Post by Webtooth on Feb 5, 2010 19:04:42 GMT -5
Wolfdogs:
Disgrace
(Picture Placed here)
Alliances
Lightningpack
Alpha: Lakecloud- Large gray with black stomach He-wolf
Deputy: Heartsong- Brown she-wolf with gray ears
Healer wolf: Deerfire- Beautiful speckled she-wolf with strange amber eyes. Apprentice: Mossspaw
Wolfdogs:
Snowfang- Icy white she-wolf. Apprentice: Icepaw
Smokeglaze- Red he-wolf with ice-blue eyes
Thunderstrike- Black he-wolf with pure yellow eyes
Redclaw- Red he-wolf with white legs
Silverfur- Silver she-wolf with green eyes.
Bonefur- Pure-white he-wolf. Apprentice: Swiftpaw
Mothers:
Foxleap- Gray she-wolf with white chest
Featherstep- Black she-wolf with white head
Airpack
Alpha: Fastcloud- White he-wolf
Deputy: Bloodtooth- Red he-wolf with amber eyes.
Healer wolf: Blackstream- Dark-gray she-wolf with strange white markings.
Wolfdogs:
Hawkcall- Dull brown he-wolf
Bluewing- Grayish Blue she-wolf
Waterpack:
Alpha: Rivercloud- Gray she-wolf with blue eyes
Deputy: Shadowheart- Jet-black he-wolf with green eyes. Apprentice: Rockpaw
Healer wolf: Frostfoot- Light-gray fur, almost silver. Apprentice: Nightpaw
Wolfdogs:
Icebreeze- White she-wolf
Rosetail- Gray she-wolf with red-tipped tail
Bloodpack
Alpha: Deathcloud: Bloodstained he-wolf with extremely long fangs and huge muscles.
Deputy: Longsnout: Unusually large she-wolf with very long snout.
Healer wolf: Waterflame- Red he-wolf with silver legs and tail-tip
Wolfdogs:
Greenfur: Skinny light-gray she-wolf with an eye badly injured
Shortear: Tall he-wolf with part of an ear missing
Prologue
Picture here
A bloodstained he-wolf walked out of the cave holding a limp body in his mouth, fangs grasping at the blood dripping out of the teeth marks on its neck.
“Deathcloud, is it time?” a large she-wolf asked.
“Almost Longsnout,” Deathcloud mumbled while holding the limp wolf. Deathcloud shot Longsnout a hard gaze. “The forest will be ours!”
“What about the other packs?” Longsnout snarled, “What will we do with them?”
“Patience Longsnout, you will know soon enough.” A sound interrupted him from a nearby bush; Deathcloud pricked his ears toward a rustling noise from a nearby thorn bush. A battle howl screeched from the large rock over them.
“Deathcloud! Haven’t you done enough damage?” howled a white wolf, “I give you one warning to leave our territory!”
Deathcloud looked up, “Oh Fastcloud,” he let out a snarl, “I was just dropping in for a snack.” Deathcloud felt his fur start to loosen. “Never!,” He let out a battle cry, soon his Wolfdogs began to wander around, “Attack!”
“No! My pup!” a tan she-wolf ran up to the motionless body of Shadepup, “No!” she wailed. She hurled herself at Deathcloud, biting fiercely at his neck.
Deathcloud did not even move, instead he just sat, watching the mother howl in fury, “No changing what is done,” he growled sinisterly.
Soon the clearing burst into battle, wolves from Airpack and Bloodpack fighting to the last drop of blood.
Deathcloud felt another heavy weight land on him, and he looked up to see Bluewing crouched on him ready to finish him off. He let out a snarl and thrashed wildly until Bluewing sprang off, panting with claw marks in her fur.
“You’ll never get away with this Deathcloud!” Bluewing snarled in hatred.
Deathcloud let out a retreat call, “Retreat Bloodpack, Retreat!”
Soon the clearing was empty except for two motionless figures: Skywind and Shadepup.
Deathcloud let out one more menacing snarl, than ran off with the rest of Bloodpack.
1
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Dawnpup opened her eyes to see Lakecloud looking down on her, his bright gaze looking at something she could not see.
Sunpup unexpectedly leaped on Dawnpup, “Hi Dawnpup! Want to play?”
“Sure, if you get off me first,” Dawnpup let out bark of laughter, “What do you want to play?”
“Let’s play Bloodpack invaders!” he barked, “I’m Deathcloud, and you’re Lakecloud, and I’m going to kill you!”
“Not if I do first!” Dawnpup hurled herself playfully on top of her sister, pawing at her neck.
“You killed me!” Sunpup laughed joyfully, “Let’s see the apprentices! We’ll both be an apprentice soon, so let’s get a head start on training!”
Dawnpup dashed ahead to one of the older apprentices, “Hi Icepaw!” Dawnpup yipped happily.
“Hello Dawnpup, what do you want today?” Icepaw growled, as Swiftpaw walked out of the den.
Dawnpup shuddered as he saw Swiftpaw’s huge fangs and rippling muscles, “What are they doing here?”
“They have to get used to our den, their apprentice ceremony is today, Swiftpaw,” Icepaw replied calmly.
“Just don’t let them sleep anywhere near me,” Swiftpaw snarled teasingly.
Dawnpup aimed a blow at Swiftpaw’s chest. She leaped and tried to claw him.
