Oracle, Starbane, Shadowstep, & Narimbi

With bold, certain steps, Oracle led their small brigade down from the mountains and into the shadows of the Tabumrot. She honestly didn't know where she was going, but the strong stench that permeated this land had drawn her curiosity, and seemed like a good first start in their adventure. "Don't think I've ever heard of anyone saying much about this place." The liger commented, now stepping carefully over a fallen log and grimacing a little as her paw sank into some mire on the other side.

Narimbi's white coat added a vibrant contrast to the primarily gray backdrop of the Scar, but it was soon being tarnished by the muddy environment. It wasn't long before her snowy white legs were slicked with brown, but the cub didn't care. There were so many different scents and sights here, a bit of muck didn't bother her.

Starbane stayed near his three siblings as they ventured into the unknown. Despite having longer limbs, he was still a young cub, and it didn't take long for a fine coat of grime to cover his limbs and underbelly. But like Narimbi, Star didn't care. "It smells kinda gross."

"I wonder what kind of animals live here? They'd have to spend a lot of time cleaning their coats, that's for sure." Shadowstep was doing her best to stick to fallen logs and larger branches, to avoid the thick mire her comrades were walking in. With gray-tan fur, she blended in better with the surroundings, and her faint striping added to that camouflage.

]Maelertech

Maelertech grins as he follows after.I heard ghosts lives hereHe said. Was a lie but hey it be fun to see their reactions.

Melinu being built after the lion and all white he like the lion didn't really like the water that much and his already wet coat was now getting wetter and muddier. Ugh this place is gross why'd we come here? Are you trying to make us not want to go adventuring?he said and he snorted at Mael.No such thingHe said.

Terri looked a lot like the tiger in her however her legs were shorter like the snow leopards. She followed behind Shadowstep sticking to the logs. Ghosts?She questioned.

Dutch isn't much smaller then his brother but he does have shorter legs and is following Terri and Shadowstep.

Abigal resembled the lion with her face resembling her grandfather sundown. She shakes each paw as she lifts it out of the muck.Ugh yes this is disgusting!She said.

Nerogi resembled the lion and really didn't care as he ran through the muck.oh come on guys suck it uphe said.

Korra is quiet long bodied and tall. She rollsh er eyes at her brother.Cut it out NerogiShe growls.

Oracle, Starbane, Shadowstep, & Narimbi

Oracle grinned and stole a glance at her brother when he brought up the prospect of ghosts. Equally as curious, she listened for the chorus of responses that comment brought up.

"Really?" Narimbi flicked her ears back, a shiver running down her spine as the thought of ghosts, especially while traveling through a place as dreary and unknown as the Scar. "...good ghosts, or bad ghosts?"

Starbane was a little more skeptical about the idea of apparitions, and frowned in thought as he plodded along. "Those are just stories to scare us." Confident as he tried to sound in saying this, the cub did look intently to Mael and Oracle, as if waiting for them to admit it was just a joke.

Pouncing from one log to the next, Shadowstep's curiosity in the super natural was overshadowed by the excitement of exploring somewhere new. Seeing Dutch and her sister following her, she stopped and whispered to the pair, "Hey, wanna try to climb one of these trees? I bet we can jump from branch to branch!"

Mealertech

He kept walking there was no change in his step as he spoke nothing to nidcate he was lying. From what I heard a little of both. If we're lucky the only thing we'll notice is some eery soundsHe said jokingly.

Melinu snorted when no one answered his question. He bumped his sister.No such thing sishe said rolling his eyes at Mealertech.

Terri nearly fell off the log she had been on when her brother nudged.Hey! Careful! and I Don't know Melinu this place is eeryShe said. Then her attention is brought to her sister. Melinu their brother was down below. SureShe said and without much care she began to climb one of the side branches and the first one seemed fine so she leaped to the next and thats when she yelped as teh branch broke and she fell on her side in the muck.

Dutch just followed and watch Terri. Stupid ideaHe mumbles at the two.Melinu you better tell your sisters to not do stupid thingshe said.

Abigal continues trudging along.

Nergoi moves along without much care.

Korra just rolls her eyes.

