Ethan & *Pack*

The truck carried on down various roads for some time, rattling over a few bridges and dipping in and out of the woods as Ethan traversed nearly the entire length of the Valley. Eventually, the forests and prairies gave way to a more open expanse of land, while the gentle slopes of the Ochotona Mountains came into view to the north. Dust clouds roiled up behind the truck as it bounced along the gravel road that led through the Eskers, marking the path that Ethan took to reach one of his favorite hunting grounds.

This is where he had captured Darkia last year, and this is where he planned to test Aizen with his hunting pack. After receiving word that there were some decent animal tracks in the area, Ethan parked his truck and came around back to led the hunting party out.

Aizen

Aizen would turn on them if the animal they went after were haunter and if an animal was shot with the mans boomstick well he would help in the hunt either he was not okay with that. His nose did twitch but nothing more.

Darkia was just out of site and hearing range currently. She was on a scouting trip for hte haunters.

Ethan & *Pack*

Silver Fyre and the three hounds hopped from the back of the truck as soon as the tailgate was opened. All four immediately took to sniffing the air and investigating their surroundings, while casting frequent glances to the human for instruction. With the wind currently being in Darkia's favor, and the horse just out of sight, none of them had noticed the equine.

Ethan retrieved a pair of guns from the truck; one being a smaller handgun, and the other being a larger, long-ranged hunting rifle. A sizeable backpack hung from his shoulders, while knife was sheathed at his opposite side. As he situated these various items about his person, Ethan took a moment to survey the land around him, looking for any promising tracks or signs that an animal had been through the area recently.

"Nothing yet, but the open land will make it easier to spot prey. And much easier for Ethan to take them down. Not many trees around here to hide behind." Silver Fyre commented. And ear perked and she swiveled her head back when the man gave a whistle and began to trek away from the truck, striking out at an easy pace across the Eskers.

Aizen

HE snorted.we should take the prey down this is no hunt for us if he does it with that thingHe said his tail above his back. Why go on a hunt if Ethan was just gonna shoot the thing? What point was there to bringing them? He wanted to hunt like he did that deer. He snorted his ears flicked slightly but shook his head. He knew that call but he put it behind him it couldn't be Darkia. But if it was Ethan would be quick to learn he was loyal to his pack and that included Darkia. He was only biding his time with this bull shit.

Darkia had made a call to a horse across the river hoping to entice him into conversation but the moment she said Haunters he bolted and she sighed and shook her head.

Velvet & Blackmist

Velvet was crossing swiftly over the land, moving cautiously along the bottom edges of the eskers. Now and then, she'd adjust her course and scale the top of one of the many sand dunes in order to survey the land, and just as quickly, would skirt back into the shadows of the loamy hills to avoid any unwanted attention. She had been following Darkia's trail for some time now, and had nearly caught up with the horse when the sound of a distant engine gave her pause and put the Haunter on high alert.

Behind Velvet, Blackmist traveled with equal care. Sporting a gray pelt with bold black markings, she didn't blend in as well as the African lion, and had to be more mindful of where she traveled. She'd follow the Oracle up some of the eskers, but generally stayed near the bottom, watching for any cues from Velvet about potential problems. Somewhere nearby, she'd heard Darkia's voice call out, and shortly after that, the rumble of an engine that warned of a human's presence.

"Stay low." Velvet warned, flattening her ears and lowering her body to reduce her profile. Moving fluidly, the lioness began to cover ground more quickly now, trying to make her way to Darkia...

Ethan & *Pack*

"We work as a team." Blue interjected, "We help him locate the prey, and corner it. Sometimes we make the kill ourselves, and sometimes he makes it with his boomstick." The darkly hued hound made no attempt to hide her irritation with Aizen, though like Carbon, she didn't attempt to fight with or harass the wolfdog. Ethan had made it clear that the Haunter was part of the pack, and that meant fangs off. "Either way, we get the thrill of the hunt, and a belly full of fresh meat at the end of the day."

