,Wishing on a Shooting Star, :MB:

Petra thought for sure her teeth would meet flesh as Legend rushed toward her, but her anger deceived her mind, and she was not realizing at that moment how outmatched she was as she faced-off with the large demon. His teeth came toward her face and she turned with eyes shut tight. She heard teeth clash toghether and yelped as Legend's fangs took a chunk of hair, just as Blade's body collided with hers and knocked her away. She was confused by what was happening, but before she could even get back on her feet she saw Link fending the beast off and overwhelming him quickly. Then she looked up to see Blade over her, realizing he had knocked her down to save her from a nasty fate. She got to her paws, feeling foolish, though wishing she'd gotten the chance to lock her teeth into the brute.

Sighing, she stood near Blade and licked his maw, then looked over to where Exodus was. She was not at all surprised by the girl's words, though felt bad that she seemed a little confused as to how she should be feeling over the situation. Most, if not all the wolves here, seemed glad for Legend's death - nothing to feel guilty about. She did not know what to say, though she wished to say something. She hadn't spoken personally with Exodus in a long time, but perhaps now was not the time either. Standing silently near Blade, she let the wolves around her converse, reserving herself for later.

Blade was glad to see a body dash in front of Petra. An wolf he had seen when he was here in the past, but he knew not his name. He stepped back, quickly moving to Petra's side, making sure she was ok. Then he watched Link attack, Legend mangled. Then Crow appeared, to get information from Legend. As they watched Legend die, Exodus appeared, and he noticed the tears.

Crow was doing his best to talk to her, and he caught the very last bit of her response to him as Blade approached. He walked a bit closer, and added his input, "Darkness isn't always the reason one finds joy in a death. If he hadn't done any wrong, you'd have been sad, but you have knowledge of his actions, and it goes against what you believe- what many believe. True, he was your blood brother, but I don't believe that blood has anything to do with being family," his tone held a bit of disgust as he reflected upon his own so-called family. He shook his head before continuing, "I'm sure even the pure hearted would have been glad in some way for his death, merely regretting his path he took," he nodded towards Link as he said this.

Cinder



Her ears cupped forward and heard Rodion's answer and she was still in shock. He spoke. Link could speak again. She swallowed and leaned back still worried for her love. Legend mocked them. She hoped he never learned of the daughter who lay at her breast. She felt Rodion come near and felt safer for his presence but she still couldn't help but worry. She nodded when he spoke of how Link was a warrior and how it would be a sin to not let him go. She flicked her ears back. That didn't make it any easier to watch him go. She didn't want him to go because she was worried he would get hurt...no...she wanted him not to go because she felt safer with him there.

His words spoke of the beauty of her daughter and she smiled. She prayed she looked nothing like Legend.....nothing. She hoped Rodion was right when he said that Damean and her daughter would grow up to be good wolves because of her and Link. She nosed the pups lightly and then heard Exodus's voice come down the den. Legend was dead......she could hardly believe it. Though she felt sorry for Exodus she could not help but feel her daughter would be safer for it....and so would she. She exhaled and lay her chin on her paws and hoped it was over....glad she didn't hear the filth spewing from Legend's mouth as he died.

Exodus looked at Landen and his eyes grew dark with each passing second. Danger was in the lands of Midnight and a raggid wolf...her father's killer had come and gone and Akiko followed... Now what... "I'm going to watch him die..." she was determined and she poked her head into the den of Cinder. "He's fine. If you have a twin you know when their dead... Legend was dead the moment be began his howl. Cinder, please don't worry for Link, there are plenty of other wolves there...trust me. Legend has this a long time coming...please... don't stress, he'll be back here before nightfall. I promise... I'll come back with a report before him. I promise you on my life...take care of your baby and my brother" she smiled to the darkness and then swiftly left the area. She came up to the scene behind Landen, he had come to watch too? She shouldered him softly and her eyes fell on Legend.

