thought that strange. Seems I should have thought a bit harder.”

          “The reason there was no guard is because I had a thought that it might be Timbre… never did I think to suspect my own sister…” He sighed. “Melody, no one else knows of your treachery. Give me the location of the ambush, help me to defeat this pack, and no one else will. It’s the only way I can save you from yourself.”

          Melody laughed. “…and have things just go back to the way they were? …no thanks.”

          Dash looked at his sister. “Melody, this is the only way I can save you. If you refuse me then I have one course of action to take. …don’t make me do something neither of us want…”

          “…and what’s that?” Melody snapped.

          “You know damn well what that is.” Dash said. “…and you’re forcing my paws. I can’t help you if you won’t help yourself.”

          “I wasn’t wrong.” Melody said. “…and I’d do it again. Timbre will never find out, and you won’t stop me. I know you, you can’t kill me. …not your own sister.”

          Dash sighed. “You’re wrong Melody.” He said. “The oath I took tonight… I swore to protect this Clan from its enemies. If you continue this course of action then my sister died the first time she talked to those wolves… you’re only my enemy.”

          Melody laughed. “…strong words Dash… strong words.”

          Dash growled and raised his paw, smacking Melody in the side of the face, tossing her to the ground. “Damn it Melody this isn’t a game!” He snarled. “This is real! Help me and I’ll help you.”

          Melody stared up at her brother, fire in her eyes. “…release Timbre from his duties.” She said.

          “I can’t do that.” Dash said.

          Melody nodded and stood. “…fine, then you leave me no choice…”

          Melody leapt at Dash and hit him in the face.

          Dash was surprised at her attack and fell to the ground. He rolled to the left as Melody tried to pounce on him and came back up on his paws. “Melody, please… don’t do this.” He said.

          Melody snarled at him. “Help me and I’ll help you.”

          Dash shook his head. “…that’s not the way it works.” He said.

          Melody leapt at him again, but this time Dash was ready. He stepped out of the way and hit her in the back of the head, sending her tumbling to the ground.

          “Come to your senses!” Dash yelled. “Don’t you realize what you’re doing?”

          Melody got to her feet and rushed Dash again, however, this time she veered off to the side at the last moment and when Dash tried to sidestep again they collided.

          The two wolves fought hard. Melody slashed at her brother’s face with her claws, seeking to blind him. Dash tried to reciprocate, but found that Melody had been right. He couldn’t do her any real harm.

          After a few moments of scrabbling claws Melody finally connected with a strong strike to Dash’s neck. Dash went down hard and Melody was instantly on top of him. She tore into his shoulder and Dash yipped in pain. He found a bit of adrenaline then and kicked Melody in the stomach, knocking her off of him.

          He stood and tried to catch his breath.

          Melody got up and faced him.

          “Melody, this is pointless.” Dash said. “Just agree to help me.”

          Melody shook her head and ran at her brother.

          Dash waited until she was very close and suddenly struck outward with every bit of his strength.

          Melody’s head snapped back violently and she flipped over in the air, landing on the rocks and rolling to the side of the wall.

          She didn’t move.

          “…Melody?” Dash asked. He walked closer.

          Still she didn’t move.

          He continued his slow walk until he was right beside her.

          “…sis?” He asked.

          …still nothing.

          Dash sighed.

          Melody suddenly twisted and leapt at her brother, catching him completely off guard. She was all over him.

          Dash could hear and feel her paws beating into his sides at an alarming rate. He was losing ground, and losing it fast. Dash stepped backward and sat his paw down on a small rock. For just a moment his stance faltered to one side.

          Melody saw this and took advantage of it, slamming her paw hard into his other side, just below his ribs.

          Dash felt the breath leave his body and he fell to the side, crumpling up in a ball.

          In the few seconds it took him to be able to breathe again, Melody had pounced on him. She was fueled by rage now.

          Dash didn’t even recognize his sister as she rained blows down on his face and neck. He tried to block them, but found she was much too fast for him to catch all of them, or even most of them.

          Finally Melody stopped.

          Dash covered his face with his paws, trying to ward off any more blows.

          Melody sighed. “You forced me to do this. You forced me to do what must be done. You! This is all your fault!”

          Tears were streaming down her face.

          “…but now it’s time to end it.” She said.

          Dash had no strength left to defend himself. His paws slipped from his face and he looked up at his sister.

          “…this is it.” He thought. “She’s going to kill me.”

          Melody opened and closed her jaws a few times, remaining silent. A few moments passed and she sighed.

          Then she stood and got up off of him. “…damn it!” She yelled.

          Dash took a moment to catch his breath, then rolled over and watched his sister as she walked to the other side of the small entrance chamber.

          He wiped a bit of blood away from the corner of his mouth with his paw and stood. “…Melody?” He asked.

          She just sighed.

          Dash walked toward her, wary of another attack. “…Melody?” He asked again.

          She still said nothing.

          Dash stopped at her side. “Melody…” He said once more.

          Melody sniffed and Dash could tell she was crying. “…I can’t do it Dash.” She said. She turned and looked at him. “I can’t kill my own brother. …do what you will with me.”

          Dash shook his head. “No, help me, come back to the Talbourne. Trust Aniu. She has a plan for you, and for Timbre.”

          Melody sighed. “You… you would still have me?”

          Dash nodded and nuzzled her. “You’re my sister.” He said. “Help me, prove yourself to me, and no one else will know of