Oracle, Starbane, Shadowstep, Narimbi, & *Khala*

At this point, Oracle decided to join in with her brother. She not only kept a collected face, but spoke with an air of intrigue as she added on, "Some of the Haunters use to live in a place called the Suporvestus Basin, where ghosts gather at night to talk with the living." While she'd made up that last part, Velvet had spoken to her about the old Basin where the Nuova use to call home, and the description of the poisonous waters and ancient elephant bones had stirred the wonder in the young feline's mind. "If you guys are brave enough, we could go there next..."

"I dunoo..." Narimbi all but squeaked out. Her ears were still pasted back, and because she was so focused on Mael and Oracle, she didn't notice Terri's mishap until the sound of the branch snapping caused her to jump and hiss in surprise. "Eeeeeh!"

Oracle paused and looked over her should. "You okay, Terri? Get out of the trees you three - you don't want to be left behind, do you?" Oracle wouldn't leave the cubs behind of course, but she did not want to get in trouble if one of them got hurt. Or Imre forbid, lost while they were adventuring.

"But... we were just..." Shadowstep attempted to defend their actions, but with Dutch and Oracle both chastising them, she sulkingly backed out of the tree.

"GHOST!" Starbane gave Narimbi another reason to jump when he shouted this, staring up through the twisted dead branches of the canopy. It was no ghost that he'd seen, but a white-feathered bird coasting low over the tree tops and circling twice before flying off again.

Maelertech

He listened to his sister and then frowned as the youngster chose the wrong branch and fell but at Starbane word he looked up and his eyes narrowed how the bird circled twice. His fur bristled.Oracle, I think we should head backhe said feeling off about that bird.

Terri got up her coat all covered in the muck and she shook her body.im alright except now im disgustingly dirtyShe said.

The other laughed but all were soon in the muck.

Oracle, Starbane, Shadowstep, & Narimbi

Oracle's eyes narrowed as she followed Starbane's words and watched the raptor retreat from view. "It's no ghost." She murmured back to the cub with an edgy twitch of her tail. The falcon didn't look familiar to her, but she didn't like how it circled above them twice before flying off. "Maybe..." Her tail flicked again and she looked to her brother, a frowning expression upon her face as she fought the idea of leaving versus continuing their adventure. "It might have just been looking for a meal, though."

Shadowstep bounced up beside Terri, giving her sister a nudge, and subsequently getting grim smeared across her side. "We'll practice more when we get home." The cub was soon splattered with mud as she proceeded after the others, not caring so much about the muck when there were talks of ghosts and the prospect of their adventure getting cut short. "Was that a mean ghost? It looked a lot like a falcon to me."

"We should go home!" Narimbi insisted, dashing up to Maelertech. "I don't want to get eaten by a ghost!"

"Whatever it was, it flew away.. right?" Starbane hedged uncertainly. "What if we just be quiet, and don't make a lot of noise?"

Maelertech

Mael kept looking up at the sky even at his sisters words.If it circled once perhaps, circling twice usually means they found what they were looking for I believe. I feel it went to get someone or some others and we'll already be in trouble with the elders as isHe said then looked to narimbi.It wasn't a ghost Narimbi thats what troubles mehe said.

Terri nudged her back as she moved closer to the other.

The others were silent.

Melinu stepped forward.Where ever we go I suggest we leave this areaHe said.

Oracle, Starbane, Shadowstep, & Narimbi

Oracle continued to watch the skies, scanning the patches of blue and white through the twisted, dead tendrils of branches woven between them. "We could either head further out in the Valley, or travel higher in the Mountains? Maybe we can find that Basin, or something else that's decently entertaining." She continued to saunter along, eager to keep moving at least while they tried to decide on their next course of action. Either way though, she was moving to leave the Scar, just in case that bird meant trouble.

"So it was a falcon? Duh, Starbane!" She turned and flicked her tongue out at her brother, who scowled back at her. "As long as we can keep adventuring, I don't care where we go!"

After he was finished glowering at his sister, Starbane nodded to Melinu, "It's gross and stinks in this place. Can we go higher in the mountains?"

