Fiona

Dawn was close by the time Fiona returned to the Lab, having recruited the three animals that Ying had mentioned, and hopefully the strange eagle she had encountered at the Marsh. Slinking up beside Desmon's pack that was bedded in the timber, she waited for the others to gather around her to explain their course of action.

Al Sheratan*Ghost Walker*Disaster

The little mare and Hawk were the first to arrive, for Disaster had been waiting in the trees silently. At the sight of the cat, he hissed a slight warning. He would help, but they would have to move fast.

Al Sheratan came next, moving behind the cat. She stood as a protective guardian over the feline, her eyes drifting to the Hawk.

Ghost walker was the last to arrive, for he hadn't really wished to come but he kinda owed it to the wolf. So there he stood, a massive cougar awaiting instructions.

Zhener

A large, dark shape winged down from the sky, landing heavily by the group. Adjusting his dark wings, the wedge-tailed eagle came waddling through the snow, moving closer to the others, "Hard to find zhe place in darkness! Eyes no good vith all zhe shadows, ja? I hear cat eyes good vith night, iz zhat so?" He bobbed his head once as he tried to focus on the group of creatures, but his eyes weren't atuned to the night. It had also prevented him from spotting his dear Karai. It was Sheratan's striking white hide that had caught his eye amonst the dark boughs of the forest they were hiding in. "So, vhat you vant me to do?"

Fiona

"Shhhh!" She hissed at the eagle, pinning her ears back. "I'll tell you, just keep quite." The little tabby krept towards the timberline so she could get a good look at the building before speaking to the others. "I need Disaster and Zhener to perch on top of the building. Don't let the humans see you at first. You need to watch and see how they open the cage, and remember how they do it!." Luminescent eyes flickered to Ghost Walker, "I know you cats are good leapers; perch yourself on top of the building, near where the door is. Stay out of sight." And then to the mare, "You will be our battering ram, but you must remain hidding in the woods at first."

Fiona stalked to the center of the group again, "Here's how it will go down. Once Ying's cage is open, Disaster and Zhener will attack the human before it gets the chance to close the door. Go for its eyes! Ghost, you will pounce on any human that tries to come out of the door to help the first one. Niavo, you and your pack will rush the building. Find where they are keeping the cats; and take out any humans that get in your way. Ghost, you can head inside too, once you've subdued any human who tries to exit from that door." A little side plan of hers, and the reason she needed the birds to learn how to open cage doors. "Sher, I need you to come in as soon as Disaster and Zhener hit the first human. I'll show you which two doors I need you to kick down." She slunk towards the timberline again, eyes searching the horizon and spotting a band of light that was slowly creeping along it. The stars were quickly fading away with the moon. The sun was just beginning to peak up into the sky. "Alright everyone, take your positions. And remain absolutely quite."

Zhener

"Sound good, vhat a plan!" He exclaimed, his voice whispered but still rather loud and sharp. With a furious beat of his six-foot wing span, the eagle navigated through the trees and perched himself low on the roof of the squat little building. That's when he noticed Karai for the first time, making his already large eyes open wider. "KARAI!" The eagle screeched out before thinking, then suddenly dipped his head and flattened his body down as he realized his mistake. "Karai! Up here! Karai!" He hissed out loudly, bobbing his dark head up and down, as if his voice wasn't enough for her to target onto.

Karai

The vixen had not rested the past night, though she had curled into a ball to fool the others. Zhener's voice startled her into keen awareness, and it was only when it came again that she realized who it was. Wincing a little at her own stupidity, and whispered back up, just barely loud enough for him to hear. Quietly, Zhener. I'm glad you are here. Those devilish two-legs have done horrible things to me, and I fear what they will do to my friend here. Have we enough help to conquer them?

She was hoping that he would remember to keep his voice down, for although the humans could not understand the screeches of the eagle, the excess noise of one might attract unwanted attention before they were ready.

Saxton*Joscelin*Aderyn*Ziarre

Silent pads carried four wolves toward the gathered group as Joscelin prayed that Ghost Walker might remember them enough to know that they were no threat. The four had split up when their mother came up missing, and had followed vague hints and dangerous roads, touching and going with deadly contacts to receive news that their mother was here.

Coming to a stiff-legged halt, he signaled to his siblings to stay back, as he let a little quip of song reach their ears, one that the large cat might remember from his days at their den. If he did not remember them, there was still the chance they would welcome the extra help, but he hoped it wouldn't come to be a problem. His voice a mere murmur, he called to them. Hallo! Might you be able to use a few more helpers? Our mother is in there, and my siblings and I intend to set her free.

