Vixen

Vixen layed upon one of the tables, her gaze watching her brothers talking. Her eyes were half closed out of relaxion due to Audra cleaning her head gently with her tounge. The black and silvery black figures was a sign of kinship amond the sisters. Vixen had already groomed her sister, so now it was her turn. "Would you three give it a rest." She spoke to Hedes, Breeze, and Falcon.

The brothers had been arguing about what was faster a horse or deer. They looked up at Vixen, but didn't say anything. They simply began to argue quieter, even though Vixen could still here them.

Razorblade

He carried Vagabond with the most gentle of jaws, as he wandered on silent paws to the alleys. He paused outside of the aegis den, his eyes drifting when he finally caught sight of what he was looking for. Seeing Sasha, placed so carelessly upon the cold ground. And then his heart melted even more when he saw little Dawn. Setting Vagabond down, he whispered to the pup before going towards Dawn. He picked her up gently, and carried her towards Vagabond, setting her down next to him. He lay down as well, this guardian of death, and waited for Lyckos and the rest of the pack to return.

Dawn, Lyckos, Camden, Kalion & Others

The tiny newborn pup nosed her mother's lifeless body, her tiny brain desperate for contact that was necessary for her survival. She made quiet chirruping noises, seeking some kind of reply from the gradually cooling body, but as the moments went on, and Dawn became colder and colder, those cries for help grew louder and louder, and ever more pathetic to hear. The tiny runt was helpless, and was even less likely to survive than her siblings would have been had they all been abandoned together, but she was alone, and needed help fast. She needed compassion, something which had been denied from her since birth, and despite those precious moments that Sasha had warmed them, she was soon gone, and Dawn had been removed from her siblings as the weakling, to be given to the Lurkers as a haunting reminder that Sasha's last days had been torturous.

She senses a presence close by, and began to cry harder for help, but immediately fell silent when Razorblade gently picked her up, and she hung limply in his jaws as she had in Torments, as silent as a mouse, and just as meek and tiny. When she was lowered next to Vagabond, Dawn snuggled against the other pup, making contented noises as she would if back with her siblings, and she settled between him and Razorblade and fell to sleep. It was lucky that one of Sasha's last acts had been to feed her litter.

It was Lyriani who scented the approach of the Lurkers who had gone to meet Hydras while out on patrol, and as soon as she did, she bounded for the den intent on letting the pack know that the others were coming home, expectantly with Hydras. She rushed through the doors to bark loudly, "They're back!" There was no need to define exactly who was back, everyone would know who she meant.

Kalion padded down the stairs to meet his daughters, with Taros, his son, by his side. Kalion approached Vixen and her brothers, and after adding his own input of "I think a deer is faster!" to the brothers, he said to all of the newcomers, "Lyckos is returning, so you'll be official Lurkers soon enough." Smiling, he lead them back to the gathering group of Lurkers waiting to welcome back to party that had gone to find their lost Queen, and the Queen herself. This is what most of them had expected when they had heard Hydras was alive and Lyckos and the others had gone to see her, that they would bring her back. Kalion, along with Lyriani and Taros, were soon joined by Kane and Sayre, two of Kalion and Sequioa's newest litter and Taros (Sr.) and Orelia, Lyckos and Kalion's parents who all gathered together on the bottom floor looking at the doors expectantly, excitement growing as the minutes passed.

Iphito had also been out on patrol, anxious because Mesa had said Hydras hadn't been herself, and worried as to what Lyckos would find, but she hadn't gone with her brother because it was not her business as she had never met Hydras, so had returned to the den to wait. She was patrolling the borders, and picked up the scent not long after Lyriani, but did not return to the den right away. She walked instead, sensing something was amiss, and taking a different route to her niece. She came across Fanta licking Patch's wound, even though she was horrified to realise that he was already dead. She caught the elderly dog's eye, and then watched as Fanta slipped away. She would have to let Lyckos know when he returned. She dragged both of their bodies into a building, laying them beside each other and marking the door to ward off predators. Then, she began to make her way to the den, but was stopped when she picked on a similar smell to that of Patch, and her heart plummeted into her stomach. Someone else...they couldn't be...dead? She turned the corner to find Sasha's body down the alley from the den, and her eyes widened in horror. "No..." she breathed in disbelief as she approached the fallen packmate. It was then that she smelled Lyckos and the others, and as they came along the alleyway behind her, she turned with tears in her eyes to find the group behind her in no better state. "Sasha's been murdered...and Fanta and Patch are dead too," she managed before the tears slid down her face.