Tuini, Spotlight, & Autumn Sun

Khala hadn't dallied in leading the group back to the Scar, and was cautious upon returning. Soaring high enough in the sky so as not to attract attention, the falcon relied on her incredible vision to pick through the maze of branches and muck below. Had they been in any other forest, the group of cubs and adolescents might have evaded her gaze under the cover of leaves, but there weren't many living trees here, and many of the cubs had pale coats that stood out against the dark backdrop of mud. It didn't take long for Khala to relocate the group, now on the verge of leaving the old marsh and heading west into the mountains. With their location secure, she circled back and delivered the information to her pride, detailing exactly where they could intercept the youngsters.

"Good work, Khala. Alright, you all know what to do - let's spread out, and grab who we can. If Tyrant's kids cause too much trouble, kill them." Lowering his head to shoulder-level, the lion began to stalk quickly through the marsh, heading in the direction Khala gave.

Autumn Sun fanned out to Tuini's right side, while Spotlight took the left. With longer legs and honed muscles, it wouldn't take the trio long to catch up to the adolescents and the tiny, plodding paws of the cubs...

Maelertech

Mael was getting antsy as they continued on.Let us go to the mountains but take the road home, something is not righthe said his ears are back as they are moving and he chooses to fall back so the youngsters are between him and his sister. This was a bad idea very bad idea..

The all white male Melinu was starting to feel the tension from Maelertech. His tail twitching as they move.,Im ready to head homeHe said.

Terri was limping now from her fall. But she tried not to show it. Her ears were back at all the tension and then she thought she heard something and her ear twitched.Guys I don't think we're alone any moreShe said

Dutch and Abigal stand close together as Mael now tells them all to get close together and he meant close as the other clump in.

Maertech too feels like they aren't alone.oraclehe said to his sisterEveryone get close to gether now!he said and he positions himself in the direction he believes holds a threat but he can't be sure.COME OUT!He roar loudly so it will echo for miles. He hopes someone from the haunters will hear it.

Oracle, Starbane, Shadowstep, & Narimbi

The anxiety expressed by the others was starting to seep into Oracle's psyche as well. The ligress moved in a slinking manner, stepping with care and holding her head low as she tried to navigate the group back out of the Scar. With everyone behind her, she didn't notice Terri's limp, but she did give pause when the youngster called out a warning. Oracle halted and lifted her head, ears swiveling and eyes darting about the dreary landscape. She didn't see anything at first, but was leery enough to fall back with Maelertech as he ordered the cubs to press together.

"If someone's out there, I'd suggest you show yourself or slink back to wherever to you came from." Her words were more of a hiss to backup her brother's roar, and were delivered with bared fangs and flattened ears.

Narimbi and Starbane pressed in against the other cubs, looking fearful around at the fallen trees and leaning branches around them. Shadowstep contemplated the nearest tree, wondering if she had time to jump for it and climb if some predator or enemy tried to attack.

Tuini, Spotlight, & Autumn Sun

Tuini wasn't fearful in the least, and once Terri blew their cover and had the two adolescents on guard, he stopped trying to move stealthily and broke through the cover of brambles to reveal himself to the group. The full-blooded lion began to circle tightly around Maelertech and Oracle, baring his own fangs and lashing his tail, "How about this; if you two want to live, you'll step aside and let us take three cubs that are rightfully ours. Or, you can try to stop us and die, and we take three cubs anyway."

Spotlight broke cover next, leaping over a nearby log and landing with a splatter of mud a few yards from the others. The spotted liger was far larger than his co-lead, and the healing scars from his last encounter with a Haunter were still fresh upon his hide.

Autumn Sun's entrance was quieter, but no less threatening. The golden-furred liger didn't wait for conversation, she strode directly towards the group, aiming to grab Dutch by the back of the neck...

Above them all, Khala reappeared. The white falcon was circle sharply, and keeping an eye out on the terrain below. At the first sight of reinforcements, the falcon would alert Tuini and the others, to give them time to escape or prepare for battle.

Maelertech

He moved to shadow Tuini when he appeared his ears back at his words. So these were the makucha? He snorted.And here we thought you were honorable, but apparently you are lowly beeings going back on your word.He said. He would not abandon the cubs, he couldn't. They were already going to be in big trouble. HE did not know what to do. But too bad for you our own reinforcements will be here soon enough we had another smaller friend with us that has already slunk away for helpa lie but he said in confidently enough that most should believe it. With the amount of cubs with them it was hard to be able to protect them all though and when Autumn grabbed dutch he wanted to lung but that would leave the rest vunerable. LET Him go now, you will bring the whole of the haunters down on you for going against your agreementHe growled puffing up a bit.

