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Post by ebonyviper on Mar 6, 2008 11:35:00 GMT -5
WOLF'S BANE by EbonyViper
DISCLAIMER: Cars and everything related to it belong to Pixar Disney. Other characters featured in the fanfiction belong to their respective creators. I make no claims, except only with my own characters.
Chapter 1
I've got to reach her before she drowns, a black and purple wolf thought as she raced alongside the river and following a patch of black that was being swept away by the current.
Ebony had seen the black and red-striped wolf tumble into the raging waters below after she had put her weight down on a log that was too weak to hold her. She had heard gunshots and knew that was trouble. The other female wolf was running from a hunter and his barking dogs.
Her instincts had told her to run for it and save her unborn pups, but Ebony ignored her instincts because she wanted to save that wolf.
Racing along on the bank, the black and purple wolf spotted a large log that lay across some rocks. She also saw that the black and red-striped wolf was being swept toward those very same rocks.
Ebony raced toward these rocks with the log on top of them and jumped onto one. She was aiming to get up on top of the log when she lost her footing on the wet, slippery rock and fell into the river herself.
Taken completely by surprise, Ebony almost drowned herself, but she recovered and struggled, kicking fiercely, back to the surface.
Gasping loudly, Ebony paused to get air back into her lungs and then looked around for the other wolf. Then she saw her being carried away, once again, by the current.
“Hold on!” she called to the semi-conscious wolf, “I'm coming!”
Ebony paddled as quickly as she could toward the wolf, once getting knocked under by a huge wave and having to swim under it to get back to the surface. Ebony frantically looked around for the other wolf again and was relieved to see her closer this time. However, it looked as if she had struck her head on a rock and had been knocked unconscious.
She swam toward the wolf, quickly noting that she had a rope tied around her neck, but didn't have time to contemplate about it. Her first order of business was to get the wolf to dry land first.
Snatching the rope in her teeth, Ebony swam toward the riverbank. After several minutes of a paddling, she made it. She wearily dragged the wolf as far up the bank as she could before she collapsed beside her.
It took about an hour for her to recover. Once she was recovered, Ebony glanced over at the other wolf, who was just beginning to stir awake.
“Wh-where am I...?” was the first question out of the wolf's mouth, “H-how did I g-get here...?” Then she looks at Ebony for the first time, “Wh-who are y-you...?”
“My name is Ebony,” the black and purple wolf replied, “You're on the riverbank now because I just saved you from drowning in the river.”
The wolf saw that Ebony was laying on her belly next to her. She cocked her head curiously. This wolf named Ebony has saved my life. I am indebted to her.
“Thank you, Ebony,” the wolf was beginning to speak more coherently, dipping her head in reverence to the smaller wolf, “I am in your debt. My name is Jenna.”
Ebony nodded and stood up, shaking the remaining droplets of water out of her fur. She lifted a front paw as if ready to get going.
“How about coming over to my den?” Ebony offered, “We can rest there for a bit if you want.”
Jenna thought for a moment, then nodded, “Sure.”
While the two wolves trotted back to the den site, Jenna took a moment to study Ebony. The smaller wolf seemed nimble and quick as she ducked and climbed over fallen logs without much effort. But Jenna noticed something about Ebony that seemed strange.
Ebony was pregnant and starting to show, but it really was not enough to slow the small wolf down. And it looked like she was on her own.
She's carrying puppies and is alone, thought Jenna with a perplexed look, But where is her pack? Did she get separated from them? Or does she even have a pack at all?
“We're here,” Ebony announced, bringing Jenna out of her thoughts.
“Wha--? Oh, this is where you live?” asked Jenna, taking in the details of the large cave mouth that she and Ebony were standing in the middle of.
Ebony looked over and gave a wolfish grin. “Yep, home away from home,” she replied, “Say, if you're hungry, I caught a rabbit yesterday, but I buried it to save it for later. I'll go dig it up.”
With that, Ebony went off to find her cache and dig up the rabbit. Jenna lay down at the entrance to wait. She took a few minutes to survey her surroundings. Nice, quiet patch of forest with the trees standing close together to prevent intruders from slipping through. Ebony's temporary den site was situated against a inclining slope with a small field of rocks in front of it to keep predators away, unless they wanted to risk injuring their feet on the sharp rocks.
At least she was smart enough to chose a den site that would deter predators, Jenna thought, You have to be on your guard here all the time because of the hunters and their dogs.
Jenna perked up as Ebony came back a few minutes later with a rabbit in her mouth. The smaller wolf placed it in front of Jenna's paws and lay down beside her while the larger wolf ate.
“What about you, Ebony?” Jenna asked between mouthfuls of rabbit, “Aren't you going to eat anything? I wouldn't want to deprive you of a meal.”
“Oh, that's okay. I already ate,” replied Ebony.
Jenna hesitated before she continued to eat until she felt that she was full. Now she just wanted some sleep.
But both wolves didn't get a chance to rest for too long because there was the sound of barking dogs approaching the den site.
“They've followed me!” Jenna exclaimed as she quickly sat up.
