The dragons attack and set the forest ablaze. Now it's up to everyone to keep everyone safe. For Heart, which means everyone.


Ch 13: A World on Fire

Heart watched in horror as the dragons flew over them. She recognized Yami as well as Nero flying in the small group. She felt like she wasn't breathing at the moment, her eyes just wide in shock. The dragons were here? Why!? Why did they follow!?

Alastor was watching as well, but he watched the dragons fly overhead and he growled. He looked back to the group, mainly at Heart. "You led them here." He spat.

Heart looked back at the deer and her ears went back, "What!? No! No! We wouldn't do that! Why would I lead them back to my home?"

"How can I believe you? After all you did behind my back already!" Alastor said angrily. "How can I trust you!?"

The wolf crouched down, tail tucked under her, ears flat against her head and wings folded tight against her body. She looked up at him from her submissive and scared position. "I didn't know they would follow us." She said softly to him. "Please...believe me."

"Yea Al, we didn't know they would follow." Chicka chirped in response.

"Exactly so don't be mad at her." Olivia added with a small lip curl.

Alastor snorted and stomped his hoof on the ground. He looked at the group and then to Heart as she whined when he glanced at her. He then heard the dragons roar behind him and he knew what was going to happen before he turned around. All of them started to breathe fire down onto the forest tree tops. Starting in the middle and circling outward. The deer turned around and was wide eyed in shock. His land was in danger.

Alastor quickly looked at the group. "Go back up the mountain, get to a high ground and away from the trees. I need to try and get as many demons to safety as possible." He turned to head back into the forest.

"Wait, Alastor, let us help!" Chicka called.

"Yes, let us assist you." Jazz added on.

"Don't do this alone." Violet said.

Alastor looked over his shoulder at the group, "I think you all have done enough already." He said harshly. "Stay up the top of the mountain where it is safe. I don't need you all getting in the way." He then ran off into the woods.

The group all looked at each other sadly then to Heart who still was in her scared position. She watched him go and it hurt her more than she thought. Alastor thought they all betrayed him. That wasn't true. After all he did for her, she would never do such a thing to him. The hybrid sat down on her hunches and just looked at the forest with a whine.

Chicka flew over and landed next to the wolf. "Heart, it will be ok. He just has to cool down from all this. Things will be ok." She tried to reassure her.

"I don't know Chicka." Heart cried, tears falling. "I ruined everything."

"No, you didn't. None of this was your fault sweetie." The bird said.

"Alastor sure made it seem so." The hybrid put her head down and shut her eyes. "Who knows what he'll do with me after this is over. He won't return my feelings now." She whispered sadly.

"Don't say that dear. Once this is all over, you'll see, he will care for you just the same." Chicka told her.

Heart took a pause and looked at the forest, "I hope so." She said softly.

Eventually they all did as Alastor told them and went up the mountain. Heart was behind and just had her head down as they walked. She had messed up. The journey they did was a mistake. Now Alastor was mad at her. Her chest hurt. Her heart felt broken. There was no way he would still have feelings for her now. All he would see is betrayal.

Heart looks back at the forest that was now on fire. The dragons that circled overhead. Heart saw one of them veer off from the circle and blow more fire down onto the land. The only problem was, it wasn't Alastor's. It was across his borders. To the forest next to his own. Her eyes go wide.

Violet noticed Heart had stopped so she went back to her. "Heart, you ok?"

"Why are they...burning more than Alastor's land?" Heart wandered out loud.

Violet looked and saw the other dragons follow and burn more of the trees. "I don't know. Should we worry about that?"

"My...my pack is over there. Deeper into the woods but...still."

"The fire could reach them!" The caribou said worried. "Heart you have to go to them!"

"I should." Heart said as she stood up more. "I know my pack didn't love me. I know I was exiled. They are still my pack either way. My adopted mother raised me from a pup, they need me. Plus, I'm fire resistant thanks to my dragon side."

"It's still dangerous Heart, please be careful." Violet said.

"I will. Besides...whatever happens to me...if I don't come back alive." She looks at the ground for a moment. "I want Alastor to know I love him." She smiled and then ran back down the mountain; she then took off into the air.

"Good luck Heart." Violet called to her.

The hybrid flew down to the forest. The smoke coming up into the air made it hard to fly. At the same time, the dragons in the air could see her and attack. She didn't want to be ripped to shreds right now. She needed to get to the pack and fast. Try and get to them before the fire. Warn them. Get them out.

Heart flew as far as she could, but the smoke made her eyes hurt but the warmth didn't bother her. She tried to stay behind the dragons and landed between the trees. She knew what way she had to go. Once she landed, she took off between the trees. Weaving and dodging the fires that were slowly starting to get bigger and the flames that would soon catch up behind. The smoke filled the forest and made it hard to see. It stung her eyes a little but she pushed through.

