Velvet & Others

The summer day was hot and sunny, with little more than a light, rustling wind to send the leaves billowing and flapping against each other from the tree tops. Cicadas droned endlessly from their high perches, in a deafening cacophony of buzzing that drowned out all but the most determined of the song birds. This made it difficult for Nightshade to properly hear the forests around him as he patrolled the outskirts of the Ruins, moving like a nimble shadow amongst the crumbled stone and compacted earth. The stag paused every once in a while, turning his black ears in a swivel, like a pair of radars to scan for sounds. On the opposite side of the ruins, where the rocky terrain rose upwards into the Croal Mountains, he never heard the quiet approach of thirty stalking felines, and their canine scouts. Kintanese didn't either, until the last second when the nearby shrubs seemed to explode and a massive lion burst out at him. The stag went down before he could utter a warning to the others.

As Leope finished off the deer, Velvet led her brigade of lionesses in a direct line towards the front of the ruins. In the middle of the day, with the Haunters already on high alert, there was little use in trying to sneak into the decaying temple itself; they would have to take it by force. But they'd at least gotten to the Haunter's doorstep unnoticed, and with one of their sentries taken down, they'd soon have the compound entirely surrounded. The lion dropped out of her stealthy stalking and rose up to her full height, standing no more than a few feet from the moat that surrounded the coveted Ruins. Flanking her were two of her nieces, Accava and Sandstorm, her mother Dulsca, and her sister Camanche. Together, they stood shoulder to shoulder, waiting with calm intensity for the fight that awaited them just beyond the waters.

In the distance, somewhere towards the backside of the ruins, came the warning bark of a startled deer. Soyala, Yarra, and Savannah had secured the perimeter there then; the Haunters were now fully surrounded. "Boulderdash, Lupe!" Velvet addressed the two largest canines in their group, and both came forward. They headed for the lower end of the moat, where the water fed back into the creek, flowing over the crude dam that had been built there years ago. Weighing well over a hundred pounds each, the two wolfdogs began to claw and dig at the rocks, mud, and debris.

Geinah & Others

The dark shape that cut through the air high above the Ruins came too late to spare Kintanese or keep Nightshade from injury. Velvet's clever ploy to move her pride in small segments, scattering them throughout the mountain on random trails, had foiled Dally and Erathi's attempts to monitor the Nuova Alba. They had eventually converged a mile shy of the Ruins, and by the time the falcon had finally relocated the pride, they were already surging for the Temple. "Koray! Geinah!" He called out as he dove low over the moat, swooping past the big cats, "We're under attack! The Temple is surrounded!" Dally vaulted upwards and shrieked loudly to alert any and all who were currently sheltering in the Temple, then climbed higher up to perch upon one of the loftier temple peaks.

Geinah sprinted out from one of the dark passageways and stepped into the mottled light of the open forum that spread out between the temple and the surrounded moat. The eighty-five pound wolf, with the steely gray coat of her grandsire but the slender build of her parents, hardly looked like a challenge to any of the enemies that faced her on the opposite end of the water. But she bared her fangs and kept her head held high as she stalked forward, pale yellow sights flashing from one feline face to the next, "It's been a long while since you've dared to show your face again, Velvet. If you think you've caught us unguarded, go ahead and cross the moat." It was impossible to tell if her daring words were a bluff or not, but they did seem to hold some credibility when a few more figures began to emerge from the ruins behind her.

Nuavi, Druid, Chatan, and Duality were soon joining the strategist. Though considered warriors amongst the Haunters, and normally sent out during patrols and battles, they were among many who had stayed behind today after being forewarned by Pepper's spy that a counter assault was possible.

Velvet & Others

The lioness did not move forward. She knew what lurked in the waters. Her slanted eyes flicked towards Lupanare and Boulder, and with little more than a nod to her father and Stranglethorn, the big cats moved in to provide backup for the two dismantling the dam that kept the moat in place. Slowly, calculatingly, the lioness surveyed the growing number of Haunters facing her from across the water. "I don't need to do that, Geinah. The rebirth of the Haunters is close at hand, and I've come here today to give you and yours an offer to join us once again." Behind her, Velvet's tail was motionless and idle in its position, just like those of the lionesses standing around her. They were the picture of calmness and confidence, and yet with the chilling intensity of a predator on the verge of pouncing. "I know that many of you came into this world too late to see what a grand family we were, a group so powerful our very name invoked fear and undying respect from everyone else in this Valley. But today, I am graciously offering you the opportunity to witness the return of the true Shadow Haunters, the Haunters that our founder Risen created, and you need only to cross the moat and stand at our side. Do this, and you will survive." Velvet looked to Geinah now, "Stand against us, and you will be slaughtered. You have until this moat empties to make your decision."

