Chapter 6: A... Trap?

DUSK

    The chief was awake when Dusk was, and he was staring at the barren land. She felt guilty, but approached him nevertheless.

    "Good morning, Dusk," said the Chief, his voice heavy.

    "Good morning, sire, are you okay?" Dusk inquired, concerned for Chief Darke's health.

    The chief smiled. "I guess I'm fine, except that I'm old and sick of heart."

    "For Midnight?" she asked.

    He nodded.

    Dusk was getting confused now. Who sent Midnight away? Didn't he?

    Chief Darke lifted a grim grin. "I've always wondered if I actually sent them for the Pack Quest, because I never really remember," he said, smiling.

    "You- you don't?" stuttered Dusk.

    "What are those ridiculous runes for anyway? I never asked for them," chided the Chief.

    Dusk looked confused. "Why females only? Some male wolves lack the stamina as well," she said. "It doesn't mean all she-wolves are weak. I can be a general, so does Nyxtryx, and Midnight is very bold, she could've been chief by now."

    "I... I don't know," stuttered the chief.

    "Why?" asked Dusk, looking into the chief's grey eyes, and truly, he is puzzled.

    "Ah, Duck," said a voice.

    Dusk turned and saw Shadow approaching. "It's Dusk, Shadow," she growled.

    "We all make mistakes, and I believe the chief received a severe injury on the head yesterday, so he couldn't remember," said Shadow, shrugging. "He is lucky to survive a hunter's raid-attack."

    "Shimmering stars, where?" Dusk cried, alert.

    "Near the water-hole," said Shadow, "and the hunter gave up as soon it started pouring.

    Dusk remembered that after she caught food for Wisp and herself, it began to pour, heavily.

    "I advice the Chief to have more rest," said Shadow, checking is claws. "So, if you please, remove yourself from sight."

    "Ah, yes, of course," muttered Dusk and left the two.

    Rocky and Nyxtryx were feasting on a moose with a few other wolves. "I'm not even sure how this got here," said Rocky, shrugging, "but food is food, so we shouldn't waste."

    Dusk joined in and ate the a few chunks. She wondered if the chief ate. She shrugged and left after eating, towards the water-hole.

    When she got there, the trees were less dense and there was a few dogs. There were three dogs, to say, lapping up the water.

    "Say, Thala, you've seen the new dog house I get?" asked the golden-furred dog.

    "Eh, lucky you, Kimi," said the black-furred dog. She looked up. "Wolf!"

    Dusk took a step backwards. "Whoa, I don't want to harm you three. I just want a drink," she said, looking at the three.

    An elder looking dog smiled. "Help yourself," she said, walking backwards from the water-hole. Dusk approached the water-hole.

    "Ada, but-!" started the golden-furred one.

    "Hush, Kimi," said Ada. "We must help others as we help of those in our family."

    Thala just nodded. Kimi sighed and let Dusk drink. Dusk lapped the water, fresh to her throat. "Thank you," she said.

    "Don't mention it," Ada said, smiling.

    Dusk looked around. "Where are you three from?" she asked.

    Kimi grinned, her golden fur wet. "We're from a nearby place our owners recently moved us to. He bought a huge chunk of land and earned money by a process called selling."

    "I'm not sure what you mean by 'bought', 'money' and 'selling'," said Dusk.

    "Well, wolfie," said Thala. "Bought is the equivalent to buy. Buying, where you get something by using what we call 'money'. Money is something you give someone in the right amount to have or buy something, while selling is when you get the money since someone bought your items."

    The logic became stretched and twisted in Dusk's head.

    "Anyway," continued Kimi. "He chopped down the trees for firewood and food."

    "What?" Dusk cried.

    "He re-built The Grand Cropalace near here," squealed Thala. "Near to a river for irrigation!"

    Dusk must have a strong facial expression since Ada smiled. "Well, I guess these terms are further than foreign to you."

    "They sure are," sighed Dusk.

    "Don't stress it," Ada said.

    Dusk thought for a moment. "What about the water buffaloes?" she asked.

    "Oh, buffaloes? They're farmed for their fur and horn," said Thala, "in the farm. I pity them, but we get the meat!"

    Dusk's eyes felt watery, but they weren't. "Oh, poor buffaloes," moaned Kimi. "They taste so good!"

    Ada frowned.

