Balto: The Day the Sun Died
Part III of the Darkness Saga
Written by: Anthony Rotramel
Cowritten by: Solaris Nightfire
Started: 07/22/2015
Finished: 07/27/2015
Pages: 83
Words: 21,926
Note: This story was inspired by Balto, ©1995 and Balto 2: Wolf Quest © 2000 by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. The character’s Shadow, Snap, Leaf, Timbre, Dash, Dolo, Brooke, Talkeet, Aniu, Shade, and the events of this story are © 2015 by Anthony Rotramel. The characters Solaris and Kallisto are © 2015 by Solaris Nightfire. The other characters are copyright by Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.
Forward:
I want to thank you all for sticking with me through the years. I am sorry this story took so long to get out, my life got a little rearranged when I got married and started learning to be a father. I've had a lot of things to worry about, and writing just didn't fit into the scheme of things at that time. But now, I'm back! And I plan to write for some time, though I may be a little slower than I used to be. Thank you for all your support and kind words over the years. After this long break, my hope is that you will come back and enjoy these characters and this world that I have enjoyed being a part of so much over the years. RTW is back, and he's not going anywhere
.
- Anthony Rotramel
Previously in Balto: When Darkness Falls….
Dash opened his eyes and blinked a few times. He was lying in his chamber. He sprang to his paws and groaned. He almost fell over.
Dash shook his head a few times and took a step forward. Satisfied that his legs were stable he bolted out of the chamber and down the stone ramp toward the Main Chamber, his claws clicking on the cold stone. The entire Clan seemed to be gathered below.
“Dash?”
Dash stopped and swiveled his head forward. Timbre stood there.
“Timbre, what’s going on?” He asked.
“I could ask the same about you.” He said “You’ve been sleeping for nearly twenty-four hours.”
Dash nodded and sighed. “I’m fine now. I was… somewhere else. Shasta was there.”
Timbre sighed. “I’m sorry Dash.” He said. “Look. You alright buddy?”
Dash nodded. “I’m better than alright, better than I’ve been in a long time.”
Timbre nodded, but his expression remained grave. “Well, that’s good, we’re about to get into the thick of it. We could really use your guidance.”
What’s going on?” Dash asked.
Timbre sighed. “While you were out 4th Unit ran into a creature out on patrol. I’ve never seen anything like it. From the description Aleu gave I think it’s one of those hunters she talked about encountering in hell. It’s been walking toward the cave for days now. We set out and tried to stop it but…”
“…but what?” Dash asked.
“I did my best.” Timbre said. He sighed. “We lost 4th Unit trying to take it down.”
“The whole Unit?!” Dash exclaimed.
Timbre sighed and nodded. “Leaf’s gone Dash.”
Dash sighed. “…poor kid.” he said.
Timbre nodded. “Now the thing is getting closer to the cave. It should be here any minute. Honestly, I don’t know what we’re going to do. I’ve got the Defense Force standing by to cover the rest of the clan’s retreat. I hate to leave our home, but the only advantage we have over this thing is speed. The way it cut through 4th Unit.” He stopped for a moment. “Dash, they didn’t even touch it.”
Dash nodded.
“I don’t think the whole of the Defense Force can bring it down, but we can keep the thing occupied while the rest of the Clan runs away. I’ve set a rendezvous at the old scouting area up north.”
“…the mountains…” Dash said.
Timbre nodded. “…will slow it down I hope, if it intends to pursue us.”
Dash nodded. “Seems sound to me.” He said. “While I was out I was spoken to by a white wolf. I thought she was Aniu, but at the end… it definitely wasn’t. She said her name was Uina, that she was on a mission to destroy us.”
Timbre nodded. “Well at least that explains the appearance of the Hunter.”
Dash nodded back. “…yeah, well, let’s get down there.”
Timbre nodded and the two turned and ran to the Main Entrance. The Defense Force was formed up outside the cave, blocking the entrance.
Timbre ran out in front of them. “Wolves of the Talbourne Defense Force. You are being called upon to serve this day.” He sighed. “I’m not going to sugar coat things for you, this is bad. You all know what happened to 4th Unit. We’re not trying to bring this thing down. We just need to buy the others enough time to get ahead of it. We may not make it out of this alive, but the important thing is that the others make it away. If that happens I will give the order to retreat. At that time you are to break formation and run as fast as your paws can take you. We’ll assemble with the rest of the Clan at rendezvous Bravo, the scouting area, up in the mountains. I’ll see you all there, or at Aniu’s side.” He paused, his vision focused on Melody, who was standing at the front of the group about to leave, their children by her side. He swiveled his head back to the Defense Force. “Lieutenants, take charge of your Units, be ready to move on my signal. He turned and walked to the center and slightly ahead of the large formation of wolves.
A great crash was heard as the hunter toppled over a tree and emerged into the clearing.
“Stand by!” Timbre called.
The creature saw the wolves assembled in front of the cave and roared.
Timbre turned and looked at Dash. “My Alpha, go with them, now!”
Dash longed to stay and fight with his friend, but he knew his duty was to lead the clan. He nodded and took off running around the right side of the cave. The rest of the wolves followed.
Timbre turned back to face the hunter. “On my command!” He called.
The creature straightened its tail and aimed it at the wolf at the front of the group.
Timbre watched it, knowing what it was about to do. “…on my command!” He called.
The creature suddenly tensed its tail and the blade flew out at Timbre impossibly fast.
Just as the words were leaving Timbre’s muzzle a gray flash shot in front of him. The creature’s tail blade was knocked aside and lodged into the ground beside him.
Timbre jumped back and turned his head to see Aleu crouched a few feet away, her vision locked on the hunter. Solaris and a fox that was unknown to him charged out of the tree line and ran straight for the hunter.
The hunter growled and began to retract its tail blade.
Solaris looked down at Tikaani and nodded.
Tikaani’s eyes glowed bright blue and the glow slowly covered her entire body. She reached out her paws and touched Solaris’.
The blue glow enveloped his paws and when she retracted hers, the glow stayed.
Solaris turned and ran at the creature, just as it shot its spiked legs at Aleu.
Aleu moved impossibly fast and dodged the two spikes just as they whooshed through the air over her head.
Solaris let out a mighty yell and leapt through the air. As he came down he swiped his paw through the tendon connecting the spike. As he hit the ground he rolled and came up on his paws, still running forward. He ducked and slid under the other tendon, swiping with his paw to sever that one as well.