Off to the corner of the moat, a few rocks had already been displaced, and went tumbling down the embankment...

Geinah & Others

Velvet's ultimatum came as a shock to many, and even their eldest strategist had no immediate response for the lioness. The first Haunter to speak was the daughter of Greyfell, and her sharp retort to the Nuova Alba would come as no surprise to those that knew Cloudbreaker well, "I'd sooner crush your skull beneath my hooves than join you, traitor." The white and liberally striped mare clopped forward, taking leave of where she'd been stationed near Dima's Temple. Nauvi and Spear scrambled to get out of her path as she strode forward, until finally coming to a stop before the moat, directly across from Velvet. Back went her ears, while her tail slashed harshly at the air behind her, "Tuck your tails and crawl back to the mountains like the cur your are."

Geinah glanced back, spotting a few additional Haunters weaving out of the stone complex behind her. It was impossible to tell from this quick survey where their feelings over Velvet's offer lay, but while Cloudbreaker was taking a defiant stand against the lioness, Geinah sought a secondary solution. The small wolf came forward, placing herself to the right of the enraged zorse, "That's quite the demand. Would it not be wiser to come to us on less hostile terms, and discuss your proposal with our leaders?" Geinah shifted her gaze to the dam where Lupanare and Boulderdash were attempting to dismantle the structure and drain the water. Given enough time, they could bring enough down to lower the moat, but at fifteen feet deep, it would take considerable effort and thus the wolfess was not terribly concerned with their progress.

Mark & mena

Mena and mark the leopard seals listened to everything and their eyes went to the ones dismantling the moat and they took off immediately. Mark making to chargelupanare while Mena went for Boulderdash.

Joey stood with the haunters his tusks were long and he was huge being al elephant. You think by showing up here with such numbers that you scare us? we are loyal to Senka and the other haunters here, you are traitors and Risen would be dissapointed in youHe said.

Velvet & Others

Spying the enormous seals coasting under the water, Leope wasted no time pouncing for Mark when he burst up from the water. He bit at the male's face and slashed at the thick neck with his claws. Stranglethorn approached the situation a little differently, and didn't immediately pounce at Mena when she rose up from the moat to attack Boulderdash. Instead, the tiger hybrid lunge just close enough to slash out at the seal with his claws, aiming for her eyes and the wide nostrils at the front of her snout.

Even with the backup of the big cats, Lupa and Boulder were forced to scramble back to avoid the attack. One bite from the seals, and they could be seriously wounded, or potentially dragged beneath the water. Temporarily putting aside their effort to destroy the moat, the two canines began to snap and bite at the seals whenever the got the chance.

Velvet paid little attention to this skirmish, seeing it only as a minor distraction. Geinah was her first focus, and to the small wolf she responded, "Speak with your leaders? With the dissention in your pack, do you honestly think that they would listen to me with willing ears? Greyfell was hardly favorable of our departure in the first place." The deep rumble of Joey's voice demanded Velvet's attention next, and she looked across at the massive pachyderm with the same calmness she'd been displaying since arriving. "No my friend, it isn't us that Risen would be disappointed in. Look at what you've all become, how far you've fallen from the grandness and power that she worked so exhaustively to build us up to. You've become friends with the her very enemies, and sit idly in these crumbling ruins, doing nothing to fulfill the destiny of the Shadow Haunters." Her almond eyes narrowed a little and her chin came up by a hair, "Do you even remember what her goals were, Joey? Do you recall what our purpose was?"

Shosu, Taper & Myra

Shosu who was the shortest of Mena and marks children at only 2.7 meteres long and only 400.5kg heard the commotion and saw his parents attacking and being attacked and him being the lightest moved faster then his two siblings and staying under the water till the last minute where he then pushed himself up aiming to land on the land right infront of Leope and aiming to bite down on anything.

Taper was 3.2 M long and 436 kg followed his brother and moved up to bite Stranglethorn when he made to lunge and slash at his mother he made to bite the males paw and hard.

Myra was the largest of the siblings at 3.4 m and 491 kg moved to help her mother where she aimed to bite boulder leg. If she got it she'd aim to pull him right into the water.

Geinah & Others

The unruly mare stamped a hoof harshly against the ground, showing a flair of aggression and a willingness to fight should any of the Nuova cross the moat and engage her or the Haunters. "Whatever Risen's goals might have been don't matter any more." She declared, cutting in and interrupting Geinah before the small strategist could respond to Velvet. "Our pack is strong and we have allies, with no need to dominate the Valley or engage in senseless fights, or chase some fantastical dream that she envisioned." Cloudbreaker took a step forward, until front of her hoof was touching the water, putting a mere twenty feet of space between her and the lionesses. "Go on! Fight us, or leave. We don't accept your offer."

