Chapter 25: Dragons of Stone

MIDNIGHT

    "Whoop! Rocks!" cried Blaze happily. Midnight has never seen anyone happier to see rocks. Midnight hopped from one large, firm stone to another.

    Apparently, Pi was fine to turn into a mountain goat, her fur gleaming white, eyes deep red. She was ahead of them. Her horns camouflaged among the rocks. "Are we close?" asked Midnight.

    "Just a bit more," bleated Pi.

    After a few meters hike, the three managed to walk down a flat surface, large trees towering them. "Cool! Rocks!" Blaze cried.

    "It seems like your friend Blaze is a rock enthusiast," joked Pi as she shimmered, turning back into a fox.

    "Am not!" cried Blaze.

    Pi chuckled and strode forwards. "Come, we shall see the dragons."

    Midnight felt a little light headed. Dragons!

    They then reached a clearing, golden light shining down. The clearing was in a shape of a rough circle, dry grass beneath their paws. Four great stones stood around them. One was at the north, another in the east, one on the west side and the other standing in the south, all facing inwards of the clearing.

    "Whoa, cool," Blaze commented.

    There was a feeling of serenity and wisdom, but Midnight was not satisfied. "Are these... real?" she inquired.

    "They are not, but these stones once were normal stones," said Pi. "Four dragon souls has entered each stone, as they were allowed to escape the fate of death."

    "Ugh, it gets better- it's more nonsense," Midnight groaned.

    "Go ahead and listen to their heart beat," said Pi. "Ask them a question."

    Midnight gulped and approached the one in the south. It has very faint features, it's snout long, eyes shut, two drill-like horns and four wings emerged as jagged ovals on it's back. The dragon was standing on four legs, and two in the air- it has six legs, and a long tail.

    "Good decision. She is Scayela," Pi informed, "the Dragon of the South. She shall give you wisdom, even if little in value, but great luck in voyages."

    Midnight then placed her ears against the stone. To her surprise, it was warm. She heard a distant drumming that sounded faintly like buzzing. Midnight swallowed and asked, "Oh, Scayela, dragon of the south, tell me, who is Shadow?"

    A soft breeze passed. In Midnight's head, an answer echoed. You cannot trust him, for he is Beta. Beta has been the main reason for corruption. Beta has been the main reason for the dragon's death- it was not Omega's. It was not Epsilon's.

    The words repeated, and Midnight howled, pushing away from Scayela. "What is this? Is this a joke?" she howled.

    Pi took no notice, she was communicating with the Dragon of the North. Blaze was questioning the Dragon of the East.

    Scayela was no help.

    Midnight strode over to the Dragon of the West. This dragon had a stub-like shout, eyes fearsome, it has four claws on each of it's arms, and talons as legs. It has huge wings, with fingers at the ends. The tail was longer than Scayela's. Much longer.

    "Oh, dragon, do tell," whispered Midnight. "What is Shadow's intention?"

     Shadow is not a shadow, he is a puppet master. He pulls the strings, he needs to use the puppets- he wishes to rise and burn his toys.

    "Please!" Midnight cried as the answer repeated in her head. "No metaphors!"

    Blaze took notice and ran to Midnight. "Sister, what's wrong?"

    "I can't get a straight answer!" Midnight cried.

    "Lives are never in a straight line, so are answers," said Blaze. "Talk to them, don't just question them. They're lonely."

    Blaze then sauntered towards Scayela.

    Pft, lonely, oh, please, sighed Midnight, dropping on the floor.

Author's Note: Yep, merry late Christmas and a happy new year! I'm not feeling particularly well, so I'm sorry about this short chapter! Gah!

Chapter 24: Late Night Thoughts

DUSK

    Ada and Kimi sat before Dusk, yawning. "So, how was your day?" Ada inquired.

    There was fire burning in the fireplace as Dusk answered, "Kenny told me a story."

    "A story?" Ada asked. "He once told me the story of The Greedy Dog. What did he tell you?"

    "Little Red Riding Hood. Oh, stars, that thing is a forest of flaws!" cried Dusk.

    Kimi nodded. "He told me the tale of The Lion and the Mouse. I must say, it's quite pleasing to see Kenny grow up so fast, and so bold."

    "I fear he turns into a hunter," Ada snorted.

    Kimi sighed, and laid down. Her golden fur yellow in the fire light. "Those sheep in the morning, though," groaned Kimi. "They need a shepherd dog."

    Ada shrugged. "They had one before he ran away," she reminded.

    "Say," Dusk piped up, "I'm wondering if anyone can help me?"

    "Depends," Kimi said. The atmosphere was tense as Dusk shuffled in her spot.

    "I want to go back to my pack. I have a sister and I'm pretty important in coordination, so I left a lot behind," Dusk said, "and I want to continue. Continue with my pack."

    "First of all, we can't leave. If we do, well, it means we abandon our duty and family," said Ada. "Secondly, we don't know where they went."

    "Still!" protested Dusk. "I can't just abandon my family!"

    "The only wolf we've seen is you, Dusk," Kimi said.

    "The advisor wolf told me my chief went down to the watering hole earlier before I came," Dusk said, hoping to get clues.

    Ada frowned. "We've been at it for three hours as Gareth fixed the fences. No one came, Dusk, I can assure you."

    "Then-! How did he get injured?" cried Dusk. 

    "Injured?" Kimi cried, and silence dominated them as the fire crackled. "What happened?"

    "Now, I'm not sure. It was said he got attacked at the watering hole," Dusk repeated.

    Ada frowned. "What injuries does he bear?"

    "Scratches, as if has gotten into a fight."

    "A fight? I didn't hear any commotion."

    Kimi spoke, "Still! If he did appear, I'm scared of wolves appearing suddenly! You can't expect me to fight him!"

    Dusk knew she was right the moment she met her. "Then... Shadow lied to me," Dusk mused.

    "Who?"

    Dusk blinked. "In the wolf pack, my chief has an advisor. His name is Shadow."

    "A shadow of the chief, heeheee," giggled Kimi. Dusk frowned in return.

    "Dear, this... Shadow, what use does he have if he lied about that the chief was attacked? What will that do to us? Or them?" Ada inquired.

    "I don't know, but I'm starting to not liking it," Dusk growled. Sasha entered the room and shook her fur.

    "Hey," she greeted. Her brown and black fur stuck up. She then laid down and licked her fur down. "How's your day, Dusk?"

    "We went over this already, Sasha," Kimi said.

    Sasha shrugged and licked her back. "Where's Thala?" she inquired.

    "Eh, Thala? Thala's with Kenny," Kimi said. "Kenny said he had a nightmare and Thala decided to stay with him."

    "Awww," Dusk cooed. "What's a nightmare?"

    "It's what the humans call a bad dream," said Sasha. "Still, I wonder why it's a mare? What about a b-"

    "You've asked that too many times!" cried Kimi. "Don't ask again!"

    Sasha shrugged once more. "How's that wound coming along, Dusk?"

    Dusk looked at her bandaged paw. "Gareth told me it might heal in a little while by the end of three nights," she replied.

    "The one on your side."

    "Oh stars," said Dusk, sighing, "I dare not to touch it."

    Sasha was quite. "It looks more... furry than usual," she said. "More fur patched up there."

   Dusk leaned in towards it and licked it, wincing slightly. The pain reduced drastically, but what Sasha said was true.

    "What wound?" asked Ada.

    As Sasha filled them in, Dusk studied the cluster of fur. It was white, sticking out like her muzzle. It looked quite odd, but Dusk decided it was alright.

    "Sleep," said Ada. "We have a day ahead of us tomorrow."

    As the other dogs huddled up together and started to drift off, Dusk laid by the fire, thinking about her pack members, especially Shadow.

    Why did he lie to me? What's his purpose? Is he hiding a plan?

    Dusk sighed. In the distance, she heard a howl. A howl of a patrolling dog. It made her even more homesick than she ever could.

    She decided to slip outside, but seeing a pack of dogs together eating on their game made her retreat. What am I going to do...?

Author's note:  Giving Dusk love and things to think about. So, with the raise of this question, Dusk will finally have a progression with her story plot! Holidays make me lazy to type.

Chapter 23: Magical Issues

MIDNIGHT

    A distant squeak welcomed her into Lambda's territory. Looking against the brown and green, the silvery-light in her eyes, a spot of orange caught her eye. There was a young fox.

    "Sunrise," said Midnight, smiling slightly. The fox ran towards Midnight, rubbing herself against black-grey paws.

    "That's saying she loves you," said a motherly voice. Raising her head, Midnight saw Pi. A feeling rose that Pi might be a little suspicious, being the only non-wolf in Lambda's territory that she knows of.

    Midnight hunched her back and licked Sunrise. "Love you too."

    "Hello," Blaze said shyly, causing Pi to smile. "I'm Blaze."

    Pi grinned. "Another wolf?"

    Midnight shrugged. "Well, he has been here as Theta's close... friend."

    "I see," said Pi. "Funny were accepting so many animals this year."

    She laughed, her voice clear and gentle. "Although, talking about Theta, where is she?"

    "You mean she's gone?" Blaze suddenly cried.

    "Zeta and Omega went to look for her," said Pi, frowning. "They haven't returned yet."

    Midnight said, "They did go into Epsilon's territory."

    Pi looked alarmed. "Omega? Omega went in there?" she cried. "That's reckless!"

    "Whoa! Slow down! Those two said Epsilon was dangerous, but Omega?" inquired Midnight.

    "Omega and Epsilon had a long argument in the past," Pi said, standing up.

    "What did they do?" Blaze inquired.

    Pi sighed. "I don't like to talk about this, but I know that it's important for you to be alive here. Never discuss about this- never."

