Dusquei & Others

Now that night had fallen, and the sky was clouded over to block out the light of the moon and stars, the keen-eyed cats had a slight advantage in the darkness. Dusquei, one of the two Strategist in the group, was leading the party along through the rocks and winter-dormant plants. Having grown up in the Ruins, the big feline knew every bush and boulder, and selected her route carefully to avoid being spotted or making noise. She was also exceedingly careful about staying downwind so that she and her group were not scented before they reached the Temple.

Behind Dusquei was Yarra, Yarrow, Dulsca, Hathalia, Ginger, Plague, Aerial, and their most important member... Nemu. Stopping several dozen yards and staying hidden in a leafless thicket, Dusquei's whispering voice was aimed at her sister, "They should have the youngsters in the basement. Get as many as you can to follow you, and use any excuse you can. If you run into trouble, give a yowl, and we'll rush in."

Nemu

Nemu listened and approached the water and stopped. She looked at Mena.Its only me menaShe spoke to the leopard Seal whose head came above the water adn when it dissapeared again she dove in. Her pelt shivering. The water here hadn't frozen. I swam across and slunk toward the basement. My sister would be there with her cubs and that worried me a bit. I slunk down there and gave a small call to any young that was still awake. She prayed her sisters young were still asleep. Senka seemed to be in a deep sleep and that where my eyes laid. Shit Tyrant one of her sons approached me rather eagerly. I looked at him and I knew if I told him he couldn't come he would wake Senka so i sighed. A female pup from Bellatrix named Madusa also approached. I waited now to see if anyone else would come for the young.

Mena and her mate swam the moat and their offspring did as well.

Dusquei & Others

The group of felines, and one little canine Aerial, stayed hunched down in the distance to avoid spoiling the raid. They could neither see nor hear Nemu after she crossed the moat and entered the Temple, and could only hope that all went well. In the meantime, they all kept a vigilant watch on their surroundings. If they were given away, they knew they had to retreat quick... they were seriously outnumbered.

The pups were so small that they had a difficult time managing the steps that led up out of the Basement, but they were bored of staying down there and all too eager to go exploring the brand new world that was waiting for them. Lamiac, Unciatum, and Monarda, three of the many Mothers that were in the basement at the time, happened to be asleep right now. After all... looking after so many little ones certainly wore a parent out. "Shhhh, quiet! Don't wake them up!" Lupanare whispered to her siblings as she scaled the steps, eager to see who was calling to them from outside. Until now, she had never met anyone but the other pups and the Mothers - she had no clue who Nemu was.

Following the little pup was one of her brother's, Silverdawn. Night's Call and Arocheae also followed, all sticking together as the padded on their stubby legs to follow after Madusa.

Nemu

Nemu listened and she heard many little paws but no bigger ones. She prayed the leopard seals would be under water and wouldn't notice until she was hopefully across. Come with me little ones. Lets go for a nighttime walkShe spoke them. I moved toward the ice covered half of the moat and placed a paw cautiously on it testing it and then another and another and then she made to move across it carrying Tyrant in her mouth. As much as she didn't want to take my nephew i did. I placed him down on the other side.

Madusa followed quiet eager.

Tyrant grinned. He looked like his Amur Leopard father more then his mother but had some stripes. Aunty Aunty where we going? Shouldn't we wake momma Senka?He spoke lowly.

The male leopard was the one to hear them crossing the ice and he was above water in seconds. NEMU! where are you going with those young ones?he called. The other Leopard seals now approaching. Golliath was on the land side that nemu was now.

Dusquei & Others

Monarda stirred briefly, but thankfully for Nemu, didn't wake up. When there were as many animals in the Ruins as there were, one got use to a lot of noise. "Woow, you're big!" Silverdawn gasped in awe as he plodded after the big cat, having to move fast to keep up with her longer legs. "I've never been out here before... this is so cool!" Arocheae commented with just as much wonder, finding the nighttime darkness perfect. Spending all of her time in the Basement so far meant that she wasn't use to bright lights yet, so stepping out of the dark chamber didn't overwhelm her. Night's Call stuck close to the big cat, a little more nervous than the others. "Brrrr! It's so cold! What is this stuff?" He whispered as he stepped onto the ice, not liking the freezing sensation on his tiny paws. Nonetheless, he did follow after the cat, slowly making his way across the ice.

