Galar & *Fish*

The powerful, reeking odor of death wafted thickly in the air. To many it was a foul scent, and to others it may mean a free meal. The scent comes from nearly three dozen dead fish that had drifted to shore and got caught up in the reeds and shallow water. Now their whitened, bloated bodies grew rank and tender in the water, hot sun, and mellow breeze. A drove of flies collected over the carcasses to feast.

Some fish were large, being nearly thirty pounds. Others were smaller; young perch, carp, and bluegill. Amid the fester of these 30-some fish were scores of dead minnows and crayfish that littered the water and the muddy shallows of the Marsh bottom. This sight was not a good one, but there was no scent other than death present.

The large alligator whom many knew as Galar, came glided through the water, then krept his way through the shallow water, pulling his slick belly through the mud and digging his webbed feet into the muck. He nosed at the fish with his wide snout for a moment, churning up the foul flesh and dirtied water as he did and feeling his stomach hunger for the food. But he felt a sickness in him, as did many of the marsh creatures. Something told him this wasn't right... Passing by the free meal, the large alligator lumbered through the smelly pile and plopped down on shore, gaping his great mouth open and resting in the warm sun. He wouldn't eat the fish, but maybe they would attract something that Galar could eat.

Maura

Maura came from the lake. A snapping turtle had told her of a heron that lived here. She used to live at the lake untill her children died from the sickenss all the other creatures except wolves seemed to be getting. She smell of the dead fish entered her nostrils and her stomach churned. It made her feel sick. Seeing Galar an idea came to her mind. Maybe he would know of the heron that the snapping turtle spoke of. She kept herself in a loose position and stepped out of the plants.

"Excuse me, but do you know of a heron that used to live at the lake but moved here after all her chicks died?"

Balto

The hybrid was walking along when he caught scent of the dead fish. He slowly advanced on them but soon realized the alligator was there. He stopped and looked at the other wolf. He was slightly confused but he didn't show it. He slowly walked up to them again and stared. "What's going on?" he asked. He was a very curious animal and liked to find new things and have adventures and everything else. He wondered why these fish were dead and why everything looked very sick.

Galar

He turned his gold-speckled eyes to the wolves, joyed at having some more company. "A heron?" The reptile repeated, pausing a moment in thought, "I tried to catch one a while ago; since the fish are no good to eat anymore. But... I think I do recall this one speaking of her dead chicks." Galar said, brightening up, hoping he could be of help. "I heard her a while ago. I could lead you to her if you want." He offered, then looked to Balto, "Hello!" Galar didn't know why Maura was here, but he was just happy to be talking with someone.

Maura

"Thank you. It would be most helpful. I'm thinking she might know more about whats destroying everything." Her tail wagged a bit. She was finally getting somewhere.

Balto

Balto was happy that these two were freindly. He yipped and wondered what a heron was, for he had never seen one. He had heard of them, but never seen one. "Hello!" he barked out. He plopped back onto his haunches and loked at them both, eyeing the dead fish with wondering eyes. He could smell the stinky scent from them, and his nose slightly wrinkled. He shook his head and then focused on the two alligators and the other wolf. He wondered who the heron was. He wanted to know what ws making all of the animals sick. He didn't enjoy the thought of polution, or whatever it could be.

Galar & *Heron*

"Sure then, follow me!" he replied eagerly, turning and holding his body off the ground, walking with stilt-legs. He moved around the stinking carcasses and slipped into the water. Staying in the shallow places, he moved along the shore so that the two canines could keep up easy enough. After a while he stopped and looked up at a dead tree that had fallen part way into the water. On a high, barren branch of the tree was a blue heron. "There. I'm not certain, but that might be her." Galar whispered.

The heron turned her sharp head towards the three but didn't move. She knew she was safe from them in her perch.

Balto

Balto followed after casually, tail held low and swaying idly behind him. He kept an eye on the alligator and walked quickly along the shore. He started panting when they stopped. He looked up at the dead tree. He spotted the heron immedietly. She caught his attention first, other than the prickly branches. He sat back on his haunches and tilted his head. He caught her scent and studied the heron. Quite an unusual creature for him, but he would try to get off at a good start. "Hello?" he shouted up to the bird. His tail wagged slightly as he looked up at her. He hoped she gave a friendly reply. There wasn't anything worse than an angry bird; at least to him.

Galar & *Heron*

Galar looked up hungrily at the bird, wanting more than anything to eat the creature. But he would wait to see what these wolves wanted out of her first.

The heron tucked her head down, arching her serpentine neck, "What do you want?" she snapped out coldly, not in a good mood. She was very sickly. But most of all, she mourned her chicks and her dead mate.

Balto

Balto thrust his head up sharply, astonished by this wierd kind of bird. He ignored her coldness. He was used to such things. "Do you know how all the animals are getting sickly?" he asked, still looking up at her. He was interested in finding out why these animals were getting sick. He continued to wag his tail slightly and kept his brown eyes on the heron. He waited for a reply. By the first words, he figured these next ones would be cold too.

Fallen Rose

She looked at the heron then at the other lupine.

Is it that two-legger, thats throwin filth into the lake.

Maura

"We mean you no harm. Plus we can't even reach you. We can avenge your dead chicks for you since were looking for whatever is making the creatures sick."

Galar & *Heron*

Galar seemed a bit disappointed about this 'no harm' business, for his stomach was quite hungry. But as long as he was having a good time helping the wolves, he figured it was worth missing the meal. Besides, she wasn't all that big anyway.

The heron hissed lightly at the mention of her chicks and humans. Yet there was sense in their words, and she wanted nothing more than vengence for the deaths. "Alright." she said at last, relenting a little. "I don't know much about the humans from personal experience, but I hear plenty from the fish. And I don't suppose any of you know fish speech?" She ruffled her feathers slightly, not waiting for them to reply, "Anyway, come with me. We will need to catch a fish, but we must get the right kind of one. And then they will tell us what is wrong." She took to the air, flapping heavily as she did and heading once more for Pike's Lake.

Balto

The hybrid quickly followed after the bird.