Tuari/Sasha/Phoenix/Saguaro/War Song

Tuari landed in front of the Ruins, keeping quiet. He hid around a corner from the Temple and waited for the others.

Soon, Sasha arrived. "We must wait for the cats, bear and pig." She said quietly.

Phoenix and Saguaro were the next to the Ruins, followed by War Song. They hid with Tuari and Sasha behind the large stone structure. "Keep quiet now. Don't take any unnecessary risks. We are here to rescue Penny and nothing else unless Tuari or Wasteland says otherwise." Phoenix said, peering around the edge of the building.

Vulcan, Draven and Arctic

It was Arctic who arrived first in the lands of the Shadow Haunters. The snow leopard followed the faint figures of the rescue party towards the Temple, grumbling softly to herself. Her blue eyes met the others as she rounded the corner, "Who are we saving? All I know is that there's a chance we could fight the Haunters. We came as back-up, can't go against an army with few numbers. My name is Arctic, if you didn't know, friends."

Soon enough, A huge hybrid rounded the corner, grinning sinisterly. "Ah, the rescue party. The name's Draven, and the tiger," he stated, as Vulcan, the 800 pound Siberian tiger came up, "is Vulcan."

Ireshk

The lean, long-legged son of the late Annie always remained behind at the Temple while the others were out. He was a loner, and not one to like fighting. But he had his duties, and he wasn't about to shirk them.

When he scented the intruders, Ireshk went scampering over rock and rubble until he came face to face with the group. Almost instantly, he wished he hadn't done this, for there was no way he could hold off the attackers. And the rest of his pack was at the far southern end of the Valley, trying to gain some recruites from the Wolf Center. Oh well, he must do his job...

"What are you doing here? This is the land of the Shadow Haunters." Ireshk stated in the most authoritive, intimidating voice he could muster. The wolfdog held himself tall and did his best to glare down the intruders, while hoping that he hadn't made a mistake by confronting such a large group.

Wasteland

Wasteland followed the others, but he left them as soon as he got near the temple. The white tiger came from behind, and was surprised to see Ireshk, but said nothing. Silently, he followed the wolf dog. When he spoke, the tiger gave a low chuckle directly behind the smaller canine. You see, dog you have two choices. Turn and run, or stay and fight. We're here for the bird, and that is all. Nothing more, nothing less. Either hand her over or.... He gave his most sinister grin Pay the price. His long tiger tail waved back and forth his eyes lighting up dangerously. If the canine chose to fight, he'd welcome it. If he chose to run, the tiger would give him a three second head start before going after him. You could see in his eyes that he wasn't about to let Ireshk go, and that he was thinking of keeping the dog hostage. It wasn't what Baphomet had ordered, but it was a pleasent idea.

Tuari/Sasha/Phoenix/Saguaro/War Song

Phoenix grinned as Wasteland spoke. For once, she was happy to have the tiger near her friend. She stepped closer to the canine, not one bit intimidated. "We get the bird, we leave, and then everything goes back to normal. Got it?" She said impatiently.

Tuari stood tall, glaring at Ireshk. "Be wise for once, Haunter, and give me my sister."

"...And if you don't..." War Song added, "...I crush you." The massive American black bear stepped forward, displaying his impressive set of teeth.

Saguaro and Sasha stood behind the group. They didn't exactly want to be involved in the fighting part of the rescue.

Ireshk

The lean little hybrid whirled around with a startled gasp, his eyes flaring wide at the sight of the massive tiger now in front of him. Jaws clenched in fear, he spun partially around as the others added their threats to the list. What did I just get myself into? Ireshk thought frantically to himself, but knew he had little choice on what to do. If he took the offer to flee, he'd have to face the wrath of Risen... and he knew what had happened to little Outcast and Palitina when they failed. But to stay and fight would be suicide... but Risen...

"Th-the b-bird is ours." Ireshk stammered as bravely as he could, which was not much at all. He was visibly trembling, but somehow he remained standing, figuring it was best to go down attempting to fight, rather than face the wrath of Risen.

Wasteland

Something glittered in those feline eyes. Something....Dangerous. With no sound what so ever, Wasteland lifted a massive paw, claws unsheathed and struck out at Ireshks hind end aiming to paralyze the hybrid. He said to Saguro and Sasha, Go find the bird. If you run into anything, give a call. He lifted his eyes to Arctic, nodding to her. Follow them. His eyes said. Then he turned back to Ireshk, a dark gleam still in his eyes. The bird still yours, puppy? He said softly.

