Chapter 50: Potion Making

DUSK

    Could things get any worse?

    Dusk had to get lost, meeting Midnight again was great, but the attacks, the fact about magic, it was all so messed up. Then, she learned Shadow was an evil mage in the past, having meeting Lambda, who requested Chi to scourge through her memories to find out why Dusk lost part of her memories and what Shadow-Beta-Rune was up to. After all that, Chi was weakened and attacked, leaving Dusk needing to 'protect' her.

    "So, what are we going to do today?" Dusk snapped. She had escorted Chi home after going through the woods, picking various kinds of flowers and herbs, and then Chi asked Dusk to sort them out- as if she knows what's what.

    "I can't possibly be weakened anymore, Dusk, I need power," Chi said in a soft voice. "So I guess we'll have to make a strengthening potion."

    "We? You mean I," Dusk protested.

    Chi laughed. "I'll give you instructions."

    "I have no use for them, why don't you just wave your horn, chant a spell and get it done?" Dusk protested.

    Chi sighed. "See, Dusk, when I'm weakened, it's not easy to do things. When you create a potion, you use power in yourself to fuel it. It's not a fire you need, or moonlight, or something, to trigger it, but it's the magic in you."

    "So you're saying that I need to use my energy to power you up?" Dusk icily said. She was hating Chi more and more by the minute.

    Chi smiled. To Dusk, it was a rather sly smile. "Oh, you won't die, Dusk, it's alright."

    "Oh, yeah, sure," Dusk growled. "It's alright."

    Chi faced her. "Don't sound so upset, Dusk, it's not very complex, it probably won't require much from you."

    "Much?" Dusk snapped. "How much?"

    "Oh, not much, really," Chi said. "Let's get working."

    Sighing, Dusk agreed. Perhaps if that she strengthened Chi with a potion, Chi wouldn't be as weak and Dusk wouldn't need to protect her.

    Chi's cauldron was ready. The round pot was empty as Chi looked around for ingredients. Dusk found Chi eyeing most of the herbs she collected earlier. They were unlike Dusk has ever seen.

    "A pinch of powdered tree bark..." Chi said, passing the pot to Dusk and she tried to take a pinch, but failed. Her paws were useless to measure a pinch.

    Sighing, Chi strode forwards and measured the approximate of a pinch and handed it to Dusk.

    "Why can't you just dump it into the pot?" protested Dusk.

    Chi smiled sadly. "I'd love to, but for every ingredient added, a little of me is sapped into it. Once everything is complete, a spell is needed to fuse everything together, and it uses the power embedded in the ingredients to fuse."

    "So if I added the materials..." Dusk started.

    Chi continued, "While I say the spell, the power will come from you."

    "I... see..." Dusk muttered.

    "Anyway, let's not wander," Chi said softly. "A dash of salt."

    That one was easier for Dusk.

    Materials, one after another, went into the pot. Aside from the powdered tree bark and salt, crushed rose petals, fine cocoa, three coffee beans, such and such. The items got weird at one point, like ashes of a birch tree at it's first birthday, or the grounded molars of a dog at their 100th birthday.

    "Say... what's up with these weird ingredients?" Dusk said as she dropped a bowl of snake scales.

    "You mean?" Chi cooed as she reached out for another ingredient.

     "Just who burns a tree at their first birthday?" demanded Dusk. "Or grind the teeth of a dog?"

    Chi laughed. "The birch tree willingly sacrificed itself," she said, "because trees have consciousness too. Those who don't like their lives will decide whether to live it or just... die. It's complex for those who are new to this matter, I was confused at first, but if you delve into it, you'll understand."

    Dusk didn't want to. She's sure that'd make her mark her territories with too much worries next time.

    "The final ingredient," said Chi, passing Dusk something. It was a thin and semi-transparent elastic piece of leathery-skin.

    "What's this?"

    Chi smiled sadly at it. "It's... dragon wing skin," she said.

    "D-dragons?" stuttered Dusk uncertainly.

    Chi nodded. "Delicate subject, don't bring it around much."