Swiftpaw sprang out of her reach, snarling loudly, “What’s wrong toy dog? Defending your flatface?
Dawnpup felt ready to tear his muzzle off and slash his neck, although Dawnpup knew that she would be exiled by Lakecloud, “Just because you’re an apprentice doesn’t mean you can boss me around!” she growled.
Dawnpup’s ears pricked to the noise of her leader calling
from the Big-rock, “Wolves of all ages! Gather beneath the Big-rock for a pack meeting!”
Dawnpup raced out of the nursery, running towards the bottom of the Big-rock. My apprentice ceremony! Dawnpup thought.
Dawnpup waited for the other wolves to gather beneath. “You all know that we have few apprentices in training, and the pups in the nursery are growing older, Dawnpup, Sunpup, and Grasspup shall train to become Wolfdogs! Dawnpup, do you promise to obey and follow the Wolfdog Code?
“I do,” Dawnpup nodded.
“Then by the powers of Cloudpack, I give you your apprentice name! Dawnpaw!”
The other wolves cheered “Dawnpaw! Dawnpaw!”
Dawnpaw looked around wildly, she saw everyone cheering. Except Swiftpaw.
Dawnpaw walked into the apprentice den, the warm scent filling her nose. She sat down on a bed of moss next to Icepaw’s sleeping body.
Quickly she fell into deep sleep.
Dawnpaw padded through the grass towards a clearing, keeping close watch.
Something moved quickly across the space but was gone in a few seconds. Dawnpaw followed where it had gone.
A cloudy figure was lying down in a patch of brambles, Dawnpaw started to back away, “Who are you?” Dawnpaw stammered.
“Do not worry little one, come closer,” the wolf signaled with her tail.
Dawnpaw hesitated, “But who are you?”
“All will be revealed soon.”
Dawnpaw stepped forward still keeping a distance. This she-wolf had a long tail, but Dawnpaw noticed in horror that the end was a lightning bolt.
“Closer little one,” the cloud wolf calmly barked.
“What do you want?” Dawnpaw growled warningly.
“I am Lightningcloud, the first leader of Lightningpack, and I come to ask of you one thing.”
“I don’t want to join you in Cloudpack!” Dawnpaw yelped.
“That is not what I want,” she echoed, “Death will roam the forest, Blood shall be spilled, and the rain will pour red.”
Before Dawnpaw could reply, Lightningcloud disappeared in a flash of lightning.
2
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Dawnpaw awoke to find the apprentice den deserted. She slowly shook the bits of moss out of her fur and stalked out towards the prey pile; she grabbed part of an elk and ran off to eat with the other apprentices.
“Well, well, look who came to join us.”
Dawnpaw jumped at the irritation in Swiftpaw’s voice. “Hey!” she growled loudly.
“Swiftpaw! What’s gotten into you?” Icepaw snarled, straitening his tail.
Swiftpaw bared his teeth. Ready to attack, his claws sinking into the ground.
Dawnpaw scooted towards Icepaw, “Thanks,” she whispered.
“No problem, soon Snowfang will take me with her group of scouts, there’s room for your mentor and you too,” Icepaw barked quietly, his tail wagging back and forth.
“Sure, I’ll ask Redclaw if we can come.”
Dawnpaw padded towards the Wolfdog den. Looking around for Redclaw.
“Redclaw! Where are you?”
A steady reply came from inside the den, “In here Dawnpaw, what is it that you want?”
“I...I wanted to ask you if we can go with the scout group at sunrise with Icepaw, Snowfang, Sunpaw, and Smokeglaze?”
“Mind if I eat first?”
Dawnpaw nodded and walked off.
“Smokeglaze, do you smell something?” Redclaw growled worriedly.
“Bear,” Smokeglaze replied, “and pretty fresh too.”
Dawnpaw was shaking at the sour scent of a grizzly bear, “Is that bad?”
“Indeed it is,” Redclaw barked gravely, “In the past, bears have intruded the camp and killed many wolves.” Redclaw had a look of sadness in his eyes.
“What happened?” Dawnpaw asked.
“All my littermates were killed, and five Wolfdogs died too.”
A loud moan erupted from a nearby bush. Dawnpaw’s eyes widened with fear. A large brown shape ambled a few tail-lengths away.
“Scatter!” Redclaw howled, “Dawnpaw, Icepaw, and Sunpaw! Go back to camp to warn the others!”
Dawnpaw dashed away at full speed with Icepaw and Sunpaw following close behind. Dawnpaw was loping faster and faster.
“Dawnpaw, I’m scared,” Sunpaw murmured hoarsely.
“It’s ok Sunpaw. I’ll protect you.”
Before Dawnpaw could speak another word, she heard a loud moan coming from behind her. She froze in panic and nudged Icepaw and Sunpaw ahead frantically, “It’s coming!”
Sunpaw and Icepaw dashed ahead quickly, “I know the quickest way to camp!” Icepaw howled, changing direction.
Icepaw lead them into camp quickly, “Mothers! Hide your pups!” Icepaw howled as loud as he could, “There is a bear coming!”
Wolves around the camp froze and terror. Only Lakecloud stood up, “I will protect Lightningpack with all my strength! I know an escape route near Waterpack’s border!”
“I am willing to help, too!” Heartsong barked.
“Very well,” Lakecloud nodded.
Redclaw burst in, “We can’t hold it off! It’s already a few paws away from the entrance!
