Author's Notes: Oh boy. I absolutely hate this. This idea came rather randomly while I was watching "The Brave Little Toaster," but I'll have you know that it is very important. Please pick up the message here, and I'll get to the next chapter later.

Warnings: Mild angst, that's all.

The Burning Puzzle
"Of Forest Flames"
By: Locked

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"There is no greater sorrow than to recall in misery the time when we were happy."
Author - Dante

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A long, gentle howl spun through the air. It danced in the wind, lifting high above the treetops to call to others. Trees creaked along the the haunting music, swaying from side to side with the beat. Other noises answered the call; the chirping of birds in the leaves, a rustling forest floor, but even more importantly, a loud roar that hung through the air.

The wolf retreated at first from the roar, sniffing the air curiously. It then began to pad over to where it heard the sound, its paws snapping the underbrush on the forest floor. Its eyes scanned the area wildly, looking for the creature that had answered the lonely call. The padding halted when its colorblind eyes landed on a majestic figure lying beside a decaying log. The mane around the massive head blew in the wind as the creature's sleek tail flicked passive aggressively. The wolf was staring into the sharp eyes of a lion.

Taking a few steps back nervously, the wolf let its tail hide as it once again sniffed the air, ears pressed flat against its head. It then circled the feline who watched with a rather bored expression, as the wolf tried to see it from all angles. It found nothing of interest, so the wolf decided to deem the lion safe enough to be near. It sat down about ten feet from the male, back slightly arched and head lowered as it showed some respect.

The lion sat up, staring at the wolf long and hard. He seemed to not know what to make of this other, his eyes narrowed wearily. A low growl began to emit from his chest as he stood up to full height, trying to scare the canine away. The wolf just backed up a bit and sat down again, still peering curiously at the lion. It did not seem as though the other would be easily persuaded by the icy stares and threatening growls, the lion noted.

The lion tried a different tactic, striding right up to where the wolf sat. He bared his teeth and unsheathed his claws, then he began to circle around the wolf like it had done to him. He was not checking the wolf out however, this method was used to kill.

Frightened, the wolf stood up and watched the lion as it stopped its proud roam, pressing its ears flat against its skull as it gave him an innocent stare. It also began to walk in a circle, trying to get the upper hand. However, the lion would not let this happen. He circled as well, and the two began their dance together.

The first to strike was the wolf, coming from a crouching position to run through the circle. It snapped at the lion's foot, rushing by to be behind him for advantage purposes. The lion would not allow it, turning around to keep the icy stare locked on the wolf. Both growled, threatening the other and daring them to move.

The danger increased as the lion stepped forward, letting out a long, low roar. He then lashed out, rushing forward before taking a leap. His arms extended out, claws were visible, and mouth opened to show the dagger-like fangs. The wolf could not react fast enough and was pushed down, back pressed against the ground as the lion hovered above. A yip of pain had passed through the defenseless creature, the lion's face inching closer to its own. The wolf tried to kick at the larger creature to get him off, but the lion did not seem to care. His face reflected one that radiated indifference, his cold eyes flickering with an unrecognizable emotion.

Squirming, the wolf attempted to free itself again. A fruitless attempt it was, though it continued with determination. It turned its head to face a tree they had fallen beside, trying to avoid eye contact with the lion above him. As though the lion noticed, it swung its massive paw to hit the side of the wolf's face, a small trickle of blood running right beneath its eye.

Once more, the wolf yipped in pain. The lion seemed to take pity this time, because the elegant creature withdrew from the position he was in, and instead sat in front of the wolf. Though he still looked as though he did not trust the smaller creatures motives, he doubted the threat that it posed. But still the unblinking eyes of the lion did not leave the canine, just waiting for it to make the wrong move.

The wolf got off of the ground, bleeding and in pain, but not damaged more than the scratch under its eye. It gave a terrified look to the lion and sat down a good distance in front of him, bowing its head slowly in shame. At this action, the lion seemed to laugh, its eyes dancing with a mild amusement. It was gone the moment the wolf noticed it, the friendliness slipping away once more into hiding.

There was a beat, and the wolf stood up to try and approach the lion again. It seemed determined to either aggravate the lion or just prove that it was trustworthy. Whatever the reason was, the wolf was now in front of the lion with a distance of a few feet. Surprisingly, the lion did not mind the relative closeness, though he continued to scrutinize the other.

There was a tranquil silence between the two. The wind had stopped, the tension died, and everything seemed to be at a calm. The lion then relaxed enough to lay down without fearing the actions of the other. The wolf followed suit, though hesitantly, making sure that the location was close and beside him. When no growl of protest came, the wolf relaxed entirely and hid its face in its paws.

The tranquility died, the air thickened, and the temperature increased. Both animals awoke in alarm, their eyes both focusing on blue fire towering in front of them. Flames licked up and down the trees easily, taking them down to leave nothing but the skeletons behind.

"Run," hissed a voice calmly, amusement hidden in the undertones. The two animals took the advice and turned to run.

The heat followed after them with demonic speed. Eventually, it reached them. Their path had not been clear enough, which had slowed down their escape immensely.

The fire passed them, trapping them in a triangle shape. As if by magic, the flames shot through the middle of the triangle and separated the lion and wolf. The wolf then panicked, backing away from the icy blue flames that gleamed triumphantly at him. It was oddly familiar, and it struck fear and pain into its heart.

Suddenly, the flames disappeared, leaving a pathway to the lion who had been trapped on the other side of the wall of fire. The debris had fallen all around the lion, making it harder to get to him, and when the wolf finally did make it, he noticed the massive creature on his side. His eyes were closed forcefully in his awkward position, mane burnt and dirty.

Hopefully, the wolf nudged the lion with its muzzle, succeeding in moving a hefty paw. The lion's icy eyes did not open, his chest failed to fall and rise with his lungs, and the wolf could not hear a faint beating of the heart.

It was over; the wolf knew it. It had even sat beside him, staring longingly at the lion in hopes of seeing him move. Nothing came, and no fairy tale ending of happily ever after incorporated itself in the story. All hope was finally meaningless, the optimism dead along with it.

The wolf let out one last agonizing howl, letting all know the misery and loss that had taken place that day. The final song hung heavily in the air, spicing the wind with grey and gloom. Nothing was left but the wolf in despair, and it was the miserable fate that the wolf had begun with; loneliness.

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Author's Notes: Please, don't tell me how much that sucked. I'm well aware of it. Yay. (: Just review and be good.

And just to answer a question that might come, I used the wolf as an "it" because you cannot tell as easily what the gender is like you can with a lion. Just take it into consideration.

And now, to my reviewers.

schu - I do, also. Leon is a lion, Cloud is a wolf. No denying it. ;D And I'm glad you like how I play Hades. I guess after role-playing him, I kind of get the knack for him. Heh.

queen of happy - Yay. Thank you. I appreciate that.

Yersi Fanel - In this, Cloud's light is Aerith. Why? Because it fits better. I don't know if Sephy will be making an appearance in this.

Thank you three. I hope you guys didn't hate this. Keep reading.