Hello once again, my fellow readers! I'm happy to say that this is another chapter put up to continue Phelan's ongoing struggles. Looks like my one-week break is truly paying off. Before we get to the main event, I want to say a big THANK YOU to Periosha for allowing me to put in one of his characters from The Final Stand. You're a live saver by giving me more troubles to keep the story going! Thank you very much, Perry! :)

Chapter 9: A Chipmunk's Guiding Light

It's been almost a week since I found myself a new family. But, can I truly call this place home?

I get the feeling that I am not welcome here anymore, and it's my own fault. Maybe I shouldn't have told my friends the truth about me, but I feel as though a great stone has been lifted off my chest.

Darkness, don't catch me here.

While everyone has still been kind to me, I can't help but wonder; maybe this is all just a masquerade. I know Alvin is not lying; I can see it in his eyes – he wants me out of his life first chance he gets.

It's been two days, and yet I still haven't told Dave about my secrets. If Alvin makes the first move and tells on me, I'm scared for the fact that I may end up like another stray dog in the cold, dark world.

I need someone to talk to, but Simon, Theo and the girls are still as silent as the stars that watch over me. Have I really changed so much in less than a day?

But the clouds are changing. Something will happen tonight. And whatever it is, I will face it myself.

Darkness, don't catch me here.

Phelan.


Alvin was seated in the living room, flicking aimlessly through channel after boring channel. He figured that he might have to settle for another re-run when a knock came at the door.

"Theo, go get it, will you?" he called to the kitchen, not budging an inch.

The pans and the stove rattled in answer. "Sorry Alvin, but since Dave's away at his meeting, I have to cook dinner for three!" came Theodore's voice.

Alvin groaned as he got up, mumbling to himself. "It's probably Simon. What's he playing at, coming home so late from the library?"

The red-clad chipmunk opened the door, and his eyes went wide at the first thing he saw.

Simon was there on the porch alright, but both brothers cast their gaze on the strange guest standing next to him.

It was another chipmunk, but like the others, he was dressed in a silver hoodie that dragged down to his toes. While Phelan's brown fur showed the lushness of the mahogany trees that grew tall and strong in the forest, this chipmunk's fur had a tinge of crispy brown; like the crunchy ends on breakfast toast. And he certainly showed a sense of authority, since he appeared to be a few inches taller than Simon.

Alvin was the first to break the silence. "Uh, Simon, who is this? You didn't say we were going to have a guest!"

The silver-clad chipmunk didn't say anything at first, but merely extended his hand, which Alvin took it in a rather unsteady handshake.

"Name's Andrews, Soron Andrews. I understand that you have some problems, so I came here to sort things out." He spoke with a formal tone, but they could detect a sense of glacial courtesy emitting from this silver-clad chipmunk.

Simon nervously adjusted his glasses. "I found him in the library. Well, actually, he came up to me. Said there was something urgent that he needed to talk to us."

"What about?" asked Alvin.

Soron's hazel-brown eyes were fixed with a serious glare. "It's about your brother, Phelan. I know who he is."

"Of course you should know! Haven't you read the papers; he's our-"

"I know that he's a traitor, a murderer, and the vessel of the being we call the Darkness." There was hatred dripping in every syllable of Soron's voice.

Alvin looked surprised. "How did you – Simon, you didn't tell, did you?"

Before Simon could shake his head, Soron had already folded his arms. "I have my own sources."

Both brothers were speechless.

Soron raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to let me in? Or we can talk it out in the dark and expect to be attacked by some creature of the night."


Theodore came out of the kitchen, looking just as surprised as his brothers. "Who's that?"

As always, Simon was the first to do introductions. "This is Soron, and he's come to talk to us about Phelan."

"Speaking of which, where is your traitorous brother?" growled Soron.

"Upstairs. He hasn't talked to us all day, but I guess it's because we've been avoiding him." Theodore sounded guilty.

Soron waved him off. "Don't bother. Your 'brother' may have charmed you and your friends with the tales he's weaved and the story of the life he has spun, but you need to hear my part of the story. Then perhaps, you can judge him a lot better."

"Now wait just a minute! Who do you think you are to say what's right for Phelan?" Simon was starting to get a little irked.

