Chapter 10: Friends of Phoenix
Midnight didn't really remember much after he was carried off. He had lost so much energy that he had simply collapsed while Terry carried him off. He could still hear the loud cheers of the many wolves around him, all in celebration of their first victory. If the rest of the war was anything like that they would win in no time. But despite all the celebration, he still couldn't get that smile Ricoh had out of his head. It was digging and clawing at his brain, it was not like Ricoh to smile that way.
He almost seemed, happy, was that even possible for him? Even what he said and the way he said it, it was like a friendly gesture more than a threat. Maybe it was just to get inside his mind and psych him out. Midnight thought for hours, still in a loss of energy, but finally he was awaken, by a very familiar smell.
"D-Draco," he strained as he opened his eyes. The tan wolf stood over top of Midnight looking down at him with a smile of delight.
"That's my name, don't wear it out," he joked.
"W-what are you doing here," he asked weakly trying to stand up.
"Kate and Humphrey were hurt yesterday when Ricoh attacked, he wanted Lilly but me Echo, Dimitri, and Lance stopped him, so Winston decided to send some wolves down here to help," At the very thought of Ricoh attacking Lilly while he wasn't there almost cause his fire power to light up right then and there, but he held it back when he heard that they had stopped him.
"H-how did you manage to stop him, you don't even look hurt," Midnight said in surprise.
"Well, I honestly don't know, one second he was pouncing at us when we jumped in front of Lilly, the next he was on the ground in pure agony," Draco said shrugging. Midnights eyes widened.
"But yesterday, he seemed perfectly fine when we fought, help me to my father, we have to talk," he demanded but Draco hesitated.
"Well, don't you want to hear the good news first," he said hoping to calm down Midnight. Midnights ears shot straight up, good news had he said?
"Good news?" he turned his head confused.
"Yea, Lilly's pregnant man, you're going to be a dad," Midnight's heart fell like a rock. He was absolutely overjoyed to be a father, but he now knew exactly what Terry was talking about. He didn't want his children growing up in a time of war. What was even worse, they weren't even married yet. The stakes had just grown ten fold, he wasn't just watching out for his own safety but the safety of Lilly and their pups.
"Something wrong," asked Draco as he watched Midnight's face grow dim.
"I-I need some time alone," he said pushing his way past Draco.
"Well, Lilly's here if you want to see her," Draco offered. Midnight's ears shot up and he was overwhelmed with different emotions, mostly a strong desire to see her, but also fear for her safety. He shot straight out of the den and looked around frantically. There were wolves giving him stares and bowing in respect. But he pushed past them in search of his beloved Lilly. Finally he spotted her and he started to rush to her, but the sight of Kate and Humphrey made him stop dead in his tracks. He was afraid of how they would react when they saw him.
He sat still hoping they would walk off, but as soon as Kate spotted him, she growled at him. His heart started to drop even further, but when Lilly ran over to him and nuzzled him, he felt better.
"You," Kate growled, "you got my sister pregnant and you haven't even married her you little piece of-"
"Kate, it's not his fault, it's mine," Lilly stood next to Midnight looking ashamed of herself. Midnight looked back at her in surprise.
"It was my fault, he didn't want to but I made him," she sniffled, "so if anything be mad at me,"
Midnight looked at Kate who didn't seem to believe it at first but when she remembered how defensive Midnight was of her, she saw a shred of truth in it. Finally Kate regained her posture and sat up straight next to Humphrey. Lilly started to cry into Midnights side disappointed in herself. Midnight sat up and nuzzled her.
"Lilly I promise I will end this war, and then we will be married and everything will be ok," he whispered. She smiled a little at him and wiped her tears away. He smiled back at her and thought back to Ricoh, and fought the urge to growl. Ricoh tried to kill the wolf that he loved more than anything, and hurt his friends. There was no way he would walk away from their next fight. Kate must have finally lightened up because she actually spoke calmly to him.
"I suppose you should now what happened the other night," Kate spoke calmly hoping not to anger him.
"I know, Ricoh attacked you, and he will pay for everything he has done, just as soon as I figure out how to kill him," he looked down remembering how evenly matched the two were. Pykros was right, he could be killed by Ricoh, but he could also kill Ricoh. But it was such an even match it would take possibly days for them to finally kill the other.
"You mean you don't know how," chimed in Humphrey who got a nasty glance from Kate.
"Well, no, he is my exact opposite, he cancels out all of my powers and vice versa, but I will find a way,"
"There is one way," said Winston approaching the group. His surprise appearance caused everyone but Midnight to jump in fright.
"If you all don't mind I would like a word with Midnight," he smiled at the other three and Midnights heart skipped a beat. He hoped and prayed that Winston wasn't aware of the situation with Lilly. The three nodded and reluctantly walked out of earshot.
