Tersek & Others

It was dark, and the storm's winds had tapered from earlier in the day. Flakes still fell thickly in the quiet atmosphere though, their soft tumble through the skies and branches creating its own quiet cacophony. It wasn't enough to cover the crunching steps of the Shadow Haunters as they moved through the forest, but it did help to dampen it.

Originally in the front of the assembled warriors, Tersek had fallen back to allow Leomar to push forward, where the lion's denser body and broad paws helped to create a path through the thick snow.

Saulk followed just behind his grandsire, with Blackmist and Lupanare towing behind them.

Velvet took up the rear, following in the footsteps of the others and keeping her distance. She hadn't seen Oracle all, and had been reluctant to go on the mission at all, but she also knew the Haunters needed the backup of every able-bodied member they had.

Above the quiet trail of Haunters, Cedarwood breezed through the mellow snowstorm, circling and periodically landing in trees as he waited for his terrestrial friends to catch up. It was difficult for him to see far ahead with the dense snow filtering through the air, but the eagle could at least see decently a few hundred yards out, and once he reached the edge of the man's cabin home, he landed on twisted old oak limb to wait for the group to reach him. There was no immediate sign of Ethan or his pack, but then, it was close to midnight, and most humans would be asleep.

Senka

She came to a stop at the edge of the woods as the snow is slowly coming to a stop you can start to see the house and faintly the other buildings around. The good thing for the cheetahs and cougar was the woods here were down hill and the snow on the ground was light. Cheetah's cougars, you go up there. You are to get as many of the mongrel's attentions anyway you can. Kill one of them make alot of sound. I don't care what it is as long as it doesn't end with your life and gets them to follow you into here the woods where the two leggers thunderbug will have issues and he will have issues aiming those boomsticks.She said then sent the four of them off. IT was a hike for them up but with the cougars leading the way they should e fine. She turned to the rest. scatter out within the woods here. Where you can see this area. The plan is to let the four lead everything that follows them in here and we will cut them off surround them. Aim to kill as I am done giving mercy to this human. If Siver is with them injure her but don't kill. Only because I am not interested in upsetting Aizen any more then he probably is right now.She knew Aizen loved Silver and therefore her trying to steal his pups have to be hurting him. She herself moved further into the woods now . It would be dark enough that their trails should barely be seen and still snowing enough to cover the tracks.

The cougards lead the way down. Thinking of ways to get the mongrels attention. IT was the female cheetah who waw a golden opputunity and knocked over a trash can and began to look through it as if she was hungry.

Aizen ears twitched at the sound in the distance.

Darkia was on the opposite side then the rest of the haunters ready to go in.

Tersek & Others

An acknowledging grunt was the response Senka got from Tersek as he heartily agreed with her plan; all for the addendum of sparing Silver's life, but this was neither the time nor the place to argue that. The old wolfdog was shuffling a few meters away, heading towards a stack of firewood on the outskirts of the yard.

Saulk mirrored his grandsire, sprinting after him and squeezing himself in between the opposite end of the large pile and a cluster of dense brambles. There he crouched, watching and waiting.

Blackmist and Lupanare went their separate ways, fanning out further from Senka and males, so that they would be in position to swarm in from behind whatever foolish dogs the big cats led into their trap.

Velvet likewise went wide around the side of the property, slinking almost silently as she searched for a prime ambush site.

Leomar dropped further back into the woods, preparing himself to rush head-long into the trap and give the cheetahs and cougars time to regroup and attack once they led the enemies in.

With the rest of the Haunters settling into their locations and Cedarwood keeping watch from above, the trap was nearly set. Towards the back of the house, the hounds lay sleeping in their open kennels, each tucked into a hay-filled box. It wasn't until Sera knocked the trashcan over that any of the dogs stirred, and Carbon was the first one on his paws. Blue and Carrie stirred next, followed by Trev, Lock, and Maisy. "We've got company." Carbon rumbled as he stepped from the warm confines of his box. The other five followed suit, stepping in line behind their leader as he began to round the house where the cheetah was pawing through the trash.

Carbon stopped in his tracks, unfamiliar with running into such a slender, spotted feline. "Just what are you, kitty?" He was about to stalk forward when Carrie gave a low snarl, and his attention turned to the two cougars and second cheetah not far off from Sera. The King Hound froze, hackles starting to rise. "Cougars. We might need help from Ben's pack." Carbon tilted his head back and howled, though he knew it would take some time before the other hounds could reach the scene. Again he began to stalk forward, this time with his five packmates in close tow. "How about the four of you back off and stop ruining my master's property."

