Never Giving Up

[Ruedi]

A flash of a dark gray coat stormed through the Shinook pack lands. Ruedi's maw curled up, his fangs were bared and his hackles still risen from the anger that had flew through his veins. His blue eyes scanned for the devil herself. Ebony, you will die! he thought, but his eyes had widened as he had skidded to a stop, and his nose rose to the air. He sniffed, it smelt of fowl, rotting flesh somewhere along the tree line and the bushes. Blood spatter had covered the trees as his blue eyes had gazed around, flabbergasted. Ruedi began to breathe heavily, turning his head to Crag. "Crag...you see this right?" He trotted over to the rotting smell, as he caught a glimpse of a slaughtered coyote..or was it a wolf? Could this be that coywolf that Crag told us about?

[Crag]

"Crag...you see this right?" He looked around dumbstruck at the blood. He walked slowly to Ruedi and followed his eyes to the mangled body on the floor. A strangled sob escaped his lips as his eyes misted over with grief and hate. He cried out at the top of his lungs, "NOOOOOOOO!" He staggered forward and sank to the ground crying. He looked up and called out,
"You will die, Ebony! You will die!" He looked up at Ruedi. "I will avenge him. Ebony will be killed! I hate Ebony!

[Kismet]

"Hahahaha!" came the shadowy laugh. She was not in sight yet, but you could still hear her ghostly laugh as it circled the trees. "You know..." she murmured, her black muzzle sticking out from the shadows as she slowly made her way out into the open. Kaan and Desmin stood at her bloodied sides. "Your little friend, as insane as he was, called to me in almost the exact same way. It seems that all of you pathetic wolves want to end me." she cackled menacingly, her head throwing backwards with her laughter. "He was angry at me for killing one of his silly friends as well." Her dark chops lifted, showing her razor sharp teeth with a smile. "Would you like me to tell you his last words?" she taunted. If you looked closely, you could still see the dark splashed of Lobo's blood in the cracks of her teeth.

Kaan's whole body wiggled in excited as he looekd form one wolf to the other. His tongue lolled out of his mouth as she practically dance din place. Ebony looked down to him and licked him on the head. "Well done, Kaan. I don't think I would have been able to finish of that half-breed as quickly as I did if you hadn't of showed up." she cooed, as if praising a child. Kaan burst with pride, his chest sticking out.

"Kaan obeys Master! He helps and kills!'' as he said the last word he spit at the two other wolves, saliva dripping from his maw. He looked to Ruedi, a familiar face, and barked, his body shaking. "Oh look! Kaan sees the wolf that wanted to join them!" Desmin stood silently, his eyes twitching from Ruedi to Crag. He wouldn't let any of them touch Ebony. He would die before she was harmed again. Ebony's brow lifted as she turned to Ruedi.

"Oh?" she replied.

[Ruedi]

Ruedi looked sadly at his new found friend, Crag, whom seemed to be very upset at the lost of his friend. He frowned deeply, almost feeling his pain, but did not feel as connected to the mangled body as he did. "I am sorry, Crag..." Hahahaha! Ruedi's ear shifted to from left to right as his jaw had slightly dropped. His eyes caught the ghostly shadow of the black femme and three others, one who looked like her, and the familiar ethiopian face whom had just appeared. He turned to her, all four of his legs legs had spread, his tail had risen along with his hackles, canines also bared.

"Your little friend, as insane as he was, called to me in almost the exact same way. It seems that all of you pathetic wolves want to end me."

Vicious growls left Ruedi's throat as he glared at all three of them. Sickening they were, killing everyone who stood in there way. "You should all be disgusted of yourselves" Ruedi snarled menacingly as his claws dug into the ground. He wanted to attack, but for now he was to hold his ground. He had heard Ebony speak of her murderous act upon the coywolf, and watched Crag, hoping he wouldn't attack just yet, and making sure that the Fenris wolves did not attack. "You all disgust me! he spat at their paws, continuously growling, keeping his guard up. His eyes met the little ethiopians, "To think I almost trusted you! You little rat...you only protect Ebony to save your self from her bloodthirsty fangs..."

"Oh look! Kaan sees the wolf that wanted to join them!"