Dutch who was a son of spotlight but had no clue who his father was yelped in suprise when he was grabbed but due to still being young he went limp in autumn's mouth. His ears back.

Abigal who was near her brother at the time of his grab lashed out at Autumn. Her face resembled Sundown. Let my brother go!She snarls. our mom will kill youShe growled.

Terri cowered down at the bigger and older felines. She was the daughter of Tuini and Menace but knew nothing like the others. She favored her right hind leg and left front leg a little as well from her fall.

Melinu saw the fear in his sister and the all white male puffed up and growled at Tuini and the others.Back off no one wants anything to do with youHe growled.

Nerogi puffed up despite being a small cub. HIs ears back.we don't want to go with youhe snarled.

Korra tries to hide under Oracle.

Tuini, Spotlight, & Autumn Sun

"We don't let things like pride and honor get in the way of survival." Tuini retorted without missing a beat, "Imre cares not for such things, so why would we?" He grinned at Maelertech's show of ferocity and defiance, continuing to circle the group in order to keep them on their toes. The mention of a smaller friend did give the lion pause, and he glanced up at Khala to see if the falcon had spotted anything worrying, but he wasn't willing to abandon their mission so fast. "Fortunately, this wont take long - we'll be on our way soon enough, before your 'help' arrives." That's when Tuini lunged forward rushing Maelertech and swiping a vicious paw at the adolescent's face...

Autumn Sun hissed at Abigal after tiny claws hooked her chin and drew a few bead of bright red across her golden fur. Hardly able to talk with a mouthful of cub, the liger lashed out with her own paw, to slap the cub down before turning tail and stalking away from the group...

Spotlight was quick to catch Terri's faltering movements, and immediately locked his gaze on her. "If only you all knew the kind of pride you're in, you'd know that we're here to save you." The defiant words from Nerogi and Melinu did little to sway the giant liger. With little more than a glance in their direction, he darted forward to grab Teri by the scruff...

Oracle, Starbane, Shadowstep, & Narimbi

"You wont get far before you're hunted down." The ligress growled with venom. She wanted to lunge after Autumn Sun, or pounce on Tuini for attacking her brother, but with little Korra seeking shelter beneath her, Oracle was loathe to leave the youngster unprotected, "The wolves will track you, and our parents will tear your throats out! And Mael and I will be there to help them." When Spotlight seized the moment to lunge in for Teri, that's when Oracle lashed out, striking like a viper for the brute's face and eyes.

Narimbi pressed in with the others, now shaking in fear. Shadowstep backed away from her idea to jump in a tree, and instead bared her tiny fangs and hissed at Spotlight, "Leave my sister alone, you big meanie! You're not here to save us!"

Starbane, despite his fears, couldn't bare the sight of his sibling being taken away, or the other one struck. With a squeaking roar, he pounced forward and tried to sink his teeth into Autumn's nose...

Maelertech

He pulls his face away and lashes out himself.And you think the haunters who chose to willingly join you will sit peacefully by while you go back on your word?He growled lashing out again with a clawed paw for Tuini.

Dutch had little choice in the matter as she turned to take him away from the group he called out as loud as his little voice could go hoping to draw other attention. He wanted to struggle but couldn't.

She yelped as she was hit dawn.

Hades showed up to help Tuini. the haunters will fallhe growled.

Terri tried to move away but if Oracle was unsuccussful she'd be snatched.

Caliana & Others

Caliana had been awakened by the sound of the cubs leaving. They had been stealthy enough, but she had been on high alert since they had returned. She and Toxic had been taken once before and Caliana wasn't going to allow that to happen again if she had anything to do about it. She wasn't going to ruin the young ones' fun. She remembered what it was like to be young. Even if she was a fully grown adult now and even her own daughter was fully grown as well. She still remembered the mischievous ways that she used to have as a cub. So, instead of stopping them as she probably should have done, she woke up Toxic and the others who had come here with her. She asked Jahia to watch over the adolescents they had brought with them while she signaled for the others to follow her. They couldn't let the cubs out on their own with the danger that Velvet had told them of. The lions hung back a bit when they entered the Scar, checking out the outskirts and finding the scent of other cats while Caliana and Toxic used the freeze frame stalking that their kind was so well known for. Their black mottled coats helped them blend in unseen and they reached the cubs just in time to see one of the little ones grabbed.