Icepaw howled, “We want to protect the camp!”
Lakecloud narrowed his eyes, “I do not think you could hold off a bear.”
Dawnpaw’s muscles tensed, “I protect the pack until the last drop of blood.”
Lakecloud looked uncertain, “Okay.”
The mothers and Wolfdogs helped the eldest wolves and pups to a hole in the thick undergrowth surrounding the camp, looking sadly at Dawnpaw and the others.
“I’m ready,” Icepaw snarled.
“M-m-me t-too,” Sunpaw whimpered, staring at the entrance as the bear scrambled in.
“Let’s hide in the undergrowth,” Lakecloud murmured.
They dove for a small fern, fear shot through Dawnpaw. This could be her last battle before joining Cloudpack.
“Attack!” Lakecloud howled, loping and taking a bite of the bear’s loose skin.
The bear let out a menacing snarl, but before it could sink its teeth into Lakecloud’s fur, Dawnpaw shot herself straight at it. It was too late to turn back, the bear’s claws sunk into her throat and everything went black, she heard Lakecloud howl, “Dawnpaw!”
“Hello Dawnpaw,” a booming voice echoed around Dawnpaw, scaring her straight into the air, “Do not worry.”
“W-who are you?” she stammered.
“I am Skywind, killed by Deathcloud.” Skywind had a look of sorrow in her eyes. For a long moment Skywind stood motionless, “You deserve another chance. Your destiny still awaits.”
“W-what?” her voice echoed, “What destiny?”
“All will be clear soon,” He murmured, “You are special to me. I am giving you a second chance, but your fate will fall upon a different wolf.”
“Special?”
“You…you are my daughter.”
A swirl of wind rounded her and everything seemed to burst apart.
Dawnpaw woke up and staggered to her feet, Sunpaw and Icepaw were yelping sadly until they saw Dawnpaw’s eyes blink open.
“You’re alive!” Icepaw barked happily and dug his snout into her fur.
Lakecloud and Heartsong were still biting at the bear’s neck.
“Yes, but let’s go help them.” Dawnpaw barked. She loped toward the bear until she could feel the fiery breath breathing down her side. She launched herself and bit at its face.
Just then she heard a loud howl. Dawnpaw looked down to see a motionless figure of a brown wolf with gray ears.
“Heartsong!” Lakecloud howled, her screech rippling through the forest.
All the sudden Dawnpaw felt the presence of more wolves beside her. Many cloud figures surrounded her. They seemed like wolves, at least. Among them she saw Shadepup, an Airpack pup, Skywind, and the wolf she recognized as Heartsong.
“Fight,” one of them ordered, “My death is not your fault.
Dawnpaw stammered, “Okay.” And barred her teeth in a snarl as she barreled down on the bear. It let out a screech of terror as Dawnpaw bit down on the wooly fur on its neck. The bear’s fur bristling in fury it swiped its huge paw straight at Dawnpaw’s snout.
Dawnpaw was ready this time, she dodged sharply out of the way as the massive paw hit the air she had just been.
“Dawnpaw! You’re alive!” Lakecloud barked, “We need to talk after this.”
“If we survive after this,” She growled as the bear landed another swipe at her, “Great Cloudpack help!”
3
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Dawnpaw forced herself out of the way as the bear lunged for her throat, snarling warningly.
Just then Dawnpaw saw a shadowy figure shoot through camp, quickly embedding its teeth in the bear’s legs.
Now the bear looked more like a slaughtered elk, lying on the ground helplessly, its legs gushing with blood.
Lakecloud bit fatally on the bear’s neck and stood up, “Who are you?” he asked the strange dog.
Dawnpaw got a better look at him and realized he wasn’t a wolf. “What are you?” Dawnpaw asked
He bowed his head, “I am Dusk.” Obviously he didn’t live in a pack. And his scent reeked of fish, “I have traveled far,” he began.
“Where do you come from?” Lakecloud challenged, her eyes narrowing.
“I come from Titania,” Dusk growled, “I ran away when I was just three sunrises.”
“Who are they?” Icepaw barked, with an uncertain look in his eyes.
“They are many dogs who live together, although there is never peace between any of their wolves. I have come here to seek a new home,” he murmured.
“Three sunrises!” Icepaw whispered in Dawnpaw’s ears, “That’s old enough to be apprentice!”
“Yeah.” She replied, though she couldn’t shake the feeling of letting an outlaw join the pack was a bad idea.
“I was told that there are more wolves living around, and I was right,” Dusk continued, his ice-blue eyes shining.
“You have just risked your life to save my pack, you deserve a home.” Lakecloud barked, her voice was a mix of awe and thankfulness.
Dusk bowed his head, “I am grateful for your offer.”
Lakecloud howled, “All clear!”
One bye one, wolves began padding into the clearing, staring wide-eyed at the dead bear and the mysterious dog.
“Who is this?” Swiftpaw snarled furiously.
“I am Dusk, I bring no harm to your pack.”
Swiftpaw cut Dusk off, “Get lost!” he snarled.
Bonefur swung Swiftpaw back with his forepaw, “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he murmured, “Lakecloud, where does he come from?” Bonefur added.
“Titania,” Dusk replied solemnly.
Lakecloud jumped on the Big-rock as soon as all the pack was back in camp, “Wolves of all ages gather beneath the Big-rock for a pack meeting!” He howled.