"One who sides with the forces of the Light."

Without waiting for the chipmunks to say anything, Soron seated himself down and began to speak.

"I am not a pure vessel like Phelan is; but still, I have been blessed with the ability to wield the power of light in my darkest hours. And there is a reason why I have been chosen to do so.

"Years ago, I was a wild chipmunk, just as you three were; living off the sources of nature and struggling to survive the food chain. If the forest has taught me anything, it's this – if you're strong, you live, if you're weak, you die. And I was the strongest of prey.

"But there was something evil lurking in the woods. Nobody had the courage to fight against it, because those who did ended up dead. It didn't take me long to discover that the one who started all those massacres is the one who's living under the same roof as you!

"He found out, and before I could get away, he turned on me. Wiped out my home, my family, everything that I cared for!" Soron was spitting pure venom as he dwelled on the past.

"Then, the Light came to me, when I was huddled up on the forest floor, slowly dying of my wounds. I don't remember much after that incident, but I realized that I had these powers, and I could use them for good."

Alvin cut in. "By good, you mean, you went after Phelan?"

Soron nodded. "He put up a good fight with me. But in the end, I bested him. And we haven't seen each other ever since."

"How long ago was that?" asked Theodore.

For once, Soron's answer didn't contain his hostile tone. "I don't know, I guess it must've been, what, a few years?"

But the silver-clad chipmunk still looked the three brothers directly in the eyes.

"So I want you to heed my advice. Get an exterminator, pest control, anything! Just make sure you don't see one inch of fur from that mongrel who calls himself a chipmunk in your sight. Because he's plotting something, and when it's too late, he'll have your furs on a plate and your heads hanging on the walls of your living room!"

Theodore whimpered slightly as he heard that, and Simon had to pat his shoulder to calm him down.

"Of course, you don't have to worry about him while I'm around," Soron went on. "He's tricky, I'll give you that, but I know his character well, and WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE?"


Phelan had come down the stairs to see what the fuss was all about. The moment his eyes caught sight of Soron, his fur raised in sharp hackles and he was growling and snarling like an enraged wolf.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing," drawled Soron.

Phelan leapt from the staircase and pounced on Soron, but the silver-clad chipmunk was quicker. He caught Phelan's grasp as they rolled out of the armchair and onto the floor; Soron's arms clutched around Phelan's neck as he pinned the wolf-like chipmunk onto the ground.

Lifting one paw, Soron raised it into the air. Like Phelan, he was able to summon the essence of the orbs from his will, but while Phelan's was as dark as the night, Soron's was far brighter than the ceiling light.

The silver-clad chipmunk growled, baring his perfect buck-teeth.

"You traitorous rat! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"

"Not if you DROP DEAD FIRST!"

Phelan's legs jerked free and he kicked Soron in the chest. Soron staggered; a little dazed. That gave Phelan all the time he needed to call an orb of darkness into his paw.

Now the two chipmunks stood facing each other, like gunslingers awaiting the moment of the duel. When they hurled their ammo at each other, the effect was like fireworks. Both light and dark collided, creating a blinding flash that was quickly engulfed by the dark, evaporating into nothingness.

Then both chipmunks had blades of their respective elements manifesting from their arms, and they were at each other, slashing and blocking; both equal swordsmen as they were with their powers. Soron jabbed at Phelan to the right, but the wolf-like chipmunk parried with a swipe and aimed for Soron's head. Fortunately, Soron created another flash that blinded Phelan for a moment.

He was about to go for the next blow when Alvin's voice rang out loud and clear.

"ENOUGH! STOP THIS RACKET! You're both going to shatter the furniture and put me in trouble!"

The two duelling chipmunks paused to consider, then they called off their blades and sat down as far from each other as possible. Simon and Theodore sat next to Phelan, while Alvin took Soron's side.

"Look, why don't the two of you just sort it out like proper chipmunks and settle your disputes in a non-bloody manner?" reasoned Simon.

"And how are we supposed to that?" asked Soron.

Theodore had an idea. "Well, you could do what Alvin and Brittany do when they're always fighting – have a sing-off!"