    Blaze and Midnight closed in towards Pi and Sunrise ran back towards her as well, snuggling underneath Pi's bushy tail. The pi symbol on her forehead shone silver. "So, a decade ago," Pi started, "Omega and Epsilon were the most active fighters of the forest."

    "Fighter?" Blaze questioned.

    "Back in the days, years and ages far back, dragons exist, young one," Pi stated.

    "They do?" Midnight cried. She heard about them as 'giant winged lizards' that breathes out the deadliest flames. They were ferocious, many men feel to them.

    Pi nodded. "They reside in the Silver Woods, with us. They guard our forest," she continued, "but they had secrets. Dragons held the worst darkness in their hearts. They grew hungry, and ate the living of the woods. The magic filled them, bitter magic overtaking their hearts."

    "What secrets do they have?" Blaze interrupted.

    "Often times, Lambda figured out it was about their heritage," Pi noted. "Like their parents, their claimed destiny."

    Midnight nodded. She knew well about herritages.

    "They began to grow hungry for power. They decided to seek Lambda, the most powerful one of the woods- that's why he's the leader," Pi said solemly.

    "Was he in another form?" asked Midnight.

    "He was as a white lion with a greyish mane," Pi replied. "He assumed it was his true power as a leader."

    "A white lion!" cried Blaze.

    Midnight then said, "Sunrise is quiet..."

    "She doesn't understand what we're saying," replied Pi. "She gets hungry as well, so I assume there's a hidden secret."

    "A hidden secret!" Midnight cried, thinking about Mari and Sunset, how a tree crashed down for them. She almost teared up.

    Pi sighed. "Young cursed ones, pity."

    Blaze puffed his chest out. "Ha! I'm not!"

    Pi smiled and continued to her tale, "They wanted to bring Lambda to an end and take his power as the leader. We feared this, but Omega sprang up and told us he has a plan. Epsilon disagreed, because Omega's plan was to end the dragon race, and Epsilon himself... He's actually a komodo dragon, a type of lizard, and he felt offended. He tried to build up a new plan, to stop the dragons but let them live.

    "Omega didn't agree to that. He protested the dragons would continue on instead. Lambda saw Omega's argument as a reasonable one and turned them into rocks. This... this is why Epsilon and Omega are in war now. Whenever they cross paths, Epsilon would start a battle. Due to this, Lambda forced Epsilon to a new form- a deer."

    "A new form? That doesn't make sense!" Blaze exclaimed.

    "Oh, no, it does," said Pi. "Every form has their own personality. They change. They differ. This is why we don't like to shape-shift much."

    The only explanation why Epsilon is regal as a deer and informal as the wolf! Midnight thought, the conclusion pleasing her.

    "Still, we didn't trust him completely. What if he turned into a komodo dragon and destroy us all? Lambda saw this and assumed to him that Epsilon was given a territory to rule. If Omega shows up at his side, we fear Epsilon would realise this, and turn into his true form once more, because, each forms have their own thoughts as well," Pi said, ending the story.

    "Wow... Dragons," said Blaze.

    "Not a myth, though?" asked Midnight.

    "You can ask Lambda, Zeta, Theta or Omega and Alpha, or mostly anyone, but there's evidence," Pi said.

    Midnight's ears perked up.

    "The Dragons of Stone."

Author's Note: Yay, exams are over and I'm running out of chapter title ideas. This is going to be a VERY USEFUL post- read it and remember the concept of magic.

Plus, I'm pretty sure you all forgot about Sunrise, hurhur. Await the "Dragons of Stone", I wish I couldn't skip Dusk's and write it next week... Ah, but Dusk needs love to.

Chapter 22: Little Red Riding Hood

DUSK

    "Hey there, wolfie," said a voice.

    Dusk opened her eyes groggily, unaware she fell asleep. She released a happy yawn as she felt a warm touch on her back, stroking her lightly, pressing her grey fur against her back.

    There was the young boy, his mushroom-like hair brown, smiling at Dusk, unafraid. "How are you?" he asked.

    If Dusk recalled right, he was Danny. Dusk made a whimpering sound that said, "Hello, Danny."

    "Aww, I love you too."

    What a misinterpretation! sighed Dusk, but she couldn't blame the boy. He looked about six years old for a human.

    Hugging Dusk as he bent forwards, he nearly touched her side where it burns. "You're so soft," Danny said, smiling.

    "Of course I am," said Dusk, grinning, exposing her fangs.

    "You have such big teeth."

    "Let's hope you won't get between them."

    "You're right, they wouldn't be tiny."

    Danny paused. "Have you heard about Little Red Riding Hood?"

    Dusk sniffed, the tangy smell of the air made her sneeze, which Danny took as a no. "Alright, I'll tell you, but only if you're brave enough. It can give you bad dreams," he said with the hint of playfulness in his voice.

    "Up to you," sighed Dusk, laying her head on the hard wooden floor. Gazing upwards at the wooden ceiling, Danny began to speak as Dusk relaxed. "Once upon a time, there was a cottage in the side of the forest, and a girl lived there. She was called 'Little Red Riding Hood' because she always uses red."

    Dusk looked at Danny with her grey eyes. "One day, her grandma is sick. So the mom of Little Red Riding Hood asked her to go to her grandma's house. She has to go through the forest."

    "That's not logical," whined Dusk. Why would someone send a little kid to the other side of the forest through the forest? They'd get eaten!

    "So Red's mom gave her a food basket," said Danny, "and she went off to the grandma's house."

    Dusk licked her lips at the mention of food. "As Red go through the forest," said Danny, shifting a bit from his position of having his chin buried into Dusk's soft back into a sitting position. "There she met a wolf. The big grey wolf."

    Dusk sighed. It was a wolf! Wouldn't a water buffalo be more aggressive?

    "The wolf saw Red, and decided to make a plan to eat her, but he see the treats, and he decided to see where she is going. The wolf asked Red, 'Young lady, where are you going alone in the middle of the forest?'

    "Red then replied, 'Why, Mr. Wolf, I am going to my grandma's house in the other side of the forest, and I have a bag of treats to give her.'

    "The wolf grinned. 'I'll show you a short cut,' the wolf said and brought her to a long road. Thanking the wolf, Red skipped ahead and the wolf took a real shortcut to the grandma house."

    A talking wolf? Yeah, right. That's when pigs fly, or so she heard Elena say that about Garreth being able to have a wolf farm.

    "Then the wolf at grandma's house pretend to be Red, and he said, 'Knock-knock, grandma, it's your granddaughter, Red, let me in,'

    "'The door's unlocked, do come in,' was grandma's reply.

    "The wolf happily entered and came in."

    Dusk was flabbergasted. Wolves attack, they don't warn their prey! Who in the name of stars would write such a terrible story?

    "Then the wolf ate grandma! Quickly, the wolf dressed in grandma's clothes and pretended to be her," Danny continued. "When Red approached, he went under the blanket. 'Knock-knock, grandma, it's you're granddaughter, Red, let me in.'

    "'The door's unlocked, do come in,' said the wolf. Red entered with the treats."

    Dusk licked her lips. Treats- taste good. Does she get any?

    "Red entered. 'Hello, grandma!' she said. 'I have some treats!'

    "The wolf licked his lips. 'Hello, Red,' he said, 'come and let's eat.'

    "Red came closer. 'Oh, grandma! What big eyes you have!' she cried. The wolf just said, 'The better you see you with.'

    "Red said again, 'Oh, grandma! What big ears you have!' The wolf replied, 'The better to hear you with!'

    "Finally, Red saw the wolf grin. 'Oh, grandma! What big teeth you have!' Red cried. The wolf grinned, 'The better to eat you with!'

    "With that, the wolf pounced on the girl. Screaming, Red tried to escape the wolf, but he was too quick. With that, the wolf almost ate her when the door open and a man came in with a big pointy axe. He looked at the wolf and cut him through the belly, opening it and grandma came out while the wolf die."

    Dusk shuddered. That doesn't even make sense, she chided.

    Danny smiled and scratched Dusk's back, and Dusk let a yawn of satisfaction. "Don't get nightmares," said Danny.

    As if, snorted Dusk.

    "Kenny! Did you lock the chicken coop?" a voice cried.

    "Oh no! I better check the chicken coop," said the boy and quickly ran off. Dusk just grinned. His name's not Danny?

Author's Note: I waste so much time- hehe. As usual, words in italics are foreign words to the wolf with perspective. Don't worry. More fun will be coming soon, I hope.

Chapter 21: Blaze's Past

MIDNIGHT

    Raindrops poured down on her and Blaze, forcing Midnight to escort Blaze to safety. It wasn't a thunderstorm, but the rain was very dense. "We should probably get out of Epsilon's territory... sis," Blaze said, then looked at Midnight. "May I call you that?"

    "If it makes you feel better," said Midnight, a raindrop cooling her nose.

    There was silence as the crickets sang their song along the pitter-patter of the rain.

    "I never really had a family," Blaze said.

    "Huh?"

    Blaze hunched his back, ears drooped. "When I was young, my mom told me... I was just really loud and outgoing, I remember her black coat and brown accents. I was an only child of that I was aware of," he started. "We dwelled in a forest with my father, a handsome and well-built red wolf."

    Midnight was silent, so Blaze continued, "We had happy lives, my mom teaching me to hunt as soon as I was strong enough. I was about eight weeks old."

    "Quick learner," muttered Midnight.

    Blaze seem to hold back. "You don't have to tell me," Midnight coaxed.

    "Theta never knew... I think... you should," said Blaze. "I... I feel like, we can be as siblings.

    Midnight stroked Blaze's back. "Oh, Blaze..."

