Next chapter for the animal au! Let's see Heart's new home.


Ch 2: New Place

The sun was soon coming up. The morning was a little cold and wet still. The grass was still damp from the rain last night. Thankfully, the rain had gone, and the day was looking to be cloudy. It was a new day and with that, a new adventure was lying ahead.

Inside the hollow log slept Heart. After fighting all night and then spending a lot of time looking for a place to sleep, she was exhausted. She slept away with a small snore as the sun came out. She might as well just have been dead by how deep in sleep she was.

As the sun continued to come up into the sky it was a little later in the morning when Heart finally opened her eyes. She gave a yawn, her mouth opened wide and she gave a small sound as she did. Sticking her tongue out, she gave her lips a lick. The hybrid stood up from the log and out into the small opening. She stretched and made sure to be careful with her sore muscles. Her paw was healing, it felt better than it did last night. Being a demon and fast healing had its perks.

Once she was done stretching, she sat down and looked around the small area. She was about to call out to her adopted mother when she realized...she wasn't home anymore. Home was far away now. The wolf-dragon's ears went down as she gave a small whine. She was already missing her adopted beta mother and the smell of her den.

Heart sighed, "Well, I guess I should take a look around the place. Try to get familiar with this territory."

She stood up and then walked off in a direction. She didn't know this place. She wasn't aware of what was in here. She just hoped that maybe she would meet someone soon that could help her out. Guide her through this place. It was a lot to ask for, but you never know what could happen.

She passed the trees and there were really no landmarks for her to find her way. Soon to her right she saw a cliff face and there were more trees on top. She looked up at it and then she swore she saw something standing at the top and looking at her. When she blinked and shook her head the image was gone. She didn't know if she was just seeing things or what.

Heart thought nothing of it and continued on. Soon the tree's thinned out and then they seemed to change. Before she knew it, she was standing at the edge of a swamp. At least she thinks that's what it was. The wolf-dragon was curious as she leaned down to sniff the surface of the water. Things sure did smell a little different here. She started to head into the water a little bit, just to get a feel for it. It felt thicker or something, a weird feeling under her paws.

"I wouldn't go in there if I were you?" A voice chirped from behind her.

Heart's ears went up and she looked around a moment to find the source of the voice. "Who's there?" She asked.

"Come back out of the water please." The voice said again.

Heart didn't trust it so much but did as told. Once she was out of the weird water, she looked around again. "Please, who are you?" Heart wondered.

The voice was quiet for a moment, but she heard the flap of wings from above her, "Look up."

The young wolf did as so and looked above her into the trees. There she saw, sitting on a low branch was a bird. It was a brown, black and purple Chickadee. Heart tilted her head a moment as she looked at the small bird.

The Chickadee smiled at the wolf and said, "My name is Chicka! It's nice to meet you."

"Um, my name is Heart." She replied back. "May I ask why you told me to not go in the water?"

"The water's in there are full of dangerous crocs and other things. Don't want you getting hurt." The bird said with a small shake of her wings. "You're new here huh?" Chicka wondered.

Heart nodded and put her ears down. "I got kicked out of my pack last night. I was hoping I could find a home here."

"I'm sure you would be a wonderful addition. But usually, the Lord of this land doesn't approve of wolves and dogs being here." Chicka said sadly to her.

Heart sighed and lowered her head. "Can I maybe meet him? Convince him to let me stay here?" She took a pause and looked up at Chicka. "At least for now?"

The bird looked at the wolf with a bit of sympathy. "He is not at his den right now. He is out on patrol. That much I know."

"Well, maybe we could look for him?" Heart suggested.

"It won't be easy young wolf. His territory is big." Chicka informed her.

"Well, maybe you can show me around anyway and if we find him, we find him." Heart said with a small smile, hoping the bird would agree.

Chicka seemed to stop and think a moment for the question but soon nodded. "I don't see the harm in it, I guess." She finally said. "I know this place like the back of my wing so I can lead you. Just don't go into the swamp. It takes up about a quarter of this territory. It's dangerous."

Heart nodded in understanding and her tail wagged happily as she was excited for the small bird to help her.

Chicka flew a little way away to another low branch. "Come on. This way. I'll show you around."

Heart got up and followed behind her. Going along the line of the swamp so that they didn't step in it.

"So Chicka, how long have you been here?" Heart asked as they walked.

"My whole life. I've never moved from this territory. It's the safest I have ever been because of Lord Alastor." Chicka answered as she flew in front of Heart a little bit.

Heart was confused for a moment, "Alastor? Is that his name?"

Chicka stopped on another branch and looked to Heart with a nod. "Indeed, it is. Lord Alastor is a powerful creature. He keeps us protected and at the same time, cares about everyone in his land as well. The only time he will attack is if we are getting attacked, if he is fighting to keep his title or if anyone gets in trouble. Any other time he is caring, even though he seems scary." Chicka informed her.