Phelan rolled his eyes. "Oh please, what does that goody-good chipmunk know about sing-offs? He was always the attention grabber back in the forest, and he's just like Alvin! Never knows when to shut up!"

Alvin shot daggers at Phelan briefly while Soron pointed a finger at the wolf-like chipmunk.

"At least I was better at grabbing opportunities than you! You didn't have the guts to stand up for what you thought was right because I'm obviously the best!"

"Then perhaps you should stop hogging the spotlight!"

"I'm not hogging anything! You are!"

"You might as well serve yourself on a dish with garnish in your mouth, because you are in fact – A HOG!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Are too!"

"Traitor!"

"Goody two-shoes!"

"Mongrel!"

"Rat-face!"

"I can't believe I'm saying this, but they're much worse than Alvin and Brittany put together," Simon whispered to Theodore, who nodded in silent agreement.

"Fine, why don't you both sing to the same song, and then we'll decide on who's the better singer!" Alvin looked as though he was about to pull his own fur off.

Phelan was still glaring at Soron, but both nodded as Alvin set up the surround system. As the music blared on, they jammed with the beat, even performing air guitars as they sang:

Well, the night's begun and you want some fun
Do you think you're gonna find it
(think you're gonna find it)
You got to treat yourself like number one
Do you need to be reminded
(need to be reminded)

It doesn't matter what you do or say
Just forget the things that you've been told

We can't do it any other way
Everybody's got to rock and roll, whoo, oh, oh

Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud!
Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud!

If you don't feel good, there's a way you could
Don't sit there broken hearted
(sit there broken hearted)
Call all your friends in the neighborhood
And get the party started
(get the party started)

Don't let them tell you that there's too much noise
They're too old to really understand

You'll still get rowdy with the girls and boys
'Cause it's time for you to take a stand, yeah, yeah

Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud!
Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud!

Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud!
You've got to have a party
Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud!
Turn it up louder
Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud!
Everybody shout it now
Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud!
Oh yeah
Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud!
Hear it gettin' louder
Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud!
And everybody shout it now
Shout it, shout it, shout it out loud!

Both chipmunks collapsed onto the floor, panting and wiping their sweaty brows.

"So, who's the better singer?" asked Soron.

Theodore nervously pointed out. "Well, we could've figured it out from your performances, but-"

"You just blew up our surround system," Alvin put it matter-of-factly.

"And this isn't American Idol. We're no judges," Simon's dry wits came through.

Soron sighed. "Well, this was pointless, even though we all know I'm best at what I do." He got up and headed for the exit, but turned to glare at Phelan.

"Just know, out of respect for your family, I'm putting our differences aside for now. But if I ever hear so much as one paw being put out of place, I'm coming for you. And then you're a dead mouse."

He slammed the door.

Alvin heaved a breath of relief. "Well, that went well. I suppose the mutt wants his dinner now," he added mockingly to Phelan.

While Simon and Theodore went into the kitchen, out of listening range, Alvin was about to join them when Phelan pulled him aside.

"Don't talk to me," said Alvin. "You still haven't told Dave about your secrets. And your two days are finally up. I'd say you have less than a day before he sends you packing for the pound."

Phelan sighed. "Look, I'm sorry for what I said about you in front of Soron. Can I please make it up to you in some way? Maybe you won't have to tell on Dave."

"And what would that be?"

Another sigh. "I'll teach you in the ways of the darkness, and how to control it."

This certainly caught Alvin's attention, but he was determined not to show it. "Why should I care? I don't want to end up being a monster like you."

"I want you to understand what I've been going through, and hopefully, you won't have to make the same mistakes as I did."

Alvin folded his arms. "Okay, suppose I accept your offer. When do we do this?"

"Tonight, during bedtime. You guys have an attic, right?"

"It's the biggest room we have, but why?"

"Perfect. We'll meet there, just you and me."

"And what about Simon and Theodore?"

Phelan shushed Alvin. "They mustn't know about this – it's our little secret."

The red-clad chipmunk pondered on that. "What's in it for me?"

"You're the one I need to put my trust in, isn't that right?"


Five hours later, Alvin and Phelan were standing in the attic, facing each other, ready to begin their first lesson.

"The first thing I want you to do," said Phelan as he unhooked his necklace, "is to wear this. It'll help you to stay focused as you train."