A daughter of Risen herself, Geinah brought her voice into the mix once Cloud had finished her defiant proclamation. "There you have it, Velvet. There may be some differing views within our pack, but together we are as strong as ever, and will not be split by your clever words." The small shewolf looked even tinier beside the likes of Joey and Cloudbreaker, but her conviction was strong, and loyalty to the Haunters unshakable.

Velvet & Others

Shosu's surprise attack had a small measure of success against Leope, as the seal was able to grab a large tuft of the lion's mane. The big cat immediately swung his muzzle towards her and drove his fangs at her thick neck. While his hind paws braced against the ground, his front ones lashed at Shosu, gripping at and rending whatever flesh they could. Dune and Rampart quickly jumped into the fray to assist the older male, with Rampart leaping for Shosu's back, and Dune going for the side of her head. With the combined weight of the three big cats greater than the seal's, the hoped to pin her to the ground and keep her from getting back into the water.

Stranglethorn was playing a safer game with his target. He was staying just out of the mother's reach, and was quick enough in reflex to avoid Taper's lunging attack. Withrawing one paw, he swiftly struck with the other, trying to slash the seal across his nose before scooting back a few steps. If they wanted to catch Stranglethorn, they'd have to come completely out of the water, or catch him off guard. Right beside them, the two canines were having to be even more careful, due to their smaller sizes. Without sharp claws to attack with, Lupa and Boulder stayed well clear of the five leopard seals, easily avoided Myra's attack. They only dove in to bite at the creatures while the seals were occupied with the cats.

Even with all this commotion, Velvet did not concern herself with the progress at the moat. She was carefully observing all those looking back at her from across the water, "What a sad sight you all have become. Those of you I use to call my Brothers and Sisters, my Family... I think I can speak for us all when I say how disappointed Risen would be to witness this and your shattered convictions. You've lost your way, you've betrayed and sullied the proud name of the Shadow Haunters-" A sudden pause came from the lioness. She wasn't sure what had caught her attention, only that a few seconds afterward, the ground beneath them all began to shake with great violence...

Mena, Mark, Shoshu, Myra,Taper & Joey

Mena huffed out as she missed and now she lingered in the water by where they were trying to dismantle the moat just waiting. So did mark.

Shoshu on hte other hand was having a hard time when the cats avoided her and she felt one on her back and she made to toss her hind end up and if she was succesfuly make to roll in to the water if not she'd be pinned.

Taper sneezed as he felt a claw rake across his nose and he slid back to the water along with myra. They began to learn what they were doing and they began to just swim along the edges keeping their eyes on the enemy.

Joey watched them and he snorted.Everyone changes Velvet, Senka is a great leader and her ways are a little more easier to live by. Do you really wish to continue risens cruel ways of involving young? Oh wait thats right you do as your group have stolen our young before. This is our way, the new shadow hunter way and we will rule the valley but we are taken a much quieter route. So say what you will your words will not get to usHe said. IN fact he made the loudest noise an elephant can that the others could feel and hear but then he felt the tremors. That was not him. The water began splashing up around the edges and he glanced at Velevet but no he doubted she had anything big enough to make this much move, no it was either man made or.... an earth quake.

Mena and the leopard seals only felt it because of the splashing water on the sides and even at one point mena had been close to the edge that she was pushed up on to the earth and she felt the quaking and she pushed herself back into the water. Earth quake!She called out.

Geinah & Others

In the middle of listening to Velvet's admonishing words, a horrible quaking started beneath their feet. Cloudbreaker, squealing in fear, fell heavily to her side when her balance was thrown off by the moving earth. Geinah barely managed to scramble out of the way, but Ahote was caught beneath the equine's crashing body, his life smothered out before he even had the chance to yelp.

Dally immediately took to the air, a few moments before one of the taller pillars in the ruins gave way and collapsed downward, followed by several more precariously stationed blocks of stone. "Get out of the temple!" The falcon cried, watching as a plume of dust billowed up from where a second, smaller tower caved in at the other end of the complex. Below him, the raptor could only watch helplessly as the Haunters and Nuova alike were tossed about by the violently thrashing earth, and as the immense quaking busted part of the dam and sent a cascade of water rushing down the slopes.

From deeper within the temple, there were cries of alarm from those taking shelter in Dima's Temple. From somewhere within the complex, a yowl from Kankulak could be heard, and beyond that, the disgruntled hissing of Dima as the water in his inner moat was sloshed about.