    "You see, when I was barely a year old... there was a great fire. Animals bustle by, no matter if they're enemies or friends, they all ran side by side. My mom and dad... dragged me. Mom was caught behind, but even for a family, every wolf for themselves," said Blaze.

    "Why aren't your parents part of a pack?" asked Midnight.

    "Long before, my dad was one of the wolves sent out to start a new pack, but my dad wasn't into it, for he has found the one he has been dreaming of," said Blaze.

    A drop of water bounced off the leaf, splashing near Midnight's black paw. "Your mom."

    "Yes," said Blaze.

    Silence and there was the plink-plink of the raindrops on the forming puddles. "So, dad and I made a run for the river, as many animals has passed it. Dad accidentally tripped and twisted his leg, and I just... I just... I just couldn't leave him behind!"

    Blaze was screaming into the rain. "Do you know what it feels like when... when you love a father so much you can't leave him? Do you!"

    He sobbed for moments, the tears streaming down his face. "I... I sauntered over to him, I couldn't leave him, I told him... 'Get up, dad, get up', but he told me, 'Every wolf for themselves', and nudged me. I pulled at him! I pulled him up! He eventually got on the run, but he was limping. Near the river, many animals were crowding the place, and my dad pushed me ahead! He... I never saw him again. The last I did, well... he was trying to cross the river, and I lost sight of him..."

    "Blaze... I'm so sorry," said Midnight, nuzzling him with affection. "My condolences."

    Blaze was silent, sniffing.

    "My father was the chief of the pack. He might still be the chief now, considering... he was sick when I left him," said Midnight.

    "Y-yes?"

    Midnight growled. "He changed the rules, he made sure all she-wolves suffer to go on a long quest and back again. 'To show you're worthy of this pack and to increase your stamina', he said," she scoffed.

    "H-he did?"

    "Yes, the mean grouchie," said Midnight.

    Blaze's somber lips curved upwards, but instead of comforting Midnight, they looked like a shattered piece of a nightmare. Note to self: never try to make Blaze smile when he's sad.

    "Then, I succeeded... I was to become the next chief, but... guess what?"

    "What, sis?"

    Sis- that word made Midnight felt nostalgic and right at home at the same time.

    "The entire pack was gone when I returned, he took them all away from me!"

    Instead of sadness, Midnight's words were formed of anger and hatred.

    "I... I wouldn't do that," Blaze finally said, the droplets of rain decreasing into a faint drizzle.

    "My dad would," hissed Midnight.

    "I've heard," said Blaze, tasting the raindrop that fell on his tongue.

    Midnight stepped out of their shelter. "The rain's near to stopping now, let's go."

    "Should we find sister Theta?" asked Blaze.

    Midnight heard a distant shriek of a bird. "Let's just go... to Lambda's territory."

Author's Note: This week was really long. Anyway, I hope you don't mind me changing Blaze's story a bit so it's more believable? Nevertheless, I had fun writing this. The next Midnight part would and should be more on terms of the forest.

Foreshadowing? 

Chapter 20: First Day at the Farm

DUSK

    Moaning, the grey she-wolf felt limp as the man placed her on a warm round rug, as Elena said. Gareth smiled at her. "Welcome to a new 'ome!" he said. "If the dogs ever bother you, give a little 'owl and I'll stop 'em," he said before moving off.

    Sasha skittishly circled Dusk. "So, what happened to you? Wolves travel in packs, I know, but why are you alone?" she asked, her brown and black fur flying with every movement she made.

    "I don't know either," Dusk admitted. "I just woke up with this terrible migraine and a broken left fore-paw."

    "Dear, there seems to be a gash on your left side as well," Sasha said, cautiously approaching Dusk, and sniffing it. "It's about a night old."

    What did I do last night? "Is it deep?"

    "Not very," Sasha said. "I'm sure Gareth didn't see this, it's small... Do you feel anything painful on your side?"

    "No..."

    "Queer indeed," said Sasha, and she carefully placed a paw on it. Suddenly, deep pain filled Dusk, and a howl, unintentionally, slipped. Sasha removed her paw. "Goodness, I'm so sorry! Does it really hurt?"

    Dusk nodded, and all Sasha could say was, "Oh no..."

    Gareth approached them. "Sasha! Were you disturbing the poor gal?"

    Sasha whimpered, but didn't back away. "Sasha!" Gareth cried, but she move towards Dusk, and licked her side, or at least, pretended to.

    Gareth cautiously moved forwards in curiosity, and looked at her back. "Sasha, there's nothing there," he said.

    "Oh, but there is! There is!" Sasha barked.

    Gareth placed his hand on Dusk's hand when Sasha wouldn't stop protesting. His warm hand made contact with her side, and Dusk howled in reflects. Someone, the invisible gash was a torment to her, filling her body with the coldest feeling, but it burned.

    "By the name of the kings, that was 'orrible, but I don't see any marks or scratches..." Gareth said, frowning. "I'm sorry I can't do much good."

    Elena, who was passing by, said, "The wolf needs a name. A name to call her by."

    "My name is Dusk," Dusk muttered, but the humans didn't hear it.

    "Let's call 'er Grey," said Gareth.

    "No! That's too general," Elena objected. "Plus, She's a she-wolf."

    Elena frowned. "She's a beautiful grey wolf, and we found her in the river side, so... would River work?"

    "She's not blue," Gareth complained.

    "We'll decide by dusk then," said Elena, sighing, and she was about to move towards the kitchen when Dusk howled.

    "Decide by dusk? What about naming 'er Dusk because she's energetic about that choice!" Gareth cried.

    Laughter escaped Elena's lips. "Dusk it is then!"

    Dusk happily barked. For once, the humans understood her.

    As evening approaches, Dusk spotted Kimi, the golden retriever. Her blue eyes sparkled. "Dusk! Dusk!"

    "Why are you here?" asked Dusk.

    "Eyy, don't be so suspicious!" she barked gleefully. "Welcome to the Grand Cropalace!"

    "The f-farm?" asked Dusk.

    Kimi giggled. "Ya got that right!"

    Different from their previous meeting, Kimi was excited and full of life. She wasn't worried or at the very least concerned of Dusk's intentions. The golden retriever's blue eyes sparkled. "Ada! Thala! Come here!" she barked.

    It was minutes when Thala, the labrador, rushed into the scene. "Oh my! It's Dusk!"

    "I know right!" Kimi cried. "Hey, Dusk, want to sleep over at my new dog house?"

    "Err, no thanks," Dusk said.

    Ada stepped into the scene. "Dusk, welcome. Has Gareth and Elena treated you well?"

    "Considering my condition, yes," Dusk said.

    Thala cried, "You'll love it tomorrow! The farm will be bustling with activity!"

    "Really?" Dusk asked.

    Kimi and Thala's heads bobbed in unison.

    "Excuse me, I have to herd the sheep," said Ada before leaving quickly.

    "We're kinda involved so..." Thala said, before turning tail with a hesitant Kimi. Before Dusk could say goodbye, Thala and Kimi said their goodbyes and left Dusk all together.

Author's Note: Yep. I remembered to post this even though I have at least twelve tests next week. Aaaah. So, 129 more pageviews to 1500 views! Don't forget to comment- you caan do so anonymously, just make sure it's nothing bad or dirty of the sort.

Alright, have a great day!

Chapter 19: What's Wrong With Epsilon?

MIDNIGHT

    After enjoying a meal on two plump hare, Cullen, Midnight and Epsilon sauntered back into the forest. As a deer, Epsilon has no trouble getting through the barrier of the river, his jade eyes steady, flitting around to spot any danger, if any.

    Bidding them goodbye, he disappeared into the forest, leaving Midnight and Cullen. There, Blaze was waiting. "Where's Theta?" asked Midnight, when she saw Blaze.

    "I don't know, I'm waiting for her..." Blaze said. "I haven't seen anyone in the last two hours."

    Two hours! Midnight thought.

    Cullen smirked. "She probably got lost trying to locate the wolf she was trying to find..."

    "Gamma?" asked Midnight, remembering the name suddenly.

    Blaze looked down. "Yeah, him.."

    There was an uncomfortable silence, and then, Cullen sighed. "I can't sit still, I'm off."

    Blaze rolled on the grass playfully, revealing his underside, bearing small marks that seem to be maroon in colour. A bird came down from the skies towards him, and Blaze conversed with it happily.

    "How does that even make sense?" growled Cullen, his tail swishing before prowling off.

    Midnight looked at Blaze, thinking of his doings "cute". Sooner or later, they should and would meet one of the Guardians.

    True enough, after an hour, Zeta came into the clearing, humming, Omega by her side. "Well, Zee, I don't know how to say this, but..." Midnight heard Omega say.

     Then, a set of whispering. As they reached the clearing, they abruptly stopped, spotting Blaze, obviously lying down on the ground, and Midnight.

    "Why are you guys here? This is Epsilon's territory, not Lambda's..." Omega said, frowning, his mint green eyes sparkling in concern. "Nothing happened?"

    Midnight shook her head. "Nothing."

    "Did you meet Epsilon, though?" asked Zeta. "Like, kind-hearted, warm deer?"

    Midnight nodded. "He asked us out for a hunting..."

    "What did he change into?" snapped Omega abruptly.

    Midnight was puzzled. What was that of their concern? Why does Epsilon have his own territory?

    "Why doesn't Epsilon live with you on Lambda's side?" inquired Midnight.

    "We have no time for this!" Zeta said, exasperated, her pale blue eyes showed no joy.

    There was no answers to any of the questions thrown. Finally, Omega said, "OK, briefly, it's because Epsilon is dangerous."

    "What? How?" Midnight pressed.

    "Uh-huh, no, it's your turn to answer," said Zeta. She seemed to be in a hurry, her grey tail swishing forcefully.

