Chapter VIII: Wolves Never Cry

The three wolves started back toward Shadow’s home, already knowing what was in store for them. “Are you sure were ready for this?” Rose asked. “Yes, we are. It’s about time we face them and finish this.” Shadow said. “Yeah, Raiko used me to draw you out; I need to atone for that anyway.” Rose said. “Nomak and I have a score to settle so once he is down I’ll help you with Raiko.” Snow said. “No I’ll finish this alone.” Shadow said. “But I know you’ll need help Raiko and Kadaj are too strong to take alone.” Snow said looking at Shadow. “Snow please I have to face them alone with any help from either of you, if I can’t beat my own brothers how can father pups Snow?” Shadow said. Pups, so he does want me as a mate. Snow thought blushing hard and looking away from him. “If I’m there I can make sure you come back alive.” Snow said. “Enough Snow your not going to change his mind.” Rose said. “So be it then, if you must fight him alone go, I’ll be here waiting for you.” Snow said with an unhappy look on her face. “Don’t worry I’m not going to die on you, I’m promise you that.” Shadow said looking into her eyes. As they walked a little father Shadow stopped at a hill. “So this is where it ends, at the beginning.” Shadow said. “Ugh, wha- what is this strange feeling like death itself is around me?” Rose said breathing heavy. “My brother’s combined power is what you are feeling.” Shadow said. “Just their power is this strong? Its like the air got thinner.” Snow said breathing heavy also. “Why are you affected Shadow.” Rose asked. “I’ve been around this power all my life, I’m used to them combing it. Come on let’s stop this already.” Shadow answered. With that said the three went into Shadow’s clan. The instant they got there thought they were attacked by countless reapers. “Go on guy’s I’ll hold them off.” Rose said. “You sure?” Shadow asked. “Don’t worry they won’t get past me.” Rose said changing into her Lycan form and sent a large wave of petals at the group while charging at the same time. As Rose dealt with the reapers Shadow and Snow met the clan’s elder who was in a cave with the rest of the pack. “Elder Agni.” Shadow said bowing with Snow in respect. “Ahh young Shadow you have returned at last.” Angi said. “Where are they?” Shadow asked. “You already know the answer to that question, the past is repeating itself but will it end the same too? I think not.” Agni answered. “So there huh?” Shadow said. “We’re going to that high cliff again aren’t we?” Snow said. “Yep it’s where father’s power was sealed off at.” Shadow said. Instantly they pulsed to the bottom of it but when they did Nomak was waiting for them. “Nomak’s yours right?” Shadow said. Yeah go on I’ll keep him here.” Snow getting on her hind legs said as Shadow jumped upward to a ledge and jumped to another. “Aww you’re going to stall me while he goes to fight Kadaj eh. Good, play time.” Nomak said getting on his hind legs and changing into his Lycan form covering himself in earth. Snow blinked as Nomak pulsed right in her face. Snow blocked a slash and a punch but the slash dug into her skin and Snow pulled back. Seeing this Nomak punched her in the stomach, not giving her time to cough from the attack backhander her. Recovering slightly Snow with an ice covered paw struck Nomak in the chin but the ice shattered. “What, is that all the strength you muster?” Nomak said before moving her paw and side kicking her. Snow flew back hitting the rocky wall. Meanwhile Shadow had made it to the top of the cliff. “What the heck?” Shadow said seeing a beam of light. Great let’s wrap this thing up. Shadow thought as he hovered into the beam taking him to the same place he was in but instead the ground was white and the rain was black. “Brother, we found it at last.” Kadaj said on a high cliff. “Wait how did you two get in here? You needed all three of our powers to open this portal?” Shadow asked. “Remember that scar you gave me in your Lycan from? Turns out that had just enough of your energy to open it.” Kadaj answered. “So, what happens now?” Shadow asked getting on his hind legs. “Oh don’t ask me dude, ask Raiko. I’m only here to kick your butt.” Kadaj said. Shadow chuckled. “What’s so funny?” Kadaj asked getting on his hind legs. “I figured that Raiko wouldn’t tell, but of course