Velvet & Others

Had the earthquake not struck, it was likely that the big cats would have pinned Shosu on land and proceeded to maul her to death, or that she might have used her greater weight to throw them off and drag Leope to his death in the water. Once the ground began to quake, neither of those things happened; the big cats released the seal and scrambled back in confusion, tripping and falling as they did so. Perched on the top of the crude dam, Boulderdash and Dune were caught by the rush of water that slammed against them when a section of the rocks and logs gave way. Dune was carried several yards, battered and badly bruised by the resulting crush of rocks and debris, but managed to climb out onto shore further down the stream. Boulderdash was not so lucky.

For the rest of the Nuova Alba, standing outside of the moat and away from the crumbling Temple, the risk of being crushed was significantly lower. But that did not mean they were immune; a half-standing wall gave way under the relentless onslaught of the quake, and one of the crashing stones glanced against Iorie's shoulder and side, winding the big cat and fracturing two ribs.

Fighters and both sides would have to endure this for nearly two solid minutes before the ground went silent, and the earth became still again. Shaken but unharmed, Velvet rose to her paws and looked out across the rugged land, unsure of what had just happened. Aside from part of the Ruins collapsing, and a few unsteady trees being brought down, the damage to the landscape appeared minimal. When her eyes settled on the moat however, they narrowed in thought; the water was half drained, and continued to gush from the break in the dam; with a strong enough leap, the majority of her feline fighters could now leap over the diminished width without getting their paws wet.

Joey

Thanks to his large feet he was able to endure most of the quake but it was clear he was quiet unsettled. When it subsided he noted the drained moat.He glared at Veleved and made it so he was standing where she would jump making it obvious that he would stop her from crossing.I'd return home if I were you foolish cat,I am sure the rest of our troops will be returning home quiet soon and well then you'll be boxed in won't you?He said.

Myra got back in the water or rather what was left of it. She glared at the cats and along with her brothers they began to push mud and rocks to fix the break.

Geinah & Others

"Ahote!" Nahimana cried, seeing what had become of her brother after Cloudbreaker had fallen onto him. The small wolfdog lay motionless on the ground, his eyes open but glossed and unseeing, and his chest crushed inward. Her pained gaze darted to the mare, then across at Chatan who stood nearby, equally as mortified by their sibling's death.

Cloudbreaker was shaken herself by the ordeal, not to mention the terrifying earthquake that left her grounded for nearly two minutes, and brought down several sections of the temple. Suddenly more fearful of the unknown than of the thirty-some odd cats surrounding them, the mare began to step back, her nostrils flaring and her eyes rolling wide. "The ancestors... are they punishing us?" Fear leaked into her voice, and spread like a contagion to some of her pack members.

Nauvi was one of those who felt a bolt of dread sink into his heart, twisting his stomach and rattling his brain. With all the commotion that had come to the Haunters lately, was this punishment for some unseen crime? The quaking ground... what else could have caused that, but the spirits of the land? No mere animal, no drum of thunder could have made the ground heave like it did, with enough power to shatter stone. "It's a sign." He whimpered.

Geinah held her ground against the fear, even if she too was questioning what had happened, and what the cause of it could be. Little did she know that several of their fighters in the Aspen Grove had already lost their life, or that several others were doomed to perish unless rescued by their packmates. "Quiet, both of you! This was not an act of our Ancestors." What exactly it was, she couldn't say. Nor could she dismiss the unsettling way the moat was draining, and how Velvet's ultimatum was nearly up. "Stand your ground, Haunters! We will face these enemies as we always have!"

Velvet & Others

Velvet was just as caught off guard as the Haunters about the earthquake, and equally clueless as to what it was and what had caused it. But where some of the Haunters began to panic, the sly lioness saw a grand opportunity opening in front of her, and as the water began to drain from the moat, she took the lamenting of Cloudbreaker and Nauvi to heart. "I told you that you had until the water drained before we attacked. The Ancestors are on our side, as they have always been." Her eyes gleamed with renewed power and authority, and her voice rose to match it with every word that poured from her mouth, "Brother Joey, your fighters are miles from where we stand. By the time they return to their home, they'll find only corpses left, and an ambush waiting for them." Her tail lashed behind her, whipping through the air with her growing excitement. Namir had played his part well in the fight, and though he would now be betrayed by the pack he'd sought for help, the Nuova Alba would have the benefit of fighting a distracted, divided enemy. "Nuova! Relieve the Haunters of their land!"

