The sun was already up over the horizon. It's been a long cold week, and Misty was glad to see the sun and its warmth. The wind whispered through the trees, sending shivers running up Misty's spine. She rounded an oak tree and slipped into the shadows. Which didn't conceal her much considering that her pelt was very light.

She set each paw down lightly and narrowed her eyes to stare into the darkness. Her heart thumped nervously, and she wasn't sure about this place. Then she stopped dead in realization.

Wait, this isn't Flame Woods territory!

She sniffed the air again.

Nor is this Stone Hollow Pack!

Panic dropped into the pit of her stomach. This isn't Lifeless Forest either!

She spun around and raced the way she came. Her paws fumbled over the cool ground. She swallowed and lurched forward with every bit of strength she had. Endless trees went by in a blur along with bushes, creeks, and other things that weren't noticeable.

She glimpsed at everything as she went past it. It all looked the same. Every stick, every leaf..... I'm in an endless forest!

She slipped on a moist leaf. Her legs splayed out from under her, and she went down, landing on her stomach. The wind was knocked out of her and she lay, trying to catch her breath.

A deep fog seemed to set in, she closed her eyes and covered her ears with her paws. A faint chorus of howls slowly sounded closer and closer with each second.

Misty opened her eyes and stood, perplexed. Then gasped as she stared at what lay before her.

Mortals, dogs, wolves; all fighting for the same thing; land.

Wolves were shredded and torn to bits. Mortals shouted in rage and shot their Thunder-sticks. Among the chaos, Misty spotted Rascal struggling to free himself from a group of vicious dogs.

"Rascal!" She howled and took off in a run towards her friend.

Dogs dug their fangs into his flesh. He shrieked and kicked frantically.

Misty panted and continued towards him. Her legs began to ache and she wasn't sure how much longer she'd last. She ran and ran, but wasn't going anywhere. No matter how hard or fast she pounded along, she couldn't reach him.

His painful cries filled her ears.

"Rascal! Rascal!" Her voice was hoarse from screaming and running at the same time. "Rascal!" She shrilly yelled.

Rascal was carried away in a wave of dogs, his voice lost in the endless clamor. Misty's strength was gone, and she collapsed to the dirt floor, tongue lolling and panting heavily.

"No, please..." She whispered weakly and tried to crawl after him.