    "I need to get going now," said Dusk. "My pack will be leaving soon."

    "Good-bye," said Ada, followed by the two other dogs.

    Dusk hurried. She knew there will be a lot of farewells that day.

Author's Note: I'm back from vacation and stuff!  Also, thanks for the 1000 pageviews! Please comment if you're reading- clean anonymous comments are welcome, just don't spam it, and sign your comments, so I'll know who's reading and stuff. It'll help a lot.

Chapter 5: Secrets

MIDNIGHT

    Midnight looked back and saw another being. Lambda looked surprised himself. "Comet... what are you doing here?" he asked, muttering.

    Comet was different than she remembered. "C-Comet?" she stammered.

    "I know you," he smiled. "Midnight."

    Comet's fur was no longer white with a tinge of blue, but instead, it was truly blue, with a gradient slowly turning purple and white. His eyes shimmered in the colour of an aquamarine gem. "W-what do you want, Comet?" asked Delta.

    Comet smiled. "Alas, you've forgotten the old deal, as if you use magic, I'm allowed back into the team," he said.

    "Ah, yes, but-"

    "Welcome back, me," said Comet haughtily, "welcome back."

    "Comet is a what?" cried Midnight after the meeting was adjourned due to Comet's arrival.

    Zeta sighed. "He's the prince of magic in the forest. He ain't a wolf like you, he's an arctic wolf."

    "That explains his thick fur," muttered Midnight. She closed her eyes and remembered the gradient coat, with white paws and a pearl coloured tail with blue swirls. A flash made her remember the crystal bracelet Comet had on his tail. She opened her eyes and Zeta continued to talk about Comet.

    "I don't know why, but he lost his powers years ago when we were against magic, but now that Delta was forced to heal Sigma, we start to believe in magic for it, and he has the power once more, because, if we use magic, we only fuel him with power," said Zeta.

    "That's a little odd," said Midnight.

    Zeta sighed. "He's truly annoying, and he can just-"

    A pillar of sparks exploded before them. "Appear anywhere I want!" cried Comet, appearing into sight as the sparks slowly died.

    "So you'll have no bloody privacy!" Zeta screamed at Comet.

    Comet didn't realise the comment was for him. "Oh well, I'm off to snoop on Lambda."

    He disappeared in a pillar of sparks once more.

    "Show off," Midnight muttered under her breath.

    Zeta shrugged. "Tell me about you 'Shadow'," said Zeta, "of the Nyx Pack."

    The two approached a clearing where a magnificent crystal clear lake was, a waterfall crashing onto it's surface from high above on one edge. Midnight took a sip before speaking, gazing into the reflection of an orange sky. "Shadow, well, he's a wolf who I'd love to sink my fangs into. He's so annoying," she said.

    A nearby doe who was drinking the water leaped off with her mate.

    Zeta looked at Midnight as she played with a nearby rabbit.

    "He advised for the rules to change, resulting the Pack Quest," said Midnight. "What's wrong with that?"

    Zeta let go of the rabbit. "You see, Midnight," she said, eyeing Delta and Sigma swimming in the water towards the waterfall. "Since you know magic exists, it complicates everything. There was this wolf, Rune, he used to go with the name Beta, but he learned spells and enchantments so fast, he learned that he can have infinite power if he raised the Rune Tower, the tower of all enchantment."

    "Why? He's only a mere wolf. I've seen much stronger beings, called 'humans'," said Midnight.

    "At first," said Zeta, sighing, "we supported Beta, who reasoned it'll stop humans from threatening the creatures, but, very soon, Beta grew crazed. He wanted to be the king of magic, thinking it'll raise himself into humans, who can do much to change the world."

    "He's crazy," said Midnight.

    "No, it's true..." said Zeta.

    "W-what!" Midnight cried.

    Zeta looked away. "You see, Midnight, if he has enough power from the runes, he can and he will find an enchantment, but if power grows weak, he will be as a wolf," said Zeta.

    "Like Comet and Shadow," noted Midnight.

    Zeta nodded. "Guess what," she suddenly said.

    "What?" asked Midnight.

    "I'm not a wolf either."

Author's Note: I know I said they didn't need to eat or drink while they have a life of truth in the Silver Woods, but they can if they want.

Yes! Complications! I love twisting plots. This was decided last second as I was typing.