The Oracle's roar sent the entire pride into motion. Velvet, Accava, and the three other lionesses at her sides did not immediately cross the moat - they wouldn't dare charge head long into a bull elephant - but the rest of the big cats were scrambling down the slopes of the nearly emptied moat and springing across to the other side, like a swarm of ants converging on their prey. Leope, Stranglethorn, and Rampart joined the likes of Martimoor as they rushed at Joey, targeting his hindquarters and sides to harry the bull and keep him occupied - or kill him. Spilling in from the backside of the Ruins, Soyala, Savannah and Yarra rushed in amongst the canines, while Rampart, Ginger, and Igans joined in from the opposite bank.

Shinnan, Rune, and Callholm converged on Frostlit, while Hathalia and Yarrow targeted Cloudbreaker.

Joey

Joey glared at her.The ancestors had nothing to do with that earth quake it is a natural occurance! He sent out a high frequency call and then moved his feet in place occasionally kicking out at the ones behind him. His eyes never leaving velvet.

Kasa the polar bear who had chosen to stay behind came rushing up to those attacking Joey and swatted and bit at them. HEr daughter followed as well.

Nema was glad Senka wasn't here. She moved across the drained moat in one bound.

Myra and her brothers finished fixing the moat and spun around and using what was left of the moat to swim back to the leaping animals and myra shoved up aiming her teeth for who ever leaped next.

Taper and Shoshu did the same.

MEna & Mark climbed on land and went after some of the canines.

Geinah, Velvet, & Others

Frostlit squealed and lashed out at Shinnan first, but the big cat dodged aside her deadly hooves. Rune leaped onto her back at the same moment, driving his fangs into the muscles of her neck, and clinging into her hide with sharp claws. Callholm hit from behind, pouncing on the mare's rump and clinging on to help keep her down. She bucked and wheeled around, but her movements were hindered, and as she turned her neck to bite at Rune, Shinnan plunged for her throat...

Cloudbreaker aimed a solid kick at her attackers, catching Hathalia along the side of the head. The big cat went down in a flash, dazed by the heavy blow, and bleeding profusely from the laceration to her forehead. Yarrow managed to draw up beside the frightened horse and leap on her, but Cloud was able to shake her off. Rather than turning on the lioness however, the mare bolted, hurtling over or through whoever was in her way. Panicked beyond thought, she was rushing to get out of the Ruins altogether.

Caught amid an onslaught of big cats, Nahimana, Chatan, and Spear stood little chance against the larger, more powerful predators. Chatan was swept aside from a strike by Dusk Stalker, while Spear was seized in a deadly grasp by Leopeson. Raggle struggled under the jaws of Soyala. Corticasi, Druid, and Machk teamed up to target Yarra, and were hastily countered by Savanah, Ginger, and Igans.

Velvet stood her ground, making no move to cross the moat. Joey had his attention on her, and that was fine with the Oracle of the Nuova Alba, "A natural occurrence, is it? Judging by the reaction of your packmates, they don't buy that hollow explanation. And neither do I." She turned her head to either side, giving the lioness near her the order to join their brethren across the moat in assaulting the Haunters. "Your empire is collapsing around you Brother Joey. Pledge your allegiance to the Nuova, and you can be spared."

While Joey argued with her, Leope and sprang at the elephant's backside, trying to dig fangs and claws into the thick but sensitive skin. Stranglethorn and Martimoor all did the same, targeting the bull's hindquarters, where he would not be able to reach them and knock them off. Instead of joining them, Rampart targeted Kasa, and lashed out at her face and neck. One of her own strikes managed to catch him along the shoulder, tearing three large gashes across his coat.

Shaded Grace and Leomar joined in to help Rampart, with Grace taking the tactical approach of leaping for the bear's back, while Leomar went straight for the neck. Taft targeted Kasa's daughter, also going for her throat. Sandstorm and Tuini rushed at either side of the bear, Tuini slashing at her stomach, while Sandstorm bit fiercely at her back, trying to severe her spine...

Of all the big cats swarming across the moat, it was fairly simple for them to dodge the leopard seals on dry land, who moved so much like giant slugs. But the ones in the water were a different story. Maquoketa wasn't quite as quick as the others in his pride, and Taper managed to grab him by the hind leg. With a pained roar, the big cat immediately lashed out at the seal, slashing and biting wildly at Taper's face...

Joey

Joey moved to the side and made to catch LEope as he would of come right by with his trunk and if he caught the large cat he'd make to slamn him down. He'd also attempt to step on him.MY loyalty will always be to Senka and Senka alone she is the reason I came to this packHE said.

Mikia, Darkia, Greta and Cassanova watched and soon the four joined in running at who ever was closest to the now collapsed ruin of the Nuova.

