Fang: This chapter was ridiculously difficult to write. I'm really not even sure I should put it in at this point in time. But, everything else from here on out hinges from this. So, my dear readers, here it is. No blood this time though.
Velya: Don't worry. *fanged grin* I shall make sure she gets on with the slaughter. Otherwise... well, she won't like the conseqences.
Fang: *starts backing up* Now Velya, if you kill me there won't be anyone to write you into any story. Don't look at me that way! Help! *flees*
Danny
The streets are silent tonight. I marvel at that small fact. Before this past month I could count on one hand the number of quiet nights that I've had in the last year. Usually there would be two ghosts between ten o'clock and three, with at least one more before sunrise. I bare my teeth in a feral smile and run my tongue over the tips of my new fangs. Things have changed. I've changed.
I wonder for a moment whether or not that's a bad thing, and then I decide I don't care. I rise from my crouched position on the school roof and launch myself into the air. The cold wind rushes over me and howls in my ears. I delight in the sensation and turn over in mid-air to admire the moon. It seems especially luminous tonight, the liquid silver light illuminating everything to my hybrid eyes.
An unearthly howl builds in my chest before I release it. It spirals up into the frigid night air, reaching glassy heights no human could possibly hope for before trailing back down again. Impossibly, an answering howl comes from the forest, beyond the borders of the town. Once again I howl, and this time the entire pack answers. The melodious haunting harmony of their voices reaches out across the distance to mingle with my own. Ancient, untamed, wild, a shiver builds in my core and spreads over me.
The wild music touches something primal, something unknown by humans for millennia. Brought to my knowledge by death and the hunt, I understand what they say now. Brother, they call. It isn't words or language in their music, but a deeper knowing and intent. Brother? They ask. A plead, an acknowledgment of kindred spirit. Brother! They cry. Exultation, an acceptance as I howl once more, shattering the silence in the night.
It's irresistible, this draw, this knowing. My pack has come for me. They call for me to run with them, to cast aside my bonds and fly free. Everything recedes from my mind. All of my promises lay forgotten; all of my responsibilities are cast aside. Nothing matters except reaching that fey promise of freedom, understanding, and family.
I turn back over in the air and shoot off for the tree line. Just as I reach it the fabric of the world ripples, and time bends, breaks, shatters, then falls still. The fey call falls silent in the sudden stillness of the world. As my mind begins to clear and the irresistible pull fades I realize that someone is blocking my path. I bare my teeth and snarl uncertainly at the one who dared to stop me. Elder, powerful, don't fight, my instincts whisper. Reach them, your pack waits, the fading remnants of the call insist. The conflicting instincts fight each other, allowing my conscious mind to reach the surface again.
I clutch my head as the world spins on it's axis, the sudden vertigo makes it difficult to stay in the air. A strong hand grips my arm, holding me aloft until I manage to fight off the dizziness and stabilize myself. The spirit lets go of me and floats back a few feet. Solemn red eyes in a scarred face watch me from beneath a violet cloak.
"Clockwork? What… what happened? Why are you here?"
He pauses for a moment, if such a thing can exist when time stands still, looking at me and observing before replying. "In order… you were summoned. I came here to prevent you from making a decision without knowing the consequences."
I interrupt. "Summoned? What do you mean summoned, and what consequences are you talking about?"
He ignores me and continues on a completely different topic. "The Observants have become alarmed at your recent activities; they have come to believe that you shall follow the same path as you did in the future that was." He levels a glare at me that silences the growl rumbling in my chest. "You haven't precisely given them reason to think otherwise. Though I know your motivations and intent, they do not. The role you have taken upon yourself in the past was that of a guardian, now, you have chosen to hunt and avenge. Following this path will require you to leave behind everything that you now know and hold dear, and in time, only hold company with those of a similar calling."
I stare at him, not knowing what to say. I've been drifting further from my family and friends… but abandoning them? I realize suddenly that is what answering that call would have meant, it asked that I turn my back on everything. Not only was it freedom… it meant abandoning everything that I had worked so hard for. But do I want to be bound to this place for the rest of my existence? One that I knew could very well last hundreds if not thousands of years?
Shadowed crimson eyes watched the play of emotion on my face, the shifting of my stance in the air, the distress that hummed in my aura. The barest hint of a smile crossed his face, so quickly that it may not have been there at all. "I will not think any less of you whatever your decision may be." He disappeared then, in a flash of power. Time and space rippled and bent, the shattered shards fitting back into place seamlessly. It is only now that I miss the heavy weight of the time medallion against my chest.
The call of the pack resumes it's chaotic dance through the night. My heart and core cry out, one against the other, both torn. To stay or go? My heart insists that I stay, reminding me of my loyalties to family and friends, yet I cannot help but remember the hatred that people have turned against me, the cruel taunts and sneers and the contempt, even before I became something both more and less than human. My core insists that I answer the call and acknowledge my nature, but at the same time I am drawn back to this place that I have selflessly protected for so long.
Pain tears through me and I call out my indecision and despair to the waiting pack and the cold uncaring moon far above. I sink to the ground as tears run down my face. This one thing I want; and I cannot even grasp it because of my responsibility. Then, they are there, sliding out from shadows between the trees. There were three voices in harmony that had promised the ultimate freedom. One with fur black as the abyss and eyes deep as blood, one of shimmering moonlight with the promise of peace in her gaze, one in-between the two with a silver coat and forest green eyes.
Ice blue eyes stared into mine. The comforting touch of warm fur slid around my form as the silver furred one curled around me and laid his head in my lap, offering silent comfort.
What troubles you so dear Brother? The soft mental voice echoed soothingly in my mind.
I cannot go with you.
Why? This time there was a trace of hurt in the thought.
I can't yet leave them. My family will be in danger if I go.
Those icy yet warm eyes turned contemplating for a moment before she responded, amusement coloring her voice. You think we would abandon you Brother. It was your call that awakened us. Your purpose sings to ours. We shall remain if you do, and we shall follow when you leave. We shall be your pack should you accept us, and be your family when yours is no more.
Her head lifted and she called to the bright moon above in song. After a moment of hesitation Phantom, the Hunter joined her. The haunting melody the pack and their Hunter wove spun through the abyss of the night. Those that held darkness in their hearts felt the cold brush of death and shuddered. None save the innocent are safe.
Velya: ShadowedFang and her splinter personalities do not own Danny Phantom or affiliated characters. Luckily for them...
