground before he got a chance to hit Shadow.
"Do not touch her! Where is your pride as a male oh so great Makai warrior?" Tasuki backed off him. "Trying to hit a female." He snorted before looking back at Shadow, wiggling his tails for the small polar bears amusement.
"As I was saying, Do any of you know Dakota or Raimundo?"
" I understand." Rictor said with a nod, respecting the older's wishes.
Ray, on the other hand, seemed to have a bit of an itch behind his ear. " I know I should know this, but... what's a kitsune?" He asked.
" Magnar Forza! That is exactly the same kind of attitude that your uncle had. He lost his first girlfriend because of it and he lost his life because of it! Do you honestly want to break your parents' hearts and turn out like Luigi?" Bria growled, swiping at the fire liger's nose.
Magnar leapt back with a slight growl before somehow managing to contain his flames once more and lowering his head. With a flick of his tail, he went and sat back in his original position watching both Bria and Tasuki wearily. Trust the polar bear to bring up his uncle like that. The memory of his uncle's death still stung his heart like a branding iron.
Samantha had other things on her mind at that time. " Papa? You met Papa?" She asked, practically begging in front of the kitsune for more information on the one who raised her as his daughter.
Vox chuckled lightly at the snow leopard.
*Kitsune, is the Japanese word for fox, Tasuki is a Nine-tailed fox.*
Tasuki twitched at the polar bears words and glanced back at Magnar with sad eyes.
"I apologize for my words. I have not meant to bring up bad memories for you my friend." He whispered bowing to the ligar before he looked back at Samantha and the others.
"You know where Alpha is?" Shadow asked lightly, her tail swishing behind her in a happy manner.
"I do know both Dakota and Raimundo and where they are. If you wish to follow me, I can lead you to where they and the majority of your family are. We just have to swing by and pick up my friend Vox, who is by the river, that way." He explained pointing one of his tails in Vox's direction.
"Vox, the daemon horse." Link piped up moving to stand by Samantha before Tasuki.
The kitsune nodded before turning around and starting off.
"Come on, we must move now, night is falling quickly and we are quite a distance from the camp where the others are." He then twitched his tails as he slowly trotted off, Link, Spitz and Akyme all looked to Shadow for confirmation and the Black cheetah nodded. Then the four, with Elena and Axel behind them followed closely behind Tasuki.
" Oh." Ray sighed before getting hit in the back of hsi head by his brother.
" You dodo. Uncle Kubikuro told us stories about kitsune and so has Dad. How could you forget?" Kai growled lightly.
" Maybe because you and Melody keep hitting me in the head. Why don't you hit your own head for once?"
" Because it would look stupid and it would hurt."
" Of cause it would hurt! That's the point!"
" Why you..."
With that Kai leapt at Ray and the two managed to find themselves in one of their famous tussles. With a sigh, Rictor lay his head on his paws and just watched the brothers fight as Nikila went to curl up and began falling asleep.
Quick to act (and because of Tasuki's bobbing tails) Theluji chased after the nine-tailed fox with her mother following close behind with her daughter's safety locked hard on her mind. Samantha looked at Magnar with sad eyes.
" Come on, Mag. We'll find Mazari. Now let's follow this fox so we can go see Papa. He'll know what to do." She said, going over to the liger and licking the blood off his face.
" Fine." Magnar whispered.
With that, the two followed the rest; Magnar on high alert for his brother.
Tasuki dully noted that the others were following him with a flick of his ear and the fact that he could sense the polar bear cub after his tails again. His ears drooped at the thought of having to lead the group back to camp. Shadow moved up beside him and leaned into him slightly.
"What is wrong?" She asked lightly nuzzling his shoulder.
"It is nothing." He whispered. "When we near the camp Vox will lead you the rest of the way. I will not be going with you." He then picked up his slow walk to a trot.
Shadow looked at him confused but nodded before picking up the pace herself. It wasn't long till they cleared a line of trees and came face to face with Vox, Ray, Kai, Rictor and Nikila. Tasuki looked at the horse confused and he just chuckled.
*They ran into me.* The horse explained before looking behind Tasuki and noticing his group of 10.
"They kidnapped and ate my kill." Tasuki said and was knocked by Shadow in a playful way.
"You should have been faster." She joked before she walked over to Vox and nuzzled him. "It's good to see you ok."
*And you too.* Vox stood up and trotted over to the others, he put Elena and Axel on his back before he started trotting north down the river. Akyme, Link and Spitz walked beside him whilst Shadow and Tasuki walked behind them.
Theluji, still after Tasuki's tails, wasn't looking where she was going and ended up tripping over Kai and Ray, effectively stopping their fight. Bria was quickly able to gather her cub by the scruff of her neck and, with a pointed look at the younger cats, followed as quickly as she could. Samantha, seeing her sister, leapt on both Nikila and Rictor, effectively squishing Rictor to the ground as she and Nikila rolled a little. Magnar just kept on walking.
" Niki! You're okay!" Samantha laughed.
" I was never harmed to begin with. And you know that." Nikila replied as Rictor managed to get up and shake himself free of dirt.
" I know. But we need drama in our lives."
" If you lot don't hurry up, you're going to be left behind." Magnar called over his shoulder.
" Let me guess, he still can't find his brother?" Rictor asked his cousin.
" Nope." Samantha replied.
With a sigh, the five cats took off at a run to catch up to the others after making sure that the fire was put out.
The black and tan nose had not been lifted from the ground for long when the sound of horse hooves reached the dog's sensitive hearing. As quietly as he could, Dart hurried to the nearest pile of rocks and hid there in the dark as he waited for his prey to get nearer. Not once did he wonder how he was no longer dead. That's when he caught the scent of something more dangerous. Something much larger than him. With a growl, he spun around in the cave that he had found himself in.
" Who are you, lion? Come out so I can kill you!" The rottweiler snarled, his white fangs gleaming in the dark.
Vox's ear twitched as the grassy plains came into sight. He kept his steady trot as he glared ahead of them. *Be careful, I sense a bad presence nearby.* The three wolves on either of his sides immediately began to step lightly scanning the area with caution. Tasuki moved away from the group, off to the side and shifted allowing flames to engulf his body as his body grew to 2 times his normal size. Shadow jumped up on Tasuki's back and was quickly joined by Akyme. The both sat down using their new vantage point to survey the area. Tasuki moved closer to the group keeping pace with Vox. The horse looked up at him and the two shared a look before Tasuki looked back at the others.
"Keep up, we must stay as a group, the energy I'm sensing is strong." He called out before focusing on where he was heading.
Kasanga stood up and moved slowly towards the light at the front of the cave where he could clearly see the rottweiler.
"We share mutual thoughts dog." He growled as the light illuminated his white chin, and tawny-brown coat and mane, his black tipped tail twitching low behind him. "Who are you and why have you come here, I'm busy scheming?"
Bria rushed to the fox's side and placed Theluji between the two of them.
" Stay there, Theluji." She murmured. " Stay between us and Tasuki at all times."
" Okay, Ma." Theluji squeaked, starting to get scared.
Magnar called on his fire liger form and rushed to make sure that the young polar bear was safe from behind; Samantha, Nikila, Rictor, Kai and Ray fell into line behind the others, creating a semi-circular barrier behind the group.
" I am Dart and I am trained to hunt those with the ability to change their forms as well as those who no longer belong on earth." The rottweiler growled, getting ready to fight. " Who, pray tell, are you?"
Tasuki shifted one of his tails so It laid over the polar bear cubs back.
"We should be in the clear when we pass the plains." He called out as the rocky ground beneath his large paws change to soft grass.
"My name is Kasanga. I was training to be an earth element before that darn wolf killed me." He explained with a vicious growl. "I plan to get even with her. Now what do you want, why are you here."
" Escuse me, Tasuki. What do you mean?" Theluji asked, trying very hard not to shake under the fox's tail.
" I'm looking for a changer by the apparent name of Choby. He is the jaguar who killed me and I would like to return the favour. He destoryed me and my master's business. I will destroy him and everyone he knows. As for why I am here, that is a very good question. If you are refering to in the cave, I am an ambush predator shall I say. Though, I sure you would know what I mean if I say that was the way I was trained. If you are refering to this world in general, I have no idea. I'm supposed to be dead." Dart growled.
Tasuki looked down at the cub with a smile. "There is a valley on the other side of the plains, once we cross the Valley, it would be hard for others to follow, and it would be easy for us to notice pursuers."
"Another thing we have in common then, I myself, am also Dead. My target is a wolf named Dakota. She killed me before I could surpass my brother and become a full earth elemental."
Kasanga trotted to the entrance of the cave and breathed in deep. "Speaking of which, I smell her scent close by..." He growled as he slunk out of the cave and over to a thicket, he looked through and saw an unfamiliar group crossing the plains. He sniffed again. "It's that fox. He is carrying the she-wolfs scent." He growled angrily.
" Oh. Then we will be safe?" The polar bear cub asked.
Dart followed the lion out and noticed one black jaguar in particular. " The black male is his son. I can smell it in his blood. He and the jaguar that killed me have the same power in their blood... and the same look in their eyes." He had just noticed the black male look around for any sign of a threat. " If we are to attack, we will have to be careful."
"I can not be One-Hundred percent sure young one, but the valley should slow any pursuers down." Tasuki responded, saddened that he couldn't fully assure the cub that they would be safe.
"I agree, they seem to have a destination in mind, Perhaps they will lead us to the ones we seek. We should follow them." Kasanga suggested moving silently through the trees keeping pace with the group out in the open.
" Watch the master... and learn." Dart whispered almost to himself as he trotted behind the travelling group.
For a split second, Rictor stopped and looked behind him. He was almost certain that they were being followed by that time. And hehad a bad feeling that he was the reason. With a growl and a shake of his head, he hurried back to his position; ears pinned back and tail twitching in anticipation for a possible fight.
" What's wrong, Rictor?" Nikila whispered in his ear when he returned.
" It's nothing." He replied before raising his voice so the others could hear him. " But I suggest we hurry a little."
" Are you sure it's nothing?" Magnar asked from in front of the jaguar.
" We're being followed."
Kasanga nodded to the dogs words, slowing so he was behind him.
"Alright then, show me." He said as he stalked behind Dart.
"I have sensed them since they appeared." Tasuki replied speeding up slightly, Vox, Spitz and Link quickening their pace to keep up. "They are beyond the tree-line that cuts the forest from the plains." He explained twitching his tails in annoyance.
Vox glanced discretely in the trees direction and caught a glimpse of tawny fur. *He is large. Probably a lion, but I sense more then one presence. There must be another.* He thought projecting it to their group alone.
Shadow placed her paws on Tasuki's head looking ahead of them.
"There's the valley." She said pointing before them.
They were about One-hundred meters or so away from the drop into the valley.
Dart allowed a brief smile to cross his lips as he trotted closer to the group, well aware that they were aware of them. When he felt he was close enough, he started in a run and easily caught up to his target. That was when he let his lessons come into play. He leapt at Rictor and sunk his teeth deep into the black jaguar's neck.
" What the! Get off me!" Rictor roared, instantly bucking and breaking formation in order to get the rottweiler off his back and away from Theluji.
" Rictor!" Nikila called, going to her boyfriend's aid.
"I knew it wouldn't be long till they attacked." Tasuki growled as Shadow leapt of his back.
She ran over to the two and leapt at the Rottweiler, but she failed as Spitz tackled her to the ground. She growled at him in confusion.
"Look at the hold he has on Rictor's neck, knocking him off will rip right through his flesh." The wolf cautioned and Shadow sighed knowing he was right.
'Then what can we do to help?' She thought to herself watching with worried eyes.
Akyme jumped down from Tasuki's back and moved over to Shadow and Spitz closely followed by Link. Vox watched them closely moving to cover Theluji so Tasuki could move. Now the the polar bear was safe Tasuki waisted no time in moving. His blinding speed made it had to see him as he appeared on the other side of the group. He crouched down ready to pounce the minute Rictor dislodged the Rottweiler from his neck.
Kasanga watched them from the other side of the bushes, and took his chance once the fox had his back to him. He sprinted out taking quick action to dive on the overly large foxes back, digging his claws into the foxes side and biting down into his neck, in the same fashion that Dart had attacked Rictor.
"What! Release me!" Tasuki yelped, he wrapped his tails around the lions body and started pulling, he felt the slight tearing at his next, but ignored the pain and continued to try and rip the lion of his back.
Magnar watched the scene, unsure of what to do. Then he noticed how tight a grip Dart had on his friend's neck.
" Just get the rottie to loosen his grip!" He roared as he passed Rictor and leapt at the lion on Tasuki's back. " Let's see how you go with fighting me." He muttered more to himself than to his opponent. And, just for good measure, he lowered his flames so they were no longer surrounding him.
" Magnar, don't be stupid!" Bria growled, moving to protect her cub from the lion and the dog.
Rictor, trying something desperate, flung himself into the ground in the attempt to loosen the dog from his back. Dart, however, was ready for it.
" I see you learn from your father." He growled through black fur.
" You know my father?" the jaguar growled back.
" Know him? Ha. I was killed by him!"
" You're... you're the scientists' mutt?"
That was when fear started to run through Rictor's body. He had heard the stories of the scientists. And every time he had always recieved nightmares. Now he wished that he was asleep and having another nightmare and hoping that it was not a living nightmare.
Tasuki lowered slightly so that when Magnar reached him, the Liger knocked into Kasanga and the both of them tumbled off his back, he yelped as his neck was torn from the lions tight grip but ignored the pain. Fire engulfed him as his body halved to its original size, the wound shrinking with it. A sigh escaped him as the pain lessened and Shadow ran over to him, quick to clean up the blood dripping down his back and off his shoulders.
Dakota yelped jolting to her feet as the back of her neck felt like it had been ripped open. Gemma was to her feet within a second, she looked down at Dakota with worried, scared eyes.
"What happened?" She asked in a panicked voice as she cleaned the wound.
"Tasuki has been hurt." Dakota whispered as she clenched her eyes shut and focused on breathing.
Gemma nuzzled into her before looking out of the cave.
"I hope he is ok." She whispered before laying back down with her head beside Dakota's.
Shadow looked over the wound she was cleaning with worry.
"Are you alright?" The words rushed out of her mouth between licks and Tasuki only nodded before looking over at Kasanga who was struggling to his feet.
"Who are you, and why have you attacked us!" He growled and Kasanga just chuckled as he steadied himself.
"If you must know, I am Kasanga. Your she-wolf caused my death and I plan on taking her down before I rest once again."
Tasuki looked confused before realisation dawned on him and he started snarling again.
"You won't touch Alpha!" He went to charge but was held back by Spitz and Link, Akyme was helping Shadow cease the bleeding.
"You mustn't, you are too injured." Link hissed and Spitz moved between the lion and the group.
"He isn't worth it. Aunt Dakota will not be harmed by this beast."
" Allow me." Magnar muttered to the fox as he prowled around the lion.
In an instant, he had leapt at Kasanga once more and had managed to rake his claws across the lion's back.
" Rictor, calm down." Samantha tried to get through the other targetted member of the group, as Rictor got up and began running in circles in an attempt to get the dog off his back.
" He's the mutt that got my father captured!" Rictor roared back at her. " He's probably here to capture me too!"
" He's supposed to be dead!" Kai roared back, biting at Dart's leg in the attempt to loosen the grip on Rictor's neck.
" I don't care! Get him off me!"
" We're trying!" Ray roared back as he tried to stop his mind from getting dizzy while trying to find a way to get at the dog.
Kasanga roared out in pain as his back was shredded before quickly spinning around and clamping his jaw around the bigger cats paw, the pressure he used snapped the bone in half, he then used his weight to throw the Liger off to the side and out of his way before stalking towards Tasuki again. His path was again stopped, this time by Spitz.
"Both my parents may be human, but don't underestimate me cat." He snarled and Kasanga smirked at him before both charged at each-other, claws out stretched and teeth bared.
"Spitz don't!" Shadow called out, but it was too late.
Kasanga had swiped out slashing straight through Spitz's shoulder, but despite the pain the wolf didn't stop, He dropped to his back allowing the lion to cross over the top of him, before throwing out all four paws and slashing at the lions tender stomach. Kasanga roared out in pain before quickly retreating off the wolf and panting for breath, blood pooling beneath him as he watched Spitz get back to his feet.
"I am ok Shadow, just worry about the kitsune's wounds." He said steadily before stumbling as he put too much pressure on his front leg, he yelped lightly before glaring at the lion, one paw off the ground.
Dakota howled out in pain as a slash bone deep appeared on her shoulder. Gemma yelped at her sudden call before she started to clean the second wound.
"What's going on out there." She whispered with worry.
Bane awoke at Dakota's howl but didn't move from his spot by the dragon and Mana. He just continued to watch the entrance to the den again.
Magnar roared in frustration and rose to his feet. He stumbled a bit when he got up but he ignored it and charged at Kasanga. This time, though, he refused to let the smaller cat get anywhere near his body. While Kasanga was distracted, he wrapped his teeth around the lion's tail and, making sure the tail was tightly in his mouth, rushed back towards where he had been thrown. The result was the lion's tail was pulled from his body; the snap of the spine ringing loudly through the air. Disgusted himself, Magnar spat out the tail and turned to Tasuki.
" That should do it. If he survives that, I want to know why." He murmured before his pain became too much for him to handle and he fell to the ground unconscious.
" Magnar!" Nikila roared, going over to him and trying to wake him.
" No." Rictor muttered before dropping to the ground himself and rolling in an attempt to get the rottweiler off his back. "Get off my back!" He growled at the dog.
Kasanga roared out in pain before sprinting into the forest yelling out behind him.
"Dart! Retreat for now!" He yelled out before he disappeared into the foliage, a trail of blood and his tail the only indications that he was even there. Tasuki flinched at the sound of the lion's tail separating from his body and his painful cries before looking at Magnar with worry. He ran over to the injured Liger and nuzzled into him.
"Magnar, are you alright?" He asked as the wolves and shadow moved up beside him.
Vox, stayed before the cubs, still weary of Dart, who had yet to retreat.
Instantly, at Kasanga's words, Dart let go of Rictor's neck as the jaguar thrashed about. He then allowed himself to be thrown towards the forest and, after a roll, gathered himself and followed the blood trail in order to find his ally. Only once did he look back, already planning his revenge.
Finding himself free of the rottweiler, Rictor looked around confused. He was still trying to figure out what had happened when he noticed Magnar still unconscious on the ground and rushed over to his friend. Gently he nudged the liger's head up and tried shaking him on the shoulder to wake him. But nothing was happening.
" Come on, Mag. Wake up, buddy." He whispered in Magnar's ear, hoping that that would wake him up.
" He's still not waking up." Ray whispered, having gotten there before Rictor.
Desperate, Nikila and Samantha both started licking at the liger's face in an attempt to wake him up that way. Even Theluji had managed to make her way to Magnar's side and was trying to get him to wake up. Still there was no response from the unconscious liger.
" This is bad." Bria sighed as she made her way to the downed liger.
"Shadow..." Tasuki said as he stepped back and shifted his body, once the flames died away Shadow jumped up onto his back and he lay down.
She looked sadly at the foxes neck before leaning over his side, Akyme grabbed Magnar by the neck and both Spitz and Link nuzzled underneath the unconscious Liger, then the four of them, with a few stumbles and a lot of struggling, managed to get Magnar over Tasuki's back. Akyme then jumped onto Tasuki's back beside Shadow and the fox struggled to his feet under the two cats and the wolf's weight. Shadow and Akyme steadied the unconscious cat as Tasuki took a couple steps forward, testing his strength. He then glanced back at Vox.
"Come, we should get moving again." He spoke in a pained voice.
The daemon horse nodded, he lifted Axel and Elena onto his back before moving over to the group. Cautiously he picked up Theluji and placed the polar bear cub on his back with the other two cubs. Link and Spitz flanked the horses side and the group started off again.
Kasanga stopped not far into the forest and lay down, before assessing the damage through the blood on his fur, he could see part of the bone from what was left of his tail and his winced as he started cleaning.
Rictor shook his head as he backed away from his unconscious friend to allow the others to place magnar on Tasuki's back. Kai and Ray rushed to help Shadow, Akyme, Spitz and Link with the unconscious liger while Nikila and Samantha went to take care of their cousin. Pretty soon, they were following the others; Bria watching her daughter on Vox's back.
" How long till we get there?" the adult polar bear asked, praying that they could get to safety before another attack.
Dart found Kasanga cleaning his wound.
" That looks pretty bad." He remarked as he got closer. " What are we going to do now?"
"I am not sure, You know a cat is useless without its tail?" Kasanga laughed despite the situation. "That fox will pay."
"Once we cross the valley just up ahead, we will be about half way there." Tasuki explained, he stumbled slight and was righted by Vox. "Thanks."
*Do not push yourself.* Vox shook his head before speeding up, he stopped at the valley edge and peeked down. *How shall we get across?*
Tasuki limped up beside him and looked down before looking across the valley.
"If I was in peak condition I could jump us across." He sighed before looking back at the others. "Hope none of you mind fire." He smiled weakly before looking back at the hole before him.
He reared onto his back legs before stamping against the edge of the cliff. Flames shot out from his paws and stretched across the length of the valley forming a solid path of fire.
"Do not fear, the flames will not harm friends." He whispered as he trotted into the flickering fire and started walking. Vox right behind him.
" A path of fire." Rictor mused. " That could work."
He then led the rest of the Rebels people across. Only Kai and Bria remained at the end.
" Are you sure it's safe?" Kai asked, testing the bridge but still refusing to cross it.
" They all will pay, Kasanga. They all will. When you are ready, we will take off again." Dart replied with an evil smirk as he sat by the lion but at a safe distance so that he wasn't attacked at the same time.
*It is completely safe. Tasuki wouldn't endanger anyone by doing something potentially harmful. Just stay on the path and cross quickly.* Vox called back, before looking over at Tasuki who was already halfway across the valley, he dully noted that the fox had one of his tails through the path, the tip sticking through the bottom. 'Must be how he controls it.' He thought to himself before trotting abit faster to catch up.
Afew minutes passed before Kasanga drew in a deep breath trying to block out the pain before he struggled to his feet.
"I am ready." He growled as he started at a slow pace towards the valley, a small blood trail following him.
His tail was still bleeding as was his stomach and back, but the blood had almost stopped dripping, only a small amount got thought his wounds.
" I am from the northen ice fields. I do not walk on fire bridges." Bria grumbled.
" And get left behind with them? No thank you!" Kai replied, rushing to catch up to the group and somehow managing to surpass them. " Uh, what happened?" He asked from the other side of the valley.
" You ran past us like a coward!" Ray called back with a smile on his face.
" Get over here and I'll show you what a coward can do!"
" Come on Mama!" Theluji called from Vox's back, being as still as possible for her new friend.
With a sigh, Bria followed.
With a nod, Dart followed the injured lion, keeping an ear and an eye on their prey.
Tasuki laughed lightly as he the snow leopard overtook him.
"The fires won't hurt you, its like walking on normal ground." He said before running the last few steps of the bridge, he stepped to the side so others could pass him but stayed close enough for his tail to still be touching the fire. "Hurry now!" He called out and smiled when Vox galloped the last couple meters across, closely followed by Link and Spitz.
" Come on Bria! We need to get going!" Samantha called out.
" Yeah, yeah." The polar bear grumbled, but she quicked her pace nonetheless and crossed to the other side in her kind's famous loping run.
Once everyone was safely across Tasuki twitched his tail back behind him and the fire bridge vanished.
"We must get moving. I have a feeling our pursuers are still following us. The valley will slow them down but not by much." With that said he started down the trail at a fast trot.
"We mustn't waist any more time, from here we run." Tasuki twitched again at the thought of returning to camp before sighing and allowing his feet to move underneath him. Vox moved so he was on Tasuki's left with Spitz on his side and Link on Tasuki's other side.
*At a run we will be there soon.* Vox thought to the others before focusing on staying steady for the cubs on his back.
" Running. I severly despise running." Ray uttered, remembering the time he broke his leg during the cross country race at school.
" Running. My favourite past time." Rictor added with a smile.
He couldn't help it if he gained his mother's speed and love for running. In a flash, he was off and getting himself lost. Within the next few minutes he had returned.
" Um... Where is this camp?" He asked sheepishly.
"Directly north of here. You can't miss it, the site itself covers the length of this path and slightly into the forest on either side." Tasuki responded, he shook his head when he stumbled slightly, his vision was starting to blur form his exertion. Vox looked over at him worriedly but he just smiled and continued running.
" Right." With that, Rictor was off again.
" Are you alright Tasuki?" Samantha asked.
"I am fine young one." Tasuki grunted as a jolt of pain shot down his spine. "I will feel much better when we stop."
His tongue lolled out the side of his mouth and he started to slow, he wasn't sure how long they had been running for but he could faintly see the break in the trees that signalled the entrance to the camp. He managed to catch sight of Rictor just as he entered the camp and he slowed to a slow walk. Allowing everyone to overtake him. Vox stopped beside him giving the two wolves a pointed look, Spitz and Link understood what he meant and ran off towards the camp. Vox looked at Tasuki who had dropped to the ground, his body shrinking as his legs finally gave way. He yelped lightly under the weight of the Black cheetah, the white wolf and the brown liger. Shadow and Akyme were quick to get off him and help him out from under the other cat.
"Vox." Tasuki panted as he stared down at his paws. "Take them into camp and go with them."
*But Tasu...* Vox started to protest but he stopped at the look in his friends eyes. The horse sighed before laying down and allowing the cubs to get off him. *Shadow, Akyme get Magnar onto my back.* The two of them moved quickly managing a bit easier as Vox was slightly shorter then Tasuki's large form. When they were done Vox stood back up. He Picked up the polar bear cub by the scruff, Shadow picked up Axel and Akyme picked up Elena. The three elders looked to Tasuki with worried eyes but the fox only nudged Akyme forward.
"Go on." He whispered and the three nodded sadly, they each nuzzled him before the three made their way across the last few meters of earth and into the camp.
Tasuki leapt into the nearest tree and crossed the branches stopping on the outskirts of camp. He masked his scent and his energy before blending in with the branches. He looked over the camp watching as Vox, Shadow and the others all entered.
" That's not going to work with me, you stubborn fox." Bria growled sitting down beside the fox's tree. " Theluji!"
" Coming Mama." The cub called back, struggling until Vox had let go of her. She then hurried back to her mother and, after rubbing her head against her mother's, tried to find a way up to Tasuki. Her attempts failing, she resorted to just lie on her back looking up at the fox.
Bria lowered herself so that she was lying on the ground. " I may be a brute at times, but I'm also a flower when I need to be. Why do you not wish to enter the camp?"
The first thing that Rictor ran into was something similar to a brick wall, the weird thing was it was in the form of a wolf. The resulting splat into the ground caused pain to erupt in his already open wound and a yelp to escape him. In an instant, he was surrounded by a mass of scales.
" Rictor. Are you okay? What happened?" Demanicus' voice reverberated around him.
" Forget me. Go look after Tasuki. He's just outside camp. And can you move that wall?" The injured jaguar replied.
" That 'wall' is a wolf called Bane. He's a vampire."
" He hurts!"
With a slight chuckle that he knew he shouldn't have in his throat, he roared out for the whole camp to hear " Tasuki is hurt just outside camp!"
Tasuki glared down at the polar bears before he sighed.
"I will not enter the camp for... Personal reasons." He spoke lightly as he watched his friends.
Most of his new pack was all outside the den. Moonlight and Shadow were nuzzling with Hunter right by them, the two were very happy to see the cheetah alive and well. Gemma and Charmed were smothering Link in affectionate licks and nuzzles, while Tsume sat just off to the side of them with Aden and Kurama, watching his poor son try to get away from his daughter and mate. He smiled at seeing his son was safe. Skype and Akira were fawning over Elena with Krystal and Lelani right beside them. All four very happy to see the youngest member of their family was ok. Talus was sitting away from everyone, watching as his older brother played with his cub. Zander was sitting at the lip of their cave talking quietly with Spitz and Akyme. Jordon, Phoenix, Bloodshot and Snowdrift were all up in the tree by the cave watching everyone and smiling themselves. Tasuki glanced around confused, he couldn't see Dakota or Mana. That's when Bane, Rictor and Demanicus caught his eye, when the black dragon moved to check on the jaguar Tasuki's eyes widened at the unconscious Mana lying limp on the bed of moss. Vox trotted before the others cave and lay Magnar down at the entrance before he crossed the den and entered the cave where he approached Dakota. The two shared a nuzzle and Vox looked at Dakota sadly.
"Where is Tasuki, you two were together. I know these are his wounds." She asked worriedly and just as Vox went to reply Dakota twitched at Demanicus' words.
She then vanished, before appearing before the dragon, jaguar and her still sleeping husband.
"Where is he?" She growled.
Tasuki backed up at the anger in her voice, quickly he leapt from the branch he was on hoping for a quick retreat but the branch he landed on snapped under his injured body and he fell to the ground, landing a couple meters from the two polar bears with a loud yelp. Dakota's attention shot to the entrance where she could see Bria and Theluji, and just beyond them was the injured fox she was looking for.
"Tasuki!" She yelped before running across the den-site and down the path to where he lay.
Gemma seeing Dakota's hasty leave, followed her, completely unaware of her sons relief. No one noticed Mana's ear twitch. Both wolves pulled up before Tasuki who had been knocked unconscious by the fall, Dakota looked back at the two polar bears.
"What happened to him?"
Bosko and Kratia were the first out of the cave, going to their eldest son's aid. In an instant, Bosko had discovered the cause of Magnar's unconsciousness and, mindless of how the tree branches and vine shad got there, took a few of the available rescources back to his son where he immediately began making a splint for his son's broken paw. Once he was done, Kratia called on Octavian to help move the liger deeper into the cave where they would be able to wake him up gently. That was when Nikila and Samantha ran into the cave to make sure that Magnar was okay and were greeted by their parents and little brother. Soon to follow them, though mainly because of a rumble that Ray had started about Kai being a 'chicken', were the snow leopard brothers who were fused over by Anjiti while Kubikuro tried to save his nephews from her fussiness. Taka, however, was the first out of the group to leave the cave in search for the yelp he knew belonged to his younger brother.
" There you are!" The slightly older brother called in excitement as he loped over to his injured brother. " I thought I heard you run into Bane."
" Yeah, yeah. Make fun of the guy who runs into the vampire wolf." Rictor growled.
" Why would I do that?"
" Because that's exactly what Demanicus is doing."
" Demanicus. Go back to looking after Mana and stop teasing my baby brother." Taka ordered.
Said black dragon merely poked his tongue out at the jaguars before doing what he was told and coiling around the black and red wolf once more, carefully watching for any signs of life.
Bria turned to Dakota's voice but instantly raised herself onto her hind legs and placed herself so that Theluji was between her and the tree.
" We are what happened." Dart's voice said from the other side of Tasuki.
Choby, upon hearing the rottweiler's voice, instantly darted out to where things were about to get ugly.
" Theluji. Go into the camp. Find Taka." He ordered the polar bear cub.
" Yes sir." Theluji said weakly, dashing into the camp to find Taka and safety.
" What do you want? I thought we left you beyond the valley!" Bria roared.
Tasuki struggled up to his feet, the sound of Darts voice rousing his soul back to consciousness. He snarled at the rottweiler stumbiling slightly so he stood between his friends and their enemy.
"I apologise Alpha." He whimpered. "I wasn't able to stop them from following."
"Them?" Gemma asked but she instantly knew what Tasuki had meant when Kasanga moved out beside Dart with a wicked grin on his face.
"Long time not see, Dakota." The lion laughed and Dakota's fur shifted colour as anger took over her.
"Gemma get Tasuki out of here. Heal him once your safe." Gemma nodded and moved to help Tasuki away but she didn't get the chance as the Kitsune shifted to the side allowing his flames to engulf him.
Dakota and Gemma watched him with worry and both were shocked when Dakota's wounds started healing over. When the flames around Tasuki vanished he was in his large form and completely healed.
"Alpha. Please allow me to fight, please go look after my kit. Do not allow harm to come to him." Tasuki whispered and Dakota nodded.
"Be safe." She whispered before she ran off into the camp with Gemma right behind her.
When they landed in the camp Dakota stalked through the groups of her family till she passed Tsume. She picked up Kurama before running into the cave. Gemma stopped at the entrance of the den-site and glanced around.
"Everyone! Take cover in the caves! It is too dangerous to be out in the open!" She watched as her family all gathered inside their cave, including Jordon, Phoenix and the two reluctant dragons. She then headed into the cave with them all to wait out the fight.
Kasanga went to run after Dakota but was stopped when Tasuki jarred his path.
"Your opponent is me." He growled, hackles raising, his tails whipping around behind him in his agitated and angry state. "Neither of you will harm a single hair on ANYONE in the camp. Leave now, before I resort to violence."
Mana's eyes blinked open and she looked around slightly, everything was blurry and her body felt hot.
"Where... Where am I?" She asked in a croaky voice.
" Bria. Get back." Choby growled at the polar bear beside him.
" Choby, he..." Bria started.
" I said get back and that is an order! This is my fight and mine alone!" Choby roared, allowing Conrad to take over once more.
" Yes, leader." With that, Bria went into the camp, ordering those from the Rebels to safety.
Conrad turned to face the rottweiler after making sure that Bria was not going to be returning to the fight. " I thought I killed you."
" You did."
" This place brought you back to life, then? So be it. I will just have to finish you for a second time."
" Not this time, Choby. Let me do the honours." a voice whispered on the wind.
Demanicus turned his eyes to Mana, glad to see that she was now awake.
" Mana! You're safe with me. Are you okay? Do you need anything?" He asked, trying to make sure that the wolf definitely was okay without invading her privacy.
"Who was that voice Choby?" Tasuki asked confused as he looked around for anything that could explain where it came from, and confirm if it was another danger to his kit or not.
Kasanga took Tasuki's slight distraction as a chance to pounce but he was knocked to the side by flash of red, white and orange fur. Kasanga looked up at the female wolf now standing beside Tasuki, from his position on the ground. Tasuki looked down at her confused but she just smiled.
"It is nice of you to protect my daughter-in-law, but I will take it from here, so stand back." She spoke and Tasuki felt compelled to obey her and so he backed up out of the way, but didn't leave in case he was needed.
Mana nodded to the dragons question.
"I am fine..." She then looked down at her red paws. "But why have I changed? What happened?"
" His name was Flick." Conrad replied. " In my world, I first met him as a young lizard. Since then, he changed his form from a lizard to an Anatolian Shepherd Dog and from there got into a bit of trouble with a pair of vampires. To be honest, he was killed a while ago now. This place must bring back the dead."
A quick wind burst through forest and kicked up the dust. Conrad had to look away in order to protect his eyes from getting irritated. When the dust finally cleared, a dark tan Anatolian Shepherd was standing in front of him. Around the dog's neck, he could just see the ruby red pendant that was only just beginning to settle.
" That's right." The dog replied, not taking his dull brown eyes from the rottweiler in front of him. " And I want revenge for the death of my brother. Now I will finally get that chance."
" You're..." Dart began, fear returning to him like the time that Choby had first killed him.
" That's right. I'm that lizard. And I'm going to make sure that you die."
" Excuse me for not wanting to watch this." Conrad whispered, returning charge to Choby and slinking off back into the campsite.
Flick gave a small nod in response to the jaguar before, in one strike, knocking the rottweiler in front of him into the next five trees beyond where he was once standing. In the next second, he was at the rottweiler's throat and drinking his fill.
Demanicus' face grew sad at Mana's words. " I don't know. Dakota said something about me changing, but all I remember is fuzz. I can't help you there, I'm afraid. All I know is that when I got out of the forest and saw you like this, I thought that I had done something to you and wanted to protect you as a way of saying sorry if I did do anything to you."
"Ohh, well do not feel bad. Everyone seems ok so there is no need to threat. I am unsure why I havn't changed back yet but Gemma may know.
Tasuki nodded to Choby as he left before looking at Flick and Dart in slight disgust. Essau turned to Tasuki and motioned for him to return to the camp.
"Go to your kit, I will take care of this beast." Essau said and Kasanga ripped his frightened eyes from his partner in crime to the wolf who was now baring her fangs at him.
Tasuki nodded before shrinking back to his normal size and quickly retreating to the safety of the camp. Once he was gone Essau moved quickly, her claw slashing straight though the lions neck before he could move. She looked down at his body as it turned to ash and disappeared with the wind.
"Good luck getting out of here, my sons." She whispered in the camps direction before she too disappeared into the wind.
Tasuki looked around the camp-site before slowly approaching Demanicus and the red and black wolf.
"Mana?" He asked confused.
Mana looked up at him and he flinched back away from her eyes.
"Tasuki..." She looked at him with surprise. "Your back, when did you return?" She sat up but didn't move.
Tasuki's ears flattened and his tails curled around him as he looked at the floor, not sure what to say.
My job here is done. Demanicus thought to himself getting up and backing away from the canines.
Satisfied, Flick turned from the newly formed dust pile and walked to the entrance of camp. With a sad smile, knowing that his time was up, he watched his old gang until the wind picked up and carried him away. Only Demanicus caught the last visual moments of him and even then he merely nodded his farewell and thanks.
"I-I only just returned." Tasuki responded nervously, he looked off to the side and that's when he caught site of Dakota.
She was sitting at the lip of the cave watching him and Mana, Kurama sat at her feet looking at the floor. Mana followed his gaze and smiled, she jumped down from the moss bed and nuzzled into Tasuki.
"I may look different but it is still me." Mana responded before she looked over at the down fox kit and her sister. "Is that right Kurama!"
At her voice Kurama's ears perked and he looked over at them with a massive grin.
"Otōsan, Nii!" The kit yelped before scampering over to the two and diving at them.
They both laughed lightly as they nuzzled him before nuzzling each-other. Dakota smiled at them when she noticed Mana's fur started reverting back to its golden-brown colour. With Tasuki's return, Mana's emotions had stabilised. She then heading back into the cave.
"The threat is over." She told them all before she headed over to Gemma.
She sat down by her, Charmed and Aden. Link and Tsume were over with Skype, Akira, Krystal, Lelani and Elena.
"She is conscious." Was all Dakota said before she moved over to the centre of the den.
She lit the burnt sticks and a small fire started to crackle, she materialised some more wood before laying down by the fire and watching the entrance.
With a sigh, Demanicus went back to working behind caves and putting up the extra five walls that were needed to make the structure hold. In replace of Snowdrift's metal, he used rocks to hold up the walls while he waited for Mana and Tasuki's meeting to end. It was high time this cave was finished... but he still couldn't understand why construction had stopped in the first place. Once he was done holding the walls in place, he brought down a nearby tree (making sure that no one was living in it) and started using that as a bulletin board of sorts and working out a few things he would need for the roof and how to combine it to the walls.
Dakota twitched at the sound of logs moving and she looked over at the two lions sleeping peicefully. She smiled before throwing a stick at them, that was tipped with fire.
"Get up you two and go help finish construction!" She growled and the two jumped to their feet to dodge the flaming stick.
Before sprinting out of the cave, morphing into their dragon forms once they were out in the camp. They then flew to the back of the camp, landing lightly beside the Black dragon.
"Direct us." Was all Bloodshot said, Snowdrift looked over Demanicus' fix up job on the 3 walls he hadn't coated before looking back at his friend.
"Do you wish for me to fix them?" He asked pointing to wards the walls with his tail.
Tasuki smiled when he watched as the blood red pools before him retreated, being replaced by their usual deep blue. He then nuzzled into the now brown fur and licked her behind the ear. He pulled back when he noticed the building happening behind them and moved to pick up Kurama.
"Come on, lets go into the cave and out of the dragons way." He said before he and Mana headed into the den.
" Did I disturb you? I'm sorry." Demanicus sighed, looking up at Bloodshot and Snowdrift. " If you could make these things stable, that would be great. Until magnar wakes up, it will just be the three of us working."
"Magnar? What about Uphere?" Bloodshot asked as Snowdrift got right to work coating the walls in his metal before using his ice to harden the steel.
" That's the thing. Uphere's body generates heat better than mine. And when Magnar get's knocked unconscious, he actually falls into a coma and his body gets extremely cold. Basically, until Magnar wakes up, Uphere is being used as a hot water bottle." The black dragon replied before continuing with what he had been working on before and getting ready to knock down some walls.
"Alright, well we best get to work, what do you wish for me to do?" Bloodshot asked as Snowdrift landed beside him, having just finished the walls.
" I think..." Demanicus looked around at the construction, thinking hard. " I think it's time... to check on Iora. If my thoughts are right, we need to start the demolition job. And we can't do that until everyone is out of the caves which we can't do until after Iora's ready to open the barn for everyone." After a few more minutes, he began mumbling to himself. " We also need to make this look as natural as posible which means... we're going to need more rocks."
Both brothers nodded to the black dragons words before Snowdrift looked at Bloodshot.
"You will assist Demanicus by getting more rocks. I will go see Iora." He said before walking away with a flick of his tail.
Bloodshot watched him go before looking back at Demanicus giving off a nervous aura.
"I am ready when you are." He spoke softly looking down at the floor.
Snowdrift slowly moved towards the entrance of the Rebels den, he folded his wings against his body and peeked in.
"Iora?" He called softly trying to locate the she-dragon without disturbing the others present.
Tasuki and Mana lay down by the fire after acknowledging Dakota, talking quietly while Kurama gnawed on his fathers tails every time he got the twitching fur between his teeth.
Gemma watched from her position by her children with happy eyes. A small crossed her lips at seeing her sister had reverted back and was, for now, happy.
" Could you please go and tell me how much rock we have over at the edge of camp? We can't really do much else until Snowdrift gets back from finding out if the barn is ready." Demanicus said, beginning to calculate how much rock the two caves had combined. But he did manage to spare Bloodshot a small smile of reassurance as he turned back to the top of the caves.
Bloodshot nodded at the older dragons words and quickly made his way to the edge of the camp. He quickly examined the pile counting how much they had and how much they still needed before zipping back through the camp to where the black dragon was thinking.
"I believe we have enough for roughly half of the roof you wish to construct." He explained before he sat down, curling his tail around his legs.
Snowdrift stepped slightly out of the caveway before glancing back at his brother and Demanicus. His attention was pulled back to Iora at her words.
"Demanicus was curious as to how the barn is coming along and how long till it will be ready to house our families, whilst the last of the construction is completed." The white dragon asked lowering so Iora stood taller then himself.
" Half a roof." Demanicus muttered, not sure if he should believe the smaller red dragon or not. With a shake of his head, he looked over to the mountains. " As soon as Snowdrift gets back with his answer, we'll go and get some more rocks. Even if we reuse the rocks from the caves, we won't have enough. Sound good?"
" The barn? Oh, yeah. That's all finished with. Guess I forgot to tell Demanicus." Iora answered sheepishly. " Should I start getting everyone over there?"
Bloodshot glared slightly hearing the doubt in the other dragons voice before looking over the progress they had made.
"Fine." Was his simple answer.
Snowdrift nodded in understanding before thinking about her second lot of words.
"I'm sure it would be fine to begin moving everyone into the barn." He smiled slightly before turning and leaving the cave.
He made his way across the camp in deep thought and sighed as he stopped before the two dragons he was working with.
"Iora has finished the barn and will begin moving everyone in momentarily. What are we up to with construction?" Snowdrift gave his outside attention to Demanicus whilst his attention was on the thoughts that continued to pulse through his mind.
" Have I offended you in some way?" Demanicus asked Bloodshot after giving Snowdrift a nod of recognition.
" Iora, what is going on?" Raimundo asked.
" Demanicus and I had the wonderful idea to combine the groups." Uphere replied from where he was curled around the still unresponsive liger. " We're doing a bit of knock-down rebuilding."
" Which means that we all need to relocate into the barn. Please follow me if you don't want to get hurt." Iora added.
On those words, the she dragon began herding the Rebels out of the cave and into the barn.
"Do not mind him." Snowdrift said, knocking Bloodshot with his tail.
The red dragon sighed before sitting down and waiting to be told what to do.
" Okay." Demanicus thought for a little bit, watching Iora herding his family and friends into the barn, before turning to the two smaller dragons. " Let's go get some more rocks."
Iora, once satisfied that every member of the Rebels was comfortable in the barn, gave a small nod and went towards the other cave. Like Snowdrift before her, she was cautious; pinning her wings to her back and making herself as small as possible.
" Um... excuse me." She called weakly, not sure how to approach any of the other campers or how they would react.
Taka watched the wolf in the distance, thinking it was someone he knew. He woke up in a small patch of trees not far from where he stood but his three legs had forced him to stop. When he saw the strange grey wolf waking up, he limped cautiously over to her but as he got closer, he realised that the wolf wasn't who he thought it would be. He shook his head and his tail twitched uncomfortably as he sat in front of the wolf, but still at a distance, like he was a statue of a jaguar instead of the real thing.
Dakota smiled warily at the stranger. "A jaguar..." She mused aloud before getting to her feet. She took in their surroundings without taking her attention off of the male. She frowned as her eyes caught the blackness swirling in the sky above them. "Mana! Gemma!" She called out, allowing her voice to echo with the hope that her sisters will respond.
Taka jumped back, facing the wolf, but his only back leg slipped underneath him and he dropped to the ground. Almost immediately he stood back up, his tail curled around his left leg and his ears down. He hadn't expected to hear the wolf talk. He looked up into the sky, but the only thing he saw was grey-blue sky. 'You can talk?' he asked the wolf, wishing that at least one of his five dragon friends was with him. Or his father.
"Of cause I can." Dakota replied looking back at the stranger. "I'm a human."
'You can change forms? Like me? I... I... We're alone here.' Taka began looking around, the sudden realisation of being along with a stranger hammering into his head.
"Yeah...' Dakota agreed. "We are..." Her tail twitched as she thought about the situation she was now in. 'Alone with a full grown male jaguar. Great I've really over done it this time.' She got to her feet and stepped back, rising her hackles and lifting her tail slightly to make herself seem bigger. Feeling a bit safer now that she was slightly bigger then the stranger, she turned and started walking away, ears cocked back to trace the Jaguar's movements by sound. "Seeya round.”
'I'm not an adult, in case you were wondering. I'm still really just a kid. I'm a...target when I'm alone.' Taka sighed, not wanting to be alone even if his companion was someone he didn't even know. 'I'm not even fully grown yet. I won't be until I'm eighteen. I'm only just fifteen. I'll be bigger than my father, despite my disability.' Taka lowered his head and closed his eyes remembering what his father had told him merely three days ago about his birth.
Dakota stopped, paw off the ground looking back at the now known teen. She sighed softly, 'I can't leave him here on his own...' Resigned to her decision, she shook herself, lowering her hackles and tail before, she trotted back over to him and sat down, still keeping a little distance between them. She straightened her back, raising her eyes to meet his higher gaze. "Well we are alone right now so you don't need to worry about being a target." She started, smiling softly at the younger. "I will stay with you till we find someone you know."
'Thank you. I'm Taka.' Taka opened his eyes and looked at the wolf. 'I'm sorry, but I thought that you were someone else I knew. A family friend.'
Relaxing slightly, Dakota laid down with her head resting on her paws. "Your welcome Taka, they call me Dakota." She replied and then thought about what the teen had said. "Your family... Were you with them before here?"
'Mum and Dad sent my brothers, sisters and I to our rooms when this storm grew wild. Mum went to calm my baby brother and sister down cause the storm had woken them while dad made sure that nothing was majorly wrong with the house and the dog. I heard him walking past my room in his true form before I blinked and found I was falling, in my jaguar form, into the unknown. Then I blacked out. I woke up not far away from here. In the band of trees.' Taka explained, pointing to the band of trees just beyond where he was before lying down. 'What about you? Who are Mana and Gemma?'
"Mana and Gemma are my sisters... I was out with them when the storm hit,unfortunately we were in the middle of a desert." Dakota said shaking her fur as if she was still drenched from the storm water. "I shimmered us home and we went inside, but then I blacked out and the next thing I know, I'm here..."
'Shimmered?'
"Oh yeah, shimmer!" Dakota yelled jumping to her feet in excitement. She shut her eyes and her body rippled before vanishing. 'Yes...' She thought as she felt the familiar tingle of power.'It's working.' She focused on re-appearing in her bedroom back home, but she felt her body collide with something solid and she was flung back down, striking her ground hard beside Taka. "Ow... Ok, so it doesn't work..." She whimpered, shifting into a seated position, paw pressed against her now aching side.
'Are you alright? You disappeared and the next thing I knew, you were falling from the sky.' Taka asked, getting up and trying to do a visual check to see if she was alright.
Dakota pulled her paw from her side and shook her body before focusing back on Taka. "I'll be fine, there is only slight pain. What you just saw was my ability to shimmer." She responded, licking lightly at the shoulder which had struck the ground.
'But it didn't work.' Taka sighed, closing his eyes.
When he blinked and opened them again, his eyes were blood red. He turned around and roared into the forest, hoping that someone would here him. His roar sounded more like a dragon's than an ordinary jaguar's call. But he was quickly weakened. His ears twitched and he fell to his side panting, his eyes closed.
"Taka?" Dakota asked worried, before she realized what he was doing. Their families and friends had be around here somewhere. She threw back her head and howled, allowing her demonic skin to take over. With the end of her howl, her demonic skin faded away and she glanced around them to see if anyone had heard either of their calls, but there was only silence. She sat down beside Taka, looking at her paws with a frown as they waited.
"Dakota!" A female voice yelled, and her ears perked up. She glanced towards the forest where Taka had first been to see Gemma sprinting through the trees towards them. Dakota looked down at Taka with a smile. "That's one of my sisters, Gemma... Maybe we should move, we might run into someone you know." Dakota suggested worried that no one had answered the youngers call yet.
Gemma slowed to a stop and nuzzled into Dakota's shoulder affectionately before sitting down, eyes drawn to Taka with curiosity.
Taka opened his eyes and looked up at the sky, noticing that there was a blue and black wolf beside Dakota. He blinked a couple of times, his eyes returning to their chestnut brown colour, and dragged himself into a sitting position. He shook himself before looking at the strange wolf confused. Realising that it was one of Dakota's family, he bowed his head.
'Hello. I'm Taka.' he said to Gemma before turning to Dakota. 'Please don't. If anyone answered my call, it would either be my friends Fortuna, Tobias, Sakura or Iora. They're always the ones who listen out for my call in case I need help getting out of trouble. Sometimes I use it as a sort of beacon. They aren't dangerous, more timid than anything. Especially Tobias. Tobias is like me a little, I guess. Managing to get into trouble when he wasn't really looking for it.'
"That's not good, but at least your friends should be here somewhere." Gemma commented thinking of the kind of trouble she and Dakota used to get into when they were younger. She glanced around the empty clearing shifting uncomfortably on her paws, ears perked up and alert.
"So, you just want to wait here then?" Dakota asked Taka, ignoring Gemma's anxious demeanour.
'One of them will come. soon.'
'Taka!' an eagle's call rang out from the sky.
Taka looked up and noticed a golden eagle soaring above. He noticed the circular pattern that it was flying in and realised that it was debating against itself whether or not to land. In an attempt to show that it was alright to land, he pushed his hind leg off the ground so that he stood on his front legs and twitched his tail.
Both Dakota and Gemma followed Taka's gaze to the sky and watched as the eagle circled above them.
"One of your friends?" Dakota asked noticing Taka's reaction to the bird.
'Yeah. That's Tobias.' Taka explained, returning to his standing position.
Tobias circled around once more before diving at Taka, only to stop his descend with a few flaps of his wings and land in front of Taka. He looked behind him at the two wolves and quickly went to preen his feathers, uncomfortable about the two.
'It's okay, Tobias. They're cool.' Taka said, nudging his friend gently in the chest.
Dakota watched them for a moment before nudging Gemma, the two of them turned to leave. "Thankyou for keeping me company Taka, but we have both found someone we know now, so we are going to head off. I wish you both luck with finding your others." She smiled warmly then she and Gemma started off in the direction of the forest.
Tobias watched the wolves leave, almost glad to have them gone, before turning back to Taka with an extremely worried look on his face, making it seem like he was going to cry. 'We are doomed.' Tobias said.
'Why?' Taka asked, wishing that Gemma and Dakota would stay to hear this.
'While I was flying around. I noticed something very important about this place that makes us doomed.'
Dakota's ears twitched at what Tobias had said, despite the distance already between them, she could still hear their conversation.
"What are they saying?" Gemma asked, noticing that Dakota's ears were swivelling to catch their words.
"The bird, Tobias is saying that while he was flying around he noticed something very important about this place that makes us all doomed." Dakota said repeating the eagles worry. Gemma nodded and stayed silent so Dakota could continue listening.
'Explain to me why we're doomed. I'm not understanding.' Taka grumbled, not liking the way Tobias was talking.
'We're on an island. An island that looks like a donut from the sky because we're standing in the centre of the donut and the trees form a ring around us. Including those two. We're stuck on an island! And there's a gigantic landmass on the horizon! far away!!' Tobias said, flapping his wings in panic.
'Tobias. Calm down. You know what stress does to you. Or do you want to end up in some weird hospital that we manage to miraculously find in this place.'
'No.'
'Then calm down.'
Dakota shook her head, flattening her ears in a display of sadness.
"What? What is it?" Gemma asked worried and Dakota's ears shot back up.
"Follow me." Was all she said as she leapt into the air and flew as high as she could, Gemma right behind her. When Dakota stopped, Gemma looked at her confused as to what they were suppose to be doing before noticing Dakota was staring down below them. She followed Dakota's glaze to the ground and gasped.
"Tobias was right!" She yelled in shock. "We are stuck."
"We're on an island..." Dakota muttered, as she scanned the area for any other signs of life. Gemma thought for a moment before looking at Dakota with questioning eyes. "Can you shimmer?"
"No, there's a force field..." Dakota replied as she started descending back to the ground near Taka and Tobias, Gemma began to follow her but stopped, her eyes focused on a figure moving through the forest.
"Hey, isn't that Mana?" She asked, paw pointing to a brown wolf who had sat down grooming herself amongst the trees.
"It is!" Dakota confirmed with a cry of happiness. "Mana!" She called and at the raise of the wolfs head, Dakota and Gemma started for the forest again.
'You don't believe me, do you?' Tobias muttered.
'Would you be upset if I said no?' Taka asked.
'I'll show you.'
Tobias flew into the air and led Taka around the island. To Taka's surprise, Tobias was telling the truth about the island. Tobias landed gently on his back and the two circled the island with their heads down in defeat, sighing as they thought of how they were even going to try and get to the other landmass.
Gemma crashed into Mana as Dakota landed lightly beside the two.
"Glad to see a familiar face." Mana said relieved. "I ran into this really cranky tiger and she attacked me." Mana whined as she licked at her wounded paw which was dripping with blood. Gemma nuzzled Mana's head out of the way and licked at the wound, smiling when it healed. "Thanks." Mana sighed with relief and Gemma just smiled back.
"The main thing is that we are together now." Dakota stated and her sisters nodded in agreement. "Now I wonder who else is here..." Dakota thought aloud and Mana tilted her head.
"I saw a group not too far from here, and over heard they were looking for kids. I think there was a couple of jaguars, a panther and the tiger that attacked me..." Dakota looked thoughtful over her words and Gemma shouldered her with a grin.
"We should keep moving, try and find more of us. Airborne is quicker." She said before taking off with a bound, Dakota and Mana chuckled at her before following. They flew above the tree line to study the strange island beneath them and search for the rest of their family.
Taka stopped in the middle of the donut island, back where he had started, and looked at Tobias.
'Admit it, Tobias. we're not going to get out of this alive.' he said.
'I wouldn't be too sure, man. look.' Tobias said and pointed up at the sky.
"We should split up, three different directions and meet back in the middle with anyone we find?" Dakota suggested and at the others nods she smiled. "Go!" She directed Gemma and Mana before taking off to search her own third.
Taka looked up, but all he saw was grey-blue sky. With a sigh, he lowered his head down again. 'I don't know what planet you're on, Tobias. But there's nothing there.' he said.
'There is. My eyes must be better than yours for this. But I swear it was Kainan.' Tobias replied.
'Tobias. Kainan's dead. He has been for years. How can he be here?'
'Kratia. For the last time CALM DOWN. Getting angry won't solve our current problem of not knowing where we are or where our families are.' Sarabi growled, looking from Kratia to Ritara and Ebony and back again.
'No? Then I bet you can tell me where my lunatic cousins managed to get to.' Kratia growled in response.
'WE don't even know where WE are so how do you expect us to know where your cousins are?'
'Will you two stop it? It's not helping Ritara.' Ebony growled before turning back to Ritara.
Ritara lay on the ground with her paw over her face. She had tried so hard to find her baby twins as well as Taka, but all she ended up finding was nothing. And it frightened her to think what might have happened to either one of the three.
Gemma swiftly swept through her third and after finding nothing, she returned to the spot where they had split. Landing lightly, just aways from Taka and Tobias, she rolled onto her back and watched the sky as she waited for Dakota and Mana to finish searching their thirds.
Mana's area was clear of everything, nothing but grass and the line of trees that made up the edging of the small island, she scanned the ground once more before doubling back. She lowered to the ground, then trotted over to Gemma with a huff.
"Nothing..." She reported. "You?"
"Nothing." Gemma sighed and continued to watch the skys as Mana dropped to her stomach beside her.
Dakota had found the group that Mana had mentioned right away, but she continued to cover her third. Her search was unsuccessful so on her way back, she re-located the small group of cats and landed just afar from them. Cautiously she cleared her throat.
"Excuse me..."
Kratia's head snapped in the newcomers direction, but both Ebony and Sarabi leapt at her and managed to hold her down. 'Get OFF me.' she growled.
'We are not having another scare mission. You already attacked one wolf today, we don't want you attacking another. The next thing we know, you're going to be attacking Anjiti.' Sarabi growled in her ear before turning to Ebony. ' Ritara's upset and Kratia's acting like a dragon with a bad hair-day. I can manage to keep Kratia calm enough for her not to do anything stupid. Can you do the honours?'
'I think I better.' Ebony replied, getting off Kratia and walking over to the newcomer. 'Sorry about that. Kratia's a little on edge about not having her husband, sister-in-law, children, nieces and nephews here and not knowing what kind of trouble her cousins could be causing. She already attacked someone not long ago and that's upset the second jaguar over there even more than she already is. I'm Ebony. The tiger is Kratia. The jaguar pinning Kratia down is Sarabi and the upset jaguar is Ritara. If you were the wolf that Kratia attacked, I'm awfully sorry about what happened.'
"It's quite alright, no harm was done." Dakota chuckled before bowing her head. "I'm Dakota, the wolf that Kratia met earlier is my twin sister Mana. She did have a small wound on her paw, but she will be fine." Dakota smiled before a curious look passed through her eyes. "Are you by any chance looking for Taka and Tobias?"
'Taka!! You know where my baby boy is? You know where Taka is?' Ritara asked, getting up and running over to Dakota.
'Strike two off the kids check list.' Kratia mumbled.
'Are you calming down now, or is that just me?' Sarabi asked.
'Are you a salamander or a jaguar?' Kratia replied.
'Kratia's back.'
Dakota laughed lightly at the twos banter before re-focusing on the distressed jaguar before her with a soft smile. "Yes, I was with him a little while ago." She twitched her ear before flicking her tail before them. "Come all four of you, lay your tails against mine and I will take you to the younglings."
Ritara eagerly wrapped her tail around Dakota's and waited impatiently for the others to do so. Ebony lay her tail on top of Dakota's with Sarabi and Kratia following her example a little more cautiously.
Dakota allowed her power to pulse throughout her body and into the four cats, the five of them rippled before vanishing. She focused on the two friends and with another ripple, the five of them appeared around the Jaguar teen and the eagle. Seeing Dakota appear with the cats, Gemma and Mana ran over, meeting Dakota a few paces from the group. Dakota sat down with her sisters, watching the family with a soft smile. Both Gemma and Mana shifted into comfortable positions and Gemma watched Mana with confusion. She was glaring at the group with a soft growl. Dakota glanced to her, bearing a similar look of confusion. "What are you growling about?" She asked, voice laced with concern.
"That's the tiger!" Mana yelped softly, so the other group couldn't hear her. She continued glaring at Kratia from where she sat. Gemma's eyes shifted to the group to take in Kratia before returning to Mana. She couldn't hold back the laughter.
"God, you’re such a wimp Mana!" At Gemma's mirth Dakota chuckled and Mana's glare shifted from her attacker to her sisters.
'Taka!' Ritara sighed, running over to her son.
'Mum!' Taka said, surprised that his mother just appeared out of nowhere. He ran over to his mother and snuggled into her fur, his momentum knocking the light-weight eagle off his back. Kratia ran over and caught Tobias before he was able to crash land into the ground. He looked up at her and she smiled.
'Good to see you two are okay.'She said, all trace of her cousins gone from her mind along with her anger.
'Thanks Kratia. For, well, saving me from the wraith of the ground.' Tobias said.
Dakota waited a moment before she turned away from the happy group, Gemma and Mana shifted to follow her.
"Taka..." Her voice was lost then she glanced over her shoulder at him with a soft smile. "Thankyou." She whispered then she sprinted a few metres before leaping into the air and allowing the wind to take her higher, Mana and Gemma watched as she circled above the small group before they joined her in the sky. The three of them began the flight towards the higher land.
"We will continue our search up here?" Mana guessed and Dakota nodded.
Taka looked up just in time to see them disappear. 'Wait! What am I being thanked for?' he called into the sky, not to receive an answer.
'Where are we?' Ebony asked.
'On an island. There's a big landmass on the horizon but I don't know how we're going to get there. And I though I saw Kainan flying ahead before.' Tobias said.
'Tobias. Kainan's dead.' Kratia whispered.
'That's what I told him.' Taka said, still looking up into the sky for any signs of the three wolves.
The three sisters landed on the skirts of the huge landmass and looked around.
"It looks the same, miles of nothing!" Mana complained but Gemma hushed her.
"Let’s take a look around, on foot so we don't miss anything." Dakota suggested and the three started scouting the ground for any sign of life or a familiar scent.
'Need help down there?' A deep voice from the sky called.
A great green Asian dragon flew into sight and landed quietly beside the small group, his scales sparkling in the sun as he turned his head to look at the group beside him. He smiled, a little confused, at the wide eyes and disbelieving shakes of heads. Tobias was the first to recover fully at the sight.
'Kainan!' five people said at once.
'See. I told you I saw him.' he said, causing Kainan to laugh whole-heartedly.
'I see you're stuck. Hop on and I'll get to the main land. And you don't have to worry. I'm as solid as a rock.' Kainan said, lowering himself so that the cats could climb onto his back.
Taka instantly climbed onto his back, followed by Tobias, but the adults weren't so quick to react. Eventually the women climbed onto the supposed to be dead dragon's back and Kainan leapt into the air.
Dakota noticed the slight breeze surrounding them had stopped and her head shot up, Mana and Gemma looked around confused.
"Did time just stop?" Mana asked and Dakota jumped beside her.
"It's got to be Jordon!!" She yelled in excitement. "Jordon, Jordon!" She howled for her friend, Gemma and Mana joining in at her first break. Eventually the black and silver wolf they were calling for stumbled into the clearing and ran over to them. The slight breeze picked up again once she stopped before them.
"Hey guys, it's good to see you." She greeted and she was tackled to the ground by her three happy friends.
The small band of friends and family watched as the island slowly sank. Kainan began flying over to the landmass, but everything froze for a few seconds. When everything went back to normal, Taka looked at Tobias confused.
'Could that have been Kaygis or even Shadow?' he asked.
'No. This was different.' Kainan replied.
Kainan landed on the landmass and lifted everyone off his back, placing them carefully onto the ground before walking off into nothing. Taka and Tobias looked around, but couldn't find anything. They turned when they heard Ritara begin to cry again.
Jordon wiggled out from beneath Gemma and Dakota and playfully batted Mana away from her with a laugh. Mana danced away from the offending paw and the four of them sat down in a circle.
"Have you seen anyone else yet?" Dakota asked hopefully and Jordon looked at the ground.
"I think I saw Bane a while ago..." She said before raising her eyes to meet Dakota's. "But I couldn't be sure as he had two white cubs with him, I didn't want to risk approaching on my own in case it wasn't him..."
'Mum?' Taka asked, confused.
'She's just worried about Tidus and Aquile. She was like that when we couldn't find you Taka.' Ebony explained.
'We'll find them, mum. Lets go.'
'Taka's right. We should go and find the others.' Kratia said.
Ritara nodded and the group continued to search for the rest of the Rebels gang. Tobias flew over head and spotted Dakota, Gemma and Mana not far from where Taka and the adults were heading, so he circled over them in an attempt to gather the groups again in case any of the two groups needed help.
'You're growing up to be just like your father, you know that?' Sarabi said to her nephew as they walked.
'So I've been told.' Taka replied.
Bane sighed, resting time was over. He picked up the male cub and placed him on his back before lightly lifting the she-cub by the scruff. With a slight stagger in his step he began walking again. 'I've got to find their parents...' He thought before breaking into a run.
Dakota nodded to Mana's words before she looked up and noticed Tobias. "Looks like their back again." She mused and Mana, Gemma and Jordon all looked up at the eagle circling above them.
Taka noticed Tobias circling around someone or something and rushed over to where Tobias was, the adults following. He skidded to a stop as he entered the clearing, but the skid made him sit down. He looked up at Tobias, confused, and then looked down at the four women in front of him, tilting his head to the side slightly. His ears flickered as he heard his mother begin to cry again and the four adults walked up behind him, but his eyes remained on the four in front of him. Tobias landed heavily beside him, but he got up and dusted himself off.
'Dakota. Gemma. Mana. Wolf I do not know.' Taka said, acknowledging the four wolves presence.
"Taka." Dakota said turning to look at him, Gemma, Mana and Jordon also glanced over. "Tobias and adults..." Dakota added, noticing the others with her young friend. She glanced to Mana before looking back at the others. "You wouldn't be seeking two lost white cubs would you?"
'Tidus. Aquile. Where are they?' Ritara growled, getting suspicious as to how this wolf always seems to know where her children were.
'Mum.' Taka looked at his mother surprised at her reaction.
'Ritara. Don't get all feisty on us now. You can get angry when we find out who did this.' Sarabi whispered in Ritara's ear.
'Yes. We are.' Kratia said, then she noticed Mana. 'Sorry I snapped at you. I...uh...was kind of mad with my cousins before this happened and I guess my anger came with me and worsened when I found myself lost.' she added, bowing her head in shame.