I don't want to lose him.....I can't

~~~~~~~~~~

Misty jerked awake. Exhaustion dragged her limbs down as if she really had run through the forest in a frantic panic. She pushed to her forepaws and pressed her head against the cool part of her den. She reached her paw up and gently traced the scar her father had given her. It gave her anger, rage burning throughout her entire body.

She gathered her breath and pushed through the entrance. The day was dreary and cold, rain-splattered over the stone floor and wind chilled Misty to the bone.

My nightmare had better weather than this...

She snorted and bolted over to grab a piece of fresh meat. Hauling it back to her den, she settled at the mouth and nibbled her meal hungrily.

Rustling was heard from Blossom's den. Misty glanced up to see Wren stumble out in a blank daze. She staggered to her den and disappeared in its shadows.

Wren must've seen Moondancer for the first time since the accident.

Misty stood and looked at her meal. She lost her appetite and grabbed it, placing it back on the pile and trotted back over to Wren's den.

"Wren?" Misty poked her head in and allowed herself to adjust to the dim light. She stared straight ahead, eyes falling upon a red figure hunched in the center.

Wren turned around, amber eyes aglow with a deep sadness that couldn't be explained. Dragging a paw over the pelted floor, she faced the young wolf without a word.

"So?" Misty asked, sitting just out of reach of Wren. "How's Moondancer?"

Wren met her gaze, confusion lit them up, not answering Misty. "Do you think I'll ever have any more pups?"

Misty flinched back. Wren looked Misty in the eyes expectantly now, wanting an answer. She's being serious.

The young she-wolf searched for the right words. "Er...Um..." She gulped and took a deep wary breath. "Wren, Moondancer is still alive."

The red wolf blinked blankly, unconvinced. "She's dead though."

Misty's jaw fell. She couldn't believe her ears! Moondancer is still alive! She regained consciousness and could sip water now! Why would she think her pup was dead?

"Wren," Misty stepped forward and placed a paw on Wren's shoulder. "You saw her today. She lost a leg sure, but she isn't dead. I promise."

"Now you're lying," The sad mother shook her head and her ears drooped. "Blossom tried to tell me the same thing. But I know it's not the truth."

Stifling a growl of frustration, Misty stepped back, never taking her green eyes off the amber ones. She's being ridiculous! And so stubborn! How could Wren think her daughter was dead? Misty shook her head and stared on in silence.

Wren got to her paws and began to head for the exit. But Misty stepped in her way.

"Where are you going?" The white she-wolf studied Wren with a suspicious glare.

Wren blinked. "Outside."

"To do what?" Misty sat firmly and tilted her head.

"Just follow me." Wren shouldered her way past Misty and entered the clearing.

Oh dear.....Help us all... Misty groaned inwardly and rolled her eyes, emerging beside the old wolf.

The two she-wolves left camp and followed the river until a steep slope veered off to the right. Wind sharply bit into Misty's fur, making her stop, urging her to turn and run back to the warmth of camp.

Wren beckoned for Misty to follow when she noticed the young wolf had stopped.

Misty was hesitant, unsure of why Wren brought her out here. She shook her thoughts away and bounded up the slope beside her Packmate.

The trees creaked and groaned in the wind. Squirrels scuttled to safety when they saw the two wolves approaching. They padded up and entered an open clearing with a cliff side that overlooked the South side of the territory.

Silently, Wren strode forth and sat two-bounds away from the cliff. Looking into the distance. Misty could tell the she-wolf was deep in thought and kept to herself so not to disturb her.

After what felt like a lifetime, Wren spoke, keeping her eyes on the rolling hills and trees in the distance.

"This is where I met Comet," She fell silent and clenched her paws together.

Misty's eyes shot open in surprise. "C-Comet?"

Wren nodded. "Yes. He was...my mate."

Misty gasped. Now I've heard everything! "Why didn't you tell us?"

"Because he was a rogue. I knew it wouldn't work out if he tried to stay here in Flame Woods." She told the story of how they met, and the adventures they had when they were young. And that they had two pups before Moondancer and her brothers. They had two she-pups. One was called Sun, the other called Star.

"I raised them on my own. Because Comet was a rogue, he came and visited as much as he could without being noticed by my Packmates. After Sun and Star grew up and moved on to travel with their mates, that's when Hawk, Sparrow, and Moondancer were born," Her voice cracked and she inhaled sharply. "Comet died when I found out I was expecting those three. He had some rare, unknown disease."

Misty was heart-broken for Wren. Yet she didn't understand this. What was she talking about? She listened in shock as the old wolf finished.

"I have nothing to live for now," Her amber eyes flicked with sorrow. "Goodbye Misty, take care."

She bounded forward to the edge of the cliff. But Misty flung herself at Wren. "No!"

Misty gave a mighty leap and reaching her paws out, grasped Wren on her hips.

"What are you doing?!" Wren howled in surprise and tried to wiggle away from Misty.

The two squirmed. Misty struggled to pull Wren back. She escaped and whirled around to face Misty.

The young she-wolf was shocked to her very core. She pushed her paws into the hard compacted dirt beneath her. "Don't do this Wren. You have something to live for! Moondancer needs a mother to look up to!"

"She's dead!" Wren growled. "When are you going to understand that?"

Misty didn't have time to reply. Because Wren barreled into her, knocking her sideways in a quick flash.

The white wolf scrabbled at the ground trying to force her paws under her, but Wren's weight smashed her back down. Her claws raked Misty's ears. A scratch ran down her ear, causing blood to spurt.

"Stop it!" Misty kicked and squirmed. "Tyrant won't be happy to hear about this!"

Wren laughed maniacally and bent to whisper. "He doesn't have to know," She held her in a strong grip. "Because you won't live to tell him... You're going down with me!"

Teeth met Misty's neck fur. She yelped as she was being dragged over sharp stones and rough ground. She twisted and turned in a desperate attempt to break free.

