Hydras & Others

Unable to walk without a severe limp, Hydras was forced to enter the den through the doors, rather than the traditional leap through the hole in the wall. With fading energy, she seated herself in the center of the bottom floor, prepared to give the usual speech that followed a battle.

Aidan sat a few feet in front of his aunt, slashed muzzle held low, with his peircing blue eyes filled with deep sorrow.

Ankh stood far from his despised brother, with a deadly, ominous gleam in his feral yellow eyes. He wouldn't have cared to see Aidan one of the dead in the battle, though he knew not to speak such things aloud.

Equiss entered as well, sitting near her uncle Aidan. The hybrid glanced over her shoulder, looking for the familiar face of Patch.

Honthale, distraught by the absence of Larka, stood nearer to his father as he waited for the speech. And next to him stood Desmon, tail hung dismally low.

Quidah and Rue took their places near Aidan and Equiss, standing solemnly and silent.

Scaria and Skeil traveled side-by-side, both having badly mauled faces.

Bullet brought up the rear, making sure the family wasn't ambushed before returning to the Den. He was eager to get back to the Woodland Farm and get the pups back.

Ninaki, Black Feather, Hailstorm, & Dapplewing

As usual, the solo beta stood off to the side of the group, head at shoulder level as he awaited the speech.

Above, Black Feather perched on the rail of the walkway. Hailstorm and Dapplewing, two of the four new chicks hatched last month, peered curiously over the ledge of the windowsill nest.

Fanta & Family

Fanta looked up as the pack arrived, she had only arrived a short while ago. "Hey. That was quick." But she could see that the attack wasn't too successful, but they must've done much damage.

Arget, led by Suenga, both laid down not far from Fanta. Fanta lowered her head, she knew Feather was dead. She had mourned at the Lost Valley, that was why she was late returning to the Alleys 'early'.

Patch limped into the Aegis Den, quickly taking his place next to Equiss. "Thanks back there, I could've been slaughtered." Patch said softly, smiling at Desmon soon after. "I missed you." Patch directed at both Desmon and Equiss.

Lyckos, Kalion, Satan, Vitani, Suki and Kuro

Lyckos slowly followed the rest of his pack, his face unreadable with its mixture of emotions. He took his place beside his mate, giving her a quick nuzzle, before sitting next to her, quietly looking over the gathered pack.

Kalion was soon to follow his brother. He sat near the back.

Vitani, Satan, Suki and Kuro gathered near Ankh in silence, as they turned to look at Hydras for her speech.

Hydras & Pack

Equiss thumped her tail against the ground, and rested her head against Patch's shoulder, "You saved me as well. It's so good to see you again!"

Desmon gave a smile to his best friend, with a nod to Equiss's words, "Aye, you're a welcome sight. It's great to have you back, Patch."

With the rest of the pack settling in, Hydras flicked her tail in a comforting manner against her mate, then poised herself for the speech. "We are victorious on this day, and have proven ourselves stronger than the enemy - as it is expected. It is only a matter of time before the Haunters fall, and it will be by our fangs." She paused to look about at the gathered faces, her voice dipping into a more solemn tone, "As you all known, our win came at the heaviest price we've yet faced... we lost Hatch, Wind Feather, Fallen, Serach, and Shark. On top of this, Donte has been stolen from us. We will fight in their name, and never forget them. We will fight to destroy the Haunters and bring back those who have been taken from us. Remember them as well - Donte, Destroying Angel, Coriscan, Panther, and Warfell." Hydras again let the room fall into silence, reading the anguish and fury she could see alight on the different faces. Ankh seemed especially moved, with his head hung down and shoulders hunched stiffly up. The alphess looked up now, turning her gaze to Pirqua who was perched above, "As most of us are injured and exhausted, the Aspen Grove Pack will hunt for us. They must pay their dues, while we rest." Now her eyes flickered over a few of the other members, "Bullet, Kalion, Aidan, and Black Fyre; I need you four to retrive the pups from the Woodland Farm."

Pirqua took off at once, heading for the land of their temporary alliance.

Bullet dipped his head, then headed for the door and to the Woodland Farm.

Silently, Aidan stood and followed after his uncle. His blue eyes were lost in a spacey gaze, and his heart was as heavy as it had ever been. He had lost two of his daughters, and was reminded of the loss of two sons.

Ankh struggled with the realization that Hatch was dead, and Donte stolen. Like the others, he had experienced the pain of loss, but never his own offspring. He could just feel his blood boil with rage beneath his skin, and run cold with morose in his heart. "We will make them suffer..." He hissed out quietly, with a faint glance to his packmates that had gathered near him.

Kalion & Satan

Kalion nodded and silently followed Bullet to Woodland farm to retrieve the pups.

Satan looked up at Ankh, and with a firm nod his eyes lit with fire. "No one hurts the Lost Valley Lurkers and gets away with it. I am with you, Ankh. All the way. We will get Donte back, and avenge Hatch' death.