The creature howled and the stumps shot blood onto the snow. The blueish glow around Solaris’ paws stuck to the ends of the tendons. It shot upward along the length of the severed flesh and when it had enveloped the limb completely, it vanished.
The creature growled angrily and opened it’s maw to shoot a ball of flame toward Aleu.
Aleu still lay on the ground, from dodging the spikes. She barely managed to find her paws and leap clear as the explosion hit the snow, throwing her through the air and to the snow. The creature was already tracking her falling body with its tail.
Solaris saw it and ran toward her.
The creature howled again and shot its tail blade toward Aleu. Solaris knew she wouldn’t dodge this one. It was too fast and she was still lying on the ground. He sprang forward and prayed to Aniu that his timing was correct.
Aleu looked up just in time to see the tail blade whizzing straight for her face.
Solaris’ eyes glowed blue and he shot forward.
Aleu turned her head away from her death blow but heard only a solid thunk. She didn’t feel any pain, no blood oozing through her fur. She opened her eyes and saw Solaris crouched on top of the red tendon stretching from the blade he’d deflected. He slashed his paw through the thick muscle and hot blood splashed across his face and chest.
The creature howled in pain.
Aleu was shaking. She’d been certain she was about to die.
Solaris saw her shocked expression and smiled. He shook his fur to fling away as much of the blood as possible, the turned and ran back toward the creature.
The hunter was already tracking Aleu with its other two legs and fired one. It whizzed over Solaris’ head and he couldn’t stop himself quick enough to stop it.
Aleu jumped to the side and felt the sharp spike pass so close to her that her fur shifted.
Tikaani growled and leapt upon the tendon, severing it with her jaws.
The creature howled again, but fired another spike, this time aimed at Solaris. He leapt straight up in the air. He’d been concentrating on Aleu and hadn’t noticed the creature taking aim at him. As he came down he landed on the spike. The golden wolf/dog held on for dear life as he shot forward with the spike. It embedded into a tree at the side of the clearing and it took all of Solaris’ strength to not be thrown violently into the trunk. He tore into the tendon with his teeth and swiped at it with his paws. It cut through and he tumbled to the snow as the spike and tendon disintegrated.
The hunter growled and reared up on its hind legs.
Tikaani turned and nodded at him.
Solaris nodded back and they ran at the hunter from opposite angles. The hunter tracked them with it’s heads and loosed fire balls at them.
Both Tikaani and Solaris managed to avoid the lethal blasts. Solaris reached the hunter first and leapt to the side, avoiding the snapping jaws of the creature. As he landed in the snow he shifted direction and leapt again, landing on the creature’s back. The hunter tried to throw him off but Solaris sank his teeth deep into its neck.He tore through the thick hide until hot blood gushed into his muzzle and across his face. Then allowed himself to be thrown clear.
He hit the snow and rolled a few times before coming to rest on his belly.
Tikaani leapt atop the hunter and rode its back as it bucked and thrashed. Her eyes glowed bright blue, then a blue beam leapt from the creature’s neck wound to her eyes. A white pulse traveled down the beam almost quicker than the eye could follow and the blue beam exploded out of the creature’s chest between its front legs.
The hunter gurgled a growl of pain and collapsed to the ground. Tikaani leapt off the creatures back and rolled as she hit the ground, coming up on her paws.
Solaris climbed to his feet and looked at the hunter. It was dead, lying in a massive pool of blood on top of the snow.
He turned and smiled at Aleu as a chorus of cheers erupted from the Defense Force behind him. Solaris shifted his gaze to Tikaani who smiled and nodded, then ran over to him. Together they ran back to Aleu.
“You alright?” Solaris asked.
Aleu nodded and chuckled. “Thanks to you. You saved my life. I thought that blade was going to take my head off.”
Solaris smiled back and Aleu reached up and rubbed the top of his head with her paw. “Guess you’re good for something after all.”
Solaris laughed.
The three turned and ran up to Timbre who still stood in front of the Defense Force.
“That was amazing Aleu!” Timbre called.
Aleu smiled. “It wasn’t us, thank Aniu, she sent us Tikaani here.” Aleu pointed her paw at the small fox.
Timbre smiled. “Thank you, we are in your debt.” He said.
Tikaani smiled back. “I was in the area.” She said.
Timbre was about to say something more when a roar split the forest. “…another?” He asked.
Aleu looked to Solaris who looked at Tikaani. They turned to look across the clearing, , readying themselves for another battle.
With a violent crash three more hunters crashed through the tree line.
Aleu’s eyes opened wide.
Timbre’s gaze was fixed on the new threats. “Um… Aleu, can you handle this?”
Aleu looked at Tikaani. Tikaani looked just as shocked and afraid as she did.
Aleu glanced back at Timbre and shook her head.
Timbre turned and saw that none of the Clan save the Defense Force was left. “Alright that’s it, wolves of the Talbourne Defense Force, fall back, rendezvous at point Bravo, let’s go, stay with your Units, but get out of here, go, now!”
The Defense Force broke and ran as the three hunters howled and shot fireballs at the group.
Aleu turned to Solaris, who had started toward the hunters. “Solaris!” She called.
Searing heat passed by her as the fireballs sped past to explode near the cave, taking a few of the wolves that had been slower to follow Timbre’s order with them.
Solaris turned and looked at her.
“This is a fight for another day.” She said.
“What do we do?” Solaris asked.
Aleu looked at the hunters. “We run.” She said.
Solaris sighed and nodded.
Aleu turned and ran back toward the retreating Defense Force. Solaris ran a short distance then turned and looked at the hunters. “We’ll be back.” he said quietly. Then he turned and ran to catch up with Aleu.
The three Hunter’s advanced through the clearing with a mighty roar that was heard throughout the forest.