    Dusk dropped the skin down into the pot. "OK, I'm going to say the spell now," Chi said. "Ready?"

    Dusk didn't get a chance to reply as the unicorn chanted. The soft whispers from her lips escaped and hung in the room, and Dusk felt something heavy on her heart. Dusk gasped for air as her heartbeat accelerated quickly, speeding, racing, and Dusk started to sweat.

    She blinked. The pot was glowing orange ominously. She inhaled, but her chest felt limp.

    All of a sudden, the feeling was severed. Blinking, Dusk looked round.

    Chi was mixing the potion with her horn to even out the solution. "Are you alright?"

    Dusk panted, but nodded.

    "Good," Chi said. "There's a clear spring nearby if you need to refresh yourself."

    Dusk didn't really want to part. She wanted to see the potion in action.

    Chi strode towards the potion, a laddle ready. Dipping it into the potion, she drank it, and the unicorn coughed.

    "Bitter," Chi gagged, but then her horn started to be tinge with orange.

    Chi smiled. "Well, seems like it's working," she said and uttered a spell. Glass bottles from the shelves flew towards Chi and the orange liquid filled in each and every one of them.

    Dusk didn't see what happened next, for her eyelids grew very heavy...

Author's Note: DARN I FORGOT TO POST YESTERDAY!! So, exams soon, won't be posting until 11th November 2016. Yeah, what an anti-climatic ending for this chapter pfttt...

Chapter 49: To Hunt Or Not To Hunt

WISP

    It took them a while to find a good place to settle. Mist had marked her territory and plopped down beside Wisp. "Now, we need to hunt," said Mist.

    "Should we?" inquired Wisp, not feeling particularly hungry.

    Mist yawned. "I'm tired, go hunt me a hare or something," she said.

    "Tch, as if," Wisp playfully said as he stood up and went off to search for food. As much as he didn't want to, the two needed to eat.

    Instead of setting in a hunting mood, Wisp decided to take a stroll instead. Losing his mother had been hard enough, needing to let go of Midnyx was even harder. Then, Dusk disappeared after they bonded, even if they had a lot of arguments, and then his father. Even if he doesn't really care for Darke, his father had been a pleasant break for him in life...

    Along with his father, the entire pack.

    The place they picked wasn't too grassy, more of a barren and rocky one, with dried grass here and there. Wisp didn't think that finding a bunny would be possible here, but he tried to search for one anyway.

    After all, he didn't want to lose Mist either.

    Wisp continued to walk down the barren hill, remembering that Darren, Terra and Escarda were just a few miles away, and that Darren was willing to help them if they couldn't fend for themselves. However, Wisp wanted to show the wolf that he was more than capable.

    More than his father was in leading his pack.

    There wasn't a bunny in sight, as Wisp has expected, but Mist wanted one. So did Wisp, but he wished for a drink too.

    How did Darren survive in the barren wild for such a long time?

    Hold on. The hill. Wasn't Escarda hunting beyond there?

    Wisp paused. Perhaps there was a grassy meadow beyond there, concealing prey.

    Darren was probably too upset about the death of Darke to remember- typical him.

    Wisp turned and ran towards the path he remembered to have taken to Darren. With luck, Mist wouldn't be dying of starvation right now.

    Wisp wandered around before actually finding the right spot. Darren and Escarda were talking about the possibilities of what happened to the rest of the pack. The wolf generals- probably Rocky and Nyxtryx already made out and probably made plans for an entire pack for the years to come. They laughed.

    Wisp didn't bother greeting them. He was sneaking away if anything.

    "Hey, where are you off to?" said a feminine voice. Wisp turned back and saw a brown wolf standing there, stiffly, looking at him.

    "Oh, Terra," Wisp said, feeling awkward. "Um, hi."

    "Yeah, so... what are you doing here?" she inquired. "Aren't you with your... soulmate?"

    Wisp stiffly laughed. "Soulmate? It's nothing of the sort... I- Is there food over this hill?"

    Terra shrugged. "There should be, we came from there, hunted there as well, but, as for now, I can't say."

    "I see, thank you," said Wisp and decided to head off.