Silver Fyre loped further away from Blue and the others, with a glance over her shoulder and a look to Aizen to invite him after her. "I'm not a fan of the boomsticks either." She admitted simply, "But, they're not all that bad. He's saved us from some pretty scary scraps in the past with those weapons."

"Horse!" Carbon was the one to give this bark, spotting the stallion who'd turned and began to flee. Flagging his tail high, the hound began to tear across the ground, with Blue and Carrie in hot pursuit. So far, they hadn't seen Darkia or the other Haunters.

Ethan immediately doubled back, sprinting fast for the truck. If he were going to keep up with the pack, he'd need the help of his vehicle.

Aizen

He snorted.Well if you guys won't attempt to make the kill I will I don't care for that boomstick and if we are hunting we make the kill the old fashioned way.he said before following them. However; it was he who caught Darkia scent and his whole body grew rigid. If they changed target he would change teams. His ears were flat back.

Darkia heard the running of feet and her head shot up and her ears forward and then she too booked it out of there. Her ears flat back.

Senka moved with Velvet and hunkered down as she began to hear voices of canines and... Aizen? Her eyes narrowed. She saw Darkia running and hid in a bush to pounce who ever may change to going after her.

Velvet & Blackmist

"Aizen!" Blackmist caught wind of the voice when Senka did, and couldn't contain the surprised bark that escaped her. A quick, venomous glance from Velvet had the wolfess flattening her ears and scurrying up beside the two big cats, "Did you hear that?"

Velvet had followed Senka's lead once she realized there were several hunting hounds with the human, and quickly hid amongst the sparse scrub. Lowering her head, and not offering a response to Blackmist, the Oracle waited with poised muscles as she watched Darkia bolt one way, and the unknown stallion go the other. Soon enough, the hounds came into view, charging across the land as the truck eventually roared to life and began to catch up.

Sure enough, the three-legged stride of Aizen made it simple to identify the missing Haunter. With him was a silver and black wolf, and three of those cursed hounds. "Don't bolt into the open. If that two-legger has a boomstick with him, we'll share Nahimana's fate."

Ethan & *Pack*

Ethan's truck was soon catching up to his hunting pack, but he couldn't exactly go full throttle in his chase. The land here was not perfectly flat by any means, and plenty obstacles in the form of small boulders, shrubs, and the eskers themselves forced him to swerve and alter his course as he tried to keep up with the dogs. Yet, the land was open enough that he was able to keep the dogs in his sights most of the time, and as he cleared a few of the sandy hills, Darkia eventually came into focus...

Blue's legs were pumping fast, catapulting the large hound across the ground at dizzying speed. "That headstrong... ego of yours... will get you... killed." Her words came in breathy pants as she flew by, determined to catch up with the stallion.

That's when Darkia burst into view. Silver Fyre immediately recognized the mare and hesitated. This was the mare that had broken lose twice from Ethan's; the last time, after the Haunters themselves had come to free her, along with that spotted deer. 'Shit.' Ignoring Blue, Silver spoke to her irritable comrade, "That your uh... friend there?" She was beginning to pant now too as she increased her speed, but hadn't yet switched targets to go after Darkia.

Carrie and Carbon, however, had other ideas. They too recognized the mare that had once been Ethan's. Forgetting about the stallion, both hounds altered course and began to run straight for Darkia...

Aizen

HE had no problems going after the random stallion but the moment Carrie and Carbon changed targets.Yeshe growled. He wanted Silver to join him when he got free but right now it was about saving Darkia and so now he made the decision. He pushed himself faster and harder to overtake the other two and he spun to face them head down tail up scruff and back fur raised.our hunt is the stallionhe snarled. He had all intents to protect Darkia he wouldn't of changed against them if they had continued after the Stallion.

Darkia ears flicked at Aizens words and she slowed down and spun so her side was facing them as she eyed them. Her ears are back and she is debating on charging back to help her canine friend till she hears the engine. Her tail starts lashing.

Senka hides in the bushs' to the canines right. She smirks as Aizen turns on them. To bbe expected.