Al Sheratan*Ghost Walker*Disaster

There was a nod from the giant cat as he silently made his way. He leaped to the roof as silently as possible, his massive frame barely making noise. He stalked towards the front part of the door, standing atop waiting.

Al Sheratan nodded, silently waiting for her signal.

Disaster flew to the top of the building, landing beside Zhener. "Shut up you idiot! They might hear you." He scowled at the other bird, his feathers ruffling.

Fiona & *Humans*

A black ear swiveled back at the approach of four wolves. Fiona shrunk against the ground for a moment before she realized they were here to help. Quickly, she briefed them on the plan, "Wait until the cougar pounces on his first victim, then rush in and hit any human that opposes us. And stay back from the cages; the mare will take care of those for us." Though she didn't have any reason to like these wolves yet, she didn't want them getting needlessly crushed by friendly fire. And of course, the element of suprise that she had been planning on would be shot if they rushed out before the humans were hit by the more 'unlikely' creatures struck.

She settled down at the edge of the timberline, finding the dark trunk of a locust tree helping her to blend in well and stay unnoticed.

Half an hour passed before feeding time arrived. A woman pushing a large cart came out from the door Ghost was perched above. She noticed the penned canines were more anxious and noisy than ussual, but seemed to be in too much of a rush to figure out why. And so she went on, pushing the cart down the length of kennels. At each one, she'd stop and open the kennel, and dump in either some kibble, or some raw chicken. And each time she opened a cage, she held a small rod in her hand, which would deliver a debilitating shock to anyone who dared attack her. On she went like this, until she reached Ying's cage. Keeping the little rod poised to use, she opened the cage and grabbed a peice of chicken to throw in...

Fiona's eyes narrowed slightly as she shifted on the ground. This was it! She looked intently to the raptors, hoping Disaster was paying attention, for Zhener probably didn't know who Ying was.

Disaster * Ghost Walker

With a hiss of disgust, Disaster watched as the human opened the gates. He nodded to the large cat, who was perched carefully....

Without warning, the massive feline leaped, attempting to land on the woman who had her back to him. His claws were out, fangs bared in a silent snarl, no noise yet escaping him.

Ying saw the door open, but made no attempt to rush the woman. When he saw Ghost leap for her he let out a bark of laughter. She was getting what she deserved. Whether she fell or not, Ying ran for the opening now for if she wasn't down now, she would be soon.

Zhener

Zhener had given Disaster a raised eye, but didn't quarrel with the other bird. Instead, he focused on Karai. Before replying to his good friend though, he caught movement in the brush, and to his great delight, saw Aderyn. The eagle was just about to call a friendly hello to her, but caught himself just in time. Stifling his excitement, Zhener hunched down against the roof and waited.

The time seemed to go by forever before the human came out. Remembering Fiona's words, he watched how she opened the gate and committed that to memory. But then, the cougar pounced... Zhener was confused now, as the plan was out of order. Now who was he suppose to attack? Wanting to be of help, he took off from the roof and circle low a few times before dropping down in front of Karai's pen, "Horse! Here, kick zhe gate! Hurry zhen, please!" He exclaimed, jumping up and down with quick flaps of his wings.

Fiona & *Humans*

Just as she was going to shut the door, something massive slammed into her. With an 'Ooof', she was hurtled to the ground, the cart tipping over with her. Kibble and chicken slid across the ground and the woman gave a loud scream of pain. With a cougar on her, there wasn't much the woman could do; Ying had an easy escape. But the woman wasn't completely defensess- she twisted about part way and jabbed the metal rod at Ghost. If the end of the rod touched him, he'd get a horrible shock.

All was going well at first, and anticipation began to rise in the feline... all until Ghost Walker attacked. "No, no!" She hissed out in alarm, sprinting from the brush and pausing a few good yards from where the cougar pounced on the woman. "The rest of you, go to the building! Hurry, before they come out!" Her mustard-green orbs flashed to the birds next, "Follow the canines in, I need you now! Sher, kick in the two kennels to the side of Ying's cage!" Everyone had to act fast now, or the element of surprise would be lost. She darted for the open door, but waited for the wolves to enter first and take charge of the humans.

Al Sheratan

The mare snorted as the cougar leaped. But...That was wrong. He wasn't supposed to attack...Maybe something had come over the cat. Bolting out of the trees, the tiny mare came first to Desmons cage. "Stay back baby." She said to the pup. She reared up and kicked out at the fence, knocking it down. Moving to Karai's, she did the same.

Ghost Walker let out a terrible hiss as the shock hit him, but his claws dug in sharply to the human. His fangs went down, hoping to snap her neck.