    Wisp barely heard Terra say, "Be cautious and don't get lost."

    The fields were vast, tall grass sprouting from every inch of the ground. A few fowl sent shrill cries from the skies, but Wisp paid no heed to them. He had spotted a young hare between the blades of grass.

    Slowly... Yes...

    Wisp pounced, but the hare zig-zagged away, trying to throw Wisp off. He was getting frustrated and wanted that hare.

    Suddenly it disappeared. Wisp halted. It had jumped into a hole.

    Cursing the hole and the hare, Wisp slunk off. Just before he realised what happened, there was the sound of squealing. Wisp glanced back, a fox had the hare in it's jaws and ran off.

    Digging... Wisp cursed the fox and the hare.

    With those two around- and the hole as well- he might never get to taste anymore easily-earned food.

    Unless he stole from Darren.

Author's Note: Kyaaa sorry for not updating in forever! I'm horrible at keeping schedules oops... However, I assure you next chapter is coming in two weeks as scheduled! Sorry again!

Chapter 48: Transformation

MIDNIGHT

    Epsilon's laughter scared her. Even Iota looked shaken. "Epsilon! Pray tell what are you laughing about!" she cried.

    Everyone had stopped in their tracks now. Epsilon calmed himself down. It was his first outburst as Midnight had seen.

    "This is no laughing matter, Epsilon," Theta sternly said.

    Epsilon finally controlled himself. "Well, it's just that..." he said, laughing a bit more, "I've been waiting for this day... hoping it'll come..."

    Theta looked more than surprised. "Why? You know the extent of his powers, and yet...!"

    Epsilon smiled. "You won't understand..."

    Even Iota looked unnerved.

    He faced them all, and when he opened his mouth to speak, Midnight noticed something unusual.

    His teeth weren't like before.

    "Rune, ah, Rune," Epsilon mused, his tail twitching. "He thinks he can best me in magic? I who have trained underneath the King of Magic himself alongside Omicron?"

     Before Midnight knew it, Theta was growling.

     How is this happening? Everyone in the woods is locked in an unhealthy rivalry! Midnight cried.

    "Even Lambda could do little against me," scoffed Epsilon. "Rune couldn't even cast a spell if he wanted."

    "Epsilon! You've forgotten too much!" cried Iota. "You know that isn't true!"

    "Is it, dear?" hissed Epsilon, his voice dangerous and filled with suspicious sweetness.

    Iota blushed and looked away.

    "Epsilon, you know Rune almost casted the Rune Tower, he can cast spells, and even if you deny it, it is true," Theta growled.

    Epsilon paused. "I want to have a battle with him. A duel. Just the two of us. I, Epsilon, him, Rune-Beta and magic."

    Midnight looked trapped. This wasn't the Epsilon she knew!

    "T-that's dense!" piped up Iota. "Please don't do it, E-Epsilon!"

    "This charade has gone too far, Theta," said a low dangerous voice from Epsilon.

    Theta stiffened. "Your... teeth..."

    Midnight could see they were starting to grow sharper. Suddenly, the twitching tail grew, it became long. It was a long black tail.

    All of a sudden, Epsilon's fur all turned dark, and his hooves gave way, claws starting to form. Iota backed away cautiously as Theta's curve upwards. The majestic deer began to shrunk, and suddenly he was on his fours, baring his teeth towards Midnight and Theta before scampering away.

    "That's the real Epsilon."

    The lizard had skulked out of the forest, leaving Iota, Theta and Midnight frightened.

Author's Note: Short chapter. Running out of time. Not cool, sorry.

Chapter 47: Epsilon's Side of the Forest

MIDNIGHT

    Theta was running towards the flying creature. "It got Blaze! It got Blaze!" she shrieked, and Midnight was trying her best to keep up.

    "It's useless!" Midnight screamed, panting. "Blaze... has been taken away!!"

    She knew it's true. She knew Theta was concerned, but both knew that it was impossible to catch up.

    They know that it would be impossible to catch that thing, and once they step outside, they are vulnerable to any threats. Midnight's running started to slow down. "I'm sorry, Theta, we know what's going to happen..."