Dusk shrugged and padded beside Lakecloud, his black head bowed.
“We have a reason to honor this dog, he has saved us from a vicious bear attack, let the light of Cloudpack show down on him. He is three sunrises; he will now receive his apprentice name. Dusk, from this point forward you will be known as Duskpaw.”
Duskpaw bowed his head, “I am honored.”
“Silverfur will be your mentor.” Lakecloud finished.
All the wolves were howling, Sunpaw seemed the loudest, “Duskpaw! Duskpaw!”
Icepaw licked Dawnpaw’s fur to flatten down some of her loose fur.
Dawnpaw flicked her long bushy tail over Icepaw’s muzzle, “Don’t worry.”
Icepaw flicked his snout away.
Sunpaw scrambled up to Duskpaw as soon as the meeting was over, whispering something in his ear.
**********
Dawnpaw awoke in a dream, a small, beautiful clearing. A small pool and the sound of small animals scuffling around.
Dawnpaw crouched and killed a sparrow in a swift bite. She loped across the clearing to a warm, cozy den. She dug into it, savoring each meaty bite.
Dawnpaw jumped as she heard a cracking noise under her; a second later she was falling down into a dark hole.
Moments later she felt water lapping at her fur. Then she realized it wasn’t water. It was too slow churning and sticky…. It was blood!
“Help!” She sputtered as she began sinking slowly.
Then a booming voice echoed once again: “Death will roam the forest, blood shall be spilled, and the rain will pour red.”
***
Dawnpaw awoke in a flash, panting lightly.
“Will you keep it down?” Duskpaw muttered, his voice hoarse, “I can’t believe your pack mates can sleep with this much noise.” Then he let out a soft growl and lied down again, “It’s much better here than it is in Titania. There’s peace between us, warm dens, food, and caring friends.”
“Yeah it’s nice, but something just doesn’t feel right,” Dawnpaw murmured more quietly.
Icepaw stretched out, “What’s going on?” he barked
“Oh nothing, we were just talking,” Duskpaw replied, his ears flat in embarrassment.
“Well okay,” Icepaw barked quietly. Then he settled down again.
Duskpaw nuzzled her again and she spun her head around, “What?”
“Meet at moon-high tomorrow where the river flows quickest,” he murmured kindly.
Dawnpaw nodded and fell into a deep sleep.
“Dawnpaw! Sunrise scout group!” Dawnpaw awoke in a flash as Redclaw called for her.
“Meet at moon-high, where the river flows quickest,” Dawnpaw whispered to herself as she ate her fill and loped across the camp.
“You’re happier to go on scout group than usual,” Redclaw teased, “You usually hesitate.”
“Yeah I know,” Dawnpaw barked, “I just feel like going.
“Well come on, Lakecloud wants us back by sun-high for the new deputy ceremony.”
“Who’s coming with?” Dawnpaw asked. Her fur was bristling with excitement.
“Deerfire and Mosspaw,” Redclaw replied.
“What? The pack Healer doesn’t usually come with scouts!” Dawnpaw growled.
“Remember that Healers know how to fight,” Redclaw prompted.
“Okay,” Dawnpaw muttered.
“Oh we just need to find some flowers for Featherstep, she’s sick,” Deerfire interrupted, her tail held high.
“Well come on! We aren’t going to stand here all day and gossip!” Redclaw howled as he loped ahead through the entrance, “I’ll go this way, Deerfire and Mosspaw go by the stream where the moon flowers grow best, and Dawnpaw, you go to the side of our territory bordering Waterpack,” Redclaw ordered.
“Okay,” Dawnpaw nodded her head and loped away from the group. This is my first time on my own! Dawnpaw thought as she neared the border.
An acrid scent hit her nostrils as she spotted a dead tree, the border of Waterpack and Lightningpack. Then she let her fur lie flat again, it was just some fresh scent markers.
Dawnpaw jumped as she heard some bushes rustle a few paws away. A lean-muscled brown with a black chest he-wolf stepped quietly out.
Dawnpaw let out a yelp as she saw that she had passed the fallen tree.
“Get off Waterpack territory!” the he-wolf howled, “Or I’ll claw your fur off!” Then Dawnpaw saw his eyes soften and his fur lie flat, “Sorry,” he whimpered.
Dawnpaw flattened her ears as she got a better look at him, he was an apprentice too, “Who are you?” Dawnpaw snarled.
“I am Rockpaw,” he replied.
Dawnpaw couldn’t help but burst into laughter, “You’re treating me like a pack alpha!”
Dawnpaw flinched as a jet-black he-wolf stepped between them, his green eyes blazing in fury, “Who is this?” he snarled aggressively.
4
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Rockpaw let out a yelp, “Just a Lightningpack apprentice, she’s no threat to us.”
“No threat?” The black wolf snarled, “She could just as well be trying to spy on us!”
“Sorry Shadowheart,” Rockpaw barked with his tail tucked between his legs.
“Okay, escort her before Rivercloud wonders what has become of us,” Shadowheart growled.
“Yes Shadowheart,” Rockpaw dipped his head, “Come on.”
As Dawnpaw padded away she stared in horror at the sky, it was almost Moonrise!
“Hey, want to meet at moon-high?” Rockpaw asked.
No! I can’t! Dawnpaw wanted to howl but something came out instead: “Yes.”
It’s time! Dawnpaw thought as she saw the moon was at its highest point. She snuck quietly around the clearing, being careful not to wake anyone.
