The nasty rats were everywhere, It took hours before the passageways cleared. Shivering as the wet cramped passageway had soaked his fur.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zGKfBaqtN
Just as he was about to step out the awful human Kar called out. Heart racing he jumped out, then shot into the small tunnel right below.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9symTYb4h
Crawling through it his paws chilled from the slick muck. Ugg, pitooy, blea. He slid belly first down a ramp that jettisoned him outside.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9YdAq7n6JR
"Wheee!"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qdof39OjV
He rose in an arc before falling on top a prickle bush.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK0KxKPWOcU
"Yi-yoo!"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFBwLhYvRw
This was different from the cage.
And weird pink goo room. So many snells, mummm!
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKzQpXsuGVA
A bird! I missed your pretty chirps. He moved and a burr poked into him arm. He hissed. He sat on his rump removing them, the icky things tangled even worse when pulled on.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZJDWQO1PDZ
Good smells out here. Kar and the rats, so mean poking me with scary needles all day. Going to eat you some day, can't poke me then! He growled deep and huffed.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM46xIYTG6q
And for Mama too. Leo sniffed. Big tear drops spilled over his The snout. He wiped it off on the back of his paw.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMd6x4jcgmX
He sniffed again. What is that?
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBITQB5mNZf
"Snifffff!"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIg7QVT6P6X
Not human, no more woodsy and peppery.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyRxvUb871
The scent stretched off in the distance, he followed it for a good few hours.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1vVVetLlk
Houngry, wish some of those meat cubes were around here. He kicked a rock, it rolled into a small hole.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡon3KtFUN3V
"Squeek!"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9S3RQFbb89
His ears tilted forward. Hey, meat? He drooled while dropping back on all fours and dug his claws into the soft earth.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6z3JjqlH04
A mouse jumped out. He snapped it up gulping it down. Not bad, crunchy.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHg5wnSChfc
There it is again. Another wiff of the scent passed by, he trotted after it.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAr6D1lhba
####
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHdIl3xfMXE
Several weeks pass, the scent long gone, but he kept going anyways. On the rare occasion when a stinky human didn't run away, he asked them about the pointy lady.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsbOxv5Knu
In a cave, he found several cages, each a dead bugbear. Far in the back one was whimpering.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2RHU5Rg0t
He crouched down on his haunches next the cage.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmRHH5IbQiX
"You alive?"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCMrGB91xLt
"If I wasn't would I be making any sounds?" The bugbear sat up, her grey fur matted and dirty.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWgnyG5vKs
"Well? Get me out all ready."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7stBTiUhoH
"Okay!"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlXo9dD5NFo
A heavy thing smacked the back of his head. Annoying!
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMFaYBnO3g
Turning, he caught the handle of a shovel held by a human male mid swing.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPBIvAR7vUY
"Dummy!" He shook the handle, then let go. The human made a weird noise and backed away.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYQxFEBrFt
Leo turned back and pounded on the cages latch. The door swung open then fell off with a thud.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡANjAJFpe8x
"Boy, your head made out of rockwood?"
"No." He shook his head several times.
I'm, Granny got it?" She pointed a claw at her chest.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOdWZIhpbRT
"Yup. Got it!" It was great to find someone, another bugbear.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTcfiZkH8s2
"I'm going home. We'll have to come back later to bury them."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv1q91btAPn
She took him out to the outer edges of the city nearby, then lead him down a steep cliff. On the southern side was a old carved stairway.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcgXny9QpdG
"Take care not fall, it's a long drop." She said then went down it.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpJh0xVXJP
He looked over the side, a fast river filled with jagged rocks sticking out all over.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowWbj4RDwF
"Wait up, granny!"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05ww2jIT7j
He jogged behind her.
He stayed with her for a month. One morning she just didn't wake up. Could just pretend not to know.
The tears were worse then last time, and his nose ran too. He wiped his snout on the blanket before wrapping her in it. Better, way better then the cold ground. Goodbye.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKW14nYz9g
He took the pack she'd made him and headed north outside. After a few days he found a snow covered pathway that winded up a mountainside.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYBsMCAmng8
A few hours later a small crack in the mountainside drew his attention. It smelled thick of human and of cinder. Yuck human, they smell like rotten fish! He rubbed his nose trying to clear the stench away.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkeqjMqQrSQ
He dug his claws into the cold rocks, fighting to climb up the mountainside. The harsh winds buffeted on all sides, its howling winds yowling.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEo0MMCeKT8
The brave human said a party had headed this way, after that he didn't know where they went. Have nobody left, maybe she would know. It was a long shot, but better then being alone.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOAgipPBK3e
He scrambled down and dropped in front of another cavern. This one had a bridge inside that stretched across spanning both sides. The waters below smelled faintly of her. Have to hurry must be catching up.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAJ8GanFhU4
His skin tingled with each breath, magic had been cast here. He sniffed, breathing in deep. Holy magic? He sniffed again. Ya, it was. Her scent was definitely above the water. Weird as most scents vanished around water.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl5q5Nr1LXS
Hate baths, hate being wet. Turning back, he climbed off the bridge, then sank his claws into the supporting stone pillar, gorging large holes into it.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxXqBfPvHXD
A moment later he dropped down into the water, then swam to the edge of the cavern lake off ahead.