"It's quiet alright Sarabi... She has every right to not trust us." Gemma said, she knew that it did seem kind of suspicious.
"We're lost aswell and are sure the rest of us, including our young are on this land mass." Jordon explained and Mana just nodded at Kratia. Dakota stepped ahead of her family, cautiously towards the other group.
"We were not aware that the young belonged to you. It was simply a question as I know none of my family bare any white cubs. My sister-in-law, Jordon." Dakota gestured towards the wolf by her side. "Informs me she saw what looked like my husband, Bane with them, but she isn't certain that it is him. I'm hoping that when we find my husband, we will find your cubs."
Ritara nodded, tears welling up in her eyes again. 'They're probably hungry. It's about time for their feed, if this place has time.' she sobbed.
'Mum.' Taka sighed, sinking to the ground as he thought about how scared the twins sounded when the storm hit.
'We'll find them. Just like we'll find everyone else.' Tobias said, placing his wing over Taka's shoulder before looking up at the wolves that could quiet possibly eat him. 'And by that I mean everyone we all know. Your friends and ours.'
'Where do we start?' Ebony asked.
"Well..." Jordon started carefully stepping up beside Dakota, moving slowly so not to scare anyone. "We have four airborne and six grounded among us. Maybe we should go in groups of three. Two grounded and one airborne, the final airborne will stay here so that the flyer with each two grounded can direct the groups back to this meeting spot?"
Dakota nodded. "I agree, what do you guys think?" Dakota asked directing her question to the other group.
'I'm with Taka no matter what you people say. We don't leave each other behind.' Tobias said, puffing out his chest and trying to act all brave even though he felt like he was facing death at the moment. Taka looked at him and smiled.
'I'll stay with Ritara. She needs her sister-in-law.' Sarabi said.
'Leaving Kratia and I as a pair.' Ebony added jumping up and down, eager to start the search for the missing babies.
'I guess I'll take it as a 'sounds good'. Who's going to be with us?' Kratia asked, answering Dakota's question.
"Well, I'll stay here." Mana volunteered with a grin.
Dakota shook her head fondly, her eyes glanced to Gemma and Jordon before shifting back at the other group.
"Jordon will go with Taka and Tobias, Gemma will fly with Kratia and Ebony and I will accompany Ritara and Sarabi." Dakota arranged before looking at Ritara. "I would prefer to be near in case we do find your cubs." She said softly, Jordon nuzzled her shoulder slightly and Dakota could see Gemma smiling out of the corner of her eye.
'Ok.' Taka said, getting up.
Tobias looked up at Jordon and seemed to lose all his confidence again. He was afraid that she was going to do something bad to him, like try and eat him. He watched the two other groups leave with the other group members before looking back at Jordon.
"Ha-ha!" Jordon laughed as she jumped to the side, her rump up, her chest touching the ground and her tail wagging playfully in the air. "So..." She started before rolling onto her back. "Where do we go first?" She asked, a childlike smile on her face.
Mana shook her head at the youngers playfulness before she flew upwards directly above Jordon, Tobias and Taka, she could see the other two groups clearly in the distance. With a deep breath, she shut her eyes and listened for any updates.
Dakota walked slowly beside Ritara and Sarabi. "I really hope we can be friends, and lose this tension that has settled between us..." She said low, looking at her paws as they moved.
Gemma was flying low but above Kratia and Ebony, she made no contact with them as she flew. *I think it's best to keep weary of these... Others.* Gemma projected to her sisters, both Mana and Dakota heard her words as if they were their own thoughts.
*I agree.* Mana responded and Dakota's ears lay back against her head. *Maybe we should give them a chance...* She thought but neither Gemma nor Mana responded, all she received was silence.
'You're older than us...I think.' Taka said, looking at the weirdly playful wolf in front of him.
'And you're really starting to freak me out, no offence. But your bigger than me, and you could easily kill me if you wanted to. And those teeth of yours...' a shiver ran down Tobias' spine at the thought of being the wolfs dinner.
'You're going to be fine. If not... well, she's going to have to kill us both. Anyway, you're probably older than us so you should lead. Tobias, take to the air if your wacko imagination is going to get the better of you. And, before anything happens, I'm sorry if I drag you back.' Taka said, turning to show Jordon his missing limb.
Ignoring the birds worry and words, she got to her feet and lowered her head to get a closer look at the Jaguar's leg. She frowned lightly. "Will you be alright to walk? I mean you can sit on my back if you want." Jordon offered, worried about the youngers leg.
'I'll be ok, I've had to ever since I was born. But I get tired easily. That's why I'm apologising before hand.' Taka said with a smile. He was starting to like this wolf. She reminded him of Kinara and Mazari.
'I think that was my fault.' Ritara sighed, feeling her tears welling in her eyes again. 'I'm just, really worried about my cubs. They can't talk yet but their eyes are open and they like getting into trouble. If they're alone, Tidus is bound to lead his sister into danger somehow. Oh, I hope they're safe.'
Sarabi nudged her under her chin to try and calm her down, knowing that no word would truly calm her down until she found her cubs unharmed.
Ebony looked up at Gemma, confused. She couldn't understand why the flying wolf wasn't communicating with them. Kratia looked up at Gemma, only to see what Ebony was looking at, but then looked back down to Ebony before lightly hitting her on her shoulder. 'Didnt your mother, or Kaygis for that matter, ever tell you that it's rude to stare? If she doesn't want to know us, fine. But it won't stop us from trying to know you!' she called her last sentence up to Gemma, knowing that she could hear everything that they said.
Jordon smiled. "Well the offer is up whenever you need it kid, come on, let’s start searching." She turned and started in a new direction to the other groups. "We will see you soon Mana." She yelled to the brown wolf.
"Yeah, you take care of the young ones!" Mana commanded and Jordon smiled.
"Will do." She called back, Mana watched them walk off before closing her eyes again.
Dakota glanced at Ritara. *Guys...* She projected to Mana and Gemma. *They’re just as worried as we are... About everything, we should give them a chance.* She said, directing it more at Gemma, knowing that Mana would have already given in.
Gemma was silent for a few moments before her reluctant voice came back. *Fine... I’ll give them a go.*
*That's all I ask.* Dakota responded, then she stopped walking.
After closing her connection to her sisters, Gemma's sub-concious began to wander while her concious scanned the ground for any signs of life. Her mind drifted back to the day at school when Chambitsu had taken Jordon, Dakota had fought the elementals and she had unknowingly turned on Dakota during the fight. She was drawn from her thoughts when a strange, yet familiar scent spiked the air and Gemma flew ahead, before landing in front of Kratia and Ebony sideways, blocking their path.
Tobias flapped onto Taka's shoulder as they watched Jordon leaving without them. 'You know what to do.' he said to Taka.
Taka nodded and ran after Jordon in a sort of loping movement. Tobias spread his wings and allowed the wind that rushed past him to lift him into the air. Taka skidded to a stop just in front of Jordon and sat down so that he wouldn't fall before looking back at Jordon. 'We're ready.' he said with a smile.
'Is something wrong?' Sarabi asked, looking at Dakota confused.
Ritara wiped her paw over her face, removing the tears that ran down her cheeks, before looking at Dakota as well.
'Is there a problem up ahead?' Kratia asked, sitting down.
'Okay, I'm really confused. How can you fly without wings?' Ebony asked.
"Ok then, let’s go." Jordon said before walking around Taka, but this time she stopped to make sure he was following.
Dakota shook her head and looked up at them. "I just got an idea. I might be able to shimmer to Bane and the cubs." She said hoping she was right.
Gemma's ears twitched at their questions, which she pointedly ignored, before they lay back against her head. Her lip raised as a snarl broke from her chest, her paws spread evenly on the ground as the earth's vibrations sent shock-waves throughout her body. For a split second it was quiet then she tackled both Kratia and Ebony to the side as a rock spike shot up through the ground. Gemma was back on her feet just in time to dodge another spike. She landed before the two cats snarling, hackles raised as a brown wolf appeared before the three of them.
Taka limped after Jordon, easily keeping up with her. 'I'm coming, I'm coming.' he said, twitching his tail.
'Shimmer?' Sarabi asked, even more confused than what she already was.
'What the...?' Kratia cursed, watching as a wolf appeared out of the earth.
'Um, can I safely say that now I really wish that either Bosko, Choby, Raimundo, Julien, Kubikuro or Link were here?' Ebony asked.
'And you don't think I'm a good fighter?'
'Does it matter? You're a white tiger. That guy's, well, an earth bound wolf. How can a tiger fight a wolf that can probably throw big, heavy boulders at you?'
"Yeah it's how I got you to Taka and Tobias that first time." She explained laying her tail before them.
Gemma looked back at Kratia and Ebony. "Stay back this won’t take long..." Her voice was a snarl, but it wasn’t directed at them. She turned to Dusty. "How did you manage to come back, Dakota killed you 11 years ago!" She yelled and Dusty just smiled at her.
"You must have wanted me back." He cackled. "Or how else am I here?" His voice was taunting and Gemma rushed him, he descended into the ground throwing Gemma over him and onto her shoulder, she yelped, her pain echoing through Dakota. Gemma shook her head. "Dirty little cheat!" She yelled regaining her feet. "Fight like a real wolf!"
'Are you alright?' Ritara asked, concerned.
'This isn't the time for that now, Ebony. Now be quiet and watch.' Kratia hissed, keeping her eye on the supposed to be dead wolf in front of her. Her instincts had taken over again and she waited for the right time to strike at this obvious threat.
"Yeah, but Gemma, Kratia and Ebony are in trouble..."
*Who’s the threat?* Dakota asked sitting down ears against her head eyes shut.
*Dusty...* Gemma replied.
*Ok, take care of him, don’t let the others fight or get hurt.* Dakota commanded.
*Sure thing.* Gemma replied as she once again leapt between Dusty and the two cats she was protecting.
Mana heard their telepathic convocation but stayed out of it and did her job waiting for the others to return.
Gemma landed lightly between the threat and her companions. Dusty shot a spike upward under Gemma, for her plan to work she needed to bleed, so she allowed the spike cut into her ribs as she dodged most of the damage, releasing a yelp due to the pain, her body dropped to the ground, injured side up. She held her breath and slowed her heart, giving off the impression that she was dead. She could feel the blood from her side pool slightly sticking to her fur in an uncomfortable way, but she didn't move. Dusty then re-appeared beside her, he glanced down at her "lifeless" body before turning towards Kratia and Ebony. With a smirk, he advanced on them.
Kratia growled, getting ready to pounce, but before she knew it, Ebony was attacking her. 'What are you doing?!' she growled, shocked at the sudden attack.
'You did say to watch. and I have been watching. I've been watching you planning on trying to get yourself killed. If people from the dead can come back to life here, what's the bet that people who are alive can also be killed? If you die, Bosko dies. If Bosko dies, there'll be a whole chain of events that we don't want to have happen. Remember what happened when Luigi died?'
'You've got to be kidding me. I'm being given advice from a cat who's been in captivity longer than I have. You know Ebony, there are times you get on my nerve. And this just so happens to be one of those times.' Kratia leapt out from under Ebony and slashed at her face, but Ebony dodged and counter-attacked with a kick into the bigger cat's chest.
Dusty closed in on the now fighting cats. Gemma’s eyes shot open as she slid across the floor silently, leaving a trail of blood behind her. She latched onto Dusty's leg and stood up swinging him, she then let go mid swing and Dusty's brown body smashed against a tree, yelped and slunk to the ground.
"God! Stop your bickering!" She yelled at Kratia and Ebony, she then leapt into the air and let the wind take her higher, once she was high enough and tilted herself towards the ground. As she gained speed she started baralling in the air, tendrals of wind forming around her body the faster she got, she hot up into the air and from a steady hight she dived down at Dusty, throughout her decent more and more tendrals of wind formed around her and just before she hit, she opened her jaw. She clamped down over his neck, her back legs coming down over her, when her back paws touched the ground beneath her she used her whole body weight to lift Dusty up by his neck and in one swift movement she tossed him over her body without releasing her grip on his neck. The force of the throw and the grip Gemma had on his neck tore straight through the soft flesh and Dusty's body landed motionless about 3 meters from his attacker. Gemma then dropped to the ground, licked over the wound on her ribcage and once it was closed she lay her head on the ground, and let out a tired sigh.
'I'm not going to hurt her. If anything, she'll hurt me. She's a tiger, I'm a panther. The odds were stacked against me from the start. She's too fast for me. Besides, why would I hurt someone who's...nevermind. Just be thankful I somehow managed to stop her from ruining something important.' Ebony called, dodging Kratia as she leapt at her.
"Well, he's finished now." Gemma said staggering to her feet. "So let’s keep searching."
Kratia leapt at Gemma, but was pinned down by Ebony again. Ebony slapped her paw over the tiger's face growling. 'That's enough, Kratia. It's over. The kill has been made. We do not attack friends. I think you'll find that being born a wild tiger would have had you turning into a man-hunter with the way you act. You've been hanging out with Lakshmi for too long.' she growled.
Sarabi sighed. 'Please don't tell me that Kratia's gone into hunting mode.' She asked Dakota.
Dakota opened her eyes and glanced at them. "I'm afraid so, she just tried to attack Gemma..."
'Gemma's on her side. Is she crazy?' Ritara asked Sarabi.
'That's her natural instinct. If she had been raised differently, she'd be a killer. Lakshmi probably hasn't helped. But enough about this. Kratia will snap out of it.' Sarabi replied before turning to Dakota. 'What is this Shimmer thing? Explain it to us a little more.'
Kratia looked up at Ebony, realising what she had done, and calmly eased herself away from the black panther. She looked at Gemma and then down at the ground almost instantly. 'Sorry.' she whispered, realising what she did to make Ebony slap her across the face.
"It's fine..." Gemma said unsure about the white tiger before her. She pushed off the ground and flew up above them. "Let’s keep moving." She called down then started flying in the direction they were going.
*I don’t know if I can trust them, I’m sorry.* Gemma projected and Dakota shook her head.
*It’s ok, at least you tried.* She then looked up at Sarabi.
"Well it's basically the ability to move from one place to another instantaneously. If I think of someone, somewhere or even something, I can shimmer there simply by closing my eyes and willing myself to be there. During a shimmer it basically looks like my body is rippling as it fades." She explained as best she could.
'We need to get to Kratia. Something's not right.' Ritara said, her tail twitching as she thought about Kratia.
'We'll have to let Ebony deal with it. Right now, were looking for your cubs that are probably thinking that they're starving.'Sarabi said before turning back to Dakota. 'That shimmer thing. It only works if its with someone you know, right?' she asked.
'Great one Kratia. You over react and you nearly kill Gemma. She's on our side! She's not the bad guy! She's not some hunter that you're trying to protect Ritara from. If only Bosko could have seen you.' Ebony growled before trotting after the shadow of the flying dog.
*He'd want to divorce. It was because of Luigi that we even got together. I guess Luigi's death is playing heavy on my mind still. I'm a fool. A great big, kill all you see fool. I don't deserve Bosko. I don't deserve my boys. I don't even deserve the cubs I carry. The mission, girl. Stick to it. Get out of your fantasy land.* Kratia thought, sighing. She looked up at Gemma and lowered her head further, trying her best to follow them.
'There's nothing ahead. What do we do?' Tobias called, soaring over head.
'How far do we have to search?' Taka asked, starting to fall behind.
"No, It can be a total stranger I'm trying to get too. As long as I know their name and can create a general picture of them in my mind, that will set them apart from others of the same name, I can find them easily." She smiled.
Gemma continued to fly occasionally glancing down to the two cats below her, making sure they were still there and ok. 'Whilst I may not trust Kratia, I will not let harm befall them.' She thought to herself before lowering just slightly so she was closer to them.
Jordon ran back to Taka and lifted him onto her back in one swift movement then trotted till she was beneath Tobias again. "We will go a little while longer then we will start heading back.”
'Thanks.' Taka whispered, out of breath.
' I can see better than you can and there is nothing. Can't we all just rest a little while. I can't stay up here forever.' Tobias called down.
'The cubs names are Tidus and Aquile. But they won't answer. They can't. Unless you include mews as talking.' Ritara sighed, feeling that they really needed to be with Kratia despite needing to look for her cubs.
"You’re welcome." Jordon answered then she glanced up at Tobias. "Ok, If you can't spot anything from that height then there isn't much in this direction. Let’s start heading back."
"Alright, now place your tails on mine and I'll take us to them." Dakota directed.
Mana ran over to a row of trees just down from the meeting point, she tore shreds of pine and carried the pile over to the meeting point. She dropped the pile and picked up a strip piercing it into the ground and supporting it with surrounding dirt, she then did the same thing three more times creating a square with the sticks. She then lay more of the pine around it making a shelter. When satisfied it was good enough, she ran back and got more pine, the first shelter was ok for four animals so she would need to make at least two more. The pile she brought back was twice the size of the other pile. She put together two more shelters then used the remaining pine and sticks to create a pile in the centre of the three shelters.
*Now I just need fire.* She thought, both Dakota and Gemma's ears twitched at her thought but they both ignored it, kind of worried about what Mana could possibly need fire for and their minds did not want to go there right now.
Mana was about to give up when she heard a screech from above, she glanced up to see Phoenix flying overhead.
"Phoenix!" She yelled up to him and he swooped down, he landed beside her and they hugged.
"Glad to see someone I know in this dusty place." He said happily as he flapped his wings.
"Same here." Mana replied just as happy. "Can you light this for me?" Mana said gesturing towards the pile of sticks and pine.
Phoenix blew a small flame at the pile and it lit up. Both Mana and Phoenix, settled in by the fire.
"The others should be back soon." She smiled
"Awesome...” Phoenix answered unsure about something.
Mana was worried but let it go.
'Hope you don't mind the extra load, but my wings feel like they're about to drop off.' Tobias said, swooping down and landing on Taka's shoulder. 'I'll take flight after a few mintues rest.'
Sarabi placed her tail on Dakota's and waited for Ritara to do the same but Ritara was reluctant to at first. 'I seriously think we should be with Kratia. Something's not right. I can feel it.' She said as she rapped her tail around Dakota's.
'Ritara. I'm sure she's fine.' Sarabi said, placing her paw on Ritara's.
'No. This is bad. And I mean bad.'
Kratia looked up from her sorrow filled thoughts wondering how far ahead Ebony and Gemma had gotten without her. Before she knew it, she had closed her eyes and collapsed. She could sense that something was wrong inside of her, but the only thing she could do was pray that she wasn't having a miscarriage.
Ebony looked behind her to see where the white tiger was, her anger gone and worry streaking across her mind. When she didn't see Kratia she looked up to make sure that Gemma was still above her. 'Gemma! Something's wrong! Where's Kratia!' she called up to the blue, black and white wolf.
"It’s cool, rest as long as you like, you’re as light as a feather." She laughed going from a slow walk to a trot.
Gemma looked down to Ebony, her eyes turned frantic as she scanned the ground.
"I can’t see her!" She yelled down to Ebony now very worried.
Dakota felt a jolt run through her shoulder and she was knocked to her side on the ground, she shook her head and sat back up confused. *That was weird.* She thought as both Mana and Gemma perked up their ears.
*What was?* Mana questioned.
*My body just collapsed onto its side...*
*Kratia!* Gemma thought as she swooped down to Ebony grabbing her by the scruff and took off in the direction they came, scanning the ground for the white tiger.
'Thanks.' Tobias whispered as he tucked his head under his wing and fell asleep.
'Are you alright?' Sarabi asked, getting really worried for Ritara and her cubs, Kratia and now Dakota.
Ritara had flicked her tail off Dakota's and was now pacing between the wolf and a tree not far away. Now she was sure that something was wrong.
'Kratia! Kratia where are you!' Ebony called down from being carried off by Gemma. Her worry had grown when Gemma just randomly swooped down at her, picked her up like a cub and took off with her back the way they had come.
Kratia's ears twitched when she heard a wolf howling not to far away and when she heard Ebony's calls from somewhere above her, but she dare not open her eyes and break her prayers. Tears had already sprung to her eyes at the very thought of losing her unborn cubs and they began to stream down her face when she felt liquid douse her tail.
Dakota glanced at the sound of the wolf howling.
"Bane!" She yelled before howling back.
The distant wolf howled again and Dakota knew he and the cubs were ok.
"Ritara, Tidus and Aquile are ok." Dakota called back to her then her ear twitched when another howl sounded. "Baby panthers?" She turned to Sarabi, "Have you got two newborn, blind, panther cubs? Cause Bane found them too, they're all ok, he’s bringing all four cubs back to the meeting point. We should get to Kratia"
Gemma glanced, she saw Kratia lying down beside a rock in the dirt path they had been walking. "Down there!" She yelled as she lowered Ebony to Kratia and landed herself.
'Blind Panthers...? Ritara! Whoever found Tidus and Aquile found Jacob and Finealta! Ebony's cubs! What in the world is going on here?' Sarabi said, jumping up and down. But then she stopped. 'What about Luigi? A three month old male golden jaguar cub that won't stop talking about how hungry he is and about how funny his cousin looks, is he there too?'
Ebony licked at Kratia's tears before noticing her blood-stained tail. 'No.' She whispered. 'No. Kratia no. This can't be happening.'
Kratia's ear twitched at the sound of Ebony's voice and she flinched remembering what the black panther had said after she leapt at Gemma. The tears kept coming, but she didn't say a word.
Dakota howled back to Bane and sat down awaiting a response. After a minute or two he howled back.
Dakota turned to Sarabi with sadness. "He hasn't..." She whispered. "But he will keep an eye out as he brings the other cub’s back." She finished her voice a little stronger.
"Kratia..." Gemma whispered she nuzzled into Kratia’s paw then looked at Ebony.
"Let’s get her back to the meeting point, we will continue looking tomorrow..." Gemma’s voice was low, she didn't want to stop looking for her kids but she had to, although she didn't feel anything for these two cats she couldn't bare the pain Dakota must be feeling through her empathic ability.
'Ok.' Sarabi sighed. 'But the main thing is the young ones have been found.' She said a little happier.
She went over to Ritara and licked her ear. 'The rare cubs have been found by someone good. Yours and Ebony's.'
*Papa. Please don't let it be so. Please let me still carry the cubs. Papa please. I don't want this to happen.* Kratia thought as tears continued to stream down her face.
When she heard Gemma talk about abandoning the search for the time being, she dug her claws into the ground and refused to leave.
'Come on Kratia. We need to go. I don't think...' Ebony began, remembering how stressed Kratia had been before this had happened.
"You guys head back..." Dakota said looking at the two worried Jaguars. "I'm just going to look a little while longer. Please head back alone and do not worry." She glanced up to see the smoke from the fire Phoenix lit. "Follow the smoke back to the camping site, and wait there for Ebony, Kratia, Taka, Tobias and Jordon. There’s someone I have to find before the night is up. You will recognize Bane straight away, he carries my scent, so don’t be afraid to approach him when he shows up, the cubs are in good hands." Dakota finished before leaping into the air and flying off.
*Sisters, our search begins now.* She thought and Mana and Gemma nodded.
"Ebony, take Kratia back to camp, I will keep looking a while, just follow the smoke." She briefly explained before launching into the air and flying in Dakota's direction.
Mana looked at Phoenix. "Dakota and Gemma need me, wait here for Jordon." She said before springing into the air and flying off.
Jordon ran into the camp just as Mana took off, she saw Phoenix and reared, Taka and Tobias falling off her back, she then ran over to Phoenix, transformed into her bird form and tackled Phoenix to the ground.
Tobias woke suddenly and ruffled his wings when he found Taka staring at him, just as shocked as he was. Taka sat up and shook his head before turning to see Jordon as a black and grey articuno and a Phoenix over-excited to see each other. He looked back at Tobias, who also looked back at him, and they both shook their heads. 'Nah.' They said together.
Ritara turned to Sarabi after watching Dakota fly off. 'Let's not follow what she said and go find Kratia, cause I'm not liking they way she just left us like that.' she said.
'You don't trust her?' Sarabi asked, shocked.
'It's not that. I do trust her, as much as I trust anyone I just met and who have just managed to locate my cubs for me. It's just...I'm worried about Kratia. You know how hard she's been working and how hard we've all been trying to get her to relax after we found out about her pregnancy. I'm just worried that something wrong's happened with it. You know, that sixth sense that I get sometimes.'
'That thing. That's scary. Ok, but your asking an almost impossible thing out of me. A jaguar can't track a tiger as much as a dog can track.'
'But you can still track.'
Sarabi nodded her head and closed her eyes before picking up the scent of blood and running in the direction that it was coming from. Ritara followed close behind.
'Gemma! I can't do it! Gemma! This is no use. Kratia, we have to go back. Come on. I need your help on this one.' Ebony begged, trying her hardest to get the white tiger to listen to her.
Gemma heard Ebony yell out to her but she couldn't go back, this was more important, they had to find Krystal and they had to find her now. She flew faster towards Dakota.
Mana picked up both their scents ready to collide and flew faster as well. They met above a ring of trees and started searching.
Jordon sat down beside Phoenix smiling happily.
'Um, Taka...Did you ever get that feeling that something completely unnatural was happening?' Tobias asked, looking at Jordon and the Phoenix.
'Besides the time that Shadow fell in love with Iora? Or the time when Julien decided to practically steal Saran from the zoo because he loved her, like we've been told?' Taka replied.
'More like that crazy panther friend of ours who fell in love with a dragon.'
'Then yes.'
'No offense, or anything like that, Jordon. But, what's going on here? Is that phoenix like your boyfriend or something?' Tobias asked, flying up to the safety of the trees in case she decided to attack him for getting the wrong impression.
Ebony looked up startled when Sarabi and Ritara burst through the trees, and ran up to Kratia. 'No. Kratia.' Ritara said, noticing the tiger's blood-stained tail.
'This isn't good. What's Bosko going to think of this?' Sarabi muttered.
'Forget what Bosko's going to think, what's more important is looking after Kratia on it.' Ebony growled.
'Ebony's right. But we need to get her back to the camp.' Ritara said, ignoring how Kratia felt about leaving and lifting her onto her back carefully.
Ebony and Sarabi followed Ritara as she took the upset white tiger back to the camp, finally following Dakota's advice and following the smoke back to camp.
"More like husband." Jordon said glancing up at Tobias.
The three sisters were flying when Dakota caught glimpse of an orange jaguar cub. "Luigi!" Dakota called landing by the tree he hid behind.
'Husband!' Tobias nearly fell out of the tree.
'I'll take that as a more like Julien and Saran situation.' Taka said, running under Tobias in case he did fall.
'Ebony. We found Finealta and Jacob. They're safe. Probably as hungry as Tidus and Aquile, but safe. Dakota's husband is bringing them to camp.' Sarabi said, trying to make the walk back sound less boring.
'They're safe! That's good. I was starting to get worried because Kaygis hadn't tried to contact me to say that he was with them.' Ebony said, relieved.
'You thought they were with Kaygis this whole time I was freaking out about Taka, Tidus and Aquile?' Ritara asked.
'Naturally.'
'You are unbelievable.'
Luigi looked around the tree he was hiding behind and saw a big wolf looking down at him. He growled a little, before deciding to continue playing his little game that he and his newly found lion cub friend were playing. That's hen he smiled at the wolf and dashed behind the tree again. He then jumped to the other side of the tree and sat behind the wolf, waiting for her to do something. When nothing happened, he twitched his tail and tilted his head. 'Are you going to play with me and my new friend?' he asked, childishly.
"It’s not that surprising..." Jordon said a little upset.
Bane trotted with three of the babies on his back and one in his mouth. "It’s alright little ones, well get you back to your parents soon." He ducked through a row of trees but stopped when he heard yowling. Bane shook his head and turned in the direction of the yowling. He came into a small clearing to see 3 lion cubs on and around a rock. He trotted over to them but stopped just in case they got scared. "Hello little ones..." He said softly putting the black cub down and placing the white cubs down as well. He took a careful step forward.
Dakota shook her head. "Sorry little one but I’m looking for my Niece, Lelani. By any chance is your mother, Sarabi?"
'It's just...well...you don't look like you should be old enough to marry.' Taka explained while Tobias got over his little fright.
Zelda saw the cubs and ran up to them, playfully nudging two of the white cubs and licking the other two gently on the back. She turned to her brother and sister, before half lying down and twitching the tip of her tail. 'Aztec. Tammy. This guy found Tidus, Aquile, Jacob and Fini.' she called out, bouncing over to them.
'Yeah. But you need to meet my new friend. She's very fast, but she hasn't found me yet. Maybe I should have climbed the tree instead.' Luigi said, looking from the tree to the wolf in front of him.
"Dude I’m thirty-two" Jordon said laughing at their shock.
"Finally names..." Bane whispered. Then again he placed Tidus, Aquile & Fini onto his back and picked Jacob up by the scruff. "Come on kids, let’s get you back to your parents." He said through Jacob's scruff.
"Very fast?" Dakota asked. "Cub..." She glanced at Gemma and Mana "Lelani!"
'Oh. Sorry.' Taka's ears drooped as he bowed his head. Tobias hid his head under his wing in shame.
'That's her! That's her name! It's like me, but it's not like me. We're playing hide and seek.' Luigi said, jumping up and down before hiding behind the tree again. He poked his head around the tree again and cheekily smiled at the wolf in front of him. 'Are you playing or not?' he asked.
'AZTEC! TAMMY! ZELDA! WHERE ARE YOU!' A deep voice roared through the forest. The three lion cubs looked around and watched as a scared brown male lion walked out from behind a bush. 'Uncle Bosko!' They called, running up to him and pouncing on him.
'Calm down you three. Is anyone else with you?' Bosko asked.
'Jacob, Tidus, Aquile, Fini and this wolf.' Zelda said, jumping up and down again.
'Jacob, Tidus, Aquile and Finealta? and a strange wolf?'
'Yeah. He showed up with them. They look hungry but they seem ok.'
'Thank you...' Bosko started, waiting for the wolf to introduce himself.
"It’s fine." Jordon said, as she shuffled over. "Come sit by the fire and keep warm while we wait for the adults."
Mana and Gemma disappeared, Dakota glanced for them. "God you two are childish!"
"Lelani! It’s Aunty Dakota! Please come out!" She yelled and after a couple minutes of silence a small white cub walked out from behind a tree.
"Lelani..." Dakota sighed relieved. "Gemma, Mana! She’s here." Dakota yelled out and they appeared again.
"Aunt Gemma, Aunt Mana!" Lelani yelled not even remotely interested in the fact that Dakota was sitting there.
Bane cleared his throat and stepped forward. "I'm Bane." He said lightly. "Last I checked my wife, Dakota is with Ritara and Sarabi. My sister-in-law, Gemma is with Kratia and Ebony, and my step-sister Jordon is with Taka & Tobias. I’m heading there now with the cubs, but..." He said stepping back away from the cubs he had been carrying. "I wouldn't want to get in your way." His tail shifted by his legs as he lowered to the ground before the lion.
Tobias glided down onto Taka's shoulder and Taka limped over to the fire where he lay down and began to fall asleep. Tobias stared, transfixed, into the flames in front of him.
Ritara walked into the camp with Kratia sobbing into her neck and Sarabi and Ebony just behind her. She saw Taka asleep by the fire and placed Kratia beside him before trying to clean the blood off her friend's tail. Ebony and Sarabi noticed Jordon and the phoenix watching the two boys but they didn't say a word about Kratia unless they were asked.
'Now we have to start all over again.' Luigi pouted, walking out from behind the tree. But a smile grew on his face when he thought of something else. 'Are you going to start a new game with us? We could play tag or hide and seek or guess or...or tag.'
'Thank you Bane, for finding the cubs. I'm Bosko. Don't worry. You're not in my way. You mentioned Kratia. Do you know how she is going? I hope she's relaxing.' Bosko asked, getting worried about his wife.
Jordon glanced at Kratia and the others. She stood up and slowly stepped towards her. "Is she ok?"
"We will once we get back to camp?" Dakota asked glancing at Mana and Gemma.
"Yeah once your mummy knows your ok we will play." Gemma smiled and Mana nodded in agreement.
"Yay! I get to see mummy and daddy?" Lelani asked.
"Later." Dakota patted her then picked up Luigi, placed him on her back and started walking, Gemma picked up Lelani and did the same then all three started heading back.
"Your welcome... Um I haven’t actually seen any of them, but I’m heading back now, so she should be at camp with the others, we just have to follow the smoke." Bane explained glancing to the stream of smoke rising from the trees. He then slowly and unsurely, picked up Tidus, Aquile and Finealta and placed them on his back, he then picked Jacob up by the scruff and awaited Bosko's movement.
'Well, she's been really stressed lately and...we think she may have had a miscarriage.' Sarabi replied, looking down at Kratia sorrowfully.
'But I want to play now!' Luigi screamed, looking for the best way to get off Dakota's back.
' I understand. Sorry for the pressure.' Bosko sighed, worry showing plainly on his face. He lay down so that Aztec and Zelda could ride on his back, before picking up Tammy by the scruff of her neck. He closed his eyes, remembering how he used to play with his brother when they were cubs, before looking at Bane and motioning for him to lead the way.
"Ohh..." Jordon said sorry she had asked before glancing up at the sky "Move her into one of the shelters that Mana made, she should be warmer there its seems as if it could storm and take a stick of fire just to make her a little one, that should increase the warmth."
Dakota shook her head and reached around, she grabbed him by the scruff and pulled him off then started walking holding him by the scruff. Gemma and Mana followed, Lelani making no attempt at making this hard on Gemma.
Bane nodded then turned and started towards camp.
Ritara nodded and nudged Kratia gently behind the ear. 'Come on, Kratia. Lets get you inside out of a possible storm.' She said.
Kratia made no movement to object or to show that she had heard. She allowed Ritara to drag her into the closest shelter, but she didn't say a word about what was going on. She just kept on whispering 'Bosko' to herself. Ebony made a small camp fire just out side the shelter for her while Sarabi went over to sit on the opposite side of Jordon.
'How long do we wait for the others to show up?'she asked.
'This is no fun. You're like mummy. I'm hungry and mummy won't let me have any milk. She says I need to eat meat now. But I like my milk.' Luigi growled, not impressed about not being able to play.
Bosko followed with Aztec and Zelda curled up on his back asleep, thinking about his wife and his brother.
"They should be back soon..." Jordon answered not really sure, but she smiled when Dakota, Gemma and Mana trotted into the camp.
"Sarabi, is this your little bundle of joy?" Dakota asked trotting over and placing Luigi by the fire.
Bane kept twitching his ear to make sure that Bosko was following him, but he was unsure and almost scared to try and spark some kind of convocation.
Sarabi turned to see Dakota place her son by the camp. 'Unfortunately. Please tell me he hasn't been asking for milk?' she said, watching as Luigi began stalking her.
'If only he could do that to some form of meat that he can sink his teeth into.' Ebony whispered to Ritara.
'I know. I'm not even his mother and he's asking me for milk. That little terror really does take after Luigi.' Ritara replied.
Bosko kept up with the wolf quite easily, but wasn't able to even think about starting a conversation with him because of Tammy being in his mouth. His eyes kept darting to Bane's ears, curious about why he was so edgy. He purred quietly when he felt Aztec stir, but immediately stopped when he felt the white lion cub fall back to sleep.
"Ahh yeah, he said I was just like you, with the stopping his play and ignoring his comments about wanting milk." Dakota laughed as Gemma walked over to the fire and placed Lelani down.
"Hey girl." Jordon said, chest on the floor, tail in the air wagging playfully. "Come here" Her voice was soft and warm and Lelani ran over to her and jumped on her back.
"Aunty!" She yelled.
Bane twitched when he heard the purr and his trot slowed as he smelt the fire was closer.
'Mummy. I'm hungry.' Luigi said, jumping onto his mother's back.
'Well, I've got no milk for you. We just have to figure out how we're going to get meat to eat.' Sarabi said, opening the answer for anyone with any suggestions on the lack of food.
Ritara stuck her head out of the shelter to see who was there, but whimpered and looked back at Kratia, who had managed to fall asleep, before returning to her friend's side.
Bosko slowed down and nudged Bane gently on the shoulder. He looked at the wolf confused and then at the smoke in front of them, trying to figure out how far it was going to be before they reached the meeting point. *How far till we get there?* he asked in his lion's voice.
Bane jumped at the slight nudge, but he calmed a little bit and focused on what Bosko was implying. He was a little startled as he heard the voice but answered the lion's question.
"Just past these trees." Bane spoke his voice muffled with the black cub’s fur.
Dakota glanced around. "Well there has to be some kind of quality about this place, I mean it seems as if it’s just my pack and your gang." Dakota spoke her thoughts.
"Yeah," Gemma added stepping beside her. "Dusty appeared... I thought about the past, that fight with the elements and that day, and he appeared and attacked us, flesh and blood."
Jordon looked up at them. "Maybe if we think about something that has happened in the past 10 or so years of our lives it might materialise..."
Bosko nodded, keeping quiet so as not to wake Aztec again.
'I'm hungry, Mummy!' Luigi yelled, tugging on Sarabi's ear.
'How about you got to sleep next to your cousin. When you wake up, I'm sure there will be food for you. And when there is, then you can taste just how good meat really is for you. And when we figure out how to get home, you can try some veggies.' Sarabi said, trying hard not to growl.
'Veggies. Yuck.'
'You haven't even tried it yet.'
'It's stil yuck.'
'The older kids weren't as troublesome as you are.'
Luigi stood still on his mother's back and smiled. Sarabi turned to face Luigi and noticed his smile. She shook her head and sighed just as Ebony went in to the shelter to check on Kratia. Ritara walked out shortly after and lay down beside the fire. 'I don't like this.' she sighed.
Dakota glanced back at Ritara then looked into the cave.
"Well maybe if we..." Mana started but stopped when Dakota walked off mid sentence. She trotted towards the hut that Mana had made, but stopped before the doors as if waiting for an ok to enter.
Ebony looked up and lifted her paw to her mouth, motioning for Dakota to be quiet.
Dakota, so she didn’t make noise pushed her self off the ground and floated into the hut. She lightly landed by Kratia's side, she looked up at Ebony and gently placed her paw on Kratia’s she then shut her eyes and the heart on her shoulder started glowing.
Ebony looked at Dakota confused. She looked down at Kratia's still sleeping form before looking up at the entrance, startled. Sarabi was at the door watching what Dakota was doing, but she looked at Ebony when she saw the panther look up startled. 'Luigi's keeping Ritara company and trying to see what's wrong with her.' she explained in a whisper.
Dakota's ear twitched as she heard Sarabi enter, but she didn’t break her focus. She shook her head and went to open her eyes as her paw sparked and broke contact with Kratia's paw. The force of the spark sent her flying back into the stick wall of the hut, her body flung through the sticks and smashed into the ground on the outside.
"Dakota!" Gemma and Mana yelled in sync as they ran over to her and helped her to her feet.
"They should be back soon..." Jordon answered not really sure, but she smiled when Dakota, Gemma and Mana trotted into the camp.
"Sarabi, is this your little bundle of joy?" Dakota asked trotting over and placing Luigi by the fire.
Bane kept twitching his ear to make sure that Bosko was following him, but he was unsure and almost scared to try and spark some kind of convocation.
Ritara quietly moved the now sleeping Luigi beside the sleeping Taka and Tobias before rushing over to Dakota to make sure she was okay. Sarabi jumped through the hole in the wall, concerned about everyone and everything, but didn't move to the downed wolf feeling that she was already crowded enough as it is.
'Are you alright? i heard a crash and...yeah' Ritara asked as soon as she was a Dakota's side.
'What happened?' Sarabi called from the hole in the hut wall.
Dakota shook her head and slowly sat up. "What do you want first, the good news or the bad news?" Her voice was soft as she winced.
Gemma stood beside her with Mana on her other side supporting her, Jordon ran over and sat before her.
Ritara and Sarabi looked at each other before looking back at Dakota. 'Bad news.' they said as one.
'it's better the bad news first.' Ritara added.
"Well..." Dakota said lifting her paw off the ground. "My shoulder shattered on impact with the floor."
'Ok. now we really need Julien here. or at least one of the dragons.' Ritara whispered, looking up at the sky in hopes that one of the dragons would see the smoke and arrive.
'That's not good.' Sarabi said.
'What about the good news?' Ebony asked from inside the hut. Kratia stirred at hr voice, but remained asleep.
Dakota coughed up a bit of blood then shook her head again, she glanced at Ritara with a neutral expression. "It’s alright, I have my own way of healing."
Gemma nodded without Dakota even having to look at her. She dug her teeth into her leg as Dakota dropped to the ground. Gemma's leg started bleeding and she moved it to Dakota who bit over Gemma's new wound and took a couple of mouthfuls of blood, after swallowing them her heart shone bright red, then died black as she jumped to her feet, her shoulder completely healed. Gemma licked her self-inflected wound and it closed over.
Dakota looked at Gemma "Thanks sis." She appraised nuzzling her then she looked over at Ebony. "I just did an ultrasound on Kratia and she has two healthy female cubs." She explained her expression glowing.
'You mean...?' Ritara started, unable to finish.
'She didn't have a miscarriage like we all thought!' Sarabi exclaimed, finishing Ritara's question.
'What on this godforsaken planet is going on here? how can you...ultrasounds are for computers. and how can you heal by drinking blood? this is just too con...' Ebony started, confused, before looking up into the sky.
a giant shadow flew over the area and a loud, pained shriek filled the air.
Bosko looked up as a giant shadow flew over him and Bane. a shiver ran down his spine and he looked at the cubs on Bane's back and in his mouth, worried for their safety.
Bane also noticed the shadow and broke into a run. "We need to hurry!" He yelled back to Bosko as he sprinted towards the fire.
Dakota looked at Ebony. "If you want to know we must talk in private..." Dakota explained not even phased by the shadow above.
Ebony nodded and walked over to Dakota, waiting for her to lead the way to some secluded sector.
Bosko ran after Bane, confused about his reaction, but he stopped and watched as the shadow melted itself into a black and red triceratops and plummeted to the ground. from the back of the triceratops, a small figure fell away from the dinosaur and scrambled at the air in an attempt to gain some sort of land under its feet.
Tobias woke when he felt the earth shudder underneath him and he looked around. there was what looked like a dust storm about to enter the camp, but just above that he saw a small figure about to collide with the ground. desperately, he took to the air and tried to reach the falling creature before it too collided into the ground.
Dakota walked into a hut away from the commotion and awaited Ebony's company.
Bane skidded into camp, his feet just meeting Jordon’s as she caught two of the three cubs from his back. He placed down the remaining two and sniffed the ground looking for Dakota.
Gemma and Mana walked over to Jordon and the four cubs.
Ebony followed Dakota, still confused about everything.
Tobias flew till he felt like his wings were about to fall off, but he didn't slow until he felt the added weight of a guinea pig on his back. he turned around and headed back to camp before the dust cloud cleared around the triceratops, unconscious and broken boned, not far away from the camp.
Bosko walked into the camp, still confused about the triceratops that formed in mid-air. he placed the sleeping cubs he carried next to Taka and Luigi before looking around for Kratia.
Ritara lay down and waited as Tidus and Aquile clambered over each other to get to her. the hungry cubs happily suckled by their mother's side, quenching their thirst, before finally falling asleep beside her.
Bane ran back over to Gemma, Jordon and Mana. "Dakota, where is she, is she safe?" He asked before breathing.
"Leave her be, Bane..." Gemma said.
"She needs a little while alone with Ebony." Mana explained and Bane nodded, he then walked over to the fire where he sat down awaiting his wife’s company. Jordon laid down and curled her tail around Ebony's two small cubs, keeping them warm till she was ready to come get them. Gemma lay down beside Jordon and the two baby panthers awaiting the return of her own husband and babies.
Tobias flew into camp just before his wings gave way on him and he fell to the ground, the guinea pig falling into the dirt and skidding into Bane. Tobias lay panting on the ground, unsure of his safety or the guinea pigs.
Bosko was still looking around the camp for Kratia when he stopped on the other side of the fire across from Bane. 'has anyone seen my wife? i was told that she was here, but i don't see her.' he asked
Ebony walked into the hut with her head down and sat across from Dakota. 'Why is everything so confusing?' she asked, still trying to clear her confusion.
Bane pawed at the guneapig. 'Food or part of this other strange group.' he thought, he picked it up and walked over to Bosko, he then placed it before the lion. "Yours I suppose?" he asked sitting down.
Dakota sat up. "What exactly is confusing you?"
'Everything. This place we're trapped in. You drinking blood and healing. You being a living ultrasound machine. Gemma acting strangely and phoenix with tiger. Everything. I'm just a zoo panther who lived in Norway before having cubs to the master of time.' Ebony confessed.
'Excuse me. I am not food.' The guinea pig growled, growing into the form of an adult black panther.
'Kaygis. He never said you were.' Bosko said, defending the wolf.
'He was thinking it. Just cause I'm the only suitable prey around doesn't mean you can go eating the one that can kill you with but a single thought.'
"Sorry..." She responded. "I can't answer about this place... But the blood, have you ever heard of Vampires?"
"I'm sorry... I'm just so hungry, I havnt drunk in weeks..." He shook his head, then looked up realising who he was talking to and sprinted off, grabbing Lelani by the scruff as he ran, he sprinted out of camp. "We have to find You mother, father and sister." He explained to the confused cub and she allowed him to carry her into the unknown.
'Yeah. my whole group is friends with one. Though we don't see him much anymore. he watches from the shadows and makes sure that nothing bad is happening to the group at night. and soemtimes he'll fight with two of the other members, but he doesn't do anything too deadly.' Ebony said, confused now about the whole vampire question.
'ok. so we have two vampires running around, or is that cub a third?' Kaygis said.
'What? is flick running around in this place trying to find something as well?' Bosko asked.
'i don't know. all i know is that i was about to become a snack for a vampire. i'm the only one around here besides flick that actually knows what its like to be prey. and now i'm being hunted by my fellow prey guild member.'
'To be honest. i hope he isnt. He's been unstable ever since Damien recruited Slayer.'
'unstable...Reece!' Kaygis ran around the camp looking for his brother.
"Bane... My husband is a Vampire..." Dakota explained waiting for Ebony to freak out or have some kind of reaction.
"Brother!" Bane called out, as he swung Lelani onto his back so his voice was stronger. "Akira, Krystal!"
'Boys are pathetic.' Sarabi growled to herself as she slunk into the trees after Bane and Lelani.
'Has anyone seen my brother. The last time i saw him, he was falling from the sky as a triceratops. I'm afraid he may have broken something. By the way, for those who don't know me. I'm Kaygis, master of time.' Kaygis said, sitting by the fire with the tip of his tail in the fire.
'You're married to a vampire? at least you don't have to live with the fact that if your husband dies, the world will die and the keeper of time will fade away causing the distruction of the universe.' Ebony asked, shrugging it off like a fly on her shoulder.
Gemma looked at Kaygis. "Show-off!" She yelled before her, Mana and Jordon carried Ebony's two cubs walked into a hut, getting comfortable.
Bane heard something behind him and jumped. He hid Lelani behind him as his body grew bigger, his tail shorter and his fangs longer. He snarled at the empty ground behind him, his sabre fangs stretching out below his chin.
"Yes... I'm married to a Vampire and my sister, Gemma her blood contains revein... A herb that can kill my husband if he ingests enough of it otherwise it will just paralyse him... She is the mother of Phoenix, so her blood contains healing powers, that's why I healed so quickly after drinking it..." Dakota explained as best she could but then stopped talking, and awaited then next question from the list Ebony originally created that she had forgotten.
'Well, Master...your tail's on fire.' Bosko said, a little confused at his friend's behaviour, before walking up to the entrance of the hut that the two wolves and tiger walked into, his head down and his ears flat against his head in submission.
'It is?' Kaygis asked, before looking at his burning tail. 'It is.'
'Kaygis. put out your tail. it stinks!' Ritara growled.
Kaygis dug a small hole in the ground beside him and placed the tip of his tail in it before burying it with dirt.
Sarabi stopped in the darkness, watching Bane. She looked up at the tree beside her, judging how much time she would have if he decided to attack. she didn't have much time. Silently, she cursed herself for breaking the branch she had been about to jump off. The only thing she wanted to do was apologise about Kaygis.
'Does the vampire thing lead into how you're a walking ultrasound machine?' Ebony asked.
Jordon looked up from her lying position to the Lion that just looked in, she snarled low, but neither Mana or Gemma glanced at him, they knew he had been with Bane and therefore must not be dangerous. Jordon moved protectively over Ebony's newborns as her ears flattened against her head. "Can we help you?" She snarled.
Bane noticed it was Sarabi and he faded his form back to his wolf self. "Sorry... I didn't know who it was." he apologized as Lelani walked under him and stood between his two front legs.
"I'm an empath..." Dakota started "I can sense pain... Emotional, physical or any other form you can think of, if you get cut, I get cut, if you die, I die... I could project a picture of Kratia’s cubs as if they were my own by letting her into my heart..." Dakota explained in total trust.
'I...uh...just wanted to apologise for my friend's rude behaviour. He must have hit his head or something because he's not usually like this. That and I wanted to make sure that the cubs were still going strong. Finealta is rare in the jaguar world and Jacob hasn't been too well lately. Every few days i go and check on them and...well...I can't deny my job when I'm looking after my friends' children.' Bosko whispered, getting the feeling that he wasn't wanted.
'No. It was my fault. I...I shouldn't have been jumping through the trees. I just wanted to apologise on behalf of Kaygis. Usually he's more, I don't know, secretive and doesn't go all demented like he did. I'm sorry if you're thinking that we're just stupid mortals that don't know what we're talking about.' Sarabi said, feeling it was a little safer to take a few steps out of the shadows.
'Empath? I...I don't understand. I don't fully understand any of that.' Ebony whispered, lying down in confusion.
Jordon eased up almost immediately, this lion was defiantly no threat. "I understand." She said in a soft tone, then she lay her head on her paws, her tail still lightly wrapped around the newborns she sheltered. She gave no indication if Bosko could enter or no indication that he couldn't, but she trusted Gemma and Mana's judgement... He was allowed to enter if wanted.
Bane sat down all hostility gone. "I won't hurt you..." He assured. "It's just when I let the vampire fact slip most people... Or in your case morphers get all angry and want me dead." He said looking at his paws with sorrow. "I don't... I haven’t killed a human before for feeding, I only hunt animals... but I haven’t drunk in over two weeks... So I'm pretty weak..." He turned away from her ashamed.
"Do you trust me?" Dakota asked.
Bosko still waited at the entrance, still unsure if he was allowed to check the health of the newborns.
'How much blood would you take if I said you could take some of mine to last you a little longer?' Sarabi asked, wondering why she was even putting herself in danger.
Ebony nodded, unable to speak.
Gemma looked up at the lion. "Enter." She spoke softly then went back to her original position looking at her paws eyes shut.
Bane was shocked by the question as he shook his head and thought about it. "Only a vial full..." He said sure that that would satisfy him. "But I will not." He stepped back Lelani following his paws. "I can't..."
Dakota bit her paw and it started bleeding, Dakota's paw poured out blood at the same time. She raised her paw so Ebony could see then licked Ebony's paw clean as her paw healed over, before laying down awaiting Ebony to either slap her or understand.
'How'd you...do that?' Ebony asked, getting even more confused than before.
'Why can't you?' Sarabi asked, sitting down as she tried not to let her ears fall to the back of her head.
Bosko shook his head and walked in. He lay down beside Jordon before picking Jacob up carefully and doing a quick check over him. He did a quick visual check over Finealta, before getting up again. 'They're weak.' he muttered to himself. 'I hope Jacob makes it through this. He's so weak and so ill. It's just not right.' He turned to walk out of the hut but stopped and swept his tail gently over the cubs. 'Don't worry, kids. We'll get you a drink soon.' He whispered before turning to the females 'Thank you ladies.' He said before he walked out of the hut.
"Wait!" Jordon called hoping the lion had heard her and would come back.
"Because... the only person... I have ever taken blood from... and not willingly mind you... was Dakota." He said hesitant to share the information.
"My empathic ability allows me to feel what other's feel... I showed you when I bit your paw. When someone close to me or someone that I have a connection with, gets hurt, I get their symptoms and when they heal I do to." Dakota said trying to shed some light
Bosko stopped just outside the hut and turned back to look into the hut at the tiger who lay by the cubs. 'Yes, miss?' He asked, confused as to why he was called back.
'I see. What about the cub? She looks hungry. Maybe even hungrier than you slightly.' Sarabi asked, looking down at the ground.
'So if I were to suddenly fall ill, not that I'm jynxing myself or anything, you'd...' Ebony said, trying to get the thought stuck in her head.
"Gemma..." Jordon started... "Gemma has pups less than two weeks old... She has plenty of milk... I know it's wolfs milk but would it suffice the babies till their mother is available?" Jordon asked.
"Lelani..." Bane said looking at the cub between his leg. "Lelani is brother's daughter... She is human, she eat's normally..." Bane explained. "I don't mean to be rude or offensive about not wanting your blood, It's just, I wouldn’t feel comfortable, drinking from someone other than my life and soul... Lelani has no need for blood with her human system..."
"Yes I would fall ill as well." Dakota finished hoping Ebony understood now.
'Give it a try if you wish. I actually don't think that Ebony's milk is good for Jacob. I'm willing to try just about anything to save him. I've...I've already lost one of my friend's cubs. I don't...I don't want to lose another.' Bosko said, hurt streaming through his eyes at the thought of trying to save Luigi Vitello's brother as well as when he failed to rescue his brother's twin sister.
'Ok. I understand. I doubt you'll need my help looking for your brother then.' Sarabi said, getting up and beginning to turn away.
'Ok, I understand...sort of.' Ebony gave a small smile.
"My milk, It contains healing powers, as I have phoenix blood flowing through my veins, It should be very good for them but only if you’re sure." Gemma said slowly raising.
"Sarabi..." Bane said low. "Would you like to help us? I would hate something to happen to me and Lelani be stranded again..." With that said Lelani jumped up on Bane's back and curled up.
Dakota nodded... "Was there anything else you wanted to know?"
'Like I said. I'd give my life to save him.' Bosko said, lowering his head sub-consciously as he remembered the looks on Sarabi's and Raimundo's faces when he told them about Luigi's brother.
'Are you sure? Are you sure I wouldn't be a burden in some way?' Sarabi asked looking back at Bane.
'Can it be something personal on my account?' Ebony asked, her voice quiet and sad.
"Ok..." Gemma said as Jordon moved over. Gemma lay down on her side so the newborns could reach her teats.
"I'm sure" Bane answered nodding slightly. "Three sets of eyes are better then two, besides I'm going slow so I don’t miss anything." He smiled at her.
"Sure I don’t mind." Dakota answered.
'Thank you. For your help.' Bosko said as he watched Jacob and Finealta find their way to Gemma's side before silently backing away from the females.
Sarabi nodded and limped over to the vampiric wolf and lion cub.
'My son, Jacob. He hasn't been well, lately. He's only a newborn and he's gotten everyone worried. He's not drinking like he should. Would you, by any chance, happen to know or find out what's wrong with him?' Ebony asked, tears welling up in her eyes.
"My pleasure." Gemma answered relaxing as she stretched her claws into the dirt and started to fall asleep.
Bane put his nose to the ground and slowed to Sarabi's pace as he tried to pick up the scent of another animal on this island. A small snore pulled him off the trail and he glanced back at the cub resting peacefully on his back. He then glanced at Sarabi with a sheepish smile. "So much for three sets of eyes." He chuckled slightly before continuing on the trail for another form of life.
"Well that's easy..." Dakota said happy that she knew the answer. "Only if it's in your best interest, my sister, Gemma, has newborns under two weeks and still has fresh milk, her milk, like her contains the healing powers of a phoenix, have him drink her milk a few times and he will be right as rain." Dakota smiled at Ebony, hoping that she hadn't said anything wrong.
'I'm just worried that it's the milk itself. What will happen then?' Ebony asked.
Sarabi looked around for any sign of another life form, before stopping. She realised that she had no idea what kind of animal she was looking for. 'What animal is your brother?' She asked.
Bane glanced at Sarabi. "Skype should be in wolf form."
Dakota got up and walked over to Ebony, she then sat down and closed her eyes, her head pointing towards the floor.
'Something's wrong, isn't there.' Ebony sighed, closing her eyes.
'Wolf.' Sarabi nodded before limping ahead slightly, looking anywhere a lion could be hiding. She even looked in the branches remembering how Bosko's brother and sister liked to hide in trees when they played with him, Even Mazari when he was hiding from going to the clinic for a check-up.
Dakota shook her head. "It's not you..." She said looking up at Ebony.
Bane howled hoping to hear from anyone, his friends and family or even Sarabi's friends and family.
'Then what is it?' Ebony asked, looking up at Dakota pleadingly.
'Skype! Anyone else! These are friends calling!' Sarabi called before her ears picked up on a distant howl.
"I... I'm not sure..." Dakota said depressed she didn't know.
Bane glanced in the direction of the male wolf howl "Did you hear that?" He asked Sarabi, but before he got his answer another wolf howled, this time a female and similar, familiar.
'I heard both, if that's what you mean.' Sarabi said, trying to find where the first howl had come from.
Ebony got up and started to leave, before realising that Kaygis was outside. She turned around and went to curl up in the darkest corner of the hut, placing her paw over her face as tears fell down her cheeks.
Dakota stood up and walked over to Ebony lying down beside her. "Are you ok?" She asked licking away the tears as they fell.
Bane nodded as the she wolf howled again. He listened to its tune. "Charmed!" He yelled out hoping he had it right.
"Bane!" A distant voice yelled back.
'I don't know what's wrong with my son. And my husband just lost his company. And i'm on maternity leave at the moment so we're not getting enough money to sustain us with food. Next to that, Kaygis is going to court over his company and...it's just bad. Now we're trapped here with no food. Can't we do what Gemma or Mana or someone suggested and think urgently about food?' Ebony sobbed, trusting in Dakota more than she was trusting herself at that moment.
Sarabi stepped forward slightly as she heard the first wolf howl again, but the pressure on her paw made it sting. She raised it again with a hiss, trying to ignore the pain.
Dakota looked at her as she remembered Jordon's suggestion. She decided to give it ago, she thought back to when her and Gemma were cubs and that day they took down their first Zebra. She disappeared as did Gemma, Jordon moved sheltering the newborns again wondering what happened to Gemma. Dakota reappeared with Gemma beside her their claws and teeth digging into an already dead zebra on the ground. Gemma quickly let go. "What happened?"
"I thought about our first hunt." Dakota said letting go of the zebra and looking at her. "This is the zebra we killed all those years ago." She then glanced up at Ebony and nudged the zebra towards her. "Eat..." She whispered as Gemma ran back out and rejoined Jordon, Mana and the newborns. She walked over and Jordon moved out of her way, she then relay down for the cubs to continue drinking.
Charmed howled again and looked back at the male, "Come on she said, that’s a friend of mine, he can help us." She said before taking off In Bane's direction.
Bane howled back and sat down waiting for Charmed to burst through the trees.
Ebony ate like she hadn't eaten for weeks. When she felt like she was done, she nudged the zebra over to Dakota. 'Here. You eat.' she said, still worried.
Zolo shook his head before dashing after the red and black wolf.
"Bane! Bane!" Charmed yelled as she burst through the trees and dived on him nuzzling into him, when she stopped she sat up. "Is mum ok?"
Bane nodded to her and Charmed sighed with relief. "What about my siblings?" At that Bane looked away a sad expression taking over his face.
"We... We haven’t found them." At that Charmed whimpered but stopped when she noticed Lelani asleep on Bane's back.
"Thank god one of them is safe." She whispered and all Bane could do was nod.
Lelani twitched and her eyes fluttered open, at the site of Charmed she leapt off Bane's back before jumping onto Charmed’s and biting into her ear, tugging on the appendage happily. Charmed chuckled. "Good to see you too squirt." She smiled at the cub and then turned back to Bane.
Dakota looked at the zebra, out of the hut and then at Ebony's worried expression. Her ear twitched. "I have an idea." She smiled as she walked out of the hut and howled for Bane.
Bane's ears perked up as he looked back towards camp, then up at the sky. "We should head back now."
'Sarabi!' zolo exclaimed as he skidded to a stop in front of the jaguar. 'Someone i know. No offense.' He said, turning to the other wolves.
'Zolo.' Sarabi sighed. 'What happened? You're drenched.'
'Yeah. I went for a swim cause I was bored and couldn't be bothered to even look for anyone, including Kilier and Kurt.' He replied sarcastically. ' I was being chased by something and ran into a river, coming out on this side of it.'
'Come on. Lead the way, Bane.' Sarabi turned to Bane with a slight shake of her head.
'What's wrong, Dakota?' Ritara asked, getting up and placing Tidus and Aquile by the fire so they could sleep next to their brother.
Bosko walked out of the hut that Kratia was still asleep in, confused.
"I'll explain when Bane gets back." She said to Ritara before running off towards the pine trees
and shredding strips off.
Bane nodded, with Charmed by his side and with Lelani on Charmed's back, they then headed back to camp.
Zolo and Sarabi followed, curious about why someone had howled back at camp.
Dakota ran back to the edge of the camp that Mana had made up and dropped the pine she collected.
"Hey everyone, collect some more pine and make a few more huts. As we find other members of the two groups were going to run out of room, so expand the camp and add more huts!" She yelled before starting to pile the pine as if she was making a ten by ten meter pen. She sprinted across camp when she was out of pine to grab more.
Bane trotted into camp just as Dakota sprinted past him, but she didn't stop. He watched her run over to a pine tree and started shredding it before he walked into the hut where he knew Mana, Gemma and Jordon were, Charmed following him.
'How many trees do you need downed?' Bosko asked, closing his eyes and growling as his mane and tail turned to fire and his paws sparked with fire. He opened his eyes again and looked around.
Reece woke up and shook his massive head. He roared, calling for anyone he knew and expecially his brother, before stumbling into the camp unable to feel his hind right leg. He didn't know where he was or what he was, just that he needed to find someone he knew.
Kaygis dug his tail out of the ground and shook his head, standing by Bosko and waiting for any orders that needed to be given. He saw Tobias lying in the middle of the camp and gently picked him up and moved him into one of the huts. He didn't realise it was the hut that the other females were in. Nor did he realise that his cubs were in there being fed by Gemma.
Sarabi and Zolo walked into the camp and Sarabi went into the hut that Kratia was in, Zolo close behind her. She didn't want to get in the way of any construction that was going on and Zolo wanted to see his cousin to make sure that she was okay.
Bane lay down at the entrance of the hut watching Dakota as Charmed walked in. She nuzzled her mother and lay down not questioning the balls of fur she was feeding.
Dakota shredded some more pine and instead of running back through the camp, she blinked to the other side where she was building the pen. "Enough pine and wood to make about four or five more huts!" She yelled back to Bosko as she continued working on the pen.
Bosko walked up to a tree and, with one sweep of his paw, cut right through the base of the tree, leaving only a metre high stump. 'Would that do?' He asked Dakota before moving to another tree. 'Or would you like another?'
Reece saw what Bosko was doing and charged at the nearest tree, using all his strength to uproot it.
Dakota looked at the tree as it fell to the ground, she then blinked, shaved the tree thin and blinked the pile of pine to the other side of the camp by the pen she was making. "Another please." She smiled as she started using the tree worth of shavings to build the pen rib deep for a human then used the remaining wood and pine to strengthen the pen.
A loud crack filled the air and Reece roared before turning into a tyrannosaurus rex. He shook his massive head and looked down at the camp before picking up the tree he just uprooted and dropping it next to Dakota. Bosko looked up at Reece and instantly sat down. 'Ah, Kaygis or Dakota. I think we have a slight problem.' He said.
Dakota glanced up at the Tyrannosaurus Rex as she slowly backed away whimpering. Bane looked up as he heard his wife whimper and when he noticed the dinosaur he leapt across the camp skidding between then in his Sabre-tooth form snarling at the dinosaur.
Charmed, Mana, Jordon and Gemma heard the commotion, so Gemma sent the girls out. They saw the Tyrannosaurus and also leapt beside Bane protecting Dakota. Jordon was a Borophagus, Mana was a Andrewsarchus and Charmed an Alioramus.
'Reece. Don't.' Kaygis roared, running between the king of the tyrant lizards and the other ancient beasts, saber-wolf and ordinary wolf.
Reece went to take a step towards his brother, when he heard a grinding crack coming from deep inside him. He closed his eyes as pain shot through him before roaring in pain and falling to the ground, unconscious again.
'Reece!' kaygis roared again, running up to his brother and trying to wake him up.
Dakota knocked her protectors out of the way and ran to their sides.
"What is it? What’s wrong with him?" She asked worried.
'I don't know. When i found him, he was a dying liopleurodon stranded on land. And not a drop of water in sight. A few minutes later he melted into an articuno, an ice bird pokemon, and we set off to find the rest of my friends and family. About five minutes later he turned into a giant pterosaur underneath me and then five minute after that he turned into a triceratops and sent the both of us falling to our deaths. He must have landed on his leg or something, I don't know. I was rescued by Tobias. I think this place is making his genetic coding go crazy. He's unstable.' Kaygis explained, still trying to wake his brother up. 'I think his leg's broken.' He added.
"Gemma!" Dakota called to her sister. "Bane, go mind the cubs I need my sister." She said to him and he deformed back into a wolf, then ran to the hut, he switched places with Gemma and watched her ran out before curling around the newborns to keep them warm. "Yes Dakota?" Gemma asked, she then glanced at the Dinosaur.
"Kaygis... Gemma can heal him and stabilize his genetic makeup, but only if you let her." Gemma slightly stepped forward as Dakota explained, but she stopped awaiting Kaygis' answer.
'It will kill him. He'll die if you stabilise his genetic make up. He's supposed to be human. It was thanks to me that he's the way he is. We were playing when i threw the ball into my parents laboratory and he went after it and a whole bunch of chemicals poured over him. Ever since then his human self, his true being, has been unstable. If you stabilise his coding, he'll revert to human form and die. This place, it destroys ones human self. I can sense it. By all means, find out why he collapsed and heal him. But i don't want my brother to die.' Kaygis said, trying to hide the tears that sprung in his eyes.
Dakota took in what he had said and looked at Gemma who nodded. Gemma slashed through her leg and gathered some blood on her fangs, she then walked over to the massive dinosaur's jaw and dropped blood into his mouth. When she was sure she had given him enough she used her back paws to kick his jaw shut forcing him to swallow.
'What are you doing? I didn't mean to heal him on the cost of your own injury.' Kaygis whimpered.