Ebony stood up and stared at Jenna in surprise and shock. “What?”
“We have to get out of here before they come!” Jenna told Ebony, “And if they catch you too, they'll take your puppies!”
“My puppies?!” Ebony instinctively placed a paw over her abdomen, “How did you know that I'm having puppies?”
“It's... well...” Jenna said sheepishly, “You were showing all the signs... but let's discuss this later. Right now, we have to be long gone before those dogs lead their hunters here.”
Jenna took off, following a different trail through the woods away from where she knew that the dogs were at. Ebony hesitated for a moment, turning back to look at the den that she had chosen to temporarily shelter at before she continued on her journey to locate her pack in which she had been separated from. She wanted to reunite with them soon and have her puppies within the protection of her packmembers.
I'm not going to get that chance very soon, aren't I? Ebony silently asked herself before she turned and followed after Jenna.
An hour later a pack of dogs were sniffing about that very same den. Three humans were observing them. One of them knelt down to study a couple of paw prints in the soft earth.
“Yep,” he said, “looks like she has acquired a companion now. Small wolf, but quick and nimble.”
“How long ago do you thing they left?” asked a younger hunter.
“Hm, mebbe about an hour or so ago,” replied the first one, who happened to have an eye patch, “Trail's still fresh accordin' to our dogs.”
The dogs in question were sniffing the very same trail in which Jenna and Ebony had taken and who would be quite far away by now for the dogs to ever catch up to them quickly.
Meanwhile, Ebony and Jenna were in a different part of the forest far away where woods meet meadowland. The two wolves had to cross it just to get to the safety of the other side in the forest again.
By the time the two reach the other side, both collapsed in exhaustion, panting hard from the long run. It took a few minutes for both to calm their breathing down and slow the rapid beating of their hearts.
Ebony, after taking a minute or two to collect herself, lifted her head and looked over at Jenna.
“Okay, now can you tell me about these hunters?” asked Ebony.
Jenna sat up. She looked a little pained in the face, like she was trying to suppress a bad memory.
She sighed, “It all started about two years ago when a couple of hunters trapped me when I was about to give birth to my son, Caiden. Once he was born, the hunters let me suckle and ween him for a few weeks before they took him away from me. I didn't know what they wanted to do with him because just after they took him, they released me, but shot me in the shoulder so I would not be able to fight back.”
Jenna stopped and lay down, placing a paw on top of her muzzle and sniffling. Ebony was listening to this with rapt attention and was feeling some sympathy for Jenna.
“What did you do, then?” Ebony asked, dreading the answer.
“I had... I had to make the most difficult decision a mother could ever make,” Jenna replied in a cracking, weary voice, “I ran away and left my son in the clutches of those... monsters. At nights, I can still hear him wailing and calling out to me to come and save him. But on that horrible day, I did nothing but run away. I am such a total coward.”
“Whoa, hold up,” Ebony said, tilting her head a bit, “You're not a coward, Jenna. Maybe Caiden's still alive somewhere and searching for you. But I can't imagine what those hunters wanted him for.”
Jenna smiled a bit, “Such optimism you have, Ebony.”
“If he's still alive, I'll help you find your son,” Ebony stood up and padded over to Jenna . She gently nosed the muzzle of the larger wolf in a sign of friendship.
“Thank you, Ebony,” Jenna looked up at her new friend, wagging her tail slightly, “With your help, we'll be sure to find Caiden. Now, I've got a question for you. Do you have a pack and why are you not with them?”
It was Ebony's turn to look sad. “I was separated from them during a deer hunt when our intended prey kicked my over an incline and into the river. I was carried very far and ended up soaked, cold, and alone in a forest I didn't know and with puppies on the way. I'm trying to find my way back to them.”
“Maybe I can help you locate your pack,” suggested Jenna, “That way, we can help each other.”
“Sounds like a good idea,” Ebony smiled, standing up again, “How about we get going?”
“Sure,” Jenna stood up and stretched, “I'm right behind you, Ebony.”
And so, the two wolves went off together on an adventure that they would never forget...
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Post by ebonyviper on Mar 6, 2008 11:38:05 GMT -5
Chapter 2
The forest stretched out long and far beyond the horizon. Various different species of trees made up this forest. One had to admit that it was pristine in its beauty if one were observing it at this moment and right now, one was. High atop a ledge, a black male wolf of about average size with light gray markings was looking over his domain.
He called himself Tony Blitz for obvious reasons as his method of taking over any other wolf's territory was blitzing the former pack out. That was how he won this territory that lay out before him.
Tony looked down on the trees below and smirked at the thought that all this was his. It was then that he caught sight of something that he believed shouldn't even be there. Down on a small path strode two unknown wolves, females by their size and gait, yet one of them caught his attention. One of the females were unnaturally large.
But, Tony did not think about the reasons why this female was larger than normal, he just thought that the two were trespassing on his territory. He turned quickly from the ledge that he was sitting on and disappeared behind some rocks.