Lyckos could barely remain standing. Even though Hydras was alive, she was not beside him, and he had had to remove her from the lives of the Lurkers to ensure the pack’s survival. They were all too heartbroken, and so he had had to draw a line in the sand and move away, cut her out as if she truly was dead to allow them to move on, or else risk destruction from within the ranks. Iphito’s words chocked him, mortified him and hurt him to his core, for Sasha had been one of his greatest friends and one of the most loved packmates, but he could not show this emotion anymore, almost as if he was physically incapable, or perhaps mentally disciplining himself not to show weakness. He needed to be strong for the pack. He turned to look at Bullet, who had been through so much, much more than even Lyckos himself, and so the alpha moved to stand shoulder to shoulder with his mate’s brother to offer him moral support when he could say nothing of comfort. “Ninaki,” Lyckos said quietly, looking to his beta, “can you please inform the pack about Hydras...and Sasha, Fanta and Patch.” Then, to Bullet he said quietly, “We will find them, Bullet, and we will give them what they deserve.”

Camden moved into the den, slinking low, his face covered in blood. Hydras had struck him, sending her fangs tearing into the side of his face and blinding him in one eye, which was almost hollowed out. He looked a horrific sight, and was nothing like the Camden that had set out earlier to find his mother. Now, he was low to the ground, his face contorted in pain both physically and mentally, and he quietly settled into a corner, curling up, his eyes glazed over to replay the moment Hydras had turned on him over and over in his mind.

Kalion’s face fell in horror when he took in his nephew’s face, and his reaction was mimic throughout the crowd to see Camden’s face in such a state. Lyriani ran to her cousin, nosing him and whining softly, “Cam, what happened?! Who did this to you!” Camden flinched when she bounded over so quickly, and looked up to whisper out, “Mom.” Lyriani gasped recoiling incredulously, “Hydras did this to you?!”

Nightshade & Others

Jumped in the river and what did I see?
Black-eyed angels swimming with me
A moon full of stars and astral cars
All the figures I used to see
All my lovers were there with me
All my past and futures
And we all went to Heaven in a little row boat
There was nothing to fear and nothing to doubt

Everybody knew her father, right? Everybody knew Kahvi. And her grandfather? Everybody knew Windsong. And her grandmother? Aurinka had made herself known before her death. And what about her great-grandfather? Vicious was arguably the most infamous wolf in the Valley. And her great-grandmother? Hell, Nightshade even felt like she knew Tahti personally.

But most of them were dead now. Probably even forgotten by the living. Nightshade was no more than a shadow of what her ancestors were. Walking in their footsteps only to run into a wall that barred her from following them to Heaven.

She thought she had met Kahvi again after his death. In a dream. He warned her to be careful around Saydin - she was a dangerous wolf. But it was just a dream, right? Kahvi was dead and that was that. Nightshade was gonna give Saydin a life of hell for what she had done. She was a vicious beast, Nightshade thought. What kind of creature killed her own mate?

"Razorblade." Nightshade said, nodding her head respectfully to her half-brother as she stopped in the opening to the den. "Nice to see you here too."

She wasn't alone. Astra, her most loyal daughter followed her. The black and white hybrid was unique in the fact that she had two tails. A deformity. She was offered to be taken to the human lands to get the extra tail chopped off, but Astra thought of it as a badge of honor.

Shiv and Sniper followed their mother. They were sons of Nightshade and Failure, and well-built ones at that.

Tungsten and Sinful, children of Morgan and Terror, followed Astra closely, along with Astra's own son, Thief.

Kobalt and Auri were the last. Auri was an exact replica of her late grandmother, Aurinka. Auri quickly moved beside her half-sister, Nightshade. Her father was murdered and she was chased away by her mother. Auri's life was full of drama already. She became very close to Nightshade, her guardian.