Each painfull mark by him so long ago ached right in this second and she had to catch her breath. "Oh my..." she stepped past Landen and up to where Crow was standing with Legend... "You're dying..." she didn't know if she should smile or cry but she did only one and tears fell from her face and landed on Legend's pelt. "You're still my brother...and I'll remember you as you once were, so strong, so confident but in a good way... and though none of them here will forgive you... I do... You'll rest in hell for all I care, but you're soul will go to heaven with the remorse for what you've done..." She bent low and breathed into his ear. "And just so you know Legend...I've met your son... and he doesn't look anything like you...none of them do" she pulled back and heard him growl out loud but she had to leave, she had to get away from this, she couldn't be here for this no matter how much she wanted to know he was dead.

She walked slowly but came back to the area, her eyes locked with Rodion and she nodded her head as a sign the danger was gone and dead to be perfect. "Tell Cinder please" and she felt her legs buckle and she began to cry. Rawbones was near, lots of wolves were here but she didn't really notice, her world went black and she cried for the second time today...why would she cry over Legend, after all he had done...because he had made a beautiful girl with Cinder no matter who her father was, she would be nothing like him, she couldn't, not with parents like that in which she had...and he had made two other beautiful children and they too were nothing like him, she just hoped that this babe wouldn't be punished and feared because of who she came from. her heart ached to think of her little brother in the den too...he was unsafe here? Would wolves always come?...

Cinder



Silver eyes watched as Link trembled with rage and left the den. Her voice yelled out protest. "Link...Link..please..." She whimpered and then fell silent as she heard something she hadn't heard in a very, very long time. Link's voice....calling out for Rodion. She was in shock. She never thought she would hear it again. She sat in her weakened state almost in a daze as she listened. It was like it was a dream...no ...a nightmare that he was asking to leave...for Rodion to protect her. She whined and felt warm tears roll down her nose. This just couldn't be happening...how did Legend know. She hoped no one let it slip that they had a surviving pup. She hoped they told them they all died. She couldn't bare to think that he might come take the poor babe from her.

She looked at the baby son of Dameans curled with her daughter. She would protect him to...he would be like her son as well. She blinked her eyes again. "Rodion..' She called softly. "Did he really speak?"

For so long she blamed herself for him loosing his voice...it was unreal to hear it again even in this strained form.

Fran moved out of the way when Link moved behind her. She did want him to stay with Cinder, who would need the comfort, but she also couldn't deny his nature to fight. Either way, Fran would still stay right here, away from battle, ready to take care of Cinder the best she could if Link were to leave to fight. Then she heard Rodion's name from Link, harsh from lack of use, but it was undeniably a word.

Balthier was leading the way back, heading for the scents that weren't in movement, which was towards Link and Cinder's den. He had caught the scent of many other wolves, but would ask Rodion about it later. He arrived in time to see the alpha speaking to Link, Fran standing nearby. His feet carried him a few more steps before he sat down, still recovering from blood loss. His jaws clenched on the handle of the human weapon he picked up when he heard the unmistakable sounds of fighting, feeling like he should help, but knowing he'd be more of a burden in his current state. All he could do now was help protect Cinder's pup.

Varaak smiled, seeing Braeden following. He waited for her to catch up so he could walk beside her, wondering if she recognized the sounds of fighting around her. It was hard to imagine what she was feeling, since she didn't have the chance to develop her words to express them, but all he could do was stay next to her, showing her that she wasn't going to be left alone. His brother sat down further ahead, and was glad they were back.

Blade felt himself being pushed away, but he quickly recovered, used to such treatments. He immediately noticed Legend run at Petra, who he had hoped wouldn't join the fight when she had alerted him to her presence. At that time, he hadn't the luxury to respond, but was scared when she had followed him in his attack, but couldn't afford to break off his charge.

Legend had a head start on him, but perhaps he was still the faster of the two. He forgot about attacking Legend now, only wishing to be quick enough to push Petra out of the way, to take the attack on himself. Perhaps he'd later be able to look back upon this moment and find that it wasn't anger that caused him to lose his cool battle demeanor.