Meanwhile, down on the pathway, Ebony and Jenna walked casually along, believing that they were in friendly territory. It was supposed to belong to a wolf pack that Jenna knew and she was hoping to ask the leader of the pack for some temporary shelter and a bit of meat to sustain them before they continued their journey.
“How much further?” Ebony asked, while looking at the large trees that she passing by, “You said they lived here.”
“It's not far,” Jenna answered, as she trotted in front of the smaller wolf, her nose to the ground to see if she could catch any of the familiar scents that she knew, “Just past a couple more trees and we'll be at the den site. It's very well-hidden, but I know where it is.”
“Good, because I think I need to rest,” said Ebony.
“Don't worry, we'll get there soon,” Jenna assured the smaller wolf.
It was then that a strange black wolf with light gray paws and ears (one looked like it was ripped) stepped out in front of them to block their path. This caused both Ebony and Jenna to stop and stare at the wolf.
“Where do you think you two are going?” he growled, “This is my territory! You're trespassing!”
Jenna growled and bared her fangs at the wolf. “Trespassing? This territory happens to belong to a pack I know. Who are you and what happened to them?”
Ebony was growling and baring her fangs as well, but stayed behind Jenna to see how this confrontation unfolded. She didn't know this territory very well and had to rely on Jenna's knowledge to be able to survive.
The black male's fangs showed when he bared them in a wolfish smile. “My name is Tony Blitz, or as those who live here call me, the Blitz, and I now own this territory. The previous owner couldn't stand up to me, so I beat him up and chased him out. Now I'm in charge and I saw the two of you are trespassing!”
“We are not trespassing!” Ebony suddenly shouted, “You're the one who's trespassing! You took over this territory without playing by the rules of the Pack!”
Tony snapped his attention on Ebony, a low growl escaping his throat. “You're going to regret saying that, Little Female,” he growled, stalking up to her and raising his paw as if to strike her. Ebony stepped back and lowered her head to protect her neck, ready for a fight.
It was then that Jenna snapped her jaws at Tony's paw, which he suddenly drew back in surprise. “What-?! You dare-?!”
“Leave her alone!” Jenna snarled at Tony, “Or you're going to wish that you never met a West Mountain wolf!”
At the mention of West Mountain, Tony instinctively took a step back, but he didn't run away. Instead, he lowered his head as if ready for another challenge, thinking that he could take care of this lone West Mountain female soon enough.
“I can take you on!” Tony challenged Jenna, who stood in front of him, her head lowered to protect her neck.
Suddenly, Tony leaps at Jenna, intent on closing his sharp fangs around her jugular. But she was ready for him and snatched hold of his front paw, causing him to misjudge his jump. He landed hard on his back and rolled a bit before he came to a stop against a tree. His body hurt from the impact and his paw throbbed from being bitten by those near-crushing jaws of Jenna's.
He lay there for awhile, giving off the appearance of having been beaten himself. Ebony approached him slowly, cautious and tense. Tony's golden eyes snapped open suddenly and he lunged at her, but stopped short when Jenna again got in his way.
“I said,” Jenna snapped, “Leave her alone!”
“You're going to make me?” demanded Tony, snarling at the West Mountain female.
“Yeah... exactly that,” answered Jenna, before she lunged at him and knocked him down when their bodies slammed into each other.
Both rolled a bit across the ground, biting and clawing at each other. Ebony couldn't do anything, but follow after the pair as she didn't want to be alone in a forest that was unknown to her. She was both fascinated and appalled by this fight and was hoping that Jenna would be alright.
She could hear growling over the next rise and rushed over to the top. There, below her, she saw that Jenna had Tony pinned down.
“Jenna?” she called out, “Are you okay?”
Getting off Tony's battered, bloodied body and looked up at Ebony, “I'm fine. Sorry, I went off like that... it's well, sometimes I can get so angry that I can't control my reactions.”
Jenna left Tony laying unconscious along the path and went to rejoin Ebony, who licked her muzzle in a sort of concerned way. As this part of the forest wasn't safe anymore, both she-wolves decided to leave at once and find someplace safer to rest.
Continuing their journey, Ebony and Jenna weaved through the forest, making their way toward the edge, which turned to grassland almost immediately. There weren't going to be any trees around for quite awhile, so both wolves were going to be out in the open a whole lot more. Now Jenna was more than inclined to protect Ebony than ever.
While they were trotting slowly across the grassland, another animal was watching them. This was a sleek, black panther with pale blue eyes and a phoenix tattoo on her left shoulder. She was reclining on a rock when she saw the two wolves cross her line of sight. One of the wolves she didn't recognize, but the other one she knew.
That's Ebs, the panther, who's name was Phoenix, thought, What's she doing in the Grasslands? And who's that with her?
Phoenix decided to go and have a look and greet her old friend, jumping down from the rock in one fluid movement and began making her way down to where Ebony and Jenna were.
Jenna paused to sniff the air, her ears going up in an alert manner. She could pick up an unfamiliar scent that was not wolf, but of something else. A growl escaped from her throat and she lowered into a defensive crouch when she saw the shape of a big cat leap out in front of her. She was ready for an attack, but none came. Instead, she saw Ebony bound forward eagerly, as if glad to see the panther.
