*Humans*

A van chugged along the bumpy road towards the Lab and rolled to a stop in the gravel drive. Two men got out and opened the back of the van. With a muzzle to keep Rocky Road from biting, the men were confident in their abilities to contain him.

One man carefully pried the cage open, just a bit. The other man slipped the noose pole in and caught it around Rocky Road's neck. He had little room in the cramped cage to manuever.

Dragging him out by the neck, the men brought him fighting or not to one of the kennels and shoved him in. The gate to his kennel was closed most of the way and the pole-man pulled Rocky Road against the gate and tightened the noose so tight that it would be choking the hybrid. Now the other man reached his hand in through the narrow gap in the gate and tugged the muzzle off. The pole-man squeezed the noose tighter and pulled back to ensure Rocky Road wouldn't have much movement of his head. Once the other man's hand was pulled back to safety, the pole-man let up the pressure slightly and slipped the loop up and over Rocky Road's head, freeing him from its painful grip. The gate was pulled shut and locked, and the two men walked off. It shouldn't be long before he was seen by some other humans.

A boxer mix in a neighboring cage watched the happenings. Her happy, clown-like personality was nearly broken by now. Abandoned to a horrible fate by ignorant owners, she was doomed a terrible life at the lab.

Rocky Road

Though his blood still pumped with anger and well... yes... the strong warrior had a bit fear in him. He had escaped, his human days were over, this was not supposed to happen. And he was defiently not going to the pit.

The van stopped and soon his cage gate was open a tad bit. He would of tried to bite everything within his sight, bu the dreaded muzzle only allowed him to bark and growl, though that would be enough for some. NOt this time though... the pole came back in and it was almost no time, though Rocky added a bit more bumps and bruises trying to escape its presence, when it was around his neck.

Cage to cage, he was used to this, but gave as much struggle and trouble to the two leggers as he could, trying to trip them many times. He was in the kennel and the door was closing, besides the spae needed for the pole. He growled louder then before but it was cut off with a little yelp at the end. The pole was so tight his eyes rolled back in with now silent pain. his feet moved side to side, but one could not do much in this stitution.

He saw the hand coming, but he could not do anything about it, he was still trying to just get in enough air. He tried to bite as soon as it was off, though half-heartedly, but the noose, was it possible? tightened again. He could not move his head at all now and would of howled with pain if the pole made his sufferings quiet.

The rope was finally off and it wasn't long before the beast charged the fence, crashing into it with a bang at the retreating backs. He was breathing hard, trying to make-up for the lost breath. he paced the fence, growling and searching for escape. A bit dizzy from the lack of oxygen his movements were forced to be shallower.

He noticed the boxer mix and growled again, though hoarse with the slowly reviving pain, and charged her fence. He was in no good mood and wanted to tear something apart, anything.

He played up the show for some time before he was forced to stop. he half layed down -half collapsed, in a labored rest.

*Boxer-Mix*

The boxer mix took a few steps back, rumbling quietly but that was it. Her docked tail was pointedly stiffly out and her legs held ridged, but her floppy lips didn't pull back to reveal the fangs beneath. It just wasn't her nature, although she was slowly being broken by the horrible two-leggers that worked here.

Once Rocky Road gave up his assault directed towards her, she sat down and stared at him. After a long moment, she spoke, "If you're lucky, they'll take you to fight. At least then they won't torture you so bad." She moved a bit closer to the fence that separated them, "Act fierce like that and you're sure to be fought. Act like me... and, well... it isn't good."

The she-dog turned her drooping eyes towards the door where most of the humans come in and out of. "Almost time to eat, I believe. If they feel like feeding us today."

Rocky Road

He raised his head slightly from his down position, but it fell back on the ground. He was still a bit dizzy and coughed once or twice. His ears moved towards the other's voice, but only his labored breathing (which was slowly going down) could be heard.

He didn't want to fight again, not forced anyway. He has always fought, being born into a pit, and could never see himself getting over it. But he did enjoy the choice, only if it only lasted about 7 months. Tortured? Could anything be worse then staying down in those smelly pits? He raised his head and the side of his body, still laying down, but in a upwards position when she moved towards him. He growled but did not do anything besides that, his breathing now pretty close to normal.

Act fierce? Of course he would, he was bred to fight, not mope around and let things happen to him. He stopped growling though, want was the point to growl at her? She obviosuly was not a bit moved and just seemed to want to help her.

He followed her gaze after a few moments to the door and growled, people places, he hated them. He looked back at the boxer as she spoke. He hadn't had a decent meal for a long time, but he did have half of that yearling lamb. It would be nice to eat again, but not those human rations, he didn't trust them.

Another growl came from him as he stood, not looking at the boxer anymore. He walked over to the door of the gate and raised on his back legs, testing his weight on the door. It didn't budge, and he didn't think it would. He studied the lock, but again, he didn't know if he oculd break it. Myabe later, when he had more energy, he would try.