"I'll get to you mom. I won't lose you. Not because of something that is my fault." Heart huffed as she ran.

Ceil meant so much to the hybrid, from raising her as a pup. Her earliest memory was when she first opened her eyes all the way and Ceil was the first one she saw. The beta took care of her. Raised her as her own. She loved her adopted mother very much, she wasn't going to lose her because of dragon fire.

Heart didn't know how she would recover from this with Alastor. It still hurt to see the look in his eyes. The anger. The sadness. She didn't mean to hurt him. She would never want to do that. If only she could take back what she had done. If this is what happens when her thoughts get the better of her then she didn't know what to do. She didn't even know if the deer would forgive her...or even return her feelings now.

Soon she got ahead of the smoke and fire. She didn't know where the dragons were but she kept her ears sharp for the sounds of them. Heart kept running. Her adrenaline was pushing her. Her fear made her more alert. She had to find the pack. She had to.

Heart stopped a moment and used her nose. Now that she was clear of the smoke, she could smell a lot better. She tried to pinpoint anything familiar. It took her a moment but she caught the scent of a Delta. Caccia, the one that helped her those months ago across the border. She ran, following the scent. Hoping it would lead her back to the pack.

The smell got stronger. She was close, she had to be. Soon enough she ran across a wolf, skidding to a stop in front of them. It was the pack or at least the entrance to it. It was an omega, they guarded the pack the best they could, despite being the lowest rank. The omega that she stood in front of was about the same height as her, he had reddish brown fur and piercing green eyes.

Heart knew the omega, sometimes she would speak to him even when he wanted nothing to do with her. "Bertolf!" She greeted him.

The omega, Bertolf, looked at Heart with slanted and angered eyes. "Heart? What in Lucifer's name are you doing here?"

"I have to speak to Alpha. It's important. The pack is in danger." Heart quickly told him.

"Danger? What kind of danger?" The omega wondered.

"Dragons." She said fearfully. "They're heading this way. We have to get the pack out and to safety. They are burning the forest as we speak. I tried to get here as fast as I could."

"You expect me to believe you, outcast?" Bertolf questioned with a growl.

"What reason would I have to come all the way back here for a fake warning!?" Heart snapped. "I have no grudge against anyone. I just want the pack to be safe."

"The pack is none of your concern anymore." Bertolf reminded her.

"I don't care!" Heart yelled. "I still care even if you tell me I shouldn't. I grew up in the pack. My new home is on fire and soon yours will be too."

Bertolf was about to bare his fangs to her and use violence to make her leave but was soon stopped when a voice was behind him. "What is this commotion going on?" Just from the voice they could tell it was Alpha. The giant black wolf walked out from behind Bertolf.

The reddish-brown wolf bowed his head and stepped to the side. Heart tried to stand tall as the Alpha walked forward and looked up at him. She wasn't scared of Alpha as when she was a pup. She was a grown-up adult wolf now and she has already seen so much since she left the pack. At least she was able to stand tall and not gravel under him now. He had no authority over her since she wasn't part of the pack.

"Alpha." Heart greeted with a bow of her head.

"The outcast. Why are you here?" The leader asked.

The hybrid almost wanted to growl. Not even her own father still acknowledged that she was his. "There are dragons setting the forest on fire. I came to warn you and get the pack to safety before the fire hit you." She explained.

"Dragons? Here?" Alpha laughed. "Why should I believe you?"

"Does the smoke in the distance not give you enough of a hint?" Heart wondered as she put her wing out to gesture behind her.

"I see smoke, not dragons." Alpha huffed.

Just at that moment there was a roar close by and then a dragon flew overhead.

"Ah! Haha!" It was Yami that flew overhead. "It's the little hybrid! I found her boys!" The young dragon called out. The dragon landed on the ground close by and growled and smoke came out of his nostrils. "Well, well, looks like we found the little pack as well. Oh, how fun!"

Soon enough the other three dragons landed on the ground around them. Heart looked at Alpha and she could see the fear now in his eyes. He backed up a moment.

Heart turned around and growled at the dragons. "You leave the pack alone. Leave this land at once." She put out her wings and puffed out her fur to look bigger.

The dragons laughed at her. "Aw look at that boys, the little hybrid is threatening us." The others laughed. "What are you going to do little freak?"

"Whatever I need to." Heart growled and her fur puffed up more.

"If dying is on your list then you are getting your wish." Nero laughed.

"I won't die today; I have a lot to live for." The hybrid huffed.

"If you're talking about that deer and friends then you really must be up in the clouds." Nero puffed.