She knows this cat? Jenna wondered curiously, cocking her head slightly.
“Ebs, what are you doing here?” Phoenix asked as Ebony came bounding up to her, and accepting a friendly nuzzle from the wolf, “Aren't you supposed with your pack?”
“It's a long story,” replied Ebony, her head lowered a little bit, “I can tell you if you let us have the use of your den to rest. It's been a long journey.”
Jenna finally had the nerve to slowly trot over to Ebony and Phoenix. “Um... hello, I'm Jenna,” she said, “So, I'm guessing you two know each other.”
Ebony nodded.
“Yeah, we both go way back,” replied Phoenix, “When she was a puppy and I was a kitten. We played together a lot when her pack crossed through my Uncle Neil's territory, which is mine now.”
“Oh,” Jenna could understand this, having friends that go way back, “Thanks for the shelter.”
“You're welcome,” Phoenix turned around and trotted back up the way she had come, “C'mon. Follow me. The den's this way.”
Ebony and Jenna followed Phoenix to the panther's den. It was located inside the only rock formation in the grasslands. Once inside, the place felt cool and safe. Ebony lay down against a wall, thankful for the chance to rest. Jenna laid down in front of the entrance, still reluctant to further inside, but she was glad that, at least, Ebony was getting some rest finally.
“So, who are you?” Jenna asked Phoenix as the cat lay down.
“Name's Phoenix,” the panther replied, “How did you came to meet up with Ebony? You seem to be pretty attached to her.”
“She saved me from drowning in a river,” explained Jenna, looking at the sleeping wolf, “I'm very thankful for that and I'm in her debt. She gave me some fish to eat, but we didn't get to rest for very long. Some hunters were after us.”
Phoenix's eyes raised and glanced over at Ebony, who was sleeping beside the wall. “Hunters? Not them again. I've had enough of dealing with them already. Hopefully, you lost them, Jenna.”
“I think so,” Jenna nodded, “We haven't seen them for four days.”
“Good, but if they're still trailing you, than it wouldn't be safe to stay here,” said Phoenix.
“Then we have to get back on the move again,” Jenna had a grim look, “I don't think we want to risk Ebony's puppies.”
Phoenix blinked. “Ebony's going to have puppies? Now I knew something smelled different about her. How long do you say she's at so far?”
“Hmm, about a week maybe,” said Jenna, “That's all I can figure.”
Phoenix looked back at Ebony, a determined look on her feline face. “Let her sleep for now,” she said, “It'll do her some good. You get some sleep too, Jenna. In the meantime, I'm going to hunt us up some food to sustain us.”
“Okay,” nodded Jenna, “Don't let the hunters get you.”
“I won't let that happen to me,” Phoenix said confidently, “I can outsmart those stupid old hunters any day.”
Phoenix left the den, her tail disappearing around the lip of the entrance. Jenna sighed and went over to lay down next to Ebony to await the panther's return. An hour later, Phoenix came back with a large rabbit that she had caught. Ebony awoke, catching the scent of meat, and got to her feet. As she was with puppies, the other two let her have her fill first and after she was finished, they dug into the remaining meat until there was nothing but bones left. Jenna then took the bones and buried them, so it would be difficult for any hunters to determine if the two wolves and the panther were really there unless they looked hard enough. Then all three left the den and continued on their journey once again, with Jenna retelling her story about Caiden to Phoenix along the way and Ebony telling hers.
With Phoenix to guide them, as she knew where Ebony's pack lived, the three animals thought that they now had it easy.
However, back in the forest, a pair of golden eyes finally opened, fully filled with anger and resentment. Tony Blitz will not be beaten. He got up on shaky legs and walked forward, following the scent of the two wolves he had met previously hours before. He was not going to let them get away that easily.
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Post by ebonyviper on Mar 6, 2008 11:38:56 GMT -5
Chapter 3
By the time the trio passed from the grasslands to the desert, Ebony was already feeling contraction pains ripple through her belly. It was time for her pups to be born, but she needed a suitable den in which to have them. There weren't that much shelter in the desert, though, but Phoenix and Jenna thoroughly searched for one and after many hours found one situated in the middle of a tropical oasis.
Ebony crawled inside the den and as Phoenix and Jenna stood guard outside, they could hear the sounds that preceded the birthing of the pups one by one. Soon they heard little tiny cries that were an indicator that all the pups had been born.
Inside the den, Ebony was ill and lay resting from the difficult ordeal of the birth of her pups, who now suckled at the teats on her belly. She was too tired to call out to her friends and just lay her head down on the stone floor and drifted off into an exhausted sleep.
When she was well enough, Ebony allowed her two friends to come inside the den to view the pups, who were now curled up against her belly, drawing warmth from her as they slept.
“Awww... they're such little sweeties,” Phoenix murmured softly, crouching down at a safe distance to study the two small puppies, “Look at them sleeping.”
“They're so cute,” Jenna sat down beside Phoenix, “Look at the color of coats that they have. Green and Purple. Never knew those colors existed at all.”