"Pykros told me about the situation, I must say it's very odd that both a phoenix and a dark phoenix have spawned this close together. Not to mention that they were both born in a wolf form, that is both puzzling and disturbing. As much as I hate to say it, I am almost certain that by the end of the week one of you won't be with us anymore," Winston looked grim but hopeful.
"But unlike Ricoh, you have something to live for," Winston laughed, "which brings me to what I wanted to talk about, how to kill Ricoh. You wont be killing him with brute force, you have to hit him where it really hurts. His heart, and yes surprisingly there is one in there. Physically he is strong, but emotionally, he is a disaster waiting to happen. In other words, whenever you show courage for your friends, he loses power, now if we could figure out a way to use that to our advantage,"
"I think I get it, he is so self centered that when he sees friends sticking up for each other his heart can't bear it and he gets weak," Midnight summarized.
"Precisely, and once he gets weak enough that's when you go in for the kill," Winston nodded.
"But the question is how we're going to manage that, I mean if it's set up then it wouldn't really work would it?" Midnight pondered.
"No, it has to be a genuine act of friendship, which makes things difficult. The most we can do is sit back and hope we can think of something else," Winston sighed.
"I don't care what it takes, as long as he never sees the light of another day I'll do whatever it takes," Midnight growled. Before the two could continue Pykros walked up to them, his expression troubling to them both.
"Val Kyrie didn't leave for long, the scouts have spotted groups of wolves moving into the territory," Pykros cursed.
"Is Ricoh with them," demanded Midnight.
"No, he's probably still recovering, which is what you should still be doing," scolded Pykros.
"I'm fine, but I can't say the same for those intruders," laughed Midnight. But Pykros wasn't amused.
"You're not going out the Midnight, we've already sent the alphas on it," Pykros said bluntly.
"But-"
"No buts, my decision is final," Pykros barked. Midnight frowned and then looked off in anger.
"Fine," he said walking off slowly. He had came all this way to defend his old pack and Pykros wasn't going to let him. Midnight shook his head in frustration. He needed a way to calm down, so he started looking around for Lilly. Thankfully, she hadn't gone too far. He found her along with Humphrey and Kate hiding in the woods just a few feet away from where he, Winston, and Pykros were talking.
"How much did you hear," he asked softly, knowing they could easily hear everything they had said. They all blushed and looked away guiltily.
"All of it," Kate said ashamed of herself. Midnight just nodded.
"I see, well, you were going to find out anyway," he sighed and nuzzled Lilly.
"Do you really think killing Ricoh will end this whole thing," Kate asked.
"No, once Val Kyrie is at war they stay until they can't fight anymore, but after all he has put me through he doesn't deserve to live," Midnight sighed.
*Meanwhile*
"So do you think this new guy is worth the effort," asked Ricoh struggling to walk.
"Easily, his family goes back hundreds of generations, each hunting a different phoenix," replied Biro as the two approached a pure silver wolf who sat at the edge of the den. His fur glistened with a razor sharp glint, like each hair sparkled. His eyes were sharp and red and could give a look strong enough to pierce through a million wolves.
"Ricoh, meet Razor, the phoenix hunter," Biro grinned.
*Meanwhile*
The two couples sat by a creek bed cooling off in water while the sun beamed down at them. Midnight sat directly beside Lilly nuzzling her and occasionally giving her ear a friendly nibble. Humphrey beside Kate doing the same, each just enjoying being together. But their piece would be short lived.
Suddenly four large grey wolves burst through the bushes on all four sides and lunged the them. Midnight leapt forward onto this first one clawing him to shreds instantly. Kate pounced the one on the side and struggled to keep him at bay, while Humphrey and Lilly could only watch on as the other two approached them grinning wildly not even noticing the loss of the other.
"I want the girl," laughed the taller one. She turned to run and he sank his claws into her hind leg, causing her to scream in pain. The last thing he would ever do. Midnight turned and saw the taller sink his claws into Lilly and instantly felt his breath heat up. He pounced at the two faster than he ever thought possible in a white bolt of pure power and punched a hole straight through the one standing over Lilly. He gasped in shock and fell lifeless. Midnight turned to Humphreys attacker who started to run and he laughed. He jumped after him and crashed into the wolves hind legs shattering them both. He yelped in pain and struggled to limp away but Midnight rolled him onto his back and looked straight into his eyes.
"You," he growled and literally exploded with power, leaving the wolf in a pile f ash. Kate managed to bring down the last opponent and they all heard the eerie bloodcurdling howl of Val Kyrie, they brought their whole army, against them.
Hey guys it's the end of chapter 10, and almost 400 hits! But sadly, only nine reviews T-T. Please take some time and review for me, please. Thanks to those who have been keeping up with the story and have reviewed. Got an idea for a character? Send me a message with your idea and he/she may just end up in here. Anyway hope you enjoyed the chapter. Chapter 11 up in a few days. Until next time pd007 out.