Some distance away, deep in the forest a winged white wolf stood beside a large rock. She laughed and raised her paw, extending one claw. The wolf placed her claw on the rock and dragged it downward with an ear piercing screech. A thin red line followed her claw. “You will pay for what you did to me Aniu, you will pay by watching your beloved clan suffer, as my family suffered.” She reached the base of the rock and turned her paw to the left at a right angle to the first red line. “My father was stubborn. He could have done this long ago, but he honored your…” She stopped speaking and laughed. “…’agreement’.” Her claw reached the edge of the rock and she turned her paw to drag the claw upward once more. “I don’t make agreements with those I can destroy, nor do I honor them. Since I’m in charge now and he’s no longer a problem, you’re in a world of trouble.” She turned her paw again and traced the red line back toward its beginning. “It’s time for judgment day, and it’s going to be hell on Earth.” The white wolf cackled as her claw tip reached the red line where it had begun.
The white wolf leapt upon the rock as the red lines thickened, spreading to the center of the box she had traced on the rock. A strong wind kicked up and blew through her fur. “My name is Uina…”
The red lines merged and flashed, a reddish glow emanated from the square she had drawn and a shriek was heard from within the rock. Suddenly, demon wolves began pouring from the square into the forest.
“..and I am your judge, jury and executioner.” She said.
She watched as the demon army began to assemble in front of the rock, even as more of them poured from the unnatural portal. She tilted her head upward, her fur swept by the rising wind. “I’m coming for you… Talbourne!”
The image of Uina shimmered and faded.
Aniu stood at the foot of a crystal clear pond. She tilted her head upward and closed her eyes, tears spilling from the closed lids and tracing down her muzzle. “Oh great creator, when will you allow me to assist my clan? They cannot stand against the forces that assemble against them. I do not understand why you have not sent word for me to react, but I know that you have your reasons, and that they are good and just. I will obey you. I remain faithful. I ask only that… you protect them.”
She lowered her head and stared into the lake, her mind charged with emotion and many different thoughts. Aniu heard someone walk up behind her and she opened her eyes.
“I’m here.” A voice said. “What would you ask of me?”
Aleu turned and saw Balto standing there, a shimmering blue glow around his form.
She smiled.
“Welcome home… my son.”
Chapter I
Aleu still couldn't believe it.
She stood in the snow under a grove of slumbering trees. She was next to the river the clan had decided to camp by after reaching their rendezvous. It was there that her mother had told her of the events in Nome. Her father, Balto, was gone.
She lowered her head as Timbre began to speak, not really hearing his words. Instead, her mind whirled with questions and images of her father, who she realized now, she would never see again.
Her eyes focused on the small bundle of sticks that the Clan had pulled together to memorialize Balto.
She could hear his voice, as the many times he had given his daughter direction through her life, had comforted her when she had no one else, had loved her, when no one else seemed to care, played over in her mind.
Timbre sighed. “I think Jenna wanted to say something...” He said. The wolf who was usually so strong and upright, held his head low as he walked away from the river's edge.
Dolo nuzzled Jenna's shoulder as she stood by her side, then she stepped forward and replaced Timbre at the river's edge. “Balto was my mate.” She began. “There was a time when I, like everyone else, looked down on him, feared him, because of his shared bloodline with you all. We came to realize we were wrong, all of us. There has never been a kinder, gentler, and more heroic soul in all the world.” Her eyes filled with tears and she lowered her head. “Balto will always be remembered as a hero; by the people of Nome, as well as by this very clan, who he helped so much through the years. In times of darkness I always relied on his strength, and as we face this darkest of times without him. I do not know how we will prevail… I know only this, that he trusted Aniu, and that always got him through. So shall we. We must trust Aniu, that she will get us through this time, and all those to come, even without my hero.” She blinked away her tears and looked down at the sticks in the river. “I love you Balto. Though we both made our mistakes in this life. I never stopped loving you. ..and so I will, for the rest of time. I shall look forward to the day when I see your smiling face once more, and we can be together again. No matter how long that may be, I will never forget you. Thank you Balto, for a wonderful life, for being there for me every time I needed you, for loving me, like I never knew I could be. Goodbye… my love.”
Jenna looked up and her eyes filled with tears once more, as she walked back to Dolo and tucked her muzzle close to his shoulder, sobbing softly.
Aleu sighed and stepped forward to take her mother's place, looking out over all the sad faces of the clan gathered by the river's edge. “What…” She stopped as her voice cracked and tried to regain her composure. She sighed and continued. “What does one say when they lose a parent?” She said. “A father, such as my Papa.” She stopped as that word came forth, her emotions threatening to overwhelm her. “There are no words I can say to thank him enough for being there for me, for teaching me, everything that I know, for making me the wolf I have come to be… for being there for me no matter how difficult the situation, for loving me and caring for me, like no one else on this Earth. Balto was a hero, as my mother said. He was the most selfless individual I have ever known. He will indeed be deeply missed by the members of this clan, who owe their very survival to him many times over.” She sighed softly and her voice took on a tone of strength, as it often did when others were depending upon her. “If there is one thing we can take solace in, it is that in his last moments on this Earth, he told my mother that Aniu had requested his help, that she needed him. Though it pains us greatly to lose him. I must have faith, that Aniu would not take him from us without purpose, and that he is a key to helping us to survive this coming trial.” She looked over the faces before her and saw not only sadness, but fear, and uncertainty. “...for survive we shall. The numbers are stacked against us, but every time that the Talbourne has been threatened before, Aniu has delivered us. The road ahead will be hard, but in the end… I do believe we will stand victorious. My father believed it, else he would not have given his life to the cause. We must honor his sacrifice and not lose heart. We must not let this new enemy break our spirit. We must remain strong, as my father was strong, so that when the time comes, we may trample our enemies under paw.” She smiled. “My father was a hero, he was a loving, caring soul, and we will never… ever, forget him.” She turned to face the river
Timbre turned to the Defense Force, who stood separate from the rest. “Talbourne Defense Force… atten-sion!”
The wolves of the Force snapped to attention.
Aleu smiled sadly as she gazed into the water. “Goodbye… papa.” She said as she pushed the bundle of stikcs into the river's current with her nose.
The sticks floated out a short distance before they were swept up by the current and bumping and bobbing over the rapids in the water, quickly drifted from sight.
Balto sighed and looked away from the pond in the forest clearing he was sitting in. He looked down at his paws, at the bluish glow that made up his form. Then he looked to his left, where his mother sat.
Aniu turned her head and smiled sadly. “This was necessary my son. I'm sorry.”
Balto nodded. “I understand.” He said. “...and so do they.”
Aniu nodded and the image in the pond wavered, then disappeared, replaced with shimmering water. “We have much to do my son.” She said.
