Hydras, Equiss, & Pirqua

Had had been a while now, and still Bullet, Sasha, Fanta, and the others had not returned. A few of them, at least, should have been back by now. Hydras paced along the bottom floor before heading up to the rooftop where she sat for a long while, scanning the ground below for any signs of her pack mates. All to no avail. Finally, she tilted her head back and howled loudly, sending a penetrating cry into the air, hoping for a response. She knew it was not wise to do such things in a human area, but she needed to reunite her pack.

Equiss milled around on the second floor, then padded over towards Patch and the others. "I wish they would come home already." The pup whimpered, sitting down and drooping her ears.

Pirqua fluttered down by Hydras on the roof, perching on the ledge as she scanned the area.

Disaster*Voodoo*Sequioa

High above in the air, the Harris Hawk watched the alleys. He was up high, and barely recognizable. He heard the alphess's call and his eyes narrowed as he continued to soar.

Voodoo finally decided to make herself apparent. She slipped from beneath the table and crawled through the legs of the entangled chairs. Seeing her sister she whispered "Equiss.....Wheres Lasher?" She had not seen her sister for some time now and it began to worry the runt.

Sequioa limped to the alleys, her hind leg raised and bandaged. The journey had been long and had taken its toll on the female. She slid through the opening of the den, her breathing labored although she tried to hide it. She hated weakness, in her self and in others. She gazed all around her searching for Sasha when Hydras's howl rose from above. Ok, so there was one. Now where were the others?

Silverfur

Silverfur looked at the sad pups and felt a waver of sorrow go threw him, he had lost his siblings to a human who wanted to 'sell them as pets' but he was 'to wild' to become one. For a while he was a pit fighter, then he got free and here he was.

Silverfur walked to Hydras. " Why aren't the pups better?" Silverfur asked, " Maybe they died? Or the human locked up our pack?" Silverfur had never trusted human since he was a pup, and now he wanted to go and hurt the lady if she had their pack locked up.

Demon

Demon trotted into the Aegis den, his jaw dropped as he saw the horrible sight. "What happened?" Demon said trotting up to Hydras, his eyes cloudy with sorrow.

Sequioa

Her pretty eyes narrowed as she glared at the male and said in a harsh tone "Why, Demon. If you had been here, you would have known now wouldn't you." Anger seeming to radiate off the dominatating female as she glared straight into the males eyes, not giving a damn if he had been the alphess's lover at one point and time. "We were attacked, if you must know. Two of your pack mates pups have died. Many others are unjured." Including her. Sequioas leg was wrapped tight in bandages from where anoher's fangs had sunk down deep into muscle and hit bone. Gazing around her she searched for Kalion but could not find the male. Going back into her dark mood once more, the hybrid remained silent watching him ever so closely.

Silverfur

Silverfur looked at the other male and his ears flicked down in surprise. " Who are you?" Silverfur asked in a defensive way, but this brute looked like he had lived here.

Hydras, Equiss, & Pirqua

Pirqua looked upward, spotting the hawk above. But she did not engage him, for she was exhausted from the recent battle, and knew that he was more powerful than her. Still, she kept an eye on him.

The news of another pup's death came hard to Hydras, and it showed slightly in her hardened gaze. Looking briefly to Silverfur, she spoke, "We will go to the Woodland Farm soon." Then she turned to Demon, somewhat stunned to see him, though so much had happened recently that surprise wasn't something that easily came to the alphess anymore. "We've been hit hard." Hydras replied, this time baring no smile for the wolf she had known for so long. She was becoming detached slightly, afraid of loss. "I can't find Bullet.." Her words were almost hushed, as if afraid to say it. Her brother was more important to her than she realized, despite how she often treated him. "Others are missing as well... too much has happened." They had executed one of their own pack members, a new litter had been born to the pack, there had been deaths, betrayals, new members... oh, so much had happened.

Equiss huddeled against her sister, "We need to find them. Lasher, Scream, and Desmon."

Fanta

Fanta walked in with Desmon, not surprised to see a odd brute their, and set him with Equiss and the others. Fanta gave a stoned look at Hydras and gave a sigh.

" Lasher..." Fanta's only word was that. " Why did it have to be her, she was just a pup. And not me"

Sequioa*Voodoo

Voodoo whimpered and curled up next to her sister, a small black ball. Only one of her tan socks could be seen, poking from beneath her tiny frame. Here was comfort, strength. But where was Sasha? And Bullet?

Sequioa snarled suddenly and stood. She moved past Demon, her hackles raised high and she brushed against Hydras but that was an accident. Her leg hampered her greatly and when she would think she was clear of something, she would find she was an inch or so off. With another snarl she continued on and limped to the back of the den, to a safe haven she had never been. Finding some blankets that smelled of another she curled up her hackles still bristled. Sasha had been severly wounded when she left here. Where could she have gone? She wasn't at the Woodland farm. They would have seen her. Something must have happened....Something bad.

