Greyfell & Others

The zebra stood in alertness near the moat. His mostly-black coat was stained with mud from the frequent rains. His dark face looked lighter due to the coat of dust and sand on it. Overall, he was a mess, both physically and mentally. He had to make the best choices for the Shadow Haunters, especially in a time of dawning war. But he was troubled. Some of the Haunters had disappeared yesterday, along with his daughter, Luna Moth.
"Greyfell?" Said Berwyn, son of Tina and Scout. He was born into the Haunters, and acted more as moral support than a warrior, strategist, or any of the other typical roles. He assisted in hunts, though, and was occasionally able to provide insight on possible strategies. Though he was still young, so he was still in training.
"Yes, Berwyn?" Greyfell asked, glancing back at the chocolate-colored hybrid.
Berwyn took this as an invitation to step forward. "Harcourt has come back with some success..." He replied with a short pause afterward, "Krove is leading the defectors toward the Basin. What bothers me is that...that the Basin is where the Nuova Alba reside." The young hybrid looked quite worried. He was born after the Nuova Alba formed, so he had never experienced a defection.
Greyfell fell silent for a few moments, staring off in the distance. "I didn't think he'd do it."
"Do what, sir?" Berwyn looked up at the big equine.
"Krove and Kane had been talking about leaving... I didn't think they'd have the guts to do it." He lowered his head. "This is my fault." With a glance back at Berwyn, he directed another question at the hybrid. "Who else was with them?"
Berwyn looked up at the sky as he counted the defectors. "Uh... Hannibal, Black Swan, Exodus...and... Are you sure you want to hear this, sir?"
"Of course, Berwyn. I have to know, even if I don't want to." The zebra paused. "Even if I can't handle it."
"Well..." Berwyn looked away and lowered his voice. "Luna Moth is with them. I'm sorry, sir. Uh... she didn't look happy about it either. I think she was trying to get away. Harcourt...he wanted me to tell you right away."
The expression on Greyfell's face darkened. He spoke in a low, blunt voice, "Alert the rest. We're following them. If they're going to the Nuova Alba, I want to know before anything happens to my daughter."
Berwyn nodded. "I'm on it, Greyfell." With that, he bolted to an old pillar near the temple and let out a long, loud howl to call the rest of the Shadow Haunters.

Cavan & Others

Berwyn's howl was backed up by a baritone cry from the loyal Captain of the Haunters. Even as he neared his eighth birthday, Cavan was not yet being pulled down by his advancing age, and had yet to show any whitening on his tan-gray muzzle. The wolf sauntered out with a high-held tail, embarking from the center of the Temple to join up with Greyfell and those gathering under the warcry. "What's prompted such action from you, Greyfell?" The wolf inquired with a studious gaze fixed on his taller leader. When it came to war, Cavan was an experienced veteran, and in past times had played a personal role in taking out their enemies or leading small battalions, but he waited patiently for the zebra to give him commands.

Tersek and Monarda were two of the canines that first responded to the war call, with the massive Tersek carrying himself every bit as proud and challenging as he dared to around his leaders. The surly, grizzle-coated wolfdog had not lost the edge to his personality, and never delayed in letting those around him know that he wasn't to be trifled with. For all his aggression and attitude however, he did make an excellent addition to the Haunter's fighting force, enough that Cavan grousingly tolerated the younger canine's constant bickering and limit-testing he was prone to do. Monarda, on the other hand, was far more easy to get along with, and as one of the original Haunters that had witnessed the various changes in the massive pack, she was as loyal as one could get.

"Greyfell, sir." Geinah soon joined the group as she slipped down from a low cluster of stones and padded up to stand in front of the equine. Her small, metallic gray body was a direct throwback of her grandsire Vicious, and so too were the icy cold look of her pale yellow eyes. Yet this offspring of the old brute did not come close to matching his size or strength - her power came from her clever mind, and thus the strategist put it to use in addressing her ruler. "Shall I organize the non-fighters and retreat to Dima's Temple? Many of our water dragons have perished in the time of sickness this year, but the never has an enemy breached our inner fortification." Like her father Cavan, Geinah had a leaning towards defense rather than offense, and even though the Haunters could almost certainly hold their own with the guards they had here, she was worried still.

Senka

Senka was immediatly by greyfell's side. They hadn't gone after her son back when he was taken a few months ago but hopefully he hadn't been brainwashed. Her ears were forward.Yes even though they have been depleted don't forget the leopard seals they are still with usShe spoke trying to remain calm but her hair stood on end.

the others were all gathered near by.