Nightshade bowed to Lyckos. "I heard what happened. I'm very sorry for your losses, King Lyckos." She said in a low voice. She never knew Hydras, but she had heard that she was once a good canine. "I am Nightshade, daughter of Kahvi and Honey, and I am here in search of an alliance. That being said, if you need anything from me, I will try my hardest to give it all to you."

Vixen

Vixen was just starting to fall asleep when she heard Kalion appear and speak. Instantly she was on her feet followed by her sister Audra. They jumped down next to their brothers before following after to meet the returing group. Their head and tails were lowered out of respect, but their eyes did travel. Simply to take in appearance with smell to know that these were lurkers, hopefully Vixen soon to be 'family'. However she stopped dead at all the scents of death. Three victims if she wasn't mistaken, and that's when her gaze landed upon the group of wolves returing. Some of them seemed to be in choas. Vixen decided to help where she could, before trying to find the alpha to join. The solid black, 110 lb fea went to Lyriani and Camden. Since she didn't know Hydras or anything like it, was most likely why she wasn't acting like everyone else. While passing Lyriana her body brushed against the other fea to comfort. She would understand if the other wolf shied away or something, since she was a newcommer. Noting Cam's eye she was careful to approach on his seeing side. "Would it be okay for me to clean you would?" She offered, her voice soft.

The 100 lb silver black figure of Audra moved quickly, her belly showing white as it often did when she hurried. She went to Kalion who was nearest to her. Her body brushed against him, letting him know he wasn't alone. If he let her that is, before she moved on to the next distressed or horror looking wolf.

Hedes' 125 lb white figure moved to Iphito before he made to comfort her. Like all of his siblings he carried himself low showing that he was no threat and new. He was upset that their were many dead wolves around, but it wasn't going to help if everyone went into shock.

The two full blooded brothers, Falcon and Breeze moved to help any other wolves that seemed to shocked or about to go into shock. All of the siblings were used to death and such things like this. They seemed it often from being loners, and sometimes injuries or such happened to them. Their were a few healing scars on some of their pelts, showing that they too had had hard times. However they knew how to handle it, which is one of the reason they were trying to comfort any of the wolves here if given the chance. They didn't want the Lurkers to grieve themselves to sickness or death, or even go into shock. So they were simply trying to comfort them and show them that they weren't alone. Maybe it wasn't what must would do, but that was how Vixen and her siblings learned to handle things. Once they got a chance though, they would seek out the alpha among the group to submit.

>>>Failure<<< Failure followed his mate here, rarly leaving her side actually. He knew Saydin or one of her friends might come after her. Of course he knew she could protect herself, or her many relatives or friends could for that matter, but he was being safe than sorry. Walking beside him was one of his sons Tison. The 150 lb male had his parents color with butter yellow eyes that stared around him. His tail was in subordient position as he walked with his parents' pack. His eyes went to his mother when she spoke.

Razorblade * Vagabond

Razorblade stood slowly, and oh so gently he once more picked up Dawn in his jaws. He was gentle with her, this large coyo-wolf. Well, really he wasn't so large. He was slender like his mother, but built strong like his father. He moved just like Saydin, had her unwavering eyes and the stench of the Sedge Creek seemed to cling to him like poison. He moved on silent pads towards Lyckos, Dawn limp in his jaws. He was unafraid of the Lurker King, but maybe that was a sign of insanity, his sign of Saydin. He set Dawn down carefully in front of Lyckos, and there was no sympathy in his eyes. Razorblade had seen his fathers death from his mothers fangs, had seen what Valian and Saydin had done to the beaten and abused Sasha. So when he spoke, it was with Solemn words. I am Razorblade, son of Saydin and Kahvi. My mother sent out the order to have Sasha killed, and so she has been. Torture, a long time friend of hers, dealt the hand of death but she was the joker in all this, dancing just on the edge of darkness, mocking you all. Here you have done nothing to stop her. Why? Normally when a wolf pack knows that there is one out there who isn't quite right, they are taken care of. Why haven't you taken care of her? His words began to grow more heated, more agitated, but it wasn't at Lyckos. No, no. IT was more like Razorblade was yelling at himself. He was like his mother, but he was like his father as well. One just couldn't strike out against family. I have here, the smallest and weakest pup of Sasha's. Her name is Dawn. I came here, to protect her and to protect my own son, Vagabond, from the jaws of Saydin. Vagabond moved forward now, blind amber eyes guiding him no where. He nearly bumped into his father but stopped short, and waited patiently. He had yet to speak, but he wwas more the strong, silent type anyways. What would he grow up to become? Like Saydin? Or like his father Razorblade?

