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.