Taper felt his teeth sink in and closing his eyes he made to submerge fully and then he would shake maquoketa hard and then aimed to toss him towards velvet hard.

Myra was eyeing velevet and when the large cat would least expect it she and SHoshu made to beach themselves in hopes of catching her front legs in tehir mouths.

Kasa snarled and made to rear up as one got on her back and she lashed out with her claws at who ever was in front of her.

Kasa's daughter wasn't too old but was nearly full grown. She made to bite those fighting her and swat at them.

Geinah, Velvet, & Others

Attacking from behind the big elephant, Leope had the time and agility to leap away before the bull could fully turn around and swing his trunk at him. Stranglethorn and Martimoor held on as best as they could to Joey's backside, clawing and biting at the giant beast, trying to rip away flesh and cause as much damage as they could. "It'd be a shame to kill a beast like you." Leope growled deeply, pacing a few feet in front of Joey now, forcing the elephant to either keep his eyes on the big cat, or turn around in order to watch Velvet across the moat, "But look around you; you're hopelessly outnumbered, and we have reinforcement pouring in still. Join us and live, or fall this our and feed our bellies tomorrow."

Chaos ensued amongst the canines battling to protect their home. Spear, Violet Fyre, and Machk fell swiftly under the onslaught, followed by Corticasi. Against several hundred pounds of muscle, claws, and teeth, they simply had no chance against so many. Frostlit came down shortly after, flailing and squealing and kicking wildly till the last, but in the end unable to shake off three big cats that had her pinned.

Once the mare lay dying, the felines turned their attention to the new arrival of horses and immediately jumped into the fray. Soyala and Yarra targeted Mikia, slashing at her legs and flanks.

Accava and Dulsca targeted Darkia. The elder lioness, a seasoned hunter and well practiced attacking horses, leaped at the mare's back and side, driving her fangs for Darkia's throat, while Accava slashed at her hind legs.

Greta nearly trampled Camanche, but the lioness sprang aside and avoided the deadly hooves. Counter hastily, she sprang at Greta's hindquarters, throwing her weight against the horse to try and knock her off balance and drag her to the ground.

Savannah hadn't gotten out of the way in time. Having just killed Violet Fyre, she didn't see Cassanova until she was kicked, and felt a searing pain in her side. Savannah managed to scramble up after rolling to her paws, but was too winded to lunge at the mare so soon...

Maquoketa continued to slash and bite at the seal, but was no match for the predator's larger size and strength. He felt those giant teeth tear through flesh and fur as he was thrashed about beneath the water. By the time he was thrown ashore, he was weakened and dazed, and could only lay there, trying to catch his breath.

Velvet was the last lioness to join the fight, and had the advantage of standing on the edge of the moat, several feet above where the waterline now stood. She saw the seals approaching long before they launched out of the water for their surprise attack, and easily sprinted down along the rim of the moat, before leaping across and joining in the fray on the other side. It was here that she put all of her expertise to work, first by targeting Kasa, the largest predatory threat they faced, "Brother, come join me!" She called to Leopeson before charging at the polar bear. She came in at the side, aiming her fangs for Kasa's throat. In front of Kasa, Rampart was taking the punishment of her fangs and claws; his shoudler was already bleeding heavily, and her latest attack and sent him to the ground with a badly lacerated face. He continued to fight though, determined to hold out for as long as he could, while Leopeson, Leomar, and Shaded Grace continued to attack Kasa.

Tuini took a hit from Kasa's daughter, catching him along the upper neck and face. He went down hard, but as he went down, Sandstorm tried to latch her jaws around the base of the bear's neck, to break the spine. Yarrow and Dusk Stalker soon joined in, each one targeting a different spot on the young bear, hoping to overwhelm and kill her quickly.

Mikia

Mikia wasn't young any more and it did not take long for her to fall and gasped her last breath.

Joey could feel the ones on top of him but sadly for them they just felt like annoying flies to him. and you won't bring me down. Senka is my leader and only her not even Greyfel was my leader. What don't you understand that risen's ways were cruel? Oh wait your just like her cause you kidnap the innocent as wellHe said and aimed his trunk for the lion and then he let his trunk swing up aiming to grab one of the ones on top of him. So long as he didn't fall on his back he would more then likely be fine.

Darkia reared up as Dulce came at her throat and she lashed out viciously with her front hooves before she felt her back legs hit and she landed and aimed her back legs for Accava. She saw her mother go down and now she had flames in her eyes. She aimed her teeth for Dulsca her teeth may not be as sharp but when a horse bit and clamped down it could be very hard to get safely out of a bite.

Greta wasn't fairing much better then her mother but when her mother fell she too freak and she swung out with a hoof at her attacker.

