The nasty rats were everywhere, It took hours before the passageways cleared. Shivering as the wet cramped passageway had soaked his fur.
892Please respect copyright.PENANA6Ra3hCkzpJ
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANARUO4fZZVCK
Crawling through it his paws chilled from the slick muck. Ugg, pitooy, blea. He slid belly first down a ramp that jettisoned him outside.
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"Wheee!"
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He rose in an arc before falling on top a prickle bush.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAN7y04MsgmX
"Yi-yoo!"
892Please respect copyright.PENANAsOrVBrXrNi
This was different from the cage.
And weird pink goo room. So many snells, mummm!
892Please respect copyright.PENANANHrwEPpzYO
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANARARwGLeEwc
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAWQJWg5CLcc
And for Mama too. Leo sniffed. Big tear drops spilled over his The snout. He wiped it off on the back of his paw.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAVQ7eDsnb5u
He sniffed again. What is that?
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"Snifffff!"
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Not human, no more woodsy and peppery.
892Please respect copyright.PENANA7OevbxCyTE
The scent stretched off in the distance, he followed it for a good few hours.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAO1KPqghqz7
Houngry, wish some of those meat cubes were around here. He kicked a rock, it rolled into a small hole.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAiysvWWOG4r
"Squeek!"
892Please respect copyright.PENANArzi3uDC6Rd
His ears tilted forward. Hey, meat? He drooled while dropping back on all fours and dug his claws into the soft earth.
892Please respect copyright.PENANApn4MYXjas5
A mouse jumped out. He snapped it up gulping it down. Not bad, crunchy.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAHngNSrZ9DO
There it is again. Another wiff of the scent passed by, he trotted after it.
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####
892Please respect copyright.PENANALKVLxfFvIB
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAdkdpxp8Hfv
In a cave, he found several cages, each a dead bugbear. Far in the back one was whimpering.
892Please respect copyright.PENANA2maslJJtEd
He crouched down on his haunches next the cage.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAWfQrIPcC8A
"You alive?"
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"If I wasn't would I be making any sounds?" The bugbear sat up, her grey fur matted and dirty.
892Please respect copyright.PENANATRCPPysrcv
"Well? Get me out all ready."
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"Okay!"
892Please respect copyright.PENANAyNgr7bk3ue
A heavy thing smacked the back of his head. Annoying!
892Please respect copyright.PENANAdcmhHGsNer
Turning, he caught the handle of a shovel held by a human male mid swing.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAZBoMtUWDwr
"Dummy!" He shook the handle, then let go. The human made a weird noise and backed away.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAePnt9HuDin
Leo turned back and pounded on the cages latch. The door swung open then fell off with a thud.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAYYcDqJrhTS
"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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAkSp1BplJvX
"Yup. Got it!" It was great to find someone, another bugbear.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAc3QIglX55Y
"I'm going home. We'll have to come back later to bury them."
892Please respect copyright.PENANA5Lxg0FV2B6
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAzZOZ7XnOxA
"Take care not fall, it's a long drop." She said then went down it.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAxJ7nfmci14
He looked over the side, a fast river filled with jagged rocks sticking out all over.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAxA654Z4leT
"Wait up, granny!"
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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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAGJELVWherJ
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAjcQNGFXP1Q
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAcdoCG2calZ
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAQCASKozpdA
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAFtYu5itaug
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAjVMTJytLe7
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAZ1Mj4zgYLF
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAKuO8WUYdi8
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? 892Please respect copyright.PENANATlAJOFaQPG
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? 892Please respect copyright.PENANAFeZIzVRfVm
892Please respect copyright.PENANAXjjEtQ2b3H
Inching closer he patted the creature's shoulder.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAjsfoPiNMP4
"Can you help me?"
892Please respect copyright.PENANAjnJvhOY9KU
The creature cracked one eye open. "What is it pest?"
892Please respect copyright.PENANA0mVpjULKPw
The creature raised its head sitting up on it's haunches, looming over him.
892Please respect copyright.PENANASCNOycFlUF
He swallowed. "How do I get out of here?"
892Please respect copyright.PENANAknXS630re9
"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."
892Please respect copyright.PENANAgPzzWRxY7f
He flopped over onto his side; snoring.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAkDXHuXR8Ok
"Thanks!"
892Please respect copyright.PENANAUyAk0oqXsC
"Go away pipsqueek-sleep-" The creature muttered. It's snores started again.
892Please respect copyright.PENANA4KTzVLz3yG
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAgwIxnIe0h3
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAaFyaEzrJOo
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANA8nhI3ca57h
It was interesting watching them move almost like they moved on their own. He shook his head, na that's silly.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAFJjj4VSLRy
A sign hung from a tree's branches:
892Please respect copyright.PENANAgNAuVp4cRF
Great Silver Forest
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Under these words it said in thick lettering:
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Evil dies here.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAeEUCMNjXl8
He stepped closer to the sign a sharp shock darted over his back, the fur puffed out. Errrg!
892Please respect copyright.PENANAbq9vv6nTa6
Backing off the sensation left. A warning? He stepped over to the sign again. Not the sign.