    Finally, Midnight answered. "A grey wolf, and he keeps calling me 'sis' and Culeen 'bro'."

    At once, the two guardians relaxed. "Oh, he's okay," Zeta sighed, relieved. "Thank the spirits..."

    Still curious, Midnight questioned, "Why ask all this...? How dangerous is Epsilon?"

    "I'm afraid we can't and we won't answer," said Omega. "It's confidential, and Epsilon wants to keep it as a secret as much as possible. My advice is that if you see Epsilon, pretend you didn't, and walk away."

    Midnight looked at the grassy soil. He's a deer... Might he be bitter of eating these magical grass?

    Satisfied with Midnight's answer, Omega and Zeta left the opposite direction from where Epsilon disappeared.

    "Was Epsilon a baddie?" asked a voice.

    Looking down, Blaze was staring at her with his large grey eyes. Had it been grey, Midnight was unsure. The bird had flown off moments ago. Blaze was still lying on his back.

    "No, he was really nice. He asked out to hunt to satisfy our hunger."

    Blaze nodded. "I'm not hungry, though."

    Midnight stared at him. A conclusion dawned on her. "Did you really understand what the bird was saying to you?" she questioned.

    With a triumphant nod, Blaze said, "He told me that it was going to rain soon."

    Midnight looked up, the stars slowly fading away. Here, in the Silver Woods, she barely felt the change in time, or notice the hours pass.

    Now, it was nearly dawn.

Author's Note: I can't believe it that I forgotten to post last week even though I remembered!

So, this one's kind of boring, but now, you have something, or someone, to worry about... EPSILON.

Chapter 18: Helping Humans

DUSK

    She opened her eyes and light danced into her pale grey eyes. "Yawn," she said, agreeing on the fact she fell asleep. A migraine triggered in her head, and she lifted her head. "Nyxtryx? Anyone?" she called. She looked around. Everything, everyone, is gone.

    She couldn't recall what happened. "Chief Darke?" she asked.

    A brown sparrow chirped overhead. There was a shout. She attempted to stand, as she recognised it as a human. She placed her left fore paw forwards and felt an indescribable pain shot through her paw.

    I need to go! cried Dusk in her mind, twitching her grey left forepaw, panicking.

    A distant collection of barking filled her ears, it seems recognisable, but she didn't know whose.

    A man came into sight, a rifle in hand. Spotting Dusk, he pointed at her from the distance, yelling over his shoulder.

    This is the end, thought Dusk, sobbing gently.

    I'm sorry, Wisp, I'm sorry, Nyxtyx, I'm sorry... everyone I abandoned... I'm so sorry, Mist...

    My chief, Darke, and our advisor, Shadow, I'm sorry I couldn't serve as a general anymore...

    Instead of feeling the cold barrel against her fur, a touch of warmth on her grey fur. She looked up from her shut eyes, exposing her delicate eyes towards a man.

    His jade eyes twinkled with pity for Dusk. "Poor gal, 'elp's on the way."

    His wavy hair was brown, his tanned skin shadowed underneath his hair, he donned a blue cloth over his chest and beige cloth over his hips and below.

    A dog was beside him, sniffing Dusk with curiosity. The dog was athletically built, with brown and black short fur and beady eyes, it's ears perked up. "Hullo," said the dog.

    "Daddy! Daddy!"

    A boy was running up the hill with a blonde lady, her cherry lips and squinted, small eyes were amber. The two carried a sack.

    The boy was running. He has large brown eyes, his brown hair dotted with specks of light. "Mommy and I manage to find some bandages and herbs," he said.

    "Good job, Kenny, good job, Elena," the man said, his voice rough.

    Elena smiled sweetly. "What's ever the matter, Gareth dear?"

    "A poor injured wolf..." said Gareth, his jade eyes looking at Dusk, studying for any other injuries. "Except for what seems to be wrong with 'er left paw, I don't think there are any other injuries."

    "Thank goodness," Elena breathed, and set the sack down, revealing a long white ribbon.

    Helena then produced rock-like items from her sack. "Mortar and pestle," muttered Gareth.

    Hmm... A mortar and a pestle... thought Dusk, looking at the items.

    From Kenny's sack, the young boy clothed in white pulled out leaves of many assortment. Gareth grabbed a few and crushed them. Kenny pulled out a bottle filled with white-yellow liquid. Gareth took it too and poured a bit into the collection of crushed leaves.

    "It'll look weird," said the dog, but it's going to be OK, just calm down."

    "T-thank you," Dusk said, sighing in relief. "What's your name?"

    The boxer looked at her. "Sasha."

    Dusk was slightly shocked. A female boxer! She didn't even look like a female! "Oh, I'm Dusk."

    "Dusk, a beautiful name indeed," said Sasha as Gareth closed in for Dusk. The bowl-like object- Dusk didn't know whether it was a mortar or a pestle- in hand, he sat down and applied some of the mushy green mixture onto Dusk's left forepaw. Then, with the ribbon, tied it up.

    "Aww, she's not even mad at you daddy!" Kenny cried, looking at Dusk with glee.

    Elena even looked at Dusk with her amber eyes with pure affection.

    Then, the three tidied up their items and Gareth heaved Dusk onto his two arms, wincing slightly to realise she was heavy. "The medicine will work soon, come on now, gal, let's bring you to a 'ome."

Author's Note: My draft would be that Dusk follows the pack again with no memories. Whoop, wrong turn. Anyway, we might need a new perspective soon to spy on Shadow. Haha.

Do you guys think we should add a third perspective?

Chapter 17: Hunting

MIDNIGHT

    Epsilon guided Cullen and Midnight. "Yo-ho-ho! Lookie, bro, there's a hare there," Epsilon cried.

    "Can you just stop calling me 'bro'?" demanded Cullen.

     Midnight was irritated as well. "Call me by my name!"

    Epsilon laughed, his sharp fangs showing. His maroon eyes held no seriousness, only the feeling of fun. The wolf ducked and crouched down, staring at the brown hare. He then pounced onto the hare, rolling around as the hare tried to free itself from his grasp. Cullen and Midnight sighed. For one, Epsilon does not know how to hunt.

    Licking his lips, the grey wolf-deer snapped at the bunny, and devoured it. "That was good, c'mon, people, let's get this party rockin'!"

     "Rocking?" asked Cullen.

     "I hope that roughly translate to 'let's hunt more'," Midnight dared to answer.

     With that, the three wolves ventured the woods for more animals. Cullen whipped his tail around, and Midnight nearly forgot it was magic at work.

    "Why is the Silver Woods called the 'Silver Woods'?" asked Midnight.

    The wolf smiled. "Why, you ask? Well, well," Epsilon said. "Look at the tree dudes, their leaves have green or brown veins, whereas in the Silver Woods, there, the little dudes has silver veins."

    "Whoa," Cullen commented.

    "Magic runs through the area, in the air, soil and such," said Epsilon. "They cannot escape, as the rushing river keeps the magic in."

    Midnight saw as Epsilon flickered between a wolf and a horned-wolf. She looked puzzled, but kept it to herself.

    "As the river keeps us cleanse of magic, when we escape to the realm of 'reality', we are stripped off of magic."

    "What about Beta? His rune tower?" asked Midnight.

    Epsilon jogged for a while before resuming to his steady pace. "Well, he cheated. He dried the river and allowed magic to escape- intentionally."

    "So, whenever you go out with magic..." Cullen said.

    "Magic goes with us, and- ugh."

    The wolf arched his back in agony and became a deer once more. "My apologies. I was saying, and it will be released into this world in small amounts. They later disappear to be used by the Sol Spirits to feed the celestial bodies."

    "Sol Spirits?" asked Cullen.

    Epsilon nodded. "I shall teach you about it later if you please."

    With that, the deer strode to the closest tree and nipped at it's bark, eating a thin layer of it's bark. "Hmm-mm, delicious," he said. "These trees are different with those trees in the Silver Woods."

    "How so?" asked Cullen.

    "Magic, magic taste bitter," said Epsilon. "Try eating a piece of bark or grass. They were grown in the land of magic with magic, in magic, they taste bitter. Excessive magic makes you bitter as well. That's the explanation for greed."

    "Hmm, that explains a lot," murmured Midnight, fuming.

    "Also, one reason to protect us from eating anything that is of there."

    "What if something over populate the area and takes over?"

    "Then, we destroy them with magic, as their greed must have been built by magic," said Epsilon, licking the last bit of a snack he would enjoy in a long time.

    "Say, Epsilon..." Cullen say. "What are you? You eat rabbits, and now tree-stuff!"

    "Firstly, my dear friend, it's a hare, and it was bark I was eating."

    "Call me Cullen," Cullen curtly said.

    "Alright, then. Firstly, Cullen, it's a-"

    Midnight sighed. Epsilon was, no doubt, a creature of high respect and has a great sense of honour. Still, when he changed... who did he become?

Author's Note: This is really short... Ahh... Anyway, my apologies for not posting! I forgot about my Sunday schedule... I'll try to post as normally as I can again, OK?

Chapter 16: Shadow's Plan

DUSK

    Nyxtryx didn't stop talking when they were walking back to the pack. "Weird, a wooden thing, dogs... Slaving creatures? What is up?"

    "Humans, no doubt," Dusk said, wrinkling her nose. "Good-for-nothing humans who hunt us creatures for their likes."

    Nyxtryx growled. "I wished I harmed more during the Hunting War."

    "Huh, be careful what you wish for," Dusk said. "I don't want the war all over again."

    "I'm sorry... I don't want it either..."

    Dusk nudged Nyxtryx for assurance. The two reached the pack. Darke was giving a speech. "We need to find a new place where we can dwell, but where can it be safe?" Darke said, and Dusk's ears drooped, realising she has missed out most of it.