Ireshk

Terrified eyes were just drawing away from the black bear when something smashed into his back end. With a horrid yelp, Ireshk felt himself spun forcefully to the ground. Pain screamed up his spine, pricking his back like so many burning needles. When the yearling tried to stand, he found his hind legs not cooperating. He could feel them somewhat; enough to detect a searing pain where the claws had dug in, but he did not have enough control to stand. "Oh please, please don't kill me!" Ireshk whimpered pitifully, hunkering to the ground when he realized he couldn't stand. "I don't want to die, I don't want to die..." The little hybrid began to whimper between muffled sobs, having the fight knocked clean out of him. He was more like his real mother Annie, and not a fighter at heart.

Wasteland

Pathetic. He hissed at Ireshk. It is amazing that you survived this long, puppy. Without the Haunters by your side, you are nothing. With that the large cat turned and trotted into the temple, heading to find Penny.

Tuari/Sasha/Phoenix/Saguaro/War Song

Sasha and Saguaro nodded and raced to the Temple, preparing themselves for anything.

Tuari towered over Ireshk, glaring at him hatefully. "You evil little fool." He said. "It takes a real jerk to steal a poor bird who has done nothing wrong. You are the ones doing wrong. You have taken lives, and watched while they fell to the ground and suffered." He clicked his bill together angrily.

"And now you must pay!" Phoenix hissed, baring her fangs and putting her ears back. She lunged at the canine, but intentionally missed. "Now you know that I'm capable. Don't test us, dog..."

War Song stepped forward, growling at the Haunter. He lifted his enormous paw and pushed it down where he saw Ireshk, so he had no chance of escaping.

Ireshk

His ears pinned back and he pressed down against the ground as much as he could, "I-I didn't steal anyone!" As far as he knew, he was telling the truth. Little did he know that Nachi had used him to steal Phelan and a score of other pups, for she had him believe he was 'saving' them from certain death. Their words were just more confusion to him, but he tried to reason, "I didn't kill anyone! Please!" He whimpered out next, before yelping as the bear's paw pressed down on him. Bear paw or no bear paw, Ireshk wouldn't be going anywhere with his hind legs paralyzed. "P-please don't k-kill me!"

Arctic, Draven and Vulcan

Arctic nodded, growling at Ireshk before trotting after the others to find Penny.

Draven and Vulcan said nothing, leaving Wasteland to handle the threats. However both displayed aggression, growls, fangs, curses. As the bear stood guard of the fallen Haunter, the tiger and hybrid followed the others.

Tuari/Phoenix/War Song

Tuari nodded to the others. "I'm going to go see my sister." He said, walking into the Temple.

"Right." War Song said, then growled fiercely at the canine.

Phoenix circled around the prisoner, snarling. "Tuari, watch out. You don't want to trample any of them. They might cry." She chuckled

Tuari laughed as he walked through the doorway.

War Song smiled and looked at Phoenix. "That's funny...for a cat." He replied.

Ireshk

The yearling trembled violently under the paw of War Song, frightened out of his mind and struggling with the pain that raced along his back. His eyes, so wide that the whites were showing, rolled from one Ancient to the other, horrified at all the snarls and cruel words he heard. He knew that Nachi was at right then; the other wolves and creatures in the Valley must be evil. If only he had saved more pups!

Phoenix/War Song

Phoenix smiled. "Little dog, would you like to join us and save the Valley?" She asked softly. "The Haunters kill pups because they think they're doing the Valley a favor. Do the Valley a real favor, and join the Ancient Guardians. Then you will finally know what love and happiness feels like." She moved closer, towering over the fallen Haunter menacingly.

War Song kept his paw on Ireshk, watching him carefully. "Don't do anything stupid, dog." He warned. "Join us and live."

War Song/Phoenix

War Song nodded to Phoenix. "Go to the pack, cat. I will take care of the dog." He said, pointing in the direction of his pack. He then looked down at Ireshk. "I would take you hostage and bring you to my land, but that wouldn't be very nice, now would it?" He chuckled. But an idea soon popped into his head, and he called to the cat. "Before you go to the pack, ask Saguaro to ask Baphomet if he wants a hostage. I need you there to defend. Send a messenger here, too, in case I need help." He ordered. "And do it quick."

Phoenix bowed to the bear. "Will do." She replied, before darting off.

Icarus

The Borzoi soon reached the location of War Song and Ireshk, panting. "Phoenix has sent me to help you." He informed, sitting down and resting on the cold stone.

Desert Storm

The hummingbird flew frantically to War Song and Icarus. "I bring a message from the Cougar." He informed. "She says to leave the hound and come home. She also says that he is a Haunter, so we have no further business with him." Having delivered this message, he flew back to his home.

War Song/Icarus

War Song took his paw off of Ireshk. "You had better be thankful, mutt." He said, then looked at Icarus. "We cannot leave him here. Tell the Haunters in the Temple that their guard is outside and he is injured badly. Then go home." He nodded to the Borzoi and walked away.

Icarus wagged his tail, then ran to the Temple.