Recap of Episode 1 - We are introduced to Levon Heeler. A young wolf of dreams and living a good life. But all his happiness ends with three men in uniform who force him to go to war. Now dragged into the Great War in Europe, he finds himself alongside many other broken and depressed canines, including Dustin Sable Spitz. A comrade of Levon who will help him along the way. We also got to see another dog named Jakob Klaus, a leader, yet not recognized. Levon sees this, but stays quiet. And as a greeting from Europe, shells fly right at them and planes attempt to bomb the truck. Levon knows it. He is not making it out.

But what do the others think of this? Well, shall we see…

3 Days Later…

"Horatio Christ, this storm is never gonna stop," annoyingly says a red-colored heeler, wrapped in some stained, torn-up blanket, "It's been raining ever since we got here!"

"Hmm, you can say that again," adds a German Shepherd dog, cleaning some sort of pocket watch. He sighs and continues saying, "Dog kind really isn't nice with one another."

The red heeler scoffs and agrees, "Yeah, I see that. If the so-called "king" even had a feeling in him, we wouldn't even be here to begin with."

The German shepherd shakes his head slowly side-to-side, "All this for a piece of land."

"The world is just plunging more into madness each day," The red heeler looks towards the German shepherd, continuing to chat, "Now I understand what my grandfather meant when he fought in the Taiping Rebellion."

The German shepherd gazes up to the red heeler, to which the heeler continues, "He always used to say: "War isn't the settlement of one leader towards another to see who is the stronger opponent, but rather the great push that leads dog kind into the void of madness and depression. And this type of madness cycles on and on. Many try to avoid it. Many try to stop the cycle. But it only stops until not one single leader has the power to do anything."

"Wow…that is deep. Bet you're grandfather was some wise man," the German shepherd responds after hearing this.

The red heeler smirks and adds, "Hehe, no. After the war, my grandfather became a crack addict and alcoholic who spent time in the pub from 8 at night to 3 in the morn'."

The two laughed out loud. Knowing that the best words were said by some crackhead old man. Yet as they laughed, the noise was caught by the attention of someone else. It wasn't a wolf, nor a spitz dog, but rather…an Akita dog.

The laughter settled down into a small chuckle, and the two began recovering their breath. The German shepherd then said sarcastically, "Ah yes, your grandfather must have been a really wise man."

"Haha, you could say that again," the red heeler responds hysterically. He continues saying, "But at least, he tried to make a statement about this."

The German shepherd smiled and nodded, "Huh, yeah. You're right."

The red heeler then says, "Anywho, I-"

The talking canine gets interrupted by the German shepherd's hand signaling him to halt. The red heeler thought something was wrong, but then saw a smile spread across the face of the German shepherd. The red heeler felt curiosity towards what the shepherd was smiling at, but then realized another thing. The shepherd's head was tilted to the left. This meant only one thing…someone was listening in on the conversation.

"You don't have to hide, kid, you can join in on the club," the shepherd said at the mysterious figure, completely turning his body around to see. And as the red heeler peaks at the figure, the stranger decides to show himself as the Akita dog we saw earlier. Timid, but a good listener. The red heeler smiles at the canine, giving a little wave for a greeting. The shy Akita returns the wave with a simple raise of hand, doing it very slowly.

The shepherd then asks, "What's your name, kid?"

"Josiah. Josiah Cattle, sir," the Akita responds slowly, but politely.

"Josiah, huh? I'm Dustin. Dustin Shepherd," Dustin told Josiah calm and chill.

"Name's Thomas. Thomas Red Heeler," adds Thomas happily.

Josiah smiling nods his head, "I see. So," he points, "Dustin…and Thomas, right?"

Dustin chuckles, "You got that right, kid." Josiah wags his tail in glee. Dustin then questions him, "So umm, where you from Josiah?"

"Well-" But before Josiah could say anything, Dustin interrupted him saying, "Ah shit, where are my manners?! Right, Thomas?"