Fanta & Silverfur

Fanta looked at Sequioa and then looked at Hydras. Sasha. Bullet. Where were the two of them? Fanta knew Sequioa would be to wounded to look for them herself. Maybe she could go? Fanta remained silent and looked from Hydras, to Demon, to Sequioa and then Silverfur

Silverfur was amused by Sequioa's actions and he himself did not know what was going on.

Hydras, Equiss, Desmon, & Pirqua

She tensed as Sequioa brushed past her, but let it slide because she knew the act was not out of agression or insubordination; the hybrid was wounded. The tension did not alieviate when Fanta returned to confirm the loss of Lasher, whom Hydras had assumed died when Sequioa spoke of two dead pups. "We can't afford to wait any longer if Bullet and Sasha haven't returned yet." She said, than went quiet as she thought of what to do. "All of the pups will be placed on the third floor, in the tunnelways." She was speaking of the large vents that ran horizontally inside the walls; just large enough for the pups to fit into. "Two adults will be left to guard the door of the room; and as long as two adults are there, any intruders will be force to fight them fang to fang, one on one. Simple enough, and that will give the rest of us time to return for backup if needed. Pirqua will alert us if any enemy so much as enters the Alleys."

The alphess headed picked Desmon up, carrying the pup up two flights of stairs as she headed for a small corner room on the third floor. "You will go in last." Hydras said lightly, knowing it would be difficult for him to crawl about much. "Don't crawl too far back in the tunnels though... there are rats and dropoffs." She waited for the rest of the pups and the pack to come into the room so she could explain further.

Desmon sat up, wincing in pain but hiding the discomfort as best as he could. Head drooped down, he in turn waited for his brothers and the other pups to get into the vents.

Equiss whimpered at the news of her sister's death, her ears back even more now. "Come on, Aunt Hydras will make sure we're safe." The pup said, nudging Voodoo and looking to the other pups before she too went up to the third floor. Under Hydras's stern gaze, Lasher crept into the dark vent, moving far enough back so that the other pups could fit in with her.

Pirqua, not having to be told what to do, flew from the Den and began to circle high. She was very careful to stay out of Disaster's reach. If he were to go after her, she knew she couldn't afford to fight him with her smaller size. She would instead rely on her inherit speed and agility to evade him.

Voodoo*Scream

The little female crept after her sister quietly. She crawled past Hydras and into the tunnel way. With a soft whimper she raced to her sister and curled up underneath her, with a shiver of fear.

Scream let out a muffled yelp as Sequioa layed ontop of him. Crawling from beneath her and the blankets he took off after the others and dashed past his aunt into the tunnel way. He had not protected his other two sisters but he would fix all that now. He stood in front of Voodoo and Equiss, as if he were there sheild. No one would pass if he had anything to say about it.

In this time of sadness we must unite

Silverfur & Fanta

" Fanta & I will defend the tunnels" Silverfur volunteered.

The fae nodded, with a strong brute at her side she would defend Patch, Desmon, Voodoo and the others with all of her life. " Yes, we will"

Demon

Demon brushed closer to Hydras, wanting to growl at Sequioa. She had changed since last time he was here. "What has happened since I was gone. I want to know theses new dogs... the silver brute and the new fae. Is there more wolves here that are gone? Has anyone had pups?" Demon made sure only Hydras could hear his question, not wanting smart talk from the others.

Fly

The male slipped quickly through the opening and trotted up to his alphess, his head hanging low. He noted Demon but chose to ignore him as the usually over active border collie murmered "Sasha has been taken by an unknown wolf. He slipped away before we could catch him." By we the male spoke of Flame. The rottweiler had been attacked before he could follow and Fly had tried to help before being struck by a cougar paw. Claw marks were slashed across his side and it was a burning pain that he felt but he knew that he had to make his daily reports to the alphess. It was his new job, done well by him and Flame.

Hatch & Honthale

The two also retreated with the others, scrambling up the steps in a hasty fashion before disappearing into the darkness of the vent. Hatch squeezed in near his cousins Equiss and Voodoo, while the large-built Honthale placed himself in front of Scream.

Hydras, Equiss, Desmon, & Pirqua

Desmon eased into the vent, forcing himself to crawl a good ways in so that no stranger could reach in and nab him.

Equiss raised herself up a bit, allowing Voodoo more room. She was scared witless and her mind seemed to be scrambled still by the death of Panic and Lasher, but at least she still had Voodoo and Scream.