Who knew I'd make Zeta a non-wolf?

Pi, I think, I'll keep her as a fox.

Well, that means I'll be away for a short while.

There has been a change of plans, and instead of teaching, I might be off for a trip and that includes this Saturday. I'm not sure if there will be any WiFi, and I don't like opening personal sites on public areas, so, I'm not going to post in a schedule. Well, I might post at the Sunday I return for next week, but again, here's this week's chapter!

Chapter 4: A Guardian

DUSK

    The hungry wolves settled down and Dusk sauntered to the generals. Nyxtryx was laying by Rocky, whispering. Dusk sat down and looked at the wolves, who started to break into smaller groups to hunt. "Are you worried of something, Dusk?" asked a voice.

    She glanced up and saw Ironide. "Oh, Iron," she muttered. "Today, Midnight must have returned, but... we're gone."

    Ironide brushed Dusk's fur. "She's a tough girl, we'll meet her again if you don't loose hope," he replied.

    Dusk attempted a "but", instead, Ironide put his right fore-paw onto her lips. "Shh... Just imagine meeting her, Dusk," he said, and Dusk stared into his brown eyes. Understanding the silence, Ironide pulled his paw away.

    She looked away. "Still, the chief, why? Why leave his own daughter? What if she got caught by hunters?" she cried.

    "Mysteries are often solved if we're patient, Dusk," said Ironide.

    Dusk smiled and looked at Nyxtryx. Rocky's back was rising, falling, his grey fur messed up from all the running. Axel came over and just dropped down. "Oh, bloodmoon," he said, panting, lying down facing the sky, "hunters are after us, we had buffaloes. What's next?"

    His citrine eyes gazed at the sky. A distant howl was heard. "Is that... Wisp again?" muttered Axel. "Bloodmoon, I just got comfortable."

    "I'll talk to him," volunteered Dusk, and Ironide nodded. As Dusk left, Ironide and Axel began to talk and gaze at the sky, howling silently themselves.

    "Wisp?" Dusk called.

    The grey wolf had tears forming at the bank of his eyes. His howl was frail, as if it was a fragile piece to hold up the sky, provoked gently. He whipped his head around to look at Dusk, his brown eyes wet with tears. "I want to see Midnight!" he screamed, crying.

    Oh, stars, no, don't cry, Dusk panicked.

    "I hate my dad! Why! Why!" he screamed. "All I wanted was to be with Midnyx, and he sent her away, then abandon her! What about me? Her own brother, my dad's own son, what about me?"

    Dusk's eyes widened as his words turned into sobbing. Dusk had to admit she missed Midnight a lot. "If you want, I- I can talk to the chief, Wisp, would you like that?" she asked.

    "Can you accompany me tonight?" he asked, a few words choked on his sobs.

    Dusk's tail playfully slapped Wisp's tail. "Of course, Wisp, are you lonely?" she asked.

    "No, I want Midnight back," he sniffed.

    Thank the stars he isn't crying anymore, Dusk thought in relief.

    "I d-do sense, though," said Wisp, "t-that'll we'll meet... again."

    Dusk pushed Wisp aside. "Ah, you," she said, smiling. "Until she returned, I can be your guardian, how about it?"

    Wisp's teary eyes shone. "D-deal."

Author's Note: Dusk always seem to have a shorter side. Huh. Sorry for forgetting to post yesterday. It's just that, yeah, I just finished my exams, I need to plan on my teaching schedules (I no longer am an assisting teacher, but I may be a solo teacher this year and on), and do a lot of research.

Yeah.

I hope you guys understand.

Thank you for your attention.

Chapter 3: Magic

MIDNIGHT

    There was fear in Lambda's eyes, shaking, growing, swirling. "Lambda, w-what's wrong?" stammered Midnight.

    "Oh, oh," moaned Lambda.

    He nodded to a woodpecker that was overhead. "We'll all assemble in the Cave," he said, nodding in a weird way.

    The woodpecker tilted it's head and flew towards the skies, then, to Midnight's sight, tapped it's beak against a red-wood tree in a rhythmic pattern. "Follow me," Lambda said, and began to run.

    Midnight raced behind the wolf, finding her way through by eyeing his white paw. Lambda stopped before a cave, and entered solemnly. Midnight looked at it's opening.

    It was wide, and there was a crack above the cave's opening. Midnight sighed and stepped in.