Ninaki & Others

Watching Narsia die had been one of the hardest things Bullet could remember going through, almost as heartbreaking as watching his own daughter slowly slip away from him the night of the fight at Pike's Lake - but he was struck now with that same gaping hole in his being, feeling a distinct pain at leaving behind his last sister and knowing that she was forever cast from his life. From once being one of the friendliest, cheerful members of the pack, Bullet was a sad skeleton of his old self, and trotted with such a heavy gait that it looked as though all his sorrows were physically weighing him down, and threatening to crush him at any time. Unfortunately for the brother, there was one more attack in store, and it was the worst of them all.

Pistol had been inside the den at first, somberly looking over the bodies of Patch and Fanta, putting his emotions aside to gather anything and everything he could of scent to determine who had killed them. Desmon and Polis remained inside to help console Havana and Darsie when the two had realized their father and grandmother were dead, while he and Honthale went outside to expand their patrols. And that's when the ebony brute saw his mother's body, and his already aching heart hit rock bottom. Like Iphito, he didn't have time to do much before he noticed the Lyckos leading the small band back towards the den, and judging by their overall look... things had gone horribly wrong. "Dad..."

Sasha's mate froze where he stood, scarcely feeling his alpha's considerate shoulder-touch when he saw the cold, lifeless body of the doberman. A low, plaintive whine left his throat as he crowded forward, past Nightshade and the others, in order to crouch down next to Sasha. Pistol swallowed hard, feeling a lump in his throat that only grew heavier when his father broke loose with a tortured howl, letting the world know of his agony.

Ninaki was braving it all, trying to be the backbone for the others when everything seemed to be going wrong all at once. For as small of stature as the lithe little beta was, he was solid and nearly unshakable even during the most chaotic and tense of scenarios. And now he used that ability after he nodded silently to his alpha and stepped quietly forward. His lean jaws had just parted to begin the announcement when Nightshade began to talk, prompting Ninaki to bristle just a little and regard the other warily, "Mind your words, Razorblade. This is no time to rub salt in so many open wounds." Something about the pitch-black male made him hesitate - the canine didn't seem quite right in the mind, but Ninaki refrained from attacking as he might have in any other situation. After all, Night had a pup with him, and more importantly, it was Sasha's.

Unlike his uncle or shell-shocked brother, Argolis was dealing with a festering hate deep in his gut. He loved his mother, but because he was having a hard time expressing his hurt and confusion over why she betrayed them, all his wounded emotions manifested in dark animosity, until his blood was racing and he could hardly keep his fangs sheathed behind his brindle lips. Lerna was, perhaps, the most in control of her facilities, at least among her siblings. Almost knowing that she'd only get backlash trying to comfort Argolis, she instead tried to sooth some of her own hurt by helping Camden, who she stuck with and stayed beside on their trip back to the Den. She didn't ask permission before she began to gently lick the blood away from his face; her eyes turned questioningly to Vixen when the new female offered her help, but Lerna quickly relaxed and nodded her head.

Lyckos & Others

Lyckos was shell-shocked, but was holding everything in to present the outward strength that the Lurkers needed in their leader in this time of darkness and despair. He refused to let his feelings and emotions overwhelm him any longer, and so held back everything, his face solemn and blank as he gently pressed himself against Bullet as he stood over Sasha’s body to reaffirm his bond with the hybrid that had lost so much in this past year. Lyckos could not show his emotions anymore, almost as if he was physically incapable, or perhaps mentally disciplining himself not to show weakness. He needed to be strong for the pack, and for himself. If he allowed himself to slip even for a second, he would crumble.

When Nightshade approached him with her family, Lyckos watched her with cool indifference, unresponsive to her sympathy over their losses, but listening quietly to what she had to say. “An alliance would benefit both of us, and so I accept, and I thank you for your offer of aid; we will provide such service as well, once we have recovered from the tragedies that have befallen us. Your father was once a part of this pack, taken by his parents, but too young to be a defector, and as such, that extends our protection to you for you are kin to the Lurkers. Thank you, Nightshade.”

