Magadan

If Magadan were capable of sweating, his fur would have been drenched through by now. What had started off as a mission of peace had descended rapidly towards the brink of war, and Magadan had got himself caught in the mix of it, a mere nobody who had not been a part of the original dispute, but who was tied into the conflict solely because of his loyalty to White Love. For better or worse, he would stick with her and defend his alpha until his last breath... though he certainly hoped it wouldn't get that far.

The silver-faced male had followed White from the Sonnet Forest, sticking so close to her during their trek to the Ruins that the fur of their shoulders brushed together now and then. He was constantly looking back over his shoulder, figuring the Sonnet Forest Pack and their allies would be after them; and if they weren't pursuing them directly, he could only imagine they would be trailing them eventually. And if not that, Mag was deeply troubled by what Technopunk had said - the Shadow Haunters, whom White was now seeking alliance from, were already good friends with the Sonnet Forest. It left Mag seriously doubtful that they'd find help here, but again, he was going to stick with White Love regardless of the outcome.

As they climbed higher into the rugged landscape of the Croal Mountains, Magadan couldn't help but feel started at the strange scattering of stones and pillars, and when the finally came within view of the Temple, his eyes really went wide. He'd never seen Atroe City, or anything man-made before, so to see the Ruins instilled great wonder in the wolf, or what wonder his frantic mind had room for at the moment.

Amari & Others

The Valkama Pack, Night Watch, Rebels and Horse Division, as well as Dignitas, were hot on the trails of Magadan and White Love, though they stayed far enough behind to hopefully go unnoticed. Amari felt that the pair from Sedge Creek would cause trouble for Greyfell, one of her closest allies. Isabel, Technopunk and Nightshade had already warned Greyfell of White Love and her pack shortly after she had tried to take their territory, and Greyfell vowed to uphold his friends' alliance and loyalty, and to protect his territory to the death, if need be.

Isabel and Rowan looked at each other as they neared the Ruins. They shared the same look; a sort of grim curiosity coupled with anxiety and, eerily, a faint smile. They both wondered how this would go down. Greyfell had become more and more hostile toward rival packs with each passing day, and they were sure that violent fireworks would follow if White Love and Magadan made themselves noticed to the Shadow Haunters Commander.

Tainted, Nightshade, Shiv and Sniper truly wanted to see bloodshed today. They always did. Tainted and Nightshade were only a few years apart in age, though Tainted, daughter of Tahti and Luke, was Nightshade's great-aunt. Shiv and Sniper were the adult sons of Nightshade and Failure, and were quite the thrill-seekers. Much of Tahti's legacy was very socially and emotionally close, though they were spread far throughout the Valley. The greatest concentration of Tahti's descendants, though, resided at Manahcob Downs.

White Love

White Love found her paws carrying her through the place. Soon coming to the Ruins. But her bad leg right now still gave her a little trouble, making her limp. White had not wanted a battle with Kree but she had got one. Kree had refused to back down, thus forcing White Love to try and kill him only failing and it turning out to be Kree almost killing her, before Mag had taken the other brute down. Once she had felt Kree's jaws let go of her neck and feel his extra weight leave she had struggled to see Mag. She had tried to help only to be held down by Emma so she could help with the bleeding wound at that time. Now her limp and the scar on her side was from something different. Tigers or Lions had attacked her while she was passing through their territory so she could get to her own.

Now that they had reached the ruins she stopped. ''Dont go in, we dont want to trespass and end up in a fight.'' she looked behind her. Sniffing the air to make sure the others from the pack werent following. Little did she know, they were. She looked back at the ruins. Standing where she was, not daring to take another step. Her position relaxed a low.

Greyfell & Others

All systems go
The sun hasn't died
Deep in my bones
Straight from inside

I'm waking up

Greyfell was in no mood for visitors, let alone those who had caused trouble for his allies. He sensed enough tension already, and he didn't need to be pestered. The scent of canines had his nostrils flaring. The zebra emerged from the temple, just as Technopunk had circled around the Ruins and met Greyfell at the border.