Balto nodded. “I'm ready mother.”
Aniu smiled again. “You have much to learn before you're ready to assist the Talbourne in the coming battle. Your teacher will be Autumn.” She said.
A red and orange wolf stepped forward out of the trees.
Balto nodded.
“There is something you should know Balto.” Aniu said.
Balto turned his head. “Mother?” He asked.
Aniu smiled. “My son, this is your father.”
Autumn smiled. “It's a pleasure to meet you Son. I wish it were under different circumstances.”
Balto's muzzle fell open. “My… father...” He said slowly.
Autumn stepped up in front of his son. “I wish I had been there to actually be a father, but since joining your mother, I've been watching you, we both have, and we're so very proud of you.”
Balto smiled. “Thank you… father.” He said.
Autumn smiled back. “As your mother said, we have much to do, shall we begin?”
Balto nodded. “Of course Sir.”
Autumn smiled again. “Well to begin, stretch out your wings.”
Balto's muzzle dropped. “My… my wings?” He looked behind him and noticed for the first time the pure white wings that emerged from his shoulders. “I… I can fly?”
Autumn chuckled. “Yes you can, or you will be able to. It usually takes some...”
Balto stretched out his wings and ran across the clearing, leaping into the air and stretching them out straight. He felt his paws leave the ground and looked down as his wings angled downward and he shot into the air, the small clearing quickly receding from him. He looked back forward and turned one wing to the right and upward as he'd seen the ailerons on Luke's plan do. This turned him sharply to the left and downward as he spiraled to the ground he cheered with happiness, the wind blowing through his fur.
Autumn looked upward at his son in awe.
Aniu smiled and stepped up to her mate. “I told you he was special...” She said softly.
Autumn smiled as he watched Balto glide through the air. “That he is...” he said, “but then I should hardly be surprised, he did come from you after all.”
Aniu smiled and nuzzled her mate's shoulder, watching as Balto started to descend, returning to the clearing. “...and you.”
Balto flared his wings, using them as flaps on the airplane and his angle of decent shallowed, slowing him down and allowing him to touch his paws to the ground. He folded his wings and ran to keep up with his speed, slowing gradually until he stood in front of Aniu and Autumn. He grinned. “What's next?”
Chapter II:
Back at the river's edge the wolves of the Talbourne were sleeping. Shadow, Aleu, Jenna, Timbre, Melody and Dash all sat a short distance away. Second Unit slept close by, on reserve in case of danger.
Jenna smiled sadly. “I remember the moment I believed in him, really believed. I was standing in the snow outside Nome, and I knew he just had to make it back. I couldn't believe what Steele had said, that he'd tried to take the medicine from him and fallen to his death. Even though Steele had my bandanna, which I'd left with Balto, I still couldn't believe it. I just knew he had to come back.. and then he did. From that moment I knew I'd never leave his side.
Everyone nodded and Shadow chuckled. “The first time I met him was at the cave, when he came looking for you. After all the stories I heard I never expected him to be what he was. He had more humility, didn't act the hero at all. I think that's the thing that stuck out most to me about him.”
Aleu sighed. “My father and I had our differences when I was young, but… through it all he never stopped loving me. He even let me go when I had to journey across the great waters… even though he'd come to bring me home. He always trusted me, and during times of trial...” Aleu stopped and lowered her head.
Jenna stepped forward and nuzzled her daughters shoulder.
Aleu stepped away. “I'm sorry, I… I can't do this right now...” She turned and her eyes glowed blue, then she vanished from sight, a swirl of snow all that remained.
Jenna sighed and looked at Shadow. “Shadow...”
Shadow looked at the tracks that led away from where Aleu had stood. “I think she just needs some time.”
Jenna nodded.
Suddenly there was a cry from the darkness. “Alert! Enemy at the...” The voice was cut off by a growl and a yelp echoed across the darkness.
Shadow swiveled his head toward his sleeping unit. “2nd Unit up, ready to fight!” He called.
The wolves of second unit awoke and stood, running to their Lieutenant's side as he called out again.
Twelve wolves, their melted, blackened fur steaming in the cold night air leapt from the darkness, the leader had blood dripping from his muzzle. The wolves growled and then ran straight at the gathered Unit.
The battle was short and brutal. Timbre pulled Jenna to safety while the 2nd Unit engaged the enemy. The clearing was consumed by barks, growls and yelps of pain from both sides. Finally, the few demons that had survived the encounter broke contact and retreated into the darkness, leaving the clearing strewn with the bodies of their fallen brethren.
Shadow's Corporal, watched them leave as he turned back to the wolves. “Second unit, everyone alright?” He looked around. “Shadow, Sir?”
Jenna suddenly tore away from Timbre and ran to the battleground. “Shadow!” She called.
She came to a stop beside the reddish furred wolf, dropping to the snow at his side. He was breathing hard. There was so much blood covering the snow around him from the battle that Jenna couldn't tell how much of it was his. “Timbre?!” She called.
Timbre ran up to her and knelt beside Shadow. He sighed. He turned his head to Solaris, who stood nearby. “Solaris, go get Aleu… and hurry.”
Solaris looked down at Shadow, then back to Timbre and simply nodded. He turned and his eyes flashed blue, then he was gone.
Aleu stood in the snow some distance from where the clan was camped. She needed to be alone. She didn't know how to organize her thoughts, for once, Aleu felt lost.
She sighed. “Papa… I always depended upon you, for advise, for strength, when times grew hard. Now… now you're gone. I trust Aniu, and I know she has a plan for us, for you, but… I don't know if I can do this... without you...” She hung her head and cried softly.
Solaris blinked into sight just then a short distance away.
Aleu turned. “Solaris...”
Solaris walked toward her quickly. “Aleu, you have to come back.”
Aleu sighed. “Solaris, I can't…” she sighed. “I can't do this right now. I can't face them, not like this...”
Solaris sighed. “Aleu, you have to come back now. It's… It's Shadow.”
Aleu turned her head sharply to face him. “Shadow?”
Solaris nodded. “Come, now.”
Aleu's eyes glowed blue and she disappeared into the night.
Solaris sighed and followed her.
Where Aleu had stood, only tiny flakes of white snow remained, swirling slowly to the ground.