((not sure if either of you had any particular plans, so I left it open.))

Zelda nodded to Rodion as he escorted her back towards Cinder's den. She was hoping Link was coping with the new pups well. She knew her brother to be extremely tolerant and loving so she was not overly concerned. There were many wolves around the den, the Jabbar wolves on the edges of her vision, it made her bristle slightly but she knew they were there for the pup. A strangely redeeming factor in their darkness. Then the howl came and her ears flattened against her skull, canines flashed and she growled. The tri hued fem glanced at Rodion who was already in action seeking out the pack. There were many wolves at the den, and Zelda joined their number looking anxiously knowing that he brother would need to exercise a restraint that may be beyond him this time.

Rodion sent his return howl and Zelda felt pride well in her chest to have such a powerful leader, he was truly unlike any alpha or alphess they had before. Glancing to the wolves around the den she edged away from Akiko and Rawbones who restrained fury was making her nervous. They were like powder kegs ready to erupt. The air was tense and it was making it difficult to keep calm. A form shot into the clearing taunting them and she thought he must be truly crazy to come against so many wolves alone but just as cowards tended to be he danced off into the brush..even so she added her snarl to the chorus of those that would surely be there.

Link nuzzle Cinder, he too could smell all the wolves outside but he felt strangely peaceful about it. Even so he was still alert to the sound of movement outside. So many came to watch over the den and he thought it a true wonder. But then it came...a howl that ripped forth from his gut a wave of anger. Anger so red and deep he felt that he could move mountains with his will alone. He was calling to Cinder, to HIS mate. He did not realize that his whole body was rumbling with the force of his growl. He was already half standing ready to sprint from the den and finish what he started with the hessian, the roiling emotions coming from Cinder only agitated his current state and even her pleas were hard pressed to reach his ears. Eyes blazing he could only stare at the den entrance his body itching to press out into the open and track down that spineless bastard.

He could hear all the wolves outside the den and knew they were far from alone and even Fran spoke to them assuring their safety. Still Link stayed, half standing body torn between two of the most difficult decisions in his life. He had not experienced emotions this strong since his youth when that foul brute had kept Zelda as a forced mate, killing every litter of pups she had. The joy of killing the brute was eclipsed by the pain of watching his broken sister trudge through life day by day. If Link had come any later she would have passed into the void from her own sorrow but by some miracle she rebounded and rebuilt herself. Now though...NOW his peace and his family were threatened yet again and it was time for Link to rise up and smight the evil that would harm them. ALL of them, whether they be of his blood or anothers. There was a disturbance outside as Deadly darted into the midst of the wolves but Link still could not see what was going on.

No longer able to control his suppressed emotions, stunted so long by his lack of vocals, a mighty snarl left his jowls exploding in the air with all his fury. "RODION!" His voice boomed, in a strangely mangled manner but no less fierce. He called to the alpha, he needed something...he needed to know something important...

Zelda's head snapped around as she heard her brothers yell from the den, her spine tingling with the sound of it. It reminded her off days long past, an ache returned to her chest and she knew that her brother loved Cinder with every fiber of his being and she prayed that the fem would never take that for granted.

Akiko sat in her silent vigil, content to stand guard at the den. It seemed that Cinder had really accepted Damean and the pup had not rejected her milk. Perhaps this was going to end better than they all thought. Though she knew that Midnight Meadows could not play host to them for too long a time period, their natural tendencies would soon clash and that would present an interesting problem. Blade soon joined her side as was fit for those who were loyal to Damean and her ear flicked as he began to talk. She nodded her head as he reported on those left in Jabbar, it was no big surprise really. All the wolves who had stayed were always on the fringes of the pack, never really apart. As to what to do about Evander she shrugged "I'm sure Evander will make his intentions obvious soon enough, if he is being too quiet, then we shall scout the lands."