Velvet & Blackmist

Closer they came, once specks in the distance now gaining shape and clarity. With only four hounds present, Velvet wasn't too worried about them, and would have charged out to tackle any one of the mongrels if it weren't for the human. "If we can distract some of those hounds and draw them away from the human, they'll be easy pickings." The lion suggested, all while keeping her slanted eyes fixed on the canines. Still keeping her body low, Velvet uttered a deep roar, then began to back up along the bottom edge of the esker, making sure it was between her and the truck that was weaving along in the background.

Blackmist had a harder time containing herself. She wanted to rush out and defend her friend, especially when she recognized who was with him. Blue, Carrie, and Carbon; three of the four hounds that had challenged them at the human's territory. When Aizen darted suddenly for Carrie and Carbon, Blackmist chose to break cover. With a snarl, she rushed from her hiding spot, bolting across the ground as she drove for the female. If she got near, she fully intended to crash into the hound and send her sprawling...

Ethan & *Pack*

"Hey!" Carbon snarled at Aizen when the brute had the audacity to charge in front of them, getting between them and their prey. He was forced to skid to a halt, kicking sand and dirt as he did so, "What the hell has gotten into you?! That horse belongs to Ethan, so that's our top-"

A reverberating roar stopped Carbon in his tracks, and gave Carrie pause. She'd been about to bolt past Aizen and keep chasing Darkia when the lion's call rolled across the land, and from a distance not too far from them. Looking in the direction where it came from, she saw a blur of black and gray fur hurtling her way and braced herself as Blackmist lunged. Having enough time to see her coming, Carrie dodged aside and slashed her fangs at the other...

Silver Fyre had hesitantly broke away from Blue and followed after Aizen, but did not attempt to get in the way of the hounds. Instead she stood off to the side uncertainly, "Just so you guys know, Ethan really doesn't like it when we fight. Aizen-" That's when she had heard the roar and her warning was cut short. Fur bristling, she looked towards the sound of the noise, but the two big cats had already retreated into the brush.

Ethan still lagged behind, but would soon be caught up with his hunting pack...

Aizen

Aizen kept between them his ears back though they flicked forward at the roar.I will hunt non haunters with you but when the day ends I am a haunter, That horse does not belong to him. She is a haunter and s isn'tBut he didn't get finish when Black came forward. He almost wanted to roll his eyes at her. You can either go back to chasing that stallion, You can ditch the weak human and come join us, go back to the human or die fighting us I will back the haunters alwaysHe slightly look to Silver. He had really taken a liking to her. Join us Silver you willo better in the wild then with these mangy kur who bow to a boom stickHe said.

Senka knew exactly what Velvet wanted to do. However when Black charged out she sent out her own roar, but did not blow her cover by moving.

Darkia rears up and lashs the air threateningly at the dogs her ears back.

Velvet & Blackmist

'You idiot.' Thought Velvet, watching Blackmist disregard strict orders and go tearing across the ground towards the hunting pack. Like Senka, she didn't dare bolt after the wolfdog, knowing that a single hit from the boomstick could end her before she got near any of the mongrels. Size and strength didn't matter in this fight, so long as that human was here. For that reason, the lion reluctantly remained put, flexing her claws into the earth as tension mounting in her. Mo< Oh, Blackmist knew it was stupid to have rushed out, but she wanted to free her uncle from his human bondage, and wanted to do that before the human caught up to them. "Run!" She barked at him, flashing a sharp look at the tri-legged hybrid. She was in the middle of wheeling back around from her failed rush and charging back at Carrie, having taking a deep tear to the shoulder from the hound's snapping fangs.

Ethan & *Pack*

Carbon knew better than to go diving headlong into the scrub where he'd heard the roar of lions, and didn't have the backup of his master. Though he kept a wary eye on the ravine where the two felines hid, he didn't take the bait. "You're not the leader here, you don't get to make the calls." The giant hound shifted so that he could look to Carrie and Blackmist, deeming the wolfess a more vital target than Darkia in the moment, and he was about to lunge at her when he caught what Aizen said to Silver. His brittle hackles rose and he sent a lethal glare to the she-wolf, muscles tensed.