Aleu suddenly appeared in the clearing amid a rush of snow flying about her. The wolves of the Talbourne were all gathered in a large circle. Aleu's heart dropped to the snow, her heart beating faster and faster as she walked forward, the wolves slowly parting as they noticed it was her trying to get through.
When she reached the center of the circle she saw Shadow lying in the snow. Timbre had propped his head on his paws to make it easier for him to breathe. The snow was awash in bright red blood.
Aleu turned her head to look up at Timbre. “What happened?!” she said.
Timbre sighed. “Demons attacked. They took out the sentry we had posted and Shadow called 2nd Unit to defend. They fought off the demons, but...” He sighed.
Aleu walked the short distance to Shadow's side and fell to the snow. “Shadow… Shadow! Oh God… we.. we have to get him to the river, wash his wounds, let him rest.” She looked around her. “What are you all standing around for, help me!” She cried.
Timbre sighed.
Aleu began to lick Shadow's neck.
Shadow slowly and with great effort pushed her head away from his neck, so that she was looking at him. His paw fell limply to the snow. He was breathing hard. “Aleu...” he said with great effort.
Tears clouded Aleu's eyes as she tried valiantly to keep them from falling. “I've got to help you Shadow.” She said, her voice cracking at the last word.
Shadow smiled sadly “Not… not this time… Aleu.” He said, fighting for each word.
Aleu's muzzle dropped open. “What are you saying?” She asked. She paused for a moment. “No! No no no no no that is not happening. You're going to be fine ***** it! ...you have to be.” She looked over him, her mind counting up the injuries that covered his body. “...you have to be...” she said again softer.
Shadow smiled again, and with great effort, shifted his body, dropping his head on top of her paws. He turned his head to look up at her, his breath coming in shuddering gasps. “Aleu… when… when I lost you… I let the clan down. I… let our family down… I let everyone down… but you… you're stronger than I am… don't make that mistake… don't… don't let losing me make you… forget your… re… responsibilities. They… need you.”
Aleu couldn't hold it back anymore and tears streamed down her face as she lowered her head to her dying mate's neck, nuzzling into it, ignoring the blood she covered herself in by doing so. “but… but Shadow… I need you...” She said through the tears.
Shadow smiled sadly and breathed deep, her scent filling his nose, her soft fur soothing against his own, which already felt cold. “It's alright… Aleu. I've… I've had a long… wonderful life… been… been a part of the best clan.. of wolves on this… this Earth. I've raised a family, known love… and gotten to share it all… with you… I'm happy… Aleu. I want… want you to be… happy whatever… that means.”
Aleu sobbed into Shadow's bloody fur. “You can't leave me Shadow… how will I live without you?”
Shadow licked her cheek softly. “The… the same way.. you… you always make… make it through hard… hard times. Trust… in Aniu. She… she has always been… been your strength.”
Aleu shook her head. “No… she.. she can't have you. Not yet…” Aleu began to cry so hard it was hard to make out her words. “There's so much we haven't done… haven't said...”
Shadow dropped his head away from her neck, unable to hold his head up any longer. He began to pant harder and turned his head to look up at her. “I… love you.. my… Aleu.”
Aleu turned her head downward and locked eyes with him, lowering her paw to his cheek. “I… love you… too Shadow.” She said, holding her breath to get the words out and gasping at the end as the tears overtook her again.
Shadow's breath slowly left his body, then he was still, save for his head rolling slightly against her paws as his body relaxed. His eyes open, staring up into hers, his body still, too still.
Aleu looked down at him. “Shadow?” She asked softly.
There was no reply.
“Shadow...” She said again.
Only the gentle breeze blowing across the clearing answered her.
“Shadow!” She screamed.
Still his body remained still, his muzzle open slightly.
Aleu tucked herself against her dead mate's side and sobbed. “no… no no no no you can't do this… you can't leave me. I have more to say!” She sobbed harder and pulled herself against him.
Timbre turned away and looked at the river, and Jenna tucked her head to Dolo's side and cried softly.
Every wolf in the clearing felt the loss of this loved member of their clan. There were no dry eyes among them, many turning away, unable to bear the sight of their beloved friend dead on the snow.
After a few minutes Jenna pushed away from Dolo and walked slowly to her daughters side.
Aleu sensed her mothers approach and turned her head to see her standing there. “...mother...” she said.
Jenna's face was clouded by tears. “Come… Aleu, he's… he's gone.”
Aleu looked back to Shadow and nodded slowly. She turned back to him and nuzzled into his neck, licking his cheek softly before standing and walking a short distance away from the group with her mother.
Timbre sighed and turned back around. “...Snap, Solaris?”
The two nodded and stepped up next to him.
Timbre sighed. “Move Shadow next to the river.” He said.
The two nodded and Snap helped push Shadow's body onto Solaris' back. Then the two walked to the edge of the river, where they laid Shadow in the snow under one of the trees very carefully.
Snap looked at him for a moment and started crying herself, leaning heavily against Solaris. He tucked his muzzle down against the top of her head and did the best he could to comfort her.
Aleu stood by the river's edge. She couldn't sleep, not after what had happened. She looked back out over the slumbering wolves and envied them. She wished she could lose herself in a dark dreamless sleep, someplace she could escape from the truth which lay under a pine tree a short distance away.
Shadow was gone.
One moment he had been alive and well, the next he was gone.
Her face was lined with frozen tears. It seemed she'd been unable to stop since it had happened. It hadn't been long in actuality, but to Aleu it felt like a lifetime.
She padded through the fresh fallen snow and over to the river's edge, beside the body of her fallen mate. Aleu stood there for a moment and looked down at him. She kept expecting him to wake up, wanted him to wake up, to say that Aniu had given him a second chance… but she knew that those days were over. Aniu herself had told Aleu this long ago.
He was gone.
Forever.
Aleu fell heavily to the snow at his side. He looked like he was sleeping. Aleu had closed his eyes and if you didn't notice the blood in his fur, or the absence of breath, one might think the noble wolf was indeed simply sleeping deeply.
“How I wish that were true...” Aleu thought to herself. She sighed and nuzzled his neck. “I'm so sorry Shadow...” She said softly. “I should have been here… should have protected you. You said not to let the clan down, but I already let you down. I let you get killed.” She gasped for air against the tears that were flowing down her face. “I was… was too caught up in...” She had to take a deep breath to continue. “In my own grief to realize that we were still at war. For a moment I forgot, and I left your side. How can I ever face you again one day? How can I ever tell you how sorry I am? how much I regret this decision?”
