Prologue: Lightning flashed overhead. Nuzzle crouched low to the ground and whimpered. Mother-Dog licked her nose. "It's okay, little one," she assured her. "Its just a storm." Another jagged bolt, this time accompanied by thunder. "What's happening?" cried Yelp. "It's okay," Mother-Dog repeated. Nuzzle wasn't so sure. Mother-Dog sounded as if she were idly reassuring them. She crawled closer to her. It had seemed safe at first, but now she wasn't entirely sure if the abandoned longpaw house they were sheltering in was sturdy. Twitching, she finally fell asleep, only to be woken by another roll of thunder. She looked up and saw Mother-Dog, as well as her siblings, were fast asleep. She was the only one awake. More lightning. The next roll of thunder sounded very much like a growl. Why did the Sky-Dogs have to be so loud when they were play-fighting? Nuzzle had been in a storm before, but none this fierce. The next thunderclap echoed in the cloudy night. It sounded odd, different. Almost . . . as if it had been giving a warning. Chapter 1: Spiral snapped awake. Stretching, she rose to her paws and stepped outside the den. Sunlight streamed through oaks and pines that surrounded her Pack's camp. The sky was clear, not a cloud to be seen. A good day for hunting. "Twist! Fern!" she called. The lean swift-dog padded over, followed by little Fern. "Come on, we should get an early start!" she barked eagerly. Twist, who was one rank above her, nodded. "Yes, yes. Let's go!" They headed out of camp after rousing the two other Hunters, Creek and Dash. "We're going to the meadow. There are plenty of rabbit burrows there. Any objections?" The dogs yipped their agreement. The meadow was a wonderful place that had an abundance of prey. A cluster of birch and ash trees surrounded it, there branches casting cool patches of shade onto the ground. A tiny stream ran through it, the soft gurgling mingling with the chirps and chatter of songbirds. It was not long before they spotted a rabbit. Creek and Twist crept to one side of the meadow, while Fern, Dash, and Spiral stalked it in the other. They were coming very close when one of the rabbits long brown ears stood straight up. Now! They charged at it. the frightened animal turned and ran, right into Creek's paws. The long-furred dog instantly pinned it to the ground and killed it with a bite to the neck. She dropped at the side of the sunny clearing, and they continued hunting. They quickly caught two more rabbits and were considering leaving to hunt somewhere else when it happened. A small brown dog bounded towards them. Spiral gasped. It was Vole, a Patrol-Dog. He was bleeding from many deep bites. "Vole!" Dash cried. The huge dog immediately was by his side, licking his wounds. "F-Fierce D-D-Dogs!" Vole yelped. "Many of them! They- they come for us!" The Hunters exchanged horrified glances. "When!" snarled Twist. "Soon- v-very soon." and with that, the little dog fell over. Dead. Chapter 2: "We must go warn Alpha!" barked Twist. Spiral nodded and began racing back to the Pack's camp. The others followed, all except Dash "Wait!" he called. Picking up Vole's small body in his jaws, he trotted after them. They ran through the woods, Spiral in the lead. She Alpha met them at the camp entrance. He looked shocked for a moment, then his different-colored eyes, one blue, one golden-brown, hardened. "What?" he demanded. "Fierce Dogs killed Vole!" Fern wailed. "They are coming!" Spiral added. Alpha growled. "I thank you for your haste!" he told them. "Now I must prepare the Pack." Leaping onto the boulder overlooking the camp, Alpha summoned them with a howl. He did not elaborate. "Vole is dead. Fierce Dogs killed him. We don't know why, only that they are after are Pack." Stunned expressions followed his words. Alpha snapped his teeth in a way that suggested his Pack was being slow on the uptake. "What are waiting for?! In formation!" The Pack quickly assumed attack positions. Alpha stepped up front. Then they waited. At first there was nothing. Then a tan muzzle was visible through the brambles. Then the black head could be seen. then more. One by one, the Fierce Dogs surrounded the camp. Sleek, glossy pelts, long, narrow muzzles, alert, erect ears. And teeth. White, deadly fangs that gleamed in the sunlight. Fern gave a small whimper as a pair of jaws snapped close to her ear. One of the dogs stepped forward. Taller and sturdier than the other Fierce Dogs, with an certain air of authority about him. He gave a commanding bark, and Spiral saw a glint of ivory teeth. The dog eyed the Pack. Finally Alpha spoke up in a growl. "What do you want?" The Fierce Dog, who Spiral assumed was the Alpha, stepped closer. His brown eyes sparked maliciously. "Revenge. You remember me, don't you, Blizzard?" Blizzard. A vague memory surfaced. Blizzard. A Hunter, before he was Alpha. Blizzard. Left one day. Came back wounded. Yet there'd been triumph in his eyes. Blizzard. Alpha's eyes flashed fear for a second. "Y- you have no place here!" Alpha barked. "Leave." Another Fierce Dog came forward. "Okay, we're beat," she mocked. "We can't possibly take on this scrawny pack of mongrels, can we, Switchblade?" The Alpha Fierce Dog, Switchblade, sneered. "Oh, no, fighting couldn't be an option. Even though we greatly outnumber them, we can outsmart them, and we have them terrified." Yet another Fierce Dog came closer. "They reek of fear," he growled. "They fear us. They should," he added. "Enough, Rifle, Cleaver," growled Switchblade. The two slunk back into the crowd of Fierce Dogs. "So," growled Switchblade. "So, Blizzard. As Alpha of this mangy Pack, you decide whether to flee- the smarter option, I daresay- or fight and watch your dogs get ripped to shreds." Alpha drew himself to full height, so he was almost eye-to-eye with the huge Fierce Dog. His lips were drawn back, revealing sharp white fangs. "I am not Blizzard," he snarled, spraying saliva into Switchblade's face. "I. Am. ALPHA!" He lunged for Switchblade, howling