Prologue
Over on a faraway land, completely baren of any human presence, was a young jungle green wolf pup named Roxy, running through the woods at a blinding speed. Trying to make it back to his pack before his absence is noticed, as he was coming back from somewhere that he never should have been. The river that flows through the edges of their territory. A place that his own father had told him never to go over and over, however it was the only place where he was able to meet with his best friend, Claria, the Alpha-Heir of the RiverRush pack.
Unfortunately, his father was strongly against them being friends because the WoodLand and RiverRush had been at odds with each other for as long as the two packs existed. The many conflicts they've had tarnished any motivation for the two packs to be at peace and for as long as Roxy has been alive, he's heard the same thing about the RiverRush over and over. That the RiverRush wolves have no care for the WoodLand and is everything they stand against. But Claria is nothing like that, and that makes her worth it to defy his father over and over, just to see and talk to her.
Yet despite her title as Alpha-Heir, Claria is very humble and playful, and is the nicest and silliest pup Roxy has ever met. He also feels that Claria is the only pup who truly understands Roxy. Before he met her, Roxy felt he was truly alone in his thoughts, that no other wolf, other than his father, knew just what it meant to have so much pressure on themselves and understood just what it meant to be an Alpha-Heir. Then he met Claria and for the past few moons, the two told each other many of their thoughts, feelings, and struggles being Alpha-Heir's of their packs.
No doubt about it. Claria is worth going through all the trouble, but he one day wishes that he wouldn't have to constantly dodge and run just to be able to spend time with Claria. But for that to happen, both Roxy and Claria must convince their packs to make peace, and that was easier thought of than done, due to how long the packs have been bitter rivals.
But that would have to wait, Roxy has to try to make it back to camp before he gets into big trouble. If he runs fast enough, he could slide right in without anyone noticing, he may just get away with it this time.
"Roxy!"
As soon as he heard his name, Roxy immediately stopped in his tracks, almost falling forward in his face, in front of the last wolf he wanted to find besides his father. The Beta of the WoodLand pack, Xander.
The large grey wolf had a blatant scowl on his face that made Roxy immediately cringe, knowing for sure that he won't get away with this one. He draws a long-sustained sigh. "I should've known you'd be all the way out here, Roxy."
"Xander, I know it doesn't look like it, but I've actually have been hunting all this time." Roxy insists.
Xander kept his stern on the pup. "Really? Then what's your catch?"
Roxy's confidence was sapped at the question. "I…uh…didn't get that much….ju-just a rabbit and a bird."
Xander stiffed up at Roxy's pathetic answer. "A bird…and a rabbit? That's all you got?"
Roxy swallows a pinecone into his stomach. "Yes sir."
Xander crunches his lips and closes his eyes with a disappointed sigh. "For as long as you've been out here Roxy, I expected you to have a moon's worth of food for the pack."
"I-I understand Xander, but I tried. I really did." Roxy insists.
"Don't play this with me Roxy." Xander interjects, seeing right through the jungle green pup's poor attempt to assure him. "I know exactly where you've been, at the river along our territory to see that RiverRush pup. Am I right?"
Roxy easily caves. Seeing no point in hiding it. "I….may have passed by it a time or two."
"As I thought." Xander replies with a fierce stern. "You know your father has countlessly forbid from that river."
"I know Xander. I just….It's just the only way I can see her." Roxy mutters.
Xander lets out another sigh. "I know pup, but I don't know if I can cover for you this time. Your absence is very noticeable, and you were given an important task for the pack. Thanks to what little contribution you have, there will be no doubt where you've been."
Roxy dips his head to his paws. He's been very grateful for Xander's support in a situation as damning as this. When your best friend is this Alpha-Heir of a rival pack, you need all the help you can get to keep your tail clean. Although Roxy prefers not having to move around the bushes to see his friend, it's been easier thanks to Xander covering for him as many times as he has.
Though, like Xander thinks, there was no way he could explain this time.
The long walk back to the WoodLand camp was noting short of shameful for the jungle green pup.
He could feel just about every disappointed and distasteful look the entire pack was giving him as he placed his catch on the reserve pile. If it weren't for him being entitled, he would be hearing a lot of harsh words from them. Though nothing they could say would come any close from the words he was about to receive from his father.
Roxy did his best not to look at the gazes as he walked with Xander up to the far end of the camp, where his father, the Alpha of WoodLand, Asul, perched in front of his den, giving a hard, stern glare to his pup that made Roxy want to shrivel up. His delta, Cheyenne, sat right beside him. Who could only give her son a dreadful look of disappointment.