Toxic leapt for the female who was trying to take off with Dutch. She was attempting to use the element of surprise to knock the other female off her feet, to make her drop the cub so that it could go back to the group and they could fight off the attackers.

Caliana on the other hand sent out a sawing call to the lions who had been waiting to see if the two panthers would need their help before bringing herself into the fray, trying to put herself between the cubs and adolescents and their attackers. She knew that the lions would be there quickly, they weren't far, and if they followed instructions then they would be in position to surround the group of attackers. "You have no business with these young ones. Leave them alone." She said with ears pinned back, teeth bared in warning.

All the while, the six lions were moving in as they tried to circle the attackers, wanting to cut off their escape and assure that none of the young ones were harmed. They were all coming into view now, three lionesses who had seen their share of battles and their sons, all large males. Each of the male lions weighed in at no less than 500lbs, they were all walls of muscle from their time away from this place and the trip back. And none of the young males nor their mothers were willing to give a single step, their posture screamed of it. Though, it was Caliana who spoke once more. "This is your last chance, leave now or your bodies will rot in this bog with the others." She had no problems making the threats, she trusted her abilities as well as those of her companions. And the attackers were outnumbered from what she could see. Their plan could work out well, or it could completely backfire. They would see.

Tuini, Spotlight, & Autumn Sun

Claws tore like razors across Spotlight's face, and if not for his dark mane, those claws would have cut into his neck as well. A savage hiss was thrown back as the spotted brute endured the pain in order to secure his hold on Teri, closing his deadly jaws around the back of the cub's neck and lifting her away from the safety of Oracle and the others. As he drew back with his prize, the big male took a swipe at Velvet's daughter, throwing all his strength into the attack in an effort to daze and knock the liger aside. He was just getting ready to turn and pounce away, to following after Autumn, when a blur of dark fur came hurtling through the trees to assault his friend. A moment later, another ebony cat emerged, fangs bared and ears pinned as she dared to get between them and their prey. Spotlight hissed deeply and bared his own fangs, or what could be seen of them through the cub in his mouth. Narrowed eyes warned the gathered Haunters not to attack him...

Autumn Sun was already picking up speed when Toxic struck her. And though Autumn was over four times the size of her assailant, Toxic did have the benefit of the panther and snow leopard in her blood, giving her that edge of agility and leaping strength. The sheer momentum knocked Autumn aside, causing her to stumble and send Dutch rolling across the ground. The ligeress turned with a feral roar, and was about to pounce on her smaller enemy for the kill when she noticed a line of lions emerging through the brush. In an instant, she changed her mind and pounced for Dutch instead, aiming to pin the youngster down with a clawed paw, "Back off, or this cub will be the one rotting in the bog tonight."

"They will learn to accept our way of life, and know that it's better than yours." Tuini retorted, just before Maelertech struck him again, this time catching the other across the forehead as he ducked his head. It was then that Caliana made her entrance, and Tuini's mind shifted gears rapidly. Ears twitched as he heard the shuffle of many more paws, and saw the brigade of lions closing in around them, "Hades, grab that one!" He hissed with a short nod to Starbane, then glared at the black panther, "We will be leaving shortly, but your actions will decide whether anyone remains behind to feed the worms here!" With a decisive shift, the lion launched himself at Caliana, with the intent of pinning her down and wrapping his forepaws around her. He wasn't going for the kill, but if he could subdue this small female, he could negotiate for the retreat of his pride...