exiles wouldn’t really know the plan.” Shadow said. “So what if we’ve been exiled.” Kadaj said the blue lightning in his paw turning purple. “As long as I get to kill you brother.” Kadaj said changing into his Lycan from Shadow doing the same. “I COULD’NT CARE LESS!” Kadaj shouted sending a large wave a blood red lighting at Shadow. Outside of the portal at the entrance to the Fire clan’s territory Rose was back in her regular from bleeding heavily but not giving up. “Ugh come on how many of them are there?” Rose said dodging a blade and slashing a reaper behind her. At the same time two reapers slashed her and another kicked her. Rose landed on the ground in pain. “Darn it…I…I can’t protect anyone.” Rose said struggling to stand as ten reapers charged at her. Hang on Silver I’ll be with you soon my love. Rose thought as waited for death the reapers blade piercing her heart. Suddenly it stopped. “Your giving up already? Come Rose, I thought you were stronger than that.” A voice said. Rose opened her pink eyes slowly. “No way, it can’t be?” Rose said. Meanwhile Snow and Nomak were still fighting. Even in her Lycan form Snow could not find a way to harm Nomak with that earth shield on. “Come on now it’s now that hard is it.” Nomak said sending a large earth spike at her. Snow pulsed to avoid it but when she stopped Nomak was right in her face and punched her sending her to the ground. “You said you didn’t want to play last time we fought. Or is this really the limit to the ice clan?” Nomak taunted. Snow got on her hind legs again. “Remind me to thank my father would you? Even though my body is screaming in pain I can still move…LET”S GO!” Snow said running toward Nomak. Nomak bent low moving his paw in a come on motion. Snow slashed at him twice but he dodged both and grabbed her by the throat lifting her in the air with one paw. Snow struggled and clawed at his paw only to have Nomak toss to the ground. “Well I guess that is the limit.” Nomak said. Snow kneeled on the ground as Nomak walked to her. “After I beat you down were going to have some fun.” Nomak said raising his paw. Just because one element is the opposite of another doesn’t mean it can’t work the other way around. Snow thought remembering Shadow’s words. Time slowed as Nomak’s paw came toward her. Snow sent her own paw at him. The paws crashed into each other, suddenly Nomak staggered backwards holding his paw which was frozen then melted and left him with mud. “What! What the fuzz is this? What did you do to my earth shield you little bastard?” Nomak said. “Well now it is true, just because water takes out fire doesn’t always mean it will work sometimes fire can be to strong. So if I can’t take your shield on the outside I’ll take it from the inside.” Snow said. Nomak growled understanding what she was explaining while shaking the mud off and recoating with earth. “Now that I understand what Shadow said this will be interesting.” Snow said charging. Nomak blocked a punch but at the same time Snow touched his side then punched it hard. Nomak staggered back kneeling as blood came out of his mouth. “So what’s in that portal?” Snow asked. “Why would tell you that if I haven’t lost.” Nomak answered getting up slowly. “Don’t delude yourself Nomak it’s over.” Snow said. “Heh I don’t think Rose told you, I don’t die so easy.” Nomak said recoating his side with earth. “Then I’m just going to have to play with you a bit more until you tell me.” Snow said. “Ha, ha, ha, what a relief I was worried you didn’t you like playing around, I so glad our paths crossed.” Nomak said. Snow growled lightly. Nomak gave her a smirk brown eyes glowing. Snow made an ice spike on her right arm. “So, ready for the Alpha?” Nomak started taking an attack stance. “Of the Omega!” Snow finished charging at him. Snow swung at him twice but he dodged jumping back. Nomak charged at her and slashed and kicked. Snow dodged both attacks spun and smacked him with her tail. Nomak staggered back slightly. Taking this chance Snow touched his chest freezing the inside of his shield. Nomak slashed at her but she spun to avoid it. Coming back around she drove her arm spike toward his chest, but Nomak did the same. The two wolves stood there their spike forced through each other. Suddenly Nomak pulled back and kneeled. “Man didn’t think the