Xander sits beside Roxy and perks to Asul. "I found him Asul. Unfortunately, it was as you said. He was close to the RiverRush border."
In response, Asul narrows his gaze before giving a nod to Xander's efforts to find his son. He then sees the crowd that was gathered behind Xander and his son.
He narrows his eyes on Roxy. "We have much to talk about young pup, but only for our ears. In the den you go Roxius."
Roxy cringes before slowly dragging his paws into the den. As he does, Asul looks to the beta.
"Xander, I want you in here as well. As for the rest of you, back to your endeavors."
Upon the Alpha's words, the wolves gathered around quickly dispersed while Xander follows Roxy, Asul, and Cheyenne into the Alpha's den.
Roxy sat his back against the wall of the den, while his father sat across from on his moss bedding while his mate sat beside him with a somewhat reluctant look to her. She stayed silent though, trusting her mate enough to not come down too hard on their pup.
Xander occupied the entrance way and sat patiently for Asul to speak, though it was Roxy who spoke first.
"Li-Listen. Father….I…"
"Save your breath on whatever story you're going to tell me, Roxius." Asul cut off instantly. "I know it from beginning to end at this point."
Roxy retracts from his father, crunching himself more against the wall in total embarrassment.
"You've not only deliberately disobeyed me Roxius, but you also let your aspirations stand in front of the pack needs." Asul grimly laid out. "You better be counting your blessings that Styx and Gable brought home a great catch. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't have enough to last us a moon."
Roxy had nothing to say to his father, looking as shameful as he could be.
Asul softens his tone a little along with his gaze. "Roxius, you know I love you more than any wolf on this land. You carry my and your mother's blood along with the title I gave you when you were born, but sometimes I feel that you don't appreciate what all we have given you and who you share this camp with."
"N-No! I do! I do!" Roxy cries.
"Then why is it everytime I turn my back on you, you continue to defy me and waste your time with that RiverRush pup?" Asul pushes back, putting a distasteful emphasis on the name RiverRush.
Roxy retracts a little before answering, knowing that his father wouldn't like it. "Because father…it's….the only way I can see and spend time with her."
Asul noticeably tenses at Roxy's response, however, Cheyenne paws at her mate to ease him, while saying her mind.
"Roxy. I for one, am happy for that you have a friend like that, but your father is right." She says. "You can't hold her above the pack's needs. Especially since she is from another pack that is our…"
"I know mother, I know she's a RiverRush pup but I don't care if we're supposed to be enemies! She's my friend! She's the only one who understands me and what I go through!" Roxy lets out. "She cares about me despite who I am and wants our packs to thrive together!"
"That's not the point, ROXIUS!" Asul growls out to a loud cold bark, nearly lifting Roxy out of his paws. "YOU are the Alpha-Heir of this Pack! YOU are set to lead when I join the ancients many moons from now! OUR wolves and the wolves after us are going to have to rely on YOU for their LIVES, and so far, I've seen no signs of you ever being capable of bearing this responsibility! All I see is you sacrificing our packs needs for this pursuit of harmony!"
Roxy reels back and hangs his head in defeat and shame of his actions. Whimpering quietly in fear. "F-Father….I'm sorry…I-I never meant for you to think that I….couldn't….I-I just wanted to find some way to get our packs to stop fighting, and be treasured allies. I-I never meant for you to doubt me."
A few moments of dead silence before Asul lets out a long-aggravated sigh and calms down. "Look, I'm not against you having friends. I'll even go as far to say that I admire your determination for our packs to coincide with one another, but sacrificing your own pack's needs is not the way to go about it. At the end of everything, your pack comes first above all else, even your life at times. I hoped you understood that when I told you, but you seem to not fully grasp it. So, I'm going to have to reinforce this concept to you by reminding you of just who will be counting on you when the time comes. I'm downgrading you to the packs most mundane tasks. Changing bedding, cleaning out dens, eliminate vermin, such the like, and taking you off hunting duties."
Roxy of course wanted to protest but felt that he had no leg to stand on. Conceding with no resistance. "I…..I understand father."
"I'm not finished Roxius." Asul bellows out, suddenly. "Along with what I just said; I simply can't trust you by yourself behind my back. That's where I need you Xander."
Upon his name, Xander perks to his Alpha. Roxy eyes his father with dread wondering what he was implying.