"Your manners took a fucking vacay in Cuba, I think," Thomas agrees. He continues talking towards Josiah, "You'll have to excuse good, ole Dustie here. This man forgets even his own name when asked."

"Hey now, I'm not that much of a dumbass, Tom," Dustin contradicts.

Thomas counters again saying, "Oh You Are!" He then whispers to Josiah, "He just doesn't know that."

Josiah laughs at the comment, where on the other hand, Dustin throws some dirt at Thomas and shouts, "Put a cork in it, you bastard!"

"But it's TRUUUUUUUE!" Thomas says, putting emphasis on the "ue" part. While this is all happening, Josiah is just smiling at all this and laughing throughout. The three then began laughing together. But after a good cackle, Dustin then says, "Yes, but what I wanted to say was," he stretches his hand at a chair next to them, "Please, take a seat."

Josiah gladly accepts by a nod and proceeds to sit. Thomas then says, "Woah now, not too close to Dustin. He may not look like it, but he's a mean one, Mr. Dustin."

Dustin scoffs at Thomas hysterically, "Thomas, what did I just say?"

Thomas puts a middle finger up, insulting Dustin in every way possible. Dustin, feeling offended, responds, "Ah yes, real mature, Thomas. Real mature."

Dustin then faces Josiah and asks, "But jokes aside, where you from?"

"Oh yes, I'm…I'm from Australia. New South Wales to be exact."

Thomas nods, "Hmm, nice. An Aussie boy. I heard they're the funnier ones."

"Yeah, I have to agree with him on that. I like Australians for the way they are," Dustin adds.

Josiah smiles and says, "Thanks. I for some reason…get that a lot."

Dustin continues, "I bet. Your people are more fun than what we are. Right, Thomas?"

Thomas sarcastically answers, "Oh that's a fact!"

"Yeah, who wants to be around a British who says stuff like "Oi, tell that bloke to return my dosh to me, or on the other hand he is receiving my definition of a knackered miffed up his cunt ass!"

Thomas bursts out laughing at Dustin's atrocities, to which Dustin is confused. Dustin questions, "What did I say?"

"Dustin, since when in your life! I mean, IN YOUR LIFE! Have you ever heard a Tommy use the words "knackered" or even "dosh". That's absolute barmy!" Thomas says denying.

Dustin responds mockingly, "Does the Sunday 74 News on the radio count?"

Thomas's eyes widen and he yells, "HELL NO! That man isn't even Brit! That man is a Scot! In what world is that douchebag a FECKIN' BRITISH?!"

Dustin gets up and yells back, "But HE IS! He said so in that radio interview with Selena Eskimo! He was born in Norfolk! HELLO, NORFOLK! Norfolk is in ENGLAND!"

"Good God, trust me or trust a man who's broken up with 5 wives and spent 12 hours at a pub. 12 HOURS!" Thomas returns the argument, putting up five fingers.

Dustin says softly and shakes his head, "He's just had a hard life."

With this said, Thomas rolls his eyes over and looks at Josiah, "Josiah, don't pay any attention to him. That canine is a menace to society."

Dustin jokes, "Sure I'm a menace, but when I'm with Jenice and I drink that Hennesssssssssssssy."

Josiah looks at Dustin surprised, while Thomas cringes upon hearing this.

Thomas says softly, "Man, just…no…you just sounded crackpot as hell."

Adding on, Dustin replies, "Ehh, you're right. Saying it again in my head, it sounds…fucked."

Dustin slightly chuckles, shaking his head back and forth in disgust. Josiah decides to break the conversation by mentioning, "Seeing it, you two must be real good friends."

Dustin and Thomas looked at each other, smiling upon hearing Josiah say this to them. They remember all those years of knowing each other. All that time they spent together fighting through whatever they could. They did all that, every step of the way.

But sadly, this certain happiness doesn't last forever. As their joyous meeting was very peaceful, they could still hear the noise of bombs blowing up in different places. They could still smell the rotting bodies on the field of battle. They could still see the fresh blood that would pour into their trenches and stain their boots with red. Above all that, they could still hear the voice…of their fucking officer.