He moved away from the gate and into the back corner opposite side from the boxer. He sat down on his haunches and sighed, having a far-away look in his eyes as they were directed to the human's place, though he probably wasn't looking at it.

*Humans & Boxer-Mix*

She watched him try the gate and waited again a few moments before saying anything on the matter, "Some have gotten out. Two or three I believe... but not by means of opening their gates. On their own anyways." Chocolatey eyes flashed to the human's door but it remained closed and silent.

She stood again and paced in front of the chain links. Her gaunt stomach rumbled in protest to the slim rations it took in and the lack of food at the moment. There were sores on the bottoms of her pads, showing how long she had been couped in these barren, concrete enclosures.

"Here they are." Her pointed ears, cropped by her first owners, directed themselves to the door. It swung open and a human came out, wheeling a cart infront of her. Infront of most of the cages, she paused to fling a cup full of bland, tan little nuggets of dog food into their cages. The little peices of food scattered around the cage, some rolling under the fence just out of reach of the dogs, others plopping into already dirty, half-frozen water containers.

The boxer mix stood attentively, waiting for the meager bit of old food. She did not prance about or nudge her empty and unused food bowl about as she was want to do in her ealier days. She just stood and waited for the only worth while 'excitement' in her life. Both Rocky Road and the boxer were thrown a cup of food.

The boxer scrambled about, nearly inhaling the little nuggests that were scattered about her enclosure. She pawed at her water, flinging out all the food that she could that had fallen in there. And then she went to laying down on her stomach or side and stretching her paws about the bottom of the fence, trying to drag the bits of food that tumbled out. Here was another reason her paws were so marred.

Rocky Road

He barely heard what the boxer had to say but he just grumbled anyhow. He planned to get out, if he had to wait for the humans, to make the first move, then he would.

He looked up when she spoke of them coming, looking over at where the human was. He growled and moved back over to the gate, waiting for her to come by. She eventually did and she greeted by his gruff and deafening bays and barks. His white fangs showed dangerously and he charged the fence a couple of times, only stopping breifly when he was hailed by the lousy excuse of food and when she past by.

He still barked, but he was know just pacing the entire cage. He ignored the food completely, only swapping them out of the way, some rolling over to his nieghbors. His barks soon stopped, and he lapped some of the cold half frozen water. His face screwed up as he tried to swallow the nasty water, but he eventually did.

He licked his chops and stood erect by the gate, his full tail held in the highest position. Maybe sometime he would get a chance to escape, but these humans weren't being very helpful.

Death

Death knew of the fight that Rocky Road was supposed to have with Aaka. Sighing he made his way quickly to where Rocky Road and the others were. Barking to get the humans attention he showed he would be a much better catch that Rocky Road. A Pure wolf to a mixed blood....first he would have to...oh well. His plan would work either way.

*Humans & Boxer-Mix*

The woman was nearly finished feeding the captives when she was distracted by Death's barking. As everyone at the Labs were required to carry, the lady pulled out a sturdy metal club that clipped to her belt. A long length of chain was coiled on the opposite side.

The woman grabbed a peice of chicken meat, intended for one of their experimental wolves, and advanced on Death. She tossed the meat a few feet from her and waited for Death to make the next move.

Rocky Road

The appearance of another, free wolf caught his eye. He took in his scent and growled, backing madly once again. Aaka could be found on his stench, he just had enough of these mongrels.

Rocky Road kept a wary eye on both the woman and the wolf, though his barking and growling continued. He was easily the same size of the wolf, maybe even a little bigger, and just as fierce. He jumped on the fence, turning in the air to catch himself as he fell back to the ground. He began pacing again, his barking now silent, his curiousity fixed up. What was going to happen? If she captured the wolf they could easily keep them both and be mroe the merrier, what did he plan to do?

Death Miglisi

Death continued to bark and back away. HE danced around in a circle showing he didnt want the meat. He bent down in a playful bow and barked. It looked as if he wanted to play. His black coat shone in the bright sun his coat showed blue highlights. He jumped up and danced around in a circle once more trying to draw the woman away from Rocky Road.

The people may have been ready for dogs and wolves but how about a lynx? Miglisi silently stalked behind the woman until she came to Rocky Roads kennel. "Be silent" she said softly. She didnt want the human to see her. She reached up with a paw to try and get the latch undone. There was a good thing to being a lynx

Rocky Road

Absorbed in what Death was doing, he didn't noticed what the lynx until he right there. If he was a weaker beast he would yelped, but he did nothing of the source. He just walked over to the gate and watched the lynx attempt in vain.

A silent chuckle rolled out, followed by his whisper, "It's locked you idiot, do you think I would still be in here if it was just a silly latch?" The fact he was trying to be 'rescued', he would hardly call that if all they wanted him to do is to fight Aaka, and it was a lynx did not faze him. The only way to get out and in was that kill, unless they had an elephant's strength, he did not think the lynx and wolf could 'help' him much.