"Wow. How come I have never heard of him before from my pack?" Heart wondered.

"Those outside of the territory never usually do. Trespassers never go back. So, the story cannot be told of Lord Alastor." Chicka answered.

Heart gulped a moment and put her ears back flat against her head. She tucked her tail in between her legs and just looked at the ground. "I didn't want to have to fight my way into my pack, just for me to be thrown out and then be killed my first day out on my own." She sighed. "If I die today then I know my life was all for nothing."

Chicka stopped on a stump and looked up at Heart who still had her ears back. The bird could see the worry and fear in the young wolf's eyes. "Don't be worried my wolf friend. It will all be ok. Who knows, maybe Lord Alastor will actually be nice to you and let you stay."

Heart's ears went up a small amount. "You think so?" Heart asked as she had a small amount of hope in her voice.

"You seem like a very nice young pup." Chicka said as she had a small smile on her beak. "Plus, I can see you aren't a full wolf, so maybe that will be your advantage." She gave Heart a wink.

Heart gave her tail a wag at that. "Thanks, Chicka."

The bird nodded and then flew up again. "You're welcome. Now come on, we still have a lot to see."

Heart nodded and continued walking.

"We can head towards the lake first. It's our main watering hole." Chicka flew ahead and led the way. "So, this part of the land is 50% forest, while the other half is the swamp and a small bit of mountains. It's wonderful this time of year as well." She informed.

Heart was listening as she walked under the bird and soon saw a small stream to her right. They seemed to be following it. Soon the stream got bigger and bigger until they broke through the trees and was met by a huge lake.

Heart was surprised by its size and it had a sandy bank all along the edge of it, so it was easier to walk along. She ran down to the bank and stopped in the sand, moving her paws into it, and kneading it. She looked out into the lake and saw a small island in the middle of it. She tilted her head a moment.

"Chicka, what's on that island over there?" Heart asked the bird as she landed on her head between her horns.

"That is a place we don't go to. Lord Alastor goes there to take care of "business." It's best not to ask or wonder." Chicka warned her.

"Yes ma'am." Heart whispered.

Soon some movement caught her eye not far away from where they stood. Heart turned her head to look and see a big black cat with spots that had some white hair on its head not far away. It leaned down to start and drink from the lake. The wolf stood still, frozen a moment from finally seeing another animal. Chicka on the other hand flew off her head and over to the cat.

Chicka made a tweeting sound before dropping down beside the black cat. "Hello Jazz, how are you this morning." She greeted it.

The big cat, Jazz, lifted her head and licked her lips from the water left on its whiskers. "Morning Chicka. I am doing well. How about you?"

"I'm wonderful. I am showing a new demon around the territory today." Chicka told her as she extended a wing back towards Heart.

Jazz looked from Chicka to Heart and then back to the bird. "Are you sure it's wise to let a wolf roam around?"

"She is different Jazz, trust me." Chicka told her. "I know Lord Alastor will let her stay."

Jazz let out a small growl in her throat. She looked to Heart and walked up to her. The cat was just as big as she was and sat down in front of her.

"It's nice to see a new face around here. My name is Jazz, I'm a black jaguar. What's your name?" She introduced herself.

Heart's fur eased up and flattened from her nervousness. "I'm Heart. It's nice to meet you."

"I see you are a hybrid. Sometimes that can be common I hear but I have never seen it." Jazz pointed out.

Heart nodded, "Yes. I am part wolf and dragon."

"Interesting combo. Well, you seem super nice. Not like the others that I have met that tried to stay. You haven't tried to pick a fight with me." Jazz said with a chuckle. "Well either way, I hope you get to stay. Would be nice to see you around more."

Heart's tail wagged at that. "Thank you. I hope so as well."

The cat nodded and stood up. "Was nice meeting you but I have to get going. Need to still catch my breakfast."

"Nice meeting you too." Heart lifted her paw to wave goodbye.

Jazz said her goodbyes to Chicka as well and she ran back into the woods. Chicka went back over to the young hybrid and landed in front of her. "Looks like you are already making friends. Maybe if enough people enjoy your company then maybe it can convince Lord Alastor."

"Well, I don't know about that, but I guess we will see if we meet others." Heart said.

"Oh don't worry you will." Chicka laughed and flew off again. "Come on! We still have lots to see."

Heart got up and started to follow after the bird again. Her paw was still sore a little, but it was slowly starting to feel better. They left the lake behind and went back into the trees. As they walked Chicka pointed out some landmarks to her so that she had an easy way around. There was a small mound of rocks in the shape of a duck, a log bridge across a big river and there seemed to be a waterfall not far off, an old, abandoned log cabin from a long time ago when living humans tried to live in hell's forests. The cabin was old, but still stood strong. The door was halfway broken, and some windows looked smashed.