'It's okay, Kaygis.' Ebony whispered walking out of the hut. 'If Gemma is anything like Dakota, she has healing powers. That's how they heal. They are healere.'
"Yeah..." Dakota said thankful that someone Kaygis would actually listen to had stepped forward. Gemma licked her leg and the wound closed over.
"See." She said stretching her leg out so Kaygis could see she was fine. "No wound, no blood."
Kaygis suddenly realised that Bosko's senses were able to pick up the scent and turned to his friend, hoping he was going to be okay. Bosko had reverted back to his normal lion form when he caught the scent of the blood and he was slowly walking over to the edge of the forest, but before he reached the edge of the trees he closed his eyes and threw up.
'Bosko.' Ebony said, rushing to his side.
"Is he alright?" Dakota asked Kaygis as Gemma, Mana, Jordon & Charmed all walked back to their hut, Mana, Jordon & Charmed reverting back to their normal forms along the way. They entered the hut relieving Bane of his babysitting duty, then they all lay back down with the newborns getting comfortable as Bane lay at the entrance of the hut watching Dakota.
'He doesn't take well to blood. And he is a vet. So it makes things a little challenging.' Ebony explained.
"Ohh..." Dakota said she then looked at the Dino, then back at Bosko.
"Bosko, are you still good to keep the wood moving?" Dakota asked him as she looked at the massive log on the ground beside the dinosaur.
'I can...I can try.' Bosko grumbled, still trying to settle his stomach.
Reece suddenly woke up then and shook his head. he looked at the wolf by the uprooted tree and then at the forest beside him. He got up, tested his foot and roared before biting into another tree and uprooting that one. He carefully dropped the tree beside the first tree and looked at Dakota at eye-level before closing his eyes and melting into a smilodon.
Dakota nuzzled the Sabre before her and sat down. "Thank you." She smiled, she then started tearing strips of the two new trees and continued to build the pen to a good strength.
'Anything else?' Reece asked in a thick Scottish accent, wishing he was still a dinosaur.
"Really all we need now is a few more huts to sleep in." Dakota answered not looking away from her work.
Reece nodded his head and closed his eyes focusing on the image of the legendary pokemon, Groudon. when he opened his eyes again, he found himself looking down at Dakota who was at his knee. but he could feel the earth flowing through him.
with a single, short roar, he had swept everyone in the camp into the centre and nodded to himself, glad that everyone in the camp, though confused at what had happened, were out of harms way. concentrating hard, he reformed the earth to form two caves about the size of a two story house and big enough to fit around twenty animals comfortably in. he formed the caves in a 'Y' formation in front of him before looking down at Dakota's sorry excuse for a pen. * That's not going to last very long like that.* he thought. he closed his eyes and ordered the earth to coat the wooden structure before collapsing to the ground and melting into the form of a cute black and red kitten. *Okay. This is embarrassing.*
Dakota looked at the newely decked out camp site, then at her rocky pen, then at the tiny kitten. she ran and jumped up on the rocky wall of the ten by ten pen.
"Everyone!" Dakota yelled as the animals in the camp site looked up at her.
"Who's Hungry!"
Luigi woke up and looked around confused. He heard the mention of food and immediately looked up at his mother. 'Can I have some milk now please?' he asked.
'No.' Sarabi growled, annoyed that he was still begging her for milk. ' You can eat meat instead.'
Reece looked around at his new creation before curling up and falling asleep.
"No ones hungry!" Dakota yelled. "Ok I'll keep all the food to myself!" Then she jumped down into the pen.
"Wait!" Gemma said jumping forward. "I'm starving!"
"Me too!" Mana added.
"And dont forget us!" Bane yelled, Charmed, Lelani and Jordon beside him.
Dakota looked back over the wall, she then jumped up.
"Alright some confessers! Anyone else?" She asked, her question directed at the other group.
'As the oldest, besides the sleeping black and red kitten, and the leader's wife, I speak for everyone when I say yes.' Ritara said before looking at Bosko. 'Just keep some for when Bosko feels up to eating.'
'Why can't I have any milk?' Luigi asked.
' You're going to start eating solid food now. You're big enough and strong enough and the only way you're going to be as strong as your father is if you eat meat.' Sarabi replied.
'Well he is.' Kaygis sighed.
Dakota dropped down and looked at Gemma. "Join me?" She said.
Gemma walked up beside her sister as the both of them placed their paws on the edge of the stone wall as if looking at something in the pen. 'Think about that day we looked into that hunter's paddock, this pen is the same size as the paddock was, picture the animals in your head and what you saw that day.' She projected to Gemma then the both of them thought about it, about the hundreds of various prey that were in the paddock. They switched places as the pen filled with over 200 prey. Dakota then jumped back up on the stone wall and looked at the hungry crowd before her.
"This place allows us to bring back similar situations, other people, animal friends that have passed on, we can bring them back here. These 200 or so prey are from a past memory of mine and Gemma's, a day long ago when we came across a hunter's paddock. If you find our food supply is low picture another scene where you were hunting and taking down an animal, that will happen, if you picture yourself, with your jaw over the animals neck, the animal will appear with you attached to its neck there's your meal for a day. Now come get something to eat! Fill your stomachs!" Dakota yelled she then jumped aside out of the rampage of animals.
Gemma & Charmed shared a zebra, Mana took her own zebra to share with Lelani, and Bane grasped an antelope for him and Dakota to share.
Kratia woke up and saw the mass of prey in front of her. Before anyone knew what she was doing, she dashed into the mass and took down the largest animal she could find. When she came out, she was dragging a water buffalo by the horn. She placed the food so that everyone could find a place to eat before tearing a chunk of meat off and placing it in front of Luigi.
'That should see you through.' she said, before hungrily attacking the dead beast.
She was shortly joined by everyone else in her group except Bosko, Tobias, Sarabi and Reece. Sarabi nudged the meat closer to her son, trying to get him to eat it.
'It looks yucky.' Luigi said, refusing to eat it.
'If you don't eat, you won't get to be like daddy. Just try it.' Sarabi replied.
Luigi nibbled at the meat, still unsure of it, before finding he liked it and devouring it. He looked up at his mother with a smile before dashing over to the rest of the meat and sinking his teeth into it beside his cousin. Sarabi sighed. 'Thank you lord.' she said before going over and eating herself.
Dakota walked over and joined Bane. She bit into the tender flesh of the Antelope's chest as Bane ripped a leg away and started draining it.
Gemma and Charmed halved their Zebra, Gemma getting the Chest and Charmed getting the rump.
Mana ripped off a juicy slab of meat and passed it to Lelani who tentatively but into it, trying its taste before she ate it quickly and started eating from the area Mana had removed the slab from. Mana smiled at the cub before she started nawing on the shoulder.
Jordon looked at the seven cubs left with her and sighed. She picked up the younget white jaguar cub and placed her up on her own scruff, said cub was soon followed by the other two white jaguar cubs which she placed on her back. She then looked down at the remaining four, she nudged the three lion cubs awake before picking up the last black jaguar cub.
"Come on." She said to the three that were able to walk before she turned and headed towards the den she was in before.
Bosko shook his head, watching Jordon take the cubs into the cave, and went over to Tobias. He nudged the eagle gently before checking him over. Tobias screamed when he felt Bosko press into his left wing. The fall he had taken had left his wing broken. 'Hold on, Tobias. I'll get you something to eat and see if I can't put that wing in a spint for you.' Bosko said quietly before going over to the water buffalo meat and tearing some of the meat for the eagle.
He placed the meat where Tobias could easily reach it before going to find some form of material to make a splint out of. He tripped over Reece, who had melted into the form of a black and red andrewsarchus, as he looked, but he continued as if nothing had happened.
Gemma looked up from her food to the Eagle shrieking out in pain, but she didn’t move. She was not asked for help and there for wouldn’t help until she was asked. She looked back down at her meal and continued eating.
Tobias watched Bosko leave before managing to get up and walked over to Gemma, his left wing dragging on the ground.
'Excuse me Gemma. You heal people, right?' he asked, hoping Bosko stayed away from the camp
Gemma looked up from her food to the ragged bird before her. Her eyes trailed over the limp wing and she nodded.
"Yes I do heal... but the only way to heal your wing is for you to drink some of my blood..." She said sure the bird would walk away in disgust.
'I try and turn myself into a vampire. Wouldn't Dad be pleased.' Tobias muttered under his breath. ' Bosko's old fasioned. I've broken my arm before, and it's not good. I don't want to go through the pain and boredom again. I want to be able to fly and find my family. Please, can you help?' He asked, returning his attention to Gemma.
"Ok." Gemma said thinking about how she was going to do this, feeding a bird her blood was a new one. She pierced her paw with her teeth and lifted her paw for the bird, her blood dripping down to the grass below.
Tobias opened his beak under the wolf's paw and drank a couple of drops of blood before moving his head away from the paw. After a few seconds he flapped his wing to test it. Happy, he hugged Gemma's leg with a smile. 'Thank you.' he said, before perching himself on her shoulder.
"Your very welcome." Gemma smile back happy she could help, she then licked her paw clean and the pierced wounds closed over.
'Is this everyone or...' Tobias asked, wondering how many people he would have to look out for.
Bosko came back into camp with a couple of twigs in his mouth. Seeing Tobias perched on Gemma's shoulder, he threw the twigs into the fire and walked into one of the two caves.
Reece woke up, feeling uncomfortable with the crowd, and walked out of the camp. As he walked, he turned into a rhino. Unable to see where he was going very clearly, he kept tripping over small rocks. When he looked back, he could just see a sliver of smoke trail behind him. Smiling, he lay down in time for him to melt into his favourite form, a red and black luxray.
"There are many more of my family and friends..." Gemma replied upset, worried about her newborn.
'Something's wrong. You're not happy. Did I say something wrong?' Tobias said, trying to figure out what he had said wrong.
Reece looked up when he heard the shuffle of paws on the ground. Walking down the path were Choby and Raimundo. Following close behind them were Emma, Jaymie and the other two eagle boys. 'Straight ahead. There's a camp. You can't miss it. You'll find Taka, Ritara, Tidus, Aquile, Bosko, Kaygis, Kratia, Ebony, Tobias, Sarabi, Zolo, Jacob, Finealta, Aztec, Tammy, Zelda and Little Luigi.' He said.
Choby nodded. 'Thanks.' he said before continuing, but Raimundo stopped. 'Why aren't you with them?' he asked.
'Rai. You know how I am with crowds. I'll go back when I'm ready.'
Gemma looked up at Tobias. "Yeah it's nothing you said... Everthing's all right."
Tobias flapped his wings and took off, lightly brushing Gemma's head as he flew off. He landed neatly on the buffalo carcass and ate his fill before going to rest in a near by tree. He didn't notice his brothers fly up to his side, glad to see he was alright.
'Is this the right place?' Raimundo asked Choby even though the question was open to all.
Gemma's ears lay against her head as she closed her eyes. 'There’s nothing I can do for tonight...' She thought, she looked up at Charmed. "Charmed, can you please go relieve Jordon of the cubs for a while, she needs to eat too." With that said she walked into the cave closest to her, not checking who was inside and lay down in the furthest corner whimpering lightly.
Ebony shook her head before going over to her cubs. She tried to get Jacob to suckle, but once again he wouldn't drink. She tried desperately to get him to drink, but he wouldn't drink.
Kratia saw Gemma walk off and went to the entrance of the cave that she had gone in. She wasn't sure if she was allowed in but she didn't want to seem rude. 'Is everything alright?' she called softly.
'I guess it is.' Choby answered his brother, trotting up to Ritara and nudging her.
'Choby.' Ritara sighed. She licked the scars over his right eye before resting her head under his. Taka walked over to his father and pawed at him, playfully, with Tidus and Aquile close behind him.
With the arrival of another member of the cubs pack Jordon stood and left the cave quietly she ran into Charmed at the entrance.
"Ebony is in there now, I think it's best to leave her and the cubs be till we are needed again." Charmed nodded in understanding and watched as Jordon walked away, she then sat down at the entrance of the cave, she glanced in to see Ebony trying to feed her black cub but didn't interfere when she noticed the cub wasn't suckling, it wasn't her place to do anything unless asked for help.
Jordon looked around the camp, the other group had found a few more members. 'That's good... I wonder how my boys are doing...' She sighed and made her way over to the pen, she jumped the wall and took down a small Zebra. She then dragged it out of the pen and leapt into a nearby tree where Phoenix was sleeping. She lay the kill before phoenix and started eating. Phoenix awoke at the smell of meat, he deformed into his tiger form and joined Jordon for dinner.
Gemma removed her paw from her muzzle as the tears fell down her cheeks. "Yeah..." She whispered. "I'm ok..."
'Are you sure?' Kratia asked, sensing the tears in Gemma's voice.
Emma and Jaymie sat looking around at the camp, trying to keep their minds off Choby and Raimundo's lost and found love. they noticed the giant pen filled with prey and trotted up, resting their paws over the edge of a gate like area and watching the animals in the crowded pen.
Reece looked up at the sound of rustling through the trees, but he lowered his head down. He fought with himself to stay in the form of a luxray, but his body shook and he melted into a red and black lion. Cursing himself and the place that he was in, he watched the surrounding area for any signs of threatening life.
The tears Gemma was trying to hold back gave way as they trickled to the ground. "No..." She whimpered lightly.
Bane nuzzled Dakota and trotted over to Mana and Lelani, worried about why Gemma had walked off. Charmed noticed the movement and walked over to the two females aswell. Dakota watched the group form but she didn't go to them, she walked over to the two new animals looking into the prey pen. She jumped up on the wall and lay down.
"Feel free to help yourself." She smiled trying to be friendly.
Skype and Tsume trotted through the snow that surrounded them, Bloodshot & Snowdrift flying above them.
"Guys we should probably find shelter..." Snowdrift suggested. "We'll continue looking for Zanzabar and the others tomorrow."
Skype glanced up at him.
"Ok..." He said disappointed that they had to stop looking but he knew it was best.
Kratia entered the cave and lay down beside Gemma. 'What's wrong. I'm not such a bad tiger, you know. You can tell me.' she whispered, licking at the tears that ran down the wolf's face.
Emma and Jaymie looked at each other before looking up at the wolf on the wall. 'We're not allowed to hunt the penned in animals.' Emma said, a cautious smile on her face.
'Uncle Bosko, Aunt Kratia and mother keep on telling us not to hunt them because they're in for their check ups or they're in to heal.' Jaymie explained.
Reece got up and went to investigate the cause of the rustling. He found a small cave and went in, melting into a wolf as he investigated the cave.
Gemma looked at Kratia confused. "I..." She started, but she couldn’t finish as she again looked away.
Dakota smiled at the pre-teens. 'They must live near a vet.' She thought then with a extended blink she shifted a zebra out of the pen into the camp site.
"Quick look, that zebra's not in the pen, so I guess you can hunt it." Dakota winked at them hoping they wouldn't starve themselves on a stupid rule.
'I help anyone I can.' Kratia said, hoping that would clear the confusion. 'You can trust me. What's wrong?'
Emma and Jaymie looked at each other and smiled before racing each other to see who could catch the zebra first. Both cheetah and lioness cubs ran into each other quite a few times before finally managing to catch and kill the zebra. They ate hungrily before playing around. Then they looked up at the wolf on the wall and ran over to her, jumping up at her in an attempt to knock her off the wall playfully. They never noticed as Tobias's brother's swooped down on the kill in order to fill their own stomachs.
Reece folowed the cave until he walked out onto snow. He shivered as a cold blast of wide shot through his fur and shook his paw before going to explore the area.
"My... My boy..." She started glancing out at the now falling snow. "Newborn... Less then a month old... Out in this weather... And his older brother..." She couldn't say any more as her head fell to her paws and the tears continued to fall.
Dakota tumbled backwards off the wall into the prey pen disturbing some of the prey, she then jumped the wall and playfully pranced around the cubs.
Bloodshot came to a stop ahead of the others.
"What is the matter Brother?" Snowdrift called flying up beside his brother, Skype and Tsume ran up beside the two dragons.
"This rock..." Bloodshot said before shooting a stream of blue fire at it melting it completely forming a cave like structure. "Would make a perfectly good shelter for us to stay the night in." He smiled as the four of them adjusted in the cave and curled up, waiting for morning to come and the snow to stop falling.
'It will be ok. We'll find them. I'll go kick Bosko out of the cave he's in and get him to go find them if you want me to. It would keep him busy. And he could take some of the boys so that it wouldn't be too crowded around here for you.' Kratia suggested, trying to calm Gemma down.
Jaymie leapt at Dakota but instead of landing on her back, she flew over her and rolled into a tree. She watched, upside down, as Emma trotted up to her before her tail flicked itself in front of her eyes. Growling, she pawed at her tail before rolling onto her side. Emma stopped when a snowflake fell on her nose. 'It's snowing. I've never seen it snow before.' she said confused.
Reece walked around the side of the cave and walked himself back to where he had started. His newly discovered, snow filled section of the world now turned out to be just the old area being covered by snow. disappointed, he walked back to the camp, melting back into his tyrannosaurus rex form.
"It's ok..." Gemma cried low hoping that they were ok.
Dakota laughed glad the cubs were happy, she then walked to the edge of the camp, looking out into the distance.
"Aden..." She whispered as she lay down, her head on her paws.
Bane, Jordon, Charmed and Mana all walked to the entrance of the cave that Kratia and Gemma were in.
"Mum... You Alright?" Charmed asked stepping in first.
Lelani ran over to Dakota and huddled against her side quickly falling asleep.
Tsume sat at the mouth of the cave looking out into the white snow that now surrounded almost everything he saw.
"Please be ok..." He whispered.
Kratia looked up at Charmed and stood, ready to leave if need be.
Emma and Jaymie looked at each other before curling up beside Dakota themselves. They didn't go to sleep, just lay there trying to keep warm. The snow had finally gotten to them. 'Who's Aden?' Jaymie asked.
Reece stomped around, trying to find the camp again. The snow had turned the trails white and he was sure he was alone out in the snow. He roared, trying to find anyone that would respond to his call, but no one answered. Insantly he knew he was lost. The only thing he wished was that his forms didn't go crazy and melt him into an animal that couldn't stand the cold.
"Please..." Gemma called. "Please don't go..." She whispered and Charmed knew she was talking to Kraita. So Charmed lead Bane, Jordon and Mana to the back of the cave where the 4 of them lay down getting comfortable out of the snow.
Dakota glanced at Jaymie, but only for a second, before glancing back out at the snow covered land.
"He... He is my sisters youngest." Dakota explained her worry started to come out but she shook her head, which she then lay on her paws.
" Ok." Kratia smiled, laying back down.
" We'll go out and find him for you, won't we Emma?" Jaymie said, jumping up and looking from Dakota to Emma to the exit of the camp and back again.
" But it's cold. Why do you want to go on a search party when it's SNOWING!" Emma growled, glaring at her lion friend.
Reece stopped behind a rock formation and sniffed at the frozen air. He could smell dragons, a lion and a wolf, but he wasn't sure of he knew them or not. He went to go see, when he melted into the form of a leopard cub. The snow came up to his chin, and it felt like it was freezing him from the inside out. Desperately, he jumped through the snow in an attempt to find shelter, but the snow had made him colder despite his sad efforts to keep warm and he was forced to lie on the snow in full view of the cave.
"Thankyou..." Gemma whispered.
"The only place you girls are going in this weather is into the cave now come on." Dakota said standing. She picked up Lelani and started towards the cave her sisters and family now resided in.
Tsume shook his head and looked up at the blinding snow whisking around the mouth of the cave. He focused on what looked like a hole and noticed the baby leopard cub lying in the snow shivering. He stood and walked out into the snow before picking up the cub and walking back into the cave. He lay down curling his tail over the cub in an attempt to warm it up. He didn't say anything he just continued to look out into the snow hoping they were alright.
Kratia smiled and lay her head on her paws.
Jaymie watched Dakota leave before bounding into the cave that the three eagles had just flown into. Emma was hot on her tail, not wanting to feel another snowflake touch her coat. Once inside, she looked out into the abandoned camp, wondering where Reece was.
Reece shivered feverishly from the cold. He felt a warm blanket over him and he opened his eyes slightly. He found he was lying next to an adult male wolf and figured that the wolf was using his tail to keep him warm, but it seemed like the cold was going to freeze his body. Before he knew it, he closed his eyes and fell asleep, the cold seeming to take over his mind.
Dakota watched the cubs run into the cave, then she trotted over to Mana, Bane and Jordon. She placed Lelani down against Bane and lay down beside Mana.
Tsume noticed the cub was still shivering so without waking or moving said cub he stood up and lay down on his opposite side blocking the wind and snow from getting at the cub.
It didn't take long for Emma to fall asleep, but she was soon noticed by Choby whe she did. Choby carefully picked the cheetah cub up around the stomach and moved her deeper into the den out of the cold, where she snuggled deep into Bosko's side beside Jaymie and Taka.
' I don't like this.' Raimundo whispered.
' What's not to like? It's snowing!' Kaygis said excitedly.
' Exactly. Your brother is out there somewhere. And so are eveyone else. Including the other groups family. We've got birds out there some where. And dragons.'
' dragons are fire.'
' Yeah. But panther's aren't. They can't stand the cold. Shadow, Tyson and Midnight are still out there somewhere.'
Reece woke up a few hours later, feeling like his body could snap in two with the cold. He looked up at the wolf and smiled through the cold he felt. 'Thank you.' he said in his thick Scottish accent and through his chattering teeth.
"Your welcome." Tsume answered, his attention was once again pulled to the snow.
"Gemma..." He whispered.
Gemma shifted closer to Kratia as she shivered from the coldness. Dakota and Mana were lying on there backs with their feet in the air not even bothered by the temperture, Bane, Jordon & Lelani were all asleep.
"Sis..." Mana started, "Do you think well find everyone?"
Dakota looked at Mana's worried expression, she couldn't lie "I dont know..." She admitted. "But I hope we do."
'Gemma? Blue and black wolf?' Reece asked, wondering if the blue and black wolf was the wolf that this wolf was talking about.
Kratia moved closer to Gemma to keep her warm, but she began to wonder if she was allowed to stay in the other group's den. She looked outside at the trees and thought about making a fire in both caves so that both groups had some kind of warmth to take the edge off the chill for them. She looked at Dakota and Mana, overhearing their conversation, and sighed. *I hope we do too, Dakota. I hope we do too* She thought as she thought about the missing members of her own group.
"Yeah, as black as the nights sky, as white as freshly fallen snow and as blue as the worlds deepest ocean." Tsume whispered his mind travelling.
Mana shook her head and rolled onto her stomach. "Goodnight sis, we will continue to search in the morning."
"Yep..." Dakota barely whispered back. She was watching the snow fall awaiting sleep.
'I know where she is. The problem is, I can't seem to find my way back to where she is.' Reece smiled, still shaking from the cold.
Kratia looked around. She was the only one awake. Quickly and quietly, she dashed out of the cave to find some bits of wood that the snow hadn't gotten to and gathered two piles. She went back to Dakota's den with the first pile and set up a small campfire before doing the same in the other den. Then she woke Bosko quietly and got him to light the second campfire. Once he did so, he went back to sleep, not even noticing when Kratia licked him on the cheek. 'Thank you.' She whispered in his ear before lighting a spare stick and placing in on the campfire in Dakota's den and lying beside Gemma again, this time able to fall asleep.
"You do?" Tsume asked looking at the cub curled up against him. "Well it doesn't matter... I can't go back to her without the boys anyway..." His voice was hurt and he started to tear.
Dakota's eyes opened slightly at Kratia's movement, she smiled as the tiger lit a fire before lying down beside Gemma. She glanced out at the snow one last time, allowing the heat to enter her cold body before falling asleep.
'We'll find them.' Reece said, ignoring the cold and going to sit just outside the cave. 'Don't worry.'
He thought about becoming a polar bear and, thankful, he did. Then he sat in the snow, watching the night go by and hoping that the inhabitants of the cave went to sleep.
"I hope so..." Tsume whispered curling in on himself.
When morning came, Reece shook the snow from his mane and pawed at the ground. During the night he had melted from a polar bear into a turtle, a german shepherd dog, some small dinosaur that he didn't even know existed, what could only have been a small fire pokemon with a long snout and flames on its back (cyndaquil or something like that that he could only catch the name of when he called out in frustration), a tiger, a dragon and a rat. Just before sunrise he had become a unicorn. Now he was praying that the others didn't think of him as breakfast. But he couldn't help but wonder what the purple-ish blue flash of light on the horizon was when he noticed it around midnight.
Tobias woke as the first rays lit the entrance of the cave he was in. Beside him, with their heads tucked under their wings, were his two brothers Barb and Cragus. Quietly he flew to the entrance and looked over the snow. " How are we ever going to find anyone in this weather? There's no trail to lead us to them. Or if there were, it would be gone now." He whispered to himself before his stomach began to grumble.
Skype rolled over, stretching out and yawning. His outstretched paws kicked Tsume in the side, he leapt up in shock falling backwards onto Snowdrift's pointy tail. His yelp echoed through the cave waking the two dragons from their peaceful slumber. The two dragons and the wolf glared at Skype who was smiling sheepishly at them. "Good morning."
Dakota yawned and shook her body stretching out her claws and the kinks that had formed throughout the night. She looked around the cave she was in. Gemma and Kratia were still asleep, so where Bane, Mana, Lelani & Charmed. Dakota's ear twitched. 'Where are Jordon and Phoenix?' She thought to herself, she trotted over to the lip of the cave and looked out into the snow cover camp site. The fire was out, Tobias was at the lip of the other groups cave and sure enough, both Jordon and Phoenix were still in the tree they had been eating in the previous afternoon. Phoenix as in his bird form keeping the both of them warm. Dakota shook her head before trotting out into the campsite. She dug out the fire and blew a small flame at the sticks to dry them. Once she was happy that they were dry she then picked them up, patted the snow back into place and lay the sticks on top. She glanced around looking for a rock or two and she spotted 3 stones beside the other groups cave. She quietly trotted over to the stones nodding to Tobias as she went. She picked one up in her mouth, placed her right paw on one and her left paw on the other. She then blinked back to the fire and placed the three rocks together along with the sticks on top of them. Once again she blew a small flame, then sat down before the relit fire, looking up at the sky.
Reece spin around at the sudden yelp and snorted when he noticed that the others were awake. He shook his head again before turning to look back in the direction that the light had come from before looking back the way he had gone the day before. But he kept an eye on the four in the cave just in case.
"Morning, Dakota." Tobias called when he noticed the grey wolf sitting by the relit fire. "Any idea on what we're going to do about finding the other?"
Tsume glanced out at the Unicorn and sighed, he trotted over to sit beside him looking at his tail that had curled around his paws. "So... How shall we go about todays search, will you be joining us?"
Skype ran passed his old friend and jumped out into the snow. He rolled onto his back wagging his tail as his eyes trained on the greyish-black sky. He released a sigh, ear twitching as he waited for the Unicorn to respond. Snowdrift and Bloodshot both left the cave to stretch out their wings and breath in the morning air.
Dakota glanced back at the bird and smiled. "Morning." She whispered before looking back into the flickering flames of the paw built fire before her. "I Think we should do something similar to what we did yesterday. We have more fliers now so we can send out more search parties. Leave some members here to look after the cubs and pups while the adults go out looking..."
*At least they don't think I'm breakfast.* Reece thought before looking down at the wolf. 'I'll join you. But I can't promise how much help I'll be during the search. Whatever this place is, it's scrambling up my morphing. I can't tell whether I'll become a baby wolf one minute or a giant lizard the next.' He said, flicking his ears behind him trying to listen for anyone that could be calling for friends or family.
"Okay then, when do we start?" Tobias asked, taking flight and landing on Dakota's shoulder.
"That's quiet alright." Skype said, his ear twitching throwing snow on his face, He shook his head both Snowdrift and Bloodshot laughed at uncles actions.
Skype glared at them but they only laughed harder. Tsume released a chuckle before glancing back at the unicorn beside him.
"That's quiet alright, whilst you may be big or small you can still see." He said befoe sneezing. "Sheesh... Ohh we didn't catch your name?" The phrase came out as a question as Tsume shook off the small flakes of snow that had gathered on his tail.
"We should probably wake everyone up and we can get started right away." A voice spoke from behind them. Dakota glanced behind her to see Bane at the lip of their cave. He looked wide awake and anxious.
" The name's Reece. Reece Valore." the unicorn replied before melting into a black and red thylacine and scratching at an itch behind his jaw. " And you?"
" Not before breakfast." Tobias muttered, beginning to preen his feathers. " How did you get food yesterday?"
"I'm Tsume, this." He said pointing to Skype with his paw. "Is Skype, my friend. The white dragon is Snowdrift & the red dragon is Bloodshot, their Skype's nephews." Tsume explained before stretching across the snow letting it cool his stomach, hoping to quell his hunger for a little longer.
Skype had started jumping around his nephews who were now teenage tigers, with their respective red and white coats covered in black stripes.
"Dakota nodded to him. We will all eat." She then pointed towards the pen of prey with the tip of her tail. "Plenty of food for everyone to fill their stomachs before we head out." She said.
She nuzzled into Bane as he sat down beside her before the fire, a small smile on her face.
" Well, I saw a weird purple/blue light last night in that direction. Should we start there?" Reece asked, pointing with his paw to a place North west from where he was standing.
" Any rats?" Tobias asked.
" What's going on out here?" Choby asked with a yawn, stretching out before walking over to the fire.
Without a word, but a worried glance at Bane, Tobias took flight and landed on Choby's back where he began preening his feathers once more.
"That sounds good to me. What about you guys?" Tsume asked looking out at his friends.
Skype nodded and the two tigers just started off in the direction Reece pointed.
"There's is none in there, but if you picture your last encounter with a rat in your head, the rat should appear." Dakota explained, she then nodded in greeting to the jaguar and held out her tail. "I'm Dakota and this is Bane." She smiled friendly and chuckled at Bane who looked upset that he had scared Tobias.
Reece followed the tigers quietly, occasionally shaking the snow from his paws, but he couldn't help his curiosity to find out what the light was. Or his hunger for that matter. Without realising, he began thinking about the deer herd he had seen in the wildlife park on his island home. The next thing he knew was that he could smell them, just a little way ahead. And the rich smell quickly woke his hungry stomach and frozen nose.
" Pleased to meet you. I'm Choby Vitello. Older of the Vitello Twins and leader of the Rebels Gang." Choby replied, holding Dakota's tail with his own for a few seconds before twitching it in front of Bane. " And don't mind Tobias. It takes him a while to get used to unfamiliar faces."
Tobias, on the other hand, was circling the camp looking down at the snow. He had tried thinking about the last time he saw a rat, but everytime he did, he ended up thinking about Kaygis. So he ended up thinking about a snow shoe hare that he had seen at one point on the television. The next thing he knew was that one of the small snow mounds had transformed itself into said hare and was trying to escape death.
"But that was in the TV!" Tobias exclaimed in shock, trying to keep air borne. Eventually, natural instinct came into play and he started circling the hare and calculating the best way to kill it.
Tsume looked over at Skype who was not far behind the Thylacine with his nose to the groud, sniffing the width of the path they walked on. 'I hope we find everyone soon.' He thought to him self before glancing at the two tigers who were bounding around, tripping over eachother with a smile. Skype sneezed when he snorted a small bit of snow and shook his head. He stopped walking and rubbed at his nose with his paw, 'This is stupid! I can't smell a thing.' He sighed and kept on trying to pick up on a scent. Any scent would do, just find something.
Bane glanced at Dakota's happy expression and smiled himself before raising his own tail to hold the offered. "It's quiet alright, I did want to eat him when we first met..." He sighed before whispering, "I don't blame him for not trusting me, sometimes I don't trust myself."
Dakota nuzzled into him in an attempt to cheer him up but he just turned away from her. She let out a deep breath before looking to Choby and smiling.
"Hope you guys are hungry, because I smell deer." Reece yiped before trotting into the trees. He easily passed the first two trees before he was able to hear them. And that was when his hunting senses kicked in. He had to force himself to stop so that he could make sure that he was being followed. But, of course, that led to him morphing into a black stag with red antlers and hooves. *Great.* He thought to himself.
" You wanted to..." Choby started softly, almost as if thinking aloud to himself, but then thought better of it and looked away.
It almost looked like he was listening to someone whispering in his ear. Especially when his ears flicked back and his tail twitched slightly, pulling it away from Dakota and Bane. But he shook his head and looked over to where Tobias was dragging a rather large snow shoe hare across the ground to the Rebels' cave. Needless to say, the young golden eagle was tiring easily at the fact that the hare was so large and he was so young. Just because he had an adult's feathers didn't mean he had the strength of one.
" Where the...? There are no snow shoe hares in Australia. How in Gaia did he manage to find one? If fact, how did he even know about them?" The male jagaur asked instead.
"Really?" Skype asked raising his nose to the air and attempting to get a wiff of their mouth-watering smell, but nothing came to him. He growled low. "I really hate winter." He whined before he trotted after Reece, Tsume right on his hills. Bloodshot and Snowdrift noticed them all moving towards a herd just afar off and decided to stay out of the way. Tsume and Skype caught up to Reece and slowed to a stop in the bush beside him. Tsume noticed Reece's change in form and couldn't help but let out a loud laugh which was quickly silenced by Skypes paw diging into his ribs.
"Shut it!" He barked before turning to the now, Stag. "Can... Can you hunt in that form?" He asked trying to be serious.
Bane nodded shamefully and continued to look away dejected. "Unfortunatly the time at which we we're brought here was no more then an hour before, Bane and the others were leaving for their monthly hunt. Needless to say, he was starving and anything at all would have seemed like good meal to him." Her voice lowered extreamly low as she finished. "Not to mention poor Kaygis." Her voice rose again as she took on a smile. "But he is completely harmless now that he has fed, so no need to worry."
Dakota awaited a reply but at the lack of response she glanced at the jaguar before her giving him a curious gaze, she followed where he was looking with her eyes and smiled at the site of the young golden eagle draging a large hare across the snow covered ground.
Her ear twitched when she heard Choby's confused words and she looked back at him. "To be honest with you, I'm not sure we are even in Australia. We could be anywhere, as for how he found it, maybe he has a distant memory of one? There doesn't seem to be any other animal, food or no around here, only us and what we conjure through our thoughts." She said expressing her thoughts about the island, if you could call it that, that their two groups were currently stuck on.
"Why not turn into a gold fish, next time. Or even better...a flea." Reece muttered to himself before raising his voice slightly to address his fellow hunters. " I have no control over my body in this world. It's really quiet annoying. I could try tricking one of them into coming to their doom? Or we can wait five minutes and see what I turn into then?"
Choby sighed as he watched the eagle and the hare disappear into the cave. " You're probably right about the not being in Australia thing. But, you see, Tobias and his brothers were hatched and raised in Australia. There are no snow shoe hares in Australia due to the lack of snow in the winter. If anything he's been watching Julien's animal documentaries again." He answered, chosing to ignore the remarks about vampires. He was friends with one after all.
*Look who's talking. You turned the kid into a vamipre. And now you're talking like you've lived in snow all your life. You were born in a 'furgen' rainforest!* The annoying voice grumbled in his ear. Choby prayed that these strangers didn't realise what he had.
" I did not. And FYI, you were born in a rainforest. I was born out of your mind." The visible jaguar grumbled under his breath.
*You were still born in a rainforest.*
" Shut it."
*Get back in the cave. It's cold.*
Choby ignored his other self and stayed outside. Instead, he began wondering what was going to happen now and how he was going to get food. Or, even better, what he was going to eat. From the cave he heard Tobias calling his brothers to breakfast...loud enough to wake everyone else at the same time.
"That's quiet an idea." Skype nodded before looking over at Tsume glaring at him.
Said wolf sighed and looked over at Reece.
"I agree with Skype, It's a good idea. Just lure one of them over here and we will take care of the kill." He said before looking off to the side defiantly.
"That would make sense, I suppose seeing one on TV works just as well as seeing one in real life." Dakota shrugged, grateful that their new friend didn't react badly to Bane and his... hindrance.
Dakota noticed Choby's expression change to the look that crosses her own face when she is talking to Mana or Gemma through their link. 'Strange.' She thought to herself before glancing over at Bane to see if he noticed as well, but he was still looking down at his paws. Her ear twitched when she heard Tobias call out and a faint voice entered her mind. 'What's strange?' She glanced towards the cave to see a sleepy Mana trot through the mouth and look around their camp site. 'Nothing, everything's all right.' Dakota responded as Mana approached them, she took her seat beside Dakota and yawned. She looked over at Choby with a worried expression but noticed Dakota smiling and relaxed slightly.
"Good morning guys." She greeted, Dakota nodded in greeting and Bane's ear just twitched in acknowledgement of her presence.
Gemma noticed that Dakota, Bane and Mana were no longer in the cave. She looked over at Charmed and Lelani who were curled up still in a deep sleep, then she glanced down at Kratia who was also still asleep. Shrugging her shoulders she lay her head back on her paws and stared at the cave wall deep in thought.
*Why do I have a bad feeling about this?* Reece thought to himself as he moved towards the herd of deer.
Sure enough, the herd's stag came charging at him and nearly bowled him over. It was then that he decided that he didn't like hunting. But somehow he managed to get the stag back to the others... before he morphed into a crab.
" Morning." Choby replied with a slight nod before Kaygis shot out of their cave with three lion cubs and one jaguar cub hot on his tail.
" I'm sorry, Cho, but you nephew hurts!" the black panther called as he passed.
" Charge!" Jaymie yelled from the cave entrance.
" But it's COLD!" Emma protested.
" Just go with it!"
All Choby could do was sigh as Jaymie desperately tried to get Emma to join the chase.
Kratia woke with a start, tears streaming down her face from the memories that the night had purged from her mind. She didn't realise that most of the other campers were awake. But she wished badly that she hadn't slept away from her husband. It made her feel alone and vulnerable in her current state. And it scared her.
Skype and Tsume stayed hidden in the bushes as they watched Reece approach the herd. When the stag charged him Skype went to jump out of their hiding spot but Tsume held him back.
"Not yet." He hissed and Skype nodded watching as Reece managed to get the stag within range of them before he morphed into a crab.
"Damn It!" Skype yelled as the stag went to step back, just before the stags hoof crushed Reece, a flash of white appeared off to the left and Snowdrift swooped over, he lifted Reece into the air and flew back over to Bloodshot who was also in his dragon form, both continued to stay out of the hunters way. Skype leapt out of the bush and sprinted towards the stag, Tsume by his side. The flash of light and Snowdrift's sudden appearance had startled the stag and he was galloping further away from his herd. When they were close enough Tsume leapt up onto the Stags back and sunk his teeth into its shoulder. The stag tried to buck him off but he held on tight digging his claws into its sides. Skype attacked the second the stag started to slow down, he went straight for the throat. Both held on as the stag fell to the ground and held it down till the kill was successful. Once they were sure it was down they both let go.
"Guys, time to eat!" Skype called out as both he and Tsume started to eat their fill. Bloodshot and Snowdrift flew over, with Reece still in Snowdrifts claws, when they landed Snowdrift put Reece down and both dragons started eating.
Gemma sat up when she realised that Kratia was awake. She nuzzled into the tiger comfortingly before standing up and stretching.
"Thankyou for last night Kratia. It really means alot to me that you stayed." She spoke out softly.
Lelani and Charmed both woke up when they heard Gemma talking. Lelani ran straight out of the cave while Charmed nuzzled Gemma before following the younger out into the snow.
Lelani noticed the panther being chased by the 4 cubs and sprinted out after them, catching them easily, she jumped onto Kaygis' back growling playfully. Charmed joined Dakota, Mana and Bane by the fire the three girls were laughed at the site and a small smile made its way onto Bane's face.
" I knew this was going to happen. I just knew it." Reece grumbled angrily, his pincers clicking wildly. But he soon admitted defeat and looked up and Snwdrift. " Thanks."
Kratia nodded slightly, to acknowledge Gemma's thanks. But she quickly realised that she needed to leave and stood up.
" I'm sorry. I need to go." she whispered, trying not to let the tears in her voice choke her words.
With that, she walked into the Rebels cave and over to where Bosko lay, looking up at her with concern in his eyes. He licked her face free of tears once she was safely by his side, but he was waiting for when she tucked her head in his mane before he soothed her. He already had a fair guess as to what had caused the tears. And even though he knew that at least one of the causes were his missing boys, he just prayed that those two, though able to look after themselves, didn't get themselves into more trouble than they could get out of.
Raimundo watched the scene outside unfold from the relative warmth of the cave before turning back to look at the rest of the inhabitants. Zolo was arguing with Taka over who had just won a game that they had made up, both of them were early risers but Raimundo couldn't understand why Taka would be. He wasn't part of the army like Zolo was. Tobias and his brothers, Barb and Cragus, were enjoying their little piece of entertainment while they were having breakfast. Ritara and Ebony were both feeding. Finally Sarabi pulled him from his thoughts with a gentle nuzzle into his neck.
" Morning." He sighed.
" A cold morning." Sarabi replied. " But I can't complain. I finally got your son to eat meat."
" You did?"
" Yeah. Now come on. I have a feeling someone's going to have to save Kaygis." And with that, she left for the campfire.
" Why me?" Raimundo mumbled, reading between the lines of what his wife had said, before grudgingly following her.
" Oof. Choby help me! I didn't need this kind of wake up call!" Kaygis called over to the group as Luigi jmped onto his stomach, winding him.
" But they like you!" Choby laughed, refusing to do anything. Instead, he turned to Emma and Jaymie (who had gotten as far as the campfire before deciding that the chase wasn't interesting enough) with a smile. " I think Uncle Kaygis would like to play with you to. Why don't you go help Luigi and the others?"
" But it's still cold." Emma protested.
" Trust me. You'll warm up faster running around."
" Told you." Jaymie grumbled before managing to drag Emma away from the fire.
" God, you're a terror Choby." Sarabi said with a sigh, going to sit by him and nodding a greeting at the other group.
" I try." Choby replied with a smile.
Snowdrift looked over at the crab and nodded.
"Your welcome." He grumbled before he returned to eating.
Bloodshot was the first to finish eating backed away from the kill and sat back waiting for the others to finish. Snowdrift soon joined him followed closely by Skype and Tsume. There was still a fair bit of meat left on the Stag carcass.
"I wasn't as hungry as I thought." Skype laughed, he was starving right up till they brought the Stag down, then he didn't feel so hungry any more when they started eating.
"Same here." Tsume laughed.
Gemma watched her go, she could smell the scent of tears and was worried about the tiger, she obviously had her own problems and didn't need Gemma whining to her. Her ears lay back on her head as she got up and trotted out of the cave. She stopped to look around at the scene. Jordon and Phoenix were now awake and chatting up in one of the trees by their cave. Dakota, Mana, Charmed & Bane were all sitting around the campfire with some members of the other group and little Lelani was torturing a panther from the other group by tugging on his ear. She looked out into the clearing through the trees and sighed. 'I won't burden anyone else by worrying. Tsume will find Link and the girls and bring them back to me.' She thought as she trudged over to the camp fire. Both Dakota and Mana looked at her sympathetically, they were both worried about her newborns and Aden aswell. The three were too young to fend for themselves and were probably all alone, this weather is harsh on a pup but the 3 of them are in their 2nd and 3rd weeks of life. 'All we can hope is that Link or one of the others is with them Gemma, the girls will be ok.' Dakota reassure and Gemma looked startled, she forgot that her sisters could hear her thoughts. She put on a smile as she sat down before the fire but inside she was crying.
By the time the others had filled their stomachs, Reece was getting really hungry. He couldn't remember the last time he had had something to eat. *And this,* he thought to himself. *is why you never leave for the bush with insignificant rations of food.*
The only good thing when he next morphed was that he was able to finally eat. Everything else he severely despised. This was also one of those times where he cursed himself for being able to morph into any animal. He just wished that he didn't have to become a designer poodle.
" Okay, kids. That's enough. I think i... eh... ehaha...hahaha." Kaygis had no chance to finish his sentence. Emma had just found the ticklish spot on his back just above his left leg.
The poor panther was in histerics by the time Luigi had gotten off his back and began headbutting his stomach for some unknown reason. Aside from the headbutting jaguar cub and the lion cub that was chewing on his ear, Emma was having an argument with Jaymie, her back paws sliding down the panthers back while her front paws were trying to push her friend off his leg. Aztec had found his tail to be amuzing (again) and his sisters were jumping all over the place. The scene looked quite amuzing.
" Do you reckon we should help him?" Sarabi asked.
Choby and Raimundo looked at each other before replying. " Nah."
Snowdrift and Bloodshot didn't seem to notice Reece's form change as they were both once again playing around in their tiger forms. Tsume was trying extremely hard to not burst out laughing, the only thing stopping him was Skype's paws around his muzzle, Skype showed no reaction to Reece's bizarre morph.
The three sisters were laughing at the scene and the poor panther. Bane, while finding the scene funny, felt sorry for Kaygis and got up, he trotted over to them. He picked Lelani off of Kaygis' head and placed her beside him, she ran off towards the fire and sat down by Charmed clawing at the snow.
"Come on kids, I think the poor guys had enough." Bane chuckled as he nudged Luigi lightly.
As roughly as he could, Reece tore into the remains of the carcass. He could hear the failed attempts of not laughing coming from Tsume and he was not pleased at all. But his anger must have had some effect to his morphing because after five minutes he became an andrewsarchus and ripped off one of the stags legs easily before becoming a 15 metre long titanoboa which easily swallowed the stag whole.
Reluctantly, most of the cubs got off Kaygis and decided that playing with each other was better than jumping on their 'uncle'. The only one who didn't think so was Aztec, who was happily chewing on Kaygis's tail.
" Thanks." Kaygis replied after he was able to breathe again. With a sigh, he turned to the white lion cub. " Come on, Aztec. That's enough now."
Unfortunately, Aztec wasn't happy with that and ignored the black panther resulting in Kaygis picking him up by the scruff of his neck and forcing his tail out of the cubs mouth. Then he stood up, placed the cub back on the ground and inspected any damage. Not that there was much to inspect.
" If I bruise, I'm blaming it on you Choby!" He called playfully.
" I'll make sure the doctors know the 'truth', then?" Choby replied with a cheeky smile on his face.
" Boys." Sarabi sighed. " Anyway, what's for breakfast?"
Tsume stopped laughing at the site of the massive boa, both he and Skype backed up slightly when Reece swallowed the carcass whole. Skype looked up at Reece chuckling nervously.
"Full?"
Bane laughed lightly at the little white lion cub before heading back over to the fire and re-claiming his seat beside Dakota. The laughing died down and Dakota glanced to Sarabi when she asked about Breakfast.
"Anything, I guess. Considering everything is produced by thoughts and memories you could basically have anything at all." Gemma responded before she walked alittle away from the fire. A fox appeared a couple meters from her and she chased after it.
Reece turned his massive head to look at the nervous wolf and lion and blinked an eye at them before raising his head to look at the bright flash of purple-ish blue light that lit the sky. It was almost like a small explosion or a meteor had fallen from the sky. But something was wrong. With a pained hiss, his eyes rolled into the back of his skull and his head came crashing to the ground.
" Anything?" Choby and Raimundo asked, a longing look on their faces.
Both Skype and Tsume flinched at the bright light before noticing the snakes collapse.
"Reece!" Skype yelled as both lion and wolf ran over to him.
At the sound of their Uncles yell both Bloodshot and Snowdrift flew over and looked at Reece with worried eyes as Skype's small (in comparison to the snakes large body) paws shook Reece trying to get a response from him.
Dakota nodded, "Anything at all." She responded before she and Bane walked off with Lelani trailing them. The elders attacked a small deer that appeared before them, then the three of them lay down eating and talking quietly. Charmed ran off to join Gemma who had caught the fox and was happily eating. Mana decided on what to have for breakfast and went on chase after a small dwarf rabbit.
The only response that Reece gave them was to morph into an unconscious Tasmanian devil.
" Anything." Choby and Raimundo sighed, getting a dreamy look on their faces.
The next thing that Sarabi knew was that two large capybaras had appeared. Choby and Raimundo instantly went in for the kill. Five minutes later, Sarabi found herself sharing one of the capybaras with Raimundo, Luigi, Emma and Jaymie. Choby and Kaygis helped Tammy, Aztec and Zelda polish off the second.
Once they had all eaten their fills, Choby, Raimundo and Kaygis each thought of something else to eat and gifted those still in the cave with a breakfast of 'calf a la carnivore'.
"Well at least hes smaller now." Tsume commented off handedly.
"Tsume!" Skype scolded before looking over at Reece. "What do you think is wrong with him? Could it have something to do with that light?"
Jordon stirred at the smell of food and she jumped up excited. She realised too late that she was in a tree when the branch cracked beneath her and both she and phoenix plummeted to the ground below. Phoenix was awoken by the impact with the hard snow, he sat up glaring at his wife.
"Sorry." Jordon apologized and the two shared a laugh before they sat down to share a zebra calf.
Dakota and the rest of their group ignored the two's antics as they were all used to it.
Reece began stirring a few seconds later, the only problem was he didn't know who he was, where he was or who the bigger predators were. Slowly he got to his feet and shook himself off before looking around to try and sort things out. When he noticed Tsume and Skype, he opened his jaws wide and gave a high pitched screech before turning around and running as fast as he could into the nearest bush to hide. But one thing was certain, he had to get to that light.
*Just like Octavian* Sarabi thought to herself before looking over to the area beond the campsite. " Are we going to be doing any searching today or what?" She asked.
Both Tsume and Skype watched Reece with confused expressions.
"Hey, wait were not going to hurt you." Skype said taking small steps towards the bush where he was hiding. Something was off about him and Skype knew it. "What's wrong?"
Dakota looked up from her meal licking her lips. "I think that it would be a good idea. We shouldn't send everyone out just small party's at a time, I'd hate for us to lose more members then we find." She said, looking around for others opinions about today's plan.
" He's out of control." Reece managed to mumble, even though he was confused himself about what he was saying. " They're trying to... aarrgghh!"
Pain raked through his head as he tried to work everything out. Without him realising, he began morphing again. But this time it was in quick succession. Within the expanse of five minutes, he had become a large fire breathing dog which easily burnt the bush to cinders, a large wild boar with deadly tusks, a dodo bird, a killer whale and a horse. Finally he stopped with a St Bernard morph and looked up at Tsume and Skype.
" What happened?" He asked.
" That sounds good. WE've already lost Reece. And with him being unstable..." Sarabi said with a small nod, trailed off at the thought of what could happen to Kaygis's brother.
But just as she finished speaking, a metallic bell-like roar sounded through the air. It sounded desperate and lost, almost like it was afraid. But there was no way of pinpointing where the sound was coming from.
"Were not really sure ourselves, You seemed really scared of us as if you didn't even know us then you ran from us and hid in this bush." Skype explained.
Snowdrift and Bloodshot flew over to join the 3 by the singed bush and Snowdrift finished Skype's explanation.
"You seemed to be in pain. mumbling something about someone being out of control, then you morphed 5 times in arow. Are you feeling alright?"
Dakota nodded to Sarabi as she stood up, her head then exploded with pain, she wasn't sure what was wrong but it wasn't her in pain. When it cleared she shook her head with a confused expression. Bane looked at her with worry.
"What happened?" He asked and she just shook her head.
"I'm not sure... But I know what the family feels like, it wasn't a person I recognize, must be a member of the others group." She responded.
Bane was about to say something else when they heard the roar.
" I don't know." Reece replied slowly. " I remember seeing a bright light and that's all. I swear this place is messed up."
Kaygis instantly shot out of the cave and looked up into the sky. " That sounded like Iora." He exclaimed. " It sounded like she's in trouble."
"I agree." Tsume said he grumbled something else under his breath that went unheard.
Skype sighed at him before looking back to Reece. "Speaking of the light, perhaps we should start there, it might be someone either of us know." He said before standing and heading off in said direction.
"Who's Lora?" Gemma asked as the group hoarded around Dakota who had her paw over her muzzle with a look of extreme thought on her face.
"Aunty, what's wrong?" Lelani asked her but Dakota either ignored her or didn't hear her.
" Yeah, okay." Reece sighed.
Shakily he got to his feet and followed the lion, though his movement was slow. Whatever had happened to him during that mental blank had made him extremely tired. He wondered how far he'd get before he collapsed.
" Not Lora. Iora. With an 'i'." Kaygis corrected. " She's... She's a very, very special dragon. And if she dies, then the universe gets destroyed. At least, my world does. Not so sure about yours." After a few seconds of silence and unsuccessful searching, he cried out in frustration. " If something's happened to her, Julien's going to kill me!"
" Kaygis, calm down! Stressing is not going to help with anything! Especially not with your condition." Sarabi called.
" I guess you're right."
But by this time, Sarabi had noticed Dakota's distant look. " Is everything okay, Dakota?" She asked.
Skype glanced back and went to move to help Reece walk but Tsume beat him to it, he pushed his shoulder into Reece's and held him up straight walking at his pace.
"Ahh with a 'I' not a 'L'" Mana laughed nudging Gemma who blushed at her mistake.
"Not funny, I've never been good with names." Gemma growled trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Everything will be alright, we will find everyone and get off this island and back to our homes." Bane tried to reassure everyone seems Dakota was distracted by something. She didn't noticed the small squabble between Kaygis and Sarabi, she was too rapped up in the pain coursing through her leg and the liquid trailing down her thigh. Her bleeding leg was hidded from site from everyone so no one had noticed. She was trying to focus on who it belonged too but she couldn't pinpoint who it was. She could only think of one person who would be experiencing this symptom and that was Moonlight.
Dakota jolted out of her trance when she was nudged by Gemma, who was looking at her with concern.
"Brothers near." Was all she said before she stood up, she started limping out of the campsite, a trail of blood following her.
Reece jumped at the sudden contact, almost tripping on a small rock, and turned to the wolf, his eyes brimming with confusion, shock, tiredness and a slight hint of pain. And the fact that he had big, sad eyes when he was in a st bernard morph probably made him look worse. " You're..." He tried to say, before his tiredness overtook his voice.
" Dakota?" Sarabi called after the wolf. Then she noticed that Kaygis was following her. " Kaygis? Where are you going?"
" Not that I'm doubting anyone's abilities or anything, but I don't think we should be going out alone." Kaygis replied. "Besides, we may find lost people. We'll need at least one person from each group going out in case we find someone from either of the two groups. And I might be lucky enough to find Iora."
" Then I'm going with you."
" No, you're staying here and looking after Luigi. He needs to relearn everything and only you and Raimundo can do that."
" How can you be so sure that my son is Luigi?"
" I just do, okay? It's hard to explain."
" Everything is hard to explain with you!"
" Can you blame me? Look at my life Sarabi! Look at what I am! I have to be open to everything and anything!"
" I'm still going with you!"
" You stubborn woman! You need to stay here!"
" I need to go find my family!"
" And I need to find Julien! Something's wrong. I can feel it. And finding Iora is a step at figuring out what is going on."
" You're obssessed! We could have kids out there! Monty could be out there!"
" Okay, that's just scary. I am definitely not worried about him. I'm worried for the trouble that he could get into. And for your information, I am not obssessed. I am just severely concerned about everyone and everything. If Julien's in trouble, which I hope he's not, we can't have whoever's got Julien getting Iora as well. And I can only hope that they haven't got Shadow."
" What does Shadow have to do with any of this?"
" Put it this way, my son is more powerful than me. He's more valuable that me."
" Well, we can go find them together."
" Goddamnit, woman! You've got a cub to look after! Stay here!"
" Fine! Raimundo! Get your tail out here!"
" Don't drag me into this!" Raimundo yelled from back in the cave.
" Then get out here and follow Kaygis!" Sarabi ordered.
" He can look after himself!"
" You're no help!"
Meanwhile, Kaygis was sneaking away, hoping that Sarabi didn't see him.
Tsume snorted before looking away. Skype smiled back at them, It was hard for Tsume to warm up to anyone but he seemed to be tolerant of Reece. Snowdrift and Bloodshot flew ahead, occasionally glancing back to make sure everyone was ok.
Gemma and Mana watched Dakota walk away with sad eyes. Bane just sat there, he knew that there was nothing he could do from past experiences and If it was Moonlight Dakota had sensed it was for the best if he stayed out of the way.
"We must help her find brother." Mana said as she glanced back out to see Kaygis starting to follow Dakota. They listened to the squabble between Kaygis and Sarabi, unsure what was happening. When they noticed Kaygis slip off while Sarabi was momentarily distracted, they took the opportunity to leave themselves. Both of them took off at a run and leapt into the air, easily gliding through the sky till they were floating above Dakota. They stayed at her pace as she limped along, her blood pooling in each snowy pawprint she made.
Dakota knew both her sisters were flying above her but she ignored them. Krystal was with Moonlight when he got shot, prehaps she could find her niece and brother at the same time. Her ear twitched when she heard someone following her from behind and she stopped glancing back to see Kaygis.
"Is no one else coming?" She asked him with a confused look on her face, she rose her back leg up so she didn't have to put weight on it.
Before the group had even gotten to the next glade that was a short distance away from them, Reece had to stop. His breath was coming in heavy gasps and he was dragging his already frozen paws through the snow. The next thing he knew was that he was shrinking and his body was changing. He called out weakly in frustration, but it seemed to be more like a call from a weak red-tail hawk. But there was one thing he was certain about. He was still too weak to take flight.
" I really do hate my life, right now. No job. No home. And now, no control. What deity hates me?" He muttered to himself.
" Yeah." A voice called from the surrounding trees.
" Zolo?" Kaygis asked as the golden wolf came out of the trees.
" Yeah, it's me. Do you know what you started back there? I swear it's world war six."
" Hey, don't forget about us!" Another voice called from the sky.
" We don't want to be in the war zone, either!" A third called down next to the second.
Kaygis looked up to find a dull brown and dull golden brown eagle flying above the golden wolf. " Barb and Cragus. I should have known." He sighed, before turning back to Dakota. " Does this answer your question?" He asked, not intending to be mean about it.
Tsume jumped slightly when he felt Reece change, he wasn't sure what to do now that the dog was a bird. It was clear the hawk was too tired to fly and he sighed in frustration. 'Why did I have to take a liking to the odd one.'
"I guess you can ride on my back if you really need to he grumbled before he used his tail to lift Reece up onto his back, he sat him on his shoulder blades before he ran to catch up to Skype who was a little ahead of them.
Dakota huffed, but not out of anger, she was getting tired and her pace slowed slightly.
"The more eyes the better." She spoke hoping it was loud enough for the others to hear.
Gemma lowered herself so she was just off the floor.
"It would be better for you to levitate sis, your using way too much energy trotting along like this." She spoke with pure concern.
"Whilst it would be better for me, if I keep to the ground I can leave a blood trail, Skype or Krystal could stumble across it, they know my scent and would either follow it back to camp or straight to us. I'll be fine." She growled continuing on through the growing pain. Gemma nodded seemingly accepting her explanation and she drifted back up towards Mana to relay Dakota's message.
" Thanks." Reece sighed, before closing his eyes and blacking out over the wolf's neck.
Kaygis trotted up beside the wolf, ready to let her lean on him if she needed it. He didn't know why, but for some reason, she reminded him of the first love of his life... the one he had still to get over. With a sigh, he pushed the thought out of his mind and looked back to Zolo.
" You heard the lady, trails are good." He said.
" That wasn't exactly what she said." Zolo replied with a slight flick of his ears.
" It's what she meant. So, get trail making."
" Yeah. How am I supposed to do that?"
" You're a bright kid. You'll figure it out."
" Thanks."
Kaygis merely smiled before looking up at the two eagles. But he found that they were already on the look out. Then the air was filled with another metallic bell-like roar, this time closer but still distant. *Oh, Iora. Where are you?* The black panther thought.
"Tch, whatever." Tsume muttered, he adjusted Reece so he was steady and continued on. Skype was smiling beside him and Tsume growled. "Stop smiling like an idiot, he's hurt. That's the only reason I'm being nice!" He snapped out and Skype just nodded.
"Sure it is." He teased and Tsume just turned his head away from his brother-in-law.
"Thankyou." Dakota whispered when she noticed Kaygis walking beside her to offer her support should she need it. The pain coursing through her was really starting to take its toll, she just hoped she could find Moonlight soon and tend to his wound or she would surely pass out. She smiled slightly at his words, she could hear Mana and Gemma snickering above them at the word 'Lady'. It was the first time she had been called one mainly due to her unladylike nature. It made her smile to know that Kaygis held some kind of respect for women.
Gemma was swerving out of boredom and the roar so close by startled her slightly and she bumped into Mana who then bit her tongue. Said sibling glared at her and to avoid a confrontation Gemma smiled slightly, before shutting her eyes before allowing gravity to drag her towards the hard snow below and away from her fuming sister.
" Your welcome." Kaygis replied equally as soft. But even though he had banished the thoughts from his mind, a tear still strayed into his eye.
Zolo, not knowing how he was going to mark a trail for any of his friends or family, decided to a combination of things. The first thing he did was go up to a tree and scratch the bark off it. Then he moved to a tree a short distance away and continued the pattern. But what was odd about it was that it was in the shape of a 'z' like Zorro had appeared and marked the trees with his sword. Zolo couldn't help it if the trade mark was exactly like the old mexican hero. The only difference would have to have been the first tree he scratched at. Somehow he had made it say 'Follow blood trail'.
" Well he did say to think of something." He muttered to himself as he marked his sixth tree.
Above them, Barb and Cragus took turns in searching around the group. When one eventually got tired, he dipped down to Zolo and his brother would take his place. But both seemed to cringe as they noticed a flash of gold arch on the horizon and heard the roar.
"Gemma." Dakota called out weakly. Said wolf pulled up just before she hit the snow and floated beside Dakota with her tail dragging in the snow and her feet up in the air.
"What?" She asked wondering why her sister had called her.
"Can..." Dakota coughed slightly and staggered before regaining herself and continuing on. "Can you track the light, the roar echo's so we cant pinpoint it but the light shouldn't be too hard to follow." She grunted out as one of her front paws found a sharp stone which successfully cut her paw pad. She just sighed and continued limping along.
"Alright, I'll try." Gemma answered before she allowed the breeze to lift her back up to Mana.
"We're tracking it." Was all she said before she took of higher into the sky and a fast speed, Mana was flying right behind her.
Dakota sighed as she saw them speed off and smiled slightly, "They're always full of energy those two." She whispered before looking over at Kaygis with concern, she licked away the tear. "What's wrong, I've had a faint sense that something has been bothering you ever since you joined me on this walk?"
Skype was trotting ahead of Tsume, nose to the ground swerving down the path trying to pick up any scents. His frozen nose wasn't helping him at all. He froze though just as they passed what looked to be an abandoned cave. He could hear teeth chattering.
"Snowdrift! Bloodshot!" He called ahead to the two dragons who stopped and came back, Tsume stopped beside him and they all looked at him confused.
Zander's ears perked up at the yell of two familiar names in a familiar voice. He licked the cub he had been curled around on the head before cautiously walking forward.
"Skype, is that you?" He called lightly still hidden in the shadows of the damp cave.
The four concious animals all looked over at the cave when they heard the faint voice. Skype stepped forward, after all It was him that had been addressed.
"Yes, I'm Skype. Who are you?" He asked looking warily into the shadows.
A cough followed by the appearance of grey and white fur.
"It's me, I'm so glad I've found someone." He stumbled forward and shivered before looking up at Snowdrift and Bloodshot. "Could one of you please light a fire in the cave?"
Snowdrift nodded, before the five of them trotted into the damp cave. Zander resumed his position curled around the cub while Tsume lay the bird down beside. Bloodshot lit a fire and they all got comfortable, warming up in.
" It's..." Kaygis began, but stopped himself and looked around to make sure that Zolo, Barb and Cragus weren't near enough to listen in on him. " Can I trust you?" He asked instead.
Dakota was confused by the question but understood slightly, she was a complete stranger after all.
"Of cause, I would never betray the trust of a friend." Dakota said softly, she was watching the snow pass beneath her now, her vision was starting to blur slightly.
"Mana do you smell that? I think its..." She started looking to her sister with confusion. "Fire." They both said at the same time before moving faster towards where the latest flash of light had come from. Someone was in danger and they had to move quickly.
" Well... when I was younger, I had a girlfriend. And she had a rough life, you could say. I don't know what day it is in this world, but back in mine it was..." Kaygis sighed before continuing. " It was the day she died. I was there when it happened... and I couldn't stop her." But that's when he noticed that Dakota seemed to be getting weaker. " Are you feeling alright?"
"I'm sorry." She whispered when he finished talking, she could feel how sad he was even with Moonlight's injury clouding her empathy. She stumbled again over a rock protruding from the snow and had to stop. She was loosing alot of blood from the wound on her leg and her cut paw wasn't helping any. She drew in a deep breath before raising her head and continuing on.
"I'm fine, I've just gotta find my brother."
By now Zander had stopped shaking and was busy watching the flames flicker before him.
"So have you come across anyone else?" Skype asked Zandar who had lay down to get comfortable before the fire.
"Just this little tyke beside me." He said gesturing towards the white jaguar cub who was sleeping peacefully with Zander's tail wrapped around her. "She's not even part of our group though, so I'm assuming he..." He said gesturing to the still unconscious hawk resting in the snow by Tsume. "Knows her." He finished before he started coughing.
Skype patted him on the back in an attempt to quell him.
" Well find him. Don't worry." Kaygis then looked up to where Barb was flying just ahead of them. " How's it going up there?"
" I think I see Iora! Not far to the North-West of here! It's almost like she doesn't want to move from where she is! I think she may be hurt! She sounds it!" The dull golden brown eagle.
" Please don't let her be hurt."
At the sound of someone coughing, Reece began to stir. Unfortunately for him, he also morphed into a caterpillar and then straight into a snow leopard. With a yawn, he looked around at the group around the campfire.
" Where am I?" he asked sleepily.
Then he noticed the white jaguar coughing uncontrolably and shaking slightly. He had only seen it once before, but he knew what it was almost imediately. " Zyanya!" He called out, instantly awake.
Dakota nodded to the panther trotting beside her, smiling slightly at his reassuring words. She staggered slightly as a gust of wind picked up. A Snowstorm was heading their way.
"Judging by the level of snow and wind, we have a few hours before the main storm hits, we need to be back at camp by then."