    "Shadow had scouted the lands further ahead, and he has a hypothesis to move on southwards. After all, nothing's wrong, right? If we stay, we won't get anywhere, this is a dangerous area," Darke said. "Also, if anyone sees Midnight, please contact me."

    At the word Shadow, Dusk wrinkled her nose. 

    The wolves began to talk as Darke turned his back on them. Dusk heard many wails of mothers whose pups were still weak. Dusk shook her head. How did this happen?

    Dusk sauntered over to Darke. "Chief, they can't do this," Dusk whispered forcefully.

    "We're in a dangerous area, Dusk, please understand," Darke breathed shallower than usual.

    "C-chief, are you alright?" Dusk asked, hearing his breathing heave.

    "I don't remember, but I think... I think..." Darke coughed.

    Dusk nodded. "Don't force yourself, come, let's head for the river."

    "I'd rather not," a voice hissed. Dusk looked back, Shadow stood there, his blue-yellow eyes seem to glow.

    Dusk growled. "For what reason now?" she asked.

    "Darke just had a fight," Shadow implied. "He got pushed down on the chest- hard. I stopped his assailant before he got clawed and gnawed at."

    Dusk eyed Shadow, the grey marking around his eyes seem to have deepen, to blend with the black. Shadow turned around, the scratch mark becoming visible to Dusk, it was grotesque.

    "Let him rest," Shadow coaxed.

    "Then we won't leave tomorrow," Dusk stated. "He's not in a stable physical condition, and worse and he'll be dead."

    Dusk looked into Shadow's eyes. "Isn't that what we want?" he suddenly said.

    Dusk expected Darke to growl, snap and even attack, but the wolf was frozen into place.

    "What did you do to him?" shrieked Dusk.

    Shadow, with elegance, turned around Dusk, brushing the tips of her fur with his tail. "We all know this old fool's reign is over. You can take over, Wisp can, you can change the traditions, all over from the start..." Shadow whispered.

    So this is what he means... He once said... If Midnight completed the Pack Quest, it would be all over... He would have obliterate all traditions and customs if she did...

    "Join me, let's build an army to save this fool from more trouble, we'll start a new belief amongst these lost wolves..." Shadow hissed, and Darke still frozen.

    Dusk felt a strong urge, to accept. Dusk, Dusk! Keep a hold of yourself! You are NOT joining... this mad wolf!

    "Come, come to me," Shadow whispered, a little more harshly now. "We'll dance amongst the wolves as King and Queen."

    "No," Dusk coldly said, making sure she left an icy glaze on her pale grey eyes.

    Shadow whispered, more silky this time. "You can't deny me, by my Queen."

    "I said no," Dusk firmly stated, and, with a swipe of her paw, landed it on Shadow's chest, and pushed him backwards. Dusk quickly rushed to the Chief. His body was stiff, yet warm.

    "Dusk, you'll never know when to stop, do you?" Shadow asked.

    "Shut it!" Dusk growled.

    Darke stayed silent. Dusk tried to tip the body, but it was like a hundred-years-old tree rooted onto the ground.

    "He's becoming as the earth," Shadow said. "Hurry, accept, and he might be saved."

    "Might?" screeched Dusk.

    "Can't rush a bargain," Shadow snorted.

    "Why do you even need a Queen?" Dusk asked.

    Shadow smiled, revealing his teeth. A broken fang displayed itself. "I need a black sheep."

    Dusk lunged for the menacing wolf. Then all was dark, and Dusk felt like she was forgetting where she was.

Author's Note: I might not kill characters yet, I still need them. Cullen, by the way, is permanent unless the creator wants to kill him because he's been here since the first part. Blaze needs to be careful, but he wasn't appearing any time yet, so what about every 5 posts of the character's appearance? If the character appears five times and the creator has not commented, permanent or not, be prepared to see your beloved character disappear... even though I won't like that.

Re-count starts from today.

Chapter 15: Epsilon

MIDNIGHT

    The wolf kept running. What is this thing Cullen doesn't want to see?

    She stopped abruptly. She saw her father, Chief Darke. Impossible! It's not possible you're here! she wailed in her thoughts.

    The chief flicked his tail, and looked at her.

    "See what I don't want to see now?" Cullen sulked. "It's him..."

    "How do you know him?" Midnight growled.

    Cullen muttered, "Father..."

    "Hah, nonsense, he's my father," Midnight hissed, staring at Darke's hollow eyes. She looked around, in hopes of finding Wisp.

    Around them there was a ring of blue wispy flowers, with soft leaves underneath her toe pads. "Wisp?"

    "It's my dad! Can't you see? His fur... so messy, that pattern of mahogany and caramel..." Cullen listed. "Deep blue eyes, that broken claw, half-grown by now..."

    Midnight stopped. "No! That wolf is a solid black wolf!" she growled.

    "Not!" Cullen growled.

    "Neither," said a voice.

    Before them, someone came charging and appeared into the clearing. It was a deer, his coat was milky white, and his horns are coffee coloured with caramel tips. His hooves were like the colour of soil, but fresh and sturdy like a tree's mighty bark. His eyes are jade, and his voice was clear.

    "Who are you?" asked Cullen.

    "Me? I'm part of the Forest Guardians," the deer replied. "I'm Epsilon."

    "What do you mean earlier by 'neither'?" demanded Midnight.

    Epsilon laughed. "There's no wolf, this is just an illusion," he said, and the stomped the ground, the wolf who Midnight saw as her father disappeared, and all she saw was a tree...

    "My father's a tree?" asked Cullen.

    Midnight slapped him with his tail. "Oh fang, Cullen, you're so dim!" she growled.

    "Where are we, anyway?" asked Cullen.

    Epsilon raised his head. "North-East borders," he replied. Midnight was silent. Now she's confused. "This is the end of the line."

    "You see that river?" asked Epsilon when they were silent. "That's the border that separates the forest from all other 'reality', no magic can pass through  the river when it's rushing."

    "Why not?" asked Midnight.

    "It's dangerous," Epsilon said, "once magic is released to what you guys call 'reality', all is lost, magic itself has it's own thoughts. If not harnessed correctly, they'll bring chaos to the world, and open a new realm. Everything and everyone will be gone, extinct, if it does so. Including us..."

    "What if it's harnessed by some others correctly?" asked Cullen.

    Epsilon said, "Well, that's a rare situation."

    "Did this happen?" asked Midnight.

    "Once," Epsilon said, lowering his voice. "Beta released about a ton of them, and they were for his craft to create the Rune Tower. After we stopped him, though, the half-done tower crashed down and into the soil the magic went."

    "Where this did happen?" asked Midnight.

    "Can't remember, it's been about a... year?" Epsilon said.

    Cullen licked his lips. "Also, besides being forgetful, are you indeed a delicious talking deer?" he asked.

    Epsilon was silent. "No, and it seems like magic has corrupted your thoughts."

    "Food is good," muttered Cullen.

    "Oh dear," Epsilon said, "hungry, I suppose?"

    Cullen nodded, and Epsilon shimmered, a glow of white engulfed him, and he became a petite-looking wolf, grey and white in colours. Midnight looked awed, after all, the deer just shape-shifted.

    "Maybe it's time in a year that I feel hunger again," Epsilon said, laughing. "Come on."

    "Don't you say magic can't exit and you'll be a wolf again?" Midnight asked.

    Epsilon grinned, his sharp fangs gleamed. Midnight wondered if he shifted that especially too. "Hey, I don't know the rules, just, I know 'em."

    Midnight gulped as Epsilon ran towards the river. The water rose, opening a path for Epsilon to pass. "Heh, as easy as that, sis."

    Sis? Who does he think he is?

    "C'mon, bro, sis, let's eat, I'm starved."

Author's Note: Well, it's time for a new chapter already? Too quick. It's a bit blunt here, but this chapter will be the start of most explanation of magic.

Don't forget to comment!

Chapter 14: A Dog's World

DUSK

    The conversation she had was unpleasant. She thought about what Shadow meant. She didn't like it, it sounded ominous...

    Nevertheless, her gloomy thoughts were dispersed when Mist nudged her. "Sis! Wisp's back! I saw him!" she cried.

    "You sure it's Wisp and not someone else?" asked Dusk, confused.

    "I'm sure!" cried Mist. "C'mon!"

    Dusk reluctantly followed Mist. Surely, eating with the pack, there was a dark grey wolf, with a black muzzle. Thank the stars, sighed Dusk.

    She looked at the wolf, and decided to give him some time to feel welcome first.

    "How he there?" asked Dusk.

    "Well, he just... appeared. I don't know how, but, sis... Ironide told me, he ran away, but should I believe him? Since he's back?" Mist inquired, and Dusk looked troubled herself.

    Why, in the name of stars, would Wisp return? Dusk thought to herself.

    He looked at a fellow wolf, whom Dusk didn't recognised. She looked around. The situation was clear. It was all good. Nothing troubling seem to be happening.

    "Dusk," called a voice, and there was a wolf beside her aside from Mist. It was Nyxtryx. The wolf's amber eyes gleamed. "You have to see this. It's just... weird!"

    "What is?" questioned Dusk.

    Nyxtryx winked. "Just you and me, Dusk, come on!" cried the black wolf. She dashed away. Dusk stared at her.

    "Sorry, you'll have to sit this one out, Mist," said Dusk. Then she ran after Nyxtryx.

    Dusk recognised the path. Tree after tree, path after path. She then saw a watering hole. "Where re you bringing me?" asked Dusk.

    Nyxtryx let a soft giggle slip. "You'll see."