Pulling out was thankfully easy. The cavern floor wasn't too slick, he braced his footing before shaking out his fur.
He stopped. A light snoring. A shadow on the floor moved and stretched. He patted over. Shadows didn't move, so? 829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEIxGYzM4rT
The shadow grew in shape and color, it was a purple cat-like creature with horns and long claws. It was sprawled out in the middle taking up most of the cavern room. Talk about pretty. Leo stood tall and strained his neck. Where was the exit? Was it laying on it? 829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1JXaQT4Yy9
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkF5KrCQfA8
Inching closer he patted the creature's shoulder.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7pEW97AD2
"Can you help me?"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqkIxP0WLLy
The creature cracked one eye open. "What is it pest?"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJvuEoaBB2n
The creature raised its head sitting up on it's haunches, looming over him.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYA5WdZLDMB
He swallowed. "How do I get out of here?"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMaNhslF6D
"Whatever it takes to have some peace first annoying morsels cut my nose-" He pointed to a healing gash- "And now you! Go back under the water and through the tunnel."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBcT0RrP1Z
He flopped over onto his side; snoring.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9gPzj1RlE
"Thanks!"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1aWYASmJtR
"Go away pipsqueek-sleep-" The creature muttered. It's snores started again.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnUck8JEK3u
He slid into the water diving deeper until a tunnel cavity appeared. It was just wide enough to pass through, he kicked hard swimming up, the exit above him.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUwNRccDWA
It was a tight squeeze he pulled and wiggled out pushing up with his arms. That's enough baths for a year. Ah, outside again. The morning sun warmed his fur, he sat there until it dried.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJHDggFPoUx
A days walk later he found a forest made of silver trees that had crystal droplets hanging from the leafs. The thin lines laced over the nearby leafs connecting from top to bottom.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUQuE7QjImV
It was interesting watching them move almost like they moved on their own. He shook his head, na that's silly.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGBCF2KUu1P
A sign hung from a tree's branches:
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhel2pAZW2
Great Silver Forest
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCi5cqdeJcr
Under these words it said in thick lettering:
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7iP9tsISAR
Evil dies here.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjorO3ljTw
He stepped closer to the sign a sharp shock darted over his back, the fur puffed out. Errrg!
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF8pwg87o4M
Backing off the sensation left. A warning? He stepped over to the sign again. Not the sign.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBnmR1ydev
Am going in there traps or not! He took two steps onto the forest.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpBdd2j6z1m
"Ah ha! Ha!"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqpSPJ3pYs
It didn't shock this time. He sniffed. Small sparks lit up a darker area ahead, the warm scent of brimstone tickled his snout; of home and peace.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XgKbZYjO8
A light shock danced over his skin, as did a whole new sensation that had no words. This was much like last time, but richer. Magic again a different kind.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ21hj6wEZ2y
Leo sniffed again, while taking a few steps closer toward the sparks.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxYxVMyuyC
"Elanener." No. No. "Elemental." Ya, fire smelled just like this. The sparks had gone, but the warm scent remained.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdXmUcFvUXw
The sparks stoped as he closed the distance.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U6LF2Ue94
A strange creature sat on a massive nest. Atop the creature's head a large crest that that thined as it reached its neck. The long golden feathers shimmered orange that ended with deep purple at the tips. The rest of it was also this coloration.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo7mGQnTzIV
A rabbit spooked from behind a tree and the creature turned its striking blue eyes his way.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJCnPDOzMy
"For your sake, you had better not try it."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3O1rzflFv4
"Try what?" He shook, trying not to look tasty.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZgXLyULs0k
The look on her-definitely a female it was in her tone of voice.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6REc2NXEXb
"I ... I want to find my way out of this forest, O grand one!" Shifting his feet onto the dirt.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJNhMm9FQOy
She chirped for awhile before the sound clicked. A laugh.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ73twGuvJ6A
"You don't need to be quite that polite. All right then, you're not after my eggs?"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGzEtKnsZ4a
"No, no! I'm trying to find someone. Granny said this was my journey. Whatever that means."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpncgN3wRVK
He relaxed a little, but kept ready in case the creature attacked.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJqvfeQuN9q
"Come up here, it's time to eat, and have a chat shall we? Tell about Granny and your someone."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFSU0TwJTc
He eyed her. To eat with or be eaten?