"Who are you?" Greyfell's usual hospitable, friendly tone in his voice was lost, replaced with an impatient, almost curt quality.
Technopunk answered that question for him: "This is them. They came back to my pack and started begging."
Greyfell's expression turned sour, his eyes narrowed, and there was a particular look of hatred on his face. "Leave. NOW." It wasn't a request; it was a demand for White Love and Magadan to leave.

Amari, Nightshade, Rampage and Black Star rushed forward, representing their respective packs. Amari was the first to speak up. "I'm sorry, Greyfell; we couldn't stop them."

Tainted, while her family dealt with the issue, slowly walked toward the temple. "Dad..." her voice was a borderline whisper, her steps slow, and her demeanor anxious. She hadn't seen her father Luke in a long time; not since she went into hiding.

"Mom..." Rampage calmly called to his mother, but was silenced by Nightshade. "Let her be. She's lost everything." Nightshade herself had lost plenty; her father was brutally and mercilessly murdered right in front of her. She especially felt sorry for Auri and Kobalt. The poor pups were children of the murdered and the murderer. Nightshade felt that it was her fault. She should have done more to stop it.

"You alright?" Black Star snapped Nightshade out of the beginning of a flashback, getting a slight nod from the pitch black coywolf.

Shiv and Sniper approached White Love and Magadan. "Well, well well..." Shiv gave the pair an icy, almost demonic grin. "Looks like you've got yourself into a fair bit of trouble..." He nodded to his allies, leading the packs to surround White Love and her packmate. "This is going to be fun."

Rowan walked forward on his three legs as if it didn't hinder him at all. Isabel followed her brother, moving to stand between Greyfell and the outsiders. "Now, what do you have to say?" Isabel appeared quite confident, and her posture displayed that, though she didn't raise herself to quite the dominance as Greyfell.

Blacksong & others

Blacksong followed after his mate, his stance was that of an alphas as he stood protectively near Techno. Seeing White and Mag again caused him to snarl, although most of it was for White.

Failure stayed by his mate. When she seemed to be losing herself, he briefly nuzzled her even as Black Star questioned if she was alright.

Tison was with his litter siblings, his fangs bared at the trouble makers.

Deceptive stayed with Black Star as their members joined the circle that surrounded the two wolves.

Ocean had come as well and stood by her alphas. She was still pissed that White had been daring enough to attack. Her small body trembled with rage as she almost launched herself at White.

Nera stood with Rowan and Isabel, her fur bristling.

Alayla was with Sturmgewehr, and she stayed alert incase she needed to protect her brother.

White Love

White Love looked at the fae that had asked what they wanted. White had already given up hope and was ready to leave when she asked that. White opened her maw to speak, her tone giving nothing away and her wounds made her want to flinch back. Her loyal, or so she thought, warrior had attacked her. And on her way back from her trip she got hurt by two big cats, a scar along her side and her back leg had a wound on it to making her limp when she walked. She spoke now, ''I want forgiveness, im begging for it. My pack is not strong enough to fight, nor am I, I want forgiveness, I need it. I am begging for it and im ready to give my life up for my pack. I dont want a fight. And I certainly dont need one. I will sit here and beg all I need. But I cant afford to loose any warriors to a fight thats nonsense. Please, Im asking this and I'll stay away for the rest of my life. I just cant stand the weight of knowing you all hate my guts.'' She finished off looking around at everyone that had surrounded them. And her eyes were pleading.

