The New Era (tagged)

[Rykett]

Skia:

As she shoved the weight of the she-wolf's limp form off her shoulder to the ground beside the dead male, Skia smirked. What weaklings! She'd killed two wolves in succession and walked away with minimal damage. A bite on her shoulder, a fading headache, and a couple ankle bites from a desperate pup. Turning, Skia spotted the 'desperate pup' as she lay unconscious. Striding over to the inert pup, Skia towered over the tiny she-wolf. The pup was obviously the two dead wolves' child. Placing a paw onto the little body, she pressed it against the ground as the pup's eyes fluttered and she awoke with a gasp.

Bending down into the she-wolf's view, Skia spoke, "Hello there, you little scrap. Welcome back to your miserable life! I could just end it now, but I have a reason not to. You're my messenger. I want the whole world to know how powerful the Alphess of Midnight Silence is and you're going to tell them. If you don't, you'll join your parents over there in death!" As soon as she sent this pathetic wimp off, Skia could get on to collecting some proof for Fjord. And then she... was that movement? Skia caught a glimpse of something in rocks in the corner of her eye. Despite the temptation to glance over and discover the source, Skia kept her cruel chocolate gaze fixed on the dove grey pup.

[Deleted]

(Rykett)
Aruelia:
Aruelia yelped as the paw pressed on her injured back. Her light blue eye looked right up at this red she-wolf. Her injured eye opened in fear, slashed down the middle by the stone. Fighting back tears, she yelled at the vary top of her lungs, "YOU KILLED MY MOMMY AND DADDY!!!!! I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL NEVER LET YOU HURT ADANTE AND AllEGRO!!!" She was crying again, and it was a sign of how enraged she was that she tried to bite her enemies paw. It was too far, besides, she couldn't see where it was. The Skia spoke and Aruelia whimpered. "Midnight Silence? Alphess? As in Fjord is your...." She shuddered. Then she looked back up and saw the she-wolf's gaze. Overwhelming terror finally registered, doubly as her mind noticed she was hurt. She yelped, wiggled, and yelped again as her back throbbed painfully. This was not scared, nor hurt, this was outright terror.

Aruelia struggled, wanting so bad to run. The paw, however, held her firm. She too spotted a movement, and looked away to see what it was. It was her brother! Aruelia screamed, "ALLERO, RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!" and squirmed as her voice seemed to die from so much use. She attempted to howl at him to run again, but her voice refused to work.

[Fierfly]

Allegro:

His view was still largely obstructed and he muttered loathing for his poor navigation under his breath as he fought to get a better view of what was happening - especially as he heard Aurelia indistinct voice screaming at someone. He finally found a crevice between boulders and breezed through, leaping into clear view of the red and black she-wolf who had attacked his family. She had Aurelia on her belly, a powerful paw keeping her pinned down. Aurelia's pale blue eyes widened when she saw him and she shrieked again - but her voice cracked and broke and became hoarse whimpers.

He looked at Aurelia, then looked at the she-wolf who still had her chocolate-brown eyes fixed on Aurelia. Allegro didn't blink. He didn't move. He didn't growl. He didn't bristle. He didn't retreat. He glared at the scene with his violent dark eyes, and waited.

[Rykett]

((Muse? Yes! Muse!))

Skia:

The screams of the pup were satisfying. Her hoarse voice was filled with fear and desperation and rightly so. The terror in her good eye gave Skia a certain sort of glee. Tearing apart lives was such fun! "Fjord is my Alpha, and soon to be partner in leadership. Together, we will be unstoppable. The whole valley will quiver in fear under our reign!"

A new pup entered the picture. Though still young, he already looked like a brute and would obviously grow to be huge. He didn't seem afraid like his sister. Perhaps he was just stupid or good at hiding his true emotions, but whatever the case was, his dark eyes didn't hold that horrified glint. Though Skia loved to see fear in her victims, she, herself, refused to feel the emotion. She considered It cowardly feeling that she would never succumb to.

This, Allergo, might be a kindred spirit in that regard, but that possibility didn't matter at the moment. Skia's chocolate eyes flicked back to the skinny grey pup under her paw. "Is that your brother? Hmm... I think I'll kill him, unless... my message gets shared. Though, I guess you just broke your voice, the one thing that could have saved him. Useless rat!" Skia snarled and lifted her paw from the youngling and swatted at the pup with one powerful, meaning to send the dove grey pup flying.

The blood covered she-wolf turned and approached the male pup standing in full view. She called over her shoulder, "Speak now if you can! I might spare his pitiful life if the valley hears of my strength. Do what I have commanded, rat!" Focusing her attention onto Allergo, Skia spoke again, "Your sister now holds your fate in her paw, little brute. What do you have to say to that?"