"Xander, from this day on, until I say so, Roxius is never to leave your sight. Wherever you go, he best be in your presence."
Xander preemptively widened at this as Roxy protests to his father. "Father! No! It's not fair! Do to me what you want, but Xander has his own pup to…."
"Maybe, you should've thought of that before you decided to set aside your pack's survival for not only another pup, but a pup from our rival pack." Asul sternly stated with no give. He then looks solemnly at the still offset Xander. "Xander, I know I'm asking a lot out of you, but can I trust you to carry out this order."
It took a bit for Xander to answer the Alpha as he was still processing what he was asking him to do, but quickly, he perks back to him and nods "Yes Alpha. You can fully trust me to carry your wishes."
Asul nods back. "Thank you for your loyalty Xander. I promise I'll make it up to you in some way." He then turns back to his son. "That is all I have to say on the matter. You best go eat your share and immediately find yourself something to do within the camp; Roxius."
Roxy, having been completely decimated before he could even defend himself, let out a sad "yes father" before exiting out the den with his head down at his paws. Xander follows him, leaving Asul with Cheyenne, who looks to him with uncertainty.
"That was…..hard to watch Alpha." She mumbles out.
Asul takes a breath before responding. "I know Cheyenne, but it had to be done."
"No No, I get it. My efforts did little to stop him. So it's only fair for you to come down on him like that." Cheyenne sighs. "I just hope it doesn't make it worse and he pushes us away."
"No need to fear that in the slightest, Delta." Asul comforts. "Roxy may be determined, but he's loyal. Loyal enough to lead his pack. He just needs to understand that his priorities don't lie with friends in other packs. At least above his own."
"I don't know Alpha; I have to say it is pretty wonderful to see him this intent on or pack's relations." Cheyenne admitted. "Makes me somewhat proud for him to want to better it."
"You're not exactly alone on that Delta, I just wish it wasn't the RiverRush." Asul comments. "Gari knows we need to get more involved with their affairs."
"That may not be too bad Alpha. We've been at odds with them for so long, I think we've forgotten what we've been feuding for."
"You may be right, but I'm doubtful that they have the same thoughts." Asul replies. "I think it's best that we keep our focus on our own kind for now."
Cheyenne slightly shakes her head at her mate's stubbornness. She then looks at him with uncertain curiosity. "Did you mean it by the way? When you told him that you saw no signs of being a good leader?"
Asul closes his eyes and lets out a sigh. "I…may have overexaggerated a little. To make sure he realizes just what's at stake for him."
"A little? Asul, forgive me, but you pretty much told him that you didn't believe in him at all. There's no telling what that could do to his mind." Cheyenne points out, her concern for Roxy consuming her like a blanket.
Asul eyes his Delta with a sudden small smirk. "My dear mate. You're selling our son very short. Roxy is a strong-minded pup. If anything, he'll see this as a wake-up call and start taking his destiny a little more seriously. Not just for his sake, but our pack's as well."
A few yards from the Alpha's den were where the pack's cook was finishing out preparing portions for the thirty plus in the pack. Effectively cooking within a steady fire pit. While the wolves can of course survive off raw meat, it was a tasty treat for it to be cooked, especially from a very talented cook.
Thankfully for the WoodLand, they do, which what almost made Roxy forget about the demeaning talk down with his father earlier, only Xander trailing him behind reminded him of that.
For all his life Roxy has treated his title as something to work to and live for. Hearing his father discredit him and claim that he has no care for the pack's needs was a scratch to his face.
All he wanted to do was spend time with Claria. The only pup who knows the struggles of being an Alpha-Heir and is the nicest and funniest pup he's ever met. A pup who cares about their culture and how to make it better than the way they see it. A real, good friend.
It of course is worth it to see her, but now where his father thinks he's a failure, and on top of that, With Xander ono his tail, he may never see Claria until the next gathering which was on the next full moon. An eternity for Roxy.
While he waited to be served, Roxy eyes Xander, almost barring not to look thanks to the slight annoyed expression he has.
"X-Xander?" Roxy said. Getting Xander's attention. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to get dragged into this."
Xander let out a soft sigh. "It's alright Roxy. I didn't really need the downtime anyway."
Roxy cringes. "But yo have a newborn. You need time to help Dawn take care of it."
"I don't think I need to worry about that. I can just have you help us out in the den if Dawn needs me. Im sure Asul will understand that."