Mana and Gemma slowed to a stop when the came before a gorge. It was extremely deep, yet due to the snowdrift along the edge, anyone at a full tilt run could easily miss that its there and go over the edge. Just as they went to continue on Gemma yelped and dived down towards the edge. Mana although confused gave chase, they both dropped to the ground before the edge and Gemma dug some of the snow out of the way before gasping. She picked the red cloth between her teeth, it was slightly torn like someone had grabbed at it to stop him from falling and it came away from his neck.
"Moonlight's Bandanna..." Mana whimpered as she sniffed the cloth. "Do you think perhaps, he fell into the gorge?"
"Dakota didn't show any wounds of a high fall, perhaps something broke his fall, his scent is still strong so he was here recently and I can smell Krystal with him, but there is a third scent. Very unfamiliar..."
"We should take his bandanna back to Dakota..." Mana whispered, "And tell her what we found."
Gemma nodded in agreement.
"We will take this back to her, point her and the others in the right direction and then head back towards the fire." Mana looked confused but then remembered what Gemma was talking about and nodded, then both wolves took off back their sister.
Zander gave Skype a grateful look as he felt his coughing fit subside. He felt the small bundle of fur beside him shiver coughs erupted from its small body.
"See," Zander said as he noticed the snow leopard on the other side of the fire wake up. The leopards sudden alertness and worry made it clear he knew the white jaguar cub curled up against Zander. "I told you, they have to be friends or something. Have you guys seen anyone else from their group? Or ours for that matter?"
Skype shook his head sadly.
"Just us." Tsume spoke up and the group fell silent.
"So Spitz and Holly are still missing..." He whimpered lightly staring into the fire keeping them all warm.
" Zyanya!" Reece jumped to his feet and hurried over to his leaders' sister. " Oh, God. Why here? Why now? I have no idea what I'm doing. Zyanya!"
He began pacing back and forth, completely not helping the jaguar at all, trying to remember what it was that Choby and Raimundo had told him about their sister. After a few seconds he mumbled 'What is wrong with that family?' before trying to lie the jaguar on her side.
" Snowstorm. Great." Kaygis grumbled, overhearing Dakota. He then raised his head and called out to the eagles. " Call off the search! You two won't be able to handle the winds! Another storm's rolling in!"
" I hate storms." Barb muttered as he swooped down to land on Kaygis' back.
" Tell me about it." Cragus sighed from Zolo's back.
" My guess is that you're not going to get off, are you?" Zolo asked.
" Not unless you want to lose me in that snow. Do you realise how deep that stuff is?"
" No. I'm just walking through it."
" Am I the only mature one here?" Kaygis asked as the wolf and eagles continued to banter.
Zander moved away from the teen to give the snow leopard some room and he sat by his family.
"Ahh..." He asked nervously. "Is she alright, I thought it was just a shiver... But I'm assuming by your reaction its more then that..." He lay his ears against his skull and lowered his head. "Is there anything i can do?" Skype and Tsume looked at Zander confused but they could see how worried he was about the teen he spend little to no time with so they stayed silent.
"If... If you guys wish to turn back, I completely understand. I however, must keep searching." Dakota murmured.
She twitched when a familiar scent flowed into the wind around her. "Brother." She yelped as she started running in the direction the scent was coming from. "Moonlight!" She skidded to a stop when she saw both her sisters appear in the distance without their brother.
Said wolves landed before her and Gemma dropped the bandanna over Dakota's paws.
"We... We found it near a gorge hidden by a snowdrift." Mana explained as she brushed her paw over her nose to try and relieve the frozen feeling.
"We couldn't find Moonlight or Krystal anywhere... And there was a third, unfamiliar scent with them. I believe it was a she-dragon."
Dakota picked up the Bandanna and closed her eyes. Both Gemma and Mana awaited her to rejoin them.
" She is definitely not alright. She has cancer. So unless you can figure out a cure..." Reece sighed, trying to calm himself down for Zyanya's sake.
Slowly the coughing fit died away, leaving a once more sleeping jaguar in it wake.
" Iora." Kaygis exclaimed, his head jolting up at the mention of a she-dragon.
For a split second he went rigid and his eyes glazed over. He saw a long, black and gold blur horizontally race past him as he looked in the direction that Mana and Gemma had come from, disrupting the bandana from its place above the gorge. He heard the coughing sound of Iora's searching call echo in his ears. He could almost smell the blood that she had smelt. Then he was brought back to the present when another roar echoed through the area.
" She was searching for him." He whispered.
Zander cleared his throat uncomfortably. "I... I'm sorry, I didn't know." He whimpered before getting up and unsteadly trotting from the cave. Both Skype and Tsume watched him leave with sad eyes and both released twin sighs.
As Zander left the cave both Snowdrift & Bloodshot looked to him with worry.
"Is everything alright uncle?" Snowdrift asked as Zander trotted over to Bloodshot and lay down over the dragons front leg.
"Yeah, just bad memories you know." He whimpered before closing his eyes.
A shiver ran through his body and Bloodshot lay his tail over the wolf and curled slightly trying to warm him up.
"Just sleep now." He said as he lay his wing over Zander for extra warmth.
It wasn't long till said wolf slipped into a state of unconsciousness.
Dakota's eyes snapped open at Kaygis' voice and she turned to the panther. Whilst it was only very sudden and short Dakota noticed him freeze and the glazed look cross his eyes.
"Kota, we need to follow another trail at the moment, but Moonlight is in the direction we came from. Good luck." Mana said before nuzzling Dakota.
Gemma then nuzzled her as well before both sisters took off in the direction of the fire they were originally following.
"Be careful!" Dakota called after them before she looked back at Kaygis.
"Who was searching for who? What did you see?" She asked in a soft voice.
" What I do? Was it something I said?" Reece asked.
He was about to wrap himself around Zyanya when he turned into a snowy owl. With a sigh, he trudged up to the jaguar draped one of his wings around her.
" Iora. She's a good kid, you know. If she senses anyone's hurt she'll do anything she can to help them. She was looking for your brother. My guess is that she's trying to get someone over there to help him." Kaygis replied as Zolo trotted up beside him.
"No... No it's nothing you did or said. Zander just has... A lot of trouble dealing with people with cancer. As someone very close to him, died of it not long ago." Skype explained still watching the cave entrance with worry.
"Although, he has a tough nature, he is a very sensitive wolf. Don't let his actions get you down, he just needs some time to himself." Tsume twitched his ear in slight annoyance as he stared into the fire before him.
"How much futher do you think the fire is?" Mana asked floating on her back with her eyes closed.
"Not very far." Came Gemma's excited reply.
Mana turned over to see what she meant and saw what her sister saw.
"Bloodshot! Snowdrift!" She called out with excitement as both her and Gemma dove down towards the cave where 2 of their family members lay in the snow.
Said dragons looked up at the two wolves.
"Mana! Gemma!" Snowdrift called back as the two wolves landed before them.
"Then we best get moving, judging by the distance of which Mana & Gemma came into view, we have quiet a walk before us. I want to find them as soon as possible. If its alright with you, we run." Dakota said before shooting off in the direction her sisters pointed out. She had a limp in her run, but still moved as fast as a cheetah.
" Don't you just love it when someone asks you something and then they just go and do it?" Zolo grumbled sarcastically.
" Shut up and run." Kaygis growled in reply. " We're going to have to keep her tracks in sight before the snowstorm hits if we're ever going to catch her. I'm not as fast as I once was."
" When it comes to running."
But the two ran off after the wolf in any case.
Slowly, Zyanya opened her eyes. The first thing she registered was the red and black snowy owl. Then she noticed everyone else. And none of them were people she knew... except maybe Reece.
" Where am I?" She asked croakily, a thick Brazilian accent coating her words.
" None of us are sure, Zyanya." Reece replied, managing to be calm despite the fact that he was almost sure that she was looking at him with some kind of hungry look in her eye.
" Where's Choby?"
" We're trying to find that out, too. I got separated from him."
" Who are you?" Zyanya directed the question to the others in the cave.
Dakota felt her compainions presence fading behind her and knew that they were falling behind, she shook her body and continued on, straining past the pain. She just had to find them. She lowered her tail towards the snow and let it droop so she left a bigger trail for her new friends to follow.
Skype cleared his throat and glanced at Tsume before talking.
"I'm Skype and this is my brother-in-law, Tsume. We stumbled upon you and Zander whilst trying to find the others."
" Zandar?" Zyanya asked. Then she realised something else. " What is that white stuff? Why is it so cold?"
Reece, unfortunately, couldn't answer. Before he knew what was going on, he had transformed into a frog and was beginning to turn into a frogsicle. And, even more unfortunately, Zyanya could provide little warmth despite her size. He was really starting to hate his life right about now.
By the time Zolo and Kaygis had picked up on the bigger trail, Zolo was ready to drop out of sheer exhaustion. Barb and Cragus kept urging him on, though. Kaygis, however, seemed to be getting new bursts of speed whenever he began to get tired. The younger ones assumed he was using his master of time abilities. Not a sound passed between them, though... unless you counted Barb and Cragus. But by the time they finally had Dakota back in their sights, a great jet of golden flame shot into the air, seemingly melting a small part of the snow filled land.
"Zander, is the grey wolf that found you. Hes just outside with Snowdrift & Bloodshot. They are my nephews." Skype explained. He smiled slightly when Tsume grumbled something under his breathe before getting up and walking around the fire.
He lay down behind Zyanya and curled around both her and Reece, using his tail to cover the frogs small body.
Dakota's vision was starting to blur from both pain and the snow, she was starting to tire and it wasn't long before she felt the others presence behind her. They were catching up fast. She started to slow down even futher when a stream of golden flames shot into the air not far from her. New found hope washed over her and she sprinted in the direction of melted snow and a bright light.
" But what's that white stuff? I've never seen anything like it in the rainforest." Zyana insisted.
Reece, on the other hand, was looking up at Tsume in what he hoped was his best 'thank you and sorry' look. But considering he was a frog...
" I'm a coming Iora!" Kaygis roared and charged ahead of everyone else (including Dakota). With that jet of flame that the golden dragon had shot up, he was almost sure that she was trying to keep injured bodies from freezing over. What he failed to notice was the rock. It was a relatively small rock, but large enough to trip over... and that was exactly what Kaygis did. He tripped over the rock. Then he became air bourne for a few scary minutes before landing on his head and rolling down a hill and into a tree. He didn't even realise when he called out " Watch that first step, guys!"
Instead, he picked himself up, stumbled around a little and fell down again, wondering why the world was spinning. Thankfully Barb had the sense to fly off before he got hurt himself. Once he was safely in a nearby tree, he settled himself with watching Kaygis in concerned amusement. Zolo merely skidded to a halt and watched the scene thinking What just happened?
"The white stuff is called snow, It is quiet cold but it does have its uses." Skype explained, he yawned and lay his head on his paws.
Tsume noticed Reeces attempt at smiling and sighed before glaring at the cave wall.
Dakota watched as she was overtaken and speed up slightly. If Kaygis was this excited something must be there. Her frozen paws trudged through the wet snow as she tried to run faster, she heard Kaygis call out but couldn't hear what he said and before she knew it her paw was aching and she was rolling down a hill. Her back smashed against the same tree Kaygis hit and she dropped to her stomach in the snow. She shook her head to clear her spinning vision and glanced over at the panther.
"You ok Kaygis?"
Gemma and Mana landed before the duo and sat down. Both were panting from all the flying they had done.
"It's good to see the both of you." Mana said between breathes and she smiled.
"A familiar face is always welcomed." Snowdrift said as he shifted into a more comfortable position.
"So, have you found anyone else?" Gemma asked hope shrouding her voice.
Bloodshot lifted his wing slightly so the two girls could see Zander curled up, sleeping contentedly.
"Both Skype and Tsume are in the cave along with two others. We aren't sure who they are but their family is lost like ours." Bloodshot explained motioning towards the cave behind them.
Kaygis only managed a small 'Uh' before he began twitching. Still at the top of the hill, Zolo gave a loud curse and hurried to aid his friend. His only thought was that his collision with the tree had brought on the sudden seizure.
" Snow? What can you do with it?" Zyanya asked as Reece tried to transform himself into something more suitable to his current situation. Instead he ended up turning into a mockingjay.
Dakota noticed Kaygis start twitching and jumped to her feet. She ran over to him and placed her paw against his neck. His excelerated heart rate worried her, she felt very strange and knew the symptoms were coming for him. She turned to Zolo.
"Whats wrong with him?"
"It's used to preserve food, and on hot days its a nice way to cool down. It's also fun to play in..." Skype explained, he then heard Tsume mutter. "When it's not freezing your whole body..." A smile crossed his face before his ear twitched towards the entrance of the cave.
"Everything alright out there guys?" He called out and when silence answered him he rose to his feet and started to leave the cave, he turned back to the others. "I'll be right back, just wanna check on them." Then he left the cave.
He looked around and noticed that both dragons were asleep and he could see Zanders paw sticking out from under bloodshots wing. Smiling slighty, he went to leave when he noticed his sisters asleep a couple meters away.
"Mana! Gemma!" At his loud voice the 5 members of his family outside the cave all jumped.
" He has epilepsy. We can't do anything except not panic for his sake." Zolo explained before turning to Kaygis. " Come on, Kay. You can do it. Come back to us."
After a few seconds, Kaygis settled down and began breathing again. He weakly looked around and his eyes found Zolo.
" Hey, buddy. How ya doing?" He heard Zolo ask.
But he didn't reply. Instead, he tried to get up. Managing to sit up, he looked at Dakota in a drunken like state before trying to figure out who she was.
" Play? In cold?" Zyanya seemed genuinely perplexed by the thought, but she was momentarily distracted by Reece when he invultarily sang out the four syllables that combined to make both Mana and Gemma's names.
Dakota nodded and looked down on her new friend worriedly. She breathed a sigh of relief when his breathing returned to its normal state and her body felt normal again. She noticed the unstable look in his eyes and smiled. It reminded her of Zander after a night out.
"Are you ok?" She asked in a low voice, her head hurt alittle so she didn't want to worsen what felt like the beguning of a headache.
Tsume froze at the names his brother called out, She had found him. And before he could find the pups, she was going to be so mad. His eyes were watching the lip of the cave hoping that Gemma wouldn't come in.
Gemma, who was still disorientated from sleep was tackled to the ground and nuzzled. She didn't open her eyes to see who had attacked her. His voice told her that. Mana soon fell to the same fate. When both girls sat up Skype was sitting before them smiling and wagging his tail.
"It's great to see you both!" He said a bit too loudly for their liking, Gemma flinched slightly and Mana covered her ears with her paws.
"Not so loud please."
" What..." Kaygis began, his words slurring as he tried to make sense of the world around him. " Where... who... are you?"
Again Reece was compelled my the sensation to sing out Mana and Gemma's names. Only this time he was silenced halfway through when Zyanya poked him in the chest with one of her paws, trying to figure out what he was.
" What is he?" she asked in a somewhat disapproving voice.
"It's me, Dakota." She looked at the dazed panther infront her before looking back over to Zolo with a confused look on her face.
Tsume flinched at the mention of their names again and squeezed his eyes shut.
"Sorry." Skype apologized, he continued to wag his tail and fidget on the spot.
A short silence took over the three of them before Skype jumped to his snow frozen paws and turned back to the cave. "Come inside and warm up." He smiled before trotting back into the cave with both Mana & Gemma on overly excited his hills.
" He gets like this sometimes." Cragus explained to the grey wolf.
" It's us; Barb, Cragus and Zolo. You had another one of your fits." Zolo explained. " You had Dakota worried."
" Dakota?" Kaygis asked slowly before his mind returned to him. " Dakota. Iora!" Then the headache showed itself. " Headache. What in this Godforsaken world did I run in to?"
" What are you, Reece?" Zyanya asked, still poking at the now annoyed bird.
In an attempt to get the jaguar to stop, he ruffled up his feathers and puffed out his chest. Unfortunately that didn't work, so he ended up flying onto Tsume's shoulder and tried to comfort him despite the inevitable meeting that was only minutes away.
"Ohh..." Dakota looked down at her paws still slightly confused but accepted the golden wolfs explaination.
At the panthers sudden reaction Dakota stepped back slightly. "You ran into a tree." She couldn't help the slight chuckle that left her head throbbing with pain. She lifted her paw to her head and flattened her ears in pain.
Tsume acknowledged his new friends presence with a grunt before the sound of paw steps alerted him to their approach and he whimpered slightly. Skype trotted straight over to the fire, he sat down getting comfortable and Mana joined him. Gemma stopped at the mouth of the cave and glanced at everyone inside. When her eyes finally landed on Tsume, she noticed the absence of their pup and her husbands downtrodden look and sighed. She moved over to him and lay down so her nose was touching his. Tsume looked at her confused by her reaction, but she just smiled reassuringly at him and nuzzled into his face before getting comfortable. It wasn't long till both Tsume and Gemma fell into a peaceful sleep. Both Skype and Mana noticed the exchange and sighed in relief.
"I'm glad she took that well." Mana commented and Skype nodded in agreement.
" Into a tree..." Kaygis raised his own paw to his head and felt the beginnings of a bump forming on it. " That explains the bump."
As one, Zolo and the eagle brothers heaved a heavy sigh, Barb shaking his feathers as if he were shaking his head. Just then, another earth shattering roar echoed through the air. And this time it sounded closer.
Gently Reece hopped off the grey wolf's shoulder and willed himself to transform into something larger and warmer than the mockingjay that he was. He had hoped he would become a bear or wolf or something like that. What he got instead was a red and black bipedal dino-lizard... and a confused and wary look from Zyanya. He didn't even notice his tail was on fire, he was that busy trying to figure out what he had become.
Dakota smiled at her new friends removing her paw from her sore head. Her head whipped up at the sound of the roar and her ears perked with excitement, headache long forgotten.
"They're near!" She cried out in excitement running with renewed energy in the roars direction.
Skype and Mana both pulled strange faces at the new form Reece had taken on. Skype nudged Mana with his paw and motioned towards him.
"Didn't Kilika mention a friend who looks very similar to him." He asked still watching the confused lizard.
"I believe so, but her friend was orange, not black..." Skype nodded in acceptance of her words and their conversation ended there.
Snowdrift looked into the cave with mild interest before he rose and stretched out his claws and wings. He looked over at his brother and a silent exchange passed between them. Bloodshot then rose, careful of Zander and mimicked his brothers actions. He then nudged Zander awake.
"Uncle?" Said wolfs eyes opened and he looked up at his nephews in confusion.
"We're going to hunt, we wil be back later. You should go into the cave where it's warm." Bloodshot explained and Zander nodded sleepily.
He got up and trotted through the opening, curling up beside his sister and attempting to fall asleep again.
Both Bloodshot and Snowdrift watched him go before taking to the sky in the direction that they had smelt their Aunts scent on the wind.
" Iora!" Kaygis hissed under his breath, dashing after Dakota himself.
" Why did I even bother coming on this trip?" Zolo roared out before storming off after the two older animals, Barb and Cragus following his lead.
The golden and black asian dragon looked down at the blue and white wolf lying on his right side against her scales and under her left wing. She knew that if she didn't get him help soon, he wasn't going to last long in this cold weather. She also knew that the lion knew that something was seriously wrong with the wolf. She just had to look in the lion's eyes to know that. The lion was currently curled up against the wolf's stomach (both she and her were trying to keep the wolf's body warm) and she had done all she could to try and stop the bleeding, but she hoped it was enough to save him. Julien had taught her that cold weather and deep wounds were never a good sign.
" This is crazy." She growled to herself. " Please don't tell me we're the only ones here." With that, she sent another fire ball into the air to try and keep the injured wolf warm but not burn him or the lion.
" Um... Reece... you have fire... on your tail." Zyana stuttered, not sure if she should even say anything or not.
" What?" Reece asked, surprising himself that he could final speak in all of his forms again. Then he turmed around and noticed the yellow and orange flame that was sitting comfortably on the end of his tail. " Ai!!!! Notgoodnotgoodnotgood! I'm on fire! Ai!!!" He screamed, running around the cave like a madman while trying to put the fire out and yet not put the fire out at the same time.
Dakota's ear twitched to acknowledge the animals following her as she continued towards their friend and hopefully her brother. She could scent his blood along the path they ran, she really hoped he was safe and ok.
Krystal snuggled closer to her uncle in an attemp to warm his shivering body. She had been there when the hunter had took aim at her and Moonlight had jumped in the way taking the bullet bone deep in the thigh. She licked the blood stained fur around his wound and lay back down on her paws. She was confused as to who the dragon that found them was but she was greatful to all the help they had received from her. She looked up at moonlights face and acknowledged his laboured breath with drooped ears.
"I'm sorry uncle, I'm too weak to use my powers." She whimpered before sniffling and trying to hold her tears in. Her ears twitched when their companion spoke and she flinched at the words. 'I hope daddy or someone finds us soon...'
Mana watched their short conversation with mild interest till Reece started overacting. She could tell from where she sat that the flame as not burning his skin and she remembered Kilika saying that her friends flame was natural, 'It won't hurt him, only us.' It was then that a yowl echoed through the cave and she looked over to see Zander soothing his singed paw. She leapt up and tackled Reece to the ground careful of the flame that had already singed Zander.
"Calm down! The flame won't hurt you, but it will hurt us." She emphasised her point by pawing his head in Zanders wounded direction.
"Can you still scent her brother?" Snowdrift asked his red companion as they flew over the snowy forest below.
"Hai brother, she is near." Bloodshot answered, he had his eyes shut and his mouth slightly ajar, allowing the blood scents to lead him to his Aunt. He lowered himself towards the ground when a strong scent wafted beneath his nose. His eyes shot open and he pointed a sharp claw towards a trail of red amongst the white snow. "There!"
Both him and his brother took off towards the trail, altering their course to follow the blood, that should hopefully lead them to Dakota.
" Because you hate babysitting!" Kaygis called back to Zolo as he tried (and failed) to pick up speed that he never had in the first place. He did, however, manage to skid to a halt before he fell to his death in the deep, snow-covered valley that had suddenly emerged in front of them.
" Yeah...safe..." Reece muttered softly, before his eyes rolled into the back of his head.
Zyanya sat herself up to look at the scene around her better. " Somehow I don't think that was supposed to happen." she muttered.
Bloodshot pulled up when he noticed his brother had stopped, they both landed by a big tree at the bottom of a steep slope.
"What is it brother." He watched as Snowdrift trotted over the expanse of snow at the trees base with interest.
"She's with another," he replied before sniffing, lashing his tail slightly behind him in agitation. "A male," He glanced up at the tree, placed one taloned fore-paw against it so he was standing in his hind legs and sniffed the bark. "A panther."
Bloodshot growled slightly, 'She better be ok...' he thought before looking at his brother who was walking on his hind legs, wings spread behind him for balance, nose to the air sniffing. "Anything else brother?"
"Yes." He stated in a soft voice. "More males," he shook his head when he snorted a snowflake and sniffed again. "A wolf and 2 eagles are accompanying the panther and Aunt Dakota." He then dropped to his pads and trotted over to the blood trail.
Bloodshot continued to growl looking over the scene then he followed his brothers board almost annoyed gaze.
"What is it." He ask confused.
Snowdrift lashed at his brother with his tail just missing the red scaled shoulder. "You brother are a fool." He screeched before starting back the way they had come, following the blood trail. "You lead us the wrong way!" And with a beat of his wings, Snowdrift took off back up the trail, a sorry Bloodshot on his tail.
Dakota followed suit digging her claws into the icy ground and pulling up beside the black panther. She wafted the air rising from in the valley and she couldn't stop her tail from wagging.
"There's defiantly presences down there." She hoped excitedly before leaping off the edge and drifting down into the darkness below.
When her sight cleared she could see the silhouettes of 3 figures and again her tail wagged expressing her happiness. She flew back up towards the edge of the valley and floated above Kaygis, she grabbed him by the nape, hooking her two fore-paws beneath the panthers elbows. She then took off into the air slowly and carefully lowering the both of them into the valley.
Mana sniffed the still body she was standing on. "Ahh he's fine, still breathing." She muttered before walking back to her spot by the fire and laying down beside Skype who had drifted off to sleep. Zander also settled down, wrapping his tail around his singed paw as he tried to rest.
" Ah, Dakota? Is this safe? You do realise I've been in surgery before, right?" Kaygis asked nervously as he looked down into the valley.
Zolo watched the two disappear into the depths and immediately began looking for a way down to the valley floor. His answer came in the form of two golden eagles somehow managing to lift him into the air and fly him down similar to how Dakota had taken Kaygis. To say he was scared would be an understandment. He had seen Barb and Cragus carrying something heavy and let's just say, he wanted to keep his life and all his limbs unbroken.
Zyanya looked around at the sleeping (and unconscious, in Reece's case) animals, not sure what to do. Even though it was cold and she had just had an attack, she felt wide awake and wanted to explore the world outside the cave. However, she recognised that Zander was the one who had found her and that his paw had been badly burnt. She didn't know what happened next, but the next thing she knew was that she had gone out into the snow and was packing some in a rather large strip of bark that she managed to pull off one of the near by trees. She then used the bark to carry snow back into the cave and gently placed the snow on the burn, hoping that it would help settle the burn and that it wasn't too painful for the wolf.
"Sorry my friend, I wasn't aware about your surgery but rest assured, this is completely safe. I won't drop you so there is no need to worry." Dakota reassured just as the ground came into view. She lightly placed the panther on his feet and landed beside him smiling.
Mana lay with one eye closed and the other keeping an eye one the cave entrance. Both Snowdrift and Bloodshot had left so there was no one to watch the entrance while everyone slept. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed that the Zyanya was still awake and looked slightly confused about what to do now. She thought that maybe Zyanya would lie down and go to sleep but she was shocked when the white jaguar zipped out of the cave. She rose her head wondering if she should follow or not when the cat came back in with some snow on bark. She smiled slightly as Zyanya patted the snow on Zander's paw and looked back out of the cave.
Zander flinched and looked up at Zyanya as she treated his wounded paw.
"Thankyou little one." He thanked with a smile when she finished, he nuzzled her slightly before lying his head over his good paw.
Bloodshot and Snowdrift pulled up before a valley edge where Dakota's blood trail ends. "She must be down in that valley."Snowdrift stated and both dragons shared a look before they plunged into the darkness below.
" That's okay. Thanks." Kaygis replied, returning the smile faintly.
Next to them, Zolo came crashing to the ground, somehow managing to survive the fall and not get any broken bones.
" Well, that's what you get for struggling!" Barb screeched down at the wolf, his shrill voice echoing through the valley.
Shakily, Zolo got back onto his feet and began sniffing the air. Ever since that time, nearly a decade ago, when his brother-in-law had unknowingly led Kaygis into the clutches of some creepy creature that liked to take over peoples' minds and that same creature had killed one of his best friends, he'd had a sort of fear of dark, shadowy places like valleys and caves. They reminded him too much of those days. That was when he picked up on the scent of death and decay and, for lack of a better word, pure evil.
" Guys. There's something down here." He stage whispered as Barb and Cragus came to land on his and Kaygis' backs.
Zyanya gave Zander a small smile and whispered, " No. Thank you for finding me. This is the least I could do."
She then decided that the snow wasn't really that bad and went for a little walk around the cave to try and make herself tired. All she accomplished was managing to get herself cold, so she went back into the cave to warm up and remembering a time when she used to watch her brother playing in the cave when the bears wouldn't let him go outside.
Dakota glanced over at Zolo and noticed the look of fear in his eyes.
"It's only our friends down here, don't worry." She sniffed the air just in case and her nose came up with nothing out of the usual. "We should be fine if we stick together, now come on. They are only over here." She trotted off in the direction that she had seen the three silhouettes. She broke into a run when they came into view and she skidded just before them in a cloud of dust.
"Aunty!" Krystal cried out happy to see a familiar face. "Uncle is hurt, what do I do, I havn't fed yet and my healing powers are too week to fix him." Dakota nuzzled into Moonlight's neck and licked him on the forehead before looking up at the she-dragon who was with them. "Your name is Iora I presume?"
Zander watched her moving around the cave with a smile, she reminded him of his son. Always full of energy even when he should be resting. He closed his eyes once Zyanya settled down.
Bloodshot and Snowdrift decended into the darkness and noticed the silhouettes below them. Snowdrift landed lightly beside Kaygis while Bloodshot kept afloat above them, lightly beating his wings in the darkness.
"Would you be the male's accompyning Aunt Dakota? If so, Where is she?" He spoke in a soft voice hoping that the panther would answer him.
" No." Zolo whispered as he watched Dakota charging through the darkness. " You don't understand. It's in here."
" Zolo, you feeling alright?" Barb asked, quite concerned about his friend.
Kaygis looked at Zolo and took notice of the flattened ears, slightly raised tail and slightly bared fangs. He then took in the same scent that the wolf had picked up. Almost instantly, he remembered the torture that he had to indure while he was dying and an echoing scream rang through the valley as he dropped to his knees.
Instantly, Cragus took to the skies and it was he who answered the white dragon that landed beside Kaygis. " We are. She went after some silhuettes; our friend Iora and a couple of other figures, i think one of them was a downed canine."
" That is me." Iora replied with a nod of her head. Her thoughts were instantly trained on the pain-filled scream that echoed through the valley, however, before she even got to ask who this new wolf was. " Uncle Kaygis!" she roared out. But she didn't move for fear of injuring the already injured wolf beside her.
"Bloodshot, who is the downed canine?" Snowdrift asked looking up at his brother.
The red dragon closed his eyes and breathed in deep.
"Aunt Dakota's scent is overpowering but I can scent Uncle Moonlight as well." He answered before he flew off in the direction their scents were the strongest.
"Now, Are you alright panther?" Snowdrift asked resting his wing over Kaygis' back in a form of comfort.
Dakota nodded to acknowledge Iora's reply before turning back to Krystal. "Put pressure on the wound, I'll go find Gemma." Dakota told her before she turned to leave. It was then that the pain-filled scream echoed through the valley, made by the panther that she had come to know as a friend in this short time. "Kaygis!" She cried out in worry, but before she could run towards them Bloodshot landed before her.
"Aunt Dakota, We have finally found you." He nuzzled into her before speaking again. "Brother is with the panther, Aunt Gemma, Aunt Mana, Uncle Zander, Uncle Skype and Uncle Tsume are back at the cave we made with a multiple form-changer and a white jaguar."
Dakota nodded, happy they found some of their families.
"Bloodshot, I need you to go get Gemma. Moonlight was shot just before we were dragged her and it's effecting him greatly now. Bring the others if they wish to come, and the strangers belong to this dragon." Dakota explained in a rush, she wanted to make sure Kaygis was ok.
"Yes, Aunt Dakota." Bloodshot then took off into the sky speeding back towards the cave.
With a quick glance back at the dragon and her family Dakota ran off into the dark towards her friend.
Again Kaygis screamed at the light touch but his mind seemed to be elsewhere. " No... get... away..."
Zolo turned from the darkness to look at his friend. He had seen him like this only once before and that was when he had been locked in a cage with a broken foot (which he had done to himself) and was dying from heart failure. And it had taken an annoyed and heavily pregnant Kilier to knock some sense into him. Unfortunately it had also taken Lynk everything he had to stop Kilier from actually knocking the panther unconscious... and neither of the two were there now. That's when the evil laughter came.
" Oh, you people are too easily manipulated. First the cyborg. Now the polar bear and labrador. Too easy... too easy. And so round two begins... Master." A sly voice hissed, extending its 's' sounds like a snake.
" I told you it was here." Zolo growled, lowering himself into a protective stance.
" Wait. Did he say labrador?" Barb asked, turning to look at his brother who nodded his head in reply.
" Monty." They both sighed.
Iora watched Dakota ran off, still trying to figure out what she should do about Moonlight. She ended up staying with the injured wolf, thinking about the red dragon that had been happy to find the grey wolf. He reminded her of her brother Uphere but only in colour. That made her remember the fight that both of her brothers, Uphere and Demanicus, had been having before she ended up in this place. Knowing them, they were probably still fighting. If that was the case, she was glad that they weren't anywhere near the valley. With a sigh, she curled around the lion and wolf and plucked one of her smoother scales from her underbelly.
" Here. This may help." She said, handing the scale to the lion.
Zyanya was just about to fall asleep after what felt like hours of not being able to when she felt rather than saw a shadow flying towards the cave. Instantly jumping up, she ran into the furthest part of the cave thinking that her father's ghost had come to haunt her. Even though it had been years since Choby had killed him and freed the rainforest of his tyrany, she still had nightmares about him. It was the one thing she couldn't help aside from her cancer. She didn't even notice when Reece began to evolve when she accidentally stepped on the base of his tail.
Snowdrift's wing flinched slightly so it was over Kaygis but not touching him and he cooed lightly hoping to quell the shaken panther.
Dakota skidded before the group just as the laughter filled the air around them.
Dakota glared over at Zolo but her attention stayed on the echoing voice around them. "Show yourself coward!" She yelled raising her tail and hackles and snarling into the darkness.
Krystal looked at the scale then back at the dragon with a grateful smile. She coiled her tail and pushed it down against Moonlights wound and then took the scale in her paw. With a slight whimper she bit into the tender paw of her paw and allowed the blood to pool on the scale she was handed. She then licked the wound closed, waiting as it took a couple minutes to work as her healing had be slowed due to hunger. She used the same paw to open her uncle's jaw and poured the blood on the scale into his mouth. The scale was then discarded behind her and a paw was placed over Moonlights muzzle forcing him to swallow. She then returned her right paw to the wound removing her tail in the process.
"That should help slightly with the healing process. Don't worry uncle, Aunty will get here soon. Then you will be all better." She whispered petting him with her free paw.
Despite his annoyance at his wagging tail, Bloodshot let out roar of urgency as he landed at the lip of the cave.
"Aunt Gemma! Uncle Skype!" He looked into the cave.
Mana jolted out of her thoughts at the roar so close to the cave.
"Bloodshot!" She called out waking Skype, Tsume, Zander and Gemma from their slumber.
Said wolves glared over at Mana for waking them when Bloodshot appeared.
"Aunt Gemma, Uncle Skype, you both must follow me. Brother and I have found Aunt Dakota, Cousin Krystal and a wounded Uncle Moonlight. Aunt Dakota requests your aid in healing Uncle Moonlight. You must hurry." With that said he took off back towards the valley.
Mana ran out of the cave and flew up high into the air. She watched where Bloodshot entered the ground with her keen eyesight and returned to the cave.
"Whose coming?" She asked eager to get going.
After much debating and an attempted waking of Reece it was decided that Skype, Gemma and Zander would go, while Mana waited here with Tsume, Zyanya and an unconscious Reece. Mana flew out of the cave with Gemma beside her and showed Gemma where Bloodshot had disappeared with the point of her paw. Gemma nodded and while Mana headed back into the cave to wait till the (Current) lizard woke up, she headed in the direction at a slow pace so her companions on the ground could keep up.
" Coward, am I? I think not, pup. I am over one thousand years old. And I have been planning ever since I was a young one hidden amongst the fiercest of dragons. You wish to see me? Soon... soon. First-" the creature spoke smoothly.
" WE HAVE LOLLIPOPS!!!" the sure sound of an excited young boy efficiently cut off the creature.
" Silence, fool! How can I plan world domination with you blabbering on about little sugar filled sweets that you can't even digest without getting sick?"
" YOU PROMISED!"
" Montague Faolan Haythen! How many times have we told you, never accept anything from strangers! Now get back here this instant!" Zolo growled, trying to get his sister's nephew out of the danger that he had (once more) gotten himself into.
All this time, Kaygis had fallen on his side in pain and was trying to stay conscious. Even though there was nothing happening to him, he already felt like he was being severely tortured; more specifically like his soul being ripped from his body. It was not a pleasant feeling. Of course, that was when the adult male polar bear rose on his hind legs and out of the darkness, letting lose a mighty roar before charging blindly towards Zolo and Dakota, intent on attacking them.
" Crikey. Octavian." Zolo grumbled, his tail lowering slightly in fear.
Iora heard the bear's roar and instantly realised something was seriously wrong. Her older (though adopted) brother never roared like that unless he was really livid, and even that was rare. The only time she remembered Octavian's rage was when Uphere had totalled his brand new car and snuck into his hidden stack of drugs and told both his parents about it, and Demanicus had melted his prized judo and wrestling trophies (of course, by accident) when he was praticing his fire breath attacks that same day. And combining that with the pain filled scream of Kaygis, she was almost sure that there was trouble. But she forced herself to look away from the direction that Dakota had run off into and returned her gaze to the two she was looking after.
" What did you just do?" She asked the lion, trying to keep her mind from what was happening further down the valley.
Slowly, Reece woke up and raised his head. He'd had the strangest dream that he was trapped in some other world with people he didn't even know and his shape-shifting abilities had gone haywire. When he looked around, he found out that it wasn't a dream. On the bright side, he was no longer a bipedal lizard with a flame on his tail. He was now a bipedal dragon... but he still had the flame on the end of his tail.
Must be from the same family. He thought to himself as he sat up and shook himself off, effectively hitting his head on the roof of the cave. That's when he noticed that there were people missing. " Um... weren't there more of us?" He asked aloud.
" They ran off." Zyanya said, returning to the front of the cave now that she was sure that her father's ghost was not out to get her.
" Where and why?"
" Um..."
Dakota watched the exchange in confusion. 'Is this one of their friends playing a joke?' She thought to herself before looking down at the pain ridden Kaygis.
"Snowdrift, take Kaygis over to Iora, Krystal and Moonlight. Keep him safe." Dakota said as she nuzzled the panthers face. Snowdrift nodded and lightly picked up the panther in his forearms, he then flew off in the direction Dakota had come from.Dakota's attention was immediantly taken from the two of them when the polar bear charged at them. She growled unsure about the white creature but relaxed a bit when she Zolo recognized the bear. Dakota looked up as Bloodshot decended into the valley and landed beside her.
"Aunt Gemma is on her way." He explained before looking down at his confused Aunt. "Is everything alright down here Aunt Dakota?"
"I'm not sure..." Dakota responded watching the polar bear and Zolo with confusion and slight interest.
Krystal looked up at the dragon unsure what to say, she had always been told to never tell a stranger what she was, because most of the time it never turned out ok. She started to quake slightly realising that if she told this dragon and the dragon got mad, she wouldn't be able to defend herself in her weakend state.
"I... I'm..." She started but was stopped by the voice of her younger cousin.
"She is a vampire." Snowdrift said lightly as he placed Kaygis down by Moonlight and Krystal. "She was giving him some of her blood, it contains healing powers that can heal even the deepest of wounds. However she is weak from not feeding and does not have the blood to spare, even if it will help alittle." He explained while scoulding Krystal at the same time. Krystal's ears drooped at her cousins dissaproval but she cheered up when she noticed he was smiling at her.
Gemma lowered closer to the ground as they neared the Valleys edge.
"It's just up ahead." She told the boys and true to her word they skidded to a stop at the valley wall. "I'll go ahead, you guys find away down." Gemma told them before diving head first into the shadows below.
Skype and Zander scouted the edge looking for a way down which Skype found about 20 meters to the left of where Gemma went down. They slowly and carefully made their way down the valley wall till their feet touched the cold snow below them. They both looked around and Skype's keen eyesight picked up two silhouettes in the shadows. Skype nudged Zander and Zander was just about to call out to the two figures assuming it was Gemma with one of the others when the both of them were tackled to the side, both knocked their heads against the compact snow they were once standing on and Zander fell unconscious immediately. Skype teetering on the edge caught site of a sleek lion just before his eyes slid shut and he joined his friend in the world of unconsciousness.
Mana was sitting at the cave entrance watching the snow fall while Tsume sat by the fire watching as Reece came too. He had noticed the lizard grew to almost three times the size he was when he was knocked out. Tsume grunted as he also sat up and wiped his face with his fore-paws
Mana looked at the white jaguar with a slight smile before looking back outside. Tsume shook his fur of any loose snow that he had laid in and answered Reece's question.
"Bloodshot, our nephew came to retrieve Gemma, they found Moonlight and he needed healing. We waited back here for you to wake up so we could go also. Are you travel-worthy?"
" Strange... for a vampire." Iora to herself before shaking her head and viciously ripping off another of her scales, this time making sure that there was blood dripping from the wound.
Gently humming a soft tune, she placed a single drop of blood on Kaygis' tongue and prayed that he was going to be okay. She was making a great risk soothing the Master of Time in this way. But something just told her to try.
" What happened to him?" She growled at the smaller white dragon, positioning her upper body in an 's' formation similar to a snake. " What is going on over there?"
" Okay, Octavian. Just calm down. We're not your enemy. We're your friends. It's me, Zolo. Remember?" Zolo said, before having to jump out of the way before he was run over by the run away polar bear.
In frustration, Octavian roared again and turned to face the golden wolf. But his usually warm, hazel-brown eyes were dark and filled with pain. Whatever it was that the creature had done, it had hurt him. Intantly, Zolo was filled with rage at the sight before him. It just wasn't right.
" Basilisk! You'll pay for what you did to Octavian!" he roared, charging into the darkness.
" Am I travel-worthy? Um..." Reece looked at his wings before gingerly testing them. " I think so."
"Our world must be different then in your world..." Krystal mumbled watching Iora gave Kaygis a drop of her blood.'Maybe she can heal too?' She asked herself before focusing on applying pressure to Moonlight's wound.
Snowdrift looked at Iora shocked by her harsh words and slightly offended by her anger towards him.
"I have done nothing to the panther, if that is what you ask. As for what really happened, I am unsure. What I can say happened, is that when brother and I landed, the panther cried out in pain, it appears to have been mental as he has no physical damage," Snowdrift explained before looking away and snorting, refusing to look back at the she-dragon.
Dakota stepped out of the way narrowly missing the polar bear when he charged at Zolo. By the golden wolfs words Dakota could tell that he wasn't himself and that he was being controlled.
"Snowdrift!" She called out to her nephew, "Cage him, he is being controlled and we need to stop him without hurting him!" Snowdrift nodded in understanding and flew over to the angered polarbear, he dropped to his paws before the other white creature and spread out his wings catching the brunt of the beasts charge right in the stomach. He held on tight and slowly started to make an Ice shield around the both of them. Dakota watched as the both of them vanished behind the thick sheet of white ice and turned to follow Zolo into the shadows when Gemma landed before her.
"Dakota, where is Moonlight?" She asked in a rush and Dakota pointed her in the right direction. Both then ran off, Dakota towards the enemy and Gemma towards her injured brother,Bloodshot followed her.
Gemma stopped at the sight of her brother, the dragon and Krystal. Bloodshot moved so he was beside Krystal and Moonlight. Gemma ran over to the blue wolf and nuzzled him before looking at the wound, from which Krystal had removed her paws and moved out of the way. Gemma could smell the scent of his blood but also the metallic smell of the bullet still in his thigh.
"Krystal, hold him down. This will hurt." She said and Krystal jumped to help, pinning the slightly shaking body of her Uncle down, leaving the wound with room so Gemma could work. Satisfied with the lions success in holding her brother down, Gemma dug her muzzle into the open barely healing wound and Moonlight yelped in pain, struggling against Krystal with what little energy he had.
"Stay still Uncle! Gemma is getting the bullet out so she can heal your wound!" Krystal shouted putting more pressure when Moonlight almost got free. Gemma shifted her muzzle slightly and gripped the bullet between her teeth and pulled back out, Moonlight yelped again but then stopped when Bloodshot cooed to try and calm him. Gemma spat out the bullet out beside them along with a small amount of flesh that she had accidentally grabbed in the process.
"Its ok brother, just a minute more." She whispered, then she bit into her own leg and drew blood out onto her fangs. She quickly so not to waste any, leaned over and her blood dripped into the wound, which healed over with a sizzling sound and a small cloud of steam. She then licked her own leg closed and cleaned her muzzle before looking back at her brother who was breathing deeply with his eyes closed. Gemma curled up beside him, falling asleep herself.
Tsume nodded before trotting over to the large dragon and nuzzling under a clawed hand so said hand was resting on his back. "If you need help just lean on me, I'm stronger then I look." He said smiling slightly.
"We should get going, another blizzard is coming, we will all have the shelter in the valley till it passes before heading back to camp." Mana explained before trotting out of the cave. Tsume nodded then looked up waiting for Reece to move so he could help him.
" Or maybe it was just what I was taught." Iora whispered with a smile, knowing full well that Krystal had been talking to herself.
Turning her head in a full circle, she whiped the smile from her face and attempted something she had never done before in her life; create a fireball. The attack was aimed straight at the threat, but it had also drained Iora to the point of collapse. She was a healer, not a defender. That title belonged to her brothers and sister.
Zolo had barely enough time to grab the labrador pup by the scruff of his neck before Iora's first fireball managed to light the darkness. That was when he saw the eight legged, poison coated creature that had killed his best friend for the first time. And it made him mad. Without thinking, he dropped Monty heavily on the ground and charged at the creature.
" You'll pay for what you did to Mikon! I'll do to you what the others couldn't! Say your prayers, Basilisk, because they'll be the last thing you ever do!" He howled, charging at full speed.
" In that case... Zyanya, get on my back." Reece said, lowering himself to the ground slightly so the white jaguar to easily get on his back.
" Are you sure about this, Reece?" the white jaguar questioned.
" Positive."
Tentatively, Zyanya climbed onto the red and black fire dragon's back. What she didn't expect was when Reece and Tsume walked outside and the former tested out his new wings. After being satisfied with his ability to fly, he grabbed Tsume gently around his middle and leapt into the sky, hovering slightly to see what Mana was doing.
Krystal twitched her ear at the dragon but smiled slightly. Bloodshot hoped out of the way when the she-dragon shot out the fireball and caught her before she fell.
"Are you alright Miss Iora?" He asked lowering her softly to the ground, his annoyance completely forgotten.
Krystal looked over at her worriedly but stayed with her uncle.
Dakota lept to the side dodging the fireball that appeared through the darkness and looked around at the slight light said ball of fire had created. She heard the golden wolfs words before he charged and she dived at him pinning him to the ground.
"We can't rush in, he'll kill you!" She growled raising her tail and hackles when she noticed slight movement from the Basilisk through the shadows that had returned. "We must have level heads if we are to survive through this." Dakota backed slowly off the wolf hoping he would heed her advice.
Tsume followed his friend out of the cave and yelped in suprise when he was picked up. He looked up at the red and black dragon and decided that he would give his friend what little trust he had to give. He went slack in Reece's arms so the dragon would be able to carry him with ease. Mana watched with slight suprise at Tsume's compliant nature and leapt into the air gliding up beside the others.
"Follow me." She said and she took off towards the Valley
Skype and Zander roused awake at the same time, Zander looked around confused while Skype shook the last drapes of sleep out of him.
"What hap..." Zander started but his question was cut short when a paw smashed his muzzle into the ground.
"Sush!" He was hushed before the paw released him, he placed his paw over his aching jaw in an attempt to sooth the pain he felt. "Don't you know anything about stealth Zander." The lion growled lowly at him before brushing up against Skype and nipping his ear. "We must be cautious. The two you saw were approaching are not friends, well at least I know one of them is not a friend. After whats happened I'm not so sure about the labrador..."
"Akira, What's going on. Why arn't you with the others, are they still here?" Skype asked confused. Akira gave him a glare and her nose twitched as she answered with a bit of distane.
"You know why I'm not with them..." She growled before lowering her voice. "From what I can tell, Moonlight has been healed and Dakota is with a golden wolf about the fight a Basilisk." Her voice was board which annoyed Skype somewhat.
"Can you at least show some concern, she is my brothers mate." He noted before looking out though the shadows hoping to catch a glimpse of anything but was unable to see past his own nose with his tired eyes.
"Krystal is with Moonlight and Gemma, I... I wasn't able to approach so she needs to be fed..." Akira whispered and Skype nodded before scenting his daughter and heading in her direction, a sore Zander following on his hills. Akira watched them go and sighed when they dissapeared from view. She then stalked through the shadows with her enhanced vision towards where she knew a bloody fight was going to break out.
After a few more painful shudders, Kaygis began to calm down a little. Weakly he looked around and noticed that he had once more been moved (he was really beginning to hate this). He was still in the valley, but Zolo and Dakota were nowhere in sight. What he found was a pair of wolves, a lion (that smelled suspiciously like a female version of Flick), a dragon that looked similar to Uphere, and a weakened Iora. At the sight of the she-dragon, he knew instantly what had happened.
" Iora... what have you done?" He asked faintly.
Slowly Iora raised her head from the ground and tried to focus on her surroundings. But the energy she had used just to create that one small fireball had exhausted her despite the years of trying to do just that.
" That... that was the first time... I've ever done that." She whispered, her voice croaky.
Zolo looked up at Dakota with a growl. But it wasn't until he was sure that the grey wolf was off him entirely that he shot up and tried for a new attack on the basilisk. The image of Mikon's death burned fresh in his mind and, though he had heard Dakota's words, it was urging him to speed up. And with each step, his muscles became tight and ready to pounce. Barb and Cragus could only watch in fear as the golden wolf charged once more at the basilisk, protecting a now scared Monty at a (hopefully) safe distance from the fight.
" Sorry for the change in scenery." Reece apologised to the wolf he held gently but firmly in his grasp.
He then did a qick check up with Zyanya to make sure that she was as secure as she could be, gave Mana a nod of his head and rushed after her. But no matter how fast or how far he flew, he couldn't shake the feeling that something bad was happening. And he was almost certain that his brother was caught up in it. He always was.
"Then that would have drained majority of your energy." He stated looking down at his fore-paws, he could restore her energy by sharing his own with her but he was unsure if he should should or not.
Krystal had heard the Panthers words and seems no one else had she decided to answer him.
"She made a fireball that she shot towards the fight over there." Her tail twitched in said fights direction but she didn't look away from her uncle, watching as he lay, deep in slumber with a sleeping Gemma by his side.
Dakota watched him sprint off in the enemies direction with tempered worry. 'So bent on revenge.' She sighed before trotting after the golden wolf at a slower pace prepared to jump in if the younger needed help.
"It's alright..." Tsume whispered as he watched the snow rush below him. Mana smiled slightly 'Gemma's made him a real softy.' She shook her head ruffling some uncomfortably fallen snow off her neck. "There it is there." She yelled to the pointing a paw in the valley's direction. She then took off back in their camps direction.
" Just... let me sleep." Iora begged. " I'll... be okay."
" No!" Kaygis growled, managing to stand up though he did wobble slightly on the spot. " Do you realise what you have done, Iora? You could have killed us both... you could have killed us all! A Master cannot take blood from any dragon let alone the Keeper. Didn't your father tell you this?"
All Iora could do was stare in horror.
" This is for Mikon!" Zolo growled, leaping into the air.
He was about to sink his teeth into the creature's neck when the basilisk side-stepped him and forced him to spin around upon landing.
" You don't stand a chance against me." the basilisk laughed.
" You'll eat those words." Zolo growled, lunging at the basilisk once more.
But one quick flick of the basilisk's poison-coated tail aimed at his chest sent him flying into the valley wall. A yelp escaped him before he slid from the rocks and fell through the snow and to the solid ground below. Still he growled at the threat... until his entire body seemed to go slack and he slipped into a laboured unconsciousness; the poison already beginning to spread through his body.
Reece pointed his nose in the direction that Mana was heading and sniffed at the air before he whispered, " It's going to get rough. Hold on."
Then he shot off in the direction Mana pointed. As he got closer, he realised the trouble that Zolo was in and shot a jet of fire on top of the basilisk. He had fought with the creature before... but not like this. Not giving the basilisk a chance to retaliate, he turned himself towards where he could easily see Iora and gently placed Tsume and Zyana down on the ground before taking flight once more and heading over to where the fight with the basilisk was going on.
Neither Bloodshot or Krystal knew what the two were talking about so they just sat back watching them in confusion. Bloodshot decided to ignore them and curled up beside Moonlight and Krystal to sleep.
Dakota stopped frozen on the spot. She shook her head before dropping to her belly, feeling the pain coursing through her new friends body.
"Damn it Zolo, I told you not too." She growled out between clenched teeth as she tried to keep consciousness whilst still looking threatening in hopes that the Basilisk would keep its distance. Akira growled slightly from the shadows behind the Basilisk when she saw that Zolo was knocked unconscious and Dakota was slowly fading due to her empathic ability. She snuck around keeping a distance between her and the enemy and trotted over to the golden wolf and sat down by him, she used her paw to tilt his head back and lowered her jaw.
"This may hurt alittle, but I'm going to suck the venom out alright." She stated more then asked before lowering her elongated fangs and sinking them into the wolf's bloodstream. She started sucking out the venom quickly, but was mindful to be gentle with the wolf.
Tsume shook his fur now that he was back on the ground just as Skype and Zander trotted over.
"Daddy!" Krystal yelled before running over to her father and nuzzling him. Zander moved over to Moonlight and nuzzled him before nodding in greeting to Tsume who returned the gesture.
"Daddy, you should go help Aunty Kota, I think she and the others are In trouble." Krystal said worriedly. Skype nodded before the three males ran in the direction Reece had just taken off in.
" I... I'm sorry." Iora muttered, already feeling her strength returning despite her need for sleep. " This world is different from our home. I thought..."
" It doesn't matter. It's done." Kaygis muttered before twitching his ears in the direction of where Zolo lay.
Knowing full well that he was going back into the heart of the danger, he raced off to try and find his friend. With each step that he took, he could feel himself succuming to the pain filled memories. But the fact that he could sense Zolo's life coming to a close urged him to forget those memories and focus on trying to save the golden wolf. He was forced to a halt when he noticed the lion that was at Zolo's throat.
" What do you think you're doing to him? Get away from him!" He snarled, pinning his ears back and otherwise getting ready to fight.
The basilisk, of course, had dodged Reece's first attack and had raised the spines on its back to try and protect itself. Reece, however, just kept shooting jets of fire at it. And he was doing just fine too, until he was forced to transform again. Thankfully he was still able to fight. Unfortunately, he was unable to fight long range like he had hoped. He was a half-man, half-bull creature with a double bladed polearm, double bladed axe and grappling hook. How he managed to transform into a half human creature and with weapons was beyond his comprehension. But he saw the basilisk as a sort of stress reliever and that was enough for him.
What surprised him, too, was that he actually knew how to use those weapons to the best of their abilities. Before he knew what he was doing, he was swinging the grappling hook all over the place and charging down the basilisk with his polearm at the ready. The next few minutes were all a blur to his mind. All he knew was that by the time he was forced to stop for some air, he was sweaty and had deep scratches all over his arms, chest and back. he couldn't even feel the poison that was surly cursing through his veins. But he knew that when he changed again, the poison would no longer be in effect.
The good thing about it was that the basilisk had also sustained damage. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to end him.
Tsume, Zander and Skype pulled up beside Dakota who had finally fallen unconscious and huddled around her. Zander nudged her hard in the side trying to rouse her awake but she didn't move. Both Tsume and Skype growled at the site of their fallen sister and whipped around looking for the attacker. When spotted Skype shot towards the beast using his enhanced speed, he dodged an attack from Reece that was aimed for the beast and tackled it to the ground, biting into its shoulder in an attempt to hinder its movements, his paws using his enhanced strength to pin the weakened body below him to the ground.
"Quickly! While I can hold him!" He yelled out to Reece, shifting slightly so the creatures throat and underbelly was exposed but without relenting his strong hold on it. Tsume didn't move though he stayed by Dakota and Zander ready to defend if Skype and Reece failed.
Akira ignored the panther sucking the last remains of poison from the body before she retracted her fangs and licked the wound clean so it could heal closed. She looked over at the angry panther with a passive expression.
"If you must know, I was sucking the poison from his system, it's all gone now, his blood is clean, he should live. " she stated before trotting back into the shadows to watch her husband and the changing creature fight the beast.
With an over-powering and shrill hiss reminiscent to a shriek of pain, the basilisk instantly fell unconscious. Reece looked at the severely eroded double-bladed polearm and discarded it for the axe. That was when he noticed the wind begin to pick up and felt the snow storm almost upon them. Shaking his head and with an echoing bellow, he charged at the unconscious basilisk with raised axe and brought it swiftly down. After a few minutes, he lifed his axe and turned to the others.
" It is done." He sighed before collapsing.
" I'll be the judge of that." Kaygis muttered, turning to Zolo and discovering that the vampire had been right.
With a growl at his own annoyance, he tried to nudge the golden wolf awake. His efforts were in vain. But he stopped trying when he heard the bellow from his brother. His neck cracked as he turned to watch the execution and he heaved a sigh of relief as the pain-filled memories disappeared along with the basilisk's body. What he didn't expect to see was his own brother disappear on the wind as if he were a ghost.
" No! Reece!" He roared, running as fast as he could to try and save his brother from this mysterious change of events, all thoughts of Zolo all but gone from his mind. By the time he got there, however, the minotaur was gone.
Skype leapt out of the way once the Baslilsk had fallen unconscious and watched as Reece finished the job. Skype nodded at the Minotaur but worry crossed his eyes when Reece collapsed.
"Reece!" Tsume called out running over to his fallen friend. He sat down before the creature unsure what to do as Reece's body dissapeared into nothing. His ears flattened at then cry from Kaygis and when the panther arrived and his friends body was completely gone he howled out for their lost comrade. Skype's ears drooped at the loss of their new friend and his brothers howls of pain. Zander helped Dakota up, she had woken up at the sound of Tsume's howl and she and Zander went over to the group, she sat by the saddened wolf joining the howl. From inside the ice shield Snowdrift could tell the fight was over, he released the polar bear and melted the ice shield around them, before stepping out and slowly making his way to the mourning group. He sat down, wrapping his tail around his feet, much like a cat and called out joining the other.
Akira watched sadly as her mate and family mourned over the stranger, she swallowed her pride and ran over to Skype sitting beside him and nuzzling him in comfort. She and Dakota shared a look of understanding, their fighting at a standstill through this time of need.
Gemma roused from her sleep and her ears perked at the sound of her mate's mournful howl and she sighed sadly. "I knew something would happen." She whispered before nuzzling both Krystal and Moonlight before she closed her eyes listening to the other's howl.
'Dakota!' Mana called out as the camp came into view, she waited till her sister ceased howling and continued once she got a 'Yes?' In return. 'Who have we found, I'm reporting to camp.' Mana listened carefully as Dakota listed who they had found and frowned about what had happened to Reece. 'Alright, I'll tell them.' She cut the link when Dakota started howling again. She sighed before dropping down at the entrance of the camp. She breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the warm fire, her family and their new friends.
"Guys!" She yelled out getting the camps attention. "We have located others! Rest assured that the following people are safe. From our pack we found Krystal, Skype, Tsume, Zander, Akira, Bloodshot & Snowdrift! From the other gang we found Iora, Zyanya, Monty & Octavian. I also have bad news. The valley where we found Iora, Monty & Octavian also housed a Basilisk. Zolo sustained a poisonous wound and was knocked unconscious, Akira removed the poison from his system and he is ok for now. unfortunately Reece wasn't so lucky. he fought against the Basilisk, weakening the beast enough so Skype was able to knocked it to the ground effectively knocking it unconscious at the same time. Reece then delivered the final blow, but then he collapsed and his body faded with the wind. This is all I can say on the matter though, sorry..." She stopped for a minute before looking back out at the others and speaking again. "There is a snowstorm closing in, so they will return once the storm is settled. Dakota will keep us informed on their whereabouts at all times." She finished before trudging over to the fire and laying down by a saddened Bane, Lelani & Charmed. Jordon and Phoenix felt joy that thief sons were found but the showed no joy.
Octavian let out a roar and shook his head to clear it as soon as he was free from the ice and the basilisk. The first thing that came back to his mind was that he and Monty were in trouble, no thanks to the labrador pup. He was about to charge at the now non-existant basilisk when he realised that there were a whole chorus of mournful cries echoing through the wind in the valley. Listening to the chorus, he caught the scent of Reece as it too disappeared into the wind. Finally looking around, he noticed that everyone was sporting rather long faces. He could even hear Kaygis muttering under his breath 'His not dead. We'll find him again.' over and over again. He also noticed Zolo a little way off sleeping over by the valley wall and that the snowstorm had hit the top of the valley. With a sigh, he went over to the sleeping wolf and placed him on his back before going over to Monty and the eagle brothers to pick up the pup.
" Come on, folks. Storm's hit. There's a cave not far from here that can fit everyone in it." He grumbled despite not knowing what had exactly happened.
He then began to trudge through the snow to where the large cave was that he and Monty had woken up in, hoping that the others would follow. He only felt Barb and Cragus when they landed on Zolo's still sleeping form.
" Reece? He's... gone?" Ebony whispered, unable to get her voice higher than that after hearing about her brother-in-law's fate.
" We'll find him, Eb. He's not gone forever." Kratia reassured her after moving back into her own cave.
" At least we found Iora and Monty. It's one step closer to getting home." Bosko sighed.
" You mean, at least we found that little terrorist so that we could keep him out of trouble." Choby growled, unknowingly changing into Conrad.
Luigi, however, trotted up to the cave entrance and looked out at the darkening sky, only understanding that his godfather was gone.
Tsume nodded sadly to the Octavian's words and started following the polar bear, Zander, Skype and Akira right behind him.
"We will go get the others." Dakota said as her and Snowdrift headed over to the other half of the group in the valley.
Krystal and Gemma looked over when the two approached.
"Is everything alright?" Gemma asked worriedly.
"We lost Reece..." Dakota said sadly with her ears laid flat on her head.
"Octavian said he has a cave we can shelter In until the snowstorm above dissipates. Once the storm is over we will head back to the camp that they set up where more of our families reside." Snowdrift explained as he nudged his brother who got up, stretching out his wings and legs. Snowdrift then wrapped his tail around Moonlight lifting the wolf onto his back, nestled between his wings. Krystal jumped onto Bloodshot's back and with Gemma and Dakota walking beside them both dragons set off towards the bear. Bloodshot stopped after a few meters looking back at Iora.
"Are you not coming?" He asked, tail twitching as he awaited a response.
Iora gave a faint nod and shakily stood up. Quietly she and Zyanya followed the small group into the cave marked only by a polar bear's paw prints. Along the way she noticed that Kaygis had yet to move and she worried for her Master. He was staring down at the spot where Reece had once been, occasionally scratching at the snow as if trying to dig out his brother. There was only one other time that she had seen him like this and it was during that one day where he seemed to disappear off the face of the planet. She had been sick and he had come to Julien's to seek comfort in his Keeper. But she knew that she would neer be able to gain his trust in something like this so she turned her head away and walked into the cave; Zyanya instantly curling up next to the mass of fur that was Octavian, Zolo and Monty in the back of the cave.
Bloodshot and Snowdrift both curled up at the face of the cave, with Moonlight still on Snowdrift's back, both dragons hated being confined and refused to follow their aunts and uncles into the cave. Dakota respected their wishes and walked in and curling up with Zander, Skype and Akira off to the right of the cave. Tsume stayed out the front with Snowdrift and Bloodshot. He lay over the red dragons paw, sheltered beneath the dragon's wing. Both dragons and the wolf were asleep within minutes, just like their family members within the cave.
The snowstorm lasted near on a week and Iora was worried. Kaygis still had yet to come into the cave. By the time the morning of day five hit, she was getting visibly agitated. Zolo had woken up on the morning of the first day, but he hadn't been able to stand then. Now he was walking around the cave and telling his war stories to try and pass the time. Octavian had also been interrogated by the golden wolf and had explained that he remembered nothing of the experience.
Monty, as usual, was causing trouble and speaking aloud everyone's thoughts as well as throwing rocks at the dragons and wolf outside. Barb and Cragus had thought of various games to keep the puppy occupied, but it just didn't seem to work. even Zyanya was having problems controlling the pup. All the while Iora kept on staring, unblinkingly, out of the cave. She didn't even budge when Monty thought of eating a gigantic lollipop and ended up eating most, if not all, of the thing and then proceeded to become even more hyper than what he was. That was when all of the Rebels boys seemed to label the pup assuper-hyperactive.
Krystal and Zander both kept themselves occupied by playing a game with their paws that they had invented out of boredom and listening to Zolo's war stories when he told them. Zander was currently laying by himself by the fire that Dakota had made the first morning. Akira and Skype, kept together most of the time amusing themselves, at the moment Skype and Akira had taken Krystal out into the valley to hunt as the teens energy was depleted and she needed to feed. Bloodshot, Snowdrift and Tsume stayed at the front of the cave talking amongst themselves, trying not to get angered at the lab pup or sleeping, which all three were currently doing. Moonlight had awoken the first morning and stayed with his brother and nephews at the caves entrance. Gemma and Dakota spent majority of the time making sure that everyone was ok and keeping the fire lit. They were currently resting a little bit away from Iora. Dakota could feel the she-dragons worry and curiosity got the better of her. She got up bumping Gemma in the process and trotted over to the dragon. Gemma nestled into her tail now that the other warm fur was gone. Dakota sat down by the she-dragon and followed her gaze out of the cave.
"Your worried about Kaygis aren't you?" She asked quietly.
" Yes." Iora said quietly, not taking her eyes from the cave entrance. Behind her, she could hear the snores that indicated a certain Montague Haythen on a sugar low amongst the quiet talk that was Barb, Cragus, Octavian and Zyanya talking the latest fan fiction stories that they had read.
"I'm sure his ok." Dakota reassured the dragon before reluctantly asking. "Would you like me to go talk to him, see if I can convince him to come into the cave?" She hoped the she dragon wold cheer up, the sadness and worry radiating off her was drowning dakota's senses.
Krystal sprinted after the zebra she had just summoned while Akira and Skype watched from where they were resting. Dakota had told them how to get food and They await as an opportunity for their daughter to practice hunting. They watched as Krystal successfully took down the zebra and both smiled. Krystal dragged her catch over to them smiling in triumph, her tail twitched at the proud smiles she saw on her parents face and she purred when they both praised her with affectionate licks.
"Good job Krystal, now feed, you need to build up some energy." Skype said softly, then the family off three settled down to have their meal before returning to the cave full and happy.
" But the storm? Wouldn't that..." Iora questioned.
The group of three entered the cave, Krystal headed over to Zander who was happy for the company while Akira and Skype headed to an unoccupied area to sleep off their meal in peace. Dakota watched them enter happy they had finally settled enough to hunt before she looked up at Iora. "The storm can't reach us down here. Some wind and snow is coming down but we are safe to go out into the valley if we please. So he is safe where he is but I will still go check on him if you want. I can imagine he is pretty cold out there, probably hungry and thirsty too and depending on if he's had some sleep he will be tired aswell." Dakota rambled as she headed towards the cave entrance, intent on going to find the panther now that she thought about the condition he could be in.