She was about to answer his inquiry about the pups name when Exodus chimed in. Then, as if the discussion had summoned it a howl winged its way across the sky. Unmistakably Legends, Akiko rose to her feet, fur bristling. Every sense alert, keen eyes scanning the area as she strode forward shaking caution to the wind to protect the den. Legend howled to taunt the bru in the den...Link, strange seeing how damaged he was from his last encounter. The threat in the howl was obvious and Akiko snapped her teeth with an audible clack.

Blade had shot off into the forest to seek out Legend and Akiko's form quivered and the force that she held herself back with was almost palpable, it was so intense. The energy she was exuding was a thick like gathering storm, ready to be unleashed to wreak devastation. She longed to stride into battle but knew she would have to stay near the den for Damean's sake.

Rawbones paced around her and heightened her own sense of urgency to tear into flesh. Then into their midst came THAT brute. Her eyes blazed and something akin to a roar burst from her barrel and she lurched forward after the brute. No one...NO ONE escaped Akiko on foot especially spurred as she was by the vengence she needed to sate. She would drink that brutes blood and eat his heart and she would enjoy EVERY.DAMN.MOMENT.

Rawbones glanced to Crow as he asked the question that ran through all of their minds; where were they to stay, and what were they going to do about Jabbar? Akiko's feelings on this were strong as was apparent in the way she went from utter silence to deadliness in a heartbeat. The elder smirked, nodding in agreement. Siding with Muerta in a delicate time like this could ruin everything, and put the pup in their care at risk. It was impossible to tell who you could trust these days, and Rawbones didn't dare leave the whelp with anyone besides those closest to him right now. So battle at the moment was not an option. It would have to be determined later. He watched as Akiko rose and made a brief trot over to the stream, lapping water for herself and bringing back a mouthful for young Damean.

Again Rawbones smirked, not objecting as Akiko lay beside him, positioning herself against him with the pup between her paws. He nodded to her as she spoke of their priority. He watched her close her eyes, then looked over to Crow. "Looks like we're staying for a bit," was all he could say, shrugging. He didn't even know what to think about Jabbar. That place had been his home for many years, and he felt awful abandoning it when it was overrun with filthy brutes. He glanced up as Exodus came over with news of the birth, and watched her as she retrieved Damean. He took his time standing, grunting as his old bones creaked with the movements. His body wanted to rest, but that was not an option for him yet, not til everything had settled. He made his way leisurely over to where Akiko sat and others gathered 'round the den. Though he wished the pup were in sight, he still felt relief that Damean's belly would be full now.

Little time passed before a sudden howl rang through the air, setting everyone on guard and bristling with fury. He felt the ridge on his back rise and a growl rose in his throat. Legend. That sick little bastard was here, but for what reason? Did he really think he could infiltrate this pack and get to Damean? Rawbones was soon pacing the area outside Cinder's den, his lips curled back, teeth snapping at the air. He wanted so badly to follow the younger wolves who had gone off to the border, to help shed the blood of those who deserved it, but he knew he could not keep up at their pace. And he could not leave the area. If anything were to happen in his absence, he would never forgive himself. He needed to be here, right outside this den, standing with the others as the final line of defense, though it pained him to remain idle. His tail lashed and he spun back around to go near Akiko, circling her, pacing away, senses alert for anything suspicious.

Petra wandered into the lands with Blade just behind her, taking in the familiar scents as she went by. She felt at home, and it was a good feeling, though she knew Jabbar was her true home, and just like the last time she'd been here, she would miss her birthlands. But there was no way that any of them could occupy Jabbar with Evander around. She sighed, trotting off in the direction of the main area. She perked up as she saw familiar faces, and wandered away from Blade when she noticed Cinder's scent coming from a den. The scent of birth accompanied her, and the scent of milk. Petra felt awful that she had to go through with this, but perhaps it wasn't all that bad.

She was about to go over and see if she could visit her friend, when suddenly a dark howl rent the air. Her tail tucked under her and ears pinned back, for she recognized the voice of Legend. Several wolves shot off all at once, including Blade, and Petra knew that she didn't need to stay around here. Cinder probably wanted to rest for now anyways, so Petra needed to help fend off the enemy. The hybrid shot off, dashing after her packmates, following Blade's scent. It was not long before she saw the two dancing viciously 'round each other. She could hear Legend trying to rile Blade up, trying to get him to lose his focus. Petra let out several sharp barks to let them know she was here.