Audra, Hedes, Breeze and Falcon’s reassurance helped the gathered pack somewhat, but with all this death and hurt mounting up at once, it was difficult to not fall apart. Kalion didn’t know how his brother was keeping so collected with so much tragedy striking all at once. The gathered Lurkers grouped together, making sure to gather Audra and her friends into the group to include them, especially when Lyckos’ eyes travelled over the newcomers, and gave a single nod to show his acceptance of them into the pack.

Camden flinched when Vixen approached him, pressing himself closer to Lerna. However, when Lerna relaxed, he did too, and nodded ever so slightly, allowing her to help his sister to try and clean him up. He was too shocked, too hurt and had regressed so much in one night, it was taking all his might not to hide somewhere or bite at everyone around him out of fear. After all, if he couldn’t trust his own mother, could he really trust anyone? But Camden couldn’t bring himself to let such thoughts take hold, and instead curled against his sister, whimpering softly.

Lyckos next was aware of the stench of Sedge Creek, and his eyes snapped coldly onto Razorblade, taking in that aura that reminded him so much of Saydin. But in his jaws was Sasha’s daughter, and Lyckos watched as Dawn was placed at his paws and did not flinch when she suddenly began to pitifully cry. Lyckos did not react to Razorblade’s speech, did not let his temper rise to counter the others, refused to fuel the fire or attack him. Instead he simply let Razorblade’s temper build, and remained almost absent, cold and silent, until Razorblade had finished. It hurt him to hear the accusations that he should have done something, and prevented Sasha’s death, but he had never known what real evil he was facing until now. Never had he experienced this trail of destruction that had followed Saydin, but now that he had, she would regret ever even thinking of attacking the Shadow Lurkers. “Saydin will feel ever inch of pain she put Sasha through, and will be tortured until she begs for death. She will die in such a horrific and painful manner, she will regret everything she had done in her life, and to us. If you wish to protect yourself and your son against her, then you may stay with us. She will die, Razorblade, you have my word.” Then, the alpha looked down at that tiny pup that had been placed below him. Dawn had curled into a ball, crying quietly, overwhelmed with so many new smells yet unable to find that of her mother; so close to all those around her, and yet unable to reach them. Lyckos looked from Dawn to Bullet, looking for some kind of reaction to the pup who was Sasha’s. Gently, the great hybrid picked up the pup in his jaws and moved towards Bullet and Sasha, then placed Dawn beside the crouched Bullet. The pup sensed the warmth of another immediately, and squirmed on her belly towards Bullet, finding his paw and attempting to pull herself onto it, seeking comfort from a mother that way no longer around. Lyckos found it painful to watch, not knowing if perhaps Bullet would shun the pup that was not his, which he would not be surprised at considering everything he had been through. “Sasha would have wanted to know she was safe...that she was where she belonged...”

Hedes

Hedes' once done comforting Iphito, moved to the distressed looking Pistol. His tail brushed against the other male's pelt comfortingly as he gazed around. That was when he caught sight of Lyckos nod. Hedes bowed his head back getting the message. He turned his attention back to Pistol and the brute by Sasha's body who was mourning her.

Audra moved forth from Kalion to Argolis. Her shy smiled showed that that this fea was timid. She was only simply trying to help comfort the wolves. Being knew she didn't know that this brute was more likely to attack her than accept her comforting. "You okay?" If he let her, and hadn't replied to her question, she attempted to brush her tail against his shoulder, a tentative gesture to let him know he wasn't alone here.

Vixen watched Lerna as she came forth to help as well. Seeing that her approach upsetted Camden, she was about to leave him in the other fea's capable paws. That is till she saw his nod, and that was all the encouraging she needed. Vixen next approach was slower so as to not upset the brute. She began to lick the wound gently, her tounge just going rough enough to make sure the blood was removed. She gave the wolf beside her plenty of space, and tried to not take up Camden's space either.