Heart growled. "That is none of your concern. You've already done enough damage, so go home."

"Done enough?" Yami grinned. "We haven't damaged you yet."

The wolf tried to not look scared at the dragon's threat but her tail must have had other plans as it tucked itself under her. "If you want to damage me. Then you have to catch me."

"Catch you? You're telling us you can actually use those things?" Yami didn't seem to believe her.

"You bet I can." Heart looked behind her and saw that the whole pack was now behind her. She smiled at them. "Get out." She whispered before turning back to the dragons and taking off into the air.

"After her!" Yami called and the four dragons took off after the hybrid.

When Heart took off Ceil jumped out from the pack and padded out next to Alpha. The adoptive mother was worried for the pup she raised. Putting herself in danger like that. Even though she was scared she was also proud. The wolf's ears went back and she let out a small whine.

"She has grown." Alpha whispered.

Ceil looked over to the pack leader. "She has. I'm proud of her."

"She is protecting us even though she isn't part of the pack anymore." Alpha said. "Plus, to stand up to the dragons like that. It takes guts. Guts I don't even have." The wolf turned and looked at the pack. "Let's head out. We'll come back when the dragons have gone and the fire has been extinguished."

"Yes Alpha." The pack answered in unison.

Heart was flying through the air. The dragons close on her tail. She was small and fast, even though they were big and strong. She dodged when they tried to bite down on her tail or tried to shoot fire at her. They all seemed aggravated because of this.

Heart managed to see the forest as it was not on fire. Her home. This was all her fault. She didn't know what to do. Now she had dragons on her. She wanted to make sure the pack got out safely. She didn't want anyone to be hurt.

Heart dived down into the trees then and the dragons tried to follow but they were too big and kept getting stuck on the tree branches.

"Ah! You sneaky little bitch!" Yami yelled. "Get back here and fight like a dragon!"

Heart managed to fly away from the dragons. Keeping under the tree tops the best she could. She had to get away. Get back to the pack. She kept going, trying to be as fast as possible. She peaked up to look and see where the dragons were but luckily, they were far back now and seemed to be flying the other way. She sighed in relief and started her way back to the pack.

She dodged through some fire as it spread and now there was more smoke in the area than before. The pack might have a problem or be scared. Eventually she got back and saw the pack was all gathered together. They seemed to be arguing on a way to go. Some of the light smoke was hitting the area now.

"How are we going to get through?"

"What if the dragons get us?"

"There will be so much smoke!"

"Think of the pups!"

Heart landed behind Alpha as he was trying to figure out what to do. So many wolves were scared. They saw the dragons were a real threat. The fire was spreading and it would reach them soon. Action needed to be taken.

"Let me help you." Heart finally spoke up.

All of the wolves turned to her. Lizzy walked up to the hybrid. "You? Help?" She huffed. "How are you going to help?"

"I can find my way through the smoke and fire better. I can even fly up to find a better path. I want everyone to get to safety." Heart explained to her.

Lizzy growled. "I don't know if I-"

"Lizzy enough!" Alpha interrupted. "She just took on dragons for us and got rid of them so we could be safe. I'd like to see you do that."

Lizzy looked at her father in surprise. "You're siding with her!?"

"I am." Alpha said calmly. "A true leader must see strength in everyone. Heart has just shown me how strong she has become now. She just did something to protect the pack and is still willing to do so. Despite everything that has happened."

The white wolf growled, glared at Heart, and then went to stand behind Alpha.

The leader looked at the hybrid. "I trust you to lead us to safety. Please. Show us a way to go."

Heart nodded, "I won't fail you or the pack. Let me fly up and see where the fire is." She said and then did just that.

Heart looked above the trees as best she could. She didn't want to alert the dragons back so she looked around carefully. The fire was mainly in front of them, but the safest place was the mountains to the west of them. It was a high spot. They should make it there before the fire gets to them. She flew back down.

"We should head west, towards the mountains. That should be a safe spot" Heart informed Alpha.

"West? I guess that is a good point." Alpha turned to the pack. "Let's head out. Quickly. Make sure the pups are safe and the elders keep up."

The pack took off, following Alpha as he headed towards the mountain. Heart watched the pack walk past her. Some wolves that went past nodded at her or thanked her for their help. Others just ignored her like always. When it was the back she started to follow behind. She wanted to make sure everyone stayed safe and didn't fall behind. The pack moved through the woods. The smoke was starting to get thicker. The glow of the fire was getting closer. The pace they were going was ok for the pups and the elders but she was afraid of it being too slow. She had to keep an eye out.