Carrie met Blackmist's attack fang for fang, earning several deep gouges to her muzzle and cheeks, but pushing through it without pause. Using her greater strength, she tried to shove Black down with her front paws and plunge her fangs for the other's throat...

Hesitantly on the edge of all of this, Silver Fyre bristled her own fur and cricked her tail. She met Carbon's glare, and knew he was poised to attack. Rusty-red eyes sought Aizen next, "Will your Haunters accept someone who's attacked them in the past?" It was an honest question, and one that caused Carbon to snarl threateningly.

"Silver, I'm warning you..." He hedged, taking a brisk step towards her.

Aizen

Aizen snorted at Carbon.And no one her eis my leader the two roars are more my leadershe snarl He then moved to stand inbetween Carbon and Silver.Black go we'll catch uphe growled at his niece he wanted to smack her for being stupid. They will if I vouch for you If you turn on them and work with us they will see you for who you truly areHe said.

Darkia saw Black and Carrie and finally the horse came tearing down and attempted to hit the female hound with her front hooves her ears back.

Senka kept roaring.

Velvet & Blackmist

Velvet kept an ear pointed in the direction of the truck, monitoring how close it was getting. Her eyes were for the fight ahead of them, or what she and Senka could see through the low brush they were hiding in. "Run back to cover!" The lioness called out, brazenly letting her words be heard, "If the hounds follow you, it will be their death."

Blackmist hadn't realized Aizen was part of this pack, and was confused on why he hadn't bolted for safety the second he had the opportunity. At first she figured his spirit might have been broken like his sister's, but hearing him talk to Silver, she suspected there was another reason. "I'm not leaving you behind again, Aizen!" Carrie managed to strike her hard, but Blackmist didn't fall. She clashed fangs with the hound before dancing backwards and wheeling away from the mongrel, "Hurry!" With Darkia's help to distract Carrie, Black was ready to run as soon as she knew Aizen was coming with...

Ethan & *Pack*

The wrinkles on Carbon's face grew deeper as his snarl intensified, "Then you choose to die today." He took a bold step closer to Aizen, until his hot breath was washing over the Haunter's face. He couldn't attack just yet, lest he risk getting punished by Ethan. But if he could provoke an attack from the wild brute, his actions could be justified. "Silver Fyre, stand back. Tommy would be awfully disappointed to hear that you died today as well."

Silver Fyre cast her eyes downward for a moment, feeling a few heartstrings tugged at the mention of her grandfather. 'I could always go back for him.' As soon as she thought this, Silver realized she'd made her decision. She looked again to Aizen and nodded, "As long as those big cats in there don't kill me, I'll follow you."

Carrie would have continued her assault on Blackmist, but Darkia was bearing down fast on her. The hound dodged aside, but a hoof still clipped her hip, sending Carrie spinning to the ground and rolling until she got her feet beneath her and sprung back up. She made a false lunge for the mare's face before darting in a half-circle and aiming a nip at her flank...

By this time, Blue heard enough of the commotion to give up her chase of the stallion and turn back around.

By this time, Ethan had caught up with the bunch, and slowed the vehicle down. Without turning his truck off, he opened his door... and promptly slammed it shut when he heard the lions. Switching gears, he began to grab for one of his weapons...

Aizen

Aizen glared fiercly at Carbon wanting to but he did not.Velvet Senka the female wolf mix will be joining us do not attack herHe called out.run Silver now!He said and turned pushing into her to get her to follow as he hightailed it for the wooded area.

Senka heard him. The human just lost one of his hounds or wolfdog as it were. She will not be hurt aizen an addition to our family is welcomedShe calls out.

Darkia snorts at her false lunge and when she comes for her flank she sends her hind hooves out.GO black goShe said and pushed the wolf before moving off her self. Her ears back but she was well aware of who was behind them all now.