With a sigh, Iora finally turned away from the cave entrance and watched Dakota. She didn't say anything - not trusting herself to say anthing incase it was the wrong thing to say - but she did give a small nod and continued to stare out the cave.
Not getting a response from the dragon Dakota quickly made her way out of the cave. She scented the air immediately finding the panthers position in the dark and headed in that direction. She thought of and took down a fawn along the way and she dragged the carcass along side her. She sat down by the panther who had still not moved from where Reece disappeared. She dropped the fawn down before summoning a bowl of water and a blanket. She nudged the bowl before her friend and lay the blanket over his hunches using her teeth. She then sat down by him quietly waiting for him to react to her presence.
" He's really gone, isn't he." Kaygis whispered quietly, finally falling onto his stomach.
"I do not believe he is completely gone, perhaps he was taken to another part of this world? Once this snowstorm has settled and we are able to return back to camp, you and me will head out again. Don't fret my friend, we will find him." Dakota tried consoling nuzzling into Kaygis' chest in an attempt to comfort him, when she pulled back she stood and pushed the fawn towards him, raising her tail slightly. "Now you should eat and have something to drink. Then we will head back to the cave to wait this out." He voice was commanding and left no room for defiance but it was also soft and soothing. 'I hope he will begin to feel better once he has had a rest.' She thought to herself worriedly.
" Yeah, okay." The panther sighed.
Slowly he ripped off one of the fawn's legs and tried to convince his body to eat. All he could mange was licking off the still warm blood and eating the now blood flavoured snow. With a shake of his head, he looked up at the storm above him. A single snowflake landed on the tip of his nose, but it was all he needed.
" We can leave here, tomorrow. The storm's dying out. A spring breeze is on its way." He said.
Dakota looked down lowering her tail, she wasn't exactly happy with him not eating but she accepted his response and grabbed the fawns remaining back leg. "Come on, lets head back to the cave." She flicked her tail as she started dragging the carcass back towards the cave.
Mana twitched when her older sisters voice entered her head. She stretched and went to the entrance of the den, the sight of the snow letting up outside made her smile. She called out to her family and watched as they all roused awake before looked over at her expectantly. Dakota had kept them updated over the past week or so and they knew Mana had another message from their alpha.
"Dakota has told me the snowstorm will calm down enough for them to travel home tomorrow! Rejoice that they are all well and safe." She called out smiling as happy face appeared throughout the den. She then looked to the left of their cave, 'The other group will need to know about this too, but I don't fancy going out in the snow.' She glanced out at the snowstorm with a shutter before blinking into the other den. She appeared at the front of their den and sat down waiting for them to notice her.
Kaygis looked at the snowflake and whispered, " Inveniam te cito... fratres."
Then he blew the snowflake back into the sky and followed Dakota back to the cave when he snuggled against Iora's warm scales and instantly fell asleep.
" Storm er a la opp." Ebony said, standing up and walking over to the cave entrance.
" You may have taught Kaygis how to speak Norweigen, Ebony. But we can't speak it." Sarabi sighed, wanting to curl up and forget the world like Taka and Tobias had done.
" I said that the storm is letting up. Now, if you don't mind, I need to leave this place."
With that, Ebony left the cave - and the now excited group resting inside. As she left, she nodded a greeting to Mana before continuing on her way. She made her way to the food pen and thought of a couple of zebra and a capybara, easily taking down all three. Then, one by one, she dragged them back to the cave for the others before catching herself a small pig. Then she sat in the middle of camp and ate, enjoying both the meat and the blood flavoured snow underneath.
Dakota dropped the kill by the entrance for anyone who wanted it and curled up beside Gemma. She smiled seeing that Kaygis had already fallen asleep, she looked at Gemma who was lying awake and nuzzled her before watching the entrance of the cave.
Mana nodded in greeting to the panther before she turned tail and left the den. Ignoring the frozen feelings taking over her paws she trotted to the entrance of their campsite and looked out through the sheets of snow falling before her eyes. She noticed a figure off in the distance and stood up.
"Ebony! Come here for a minute?" She called to her friend, 'It might be someone from their group, if not my own.'
She noticed the figure was slowly making its way towards their camp.
Dakota's ear twitched when she heard her sister's words and she sat up Gemma mimicking her actions. 'Can you tell who it is?' Gemma asked out of curiosity. 'No.' Came the twins reply.
Curious, Ebony rose from her meal and went to see what the wolf wanted, licking her lips clean as she went.
" What is it?" She asked once she had reached her destination.
"There's... Someone in the snow." She said pointing towards the unknown figure with her paw. "But I can't see well enough to know who it is." Mana sponged glancing at Ebony before looking back out at the stranger.
Carefully Ebony sniffed at the air, trying to separate snow from life form. She must have become too used to Australian heat because she couldn't make the two out. But she was sure of one thing. They did ot belong in her life.
" Sorry. Don't know them, if that's what you're asking." She replied, hoping to go back to her pig.
Mana nodded before her eyes trailed the stranger, she could just make out the form of a fox, but said fox was about a head taller then herself and behind the fox she could see multiple tails swaying in the wind. A growl escaped her throat neither her or Ebony knew who the stranger was.
"Friend or Foe?" She called out and was surprised when the figure stopped, as if only just noticing them.
"Friend! Please you must help me!" The male voice called out, filled with urgency. He stopped before the two panting slightly.
His coat was a icy blue, his front legs to his elbows and his back legs to an inch before his spine were midnight black in colour, as were his ears. His tail was for most of the part icy blue like his body, the tail tip was Snow White and covering about a quarter of the tail starting from that tail tip was a bloody crimson colour. His face was white and his eyes were a stunning blue. The fox sat down out of exhaustion, his pink tongue lollying out the side of his mouth. Mana was shocked, the kitsune was beautiful and now that she could count the fox's tails there were five.
" Who are you and what do you want, Fremmede." Ebony growled slightly, flatening her ears as she inched between the Rebels' cave and the possible threat.
"Please, we need shelter out of the snow. I'm not sure how we got here but we've been wondering for weeks." The kitsune's face was flushed from his exertion and he had to lay down when his legs begun to shake. When his stomach touched the ground, the five tails also rested in the snow. Now that Mana could see behind the male, she saw two things, four more tails and a kit that looked just old enough to stop suckling curled up, four tails wrapped around its small body in an attempt to keep the cub warm.
" He's yours to deal with, Mana. We have blind ones with us. We will not let him near them. Especially considering he is a male." Ebony mutered defensively before turning back to her pig and dragging it to her cave so that she could continue feeding in relative peace.
" Who was that?" Raimundo asked, stealing a glance out at the kitsune.
" A multi-tailed fox with a newborn. I have made it clear he is not welcome in this cave." Ebony replied once she had placed her food down and managed to convince her cubs to suckle.
"I understand." The fox, getting that he isn't to go near any of the cubs in their camp. He pulled his tails and cub closer to himself and waited for mana to address him.
"May I ask your name, the cubs name and if its not to personal, where is your mate?" Mana asked sitting down, she wished to know more before she invited the stranger near her family.
"My name is Tasuki, my cub is named Kurama and my mate, Ayame... Died, she was shot by a hunter not long before we appeared here." The kitsune explained shaking slightly.
Mana nodded before turning back towards her den. "One night, prove you mean no harm and Dakota will decide about you tomorrow."
"Dakota?" Tasuki asked but Mana just nodded not saying anything else. With a twitch of her tail as an order to Tasuki to follow she headed into their den with the kitsune close behind. She ignored the confused looks of everyone and sat down by Bane watching as Tasuki shook the snow from his fur, before laying his kit on the soft snow and curling around him, away from everyone.
Mana sighed before laying down and closing her eyes. Intent on ignoring any questions till Dakota could look over the kitsune, 'No use getting close if the Alpha says no.' she thought, she was starting to like the kitsune already.
Kaygis woke the instant he felt a warm spring breeze ruffle his fur. It reminded him of home and even had the scent of eucalyptus trees mixed in with the last of the snow. Standing up, he shook his coat and walked outside. Like he had predicted, the storm had disipated and was replaced by the beginnings of spring. It was time to head back to the campsite.
" Okay, everyone!" He roared, walking back into the cave. " Get your lazy buts up because it's morning and the storm is over! Today's the day we head back to camp! And if you don't get up now, I'm leaving you behind!"
With that said, he proceeded to exit the cave. Zolo and Octavian, having been trained to wake up as soon as the call was given, woke instantly and, after a shake off, were ready to leave. Iora raised her head sleepily but followed the orders. Monty and the eagles were another story. Zolo ended up carrying the pup while the eagles repositioned themselves on Iora's back.
Dakota growled angrily at the rude awakening and looked around to see her family rising, they all stretched and shook waking up. Dakota kicked Gemma who had slept through the obnoxious panthers roar and the wolf jolted to her feet.
"I'm here, I'm awake." She yelped before noticing it was just her sister, the two shared a playful glare before Zander, Krystal, Skype and a reluctant Akira surrounded Dakota and Gemma waiting for Dakota to give the ok.
Dakota nodded for them to follow and walked out of the group and through the cave entrance, the three lions and wolf followed Kaygis while Dakota and Gemma stopped to wake the two dragons and two wolves still asleep at the caves entrance.
"Moonlight, Tsume, Bloodshot, Snowdrift, we have to leave." The four animals roused awake and tiredly followed Dakota and Gemma as they trotted to catch up to Kaygis.
Kaygis looked down at the others as they exited the cave before turning back to look across the land before him. Jumping up the valley wall was easy enough for him - especially since he had bent time to get up to the top in one piece. But he was kind enough to reform the edge so that it created a solid path for the others to walk on. With a sigh he climbed up the nearest tree and used the branches as stepping stones - a trick he learnt off Ritara - to head off to the west and away from the main camp. He needed to find his brother but more importantly he needed to find his son and his Keeper. Iora would be safe as soon as she got into camp.
Octavian looked around the valley, trying to figure out where Kaygis had gone. He was almost certain that the new path into the valley was the panther's doing. But he couldn't understand why he couldn't see, hear or smell him at all. Confused, he turned to Zolo and Dakota.
" How can a black panther disappear in weather like this?" He asked.
" He's a founder. Anything is possible with a founder." Zolo answered with a slight shrug, though he was carrying a still sleeping Monty so his reply came out a little muffled.
Dakota sighed, she knew he would do something like this.
"He's gone off to find Reece, and by the urgency I felt from him, someone else aswell. I'm sure he will return to camp once he finds them." She explained as she leapt into th air allowing her body of float as she looked over the group. "Everyone, we must get going. Kaygis has made a path out of the valley for the walkers. Come on." She watched as Bloodshot and Snowdrift both beat down their wings rising up and out of the valley. Moonlight was on Snowdrift's back and Tsume was on Bloodshot's. Gemma leapt up and joined Dakota while Skype, Akira, Zander and Krystal made their way up the path and out of the valley.
Tasuki was the first to wake up in the Eternally Bound cave. He rose stretching and looked around at the caves sleeping members. He then looked down at his still asleep cub, he picked up the kit and placed him by Mana, the kit rolled over and snuggled into the female for warmth now that his fathers fur was gone. He then looked out of the cave, he trotted out into the camp unknown to him, two green eyes were watching him. Mana smiled and lay her paw around the kit before snuggling up to him. Tasuki moved around the camp lighting the fire with sticks and some of his inner flame before heading over to the pen, he easily took down a male stag dragging that as well as two small bunnies back to the cave. He dropped the bunnies where he had slept and lay the stag in the middle of the den. He walked over to the bunnies picking both up. He slowly placed one bunny before his son and the she-wolf before tenderly making his way over to the other cub he knew was in the den. He approached the white lion cub who was curled up against a large red, black and white female wolf. Said wolf jolted at his presence and snarled, flattening her ears in warning for him not to get too close. Mana looked over at the disturbance and growled lightly seeing Tasuki was so close to Lelani. The kitsune lowered to the ground all nine of his tails folding below his body and his ears flattened to his head in complete submission. He crawled as close as he dared near the vicious female and the cub before placing the bunny down and quickly retreating back to the kill. He tore of a leg tenderly aware of two sets of eyes on him now and he headed back to his corner to eat. Charmed looked at the bunny with confusion then up at the kitsune who was, despite the distance, still showing complete submission even going as far to roll onto his back while he ate. A smile quirked on Mana's lips at the site.
" See?" Zolo said, still through Monty's fur. " He's gone off to find... wait, what?" That was when he dropped Monty accidentally. " He's gone off to find Julien? Oh, great."
" Uncle Zolo, that hurt!" Monty barked before running between his legs and biting hard into his tail.
" Runt! Get back here!"
Monty, however, climbed up onto Iora's back and stubbornly refused to move. He then curled up between Barb and Cragus and went back to sleep. Iora merely shook her head at the scene and walked up the path after Skype, Akira, Zander and Krystal, Octavian surprisingly able to keep balance as he walked beside her. Zolo walked behind, nursing his slightly bleeding tail. He never knew that the pup's teeth were so sharp.
Ritara and Ebony sat at the entrance of the Rebels' cave, watching the kitsune to make sure that he did not try to harm their cubs. The others in the cave had noticed the change in their behaviours almost as soon as Ebony had mentioned him the night before. But what got half the cave was when Choby positioned himself in such a place and was practically staring at the kitsune through solid rock and everything. Just the slightest move from the strange male made Conrad appear... and Raimundo was quite amused by it. Once the mothers deemed it all clear, they went out and took down a mother buffalo and her calf and dragged them into the cave.
" You know what I reckon?" Raimundo said, giving everyone a bloody smile as he sat up from his place at the breakfast table. " I reckon you three are over reacting."
" And when he decides that he's had enough of Luigi, what would you do?" Sarabi asked.
" I'd kill him." Bosko and Raimundo replied with a growl, leaving Sarabi speachless and half the cave laughing.
" Don't think you were expecting that, hey Sarabi." Kratia laughed.
" Shut up and eat." Sarabi grumbled.
Meanwhile, Choby was nagging at his brother. " Now who's over-reacting?"
" You're practically stalking the guy." Raimundo growled.
" I have a right to. Tidus and Aquile are my cubs too." With that, he threw a paw full of slop at his brother's face issuing an all out food fight. No one (except the newborns, of course) was spared. Not even the snow outside.
Dakota watched them laughing, Gemma joining in before both wolves flew up and out of the valley landing beside their family. She looked over to Bloodshot who was scenting the air trying to find Dakota's faint blood trail that was buried under a week worth of snow. The dragon sighed in frustration. "It's extremely faint, however Aunt Mana's faint scent from when she ran back to camp before the storm is helping. I can lead us there." he told Dakota who nodded stepping back in a gesture that it was Bloodshot they should follow. The red dragon waited for the others to reach the top of the valley before he started off in the direction of camp at a pace the others could keep up with. Snowdrift, Dakota & Gemma flew up so they were above the group and could scout for danger. Zander, Skype, Akira and Krystal started off at a trot after them.
Tasuki had just finished eating when Mana finally got up, the she-wolf stretched out yawning before she looked around the cave. She released a sharp short howl which made the kitsune jump. At their Beta's howl everyone got up stretching out as they all woke up. Jordon released her claws flicking her tail as some of her bones cracked snapping into more comfortable positions, she nodded to Mana as she left the cave with Phoenix right behind her, his wings barely missing Tasuki's head as the Phoenix passed. Charmed carefully got up and went over to Tasuki's kill. She kept a close eye on him now that Lelani was unguarded, she quickly took a chunk of meat that would suffice her for now and returned to the cub. She nudged Lelani awake and when the cub yawned she pushed the rabbit towards her. Lelani greedily fed as her tail wagged happily behind her. Charmed smiled and sat down to eat her food, she closed her eyed not particularly worried that Tasuki would try anything, he seemed noble enough to let them eat in peace, even if he was a threat. Mana nudged Kurama awake and when the kit glanced up at their he started shivering and immediately looking around for his father. Mana heard a low whine and looked over to Tasuki. He was once again being submissing, belly up. He was asking for permission to approach, Mana nodded her consent and he rolled back over keeping low to the ground with his tail below him he moved over to Mana, Bane and his cub. His cautiousness showed the closer he got and when he was but a meter away he dropped to his stomach and whined again. This time it was directed at his cub, Kurama stopped shaking at the sight of this father and looked back up at Mana, this time with curiosity. Mana nudged the rabbit towards the cub, who looked at his father for consent before eating. Mana then stepped over the kit, her tail brushing against him as she went to get some food herself. Bane who had been watching the kitsune's actions since waking had decided that he was no threat, what ever Dakota decided, it was fine if he stayed.
"Have you eaten?" He asked his voice deep as he stood up, his tail was risen slightly showing he was an alpha.
"H-Hai alpha..." Tasuki nodded stuttering as he responded.
"Then walk with me." With that Bane dropped his tail before exiting the cave, Tasuki following obediently.
Mana watched them go before returning back to the cub with her share of the kill. She whined at the cub and licked his head in an attempt to comfort him, in his distressed state now that he could no longer see his father.
" Oh man. Seriously?" Octavian moaned. " I'm a wrestler, not a sprinter."
" Run now, whine later." Zolo grumbled, easily surpassing the polar bear.
Iora followed silently, finally deciding to take flight now that she could feel an up-draft.
Suddenly, Choby turned away from the food fight and went to stand in the entrance of the cave. Conrad quickly took over from there and gladly glared at the kitsune as he passed with Bane, ears flat and teeth bared giving off a murderous look considering he still had blood on his face from breakfast.
"We can rest when you need it Octavian. There is no rush." Dakota said as she flew down closer to the polar bear so she didn't have to yell.
Bane looked over at the rebels den when he felt the glare and noticed Choby seemed off and was threatening Tasuki. Bane snarled his tail risen higher then nessessary, stranger or no Bane hated people threatening his companions. Tasuki, confused by Bane's reaction, lay down waiting till his alpha gave the signal to move. Bane glared at the jaguar before starting out of camp, he stopped when Tasuki was still pinned to the ground awaiting an order.
"Come." He heard Bane call and that was all he needed to take off out of camp after the wolf.
" Thank the heavens." Octavian muttered.
Conrad, seeing the raised tail and snarl on the wolf's face, gave a small mock charge and roared out a warning to not mess with either him or his cubs before settling himself down when he noticed the kitsune follow Bane away from the camp. That was also when he noticed that the cave had gone quiet.
" You do know that you're goin to get us kicked out, if you keep that up." Raimundo warned.
" I'm only doing what I must to protect my family." Conrad replied before laying down to clean himself.
Dakota nodded but instead of returning to Gemma's side she dropped down to trot alongside the Polar bear.
Bane heard the roar and it annoyed him slightly, but there was nothing he could do. His tail lowered once again and he sighed. "Your alot of work you know..." He spoke lightly and Tasuki's ears drooped.
"I-I'll go get my kit and leave... I-I you wish." Despite his appearance Tasuki was timid and docile, he hoped that the alpha would accept him, with Ayame gone and in this strange place, he had nowhere for him and his kit to go.
"My mate will decide if you leave or not. I can not tell you that answer, but continue to be kind to our pack and treat us with respects. I see no reason why you should leave. Choby and the others will have to accept the fact that your stay should that be what Dakota decides." Bane said as he lay down in the snow under a tree, he rolled around in the snow exposing his throat and stomach to show Tasuki that he had Bane's trust. Tasuki lay down beside his alpha with a sigh.
After what felt like hours, Octavian finally began to slow. Like he had said earlier, he was built for strength not speed. Panting heavily, he turned to Dakota and tried not to snort in her face as he tried to get air into his lungs.
" How... long... till we... get there?" He tried to asked.
"Sorry, I'm not sure. Would you like to rest?" Dakota asked just before Bloodshot released a roar and took off at high speed.
"Guess we are just about there, come on." Dakota yelled in her excitement, she concentrated on Octavian as she leapt into the air and the polar bear slowly rose of the ground as well. "Perhaps, this will help with all your running." She winked at the now floating polar bear before she shot off as well closely followed by her family.
Bane looked up at the sky with a smile. Tasuki followed his gaze confused till he heard the males words. "And here she comes now."
" Woah... woah... hold on there, Dakota. Are you sure this is safe?" Octavian asked, shock lacing every word.
Zolo looked up to try and figure out what the commotion was and nearly stopped in his tracks. " Okay, Zolo. Just keep running. Ignore the floating polar bear. It will just freak you out." He whispered to himself before hurrying to regain his place.
Dakota stopped when she heard the polar bears faint voice and rushed back to see what was wrong. She noticed his worried look and laughed. "Don't worry, it's completely safe, as long as I stay airborne your fine." Dakota explained before wrapping her tail around the bears paw and starting off back to camp, this time at a slower pace.
Bloodshot and Snowdrift entered the camp in a rush of air, putting out the fire as they landed. They were then greeted by Mana, Phoenix, Jordon, Charmed and little Lelani. Tsume and Moonlight hopped down from their nephew's backs and everyone chatted excitedly, catching up. Phoenix and Jordon fussed over their sons making sure they were ok while Krystal, Skype and Akira all crowded around Charmed and Lelani both parents and older sister bathed the cub with their tongues happy to see her ok.
"Thankyou for looking after her Charmed." Skype appraised, nuzzling the younger.
"Your both welcome." Charmed responded before turning towards their cave. "Come everyone, come settle in."
With that everyone headed into the cave, even Bloodshot and Snowdrift ignored their dislike of small spaces and followed their family in, changing into their tiger forms so they didn't take up too much space.
Bane watched as his family rushed past basically not even noticing him. That was when Gemma landed before him spraying both him and Tasuki with snow from the force of her landing.
"Brother." She nodded in greeting before she started licking her fur. She nodded to Tasuki but otherwise didn't question his presence.
" Okay. Thanks." Octavian replied, managing to calm down enough to thank his 'pilot' for the lift.
Below him, he saw Zolo dash into the cave with Zyanya close behind. The two were instantly met by Choby, Raimundo and Kratia. Just by watching, he could tell that Kratia was telling her cousin off. Choby and Raimundo went into protective brother mode and began making sure that Zyanya was fine and that nothing had happened to her. Only Ebony seemed upset about the fact that Kaygis was not with them.
Iora landed closer to the edge of camp before walking the rest of the way to the Rebels and being greeting in turn. The eagle brothers, Tobias included, flew off around the camp, getting re-aquainted with each other. Monty was sent straight into the cave with Bosko, who grumbled something about not liking baby-sitting duty.
Dakota lowered her friend towards the camp and once her paws touched solid ground, gravity hit Octavian's body once again. Dakota then released his paw and bowed before trotting back out of the camp, following her mate's scent. When she left the camp she could see her mate, sister and a stranger off to the left. Se went over to the walking straight past the stranger to greet her mate by rubbing up against his chest from nose to tail tip. She then sat down between Bane and Gemma.
"Tasuki, you are the nine-tailed fox that appeared last night with your kit Kurama. Your mate Ayame was shot and killed by a hunter reciently and you have been wondering here for afew weeks. My sister Mana and the black panther, Ebony found you just outside the camp right?" Dakota asked confirming what she already knew when the shocked kitsune nodded. 'How did she know all of that?' He thought to himself.
"I heared your whole conversation with my sister, that was brave of you to approach Charmed while she was guarding Lelani, even our males are afraid of her occasionally.
"I-I f-figured the c-cub would be hungry..." Tasuki answered dropping to his stomach so he was no longer taller then Dakota.
"It's quiet alright, I commend your courage. Such a timid fox should not have been able to get so close, but your determination to prove yourself to Mana was what helped you complete the task. I can also tell just by looking at you, despite your appearance, you could never harm a cub, especially not when you are trying to rear a kit of your own. Should the cub need anything the mother usually provides, Gemma would be happy to help." With that said Dakota walked back towards the den, wanting to see the kit with her own eyes.
Tasuki looked after her shocked and confused while Bane and Gemma just smiled
Tobias turned to his brothers who were resting in the branches of nearby trees. None of them had realised that they were going to be eavesdropping on a private matter. They had only thought to rest.
" Choby's not going to like this." He whispered quietly, trying not to let those below here him.
" Ah, so what? I'm hungry. Want some grubs?" Cragus replied, tearing at the bark of his tree to get at the grubs inside.
" Crag, you're a predator not an insectivore. Stop that." Barb reprimanded.
" It's a good source of protein. Barega and his pack taught me."
" You two don't care, do you?" Tobias grumbled.
Recieving nothing but an argument on meat and grubs, he took off into the sky to alert Choby. Along the way, he met up with Octavian who was scratching at the ground like he was glad to be back on its earthy texture. The polar bear raised himself on his hind legs and held up his paw in greeting, which Tobias brushed his wing against, before returning all four paws to the ground and beginning to size up the nearest tree. Turning back to the cave, Tobias dived in and landed on a ledge near the entrance. He waddled to the left a little bit so that he was more comfortable, then proceeded with his report.
" I didn't mean to. Honest." He started.
" What didn't you mean to do?" Choby sighed.
" Eavesdrop on Dakota. I think she's accepted the kitsune."
" Excuse me." Choby growled, standing up and stalking out of the cave.
Raimundo could only watch as his brother headed into the forest, praying that he wasn't about to do anything stupid.
Dakota trotted into the cave and headed straight over to Mana who was curled around an orange ball of fur. She sat down by her sister and nuzzled her before gesturing to the kit. Mana uncurled and stood back so Dakota could examine the kit, she nuzzled the kit when he uncurled and looked up at her with confusion, he glanced back at Mana who smiled reassuringly and the kit smiled as well, he rubbed up against Dakota's legs in greeting and Dakota whined licking the kit before she picked him up and trotted out of the den, heading towards the kits father. Mana watched her go, saddened that the kit was gone, she shook herself before heading over to Charmed, Lelani, Krystal, Akira and Skype who were all grouped at the back of the cave.
Bane's sensitive ears twitched, he had known Tobias had heard their conversation and stood up discretely moving so he was between Tasuki and the camp. Gemma noticed his movement and remembered that the other pack had cubs of their own. 'Ohh great, Dakota we might have a fight on our hands...' Gemma whined standing, her tail level with her back. She kept glancing around as if expecting someone to jump out at them.
Dakota heard Gemma's words and sprinted towards them when she saw an enraged Choby leave the other den and enter the forest.
" Um... did I do something wrong?" Tobias asked, starting to tuck his head under his wings.
" He would have found out anyway." Raimundo sighed.
" Rai. You may want to go after him. That's where Bane headed with the kitsune." Sarabi whispered, sitting beside her husband.
Raimundo hissed something under his breath in Portugese before dashing out after his brother. He had to put out the fire before it turned into a raging inferno.
Choby stalked through the forest with his head low trying to fight the Beast for control of his body. He could hear the distance calls from his brother but he ignored them. He could also hear the food argument between Barb and Cragus. That was all it took for Conrad to emerge. Just one roar ended the argument instantly and both eagles took to the air in shock and fear. Another brought down the nearest tree - blazing claw marks mangling its form. All the while, Conrad knew that his brother would be after him.
Dakota pulled up beside her family just as the enraged jaguars roar split through the air. She noticed Cragus and Barb take to the sky, they were both sporting looks of shock and fear, a tree also fell not far from where the eagles emerged.
"Something's wrong, his aura has changed." Dakota growled as she placed Kurama before his father. She stood protectively before the group, looking out through the trees. She could see Choby a few meters back and her growl rose into a snarl, her ears flattening and her tail rising high. 'I won't let him get close.'
Raimundo was almost at his brother when he heard Dakota snarl and saw Conrad turn in that direction. He also noticed that he had called upon the Gift of the Rainbow Moon. The real battle was about to begin.
If only Dakota had just kept quiet.
" Choby-Conrad Phillips Faron Vitello Takasson!" Raimundo roared, easily gaining his brother's attention. " Stand down!"
" Never!" Conrad roared.
With that, Raimundo leapt into the air with claws spread wide and ablaze. Conrad sprung as well; the two meeting in mid air and landing heavily after the first few swipes forced them back to the earth.
At the sight of Raimundo and Choby fighting Dakota looked at her family confused. Gemma had changed into her jaguar cub form and was distracting Kurama with a game of chase, Tasuki was watching them making sure they didn't stray too far. Bane stood beside Dakota and licked her shoulder where a large slash appeared, she also had severally other cuts covering her body. All her wounds coming from both Raimundo and Choby, she staggered slightly, not being able to ignore the pain as the brothers were and shook herself, keeping her stance and trying to stay conscious.
Raimundo managed to knock Conrad to the ground with a swipe to the face and a quick dash into his chest, but it was only so that he could catch his own breath in time for the next attack. Fighting his brother was almost like fighting himself which meant that he had to be on top of his game. Unfortunately, he missed the quick recovery of his brother and didn't realise until he felt Conrad's teeth dig themselves deep into his lower back. With a roar of pain, he twisted himself and was able to grab his brother's tail. The result was an echoing crack as the bone broke and Conrad tearing a big chunk of fur and muscle out of Raimundo's back.
In order to try and get his brother off him, Conrad scraped across Raimundo's left hind paw and managed to bite into his thigh as he was being thrown into the nearest tree. The groan that followed came from the tree. But, unfortunately for Raimundo, the attack did not knock his brother out like planned. It only proved that his brother had a thick head. Either way - as Conrad slid to the ground - Raimundo was forced to the ground when his leg gave way.
" Conrad. Calm down. Now! You're going too far!" Raimundo growled.
His reply was a deep snarl and another charge.
Dakota yelped as pain shot through her back and tail, she dropped to the ground as pain coursed through her whole being. Tasuki, noticing his alphas pain whimpered and lay down beside the fallen wolf licking her back to try and quell the bleeding, Bane doing the same thing on her other side. Gemma noticed her sister's pain and looked out at the raging fight, she wanted to make sure Dakota was ok but had to keep with the cub.
Akira perked up from her spot in the den, she was no longer in control of her body, she could feel another presence and knowing from past experience never to fight them, she let the presence take hold of her. her body morphed shrinking in size, while her fur turned black, her body grew sleeker and her tail straightened out, loosing the tuff on the end. Faint jaguar markings could just barely be seen in the fire-lit cave and her eye colour dulled turning pale in comparison to their usual colour. With the spirit leading her body, the now jaguar-cub, left the den, crossed the camp and headed towards the fight.
Conrad had Raimundo by his already injured leg and he just thrown him into a tree, effectively managing to knock him unconscious, when he noticed the black jaguar cub walking through the trees towards him. At first he growled, but then he noticed the pale golden and soft tint to his sister's eyes. Instantly his own eyes widened and he took a step back.
" Iliana? Is that... Is that really you?" He asked, his body trembling as tears sprung into his eyes.
" Yes, Conrad. It is I. What are you doing?" The cub replied, her voice ever so slightly echoing around itself.
" I was... I was... I was trying to protect Ritara... and the cubs... and the others. I couldn't help-"
" So you knocked Raimundo out. He was only trying to get you to calm down. The creature you fear, the kitsune, is no threat to you or anyone else here. He is much like that lizard friend of yours, Flick or whatever his name is, when you first met him. Appearances can be decieving, brother. Get to know him and see."
" But, Iliana."
" I love you." With that, the cub closed her eyes and left the body she had inhabited for that brief expanse of time, returning to her place as Zyanya's guardian.
Dakota's body went limp as she was knocked unconscious from the blow Raimundo had just received. Bane, now that the male had fallen, tensed to fight should Choby turn on them, but the small group watched as the conversation passed between a small black jaguar that had just showed up and Choby who had seemed to have calmed down.
Akira felt the presence leave her body and as she took control she could feel her body grow again, all the changes reverting back to her natural self. She looked at the jaguar before her confused as to how the cub spirit could quell the anger he so obviously felt but she let it go. She looked over to make sure her family was safe before retreating back to camp.
Slowly Conrad lowered his head, allowing Choby to take over once more. After a few minutes, he looked up at the opposite group, trying to understand his sister's words. Instead, a single tear rolled down the side of his face and he ran off into the direction of camp, his heart aching so badly he wanted to run into the cave wall and knock himself out. He still didn't forgive himself for believing his murderous father's words about her death.
" Choby?" He heard Raimundo question weakly as he left.
Tsuki ran over to the fallen jaguar and tenderly used his tails and shoulder to help him to his feet.
"Are you alright?" He questioned worriedly. In a roundabout way it was his fault that the jaguar gotten hurt and he felt responsible for it.
Bane had managed to get a still unconscious Dakota onto his back before he headed towards the two by the tree, Gemma and Kurama close behind.
Akira entered the den, curling up by Skype. The one thing she hated about spirits is that she could see everything that had happened to them in their life time, "That poor cub..." She whimpered, Skype nuzzled her unsure what was wrong but she just continued to whimper, before she fell asleep a single tear rolled down her cheek.
Raimundo grunted in pain as fur met with open wounds and he found he couldn't put pressure on his left hind leg but managed to keep himself from reprimanding the help.
" I'm sorry you all had to see that." He managed to get out. " My brother's anger... it can get quite... out of hand at times. Only a small handful of family members can calm him when he gets like that. I was aiming to knock him out before things got really out of hand. It kind of backfired."
He gingerly tried to take a step forward, but ended up collapsing again. Turning to examine the wound, he gave an annoyed hiss before resting his scratched face on his front paws. " Guess I'm sleeping out here for a while." He muttered.
"It is quiet alright Raimundo, If you like Gemma could heal..." He started before he noticed the two cubs were already well into the camp grounds. He growled lightly but it wasn't angry.
"Scratch that." A sheepish smile crossed his face, he glanced over his shoulder to check on his mate, wondering if he should stay or leave. Tasuki released the jaguar when he decided to stay. He looked down at his paws before stepping back slightly and transforming, flames flickering around his body as the transformation took place. His body grew till he was twice his original size and once it was finished growing the flames vanished, he lay down on his stomach, his head still higher then Bane.
"I could carry you, if you wish." his voice was deep as he spoke, hoping that perhaps he could help the injured jaguar. Bane was slightly shocked by the kitsune's transformation but smiled when the offer was made. 'He will make a great addition to out family.'
Raimundo looked deep into Tasuki's blue eyes, searching for something that he didn't know about. All he saw was the willingness to help despite the shy and timid tendancies. There was practically no fight in the guy. But he knew that if he showed him the kindness and respect that he deserved, the Rebels would follow... Choby more reluctantly, but he'd still follow.
" Alright." He said with a grimace that was supposed to be a soft smile.
Tasuki's tails wagged slightly at the acceptance of his help, being very careful of the jaguars wounds he used his tails to lift Raimundo onto his back. He lightly placed him against his scruff before he gently stood up, him and Bane then headed back into the camp, once back in the campsite Bane went back into the cave placing Dakota down with Mana and laying down beside her. Gemma and Kurama were playing around the cave. Tasuki watched him go and whimpered slightly. As he was left alone he stopped a meter from. The entrance to Raimundo's den and whined in distress, unsure if he should go it due to what had just happened.
At the sight of the kitsune, Ebony jumped up and bared her fangs at the possible threat; Jacob and Finealta between her legs to protect them.
" I thought I told you never to come here." She growled. " What are you doing here?"
" He's with me!" Raimundo called down, trying to figure out how to get on the ground without hurting himself. " Or rather, helping me. Where's my brother?"
" Asleep thanks to a well placed paw." Bosko replied, looking around in confused amuzement. " Did you know he was about to knock himself out courtesy of the back wall?"
" No, sorry. I was trying to stand up."
" What happened?" Sarabi and Ritara both asked, Ritara a little more roughly considering the possible danger her cubs could be in.
At the anger in the panthers voice Tasuki's ears flattened and his tails tucked between his legs.
"I apologise, I'm only trying to help." He whined as he lay down, he gently lifted Raimundo from his back before placing the jaguar down beside him. "Sorry Raimundo, but they will have to come get you. It's clear I'm not welcome." Tasuki whispered as his body reverted to his normal size. He lowered his head and trudged back to the den he knew he would be welcome in.
" It's alright, big guy. The girls are just a bit riled up because of the newborns. Give them a little bit of time and they should get used to you. I'll just have to drag my but in there myself. I'll be fine." Raimundo said, somehow managing to smile this time.
Bosko walked over and made Raimundo lean up against him despite the scent of blood tingling his nose. " Thanks for bringing out leader back." He said before leading Raimundo into the cave while ordering Zolo and the older kids to find soft things for Raimundo to lie on.
" Now would you like to answer me?" Sarabi asked, going over and licking at her husband's various wounds.
" The Beast got control again. I had to do something." Raimundo replied.
" So you got into a fight."
Raimundo thought for a little while before giving a little smile that ended up turning into a grimace of pain. " Yeah." He said.
As soon as Zolo and the kids returned with as much soft, unmeltable stuff they could find, Raimundo lay himself down and instantly fell asleep.
Tasuki's ears perked at the two males words but the didn't make him feel any better. He entered the cave to see Snowdrift, Zander, Moonlight, Tsume, Akira, Skype, Krystal, Lelani, Charmed and Kurama all asleep in various spots around the cave. Bloodshot was awake due to the immense smell of blood but he stayed with his brother, Zander and Moonlight. He trotted over Charmed, the female looked up at him with slight distrust but allowed him closer. Tasuki approached slowly sniffing lightly to get the Scents of both Charmed and Lelani, recognising them as his new family, he nuzzled Kurama lightly brushing Lelani in the process and backed off before walking over to Bane, Dakota, Gemma and Mana who were grouped at the back of the cave. Dakota looked over at their newest family member and smiled.
"Are you ok, Tasuki?" She asked, she struggled to her feet with help from her sisters and limped towards the Kitsune, brushing up against him as they both shared scents.
"I am alpha." He smiled slight but it didn't reach his eyes, she was wounded because of him. He lay down up set by this fact. "I'm sorry."
Bane nudged him before walking off to get comfortable by the den fire. Gemma and Dakota followed him, mana watched them leave and she sat down looking at the kitsune who had still to move from his position. She lay down and placed her neck over his. He smiled slightly before the still awake inhabitants of the cave were taken into the world of dreams
Kaygis looked up at the star studded sky. Not even they could tell him where he was or which way was which. The only things they could tell him were where the camp was and every bit of useless information that there possibly could be. There wasn't even anything about Reece hidden in their ever bright knowledge. It was beginning to bug him. With a sigh, he looked down into the lake that he rested beside. As soon as he was a safe distance away from the others, he had sought out water. This was what he found. And, after resting a few hours, he woke just in time to see the sunset. Looking back up at the stars, he let loose a sigh.
" Where are you, Reece?" He whispered, before getting up and continuing his search through the cover of darkness.
Just like the previous morning Tasuki was the first up again, only this time Mana lay by his side. He got up and stretched before locating his kit who was still asleep with Charmed. He smiled as he made his way out of the den, intent on a stroll through the camp, he once again lit the fire before heading over to the den and getting his new family seem breakfast. He dragged his kill, a caribou and another two rabbits back to the den. This time when he approached Charmed to give the cub and kit the rabbits Charmed was completely clam. Tasuki smiled at her before he left the cave again. He went over to the fire and lay down on his back, scratching an itch by his shoulder blade that had been annoying him since his rising.
This time it was Iora that watched Tasuki hunting for the other group. As soon as the animals in the pen had calmed, she went and plucked out a nice fat chicken that was roaming too close to the edge of the pen. Unfortunately for her and Bosko, Raimundo had gotten sick during the night and the wound on his back had become infected. Bosko had to rely on her extensive knowledge of wilderness first aid in order to try and at least settle the inflammation. What made their night worse was when they found out that Choby had a broken rib from the fight. So they had both leaders out of comission.
Going back into the cave, she quickly made some chicken broth and force-fed the younger twin while Bosko tried to convince Choby that the green mush was going to help with the pain. With a sigh, Iora looked out at the soft clouds dotting the sky and prayed that things didn't get worse.
Bane, Skype and Akira were all awoke when their sensitive ears picked up whimpering that was echoing throughout the den. Bane rose from his comfortable positing, stretching before he nudged Dakota awake. The grey wolf yelped in pain and Bane's ears drooped, he had unknowingly nudged her broken rib. Akira stayed where she was watching from a distance as Skype woke Gemma up. Their healer and Beta grumbled about being woken up so early but she got up shaking sleep from her before she noticed her sisters condition. She sat down lightly placing her paw against Dakota's side, for which she received a yelp.
Tasuki jolted from his back to his feet at the yelping coming from his new packs cave. He ran back quickly heading over and sitting down awaiting orders, hoping he could help in some way.
"The fight between Raimundo and Choby broke a rib, and the wound on her back is infected." Gemma said before she licked the wound hoping her powers would heal it but knowing nothing would happen. Not unless the brother's wounds were healed. "I'll be back..." She whispered before trotting out of their den and to the entrance of the other den.
"Guys?" She called out, refusing herself entry without permission.
" What's wrong?" Iora asked over the top of Choby's curses and refusal to eat the green mush in front of him.
" Choby, shut up. You'll wake everyone else up." Bosko growled softly, stealing the remains of the chicken and trying to get the male jaguar to eat the green mush if it was spread on the chicken.
"Dakota is also suffering from the wounds that the brothers share. With your permission and their blessings. I would like to heal them for both their sake and Dakota's." Gemma explained, she continued to sit at the cave entrance.
" Does it have anything to do with this green mush that this fool is trying to feed me?" Choby asked, wishing he could use his tail instead of his paw to point at Bosko.
Bosko had opted to slice the pieces of salvaged chicken in half and use them like slices of bread to make a sort of green mush sandwich. Raimundo, who had woken up for the twentieth time, was looking at his brother like he was a child before concerning himself with trying to eat the broth that Iora was giving him.
"I can heal all your wounds completely in the matter of minutes, without the... Green mush." Gemma responded unsure if this was a good idea or not.
" I'm in!" Choby practically screamed out, sitting up and managing to knock his head on Bosko's jaw.
" Choby!" Bosko growled, fire in his eyes.
Choby merely smiled cheekily as he slunk over to his new healer and made himself comfortable beside her. Raimundo, on the other hand, had gone back to sleep.
Gemma looked over his body noting which wounds would need blood and which ones were well enough for just a lick. She started with the smaller wounds cleaning the fur of blood while she closed all the smaller wounds smiling as his skin knit back together before her eyes. Once she was done she lightly rolled him over to do his other side. When she was sure she had gotten all the smaller wounds, she cut into her leg collecting some of her blood on her fangs, she then started healing his deeper wounds, dripping her blood into the open cuts and the cleaning the fur around the now closed wounds. She again turned him over to heal his other side before she licked her leg closed, her self-inflicted wound healing over much like Choby's.
Mana had awoken when Gemma left the cave and went over to see what was wrong.
"Gemma's is healing Raimundo and Choby." Bane explained and Mana nodded before sitting down and watching Dakota.
Tasuki watched in amazement as Dakota's wounds started to heal over, over half of her wounds disappeared before his eyes, he looked at Bane and Mana confused but they just smiled, waiting for her to be fully healed.
She then placed her paw lightly against his side, checking his ribs before sitting back licking her shoulder in her nervousness.
"To heal your ribs, ill need you to take some of my blood." She said as she made a smaller cut on her paw pad, she held out her paw to the jaguar, her blood splashing to the ground turning the dirt and snow a dark crimson.
" Well now, Choby. Getting your own personal bath. And by a beautiful woman, at that. You should be lucky that Ritara isn't up yet or you will be in trouble." Bosko teased.
Choby growled in reply, refraining from actually saying something. The smaller wounds tingled as they began healing, but he didn't heed them any mind. What he did mind, however, was when Gemma had nudged his broken ribs and sent pain streaking through his body. He had to physically restrain himself from attacking her and ended up hissing at her instead. But seeing no other way than to drink the wolf's blood in order to stop the pain, he gave a stiff nod of his head in acceptance to her words, unsure whether or not he should just drink or say something first.
Gemma smiled at Bosko's words. "Your just lucky my mate didn't follow me or you would need more healing." She chuckled lightly before she moved her paw so her blood was dripping into the Jaguar's open mouth. She placed her spare paw over his ribs and as he swallowed her blood, a large crack was heard signalling that the bones had realigned, she could feel the rib knitting back together, his side rising to accommodate the now whole rib bone. She then checked his tail, swinging it back and forth with her paw, confirming that it was also healed. She smiled taking back her paw and licking it closed. "You are completely healed." She smiled before looking over at Raimundo, "Is it alright if I work on him whilst he is asleep, his back may take a bit of blood and time to heal."
A large sigh fell from a still sleeping Dakota as her ribs and tail healed with a crack as the bones came back together. Tasuki flinched at the sound but was happy she was progressively getting better. They continued to watch, waiting for the other wounds to heal over and hoping her Back wouldn't be scared from the huge infected gash.
" Sorry to say, but I'm more afraid of Ritara and Kratia." Bosko said with a smile before muttering under his breath about something to do with 'compliment'.
" Give it up, Bosko. You're not going to win." Choby sighed before turning his attention back to Gemma. " Thank you... for healing me. Do what you must for Raimundo. I can't bare to lose him, even if it was my fault. I'm also sorry about what happened yesterday. I didn't mean to get out of control like I did."
Gemma smiled, she had recognised it as a compliment even if she didn't portray it, accepting compliments wasn't one of her strong points. She looked at Choby with a smile.
"He will be fine once I finish the treatment. He will need basic treatments as I have you, although he won't need to ingest my blood. His back however, I will have to heal layer by layer, as it is quiet deep and between each layer I will have to clean the infection. Which could take a while." She explained, waiting for confirmation that she could go over to him.
" As I said, do what you must for my brother." Choby said with a nod.
Gemma nodded before trotting over to the other Jaguar. She sat down looking at the work that needed to be done. Similar to Choby, he had the minor wounds and some deeper gashes, his worst was his back. She would have to be careful not to wake him as it may be painful. She started with the smaller wounds cleaning both the blood and fur while each one closed over, she lightly turned him to do the other side before starting on the deeper gashes. She created another small wound on her leg so she could access her blood the heal the gashes over, watching with a smile as they closed over. She then turned him before doing the other side, entranced by the slash on his shoulder. As it knit back together the lion head that was produced by a cluster of brown spots on also reformed. She then sat back thinking about the best way to heal Raimundo's back. She decided it as best to have him on his stomach and gently rolled him again. With full access to his back she lightly cleaned the wound, spitting every now and then to get the infection out of her mouth. Shen it was clean enough she cut into her shoulder and let her blood drip into the wound, layer by layer, cleaning after each one the wound eventually closed over as if it was never there. She cleaned the blood off his fur, making sure the wound was closed before she closed her shoulder and sighed. She looked over at Bosko's and Choby with a smile.
It took ten minutes for the wound on Dakota's back to fully heal, she whined through the whole thing but the three watching her sighed when she finally, started to sleep peacefully, fully healed.
Raimundo growled in his already restless sleep as Gemma was healing him, but remained asleep. Iora, on the other hand, was transfixed with Gemma's healing abilities - though she wisely decided not to question her about it in case it got her head bitten off by the busy wolf. When it was all over, Bosko gave her a weak smile of thanks before having to walk out of the cave in order to get the scent of blood out of his nose. Choby did more, bowing his thanks to the wolf.
" Thank you for healing the both of us, Gemma." He said.
"Your welcome, I must apologise. Dakota's decisions can be a little rash and whilst she knew him for barely an hour when she decided to let him stay, Dakota would not have said yes unless she had complete faith that Tasuki means no harm. I myself believe he is mourning, he has a cub to look after, and is all alone with his mate's passing. The way he interacts with Lelani is remarkable, for a male who is not of blood, he treats her as if she was his own kit. He brings no threat to anyone. Please do try and accept his presence, he may be of use to us when the final fight to get outs of here comes along." Gemma responded as she turned to leave. She moved slowly as she knew the dragon had something to ask her.
Now that Dakota was ok, the Bane, Mana and Tasuki huddled around the caribou eating quietly. Tasuki didn't even seem shocked when Bane drained the meat instead of actually eating it. He just smiled when they shared a look, his tails swishing happily behind him.
Choby merely nodded and went to go back to where he had been laying down beside Ritara. It wasn't that he wasn't willing to try, it was more because he didn't know how he was going to be able to trust a stranger around newborns. He still didn't entirely trust strangers around his first litter and they were practically teenagers. Iora was just about to ask Gemma about her healing abilities when Bosko rushed back into the cave.
" Choby!" He panted. " You've got to come see this!"
With that, he hurried back out of the cave. Choby watched him go, blinking a couple of times, and getting really annoyed with the black lion considering he had only just gotten comfortable.
" Now!" Bosko's roar echoed through the camp.
" Iora, stay here. Want to check this out, Gemma?" Choby asked, forcing himself to his feet despite his body protesting.
Gemma growled, her curiosity was peaked and she really wanted to know what Iora was going to ask her. "I will accompany you but after what ever this is you must come back here and rest. While you are healed your body is still drained of energy." Gemma explained before she trotted after the jaguar, throwing an apologetic look over her shoulder at Iora.
Charmed was jolted awake when the two cubs beside her woke, they were in such a rush to get to their breakfast that they trampled her. She shook her head but couldn't help smiling at the site of them. She got up and looked around the den, Dakota was asleep by the fire, Bane, Mana and Tasuki were eating. Bloodshot, Snowdrift (both still in their tiger forms), Moonlight and Zander were all huddled off to her left in a heap of fur. Akira, Krystal, Skype and Tsume were off to her right, sleeping in a more civil manner. He she couldn't see Jordon or Phoenix but assumed they had fallen asleep in a tree outside again. She headed over to the three by the kill and sat down to join them. She had been seated for less then a minute when they all heard Bosko's angry roar, curiosity perked the four of them and they all left the cave, heading out into the camp.
Jordon jolted awake, loosing the grip she had on the branch and falling to the ground below. Phoenix was beside her the second she hit the ground, just mising catching her. Jordon stayed the way she was, on her back feet in the air and tail twitching in annoyance, till the both of them noticed Bane and the others emerging from the den with clear curiosity in their eyes. She sat up looking at her husband before the two joined the group of four.
" Tell that to him." Choby grumbled, walking slowly to try and rest his body a little.
They found Bosko deep in the forest digging at something in a patch of dirt. In between the specks of dirt, the shadows from the trees and Bosko's massive paws, was something green and silver. Choby lay down under a nearby tree and watched his friend dig, occasionally closing his eyes for a nap.
Iora followed them out of the cave and lay down in the middle of camp, glaring at the forest. In her boredom, she dug through the still melting snow and found the old campfire. She then looked up into the lightening sky and snorted at the sun for not being able to get any sleep the night before. Her tail ficked when she felt the others begin to stir to Bosko's urgent roar but resumed glaring in the direction that Choby and Gemma had gone.
Gemma was happy when she saw her friend lay down, 'At least he gets some rest.' She moved over to Bosko with a child-like curiosity shining in her eyes as she circled him impatintly waiting for him to finish digging.
"What is it?" She whined, she hated not knowing.
Bane truged over to Iora and sat down beside her, he had noticed the dragon's annoyance the minute he spotted her. What's going on?" He asked as Mana, Charmed and Jordon made themselves comfortable by the two. Tasuki sat directly beside Bane bowing politely and Phoenix was flying around above them, enjoying the morning breeze.
Bosko dug a little bit more before he managed to free the edge of a green and silver box complete with a side handle. Grasping the handle with his teeth, he pulled as hard as he could. Unfortunately for him it was stuck fast.
" It's a box of some sort." He replied, needing a rest from his exertions. " Don't know what kind of box it is, but it's heavy."
" Bosko found something in the forest." Iora grumbled. She twitched her black and gold wings slightly in annoyance before looking over to Bane and the others. " Gemma and Choby went after him to see what it was."
Gemma nodded and looked at the box before she got excited wanting to know what was inside. She started digging deeper around the box hoping that she could loosen the dirt around it a bit more so they could pull it out. She was nearing the bottom of the deep box when her paw in mid swipe caught on something metal and she yelped pulling her bleeding paw back. She looked into the whole to see what looked like barb wire in amongst the dirt, it seemed to be there to stop her from digging the box out. She growled at it before taking the sharp metal between her jaws and yanking, trying to rip it from the earth. In her anger at not being able to dig any more she didn't even notice when her mouth began to bleed.
Bane nodded in understanding before giving Mana and Tasuki a pointed look before he headed back into the den. He trotted over to Dakota and lay down, he paw drew his attention and when he saw blood dripping from her closed jaw he glared out of the cave. 'Gemma, what are you doing?'
Mana sighed before getting up and trailing towards the forest, "Come on Tasuki, lets go find that hyperactive female." With a nod Tasuki followed her into the trees outside of their camp. Jordon watched them go before her and Phoenix returned to their tree.
Choby opened his eyes at the growl and noticed Gemma's paw and mouth bleeding as well as the barbed wire that she was pulling on. Instantly he became worried. " Gemma. Stop. Let go of the wire before you hurt yourself even more than you are now." He called out to her, sitting up suddenly and making his head spin.
" Holy... I did not see that coming." Bosko muttered under his breath. " Choby's right, Gemma. You should let go."
Iora watched the others disperse in their various directions before raking at the ground. She hated being ignored and told what to do. Especially when she had just worked most of the night trying to make sure that the sick healed. Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep.
Unaware that she had been harming herself Gemma looked at them confused before the taste and scent of her own blood reached her senses she dropped the wire and winced slightly before spitting out a mouthful of blood and focusing on ignoring the pain. "Stupid wire." She muttered before she wrapped her fore-paws around the top handle of the box and jumping into the air, attempting to pull it from the earth by flying up. When that failed she let go of the box and sat down with a sigh. "Stupid box." Her ears drooped at not being able to recover it. Just then both Mana and Tasuki ran over to them. Tasuki ducked low to the ground, wary of Choby and Bosko as he moved over to Gemma and licked her face when he noticed she was injured.
"Are you alright Beta?" He asked softly, lowering his head so he was shorter then her. Mana sat by her other side cleaning the blood from her muzzle.
At the sight of the kitsune, Choby instantly withdrew into himself and lay his head on his paws, remembering both his sister's and Gemma's words. He knew what he had to do... he just wasn't ready to do it yet. Instead he focussed on Bosko and watched as flames began to dance across his friend's mane and tail. Once Bosko was able to feel the strength of his Warrior form take a hold of his body, he charged at the box and clamped his teeth around the side handle once more. Digging his feet into the ground, he began tugging on the box once more.
Tasuki's eyes widened at the site of Bosko's mane and tail on fire. He yelped when Mana's tail lightly lay across his back in comfort and when he realised it was his friend he smiled softly at her.
"What is he trying to do Gemma?" Tasuki asked softly watching as the lion tugged at the unmoving box.
"He found this box and called us over to look at it, we've been trying to get it out since but no luck." Gemma explained softly and Tasuki nodded before moving slowly towards the lion and box, he transformed doubling his size and wrapped two tails around the spare handles before stepping over Bosko and pulling with all his body weight and muscle. He felt the box budge slightly and lifted Bosko out of the way with two of his spare tails before wrapping another tail around the handle Bosko had a hold of, and he tugged really hard, leaping forward. He was flung forward when the box came free, his body smacked into the tree and he fell to the ground beside Choby, his body reverting back to its smaller form. The box landed where Bosko lay, unharmed.
All Choby did was look up before he noticed the over lage kitsune flying at him. With a hiss, he scurried to his feet and up the tree next to the one he had been laying under. As soon as he was on what he thought was a safe distance away from the kitsune, he looked down the six branches of his new tree and hissed once more at the kitsune before getting comfortable and closing his eyes.
Bosko, on the other hand, blinked at both the kitsune and the now obvious tool box. With a shake to get rid of any dirt on his fur, he allowed his flames to die before going over to the tool box and checking it out. It wasn't until he'd search every inch of it that he found writing on the back in silver on the green surface.
" Hey! This thing's destruction proof!" He called out, excitedly.
Tasuki struggled to his feet before looking up at Choby with sad eyes.
"Sorry." He whispered before slinking back over to Gemma and Mana, he lay down looking away from the group with his ears back and his tails curled against him. Mana looked down at him with sad eyes before glaring at Choby angrily, she managed to stop herself from growling though at Gemma stern look.
"Gemma got up, brushing up against the kitsune as she made her way over to Bosko.
"What do you mean destruction proof?"
Bane looked down at Dakota who yelped in her sleep before she rolled onto her back.
"Can't you ever get a rest from your ability..." He said quietly before he curled around her and tried to go to sleep.
The other inhabitants of the cave had awoken during the commotion and were all either eating, talking, resting or in the cubs case playing tag.
" It says it right here 'MONTY PROOF'. That means that if its Monty proof, then it's practically destruction proof. It's also fire proof, water proof, ground proof, lightning proof..." Bosko said, reading off the list on the back of the tool box.
Meanwhile, up in the tree, Choby opened his eyes - having finally managed to calm his racing heart - and looked at Mana incredulously. " Well, I'm sorry I had a nine-tailed fox three times my size flying at me and got scared!" He roared down at her.
Gemma nodded, looking over the box herself.
"So... How do we open it?" She asked bluntly looking at Bosko who seem to know more about the box then all of them.
Mana whined lightly at Tasuki trying the cheer the fox up but he only got up and started walking back towards camp, his ears back, eyes closed and all nine of his tails dragging in the dirt behind him. Mana watched him go with sad eyes before she followed him. 'See you back at the den...' She thought to Gemma as she trudged after the saddened fox.
Gemma was about to call out to them to stop but she stopped herself. It was obvious the kitsune needed comfort and Mana wasn't planing on leaving his side. It was best to just let them go, she refocus her attention back on Bosko.
" I think..." Bosko moved to the front of the box, too rapt up in it to realise that Tasuki and Mana were leaving. That's when he noticed a red button where there should have been a latch. " I think you need to press..."
" No, Bosko! Wait! Didn't anyone ever tell you not to-" Choby called down to the lion, jumping out of the tree in a panic.
" This."
It was only a light tap, but the tool box instantly opened up into something that was three times as wide and five times as long as what it originally was, not to mention about the same size as Bosko when he stood on his hind legs. Shelves and draws covered its interior and just about every tool imaginable was safely stored within. Looking through it, Bosko could easily make out computer motherboards, microchips, wires and other electrical equipment inside. There was even a mirror and a radio complete iPod dock and loudspeakers. Even the little fan on one of the lower shelves looked like it was still in working order.
" Press the red button." Choby sighed, finally landing on the ground.
" Wow. It's got everything in it but the kitchen sink." Bosko said in amazement.
Gemma looked at the expanse of stuff with mild interest. Her curiosity sated she turned and left the two cats alone with the weird tool box. She trotted into camp to see Mana's tail disappear into their den. Slightly upset herself Gemma headed into their den. Tasuki and Mana were laying down not far from The entrance, she walked pass them, her tail brushing against Tasuki in a way to reassure him before she head over to Dakota. She lay down watching the still lit fire in their den.
" And this is why you don't go pressing the red button!" Choby roared, sneaking a peak inside the tool box himself. " Now how do you plan of closing it again, Genius?"
" Good question." Bosko replied.
" You're unbelieveable. I'm going to follow everyone else's advice and get out of here. I need sleep. And that's something I obviously can't get out here."
With that, the jaguar left the lion to mull over how to close the tool box and made himself comfortable once more as soon as he had returned to the cave. Bosko watched him leave before pressing the red button on the inside of the box. Instantly the box shrunk to it closed position. Not wanting to leave it out in the forest, Bosko picked it up and found it surprisingly lighter than what it was when they had been trying to dig it free.
*Well, it said it belonged to Lynk on the top of that list. If I take it back to camp, then Lynk won't have to find it... if we find Lynk.* He thought on his way back.
The den was eerily quiet to Tasuki, he lay awake with Mana by his left and Both Kurama and Lelani curled up on his right. Everyone in the den had fallen into a lazy sleep after they all had breakfast and a morning talk. He rose to his feet slowly, so he didn't wake Mana and he nudged his kit.
"Kurama..." The kit stirred and looked up at him with a sleepy smile. Tasuki picked the kit up and put him against his scruff where the kit got comfortable and went back to sleep. Lelani scooted over in her sleep and curled up against Mana, the older curling around her younger companion. Tasuki licked Mana's cheek wearing a saddened expression before she nuzzled the sleeping wolf.
"I'm sorry, even if Alpha has accepted me, I can't stay. I will miss you." He whined lowly before he swiftly made his way out of the cave, through the camp and out into the forest. He looked back for a minute before continuing into the unknown at a slower, heavier pace.
Iora sleepily raised her head when she sensed someone leaving and just managed to catch the tips of Tasuki's tails disappearing into the forest. With a yawn, she rose to her feet and trotted after the kitsune. " Hey!" she called when she was a safe distance away from the ears of everyone else. " Kitsune, no. Tasuki. Where are you going? I thought you were welcome."
Tasuki looked over his shoulder at the gold and black dragon trailing behind him.
"Alpha has accepted me and so has the pack, however I can not continue to stay where I am untrusted. It is no life for my kit if everyone around me is afraid of me, it is clear I can no gain your groups trust." He responded as he continued walking away. "I'll be off now, please apologise to Alpha for me." With that he sprinted off through the trees.
" You have mine and Raimundo's. And Bosko's." Iora whispered, confused, as she watched the kitsune run off.
She remained that way - as still as a statue - until the sun was well into the sky and right above the camp. Only then did she move, nostrils flared and muscles tensed. With a roar, she leapt into the air and didn't stop until she was high above the campsite, undistinguishable from the blinding sun. A second, even angrier roar filled the air as she twisted around herself before diving straight down towards the camp, mindless of anyone who was out in the open. Her usually round pupils were nothing more than thin slits barely visible in her golden irises.
Tasuki glanced back when he heard the she-dragon's angry roars and sped up. The last thing he wanted was pursuers, he had done nothing but help and try and earn their trust since getting to that camp but clearly it wasn't enough.
The whole cave jolted awake at the sound of the angry roars and they all looked around confused, noting Bloodshot and Snowdrift were still in the den just as confused as everyone else Bane trotted towards the entrance.
"It must be Iora." He stated as everyone started to crowed the entrance.
"Guys, Tasuki is gone and so is Kurama," Mana called slightly panicked.
She, Gemma, Bane and Dakota all left the den telling everyone else to stay in for their own safety. They looked around the campsite in confusion before Bane looked up spotting the angry black and gold dragon diving straight for the camp.
Everyone in the Rebels cave was also jolted by the roars. The next thing anyone knew was that the ground began trembling as Iora landed in the campsite and another loud roar echoed through the entire cave. When someone was brave enough to turn their eyes to the cave entrance, they found a very angry female dragon snarling at them with her head in the cave. Beyond her massive head, her talons could easily be seen kneeding at the ground as if it were sand she was shifting through her claws. Her tail was also whipping back and forth dangerously.
" Iora?" Choby asked, trying to figure out what was wrong this time.
His reply was another roar in the face complete with a stomp of her foot and a slap of her tail when it met with the side of the cave.
Instinctively, the jagaur retreated to the back of the cave.
" Iora, calm down and tell us what's wrong. Why are you angry?" Octavian decided to try his luck.
The only thing he succeeded in was getting his sister to snarl at him and snort in his face. Unfortunately, the whole cave was filled with the smoke that came out of her nostrils.
Bane, Dakota, Gemma and Mana watched as Iora roared and stomped before the rebels den entrance. They couldn't figure out what was wrong with her.
"Maybe it has something to do with Tasuki and Kurama disappearing." Mana suggested, hoping the both of them were alright. Bane ran over to the angry she dragon and stood infront of her, attempting to get her to back up. He could see her smoke was filling the cave and knew it wouldn't be good for the cubs.
"Iora, what's gotten into you!" Hey asked confused by the dragons unusual behaviour. "The smoke you releasing could harm the cubs!"
Iora raised her head, barely recognising who Bane was, and decided that a swipe with her claws would coax Choby out. She knew he was the reason why the kitsune was gone. And, if she could help it, she would make the jaguar realise what he had done... the hard way. A quick snap of her jaws sent her back into the sky where she waited against the sun, once more practically invisible.
" Maybe it would be safer if we get the cubs out of here." Bosko said, following Bane's words.
Above them, Iora gave another roar, preparing to dive again.
Bane dodged the swiped before he slunk back to his family.
"Bring them into our den, In this mood it is safer to not have them out in the open." Dakota called, Mana, Gemma and Bane all entered their den as Dakota ran over to the other den to help transport the cubs between caves and get everyone across the camp unharmed.
"We need to find out whats set her off and what she wants." Dakota told them worried for Lelani's saftey also.
Raimundo, now wide awake, led the Rebels into Dakota's den - leaning against Sarabi for support as she carried her nephew. Ritara and Ebony were close to follow with Aquile and Jacob, Ebony hoping Dakota would help her with her daughter. One by one, they moved den with Choby and Octavian being the last to move. That was when Iora struck. As silent as the wind, she dived down and surrounded Choby just as Octavian dipped his head into Dakota's den, pinning him down with her paw and wrapping her snake like body around him so that he couldn't escape.
Dakota watched as they all started out and ran into the den picking up Finealta and following Ritara and Ebony quickly back to her own den. She placed the small panther cub down beside Lelani and went to leave the den again to hopefully calm down the dragon when Iora pinned Choby to the ground. Unsure what was wrong with Iora or how to stop her, all she could was wait. Charmed had quickly curled around Lelani and Finealta to protect them should the dragon get more vicious and come after them. Tension spread throughout the cave as all the original inhabitants crowded around their new den mates, waiting to see what would happen.
" Iora! Calm down! Stop it!" Choby roared in a panic, trying to escape her grasp.
Iora only tightened her grip.
Raimundo, worried for his brother's safety, stuck his head out of the den and noticed his brother's struggles through the dragon's coils. " Iora, stop it! You'll hurt him!" He called out.
" Silence!" Iora roared.
"What is wrong with her?" Dakota whispered as she stood beside Raimundo, worried for his brothers saftey and hoping Iora would calm down.
Mana stood guard before Bloodshot, Snowdrift, Zander and Moonlight while Gemma stood protectivly over Charmed and the two pups. Skype and Akira were growling lightly from the back of the cave with Krystal behind them. Bane moved up to Raimundo's other side watching silently.
" Iora, I said stop it!" Raimundo growled. " What has my brother - your leader - done to you?"
The she dragon looked at the younger twin and roared at him before turning back to face Choby, her claws digging lightly into his shoulders and making them bleed slightly.
" ANSWER ME!" Raimundo roared, getting annoyed with the dragon now.
" Tasuki." Was all Iora growled softly under her breath.
Mana ran out of the cave to stand by the angry dragon not fazed by her angry nature now that Tasuki's been mentioned.