*Human & Boxer-Mix*

The human grew annoyed, unlike most other people who might be intruiged to play with a dog. This woman was heartless though; that's why she was at these labs. Having no concern for the suffering of living things. But she 'played along' with his anticts and hunched her body slighty as a dog's owner might do to signle their acceptance to play.

The woman pulled the chain from her belt. It was a slip chain, having a versitile loop at the end. Widening the loop, she dangled it infront of Death's face as close as she dare, seeing if he try to 'play' bite at it, or what he'd do. The other hand tightly clutched the metal bat.

The boxer mix looked intently at the lynx, bewildered at the sight of such a large feline! She had only seen house cats. Blinking in amazement, she half cowered and hunched her back slightly. But the dog couldn't help but give some advice, even though it wouldn't help them, "They use small, metal sticks to open some. And others they twist about in different orders to open. It's only possible for human paws to do that though..." the boxer glanced anxiously about, getting over excited by all that was going on.

Rocky Road

He ignored the human and dog, his full attention on the lynx, and half on the mix. He listened to him however, giving the lynx 'I told you so look' "There, you see, you are not a human, nor have a opposible thumb. So I really don't know why you guys are wasting your time around here, especially since you guys want me dead anyhow."

He know sat down, amused by all this.

Miglisi

Sitting down with a huff Miglisi stared at the lock as if it would pop open. "Who said I wanted to kill you? Aaka is in, well lets just say pain, at the time being. She wants your welfare for when she is ready and able to fight." she turned to the woman and laughed at Death. He had never liked to play. He was a good actor though. The large wolf growled at the woman as if playing but leaped back some more and barked spinning around in circles as if chasing his tail. Barking as he did so he said loud enough for Miglisi to hear "Get him out of there some how! I hate looking like a fool." he stopped spinning and blinked a few times. Everything was still spinning around him. "Whoa" he said and nearly fell. "Hurry!" he said

Rocky Road

Rocky Road smiled as the lynx spoke, "Right." He followed her gaze over to Death, giving a canine's equivalent to raising an eyebrow. "what exactly does he tink you can do?"

*Human & Boxer*

The human looked very unamsed now, although most humans would be laughing or finding this quite entertaining. "Come on, come here boy! Wanna play?" her voice didn't sound all to playful either. She wiggled the chain infront of him again, stepping closer.

She sat back on gaunt haunches, "They only chance at freedom is when they open the cages. But even then... they have chains, and poles, and guns."

Miglisi

She smiled and stood on her hind legs once more she unsheathed her claws and looked at the lock. She hissed softly when she realized that wouldnt work. Her claws were to big. She glanced over at the human and said "If we got the metal stick thing....could I somehow open it? Maybe use my outh or...." she stopped and sat angrily. She hated it when her mind wouldnt completly think its thoughts and then she spoke them realizing that she didnt know the answer.

Rocky Road

Rocky's coat ruffled at the voice of the human, but he did not bark, not wanting his 'entertainment' to leave quite yet. He listened to the boxer, which he still did not know the name of, and then looked back at the lynx.

She rose and showed her claws, Rocky instantly standing up, but smirked as her idea did not happen; just as he thought it would not. He looked back to the girl, he couldn't hear any ringing from the metal sticks, she may have them, but he did not know where.

He knew the plan wouldn't work and was about to voice this before she realized that as well. He turned as if loosing interest to hte back of the cage, speaking as he went, "Again i say, I really don't know what you guys were planning to do." He turned back to face them and laid down in 'his' corner. He was smiling and his maw parted again, "I mean, thanks for the gesture, but really. What did you have in mind?"

*Boxer*

She laid down now, crossing her front paws but leavinging her boxy head hanging in the air, "If you stick around too long, I'm afraid you'll end up just as we are." she watched the human's annoyance grow, then looked to Death in longing. She wanted to play, but that part of her life had been taken away.

Death

He growled low at this and said "Aaka kill her!" he didnt like humans. Loathed them even. He snarled and made a leap for the human as Aaka did also

Rocky Road

The beast jumped to his feet as soon as Death turned his approach around, interested at once. Aaka? He did not know she was near, but there is was leaping for the human. He did not act surprised though, nor would he be, he was now sure that any one with a remote relationship to Yersina's pack must have at least two buddies around to make them comfortable. He did not aprove of it, but then again, he never lived in a pack, nor would he want to. He saw no freedom in it.

But anyway he could not help but bark and whine a bit, he wanted to be out there. Not necessarily killing the human, though he wouldn't mind at this moment, he just wanted to be in a fight. He paced his cage wildly, his fur bristling and teeth showing with supressed rage.

*Human & Boxer*

The human gave a terrified scream and plummeted to the ground, loosing track of her rope. She screamed for help while curling herslef in a defensive ball, tucking her head in while wrapping her hands about the back of her neck.

The boxer perked her floppy ears up in alarm. She did not care if the human lived or not, but here was something interesting to see. She gave a few barked and stood up, watching intently. But the humans were on high alert here, and some would come soon. And this time, they wouldn't be so lightly armed...