    The trees become less dense, and a tower of wood appeared. There was a wooden... thing, big, and it had white on it's side, and the place has a little stench in the air. There were noises from inside, and Nyxtryx slipped towards the thing by crawling under a wooden barrier, lined sidewards. 

    "It's weird, isn't it?" Nyxtryx cried.

    Dusk slipped in after her. On her left, here was a circular stone wall, and it was a little too high for the wolves to reach. The stone wall had a triangular wood roof to it, and a wooden bowl-like object over the wall's opening. A few birds perched on the wall and roof. On her right, a small wooden box was constructed.

    There was a sign on the wooden tower. Dusk fixed her eyes on it, but Nyxtryx had other things in sight. "Look, there's another wooden barrier again, and looks what's in there..." said Nyxtryx, pointing to one at the very edge, only seen by a small spot.

    "... Water buffaloes..." muttered Dusk. "They attacked us, but they're so tame here..."

    "It's because, as I said, they're being taken care of here," said a voice. Dusk turned back and saw Ada, the German Shepherd. There was brown and black on her white skin as well, and Dusk just noticed... somehow...

    "Err, hello," greeted Nyxtryx.

    "Hello," Ada said.

    Dusk growled. "These buffaloes attacked our pack, you know?"

    "My deepest condolences, but they need the water, the river," said Ada. "That's why the Grand Cropalace was built here."

    Nyxtryx snorted. "So, is this what they call a farm?" Despite being older by a few weeks than Dusk and being a wolf general about a year earlier, she isn't very concerning about the outside world.

    "Yes," Ada said. "I'm supposed to keep and watch for intruders and such, but I'll keep quiet for you two."

    "Thanks," Dusk said.

    Ada looked at the wooden fort. "The barn this year is as good as the last," she said, "and if we manage to make a nice supply of veggies, we can sell them out!"

    Dusk and Nyxtryx couldn't process about what Ada just said. "Whoops, sorry," Ada said, "forgot you guys aren't from humans."

    "You've been a lot with the humans," Nyxtryx said, "can you tell us about them?"

    Ada looked around. "Well, my masters are really kind," she said. "My caretaker is a little girl, they call her Dolly."

    "What name is 'Dolly'?" asked Dusk.

    "Her birth name is Donita," said Ada. "Anyway, some visitors who are interested in what they call 'money', an item used to get more things, are less kind. Some try to take the ranch away, the land, and such. Usually, the farm only sells our products of meat and veggies, and that's it."

    "I've been in war against a human in the past," said Dusk. "They wanted to kill us wolves."

    Ada eyed Dusk's beautiful grey and white fur. "It's called 'hunting', like what we wolves and dogs and other predators to, but humans don't do it for food, it's for their luxury!"

    "Can you elaborate?" asked Nyxtryx.

    Ada started to pace around. "Fur from tigers, to make skins and carpets, crocodile skin for handbags, elephant's tusks for ivory decorations, bears as hunter's trophy..."

    Dusk was silent. "Humans... they're not to be trusted," she whispered. "Except I do not understand what a cat-pet is nor do I understand what a hand back is."

    "It doesn't matter what they are... They're anima products from hunting..."

    "I still won't trust them," Dusk hissed, with the support of Nyxtryx hissing in nison.

    "If they trust you, only then can you trust them," Ada said.

    "Good point," muttered Nyxtryx.

    Ada's ears perked. "Another dog's coming, it's not Kimi or Thala, quick, go!"

    "Good-bye, Ada, it's been a pleasure meeting you," Dusk said.

    Ada smiled, "Farewell."

    The wolves quickly slipped away.

Author's Note: I deeply apologise for not posting much. I've been busy and my internet connections has been cut off randomly... Will be posting next week.

Chapter 13: Twisted

MIDNIGHT

    "Gamma?" called Theta.

    Blaze looked confused as well as Cullen and Midnight. "Who's this Gum dude?" Cullen asked, looking around.

    Theta stammered, "Gamma. He's a wolf... not really, but, um, well, we, um."

    "It's personal, isn't it?" asked Midnight.

    Theta nodded. "V-very."

    "Save it for yourself, sis," said Blaze, and Midnight nodded.

    "Where can he be?" sing-songed Cullen. Mimicking Theta's voice, he sang, "Oh where, oh where, did little Gamma go? Oh where, oh where can he be?"

    Cullen snickered as Theta shot him a murderous look. "Look, about Gamma, I'll look for him alone, stay here," Theta said. "Don't go anywhere."

    Theta quickly disappeared into the bushes, and Cullen snickered once more. "Us? Staying here? Hah!" he cried. "I'm moving away."

    "There are dangers, Mr. Wolf!" cried Blaze.

    Midnight looked at Cullen. "Are you seriously going to go?" she asked.

    "Well, I might as well go to another wolf and see if he's a bunny!" Cullen cried.

    "That's not how it goes..." Midnight sighed.

    Cullen snorted and ran off.

    "I-I should follow him, Blaze. He gets into many nasty troubles, you should come too," said Midnight, "so I can watch you."

    "I can do things on my own," Blaze whimpered. With that, Midnight went to tail Cullen, but as soon as she left, Blaze quickly followed. "Wait!"

    Midnight and Blaze crashed through the bushes to follow Cullen. When Midnight saw him, she was too slow to stop. She crashed into the maned wolf. "Hey, watch it," Cullen growled quietly.

    "What's ever the-"

    Midnight closed her mouth and saw what Cullen was watching over the bushes. A hawk has landed, and it was walking on the ground. It hunched over, sitting down on it's behind, and stretched it's wings up high. The hawk lost colour and it's wings became slender. The tips of it fingers and and claws became fat. Claws and wings, they turned into paws.

    "That's Beta!" cried Midnight quietly into Cullen's ear. The wolf winced, but nodded.

    The slender white wolf shook it's fur and opened her huge eyes, glimmering in red and purple. She looked around and ran off.

    "I got to follow her," said Cullen. "She's the hawk spy Blaze said."

    Midnight looked at Cullen, then Blaze, "You sure?" she asked.

    "It's only now," said Cullen, smirking.

    "Alright," said Midnight. "Be safe."

    Cullen slipped away, and Midnight looked at Blaze, his eyes twinkling. "Blaze... I'm not sure I've introduced myself to you," said Midnight.

    "Midnight," said Blaze, before slipping away to where they were last left by Theta.

    Midnight was confused. Where should she go? Cullen was after the spy, and Blaze somehow knew her name. She turned and race after Cullen, or attempted to.

    She crashed through the bushes. "Looking for someone?" asked a voice.

    It was Beta, perched on top of the tree, relaxing. "Uh, did you see a maned wolf pass by?" asked Midnight.

    "Sure," she said. "He's a bit by your east."

    "T-thank you," said Midnight.

    The white wolf nodded. Midnight ran to her east. Cullen, where are you?

    Midnight ran ahead, and crashed into someone. Cullen.

    "Cullen, you missed Beta," said Midnight.

    "It seems like I did," growled Cullen.

    Midnight looked at him. "Why did you turn back?" she asked.

    "Huh?"

    "You were running east," Midnight explained, "and if you are trying to catch someone, you don't turn back."

    Cullen was silent. "It's just that... I sensed something... something to meet over there... something... I don't want to see."

    Midnight grinned. "I want to see this... thing," she said.

       "G-go ahead," stammered Cullen. "I'm behind you."

     Midnight bounded ahead.

Author's Note: Everything's a mess! All's a confusion! Yes! Confuse people more with my ridiculously impossible plot!

Oh, yes, I've been procrastinating... I'm sorry if my writing dropped... School's third week is coming up. Not feeling great.

Chapter 12: Discussions

DUSK

    Dusk approached towards the rock where the chief was often seen resting. True enough, the black wolf was there, looking at the sun, almost  setting. "Greetings, Chief," said Dusk, her voice quivering with fear. Did he know Wisp is gone? That I made him run away?

    "Dusk," said the chief, "I need to talk to you."

    Dusk looked at him. "Me?"

    The chief nodded. "You see, lately, there has been a line of weird incidents," said Darke, "like the fact I don't remember much about this pack quest, nor do I remember much about what happened after Snow died..."

    Snow, his mate, thought Dusk. "Shadow said you were attacked yesterday," she said.

    Darke shook his head. "I was talking with Ironide earlier yesterday after I woke up- he was worried about the buffalo attack."

    "Ah, that's why he wasn't there," said Dusk.

    Darke looked at the horizon. "No matter what actually happened, I know that you've been long with the pack, do you know what's happening?"

    "I'm sorry," said Dusk, "I don't."

    Darke nodded.

    "I do know that there's a far near here, the Grand Cropalace. They herd water buffaloes."

    "That explains."

    "Also, chief, if I may suggest my idea..."

    Chief Darke looked at her, indicating a yes, I'm listening command.

    "That Shadow is behind all this," Dusk said.

    "Shadow? Our little advisor?" asked Darke.

    Dusk nodded. "It may sound ridiculous, but, listen. He was the one who told her you had a severe injury, and was the one to remove me off your sight yesterday."

     "I remember that."

    "Except that it seems normal, he was backing you up, right?" prompted Dusk.

    Darke nodded.

    "He told me once, when Midnight was going to be sent for this Pack Quest," continued Dusk. "'I'll try to put everything in my power to stop this pathetic quest, but if only Midnight succeeds...'"

    "Pathetic? It was him who decided," said Darke. "Urgh..."

    "Chief!" cried Dusk.

    "My head's dizzy..." he muttered, "from overthinking all that..."

    "Chief... Darke, calm down," advised Dusk. "If... if you can manage, tell me... what happened after Snow's death..."

    "Snow, she died a few weeks after the Pack Quest, and... I was devastated. Shadow said... she'll be in a better place."