Disgrace
(Picture Placed here)
Alliances
Lightningpack
Alpha: Lakecloud- Large gray with black stomach He-wolf
Deputy: Heartsong- Brown she-wolf with gray ears
Healer wolf: Deerfire- Beautiful speckled she-wolf with strange amber eyes. Apprentice: Mossspaw
Wolfdogs:
Snowfang- Icy white she-wolf. Apprentice: Icepaw
Smokeglaze- Red he-wolf with ice-blue eyes
Thunderstrike- Black he-wolf with pure yellow eyes
Redclaw- Red he-wolf with white legs
Silverfur- Silver she-wolf with green eyes.
Bonefur- Pure-white he-wolf. Apprentice: Swiftpaw
Mothers:
Foxleap- Gray she-wolf with white chest
Featherstep- Black she-wolf with white head
Airpack
Alpha: Fastcloud- White he-wolf
Deputy: Bloodtooth- Red he-wolf with amber eyes.
Healer wolf: Blackstream- Dark-gray she-wolf with strange white markings.
Wolfdogs:
Hawkcall- Dull brown he-wolf
Bluewing- Grayish Blue she-wolf
Waterpack:
Alpha: Rivercloud- Gray she-wolf with blue eyes
Deputy: Shadowheart- Jet-black he-wolf with green eyes. Apprentice: Rockpaw
Healer wolf: Frostfoot- Light-gray fur, almost silver. Apprentice: Nightpaw
Wolfdogs:
Icebreeze- White she-wolf
Rosetail- Gray she-wolf with red-tipped tail
Bloodpack
Alpha: Deathcloud: Bloodstained he-wolf with extremely long fangs and huge muscles.
Deputy: Longsnout: Unusually large she-wolf with very long snout.
Healer wolf: Waterflame- Red he-wolf with silver legs and tail-tip
Wolfdogs:
Greenfur: Skinny light-gray she-wolf with an eye badly injured
Shortear: Tall he-wolf with part of an ear missing
Prologue
Picture here
A bloodstained he-wolf walked out of the cave holding a limp body in his mouth, fangs grasping at the blood dripping out of the teeth marks on its neck.
“Deathcloud, is it time?” a large she-wolf asked.
“Almost Longsnout,” Deathcloud mumbled while holding the limp wolf. Deathcloud shot Longsnout a hard gaze. “The forest will be ours!”
“What about the other packs?” Longsnout snarled, “What will we do with them?”
“Patience Longsnout, you will know soon enough.” A sound interrupted him from a nearby bush; Deathcloud pricked his ears toward a rustling noise from a nearby thorn bush. A battle howl screeched from the large rock over them.
“Deathcloud! Haven’t you done enough damage?” howled a white wolf, “I give you one warning to leave our territory!”
Deathcloud looked up, “Oh Fastcloud,” he let out a snarl, “I was just dropping in for a snack.” Deathcloud felt his fur start to loosen. “Never!,” He let out a battle cry, soon his Wolfdogs began to wander around, “Attack!”
“No! My pup!” a tan she-wolf ran up to the motionless body of Shadepup, “No!” she wailed. She hurled herself at Deathcloud, biting fiercely at his neck.
Deathcloud did not even move, instead he just sat, watching the mother howl in fury, “No changing what is done,” he growled sinisterly.
Soon the clearing burst into battle, wolves from Airpack and Bloodpack fighting to the last drop of blood.
Deathcloud felt another heavy weight land on him, and he looked up to see Bluewing crouched on him ready to finish him off. He let out a snarl and thrashed wildly until Bluewing sprang off, panting with claw marks in her fur.
“You’ll never get away with this Deathcloud!” Bluewing snarled in hatred.
Deathcloud let out a retreat call, “Retreat Bloodpack, Retreat!”
Soon the clearing was empty except for two motionless figures: Skywind and Shadepup.
Deathcloud let out one more menacing snarl, than ran off with the rest of Bloodpack.
1
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Dawnpup opened her eyes to see Lakecloud looking down on her, his bright gaze looking at something she could not see.
Sunpup unexpectedly leaped on Dawnpup, “Hi Dawnpup! Want to play?”
“Sure, if you get off me first,” Dawnpup let out bark of laughter, “What do you want to play?”
“Let’s play Bloodpack invaders!” he barked, “I’m Deathcloud, and you’re Lakecloud, and I’m going to kill you!”
“Not if I do first!” Dawnpup hurled herself playfully on top of her sister, pawing at her neck.
“You killed me!” Sunpup laughed joyfully, “Let’s see the apprentices! We’ll both be an apprentice soon, so let’s get a head start on training!”
Dawnpup dashed ahead to one of the older apprentices, “Hi Icepaw!” Dawnpup yipped happily.
“Hello Dawnpup, what do you want today?” Icepaw growled, as Swiftpaw walked out of the den.
Dawnpup shuddered as he saw Swiftpaw’s huge fangs and rippling muscles, “What are they doing here?”
“They have to get used to our den, their apprentice ceremony is today, Swiftpaw,” Icepaw replied calmly.
“Just don’t let them sleep anywhere near me,” Swiftpaw snarled teasingly.
Dawnpup aimed a blow at Swiftpaw’s chest. She leaped and tried to claw him.
Swiftpaw sprang out of her reach, snarling loudly, “What’s wrong toy dog? Defending your flatface?