Roxy dips his head. "I-I guess." He lets out a sad sigh. "I wish we weren't at odds with the RiverRush, So I wouldn't have to be so secretive about Claria."
"To be honest with you, I sorta wish the same thing." Xander admitted. "Since long even before I was born, we've been at odds with them."
"Do you know why?" Roxy asks. "What caused the WoodLand and the RiverRush to be at odds with each other?"
"I think the real reason has been lost to time Roxy. Now I think our opinions are what keeps us apart." Xander answers. "It's going to take a long while for…."
Xander stops when his ears pick up a long distant noise. Roxy of course doesn't detect this and was confused why he stopped, but before he could ask…
"Do you hear that?"
More confused, Roxy perks his ear and slightly catches a vague repetitive thumbing unrecognizable to him, making his heart thump over and over.
As the sound grew, it started to vibrate the wolf's ears, cringing in response. "What is that Xander, I can't stand it!"
Xander was doing his best to keep his head up, but the sound was making it very difficult. "I have no idea! But it can't be anything good. Get to your father Roxy, now!"
As he was told, Roxy gives up his place in line and starts running back to his father's den, as the wolves around him vary in confusion and winces at the sound that was now very loud. More than a bear's mighty roar.
As he gets close to his den, a big shadow envelops the area below him, making him look up in utter horror at what looked to be a humongous flying beast right over them.
Its legs dangled on the sides and It's tail was longer than any land creature Roxy ever seen. A foul stench stings his nose as if the trees around their camp were bursting into utter ashes. However, what was the scariest part, was the giant circle spinning above the monster. So fast that it was blasting a strong gust of wind right below it, nearly blowing the Alpha-Heir off his feet.
"Roxy! Get in the den! Now!" He hears from his father, who was now just outside the den with his Delta right next to him with a terrified expression.
Roxy speeds in between them into the den. He hears his father say. "Don't come out for anything."
Around that time, as the beast hovers over their camp, cats suddenly jump out around the perimeter and start attacking the unsuspecting wolves.
Due to being surprised, the wolves were easily overcome by the army of cats, but eventually, the wolves start fighting back, turning the camp into a battlefield.
Before long though, as the beast lowers a bit, turning the camp into a valley of wind, then loud pops go off all around, piercing the wolves' ears greatly. The sources of the noises then enter the fray, which were a collection of canines of different breeds dressed in uniform like garb, armed with quadrupedal rifles up to the sky before pointing them at the wolves, some firing off a couple more shots to scare them.
The Alpha watches with fury in his veins as his pack is scared to stand absolutely still. To be pinned down by more dogs and cats was berating to them.
The dogs then push the wolves away from the center of the camp, leaving a large area in the center as the flying beast hovers over it. Slowly placing its feet down on the ground, letting out an early roar before it ceases its spinning.
Then, to the bewilderment of the wolves, a group of little kittens no bigger than a wolf cub, jump out of the monster's belly wearing different colored uniforms with packs producing various gadgets that may not exactly be intimidating as the guns, but the kitties still threatening smirks regardless.
Finally, one more individual stepped out of the monster. A two-legged human dressed everywhere in dark purple complete with a large purple top hat. His face was one you just wanna scratch all over, dawning a very extravagant sly mustache with a grin just a snively as the mustache was.
The man takes one look around the pack and chuckles with satisfaction before pompously walking straight to Asul. His kitties following him, letting out snide laughs of their own.
As Cheyenne cowers a little, Asul stands tall, giving the human an icy stare that could pierce even the fiercest of foes.
"What is the meaning of this?! What are you?!" Asul growls out, almost ready to lunge at him, if it weren't for the army of dogs around him.
The man stops abruptly and bows with his hat. The kittens do the same. "Excuse me for my elaborate entrance, I am the extravagant Humdinger."
The theatrics did little to quell the wolf's anger as he continued to growl. "What do you think you're doing!?"
The man keeps his slick smile on despite the hostile wolf in front of him. "Why, I'm here to claim what is now mine for the taking."
The Alpha tightens his paws on the verge of attacking. "And what is that?"
"Why that of course, is your Wolf's Emerald."
As soon as Humdinger says that, the wolves all gasp in shock, even taking the Alpha and Delta back a bit at the man's knowledge of their emerald.
"And if you know what's good for you and your pack, you'd go ahead and hand if right over to me."
Paw Patrol and the Wolf's Emerald
September 27th, 2024