"What of Tasuki, do you know where he is? He isn't in the cave or the den. Dakota stepped forward confused. 'I was sure that their group cared nothing for the kitsune. I wonder what Choby has done to make Iora so angry, where is that kit.' She growled angrly. 'He better show up so this can be sorted out, I just hope Iora isn't angry cause he is harmed in any way.'
Mana and Gemma twitched at Dakota's thoughts, Mana sending Dakota a glare over her shoulder. 'Don't even think that!'
Both Dakota and Gemma were shocked at her anger, but backed down closing their minds so not to anger the agitated wolf anymore.
Iora seemed to sober up a little bit as the memory of Tasuki running off pushed on her anger.
" He ran off. I don't know where." She said before slamming Choby into the ground, her anger returning. " Because he couldn't control himself and learn to trust!"
Mana's ears drooped. "So he just up and left?" She asked, her head lowered and she turned trudging past Bane, Raimundo and Dakota back into the cave. Gemma trotted over to her trying to cheer her up but the brown wolf just trotted. Dakota watched her younger sisters with sadened eyes. 'So he's left us...'. Her ears drooped, she would have liked to get to know him better, but now he was gone, taking his cub with him. Lelani ran up to Dakota looking up at the older wolf in confusion.
"Do dat means Kura is go too?" She asked trying her best to form the words she wanted to say. Dakota looked up the cub giving her a saddened nod before looking back out at Choby and Iora. Lelani whined before runing back to Charmed looking for comfort from the loss of her new friend.
" And he thought all of us..." Raimundo started, unable to finish his sentence.
Iora gave a curt nod and continued to growl at Choby. She could understand Ebony and Ritara's reasons for mistrust, but not Choby's. So it was his fault that Tasuki and his pup were gone and that Mana and Lelani and the others were upset. With another roar, she shot up into the air... this time with Choby clutched in her paws.
" Choby!" Raimundo roared up in concern. He had a bad feeling about what was happening.
"Iora!" Dakota called up to the dragon. "It's ok, both Tasuki and Kurama are ok! As long as I have our connection with them I will be able to feel everything they do. I can feel that Tasuki is sad and Kurama is confused but other then that they are completely safe, they are also warm. So i assume they have found a cave and settled by a fire for the time being. It is not directly Choby's fault, I myself will take Choby's punishment. If he didn't feel comfortable enough to stay then it was me that failed him! Please, bring Choby back down safely..." Dakota tried stepping out of the cave and rising so she stood on her back legs.
"Please!"
" Iora, please. I didn't know. I was going to give him a chance - I got my senses got handed to me about it - but he left before I even had a chance. I'm sorry." Choby begged as the she dragon climbed higher and higher into the air.
Iora finally stopped in her currently favourite place; in front of the sun so that no one could see her. She had heard Dakota's words and Choby's, but it wasn't until she looked down into the turmoil that she had left the camp in. Raimundo was literally running in circles trying to locate them against the sun. Dakota looked a little more calm than Raimundo, almost like she was getting ready to fly up herself and settle things in the air. Watching them, and looking into the eyes of those hidden in the cave, she knew she had over-reacted. With a sigh, she looked down at Choby.
" No. I am." She whispered, her slitted pupils enlarging until they were their usual round selves.
Slowly, she descended back into the camp.
Dakota sighed as she noticed the She-Dragon was coming back down, She looked behind her.
"It's ok now." She said with a smile before running out futher into the camp so that when Iora landed, she would be standing before the two.
Charmed sighed with relief, sitting by the cubs and licking them.
"It's alright, your safe now." She purred at them hoping to quell their shaking and it worked. Skype and Akira both shared a sigh as they sat down allowing Krystal to move where she please. Moonlight had been watching his sister through the whole thing and smiled. 'She still has so much to learn, but i believe her Alpha training is almost complete.' He glanced at Bloodshot and Snowdrift who were now visibly relaxed, they had moved over him and Zander when Gemma had ran off but all was calm now that the threat was deminished. Bane, Gemma and Mana who were all huddled in the back of the cave barely heard the news, still upset and worried about Tasuki and Kurama.
Octavian and the others visibly calmed at the news, but Ritara still looked upset. And Sarabi wasn't sure if they were still welcome in the other's den. Slowly, the golden jaguaress exited the den and sat by a now calm Raimundo to watch as Iora landed before them and gently placed Choby on the ground.
As soon as the male jaguar was on the ground, Iora looked over the animals before her. Then, with the hint of a tear in the corner of her eye, she took off towards the deep forest and coiled herself around a thick tree, tying her tail around herself to keep her in place while her hind paws gripped the tree and her front paws gripped the branch that her head and neck rested on. And just to make sure she wasn't found that easily, she darkened her scales so that they were almost the same colour as the bark. Only then did the tear roll down her face and to the ground below.
Dakota stepped forward planing to follow when she thought better of it. She looked at the other group then back to the den where everyone else were.
"I don't know about you guys... But I do not feel like going anywhere today." She spoke softly as her ears drooped and her tail dragged on the ground. She headed back into the cave unsure what to do now.
" We better head back to our own cave, anyway. Smoke looks like its cleared." Sarabi sighed, lowering her head and heading back into Dakota's den to help either Ritara or Ebony.
" Rebels, up and out." Raimundo called weakly. " Bosko to me. Octavian standby."
Almost immediately, the Rebels stood up and followed their leader's orders. Sarabi ended up helping Ebony with Finealta while Taka took his little brother. Choby ended up having to be lifted up onto Octavian's back in order to get him back into the cave - not even Conrad wanted to take over and walk the distance for fear of his own body giving out on him. Raimundo could sympathise; even though he was practically healed, his body still felt weak. Slowly they all moved back into their own cave. Only the eagles stayed out, preferring to rest in the tree branches and wonder how Iora was faring with the whole thing.
In an argument somewhere on the other side of the valley, a bright flash of light silenced all. After a few minutes of silence the black and cream wolf glared at the tiger beside him who was still looking in the air wondering why nothing was happening. Confused, the tiger began looking out over the horizon, thinking that something was going to happen further out in the land. She stopped when she noticed the wolf's death glare.
" Thank you, woman! You have just lost me my arm!" The wolf growled as soon as he was sure the tiger's attention was focussed on him alone.
" I thought you had a flare or whatever built in it." the tiger replied.
" Do you honestly think I would want to blow up my own arm? Better yet, do you even know what a flare is?"
" Um... a bright light?"
" Okay, so you do know what a flare is. The point here is that you do not touch other people's property without permission.Especially detachable arms. Got it?"
This time it was the tiger's turn to glare. Neither of the two noticed the small bundle on the tiger's back begin to stir.
Dakota curled up with Gemma and Mana. Bane watched as the rebels cleared out of his den to head back to their own. He approached Raimundo just outside of the den and sat down beside him.
"I'd like to apologise for the last few days. Not much has gone right at all an I hope that the waters will settle by tomorrow when we will continue this hunt... You should head back to your cave and get some rest." With that said he headed back into his cave and laydown beside the girls, eyes watching the front of the cave.
Tasuki yawned as he lept through the small hole out of the den, he had not long stopped running from the campsite and had found a wall that was hollow, he had broken through the outer barrier making a door and entered before leaving his kit there to find sticks and leaves to make a fire and bedding for the to of them. The fire was made now all he had to do was find the leaves for bedding. He used his illusion powers to cover the hole so no one would know it was there and that his kit was curled up saftely inside. He looked around quickly finding a wiltng tree, he collected as much leaves as his large kitsune form could carry before taking them back to the den piles at a time using his smaller form to get through the entrance. He sighed when he was finally done, He placed Kurama on the smaller bed before laying down on the bigger one and watching as the flickering fire.
"Now what to do about food." He muttered to himself as his stomach growled at him, he had forgotten to eat that morning.
" Don't worry about it." Raimundo sighed.
He nodded at Bane's advise and looked up into the sky one last time before heading back into the cave, leaning on Bosko to help him. What he didn't notice was the bright flash of light that was on target with their campsite. He was that tired, he didn't even feel the slight shake of earth as whatever it was crashed into the place where the main campfire once stood, creating a small crater.
Bane jumped when the camp shook and leapt to his feet and running out ofthe cave to investigate. He noticed the crater where the campfire once stood and slunk towards it with caution. He peaked into the whole to see what had dropped into their camp and howled out in shock.
"Gahh!"He yelped stepping back. "It's a hand!"
Octavian and Bosko, after having placed Choby and Raimundo on the ground to rest, were playing a game of tic-tac-toe to see who the game would put to sleep first when they both heard Bane's yelp. Instantly, both of them were up and running to see what the problem was.
" What's wrong? Are we under attack?" Octavian asked, wide awake and looking for the source of the commotion.
" I think you need to get some sleep." Bosko muttered under his breath as he leaned into the crater to see what was inside. " Well, at least it's not a... wait, is that..." He looked to Bane for comformation just in case he was the one that needed sleep.
"Unless I'm seeing things too, it's a hand." Bane said shivering before leaning down and picking the had up. He placed it on the ground before him and nudged before looking at Bosko.
"It's made of metal..." He sniffed it confused about this new fact.
" It's made of... oh, no." Bosko muttered, noticing the wires that were also accompanying the hand. He then looked behind him and noticed the polar bear standing on his hind legs to get a better view of the hand. " Octavian. Why don't you go inside and tell Zolo we've found what we think is his brother-in-law's hand. That's a good boy."
Grumbling, Octavian fell to all fours and went to do what he was told. Bosko was able to catch something about 'understanding Iora' as the bear went into the cave, but shook his head and ignored the bear.
"You know who this hand belongs too?" Bane asked confused, if there is a hand in the middle of camp that means someone is severly injured, metal or not. "We must find them, if there missing their arm they may be in trouble." Bane said still quiet confused about the object before him.
" Oh, yeah. He's definitely in trouble." Zolo said sarcastically, walking out of the cave with a yawn. " I'd feel more sorry for the guy who did that to him."
" Zolo. you're talking to a guy that doesn't understand." Bosko said, looking at Bane.
" Oh... Bane, have you ever heard of a cyborg before?"
"No sorry, I haven't... My wife is a Ghost Rider but other then that, appart from my vampiric abilitys, I've never come across a... Cyborg?"
" Okay then... think machine man." Zolo said.
Bosko looked at the still confused wolf. " It's not working."
" Okay then. Looks like we're just going to have to go find him. First things first."
Zolo closed his eyes for a few minutes, trying to think of something, and a faint smile crossed his wolf lips. The memory was of a time when he and his friends had gone to the easter show and found a naturo showbag there. Mikon had decided to by the bag and wouldn't stop acting like a ninja the whole time he had at. When he opened his eyes again a black drawstring bag with red clouds patterened on it was resting at his feet. After stuffing the mechanical arm into the bag and managing to slide his head and left forepaw through the drawstring, he trotted to the other side of the crater and looked back.
" You guys coming or what?" He asked, tilting his head to the side.
Bane looked on still slightly confused. "Well I guess the only way I'm going to understand is if i see the guy for myself. With that he leapt over the crater and waited for Bosko to join them so they could leave.
Bosko looked back at the cave, unsure of whether or not he should go. He noticed Kratia watching him and give him a small nod before turning back into the cave to look after the others. Looking back at Zolo and Bane, he gave a small nod and joined them on the other side of the crater. With a small 'yip-yip' that sounded like it should never have come from a wolf, Zolo easily managed to track down Skype and Akira's scents and took off into the forest towards the valley. Bosko had to run in order to keep up with him.
Bane easily kept beside the golden wolf, trotting at a leasurly pace. He could smell that they were following his brothers trail and wondererd about what this mechanical man would look like when they finally met. He laughed lightly to himself. 'Dakota is going to kill me, not telling her where I went. I'm in so much trouble.'
" What's so funny?" Zolo asked, glancing at the wolf beside him.
Before he knew it, he and Bane were at the edge of valley... and Bosko was somewhere behind them, hopefully still on the trail. Now that the snow had cleared a little, he was able to see the other side of the valley. What he saw was mountains and plains... but no creature that looked like a three legged wolf. Nor could he find a way onto the other side of the valley.
"Just that my wife is going to kill me for not allerting her of my abesnse." Bane chuckled before he looked down into the ditch. He had an idea to get to the other side but it would take time and effort. "Prehaps if we go into the valley and cross it, then we can climb the wall on the other side." He suggested, paws already on the edge.
" Yeah, maybe." Zolo agreed, choosing not to comment about Bane's reply to his question. " But we've got to wait for Bosko, first."
Just then, a slightly out of breath Bosko appeared, glaring daggers at the two wolves in front of him. He allowed his gaze to linge for a while on the valley and the mountains before returning to Bane and Zolo with an even fiercer gaze.
" I hope you do not expect me to climb." He growled.
" If we don't find a path, we're going to have to." Zolo replied with a smug look on his face clearly stating that he was definitely intending to follow Bane's plan.
Bane looked at Bosko with a smile before he looked down in the trench. "If this will be a problem, I could carry you." He said before looking back over his shoulder at the out of breath lion.
" I'll be fine." Bosko grumbled before leading the way down the path and into the valley.
Zolo followed, pestering him all the way down about being slow and feeling like he needed to prove he was still fit. Bosko merely growled. Finally the lion snapped.
" You're as bad as my brother!" He roared, his voice echoing around the rocks.
Silence fell between the two as the image of Luigi's death haunted their minds. Bosko turned away continued onward to the other side of the valley.
Bane watched them enter the valley and waited for a minute before leaping down into the darkness and landing lightly beside them once they reached the valley floor. He trotted along side them taking the lead slightly when they reached the wall. He leapt up, using his lengthened claws to dig into the rocks, each paw print indenting into the wall making a path for his two friends climb. Once he got to the top he looked back down into the darkness and waited for them to reach him.
Both Bosko and Zolo watched Bane climb before Bosko moved away and pratically shoved the golden into the rock.
" Okay, okay. I'll go next." Zolo muttered.
With that, he began the climb. Bosko watched for a few minutes to make sure that there was enough distance before starting himself. Once they were at the top, both boys shook themselves down and looked around. It was then that they dicovered that night had fallen.
" Thanks for the path, Bane." Bosko said.
Bane nodded smiling lightly. "Are you two still right to continue through the night or do you want to make up camp.
Dakota yawned and stretched before she glanced out of the cave seeing night had fallen. She stood up and glanced around the cave, the first thing she noticed was Bane's absence. 'The dip is probably out by the fire.' She thought leaving the cave and heading towards the campfire, she was slightly annoyed when she couldn't see Bane anywhere. She headed over to the rebels den and stuck her head inside.
"Hey, has anyone seen Bane? I can't find him." She said as she sat down in the entrance.
Tasuki yawned as he stretched before the dwindling fire. He blew more flames on it to raise its heat before he glanced over at a still sleeping Kurama. He smiled lightly before heading to the entrance. He looked through the hole to make sure the coast was clear but a whine escaped his throat as he smelt the scents of Bane, Bosko and Zolo. He could also see them standing not far away from his hideout. He quickly put out the fire and strengthened the barrier covering the entrance of the den.
" We'll keep going tonight. Besides, I want to be as far away from this place as posible. It's where the basilisk showed up." Zolo said, looking up at the stars to try and pin-point where he was and which way they should search.
Kratia looked up at Dakota's inquiry from where she was gently keeping her paw on Monty's tail - the pup had been trying to get into his uncle's tool box for the sixth time that afternoon. " Last I saw of him, he was with Bosko and Zolo. They've gone on a search party for the owner of the metal arm that Bane found. We're pretty sure he's one of our guys. Sorry, I forgot to tell you. I've had to make sure the twins were resting and that Monty was kept under control." She said.
" Another night wth you and still no food." Lakshmi sighed.
Lynk looked at her, but otherwise ignored her. Instead, he focussed on the panda cub and wolf pup that were curled up next to her, trying to figure out how they were going to feed them. They had found the wolf pup about an hour after Lakshmi had so elegantly detached Lynk's arm for him. Now, both Lynk and Lakshmi had no way to feed two extremely young and extremely dependant babies.
" Damn, I wish their mother's were here." Lynk sighed, looking up into the star-studded sky.
Bane nodded in understanding, he felt a spike of energy off to his left and when he glanced to see what it was all he could see was a big rock. His attention was drawn to the sky also, "There's no moon tonight."
Dakota growled not in anger but in annoyance.
"That darn wolf!" She barked before running back to her den to wake Gemma and Mana.
Both sturred and looked at their older sister with confusion. "What is it?" Mana yawned, her question followed by Gemma's slightly ammused words. "You seem annoyed, whats Bane done now?"
"He took off on a search without us." She yelled in her anger before calming down when she noticed Lelani sturing by Charmed. "He promised not to do it anymore." She whimpered before laying down and huffing.
" At least there's still the stars." Zolo replied, picking a direction and trotting straight ahead.
" What's wrong, Bane?" Bosko asked, noticing that the darker wolf was looking over at a big rock.
Kratia watched Dakota leave, trying to figure out what had just happened. she turned to Sarabi and Ritara and found that they were equally as confused. From somewhere else in the cave she heard Choby mutter something under his breath and someone else exclaim, " I know couples have spats, but that was just odd."
Bane wtched Zolo trot off before looking back at Bosko. "I felt a pike of energy, it felt familiar but I can't place who it came from." He looked over at the rock again before following Zolo. "Come on, lets go." He called back.
Tasuki quietly watched them leave and sighed in relief. He went over to Kurama and sat down watching the Kit sleep.
"I'll head out soon and find some food for us, don't worry." He nuzzled Kurama before trotting back to the entrance and keeping an eye out, waiting for a clear path to leave with enough time to saftely close the den behind him.
Both Mana and Gemma just laughed at their sisters expense.
"Calm down Dakota, he'll be fine. I'm sure there is no vengeful wolf packs after him or Skype."Mana said but Dakota just growled at her.
With a nod and a flick of his ear towards the rock, Bosko followed the others. They only stopped once when Zolo thought he could smell roast beef and got his mind distracted. So Bosko took the lead and decided to head west following the mountain range down. It wasn't until the next morning that Zolo finally planted himself on the ground and refused to move until he got a couple of hours rest.
Tasuki had been watching the entrance of his den throughout the night, loosing track of time. It was only when the sun began to rise that he left the den. He closed it back over before runing through the trees. 'Jeez I wish there was a rabbit or something. Maybe that small antelope I killed for Ayame just before Kurama was born.' He licked his lips a the thought before looking up and seeing an antelope just ahead of him.'What do you know, breakfast.' He smiled before sprinting at the beast and easily taking her down. He then proceeded to drag the carcass back to his den.
Bane sat down, he wasn't tired but he could see the others were. He rolled onto his back and closed his eyes, awaiting the time when they would set off again.
Kaygis woke early with the cold sun gently gracing his back. The remains of last night's dinner - his mother's famous roast beef with basil and rosemary, medium-rare and with the blood and wine sauce still dripping - rested on a rock plate beside him which he happily finished for breakfast. Once breakfast was done, he looked out over the land. But there was no one there. Last night he thought he had heard Bosko and Zolo's voices. Bane's too, come to think about it. It was like the time where he had almost run in Lynk, Lakshmi and Kokoda nearly three or four days ago. The three of them had been so hungry that Kaygis couldn't help but conveniently place a large bottle of panda milk and an even large sign right in front of them as well as an already sick bull that he conveniently killed for them.
With a sigh, he sat up and looked up into the mountains. His search west had led him to a path that led back to the main camp. That was when he had noticed the mountains and though that he should continue his search in that direction. But he had put it off by thinking over it through the night. In the end, he ended up having a nightmare about his son and those mountains which made his mind up when he woke. With a yawn, a stretch and a shake, he continued his search.
" Don't worry, Shadow. I'm coming. And hopefully with Julien and your uncle." He whispered to the wind.
Zolo woke exactly two hours after he had fallen asleep, rested and ready to continue the search. Unfortunately, due to having spent the past two nights awake, Bosko was even harder to wake than usual. And Zolo tried everything. Bosko only woke when the golden wolf threatened to hit him with Lynk's arm.
" You do know that if you knock me out, I'll still be asleep." Bosko grumbled not long after having been threatened.
" Good point." Zolo said thoughtfully. " Hey, Bane. You want to lead this time and we can take turns?"
Tasuki froze just as he got back to his den. 'Someone's near.' He thought to himself confused about how he hadn't sensed the panthers presence eariler on. 'Prehaps, he is from my new packs group.' He turned around focusing in the distance for the panther he knew was near. When he spotted the animal he immediantly shivered. 'He's from the other group.' Tasuki whined lightly in fear before quickly entering his den just managing to drag the antelope through the small hole a meter of the ground. He then sealed the entrance again before panting lightly. 'I hope he didn't notice me.'
Bane shook himself when the other two had finally woken up. He himself rarely needed sleep but the rest hadn't hurt. He looked up at Zolo's question.
"I have no idea who we are looking for or what they look like. If your following a trail, I would end up leading us astray and we would loose the chance to find your friends..." Bane explained confused about why they wanted him to lead for a while.
" Bane, Bane, Bane." Zolo said, shaking his head. " We left the trail when we left the valley. As for the guy we're looking for; his a black, brown, cream and green wolf with green eyes and a currently missing arm. He also goes by the name of Lynk."
Bane blinked at the golden wolf. "So we've just been walking blindly." He asked. "Are you serious, this is something Mana would do, I at least thought you were following some sign of where they are." Bane growled storming off in the direction they were already heading. "If we get lost then I'll be in even bigger trouble then I already am!" He yelled back, extreamly ticked off. 'So much for a short walk, find their friends and head back to camp.' "Now hurry up, If I don't return today I have no doubt she will come after us."
" Welcome to the life of Zolo." Bosko muttered, following the angered vampire but at a safe distance.
" We won't get lost. As soon as we find Lynk he'd be able to pick up the trail in an instant. Even then there's still our scents we can back track on. Beside, the scent of the undead is stronger than the living." Zolo replied, trotting up beside the lion.
" Zolo, do you want to get yourself killed? Because if you keep that up, you definitely will get it."
Lynk raised his head from sleep and sniffed at the air. " I'm close." he muttered.
" No duh, Sherlock. You're lying right there." Lakshmi growled, already getting annoyed with the wolf.
" Do you even know who Sherlock is?"
" Um..."
" Didn't think so. Back on track, my arm is close... and getting closer."
" I will never understand you and your robotic ways." The tigress sighed with a shake of her head.
" You don't need too. All you need to do is leave that to me and get up. We're going to meet my arm and whoever's retrieved it for me. There may be food on the way, too."
Instantly, Lakshmi carefully got up so as not to dirturb the sleeping children; the magic word having been spoken. She gently picked up Kokoda by his neck as Lynk did the same to the grey pup. Then the two headed back the way that they had come, following Lynk's radar like ears to pinpoint the exact location of his arm.
Bane ignored their words, whilst he would never kill them he was very tempted to harm them right now. Bane stopped, pulling off to the side and gesturing for the other two to keep going. He shook his body harshly trying to calm down.'Damn it!' He growled angerly and sat down, his tail twitching in annoyance. He could feel his angry trying to release itself and if the other two were near when it did, he would most certainly hurt them, and severly at that. His blood red claws dug into the dirt below him as he tried to keep his anger in. 'I never should have left Dakota...' His control was slipping fast and his hackles raised while his growl grew into a deep snarl.
Tasuki gentaly woke Kurama and nudged the antelope towards his kit. He had already torn the fur away so the kit could easily access the meat. He smiled when Kurama dug into the meat eating quickly to sate his hunger. Tasuki then started to eat himself.
Lynk stopped suddenly and turned his head due east. Something wasn't right. Before Lakshmi knew what was going on, he had placed the grey pup on her back and loped off. " Take the pup. Follow slowly." He called over his shoulder.
Bosko was the first to notice that something wasn't right with Bane and stopped, instantly gaining Zolo's attention.
" Empty the bag and back away slowly." He whispered to the confused wolf.
" Why?" Zolo asked, confused.
" Don't question. Just do it. I've had enough practice with Choby to know when someone's true power is emerging."
Slowly, Bosko began following his own advice, backing up from the vampire muttering something under his breath. Still confused, Zolo slipped the bag from his back and slid the arm out of it before leaving the bag on the ground and following Bosko's example. As he watched, though, he saw a figure in the distance running towards them.
" He's coming." Was all he muttered.
Bane clenched his eyes shut. 'The idiots! Why didn't they leave!' Bane shook himself again as another wave of pure hot anger washed through him and his claws raked through the dirt. He felt his vicious side go to leap towards his friends who had stupidly only backed up and he only just overpowered it by throwing himself back against a conveniently placed rock. The action though knocked his reasonable side unconsious leaving his vicious side to take over. His green eyes bled red and he stalked towards his two friends, kicking the limb as he crossed over it. He lowered into a crouch and readied himself to leap for the kill.
" Ever get the feeling you should have run instead of back up slowly?" Zolo asked, not daring to take his eyes off Bane.
" If you want to run, be my guest. But I never go down without a fight." Bosko replied, reverting ot his fire lion form.
" Some fights you can't win."
" My pride is waiting."
" You're unbelieveable."
Lynk took in the situation in an instant. With a final leap, he landed lightly next to his arm and silently reattached it to his stump of a leg. Almost immediately the metal sheets that made up his forearm lifted and turned themselves around to create his paw. As soon as the last of his fur had covered the metal, he turned to Bane with a growl, switching himself to full metal mode.
" Get away from them, vampire, or else meet your end." He snarled.
Bane smiled at the now flaming lion, but it never reached his eyes.
"Pride or no, thats a stupid move." His ears twitched at the sound of metal he turned to see the owner of the detatched arm. "I'd like to see you try. Bane has suppressed me ever since he met that stupid she-wolf! I have been kept under tie ever since I managed to get out that day I almost killed him. He is a weakling and first chance I get I will kill Dakota and the rest of his wreched family. Then there will be nothing to keep me within him any longer. However going near Dakota supresses my presence completely so for now, I'll just have to get rid of Bane's friends, starting with those two. However your presence hinders my plans. I am a combination of Bane's true wolf form and his Vampiric self. I can tell your strength and could probably overpower you but I do not wish to test the waters. As long as I keep away from Dakota, I will remain in charge of this stubborn wolf. Keep that in mind should we cross paths again" With that said Bane vanished.
Lynk watched him run off towards the valley, able to detect what no one else could, before going over to Zolo and Bosko.
" Are you two okay?" he asked.
" Yeah. Scared, but okay." Bosko said, returning to his true form.
" I wouldn't do that if I were you. How many of you are there?"
" A whole campsite full, including Dakota and her group. Why?" Zolo asked.
" We need to get out of here. Where is this campsite?"
" Across the valley."
Lynk swore under his breath just as Lakshmi arrived with Kokoda and the wolf pup.
" Well I see you've got your arm back." the tigress stated.
" You be quiet, woman. We've got a bigger problem at the moment. That valley we saw is now home to a temperamental and highly dangerous vampire. We have no idea how to get to Bosko and Zolo's camp without getting hurt. Man, I wish I had the Blade Falcon with me."
" You wish and it shall be." Bosko and Zolo muttered.
" What?" Lakshmi asked, wondering if this world had done something to their brains.
But Lynk instantly knew what they meant as soon as he felt the familiar buzz inside of him that was the welcoming call of his plane. Doing a mental check, he found that everything was still as he had left it; unscathed. He also found out that it was near the valley... and near that burst of magic that he had felt a few days ago. With a single order, he led their little group towards the valley and his plane.
Bane stalked along the valley wall. "Stupid robot!" He growled, his success was trampled by that others appearence. "I'll just have to find someone else who I can take down. There are still so many of Bane's family out here, I'm sure it can't be that hard to track some down." With that said he stalked west, following a path which had no scents so it had yet to be checked. 'Prehaps, I can keep this fool down. Longer then I thought. He is fighting to get control back but he is weaker then usual. Prehaps his weak mind is focused more on something else then getting free.' Bane ran off not notcing the plane that appeared behind him.
Tasuki's whole pelt stood on end as the light flittering through his cave entrance was covered and his cave was plunged into darkness. He slunk towards the entrance looking out, all he could see was a sheet of green and silver metal as far as he could see left, right, up and down. He growled and released a burst of energy to strengthen the shield even more.
"I will not let them in." He wasn't sure what the contraption was or if anyone was with it but Kurama was his main priority.
Bane looked behind him as the burst of energy drew his attention and at the site of the plane he growled, before continuing. 'I guess the bigger the object, the more energy that is released to form it.'
Within a day, and in a run, the group found itself in front of the Blade Falcon. True to its name, it resembled a massive green and black, metallic falcon. It was also home to weapons never to be found in the clutches of the world’s most high-tech facility; all hand-made. In other words, it was not to be messed with. With a smile, Lynk placed his paw on the side of his plane.
“ Blade Falcon, command sequence H.O.W.L.” He said.
Befehlssequenz H.O.W.L. – aktiviert. A robotic voice replied in German as the door opened to allow access into the plane.
“ Okay. Everyone in. Then we’ll take off and head on over to the camp and to safety. We may also get the chance to tell this Dakota of this rampaging vampire. Hopefully before he kills someone important.”
“ No offense, Lynk, but how are you going to fly?” Zolo asked as Lynk shut the door behind him.
“ That, my dear brother, is command sequence H.O.W.L.”
With that, he took his place in the pilot seat and started the plane. Using voice commands and the now wolf-friendly control panel, he got the plane into the sky and flew over the valley and towards the camp.
Tasuki sighed relaxing slightly and lowering the amount of power he had put into the barrier around his den. He looked over at Kurama who was watching him with a confused expression. "Don't worry little one." He said as he walked over and nuzzled his kit, "We will head off tomorrow, most probably south, so we don't have to worry about running into Bane or anyone back at the den." The kit yipped and curled up, his father headed over to his own bed and lay down, thinking about the pack he had left behind.
Bane sat on the large boulder he had came across licking the blood from his paws and muzzle. He had failed so far to find anyone at all and so had taken his anger out on a large male bull, that he had summoned and easily taken down.
In no time at all, Lynk was over the campsite and descending into the clearing not far from it. After a smooth and practically noiseless touch down, Lynk shut off the Blade Falcon and opened the door. Almost immediately, Zolo had leaped off the plane and over to Dakota where he started begging and surrendering to her.
" I'm sorry, Dakota! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to do it! I'm sorry!" He whined.
Lakshmi and Bosko were next to get off the plane, followed shortly by Lynk as soon as he had locked his 'baby' up and put the security system on. Gently, Lakshmi placed the babies a safe distance away from the crater while Bosko checked over them both and thought up a bottle of panda milk for the cub. He wasn't sure, but he had a feeling that the pup belonged to one of Dakota's people.
Dakota had awoke with a strange feeling in her gut. 'Bane's still not back yet...' She thought as she trotted out of the cave, everyone else was still asleep. She was startled when the golden wolf her husband was supposedly with ran up to her and started begging for forgiveness.
"Woah, woah Zolo. What's the matter?" It was then Dakota noticed Bosko and a tiger place down a panda cub and a grey-mini version of Gemma. 'Aden?' She thought, it was less then a minute before a Blue, black and white figure shot out of her cave running straight for the cubs.
"Aden!" Gemma yipped before she bathed the small pup with her tongue."I'm so glad your safe!" Gemma then turned to the two adults standing by the cubs. "How can I ever thankyou for finding my baby?" She asked, but before she got an answer she picked Aden up and rushed back into the cave. She went up the back and curled up by Mana, allowing the pup to have a well deserved feed. Tsume raised from his sleeping spot and trotted over to the three of them. He lay down watching his pup suckle, with a huge smile on his face. Charmed soon joined them, leaving Lelani with the cubs parents and sister. She sat down beside Tsume and licked her younger brother on the head. "I just hope Link is alright aswell, that little trouble maker." The group laughed lightly, waking Mana who smiled fondly at the found pup.
Dakota smiled over to the two who had found her nephew and smiled sheepishly. 'At least she said thankyou.'
" Bane. He... I... we... got him mad." Zolo said, his voice getting softer as he spoke. " And now he's on a rampage. I'm sorry!"
Kratia ran out of the cave to make sure that everyone was safe and sound, Monty following in hot pursuit when he felt the unmistakable presence of his uncle. With a flying leap, the pup managed to tackle into Lynk without causing severe brain damage, despite what some already think of him having.
" Uncle Lynk! Did you bring chocolate?" He asked.
" You don't need chocolate." Lynk replied with a sigh.
" Did you bring lollies?"
" You don't need them, either."
" Did you bring chips?"
" You're not going to stop asking, are you?"
" Did you?"
" I'll take that as a no. Have you been good?"
" Yes!"
" By good, do you mean asking for lollipops from basilisks?" Bosko asked, having heard the story.
" Monty, you didn't." Lynk said, knowing that it was probably true.
" Maybe..." the pup said cheekily.
" Into the cave. Now!"
" Yes, Uncle Lynk."
Lynk went over to Bosko, Lakshmi, Kratia and Kokoda. " He'll be okay, right?"
" Give him time." The white tiger said with a smile.
"What! That... That... Gahh When I get my paws on him I'll drag him back here by his tail and tie us together with rope!" She snarled. "Mana!" She yelled and her sister ran out of the cave been woken by her sisters enraged shout. When she saw Dakota she knew something was wrong. Her sister was bristling and snarling, ears a flat against her head and tail raised.
"Yes Alpha?" Mana asked, using Dakota's title just incase.
"Mind the camp, me and my Husband have a few words and fists to share." Dakota snarled before she started stalking out of the camp with a dumbfounded Mana watching her.
Zolo merely sank further into the ground. If it was at all possible, he would have dug himself a hole and burried himself in it. This wolf was even scarier than his cousin and sister combined. In fact, she was even scarier than Lakshmi when she was angry.
Lynk, sensing trouble, decided then would be a good idea to get out of the main campsite. " I think I better retune my arm." He said before dashing into the cave.
" And I better check on the others." Bosko added, not far behind.
" Cowards." Lakshmi hissed.
" We're not cowards!" Bosko and Lynk's voices called from inside the cave.
Mana sighed as she watched the boys flee from Dakota's wrath.
"It can't be helped, when mad she is a voice to be reckoned with. I just hope she finds Bane before he hurts someone." Mana said before she sat down by the crater keeping an eye on the den. She would uphold her duty, no matter what.
Dakota stalked through the trees for a few more meters before taking off into the air.
"I'm coming for you. Hold him back just a little longer." Her voice had dropped soft and she looked over the lands below her with worry.
" Either way, I think it's best if we get inside." Kratia said, picking up Kokoda and leading Lakshmi into the cave. " Be safe, Mana."
Iora, sensing danger, uncoiled herself from her tree and returned to the campsite. Almost immediately she planted herself on top of the Rebels cave.
Mana nodded to them as they returned to their den and smiled when she noticed Iora's return to camp. She remembered what had made the dragon flee in the first place and sighed, her tail wrapping around her legs and her ears drooped. "Tasuki..." She whined lightly and looked to the sky. 'I hope he's ok.'
'Just hope Bane hasn't found him.' Came her sisters irritated thoughts and it made Mana bristle.
'I'll skin him myself if he lays a paw on Tasuki or Kurama!' Mana yelled back now pacing circles around the crater in the earth.
'My only choice at keeping anyone alive is if I find Bane'
The immense anger she could feel flowing of her husband was leaving a trail straight to the enraged wolf. Dakota touched down at the valley where they had fought the Basilisk and she started sniffing the ground. 'So they crossed huh?' she leapt from one side of the valley to the other touching down lightly, before sniffing the floor again. 'Two paths the one north is both his normal scent and his angered scent, but the one west is all pure hatred. And Tasuki has been here recently.' She then sprinted west following his trail that occasionally reeks of blood that isn't Banes.
Tasuki watched through his entrance as Dakota came and left. "I believe something is wrong Kurama..." He called back to his kit who was watching him with curiosity. "For Alpha to be this far from camp and alone, something is amiss. As soon as both Dakota and Bane have headed back to camp, we will set off."
Kurama nodded, still not completely understanding but knowing something wasn't right by his fathers urgency.
Bane looked behind him as he moved along a stream. 'Dakota is finally chasing me.' He thought before looking forward with a smirk. 'This will be fun.' With that thought he vanished.
" Mana." Iora greeted faintly with a nod of her head before looking up into the darkening sky and taking enough energy to sustain her for as long as she needed. She was going to have to be on her highest vigilant in order to keep everyone safe, even if Lynk was with them.
Mana looked up as the sun set and the camp darkened before sighing. "Look's like a cold, sleepless night for me." She said as she lay down, watching the entrance to the camp.
Dakota ran as the night fell and closed her eyes using her senses to guide her through the forest she had entered. Not long ago she had passed a boulder in the middle of a field and had scented both Bane and the fresh kill he had slaughtered. She was angered even more then usual. 'He doesn't kill without cause, that beast must really have control of him this time.' She thought as she followed his faint scent weeving between trees and rocks, she then pulled up beside a river where he had stopped. 'No! He's trail has vanished... That means...' She looked behind her back the way she had come. "The camp!" She yelped before leaping into the air and flying straight in the direction of the camp and all her friends and family. 'If I get there first, he can't harm them.'
Bane picked up when Dakota had started back to camp the moment she took to the sky and continued to run. 'Almost there, another minute and then everyone Bane cares about will be gone.' With a chuckle Bane leapt through the last tree cover and into the entrance to the campsite.
Immediantly Mana was too her feet.
"I knew it wouldn't be long till you would come for us now that Dakota is looking for you." She snarled, bristling at him.
Iora shook her head, rustling her scales in the process, before raising her jaws. From the forest, she head the grating of something big and heavy creeping towards the clreaing; probably the Blade Falcon working through wireless communications with Lynk. That also meant that Lynk had made his way to the front of the cave, teeth bared and ready to spring if need be. Running her thoughts through everyone in the cave below her, she was almost certain that Bosko was in his fire lion form and that the twins, despite how weak they might have been, in their own fire forms. Even Zolo seemed more prepared, sporting the saber that Lynk had made him for his birthday one time.
" You want a fight? We will gladly accept your offer." Iora snarled, feeling her fire finally warming her insides. She was well aware of the sound of leathery wings beating heavily against the sky heading towards the camp.
Bane laughed at the foolishness of the others.
"You honestly think you can beat me, I admit, I ran from Lynk when I first saw him, I was still struggling to control Bane but now he can't do a thing to stop me. "My mind is clear and none of you stand a chance!"
Mana growled, she was unsure of the health and strength of the other den but she knew that apart from Akira, no one in their pack was strong enough to take on Bane's true form, even Skype could only hold him for so long.
"Akira, Skype! You need to hold him till Dakota returns, he can't leave the camp but he can't be allowed to Injure anyone!" Mana howled out and both Akira and Skype exited the cave. Skype took on a similar look to Bane, as he allowed his true self to surface, Akira stayed the same though, her body having naturally fused both sides together.
"So brother, you have finally emerged from within Bane's hold." Skype's now deeper voice spoke as he circled around Bane so he was blocking the exit to the camp. Akira also moved but so she was infront of Mana.
"You should do well to listen to your creater Beast! You will not harm anyone here and should you try. I will be your opponent. You hear this rebels, now that he has full control he will rip you to shreds if he gets near you, cub, adult, teen or otherwise. Stay behind me at all times, never venture too close. Once Dakota gets here he will be reverted back." With that said Akira started to pace a line before both dens, moving fast so she rarely left a gap in her line of defence.
Bane growled at her.
"You threaten me! You're no match for me, you've allowed these human's to tame your beast half, you will not be able to fight me. The fool I control can not surface and I have nothing holding me back. Your attention is divided though, your focusing on protecting the camp. And all it takes..." Akira took a second to glance back at everyone and thats when Bane struck, he leapt forward. "Is for you to look away for a second." Akira looked back just intime to dive forward, tackling a mid air Bane to the ground below, the ground cracked under their combined weight and force and Akira smirked at the pinned wolf.
"You can't defeat me, your just a pup compared to me."
Dakota crossed over the valley when she heard the whole conversation enter her head. 'Damn it!' She allowed her body to move faster, hoping she could get there in time. Even Akira had her limits.
" Never underestimate the Rebels." Lynk growled, emerging from the cave.
Behind him came Bosko, Conrad, Raimundo and Zolo - ech one armed with either fire or a man-made weapon. Zolo's saber crackled and sparked with electricity, illuminating his face in ghostly light. A roar sonded in the cave and Octavian and Lakshmi emerged, exposing their sides to the threat but only to show that they protecting the entrance to their caves. Even Jaymie, Emma, Taka and the eagle brothers prepared themselves beyond the tiger and polar bear.
" We have fought against tough oponents like you and we will do it again." Iora roared, loosing a jet of golden flame as she did so.
" Gladly." A deep male voice growled from somewhere in the forest.
" We have seen war and death. We have trained under the best. How would you fair against us?" A second, slightly higher, voice growled from the forest.
" Demanicus. Uphere." Iora muttered, the hint of a smile gracing her lips for just a second.
Twin pairs of red eyes specked the forest behind Skype as the two massive western dragons made their way through the trees and into the clearing - the red one of the two shaking his head as if raring for the fight to begin while the black raised his lips over his forearm long teeth.
Due to the commotion out in the camp Bloodshot and Snowdrift had roused awake and moved to guard the den when they noticed what was wrong, everyone else lay towards the back of the cave all ready to fight if nessessary, both Charmed and Gemma behind the group, looking after Aden and Lelani.
Mana ran over to the rebels den and stood before them to stop them from coming out. She watched as Akira and Bane snarled and bristled, attacking eachother, each hit drawing blood form one of the two fighters.
"Please, you must not interfere. I know his presence puts your family and friends in danger but we must wound him as little as possible. Whilst he has no control over his actions when Dakota returns the side you see will be subdued. If his current side gets too wounded when his good side rearises he will die. And I warn you now, if you think Bane may be a challenge, kill his human side and you will not survive Dakota's wraith. I can promise you that. There are some things you do not know about her and trust me, you do not wish to know them."
Akira slashed Bane across the should with more force then intended and her claws buried to the bone. She had been expecting him to dodge.
"Damn it, Bane! Your purposefully letting me hurt you." Akira yelled, she would have to lower the strength of her attacks so she didn't hurt his body too much.
"Well if I don't kill all of you, for her mates death, Dakota sure will." Bane is new deep voice laughed emptily as he dived at Akira again, having transferred his pain to Bane's unconscious pure soul, he felt no pain from the injury in his shoulder.
Dakota faulted, her body plummeting to the ground on her deeply wounded shoulder, she had major cuts all over her body but she could see her bone in the open wound.
"Akira, be careful!" She shouted as if the lion could hear her. She then took off at a run limping on her three available legs. 'I better make it in time.'
" Want us to stun him? We can do that, you know." Lynk asked, instantly switching his settings to stun mode.
" So what? I come here looking for a fight and I get the cold shoulder? Not cool!" Uphere growled in annoyance.
" Then go on defence and make sure he doesn't leave camp!" Iora called down from the top of the cave as Bosko, Zolo and the Vitello twins moved to make a wider 'V' to protect the cave entrance.
"Don't bother, stunning him, I can hold him long enough!" Akira yelled as she dodged Bane's attack and countered by grabbing him by the back of the neck and smashing him into the ground. "That should stop you for a little while." She said but growled when he rose to his feet with ease, having transfered his damage to Bane again.
"Don't you get it, you can't hurt me, All damage done to me hits Bane directly!" Bane charged Akira again with little hesitation. "Come on 'Master.' Do some real damage."
Dakota's dropped to her stomach mid step, she felt as if she had been smashed into the ground on her back, she releasing a yelp. 'Mana damn it! Tell Akira not to be so rough, I can barely get three steps without smashing into the ground again.! With a growl and a huff Dakota stood up and started off again, she was still quiet abit away.
Mana whined lightly before looking over at Akira and Bane who were locked in flashes of claws and teeth. "Akira! Dakota says to not use so much force, every time you knock him down Dakota takes the brunt of the hit too. Remember that, the harder you fight Bane the longer it will take Dakota to get here!"
" Really? What does she look like?" Demanicus asked, getting bored of this.
" Grey wolf." Iora replied.
" On it."
With that, the black dragon shot into the nght sky. It didn't take him long to find the injured grey wolf running towards camp. As gently as he could, he turned around and picked up the wolf.
" Dragon Airlines, at your service. Your pilot, Demanicus Guerra, wishes to express his deepest apologies if he has scared you. Please remain as calm as possible as we fly with all speeds to Campsite Danger." He said.
Mana watched the black dragon fly off, "Please hurry." She whispered as she watched him dissapear in the distance.
Bane and Akira had stopped to circle throwing insults at eachother, Mana noted that Akira looked tired and was trying to stall time.
Dakota was about to attack the dragon that had lifted her off the ground, she wasn't scared but she couldn't afford any more distractions right now. His words comforted her slightly and as the camp came closed Dakota snapped at the Dragon's foot, her body plunged but she swirved mid air aiming straight for Bane and Akira. Akira just managed to dodge Dakota as she slamed full force into Bane, the both of them skidded through the ground and smashed straight though the thick stone wall of their cave. They both stopped in the middle of the eternally bound cave, everyone inside was on edge hoping Bane had reverted but they took defencive stances when Bane struggled to his feet chuckling.
"I win this time Dakota, Bane is too weak." He laughed lightly moving towards what he assumed was the unconsious Dakota lying in the dust. He was just about to pounce when he was knocked in the back of the head by Dakota's tail. He crashed to the ground unconsious and Dakota just smiled.
"You may be getting stronger but you still can't beat me." With that said she left her husband in a heap in the cave and trotted back into the camp. "It's all good, Sorry about that, everything is back under control."
Demanicus growled as the pain made his claw tingle, but he lowered himself beside his brother and watched the fight end. As soon as it was over he went to lick his wound to help it heal but was instantly hit by a mass of gold and black scales. It didn't take him long at all to realise that it was his sister and two very loud and very pleased machine-gun like purrs errupted from within both male dragon's, combining with the wind-chime like purr from Iora.
" Thank the gods you're safe, Iora." He whispered. " We'd thought something happened to you."
" If something has happened besides the obvious, just let us know and we'll teach the bugger a leason." Uphere added.
Iora had other things on her mind, though. " You're back! When did you get back?"
" During that storm before we were sucked into some weird vortex." Uphere said.
" We wanted to surprise you, Akira and the others by showing up at breakfast." Demanicus added.
" What did you do during your training?" the she-dragon asked.
" We had to fight each other on the top of Mt Everest for an entire week with no breaks. And that was after we spent an entire month there without food or sleep, freezing our buts off while apparently 'building our inner strength and spirits'." Uphere grumbled.
" But look where it got you."
" Yeah. We found new respect for Akira and her love for ice. We couldn't stand it, I tell you!"
Lynk watched the three dragons with a smile on his face. It had been a while since anyone from the Rebels had seen Demanicus and Uphere after Julien had sent them off for training five years ago. The boys had grown during that time, going from the size of a full grown african elephant to the size of a spinosaurus. They were about the same size that Julien was when the Rebels had first met the red and gold dragon. But something was nagging in the back of his mind.
" You do know that we'll probably forget all this once it's over, right?" He said.
" That's usually how it goes." Bosko sighed, returning to his normal form and slinking into the cave, followed by the Vitello twins.
" I hope it doesn't happen." Zolo replied. " I want to remember my new friends. Even if they do try to kill me."
Dakota chuckled lightly at Zolo's words before she, Skype and Akira all headed back into the cave. She moved over to Bane and called Gemma over to heal him. Dakota felt relief as she watched her sister give her husband a tongue bath. All her wounds healed over and after alittle spilled blood from Gemma, her shoulder recovered also. The two sisters nuzzled before Gemma returned to her pup. Akira moved over to an unoccupied part of the cave to rest her tired body and Skype joined her. Dakota curled around Bane and decided to get some rest herself, hopefully Bane would wake up soon. Everyone in the cave got out of their defensive group and went back to resting in their own spots. Both Snowdrift and Bloodshot transformed into the dragon forms and curled up before the entrance to the cave, ready for sleep. Mana watched the two dragons who had spent the better part of the past week sleeping.
"Lazy beasts." She laughed lightly as she trotted past them into the cave and over to her sister and Bane. She lay down beside them, looking at the hole Dakota and Bane had made through their cave wall. "That was too close. He can't be allowed to transform again."
Tasuki sighed as he felt Dakota's presence back at the camp, along with Bane's. "Come Kurama, we must go now." He picked up the kit before breaking his barrier and leaping free of his den. He changed into his larger kitsune form in a burst of fire and placed his kit against his scruff, with that he headed south into the mountians.
"Surely up here, they will be less likely to find us." He said as he leapt up the slopes, making his way into the rocky lands up ahead.
" Go on, Zolo. Go get some rest." Lynk said, realising that it was getting late.
Zolo tried to hide the yawn that was creeping through him as his said " What about you?"
" I need to reset myself after what Lakshmi did to me. Somwhow she managed to damage the mobility chip in my arm. I've fixed it, but I need to reset myself to finish off the final codes. You rest up and I'll see you tomorrow night."
" Sure. Don't be out of commission too long, though. Never know when we might need you."
" Night, Squirt." Lynk smiled as he watched his brother-in-law make himself comfortable near the cave entrance.
" Don't call me that." Zolo grumbled before giving a final yawn and falling asleep.
Lynk shook his head as he called the Blade Falcon towards the centre of camp so that its 'beak' was in the clearing. He then walked into the cave and took out his tool box so that he had all the space he needed to open it and get what he needed. As quietly as he could, so as not to disturb anyone, he managed to revert only his forearm and opened the control hatch, continuing with his repairs before reverting his arm back into his paw, taking a long, thick cable from his tool box and opening the 'beak' of the Blade Falcon to reveal not an engine, but a massive power pack. He set the power pack to reset mode before attaching one end of the cable to the pack and returning to his place in front of the tool box. Once he was comfortable, he plugged himself into the other end of the cable with the help of one of his other many gadjets he had in his tool box. The last thing he was able to do before he shut down was close his tool box.
Above him, the three older dragons chased each other through the sky, glad that they were together and that Iora had finally found her fire.
The sun began rising just as Tasuki found a small stream. He placed Kurama down by the water and drank his fill, he then cleaned his kit with the river water and quickly cleaned himself.
"We will continue for the rest of the day, then settle down tonight." He said as he continued moving, Kurama scrambled after him trying to keep up.
Dakota stretched and yawned as sun started to flitter through the hole in the cave wall. She looked down at Bane who was still slumbering peacefully beside her.
"I guess I better go get breakfast for everyone." She said as she stumbled out of the cave, she tripped over Bloodshot's paw and went head first into Mana, the both of them yelped. They lay sprawled out before the cave glaring at the still sleeping dragon.
" You know what, Uphere?" Demanicus said, turning from the rising sun. " I kind of like this place."
" How can you like a place that turns the good into the bad and brings to life your worst nightmares?" The red dragon replied.
" There's all the drink you want by the barrel load at just a thought!"
" That's probably the only good thing about this place."
At that moment, a very sleepy Iora lashed her tail out at her brothers' heads. " Tell me you two have not been up all night drinking and partying."
" No!" Both male dragons denied.
" Then what are those barrels in your paws?"
" Um..."
With another swing of her tail aimed for her brothers' heads, the she-dragon got up and gave a massive yawn. She had practically dropped out of the sky around midnight the night before out of sheer exhaustion. The last thing she needed to deal with were drunk dragons. So, with another swing of her tail as she got up, she destroyed the barrels and procceeded to the food pen to choose the ingredients of her brothers' breakfast; eggs, chicken and pork (specifically bacon).
It didn't take her long to pick the four biggest, fatest chickens and the two biggest, fatest pigs as well as about four dozen eggs. Once she was done, she thought about the deep fryer and stove that her work had as well as a portable power pack and instantly began cooking. By the time she was done with the greasy meal, Uphere was already trying to get away. It was useless. The food was stuffed down his throat. Once that was done, Iora cleared away her things and left the boys to their own sick beds.
" Morning, Dakota. Morning, Mana." She said as she passed their den to go examine the side of the wall for repair damage. Maybe she could kick Demanicus and Uphere into fixing the wall later, once they were done being sick.
Dakota and Mana both grumbled a goodmorning to the she-dragon as the struggled out of their tangle of limbs and fur. Dakota made her way over to the food pen with Mana close behind. She quickly took down a large buck while Mana took down a female zebra. They dragged their kills back towards the den, Mana left the female zebra beside Bloodshot for the two dragon brothers to eat when they awoke and Dakota dragged the large buck into the den, she lay it by the small camp fire that had gone out during the course of the night. She then headed out of the den and headed back to the pen to get something for her and Mana to eat, the two wolf sisters then sat down by the crater to enjoy their meal. Gemma emerged from the den with a big yawn, she headed over to her sisters and sat down by them to share their breakfast.
"How's Aden doing?" Dakota asked as she looked up at her younger sister.
"He's doing better, he was quiet weak and hungry but I've managed to help him get his strength back. He is sleeping by Tsume right now." Gemma explained and Dakota nodded.
"So do you think we are doing any hunting today?" Mana asked her two sisters and both wolves shrugged.
"Don't know."
Zolo woke with a yawn to the smell of eggs. Curious, he walked out of the cave and looked around, watching Dakota and Mana taking down breakfast for their family. After a scratch behind the ear, he looked over the land in front of him. It was too dark out there for him to feel truly safe; too many unknown dangers that he didn't know about. At least when he was deployed in the army, he knew of his target and he knew of his goal. Here, he was as blind as a bat. And he didn't like the feeling.
" Rotten place! When can we go home?" he growled up at the sun, knowing full well that he most porbably won't get an answer.
With a sigh, he downed a few elk and a couple of wild boars and dragged them into the cave for the others to eat before taking a rabbit for himself and going over to eat beside Lynk who, despite having a cable attached to the base of his neck, was lying on his stomach and looking quiet alert.
" You're not going to last long out here, either." He grumbled to the unresponsive wolf before proceeding to rip his rabbit to shreds in frustration.
Dakota sighed as she lay licking the blood from her muzzle and cleaning her paws.
"Do you suppose we can go out today?" She asked as she looked up at the sky for any sign of impending weather change.
"It looks like we might have alright weather today, we should see what the others are doing." Mana said and Gemma nodded in agreement, still gnawing away at a bone.
Tasuki and Kurama had been following the river for over an hour when they came across a horse. He was drinking from the river, neighing softly, almost as if he was whimpering. Tasuki approached him with caution, Kurama behind him for protection.
"Are you ok?" He asked softly, lowering to the ground so not to startle the black stallion.
Kratia walked out into the main camp after having eaten her fill of breakfast. It wasn't hard to spot her cousin considering the giant mess that surrounded both him and the small animal. With a sigh, she looked up into the sky. She knew his frustration well. She felt it every day she woke up in the strange world. But she was a founding member of the Rebels gang and she knew that she had to be strong in times like this... even if it was a little strange. Shaking her head clear of its thoughts, she went over to Zolo.
" When you're done destroying that poor animal, I would like to talk civily to you." she growled, instantly gaining her Zolo's attention.
" What's wrong?" Zolo asked.
" Your frustration is obvious. But it's going to turn you into that poor rabbit of yours. Now to business. Your sister may be out there somewhere as well as you niece and nephews. Are you going to search for them or not?"
" I've done my fair share of searching, Kratia. The last time anyone went on a search, I almost got us all killed because I got Bane angry. I think it would be safer if I... um... supervise Uphere and Demanicus."
" No one in this camp drinks! I'm going to pass a law with Dakota and the girls."
With that, Kratia turned and went back into the Rebels cave to see what Sarabi, Ritara and Ebony thought of her newly made law. She planned to visit Dakota on the matter soon after.
Kaygis leapt onto a sturdy looking ledge. He was on one of the more ragged looking mountains in the range and he feared that some kind of evil was hidden within the more ragged areas of the mountain range. What he didn't expect to find was his son; intact, healthy and, above all, with a demonic gleam in his eyes.
" Hello, Dad." the smaller black jaguar said, refusing to take his eyes off his father's.
" Shadow. What are you doing up here? You could get yourself killed. Come on. I'm taking you back to camp." Kaygis replied, taking a step towards his son.
" Oh, I'm not going. I'm here to stop you, actually."
" Stop me? What are you talking about, Shadow?"
" You're getting too close, Dad. Sorry."
With that, Shadow raised himself onto his hind legs for maximum strength before slamming his front paws into the ground. Deep purple flames rose from the bare rock below the two animals, racing themselves as they travelled the ledge to where Kaygis stood. Kaygis had no time to react. In no time at all, the flames had reached him and flung him off the mountain. The last thing he saw as every bone in his body was shattered by the mountain was his son watching his death. The only thing he felt was numbness spreading through his entire body as he slowly began to disintegrate and his life was ended. So it was that he didn't realise that he had been teleported back to camp or that Iora was shrieking as if she herself had been victim to his pain.
"Hey, I wonder if all of our family and friends are here, how do we know its not just a selective few and that we haven't already found everyone. You know it could be a possibly that they are all back home sleeping. I think that..." Gemma smiled as Mana continued to babble.
She immediately looked down at Dakota when her older sister's head hit the floor as if she had been knocked unconscious. Startled she leapt to her feet and hastily looked around that was when she noticed Kaygis' still form appear not to far from them.
"Ebony!" She yelped as she ran over to the male, hoping he was ok.
Vox's ears twitched as he heard paw-steps approaching him from the left. He glanced up to see a male 9-tailed kitsune and a kit watching him with worry. He didn't have the ability of speech but in place of this he had the ability to telepathically communicate.
*I am fine kitsune, just a little lost and am unsure where my Alpha is.* She thought to Tasuki and the kitsune jumped startled before he smiled up at the black stallion.
"So your searching for your family?" Tasuki asked and Vox nodded in confirmation. "By any chance is your Alpha's name Dakota?"
Vox's eyes widened and he looked at the kitsune suspiciously.
*How do you know?* He snorted glaring at the smaller being.
Tasuki lowered slightly and backed up.
"Alpha accepted me into the pack about three days ago. I would take you to her but I will not return there. I apologize." Tasuki explained looking away from the horse.
Vox watched how Tasuki had moved and listened to his words with his tuned hearing. *Nothing but the truth huh?* He neighed lightly. *I'm glad Alpha is safe, that's good enough for me. If it is alright with you, I wish to stick with you and your kit. I owe my life to Alpha and you are part of her family now, which makes it my responsibility to keep you and your kit safe.*
Tasuki smiled lightly at that and used his tails to usher Kurama out from behind him and towards Vox. Kurama's body shook as he looked up at the beast, he stood lower then Vox's knee-cap and felt as if the horse could trample him with just one of his hooves.
"H-H-Hello..." He stuttered and Vox smiled.
*No need to be afraid young one.* Vox then picked the kit up with his blunt teeth and placed him on his back. *You can ride up here while we move.* His tail flicked back and forth at the kit's apparent joy at a free ride. Kurama had the biggest grin Tasuki had seen in a while and he smiled aswell.
"Are you right to move, or are you still drinking?" Tasuki asked and a nod from the horse told him they were leaving.
With that said Tasuki and Vox trotted off, side by side.
All of a sudden, fear gripped at Ebony. The second she heard Gemma's call, she was out of the cave like a bullet. Kratia, who had been explaining her idea for a law between the two groups, instantly fell silent as the entire cave watched the black jaguar leap at the sound of Gemma's voice. Outside the cave, Demanicus and Uphere had somehow managed to keep their sister's cries to tear filled sobs. But nothing could prepare any of the Rebels for what was to come.
" Kaygis!" Ebony called, rushing to her husband's side.
In an instant, the rest of the Rebels were at the front of the cave. But the instant Ebony reached Kaygis' side and noticed his dull eyes, she could not stop her tears from streaming down her face.
" Kaygis, come on. Don't do this to me. Please. Jeg trenger deg." She pleaded, licking at his face. Slowly, she turned to Gemma. " Could you..."
Gemma had sat back watching sadly as Ebony pleaded with the still body of her husband. She could tell it was bad from the site of him, but didn't know the extent. When Ebony spoke to her she nodded silently. She passed a saddened look back to her older sisters and sighed when she saw Mana cradling Dakota against herself. She moved beside Ebony and looked down at Kaygis' still form. With a light sigh she sniffed his neck and was relieved to find a very faint heartbeat, she nuzzled his chin lightly before realisation hit her and she pulled back with a yelp.
"What? How is that possible, how is he still alive!" She asked extremely confused.
“ He... he's alive?” Ebony whispered, not sure if she had heard the wolf correctly.
Instantly her tears stopped falling, but she flinched at the sound of bones snapping back into place. Worried that something else was happening to Kaygis, she turned to his reforming body. That was when she noticed his chest puff out like a balloon as his rib cage rebuilt itself. But the thing that got her tears rolling down her face once more was when she heard Kaygis take a deep breath and saw his eyes slowly regain their shine.
“ Kaygis.” She sighed, continuing her licking of his face though at a slower pace.
“ E-Ebony?” Kaygis tried to say before his still reforming body protested to his attempts.
“ Sh, I'm here.” The black jaguaress, however, was having difficulties speaking herself; her tears constricting her throat.
“ H-h-how? W-what...”
"How is it that you have healed?" Gemma asked confused, a quick glance behind her told her that he was going to be fine, Dakota was on her feet, sitting beside Mana and looking over at them. "You should be near-death. If not dead." Gemma whispered as she looked back at the pair.
"Speaking of which, how did this happen Kaygis." Dakota asked as her and Mana limped over. "Such a fast recovery couldn't even be done by Gemma. Broken bones haven't healed so fast here before." She said, speaking her thoughts out loud. "Could it be the fact that you basically died? Which brings the question. Can we actually die here?" She looked at the others to see their thoughts on the subject.
"It's quiet rocky up here my friend, be careful!" Tasuki called down to Vox as he leapt from rock to rock, the further into the mountains they went the rockier it got. He looked ahead of himself and was faced with more steep rocky hills. "I guess its up from here on out." He thought as he looked back to check on his kit and pack mate. Vox used his powerful legs to pull himself up the last rock and stood beside Tasuki.
*We should rest on the next expanse of flat ground.* He thought and Tasuki nodded, before the both of them took off up the rocks again.
" I-I... I d-don't..." Before Kaygis could finish his sentence, his eyes rolled into the back of his head as an unconscious sleep took hold.
Ebony gently placed his head on her paws as she cooed " Shh. Everything's going to be okay. Just rest."
Iora lifted her head from where she lay, in the final stages of calming down. " He was dead. I could feel it." She whispered, her tears falling silently down her cheeks. " This place isn't like any other that I've experienced- been to or otherwise. I don't think we could die here, even if we wanted to."
Shadow watched the horse and kitsunes below him, thinking back on the past few hours. " What have I done?" He muttered to the wind as the image of his father's falling body made itself prominent in his mind once more.
" What you had to, lad." A thick scottish accented voice replied from above him. With a flurry of wings, a slightly more controlled red and black giant bald eagle landed next to the black jaguar. " We are not ready to return."
" But Uncle Reece... I killed my own father."
" You know just as well as I do that this place is not a natural world. You did not kill your father. The blue hatchling's mind made sure of that. Julien's mind also made sure that he returned as safely as possible to the camp. Now come. We need to get those three away from here. The dragons are not yet ready to be woken up."
" When can we go home?"
" When the groups have found everyone that is here other than the dragons. Then the four of us can return to our respective families and lead them to the dragons. Now let's head back to Valkyre and Danielle and report. They may be wondering where we are by now. And we cannot communicate with other members of their group while we're doing this job."
With that, and a nod from the boy, Reece took to the skies as Shadow disappeared into his namesake.
Dakota nodded in understanding, knowing that the panther had to rest. She then limped sleepily back towards the cave with Gemma's at her side helping her stand.
"We will have to have a camp meeting to discuss what has happened tonight when Kaygis and Dakota are up for it. So at sundown, we will all gather here." With that said Mana followed Gemma and Dakota into the Eternally Bound cave.
Tasuki huffed as his tongue lolled out the side of his mouth.
"I don't think there is anyone out this way Vox." He called back to the stallion who was a few ledges below. "But over the next rock is a place where we can rest." He then leapt up the last few meters and settled himself on the flat surface.
Vox quickly climbed the rest of the way, careful of Kurama who was sleeping on his back. When he reached the older kitsune he lay down, to catch his breath. *Tasuki, we must be careful, I sense danger near us.* He thought as he breathed deep to regain his breath.
"We only have a few more rises till we reach the top. We will explore once we get up there and if we find nothing we will leave. Only a couple more days." The kitsune explained as he lapped up water that he had summoned in a small bowl before him Vox had explained about the worlds power to him. When they were both rested and had drunk their fill, they set off again.
As the sun began to set, Lynk woke with a purr of his system rebooting. Looking around, he noticed that everyone (including the Eternally Bound group) was sitting around a newly made campfire. Even Demanicus and Uphere were curled around the campfire, acting like a living wall around the combined groups. Slowly he got up and began walking towards the gathering. He didn't even notice when the cable that was attached to his neck detached itself. What he did notice, however, was that Kaygis was now with them.
“ What's going on?” He asked the nearest member of the Rebels.
“ Mana's called a group meeting. You woke up just in time.” Bosko replied as the cyborg took his place behind him in his brother's absence.
“ So... we're all here. To be honest, I didn't think Lynk would wake up in time. But it looks like even he can sense when things are happening while he is in... suspension. But enough about that. What's wrong? Why has this meeting been called, Mana?” Choby said, starting the meeting.
Mana nodded to acknowledge Lynk as he joined the group. She sat before the new fire with Gemma, Tsume and Aden on her left, and Dakota and Bane on her right. The rest of the pack were mixed amongst the Rebels gang."I've called this meeting for a few reasons. The first being that I believe, we need to communicate more, I understand we are still strangers to each other but we will need to work together to get out of here. From now on we will eat together and discuss what we will be doing for the day, no more putting off what needs to be done. For now we will discuss this world. So far, we have found out that you can manifest things from your past, either being living or otherwise. After an extensive talk with Gemma, she explained to me that Kaygis, actually did die, however this world revived him. We also believe that it is only our groups here. The problem with this is we don't know if we have already found everyone who is actually here or if there is still every other member of our families out there. This we will only know by continuing the searches. Now is there anyone who has something to say about my words, or who has something they want to bring up?" Mana spoke and she looked around the group waiting for someone to respond.
A light-coated Belgian Malinois stood, balancing on one of the spikes that protected the dragons below.