Dawnpup felt ready to tear his muzzle off and slash his neck, although Dawnpup knew that she would be exiled by Lakecloud, “Just because you’re an apprentice doesn’t mean you can boss me around!” she growled.
Dawnpup’s ears pricked to the noise of her leader calling
from the Big-rock, “Wolves of all ages! Gather beneath the Big-rock for a pack meeting!”
Dawnpup raced out of the nursery, running towards the bottom of the Big-rock. My apprentice ceremony! Dawnpup thought.
Dawnpup waited for the other wolves to gather beneath. “You all know that we have few apprentices in training, and the pups in the nursery are growing older, Dawnpup, Sunpup, and Grasspup shall train to become Wolfdogs! Dawnpup, do you promise to obey and follow the Wolfdog Code?
“I do,” Dawnpup nodded.
“Then by the powers of Cloudpack, I give you your apprentice name! Dawnpaw!”
The other wolves cheered “Dawnpaw! Dawnpaw!”
Dawnpaw looked around wildly, she saw everyone cheering. Except Swiftpaw.
Dawnpaw walked into the apprentice den, the warm scent filling her nose. She sat down on a bed of moss next to Icepaw’s sleeping body.
Quickly she fell into deep sleep.
Dawnpaw padded through the grass towards a clearing, keeping close watch.
Something moved quickly across the space but was gone in a few seconds. Dawnpaw followed where it had gone.
A cloudy figure was lying down in a patch of brambles, Dawnpaw started to back away, “Who are you?” Dawnpaw stammered.
“Do not worry little one, come closer,” the wolf signaled with her tail.
Dawnpaw hesitated, “But who are you?”
“All will be revealed soon.”
Dawnpaw stepped forward still keeping a distance. This she-wolf had a long tail, but Dawnpaw noticed in horror that the end was a lightning bolt.
“Closer little one,” the cloud wolf calmly barked.
“What do you want?” Dawnpaw growled warningly.
“I am Lightningcloud, the first leader of Lightningpack, and I come to ask of you one thing.”
“I don’t want to join you in Cloudpack!” Dawnpaw yelped.
“That is not what I want,” she echoed, “Death will roam the forest, Blood shall be spilled, and the rain will pour red.”
Before Dawnpaw could reply, Lightningcloud disappeared in a flash of lightning.
2
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Dawnpaw awoke to find the apprentice den deserted. She slowly shook the bits of moss out of her fur and stalked out towards the prey pile; she grabbed part of an elk and ran off to eat with the other apprentices.
“Well, well, look who came to join us.”
Dawnpaw jumped at the irritation in Swiftpaw’s voice. “Hey!” she growled loudly.
“Swiftpaw! What’s gotten into you?” Icepaw snarled, straitening his tail.
Swiftpaw bared his teeth. Ready to attack, his claws sinking into the ground.
Dawnpaw scooted towards Icepaw, “Thanks,” she whispered.
“No problem, soon Snowfang will take me with her group of scouts, there’s room for your mentor and you too,” Icepaw barked quietly, his tail wagging back and forth.
“Sure, I’ll ask Redclaw if we can come.”
Dawnpaw padded towards the Wolfdog den. Looking around for Redclaw.
“Redclaw! Where are you?”
A steady reply came from inside the den, “In here Dawnpaw, what is it that you want?”
“I...I wanted to ask you if we can go with the scout group at sunrise with Icepaw, Snowfang, Sunpaw, and Smokeglaze?”
“Mind if I eat first?”
Dawnpaw nodded and walked off.
“Smokeglaze, do you smell something?” Redclaw growled worriedly.
“Bear,” Smokeglaze replied, “and pretty fresh too.”
Dawnpaw was shaking at the sour scent of a grizzly bear, “Is that bad?”
“Indeed it is,” Redclaw barked gravely, “In the past, bears have intruded the camp and killed many wolves.” Redclaw had a look of sadness in his eyes.
“What happened?” Dawnpaw asked.
“All my littermates were killed, and five Wolfdogs died too.”
A loud moan erupted from a nearby bush. Dawnpaw’s eyes widened with fear. A large brown shape ambled a few tail-lengths away.
“Scatter!” Redclaw howled, “Dawnpaw, Icepaw, and Sunpaw! Go back to camp to warn the others!”
Dawnpaw dashed away at full speed with Icepaw and Sunpaw following close behind. Dawnpaw was loping faster and faster.
“Dawnpaw, I’m scared,” Sunpaw murmured hoarsely.
“It’s ok Sunpaw. I’ll protect you.”
Before Dawnpaw could speak another word, she heard a loud moan coming from behind her. She froze in panic and nudged Icepaw and Sunpaw ahead frantically, “It’s coming!”
Sunpaw and Icepaw dashed ahead quickly, “I know the quickest way to camp!” Icepaw howled, changing direction.
Icepaw lead them into camp quickly, “Mothers! Hide your pups!” Icepaw howled as loud as he could, “There is a bear coming!”
Wolves around the camp froze and terror. Only Lakecloud stood up, “I will protect Lightningpack with all my strength! I know an escape route near Waterpack’s border!”
“I am willing to help, too!” Heartsong barked.
“Very well,” Lakecloud nodded.
Redclaw burst in, “We can’t hold it off! It’s already a few paws away from the entrance!
Icepaw howled, “We want to protect the camp!”