Once all of the pups were in, the alphess looked to Silverfur and Fanta, "That would be good if you two could stay and help. Make sure to baricade the door if any strangers enter; meet them fang to fang, and they won't be able to pass you." Well, hopefully anyway. Hydras looked to Demon now, her tone hard and grave, "Silverfur and Fanta are new to the pack. She has a son as well, Patch." Her tone seemed to darken as she continued, though it was not neccessarily directed at Demon, "We've executed Zira for betrayal, and we've lost two pups. Bullet and Sasha had five. Ankh has separated from the pack, and has three of his own; Aidan also has a litter." This information had come to Hydras via a howl from her nephew, though she hadn't seen them yet, nor did she know who the mother was. "We..." She was about to go on when Fly entered. "Take me to where she was last taken, we must hurry!" Hydras growled, her voice trembling with anger. Not to Fly; but at the situation they were in.

Fanta & Silverfur

Fanta raised Patch into the vent and nuzzled him deeper with Desmon, Equiss, Voodoo and the others. " Yes Hydras." Fanta nodded to alphess. She sat near the door, shoving some boxes near for safety.

Silverfur looked at Fanta and then the pups. " This pack is falling like a dead bird in air." Silverfur mumbled to Fanta.

" When I joined, I thought it was going to be great. Nothing is forever though. Peace. Love. Nothing" Fanta sighed. " Fantasies slip away..."

Silverfur nodded and sniffed the surroundings. " That Demon guy, looks strong."

Fanta nodded and watched Hydras worry. If only...

Jake*Fly*Sequioa

Jake slipped into the den, a piece of a deers leg in his maw. He climbed the stairs and nearly ran headlong into Fly, who had begun to lead the way to where he had last seen Sasha. The male passed Hydras and came upon the landing, his gold eyes looking around before they landed on Fanta. Knowing her to be a friend, he came forth stiff leggedly eyeing Silverfur warily. He set down the chunk of meat in front of the female and said in his deep voice "For the pups. We never brought any back for them." Jake was a massive animal, the height of a wolf with the build and coloring of his golden retriever mother. His muzzle was more pointed and defined, and his voice was a deep baritone as he watched Silverfur. Although normally kind, the male was growing wary of strangers and this one he didn't like to much for his comment of the pack. In a cold voice he said "Aye, we may be falling but we are strong and on wings that appear broken we shall soar higher then all the others." Plus, they had Aaka. The demon tempered white wench of the Silver Glades. Giving a curt nod to Fanta, he turned and trotted back down the stairs after Fly. Sasha was a kind and gentle friend to any and all. Knowing that her pups were growing, the male had left Fanta with the meat intending it for all the pups to share for a meal.

Fly raced down the stairs, and after passing the massive gold mass had paused at the landing, making sure Hydras was following. He was uncertain on what to do, knowing she was alphess and that she should lead but he was the only one who knew where the place was so reluctantly he moved forth once more heading to the Down Town Area.

Sequioa stood, seeing most of the pack leaving. She began to limp forth after Fly, pain wracking her body but still she moved on. She was determined to prove that she could do this job still and not have to stay behind just because of some small bite. The cast on her leg was irritating her and she desperatly wished to chew it off but some how the fae knew better. Best to do as someone else says for once.

Hydras, Equiss, Desmon, & Pirqua

"The enemy may have struck a heavy blow, but you can be sure the last strike will be ours in the making." Hydras replied with a defiant rumble, wanting to inspire the pack's morale, "They will never touch our fighting spirit." Golden yellow eyes watched as Jake brought some food in for the pups, and it was then that she realized that the little ones hadn't eaten since the fight. A quick look of thanks was flashed his way before she spoke to Fanta and Silverfur, "Don't leave this room until I or any other pack members return. No matter what; we don't want anyone luring you two out; there's no telling what sort of allies our enemies have." Although she never saw a smaller breed dog surviving out in the wild, she could just imagine some fiesty little terrier slipping into the vent to kill the pups. But as long as the front of the vent was blocked off, the pups were safe.

Head held up, Hydras now followed after Fly. Following wasn't something she had done since Scilla and Kambode died; but as long as she kept her posture up, she didn't mind this time.

Equiss twitched her nose, catching scent of the meat. Despite her trepidation, hunger made her empty stomach growl.

Desmon wasn't hungry; he had gotten some food at the Farm, and in any case, he just didn't fell up to eating. Quietly, he lay there and listened to the pack.

Above the Den, Pirqua continued to soar. She'd be sure that no one got near the den without her first seeing them. And still, she kept watch of Disaster. Thankfully, he hadn't made her task too difficult yet.

Fanta & Silverfur

Fanta gave her leader a trustworthy look as she dipped her head ina respect. " No one, not even a miny rat dog" Fanta replied her spirit a stone of fighting.

" Yes Hydras. No one will even get near the pups" Silverfur said strongly.

Demon

Demon pivoted and looked at Hydras, thinking for a second then he decided he would be part of the mission. Saving Sasha.

Fanta & Silverfur

Fanta cocked her head but remained in her position, what a 'weird' brute. She had very, very seen him before. But questions would be no use now. The pack was in danger now that they were week.

Silverfur thought a breif second to going out and getting a quick meal for him and Fanta but Hydras' words stained his mind. Stay here