Zhener

"Mein nendo freund, much zhanks!" Zhener exclaimed, so excited that he mixed up his three known languages all in one sentence, which were all topped with his distinct accent. He had a habbit of botching his words when he was greatly excited, or greatly angered. In this case of course, he couldn't be more pleased that Al Sheratan had freed Karai. "Karai, you are free! You alright, ja?" He asked, speaking a mile a minute as he hopped towards her cage, head tilted to the side in a questioning, concerned matter, "Vhat humans do? I vill keel zhem! Zhey don't hurt friends of mine!"

Niavo

"Owl, get Desmon to the Marsh. We need to be clear of the human lands while I figure things out. Ankh," He looked to the beta male next after a quick look to Fiona, "We've got a debt to pay. And some well-earned revenge." The alpha of the Diadem pack sprinted boldly towards the open door of the building. He couldn't deny feeling a wave of fear and bad omen wash over him as he crossed the threshold of the human dwelling, but it was something he felt he must do.

"Show me where to go, Fiona." He growled with half excitement, and half fear. The first human to show themselves would be met by his fangs.

Karai and the Troops

Karai's four quickly leapt on cue, following the screaming of orders on the wind to head toward the door. Noting that their mother was free, they were about to turn and retreat, but her voice reached them, saying, No! They have helped us. Repay the debt!

They caught her words, and Saxton and Ziarre headed inside as the cat's most recent yowl had indicated, coming in behind Ankh and the others, taking up a defensive position immediately.

Joscelin and Aderyn headed for Ghost Walker, circling behind her to come up from the back. Praying their aim was true, each leapt for an arm, hoping to pin them and get that annoying stinging prod away from the cat.

Karai smiled quickly up at Zhener to let him know that she was alright. Collecting herself in all the chaos, she quickly picked an undamaged part of Desmon and scooped him up, darting over to the wolf she guessed must be Snowy Owl. Please, get him out of here and keep him safe. No pup deserves the pain they deliver here.

Not stopping to wait for an answer, she headed back toward the fight, coming up beside Ying. Are you okay?

Snowy Owl & Honthale

She didn't need to be told twice by Niavo. The white mother was about to rush to her son's pen when she saw Karai rescue him for her. "Thank you!" She breathed out in a releived tone, gratitude evident in both her words and her glistening eyes. Owl was going to ask the kind fae's name, but there was a great urgency to get her sons out of danger, as her alpha had commanded. Taking Desmon carefully by the cruff, she headed for the Marsh.

Honthale, the large dark brother, hesitated as his mother and Desmon left. He wanted to fight with the others, but knew his parents wouldn't approve. With a heavy sigh, he followed Snowy Owl.

Fiona & *Humans*

The woman gave an ear-piercing scream when the cougar bit into her neck. She attempted to struggle and prod him again with the weapon, but found her arms unusable as the wolves attacked. There was absolutely nothing she could do against the three. Her renting scream was quickly stilled when the cougar bit hard enough to break her neck. But that scream hadn't been stopped soon to be lost to the humans within the compound.

Three men came rushing down a hallway. Two had the little shocking rods that could temporarily paralyize a smaller creature, such as a wolf. The other man had a pistol. At sight of the canines flooding into the building, the trio stopped, forming a sort of baracade with their bodies. The central man, with the gun, shot at the group...

Fiona plunged into a side room, "In here!" She yowled as the gun shots began to fire off. It was not the room she was looking for, but anywhere was better than in the hallway with an armed human.

Ghost Walker * Ying

The wolf only nodded before he followed after the other wolves that were heading into the compound. He found himself followed by the massive cougar who passed him and went inside to be greeted by the guns of the humans. The bullet hit at his feet and the large cat leapt back with a yowl of protest before he suddenly lunged forth, aiming for the man with the gun.

Ying blinked and was about to follow Fiona, but he couldn't leave Ghost to fend for himself. With a dark growl, the black and white brute leapt for the man on the right, aiming for his throat.

Ankh

The ebony hybrid waited for the others to rush in before him, because his priorities are set on his family. Once he saw his sons and mate head for safety, Ankh trailed the others into the human's domain. Flinching as shots were fired, the lithe little canine bolted for the open door that Fiona suggested. There he crouched as Ghost Walker and Ying flew by, rushing at the humans, regardless of their weapons. Ankh waited a moment longer before revealing himself and heading straight for the man on the left. Being smaller than most here, he went for the man's upper thigh and bit as hard and deep as he could. He knew from past experiences that vital bloodways ran there.