[Deleted]

Aurelia:
Aurelia yelped as she was flung. The paw left a new mark, over her face, neck and upper torso. She landed hard, knocking the wind out of her. She lay with what felt like a burning and freezing chest and what felt like a burning cut over her side. Tears falling like rivers, she croacked, "I will, just don't kill my brothers..." Her voice was a croak, and her sides burned with pain. She fell, her side flaring. She was hurt, badly. She attempted to drag herself forwards, but her ribs started throbbing and she couldn't keep moving. She collapsed in the snow turning red from blood. Her blood. She looked up at her brother, blue eye glisting with tears. Then her head fell to the snow, and blackness enveloped her for a second time.

[Fierfly]

Allegro:

The stare turned into a glare as the she-wolf began to explain - she would kill Aurelia unless she would talk and tell other wolves something - and she would kill him as well. He bristled now, his violet-red marks along his back bristling and puffing with indignance and rage and hate for this stranger.

It must be understood that many pups when they first see blood on their fellows rather than the prey their parents consume are afraid - some are traumatized even as the struggle to realize pain, hurt, danger, and possible death. For Allegro, seeing his sister staining the snow red with her lifeblood, turned off. Something inside his already small and buried heart suddenly clicked off and went numb and any innocence in the pup was gone. He straightened, claws clenching and gripping the rock and soil beneath his feet and he snarled viciously.

"No one decides my life for me," he hissed to the red and black she-wolf. If Aurelia spoke she lived, if Aurelia spoke he lived - no way was he letting Aurelia be what decided the end or continuation of his short life. He glared, violent eyes burning with rage and chilling calculation. "I don't know who you are, or where you're from, but I hate you. If you want to kill me right now then go ahead: just try it!" He spread his paws out by instinct, muzzle horribly distorted in a cruel, hateful snarl. His hears were flat, eyes glaring horribly with violence for one so young. His body was low, waiting for a swipe from her paw, for something, anything, he was waiting...

[Rykett]

Skia:

His response was different than Skia imagined. Most pups would quiver in fear when their life hung by a thread. But Allergo was ready to fight it. Perhaps with the correct nudges in the right direction, he would've killed his wimp of a sister in order to survive. Skia's ear flicked toward the girl as she rasped a response.

So, it seemed she would not be killing the boy. That is, if Skia decided to keep her promise. With the dove pup out of the way, Skia probably wouldn't kill Allergo. She saw something in him, something evil, something she could use. "I don't plan to take your life, boy, at least, not at the moment," Skia said, straightening her stance. The words sounded a little strange in Skia's ears, since she usually attempted at least once to kill every wolf she met. "I need proof that I've killed a Good wolf. It is the only thing I need to claim my rightful place at Fjord's side. I want you to rip off that proof for me. Go to your father's body and tear of something that would only be retrievable if he were dead." Skia smirked. This was the perfect test. She'd get proof and she'd see how ruthless the pup really was. If he was unable to full part something from the yellow wolf, Skia would step in and take his willingness to try as evidence of his violent nature that Skia wished to use.

[Fierfly]

((As Aurelia is unconscious...))

Allegro:

He glared and bristled as the she-wolf slowly began to straighten. She wasn't going to attack, no going in for the kill, no, she would let him live. Or maybe that was what she wanted him to think so she could catch him off-guard when he pulled something from his father's dead body. He felt his baby-claws clench and dig deep into the rocky soil as he braced himself and wearily watched the murderess. "And what if I don't?" he hissed, letting his teeth show and still growling. "Why should I help you? You're-" he tried to think of the worst insult he could. "You're a snake." he'd seen a snake once when he found one hibernating in the small area near the den when he'd first gone outside. Mom had had Dad take it away in case it was poisonous and she had explained to always be careful of snake and that they were mean and dangerous. This she-wolf was mean and dangerous too. "You're a snake!" he yelled again, "You're lower than a snake!" he rather liked calling her a snake, it was fun. The word rolled off his tongue and hissed between his teeth. She was a snake. A big, meany-head, bossy snake.

[Rykett]

Skia:

The she-wolf threw back her head and laughed. A strong, sinister laugh that reverberated through Skia's form and echoed across the lake. Oh, this was fun! Ending her mirth with a snort, Skia lowered her head to the pup's level and meet his hard dark violet gaze with her cruel chocolate one. "Yes, I'm a snake, little pup. You know what that makes you?" Her voice was low and threateningly gentle. She paused dramatically before continuing, "A mouse. A tiny, insignificant mouse! And snakes like me eat little mice like you!" Skia's jaws snapped together at the end of her sentence.

