Baphomet lead the group of creatures to the Croal Mountains, his movements were fluid, his coat showing off his wiry frame and muscles. He looked behind himself to the others, then continued on. He knew what he was looking for.

There it was. The Temple of the Gods. Simply breath taking, even he had to admit it. Come with me, let us rid this place of infestation. By that, he meant make sure no one was living there. His growls were dark, warning anything that may be inside that he would fight them. When nothing turned up, he turned 'round and said with a grin Ladies and gentlemen, I welcome you to your new home. The Lair of the Ancients. He looked around. The place had been used for when the ruins would flood, so there were many rooms, many secret passageways. So much to explore, and he was giving them all free rein to do so.

Wasteland, being his cocky self, padded forth into the Temple. Down a dark hallway, down a set of stairs, spiraling down farther and farther until he came upon a basement like area. His cat like eyes had no problem adjusting to the darkness, and he moved through it quietly. Humans had stored food down here, and there were bags of grain, jugs of wine, and....A prison cell? The cat growled softly then went towards the bars quietly. The doors closed and opened with no problems, and a dark grin spread across his face. He went back to the stair case, and gave a mighty call to the others. Hey! Got a holding place for our enemies! It was just figuring out how to hold them in there. He could sit in front of the door, since it was a push door, and have another guard at the stair case. Other then that, he had no ideas.

Phoenix had no trouble climbing the mountain, for that's what she was made for. She watched as Wasteland went down the stairs. She jumped back when Saguaro raced down to the basement.

As the Javelina passed Wasteland, she gave a warning snort. She began exploring the place, and came upon a room filled with figurines made out of stone. She picked one up in her jaws and brought it up to Phoenix. She then brought another one up and pointed to each one with her snout. "Look! That one's you..." She said, looking at the one shaped like a big cat, then looked at the one shaped like a wild pig, "...And that one's me!" She brought them back down into the room where they came from. "I'm going to sleep in the room with the treasures." She exclaimed. The sound of her voice echoed off the walls.

Desert Storm, the hummingbird, was next to arrive. She perched upon a pillar and surveyed the area.

Nyack ran through the doorway, shaking his head. The bleeding in his mouth had stopped a while ago, but he was still angry over what the Haunter stallion had done to him.

Two more sets of paws came softly in, Gavan standing back from the group and not speaking. He had suffered much at the hands of the Haunters. So much... he had become brooding and unhappy. But his sister Astra had urged him, and he could never deny her anything. So here he was.

It was the sensitive Astra who stepped forward, soft but hearable voice calling. I heard we're to have an alliance against the Haunters. Might we be of assistance?

Purgatory flew on swift feet, after giving a challenge to Saxton that he couldn't catch her. She came screeching to a halt as suddenly there loomed another. She nearly ran into Astra, and after giving a sheepish grin and tucking her tail beneath her, she scooted around the other female, then turned to look for Saxton. She didn't know that this was his family. His...sister and brother. Her eyes took in the large statue, and she let out a soft breath of awe as she came towards the rather tall Baphomet. In a shy, timid way she shifted to and fro. If Saxton and Promise were here, she'd feel better, have more confidence. Right now, she was scared out of her mind.

He turned at the others words, and gave a smile to them. Yes, I am in seek of allies. My name is Baphomet, and you are? Suddenly his eyes fell upon another, and he gave a faint grin to the shy female. And you as well? His black tail waved as the long legged male turned, so that the statue was at his back. He heard the call of Wasteland and the cougar, and the male shook his head. Cats, couldn't they ever get along?

Wasteland gave a faint growl to the female. He had done nothing wrong! He hadn't attacked the Javeline, now had he?

Saxton came barreling in behind Purgatory, laughing and panting, I can't BELIEVE you beat me! he laughed. But then he noticed Baphomet, and took a bow, voice soft. Saxton.

Gavan remained silent, though a brief bow was offered to Baphomet. It was Astra who spoke. I am Astra, and this is my brother Gavan. She nudged her shoulder into her brother, saying, At least say hello, Gavan. But he did not say a word, only shook his head silently, a definite but gentle refusal to speak.

Before Baphomet could even reply, the silvered form of a bobcat melted out of the forest. His steps had been completely silent, but he came at an angle so that everyone could see him. He didn't mean to sneak up on anyone... he was just that stealthy naturally. His black-tufted ears swiveled to catch all the sounds, and his deep-rumbling voice spoke smoothly. Ah, so this is the land of the group I have heard of. An alliance against those Shadow Haunters is something I would welcome. I am Tyranus. He gave a deep nod, his version of the wolf bow, and sat upon his haunches, turning about, as all cats will, to wash himself. He had a beautiful silver coat of which he was very vain, and he spent many happy hours keeping it clean.