"This sucks." She muttered as she watched her friend and the two kitsunes below. They were getting closer, she could smell that they were only afew mountain tops away.
Wind rushed by her as a red-wheaten Rhodesian Ridgeback landed on the spike beside her.
"Are they still there Danielle?" She asked and the Malinois nodded.
"We will have to stop them soon. How are the dragons Valkyre?" Danielle asked looking over at her friend.
The vampire nodded before looking down over the mountain range. "They are fine... Come on we should go turn them away."
Danielle nodded and both dogs leapt down into the hills and made their way down to the two who were slowly approaching.
Vox looked behind him and laughed lightly when a tired Tasuki tripped on one of the smaller peaks and went head first into the ground. *Watch your step.* He teased and he got a glare from the Kitsune as he righted himself. They had been moving for most of the day. After the first couple hours of getting what seemed like nowhere, they decided to go on for longer. Now the sun was lowering behind the mountains and it would be dark soon. Tasuki climbed up beside his new friend and the horse smiled lightly.
"It's going to be dark soon, we should find a place to rest." He said and they both shared a nod before climbing higher to find a flat surface.
Vox froze mid rock and whipped his head around. *Someones here.* He told Tasuki before balancing himself and getting a better look around. The kitsune stopped also, surveying the area for any danger.
"Hello boys." A female voice echoed around them and Kurama stirred slightly.
Tasuki jumped up on a rock beside Vox so he was level height with the horses back a and he cooed to the kit to try and get him to go back to sleep. Just as the Kurama fell asleep again Danielle and Valkyre dropped down in front of the three of them.
*Valkyre, Danielle!* Vox neighed happily, his thoughts projecting to all three of the canines.
"Evening Vox, Kitsune." Danielle greeted, bowing before their visitors.
"I'm sorry but we must request you leave the mountain range cam daybreak." Valkyre said eyeing Tasuki with a sheltered look.
*Sister, may I ask why?*' Vox asked directing his question at Valkyre.
"That is not important. We know that the kitsune is now apart of our pack and that he knows the way back to the camp where some of our group have gathered with the others. I will give you one hint though, you will find other family and friends west from the camp towards the river, in amongs the trees." Valkyre explained and she turned to leave.
"You may rest here for the night, come daybreak, if you are not gone. You will be forced to leave." Danielle said, and with a flick of her tail both the Belgian Malinois and Rhodesian Ridgeback were gone.
Vox looked down at Tasuki and they both shared a confused look before Vox settled down to eat, Tasuki catching 2 small rabbits for him and Kurama, who had just awoken and Vox manifesting his own dinner. Tasuki created a barrier to protect them and the three soon entered the world of dreams.
Choby and Raimundo looked around at the gathered Rebels (both choosing to ignore a now sleeping Uphere), before returning to look at Mana. From what they could gather, there was no questions hanging over the Rebels.
" I can't believe he actually killed me." They heard Kaygis mutter under his breath at the mention of his own death. Ebony ran her head under his chin in comfort, but they knew that she was still traumatised by the news.
Finally, Raimundo spoke. " Looks like there's no questions. What about with you-"
" Wait!" Kratia spoke up, gaining Raimundo's confused attention. " I was discussing this with Ritara, Sarabi and Ebony earlier and was going to discuss it with Dakota if certain events hadn't occured, but I was thinking that we should pass a law or something concerning drinking habits. Zolo hinted at it this morning and it's quiet obvious when dragons begin drinking. I say 'no drink'. What do you say?"
Her proposal, which she had guessed, caused the Rebels men to squirm uncomfortably in their places. Zolo, actually curled up and tried to pretend that he wasn't there.
" You crazy, woman? Some of us actually need the stuff." Bosko protested.
"I agree," Dakota responded and her pack nodded in acceptance of her Decision. "We need to keep level head's whilst here as danger could be just about anywhere. We have no room for drunkenness and hangovers."
"Sorry boys," Mana called out. "But I agree with Dakota's point, We can't afford to slip up, even if we are unable to pass away, it will still leave us vulnerable and we really don't know much about the no-death theory to test it in by being stupid."
" Then it's official." Ritara stated, Sarabi nodding her approval. " Kratia's law 'No Drink' is in place starting from this moment on. Sorry, Bosko, but it looks like you're going to have to go cold turkey."
Bosko merely mumbled under his breath until Kratia whispered something in his ear and he fell silent. Raimundo, one of the only boys who didn't mind one bit about the law, looked around.
" Anything else that would like to be added?" He asked no one in particular.
"I believe we have nothing more to add." Gemma said as she looked down at a drowsy Aden leaning against her leg. "So if you will excuse me, someone is tired." She smiled as she picked up the pup and trotted into their cave, "Good night guys." Dakota called as she, Mana, Bane, Tsume, Zander, Akira, Skype, Krystal, Lelani, Charmed, Jordon and Phoenix. Both Bloodshot and Snowdrift curled up in the cave entrance once everyone was inside.
" Goodnight, guys." Raimundo replied with a nod of his head and his thoughts running a mile a minute.
The Rebels, including Iora, then followed Gemma's lead and returned to their cave. Demanicus, however, watched them go before shaking his brother awake.
" Go away, Demanicus." Uphere growled sleepily.
" Not now. I need to talk to you." Demanicus whispered in his ear.
" What?"
" firstly, no more partying. Kratia's made a law against it and everyone's agreed."
" Great. Can I go back to sleep now."
" No. I was thinking..."
With that, the black dragon resorted to the dragon language and whispered his plan to his brother; making sure that no one would over hear them. Once the plans were made, and Uphere was wide awake, the two set off into the forest looking for what they needed to complete their self appointed task.
Snowdrift and Bloodshot watched the other two dragons suspiciously. They looked at eachother before rising from their spots as guards of the den. They both took off into the sky, high enough that the other dragons wouldn't notice them. They followed them silently.
"What do you think they are doing?" Snowdrift asked and Bloodshot shook his head.
"Not sure, but I don't completely trust them."
Uphere twitched his tail slightly before looking around, effectively making it so that he could check the skies without it being noticable.
" We're being followed, brother." He whispered.
" Of course we are." Demanicus replied, not really caring. Instead he turned his gaze from the distant mountains to the red dragon beside him. " Seeing as you're the 'builder' and I'm the 'contractor', do you think a small mountain top would help us?"
" Demanicus. I'm pretty sure they would notice a mountain suddenly next to them, wouldn't you?"
" Personally, I think they would notice everything about this."
" Then why did you..."
" You know why."
" Fine. We use rocks and boulders. Not mountains. You head down south while I stay and grab the wood."
" Deal."
With that, the black dragon took to the skies and headed off to the mountains; his scales making him practically invisible in the night.
"Look's like they are more experienced then I thought brother." Snowdrift told Bloodshot as he listened to their whispered words. "You follow the black one." Bloodshot nodded and took off after the other dragon, easily matching his speed.
"May I ask what it is you are doing?" He asked the black dragon, being as direct as ever.
Snowdrift watched his brother go and dropped to the ground. Landing lightly beside the red dragon.
"Good evening." He greeted instead of jumping straight to the point like he knew his brother would, he's suspicious not rude.
" I'm... working. And I suggest either helping me move rocks or going home and letting me do the heavy work." Demanicus replied, flicking his tail slightly in annoyance. If he'd have thought the younger dragons were ready for this kind of work, he would have asked for it before he and Uphere left. He didn't expect them to follow.
" Hello to you, little one. Why are you out this far from the camp?" Uphere asked, deciding to play to the chick's mind and ignore anything to do with the past conversation with his brother. While he spoke, he marked a particularly large tree with his tail and moved on to choose the next tree a short distance from the first.
Bloodshot nodded to the black dragon before picking a boulder two-thirds his size and securing it with his paws and tail, before he took to the sky, flying back towards camp.
"I would appreciate not being referred to as little one. Whilst my body is still young, I have the wisdom of a two-thousand four-hundred year old European dragon. Do not decide anything about me, by the size of my body." Snowdrift spoke lightly, before he glanced at the line the older had made. "I see your looking to combine the dens." He said, he knew all along what they were doing but he decided to let his brother guess, or be told by the black dragon. "Is there anything I can do to help."
" Not bad. Not bad at all." Demanicus muttered to himself before taking a third of the mountain top he had landed on with him back to camp. Needless to say he was quiet comfortable with the weight of the boulder that was twice the size of his own body.
" My deepest apologies, Elder. I had no idea. The combining of the dens was my brother's idea. And I would be most honoured if you would help me gather large enough trees to rebuild and reinforce the wall and roof structures of the caves." Uphere said with the utmost respect, bowing so low to the ground he was practically sinking into it.
Bloodshot grumbled under his breath as he landed at the entrance of camp. He waited for the other dragon and noticed the size of the boulder he was carrying. He then looked down at his own and back to the black dragon.
"I suppose the boulders need to be bigger then the one I carried?" He asked, the boulder he had carried here was light, he could go much heavier. He just wasn't sure how big they needed to be.
"There is no need to bow friend. My brother and I merely wished to know what your intentions were." Snowdrift said as he looked up at the mark the older dragon had made with his tail. "I will gladly help, if it means my family will have better shelter. I am aware Mana wishes to become more acquainted with your family." He stood up on his hind legs and used his claw to mark another tree at a similar height.
" Hmm." Demanicus said slowly, almost to himself, as he placed down his boulder and compared the rocks to the caves. " I think... maybe another two or three trips. With the size of these rocks." He then turned to the smaller dragon. " Ready for another round?"
" That is the reason behind this project, Elder." Uphere said, returning to his feet.
He then moved to the first tree he marked and sliced his tail through the trunk just above the roots. Once he was done, he dug up the remaining stump as well, thinking that he could also use them in the construction of the new, larger cave. If not, then they could be used as nest boxes for the young and the mothers with young. That was also where the leaves of the trees came into play. He even made sure to gather all the moss and vines he could find. His work continued like that for quite a few hours; marking and logging trees.
Bloodshot nodded in understanding, "Yeah." He replied before beating his wings down and taking off back towards the mountains where they had retrieved the first two boulders. He found one of similar size to the one Demanicus had taken and wrapped his tail around it, before digging his claws in and lifting it into the air, It was quiet heavy but his stubborn nature wouldn't allow him to put the boulder back down. With a few hard flaps, he was high enough that he could glide most of the way back to camp.
"Alright." Snowdrift replied as he went about the same work as Uphere, his young side begun to get board and he spaced out here and there but otherwise kept working beside the older dragon.
As stubborn as a mule Demanicus thought to himself as he watched the smaller dragon struggle with the boulder he was carrying. I guess it has something to do with the scale colour. Uphere's the same.
Nevertheless, for fear of the smaller dragon being unable to lift anything bigger than what he already was carrying, He took another boulder the same weight as the last and carried it back to camp.
As soon as Uphere thought that they had enough trees, he sat down and tried to figure out how he was going to get everything back to camp. Combined, the two had about six hundred felled trees and that included stumps, moss and vines. If anything, there was more than enough there to make two layers of wall and roof. In fact, he was thinking so hard that he didn't notice the massive pile of rope that was getting tangled in with his swinging tail. As soon as he noticed it, however, he began tying two piles of three hundred logs to his tail and tried to walk back to camp with them. He didn't get very far before he fell flat on his face, though. Unfortunately, that only made him try harder.
Bloodshot glided the last few meters into camp and landed heavily beside his last boulder. He breathed a small sigh of relief as he waited for Demanicus to land beside him.
Snowdrift watched as Uphere tied the logs with rope and couldn't help but laugh slightly when the dragon face-planted in the dirt. He walked over and tugged one of the ropes loose from the older dragons tail and tied it to his own, He then tugged it behind him as he started towards camp.
" Maybe you should try a slightly smaller sized rock. How's that sound?" Demanicus offered as he landed with his second boulder and getting ready to fly off again.
Uphere glared at the smaller white dragon as he passed before getting up and shaking himself free of unwanted dirt. He then followed the white dragon back to camp, picking up moss and vines as he went.
"I am fine carrying my own weight, I offered to help, If this is the size we need, then I'll carry another. Do you think we will need any more?" He asked as he spread his wings to stretch the slightly sore muscles.
Snowdrift smiled as he tugged the logs into camp. He stopped beside the last boulder his brother had carried and detached the rope from his tail.
"If you need more boulders, I am also capable of helping." Snowdrift said to Demanicus and Bloodshot huffed.
"Always stealing my jobs." He muttered under his breath.
" Sorry, kid. I'm only trying to make it so that you don't hurt yourself. Uphere and I both know what its like to pull a wing muscle and end up falling out of the sky. It's not fun." Demanicus said with slight concern in his voice.
Uphere, who was just coming in from the surrounding forest, flexed his wings at the memory. But his brother's words bugged him slightly. " Mani, they are Elders. You know just as well as I do that you can't talk that way to Elders." He hissed under his breath.
" They don't look like Elders."
" Their minds are thousands of years old. They are Elders. Therefore you must not disrespect Elders."
" There's something wrong with you... again. How can an Elder look so young?"
" For all we know, they may have found a way to make themselves look young. Or this world could have made them young. Now, I can't believe I am saying this, but you must show respect."
" I can't believe you just said that either." Demanicus said, eyeing his younger brother warily. " Let's just grab some more mountain and get back here so we can rest and begin work in the morning. Preferrably to what our weights can carry."
Bloodshot growled at the black dragon, offended but he was stopped by Snowdrift.
"It is ok brother, if he chooses not to believe our words, we have no right to enforce them. After all our bodys are quiet young." He said lightly and Bloodshot just glared off to the left. He hated being called young, if not more so then his brother.
"If you believe it or not Demanicus, we will not force you. Believe what you want, but remember. We may still be small, but we have more knowledge then the two of you combined." With that said Snowdrift took off towards the mountains with Bloodshot close behind.
" No offense Elders, but between our sister and our father, we know a fair bit ourselves. Maybe not as ancient, but we know a fair bit." Uphere said, still slightly riled up by his brother.
" Yeah. Tell Iora that you've got more knowledge than her and she'll be... what's the word? Angry?" Demanicus added.
" Angry is an understatement. Get her mad and you'll know it for the next century."
" Okay, enough talk. We've got work to do. And if you two are Elders, that gives me even more cause for concern."
With that, Demanicus dashed into the night sky as fast as he could.
Snowdrift heard the words and laughed slightly, he had already figured that Iora was easily angered and that's why he had warned his brother to keep his distance from her. They may be ancient, but both knew not to mess with an angry she-dragon, besides they would never question her knowledge to their own. Their mother had always said to respect a female over everything else, and they both greatly respected her words.
Snowdrift landed lightly on a boulder the size of the one his brother had just carried and steadily lifted it into the air. With a glare from the white dragon, Bloodshot lifted a smaller boulder and flew up to his brother.
"Do not push yourself too hard brother." Snowdrift said and Bloodshot nodded before they made their way back to camp.
As soon as he had reached the mountains, Demanicus picked up another boulder the same size as the last two that he had carried. On his way back to the camp, he noticed that Uphere was carrying a rock three times the size of himself. And it was cclear in the red dargon's eyes that he was only just starting to struggle with the weight. In other words, he had gone to his weight limit.
" Show off." The black dragon mumbled.
When he touched down at camp, he decided on one more thing. " Okay, guys. Let's get some rest and then we can work on the renovation in the morning."
Uphere touched down and nodded his agreement.
Both Snowdrift and Bloodshot both nodded to their elders words and they headed back over to their cave before curling up at the entrance and going to sleep.
Tasuki yawned as he stretched, not even fazed when his paws entered their campfire, claws digging into the burnt wood. He yawned deeply before standing up and shaking.
"Vox, Kurama." He called to his two sleeping companions and the older of the two woke up.
*What is it Tasuki?* Vox asked as he got to his feet, careful of a still sleeping Kurama who had curled up beside him.*Daybreak right.* Tasuki nodded as he trampled out the fire and picked his kit up. He stood on his back legs, leaning his front paws against Vox's side as he placed a still snoozing Kurama on the horses back.
"We should get going..." He suggested as he dropped back to his paws and turned back the way they had came.
*So we head west into the forest on the camp's side of the river?* Vox asked and Tasuki nodded before they started to descend the mountain range.
Valkyre and Danielle stood not far from them, watching as the left.
"I'm glad brother left willingly." Valkyre said with a sigh and Danielle nodded in agreeance.
Snowdrift awoke with a yawn and flicked his tail at his brother to wake the red dragon. Bloodshot got up and stretched before taking to the air to give his wings some relief after having them against his body all night. Snowdrift followed him into the air and they danced about in the sky above the camp.
Demanicus woke to the sound of wings beating against the air and noticed the smaller dragons dancing above the camp. With a smile, he turned to his brother. Uphere was still asleep with his front paws in the air and his head upside down on the ground. And by the sounds of it, he was having a common nightmare.
" Akira. Stop it. I'm not an ice dragon like you. I'll freeze." the red dragon mumbled in his sleep before turning over.
" Uphere, wake up." the black dragon cooed softly. " It's just a dream. I have a feeling Akira's still at home."
Slowly, Uphere woke. But it wasn't until after he downed an entire cow that his mind decided that he was alright to wake up. Once he was ready, though, he and his brother began to work out how they were going to rebuild the cave. Demanicus thought of a really long tape measure and began working on the measurements while Uphere scratched it into one of the few hundred stumps that he and Snowdrift had collected the night before. In no time at all, the two larger dragons were stripping the trees of their branches and making the first wall of logs.
"Demanicus and Uphere have awoken." Snowdrift stated as his wing glided lightly over his brother's as they crossed paths in the sky.
"Shall we land and help them with the combining of our two caves?" Bloodshot asked and his answer was Snowdrift diving out of the sky.
The white dragon landed lightly beside the other two with Bloodshot at his side.
"Is there something my brother and I can do to help construction along?" Snowdrift asked as his tail twitched in excitement at being useful.
Demanicus stopped work for a split second to look at the smaller dragons, causing Uphere to make a mad dash as some of the logs that the two were tying together began rolling away. " Sorry, Uphi." the black dragon sighed before replying to the white dragon. " If you want, you two could help Uphere with making the walls while I go make sure that we've got the right dimentions for the wall and roof."
" If I find out we need more vines," Uphere grumbled as he tried to reinforce the logs that his brother had let roll. " You're going to be the one to find them."
" Why me?"
" Because it would be your fault."
" But you were the one to get the vines in the first place."
" That doesn't matter. You would have been the one to break them. Not me."
Despite himself Snowdrift chuckled at Uphere's words, before he moved over and helped the red dragon steady the logs, making it easier for him to tie them together.
"I will return soon..." Bloodshot grunted as he eyed Demanicus, still unsure of the black dragon.
He then beat down his wings and took off out of the camp, he allowed himself to drift down towards the soft grass among the small forest that lined the right side of their camp. He took a quick drink from the small stream before he set to work collecting some more vines. 'Best to have to many then not enough.'
With a shake of his head, Demanicus headed back to the caves to make sure that he had the right dimensions. It was only then that he remembered Kaygis telling him that 'in order for a building to be stable, the foundations had to be set into the ground' and he growled in annoyance with himself at having forgotten that 'minor' detail. So, with a couple of wing strokes to try and calm himself down, he began adding the extra few metres the walls would have to go to the calculations he had already gathered, altering things here and there to accomidate the situation. Once he was satisfied, he returned and explained what had happened to Uphere and Snowdrift.
" What!" Uphere roared, loud enough to wake the entire forest.
" Will you quiet down?" Demanicus hissed before continuing. " I miscalculated. The walls need to be deeper otherwise they're not going to stay where we want them to. And because of that, we're going to need more logs to the tops of the walls so that they reach the desired height. We're also going to need to add three layers of logs to the roof as the base."
" Why did I trust you with the dimentions?"
" Because you were still half asleep."
" That's the thing! We're not going to have enough of anything!"
" Look around, Uphere. We have an entire forest. We have an entire mountain range. We had a nearby lake that can supply mud. We have our strength and our breaths. We even have the ability to make our imagination come to life. We have everything we need."
" But we don't have Reece. He could have done the change with one word. We're going to take days!" Uphere growled, tying a knot a little too tightly and snapping it in frustration.
Demanicus sighed, knowing his brother was right. But still he spoke. " Just calm down, Uphere. We'll get through this. Five dragons plus vampires plus everyone else. We can do this."
Snowdrift stood back slightly keeping out of the two brothers way till the vine snapped.
"Perhaps I can be of assistance with this problem." He said as he dripped some of his saliva onto the snapped vine he then blew on it and the liquid froze up, turning to solid metal and holding the vine together, successfully securing the logs that had fallen when the vine broke.
"Maybe steel would work better then mud? That way we won't have to keep travelling to the river."
Tasuki trotted ahead of Vox, quickly and quietly. Vox watched him from the few meters distance between them.'There's something wrong with him.' He thought to himself, shielding his thoughts from the kitsune. Ever since they had set off down the mountain, Tasuki had been distancing himself and rarely talking. 'Perhaps I have done something to annoy him. The black horse shook his purple mane in confusion. 'What have I done?'
Tasuki twitched as his paws entered the stream. He could see the plains before them and the Valley far off.
"We must hurry." He called back, picking up the pace. "I sense the danger from the Valley, we best go around it."
Vox nodded in understanding and watched sadly as the kitsune altered his course and kept the distance between them.
The larger dragons watched the vine fuse together and turn into metal before turning to look at Snowdrift. Their faces were identical; not believing what they had just seen. But they were quickly reminded of slightly weirder incidents. While they were in training, they had visited a school for dodos as well as witnessed a 'rising of the dead' ceremony which literally had the dead rising from the grave. Demanicus even had a girlfriend who was a thylacine and Uphere was best friends with a saber-tooth cat, a triceratops, a t-rex, an andrewsarchus and a wooly mammoth.
" Looks like we have a way to hold the pieces together." Uphere said, still in shock.
Demanicus was the first to recover completely. " We still need cement! We can't just 'milk' Snowdrift of his saliva! Everyone will get mad!"
Snowdrift laughed lightly at the two dragon's shocked expressions and at Demanicus' words.
"You have nothing to worry about, I am quiet capable of releasing the amount of steel we will need to create the structure. Alpha will have no problem." He said with full confidence before looking down at the floor with a frown. "Mother on the other hand..."
Bloodshot looked at the pile of vines he had collected and looked around at the trees. 'Perhaps some more moss, branches and leaves aswell.' With that thought he used his tail to knock down another tree and began collecting again.
Halfway across the field now, Tasuki could just see the edge of the valley off to his left. With great speed he sprinted forward, ducking into the cover of trees. He stopped and waited for the sounds of Hooves before he started walking again.
Vox snorted as he galloped across the remaining plains to catch up to the kitsune 'Has he forgotten I have his kit?'
Demanicus glared at Snowdrift, his red eyes gleaming dangerously in the morning light. " We still need cement." He repeated, before heading back to the caves and beginning work on the trench that the new walls would sit in.
Uphere heaved a sigh. " Forgive him, Elder. He can be quite determined at times."
Snowdrift lowered slightly under the black dragons glare, shifting his wings closer to his body.
"Alright." He said calmly, not wishing to anger the other. With Demanicus' presence at a safe distance Snowdrift regained his posture and smiled at Uphere's words. "It is ok, I do not expect any special treatment, even If we are older in spirit, our bodies are still young and I have no doubt Demanicus could defeat my brothers or I in a fair fight." Realising his words, Snowdrift looked to the ground saddened. 'I wish we were still out looking for Zanzabar...' He sighed lightly.
Vox caught sight of Tasuki's tails and slowed down, noticing the kitsune had returned to a light trot. He glanced over his shoulder at a still sleeping Kurama and smiled. He froze as a familiar presence entered his mind. *Tasuki! I sense Bloodshot!* He called out, quickening to catch the kitsune before he got too close to the dragon.
Tasuki flicked his tails at the demon horses words. He was well aware of who was on the other side of the bushes he stood before. He waited for Vox to catch him before stepping out, clear into the red dragons view.
Bloodshot looked up as he heard rustling, his eyes widened slightly at the sight of Tasuki and he dropped the log he was working on when Vox also emerged.
"Vox, Tasuki." He called in shock but Tasuki just continued to look back at Vox.
*I thought you did not wish to approach another, you said...* Vox was very confused and if the kitsune's lowered tails and drooped ears weren't an indication that something was wrong, the sad look in his eyes spoke wonders.
Tasuki looked back to Bloodshot and smiled lightly.
"Found him by the river, figured you guys would want him back." Bloodshot could see right through his happy façade and frowned.
"Why did you leave in the first place?" He asked, he could tell it hurt the fox to be in his presence. "Mana, really misses you..." Tasuki sighed, he knew she would be brought up.
"She's better off without me." She whispered as he walked over to Vox, he stood up against the horses side and went to grab his kit, but slipped when the Vox stepped aside.
*What are you doing* He snorted glaring at the fox.
"Grabbing my kit, that way you can return to your family and we can be on our way." Tasuki said confused.
*Didn't I say I would stay with you. Stubborn fox, we have a goal. Now we should keep going.* He moved passed the stunned fox and over to the confused dragon. *Bloodshot, please tell Alpha, Tasuki, Kurama and I are fine. We are scouting this side of the forest for members of our family. We were informed that they may be this way.* He then trotted on after Bloodshot nodded sadly. *Hurry up nine-tails!* Tasuki jolted as the shout entered his mind and he sprinted to catch up to his friend. Bloodshot watched them disappear deeper into the forest with a slight smile.
"At least they are well."
By mid morning, Demanicus returned to Snowdrift and his brother having completed the trench. The trench, though pointed off at the corners, was a dragon's length away from the back walls of both already existing cave and was two metres deep. He even had a trough full of water near the site (which Snowdrift had helped supply earlier) and had a small cement mixer already mixing the cement that was going to be used to set the walls into the ground.
" Is that large wall ready?" He asked as he watched Snowdrift and Uphere working on one of the smaller side walls.
"Yes, we have completed the main wall." Snowdrift replied as he continued to go about his business.
Bloodshot landed off to the left of them with a heavy thump, scattered around him were enough vines, moss, branches and leaves to build 2 shelters. Snowdrift looked over at his brother and laughed, Bloodshot had vines tangled around his wings and moss on his head.
"Very smooth landing brother." All the white dragon got was a heated glare from the red one.
Tasuki looked up at the purple tail swishing a couple meters in-front of him, he was still mad at himself for thinking the horse would leave and treating him the way he had. He moved beside him so he could look up at his friend's face.
His ears laid back against his skull, all nine tails dragging in the dirt as he stuttered an apology to his friend. "I-I'm sorry...."
*Do not fret, it is fine* Vox thought and Tasuki looked up at him confused but nodded and the two of them continued on in silence. The two beings froze when they heard voices off to their left, just beyond the thicket they were passing. They quietly looked through and saw 2 full grown male wolves, the first wolf, slightly smaller then the second was orange in colour with black stripes, grey undersides, half a right ear and a scar over his left eye. The second wolf, the taller of the two was red in colour with white undersides, black markings, four metal plates on the bridge of his nose, a scar on his lip and gold eyes.
"I just don't ok." the first male growled out in frustration, heavy paw-prints followed as the male stalked back and forth.
"Well we can't just sit here, we must return to the others. I sense this place isn't safe for those alone." A second male voice, softer then the first spoke.
"And I sense that the black and brown mutt back there can't control his power which could kill us, vampires or not!" Retaliated the first male.
"I believe Kubikuro can contain it, we will not be harmed by him. Now as your Beta I say we go back." The second growled raising his tail to show dominance over the other.
"Fine, but if we get killed its your fault." The first muttered and both wolves set off north.
Vox looked down at Tasuki, *Should we follow them?* Tasuki nodded, and the two of them followed the two wolves quietly on the opposite side of the thicket.
" Okay then." Demanicus nodded before turning to Bloodshot. " Want to get untangled and help me with the wall?"
Black tipped brown ears twitched slightly to the trees behind their owner before returning to their original position. A black tipped tail twitched in response. Only then did Kubikuro roll on to his back and expose his underside, seemingly unaware of the awaiting attack. At that moment, two smaller flashes appeared from the shadows - one was white and blue, the other was brown - only to get thrown back into the trees by the older wolf.
" Come on, you two. I know you can do better than that." Kubikuro laughed, watching as his nephews got to their feet and charged at him again.
Off to the side, Kilier turned to Anjiti. " How long do you think we're going to take this time?"
" Who knows? But after training is over, we are all continuing on our way!" Anjiti replied, making her last sentence louder so that the boys could hear her words clearly.
Hope, who had been having a quick nap while her brothers were training with her uncle, lifted her head at that moment to the sound of all three males groaning. " I still don't understand why Uncle Kubikuro always insists that Seth and Krieg train." She said before a yawn captured her.
" That Asylum fellow sensed that there was something not right with this place, and quite frankly I agree with him." Anjiti replied. " That is why your uncle is training your brothers."
" Don't worry, Hope. You'll get your share of training as well." Kilier added, already planning when her daughter was going to be trained.
At that moment, Kubikuro sat up and turned to face the south. " Our vampires have returned." He informed the others, with a hint of a grin spreading across one side of his face. " And they've brought friends."
Bloodshot kicked the last vine to the side and shook the moss from his body before glaring at the older dragon.
"Blood..." Snowdrift growled at his brother and the red dragon huffed.
"Fine, just tell me what to do."
"So the mutt has great senses." Talus muttered as he and Asylum entered the area where they had been staying with the others.
Hunter looked up from his curled position at the opposite side of the camp, smiling at the two wolves return. Talus ignored him but Asylum bowed in greeting, then the two wolves moved away from the others and sat down.
Tasuki leapt up into a tree to his left just as the others came into view. Vox watched his movement before walking slowly into the open. He scanned the group of canines, relief washing over him as he spotted Hunter.
*Hunter!* He called out happily, projecting his thoughts so all occupants in the area could hear him.
"Vox." The golden wolf with off-white under-patterns and silver eyes called out.
Tasuki watched from the tree as Vox moved over to the wolf. Concern shone in his eyes for his kit but he knew Vox would look after Kurama.
" Hey. I didn't mean to get you worked up." Demanicus said, trying to calm the smaller red dragon himself. " I need your help on getting this wall here to the back of the caves. How are you with mess and muck?"
" Friends of yours?" Hope asked Hunter shyly, well aware of her mother's gaze at her words.
Seth stopped fighting with his uncle and looked at his younger sister, watching her closely. With a sigh, he turned back to the new arrivals. He could sense what was going on with his sister, but he also knew that Hunter was a lot older than the three of them. The golden wolf had to, at least, be around their mother's age. Hope had no chance. And Seth wasn't the only one who saw it.
" Hope. Give up. It's not going to happen." Krieg said, stretching to loosen his tense muscles.
" I can dream, can't I?" the white female barked back.
" We'll talk about this later." Kilier butted in.
" I agree." Kubikuro added. " In the mean time, come down fron there, kitsune! We won't hurt you! Watashi wa inu no meiyo ni kore o iu!"
"I am fine with the dirty work." He mumbled as he flew over to take one side of the wall, waiting for Demanicus to take the other.
Snowdrift shook his head at his brother before continuing his work on the smaller side wall.
Hunter glanced at the white teen and nodded. He had known since meeting the others that the pup had a small crush on him. 'Oh how jealous Charmed would be at hearing that information.' He laughed lightly before nuzzling into black and purple horse.
Tasuki snorted at the dogs words.
"Huh, Inu no meiyo wa watashiniha nani no imi mo nai..." He called down, staying put.
He watched as the horse and wolf conversed and rose slightly when Hunter moved beside Vox.
"Hey there little one." Hunter said as he leaned on Vox's side and lightly nudged the sleeping Kit.
Kurama yawned and shook himself before blinking his eyes open. He yelped lightly at the site of the wolf
"Otōsan!" The kit scrambled out of the wolfs way and perched on Vox's head shaking.
Tasuki was beside his kit in an instant, his light, lean body standing on Vox's back snarling at the wolf. He licked Kurama to try and calm the shaking kit down.
"Its ok Kurama, Papa's here."
Vox smiled slightly at at the kitsune's protective nature. *Tasuki, get off me* The addressed looked down at his friend and leapt off him taking Kurama along. He placed the kit between his legs so he stood protectively over him.
"Sorry about that."
" Alright then." Demanicus said as he took hold of the unattended side. " Let's go build a bigger cave."
With that, he and Bloodshot took to the skies and began work on the structure of the new cave.
" Hey! How long have you made the sides?" Uphere roared over to his brother.
" Use your body!" Demanicus roared back.
" What's that supposed to mean?" Uphere asked Snowdrift, looking confused.
" Inu no meiyo wa nani mo imi shimase? Nan okami no meiyo ni tsuite?" Kubikuro tried again.
Anjiti ignored her husband for the time being and returned her attention to the vampires. " What brings you back here, Asylum, Talus?" she asked, sincerely.
Meanwhile, Hope was fighting both of her brothers for their assumptions and Seth was fighting Krieg for wanting to play with the scared fox kit. In other words, it was just a mess of blue, white and brown fur that Kilier really couldn't be bothered to sort out. She was more interested in the newcomers. But she still kept an eye out on her children.
" Who are your friends, Hunter?" She asked, referring to the horse and foxes.
Bloodshot smiled at the black dragons enthusiasm and got right to work
Snowdrift looked at Uphere with his head tilted. "Perhaps he means the length of your body. Tip to tail, that is how long the sides are."
"Anata no meiyo no yakusoku no umu ni kakawarazu, tonikaku watashi o gaisuru koto ga dekinakattanode, kono nansensu ronsō wa ima teishi shimasu." Tasuki hissed he then turned to glare at Hunter.
Asylum looked back at the female and smirked, a pure white fang sticking over his lip.
"I've told you before, this place is wrong. It's not safe to be alone, even for a couple of vampires." Asylum trotted slowly over to Tasuki, curious about his nine tails.
Tasuki jumped lightly at the others presence but the male's scent calmed him. 'He must be related closely to Alpha Bane.'. An instant calm washed over him and he wasn't bothered at all when Asylum batted at one of his tails. Talus watched his brother in confusion before laughing at his playful actions.
Hunter sat back watching Asylum's actions confused before he glanced over at Anjiti.
"Ahh the horse is Vox, he belongs to Alpha. I don't know who the kitsune and kit are though." He explained smiling lightly.
Vox lowered his head in bow to the female before looking her in the eyes *It is nice to meet you. The kitsune is a new friend of mine, he is friends with Alpha, the kit is his. Their names are Tasuki and Kurama.*
" Maybe." Uphere agreed before positioning himself so that the logs were resting on top of him. " Here. Would this work? Would you be able to tie the logs together without my help?"
Demanicus held the wall in place after he and Bloodshot had placed it in the trench and waited for the trench to fill up with the cement mixure that he had gotten ready earlier. " How's that cement coming along?" He asked the red dragon, unable to see its progress from where he stood.
" The honour is mine, Great Stallion." Anjiti replied, also bowing.
" You're too old for your own good, Anjiti." Kilier mumbled before turning to the others. " Hi all. I'm Kilier. This is my brother-in-law, Kubikuro, and his wife, Anjiti. And these are my children, Seth, Krieg and Hope, who will stop fighthing this instant."
" Yes, Mum." The three younger dogs replied in unison as Anjiti gave her own reply, " I cannot go against what I was taught."
Kubikuro had other things on his mind, though. " As you wish, kitsune. Where are you heading, anyway?"
"That's perfect." Snowdrift said as he gathered some of the vine Bloodshot had returned with.
He then set to work tying the logs together, quickly so the other dragon could move as soon as possible.
"Almost there." He said as he continued to hold his tail against she side of the wall he was on. "There we go, your right to dry your side now." He called out as he blew his own red flame against the cement, setting it in place.
Vox smiled *There is no need for formality's miss, I am but a servant and friend for my Alpha, nothing more.*
Tasuki twitched slightly as Asylum bit his third tail, but continued to twitch them around, amused by the vampires fascination with them. Talus seeing his brother at ease, also moved over so he sat on Tasuki's opposite, he lay down and nuzzled into Kurama who pawed at his nose.
Tasuki smiled lightly, lifting his leg and nudging his kit towards the older wolf before he looked back at Kubikuro. His earlier anger completely gone.
"On a snowy night, I took shelter in the camp-site not too far from here. Both Alpha Dakota's family and forgive me if I've forgotten her name..." He closed his eyes as if trying to remember, before opening them again. "Ebony, the panther and her family are residing there. Alpha took me into their pack and I stayed a couple nights, But was uncomfortable and left. From there I have been looking for members from each group, hoping to help them even if I'm not there. I found Vox by the river, then after a short trip to the mountains we came here and found you guys." He explained before he looked down at Kurama and a very at ease Talus. "I wish for you to take my kit back to the den, he will lead you the way. I must continue searching, if there are any more of your family out here I will find them."
" On it." Demanicus said before shooting a jet of flame himself. Instantly the cement dried and the black dragon was able to move. That was when Iora poked her head out from around the Rebels' Cave.
" What are you two doing?" She asked.
" Building. What's it look like?" Demanicus replied before getting an idea. " Hey, do you want to help?"
" What's in it for me?"
" Umm... a bigger cave? We're trying to get it finished by the time night falls."
" Fine. What do you want me to do?"
" What do you think, Bloodshot?" Demanicus asked the red dragon beside him.
" Of course." Anjiti nodded.
" You found Ebony? What about Lynk? What about Kratia and Zolo? I'll kill that boy if I found out that he's gone and gotten himself in trouble." Kilier raced.
" I'm sure your brother is fine. And Lynk can take care of himself."
" What Kilier means to say is, are you sure about this, kitsune?" Kubikuro asked, gaining a glare from Kilier.
Bloodshot looked over at the black and gold she dragon before returning his gaze to the black dragon.
"It is your decision, I have no quarrels if she helps, or what it is she does."
"I am a loner, it felt as if your gang had outed me the moment I arrived. I will not be returning, besides," He said as he licked Kurama on the head, he then placed the kit on Talus' back. "I know Mana will look after my kit in my absence."
He then nuzzled Kurama.
"Papa has some business he has to attend to. You will go with Talus and Asylum, back to Mana." He explained and Kurama yipped happily at the thought of seeing Mana again.
Tasuki then looked over at the others and nodded before he turned, releasing his tails from Asylum's grip, he then, with Vox at his side. Headed back into the forest.
Kurama placed his paws on Talus' tuff and looked at the others.
"Weady go see Nii?" He asked shyly.
" Okay then. You can make the nests and build the temporary housing. We've got nesting materials this way." Demanicus decided before heading off to where the other two dragons were working.
Iora looked at Bloodshot confused before following her older brother. Almost instantly, she noticed the stumps, leaves and moss and looked to her brothers in disbelief. She then thought up a massive pile of matresses (each one large enough to fit two large lions on comfortably) as well as sheets and pillows.
" If you four think mothers with children are going to be comfortable on tree stumps, you're sorely mistaken. I'm glad I offered to help." She reprimanded the boys.
Kubikuro watched as the kitsune and the horse disappeared into the forest. " There goes a zenko kitsune who has seen some rough times. If only he'd allow me to be his friend. Then he may have been able to let go of some of those rough times. In any case, I'll have to find out the rest of the story when I get to camp and give the others a lesson in Japanese folklore... specifically the kitsune." He mumbled to himself.
But it was Hope who answered the small kit after looking around. " We're ready whenever you are, little Kurama." She smiled.
Bloodshot followed silently behind the two dragons and moved over to sit by his brother with his head bowed.
"I apologize miss. I have forgotten that majority in the camp have had the luxury of sleeping in a bed." Snowdrift spoke with his head bowed. "We may be able to re-construct the stumps for use as tables and such." He curled his tail around his legs, head still bowed.
Kurama nodded to the white female before he tugged on Talus' ear in an attempt to get the wolf to turn around.
"We need go dat way." He said pointing east.
Vox looked down at the Kitsune with worry. *Are you sure you are alright, leaving Kurama?*
The kitsune looked up at the daemon horse before nodding.
"Hai, he will be better off around a female. Specially when we will be moving around alot."
" Done deal." Iora stated, satisfied with Snowdrift's idea. " Demanicus, follow Uphere's example and get what I am assuming is a wall done."
" Yes, mother." Demanicus spat, earning him a slap upside the head.
Uphere, deciding to let things simmer down with his siblings, turned to Bloodshot. " If you could follow Snowdrift's example and make another wall the same length as Mani, that would be great."
" Aye, aye, Captain Kurama, Sir!" Krieg called out, giving a salute and standing at attention at Talus' left shoulder; a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face.
Seth sighed, starting to get embarrassed by his younger brother's antics. But he couldn't say anything. Instead he got ready and allowed the kit to lead him to where his friends were. Anjiti nudged Kubikuro's shoulder, telling him that they were about to leave, before turning to face the direction that the kit was pointing in.
Snowdrift smiled slightly that the female wasn't too mad at them. 'This will take a while.' He thought to himself as he continued on about his work.
Bloodshot looked at the other red dragon and nodded, before moving over the the black dragon and starting on the second wall.
Kurama nodded looking down at the teen. Asylum smiled before he took Talus' other side and they headed the way Kurama had pointed. After a few minutes the kit started to get board.
"Wun." He said jumping on Talus in excitement. "Wun, wun fast!"
Talus smiled at the kit before he sprinted off ahead, taking zigzags and coming back every time they got too far away. Hunter smiled at the kits sequels of approval, he moved up beside Asylum and nudged into him. The vampire looked down a the orange wolf in confusion, but Hunters infectious smile soon spread to his own face and they carried on it comfortable silence, discluding Kurama's happiness.
Mana awoke at the sound of faint squealing and leapt to her feet.
"Kurama!" She called out, before she sprinted out of the cave, dodging the dragons working on construction and bolting out into the forest.
Dakota kicked Bane sleeply in the ribs before mumbling what sounded like "Follow Her." She then rolled over, ignoring her grumbling mate. Bane shook sleep from his body and followed the fast wolf, having to use some of his vampiric speed to catch her.
"Mana slow down!" He yelped as he tripped on a pile of vines, not even stopping to wonder how they got there, he untangled himself and started to run again.
It happened quicker then he realised, Talus was turning on a zigzag and the next thing he knew he was on his back, with Bane standing ontop of him. Mana was off to the left nuzzling Kurama affectionately.
Asylum, recognizing Bane immediately, despite the passing years since their last encounter, ran over to the smaller wolf and nuzzled him.
"Brother, it is good to see you again."
Iora, Demanicus and Uphere all watched as Mana followed by Bane rushed through the construction site and into the forest. That was when they decided to stay out of their way incase someone ended up getting hurt upon their return. And Bane was a vampire so there was no doubt that whoever he ran into was going to get hurt as well. Thankfully, Uphere could relax for a little bit after Bane left - Snowdrift had finally finished one of the walls.
" You got some cement still behind the caves, bro?" the larger red dragon asked Demanicus.
" Yeah. I thought up a few big bags full." Demanicus replied.
" Okay. Let's get this wall up, Snowdrift."
" Meanwhile I'll get to work on the temporary sleeping quarters." Iora said, dragging her eyes from the forest.
With a quick thought, a massive barn emerged behind her and she disappeared inside with the matresses and pillows muttering something about 'making it livable'. Uphere just shook his head as he grabbed the wall and waited for Snowdrift to take the other side.
" Uh, Captain Kurama, Sir? We seem to have come across some distressed land lubbers. What are your orders?" Krieg asked confused, yet still keeping up his little game.
" Another vampire." Kubikuro noted, looking at Bane. " And he's got Lynk's scent on him. The brown wolf has Ebony's scent on her."
" Lynk's scent?" Kilier asked, not sure if she had heard right. Raising her lips slightly, she addressed the two new arrivals. "Who are you and what have you done to my husband and friend?"
Snowdrift and Bloodshot has also gotten out of the way of their family members before going back to work. Snowdrift nodded at the red dragon's words and picked up the other end of the side wall. Then with the help of Uphere and some cement, the wall was up in no time.
"Now we just need to set the cement, Uphere, you will have to do both side, I am unable to breath fire." Snowdrift said as he held up the wall.
Kurama looked away from Mana and over at Krieg. The teens words confused him untill he noticed Bane.
"Alpa!" He yipped as he ran over to the older wolf.
He leapt up onto his back and playfully bit his ear.
"Kurama?" Bane asked confused, he then glared down at his brother. "Where is Tasuki!" He snarled and Talus only smirked before kicking up, hitting Bane in the chest.
Asylum caught Kurama who was jolted from Bane's back as said wolf hit the ground afew meters away and Talus got up laughing. Bane was quick back on his feet and both wolves charged, snapping and scratching, trying to best the other. Asylum shook his head at their antics, he then took Kurama back over to Mana who now sat hear Kilier, Kubikuro, Anjiti and the teens.
"I apologise about them." He said to Mana as he gave Kurama back to her.
Mana licked Kurama on the head to assure he was ok before she nodded to Asylum before looking back at the others. Both wolves completely ignoring the raging fight behind them.
"We have done nothing to your mate and friend. They are back at the den, with multiple of your family as well as my own. Now may I ask where Tasuki is?" Her voice took on a worried tone towards the end as she looked down at Kurama who had curled around her leg. "And why you have Kurama?"
" On it." Uphere called back before letting loose a great jet of flame that, thankfully, didn't set the wall on fire. A few minutes later, he did the same thing again except on the other side. Then he inspected the work. " Two more walls for each side or one? Which do you think, Snowdrift?" He asked the white dragon.
Kubikuro looked back the way that the small group had come before turning to the brown female. " The zenko kitsune went off into the forest further with a demon stallion. They were apparently going in search of others of the families. Kurama was left with us to lead us to someone called Mana." He answered.
"Hum, I believe two would probably be best. It would make the structure stronger and provide a heavier shelter against rain and snow." Snowdrift said as he released the wall. "Shall we get to making another?"
"Ohh..." Mana whispered, her ears drooped and she sat down curling her tail around herself and Kurama. "Well, I'm Mana." She mumbled, disheartened that Tasuki had left once again.
" Two you say? Then two it shall be." Uphere said with a nod. " Let's get this finished."
With that, the larger red dragon returned to the log pile.
" What are you planning?' Demanicus asked warily.
" We're making two more sets of walls; one on either side of the base wall. Then we can start the demolition for the roof." Uphere replied.
" We're not going to be finished by the end of the day."
" Why did you think that was going to happen?"
" Um..."
" And you call me dense."
Demanicus growled at his brother for that. But other than that, he didn't move for fear of making Bloodshot stuff up on the wall somewhere. Uphere merely smirked as he got to work striping some more trees of their bark and branches.
Kubikuro nudged Mana gently under her muzzle. " Chin up, Mana. Your Tasuki will show up when your heart most wants him. You trust good old Kubikuro. He knows what he's talking about. Now let's get you back to the camp."
" Since when did he become a sage?" Kilier whispered in Anjiti's ear.
" I don't know. But I think I like it better than his hyperactive side." Anjiti replied.
" I don't know. I think I prefer his hyperactive side to this side. This side is just plain creepy."
But, as usual, it was Hope that got everyone back on track. " Uncle Kubi, where is this camp?"
" I've got Mana's scent. If it's okay with the rest of you, I'll lead." The brown and black dog replied.
Snowdrift watched Uphere walk off and looked at the wall they had just placed, 'The second wall would be roughly the same size give or take a log.' He thought hard and had to leap into the air, spreading his wings as another wall the same size as the one they just put up fell where he once stood with a loud crash. He sighed in relief.
"Uphere, perhaps we can fix this one up. Instead of starting from scratch again." He called out, flapping his wings at a lazy pace as he hovered over the new wall.
Mana smiled at the dog before standing up. She picked up Kurama by his scruff and held him, she then turned and walked back in the direction of camp, giving fair way between the fight and herself so neither her or Kurama got hurt. Asylum watched the group leave and walked over to his still fighting brothers. He sighed before sticking his foot into the cloud of dust. A thump was heard followed by the good hearted laughter of Bane. As the dust cleared Bane was lying on his back with Talus standing over him.
"Slow as ever little brother." Talus panted and Bane chuckled before kicking his brother lightly in a sign to get off him.
Talus moved, stretching as he did so and Bane got to his feet. They both look around but only saw Asylum.
"They already headed back to camp." Asylum answered their silent questions before trotting off himself, closely followed by his dusty, but happy younger brothers.
" What one?" Uphere called up to the white dragon. Then he noticed the new wall and he slowly realised where it must have come from. " Snowdrift! You are a genius! I'll be right there as soon as I finish this log. We're still going to need the logs for the roof."
After a couple of minutes, Uphere was back at the wall and helping Snowdrift fix up and attach the new wall to the concreted wall. Unfortunately, that's where they came to a stop.
" How are we going to attach the walls together?" Uphere asked as Demanicus and Bloodshot arrived with the wall for the other side and set that in concrete.
" I guess I'm not needed." Kubikuro muttered as he watched Anjiti lead Kilier and the kids after Mana.
Looking back at the fight still going on, he shook his head and hurried to catch up.
Bloodshot released a jet of fire at the wet concrete, setting his side. He then looked over at the red and white dragons.
"Snowdrift, perhaps your metal can hold them together?" The red dragon asked and Snowdrift nodded in understanding.
He then flew above the two walls, he looked down at the two logs and closed his eyes. He opened his mouth and breathed in deep before allowing the liquid metal his body produces to fall from his maw. He made sure that all gaps in the wall were covered in the liquid before he flapped his wings and blew at the wet walls, the metal hardened casing both walls together in a thin layer of strong metal. He then landed beside Uphere with a smile.
"How is that?"
Hunter smiled at Kubikuro's words as he trotted slowly beside Mana. They entered the camp at a slow pace and Mana stopped confused. Now that she wasn't in a rush she was able to examine what the others were doing.
"Whats going on?" She asked confused, Hunter sat down beside her watching the dragons work.
Uphere allowed a smile to cross his face as he inspected the metal wall.
" Perfect." He said then he realised something and his smile dropped. " Now we just have five more walls to go. And that'sbefore we can knock down most of the walls and roofs of the existing caves. I hope Iora's nearly ready with the barn."
" It's Iora. She's always ready." Demanicus replied, inspecting the metal wall himself.
At that moment, Iora poked her head out of the barn's large double doors and looked around. Noticing that the male dragons were working behind the caves, she crawled out of the barn and shook herself off before jumping up to the Rebel's roof.
" Almost done with the barn, in case you were wondering." She informed them, looking around at the construction. " Nice job, boys. But I think you'd better pick up the pace. It's starting to get late."
" If we have to work through the night, we will." Uphere said with a nod before turning to the smaller dragons. " Even if it is just me and Demanicus that have to work."
Iora nodded herself before leaping off the cave roof and starting to head back to the barn to finish things for the night. That was when she noticed the new arrivals.
" Afternoon, Mana, everyone else. Hope you don't mind, but the boys kind of took your words to heart. They're combining the caves." She said.
She shook herself off once more; getting ready to return to the barn. However, she stayed in front of the Eternally Bound Beta to await her next orders, her relief that six more of her friends had been found with no major injuries or enemies behind them. Seth and Krieg's wounds, she guessed, seemed like they were from their usual sibling fights.
Bloodshot snorted at the other red dragons words.
"We will have no problem working through the night." Snowdrift responded laying his tail over Bloodshot's shoulder in an attempt to quell his offended brother. "Now which wall are we working on next? Being able to materialize the walls we have already made will help us get this done quicker. I am unsure about your family but I am aware that Alpha Dakota and the pack will not be excited about spending the night in a barn, no matter how comfortable."
Kurama looked up at Iora and started shaking in Mana's grip. The wolf smiled slightly, she nodded to Iora's words before quickly making her way into their cave. She moved quietly over to where Gemma lay awake with Aden curled up at her side asleep and Dakota sitting by her side, they were talking quietly. Mana lay down lightly by her sisters and placed Kurama down beside the slightly bigger pup. Dakota watched with a slight smile as Kurama curled up against Mana and shut his eyes. She licked him on the head fondly before looking at Mana.
"Where is Tasuki?" Gemma asked also giving her attention to her older sister. "Why didn't he return with you and Kurama?"
At Gemma's words Mana's ears drooped and she closed her eyes.
"He wasn't there..."
Hunter watched Mana trot off before looking up at Iora, he wrapped his tail around his legs and flattened his ears but he kept her gaze, unsure if Mana wished for him to follow or not.
Iora watched Mana leave, finally noticing the young kitsune in her mouth, and smiled at the knowledge that he was finally safe. She then turned to the golden wolf in front of her in confusion, trying to figure out who he was. But she got distracted when Seth and Krieg leapt up at her, tackling her to the ground.
" Iora!" They howled happily in unison.
" Hello, you two. I'm glad to see you're okay. All of you." The golden dragon replied.
" And we're glad to see you. Who else is here?" Kubikuro asked.
" See for yourself. we're in the cave closest to the Blade Falcon. Though I can't say we'd be there for long considering Uphere and Demanicus are doing some... redecorating shall we say."
" Sounds like fun. I'll go check things out."
Anjiti and Kilier both nodded as Kubikuro, Hope and the boys went into the cave. Kilier followed not long after, but only when she noticed her daughter give Hunter a confused and worried look. Iora then turned back to Hunter, her head turned slightly in confusion.
" May I ask who you are?" She asked, lowering herself so that her face was level with his.
Demanicus turned to Uphere with silent words before responding to the white dragon. " Yeah, the Rebels don't take too lightly to sleeping in barns themselves, if they can help it. Don't get me wrong, they will sleep outside in the wild and in a house but that's a different story."
" But hopefully it will only be one night." Uphere added, noticing that he had angered Bloodshot... again.
Snowdrift nodded to the black dragon's words, he had figured as much.
"So shall we begun construction again?" Bloodshot grunted looking away from the three dragons and out into the forest.
Hunter twitched slightly at the younger females confused and worried gaze, and relaxed when she left. He shook his golden fur before re-gaining eye contact with the dragon who was now at his height.
"Iora, A beautiful name." He spoke purring lightly. "I am Hunter, adoptive son of Moonlight and proud mate of Charmed. It is a pleasure to meet you." He then stretched his paws in-front of himself and bowed.
Just as he sat up straight again Bane nudged into him affectionately as he passed, Asylum and Talus right behind him. Bane then rubbed against Iora's front leg as he passed her before trotting into their cave.
Hunter smiled at the three of them before looking back at the she-dragon.
"Is there anything I can do to help with the construction of the con-joined cave?"
"What do you mean he wasn't there?" Dakota growled and Mana sighed.
"When we got to the group a wolf named Talus was carrying Kurama, beside him was another wolf called Asylum. Bane seemed to recognize them. Hunter was with them also, as was some of the others gang, but no Tasuki..." She whimpered the last part and jolted slightly when a small tongue licked her cheek.
She looked down to see Kurama watching her with worried eyes.
"Wats wrong?" Mana smiled slightly at him before bathing his face with her tongue.
"I'm alright, you go back to sleep." She then nuzzled into him and the kit nodded before curling back up.
Bane trotted over to them and sat by Dakota's side. He nudged her shoulder before looking over to Asylum and Talus who sat by his side, Asylum was looking around the cave and Talus was watching Kurama with a goofy lopsided grin on his muzzle.
"Who are they?" Dakota asked looking over the two with confusion.
"They are my older brothers." Bane replied and at Dakota's shocked expression, he nodded. "Yep, those ones."
"It's a pleasure to meet the two of you." Dakota told them as she bowed slightly, both wolves nodded before going back to what they were doing.
Talus nudged into Mana's shoulder and the female looked up at him confused.
"The father said he will not be returning, he is entrusting his kit to you." Talus explained and beside him Asylum nodded dumbly.
"Nine-tails really likes you." He grinned, Mana blushed brightly beneath her fur before looking up at Dakota.
The she-wolf was watching Kurama with an intense gaze, as if trying to decipher something.
"Sister, what is wrong?" Gemma asked, worried about what was bothering Dakota.
"Vox is with him." She said lightly, looking at Mana. "He is safe, Vox is with him."
"What do you mean?" Mana asked confused, Bane and Gemma both shared the same look, while Asylum and Talus crowded the female, watching the kit sleep.
"Kurama's scent is surrounded by Vox's, they are travelling together. Vox will keep him safe."
" Of course, Elder. If we don't get this finished tonight, we have to get it finished for tomorrow night. Both our leaders would be mad if we don't." Uphere said, thinking up ways to get back on the smaller red dragon's good side again.
Demanicus, on the other hand, was looking up at the sky, judging how long they had left of daylight. Unfortunately, that was when he caught sight of the moon and shot into the sky, instantly worrying his brother.
" Demanicus? What's... oh no." The larger red dragon called before noticing what his brother was looking at.
A full moon was clearly visible in the darkening sky... and it's powers seemed to be reflecting in the black dragon.
" The honour is all mine, Hunter. And I must say, you have quite a strong name yourself... and a strong influence on young Hope Haythen back there." The golden dragon replied.
" I only hope her mother will be able to handle this kind of heart-break when she finds out about Hunter and charmed." Anjiti added.
" She'll get over it. In time. As for your question of help, Hunter, I'm going to need someone to let the others know what's going on. I'm almost finished getting the barn as comfortable and homey as I can, even if it is for a one night stay, but other than that, you'd have to talk to the male dragons about jobs. It's their project after all."
At that moment, Lynk trotted out of the gave and came to greet Anjiti and the new wolf. Unfortunately for him, he had to pass the new vampires at the same time and he began to loose control of himself. His ears tried to flatten themselves to the back of his head and the red tattoo curse mark began glowing. But he somehow managed to pull enough strength together and continued on his intended path.
" If you're planning what I think you're planning, Iora, I won't be able to follow it. There's too many vampires around here. Kilier and I are going to be living in the Blade Falcon if anyone needs us." He informed the Rebels outside of the cave after saying hello and introducing himself to Hunter.
" What about the kids?" Anjiti asked him.
" They and Kilier are free to come and go as they please. But I'll be plane-bound for the majority of the time. I'm sorry."
" If it has to be, it has to be." Iora muttered, only just noticing her oldest brother hovering in the sky with his eyes set on the moon. " This is bad."
The first thing that Demanicus felt as he looked into the moon was a deep cloud shroud his mind and refuse him access to his memories. A few minutes after that, he felt a tug at his heart and doubled over in pain. But he did not make a sound. Nor did he hear anything. The last thing he saw before he lost himself was a flash of gold as Iora shot into the sky.
" Demanicus. Snap out of it." Iora begged, not accomplishing anything.
But she was too late. Already the black dragon's pupils had dilated so much that they were practically non-existant. With striking speed and strength, he grabbed her front legs unexpectantly and let loose a massive roar that shook the ground. Out of reflex, Iora replied in her own metallic roar, but all she got out of it was a trip into the forest and the hard ground.
" Uphere!" The female dragon managed to call out before she hit the trees.
" Zhanouse." Uphere cursed under his breath before going up to take on his own brother.
Snowdrift nodded before he twitched. 'Something is wrong'
Bloodshot looked at his brother confused, that was when the both shivered. A burst of energy shot through their bodys, the brothers looked up at the black dragon in the sky.
"The moon." Bloodshot whispered, before looking to Uphere. "He's a were-dragon?" He stated more then asked.
"Dakota!" Snowdrift roared out hoping his Aunt had heard him.
"Yes, I noticed the little ones... Infatuation with me. I will not lead her on though. The next time we cross paths I will let her down gently. I wouldn't want the pup to be sad." Hunter said lightly before he looked over to the dragons.
He vaguely heard the conversation between Iora and Link but he was too interested in why the black dragon had suddenly taken off.
"What's bad?" He asked when Iora's muttered words reached his sensitive ears, he became worried when the she-dragon took flight. "Wait Iora, What is it?" He called up but he received no response.
He watched as she approached her brother in the sky, and after their roars and she was flung to the ground, he sprinted into the forest to make sure she was ok.
Dakota jolted to her feet as an immense energy flowed through her body.
"Something is very wrong, you guys stay here." She yelled as she ran out of the cave and into the camp.
She left the lip just as Snowdrift called out to her, she dropped to the ground winded, yelping lightly. After a minute she struggled to her feet and shook her body. 'Sometimes I hate being an empath.' She whined to herself before hurrying over to her nephews.
"I'm here, What is the problem?" Dakota asked in a rush, she sat down beside them and watched as Uphere flew up towards Demanicus.
"Something is wrong with the eldest." Snowdrift explained.
"I believe he is a were-dragon." Bloodshot added and Dakota's tail twitched.
"I've heard of them, they are like were-wolves, only much stronger. They do not change because of the night of the full moon has come. They only change when they see the full moon. He will be stuck like this till morning. If Uphere can not quell him, I will have to intervene."
Hunter pulled up beside Iora looking over her with worry.
"Are you alright, how badly are you hurt?"
"I'm fine."Iora replied stiffly, managing to get up off the trees that she had managed to fell in her fall. "I'm sorry I didn't respond to you earlier. I did hear you. But the thing is, my brother Demanicus has this illness that basically turns him into a were-dragon. He is stronger than me at the best of times, but when he sees the full moon..."
With a sigh, she tuned to the skies to watch as Uphere tried desperately to keep their brother at bay.
"Demanicus! Snap out of it! It's me, Uphere! Your brother!" The red dragon roared, trying to get through to his brother.
Demanicus merely swiped his tail at the side of Uphere's head. Unfortunately, he was that fast that the younger dragon barely had time to react. The force between the two attacks was so strong that it manage to throw the red dragon aside. Demanicus then turned around and began to assess the campsite below him. Uphere, however, managed to catch himself mid-air and charged at his brother before the black dragon was able to do anything that might have some dire consequences. As soon as he was close enough, he latched himself onto his brother and refused to let go.
"Seriously, Mani. Calm down. We need to get you some place secluded so that you can't go destroying everything that we've already worked hard on creating." The red dragon growled into his brother's ear, not realising that his words weren't getting through.
That was when Demanicus began twisting violently and threatening to shake Uphere off him. During one of his twists, he noticed Dakota watching him and regardless of Uphere still being on his back and trying to pin him down, he charged towards her; his maw beginning to glow with his inner flame.
"I'm glad you are ok." Hunter whispered before also looking to the sky. "We need to get you under shelter. Alpha will take care of this, She will keep everyone safe." He said as he moved to her side. "I may be small but if you need help you can lean on me"
Dakota watched the struggle, her tail twitching anxiously behind her.
"Get into the dens!" She shouted as she noticed the Black dragons eyes lock with hers. "All of you, get out of the camp-site!"
Knowing the dire situation both Bloodshot and Snowdrift shifted into their smaller tiger forms and sprinted into the closest cave, for cover, it just happened to be the rebels cave. The stood near the entrance away from the cave's inhabitants looking out to make sure Dakota was ok.
"Mana, go." Gemma growled out, Mana nodded before licking Kurama lightly before disappearing. Gemma shifted so both Aden and Kurama were curled up with her tail over them. Asylum had fallen asleep nose to nose with the Kit and Talus was lying on his back beside his older brother. Bane had been sitting at the cave entrance since Dakota left staring out into the camp-site watching what was happening.
Mana appeared on the roof of the eternally bound cave. Both sisters shared a look before Dakota vanished. Only to re-appear on the rebels cave roof.
"Uphere! Let him go, and take shelter!" Dakota yelled up to the red dragon before bracing herself, Mana also braced.
'We're in for an ugly fight.' They both thought.
Iora turned to face Hunter, a slight smile on her face. " Your help is great, my friend, but the trees will cover me. I will find one on the other side of camp and... merge with it, shall we say. You just get yourself to safety."
Kratia was about to go and find out what was going on, she had even stood and was about to take her first step, when she was blocked by Kubikuro, Bosko and her cousins. The resulting argument ended up getting Lynk and Anjiti involved as well when they ran into the cave in search for cover. Eventually, after a few minutes and another roar from Uphere outside, Zolo managed to win the argument and he cautiously made his way to where Bloodshot and Snowdrift were standing by the cave entrance.
" Hey, um... what's going on outside? All we can hear are roars and orders flying all over the place and its woken up some of the little ones. And we only just managed to get them and Monty to sleep." He said, still being cautious.
Uphere was't sure how he was able to do it, but he was able to feel his brother's flames as they crawled up his throat. And if there was any dragon's flame to watch out for, it was a black dragon's flame. The hottest of all fires, the black dragon's flame was at least three times hotter than Uphere's. Anything in the flame's path would be almost instantly disintegrated if not very, very well cooked. And that was why Uphere was disobeying Dakota. With as much strength as he could muster, and at the last second, he managed to turn Demanicus' head. The resulting fireball flew through the air and landed somewhere near the base of the mountains.
" Oh man, Demanicus. Come on!" He growled.
That was when Demanicus threw him off and he landed with a thud on his back in the centre of the campsite. The force, though, shot a jet of flame from his own mouth which he used to try and hold his brother back.
" See, Dakota. You need me." The red dragon growled when he needed to catch his breath.
"If your sure..." Hunter muttered before he sprinted through the forest and straight across the campsite and into the left den, running straight into Bloodshot and Snowdrift. The three of them toppling into a pile.
"Such grace Hunter." Bloodshot muttered as the two tigers and wolf untangled.
Snowdrift then turned to Zolo, "Demanicus has changed, tonight Is a full moon. Alpha and Beta are taking care of it."
"You dolt!" Dakota yelled at the red dragon who was now on the ground. "Take cover, regardless of if you would be helpful or not, anything that injures you injures me! Even if I'm not fighting, your wounds become mine, If you want to help go into your cave and don't get hurt." She snarled angerly, before she howled towards the sky, Mana joined in soon after.
In a rush of wind that blew around the whole camp, whipping dust, logs, moss and vines around below, both Dakota's and Mana's bodies ruffled. Their light body fur shifting to make way for its pitch black replacement, their darker socks, under-tail and ear colour shifted to a blood red, both their fangs and claws elongated and their blue eyes disappeared, being replaced by red pupil-less depths. With blinding speed Mana was in the air and on Demanicus back between his wings, she wrapped her paws around the black dragons throat and bit into the back of his neck. She then used the force of the wind surrounding her to lift the dragon further away from the camp. She stopped when she felt the wind whipping around them. They were just beneath the cloud cover. She then allowed her blue flames to flow from her body, they wrapped around the black dragons 6 limbs like a vine, completely immobilizing him. Dakota soon joined them in the sky, she stopped a few meters down from them and smiled.
"I can feel your anger." She called out hoping the dragon could hear her. "How it's consumed you enough to attack anyone no matter if we are friend or foe." She sat down, her tail twitching behind her. "You will stop this now."