As they passed the old cabin there was a hissing noise from within. Heart jumped from the sound when to lay down with her tail tucked to be submissive. Chicka was also startled by the hiss and made a lard chirping before putting herself high in a tree.

"Oh my gosh Chicka, I'm so sorry! I didn't realize it was you!" They heard a voice call out.

Heart looked at the cabin and watched as a black figure appeared from the broken doorway. It was a pure black big cat. This one looked different than the one Heart met earlier, that one had spots, this one was pure black.

The feline walked into the grass and looked up at the trees. Chicka soon seemed to calm and flew back down from the high tree. She landed on a wooden fence that was around the small front of the cabin. "Olivia don't scare me like that. You might kill me one of these days."

"Sorry Chicka, I didn't smell you at first." The black cat, Olivia, looked towards Heart. "I want to assume I smelled that first and got defensive since it was unfamiliar."

Heart still laid down and stood in a submissive stance as Olivia looked at her. "S-sorry. I-I'm new here."

The black cat tilted her head. "A wolf? Here?" She looked at Chicka. "She is joking right?"

Chicka chuckled. "Correction, she is only half wolf. I'm showing her around the territory."

Olivia let a small growl out in the back of her throat, "Chicka, you know how Lord Alastor feels about canines."

Chicka smiled and flew up and landed on Heart's head between her horns. "I feel Heart is different. She seems special. I think Lord Alastor will let her stay."

Olivia huffed. "Well, she better not come crying to me when Alastor doesn't let her stay." The black cat turned to Heart and walked past her without a word and disappeared into the brush.

Heart whined once she was gone and tried to look up at Chicka on her head. "She doesn't like me, does she?"

Chicka patted Heart's head with her wing. "Don't worry. Olivia can be a stubborn panther. She'll warm up to you eventually. Don't let it bother you." The bird reassured her.

Heart sighed and just nodded. "Well let's get going then. Onto the next."

Chicka flew off Heart's head and took the lead. "Good idea. More places to see and people to meet."

The two did not walk far until they came to a small mound of rocks that seemed to have a small cave. Chicka stopped and landed down on the ground. "There is someone here I'd like you to meet." She told Heart as the small bird jumped a little towards the cave. "Angel? Molly? You guys home?"

"Hey hey not so loud!" There was someone yelling from inside.

Not long after there was a pink and white spider walking out of the cave with another not far behind. The two spiders looked different so you could at least tell them apart. Plus, the bigger one seemed to have darker colors compared to the other. The spiders were as big as goliath bird eater tarantulas. So, they were big. The one in the back was a tiny bit bigger than the one in front.

"What's da big idea coming here and waking me up with ya loud chirping." The one in front said.

"Sorry Angel, I forgot you guys like to sleep on some days." Chicka apologized.

"It's ok toots. I needed an alarm anyway." The smaller one, Angel said.

Chicka chuckled. "Well, I figured I would introduce you to the new demon in the territory." The bird held its wing out towards the young wolf hybrid who stood a little way back.

"New demon huh?" The one in the back, Molly wondered.

Heart decided to walk up and sit down closer to the two. "Nice to meet you. I am Heart."

"Part wolf and part dragon, I see. Very pretty. I am Molly." She introduced herself and pointed one of her front legs to Angel. "This is my twin brother Angel. We welcome you."

Heart felt her ears get a little hot with a blush from the compliment. "Y-Yes, thank you very much. It's nice to meet you."

"We hope you get to stay here wolf girl. You seem pretty nice." Angel told her.

"I do hope so as well. It would be nice to find a new home after being exiled from my old one." Heart's ears went down as she said that.

Molly went up to the hybrid and put one of her front legs on her paw. "You poor thing. Hopefully you'll be able to convince Lord Alastor to let you stay. You don't need to be put through all that."

"Thanks Molly. I appreciate that." Heart wagged her tail at her kind words.

The spider nodded and then backed up to be next to her brother.

"We thank you for the wakeup call though. It's time for us to do some cleaning anyway so we better get started." Angel told them.

"Ok you two. Behave and stay out of trouble ok?" Chicka reminded them as they disappeared back into their small cave.

"I make no promises birdie." Angel said as he chuckled, and it echoed a little from the cave.

As the two disappeared Chicka turned back to Heart. "Well still some places to see and maybe we'll meet more on the way. Let's go." She then took off back into the air.

The two walked on. Surprisingly, Heart's paw wasn't hurting her as much as she thought it would during this tour. She did try to keep as much weight off of it if she could. She just was trying to not make it noticeable.