Shadow didn't respond.
His body already felt cold and stiff to Aleu.
She sighed and stood.
Aleu wouldn't get any of her answers here.
Aleu felt something wet on her face besides her tears and raised her paw to it, rubbing softly at her fur, then brought it back down and looked at it.
“Blood...” She thought. “Shadow's blood...”
Suddenly she dropped her paw and backpedaled away from his body, stumbling and falling to her side in the snow. Aleu quickly jumped up and then fell once more, trying to escape from the gore that covered her. The blood that once gave her mate life.
She turned and lept in the river, scrubbing at her face with her paws so hard that she knocked herself over int the water with a loud splash.
She climbed to her feet and darted through the shoulder deep water, kicking it this way and that, rolling in it and throwing herself into the small rapids, anything to get the stains off of her fur.
“It's my fault.” She thought. “I got him killed, my Shadow.” Aleu continued to roll in the water, heedless of the noise, not even thinking of the wolves sleeping close by. In her own little world, Aleu was alone.
“It can't be my fault!” Aleu screamed inside her head. “I loved him! I couldn't have been the cause of his death. It can't be! Why?! Why Aniu, why have you done this to me?!”
“Aleu?” A familiar voice said from the darkness at the edge of the river.
Aleu's little world was shattered by the voice and she looked up, her shoulders pulling back, tail tucked between her legs and ears falling flat.
It was Solaris.
He frowned. “Are… are you okay?” He asked.
Aleu looked sharply down at the water and then back up at him, her body shaking visibly with the cold from the water. She shook her head and started to cry.
Solaris ran into the river and to her side. “Come on, get out of the water Aleu.” He said softly.
Aleu looked at him, then nodded and the two walked to the edge of the river and climbed out. She shook the water from her fur and stood there, unsure of what to say, what to feel.”
Solaris looked at her and saw a wolf who was certainly not okay. “...and how could she be?” He asked himself. Throughout all their time together, Aleu had seemed unbreakable. He remembered her smile, her laugh, her happiness. That was gone now, replaced by the shell of a wolf before him. “How do I help her?” He asked himself. “What were you doing in there?” He finally asked her.
Aleu sighed. “His… Shadow's...” She sighed and hung her head. “...blood… in my fur.” She said in broken and quiet words.
Solaris looked to the fallen wolf and sighed, looking back to his friend. “Well, it's not there anymore, I promise.” He smiled sadly. “..no more frolicking in the river at night alright?”
Aleu nodded. “I'm… sorry… sorry I awoke you… Solaris.” She said slowly.
Solaris smiled and leaned into her shoulder. “It's alright Aleu. You need someone, I'm here.”
Aleu leaned heavily against her friend and sighed.
Solaris sighed back. “You… you taught me to believe in myself again Aleu,” he said. “For that, I owe you the world already. For what you've taught me, and the friend you've been to me, I could never repay you. ..but I'm here.”
Aleu sobbed into his shoulder and nodded. “Thank you...” she murmured out and cried harder.
Solaris tucked his head against his friends and let her cry, his tail drifting around her, trying to make her feel comfort at just being close to someone.
Aleu felt the warmth of his body against hers, and it did give her some comfort. At least someone cared.
Solaris closed his eyes, trying not to cry himself. He hadn't known Shadow that well, but it hurt him deeply to see his newest friend hurt so badly. “Shhh...” He said quietly. “It's okay Aleu… it's okay.”
Chapter III:
Aleu opened her eyes to find herself inside a very familiar cave. She stood just as a white wolf shimmered into view.
The white wolf's face was very sad. “Hello my child.”
Aleu said nothing, but hung her head low.
Aniu sighed. “I'm so sorry Aleu.” She said softly.
Aleu snapped her head up. “You're sorry?!” She snapped.
Aniu was the one that looked to the ground this time.
“I've been nothing but loyal to you for most of my life, since the day I knew you existed! And this is how you repay me?! I killed myself, went to hell, to rescue you! And you show me your eternal gratitude by taking away the one wolf that I loved more than any other, and my father as well. You've left me alone!”
Aniu sighed. “My child...”
Aleu scoffed. “No, don't give me that. You've left me alone. You took my father for your grand plan, and now for no reason you've taken my mate, my...” Aleu had to stop and recompose herself. “...my Shadow. What reason did that serve?” she cried. “Tell me, did I do something wrong, because if I did then bring him back this instant and take me. He doesn't deserve this! His death was meaningless! He just got… slaughtered by some goddamned demons out of nowhere, with no purpose, other than to take him from me!”
Aniu sighed again.
“No, don't you speak. I'm not done.” Aleu said. She began to circle the white wolf. “Why Aniu?!” She yelled. “Why did you have to take him?! Did you want to hurt me?! To make me feel pain so unimaginable it would crush me?! Because if you did, congratulations, you've succeeded.”
Aniu sighed. “Of course I didn't Aleu.” She said.
“Then WHY!” Aleu yelled. “You could have PROTECTED him! You knew what was going to happen! And you just let it, you watched it…” she stopped and shook her head. “...and did nothing.”
Aleu hung her head low. “I… I didn't know it was happening. “I would give anything...” She looked up and shouted the next word. “ANYTHING! To go back, to be there when those freaks attacked and save him, but you just watched it and stood by… Shadow was one of your GREATEST SOLDIERS! He gave more for you than almost anyone else in YOUR clan, and you just let him die…”
Aniu sighed. “That's not the way it works Aleu...” She said softly.
Aleu chuckled lightly. “Oh, you mean the plan?” She asked, a sarcastic edge to her voice. “Well to HELL with the PLAN!” She said loudly.
Aleu fell to the ground of the cave and started to cry.
Aniu sighed and walked over to her granddaughter.
Aleu glanced up at her. “He… he was all I had left...” She said through her tears. “I trusted you. I loved you, and believed you would keep him safe…” Aleu locked eyes with the white wolf. “Shadow has fought in so many battles, and yet he has always returned home to me. I thought you were watching over him… but I was wrong. I guess he was just that good at what he did.” Though her voice was softer, it still held a steel edge.
Aniu sighed and put her paw on Aleu's shoulder.
Aleu shrugged it off and stood. “Don't, I don't want your pity, your comfort.
