turning black. “Yes let’s” Shadow said eyes turning gold. Shadow blinked and Raiko was behind him and struck but Shadow pulsed to the side of him and slashed. Raiko dodged and shot and a blast dark fire at him only to him Shadow pulse above him and slam him with his leg. Staggering Raiko shook it off only to have Shadow punch him and sending him sliding back. “Hmm so you did get stronger.” Raiko said. “Duh of course I did.” Shadow said pulsing toward him again. “But not strong enough.” Raiko said dodging all his attacks, grabbing his arm and striking it. Shadow cried out as Raiko increased the pressure breaking it. “Oh stop your winning Shadow I know dad put you through more than this!” Raiko said as he held onto his arm and started punching him in the stomach and the face. “Just give up now!” Raiko shouted upper cutting him into the air. As Shadow came down Raiko side kicked him. “Maybe I should take someone else who is close to your heart.” Raiko said. “Shut up.” Shadow whispered. “What was that?” Raiko asked. “I said shut up already.” Shadow said getting up and pulsing toward him. Shadow came at him from all sides striking as hard as he could but Raiko continued to dodge and block his attacks.  Suddenly Raiko struck him only to have his paw moved aside and have Shadow kick him in the face. As he landed Shadow popped his arm back into place. “Don’t let your guard down.” Raiko said appearing behind him. Shadow blocked as many strikes as he could before countering his attacks with at blast of fire. Raiko dodged it by pulsing but Shadow was right behind him. “What?” Raiko said before getting assaulted by an endless barrage of strikes with Shadow finishing with a fiery punch and while he was flying back side kicked him sending Raiko crashing to the ground. Blood came out under Raiko as Shadow knelt on the ground. It’s all over. Shadow thought getting up but before he could walk away he stopped. “So, dad did show how to clot beowolf powers.” A voice said. Shadow turned in horror to see Raiko get up off the ground. “But now its all over, your going down.” Raiko said changing into his Lycan form. Before Shadow’s heart could beat Raiko slammed him into the ground and impaled him with his paw.  “Get out here fool I know your not dead.” Raiko said seeing the fire clone of Shadow fade away. Shadow appeared at the far end of the cliff in his Lycan form breathing heavy. Ugh have to end this now; my strength is fading fast with these jumps to Lycan form. Shadow thought.   Suddenly the ground started to shake before stopping. “The portal back to the real world is closing Shadow.” Raiko said.  “Then let’s finish this Raiko. I have to stop you even if it means killing you in the process.” Shadow said. “So be it then.” Raiko said.  At the same time Shadow and Raiko made flame swords both had every ounce of their energy in it. Time slowed down as they charged at each other.  As soon as they were at foot away from each other they swung their swords slicing each other sides before sliding forward and stopping. They stood there for five minutes before Shadow coughed up a massive amount of blood and fell to the ground and changed back. “Wow that was very anti climatic.” Raiko said breathing heavy as changed back and walked toward Shadow.  “So it was a bluff eh bro.” Raiko said to Shadow’s body. Suddenly Raiko started laughing. “Finally after all this time their powers are mine at last.” Raiko said turning Shadow’s body over and grabbing the other half of the necklace. Instantly Shadow pushed forward and head butted Raiko hard sending him staggering back toward the end of the cliff. “I guess it wasn’t a bluff. But seriously Shadow you know no one else can have these necklaces Shadow, there ours belonging to sons of Takemaru.” Raiko said. Shadow ran toward him but Raiko held his claws at his throat. “Leave me if you don’t want to be trapped here besides this place was are ancestors home. Say hello to Axel for me when you get back okay, see you Shadow let’s meet again in the next life.” Raiko said before leaning back off the cliff. Shadow tried to grab him but Raiko sliced his paw and watched as he fell into darkness. Shadow walked slowly back to the portal and went in. As he came back to the real world he felt another presence with him. Shadow turned as he landed to see Kadaj. Shadow got back to one last defense stance as Kadaj charged at him but then rushed to catch him as he saw he