" Did you just say... Demanicus has changed... and it's a full moon?" Zolo said quietly, swallowing hard. " Oh man, I wish Julien was here."
" But he's my brother!" Uphere whined as he watched Mana and Dakota both change themselves.
But despite his futile attempts to calm his brother, he watched from below as the scene began to unfold; his worry for his brother's safety growing with every twist and turn the black dragon made in the attempt to throw Mana off. Unfortunately, the red dragon could not stop his tail from twitching as he watched and heard his brother's roars. And he knew that, despite his wings still being pinned down, he was still an expert flyer.
Demanicus was quick to prove that when he flipped backwards and successfully managed to start spinning in mid air, trusting the called upon winds to support him and keep him airborne. The only time he stopped was when he heard Dakota speak, but her words did not register in his brain. With a snarl, he opened his maw and allowed a jet of black flames to shoot towards the red and black wolf.
" No Demanicus!" Uphere roared, leaping up and under the black dragon and taking hold of his brother by the throat with his own jaws. The only things he managed to do was cut off the flames and provide an extra set of cuffs for Demanicus.
"You stubborn Dura! His flame will not harm me." Dakota yelled at the red dragon before she shot a large burst of blue flame towards the three.
Mana closed her eyes as Dakota flame washed over her. She sighed, the blue flame was always more refreshing then the red one.
"Listen to me Demanicus." She growled allowing her body to emit a wave of energy that had an instant calming effect on any living being. "If this can work on Bane when he is in his made state then it can work on you." She closed her eyes and allowed the calming air to pulse from her body.
"Yes, that is what I said and do not worry Alpha will take care of it." Snowdrift said to the wolf before he peaked out to look at the mass of blue flames in the sky with growing ease as Mana's calming power began to reach even those in the caves.
Uphere and Demanicus both yelped at the sight of the blue flames coming toward them, but the instant their bodies touched the flames, they notedbthat they didn't feel a thing. Uphere dropped right out of the sky as soon as the flames reached Mana and her soothing abilities washed over him like a giant ocean wave. He even curled up and fell asleep as soon as he touched the bed of moss and vines that he had fallen on. Demanicus, on the other hand, only started shaking again and trying to call forth his fire. But to his luck, it wasn't working and he shot his head up in the direction of the moon as if trying to gain more strength than what he already had from it.
Dakota ceased her blue flame and watched as the red dragon descended to the ground with a smile, before she looked at the black dragon. She noted what he was trying to do and laughed lightly.
"Demanicus. Your body is too relaxed to rely on the power the moon gives you. Your mind may still wish harm on us but your body, for lack of better terms, doesn't care. It is too relaxed to produce the flame you desire. Now come down from there and use some of that power boost to help us finish construction." Dakota demanded as she herself allowed the wind to carry her to the ground, she landed lightly beside Uphere and watched as Mana slowly lowered the black dragon back towards the camp-site.
Demanicus stopped his struggles and turned to face Dakota, panting heavily. With a roar he shook himself down and allowed himself to be taken down to the ground. But he planned other things. Things that he would not remember come the morning. As soon as he felt his tail touch the ground, he used all his gathered strength to snap the flames that bound him and shot back into the sky, shaking his head as he stretched his limbs free of their sleeping state. He had no fire, but a trained dragon had other ways to fight... if only he was allowed.
The pressure Demanicus had used to snap the flames Mana had surrounded him in flung the she-wolf back, she knocked into the rebels cave, yelping as her back collided with the concrete wall knocking her unconscious. Dakota gritted her teeth as Mana's pain shot up her spine before she shook her head fiercely, shaking away the unconscious feeling that threatened to over come her as well. She then glared up at the black dragon and released a vicious snarl. She flew up into the air and came to a holt before the were-dragon.
"Do not try to fight me paw to paw, you will loose." She threatened, he had no flame left so she figured the only things he had left to fight with were his tail, claws and teeth. "I will no allow you to continue this, we have more important things to be worrying about then fighting eachother!" She growled before she shot towards the black dragon with blinding speed, her jaw wrapped around the dragons neck and she continued towards the ground. 'The impact will severely injure me but it should knock him out.' She thought as the ground came closer by the second.
Demanicus let loose a weak roar as Dakota flew at him and his vision began to blur as soon as the wolf clamped her jaws around his neck. That was when the sound of a larger, more experienced dragon's roar echoed across the land. The sound reverberated right through the black dragon, instantly waking him up from his own mind and returning his pupils to his eyes. When he looked up, the haze beginning to fade from his mind, he noticed that the once clear night had become extremely cloudy... almost stormy. After a few blinks to further clear his mind and try to figure out what was going on, he found that he was on collision with the trees. In a last attempt to save himself, he flung out his front claw and grabbed the nearest tree, wrapped his tail around the same tree and used his strength and wings to slow his descent.
Once he felt he was safe enough, he tried looking around in order to figure out what had just happened. What he found was that there was a red and black wolf attached to his neck... and his neck was beginning to get itchy. Next to that, he was mysteriously out of breath... and he was almost certain that a descent like the one he just did wouldn't have been so exhausting in the first place. The only thing on his mind was one simple question.
" What just happened?" He asked aloud.
Dakota's ear twitched at the roar and she felt as Demanicus' Were-dragon effects began to ware off and an immense relief washed through her. She ceased the wind that was fuelling their decent and with the dragons help they came to a stop before hitting the ground. Once at a complete stop Dakota sighed and released the black dragon vaguely hearing his question. She shook her head and her fur shimmered back to its light/dark and white grey colours, her claws and fangs retreated and her eyes bleed back to their deep blue colour. She licked at his neck lightly trying to sooth the itchy feeling before she jumped off him and floated in the air so she could look him in the eyes.
"You don't remember anything?" Dakota asked confused.
" Remember what? Did I miss something important?" Demanicus asked before shaking his head and neck.
He felt his neck crack in a number of places with great relief and he quickly realised that his itch had disappeared when Dakota had shone up in front of him. But he still couldn't figure out what had happened or why Dakota was with him. He did, however, have a sneaking suspicion that Dakota was the cause of the itch in his neck. With a sigh, he detached himself from the tree and landed gently on the ground below before looking up at the grey wolf in confusion as he waited for an answer.
Dakota cleared her throat awkwardly. 'How do you tell someone that you "attacked them to stop them attacking everyone else" lightly?' She shook her head and lowered herself so again she was eye level with the dragon.
"You, turned into a were-dragon, tonight is a full moon, you lightly injured Iora, Uphere and mildly injured Mana. The four of us were trying to stop you from harming everyone. I'm not sure how you reverted back but you did. I feel fine but I hope I haven't harmed you in anyway." She said lightly and her ears drooped. "I'm sorry I attacked you, I just didn't want to see anyone get hurt."
" I did what?" The black dragon asked, surprising himself by becoming even more confused that what he already was.
"So your not aware you can change?" She thought to herself out loud before dropping to the ground.
"Come on, lets not worry about this. We have construction to continue." Dakota smiled, hoping the whole thing could be put behind them.
Demanicus followed almost like an obedient dog but one thing was still playing on his mind.
" I changed?" He whispered quietly to himself.
Dakota's ear swivelled back at the sound of the dragons whispered voice. 'Perhaps he wasn't suppose to know.' She sighed and ran over to Mana when the camp spread out before them. She nudged the unconscious wolf attempting to wake her. Mana was still in her black and red form and that worried Dakota.
"Gemma!" She called out to her sister.
At the sound of Dakota's call, Gemma knew the fight was over. She stood up carefully, and stepped lightly over the cub and kit she was keeping warm. They shifted around in their sleep, becoming calm again when Charmed took Gemma's place.
"I'll be back." Gemma whispered as she nudged Aden before trotting out of the cave, Bane was close on her heels.
She noticed that Demanicus was back to normal and smiled, Bane stopped just outside of the cave examining the camp-site as Gemma quickly made her way over to Dakota and Mana.
Hunter, Bloodshot and Snowdrift slowly left the rebels cave when they noticed that the camp-site seemed calm. The two tigers went over to Demanicus while Hunter slowly walked around the cave to where the three sisters were. Bloodshot and Snowdrift sat down before the black dragon watching him warily.
"How are you feeling?" Snowdrift asked, his tail twitched irritably behind him, his body instinctively ready to run should the dragon show any signs of hostility.
Gemma looked down at Mana confused.
"Why is she still in that form?" She asked and Dakota just shook her head confused. "She didn't change back when she was knocked unconscious?" Again Dakota shook her head.
Hunter not wanting to disturb them walked around the group of three, brushing his tail against Gemma's to alert his"Aunt" of his presence before he headed toward the cave.
He passed Bane with a nod and looked in, towards the right of the cave Akira, Skype, Krystal and Lelani were curled up sleeping, just off from them also to the right lay Zander and Tsume, they were on their backs watching the roof of the cave and talking quietly. Off to the left of the cave was an oddly shaped flame, 'Must be Jordon and Phoenix.' he said to himself before his eyes fell on the one he was looking for. He moved quietly nodding to Tsume and Zander who looked over at him, he sat down lightly looking over Aden with a smile when he noticed Kurama he frowned slightly but didn't say anything. He lay down after licking Charmed on the face, before yawning.
"Sleep now Hunter, we can talk later." Charmed whispered to him and a faint nod came before his eyes slid shut.
"Try picking something up, you might figure out why she won't wake up." Gemma suggested and Dakota nodded, she held her paws out towards Mana, laying her ears back and closing her eyes.
"I can't feeling anything wrong with her. I only sense... No..." She whispered the last protest to herself before violently shaking her younger sister. "Mana! You wake up this Instant!" She snarled in her scared state. "Get up! Don't you dare give up!"
Gemma looked at Dakota confused before she realised what was wrong with Mana, her ears flattened.
"There is nothing I can do." She whispered and Dakota glared at her, before she sighed and lay down beside Mana whimpering.
" To be honest? Confused." The black dragon replied, lowering himself slightly so that he wasn't so high above the tigers.
Slowly, he began to look around in an attempt to cure his confusion. All he found was a sleeping Uphere and a trio of female wolves. And the scents he was picking up mainly included fear with just a tad bit of caution on the side. But the one he mainly felt - and this confused him greatly - was pain. Without even planning, his eyes turned back to Mana. His thoughts were only confirmed by Dakota's growls and he instantly began to wonder if Mana's pain was his doing. He wasn't even aware of Iora returning from her hiding spot on the other side of the forest.
" Demanicus, brother. Are you feeling alright?" He vaguely heard his little sister ask him.
For a reply, he went over and kicked Uphere off his bed. Uphere, having been in the middle of a wonderful dream, was not pleased. Annoyed, the red dragon lashed out at his older brother only to be chased back to the Rebels cave and away from his moss nest. Very confused, Iora and Uphere could only watch as Demanicus went over and picked up Mana's comatose body. The black dragon then went over to the nest and curled on top of it; Mana tucked safely between his side and his tail and being kept safe under his left wing.
" Uh, Demanicus? Are you sure that's wise?" Uphere asked, looking between the curled up black dragon and the two other female wolves.
The only reply he received was Demanicus lifting his head to face him and snorting a puff of smoke at him.
Snowdrift nodded at the black dragons words and watched as he moved over to his Aunts.
"Come Bloodshot, let us return to mother. From what just happened I don't think anyone is too interested in construction right now." Bloodshot nodded to Snowdrift and quietly followed his brother.
Both of them entered the cave and headed over to Phoenix and Jordon who were still curled up in a ball of fire. They lau down beside them and stared at the roof quietly.
Dakota jolted to her feet as the black dragon took her sister and she snarled, she went to stalk towards him when Gemma stopped her.
"Look again, with clear eyes." The blue, black and white wolf whispered and Dakota shook her head, looking over at Demanicus who was curled around Mana on the moss bed.
She sighed before sitting down and staring at her paws, Gemma lay down beside her. She lay her head on her paws and watching the black dragon with curiosity, confused about his actions.
The flicker of movement from Dakota instantly gained Demanicus' attention and he turned to watch her and her younger sister. Once he was clear that neither he nor Mana were in any danger from the older wolf, he lowered his head back down next to the black wolf he was protecting.
" If I've done anything to cause this, I'm sorry. If need be, I will protect you. No harm shall penetrate my barrier around you. I will wait until Tasuki returns if I must. Just please be okay." He whispered quietly into Mana's ear.
Dakota's sensitive ears heard the black dragon's words and she sighed before trudging into their den, she didn't even acknowledge Bane as she passed him, she just slunk in and lay down beside Charmed, Hunter, Aden and Kurama. She watched the kit with worry. 'Without Tasuki and with Mana unconscious, what will I do with him?' She asked herself before she felt Gemma's presence by her side. The two lay there thinking about what would happen now. Bane watched them from the entrance of the den, he wasn't sure what was wrong but knew to leave his mate be. He moved over to Demanicus and lay down in the dirt by the dragon, watching the entrance of the camp with sad eyes, it wasn't long till his eyes slid shut and his breathing evened out.
Tasuki lapped up some water from the stream, the had circled the back of the den and headed south again, they were now resting where he had first found Vox.
"Apart from the group, the rest of our hunt has been unsuccessful." He sighed as he turned to look at the horse who was lying by a small fire.
*Perhaps, everyone has been located?* Vox asked watching the kitsune. *Something else is bothering you, your... Aura has changed.* Tasuki looked at him with slight shock with he quickly masked with confusion.
"I don't know what you are referring too, I'm going to hunt." With that said, he trotted off into the darkening night.
Demanicus raised his head once again when he felt Bane's presence nearby. With a silent nod, he shifted himself so that he lay on his stomach instead of his side and spread his other wing over Bane as well. He then curled his head back around Mana and watched for any sign of her waking.
The sound of snickering reached the ears of the two black jaguars and forced Rictor to come to a halt with a growl.
" Rictor. Leave them along. They're not doing anything to harm either one of us." his girlfriend, Nikila, whispered in his ear.
" They are doing something, Nikila. They're making fun of us. Don't you care about that?" the male replied.
" Let them for all I care. The main thing is, at least they're not Magnar or Mazari."
" Kai and Ray are probably equal to just one of them."
" Hey, lovebirds!" The sure sound of Kai's voice called out from the deepening darkness. " You better not be... you know... making it up there."
Following closely behind was Ray's failed attempts to keep his laughter in check. And Rictor's anger sparked.
" That's it! I swear, Kai Guerra, when I get my hands on you and your brother I'm going to run you through with your own motorbikes' steering systems!" Rictor roared, instantly starting a chase.
" Boys! Get back here!" Nikila roared after them, trying to to loss either one of the three.
Unfortunately, the Guerra brothers were in too much of a rush trying to get away from an angry Rictor that they weren't looking where they were going. And Rictor was too focussed on trying to get revenge that he only had eyes for the two trouble-makers. Only Nikila saw the demon horse in front of them before they did, and so only she stopped in time. The other three crashed into the horse, discovered what they had crashed into and hurried to get off, sitting down and lowering their heads continuously muttering their apologies to what they had just done.
" I am so sorry." Nikila said, louder than the boys so that the horse was able to hear her words.
Vox shook his mane as he was knocked into, he stepped out of the fire he had been pushed into and studied the group before him. Two snow leopards one yellow-grey and the other white-grey as well as two black panthers one pure black and the other dark grey with afew visible spots. *Fear not.* He laughed lightly as his tail flicked behind him in excitement that someone had found them. *I do not recognize any of you. Forgive me if I'm wrong but are you related to or friends with Kubikuro, Anjiti or Kilier?*
Tasuki stalked after the antelope he had summoned, he really wasn't hungry but hunting was distracting him from his wondering mind. 'I just want to go back...' He shook the thought from his head and continued on. He looked behind him, he had moved a fair way away from his friend and hoped the horse was ok. Just as he turned back three streaks, one black and gold, one two-toned grey and the other brown, blurred through his vision affectively taking down the antelope he had been stalking. He watched as the two wolves and the cheetah took down the beast with teamwork and precision. Once the kill was made the black and gold cheetah glanced over her shoulder, she called out as the two wolves released short low howls signalling the success of the kill and dinner time. Tasuki backed up slightly out of view as the bushes off to the left of the three began to shake. A white and black teen wolf with a brown scarf emerged, close behind her was a brown tiger cub and Lelani.
'What is she doing out here with this group?' Tasuki asked himself confused. The white and black wolf and the two cubs made there way over to the three by the kill. The group of six then started eating. Tasuki was going to step towards them when the black cheetah shot up, her ears alert as she looked behind them, back at the bush.
"Magnar, Bria, Theluji & Samantha! Hurry up before these gluttons eat the whole kill!" She called out before returning to her meal.
Tasuki watched as the bushes shook again. 'Theres more?' He thought before scaling the nearest tree and watching them from up high.
Kai and Ray looked at each other before lifting their heads to the horse. " You know Aunt Anjiti and Uncle Kubikuro?" They asked.
" As for us, the three you mentioned are family friends." Rictor added. " I'm Rictor. This is Nikila. And those two over there are Kai and Ray. They're brothers. May I ask who you are?"
" Yeah, we're coming!" Bria called as she somehow managed to trudge through the forest towards the kill.
In front of her, Theluji and Samantha raced ahead; the first out of the Rebels group to reach the antelope and gourge themselves on what they could. Somewhere behind her, Magnar still plodded. It was worrying seeing him like that. Usually, he was the first in the kill, the first to get the best parts and always with his brother or else knowing where Mazari was. Never had the two been alone without the other's knowledge. And it was taking its told on the older brother. Finally, Bria reached the carcass and snagged a leg and part of the rump. Magnar, on the other hand, reached the carcass after it was almost completely gone and just sat down and looked sadly at the remains.
" Here." the adult polar bear urged, tearing off the rump from her leg and taking it over to the brown liger.
Magnar looked down at the slab of meat for a few minutes before giving an answer. " I'm not hungry." He murmured.
" Nonsense. You need to eat."
" I'm not hungry."
" Magnar, please. Just eat it." Samantha begged from where she lay next to the smaller polar bear cub.
" I won't eat until I find my brother."
With a sigh, Bria turned to face the others of their group.
Vox shook his mane again before lying back down, getting comfortable. *It's a pleasure to meet the four of you. Although I can't say much about knowing them. I met them for no more then five minutes before me and my friend were on our way. They are back at camp with a lot more of your friends and family.* Vox explained before he looked down at the fire that was getting smaller, he materialised some wood and placed it in before looking up at the four cats. *Sit and rest, Tasuki will be back soon, after he finishes his hunt.*
"Gahh! Damn it Link, you got blood on my scarf!" Akyme yelled at the male and he just smirked at her.
"You shouldn't wear it during meals." He laughed and the white wolf snapped at him quickly licking the blood from her scarf before it stained.
Shadow watched them laughing lightly before looking at the other group with slight annoyance, she picked up the piece of meat and shoved it in the liger's face.
"You will eat this now." She growled. "What good are you to your brother weak and hungry." Her tail flicked angrily behind her before she dropped the meat at the cats paws and turned away. "Not like I care if you starve or not, guess my family's kill isn't good enough for you." She snarled low before returning to the three wolves and two cubs.
She licked the two cubs before nuzzling the wolves.
Tasuki moved slightly in the tree to get a better look at Lelani, that's when he noticed she had Pink eyes and not Blue. A small twig snapped beneath him and immediately he had the cheetah's attention.
"Kitsune! Come down, this was originally your kill was it not? There is little left, but you should eat." She spoke and she sat down as Tasuki dropped to the ground.
Tasuki slunk over to the kill, and looked down at the next to nothing carcass, his ears drooped slightly and Shadow sighed.
"Akyme." She called, and the white wolf vanished.
She appeared less then a minute later with a small rabbit in her maw, she dropped the small animal before Tasuki before she cleaned her muzzle.
"Eat." Shadow said and Tasuki nodded, making quick work of the small body.
"Now tell me, who are you?" Shadow asked and Tasuki smiled a lopsided grin at her.
"I'm Tasuki." He blushed when Shadow licked his cheek and the cheetah laughed.
"Had abit of meat stuck in your fur."
" Thank you, sir." Rictor replied, moving to a lying position. Kai and Ray made to go sit next to him but he instantly turned to them with a growl. " You two can go sit on the other side of the fire."
Grumbling, the snow leopards did as they were told. Despite them being older by birth, he was still the son of the leader. But one look at Nikila told them that it was probably better that they did anyway for fear of them getting injured by the annoyed jagaur. Slowly, as Ray and Kai made themselves comfortable on the other side of the fire, the pure black panther lay down beside her boyfriend and nuzzled her head under his.
" You shouldn't be too hard on them, you know." She suggested.
" I know. But they should know not to tick me off, as well." Rictor replied softly before raising his voice. " So, Vox. Tell us. Who is this friend of yours? And may I ask why you cannot speak normally like us?"
Magnar shook his head roughly, splattering meat and blood around him, his eyes instantly changing from lost and worried to pure anger. Samantha even swore that she had seen a flicker of fire dance across his brown eyes. Unfortunately her attention was transfured to Theluji and her apparent fixation of tails, specifically Tasuki's tails. The young polar bear had waddled over to the fox and was sniffing, pawing and sticking her head in between and with the nine tails obviously thinking the fox was some sort of strange toy. Both Samantha and Bria instantly became very apologetic over the actions of Theluji to the kitsune. And that was when the spark in Magnar's eyes grew into uncontrolled dark grey flames covering his mane and tail tip.
" I am not weak!" He roared, pouncing on the cheetah. " Don't you ever say that I am weak again! I have inherrited my father's ability as a Makai Warrior, thus proving my strength! Never forget that!"
Vox smiled at the small tiff before looking at Nikila. *My friend's name is Tasuki, he is a nine-tailed kitsune who I met only afew days ago.* He responded to her first question before frowning at the second. *As for my silence, I was not born with the ability of speech. Dakota, my Alpha found me and taught me how to communicate telepathicly. It is my only means of communication as I am unable to write due to having no human form.* He explained, only telling half the story. He then sighed 'The rest is too painful to share.' He finished to himself.
"It is quiet alright, my tails interest alot of beings. It doesn't bother me." He then turned back to the group before him.
"Do any of you know..." He twitched mid-sentence and looked back at Magnar before noticing his intentions.
Tasuki leapt at the Liger, tackling him to the ground before he got a chance to hit Shadow.
"Do not touch her! Where is your pride as a male oh so great Makai warrior?" Tasuki backed off him. "Trying to hit a female." He snorted before looking back at Shadow, wiggling his tails for the small polar bears amusement.
"As I was saying, Do any of you know Dakota or Raimundo?"
" I understand." Rictor said with a nod, respecting the older's wishes.
Ray, on the other hand, seemed to have a bit of an itch behind his ear. " I know I should know this, but... what's a kitsune?" He asked.
" Magnar Forza! That is exactly the same kind of attitude that your uncle had. He lost his first girlfriend because of it and he lost his life because of it! Do you honestly want to break your parents' hearts and turn out like Luigi?" Bria growled, swiping at the fire liger's nose.
Magnar leapt back with a slight growl before somehow managing to contain his flames once more and lowering his head. With a flick of his tail, he went and sat back in his original position watching both Bria and Tasuki wearily. Trust the polar bear to bring up his uncle like that. The memory of his uncle's death still stung his heart like a branding iron.
Samantha had other things on her mind at that time. " Papa? You met Papa?" She asked, practically begging in front of the kitsune for more information on the one who raised her as his daughter.
Vox chuckled lightly at the snow leopard.
*Kitsune, is the Japanese word for fox, Tasuki is a Nine-tailed fox.*
Tasuki twitched at the polar bears words and glanced back at Magnar with sad eyes.
"I apologize for my words. I have not meant to bring up bad memories for you my friend." He whispered bowing to the ligar before he looked back at Samantha and the others.
"You know where Alpha is?" Shadow asked lightly, her tail swishing behind her in a happy manner.
"I do know both Dakota and Raimundo and where they are. If you wish to follow me, I can lead you to where they and the majority of your family are. We just have to swing by and pick up my friend Vox, who is by the river, that way." He explained pointing one of his tails in Vox's direction.
"Vox, the daemon horse." Link piped up moving to stand by Samantha before Tasuki.
The kitsune nodded before turning around and starting off.
"Come on, we must move now, night is falling quickly and we are quite a distance from the camp where the others are." He then twitched his tails as he slowly trotted off, Link, Spitz and Akyme all looked to Shadow for confirmation and the Black cheetah nodded. Then the four, with Elena and Axel behind them followed closely behind Tasuki.
" Oh." Ray sighed before getting hit in the back of hsi head by his brother.
" You dodo. Uncle Kubikuro told us stories about kitsune and so has Dad. How could you forget?" Kai growled lightly.
" Maybe because you and Melody keep hitting me in the head. Why don't you hit your own head for once?"
" Because it would look stupid and it would hurt."
" Of cause it would hurt! That's the point!"
" Why you..."
With that Kai leapt at Ray and the two managed to find themselves in one of their famous tussles. With a sigh, Rictor lay his head on his paws and just watched the brothers fight as Nikila went to curl up and began falling asleep.
Quick to act (and because of Tasuki's bobbing tails) Theluji chased after the nine-tailed fox with her mother following close behind with her daughter's safety locked hard on her mind. Samantha looked at Magnar with sad eyes.
" Come on, Mag. We'll find Mazari. Now let's follow this fox so we can go see Papa. He'll know what to do." She said, going over to the liger and licking the blood off his face.
" Fine." Magnar whispered.
With that, the two followed the rest; Magnar on high alert for his brother.
Tasuki dully noted that the others were following him with a flick of his ear and the fact that he could sense the polar bear cub after his tails again. His ears drooped at the thought of having to lead the group back to camp. Shadow moved up beside him and leaned into him slightly.
"What is wrong?" She asked lightly nuzzling his shoulder.
"It is nothing." He whispered. "When we near the camp Vox will lead you the rest of the way. I will not be going with you." He then picked up his slow walk to a trot.
Shadow looked at him confused but nodded before picking up the pace herself. It wasn't long till they cleared a line of trees and came face to face with Vox, Ray, Kai, Rictor and Nikila. Tasuki looked at the horse confused and he just chuckled.
*They ran into me.* The horse explained before looking behind Tasuki and noticing his group of 10.
"They kidnapped and ate my kill." Tasuki said and was knocked by Shadow in a playful way.
"You should have been faster." She joked before she walked over to Vox and nuzzled him. "It's good to see you ok."
*And you too.* Vox stood up and trotted over to the others, he put Elena and Axel on his back before he started trotting north down the river. Akyme, Link and Spitz walked beside him whilst Shadow and Tasuki walked behind them.
Theluji, still after Tasuki's tails, wasn't looking where she was going and ended up tripping over Kai and Ray, effectively stopping their fight. Bria was quickly able to gather her cub by the scruff of her neck and, with a pointed look at the younger cats, followed as quickly as she could. Samantha, seeing her sister, leapt on both Nikila and Rictor, effectively squishing Rictor to the ground as she and Nikila rolled a little. Magnar just kept on walking.
" Niki! You're okay!" Samantha laughed.
" I was never harmed to begin with. And you know that." Nikila replied as Rictor managed to get up and shake himself free of dirt.
" I know. But we need drama in our lives."
" If you lot don't hurry up, you're going to be left behind." Magnar called over his shoulder.
" Let me guess, he still can't find his brother?" Rictor asked his cousin.
" Nope." Samantha replied.
With a sigh, the five cats took off at a run to catch up to the others after making sure that the fire was put out.
The black and tan nose had not been lifted from the ground for long when the sound of horse hooves reached the dog's sensitive hearing. As quietly as he could, Dart hurried to the nearest pile of rocks and hid there in the dark as he waited for his prey to get nearer. Not once did he wonder how he was no longer dead. That's when he caught the scent of something more dangerous. Something much larger than him. With a growl, he spun around in the cave that he had found himself in.
" Who are you, lion? Come out so I can kill you!" The rottweiler snarled, his white fangs gleaming in the dark.
Vox's ear twitched as the grassy plains came into sight. He kept his steady trot as he glared ahead of them. *Be careful, I sense a bad presence nearby.* The three wolves on either of his sides immediately began to step lightly scanning the area with caution. Tasuki moved away from the group, off to the side and shifted allowing flames to engulf his body as his body grew to 2 times his normal size. Shadow jumped up on Tasuki's back and was quickly joined by Akyme. The both sat down using their new vantage point to survey the area. Tasuki moved closer to the group keeping pace with Vox. The horse looked up at him and the two shared a look before Tasuki looked back at the others.
"Keep up, we must stay as a group, the energy I'm sensing is strong." He called out before focusing on where he was heading.
Kasanga stood up and moved slowly towards the light at the front of the cave where he could clearly see the rottweiler.
"We share mutual thoughts dog." He growled as the light illuminated his white chin, and tawny-brown coat and mane, his black tipped tail twitching low behind him. "Who are you and why have you come here, I'm busy scheming?"
Bria rushed to the fox's side and placed Theluji between the two of them.
" Stay there, Theluji." She murmured. " Stay between us and Tasuki at all times."
" Okay, Ma." Theluji squeaked, starting to get scared.
Magnar called on his fire liger form and rushed to make sure that the young polar bear was safe from behind; Samantha, Nikila, Rictor, Kai and Ray fell into line behind the others, creating a semi-circular barrier behind the group.
" I am Dart and I am trained to hunt those with the ability to change their forms as well as those who no longer belong on earth." The rottweiler growled, getting ready to fight. " Who, pray tell, are you?"
Tasuki shifted one of his tails so It laid over the polar bear cubs back.
"We should be in the clear when we pass the plains." He called out as the rocky ground beneath his large paws change to soft grass.
"My name is Kasanga. I was training to be an earth element before that darn wolf killed me." He explained with a vicious growl. "I plan to get even with her. Now what do you want, why are you here."
" Escuse me, Tasuki. What do you mean?" Theluji asked, trying very hard not to shake under the fox's tail.
" I'm looking for a changer by the apparent name of Choby. He is the jaguar who killed me and I would like to return the favour. He destoryed me and my master's business. I will destroy him and everyone he knows. As for why I am here, that is a very good question. If you are refering to in the cave, I am an ambush predator shall I say. Though, I sure you would know what I mean if I say that was the way I was trained. If you are refering to this world in general, I have no idea. I'm supposed to be dead." Dart growled.
Tasuki looked down at the cub with a smile. "There is a valley on the other side of the plains, once we cross the Valley, it would be hard for others to follow, and it would be easy for us to notice pursuers."
"Another thing we have in common then, I myself, am also Dead. My target is a wolf named Dakota. She killed me before I could surpass my brother and become a full earth elemental."
Kasanga trotted to the entrance of the cave and breathed in deep. "Speaking of which, I smell her scent close by..." He growled as he slunk out of the cave and over to a thicket, he looked through and saw an unfamiliar group crossing the plains. He sniffed again. "It's that fox. He is carrying the she-wolfs scent." He growled angrily.
" Oh. Then we will be safe?" The polar bear cub asked.
Dart followed the lion out and noticed one black jaguar in particular. " The black male is his son. I can smell it in his blood. He and the jaguar that killed me have the same power in their blood... and the same look in their eyes." He had just noticed the black male look around for any sign of a threat. " If we are to attack, we will have to be careful."
"I can not be One-Hundred percent sure young one, but the valley should slow any pursuers down." Tasuki responded, saddened that he couldn't fully assure the cub that they would be safe.
"I agree, they seem to have a destination in mind, Perhaps they will lead us to the ones we seek. We should follow them." Kasanga suggested moving silently through the trees keeping pace with the group out in the open.
" Watch the master... and learn." Dart whispered almost to himself as he trotted behind the travelling group.
For a split second, Rictor stopped and looked behind him. He was almost certain that they were being followed by that time. And hehad a bad feeling that he was the reason. With a growl and a shake of his head, he hurried back to his position; ears pinned back and tail twitching in anticipation for a possible fight.
" What's wrong, Rictor?" Nikila whispered in his ear when he returned.
" It's nothing." He replied before raising his voice so the others could hear him. " But I suggest we hurry a little."
" Are you sure it's nothing?" Magnar asked from in front of the jaguar.
" We're being followed."
Kasanga nodded to the dogs words, slowing so he was behind him.
"Alright then, show me." He said as he stalked behind Dart.
"I have sensed them since they appeared." Tasuki replied speeding up slightly, Vox, Spitz and Link quickening their pace to keep up. "They are beyond the tree-line that cuts the forest from the plains." He explained twitching his tails in annoyance.
Vox glanced discretely in the trees direction and caught a glimpse of tawny fur. *He is large. Probably a lion, but I sense more then one presence. There must be another.* He thought projecting it to their group alone.
Shadow placed her paws on Tasuki's head looking ahead of them.
"There's the valley." She said pointing before them.
They were about One-hundred meters or so away from the drop into the valley.
Dart allowed a brief smile to cross his lips as he trotted closer to the group, well aware that they were aware of them. When he felt he was close enough, he started in a run and easily caught up to his target. That was when he let his lessons come into play. He leapt at Rictor and sunk his teeth deep into the black jaguar's neck.
" What the! Get off me!" Rictor roared, instantly bucking and breaking formation in order to get the rottweiler off his back and away from Theluji.
" Rictor!" Nikila called, going to her boyfriend's aid.
"I knew it wouldn't be long till they attacked." Tasuki growled as Shadow leapt of his back.
She ran over to the two and leapt at the Rottweiler, but she failed as Spitz tackled her to the ground. She growled at him in confusion.
"Look at the hold he has on Rictor's neck, knocking him off will rip right through his flesh." The wolf cautioned and Shadow sighed knowing he was right.
'Then what can we do to help?' She thought to herself watching with worried eyes.
Akyme jumped down from Tasuki's back and moved over to Shadow and Spitz closely followed by Link. Vox watched them closely moving to cover Theluji so Tasuki could move. Now the the polar bear was safe Tasuki waisted no time in moving. His blinding speed made it had to see him as he appeared on the other side of the group. He crouched down ready to pounce the minute Rictor dislodged the Rottweiler from his neck.
Kasanga watched them from the other side of the bushes, and took his chance once the fox had his back to him. He sprinted out taking quick action to dive on the overly large foxes back, digging his claws into the foxes side and biting down into his neck, in the same fashion that Dart had attacked Rictor.
"What! Release me!" Tasuki yelped, he wrapped his tails around the lions body and started pulling, he felt the slight tearing at his next, but ignored the pain and continued to try and rip the lion of his back.
Magnar watched the scene, unsure of what to do. Then he noticed how tight a grip Dart had on his friend's neck.
" Just get the rottie to loosen his grip!" He roared as he passed Rictor and leapt at the lion on Tasuki's back. " Let's see how you go with fighting me." He muttered more to himself than to his opponent. And, just for good measure, he lowered his flames so they were no longer surrounding him.
" Magnar, don't be stupid!" Bria growled, moving to protect her cub from the lion and the dog.
Rictor, trying something desperate, flung himself into the ground in the attempt to loosen the dog from his back. Dart, however, was ready for it.
" I see you learn from your father." He growled through black fur.
" You know my father?" the jaguar growled back.
" Know him? Ha. I was killed by him!"
" You're... you're the scientists' mutt?"
That was when fear started to run through Rictor's body. He had heard the stories of the scientists. And every time he had always recieved nightmares. Now he wished that he was asleep and having another nightmare and hoping that it was not a living nightmare.
Tasuki lowered slightly so that when Magnar reached him, the Liger knocked into Kasanga and the both of them tumbled off his back, he yelped as his neck was torn from the lions tight grip but ignored the pain. Fire engulfed him as his body halved to its original size, the wound shrinking with it. A sigh escaped him as the pain lessened and Shadow ran over to him, quick to clean up the blood dripping down his back and off his shoulders.
Dakota yelped jolting to her feet as the back of her neck felt like it had been ripped open. Gemma was to her feet within a second, she looked down at Dakota with worried, scared eyes.
"What happened?" She asked in a panicked voice as she cleaned the wound.
"Tasuki has been hurt." Dakota whispered as she clenched her eyes shut and focused on breathing.
Gemma nuzzled into her before looking out of the cave.
"I hope he is ok." She whispered before laying back down with her head beside Dakota's.
Shadow looked over the wound she was cleaning with worry.
"Are you alright?" The words rushed out of her mouth between licks and Tasuki only nodded before looking over at Kasanga who was struggling to his feet.
"Who are you, and why have you attacked us!" He growled and Kasanga just chuckled as he steadied himself.
"If you must know, I am Kasanga. Your she-wolf caused my death and I plan on taking her down before I rest once again."
Tasuki looked confused before realisation dawned on him and he started snarling again.
"You won't touch Alpha!" He went to charge but was held back by Spitz and Link, Akyme was helping Shadow cease the bleeding.
"You mustn't, you are too injured." Link hissed and Spitz moved between the lion and the group.
"He isn't worth it. Aunt Dakota will not be harmed by this beast."
" Allow me." Magnar muttered to the fox as he prowled around the lion.
In an instant, he had leapt at Kasanga once more and had managed to rake his claws across the lion's back.
" Rictor, calm down." Samantha tried to get through the other targetted member of the group, as Rictor got up and began running in circles in an attempt to get the dog off his back.
" He's the mutt that got my father captured!" Rictor roared back at her. " He's probably here to capture me too!"
" He's supposed to be dead!" Kai roared back, biting at Dart's leg in the attempt to loosen the grip on Rictor's neck.
" I don't care! Get him off me!"
" We're trying!" Ray roared back as he tried to stop his mind from getting dizzy while trying to find a way to get at the dog.
Kasanga roared out in pain as his back was shredded before quickly spinning around and clamping his jaw around the bigger cats paw, the pressure he used snapped the bone in half, he then used his weight to throw the Liger off to the side and out of his way before stalking towards Tasuki again. His path was again stopped, this time by Spitz.
"Both my parents may be human, but don't underestimate me cat." He snarled and Kasanga smirked at him before both charged at each-other, claws out stretched and teeth bared.
"Spitz don't!" Shadow called out, but it was too late.
Kasanga had swiped out slashing straight through Spitz's shoulder, but despite the pain the wolf didn't stop, He dropped to his back allowing the lion to cross over the top of him, before throwing out all four paws and slashing at the lions tender stomach. Kasanga roared out in pain before quickly retreating off the wolf and panting for breath, blood pooling beneath him as he watched Spitz get back to his feet.
"I am ok Shadow, just worry about the kitsune's wounds." He said steadily before stumbling as he put too much pressure on his front leg, he yelped lightly before glaring at the lion, one paw off the ground.
Dakota howled out in pain as a slash bone deep appeared on her shoulder. Gemma yelped at her sudden call before she started to clean the second wound.
"What's going on out there." She whispered with worry.
Bane awoke at Dakota's howl but didn't move from his spot by the dragon and Mana. He just continued to watch the entrance to the den again.
Magnar roared in frustration and rose to his feet. He stumbled a bit when he got up but he ignored it and charged at Kasanga. This time, though, he refused to let the smaller cat get anywhere near his body. While Kasanga was distracted, he wrapped his teeth around the lion's tail and, making sure the tail was tightly in his mouth, rushed back towards where he had been thrown. The result was the lion's tail was pulled from his body; the snap of the spine ringing loudly through the air. Disgusted himself, Magnar spat out the tail and turned to Tasuki.
" That should do it. If he survives that, I want to know why." He murmured before his pain became too much for him to handle and he fell to the ground unconscious.
" Magnar!" Nikila roared, going over to him and trying to wake him.
" No." Rictor muttered before dropping to the ground himself and rolling in an attempt to get the rottweiler off his back. "Get off my back!" He growled at the dog.
Kasanga roared out in pain before sprinting into the forest yelling out behind him.
"Dart! Retreat for now!" He yelled out before he disappeared into the foliage, a trail of blood and his tail the only indications that he was even there. Tasuki flinched at the sound of the lion's tail separating from his body and his painful cries before looking at Magnar with worry. He ran over to the injured Liger and nuzzled into him.
"Magnar, are you alright?" He asked as the wolves and shadow moved up beside him.
Vox, stayed before the cubs, still weary of Dart, who had yet to retreat.
Instantly, at Kasanga's words, Dart let go of Rictor's neck as the jaguar thrashed about. He then allowed himself to be thrown towards the forest and, after a roll, gathered himself and followed the blood trail in order to find his ally. Only once did he look back, already planning his revenge.
Finding himself free of the rottweiler, Rictor looked around confused. He was still trying to figure out what had happened when he noticed Magnar still unconscious on the ground and rushed over to his friend. Gently he nudged the liger's head up and tried shaking him on the shoulder to wake him. But nothing was happening.
" Come on, Mag. Wake up, buddy." He whispered in Magnar's ear, hoping that that would wake him up.
" He's still not waking up." Ray whispered, having gotten there before Rictor.
Desperate, Nikila and Samantha both started licking at the liger's face in an attempt to wake him up that way. Even Theluji had managed to make her way to Magnar's side and was trying to get him to wake up. Still there was no response from the unconscious liger.
" This is bad." Bria sighed as she made her way to the downed liger.
"Shadow..." Tasuki said as he stepped back and shifted his body, once the flames died away Shadow jumped up onto his back and he lay down.
She looked sadly at the foxes neck before leaning over his side, Akyme grabbed Magnar by the neck and both Spitz and Link nuzzled underneath the unconscious Liger, then the four of them, with a few stumbles and a lot of struggling, managed to get Magnar over Tasuki's back. Akyme then jumped onto Tasuki's back beside Shadow and the fox struggled to his feet under the two cats and the wolf's weight. Shadow and Akyme steadied the unconscious cat as Tasuki took a couple steps forward, testing his strength. He then glanced back at Vox.
"Come, we should get moving again." He spoke in a pained voice.
The daemon horse nodded, he lifted Axel and Elena onto his back before moving over to the group. Cautiously he picked up Theluji and placed the polar bear cub on his back with the other two cubs. Link and Spitz flanked the horses side and the group started off again.
Kasanga stopped not far into the forest and lay down, before assessing the damage through the blood on his fur, he could see part of the bone from what was left of his tail and his winced as he started cleaning.
Rictor shook his head as he backed away from his unconscious friend to allow the others to place magnar on Tasuki's back. Kai and Ray rushed to help Shadow, Akyme, Spitz and Link with the unconscious liger while Nikila and Samantha went to take care of their cousin. Pretty soon, they were following the others; Bria watching her daughter on Vox's back.
" How long till we get there?" the adult polar bear asked, praying that they could get to safety before another attack.
Dart found Kasanga cleaning his wound.
" That looks pretty bad." He remarked as he got closer. " What are we going to do now?"
"I am not sure, You know a cat is useless without its tail?" Kasanga laughed despite the situation. "That fox will pay."
"Once we cross the valley just up ahead, we will be about half way there." Tasuki explained, he stumbled slight and was righted by Vox. "Thanks."
*Do not push yourself.* Vox shook his head before speeding up, he stopped at the valley edge and peeked down. *How shall we get across?*
Tasuki limped up beside him and looked down before looking across the valley.
"If I was in peak condition I could jump us across." He sighed before looking back at the others. "Hope none of you mind fire." He smiled weakly before looking back at the hole before him.
He reared onto his back legs before stamping against the edge of the cliff. Flames shot out from his paws and stretched across the length of the valley forming a solid path of fire.
"Do not fear, the flames will not harm friends." He whispered as he trotted into the flickering fire and started walking. Vox right behind him.
" A path of fire." Rictor mused. " That could work."
He then led the rest of the Rebels people across. Only Kai and Bria remained at the end.
" Are you sure it's safe?" Kai asked, testing the bridge but still refusing to cross it.
" They all will pay, Kasanga. They all will. When you are ready, we will take off again." Dart replied with an evil smirk as he sat by the lion but at a safe distance so that he wasn't attacked at the same time.
*It is completely safe. Tasuki wouldn't endanger anyone by doing something potentially harmful. Just stay on the path and cross quickly.* Vox called back, before looking over at Tasuki who was already halfway across the valley, he dully noted that the fox had one of his tails through the path, the tip sticking through the bottom. 'Must be how he controls it.' He thought to himself before trotting abit faster to catch up.
Afew minutes passed before Kasanga drew in a deep breath trying to block out the pain before he struggled to his feet.
"I am ready." He growled as he started at a slow pace towards the valley, a small blood trail following him.
His tail was still bleeding as was his stomach and back, but the blood had almost stopped dripping, only a small amount got thought his wounds.
" I am from the northen ice fields. I do not walk on fire bridges." Bria grumbled.
" And get left behind with them? No thank you!" Kai replied, rushing to catch up to the group and somehow managing to surpass them. " Uh, what happened?" He asked from the other side of the valley.
" You ran past us like a coward!" Ray called back with a smile on his face.
" Get over here and I'll show you what a coward can do!"
" Come on Mama!" Theluji called from Vox's back, being as still as possible for her new friend.
With a sigh, Bria followed.
With a nod, Dart followed the injured lion, keeping an ear and an eye on their prey.
Tasuki laughed lightly as he the snow leopard overtook him.
"The fires won't hurt you, its like walking on normal ground." He said before running the last few steps of the bridge, he stepped to the side so others could pass him but stayed close enough for his tail to still be touching the fire. "Hurry now!" He called out and smiled when Vox galloped the last couple meters across, closely followed by Link and Spitz.
" Come on Bria! We need to get going!" Samantha called out.
" Yeah, yeah." The polar bear grumbled, but she quicked her pace nonetheless and crossed to the other side in her kind's famous loping run.
Once everyone was safely across Tasuki twitched his tail back behind him and the fire bridge vanished.
"We must get moving. I have a feeling our pursuers are still following us. The valley will slow them down but not by much." With that said he started down the trail at a fast trot.
"We mustn't waist any more time, from here we run." Tasuki twitched again at the thought of returning to camp before sighing and allowing his feet to move underneath him. Vox moved so he was on Tasuki's left with Spitz on his side and Link on Tasuki's other side.
*At a run we will be there soon.* Vox thought to the others before focusing on staying steady for the cubs on his back.
" Running. I severly despise running." Ray uttered, remembering the time he broke his leg during the cross country race at school.
" Running. My favourite past time." Rictor added with a smile.
He couldn't help it if he gained his mother's speed and love for running. In a flash, he was off and getting himself lost. Within the next few minutes he had returned.
" Um... Where is this camp?" He asked sheepishly.
"Directly north of here. You can't miss it, the site itself covers the length of this path and slightly into the forest on either side." Tasuki responded, he shook his head when he stumbled slightly, his vision was starting to blur form his exertion. Vox looked over at him worriedly but he just smiled and continued running.
" Right." With that, Rictor was off again.
" Are you alright Tasuki?" Samantha asked.
"I am fine young one." Tasuki grunted as a jolt of pain shot down his spine. "I will feel much better when we stop."
His tongue lolled out the side of his mouth and he started to slow, he wasn't sure how long they had been running for but he could faintly see the break in the trees that signalled the entrance to the camp. He managed to catch sight of Rictor just as he entered the camp and he slowed to a slow walk. Allowing everyone to overtake him. Vox stopped beside him giving the two wolves a pointed look, Spitz and Link understood what he meant and ran off towards the camp. Vox looked at Tasuki who had dropped to the ground, his body shrinking as his legs finally gave way. He yelped lightly under the weight of the Black cheetah, the white wolf and the brown liger. Shadow and Akyme were quick to get off him and help him out from under the other cat.
"Vox." Tasuki panted as he stared down at his paws. "Take them into camp and go with them."
*But Tasu...* Vox started to protest but he stopped at the look in his friends eyes. The horse sighed before laying down and allowing the cubs to get off him. *Shadow, Akyme get Magnar onto my back.* The two of them moved quickly managing a bit easier as Vox was slightly shorter then Tasuki's large form. When they were done Vox stood back up. He Picked up the polar bear cub by the scruff, Shadow picked up Axel and Akyme picked up Elena. The three elders looked to Tasuki with worried eyes but the fox only nudged Akyme forward.
"Go on." He whispered and the three nodded sadly, they each nuzzled him before the three made their way across the last few meters of earth and into the camp.
Tasuki leapt into the nearest tree and crossed the branches stopping on the outskirts of camp. He masked his scent and his energy before blending in with the branches. He looked over the camp watching as Vox, Shadow and the others all entered.
" That's not going to work with me, you stubborn fox." Bria growled sitting down beside the fox's tree. " Theluji!"
" Coming Mama." The cub called back, struggling until Vox had let go of her. She then hurried back to her mother and, after rubbing her head against her mother's, tried to find a way up to Tasuki. Her attempts failing, she resorted to just lie on her back looking up at the fox.
Bria lowered herself so that she was lying on the ground. " I may be a brute at times, but I'm also a flower when I need to be. Why do you not wish to enter the camp?"
The first thing that Rictor ran into was something similar to a brick wall, the weird thing was it was in the form of a wolf. The resulting splat into the ground caused pain to erupt in his already open wound and a yelp to escape him. In an instant, he was surrounded by a mass of scales.
" Rictor. Are you okay? What happened?" Demanicus' voice reverberated around him.
" Forget me. Go look after Tasuki. He's just outside camp. And can you move that wall?" The injured jaguar replied.
" That 'wall' is a wolf called Bane. He's a vampire."
" He hurts!"
With a slight chuckle that he knew he shouldn't have in his throat, he roared out for the whole camp to hear " Tasuki is hurt just outside camp!"
Tasuki glared down at the polar bears before he sighed.
"I will not enter the camp for... Personal reasons." He spoke lightly as he watched his friends.
Most of his new pack was all outside the den. Moonlight and Shadow were nuzzling with Hunter right by them, the two were very happy to see the cheetah alive and well. Gemma and Charmed were smothering Link in affectionate licks and nuzzles, while Tsume sat just off to the side of them with Aden and Kurama, watching his poor son try to get away from his daughter and mate. He smiled at seeing his son was safe. Skype and Akira were fawning over Elena with Krystal and Lelani right beside them. All four very happy to see the youngest member of their family was ok. Talus was sitting away from everyone, watching as his older brother played with his cub. Zander was sitting at the lip of their cave talking quietly with Spitz and Akyme. Jordon, Phoenix, Bloodshot and Snowdrift were all up in the tree by the cave watching everyone and smiling themselves. Tasuki glanced around confused, he couldn't see Dakota or Mana. That's when Bane, Rictor and Demanicus caught his eye, when the black dragon moved to check on the jaguar Tasuki's eyes widened at the unconscious Mana lying limp on the bed of moss. Vox trotted before the others cave and lay Magnar down at the entrance before he crossed the den and entered the cave where he approached Dakota. The two shared a nuzzle and Vox looked at Dakota sadly.
"Where is Tasuki, you two were together. I know these are his wounds." She asked worriedly and just as Vox went to reply Dakota twitched at Demanicus' words.
She then vanished, before appearing before the dragon, jaguar and her still sleeping husband.
"Where is he?" She growled.
Tasuki backed up at the anger in her voice, quickly he leapt from the branch he was on hoping for a quick retreat but the branch he landed on snapped under his injured body and he fell to the ground, landing a couple meters from the two polar bears with a loud yelp. Dakota's attention shot to the entrance where she could see Bria and Theluji, and just beyond them was the injured fox she was looking for.
"Tasuki!" She yelped before running across the den-site and down the path to where he lay.
Gemma seeing Dakota's hasty leave, followed her, completely unaware of her sons relief. No one noticed Mana's ear twitch. Both wolves pulled up before Tasuki who had been knocked unconscious by the fall, Dakota looked back at the two polar bears.
"What happened to him?"
Bosko and Kratia were the first out of the cave, going to their eldest son's aid. In an instant, Bosko had discovered the cause of Magnar's unconsciousness and, mindless of how the tree branches and vine shad got there, took a few of the available rescources back to his son where he immediately began making a splint for his son's broken paw. Once he was done, Kratia called on Octavian to help move the liger deeper into the cave where they would be able to wake him up gently. That was when Nikila and Samantha ran into the cave to make sure that Magnar was okay and were greeted by their parents and little brother. Soon to follow them, though mainly because of a rumble that Ray had started about Kai being a 'chicken', were the snow leopard brothers who were fused over by Anjiti while Kubikuro tried to save his nephews from her fussiness. Taka, however, was the first out of the group to leave the cave in search for the yelp he knew belonged to his younger brother.
" There you are!" The slightly older brother called in excitement as he loped over to his injured brother. " I thought I heard you run into Bane."
" Yeah, yeah. Make fun of the guy who runs into the vampire wolf." Rictor growled.
" Why would I do that?"
" Because that's exactly what Demanicus is doing."
" Demanicus. Go back to looking after Mana and stop teasing my baby brother." Taka ordered.
Said black dragon merely poked his tongue out at the jaguars before doing what he was told and coiling around the black and red wolf once more, carefully watching for any signs of life.
Bria turned to Dakota's voice but instantly raised herself onto her hind legs and placed herself so that Theluji was between her and the tree.
" We are what happened." Dart's voice said from the other side of Tasuki.
Choby, upon hearing the rottweiler's voice, instantly darted out to where things were about to get ugly.
" Theluji. Go into the camp. Find Taka." He ordered the polar bear cub.
" Yes sir." Theluji said weakly, dashing into the camp to find Taka and safety.
" What do you want? I thought we left you beyond the valley!" Bria roared.
Tasuki struggled up to his feet, the sound of Darts voice rousing his soul back to consciousness. He snarled at the rottweiler stumbiling slightly so he stood between his friends and their enemy.
"I apologise Alpha." He whimpered. "I wasn't able to stop them from following."
"Them?" Gemma asked but she instantly knew what Tasuki had meant when Kasanga moved out beside Dart with a wicked grin on his face.
"Long time not see, Dakota." The lion laughed and Dakota's fur shifted colour as anger took over her.
"Gemma get Tasuki out of here. Heal him once your safe." Gemma nodded and moved to help Tasuki away but she didn't get the chance as the Kitsune shifted to the side allowing his flames to engulf him.
Dakota and Gemma watched him with worry and both were shocked when Dakota's wounds started healing over. When the flames around Tasuki vanished he was in his large form and completely healed.
"Alpha. Please allow me to fight, please go look after my kit. Do not allow harm to come to him." Tasuki whispered and Dakota nodded.
"Be safe." She whispered before she ran off into the camp with Gemma right behind her.
When they landed in the camp Dakota stalked through the groups of her family till she passed Tsume. She picked up Kurama before running into the cave. Gemma stopped at the entrance of the den-site and glanced around.
"Everyone! Take cover in the caves! It is too dangerous to be out in the open!" She watched as her family all gathered inside their cave, including Jordon, Phoenix and the two reluctant dragons. She then headed into the cave with them all to wait out the fight.
Kasanga went to run after Dakota but was stopped when Tasuki jarred his path.
"Your opponent is me." He growled, hackles raising, his tails whipping around behind him in his agitated and angry state. "Neither of you will harm a single hair on ANYONE in the camp. Leave now, before I resort to violence."
Mana's eyes blinked open and she looked around slightly, everything was blurry and her body felt hot.
"Where... Where am I?" She asked in a croaky voice.
" Bria. Get back." Choby growled at the polar bear beside him.
" Choby, he..." Bria started.
" I said get back and that is an order! This is my fight and mine alone!" Choby roared, allowing Conrad to take over once more.
" Yes, leader." With that, Bria went into the camp, ordering those from the Rebels to safety.
Conrad turned to face the rottweiler after making sure that Bria was not going to be returning to the fight. " I thought I killed you."
" You did."
" This place brought you back to life, then? So be it. I will just have to finish you for a second time."
" Not this time, Choby. Let me do the honours." a voice whispered on the wind.
Demanicus turned his eyes to Mana, glad to see that she was now awake.
" Mana! You're safe with me. Are you okay? Do you need anything?" He asked, trying to make sure that the wolf definitely was okay without invading her privacy.
"Who was that voice Choby?" Tasuki asked confused as he looked around for anything that could explain where it came from, and confirm if it was another danger to his kit or not.
Kasanga took Tasuki's slight distraction as a chance to pounce but he was knocked to the side by flash of red, white and orange fur. Kasanga looked up at the female wolf now standing beside Tasuki, from his position on the ground. Tasuki looked down at her confused but she just smiled.
"It is nice of you to protect my daughter-in-law, but I will take it from here, so stand back." She spoke and Tasuki felt compelled to obey her and so he backed up out of the way, but didn't leave in case he was needed.
Mana nodded to the dragons question.
"I am fine..." She then looked down at her red paws. "But why have I changed? What happened?"
" His name was Flick." Conrad replied. " In my world, I first met him as a young lizard. Since then, he changed his form from a lizard to an Anatolian Shepherd Dog and from there got into a bit of trouble with a pair of vampires. To be honest, he was killed a while ago now. This place must bring back the dead."
A quick wind burst through forest and kicked up the dust. Conrad had to look away in order to protect his eyes from getting irritated. When the dust finally cleared, a dark tan Anatolian Shepherd was standing in front of him. Around the dog's neck, he could just see the ruby red pendant that was only just beginning to settle.
" That's right." The dog replied, not taking his dull brown eyes from the rottweiler in front of him. " And I want revenge for the death of my brother. Now I will finally get that chance."
" You're..." Dart began, fear returning to him like the time that Choby had first killed him.
" That's right. I'm that lizard. And I'm going to make sure that you die."
" Excuse me for not wanting to watch this." Conrad whispered, returning charge to Choby and slinking off back into the campsite.
Flick gave a small nod in response to the jaguar before, in one strike, knocking the rottweiler in front of him into the next five trees beyond where he was once standing. In the next second, he was at the rottweiler's throat and drinking his fill.
Demanicus' face grew sad at Mana's words. " I don't know. Dakota said something about me changing, but all I remember is fuzz. I can't help you there, I'm afraid. All I know is that when I got out of the forest and saw you like this, I thought that I had done something to you and wanted to protect you as a way of saying sorry if I did do anything to you."
"Ohh, well do not feel bad. Everyone seems ok so there is no need to threat. I am unsure why I havn't changed back yet but Gemma may know.
Tasuki nodded to Choby as he left before looking at Flick and Dart in slight disgust. Essau turned to Tasuki and motioned for him to return to the camp.
"Go to your kit, I will take care of this beast." Essau said and Kasanga ripped his frightened eyes from his partner in crime to the wolf who was now baring her fangs at him.
Tasuki nodded before shrinking back to his normal size and quickly retreating to the safety of the camp. Once he was gone Essau moved quickly, her claw slashing straight though the lions neck before he could move. She looked down at his body as it turned to ash and disappeared with the wind.
"Good luck getting out of here, my sons." She whispered in the camps direction before she too disappeared into the wind.
Tasuki looked around the camp-site before slowly approaching Demanicus and the red and black wolf.
"Mana?" He asked confused.
Mana looked up at him and he flinched back away from her eyes.
"Tasuki..." She looked at him with surprise. "Your back, when did you return?" She sat up but didn't move.
Tasuki's ears flattened and his tails curled around him as he looked at the floor, not sure what to say.
My job here is done. Demanicus thought to himself getting up and backing away from the canines.
Satisfied, Flick turned from the newly formed dust pile and walked to the entrance of camp. With a sad smile, knowing that his time was up, he watched his old gang until the wind picked up and carried him away. Only Demanicus caught the last visual moments of him and even then he merely nodded his farewell and thanks.
"I-I only just returned." Tasuki responded nervously, he looked off to the side and that's when he caught site of Dakota.
She was sitting at the lip of the cave watching him and Mana, Kurama sat at her feet looking at the floor. Mana followed his gaze and smiled, she jumped down from the moss bed and nuzzled into Tasuki.
"I may look different but it is still me." Mana responded before she looked over at the down fox kit and her sister. "Is that right Kurama!"
At her voice Kurama's ears perked and he looked over at them with a massive grin.
"Otōsan, Nii!" The kit yelped before scampering over to the two and diving at them.
They both laughed lightly as they nuzzled him before nuzzling each-other. Dakota smiled at them when she noticed Mana's fur started reverting back to its golden-brown colour. With Tasuki's return, Mana's emotions had stabilised. She then heading back into the cave.
"The threat is over." She told them all before she headed over to Gemma.
She sat down by her, Charmed and Aden. Link and Tsume were over with Skype, Akira, Krystal, Lelani and Elena.
"She is conscious." Was all Dakota said before she moved over to the centre of the den.
She lit the burnt sticks and a small fire started to crackle, she materialised some more wood before laying down by the fire and watching the entrance.
With a sigh, Demanicus went back to working behind caves and putting up the extra five walls that were needed to make the structure hold. In replace of Snowdrift's metal, he used rocks to hold up the walls while he waited for Mana and Tasuki's meeting to end. It was high time this cave was finished... but he still couldn't understand why construction had stopped in the first place. Once he was done holding the walls in place, he brought down a nearby tree (making sure that no one was living in it) and started using that as a bulletin board of sorts and working out a few things he would need for the roof and how to combine it to the walls.
Dakota twitched at the sound of logs moving and she looked over at the two lions sleeping peicefully. She smiled before throwing a stick at them, that was tipped with fire.
"Get up you two and go help finish construction!" She growled and the two jumped to their feet to dodge the flaming stick.
Before sprinting out of the cave, morphing into their dragon forms once they were out in the camp. They then flew to the back of the camp, landing lightly beside the Black dragon.
"Direct us." Was all Bloodshot said, Snowdrift looked over Demanicus' fix up job on the 3 walls he hadn't coated before looking back at his friend.
"Do you wish for me to fix them?" He asked pointing to wards the walls with his tail.
Tasuki smiled when he watched as the blood red pools before him retreated, being replaced by their usual deep blue. He then nuzzled into the now brown fur and licked her behind the ear. He pulled back when he noticed the building happening behind them and moved to pick up Kurama.
"Come on, lets go into the cave and out of the dragons way." He said before he and Mana headed into the den.
" Did I disturb you? I'm sorry." Demanicus sighed, looking up at Bloodshot and Snowdrift. " If you could make these things stable, that would be great. Until magnar wakes up, it will just be the three of us working."
"Magnar? What about Uphere?" Bloodshot asked as Snowdrift got right to work coating the walls in his metal before using his ice to harden the steel.
" That's the thing. Uphere's body generates heat better than mine. And when Magnar get's knocked unconscious, he actually falls into a coma and his body gets extremely cold. Basically, until Magnar wakes up, Uphere is being used as a hot water bottle." The black dragon replied before continuing with what he had been working on before and getting ready to knock down some walls.
"Alright, well we best get to work, what do you wish for me to do?" Bloodshot asked as Snowdrift landed beside him, having just finished the walls.
" I think..." Demanicus looked around at the construction, thinking hard. " I think it's time... to check on Iora. If my thoughts are right, we need to start the demolition job. And we can't do that until everyone is out of the caves which we can't do until after Iora's ready to open the barn for everyone." After a few more minutes, he began mumbling to himself. " We also need to make this look as natural as posible which means... we're going to need more rocks."
Both brothers nodded to the black dragons words before Snowdrift looked at Bloodshot.
"You will assist Demanicus by getting more rocks. I will go see Iora." He said before walking away with a flick of his tail.
Bloodshot watched him go before looking back at Demanicus giving off a nervous aura.
"I am ready when you are." He spoke softly looking down at the floor.
Snowdrift slowly moved towards the entrance of the Rebels den, he folded his wings against his body and peeked in.
"Iora?" He called softly trying to locate the she-dragon without disturbing the others present.
Tasuki and Mana lay down by the fire after acknowledging Dakota, talking quietly while Kurama gnawed on his fathers tails every time he got the twitching fur between his teeth.
Gemma watched from her position by her children with happy eyes. A small crossed her lips at seeing her sister had reverted back and was, for now, happy.
" Could you please go and tell me how much rock we have over at the edge of camp? We can't really do much else until Snowdrift gets back from finding out if the barn is ready." Demanicus said, beginning to calculate how much rock the two caves had combined. But he did manage to spare Bloodshot a small smile of reassurance as he turned back to the top of the caves.
Bloodshot nodded at the older dragons words and quickly made his way to the edge of the camp. He quickly examined the pile counting how much they had and how much they still needed before zipping back through the camp to where the black dragon was thinking.
"I believe we have enough for roughly half of the roof you wish to construct." He explained before he sat down, curling his tail around his legs.
Snowdrift stepped slightly out of the caveway before glancing back at his brother and Demanicus. His attention was pulled back to Iora at her words.
"Demanicus was curious as to how the barn is coming along and how long till it will be ready to house our families, whilst the last of the construction is completed." The white dragon asked lowering so Iora stood taller then himself.
" Half a roof." Demanicus muttered, not sure if he should believe the smaller red dragon or not. With a shake of his head, he looked over to the mountains. " As soon as Snowdrift gets back with his answer, we'll go and get some more rocks. Even if we reuse the rocks from the caves, we won't have enough. Sound good?"
" The barn? Oh, yeah. That's all finished with. Guess I forgot to tell Demanicus." Iora answered sheepishly. " Should I start getting everyone over there?"
Bloodshot glared slightly hearing the doubt in the other dragons voice before looking over the progress they had made.
"Fine." Was his simple answer.
Snowdrift nodded in understanding before thinking about her second lot of words.
"I'm sure it would be fine to begin moving everyone into the barn." He smiled slightly before turning and leaving the cave.
He made his way across the camp in deep thought and sighed as he stopped before the two dragons he was working with.
"Iora has finished the barn and will begin moving everyone in momentarily. What are we up to with construction?" Snowdrift gave his outside attention to Demanicus whilst his attention was on the thoughts that continued to pulse through his mind.
" Have I offended you in some way?" Demanicus asked Bloodshot after giving Snowdrift a nod of recognition.
" Iora, what is going on?" Raimundo asked.
" Demanicus and I had the wonderful idea to combine the groups." Uphere replied from where he was curled around the still unresponsive liger. " We're doing a bit of knock-down rebuilding."
" Which means that we all need to relocate into the barn. Please follow me if you don't want to get hurt." Iora added.
On those words, the she dragon began herding the Rebels out of the cave and into the barn.
"Do not mind him." Snowdrift said, knocking Bloodshot with his tail.
The red dragon sighed before sitting down and waiting to be told what to do.
" Okay." Demanicus thought for a little bit, watching Iora herding his family and friends into the barn, before turning to the two smaller dragons. " Let's go get some more rocks."
Iora, once satisfied that every member of the Rebels was comfortable in the barn, gave a small nod and went towards the other cave. Like Snowdrift before her, she was cautious; pinning her wings to her back and making herself as small as possible.
" Um... excuse me." She called weakly, not sure how to approach any of the other campers or how they would react.