Magadan

It was intimidating enough being surrounded back at the Sonnet Forest. Here at the Ruins, Magadan was seeing beasts he'd never laid eyes on before. Like this striped horse creature with the bristled mane? Mag's ears went back at the equine's commanding voice, and they stayed back when Shiv spoke to them afterwards. Beta or not, Magadan knew this was not his land, and he was not going to even think about trying to pull the dominance card on anyone here - the wolf kept his posture absolutely neutral and respectful, yet also did his best not to come across as frightened as he truly was. "This has all been an unfortunate misunderstanding. I can assure you all that our pack poses no threat to either of yours, and especially not with your forces combined." Not entirely sure who the alpha was here, though Greyfell's tone seemed to indicate he might be, Mag focused mainly on Shiv, "If you let us leave now, I promise you'll have no further trouble from the Sedge Creek pack."

Greyfell & Others

Greyfell was usually an understanding individual. He certainly wasn't what Risen had been when she led the Haunters - the bringer of mayhem and destruction - and he didn't want to conquer the Valley the the former Shadow Haunters leader. However, those around him may have noticed that he was growing rather... cold. He wasn't exactly mean, but he had become unusually distant, and when he did talk, he sounded upset by something. That something made him impatient, which was unusual for him.

And he looked particularly impatient today. He looked tired and groggy, and quite frustrated. The reason, unbeknownst to most of the Haunters, was that his daughter Chaika had run off to be with some human's horse, and she never told her father where, so there was no way to get her back. There was a rumor of a Haunter mare leaving to be with the humans, though, and the rest of the Haunters may have some idea that that was the reason for Greyfell's apparent hostility.

The zebra was in no mood for questions today, and certainly not begging. "I can't listen to you beg all day. You have sown the wind, and you shall reap the whirlwind. You started this party." His voice was absolutely full of venom and hatred. "I have no need for your alliance. And what have you done to deserve my forgiveness? You assaulted my allies and you have the guts to come here and bother me."
From the shadows came Dogfight, a granddaughter of Greyfell. Her mother was Chaika, but truthfully, she didn't miss the rogue zebra hybrid much. While Greyfell was borderline mad, Dogfight was just plain batshit crazy. She had a debraved, crazed look on her face as she eyed White Love and Magadan. She had her head turned to see the strangers from her right eye, for she was blind in her striking blue left eye. "Interesting... She murmured, a smile creeping onto her face. She stared for a moment, then whispered something to Greyfell.

"Get them!" Greyfell gave the command for his pack and the residents of Manahcob Downs to capture White Love and Magadan. Whatever Dogfight whispered to him put him on alert. He turned to look at his granddaughter, giving her a slight nod. "Let Ransom and Kolchan know that they will be aiding me in the interrogation."

"I will, Grandpa, I will... but I'd LOVE to see how this plays out first." Dogfight's voice was almost a laugh; a maniacal, deranged laugh of nothing but evil joy.

"Very well, Dogfight. Aid me in the capture then." Before he made a move toward the outsiders, though, he clopped his hooves on the stone ground and called out to his group. "All Shadow Haunters! Report to me outside of the Temple of the Haunted!" That was taken care of. He then trotted forth, looking down at White and Mag. "Now tell me, outsiders, what is your true reason for being here? Who sent you? The only misunderstanding here is you misunderstanding that I don't like my trust and temper to be tested." He swung his head back toward the Temple where Luke had just emerged. "Luke! Read it to them!"

"Yes, Greyfell." The wolf hybrid stepped onto a small cliff nearby overlooking White Love and Magadan. "You are now prisoners of the Shadow Haunters and will remain so until you are set free or death takes you. You have no rights. You may not leave. You may not speak unless spoken to. You will listen to the Shadow Haunters Commander and High Council at all times. You will obey your orders. You will not make plots amongst yourselves. You are not permitted to leave the Temple of the Haunted unless the Commander gives you explicit permission to do so. You will not make conversation with the Shadow Haunters members, nor will you speak to outsiders. You will not, under any circumstances, harm or attempt to harm the Shadow Haunters members and allies. Failure to obey these orders as I have told them to you will be punishable by death. These orders are subject to change as the Commander sees fit. Do you understand these orders and the terms of your imprisonment?" Luke seemed to take his job very seriously and acted quite professional throughout the reading of the prisoners' rights, or rather, lack of rights.