The sound of footsteps could be heard within the house as Ethan also responded to the fallen trashcan. But as he was getting ready and the hounds were advancing on their quarry, Harthrou was currently investigating the opposite end of the yard. It was a different scent that had caught his attention, and he moved with purpose towards Darkia once he caught sight of the mare...

Sera

Sera huffed and leap back as if he spooked her. She glanced at her companions as the male spoke. Why I am a Cheetah. Want to race? I'll winShe purred. Unlike the other big cats she could legit purr and that what she did as she moved right up beside him and rubbed against him before moving to her friends side. Master? You know two leggers are nothing better then meals right? She said. She wanted to make sure these dogs would pursue them.

The toher three smirked. The cougars began to step back very slightly.

Darkia was doing her best to wait. She had to wait for the right moment. Her eyes gaze up at the sky for her cue but then her ears twitched as she hears something getting closer and her eyes see him. That blasted horse who wasl oyal to the two legger. Her ears go back and her tail flicks before actually being held down as she knew why he found her. Don't you come any closer you foul beastShe snorted stomping a front hoof.

Tersek & Others

Carbon stiffened when the lanky feline approached him, and it took a great deal of restraint to keep from sending his fangs for her flesh. Perhaps it was curiosity in this new creature, or perhaps intrigue at the proposal to race - never before had a wild creature approached him with such disregard and an open invitation like this. Plus... she wasn't a wolf, a creature that Carbon knew to hunt and kill on site.

"I accept your challenge, cheetah." The bulky hound agreed, "Lets see how fast those long legs of yours can go." A subtle glance to either side signaled his comrades to be ready, and follow him closely. He'd entertain these cats and their race, and if the situation allowed for it, he'd bay one or two up a tree as a prize for his master. "Meals? No, only to you wild kin. A smart hound like myself understands their true power and what they're capable of. But enough chit-chat, lets get this started. To the edge of the forest there." He nodded to the timberline, then readied himself. With the other five hounds at either side, Carbon began to run, but was ready to stop the second the cats tried anything funny...

Sounds continued from the house, though no lights flickered on from within. Harthrou continued to ignore this along with the chatter he heard around the other end of the house. Tail and head arched up, he stepped ever closer to Darkia, circling a little as he did so to try and put himself between her and the woods. "You look a little less scraggly this time. Ethan would approve." Closer yet he moved. "But lets make a deal? I have you this night, and I won't alert Ethan to your presence, or help him capture you. It's a win win for both of us."

Sera

Sera shrugged at the words. Almost excited for a race. Racingh er mate was no fun after all. She nodded. The two cougars ran off ahead. Sera counted.1 2 3 go!She said and she bolted running in the cougars tracks as her claws grip the ground as she runs her mate beside her the whole time. She intended on getting them to the edge of the forest then for the cougars to attack them and therefore incourage them to go into the woods to follow.

Darkia snorted.that is because i am healthy from my environment. From the family that takes care of meShe snorted seeing what he was doing but she had no intention on fleeing to the woods yet. . She knew what he wanted.im sorry but I have something I must do first and fore most and that doesn't include you at the momentShe said.

Tersek & Others

Carbon tore after her, snow flying as his massive paws dug into the ground and propelled him onward. The rest of the pack fanned out behind him, keeping in tight, uniform positions as they sought to catch up with those long, flowing tails that whipped about so enticingly in front of them. Carbon was strong, and he could beat the cheetahs in an endurance race, but no way could he hope to outclass the lithe felines in a quick sprint. Within a few bounds, Sera and her mate easily put distance between them and the dogs, and by the time they reached the edge of the woods, Carbon's pack was still several paces back...

Back at the house, Silver Fyre was sitting up in her cage, heart pounding. She heard the King Hounds voices, and those of the big cats, but didn't yet recognize them as Haunters. What she did pick up on was the telltale creak of a door opening, and the swift, determined crunch of feet through snow as Ethan moved for the shed where his vehicles were stored.

"Oh, and what's that?" Harthrou questioned, still stepping closer to the mare with his head proudly arched high, as a smart part of him did wish to impress Darkia, even if he was otherwise being a complete jackass to her. "Ahhh wait, I know - you want to free those wild curs that my master caught?" He snorted in derision, all while advancing on the mare. But there was a point where he slowed and stopped, for Darkia was looking much healthier and stronger than before, and he did not want to take a kick to his tender bits. "What if I help you with this important business?"

Aizen

one wouldn't of know aizen had had an issue as he heard the king hounds he was up tail wagging excitedly hoping it was the haunters but he couldn't smell or see only hear things.

Sera stopped at the edge as she waited. You could beat us if the race was endurance but a sprint race is ours. She said.

The male Cougar was hiding and waiting for hte right moment. HE lunged out at Carbon then aiming to take him by his throat.