wouldn’t make it. “Brother.” Kadaj said in pain. Kadaj?. A voice said. “Mother?!” Kadaj said looking into the sky. “Mother I’m so sorry.” Kadaj said with tears in his eyes. Son it’s alright we all have our weakness. Another voice said. “Father!” Shadow shouted. You did well my son your grandfather would be proud of you. Takemaru said. Kadaj you can come join us if you’d like. Asuka said. Kadaj lifted he paw up smiling as he was covered in electricity before fading away. “MOM, DAD WAIT!” Shadow shouted feeling they were about to leave. Never give up my son never give up. Takemaru said before he Asuka and Kadaj left. Shadow sat there on the cliff as the rain stopped. After a few minutes he walked off of it. He saw Snow’s bleeding body on the ground as he walked toward it. “Snow I” Shadow started but Snow moaned and looked up at him. “I’m sorry.” Shadow finished before falling to the ground. “Hey, hey Shadow! Come on get up don’t you die on me!” Snow said shaking him.  But it was too late. No, no no! Shadow stop fooling around I can’t have your pups if you’re dead. GET UP!” Snow said with tears flowing down her face. She embraced him and let out a loud sorrowful howl. I knew you should not have gone alone Shadow. Snow thought. Suddenly Snow felt as if Shadow was getting lighter and gasped as Shadow started to disappear. “No it can’t be. I WON”T LET HIM GO!” Snow shouted grabbing his face. “I…I love you.” Snow said holding him. Snow pulled back seeing something, Shadow was coming back and both their necklaces were glowing. “Snow, thank you.” Shadow said as he came back and landed on the ground.  “Shadow.” Snow said in awe. Shadow struggled to stand but Snow helped him. “So it’s over.” Snow said seeing the ancestral necklace. “Yeah we should be safe for now, but I know something else will come soon, very soon.” Shadow said. Snow looked at Shadow who mouthed Kadaj’s and Raiko’s names before a tear fell. “You’re crying Shadow?” Snow asked. “Ah it’s only the rain.” Shadow said. “The rain already stopped.” Snow said holding her paw. “Tch wolves never cry.” Shadow said in an almost cold tone. “I see, well maybe somewhere even wolves cry when they lose loved ones.” Snow said nuzzling him and pulling back. They both started deep into each other eyes before leaning closer to each other about to kiss. “HEY LOVEBIRDS HEADS UP!” A voice said. Shadow and Snow turned to see three reapers closing in before being demolished. “What the? Axel, Silver, Rose what are you guys doing here?” Shadow said. “Were here to interrupt the love you fool. Just kidding really finishing what’s left.” Axel said as the five of them stood back to back. “So feel like kicking some butt before taking a load off Shadow?” Snow asked. “Don’t mind at all this is what we live for.” Shadow said. Mom and Dad, Kadaj, and you too Raiko this is for you. Shadow thought getting ready. “Well guys, let’s rock!” Silver said as they group charged.

A day passed after the fight and the clan never looked healthier. The pups were training with the Elders, Silver and Rose, Axel was just chilling in the sun and Snow and Shadow were spending some well deserved quality time together in a field of grass. “Hey Shadow.” Snow asked. “Yeah what is it?”  Shadow said enjoying the soft breeze. “You still want pups right.” Snow said rolling on top of him. “Only if you want them too Snow.” Shadow said. “Of course.”  Snow said smiling before they kissed.                                           

Epilogue: A Stream of Water

In a forest not to far from the clan a creature was running through with a blood trail behind it. The dark fur and long bushy tail of the creature could only be recognized as a fox. Darn it these guys just had to be good shots. He thought as he ran. The fox stopped a stream to catch his breath, after resting a minute he looked around. Hope they gave up. He thought as he drank from the stream. As he brought his head up he saw something at the far right. Looking closely he saw a white vixen and they both stared at each other for a while not know if enemy or friend. The fox was about to speak but a dart hit the both of them then someone knocked them out. A guard in heavy armor called in a radio. “We found him sir but also a vixen should we take her too?” He asked. “Yes she’ll help also.” A voice said on the radio. “Understood alright take them away.” The guard said before the fox and vixen were dragged out into the unknown.