"Grey..." Amari said quietly. "Don't you think that's a little--"
"It's only necessary." Nightshade's voice came through not as a chiding remark, but as a calm statement of confidence in their actions.
Amari returned Nightshade's statement with a shrug and a nod. "I know, but--"
She was cut off by Rampage this time. "Tahti would have agreed with Greyfell." The mention of the deceased matriarch of Manahcob Downs effectively ended the conversation. There was no more protesting from Amari.

While they awaited a response from the outsiders, the Manahcob Downs members, following the lead of Nightshade, drew ever closer, ready for the capture if they didn't go willingly...

White Love & Keenan

White Love held back a snarl. Giving everything she had to keep calm. "No one sent us! It was my choice to come! I came in peace but you've ever pushed me to my limits Greyfell whatever your name is." she responded to his question then listened she snarled. Her tail now lashing and her stance not very happy in fact it was low like a fighting position. She looked at the wolf that came closer. ""Get away from me...." she snarled lowly. She looked up at the zebra. Then snarled again. "You cant do that! We did nothing! I have a pack to feed and take care of!" she growled. She took a step back only to scent her pack.

Emma appeared and told the others to wait in the brush. She ran to White Love. "White Love! We got worried so we came to get you and Mag." she then looked around, shrinking down at the sight of the zebra. Emma gulped and White growled.

"Emma! Go! Take the rest and go! Now! Go protect the pack lands keep them safe. Ill be back soon." White said touching her warriors ear with her nose. "Go please..." she whispered. Emma nodded and looked at the others from Shadow Haunters and their allies. "Your harm them and we will eat you alive bitches!" she snarled her threat and bounded back towards the trees and howled to her alpha. Then howled again. They wanted revenge on them.

White breathed out hearing Emma's howl it hurt her to think her pack had to save her ass. She didn't want to be looked upon as week. "You want us as prisoners fine. But let Magadan go. Its me your really after."

Keenan appeared behind the group of wolves that was behind White Love. He walked forward. Laughing evilly. "Catch both of them. Two is better then one and, I know both of them. They ran me out of White's pack. And she deserves to die." she growled. He looked at Greyfell. "I'm Keenan. Former beta of Sedge Creek but they ran me out. This bird said something bout you and your allies."

Magadan & Others

Mag's white fur bristled along his back, slowly prickling up in a mixture of fear and defensiveness. There were so many enemies around he and White Love that Magadan couldn't possibly see how they would get out of this unscathed, especially when White was injured already. Out of desperation, the grey-faced brute turned quick, furtive glances at the faces around him, trying to map out which direction they might be able to bolt if it came to that, yet even as he tried to plan a retreat, more Haunters were showing up.

Tersek was among the first to show up. Aggressive, bold, and bristling with 180 pounds of muscle, the grizzled wolfdog was not going to miss an opportunity to get in on some action and show his worth to the Haunters. Noting immediately that Cavan and Senka were absent, the big male strode towards Greyfell and Dogfight and took his place next to the lead zebra and his daughter. He gladly stalked alongside Greyfell when the equine approached White Love and Magadan, and glared maliciously at the pair while Luke read them their rights, "If they prove troublesome Grey, I would be all too happy to assist with their punishments."

Bergamot, Monarda, Warfel, and Chatan were among a number of canines that were gathering on the scene, having come from within the Temple after Greyfell's call. Magadan finally bared his teeth, though he took a step back when Greyfell approached, and ended up bumping into White Love. "We are not a threat to you, Greyfell, I swear this!" The wolf's wide, amber eyes flashed from Tersek to Luke, then back up to the zebra who's name he'd now caught, "Please, let us go-" White Love had spoken up then, offering herself as a captive in place of him. Mag turned sharply on the alpha, his ears back and his voice a harsh whisper, "No White, I won't abandon you." He moved closer to her then, touching his shoulder against hers. It was then that Keenan appeared as Emma raced off, and what their ex-member had to say made Magadan snarl, "We gave you plenty of chances, Keenan!"