    Theta stopped running too. "Still... Blaze..."

    Midnight noticed tears in her eyes. "I'm so sorry..."

     They stood there in silence, gazing at the sky. No longer was there even a speck of Blaze or the creature. Outside, the magical feeling seem to cease, and that the wind shifted, blowing the grass and their fur.

    "Why...?" Theta asked, and howled louder, "WHY??"

    Midnight didn't want to see tears, or more enemies. She coaxed Theta to return to the forest. At first, Theta didn't want to, but after hearing a beast call, Theta called Midnight to hurry up and take shelter in the woods. Despite her magic, she was not eager to face in battle with the brutes.

    Neither was Midnight, after she seen their power. The two rushed back into the forest.

    "What are you doing here?" a voice addressed.

    "I-!" cried Theta, looking up from her panting. She gasped. "E-Epsilon! I'm so sorry, I-!"

    "He asked you a question," an icy voice followed. "Answer."

    The voice seemed familiar... Midnight looked up. The magnificent white deer stood proudly, his long caramel horns crowning him. At once, Midnight recognised him as Epsilon. Beside him, a chestnut doe stood, her jade eyes glaring at Theta.

    "I was-! Iota!" cried Theta again, straying off topic.

    "Answer him!" barked the doe.

    "No, it's alright, Iota," said Epsilon. "It's been forever since one of you come over, except for Iota, of course, I'm glad you do drop by."

    Epsilon's friendliness never did waver. Midnight though he would chastise the two of them for trespassing, but that seem not to be the case. Epsilon was in his deer form, his regal and polite form. However... Iota...

    Midnight frowned. She remembered the doe apologising... right? Why is she so cold now?

    "Why are you here?" Iota asked instead.

    "We were chasing after Blaze," Theta explained.

    "Pray tell who this Blaze is," scoffed Iota.

    "Iota," Epsilon sternly said. "This may be my part of land, but they are welcome here."

    Iota didn't continue to ask, but hung her head down.

    Epsilon smiled. "Come, let us venture the woods. What worries do you carry?" he said. "I might be of assistance."

    "An outsider wolf... he was by the corner, the edge of the woods, and a creature carried them away," Theta said.

    As they paced forwards, Iota tried to keep pace with Epsilon, but he was interested in Theta's story. "Go on," he prompted.

    "We tried to catch up, but it had wings, the beast... It was out of a dark wispy material..." Theta continued.

    "Like beasts lurking outside the woods," Epsilon said.

    "Yes, those," Theta said.

    It was silent aside for the sound of their steps. "Pray tell why such a foolish creature would venture around here, and yet not enter it?" asked Iota.

    Theta shook her head. "I kept him too long waiting for nothing, he must have been starved," she said.

    "Sad lives, that they carry, like our friend here, Midnight," Epsilon said, remembering the black wolf, and she seemed to be surprised.

    "Secrets," scoffed Iota.

    Theta nodded slowly. "Not all is the same anymore. More secrets, more dangers..."

    She turned to face Epsilon. "Can I tell you something... Epsilon? It's not light, it can lead to our next war, and it be the reason to all our troubles."

    Midnight swallowed. She knew Theta was talking about the truth of Shadow.

    After a hesitant silence, Epsilon said, "Go on..."

    Iota tried to look uninterested, but it wore off as Theta said the words. "Beta has returned."

    "B-Beta!" cried Iota. Midnight knew she had heard stories.

    Epsilon suddenly stopped walking. "Beta..."

    He swung his head towards Theta. "You mean Rune...?"

    Theta nodded.

    Suddenly, the sound of laughter filled the air.

Author's Note: Guys, this one is a complete chapter. The ending is abrupt, I know. Also, I no longer am able to keep up with the story and studies, so I will be posting once in two weeks on Sundays.

In addition, chapter 45 has been updated, it has somehow been cut half way through at now the chapter is complete.

Chapter 46: Wounded Unicorn

DUSK

    "So, how was it?"

    Dusk looked back and saw the stern face of Lambda. He was walking towards Dusk with an unfamiliar gleam in his eyes.