Lakecloud narrowed his eyes, “I do not think you could hold off a bear.”
Dawnpaw’s muscles tensed, “I protect the pack until the last drop of blood.”
Lakecloud looked uncertain, “Okay.”
The mothers and Wolfdogs helped the eldest wolves and pups to a hole in the thick undergrowth surrounding the camp, looking sadly at Dawnpaw and the others.
“I’m ready,” Icepaw snarled.
“M-m-me t-too,” Sunpaw whimpered, staring at the entrance as the bear scrambled in.
“Let’s hide in the undergrowth,” Lakecloud murmured.
They dove for a small fern, fear shot through Dawnpaw. This could be her last battle before joining Cloudpack.
“Attack!” Lakecloud howled, loping and taking a bite of the bear’s loose skin.
The bear let out a menacing snarl, but before it could sink its teeth into Lakecloud’s fur, Dawnpaw shot herself straight at it. It was too late to turn back, the bear’s claws sunk into her throat and everything went black, she heard Lakecloud howl, “Dawnpaw!”
“Hello Dawnpaw,” a booming voice echoed around Dawnpaw, scaring her straight into the air, “Do not worry.”
“W-who are you?” she stammered.
“I am Skywind, killed by Deathcloud.” Skywind had a look of sorrow in her eyes. For a long moment Skywind stood motionless, “You deserve another chance. Your destiny still awaits.”
“W-what?” her voice echoed, “What destiny?”
“All will be clear soon,” He murmured, “You are special to me. I am giving you a second chance, but your fate will fall upon a different wolf.”
“Special?”
“You…you are my daughter.”
A swirl of wind rounded her and everything seemed to burst apart.
Dawnpaw woke up and staggered to her feet, Sunpaw and Icepaw were yelping sadly until they saw Dawnpaw’s eyes blink open.
“You’re alive!” Icepaw barked happily and dug his snout into her fur.
Lakecloud and Heartsong were still biting at the bear’s neck.
“Yes, but let’s go help them.” Dawnpaw barked. She loped toward the bear until she could feel the fiery breath breathing down her side. She launched herself and bit at its face.
Just then she heard a loud howl. Dawnpaw looked down to see a motionless figure of a brown wolf with gray ears.
“Heartsong!” Lakecloud howled, her screech rippling through the forest.
All the sudden Dawnpaw felt the presence of more wolves beside her. Many cloud figures surrounded her. They seemed like wolves, at least. Among them she saw Shadepup, an Airpack pup, Skywind, and the wolf she recognized as Heartsong.
“Fight,” one of them ordered, “My death is not your fault.
Dawnpaw stammered, “Okay.” And barred her teeth in a snarl as she barreled down on the bear. It let out a screech of terror as Dawnpaw bit down on the wooly fur on its neck. The bear’s fur bristling in fury it swiped its huge paw straight at Dawnpaw’s snout.
Dawnpaw was ready this time, she dodged sharply out of the way as the massive paw hit the air she had just been.
“Dawnpaw! You’re alive!” Lakecloud barked, “We need to talk after this.”
“If we survive after this,” She growled as the bear landed another swipe at her, “Great Cloudpack help!”
3
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Dawnpaw forced herself out of the way as the bear lunged for her throat, snarling warningly.
Just then Dawnpaw saw a shadowy figure shoot through camp, quickly embedding its teeth in the bear’s legs.
Now the bear looked more like a slaughtered elk, lying on the ground helplessly, its legs gushing with blood.
Lakecloud bit fatally on the bear’s neck and stood up, “Who are you?” he asked the strange dog.
Dawnpaw got a better look at him and realized he wasn’t a wolf. “What are you?” Dawnpaw asked
He bowed his head, “I am Dusk.” Obviously he didn’t live in a pack. And his scent reeked of fish, “I have traveled far,” he began.
“Where do you come from?” Lakecloud challenged, her eyes narrowing.
“I come from Titania,” Dusk growled, “I ran away when I was just three sunrises.”
“Who are they?” Icepaw barked, with an uncertain look in his eyes.
“They are many dogs who live together, although there is never peace between any of their wolves. I have come here to seek a new home,” he murmured.
“Three sunrises!” Icepaw whispered in Dawnpaw’s ears, “That’s old enough to be apprentice!”
“Yeah.” She replied, though she couldn’t shake the feeling of letting an outlaw join the pack was a bad idea.
“I was told that there are more wolves living around, and I was right,” Dusk continued, his ice-blue eyes shining.
“You have just risked your life to save my pack, you deserve a home.” Lakecloud barked, her voice was a mix of awe and thankfulness.
Dusk bowed his head, “I am grateful for your offer.”
Lakecloud howled, “All clear!”
One bye one, wolves began padding into the clearing, staring wide-eyed at the dead bear and the mysterious dog.
“Who is this?” Swiftpaw snarled furiously.
“I am Dusk, I bring no harm to your pack.”
Swiftpaw cut Dusk off, “Get lost!” he snarled.
Bonefur swung Swiftpaw back with his forepaw, “It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he murmured, “Lakecloud, where does he come from?” Bonefur added.
“Titania,” Dusk replied solemnly.
Lakecloud jumped on the Big-rock as soon as all the pack was back in camp, “Wolves of all ages gather beneath the Big-rock for a pack meeting!” He howled.
Dusk shrugged and padded beside Lakecloud, his black head bowed.