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDB5ZvaVBi
She taped the edge of the nest with a rose colored talon.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl692mBwn9i
He gulped. So sharp.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiGeca6lSP
"Don't eat me!" He sobbed and cried. He rubbed his eyes with the back side of his paws.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ44Nn53GWLQ
"I didn't mean to frighten you. Are you a child?" Her voice was softer and way less scary.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFt5HP6H988
He sniffed, nodding. "Ya, I'm almost two. Next year ill be as big as my brother!" He held out his arms out wide and then up high.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ75jWEF443E
She chirped again. "Here you look famished."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuC96gxwCZY
She bent her long swan like neck down over the side of the nest. A dead rabbit landed at his feet.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9g17JUxbm
"Yum! Thanks!"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjNokhkzOG
After a few bites he looked up again. "What are you?"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrtLhchOtyq
She waited for him to finish.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdY6TeLZm5
"Now little one, where is your mother? You should not be out in these dangerous woods alone!"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmribWHpRJe
His stomach became sour and he started sobbing, the baby tears streamed down his cheeks wetting the fur.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyUMFOAHkPT
"Mama! Is gone!" He sucked in great gulps of air and sobbed harder.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc45Guq7FxV
That bad, horrible day. It all came back. He curled into a ball and pushed his paws into his face; hard. My fault mine, mine, if I been good mama would be here.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRk3GPFVNy
"My fault. I ran off."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwNLuyA9sE
The ground disappeared under him as a wing scooped him up. He froze. Gona' die.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCkWfSG7a2n
"I don't wanna'!" Can't even call for mamma.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9asBP9qkwg
He shivered. Then landed on some soft straw.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHACaFUE4V
"Look at me."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLpq1hGdDy9
"No!"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzEBXcFCmD
He grabbed his tail and curled up tighter.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcoZwMkRGbH
"I'm not going to eat you."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ79FtT171o
He peaked at her between paws. She wrapped a wing around him.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMjabO85nD
"I'm a bird ... of sorts."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjIJkjiXU2n
"Okay? A big one!" He spread his hands out.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg1Y0CNUEtK
"I did not mean to upset you. Here come closer. A nap will do you good."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡENcc1ookRx
He cuddled up beside her drifting off under the warm feathers with her chest rising up and down.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7vfKScc3Vp
####
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbQzyJcdKA
The bird's chicks hatched a month later, he tossed the deer over his shoulder watching them play. Their gray fluffy down was almost gone and the colors of flame poked through.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUT5R0Zr203
Mama Blaze had adopted him and even gave him a name.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cZNTznXPh
"Hi mom, look what I can do, I've been practicing!" said Leo.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLya7C72YZf
She turned around as he placed the dead deer on the forest floor. He had a handful of her feathers, and assorted herbs in some small pots.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9WiCjitHDg
Smearing the crushed herbs all over it, then placed one feather on its side. He sang, it was choppy as his new fangs messed up the tone. It didn't matter as after a while the feather glowed a bright red. The deer sprang up and bounded away.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIDsPuGKLsG
"You did well and remembered each step, very good."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡll9JpQRNjO
"I finally did it right!"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgun579ea9r
"You would have been a good Phoenix." She preened the top of his head.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNyftYTIkgu
She straightened. "It's time you finished your mission. The spirits that travel in the ebb and flow if time whisper of disruption, chaos and an eclipse."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYHEgkzIfb8
"Why cryptic?"
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBGCKTIQOB
"It's tiring for them to talk, at most three words is all they can manage."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtEfyIgdghs
"Take these before you go." She pushed over a flat piece of bark covered in molted feathers.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh5eazj8zYb
Bending down, he picked them up and stuffed them in his pack.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcXZawej07U
"I'll come back."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELHDqWQ8s8
She shimmered and shook her head, she opened her beak painting.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4huyxRUoUS
"Try not to for at least two moons. It is the time if offering that I told you about. It'll be far too hot here."
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡojXYyNFaqr
"May the sun follow you," he said.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5Vz7lBUlB
"And warm your journey," Mama Blaze replied.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxrzv9dXcDD
Hugging her burned his paws some, don't care. He left the forest and headed West.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXehT0qjjp
He slipped past the town of Badgervill careful to avoid the mass of stinking humans. A small shack just past the town was near the road. He spotted a large rusted wood axe lying in the grass beside it. Bending down he picked it up, looking at it. This will not be missed, it is pretty old.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtwe0o6kvmE
There it was again, her scent lead him back near the Great Silver Forest. Several days later he found upon a waterfall with a lake and a winding river; only stopping to swipe some fish out and sleep.
829Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1cWK6fUUb
A long deep canyon was at the forest's end. Its bridge split and broken in two on both sides. He went over to a part of rope cable that was caught on a pointed rock and pulled out several blue hairs. Definitely was going this way.