Greyfell & Others

Berwyn retreated back to Greyfell's position as the army started to file out. The corgi mix sat anxiously beside the leader while the zebra gave out orders.
"Cavan. Thank you for arriving so quickly." Greyfell treasured the Captain and his abilities greatly. Without Cavan, the pack might just fall apart. "Some of the Haunters have left for the Nuova Alba. Kane and Krove must have planned this. I should have seen it coming." As more Haunters began to show up, he continued his speech. "We are going to intercept them. It is unlikely that we will get them before they reach the Basin, but with our prowess and sheer number, we can surely clean up the mess." He stepped forward for the next addition to the speech to be better heard by everybody. "Alert every able warrior. They will all follow us in the attack, save for a few of the heavy warriors, who will stay as guardians. Geinah - yes, bring the non-fighters to Dima's Temple. As Senka said, we still have the seals under our command, and Orinoco and her kin are still here. The snakes, Peril and Danger, are already in Dima's Temple ready to protect the non-fighters."
He then turned his attention to Nicholas, who had recently arrived. "Fetch the rest of the strategists, Nicholas. We will not go into battle without a plan." At this command, the wolf hybrid bolted toward the temple and called for the strategists.
"Cavan." Greyfell addressed the Captain again. "Assemble a strike team of your choice - the finest warriors will be under your lead. You will be going in with the light warriors." His striped head turned toward Senka. "As a heavy warrior, Senka, you will lead your team of heavy warriors. You, Cavan and I will take the lead with out first teams, with the rest of the warriors as backup."

Senka would surely be surprised about who just showed up. A tiger, blue-gray on the bottom and white on the top, and somewhat smaller than Senka. This was Koray, Senka's father. The son of Majikan and Enshalla approached the group. "I will aid you." After being gone so long, he hoped that Senka would remember him. He remembered her, which is why he addressed her. "I see you are doing well in your pride, my child. I have always had great things in mind for you, and you have not let me down. I hope you will accept me under your lead." The daughter would lead the father if all went well.

Senka

Senka listened to everything. She looked up to greyfell.of courseShe spoke and then her face jerked forward as a familiar smaller cat came forward and she watched him. As he came to stand by her she knew who it was and she nudged him.WE shall be glad to have you fight with us....FatherShe spoke. Her claws dug into the ground. Thank youShe spoke calmly. She glanced at the sky thinking of her mother.Mother would be proud tooShe spoke calmly.

Cavan & Others

Cavan snarled darkly. More defectors in their rank?! Well, no matter... at least those that were weak of mind had been weeded out of the pack, and the loss of them was little more than a dent in the number of Haunters that still stood loyal to Greyfell. "When we catch them, they should not be spared." He murmured starlky to the zebra, making it known that he would aim to kill the defectors right along side the Nuova Alba, unless his commander stated otherwise.

Geinah zipped away in a streak of gray fur and flying feet, wasting no time getting back into the Temple to start rounding up those that were not fight to fight. "Erathi! Circle the foothills around us, and make sure that all of our numbers are counted for!" The she-wolf hardly stopped to howl her words to the falcon circling above her. Erathi immediately lifted higher into the air, catching a lofty thermal, and blazed out of sight to seek out any stray Haunters that had not been close enough to hear the call to war. Geinah continued onward into the Temple, alerting others and calling on a few of the heavy warriors to meet her at Dima's Temple.

Cavan, in the meantime, was raising a howl that followed after his daughter's. "All light warriors to me! I will be leading a canine brigade, and together we will bring this fight to our enemy's doorstep!" Still more Haunters spewed out from the ancient stones, quickly filling in the area around their three higher ranking packmates. With Cavan was Krone, Morela, Destroying Angel, Monarda, Bergamot, Druid, Huerosan, Tersek, Oswega, and Lamiac.

Icepaw and Jequire were two of the felines that filtered in towards Senka, while Thunder's Call chose to remain behind and help guard the Temple.

Greyfell & Others

Greyfell looked down at Cavan with an icy, grave look on his face. "They will pay for their crimes." He said in acknowledgment, feeling that the same thoughts that went through his mind also went through the canine's mind.

As the young, elderly, sick or otherwise unable to fight headed for Dima's Temple, a mass of warriors flooded out. Among the light warriors who congregated around Cavan were Bain, Cameo, Cascade, Caraway, Elijah, Enchanted, Monticola, Pandora, Chikadee, Exodus, Kolchan and Torpedo. The warriors were tense, ready for battle.

Koray joined Senka's squad, soon followed by Bast, Chetan and Haunter.

Corvus walked slowly out of the temple, his hooves clopping on the ground. The son of Luna Moth and Faraday already missed his mother, so he made it his mission to get her back. The zorse stood behind his grandfather, looking particularly miserable.

"Make haste. We will leave as soon as all of the warriors are here and the non-fighters are safely in Dima's temple." Greyfell looked over his army, pleased with their speed and determination. He could see it in their eyes. To him, they didn't look at all like they were afraid to die.

Through the trees came another army. A small army, but nevertheless seasoned warriors. Jack was in the lead, with the oryxes following him: Lily, Re'em, Vikhuula, Kokara, Challenger and Hoteki. "We will fight with you, Greyfell. We will fight to the death," Jack spoke up. Vikhuula and Re'em, remembering the old days, seemed a bit nervous about being here, but they fought off the past and thought about the future.

Senka

Senka was ready for this fight. She didn't know if her young cub Tyrant had been brainwashed but maybe if he hadn't maybe they'd get him back now as well but she didn't know either way she was ready for afight and was happy that this time she wasn't being left behind. She sent out a loud roar calling all heavy warriors to her.

Heavy Warriors: Cassanova, Frodo the grizzley, Ikakku, Sawtooth,

Light Warriors: Bijuu, Lord voldemort, Myroi,