    Shadow... Why is he so weird...? Does he really think... he can get rid of the chief easily, replace him with Midnight... and stop the Pack Quest... once and for all?

    Shadow was in charge of overseeing the wolves later that night. Dusk walked over to him. "Shadow," Dusk said. "I want to talk to you. I need to talk to you."

    The advisor raised his eyebrow. "Personally," growled Dusk.

    Shadow placed Ironide in charge and moved away with Dusk. "What is it?" he snapped.

    "I know you told me many things, you told the chief many things as well," said Dusk, "but something's bothering me..."

    "That is?" asked Shadow.

    Dusk looked at him. His yellow-blue eyes were deep, harsh-looking. "You told me along the lines that if Midnight succeeded the Pack Quest... you'd stop the entire thing... How?"

    It was silent, but Shadow broke the silence by providing a laughing fit. "Funny you asked, but if she did, it would be all over."

    All... over?

    "What do you mean 'all over'?" asked Dusk.

    Shadow smiled. "You see, I would have obliterate all traditions and customs if she did," he explained. "For the better of all."

    "How are you sure?" asked Dusk.

    "If I think so," said Shadow, "it must be so."

     Dusk growled, "That... That isn't even proper logic!"

    "Look, logically or not, I'm smart," said Shadow, "and, one day, you'll see what I mean."

Author's Note: I forgot to post again yesterday, darn. Anyway, not that we know Shadow's the antagonist... what do you think he's planning to do?

Chapter 11: New News

MIDNIGHT

    Theta growled, "I still don't believe Pi would be a traitor, she has been with Lambda as the first magic apprentices of Comet."

    "Funny, how his students overthrow their master by banning magic," said Midnight.

    "Uh-huh," grumbled Cullen.

    Blaze was silently walking beside Theta. "What magic do you have, Theta?" asked Midnight.

    "Me, magic?" asked Theta. "Well... I do have slight magic, but when I was younger, I didn't have a lot to do. I am and will always be a wolf, but I have the magic of the sight."

    "What does that do?" asked Cullen.

    Theta smiled at Cullen's tail. "For example, I can hide the true fact your tail is orange and, with magic, make it show as it as red."

    Cullen looked at her. Midnight knew he was amazed, but instead, Cullen said, "Bah, drama queen. You can't even do anything, but make lame jokes."

    Theta felt challenged. "Y-you think so, eh, Cullie?" she growled.

    "Sure, can't trust everyone, right?" Cullen said, refusing to back away.

    "I'll show you, you stubborn hard-headed wolf!" Theta cried out. With that, her green eyes glowed, making them tinted with yellow, and she touched Cullen's tail. Before Midnight's eyes, Cullen's tail reversed back with the same red hue as is fur. Even to Cullen.

    "Thank the-" Cullen started, then eyed Theta. Clearing his throat, he continued, "heavens she isn't some nasty liar!"

    Theta frowned. "Shut up and be stinking grateful already, you chatterbox!"

    Cullen grinned. "Or I'll remove your spell," Theta threatened.

    Cullen just laughed. "Relax, no-one likes to see a wolf with an orange tail, right?" he said.

    "Yeah, in that case, I'll reverse the spell, ask Delta to freeze you and put your body by the border so everyone can see that hideous tail and run away from the woods, and, hurrah!, we're safe from those unknown evil!" Theta scowled, glaring at Cullen.

    Cullen shrugged. "Can't blame someone for bein' scary, can you?"

    Blaze and Midnight exchanged looks and shrugged. Theta sighed and turned to Blaze. "Blazie, we're almost there," she said.

    Blaze just nodded.

    "Blah-zie deah, we're almost theare-h," mimicked Cullen in Theta's cheerful voice.

    Midnight slapped his tail with hers. "M-Midnight-h! Shaph doinh thath," said Cullen, exaggerating Theta's voice.

    Blaze turned and sent him a growl, and nudged Theta with affection.

    "I'll return your tail," Theta threatened.

    "Ya already did, lady," Cullen replied.

    "It might be best," said a voice, "if you four settle this issue."

    Lambda's voice made Midnight look back. "I'm above you," he said when Midnight failed to find him. Looking up, she saw Lambda, facing them, his eyes glowing warmly in the colour of gold, but his friendly face and advice was broken for her was smiling.

    "Oh, Mr. Wolf, hello!" Blaze greeted.

    Theta faced Lambda. "Lambda, I was just... looking for you, and why are you guarding the borders?" she said, but before Lambda could reply, she added. "No matter! So, I'd like you to meet Blaze, he's a good friend of mine, and, well... he used to be by the northern borders, but y'know, it isn't safe."

    Lambda's eyes returned to grey. "Ah, yes, Blaze, hello," he said.

    To Theta, Lambda said, "You need to find on Gamma, now, it's his shift now, but none of the guardians can find him."

    "Wha-? Gamma, he-!" Theta protested.

    Lambda frowned. "I know you have a grudge on him, but I know that you know almost all his secrets, I know that you know of where he might be," he said. "So, please, Theta, consider this for your Guardian friends and woodland friends."

    Theta looked around them. "For Blaze."

    Blaze gulped and repeated shakily. "For... Blaze...?"

    Midnight eyed the three- Theta, Blaze and Lambda. What the fang...?

Author's Note:  For Blaze? Well, your overly protective sister to the rescue. Anyway, Cullen got cursed, heh, and new character to be revealed- Gamma! Also, knowing all this magic stuff, and to know Theta is a wolf, that's good, right? Well... Early post today...

Chapter 10: ...Wisp?

DUSK

    The wolf general was pacing in a circular path, whipping herself with faults. "I let Wisp get away," she harshly growled. "He's gone, I saw him leave."

    "Hush, Wisp, can't be for long," Ironide assured.

    "Easy for you to say!" Dusk growled. "I was supposed to take care of him! As his guardian!"

    Ironide sniffed, "You're too protective, Dusk..." He shifted over and let his claws run through Dusk's soft grey fur, and smiled. "You don't have to be so scared. He has his mother's blessing, he has his sister's strength, and his father's ambitious side."

    "No, Iron, you don't get it!" Dusk cried, pushing Ironide's paw from her, so forcefully she let her claws leave a scratch on his paw. Ironide didn't seem to care as blood dripped. "I-I'm s-sorry!"

    "You didn't mean to, no harm done," whispered Ironide beside her ear.

    Dusk felt like blushing, only that if she haven't been on duty with Ironide too many times, she would have. She saw Nyxtryx and Rocky, she wanted to bee like them, her and her Iron.

    Ironide shifted in his spot and rolled away. "Dusk, I know, we have that silly tradition, I don't like it, we just lose... power..." he said.

    "Escarda told me that she doesn't really like the pack. She told me," said Dusk, "that she was told the chief caused unfortunate incidents in the pack... I wanted to ask her by whom, but she didn't reply, she looked happy to leave."

    Ironide nodded. "We can't just stand by the chief, keep guard, to see if it's true, that'd be wrong, true or not," he said.

    You said you'll be my guardian, you say you'll be my sister, but you don't guard my ambitions and dreams, at all! What guardian is that? Wisp's scream reeled in her head.

    "Sometime ago," Dusk shakily started, hoping to drown Wisp's voice, "the chief told me, he didn't even know why he sent she-wolves for a quest, no idea, not even knowing if he sent Midnight!"

    "I was told he has selective amnesia," said Dusk when Ironide opened his jaws to ask.

    "Oh," was the reply.

    Silence, and the pack were returning from their hunt, the evening sun starting to set. "Dusk" started Ironide, adding his voice into the chattering crowd.

    Dusk looked at Ironide, wondering. "I-if it's not personal..." he said, "that when you saw Wisp leaving, why didn't you stop him?"

    Dusk's mind ran with answers.

    I couldn't guard his ambitions.

    I can't be who he wants me to be.

    I can take care of Wisp anymore.

    I know he thinks I no longer cares for him.

    I know that he's angry with me.

    ...

    I know...

        he doesn't like me anymore...

    Dusk frowned. "I'm afraid it's just, well, I thought he's only leaving for a small stretch, it's a bit crowded here, y'know..."

    She hoped it sounded convincing enough.

    "Sis!" cried a voice.

    Dusk turned and there stood Mist. She tiptoed onto the tip of her paws and whispered to her sister's ear. "Sis, I'm not sure why... but Chief Darke called you."

    Dusk frowned once more. "Me?"

    Mist nodded.

    "Subject of the matter?"

    "He just told you to come..." said Mist. "As soon as possible."

    Dusk gulped. Whatever it was, it sounds serious.

    "Iron, I need to go-"

    Ironide cut through her sentence. "If you're going, I'm coming too..."

    "No..." said Dusk looking at her sister, giving a stiff, slight shake of her head. "I have a feeling it will be a personal issue."

Author's note: I'm not in the mood to write/type lately, and this chapter is short, partly pointless. Also, the title... no idea for it, so we have a random title.

Chapter 9: A Spy Within

MIDNIGHT

    Golden light touched Midnight's face as she yet passed another tree. Cullen was trying to hide his tail, which Midnight keep looking at as she told Cullen about the magical activities of the forest. Cullen actually listened, and soon, they were walking in silence.

    A flash of orange swished, Cullen's tail. "Oh fang, Cullen, your tail is so distracting!" Midnight finally said.

    "I don't see this wolf Beta talk about," said Cullen, ignoring Midnight.

    A rustle. "Shhh," warned Midnight.

    The two crouched towards a bush and Midnight peeked and gasped. There, a wolf with black fur sat on a clearing, red markings on the underside, a bird chirping and landed on the wolf's head. "Huh, seems like he's in a fantasy wonderland," scoffed Cullen. "I hope he's not going to be a cry-baby and an argument issue on who's prey he's going to be."