After a few moments, Heart jumped up to the tops of the trees quickly to scout out where things were. The fire was getting closer. It was starting to get uncomfortably close. They had to walk faster. She went back down and flew up to Alpha, gliding over the pack. She landed and walked beside him.

"Alpha, the fire is starting to get closer and we are only halfway there. We must walk a little faster." Heart informed him.

Alpha looked over to the glow of the fire that he didn't notice was closer now. He hummed in thought. "We can walk faster but keep in the back and watch for the pups and elders."

"Yes Alpha." Heart replied and flew up and back to the back of the pack.

Alpha started to pick up the pace, the pack now at a trot. A slow trot but was faster than before. After a few minutes it seemed one of the elders was having trouble. Heart went up and gave them a small nudge and they tried their best to keep up.

As the pack walked though, there was a roar again and before they could react, fire shot down from the sky on either side of the pack. The wolves screamed and started to panic. The dragons had returned and it looks like they were just aiming wildly. They must have spotted them through an opening in the trees.

Heart flew over the pack, "Keep going. We have to move faster. Keep going." She called overhead.

Alpha ran and then the pack started to run as well. Heart kept overhead the best she could, watching over those that needed it. Luckily, the pups were small enough to carry so that is what the members did for the three pups that were around. The elders got help from the younger wolves and kept them going. One of the members carrying the pups tripped and dropped the child but Heart was quick to help them up and made sure the little one was ok. The member picked up the pup and quickly started to walk again.

The tree that was coming up made a cracking sound as fire went up it. Heart stopped and looked at it confused. Before they knew it, it was falling. She couldn't let it fall on the pack. The hybrid quickly went up to the half burning tree and tried to keep it up as best she could. The pack passed underneath her and when the last one went by, she dropped the tree as the fire started to take it over. At that moment, the dragons shot fire down and Heart had to jump back.

"Heart! Heart! Are you ok!?" Ceil called from the other side of the tree.

Heart looked at the now burning tree and the area around it. She growled in frustration. "I'm ok!" She called back. "Keep going! You're almost there! I'll catch up!"

"Are you sure?" Ceil made sure.

"Yes, get the pack to safety. I'll be ok. Go!" Heart said.

"Ok, please meet up with us soon." The black wolf said.

Eventually all was quiet except for the sound of the now raging flames around the hybrid. Heart looked around and tried to find a way around. The dragons had set fire to everything around her. She felt trapped. Heart stood there a moment, almost feeling defeated. She didn't know what to do. Where to go.

The hybrid stopped and just sat down. Her ears pinned against her head. She felt so defeated, that she couldn't do anything right. The warmth of the fire was on her pelt, but she didn't mind. Is this how she would die? In the middle of a forest fire, away from friends, family? The one demon she actually found to love. She sighed. Who was she kidding? Alastor didn't love her back, there was no point. What was the purpose behind her life?

No!

She can't end here. She had to keep moving. Keep going. Keep trying. She wasn't going to give up easily. Heart slanted her eyes in anger and stood up. She looked around her again and just took off. Jumping over the fire, using her wings to glide before finding a path through the fire and starting to run. She followed the small path and tried to figure out where she was. The flames blazed around her. Basically, the whole world seemed on fire.

Heart soon met a cliff face and growled and anger. She turned and tried to follow the rock face to see if there was a way up. There was a small ledge and it was thin but she could do it. She jumped up and started to climb the rock face. Trying to be careful to keep her balance.

About halfway up, Heart slipped on some rocks and they fell loose from under her paws. Eventually the whole rock face started to give way and she fell. She had no time to catch herself and no time to fly away. The rocks had fallen on top of her and pushed her down to the ground faster. Eventually she was pulled down by the rocks. Her whole lower half was now under all the rubble and she was crushed. Heart tried to get herself out but her wings were pinned and she could feel that something was not right. When she landed, she felt like she had broken or twisted a back paw and one of her wings was in more pain then the other.

Heart let out a whine from the pain, as well as from what happened. She tried to move but it seemed to be of no use, she was stuck. Even with all her strength she could not get out. She gave out another whine, this time louder. She gave a howl out of panic, hoping someone would be able to hear her. The flames around her were too loud and moved closer to her. No one would be able to hear the howl.

This was her fate then. No longer destined to go forward. At least she lived a good life. Made friends, went on a small adventure, met her true mother and...maybe found someone to love her. She laid there and started to cry and her crying soon turned to sobbing. She didn't want to end like this...she never even got to tell Alastor how she felt. It hurt her heart even to think of that.

"I'm sorry for failing everyone. I'm sorry Al. I'm so sorry for everything." She whispered as she closed her eyes and cried then put her paws over her muzzle.


Is it the end? How will Heart get out of this? If she can.