"You can take that offer and shove it up your tail end...I don't want anything to do with you monsters..."

[Crag]

He heard the laugh and leaped up with a ferocious snarl. It was nothing like the one he had thrown at Kurl. This one was filled with all the hatred in his little body. He saw Ebony walk out from the shadows and he snarled once again. He saw Kaan and Desmin with her. He looked as though he were going to attack, but he restrained himself. He knew it wouldn't be a fair fight. He wasn't going to let his anger blind him. "You will die, Ebony. And not like Lobo. Not with the peace of a kind wolf who tried to do good, but with the torment of an evil wolf who killed many. She will die. All wolves do, but she won't be allowed a painless death. he thought. "Your blood shall paint the earth," he growled, "And your bones join it, and your body will feed it." He looked her straight in the eyes. "Your body will fertilize the ground. Plants will grow and thrive on your death spot, from your evil will come life." He growled. "Your confidence will be your downfall."

He began pacing back and forth. "Someday your minions won't be there to protect you. That day I'll be there. I will wait until your hurt and alone to finish you. You're evil. You have no friends. They only stay with you because you're powerful. Well, one day you'll get injured and you'll lose your power. They will abandon you. That day I'll be there." He wasn't sure if this was true, but he said it hoping to unnerve Ebony

[Kismet]

Ebony threw back her head again in another blistering laugh. Her chest heaved with her chuckles, her fur quivering with the excitement that seemed to leek from her very being. She lowered her head once again, her lips twitching with the laughter that wanted to come upon her once again. This little wolf was nothing but a pest. Both of them were. They were nothing compared to her. She was god, she was ruler. They were just bugs on the windshield of her plan.

"You wolves amuse me... don't you think I already know that? Besides Desmin here, the other wolves only join me because of the fear that they hold in their hearts. How do you think Fenris originally became powerful? He used that fear to his advantage. He twisted wills until they were nothing but shells of what they once were." Ebony's eyes zeroed in on the black wolf, her eyes looking like the coldest of ice. "That's what real power is. It is better to be feared than it is to be loved." She stood up straighter now, her chops curved in a satisfied smile, her tail swishing out behind her.

She smirked before she twitched her head forward, motioning for Desmin. He smiled and stepped forward between Ebony and the others. He prepared himself, legs spread apart, ears flattened back on his skull. He was ready.

[Ruedi]

"You wolves amuse me... don't you think I already know that? Besides Desmin here, the other wolves only join me because of the fear that they hold in their hearts. How do you think Fenris originally became powerful? He used that fear to his advantage. He twisted wills until they were nothing but shells of what they once were."

Ruedi's heart began pounding with rage, causing his blood to rush through his veins, his body heat rising with anger."What's pathetic is that you mutts are worshiping some dead wolf! To me it sounds like he had no pride, along with you, Ebony, attempting to rule this entire forest, killing off wolves who do not wish to be apart of this plot! If you ever touch a single hair on my friends, especially Riuk, my fangs will find your throat!" he barked at her his body now shaking with rage, his bared fangs clenched. "Your Fenris was nothing!"

Ruedi saw the black brute prepare himself for attack, and with a smirk, a savage snarl was heard, had Ruedi gave Desmin exactly what he wanted. He jumped, placing his fore-legs on to the side of Desmin's back, his teeh latching onto the back of his neck. He shook his head furiously as Desmin struggled to get him off, pulling flesh and fur. He could taste his warm blood as it slithered down his throat.

[Crag]

It is better to be feared than it is to be loved. he heard Ebony say. "No, because if you're feared others will try to take you down. If you're loved you will be protected." he shook his head. Why am I trying to convince her. I should be fighting... I should be avenging lobo! he thought. He saw desmin step between them and saw ruedi attack him. Crag bounded into the bushes behind him and rolled in the dust to mask his scent. He began to circle behind his enemies using the cover of any available shadows. He continued to slink around hoping he wouldn't be spotted. His mind wandered back to the first day he saw Lobo by that river. He remembered his words, what we should do is help the wolves of these pack lands take down their so called Fenris, even if it kills us! They echoed over and over in his mind. He exploded from the bushes and lunged at Ebony with a snarl that was more roar than growl. I don't care if I die as long as I kill one. the wolf he had chosen was Ebony.