"But I can't wear that. That's a keepsake from your mum!" denied Alvin.

"True, but as Simon pointed out, this gem is a moonstone. And it has special properties as an extra reserve from which I draw my powers on," explained Phelan. "Over the years, it has helped me to remain in control of my powers of darkness, but I have learned to discipline myself with or without my mother's necklace."

Alvin seemed convinced, so he wore the gleaming moonstone without any hesitation.

"Now stand away from the light and into the shadows," Phelan ordered his student.

Alvin looked down at his feet. The light shining through the attic's only window was the only source of light available, and Alvin was standing right in that patch of moonshine.

"A shadow isn't just an external part of your body; it must become one with the inner self and your being. Only then can you truly become as invisible as the absence of light."

With that said, Phelan demonstrated by walking backwards into the darkness of the room. Alvin could make out the brief silhouette of the wolf-like chipmunk's body before it completely blended into its surroundings. He felt a light tap behind his shoulder and he jumped.

"Geez, Phelan, you scared me!"

Phelan did look a little guilty. "Sorry. But that's the main point of the exercise. The Darkness insisted that I master this technique first of all so that I could... I could..." He couldn't bring himself to use that k-word again, so he drew a finger across his throat instead.

Alvin grinned. "So you can get the job well done. Yeah, I get it."

"Good. Now get on with practicing."

Phelan watched as Alvin moved out of the light's direction and into the pitch-black space of the room. He could still see a little bit of red blaring from the chipmunk's cap and shirt.

"Ok, so am I supposed to just disappear right now, or what?"

"You've got to feel it in yourself. Believe that you have become one with the darkness," Phelan called out.

Alvin shut his eyes tight and repeated the same thing over and over in his head.

I am one with the dark. I am one with the dark. I'm a shadow!

He opened his eyes and looked down once more. Though he couldn't see well in the absence of the light, he definitely couldn't see himself as well. Alvin was about to call out to Phelan when he remembered that he was supposed to be silent. Just like a ninja, thought the red-clad chipmunk as he slowly crept behind Phelan. Oho, I'm going to get you good this time!

Alvin lunged out and grabbed Phelan's shoulder, but there was a quick twist and Alvin ended up flying through the air as Phelan flipped him over with a perfectly executed judo toss.

"Ow, you jerk! Did you have really have to flip me over?" groaned a sprawled out Alvin.

"It's your footsteps, Alvin. I could hear them like the rock star you are – loud and blaring." He helped Alvin up as he went on. "You still need to learn to be silent if you're ever going to be a ninja."

"What the – But how did you know what I was thinking?"

"Someone's been watching too many movies," the wolf-like chipmunk winked. "I don't have to be a mind-reader to predict certain things, you know."

Alvin may have looked beaten-up, but it only got him more excited. "That was so cool! Can we do it again, Phelan. Please, please, please?"

The mere thought brought weariness to Phelan's muscles. "I think we've done enough for one night," he said, lifting his necklace off Alvin. "I'm tired, and we've got school in the morning. Tomorrow night, okay?"

"Sure thing! But when do I get to shoot fire and control orbs and things like that?"

Phelan grinned. Even as a student, he had never had this much enthusiasm before.

"Let's just master the basics, shall we? Remember this – you are my first and only student."

Jokingly, Alvin put his hands together and bowed. "Yes, Master!"

Once Alvin had left the attic and his footsteps had faded away into silence, Phelan allowed his sides to be split as he chuckled to himself for the first time in years.

But it wasn't a malicious laugh; rather, it came from a sense of good-hearted humour.


To Be Continued...

Whew, that was one heck of a chapter, especially with Soron's last-minute add in! Will Phelan continue to train Alvin in the ways of the dark? And how long will it take before Soron and Phelan go head-to-head again?

I don't own any of AatC; only Phelan, and Soron is rightfully Periosha's. The song they rock out to is Shout It Out Loud by KISS, and just for a refresher, Phelan sings in bold, Soron sings in italics, and this is when they're both singing.

Next chapter: It's two guys, a girl, and tempers are coming to a boiling point. What happens next? Keep reading on and please review! Thanks! :D