The son of Greyfell and Mikia saw his mother die. He glared at Savannah swung his hind end to her and made sure there was good distance between them that when he bucked out that it would hurt and he bucked hard. Then he tore off for those attacking the bears. His head lowered ears flat back. The zorse stallion snapped at Velvet's tail and aimed his front hooves repeaditly at her.

Kasa was starting to struggle. She had blood dripping from her sides but she had her will and spirit and she would use every last ounce to at least take one of these big cats with her. Rampert was the easiest and closest and she let her teeth go straight for his muzzle. She break it and then she went for his neck as she felt one on her neck. She refused to die alone.

Trish was unaware of her mother falling soon and just focused on Tuini and Sandstorm. Once Tuini was down she saw Sand coming ans she turned quickly and attempted to latch her muzzle on to his.

Taper and Shoshu glared as she avoided them and then joined the fray on the land and went for the lions around Joey.

Myra, Mena and Mark were going for Velvet and others.

Velvet, Geinah, & Others

"Cruelty?" Leope challenged, continuing to pace before the elephant, "Your Senka is leading an assault on a pack full of pups and a group wolves with no experience in warfare, for no other reason than petty vengeance. Is that not cruel? Come on Joey, you're smarter than that; you're following that tigeress blindly, without thinking." The lion turned and paced in the other direction, keeping his attention split between the bull and the leopard seals that were slugging his way. "The world is cruel! Only the strongest survive, and we are the stronger force." When Joey turned to swing his trunk, that's when the lion struck, leaping at the elephant's shoulder and slashing one of his paws at the giant ear. At the same time, Stranglethorn was caught by Joey's trunk and pulled down...

Dulsca was wise enough to spring out of Darkia's flailing hooves, and when the mare snapped at her, the lioness swiped a paw at her snout. Accava was the unlucky one to get tagged by the horse's hind hooves, receiving a harsh blow to her side and hind leg that temporarily knocked her down.

Camanche was wise enough to steer clear of Greta's hooves, and sprang away from the mare when she turned and lashed out. "That's right, come and get me..." She snarled, taunting the horse into charging her. While she was doing that, Soyala and Yarra abandoned the dying Mikia to launch a surprise attack on Greta, striking the horse from the sides while Camanche attempted to distract her.

Velvet knew she was a big target in the attack. As the leader of the Nuova, the lioness had to keep her wits about her, or she would fall victim to all those she had so unnerved today. She felt the polar bear begin to weaken, and felt a smidgen of regret for the death she saw coming. Kasa would have been a fine Nuova member, an apex predator... but she clung loyalty to her beliefs, and in the end, she would pay for it with her life. As the bear began to falter, Velvet turned just in time to see Cassanova charging her way, and lowering his head for a bite. Pain jolted her tail when his hooves clamped down, and she yowled in agony before leaping away to avoid his deadly hooves. Almost instantly, the stallion was set upon by Rune and Shinnan, rushing in to protect their leader.

Rampart was not so lucky. He had placed himself in direct danger in order to give his comrades the opportunity to bring down Kasa, and for that he took the brunt of her ferocious power. Bleeding heavily and growing weak, he couldn’t dodge aside her attacks. Her first bite fractured his lower part of his muzzle, effectively disabling him from biting back. He continued to lash out with his claws though, tear and ripping at the bear until her jaws closed around his throat and ended his struggles.

Trish got two rapid paw slaps at her muzzle for efforts. Sandstorm scrambled back from the bear, making room for Taft, Dusk Stalker, and Yarrow to launch their own attacks on her.

As powerful as the seals were, and lethal in the water, they were slow enough on land that the cats could easily avoid them whenever they lumbered too close. As they moved into the fight, five canines darted in to harass them; Arochea, Kapp, Sunburst, Lupanare, and Silverdawn all began to sprint around the various leopard seals, darting in for quick snaps at their blubbery flesh before springing away. They couldn't hope to kill the beasts with these tactics, at least not in any quick fashion, but their goal was to distract and exhaust the seals.

Joey

Joey glared and he laughed.They are attacking them for a reason thats all that matters and they will not harm the young and those who don't attack backHE said and his trunk caught a hold of one of the lions and he made to slamn him down hard and step on him. He felt a tear in his ear but that wouldn't kill him. He swunk his trunk at the male.

Darkia sneezed as the lioness claws raked her muzzle causing blood to well up from the scratches. Her ears were pinned back as she now reared up and lashed out again with her front hooves.

Greta wasn't so lucky. She was not as young as Darkia and sure not as old as her mother but she was still up there at 19. She snorted and staggered to the side and snapped out but now she was just defending herself.