"Men, ready up! We charging in 3!" Shouts profusely the serious officer Rudolf, making his way through the muddy trenches. He continued rambling, "So get your lazy bums up and be on two feet!"

"Huh, go to hell," whispers Dustin to the officer. Attentively, Rudolf heard his little grumble and turned his attention to the sitting private.

Slightly angered, he exclaims, "What did you say?" To this, Dustin only stared at Rudolf. Major Rudolf went on shouting, "I said, get your fecking asses up or I myself am putting a bullet in you. Now come on, GET UP!"

As commanded, everyone began picking up their rifles, pistols, ammo, medical supplies, anything useful on the battlefield. Every soldier went walking into position slouching and with a negative attitude. The trio shared one last look to each other before grabbing their equipment and walking up to position. Josiah watched as the two left their corner empty. He looked back and remembered what it looked like. He learned one thing in war…You never know when your friends may leave. As everyone got to their meeting area and began positioning themselves along the frontline. All facing in the direction of the Germans.

In between the multitude, Jakob was lined up in the back. Still mad from Rudolf taking his position. He looked at Rudolf once more and hoped for one thing. He hoped that Rudolf laid a corpse on the German lands. Let him have his position again. Rudolf then began saying a few words somewhat commandingly and with gestures.

He started saying, "Men…now is the time. Now is the moment that you shall reveal who you truly are. What you are capable of doing for your country. What you can achieve for yourself…when you come home a hero. Listen…you may live, or you may die. But remember you all do this in the name of King Lucifer I. You do this to honor yourself in war. You do this…to become a man! Pro Rege!"

Rudolf began climbing the ladder and blew his—*gunshot*

"HOLY SHIT!" shouted Dustin Spitz, being one of the first in front. Alongside him, another canine saw how the corpse of Rudolf spilled blood from the head, causing him to vomit right in that spot. Everyone began panicking, shouting random phrases out to the air. Jakob makes his way through, confused at the conundrum that has just unfolded. Jakob pushed soldiers to get to the corpse, shouting commands to get them out of the way. And finally making it at the corpse, he shouts at the body and kicks at it in anger, as well as spitting on it.

"You bitchin' prick! You couldn't even last two fucking seconds!" Jakob then turned his attention to the agitated crowd. He began shouting, "Everyone, everyone calm down! Quiet! QUIET!"

But whatever he shouted, they wouldn't stop their fright. They all continued rambling and screaming for their loved ones. In the midst of it, we could see Levon tucked against the wall with a lifeless face. He was petrified, rocking back and forth with no emotion. Jakob then lifted both his hands and…heard a noise. A noise that gradually increased. It sounded similar to a type of whistling sound. Very high, too. It became louder and louder…

"Oh no," Jakob said as he looked up to the sky. Then he saw it. A metal shell aiming straight at them. Bright as a sun, loud as an ambulance alarm. There was only one word that this object had the name of. One word that would terrify any dog just from hearing it one time.

"Die Sonnenbusarde," Jakob says shakingly. His eyes begin shaking in fear at the sight. His hands begin tremoring. This meant only one thing…They were fucked. Then…

*explosion*

The explosion was heard from a mile away from their position. The wind felt heavy, yet the impact wasn't strong. This new German weapon proved to be deadly. Nothing could stop this new type of artillery. This shouted one thing in Jakob's mind.

"RUN!" Everyone began running back to the underground bunker. All the while more lights started appearing in the sky, heading straight towards them. Fear filled the trenches as the frightful dogs ran as fast as they could. Jakob began ordering every soldier to hide, until he found Levon still tucked in fear. Petrified and still as a statue. Seeing this, Jakob picks him up and drags him over the shoulder. But the minute he does this, the second bomb hits ground and a gush of air blasts into the trenches. Luckily, Jakob stands strong and carries on the mission. Each second, more and more bombs fly right into the ground and send strong waves of current. Each bomb missing, yet sending some sort of impact at the scared soldiers. But as we watch Jakob carry the stoned Levon, we switch to Josiah who turns to see the running officer. He looks up to the sky and notices a Sonnenbusarde heading straight towards Jakob. Josiah watches the bomb get closer and closer, but sees his choices. He can run, and survive yet lose the only leader they have; or he can attempt to save the officer and possibly survive…possibly. He had to make a choice. Be a hero, or save his life.