Breeze contiued to help any other that may of shown any sign of distress. However Falcon moved to where Lyckos was. His head and tail was lowered respectfull. He spoke softly so that only the alpha could hear him. He didn't want to upset anyone if he said the wrong thing, it was simply a suggestion.

"Lyckos, sir, I'm Falcon. My siblings will introduce themselves once everything is taken care of, but maybe we should have the group go inside. That way we'll be safe from outside conditions and any attacks of enemies. This Saydin, whoever she may be, might take this as a chance to attack, along with any other enemies. If you do not wish to take the fallen inside, we'll be willing to bury them once everyone has said their goodbyes."Falcon spoke offering help.

Sequioa

Sequioa moved silently, her body huge with pups. Gently, oh so gently, she nuzzled Bullet. Bullet. Honey. Come with me. The doberman and the hybrid had shown up together, and no one but Sequioa knew how Bullet was feeling. Sasha had been like a sister to the tough talking hybrid, and she hoped beyond hope, that she could bring him back to life. Anyway that she could. Come on, Bullet. Lets go. Let them take care of Sasha... And... And... She looked down at little Dawn, and immediatly hate and disgust rolled through her. Valians whelp, his seed, his soul ran through the little pup and a hatred so deep began to slowly consume Sequioa. IT wasn't Dawns fault, she couldn't choose her family, but Sequioa hated her nonetheless. Her eyes lifted to her brother in law, and the hatred was burning, full of fire, full of anger. Just like that, you accept him and his... Spawn. Your letting Saydin into this pack, and you don't even know it Lyckos. She was a good dog, a good friend. She lashed out often, but it was never toward Lyckos. She bent down to pick up Dawn and take her somewhere that she would never be found. But Razorblade was there first, snapping at Sequioas jaws. Shew as his pup. His. Vagabond followed the sound of his father, but stayed back enough to make sure he wouldn't get in the way. Oh dear... Was little Dawn going to cause a rift in the lurkers?

Ninaki & Others

Pistol stiffened a little when Hedes approached him, but he was not so stoic and rough around the edges like Honthale and Argolis tended to be. The hybrid let his taunt muscles ease up a little, and offered the new male no growl or edgy snap for trying to help, though he also didn't show any outward gratitude for Hedes' considerate efforts; no, Pistol was too shell-shocked at the sight of his slain mother and other packmates to do much of anything right now.

Argolis, unfortunately, was considerably more gruff than his cousin, and hastily brandished a snarl when Audra tried to comfort him, "I'm fine." The fangs that he bared warned the new wolfess that he wouldn't hesitate taking a snap at her if she tried to get any closer to him. As if to make up for her brother's brutish response, Lerna turned her eyes up at Audra, flashing an apologetic sort of look to the fae, though she couldn't bring herself to chastise Argolis, who was using anger to channel out all of his hurt and grief. And with that, she returned to cleaning Camden's face, using her soft touch not only to try and clean his wound, but to comfort the badly shaken brother with the help of Vixen.

Ninaki was watching Razorblade like a hawk, but had to shift his focus briefly to Falcon when the wolf spoke up. "We appreciate the help of you and your siblings." It was short and simple, and not an entirely warmly spoken reply, but then Ninaki was always very wary of strangers in the pack, particularly at a time like this when the Lurkers were so vulnerable. He left Lyckos to accept or deny Falcon's suggestion, and held his opinions to himself - while many of the others were accepting the comfort from Falcon's pack, Ninaki was still trying to decide whether or not he should trust them.

Bullet was still in a daze, and at first didn't really hear what Lyckos said until Dawn had crawled against him and snapped him out of his grief-stricken stupor. The big hybrid blinked down with hazy eyes at the tiny ball of fur that was trying to cuddle against him for warmth, and unlike Sequoia's reaction, he felt his heart tug at the sight of the young pup. By his blood or not, this was his daughter. Bullet didn't say a word, but his actions spoke loud enough as he lowered his muzzle and touched the tip of it to Dawn's back, and a moment later, nudged her closer against him. He didn't seem to hear Sequoia either when she tried to reach him with her words, but she did finally earn a reaction when she spoke ill of Dawn and tried to take the pup, "No!" Bullet heaved himself to his feet and stepped over the youngster, so that she was between his front paws, with his head held down just a few inches above her, "No one is going to turn her out!"