Ebony shrugged tiredly, “Guess they do now...”
“Thought of names for them yet?” asked Phoenix.
“Not yet...” Ebony rested her head between her paws, “Don't have the energy to think of any right now...”
Phoenix got back onto her feet and leaned down to give Ebony a gentle nuzzle, “You rest now, Ebs. Jen and I are going to stick around. We'll protect and hunt for you while you're nursing those pups.”
“But I'm slowing everyone down...” Ebony said wearily, “I'm stopping the journey...”
“Don't worry about it,” said Jenna, also getting up, “It's okay and I don't mind at all. I'm willing to wait as long as I need to until you're back on your feet again and those pups of yours are strong enough to travel.”
* * * * *
Time passed quickly, as it was wont to do during intervals. Ebony slowly regained her strength, but was still recovering from the birth of her twin pups. They suckled from time to time, so she really didn't have a choice to go anywhere too far away yet, but only as far as the lake in which she crept out to for a drink whenever she was thirsty.
Phoenix guarded the entrance, making sure that the small she-wolf got her rest after seeing to her puppies needs. She wanted to go hunting herself, but had decided to stay close to her best friend while Jenna did the hunting.
It would be some time before Ebony ever allowed her pups to come outside, yet she had seen one of them crawl up to the entrance to peer at her before Ebony walked up and took the little female back inside the den in her mouth.
Would be nice to see those little pups playing outside soon, the panther thought as she sunned herself on a nearby rock, the tip of her tail curled in pleasure.
The panther listened quietly to the sounds inside the den and figured that Ebony and her pups were napping at the moment and decided to have a little nap herself.
* * * * *
While she was hunting, Jenna paused when she sensed something nearby. It was a weird feeling, like de ja vu. What was that?
She turned to look to the place where she sensed it, but there was nothing there. “That's strange,” she said to herself, as she walked slowly forward, “I thought I saw something there.”
Jenna tried to continue her hunt, but she was stopped again by this misty presence that seemed to want to show itself to her. She lifted her head and tried to remain standing still. She watched as the black mist slowly materialized in front of her, forming into a near-recognizable shape of that of a large male wolf, but there were no distinguishable features in which she would've been able to recognize it.
The mist wolf stared at her with golden eyes, seemingly enchanting and strongly influential. She was pretty sure that it wanted to tell her something.
“Who are you?” she asked him.
“I am the night...” the wolf replied, his voice echoing mysteriously, “I am who watches over you and your companions while you all are asleep... You would only see me in your dreams... but I took a chance to show myself to you while you are awake... as I have a message to give to you...”
“What message is that?” asked Jenna.
“Beware the one with malice in his heart...” said the wolf, “for he wishes to claim what which is yours as his...”
Jenna blinked, “What? The one with malice in his heart? Who are you talking about?”
But the wolf didn't immediately or directly answer her questions. He just began to slowly fade away. Before he did, he gave Jenna one last warning, “Be careful in the canyon...” The wolf was gone before Jenna could say anything else.
She stood still for what seemed like a whole hour before she finally shook herself back to reality and continued her hunt until she caught a jackrabbit and brought it back to the oasis den.
* * * * *
It was time to leave. Ebony's two pups, whom she named Maven and Krill, bounced around the legs of the three adults, excited and wanting to get going. Jenna smiled at their antics. Puppies were a rarity in her pack and when one or two were born, they were treated as if they were treasures.
“Alright,” Ebony said, “Let's get going.”
They set off, back on the trail. It would take a long while for them to cross the desert, though, and this effort was even harder than walking through the forest and grasslands. The climate was much more dry and hot, there wasn't much game to be found and Ebony could not cope well under the desert sun, she had to rest underneath any available shade. And if there weren't any, either Phoenix or Jenna would sit beside her and blocking out the sun so that she could rest with her pups snuggled against her. The trio decided to travel during the evenings when it was much cooler.
Soon, they came to a large slot canyon, but hesitated before entering it. The warning that the mist wolf had given her nagged at Jenna. Weren't they supposed to be careful in the canyon, as he had told her? Was this the canyon?
They walked slowly through the passageways where there was some light spilling down through the cracks. Up above, and unnoticed, stood a dark, menacing shape that was looking down on them. It was wolflike, but it disappeared before anyone noticed it.
“I don't like this,” Ebony kept her head low and her pups close to her feet as she walked, “Something isn't right here. I can feel it.”
“I know what you mean,” said Jenna, her head also low.
“Oh, what are you both worried about?” Phoenix called from behind her as she walked on, “There's nothing to be afraid of here--”
She was cut off when a bullet hit the ground right in front of her paw, causing her to scrabble backwards, panting and wild-eyed, looking in the place where the bullet hit, thinking that if she walked just several inches more, she would've been shot.
“What was that?” she asked, trying to calm her nerves.
Suddenly, they heard growling and barking from behind them and quickly closing the distance.
“No time!” Jenna shouted as she bolted forward, “Hunters!”