What could he do…"They…are my family."

Josiah runs to Jakob and Levon, almost getting pushed in the attempt. Josiah had to beat the time. Get there quicker than what the bomb could. One shot, one chance…to save a life.

"GET DOWN!" Josiah leaps at Jakob and Levon, pushing the two to the ground and out of the way. The bomb takes impact, but misses the trio and only sends dirt flying everywhere. Jakob gets petrified, seeing that he could have just lost his life at that moment. Jakob feels his body numb. His hearing is filled with the noise of muffled screams and bombs flying overhead. He can only see the gray sky. What was once clear blue is now dark gray skies with black clouds. He watches and wonders only one thing, "Why are we like this?"

Then he sees Josiah, and the dog begins saying something to him. Jakob can't make it out. The words are muffled, and Josiah keeps repeating. But alas, nothing could be heard. Josiah finally realizes and thinks of only one logical thing to do.

Josiah slaps Jakob and screams out, "Jakob, we need to GO!" Jakob snaps back to reality and loses his panic attack. He then looks over to Levon, to which he is also awake now and alert. Yet still panicking. Jakob crawls over to him and shouts, "Can you run?!"

Levon nods, and Jakob lifts him up. Then the three of them began running again. Through a hurricane of bombs, the trio ran their best. Through the hell they were going through. They gave it all. They won't fall. And they will never give up. The three find the bunker and throw themselves inside. Josiah goes first, to which he crawls himself to the nearest wall and curls himself up into a ball, instantly sobbing up. Levon goes next, and he runs to grab himself a seat along the dirt benches. Finally, Jakob entered. He immediately grabs himself a seat as well. Hyperventilating in so much fear. He checks each soldier, seeing if any of them need assistance.

And indeed they need it. Petrified. Broken. Scarred for life. These memories were about to stick with them forever. They would have to carry this burden until they die. Either in war, or in life. He saw how many of them were cuddling themselves against the wall, hugging themselves for warmth or some sort of good feeling. He saw how Josiah was curled up, crying all the tears he had in him. Finally, he saw Levon. Eyes closed, against the wall, repeating a phrase over and over.

"I want my mother. I want my mother. I want my mother. I want my mother. I want my mother," Levon kept repeating, whispering it to himself. His eyes were filled with tears. His hands shakingly hugged a picture of his family. It had dirt on it, yet he held it strong.

Jakob didn't know what to do, and to know he was going to command this small group. His mind was lost. He felt nothing good. He didn't ask for this. Well…not in the way he wanted it to play out. He knew…they would soon become forgotten. Death would easily carry them away. No second chances. No second life. Nothing awaits them. His eyes began swelling up. But interrupting him, the bunker began shaking. The door to the bunker started dropping pieces of dirt.

"No…NO!" Jakob ran to hold the door open. Sadly, the dirt fell on to each other and…

Darkness. The bunker's entrance has collapsed. Nothing can be seen. No light. No ray of sunshine. Absolutely nothing. The only thing seen is a void of darkness. Just like this war. There is no sunshine on this battlefield. No type of hope that can get you out. The only thing is gore, blood, and murder.

This war only clings on our hopes and has us hanging between life and death by a thread. Only few survive…others; not so much.

Outro Song - Esta Cobardia by Chiquitete

P.S - Thanks for reading chapter 2! Hope you enjoyed it and like the story so far. This is optional, but I have more stories under my name that you can check out. I honestly think they're good, so take a skim at them. Also, I take recommendations for next future chapters and suggestions. So if you have an idea for a story or conflict in the next chapter, then feel free to write a comment and I'll try my best to incorporate it. Once again, have patience and the next chapter will be out soon.

Until next time…