Darkia raised her own head. She pawed the ground.there is only one we come for the other one is best left where she is at least at the moment. Trairors aren't exactly welcomed in my homeShe said. She snorted and listened to him. you would go against this ethan just so you can have me for a night? She said. She knew what would happen if she aggreed even if she tried to go back on it. She knew that she probably either wasn't leaving here or she was leaving here pregnant . She saw the human going to his shed barely but she knew it. HEr time would be there n a second.

Ethan & Others

"Eh.." Carbon huffed, his breath rising in the still, snowflake-filled air, "I'll give it you, you're a hell of a lot-" From the corner of his eye he saw the cougar move, and all pretenses of friendly formality were dropped. A snarl exploded from his throat and he whirled around just as fangs closed around his neck. Fortunately for Carbon, he and the rest of his party had on durable, metal-meshed collars studded in small spikes, saving the hound from an otherwise fatal attack. One eye tooth still tore into his flesh, and he aimed to return the favor by snapping at the cat's shoulder and forelimb.

In an instant, the almost amiable challenge had turned into a battle, and all five other hounds dove into the fray, rushing the male cougar in an attempt to rip him to shreds. In the sidelines, waiting tensely beside the timber pile, Tersek waited with bated breath. As soon as the fight moved just a little further into the woods, he'd make his move.

"Traitor? Honey, I don't keep tabs on who is who among the cur - you point out the one you want free, and I'll help you. But if you don't hold up your end of the deal, and I can't have you, I'll make sure Ethan will." He leveled her with that threat just as Ethan was circling rapidly around the side of the house, heading for the shed. "Quiet, this way! Behind the barn." Lacing his ears back briefly, the wily stallion cantered back away from Darkia and towards the barn, where they could hide until Ethan drove out of the shed. "For your information, yes I would betray him for some tail. I work hard enough around here as it is, and I deserve as much. Besides, I help him catch plenty of other animals; losing one mangy wolf is no big deal."

Sera

She lashed out with one claw but then turned tail and ran into the woods.

Sera pulled away as they rushed and turned to run into the woods while her mate lunged out to make sure they didn't think it was a trap.

Darkia knew it was risky but the whole plan was risky. She followed him. But kept he wits about her.you should just ditch him you be better off in the wild where we belongShe said as she followed him to the shed.

Ethan & Others

Cedarwood watched from high above the party. His dark eyes flit between where Ethan had disappeared to, and where the big cats were now drawing the dogs further into the woods, and out of the open yard where it would be more difficult for Ethan to maneuver a vehicle. Off in the distance somewhere, a chorus of howls and baying cries rose - Ben's pack was on their way, but it would still be some time before they traveled the many miles that separated them from Ethan's property.

The sting he felt against his neck infuriated Carbon. When the cats began to retreat further into the woods, the big dog followed after with frightening aggression, "Tear them apart! Kill all but the female cheetah, she'll be Ethan's prize!" The leader continued after the male cougar, showing no hesitation and not slowing his pace as he charged after the feline. With deadly intent, he and his pack targeted Deno, even as Carbon took a nasty strike from Kito's last attack.

It was at this point that Tersek gave a gravely bark, signaling the Haunters to move in. Thanks to Senka's clever foresight, the hounds never noticed their well-hidden enemies until it was too late. From seemingly all angles, the canines and felines rushed in, each strategically going for the more vulnerable parts of the hounds, and helping their packmates when needed.

From the shed, Ethan's gator roared to life. The enclosed, modded ATV accelerated from the open front gate, and began to thunder around the side of the house, towards the front yard...

Once Ethan drove out from the shed, Harthrou gave Darkia a harsh nip on the flank and nodded to the back of the house, "Quick, show me which one you want free and lets get this done." He took a couple of steps forward, but was not about to let the mare get too far from his side. "In the wild? You can't find sugar cubes or fresh clean hay in the wild, or a warm barn to shelter in during the rain. Tempting as your offer is, I'll keep my luxuries."

Senka

Senka burst forth going straight for Carbon's haunches as he was focused on his own target.

The cougars attacked mercisly.

Sera on the other hand had swung around intending on going to make sure Darkia didn't struggle.

Darkia snorted at his nip as she moved in the direction he indicated.pitty you would of made for a great allie She said before looking.Aizen!She said to the three legged canine.He is is the one to be freedShe said calmly examining what looked like some type of gate.

Aizen tail wagged a bit.Darkia! He said excitedly eyeing the stallion warily.