Aniu sighed. “My child. This is not what I brought you to discuss...” She said softly.
Aleu sighed. “Of course it isn't. What do you want of me now?”
Aniu sighed once more. “At such a time as this. I am sorry to have to ask this of you. ...but I need you to return to Shade's domain.”
Aleu chuckled. “I'm already in hell, it can't get much worse, why do you need me to go there?”
Aniu sighed. “Long ago, there was a wolf named Uina, Shade's daughter. She did not follow her father, but instead, followed me. She was a member of the Talbourne for a time, but she could not follow it's alpha in his mission to kill her father. She left the clan, but took my message with her. She was one of the first to spread my belief outside of the Talbourne Clan. She fell from this Earth long ago, of natural causes, and when she did, I made her one of my leaders, you would call them Lieutenants. We grew very close. I came to love Uina as my daughter. Then, one day as we sat watching over the world. Uina drew notice to the fact that her pack was in danger. Indeed, they were, but it was all part of the plan. We could do nothing to intervene. Uina could not understand this. She attacked me. I pleaded with her to reconsider, but she did not and persisted in her attack. I was forced to cast her from my service, and she fell into Shade's domain. After this she tried to take over hell from her father, but she was rash in her anger and was beaten by Shade and his demons. Shade cast her to earth to forever roam until she was killed, at which point, she would return. Dema was a scourge to this planet, but neither Shade, nor I, could think of a better way to hold her at bay at the time. Her anger burned so bright she could see nothing else. She wanted nothing but to hurt me, and to see the world laid waste in fire and death.
Aniu paused and sighed. “A few weeks ago my servant Steele killed her to protect Jenna, and nearly died in the process. When he killed her, she returned to Shade's domain, and this time, she was quite successful in overthrowing him. Shade lies imprisoned in his own domain, and powerless, and Uina controls his domain. That is why the demons, the hunters, why they all are here. Uina is determined to destroy the Talbourne, to make me watch my clan slaughtered, as hers was, and to be powerless to help.
Aniu sighed. “As of yet I have not received orders from the creator to intervene, but I stand ready at a moments notice to render aid to my family. That is why I needed your father.”
Aleu stared at the white wolf. “Perhaps she wants you to know how it feels...” She said coldly.
Aniu sighed. “Perhaps, but if that is the case, you, your family and all your friends will likely be killed.”
Aleu shook her head. “I'm long past caring about that now.” she said, her mind focused solely on her own pain.
Aniu shut her eyes for a moment. It hurt her deeply to see the pain the loss of her mate had caused her granddaughter. “Solaris, my child of light, he is the key to defeating Uina on this Earth, if he gets the chance… that is why I told you to find him, but it will do us little good to kill her, simply for her to arrive back in Shade's domain and gather strength for another attack. For us to take Uina out of the equation, we must restore Shade to his position as ruler of his domain. It is for this purpose that I need you to return to his domain, to rescue him from his chains and restore him to his proper place.”
Aleu stared at the white wolf for a long time. “You must be joking...” she said finally.
Aniu sighed.
“You think I would ever help that despicable piece of garbage? After all the pain he has caused me, my family, my clan? No, I will not do this.” She said flatly.
Aniu sighed. “Please my child. It is true that Shade is evil, but he understands the need for a balance, and though he steps out of line from time to time, he is nowhere near as bad as Uina. And.. he is my son.” Aniu said. “Though he has walked down the wrong path for so long, though he wants nothing but my destruction, it pains me to feel his pain and suffering. He must be restored to his position if we are to prevail against Uina.”
Aleu shook her head. “No, I will find another way.” she said. “I will not help Shade.”
Aniu sighed. “My child...”
Aleu snapped back. “You ASKED for my help, am I right?”
Aniu sighed and nodded. “I can require nothing of you Aleu.” She said softly. “I simply ask that you look beyond your pain.
Aleu shook her head. “Not only mine, but the pain of all those he's hurt, not only in my family, or my clan, but across this entire planet. You asked. I said no.” Aleu said flatly.
“My child please… if we..”
“There is no WE.” Aleu said.
Aniu sighed.
Aleu shook her head and turned away from the white wolf. “I'm alone.” She said.
The cave dissolved in a flash of white.
Chapter IV:
Aleu awoke and stood quickly. She realized the tears she had she'd in the cave were all too real. She shook them off and paced in the snow. As she did so it began to steam slightly beneath her paws.
Finally she walked over to Shadow's body, now stiff, cold, and lifeless. “You told me to trust in Aniu.” She said. “That she would carry me through, but she only wants to use me, to rescue her son.” She said, her voice sharper than the wind that began to blow. “After all that he has done to us, she wants me to save him.” She began to pace in front of the body, her eyes narrowing. “Well I will not do it. For ONCE, Shade will get what he deserves.”
Solaris stirred at her words and awoke. He turned his head and saw Aleu talking to the body of her mate. He heard every word.
“There will be no need to save Shade if I kill every one of those godforsaken things. I will kill Uina, and Shade will stay in prison, where he belongs.”
Solaris frowned and stood. He started to walk over to her, but her eyes glowed blue and she disappeared, the snow flying in her wake. “Oh no...” Solaris thought. He followed Aleu, but she was much faster.
Aleu came to a stop beside a set of pawprints far away from the river where the clan was camped. She lowered her nose and sniffed. The snow had begun to sizzle beneath her paws. She lifted her head and turned it in the direction the paw prints were headed in. Then she disappeared again.
The demon wolves were standing in a clearing within a pine thicket. They scrapped and fought, tearing into the body of the sentry they'd felled on the way to take out the lieutenant, as Uina had ordered. Their mission had been a success, and what's more, they'd walked away with a fine meal.
Two of the demons currently fought over a leg, both trying to tear it in opposite directions until one dropped his end of the leg and dove into the other. Howls and barks, snarls and yelps were heard through the clearing as the two fought over the meat.
Aleu suddenly blinked into view at the edge of the group. She just stood there for a moment.
It didn't take long for the demons to notice, and they stood and began growling at her.
Aleu growled. “YOU took my mate from me!” She snarled. “...and now, you. will. die.”
Aleu's paws glowed blue, her eyes as well. The demons began to close in. Aleu snarled and lowered her head, narrowing her gaze, her heart filled with hatred for these who had stolen Shadow from her.