Greyfell & Others

Greyfell shot a sharp, angered glare at White Love and Magadan. With a stomp of his hoof, he reprimanded them. "Did you not just hear what Luke had told you? No talking without permission!" The zebra was clearly more enraged than usual, and much less tolerant of interruptions and intrusions.
And here Amari was, believing that this had become less of a normal pack and more of a dictatorship. But the young coyote knew one thing: when it came to the Haunters, she had to go with the flow. Doing otherwise could result in terrible trouble, as all too many had learned.

When Emma appeared, it was Dogfight who took control, rather than her grandfather. The mare had a way of trampling all over the rights of others, and most knew not to get in her way. "Who was that fool?" She hissed, but then shook her head. "Never mind. Sedge Creek, eh? Bast, you take your brothers - Black Swan and Chetan -" she nodded to the trio of big cats, then passed out orders to the Manahcob Downs members: "- Shiv, you take Sniper, Sturmgewehr and Tison... and..." her commanding look was then directed at more of the Haunters, "...Bergamot, you take Xan, Monticola, Victoria, Redshift and Peng." She gestured toward Emma, then whispered to her allies. "Bergamot, your team will directly follow this Emma girl. The African wild dogs you are taking are fast and ruthless and should have no time catching her, but they need an authority figure like you to remind them that the dog must be returned to me alive. I won't have a dead dog dropped at my feet for questioning."
"Now..." a quizzical glance was directed at Shiv and Bast. "Shiv, your team will head to Sedge Creek from the east side, and Bast, your team will flank them from the west. Bring the entire pack to me ALIVE."

Greyfell hid his uneasiness at his granddaughter's aggression. Instead, he focused on the offer from Tersek. "That will be much appreciated." Then, with a snort, he issued an order. "We need to get them into Dima's Temple. Quickly! Make haste!"

White Love & Keenan

Keenan stepped forward once more. "I would be much obliged to help with them." Keenan said dipping his head in respect to him. He backed up then and growled at Magadan. He showed his fangs.

White lowered herself to the ground, staying low and holding in every once of restrain to keep from attacking Keenan again.

Tersek & Others

Bergamot was silent where he stood. Small but keenly attuned ears faced White Love and Magadan, with one turning aside only when Dogfight began to give out orders. He looked up at the equine and briefly pondered the command, but when Greyfell didn't show any objections, Berg bowed his black muzzle, "As you command." Grey eyes turned over the five African dogs selected to go with them, to which he gave a sharp bark before breaking ranks from the Haunters and setting out to follow Emma.

Surrounded by the pack, Magadan edged a little closer to the ground himself. He fixed his eyes on Keenan with disgust, half wishing that he'd killed the bastard back at Sedge Creek. All he could do now was hope that the rest of the Sedge Creek pack would not fall victim to the Haunters. "You're making a mistake. This has all been a misunderstanding!"

"Shut it." Tersek snapped at their captive, his powerful jaws clacking shut mere inches from Magadan's face. "If you or your pretty girl say so much as one more word, I'll tear out your tongues and feed them to the river monsters. Now move!" Tersek glanced between Chatan and Warfel, wordlessly commanding the two to help him guide the prisoners towards Dima's Temple. The canines took up positions on either side of White and Mag, while Tersek led from the front. There was little else Magadan could do but follow along, after giving Keenan one more baneful look.

Monarda hung back with Greyfell while the prisoners were being led away, and down from one of the high stone pillars of the Temple, Dally swooped down to land on the zebra's back. The peregrine falcon quirked his head at Keenan, eying him up. "I'm not familiar with this one. What do we know about him?"

White Love, Emma, Keenan, and Sedge Creek pack

White nudged Mag. 'I'm sorry' she mouthed. She then looked ahead of them, following. No matter her past injuries she ignored them and didn't show anymore weakness. Her ears flat she pressed closer to her beta, trying to stay as much away from the canine on her side as possible. She growled lowly, she would snap if either of them did something. She just didn't get it did she?