The red wolf hauled her to the edge and held her there. Misty dangled helplessly, staring into the dark cliff at churning water and jagged stones. Her heart nearly came up her throat and out of her mouth. Anxiety settled in fast, and she got a quick glimpse of Wren's determined face.

She could feel Wren's grip loosen in teasing. Misty clawed at the rock close to her, Wren's legs, anything to hold on to!

Just a hair from her death, she could feel Wren's teeth being yanked away. Misty howled and caught her paws on a rocky crevice. She panted and looked below at the endless water swirling. The rock was beginning to give out.

No!

She felt herself slipping, but a stronger set of teeth met her scruff and pulled her strongly back to safety. Misty's legs couldn't hold her. She collapsed as soon as she felt the ground beneath her paws.

"What's going on?" A deep voice pressed.

Misty's breath caught in her throat when she was met with Rascal's green eyes, round with worry and confusion.

Wren snarled and leaped on Rascal. The younger wolf shook her off easily. She crumpled and Rascal held her firmly with his paws. She howled in anger and thrashed her frail legs about.

"Let me go, so I can fight you!" She snarled.

"I don't want to fight you, Wren," Rascal didn't budge when she kicked at his legs. "You're my friend. And I don't fight friends."

"Coward!" She spat. "You afraid to get beaten by an old wolf?" Her voice was challenging, menacing.

"No," Rascal replied and backed away, allowing her to stand. "I'm not afraid of you," His eyes softened. "Why don't you come back to camp with us, and enjoy a good meal?"

"Never!" Wren growled with a glare. "I'd rather die, you fool!"

"You're the fool!" Misty jumped in front of Rascal, glaring back equally at Wren. Their muzzles inches apart. "How could you commit suicide when your pup needs you?"

"She's dead!" A heavy blow was brought down across Misty's muzzle. The old wolf's amber eyes glowed with anger and frustration. "You'll never understand because you'll never find a mate and have pups with that attitude of yours!"

With that, she whirled around and, before either Rascal or Misty could do a thing, she jumped over the edge. Falling into the pit of water and sharp rocks. A painful crack echoed up the side.

Misty shakily drew forth and looked below. Wren's body was caught on a jagged rock pointing up from under the water.

She shuddered and drew back, bumping into Rascal. His gentle tongue swept over her ears where she'd been scratched just moments before.

"How'd you know we were out here?" Misty asked and pulled away.

"Jumper told me. I followed your scent from the river and found you here."

"Good thing you did. I would've been dead had it not been for you." She pushed into his fur again, feeling his chin rest on her head. He placed a paw over her back and pulled her closer.

She couldn't stop trembling. The vision of that swirling river, and it's barely visible stones, sent a shiver of fear up her spine. Wren tried to kill me...

Rascal stepped back and stared at her, reading her thoughts. "Wren wasn't in her right mind. We can't blame her."

Fury seeped into Misty's veins that Rascal could forgive so easily. He always tried to present a reasonable case, and explain things fairly. She still couldn't understand his fairness. But she sighed and accepted his ways without a word.

She changed the subject. "Why were you looking for me?"

His eyes lit up with amusement of his own forgetting. "Oh yeah!" He settled beside her and fidgeted with his paws. "I finally came up with a way to defeat the Mortals!"

Misty pricked her ears in interest. "You did? But how? We don't know when or where–"

Rascal held up a paw to silence her. "Don't worry about that. It's been taken care of."

"Does someone know when they'll strike?" Misty felt a sudden urge to stand and defend her Pack, at the cost of anything. Even her own life.

"Yes," His voice lowered to a whisper, and he averted his eyes.

"Well don't keep me hanging! Who knows?" She wagged her tail and scooted closer to him.

He looked at her with upturned eyes. "River."

Misty nearly fell back into the cliff at his word. She swallowed and leaned forward. "What did he say?"

"He told me that at the next full moon, Mortals and dogs, lots of them, will come to try and take over the forest."

"That's in five days!" She gasped and stared at him in worry. "What are we supposed to do?"

"River told me to think big. That was the only clue he gave me. And I finally understand it."

He paused, leaving Misty desperate for his solution.

"We team up."

Misty cocked her head in confusion and it clouded her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"Flame Woods Pack and Stone Hollow Pack should unite. In order to take down the Mortals, we have to–"

"Think big!" Misty gasped and understood. "It's a brilliant idea!"

She noticed him flush in embarrassment.

Misty sat down in dejection. "But, Stone Hollow is the Pack you were forced to leave," Her eyes grew round. "How can we win their trust?"

"Let me worry about it," He assured. "I've talked to Tyrant already. And he was ecstatic to hear my plan."

"That's great!" Her tail thumped over the stone.

"I have to go and try to make peace with Howler first," His green eyes unwavering as he locked eyes with her. "And I want you to come with me."

She wasn't sure about this. "Oh, I d-don't know about that." She glanced away quickly. "I'm a pure-blood Flame Woods wolf! They'd kill me before I'd get a chance to explain."

"You'll be fine," He laid his tail over her back running his tail down to her own. "Just let me do the talking, and we should fine."

A loud voice in the back of Misty's mind was pleading for her not to do it. But an even stronger one told her to gather her courage and help her friend.

Rascal waited patiently, eyes soft with understanding.

Misty nodded. "I'll do it. When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow. It takes almost a full day to reach the heart of Stone Hollow Pack. And we have only five days until moon high," He nudged her gently. "We should get back and rest."

Misty agreed. Then stiffened in realization. "But what about Moondancer? What will we tell her?"

Rascal heaved a deep sigh and pressed his fur to hers. "We'll just have to tell her the truth. And she'll have to accept it."

They set off back to camp. All the way Misty felt a new strength spread through her body. She will help save the forest. She will fight for her home. And when it's all over........

Misty will tell Rascal how she feels.....