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?