"Shit..!" That was Dulsca when she heard Goliath's voice call Nemu out. The lioness was on the verge of springing forward, but she held back for now... maybe Nemu could talk her way out of this. It didn't look like she could, but while there was a still a chance of them getting away without immediately alerting the Haunters of the assault, Dulsca was prepared to be patient. "C'mon, Nemu... you can do it..." The elder cat whispered under her breath, watching anxiously.

"What's going on here?" Unfortunately, Goliath wasn't the only one to notice the theft in progress. Tessik was patrolling around the area tonight, and happened to wander by the moat at the same time as Nemu was trying to cross it. The small canine narrowed his eyes in suspicion, "Nemu, what are you doing with the cubs?!"

Nemu

She stared at the Leopard seal in fear and then noticed the other leopard seals and Tessik. My body froze a bit as I made it across with the cubs by me.Senka my sister told me I could take them for a short walk to tire them outShe spoke calmly. My tail flicked and then my ears went back as she heard her sister and she growled now not sure what to do.

Senka had woken up and came outside in time to hear Nemu's words. I stood on the ice bridge and now glared.I did not Nemu! What are you really doing sister? She growled now moving toward them. Her own tail flicking. There was something up she could feel it.

Golliath heard the other two and now he was ready to give as much chase as he could even if it was over land luckily there was ice and snow so that would help him.

Plaque stayed down but felt danger and wanted to rush in to help.

Dusquei & Others

Tessik's hackles raised and his lips curled back to show off his fangs, "The cubs are too small, and it's too cold outside. As a Mother, you should know better..." There was a warning note deep in the words as he became quickly more suspicious of the feline's motives. With her brother, sister, and most of her extended family in the Nuova Alba pack, it didn't take much for Tessik to wonder if maybe Nemu had been coerced to join them. "Take them back to the Basement."

"There's six cubs, and eight of us." Aerial whispered to the group. "If she can't convince them that she's still on their side, we can run in and each grab a cub... two of us can cause a distraction while the rest flee to the Basin." The little canine was the other Strategist in the group, and she was putting her skills to the test right now, trying to judge what was best to do in this situation. Either way, they had to act fast... the sooner they waited, the more chance there was for more Haunters to show up, and that would reduce their chance of getting the cubs back to the Basin.

"Nemu said we can go for a nighttime walk!" Lupanare piped up, picking up the liger's name from Senka. She had no clue what was going on, but since taking a walk sounded a heck of a lot more exciting than sitting around in the Basement all day, the pup was keen on staying with Nemu.

Senka

Senka growled at her sister when she didn't listen on bringing them back. She now moved across the ice bridge in attacking way. Body low and ready to spring. Her mouth hung open slightly as a growl built up.Lupanare later when it light out and your older. Tessik taking them back nowShe growled the order.

Nemu turned to the side as her sister began a charge. She didn't want to fight her half sister. Though instinct caused a loud growl to erupt from her vocal cords. Just as her sister launched for her she launched herself back at her.

Madusa moved away as senka charged.

Tyrant growled at his mother. No mamma she just wants to take us for a walk let her momma please!He coward back a bit.

Golliath watched his mouth opened debating if he should go for the ligress. He knew he could easily kill her faster then Senka could.

Plaque growled as Senka charged.I think that times come this is gonna cause a scene we must get the cubs and nemu out. She can't fight! she risks her cubs!She growled.