the command to attack. Spiral leaped onto the nearest Fierce Dog, which happened to be Rifle, who snapped her long jaws and flung Spiral off. Spiral scrambled to her paws, but Rifle was already there. Her teeth closed on Spiral's soft black ear. With a yelp of pain, Spiral dove under Rifle, tearing and slashing at the sleek tan underbelly. As Rifle tore free and whirled around to attack again, Spiral knew what she had to do. She broke into a run around Rifle, around and around, faster and faster, Rifle's narrowed brown eyes followed her, then darted to the side, unsure. This was her chance. Spiral slammed into the Fierce Dog as hard as she could, knocking Rifle's legs out from under her. She fell to the ground with a thud, and Spiral sprang onto her. She sank her teeth into Rifle's throat. Rifle growled and tried to fling Spiral off, but she only tightened her grip. They collapsed onto the ground. Spiral tasted the Fierce Dog's blood. Suddenly she felt sick. She released Rifle. Blood oozed from the dying dog's throat, adding to Spiral's growing feeling of nausea. She shook her head to clear it. All around her, Spiral's Pack Mates were fighting hard. Alpha was slashing and tearing at Switchblade's broad chest, but the huge Fierce Dog had his teeth locked onto Alpha's back. Spiral noticed that the Pack was victorious to some degree. One of Dash's ears was a bloody mess, but two Fierce Dogs cowered beneath him, whining. Beta was bleeding severely but her Fierce Dog opponent had fled into the bracken and was gone. Spiral turned her head to see Alpha. He was facing Switchblade, who's pointed ears were ripped and torn. "You may have won this time." Switchblade's growl was dark and menacing. "But you haven't seen the last of us." That said, he cast one final, furious look at Alpha and disappeared into the forest. Chapter 3: Spiral lay panting on the grass. Several other dogs, including Twist(who's tail was dripping blood) and Fern(who's muzzle was badly ripped), lay beside her. "That was some battle," gasped Fern. Her brown eyes were clouded. "I don't know what we'll have to do. Switchblade said we haven't seen the last of his vicious Pack." Spiral nudged her gently. "His Pack's in worse shape than we are. By the time they're ready to attack again, we'll be fully healed and prepared for battle," she assured the black and white Hunter. Twist sighed. "I wonder what they wanted," he growled. "They've got their stupid longpaws to feed them and give them water. What else do they need?" "Revenge, according to Switchblade. He's got some grudge against Alpha," replied Spiral. "Pack!" Alpha's commanding bark rang out across camp. His strange eyes swept over his Pack. "We were victorious in battle today," he told them. "But they will attack again. Be prepared. And Spiral," he barked. "Take Dash and Fern hunting." Spiral dipped her head and padded away to hunt. Fern and Dash followed. They searched for awhile, then Fern finally found a squirrel's dray high in an oak tree. The unsuspecting squirrel was nibbling on an overripe berry, unaware of the dogs. Dash caught it easily. "Let's go to the hills," Spiral suggested. "Plenty of gophers there." Spiral was right. At the hills the Hunters had no trouble catching five plump gophers, as well as a rabbit. Taking there haul back to camp, Spiral saw many dogs licking wounds and resting in the shade. It had been a rough day. Beta saw the Hunters and gave an approving nod. "Good. Set it down, soon we will eat." They deposited their prey and waited for Alpha. In several heartbeats, Alpha stalked out of his den. "Time to eat," he called. The Pack scrambled around the pile. Alpha bent down and selected two of the gophers and a rabbit. He carried them away, then Beta stepped forward, choosing one of the gophers and the squirrel. One by one, the Pack picked out their prey. Spiral had decided on only one of the gophers. She wasn't too hungry, and she liked saving some for the other dogs. Gulping the food down, she glanced up at the sky. The moon was a thin crescent, so there would be no Great Howl tonight. Spiral rose to her paws and padded into the den. For a few moments, she shifted around in the leaves, before falling into a peaceful sleep. THE END OF CHAPTERS 1-3
Yeah, short chapters, sorry. My first story attempt. :) Press space every once and a while. Pack(in order of Rank): Alpha(also known as Blizzard)- dark gray male Husky with white chest/underbelly, face, muzzle, and legs/paws Beta- brown and white female Rough Collie Hunters: Twist- dark gray male Greyhound with white patch on his chest Spiral- black and white female Border Collie Dash- tawny-beige Mastiff male with black ears and muzzle Creek- black female Flat-Coated Retriever Fern- black and white female Boston Terrier/Beagle Cross Patrol-Dogs: Bracken- brown and white male Bulldog Flicker- brown, black, and white male Pembroke Welsh Corgi Lily- bright red-orange female Pomeranian(mother to Squeal, a female pale orange pup, Fidget, male red-orange pup, and Lap, white female pup) Vole- small brown male Italian Greyhound Flame- orange male Pomeranian Omega- black and brown female Yorkshire Terrier(also known as Moss) Fierce Pack: Alpha(also known as Switchblade)- huge, tall, and sturdy male with sleek black and tan pelt Beta(also known as Feral): slender black female with only two tan spots on her chest, no other tan markings Dogs: Crossbow- brown and tan female Cleaver- large black and brown male with blunt muzzle Rifle- black and tan female with small white markings on chest Hatchet- muscular brown and tan male Cudgel- black and tan male Spear- brown and tan female Sickle- jet-black and tan male with torn ear Club- brown and tan male Javelin- lithe black and brown female Harpoon- brown and tan male Sword- black and tan female Rapier- black and brown male Pups: Slingshot- brown and tan female pup Spike- black and tan male pup Razor- black and tan female pup with a glossy pelt Omega: black and tan female(also known as Missile)