    "He's a wolf, Cullen, don't be a cannibal," chided Midnight.

    "Don't trust him to not be a wolf, I mean, look!" Cullen growled.

    A bunny made it's way towards the wolf and hugged him.

    "Uh," Midnight started. It was too odd to process.

    "Animals here can use magic, and you think this isn't a bunny in disguise?" asked Cullen. Midnight regretted telling Cullen, but before she could protest, Cullen leaped, underneath his shadow, the bird and bunny ran away, the wolf looked up.

    Too late. Cullen caught the wolf, pinned him down. "Get off me!" whimpered the wolf.

    "Y'are a bunny in disguise with magic!" Cullen growled.

    Oh fang, grumbled Midnight in her thoughts.

    "I'm a wolf, a real wolf!" the wolf complained, his brown eyes wide.

    "Shut it, you're not!" Cullen growled. "Why else would a bunny trust you?"

    "You mean Carl?" growled the wolf, shocking Midnight that he wasn't actually scared.

    "Yeah, your who-ever-that-is," snorted Cullen.

    "He's my friend. I saved him."

    "From being your prey," laughed Cullen.

    The wolf snapped, and Cullen's reflexes caused him to almost leave a scar of the wolf's jaw. "Hey, watch it!" the two wolves growled at the same time.

    "That's Blaze," said a voice.

    From the bushes behind, Theta appeared, smiling, her fur becoming mocha brown and gold underneath the sun, her green eyes sparkling.

    "You know him?" demanded Midnight.

    Theta nodded. "Sureeeeee, why not?" she asked, a few syllables were elongated.

    "Beta said she never saw him," scoffed Midnight.

    "S-sis!" cried Blaze, moving over to Theta.

    "Well, about that," stammered the guardian.

    Blaze spoke out loud and clear. "Theta found me by the northern border, and she decided to take care of me!"

    "Not cursed, eh," fumed Cullen.

    "Uh-huh-huh, not funny, Cullie," chided Theta. She stroked Blaze's neck. "I came here to tell you-"

    "Who's this Cullie you call for?" growled Cullen, interrupting Theta.

    Theta laughed shortly. "It's your nicky-name, Cullie Cullen."

    Cullen frowned as Theta continued addressing Blaze. "Blazie dear, it's not safe to be around the borders anymore. As much as you don't like my little dears, it's time for you to enter the magical realm of Silver Woods."

    Blaze paused. "I don't want to."

    "Why?" coaxed Theta.

    "I see... a traitor within, from intruders who once swoop in from above," Blaze moaned.

    "Wha-?" grumbled Theta.

    Blaze looked up. "A hawk."

    Midnight almost thought it was Hawk. A hawk for a wolf, she thought.

    Theta frowned. "We don't have hawks," grumbled Theta.

    "Unless they can shape-shift through magic," Midnight blurted.

    Theta thought for a moment before replying, "Pi."

Author's Note: Uhm, this chapter is quite confusing, I guess? Thanks for Blaze, arcticpenguinII!

Also, GreatShot, Cullen's dying real soon.

From now on, I'll post on Sundays...

Chapter 8: Traditions

DUSK

    Chief Darke stood forwards. "Despite our bad situation, we have come to the tradition of wolves. Today, we wish six wolves goodbye."

    Six wolves were aligned, standing, before Chief Darke. The chief walked slowly towards a grey wolf with silver-like markings. "Escarda," said the chief, placing his right paw on her chest. "You are a grown wolf, destined to start your own pack, but you do not have a place here, but as a leader elsewhere."

    Dusk didn't want to watch, but she was a wolf general. She struggled not to remember her own memories.

    Escarda nodded. "I understand," she said.

    The chief smiled weakly at her and moved to the next wolf. "Darren," he stared, but Darren's tears stopped him. The chief placed his paw on Darren's chest and smiled. "Good luck, best wishes."

    Darren nodded in return.

    Dusk looked away. "Psst, Nyx," she whispered. "I need to go for a while. I'll be back soon."

    Dusk didn't want to be part of the ceremony. "Who the heck wishes wolves goodbye, anyway?" she thought out loud. "That's dim."

    Despite that, it was part of their nature. It just felt... natural. She sighed. "What's wrong, Dusk?" asked a voice.

    Dusk looked up. It was Wisp. He was resting on a tree's twisted branch, looking lazy.

    "Wisp?" she muttered. "What are you doing here?"

    "I'm trying to find Midnyx," he sighed.

    Dusk became silent. "Oh, Wisp, I don't think she'll find us," she whispered.

    Wisp's ears twitched. "W-what?"

    "Wisp, I'm sorry, I wanted to believe, but... no..." Dusk muttered.

    "You said you'll be my guardian, you say you'll be my sister, but you don't guard my ambitions and dreams, at all!" Wisp cried. "What guardian is that?"

    "Wisp, I wanted to-"

    "You know what, there are wolves leaving and you're not there to attend the ceremony and give them your blessing?" Wisp snapped.

    "Falling stars," said Dusk, remembering. "I almost forgot."

    She ran off towards where the ceremony was, and she quickly took her place. Luckily, the Bless-Giving has just started. Ironide quickly spoke to Escarda, who moved towards Rocky. Dusk sighed when Escarda came to her. "Follow the stars," Dusk said, "don't let anyone interfere."

    Dusk saw Escarda's smiling face. "Aren't you sad to leave?" Dusk asked.

    As the she-wolf moved away, she said, "No, it's only fate, and I don't really like this place anyway," said Escarda. "I've been told that... the chief, he caused unfortunate incidents in the pack..."

    Dusk was surprised. "By who?" she asked, but Escarda already left.

    "Darren," said Dusk, sighing, "be a brave wolf, show the others your strong-self."

    Darren sniffed and nodded. "Don't be so sensitive, put a little armour," coaxed Dusk.

    Darren stood a little taller and left. Dusk was approached by a black wolf. "Neil," said Dusk, "be the leader, don't be the underling, but don't be arrogant."

    Neil's smile made Dusk uneasy.

    Soon, the ceremony of tradition ended, and Dusk noticed something else.

    Seven wolves left.

Author's Note: So I'm just explaining a bit on their customs, about wolves leaving... as it naturally happens. Dusk's side is still boring and all, since you haven't discover things about the things we did in Midnight's side. Also, the characters page has been heavily updated with all the things so far...

Also, check back a week later for the next chapter... as usual!

Chapter 7: Suspicions

MIDNIGHT

    I'm not a wolf either...

    Zeta's words rang in Midnight's ears.

    What could Zeta be? Midnight wondered. Pi, on the other hand, must be at her highest potential power, being a fox and not a wolf.

    Midnight remembered her previous conversation.

    "Why do they become wolves when weak?" Midnight asked. "What about a deer?"

    "It's the Rune Rules," replied Zeta. "If we have done something great in the past, good or evil, before we loose of powers, we will be turned into wolves. Loved and feared by many, and only by getting our ranks of high power, we can be as who we were. If we didn't accomplish anything, we'll be turned into minor animals. Prey. Squirrels, rabbits, they all count."

    "So if I prey on a creature, they might actually be a wolf?" Midnight gulped.

    "Not really," Zeta cheerfully say. "They're all probably here in the forest."

    Midnight rested below a tree, satisfied after preying a bunny outside the forest. A rustle of leaves, and out came Cullen, the maned wolf.

    "You seriously didn't eat anything from here, right?" Midnight asked.

    Cullen shrugged, swishing his odd tail. "I'm starting to be familiarised with this place," he said. "No, I didn't eat anything here."

    Midnight sighed in relief.

    "I ate over there," Cullen said, pointing to a huge tree.

    "Cullen!" Midnight cried. "For crying out loud! I told you it's cursed!"

    "They just want their prey as theirs," Cullen said in a mundane tone, as if nothing happened, probably because nothing did.

    "They don't eat, Cullen, can't you see?" Midnight cried.

    "Don't care."

    Midnight frowned. "Oh you jerk," she said, "maybe Zeta knows what curse you got."

    Cullen shrugged.

    The answer was obvious to Midnight. It wasn't a very bad curse, but Cullen's tail turned orange, with a purple tip.

    Cullen noticed Midnight staring at his tail, and gasped. "What? Is this a prank?" he growled.

    "I believe it is the curse," stated Midnight.

    "This is so embarrassing! It's orange and purple," he growled.

    Midnight shrugged but smiled.

    "You're pranking me! Look at that smile! Yeesh!" Cullen protested.

    "What? No!"

    "Cut it off, I tell you!" he growled.

    "No!"

    "Hee-hee," said a voice.

    The two stopped quarrelling and looked up. A beautiful white wolf with lashes was on a tree branch. "Who the fang are you?" cried Midnight.

    "Don't be alarmed, I'm Beta," she said.

    "R-Rune?" asked Midnight.

    "No, silly," she said. "I was recruited before Rune was defeated. Apparently, we have the same name."

    She laughed again.

    Beta's body was slender, and her fur was completely white, her eyes sparkling.

    "Shh," she said.

    "You were the one laughing a moment ago!" yelled Cullen.

    "You are the one with the hilarious tail," Beta responded.

    "What are you doing up there?" asked Midnight.

    "I'm watching the border," said the she-wolf.

    Cullen cocked his head. "What for?"

    "You see, Rune might attack any time soon, and Delta reported there were creatures unknown to us," she said.

    "Meanwhile, since you both aren't doing much of a thing," Beta said, "I've seen a wolf I've never seen by the north border. Do you two mind checking it out?"

    Before Midnight could even respond, Beta cried, "Fantastic! You better leave... now."

Author's Note: I forgot to post yesterday again, a little busy, stuff and all... Is this chapter too short?