Ebony urged her pups to move as fast as they're little feet could take them. They ran through the twisting canyon walls, trying to lose their pursuer, who seemed to be gaining on them as the growls sounded like they were right on their tails.
Without warning, one of the pups, little Maven, tripped while trying to dodged her mother's paws, and tumbled away until she lay on the ground in the heap. Ebony turned and saw her pup fall and cried out. It was then that she saw who was chasing them and her eyes widened in shock and terror.
“It's Blitz!” she shouted at their companions.
Jenna turned and saw what was happening. Tony Blitz, the wolf that she had beaten and left broken and bleeding back in the forest, was racing toward them in a fury. Time seemed to slow down as Blitz spotted Maven and sprang into the air, his paws outstretched and his golden eyes shown evilly as Maven screamed and cowered where she had stumbled and fallen.
“Maven!” screamed Ebony, fearing for her pup's life, but still too weak from the birthing to defend Maven.
But, all of a sudden, Blitz's forward momentum was cut short when a dark shape flew in front of him... and closed its jaws around his exposed neck. He let out a startled yelp and struck at his attacker with his front paws and kicked with his back feet, trying to make the unknown wolf let go. This gave Maven the opportunity to scamper over to her mother and hide between her legs along with her brother.
Blood splurted from his neck when the wolf finally did let go. He stood, an angry look on his face, panting hard, and tongue hanging out. “W-who are you?” he grunted, his voice hampered by his neck injury.
“Your nightmare. Touch that pup,” the wolf growled, “and you die.”
“S-so... you're gonna m-make me...?” Blitz croaked defiantly, his legs shaking, a clear indicator that he would not be able to stand much longer because of blood loss.
The black wolf lifted his head and grinned a sharp-tooth grin, “Yeah. Exactly that.”
Jenna, as she watched the confrontation and the exchange, perked her ears up suddenly when she heard those words come from the dark wolf's mouth. Those were the very same words that she had said to Tony only two months ago. Who was this wolf and how did he hear about her confrontation with Blitz?
She looked more closely at the wolf confronting Blitz. His coat was not only black, but there were streaks of white edged with red as if somebody had taken a paintbrush and made streaks all across the black coat. Something about those markings reminded her of someone that she once knew, but who can that possibly be?
“Look out!” the shout from Ebony made her look up to see that Tony had just leaped at the wolf.
But before Blitz could get his jaws around the wolf's neck, the wolf snapped his jaws around his attacker's neck, squeezing hard. This produced a sharp yelp from Blitz, who promptly collapsed onto the ground, his neck bleeding profusely. His breathing came in sharp, quick gasps and his body twitched. Blitz's face was contorted in shock and pain. Finally, he stopped breathing and lay dead at the wolf's feet.
It was some minutes before Jenna came up to the triumphant wolf. “Y-you killed him.”
“He wouldn't back down,” the wolf replied, “I had no choice.”
“You saved my pup,” Ebony came up, trailed by her pups and Phoenix, “Thank you.”
“You're welcome,” the wolf nodded kindly to Ebony, then turned back to Jenna, “So, you've been wondering where I've been all these years, haven't you?”
Jenna blinked, confused, “Am I supposed to? Who are you?”
“You should,” the wolf replied, “because I am your son. Caiden.”
Jenna, Ebony, and Phoenix all looked at each other and then back at Caiden, who smiled benignly at them. This was indeed a new development and one mystery that really didn't provide any answers, but created a whole new one entirely.
“Would you care to explain?” asked Phoenix.
Caiden nodded, “Sure, but we'll have to get away from here and away from this dead wolf. We don't want to stick around if the hunters come.”
“Good idea,” nodded Ebony.
So, Caiden led them away to someplace much safer. But there was a purple mist that drifted into the canyon and stopped to hover over Blitz's inert form, contemplating. Perhaps this wolf, even though already dead, might be useful to it.
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Post by ebonyviper on Mar 6, 2008 11:39:24 GMT -5
Chapter 4
She really hadn't seen it coming. Of course she was happy that Jenna and her son had been reunited only a few hours ago and had told her friend that, but, somehow, Ebony felt that she was intruding in on a family moment.
The small group had found a hidden oasis which had a waterfall where they could rest for a bit and listen to Caiden as he told his story. Ebony had curled her body protectively around her pups and had kept a keen ear on what Caiden was saying. She shuddered when he mentioned illegal dog fighting, earning money, getting harsh treatment from his handlers if he didn't live up to their expectations.
That was why he had managed to find a way to escape, Ebony thought, shuddering, No wolf should ever be treated like that.
By the time Caiden was finished with his story, it was nighttime. Ebony shuffled her pups off to sleep in a small, makeshift den that she had dug up underneath a desert bush and curled up around them, falling fast asleep. Phoenix chose a spot nearby and so did Jenna. Caiden had figured out quickly that Ebony, the smaller wolf who had pups, was being protected by the black panther and his mother. He respected that and went to find his own spot to bed down for the night, as well as keep watch in case of any intruders.
* * * * *
Jens Glimmer was not having an easy hunt. He was only able to bag a few scrawny rabbits, but not enough to fil his quota of furs for this year's hunting season.