Soon they arrived at a bigger cave on the side of a cliff face. It was almost intimidating. A small creek ran in front of it, almost like a border around the entrance to keep people out. The air from the cave was different. The smell was fresh though.

"So who lives here?" Heart asked as she looked up to the bird.

Chicka took a pause and just looked at her then to the cave. "Lord Alastor lives there. I wouldn't go in or get too close. No one goes inside his cave, not unless he gives them permission. You can come to him when you have an issue though. If he is willing to help depends on the situation."

Heart only nodded. She looked at the entrance to the cave and tried to memorize the smell coming from it. Almost smelled like it had a hit of strawberry but also something else she couldn't put her paw on.

"Come on. Let's keep moving." Chicka said and took off again.

Heart looked at the cave a few more moments before turning away and following.

They soon hit the side of a tall mountain. Looking up you could see the snow that laid not far up it. There seemed to be a small path as well on the side of the mountain.

"This is the very edge of the west side of the territory. This mountain is part of it but after that you start to get into dragon territory, and we don't want to have to deal with them." Chicka explained as she was sitting in a tree not far off.

"Dragons?" Heart whispered.

The bird heard her though. "Yes, dragons. Don't even think about going over there young one. It's very dangerous."

Heart had stopped and looked up at the snow top. Dragon Territory laid on the other side. The side of herself she knew nothing about. The part she wishes she knew more of. It was all a mystery. Maybe one day she can sneak into that land and find her real mother. Dragon's always kept to themselves unless provoked so there were thoughts for another time.

Soon Heart noticed a spot of white in the corner of her eye. It stood out from the green and browns of the forest. Heart turned her head, but the white spot was gone.

"Um, Chicka, are there ghosts in this forest?" Heart asked as she tried to look around.

The bird laughed. "No silly. No ghosts." The bird flew across the way and landed on another tree. "I know you're hiding. I know you're not shy." She said down below her.

Heart was confused a moment until she spotted the white mass she had just seen come out from behind a tree. It was about half the size of her and was all white with vibrant blue eyes. It sat down not far away from a tree. It looked like some kind of fox.

"Sorry Chicka, just wanted to surprise them is all." They looked up at Chicka then back to Heart. "Nice to see a new face. Sorry if I gave you a scare." The fox then giggled. "My name is Veronica, I'm an arctic fox, it's nice to meet you."

Heart tilted her head a moment as she looked at the vulpen in front of her. She has seen foxes before but never one like this. "It's nice to meet you as well. I've never seen a fox that is white before." She told her.

"That's because we live up in the cold areas instead of down here in the forest. We blend in so we are hard to see." Veronica then walked up closer to Heart and circled her. "I've never seen a hybrid like you before. Wolves I've seen. Dragons I've seen, but nothing like this. Very unique."

"Thanks?" Heart said a little confused. "I guess I can take that as a complement."

Veronica chuckled again. "If you need anything sweetheart you can come to me ok. You seem like a very nice girl. I know Lord Alastor doesn't like canines in his territory, but I feel he will make an exception for you. If he has a problem with it then he can take it up with me."

Chicka then flew down and landed on top of Veronica's head. "This little vixen here has been here a long time. She knows Alastor longer than any of us have. If anyone knows if Lord Alastor will like you, she will. Otherwise, he'll hear about it."

"And you know full well Chicka that I like to give that red furred Cervidae an ear full." Veronica said with a laugh.

Chicka then laughed as well. "Oh yes we know. Speaking of him, have you seen Lord Alastor or know where he might be?" She asked.

Veronica shook her head. "Unfortunately, I don't. Usually around this time he can be on the east side or the south. He hasn't come this way yet."

"Maybe we can meet him along the way then. We still have a good bit left to see." Chicka said as she flew back up. "If we happen to miss him and you see him can you please say that I am looking for him?"

The fox nodded. "No problem Chicka. I'll let him know if I see him."

"Thanks Veronica." Chicka said.

The white vulpen nodded. "Well, I better get going. I have to go get my breakfast and take it back to the den. See you guys around." She then took off up the small path and then disappeared once she hit the snow.

Heart then turned to Chicka who was on a low branch not far away. "She seems nice."

"She is." The bird answered with a nod. "She is friendly to everyone. You won't have a problem with her."

Heart just smiled and wagged her tail. "Alright then. Where to next?"

Chicka few back up and lead the way. "Lots more to see and still a whole day ahead of us!"


Meeting a bunch of new friends in the forest. Seems like people have a liking to Heart. Although, where is this Lord Alastor? Maybe we shall find out next chapter. Hehe. All the other animal characters are friends of mine from twitter that I turned into animals for this story. So I am happy they let me have them be included ^_^