    The cave was surprisingly warm, and the woodpecker was there. Lambda nodded at it and the woodpecker seemed to smile before flying away.

    "That was Tresley," said Lambda, looking at the brown spot in the sky.

    Zeta appeared. "What's going on?" she questioned, puzzled.

    Omega, Alpha and Theta were behind her. "The others are here," said Omega, and Midnight gasped.

    There was an orange fox, her skin shimmered lightly of white and orange, a symbol etched onto her forehead. Her tail was bushy, with a small black tip, like the colour of her ears and paws, whereas her underside was white. Midnight sighed noticing the lack of brown. "The only guardian fox in the Silver Woods, Pi," said Lambda. "The other fox that stops her from being the only fox is your little Sunrise."

    A wolf with a sly smile entered, eyes shining yellow-amber. Her fur was choppy mixed with grey, black and white. A few slashes criss-crossed her fur. She was helping another wolf enter.

    Beside the wolf was a well-built wolf with maroon-red fur, eyes deep grey, almost as black. There was a huge gash on his lower jaw, still fresh with blood. "Sigma, what happened?" asked Lambda, loud, clearly worried. "Where are the others?"

    "Shh, he's still in pain," said the grey-black-white wolf. "The others are taking guard. There are unknown creatures outside, quick, sly, dangerous."

    Lambda was silent. "Delta, do you know what the creature is?"

    "Unidentified."

    Lambda muttered something.

    "Delta, Zeta, you both know about magic," said Lambda.

    The two nodded slowly. "We don't want to use it," started Zeta.

    "It's the only way," sighed Lambda.

    Midnight looked surprised. "M-magic?" she cried. "That's not real!"

    Lambda's serious smile widened on his face. "Everyone lives in a world of lie when their eyes aren't fully open, Midnight," said the black wolf slowly.

    "Then why am I still hungry?" Midnight interrupted.

    Lambda shrugged. "Many can live here in happiness without knowing magic, but it's your time-line that has messed your knowledge," he replied. "Anyway, I believe that Rune had reincarnated."

    "R-Rune? Why him? As who?" Omega stuttered, green eyes wide, shocked.

    "I believe someone from Midnight's pack," said Lambda.

    "Who sent you for the quest, Middy? Tell us!" Theta cried, her cheery voice replaced by a dark tone. "Now!"

    "W-what's wrong?" Midnight stammered.

    "Now!" Theta screamed, tears forming at the corner of her emerald green eyes.

    "I... I think my dad sent the she-wolves," said Midnight.

    "What's he called?" asked Alpha urgently.

    Midnight was starting to be confused with the questions. What do they even want? she thought, but out loud, she replied, "Darke. Chief Darke."

    "H-how old is he?" asked Delta.

    Midnight thought for a moment. "Not sure, but he about three years before he sent the she-wolves," said Midnight, "said my mom."

    Pi's face drooped. "No... We killed Rune a year ago," she sighed, her beautiful voice like tingling melodies.

    Zeta frowned. "Was there any shady new-comers?" she asked.

    Midnight thought hard. "A lone wolf came from outside a week before my mother died," she said. "About... a year ago."

    "That could be it!" Delta cried, and Sigma's eyes brightened.

    "Who?" cried Theta.

    Midnight said his name: "Shadow."

    Lambda's eyes grew wide. "Don't you say it again. I sense power in those words," he whispered.

    "What power?" questioned Midnight.

    "Darkness," said Sigma, shocking everyone. His voice was hollow, deep, and he coughed, splattering blood onto the stone floor.

    Zeta gulped. "I might consider using magic," she said.

    Delta smiled wearily and placed her paw on Sigma's lower jaw. "Don't you kill me, or you're dead," she said, nuzzling him. Her paws began to dig into his gash, and Sigma howled a stiffened scream. Her claws slowly pulled away and Sigma sighed shortly.

    His wound was healed. The blood stopped running, the gash was gone.

    Is that really...?

    "It is," said a voice. "It is."

Author's Note: This is starting to be real fun. I know stories with magic are usually messed up, but this wouldn't be, I hope! Guess who the voice is. It's an existing character!

Now, we all wonder, who's Shadow, no?

What will he do?

Find out... next week.

Have fun waiting!

Also, is all the new information loading you guys to the maximum?