    "It went OK, I guess," Dusk replied. If Lambda was looking for any wind of Shadow- err- Beta, he won't be getting any from her.

    Lambda nodded. "Did you find it?" he asked.

    Dusk shook her head. "No, not yet."

    "Well then," Lambda said, "if you're so persistent to find out, then I suppose Chi would have to spend more time with you."

     Dusk stiffened. It wasn't the best experience, but she suppose it was the only way.

    "Anyway," Dusk said, desperate to change the subject, "where's Midnight?"

    Lambda shrugged. "We of the Silver Woods do as we please within the safety of the woods if we have no desire to harm it," he said. "I do not keep tabs on anyone, not even Midnight, so perhaps there might be someone who had run into her."

    Dusk nodded. Somehow, she wanted to engage in conversation with Lambda, but also avoid him. He's like Shadow before Dusk knew him.

    She knew it.

    She wanted to impress him.

    Impress him so he respects her.

    "I'll be on my way now," Lambda said. "Until next time."

    "Yeah..." Dusk said as Lambda walked off.

    Suddenly, a loud cry came, "CHI!"

    Surprised, Dusk rushed towards the sound- where Lambda headed to. Dusk gave an audible gasp as well when she saw the sight.

    Chi was on the ground, lying on her side, seeming to pant. Lambda was regaining his composure, taking in deep breaths as he chanted something inaudible to Dusk.

    Something twisty, embedded in Chi's side, and with a spell, Lambda carefully removed it. Then, he cleaned her wound very carefully before closing it.

    Even so, Lambda was still shaking when the procedure was over.

    Dusk could hardly hear him whisper, "Chi..."

    "Ungh," Chi groaned.

    "What happened...?"

    The unicorn looked at Lambda. "Someone from the skies attacked me."

    Dusk was unsure if she should remain. When she was going to slip away, Lambda firmly said, "Remain here, Dusk."

    His voice suddenly scared her.

    With help, Lambda helped Chi up onto her four hooves. However, it was made clear that Chi could not travel at the moment, but she managed to sit up. Sighing, Lambda looked at the twisted item.

    So did Dusk.

    It was brown-black, almost as if shining in the little light present, and it was barbed in addition of being sharp. "With a spell on it..." Lambda mumbled.

    "What... spell?" inquired Chi warily.

    "It's a spell to weaken one's body for days and days," Lambda said.

    Chi's expression showed she was horrified.

    "I-! I can't go weakened!" she cried.

    "No, of course not, but one can't oppose the power of a spell either," Lambda responded.

    Lambda shattered the item and magic grounded it up into fine powder.

    "We've been using so many magic in the past days," Lambda growled, "it's impossible to track whose this is."

    Chi moaned. "I guess I'm as well good to die," she said. Facing Dusk, she said, "Sorry, no more memory scouring unless I'm stronger."

    Lambda swung his head towards the two. "You two should stick together. Dusk, try to protect Chi- is that OK?"

    "I don't even have powers!" Dusk protested.

    Lambda smiled. "If magic is everything you need to protect, how did you survive so far until now?"

    "I mean! I'm a non-magical wolf here! You all do magic, and if I'm going to protect her from this magical attacks, how can I even survive through that?" cried Dusk.

    Lambda casually walked away, towards Chi.

    "I will tell you a secret, Dusk," said Lambda. "Look at me- I'm a wolf."

    "So?" snapped Dusk. "So am I!"

    Ever so quietly, Lambda responded, "The wolf is the weakest form a powerful mage like me can chose to remain in. Do you know why I remained in such a form instead of another?"

    Dusk and Chi were silent.

    "It's because I'm weak."

Author's Note: Yay! Delays, delays! You guys probably think: Eh, Rainbow's gone again. Sorry, was busy with family reunion last week!

YOU WANT LAMBDA'S BACKSTORY? Nope, nope, you won't get it yet ahahahah.

Sticking Chi and Dusk for the moment. Chi can do more than memory search you know. You'll see in the next few episodes...

Whoa, it's been a while since I did Dusk, actually.