Keenan looked at them, waiting, watching from where he stood.

Emma stopped running, "Blaze, take the pack that way towards Orca Bay. Do not lead them to our lands. You do and I will personally rip your head from your body." With that she took off in the opposite direction into the brush, while the pack went to Orca Bay. Emma kept running getting closer to the ruins. She hid in the brush and watched. She came out willingly. "You want me, come get me." she snickered and took off in a run. Letting out a sharp bark.

Blacksong & others

Blacksong simply watched as things started to unfold quickly before him and the others. A canine by the name of Luke told the new prisoners their rights. The rest of Whites’ pack showed up and one was even brave enough to threaten them. He almost laughed at how pathetic it was and at how the members didn’t obey their supposed alpha like they should have done. When the female returned after Dogfight already sent others after him, he nodded to Ocean, who took off after the femme. He had no doubt that his litter sibling would catch Emma.

Failure remained watchful and silent. When his children were ordered by Dogfight to go after the rest of the pack he waited to see if they would obey. The male stayed near Nightshade though as he would of made to help bring the others to the Temple.

Tison followed Shiv, Sniper, and Sturmgewehr as they were ordered to go after the rest of the pack.

Deceptive stayed with his herd as he would of helped anyway possible.

Nera moved to help the others with White and Magadan.

Alayla refused to leave her brother even though she wasn’t ordered to go with the original group. Still she followed after Sturmgewehr and the others.

Wonder appeared out of the temple and moved to where Dogfight was. Who are they? She questioned the granddaughter of Greyfell about the new prisoners. The zebra would of gotten there quicker if her pregnant state didn’t slow her down.

Dusk Storm appeared as well as he came to stand near his mother incase he needed to protect her from one of the prisoners or a surprise attack from their pack.

Lucey flew in and landed on Blacksongs’ back before relaying a message to him from the pack. The peregrine falcon wasn’t even frightened by the large number of predators around her. However she heard them question about Keenan and she wondered if she should shed some light. He knew White Love wasn’t leadership material and challenged her to fight, but the pack chased him off when she lost. She called out.

Greyfell & Others

Greyfell was a proud zebra, but he knew when to step back. His granddaughter was merciless and seemed to be lacking in the soul and compassion department, and while Greyfell did not know why Dogfight was so vicious, he accepted that she had things handled better than he ever could. Unless, of course, they were talking diplomacy. Dogfight didn't do diplomacy. She seemed to thrive on her anger, seeking out ways to fuel it, almost like an addiction.

"YOU!" Her shout to Magadan was almost a bark, like a vicious dog. "No talking! MOVE!" These prisoners were really trying her patience, and while her anger was reserved only for them, she seemed to display aggression when she next spoke to Tersek. "Get them out of my sight."

Technopunk strode up beside Amari and the two shared an uneasy look. Techno wasn't used to being around such a large, dangerous pack. Amari had also spent most of her time in more tame and tranquil company.
"What's the problem?" Nightshade questioned. "What you are seeing, my friends, is the beginning of a war."
"War..." Rampage's voice was a mumble, but it quickly rose to a shout, a sort of battle cry. "For Tahti!" The big black hybrid quickly rushed forward, attempting to speed up the movement of White Love and Magadan into the Temple.

"For Tahti..." Unlike Rampage's shout of rage, Black Star spoke almost in a whisper, taking up the rear as Amari and Nightshade also broke into a chase.

Tainted could be seen sitting away from the group, staring at the wall of the Temple. She seemed to be rather distraught, and even the presence of her father couldn't break her out of her apparently depressed state.

Xan and his siblings, in a state of excitement, bounding forward and chasing after Emma. "There is no escape!" Peng's voice rang out in the cold air as he chased the target.

Bast and Shiv both took their respective teams and led them toward Sedge Creek. They were well prepared for an ambush, should it happen.