[Kismet]

Ebony smirked, her bleach white fangs being revealed. "You stupid dog.... you never let your enemy know who is precious to you.... Riuk you said? The one that took down my Blunt? Oh yes, I'll make sure to give her special attention after we are finished with you." Ebony cackled menacingly.

Desmin hadn't been expecting one of the wolves to attack so abruptly. He yelped slightly as Ruedi attacked, sinking his fangs into his tender neck. He growled loudly, the sound vibrating through his chest, the chest was was quickly being painted with his blood. He grasped his own fangs into the wolf, somehow managing to pry him from his flesh. He bled heavily as he turned around. But he didn't attack. No.. not yet.

"I don't want to have to kill you." he said between pants. "If you leave then I will spare your life." Ebony growled behind him and he flinched.

"Mercy is for the weak, Desmin." she snarled. His ears fell down slightly, but he remained at attention.

Just then the black Crag jumped from the bushes, his fangs bared. Desmin jumped quickly to the side as he attempted to stop him from attacking Ebony, but he was too late. Tooth and claw clashed together as the two black wolves crashed into each other's bodies. Ebony let forth a terrifying growl as she latched her teeth into the neck of Crag, throwing him a few feet away.

"You are going to have to do better than that!" she snarled. Desmin returned to his spot between Ruedi and Ebony.

[Ruedi]

Ruedi yelped as Desmin through him off of him, seeming not wanting to fight, not yet at least. Ruedi, winced at the new pain that joined his other wounds from earlier that day. All this fighting in one day could kill a wolf, but these wolves had to be stopped. He was surprised to see Crag attack Ebony. He has to be crazy...i'm surprised he isn't dead after that bold attack, he thought as he glared back at Ebony and the wolf who he had just attacked, she MUST have a weak spot somewhere.

Oh yes, I'll make sure to give her special attention after we are finished with you.

Ruedi's eyes widened with anger and frustration, tears almost building up in his eyes. "You bitch..." the blood thirsty male muttered, his cold eyes glaring at her, "I will kill you before you lay a fang on her!" Ruedi had strong feelings for Ruik, very strong. Strong enough to the point where he would die for her. He sat and thought for a moment, looking at all three of them, including Ebony. They all must've had at least ONE weak spot somewhere. He gave a brief growl that quickly turned into a snarl, running at Ebony's side avoiding Desmin, he began sinking his fangs into her side near her belly. As he bit down, he shifted his weight, using it to knock her over. Being a large male, he used it as an advantage, pinning her down and their jaws locked. With lips curled, he snapped at her neck, her chest, anywhere to cause damage and tear flesh.

[Crag]

Crag staggered to his feet. He had hit his head on a rock and was quiet dazed. He watched as Reudi pinned Ebony to the floor. He snarled again and charged at Desmin. He ducked between Desmin's legs and ran towards Ebony. "You will die! I will avenge Lobo!" he yelled before biting everything he could reach. He was blinded by his hate for her and had no idea of how much damage he was doing to her, but he guessed it wasn't much. "I hate you!" he nearly screamed and went back to his viscous attack. He hated Ebony with everything in him. She had killed Lobo, his only friend. He began to tire, but was revived when the thought of Lobo's body flashed through his mind. He quickened his pace and began slashing even faster. They'll have to rip out my spine to get me off her. he thinks. He continues slashing at her neck, chest and face.

[Kismet]

Desmin was shocked. The wolf had gotten past him. In his haste to protect Ebony he turned around, his feet twisting in the mud beneath him. He tripped to the ground before quickly getting back to his feet. Ebony thrashed underneath Ruedi, both of them biting and clawing at each other. All she could think of was killing all of them. Kaan darted out from his hiding spot, a silly smile on his face as he bit into the neck of Ruedi. His jaw latched on tightly and he clawed with his hind legs as he dangled from his teeth. It would be fairly difficult to get the small creature off with his jaws latched so strongly in Ruedi's flesh.