Dusquei & Others

"Dulsca and Plague, you guys help Nemu - the rest of us will each grab a cub!" Aerial ordered, following Plaque's advice that the time was now or never. It was clear Nemu wasn't going to be able to cover her tracks and talk the others out of attacking her, so they had to count their losses and cut out. The little hybrid bounded out from cover first, darting forward as the rest of the felines surged out from hiding and followed after her. At the sight of the ambushing group, Night's Call yelped in surprise and cowered down - he was easy enough for Ginger to pick up. Aerial set her sights on Madusa, aiming to snatch the youngster by her scruff and make a quick retreat back to the Basin. Hathalia went for Lupanare, Yarra went for Arochease, and Yarrow for Silverdawn - that left Tyrant, who Nemu could hopefully grab when she had the chance.

Meanwhile, Dulsca plowed across the ground and struck Tessik like an oncoming train. The smaller, 100 pound canine was just in the process of stalking forward to herd the cubs back to the Temple when the lioness sprung at him. He had time only for a sharp yelp of alarm before he was sprang upon and rolled harshly across the ground. Massive fangs sunk deep into the back of his neck, while claws held him in place before he could even try to fight back. "Pl'gue- h'lp 'er!" Crunching her jaws down to put a hasty end to Tessik, Dulsca growled between her clenched teeth for Plague to help fight off Senka. And as soon as Dulsca was able to kill the canine, she would help out as well.

Dusquei joined her sister, and hopefully Plague, as they assaulted Senka. Though she knew it would hurt her sister to fight against the Haunter who she was so fond of, the ties had to be cut at some point. Growling savagely, the big cat sprung full-force at Senka, snapping ferociously at the other's haunches and clawing at her sides.

Nemu

She bit her sister but only to keep her stomach safe. Her ears were back. She struggled and surged around and when her sister got to them she was free'd and she just plucked Tyrant up not wanting to but knew the little cub would follow her anyways and she ran as fast as the could towards her new home.

Senka snarled as now Dusquei and Plaque assaulted her. She snarled at them and lashedo ut with her own claws and she snapped at Dusquei neck and growled out calling for reinforcments. The cubs were lost for now but she wouldn't let these three get away.

Joey heard the call and already thunder over the ice which luckily was really thick. He aimed to ram into Dusquei and throw her off and away from senka. Then his trunk wrapped around the lioness and threw her as well. He then made to charge Dulsca

Dulsca & Dusquei

With the young ones in mouth, the rest of the felines and Aerial fled back to the safety of the Basin, while the three felines stayed to offer resistance and by the group time.

Dusquei dropped back swiftly and swung a paw at Senka's face when the feline snapped for her neck. She hissed as fangs cut deep across one of her pads, but it was better than having a gashed neck at least. The liger was ready to pounce at Senka a second time and continue the assault, but Joey was thundering her way and she stood no chance against an elephant. With a hiss, Dusquei turned and sprinted a few yards before the lumbering creature could reach her, and counted on the darkness of the night to hinder Joey's sight and make it a little harder for him to pinpoint her movements. "Come on, big boy. You want to play?" Her vocals hissed mockingly, as she moved backwards with a limp, drawing further into the shadows that would give her greater advantage over Joey if he chose to go after her. Meanwhile, Dulsca wasted no time in finishing off Tessik, killing the unlucky canine with a power bite that broke his neck. An experienced fighter herself, moreso even than Dusqeui, the lioness was wise to dart further into the shadows when Joey charged her way. "Plague, back here!"

Plaque

Plaque moved away into thedark. Her hackles raised .

Joey stopped charging when they vanished he wasn't stupid.He swung his trunk and grunted.

Senka growled and now called for immediat back up. She also turned to try an find any of their birds and if she found one would tell them to follow them and find out where they were running to.

Dusquei & Others

Once all in their party were accounted for, Duslca was the one to take charge of the group, "Our job's finished here. Lets go." Not about to hang around and try their luck against whoever responded to Senka's call for reinforcements, Dulsca called a wise retreat. Using her night vision as an advantage, and her powerful legs to carry her quickly, the big cat melded into the darkness of the night and headed back for their base, with the others hopefully in close tow.

Senka

She couldn't believe that they got away with the young including her own son. She called out like a mother would as if her son would coming running back but nothing. she moved back into the temple to find greyfell