shield had a hole too it.” Nomak said looking up at her. “You’re pretty good.” Nomak said before bending back all the way. Snow went back to all fours and walked slowly toward the cliff. “Hang on Shadow I’m coming.” Snow said vision getting blurry before falling to the ground blood coming out of her wounds. I love you. Snow thought before closing her eyes. In the portal Shadow felt something was wrong. “Don’t space out bro.” Kadaj said sending a bolt of lightning at him. Shadow pulsed away from it and onto a ledge. “Time to end this.” Kadaj said jumping back. Shadow pulsed where he was and struck him only to had Kadaj grab him slam him into and wall and shock him with lightning. “Come on, die.” Kadaj said seeing him flinch at little. “Come on.” Kadaj said increasing its power changing purple which caused Shadow groan. “COME ON!” Kadaj shouted increasing it even more changing it red which caused Shadow to cry out as his fur started burning. “Yeah there you go, now just DIE!” Kadaj shouted. Suddenly Shadow covered his body in flame and Kadaj jumped back. “So you want to play like that huh?” Kadaj said doing the same thing except with lightning covering him. In the blink of an eye the two beowolf brothers were attacking each other with such force that shock waves were forming where they struck. Shadow shot multiple fire balls at Kadaj which a dodged with ease pulsed right in Shadow face and kicked him in the stomach sending him flying toward a wall. Shadow put his legs toward the wall and sprung forward toward Kadaj. “Too obvious.” Kadaj said sending a bolt of lightning at him. Shadow pulsed behind him but Kadaj sent a bolt behind him too. Shadow then reappeared above him and came down with a swift kick. “That wasn’t.” Shadow smirked. “I’m done playing with you Shadow.” Kadaj said pulsing toward him from all directions and striking Shadow until he stopped Kadaj by stabbing him with a flame paw. “That won’t work!” Kadaj said pushing his paw aside about to finish him. Instantly Shadow closed his paw and Kadaj exploded into flames before falling to the ground. “Brother.” Kadaj said weakly changing back to his regular form. Shadow changed back also before seeing a beowolf necklace floating at the top of the cliff. He pulsed toward it to grab it but Raiko did also and they both ripped it in half and landed on the cliff. “Shadow, give that to me.” Raiko said holding his paw out. “Nah you got your half of it.” Shadow said putting it around his neck. “Well I want yours too.” Raiko said getting on his hind legs. “Tch and what are you going to do with all that power, no matter how hard you try you’ll never be like our ancestors.” Shadow said. “YOUR WASTING TIME!” Raiko said charging at him flame sword created. The two struck at each other at the same time and held each other blades flesh burning from them. “We are the sons of Takemaru, within the three of us flows his blood but more importantly his soul!” Shadow said as they both pushed each other back. “And now my soul is saying it wants to stop you!” Shadow said. Raiko laughed. “It’s too bad our souls are at odds Shadow, I told since we were born, I need more power.” Raiko said clenching his paw. “And were supposed too be brothers.” Shadow said taking a defense stance. “Brothers, right.” Raikio said doing the same. Instantly Shadow pulsed right were he was and struck Raiko in the face. Raiko unfazed grabbed Shadow by the throat, lifted him up and let go. Before Shadow’s rear paws could touch the ground Raiko punched him straight in the stomach. Time slowed as Shadow opened his mouth spit came out before he was sent flying almost off the cliff. “Tch I’m not even trying Shadow, come on now are you still that weak? Raiko said walking toward Shadow. “Or was that talk about stopping me just a bluff?” Raiko said stopping. “No it wasn’t a bluff; I’m just not trying either.” Shadow said getting up and stretching his neck. “So then let’s get serious.” Raiko said eyes 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 electric 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 Aska 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! 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 amour 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 away.” The guard said before the fox and vixen were dragged out into the unknown.