Velvet & Blackmist

Velvet saw great potential for having this hunting pet in their ranks, once it was determined whether she was trustworthy or not. A hound loyal to the Haunters could give them critical insight into how Ethan worked, and the best ways to deal with the two-leggers, now that they were becoming more of a bane for the Haunters. The lioness offered a consenting roar back, "She will come to no harm with us, provided she fully embraces our Family." She looked to the black and silver wolfdog, and then to the fighting that had broken out beyond the ravine. If only one of those hounds would run her way...

As soon as it was clear that Aizen was going to retreat, and with a new friend to boot, Blackmist gave up her assault on Carrie. She sprinted a few feet in the direction of the ravine, then paused to ensure the others were following. Once the rest of her friends were moving to the safety of the shrubs, she'd follow after.

Ethan & *Pack*

She was already in too far, there was no turning back. Though fear and flashbacks from the last Haunter assault came to mind, Silver Fyre trusted her friend and the unsettling roars of assurance from the two hidden cats. With a final glance to Ethan, Silver Fyre bolted towards the brush, and dove headlong into the ravine...

"SILVER!" Carbon snarled, saliva flying as he whipped his head around to watch his packmate abandon them and disappear into the underbrush. Venom was in his eyes as he swung his dial back around to face Aizen, and it took every ounce of control not to pounce on the three-legged mutt and tear him to shred. "We will hunt you ALL down for this, mongrel. Mark my words!" His dense fur was bristled high and his teeth clacked viciously with every word, but still the king hound did not attack.

Carrie was able to dive aside Darkia's last attack, now that she was paying attention to the horse instead of the wolfdog. It did mean she missed her nip to the mare's flank, but it was a price she was willing to pay to avoid being brained by those hooves. When Darkia began to run for cover, Carrie was on her heels, and quickly joined by Blue, up until they heard a sharp whistle from Ethan.

Both hounds stopped in their tracks, snarling and bristling as they watched the mare and Silver Fyre run into the cover of the ravine. Ethan now had a long gun aimed from the top of his truck, as he leaned up and out the driver's side window. With the roof of the truck to steady his aim, he took three wild shots into the brush, not knowing exactly where the cats were, but ready to either kill them or scare them away.

Aizen

He laughs at Carbon.Bring it we can't wait because we will kill youHe said and as the others made to retreat he turned tail to follow. His tail above his leg, no one would know he only had three legs the way he ran seeing as he was use to it.

Darkia kicked out any time the dogs tried to nip or bite her. HEr ears go flat back as three shots were fired into the brush but she knew no one was hit as she descended into the ravine.

Senka hissed out but luckily the bullet only grazed her face. She turned tail and began to run .

Velvet & Blackmist

Velvet pinned her ears and flattened herself to the ground as the shots rang out, watching as one tore into the earth in front of her with a shower of sand, dirt, and shredded leaves. 'Vile creatures!' She thought angrily to herself. Shifting her paws, the lioness began to creep backwards, sliding further into the meager brush and the protection of the ravine as Darkia, Aizen, Silver, and Black all made it back to them. As soon as the whole group was safe, and it was clear the hounds weren't pursuing them, Velvet turned and slunk after the others. "Travel the creeks, and don't go directly home! We can't let the hounds track us to our Family."

Ethan & *Pack*

Ethan aimed and shot twice more, then paused and quietly watched. Fishing into one of his many pockets, the man drew out a small remote and turned the dial, delivering a tremendous shock to Aizen's collar. He waited to see if their was a yelp or commotion, something that might give him an idea of where the animals were, though he himself was not going to enter that tangled ravine. The land was too uneven for his truck to follow after, and he was not stupid enough to pit himself against what sounded like to large cats.

Blue, Carrie, and Carbon bayed insults and threats at the retreating Haunters, vowing their destruction the next time they met.

Silver Fyre was quick to recognize Senka, remembering her from the fight at Ethan's house last year. She gave the liger a nod and lowered her tail, "Permanent truce, then?" She flashed a meager smile before flinching at the sound of gunshots. "We better get out of here; I'll follow your lead."