Ethan & Others

Fur was flying as the Haunters descending on the scene, with the hounds being quickly outnumbered. Carbon got what ever damage he could do to his target before whipping around to try and deal with the giant cat now firmly attached to his haunches. He arched his neck back, twisting to the side as he launched a savage attack at her tender side and underbelly, all while feeling his hind leg get torn to shreds.

Ethan had yet to activate the lights on his gator, for the dense snow packed on the ground provided enough illumination in the night that even his human eyes could see clearly where trees and other obstacles were, and the bareness of the leafless trees meant he could also see decently well into the woods. At least, he would be able to, if not for how heavily the snow was falling.

Just as he was getting ready to approach the scene of distant shapes converging in the woods, something fleet ran past him, startling the seasoned hunter. Cheetah. And while a normal person might have questioned their sanity as such a thought, Ethan knew there had been a number of big-cat breeders in the Valley in years past, and more than a few brought in as illegal pets and black market deals. He changed course, and began to drive around the side of the house...

"And you a great companion for Ethan and his human pack." Harthrou returned just as quickly, defending his status as pet. He followed Darkia along, sighing as he saw the canine she wanted to be freed, "It's too bad Tommy's been locked inside these past few days, or he could have helped. But I'm sure I can manage, I've seen him do this enough times - stand back." The horse lowered his head in front of the kennel, first concluding that there was no padlock. It was a two-latch mechanism, something that the stallion could work with. Subtly glancing back to see if Darkia was watching, he went to work trying to wrestle the two latches in the right direction with his muzzle and tongue. It was a bit of work, but after a few minutes of toiling, the gate swung inwards and Harthrou stepped back.

Senka

Senka would fight till she saw aizen then she'd call the attack off

Aizen moved fast. "Come on darkia" he frowned when she said to go but listened

Darkia wouldn't go back on her word

Ethan & Others

Ethan had made it around the side of the house, but with reduced visibility, he hadn't yet seen Harthrou and the kennels towards the far end; at least, not enough detail to understand what was going on. His attention was upon the cheetah. Sliding gator to a halt, he lowered the window and quickly pulled the dart gun from its sling at his side. Taking his best aim, which was a little sketchy due to the snow and the darkness, he fired a shot at the feline...

Harthrouh, meanwhile, wasted no time making sure Darkia held up on her end of the plan. He stomped a hoof at Aizen, with a complimentary curt order, "Get out of here, mutt!" He then gave Darkia a rough nudge with his snout and proceeded to make good on their deal.

Ethan had waited a minute or two before beginning to idle forward, trying to see if Sera had gotten hit by the dart, and if she had, if she was anywhere in the yard. Upon trolling down the side of the backyard, the dark shapes of Harth and Darkia became apparent, and what he initially believed to be a fight thanks to the obscuring snow, he quickly realized was something altogether different. Ever the pragmatic hunter and dealer of wild beasts, the man cursed under his breath and refrained from honking his horn at the pair - annoyed as he was with Harthrou, this could benefit him later down the road.

Sera

Aizen frowned but tore off across the grounds as he ran by the other haunters pulled away from their attacking and ran off unaware of Sera problem or what Darkia was doing.

Sera felt something going into her haunch and spun around trying to geti t and then she collapsed knocked out.

Darkia decided this could benefit the haunters as is. Atleast she wouldn't be alone any more. She let him do his deed without complaint or fight. Unaware that the human had noticed.

Ethan & Others

A shallow whimper escaped from Silver Fyre. She placed a snow-matted paw at the edge of her pen and watched as Aizen escaped into the darkened snowcape, where sounds of distant fighting could be heard. Her heart broke further as she knew she couldn't chase after him, even if she could somehow escape her pen. 'My babies...'

Harthou backed away from Darkia while warily eying Ethan, half-surprised that the human hadn't charged at him with his shouty words and scowling face. "I'll hold up on my end of the bargain; get out of here, I'll buy you the time you need." The ebony stallion side-glanced at the mare, a slight smirk teasing at his dark features, "You ever need companionship again, you know your way back here. Just don't bring the rest of that blasted pack with you."

Ethan didn't make the expected move to try and mount Harth and chase after Darkia - he knew precisely where the mare lived. He knew when and where to look for her, if indeed the breeding took, and kept that information in the back of his mind. No, his immediate priority was to get that big cat contained and then check on his hounds. With that in mind, Ethan idled up to Sera after spotting the downed cheetah, and began to haul her back into one of the empty pens.

At the opposite end of the house, Tersek and the others were bolting through the forest, having soundly crippled Ethan's pack and killed two of the six hounds.

Aizen

He wanted to free her but she had no place in the haunters he knew this as he ran for home. It pained him to leave her to not have her wit hhim.

Darkia didn't know why but she liked him abit. She snorted and took off running.

sera eyes were shut and her breathing slow.