Straightening with a smirk, Skia spoke again, "I'm a little hungry, mouse! But I can resist gobbling you up if you quit whining like your weak little sister and do as I say!" Her voice went from quiet to snarling progressively as she spoke those words. Now roaring at the pup, she continued, "Now go get me a chunk of your pathetic father before I decide you're no longer worth my time!" Skia swatted at the youngling with a powerful black paw, hoping to tumble him from his firm, rebellious stance.

[Fierfly]

Allegro:

The snake laughed! She thought it was funny! She liked being called a snake! Why? Because to her, he was a mouse, and snakes ate mice. He glared menacingly. More power to her, a sarcastic thing he'd heard his father say once, if she wanted to gobble him up, then fine. Let her try! No mouse would get back like he would! As the she-wolf swatted at him, he scampered off to the side to doge and growled; he wasn't whiny! Aurelia the whiny little 'fraidy cat! He could do whatever he wanted.

He straightened and marched stiffly, proudly, with all the dignity he could muster at the moment over to his father's body, being careful to keep a violent eye hiding wild rage on the she-wolf. He wasn't a stupid little mouse, he was a smart, vicious little mouse if he did have to be a mouse. Or maybe he was a rat, a vicious rat. What was he thinking? let the she-wolf call herself a snake, he was a wolf and that was much bigger and meaner and cooler than either a mouse or a snake!

He approached his father's dead body and studied it for a moment. No breath, no movement...just like the prey he brought in to Mom at the end of the day. There was maybe a slight feeling of longing for his father once more, but he was not a feeling or affectionate pup and it was gone almost before it was there. He tried to consider what you could only take from a dead wolf and decided that an ear would be pretty convincing because a wolf that couldn't hear was as good as dead anyway. It took some working and the unpleasant feel of fur and cold flesh in his mouth, but once the blood started streaming he made short work of it and just tore the furry thing away from the head. Who cared if her prize was a little bit torn? It was proof enough. And just so that she wouldn't whine and say that he was a stupid, lazy little mouse for tearing the precious ear...he noted a canine tooth, loose from the impact of Treble's head hitting the stone and finished prying it out of the gums before taking both and dropping them at the Snake's feet.

He smirked himself and started to turn away when he whirled back to face the she-wolf, reared up on his long, stockinged legs and swatted her leering muzzle with his own paw, not concerned if he caused her a little scratch or not. A big snake wouldn't mind a little scratch from a weak little mouse.

He sat down with a humph of dignity and grinned with his teeth bared just to let her know that he was still watching. "Happy Snake?" he growled impertinently.

[Rykett]

Skia:

The killer she-wolf watched carefully as Allergo stalked away towards his fallen father. He considered the body for a minute before taking a hold of an ear. As the triangle of flesh ripped off the yellow male's skull, Skia watched the pup's face for some kind of pained, regretful, or squeamish expression. No such emotions showed. If Allergo was experiencing such feeling, he was excellent at hiding them. After the ear was removed from the body, the pup also removed a tooth from his father's gums. Skia smirked supposing that Allergo wished to please her by going beyond what she'd requested.

The pup returned to her with both items. Smugly, he swatted Skia's muzzle. Sassy little squirt! Daggerlike teeth peeped from under her lip as she flashed her teeth at him. If Allergo wished his life to be spared, he must remember his place. Turning her attention to the 'proof' Allergo had collected. Wrinkling her nose as the youngling spoke, she responded, "You do realize both this pieces could have been taken in battle with your father still breathed?" Skia rolled her eyes and sighed, straightening as she did, "They'll have to do. I'm not wasting anymore time here when I could be in command of a pack instead." Picking up the items, Skia started walking away. Turning her head to view Allergo, "Come on, squirt! You'll accompany me to Midnight Silence. Since the so called 'proof' you got for me is unsatisfactory, you'll stand as proof as well. All Good fathers would die for their pups before any Evil wolf took them."

[Fierfly]

Allegro:

His swat landed on the dark maroon muzzle and he felt with triumph fur sliding beneath his pads in a successful hit. That little bit of insolence earned him a brief show of teeth in warning from the she-wolf, but he just sat back and showed his teeth in response: Let her show her teeth if it made her feel better. He had teeth too, and he knew how to use them.

Snake didn't like what he'd brought. Phooey! What else was he supposed to get her? A wolf that couldn't hear was as good as dead anyway and it was no easy thing to pry a tooth from a healthy wolf. She was whiny! He was stuck with Aurelia all over again. Phooey! She was whiny and picky. He was about to retort that if she wanted something better that the corpse was just right over there, but she took his offerings and started walking away, pausing to look back at him and beckon him on.