The demon's all of sudden stopped growling and their eyes went wide.
The snow under Aleu had melted so that she was standing on dead dry grass. The blue glow around her paws had shifted, and now a bright red glow enveloped her entire form. Fire shined from her eyes and filled the demons with fear. They began to back away, the lead one whimpering.
Aleu snarled and leapt forward. She swung her paw so hard against the leader's side that she tore him in half. The others broke and scattered then, and Aleu tore into them.
Solaris stopped beside the same pawprints Aleu had, looking down at them and sighing. “I don't have much time.” He said aloud. Then he blinked away again.
Aleu had killed many of the demons, their bodies lay splayed around the clearing. Their blood ran down her sides and dripped from her snarling muzzle as she advanced forward slowly, but with malicious intent.
She'd backed the demons against a stone wall to the rear of the clearing and they were huddled there, with no way to get away.
Aleu had them, she knew it, they knew it.
“This is only the beginning.” She thought to herself. “I will kill them all!”
With that she started running toward them.
Solaris skidded to a stop at the edge of the pine thicket. Aleu's trail had been hard to follow, but he had managed it finally. What he saw now filled his heart with sadness.
All around the clearing were strewn the bodies of the demons, most of them in pieces. Rent from their bodies with a force unlike any Solaris had ever seen. There must've been forty or more of them lying there in the bloody snow. There were tracks of snow, melted to the ground beneath between each body, and then Solaris saw Aleu charging toward the last group of her enemy.
“ALEU!” Solaris yelled.
Aleu stopped her charge and wheeled around. Solaris blinked his eyes, and she was in front of him, snarling. “Solaris… don't get in my way.” She said.
Solaris looked confused. “Aleu?”
His friend was unrecognizable. Hatred studded her features now. Her eyes were narrow and sharp and full of red fire. A red glow surrounded her, and everywhere she moved, the snow melted to the ground, steam rising up from it as even the left over water evaporated immediately.
“Aleu you have to stop.” Solaris said.
“NEVER!” Aleu growled. “THEY took my mate from ME. For that they will DIE!”
Solaris sighed. “Aleu, not like this, stop, now, please.”
Aleu snarled. “Aniu wants me to SAVE Shade. After all he has done for us she wants me to SAVE HIM!” She growled. “I WILL NOT! I have the power now to end this, to save the Talbourne MYSELF! ...and I will kill every demon or hunter who stands in my way! My enemies will indeed fall at my very paws. ...and THEN the Talbourne will be safe again.”
Solaris shook his head. “Don't do this Aleu. What is winning if you lose what makes you better in the process. I know you're hurting, but Shadow would not want this.”
Aleu snarled and bumped her head into Solaris'. “Don't tell ME what Shadow would want, you didn't even know him. Mention him again, and I will kill you.”
Solaris shook his head. “You're so defensive because you know I'm right, but you have wrapped yourself in your pain, in your hate, to the point that it has blinded you from the truth.”
Aleu snarled. “Look at what I have done!” She said, indicating the clearing. “I killed them ALL, and I can do it again, and again, and again. We don't need Shade, and we certainly don't need Aniu and her ***** plan.”
Aleu began to pace in front of Solaris, her eyes never leaving him.
Solaris sighed. “Aleu, all you have done is slaughter them while they were trying to escape out of fear. You taught me well. I remember a story you told me. Your goals are just, Shade does deserve to pay for what he's done, Uina, does deserve to die… but not like this. Don't lose yourself for this. It will only bring pain and heartache. Do you remember talking to me of Talkeet?”
Aleu growled. “Shut up Solaris!”
Solaris pressed on. “Talkeet had a just goal, to end war, fighting, and death, but remember what happened? He almost lost all he cared about. It's not too late, come back Aleu!”
Aleu just growled at him and kept pacing.
Solaris sighed. “All I know is this, you taught me to trust in Aniu, in her plan for us. I didn't even know of her existence before I met you, but now I believe you. If Aniu says that Shade must be saved, then that is what must be. It is as simple as that. I will do it myself if I must.”
“You would save our enemy?” Aleu scoffed.
Solaris narrowed his eyes. “I have faith in Aniu.” He said. “You did too.”
Aleu chuckled. “Your faith is misplaced Solaris.” She said.
Solaris sighed. “I will not let you destroy the Talbourne. You said once that you would give a wolf one chance to come back from the fire before you would kill them...”
Solaris eyes flashed blue, and a blue glow enveloped his paws. “You have given me no choice… this is that chance Aleu.” He said.
Aleu snarled. “You would attack me?” She asked. “I have killed our enemy!”
“But look how you've done it!” Solaris yelled back. “Look down at your paws!”
Aleu faltered, but then growled once more. “No.” She said flatly.
Solaris eyes glowed brighter and he felt his strength grow far beyond his capability. When his voice came, it was not his own, but spoke with a clear authority that must be obeyed. “ALEU, LOOK AT YOUR PAWS!” He screamed.
Aleu faltered and the red glow around her flickered. She looked down and her eyes went wide. Her paws, legs, her whole body was enveloped in a red glow. “No...” She said.
Solaris stepped forward, the blue glow fading to it's orginal hue. “Come back to me Aleu, save yourself, now, before it's too late.”
Aleu stepped back and the red glow flickered and died.
The blue light around Solaris' paws vanished as well, and as he stepped toward her his eyes took on their normal bronze hue.
Aleu looked around her. “What have I done...” She said quietly. She began to sob and then fell to the snow.
Solaris walked over to her and laid down beside her.
Aleu immediately picked up her head and pressed it into his shoulder, sobbing uncontrollably.
Solaris tucked his muzzle against his friend's fur, shaking from the thought of what he'd almost had to do.
“Thank you.” Aleu said finally, after many minutes.
Solaris smiled. “You'd have done the same for me.” He said.
Aleu sighed and nuzzled into his shoulder. “I'm so alone.” She said.
Solaris smiled again. “You're not alone Aleu.” He said.
Aleu cried harder. “I… I miss him… so much already.”
Solaris nodded. “I know.” He said.
Aleu shook against his side. “How can I go on Solaris?” She asked. “If… if it hurts this badly already… how can I face another day?”
Solaris sighed. “one step at a time Aleu.” He said. He raised his muzzle skyward. “One step at a time...”