Cassanova yanked back when he got the tail and then he spun on the two coming for him and lashed out.

Kasa knew this was her last fight and she smiled when she took rampert with her. She glared at Velvet.Even if you win now the haunters will regroup and you will be sorryand then the large polar bear fell taking her last breath.

Trisha glared at her attackers and snapped at them with teeth and claws.

The five seals spun and snapped at hte canines.

Nema

Nema and Gargoyle joined in at joey snapping and slashing at his legs.

Paranoi, Plaque and Bubonic went after trisha.

Velvet, Geinah, & Others

Martimoor was still clinging to Joey's backside, clawing at the sensitive gray skin, and chewing into it to cause as much damage as he could. He was soon joined by Rune and his brother Leopeson, two formidable big cats that went for Joey's hips and back. Leope clung to the bull's shoulder, and slashed again at the massive ear, trying to shred through the thin skin and tear open the many large veins that coursed through it. Stranglethorn, meanwhile, was tossed to the ground, but the cat was flexible and sharp in his reflexes. Even though the strike had winded him, he coiled his muscles and dodged away from the giant foot, and as soon as Joey lashed at Leope, Stranglethorn targeted the opposite side of the bull's head.

Five big cats were now assaulting the elephant with an arsenal of claws and fangs when Velvet approached. She ignored the pulsing pain in her tail, and the blossom of crimson that began to leak out from the torn flesh, preferring instead to focus on their main opponent, "We are attacking for a reason too, that's all that matters." The lioness spit Joey's words back at him, "Look around you, your fighters are decimated and outnumbered! Continuing this fight will only secure your death; I'm giving you one final chance, Joey - join with us again, like old times, or fall beneath us."

Once Kasa was felled, Leomar set his sights on Darkia, joining Accava and Dulsca in harrying the horse. The big cats clawed and bit at her, and quickly adopted a strategy of attack, with two of them going in to assault the mare, while the third kept her attention and danced just out of striking range. Dulsca was the one who had to dodge Darkia's flailing hooves this time, and she did so with the fluid grace of a feline.

Greta now had four big cats attacking her in quick succession, once Shaded Grace joined in the fight. The mare's older age made it even easier for the spry cats to rush in for an attack and dodge away from her strike, though Yarra was caught once by a hoof, bruising her foreleg and causing the lioness to limp a little.

Savannah and Ginger kept up their savage attack on Cassanova meanwhile, giving Velvet time to disengage and head for Joey. The two big cats were now taking turns, one diving in to bite and lash at his hind quarters, while the other hissed and swiped at the stallion's from the front, trying to divide his attention.

Five big cats were now on Trisha, their combined bulk easily outweighing the young bear. Their attacks came at all sides, with all intentions of ripping the bear to bloody shreds. In the melee of flashing claws and teeth, Tuini and Taft were wounded by Trisha's attacked, the first having his ear nearly severed in two, and the other incurring a painful set of cuts along his flank.

For Arochea and her canine brethren, attacking the seals had turned into a game. They were small and nimble enough to dart in and snap at the seals' tails and flippers, then scamper out of range before the giant beasts could catch them. It was a dangerous game though, and they knew that if they got caught, they could easily be killed by those powerful teeth, or left struggling for breath as Maquoketa currently was near the moat.

Joey

Joey wished the others would get back here but it looked like it would not work and he tossed his head purposfully sending the blood at the big cats hoping to blind them and then he did something not alot of his kind would do and he reared up on his hind legs. Then take this place, the haunters will find a new place to rule, this place is crippled now anywaysHe said. He would seek out Senka before she got here. He glanced at Nema.Pity that you and your sister betray your half sister Senka you are disgracefulThe bull elephant said then called to the rest of the loyal followers of Senka that remained here and headed right through the moat to the other side.

Darkia knew if she didn't get out now she be dead like her mother and when Joey took off she followed. Blood dripping from her wounds.

Greta watched Darkia and smiled. Cassanova brother goShe called and gave one final charge at the big cats before she succumbed to their attacks and the light left her eyes.

Cassanova snorted and watched his sister go down. He was the youngest of Mikia's children. He snorted.You'll regret this you filthy mongrelsHe snorted and gave one final kick before making to leap over the moat.

Mena, Mark and their children returned to the moat. After soaking themselves they leaped up out of the water and headed for pikes lake. Until joey and Senka found where they would be going that is.

Trisha lashed out and then jumped the moat and ran after the others having seen her dead mother.

Nema heard Joey and part of her still hated leaving Senka and to know that her half sister had risen to be the leader of the haunters. She watched the fleeing animals.

Gargoyle and siblings watched.