Oracle, Starbane, Shadowstep, Zanarah, & Narimbi

The strike from Spotlight was a dazing one, and nearly knocked Oracle over. The young liger blinked several times to try and clear her vision, and scarcely noticed the warmth of blood spilling down the side of her face and neck. She had no intentions of backing down now though. As soon as her senses returned to her, the daughter of Tyrant and Velvet gathered her strength and coiled her muscles, ready to launch herself after Spotlight and give the big male a thrashing. That's when movement up ahead caught her eye, and she looked just in time to see a bolt of spotted black fur barrel out from the trees and send Autumn stumbling, the cub rolling from her jaws. Caliana was on the scene next, rushing in with ivories flashing, and an army of lions at their back. Er, rather around them, as they strategically closed rank around the Makucha.

Oracle felt empowered now. Her lips pulled back and she uttered a powerful roar, sharp in its message and reverberating with strength. "You're outnumbered! Give it up, and we might spare you." When Tuini launched a surprise attack on Caliana, Oracle rushed in to try and grab the brute by the haunches...

Starbane had never caught up to Autumn by the time she was struck by Toxic. The little male faltered and came to an uncertain standstill. There was so much going on now that he wasn't sure what to do or where to go.

Shadowstep and Narimbi now pressed in closer to Maelertech.

Malertech

Maelertech glared at him. And they will learn from Katara where they trully belong, you will just foster enemies in your own pride because they will hate youHe snarled out He paces now keeping himself between the attackers and teh rest of the cubs.

Terri could not fight the bigger cat and the moment she was secured in his mouth she went limp. In away it was relief cause the pain in her legs from the fall was gone but she was also scared.

Dutch rolled as he was flung and was too dazed to move. When he was about to get up a large paw was on him and he cried out trying to bite at it.

The others all hunkered together.

Tuini, Spotlight, & Autumn Sun

In a moment of hesitation, Tuini used his claws to rake along whatever part of Caliana he might have been able to reach, then sprung away from the dark cat. There were too many Haunters present now, more than he'd realized were part of the pack, and the familiar faces had yet to show up. They had to get out of here before Senka or Tyrant arrived. "Grab the cubs, and fall back!" He roared, while backing up himself, "If any of you try to follow or stop us, we will sacrifice one of the cubs." The fire in his eyes, and the savagery of his voice, suggested the lion was not bluffing on this threat. Tuini sprang past the leopard and lunged down to snag Starbane, who'd foolishly left the safety of Oracle and Mael. He then charged forward, rushing through the closing gap of lions that were trying to encircle them.

Autumn wasted no time replacing her paw with her fangs, snapping Dutch up despite the cub's biting protests. Getting a secure hold around his next, the big female dashed after Tuini, moving swiftly to escape the Haunters before they could fully surround them.

Spotlight didn't need to be told twice. With Teri still securely held between his jaws, he narrowed his eyes as he shot a look between Caliana and the others, warning them that he'd have no problem applying a little more pressure and snuffing out the young life he carried so tenuously within his maw. The big brute then turned and followed his companions, not afraid to strike out with a paw if any Haunters dared get too close.

Oracle, Shadowstep, & Narimbi

Tuini had moved a little too quick for Oracle, and his threat against Starbane's life had given her pause. The young liger lashed her tail and bared her wicked fangs once more, "You wouldn't dare." She hedged, but something in the brute's eyes told her he wasn't bluffing. Leaves scattered about the ground behind Oracle when her tail once again thrashed through them in a visual representation of her pent up fury. As she stood indecisively, Tuini was already making his move, plunging through the narrowing gap of felines that were trying to block them in. Autumn and Spotlight fell in line behind the escaping lion, and Oracle nearly dove after them. But that look in Tuini's eyes... it was just enough to keep her planted.

"Dammit! Let them go." She ordered, brazenly giving orders to Caliana and the elder lions, despite being a mere adolescent herself. She turned around to face her brother and the cubs that remained, her ears flattened back, "..We have to tell Senka and Tersek about this, immediately. Chasing them down will only get those cubs killed." She nearly grimaced at the thought of their anger, but being the offspring of The Oracle and Tyrant would at least spare them from harsher punishment... she hoped. With her auds still planted against her skull, Oracle grabbed Narimbi and headed back towards the Ruins.

Narimbi curled up and allowed herself to be carried, feeling safer that way anyway. Shadowstep began to plod after Oracle, but constantly looked back over her shoulder, as if hoping to see her sister again, running back to them.