892Please respect copyright.PENANANXS8uxBrNy
Am going in there traps or not! He took two steps onto the forest.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAXbh6250obq
"Ah ha! Ha!"
892Please respect copyright.PENANAfHjH6Ac8Og
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANA0hNnNR48o0
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAWMAty1jvnH
Leo sniffed again, while taking a few steps closer toward the sparks.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAmlHDKrlnIE
"Elanener." No. No. "Elemental." Ya, fire smelled just like this. The sparks had gone, but the warm scent remained.
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The sparks stoped as he closed the distance.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAnbfihy587h
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAIyV9CGrkoY
A rabbit spooked from behind a tree and the creature turned its striking blue eyes his way.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAf1PmFVJWYZ
"For your sake, you had better not try it."
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"Try what?" He shook, trying not to look tasty.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAZpdAQ8ZPUT
The look on her-definitely a female it was in her tone of voice.
892Please respect copyright.PENANA2yj71Zprtv
"I ... I want to find my way out of this forest, O grand one!" Shifting his feet onto the dirt.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAqQYNXu17KN
She chirped for awhile before the sound clicked. A laugh.
892Please respect copyright.PENANADOVFebGuMC
"You don't need to be quite that polite. All right then, you're not after my eggs?"
892Please respect copyright.PENANAjt0fpbGnr5
"No, no! I'm trying to find someone. Granny said this was my journey. Whatever that means."
892Please respect copyright.PENANA0zV7SEzA1Q
He relaxed a little, but kept ready in case the creature attacked.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAoXibISRVI3
"Come up here, it's time to eat, and have a chat shall we? Tell about Granny and your someone."
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He eyed her. To eat with or be eaten?
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She taped the edge of the nest with a rose colored talon.
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He gulped. So sharp.
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"Don't eat me!" He sobbed and cried. He rubbed his eyes with the back side of his paws.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAmf3DuHO2ax
"I didn't mean to frighten you. Are you a child?" Her voice was softer and way less scary.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAiEVLcY5Mul
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAHTgii5XtEB
She chirped again. "Here you look famished."
892Please respect copyright.PENANAz4sdbYCXxl
She bent her long swan like neck down over the side of the nest. A dead rabbit landed at his feet.
892Please respect copyright.PENANA9uXmG6T1b2
"Yum! Thanks!"
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After a few bites he looked up again. "What are you?"
892Please respect copyright.PENANAcL88XEbpcA
She waited for him to finish.
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"Now little one, where is your mother? You should not be out in these dangerous woods alone!"
892Please respect copyright.PENANAQXrVK0cKjm
His stomach became sour and he started sobbing, the baby tears streamed down his cheeks wetting the fur.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAbvhrpunQW8
"Mama! Is gone!" He sucked in great gulps of air and sobbed harder.
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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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAfRfSjRj9Sl
"My fault. I ran off."
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The ground disappeared under him as a wing scooped him up. He froze. Gona' die.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAvKsSHdwAES
"I don't wanna'!" Can't even call for mamma.
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He shivered. Then landed on some soft straw.
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"Look at me."
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"No!"
892Please respect copyright.PENANARUKUpuIz7K
He grabbed his tail and curled up tighter.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAL1ZtcdlG8R
"I'm not going to eat you."
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He peaked at her between paws. She wrapped a wing around him.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAROiQ7AEfVV
"I'm a bird ... of sorts."
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"Okay? A big one!" He spread his hands out.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAAnYxoFiu0R
"I did not mean to upset you. Here come closer. A nap will do you good."
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He cuddled up beside her drifting off under the warm feathers with her chest rising up and down.
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####
892Please respect copyright.PENANA5zL3HbOJBj
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANASe7N6ZDh8u
Mama Blaze had adopted him and even gave him a name.
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"Hi mom, look what I can do, I've been practicing!" said Leo.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAisxlxPt5Py
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAzn0IR8od2J
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANA6tNq6MIZ7U
"You did well and remembered each step, very good."
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"I finally did it right!"
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"You would have been a good Phoenix." She preened the top of his head.
892Please respect copyright.PENANA5Fn7C4D6Or
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."
892Please respect copyright.PENANAzTDQ0x3SNK
"Why cryptic?"
892Please respect copyright.PENANAjd1LHAiTVo
"It's tiring for them to talk, at most three words is all they can manage."
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"Take these before you go." She pushed over a flat piece of bark covered in molted feathers.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAUqTzEfWFZr
Bending down, he picked them up and stuffed them in his pack.
892Please respect copyright.PENANA214kx8qh4S
"I'll come back."
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She shimmered and shook her head, she opened her beak painting.
892Please respect copyright.PENANApDlinudPdp
"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."
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"May the sun follow you," he said.
892Please respect copyright.PENANApIVHSvKlp1
"And warm your journey," Mama Blaze replied.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAyOTu8AtFNI
Hugging her burned his paws some, don't care. He left the forest and headed West.
892Please respect copyright.PENANAfDc0rfEmgr
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANA4WftOOwRDw
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.
892Please respect copyright.PENANA785UdfCGEX
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.