Song: Grand Design
From: Balto 2
The cheering die down as a Fox spirit stood in the center of the clearing. The last band was packing up there their gear and as things got settled down the Fox began to talk. "Now it's time for a performance by the hosts of this year's spirit Festival."
More cheers as the band and Fox spirit left the center, but it soon died when no one came forward.
"What happened?"
"Did something go wrong?"
The worried and confused murmurs grew as time ticked by. Tooth looked for the Fox spirit that announced the hosts, finally finding him near the edge of the crowd. He was trying his best to hide behind a neutral expression but Tooth saw a knowing smile.
Suddenly from the tree line of the clearings northern borders, a howl split the air. As the howl faded another from the East took up the call. This was repeated in the South and in the West. But when the West howl faded all four corners reverberate with the sound. "Awoooooooooooooooo!"
Silence followed! No one spoke, no birds or forest animals stirred. It almost was like the clearing and forest itself were holding their breath.
From the northern tree-lined a lone Gray Wolf emerged. He was obviously older in years but he held a sense of wisdom about him. Then his deep voice echoed through the stillness's of the air.
(Start song here)
Three more gray wolves emerged from the other four corners. Their voices stringing together in perfect harmony as they and the older wolf walked calmly towards the center. When the wolves reached the center, the old one (obviously the alpha) took up the song again.
Something like a clap of thunder rings through the clearing! At the same time a black wolf, young and with an air of self-proclaimed superiority, jumps out at the trees on the southeast corner. His voice is more like a shout as he adds it to the song.
Three more black wolfs emerge at the trees on the northeast, southwest, and northwest corners howling to the sun and moon.
The four Blacks line up in the center across from the four grays. The older wise alpha and the young boisterous Challenger right across from each other. Every spirit, even the ones showing their creations are completely transfixed by the show.
North feels, in his belly, that a fight might be coming soon. Bunny is intensely aware of all of the predators around him and is, a good distance back, watching with keen interest. Sandy has risen higher into the air to get a better view.
Tooth, however, is fixated for another reason. This confrontation, show or not, reminds her of her past. The gray Alpha reminds her of her mother, the leader of the sisters of flight. Kind, wise, caring, and in tune with the world around her. While the black challenger reminds her, bitterly, of the once Raja monkey King. Cruel, calculated, aggressive, and believing he is better than any other living or nonliving thing.
Back and forth the two groups sing their views, a battle of voice and belief. Tooth clasps her hands in nervous energy as the two groups began to circle each other. Suddenly the circling stops and the black and gray converge and standing before their audience, mixed and as one, and sing "We are all a part of a grand design."
"Awooooooooooo!" The unison howl draws out for a long time. And when it fades, thunderous applause ensues. All the wolves give their audience a deep bow.
Tooth has tears in her eyes. Though their views are different the wolfs became one as a pack. She thinks of how her father, who used to be the Raja's slave and best friend, spoke of their childhood. Before he became the monkey King the Raja was a kind boy, he and to her father were always together and happy.
"If only he hadn't let his status take over his personality." He used to tell her. "If he hadn't, maybe we could have all lived in harmony."
But unlike the wolves it wasn't to be. Though the thoughts of her past brought her sadness the show and its meaning brought her new hope for the future.
From a distance Jack witnessed Tooth as she was moved by the spirit wolves' performance. "Two down, two to go!"