Trudging back to his truck with his faithful dog, Glimmer was grumbling to himself at his failure to bag one or all of that strange, little group of two wolves, both female he had determined, and one black panther, also female, for several weeks now.
"Gottfluch, Flecken," he muttered to the Irish wolfhound as the two climbe into the truck, "We almost had them."
Flecken barked his agreement and the two drove back to the smooth, asphalt road and back to the small desert twon to replentish his supplies before he set out again the hunt of the strange, wandering trio.
But Flecken himself had other plans... and he did not seem to be what or who he was representing himself as, but acting like a hunting dog for this foolish hunter.
* * * * *
The next morning seemed to be a good day. At least there wasn't going to be any traveling that day. Ebony's pups had quickly taken a liking to Caiden, pouncing on him and climbing all over his back. He even let them pull on his ears as he lay near the little stream in their temporary safe oasis.
As much as they like Jenna, the small, black wolf thought, they like Caiden as well.
Yet, she doubted why this journey was necessary now. Jenna had found her son, or he had found her, which made the point of their quest obsolete.
Ebony lay her head down on her paws, half-listening to Caiden's playful growls and yips and her pups' own laughter. At least they're having fun.
She was there at the hidden oasis by herself with only Caiden and the pups, while Phoenix and Jenna had gone out hunting. Everything seemed to be safe so maybe she could take a short nap. Ebony closed hr eyes and fell fast asleep.
* * * * *
Darkness. Running. Ice. Where was she? Why was she running?
Soon the dream became more sharper. More clearer. It phased gradually into focus. She was running on ice, like a frozen lake. It felt like she was running from something or trying to get to someplace in the distance, but never truly succeeding.
A shadow fell over her, causing her to gasp and try to stop her forward momementum, but because the surface she was running on was ice, she skidded along until an icy mountain suddenly jutted up, curving toward her.
She skidded up it, by like a skiier, she skidded back down, spinning a bit until she drifted to a stop at the foot of this strange mountain. Ebony looked up at the deep purple sky and noticed a raven circling about and cawing at her. What did this mean?
Suddenly there was a bright flash...
"Ebs!" someone shouted her nickname.
Somebody was shaking her and she woke up with a sharp gasp. Phoenix, Jenna, Caiden, and even Maven and Krill were gathered around her, all with worried expression.
"Ebony, are you okay?" asked Jenna, "You looked like you were having a bad dream the way you were twitching in your sleep."
"I-I'm fine..." the small wolf replied, "It's just a dream... Nothing serious..."
The others looked like they didn't really believe her. Ebony got slowly to her feet. "Hey, Nix? Jen? Did you guys catch anything to eat? I'm starving."
"We caught two desert hares," replied Phoenix.
"Hope that's enough," added Jenna.
Ebony looked at the two small, furry bodies, whose long ears were being sniffed by Maven and Krill. She walked over and sniffed at the hares herself. Her pups looked up at her, wondering what she was going to do. Ebony then bent down her head and picked up one of the rabbits and then trotted back toward the temporary den she had dug up underneath the bush and began pulling out the fur, her front paws on it to keep it still. She ate the meat inside distractedly.
Jenna noticed this and trotted cautiously over. "Hey, Ebs?" she asked, "Are you feeling alright?"
Ebony looked up, her muzzle a bit bloody from eating the insides of the rabbit. She sat up, not feeling as hungry as she said said she was earlier. She lowered her head and brushed her muzzle in the dirt to get some of the blood off, then lifted her head back up.
"I...I don't really know anymore," Ebony sighed, staring down at the ground, "I just... feel like I've failed somehow..."
"How do you mean?"asked a perplexed Jenna.
"Well... remember when I made you a promise that I'd help you find Caiden?" Ebony explained slowly.
"Yeah, I do," Jenna nodded, remembering.
"I...well, failed you," Ebony gulped, but did not look at Jenna, "I wasn't able to help you look for Caiden because I was heavy with pups. He found us. I didn't do anything."
Jenna looked at the smaller wolf, not with pity or comtempt, but with a sort of closely bonded friendship and gratefulness. She edge forward and gave Ebony a gentle nudge.
"Ebs, look at me," Jenna said, "You didn't fail me. You are a very good friend to me now, that I'm grateful for you just being there for me. That helps me alot."
Ebony looked up at Jenna, staring into those soft-brown eyes as the other wolf spoke, "Really? You mean it?"
Jenna nodded, "Of course I do. And you know something else? I still owe you my life. I'll never forget that."
This finally made Ebony nod and smile. She bent down and offered Jenna the dead rabbit as Maven and Krill played with Caiden and Phoenix.
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Post by ebonyviper on Mar 24, 2008 13:23:18 GMT -5
Chapter 5
“This ain't good,” said Phoenix as she surveyed the ruins of the den, “What happened here?”
“Good question,” agreed Jenna.
When the group had finally found the den that belonged to Ebony's pack, it was in shambles and every member of the pack was either dead or missing. This devastated Ebony as she lay inside what used to be her den. Her pups were curled against her for warmth and comfort.