Desmin charged forward in a desperate attempt to help Ebony, but then the other wolf bolted into the fight as well. He saw red as she sped up, a loud snarl escaping his maw. He could no longer see his love, but only the blur of fur and teeth. He bit down on anything he could and tasted the salty sweetness of blood. He pulled, not knowing who exactly he had managed to grab. With a twist of his neck he tossed the wolf to the side; only then did he see that it was Crag. Desmin jumped upon the black wolf, his ice-blue eyes widened in fury. He clamped down hard on Crag's neck and he slowly inched further toward his jugular as he did so.

Ebony locked her teeth onto one of Ruedi's legs, though this bone was not as feeble and small as Lobo's so she was not able to break it. Her sharp teeth however slid down the flesh and warm blood rushed over her muzzle. Kaan continued to slash at his back while Ebony somehow made her way to the side, pulling Ruedi down with her.

[Ruedi]

Fur flew, blood spattered and a cloud of snarls and yelps were heard in the big quarrel between the wolves. Ruedi bit at Ebony's muzzle and continuously pulled at her flesh and blood on her chest. He was not going to let her live. Suddenly a small mass and sharp pair of fangs had come out of no where and attacked him from behind, placing his dagger like fangs into the back of his neck, holding on to protect his master. He was in great pain from all the bite marks and scratches, and now this small wolf added more stress and frustration to him, but he was not going to stop at his attempt to take Ebony's life.

Then another sharp pain had pierced his hid leg, tearing his flesh his her fangs had slid down. He was bleeding immensely and growing weak, but he managed to keep himself going. Now they were both on there sides, Ebony still biting at every piece of him, blood painting the ground and his gray fur in a crimson coat. Ruedi somehow manged to reach his fangs to the edge of Ebony's ear, practically tearing it off as he quickly pulled his head back. Nothing was going to stop him from protecting the ones he had loved so dearly. He hadn't forgotten about the Ethiopian on his back, so he also grabbed his should, trying desperately to pry him off, bringing even more pain to his body.

[Crag]

He tore at Ebony and heard a satisfying rip. He though everything was going well until he suddenly felt a body slam into him. He saw Desmin's blue eyes as he hit the ground. His eyes widened in terror as he felt his jaws grab his throat. He thought desperately for a way to escape, his green eyes looking desperately around. He didn't tear his throat away because that would probably kill him anyway. He threw his paws onto Desmin's shoulders and pulled him close. He howled in his ear just like he did to Kurl. He scratched Desmin's stomach with his hind legs and then pushed upwards never letting go of Desmin's shoulders.

[Kismet]

Desmin's eyes widened as Crag pulled him closer, however, even though he was taking on quite a bit of damage being pulled closer was put to his advantage. He pushed as Crag pulled, and Desmin bit down hard. He felt the flesh of Crag's neck tear away as his fangs sank deeper into his fur. He however refrained from biting the jugular and killing the wolf instantly.

Ebony fell over onto her side with Ruedi still entangled with her. She could see her little minion attacking the unprotected back of her foe. She smiled against the chunk of flesh that she had between her teeth, her fangs sinking into the chest of Ruedi. This was her chance. It made it even better when Ruedi turned to tend to Kaan. He made it easier for her.

"Desmin!" she cried out, and immediately the wolf stiffened in top of Crag. He pulled away, throwing down a paw on Crags face to keep his fangs away from his body. He turned slightly to see Ebony in a clash with the other two, her blood beginning to paint the ground around them. He snarled, his fur bristling. With one quick move he bit down on Crags feet, removing them from his shoulders. He then dashed forward, kicking against Crag's head as he did so.

Ebony slipped out from Ruedi's deathly embrace, her ice-blue eyes wide with laughter as she slunk into the shadows. At the same exact moment Desmin fell upon Ruedi, his fangs sinking into his hind leg. Kaan was being pulled by his small body, but he didn't give into the pain. He merely scrambled against the pull, using his teeth to inch himself farther away from Ruedi's fangs, the fangs that slowly ripped through his skin until they tore completely through and he was free. The small thing leaped from the fight, his blood splattering against the ground as it made contact with his small pads. He turned, his black eyes wide, and then dashed off after his master.

The last thing either of the wolves saw was her smiling face disappearing into the trees. "This is not the last that you have seen of me."