He growled again. She was whiny, picky and bossy. He hated her! Still...he was alone now and needed someone to help him; Snake didn't seem very inclined to be helpful, but if he was her proof then she had to keep him alive, and that would mean helping like hunting and warmth whether she liked it or not, so he hurried after her until he was loping in a puppy-gait beside her. "Hey Snake, if you're going to have me be your proof then we need to get one thing straight. My name isn't Squirt or Mouse, it's Allegro." his strong young legs kept tripping, jumping, running to keep up with the she-wolf whose long strides carried her proudly and swiftly. They were on their way.

[Rykett]

Skia:

"I know. You're idiot of a sister said it when she first revealed you're presence. Or have you already forgotten that like the stupid pup you are?" Skia stated between her teeth as she walked. The words were slightly muffled, but easily decipherable. Skia paused, turning to stare into Allergo's dark violet eyes. "I will call you whatever I'd like; Squirt, Mouse, Stupid Pup. You have no such liberty. From now on, you will address me as Mistress Skia. I won't stand for any of your insolent sass. I admire your fearlessness, pup, but you will be lesser than a subordinate, if Fjord decides to keep you alive. You will act your position! Otherwise, you'll be punished, severely." Skia stared down the pup for a couple seconds. Then she began padding away again.

As they reached the forest nearby the lake, Skia began to quicken her pace to a slow trot. She couldn't go too fast. She didn't want to loose her most valuable piece of proof, but she was excited to claim her position as Alphess. Skia thirsted for power. She'd always wanted it. Not only did she want to gain that power, she wanted to prove that she could command such power and that she was worthy of it. Prove to who, Skia was unsure of. Perhaps it was just to herself. The forest canopy shaded her bright red pelt with patched shadows. Skia flung one more glance other her shoulder to make sure Allergo was still following. This pup had to be smart enough to realize that if he ran off, he'd starve. End of story. As she confirmed that the pup was on her heels, Skia and her small hostage left the lake behind, headed for much more dangerous territory.

-Exit Skia-

[Fierfly]

Allegro:

Snake brushed his correction off with uncalled for rudeness and determination to pay him no mind. He felt his little dagger-teeth peep out from under his lip in agitation and he was about to throw her more insults when she went on. She would call him whatever, he had to call her "Mistress Skia". Long name? No, "Mistress" was a title - Dad had called Mom that once or twice, delivered with an extra dose of affection - Snake - Skia - said it with an emphasis of respect and subservience. No way was he going to call her that; she would have to settle for "Skia", said carefully and respectfully, no attachment, nothing else. If he was really so valuable to her then he wasn't going to be trampled underfoot, he was going to get his way in something, and at the least it could be in names.

Skia pushed forward, hurrying excitedly and he began prancing then loping steadily to keep up. Those foreboding, challenging brown eyes came over her shoulder and bored into him for a moment, but he concentrated on his steps around the changing terrain and pushed onward.

-Exit Allegro-

[Deleted]

Stormstar:
Stormstar's blue eyes shone in the snow. Her dark fur glittered with a new shine of health, and her blue eyes were clear and bright. She was happy, she was hopeful, she had something to look forward to. She was going to see her sister, best part of all! The moon was so pretty, the way it glinted on the red snow. Wait, red? Stormstar stopped, in horror, looking at the snow. This, this was not happening again! This nightmare had been destroyed, she had destroyed it! She staggered, and found herself starring into eyes. Golden eyes, her sister's eyes... Storm started sobbing, falling onto the bloody ground in a heap. Then she realized something, she was not the only one sobbing. Still sobbing freely, she tried to look around. Her blue eyes found a bloody, dove grey pup. She rushed over, licking the pup clean. Then she curled around the little body, and Storm stopped crying. She needed to be strong for the little pup, who was likely her niece.
When the little pup opened her eyes, Storm smiled at her. The little pup's eyes widened, and she yelped "Don't hurt me, I'll talk! I'll tell the valley who you are!" Storm was taken aback.
"Sweetie, why you? I don't want you to do anything, your hurt. Your still so young, you just rest, I'll get you cleaned up. You won't have to be afraid ever again. Auntie's got you know, you will be fine." Putting on a smile, she licked to pup's forehead. The little she-pup seemed to tired to protest, but still asked, "Are... Are you Auntie Stormstar?" Stormstar smiled, and said,
"Yes honey, now, what's your name?"
"Aurelia, my name is Aurelia."

~Exit Stormstar and Aruelia~