It wasn't long after Tyranus arrived that a hauntingly beautiful wolfess did as well. She knew she was beautiful, and she used it to her fullest advantage. Her body was long and lithe, her coat the purest shades of white. Her eyes were the color of sapphires, and she gave a warm smile to Baphomet, sliding and intertwining her body around his. Welcome, my brother. It is good to see you once more. Baphomets eyes lit up with pleasure. Elemental, a pleasure to see you, as always. Have you heard that Vision is here as well? I saw her briefly, she looks lovely as ever as well. In a softer voice, so that only her ears could hear, he said I'm sorry for your loss, Element. Something flickered in those ice blues, and she said so that all could hear Risen and her pack shall pay for what they did to my sister. With that, she moved away, her movements silent and swift.

It didn't take her long to find herself a room. It had a window where light filtered in, and lit up the entire place. There were pictures on the wall, painted and drawn. Symbols, figures, lovely pictures. On the floor, there was her favorite picture. It was a massive circle, and inside of it was every creature native to sparkling creek, all within the sun and moon. Yes, this was her room. This was where Betrayal would have stayed.

Baphomet watched after Elemental, then turned to the others. A pleasure to meet you all. I'm sure others will be coming behind Elemental, she always makes sure to bring something special back with her. I am Baphomet, Tyranus. This, this is the beginning of the end of the Shadow Haunters. Let me tell you all a story, do sit. He himself turned to face them all, saying in a voice so that everyone could hear When the Shadow Haunters first started, there were two leaders. The first, of course, would be Risen. The second was a small female that went by the name of Hidden Betrayal. She never really participated in the killing of everyone, she didn't attack and conquer. Now, something went wrong. Risen, she grew weary of Betrayals ways. So, she began telling the others that Betrayal would keep to her namesake, and betray and kill them all. She knew it was coming, Betrayal did. So she told her story to a bird. That bird found his way to her old pack, her old home. He told us all a story, that none of us believed. None except two sisters. Elemental and Vision had lost their sister long ago, when a war had been raging for hours. They had thought her dead, after a wolfess by the name of Aaka had taken her. When they heard the hawk speaking of this one, they knew it had to be their Betrayal. In a sad voice, the bird said I regret to inform you, your sister is dead. It is because of that death, that Elemental and Vision are here. Their sister was killed out of cold blood. Some of you may be here for vengeance, others because you don't like what the Haunters are doing. Some of you may not even really care. But know this. I will not quit, until they're all dead. The black male had his eyes on them all, making sure to make contact with each one. Purgatory was the last one, and he made sure to hold her eyes. He knew she had been a Haunter, but he also knew she didn't fit in with them it her good heart and kind soul.

The three oryxes raced after Elemental, followed by Jack and Min.

Jack's injury was healing nicely. Once they got to the top of the mountain, they looked around. They listened when Baphomet spoke. "Amen to that!" Jack howled, wagging his tail.

Once the speech was finished, they made their way through the temple. Lily nodded a greeting to Wasteland as she passed. She loved the clip clop sound her hooves made on the cold stone. She explored the basement for a while, then went back up the stairs.

Min nodded. "I think we could be of great help to you."

"Our friend, a bird, is being held captive by the Haunters." Calvin said. "They have harmed her and we fear that they may have poisoned her mind by now. I'm sure we all have something to take back from the Shadow Haunters. Some of us have lost friends and family to this group, some have lost freedom, some have lost lives. But we can all agree that we have lost the Valley. We will get revenge for what it is we have lost, but only if we work together."

Bob gave a nod of approval to his son and Baphomet.

Astra nodded, listening to all that was said, before she spoke. Ah, then Elemental ought to speak with our father's friend, Liseli. Her twin sister was killed by Risen and her bunch. Perhaps the two might... help one another.

Gavan still remained silent, though not unfriendly. Just... shy.

The four cats arrived just before Elemental, just exploring the main temple when Baphomet called them all together. The felines listened, each silent, predatory slitted eyes fixed on the wolf. With a nod, the various breeds of cat stood, Vulcan speaking for them all, We are with you 'till the end.

Draven too just nodded, The Haunters shall fall. Now all we need is a name, any ideas?

She knew the story. Hell, she was part of the story. Vision came trotting forth, her bright green eyes avoiding everyone. In a way, she was like Purgatory. Shy, quiet, gentle. In a timid voice, she said What about...Guardians? Since...We...We are going to be protecting the safety of the Valley. She was quite interesting looking. Steel grey mainly, but then white went a long her sides, in the form of dragons that joined together in the center of her chest by the tails. Elementals sister looked up as Baphomet spoke. Guardians....I would say Shadow Guardians, but I want no name that is with theres. So...What about the Ancient Guardians? He turned to look at the Statue behind him. He liked the name, it had a ring to it that he liked. Temple of the Ancients....Temple of the Gods....Yes. He liked it.