But because she was in her den, she didn't see the other wolf that had just arrived at the densite. With ears laid back against his skull and growling menacingly, Boost limped toward the two strange wolves and the panther.
“Who are you?” he demanded, “What are you doing here?”
Both Jenna and Caiden saw the purple wolf limp toward them and crouched growling in response. They did not know who he was and reacted accordingly.
Phoenix's tail fuzzed and she backed away, snarling and baring her teeth. She had never met this wolf before and did not know that this was Ebony's brother.
“Answer me!” growled Boost, looking at the three of them.
“We don't want to cause any trouble,” Jenna was the first to speak up, “We're just here because of Ebony.”
Boost lifted his head at the mention of his sister's name. “Ebony? But she disappeared months ago.” He growled suddenly, “How do you know her?”
“I've known Ebony for a few years now,” replied Phoenix through gritted teeth, then jerked her head toward Jenna and Caiden, “They've only known her less than that, but they're friends as well.”
“Cats and wolves should never mix!” snarled Boost, “Why should I believe you?”
“Boost!” a black streak knocked the purple wolf down, causing him to yelp in sudden pain from his injuries.
Ebony lay on top of him licking his muzzle in a happy greeting. She was glad to see her brother still alive, although a little hurt. She wondered what had happened here and to him. “I missed you so much...”
“Oww... Ebs...” Boost groaned, “Get off...”
“Sorry,” Ebony got off an backed up to let her brother get to his feet. She noticed that he favored his left back leg. “What happened here, Bro? What happened to you?”
Boost sat down for a moment and looked at Phoenix, Jenna, and Caiden. “First, tell me who they are.”
Ebony looked at them. “Oh, they're my friends. The panther is Phoenix and the two other, larger wolves are Jenna and Caiden.”
It was then that two half-grown pups bounded over and bumped into Ebony. “And these are my pups, Maven and Krill.”
Boost looked at Ebony's friends and then at her pups. He blinked for a moment, confused. When did she have pups? I didn't even know she was pregnant. She was skinny the last time I saw her.
“Alright,” he said at last, laying down for a moment, as his leg hurt, “I'll tell you.”
Ebony sat down near her brother, the pups curling up beside her. The other three relaxed some and came cautiously closer, sitting down as well, in full attention.
“Just a few days ago, hunting dogs fell upon the den and engaged in combat with some of my best hunters,” Boost began, “We tried to hold our ground against them, but our fighting skills were no match for their ferocity. These dogs left no one member of the pack alone. They even went after the pups.”
A gasp came from Jenna, “Those poor pups...”
Ebony had a sympathetic look and nodded in agreement with Jenna. She turned back to her brother.
“Boost, there were more then those dead ones we saw earlier,” she pointed out, “What happened to the rest?”
“They were captured and taken away by the dogs' human masters,” Boost replied with a growl.
“How'd you escape?” asked Phoenix.
Boost sighed and paused for a moment to turn and lick his injured back leg, then looked back at Phoenix. For some reason, a cat hanging out with wolves interested him, despite his previous bias against her species.
“I fought the head hound, a big Irish wolfhound,” Boost said at last, “He was bigger and stronger than I am. I was protecting some pups from him, but he grabbed my leg in his jaws and threw me head first into the side of the hard rock of the den, causing me to black out for a moment. I came to a few minutes later, but played dead until the dogs and humans left.”
Ebony leaned forward and nuzzled her brother, making him smile a bit, despite the scratches on his muzzle. “I'm sorry you got hurt, Bro,” she said apologetically, “I feel as if my disappearance caused all this to happen.”
“Ebs, don't blame yourself,” Boost told his sister, “Neither one of us did not anticipate what happened here. There was no way to prevent it from happening.”
“But what'll we do?” asked Ebony, nodding slowly and deciding to take her brother's word for it.
“Well,” Boost sat up, “The only thing that I can think of is to go find the rest of the pack and rescue them.”
“I'm with you on that,” Jenna said in quick agreement.
“As am I,” added Caiden, who had been silent for most of Boost's story.
“Me too,” added Phoenix.
Then they all looked at Ebony. She lowered her ears in a submissive gesture. It was a behavior that she had learned when she was a pup and she wasn't much of a fighter to begin with. What could she do?
“Ebs? Asked Phoenix, “Are you in?”
“Well... I'd like to help, but I don't know what I can do... I'm not a fighter...” Ebony said uncertainly.
“C'mon, Ebs,” Jenna broke in, “You saved me from drowning. I owe you my life and I know there's something that you can do to help out.”
Ebony looked down for a moment to find her pups staring up at her with big, brown eyes. She realized they depended upon her to feed and protect them. The black wolf then looked up at her brother and friends with a look of determination.
“Alright,” she said finally, “I'll help because I wanna protect the pups.”
Phoenix smiled and came over to sit by Ebony, “That's the spirit, Ebs. The pups definitely look up to you a lot so they'll listen to you easily.”
“Good,” nodded Boost, “We'll leave first thing tomorrow at dawn when we've gotten some rest.”
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