Leafy green orbs were focused on Legend, the stare she was giving him was more intense than it had ever been. She wished she had never helped him when his limb was broken; she should not have tended to his wounds after all he'd done. Why had she been so kind? He had betrayed and defiled her friend Cinder, and spoken ill of Jabbar Junayd and particularly of Jaded, now deceased. She watched Blade dash forward, and suddenly she darted in too. Like a flash of lightning she was there, teeth bared and nose wrinkled, fury rumbling deep within her chest. With Blade beside her she did not fear, and she lashed out with her fangs and claws, hoping to strike him, to help destroy him.

Braeden closed her eyes tight as Balthier moved forward with the poultice, applying it to her wounds. She winced, wanting to lash out but refraining from doing so, for she knew he was helping her, not hurting, however foreign the concept of medicine was to her. She relaxed once he was finished, and looked up as some wolves of the pack approached, though she still felt skittish around them and stuck close to Balthier and Varaak. She smiled nervously as Rodion spoke to her. When a howl crossed the skies and everybody became tense and angry, Braeden hugged the ground, her tail tucked far between her legs. She did not understand what was going on, so unaccustomed to the ways of canines. Varaak came to her and she perked her auds briefly to catch his words, watching as Balthier walked in the direction most of the others had taken off in.

Not wanting to be left behind, Braeden quickly got to her feet and began following, hoping she was doing the right thing. She didn't know why the tension was thick in the air, but she knew something serious was going on. She just hoped nobody else was going to die. No more monsters. No more dogs. She hoped in her mind that it was just something else, something the pack could handle without any setbacks. Skittering along with her body close to the ground, she glanced back and forth in an almost frantic manner between the two brothers.

Blade snorted, just able to restrain himself... for now, trying to keep his mind clear and thinking. Legend would have to do a better job at riling him up, but... They were in the lands of Midnight Meadows, where the pup should be well-protected with Cinder's own, but he'd play along with the conversation, if only for a little bit. "There's another pack in these lands, and they don't seem happy to see you, either. You're right in saying no one will come back from the dead if you were to be slaughtered, but it will stop one more wolf who has the intention of harming anyone of the two packs currently here." He nearly rolled his eyes, not bothering to comment about making a scratch. It meant nothing... If he had broken a bone on the other hand... He would have smirked, knowing the younger wolf needed to do his homework before spouting out some of the nonsense he had, but didn't want to give that twisted mind any more ammunition against him. Instead, he growled, body tense, and opened his jaws to say, anger laced in his voice, "I will never allow you to lay even a paw on Petra."

He allowed a touch of fury and some of the insanity that some dark wolves tended to have to show in his eyes, and he seemed to charge recklessly at Legend, as if blind with rage and battle lust. His jaws were opened, to crush down on anything they came into contact with. He deliberately left a few 'openings' that an enraged wolf would have, although Legend would be in for a surprise when Blade was able to counter them if he were to react with an attack. He'd probably still get a scrape or two, but nothing as bad as a wolf totally caught unguarded in a reckless charge like this. One thing he prided himself in was being a professional of masking, and displaying fake emotions, and wondered if Legend would take the bait so early in his session of taunts.

During his charge, his mind was in a flurry of thoughts of the possible actions that could occur, never once changing his facial expressions. It took many fights and blood spill to accomplish this, knowing it had been crucial to learn since his body could never develop into that of an actual fighter's. It was a means for him to cope in a fight, like Akiko using her speed when her size fell short, while surprise was his. By doing this, most opponents would underestimate the seemingly disadvantaged, or just overestimate themselves. Blade always desired the latter in his fights, as they were more prone to gaping there in shock for an extended period of time. He had to admit, however, with an opponent like Legend, it was difficult to determine what could happen.