“We have a reason to honor this dog, he has saved us from a vicious bear attack, let the light of Cloudpack show down on him. He is three sunrises; he will now receive his apprentice name. Dusk, from this point forward you will be known as Duskpaw.”
Duskpaw bowed his head, “I am honored.”
“Silverfur will be your mentor.” Lakecloud finished.
All the wolves were howling, Sunpaw seemed the loudest, “Duskpaw! Duskpaw!”
Icepaw licked Dawnpaw’s fur to flatten down some of her loose fur.
Dawnpaw flicked her long bushy tail over Icepaw’s muzzle, “Don’t worry.”
Icepaw flicked his snout away.
Sunpaw scrambled up to Duskpaw as soon as the meeting was over, whispering something in his ear.
**********
Dawnpaw awoke in a dream, a small, beautiful clearing. A small pool and the sound of small animals scuffling around.
Dawnpaw crouched and killed a sparrow in a swift bite. She loped across the clearing to a warm, cozy den. She dug into it, savoring each meaty bite.
Dawnpaw jumped as she heard a cracking noise under her; a second later she was falling down into a dark hole.
Moments later she felt water lapping at her fur. Then she realized it wasn’t water. It was too slow churning and sticky…. It was blood!
“Help!” She sputtered as she began sinking slowly.
Then a booming voice echoed once again: “Death will roam the forest, blood shall be spilled, and the rain will pour red.”
***
Dawnpaw awoke in a flash, panting lightly.
“Will you keep it down?” Duskpaw muttered, his voice hoarse, “I can’t believe your pack mates can sleep with this much noise.” Then he let out a soft growl and lied down again, “It’s much better here than it is in Titania. There’s peace between us, warm dens, food, and caring friends.”
“Yeah it’s nice, but something just doesn’t feel right,” Dawnpaw murmured more quietly.
Icepaw stretched out, “What’s going on?” he barked
“Oh nothing, we were just talking,” Duskpaw replied, his ears flat in embarrassment.
“Well okay,” Icepaw barked quietly. Then he settled down again.
Duskpaw nuzzled her again and she spun her head around, “What?”
“Meet at moon-high tomorrow where the river flows quickest,” he murmured kindly.
Dawnpaw nodded and fell into a deep sleep.
“Dawnpaw! Sunrise scout group!” Dawnpaw awoke in a flash as Redclaw called for her.
“Meet at moon-high, where the river flows quickest,” Dawnpaw whispered to herself as she ate her fill and loped across the camp.
“You’re happier to go on scout group than usual,” Redclaw teased, “You usually hesitate.”
“Yeah I know,” Dawnpaw barked, “I just feel like going.
“Well come on, Lakecloud wants us back by sun-high for the new deputy ceremony.”
“Who’s coming with?” Dawnpaw asked. Her fur was bristling with excitement.
“Deerfire and Mosspaw,” Redclaw replied.
“What? The pack Healer doesn’t usually come with scouts!” Dawnpaw growled.
“Remember that Healers know how to fight,” Redclaw prompted.
“Okay,” Dawnpaw muttered.
“Oh we just need to find some flowers for Featherstep, she’s sick,” Deerfire interrupted, her tail held high.
“Well come on! We aren’t going to stand here all day and gossip!” Redclaw howled as he loped ahead through the entrance, “I’ll go this way, Deerfire and Mosspaw go by the stream where the moon flowers grow best, and Dawnpaw, you go to the side of our territory bordering Waterpack,” Redclaw ordered.
“Okay,” Dawnpaw nodded her head and loped away from the group. This is my first time on my own! Dawnpaw thought as she neared the border.
An acrid scent hit her nostrils as she spotted a dead tree, the border of Waterpack and Lightningpack. Then she let her fur lie flat again, it was just some fresh scent markers.
Dawnpaw jumped as she heard some bushes rustle a few paws away. A lean-muscled brown with a black chest he-wolf stepped quietly out.
Dawnpaw let out a yelp as she saw that she had passed the fallen tree.
“Get off Waterpack territory!” the he-wolf howled, “Or I’ll claw your fur off!” Then Dawnpaw saw his eyes soften and his fur lie flat, “Sorry,” he whimpered.
Dawnpaw flattened her ears as she got a better look at him, he was an apprentice too, “Who are you?” Dawnpaw snarled.
“I am Rockpaw,” he replied.
Dawnpaw couldn’t help but burst into laughter, “You’re treating me like a pack alpha!”
Dawnpaw flinched as a jet-black he-wolf stepped between them, his green eyes blazing in fury, “Who is this?” he snarled aggressively.
4
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Rockpaw let out a yelp, “Just a Lightningpack apprentice, she’s no threat to us.”
“No threat?” The black wolf snarled, “She could just as well be trying to spy on us!”
“Sorry Shadowheart,” Rockpaw barked with his tail tucked between his legs.
“Okay, escort her before Rivercloud wonders what has become of us,” Shadowheart growled.
“Yes Shadowheart,” Rockpaw dipped his head, “Come on.”
As Dawnpaw padded away she stared in horror at the sky, it was almost Moonrise!
“Hey, want to meet at moon-high?” Rockpaw asked.
No! I can’t! Dawnpaw wanted to howl but something came out instead: “Yes.”
It’s time! Dawnpaw thought as she saw the moon was at its highest point. She snuck quietly around the clearing, being careful not to wake anyone.
