Purple Moon Pack Lore [no posting]

Luna lived her whole life with huskies, mistaken to be a sled dog due to her unusual coat. She was content with her life and probably would have never thought of changing it, until she met Corax, another wolf in husky disguise. Even though she tried her best not to, Luna fell in love with the charming male, and one day she felt something moving inside her. She was expecting puppies. She knew if they were born here, the humans would take them away. It was a cold and stormy night, and Luna was looking up to the stars, asking the great moon wolf what she should do. She saw some strange sparkles circling her, and suddenly she knew what she had to do. She broke the lock to her cage and ran down the hallway, waking up Corax. "We have to go", she whispered, and he nodded in silent understanding. Thankfully, the doors were old and the wood easily broke under pressure, as Corax threw himself against it. The huskies howled, the lights of the human house turned on, but Luna and Corax just ran, easily jumped the fence, always into the direction of the mountains.

They ran through the night, until Luna stumbled and coughed with pain. "The puppies", she gasped and fell onto the snow covered earth. "Oh great sun wolf, what should I do?", Corax asked frantically. Suddenly he became very calm. "The great ghost wolves say it is my calling to become a healer", he said softly. Luna closed her eyes, everything went by in a blur. And then the pain was gone. One tiny black and white pup was laying beside her, barely moving. Their litter mate didn't make it. Luna licked the little thing, determined to not let her die. Corax sat up. "We need a den", he said, the air smelled like snow again. "I can help you." At the strangers voice Corax jumped around with a snarl. He was greeted by a dark brown wolf with kind eyes. How did he not hear him coming? The male lowered his head as a sign that he meant no harm.

"We have no choice", Luna said. She didn't want to lose her other pup too. Coray sighed and nodded. Softly Luna picked up the puppy and carried it through the woods, following the mysterious helper. They came to a clearing and Luna spotted a big cave at the foot of the mountain. The brown wolf headed inside and they both cautiously followed. It was warm inside, with dry leaves and grass, the stranger seemed to live here. "Why are you helping us?", Luna asked, putting down the pup into a warm nest. "I had a vision", the stranger replied, "The moon wolf told me that I would find two lost souls in dire need of help." He sat down. "My name is Kureno."

Luna's life took a turn that day. Kureno lived all his life in those mountains, he was well familiar with the surroundings, and quickly he befriended two wolves, Echo and Silverstream, to build a small hunting party. As the two silver wolves approached, they naturally lowered their heads in front of Luna. Her eyes widened. "No, you got that wrong", she said, "I am not your alpha." Both Corax and Kureno lowered their heads as well. "There is no wolf more suited to be our alpha, than you", Kureno said. "But...", Luna stuttered, but then she nodded slowly. She would not insult those wolves, by turning down such a high regard. And from that day on, Luna became the alpha of the pack, with Corax as her loyal beta, and their pup Oreo, who was growing stronger day by day. Luna relied on Kureno, who would help her with decisions, and also tell her about new hunting grounds, where to move between the seasons. Luna had a soft spot for unwanted wolves who were chased from their pack, and after she realized she would not have pups again after Oreo, she adopted stray or orphaned puppies. One day she met a little amber-colored pup with strange eyes, one blue like the sky, one brown like the earth wolf itself. Luna felt attached to the pup, just like she was her own, and called her Amber Moon. 

It was a cold, chilly night, and the news hit Luna like a thunderbolt: Kureno had passed away during the night. Her heart ached. She always thought Kureno would be there to guide her, and she knew, she herself was getting old. Corax had retired from the beta spot due to his age, and was working just as the pack's healer now, with the charming and beautiful Sakutaro having taken over from him. They both were good friends, so close like they were brothers. Luna never had considered who would take over her position once she left this world, she always thought it would be Kureno, even with his high age.

The seasons passed, and wolves came and stayed, and Luna watched them leave this world forever one by one, she felt the eart wolf was calling for her, and Corax felt it too. Amber Moon was sitting next to her, a gorgeous young adult now, strong and kind and Luna's heart felt lighter. Corax coughed. "It is time", he gasped, as he closed his eyes and lowered his head onto Luna's paws. She breathed in his scent one last time, before Corax stopped breathing. Amber Moon was shaking. Weakly, Luna looked up to her beloved pup. "I will always be here to guide you", she whispered, a tear ran down Amber Moon's face, and Luna rested her head on the still warm fur of Corax, sighing in peace, before she followed him over the rainbow bridge.

Amber Moon looked down on the two wolves, who looked so peaceful now. But with Corax's passing, the pack also lost their herbalist. Amber Moon felt lost, now all alone as the pack's alpha, she should know what to do, but she didn't. She heard steps behind her and turned around to face Sakutaro, the aging beta of the pack. He had a soft expression on his face. "Listen to the great ghost wolves", he said, "You'll know who will be the right choice." Amber Moon closed her eyes and she saw flashes of orange fur. Her eyes lightened up as she opened them again, she thanked Sakutaro with a nod and ran off to look for Minoki, a daughter of Sakutaro with the strange ability to talk to snakes. Surely, Minoki was completly unexperienced, but Amber Moon was sure that Corax would guide her paws. Minoki was kind and smart, a fast learner, although easily distracted. As Amber Moon offered her the spot as the pack's new herbalist, her eyes sparkled and she immediately agreed. That day, she moved into Corax's medicine cave, who luckily had gathered a lot of herbs in advance. Sakutaro could teach her a thing or two, given how old he was and how often Corax treated him, he learned some recipes as well. Minoki quickly grew into the position as a herbalist, at first with a lot of help, but as she learned how to treat wounds and illnesses, she didn't need Sakutaro's guidance anymore.

As the days passed and Sakutaro grew older, he knew his time would soon be up. His vision began getting worse, he couldn't hunt as good as before and needed more breaks. Looking back, he realized he didn't leave much behind for his pack once he would pass, so he decided to try and get some last offspring for the pack, and especially his beloved mate Blueberry, to fill the hole he would leave. Many moons ago, Luna befriended the leader Magic of the Noel Winter Eve Pack, and Sakutaro has since been a close friend of Magic. The packs were helping each other through several seasons already, so Sakutaro asked them if the packs females would be interested in helping him, to get offspring that either pack could keep, and to keep the bloodline clean. Magic accepted Sakutaro's request, and kindly sent over some females that were fine to help him. Sakutaro met Koi, the gorgeous herbalist of the other pack, and she had a striking aura to her that would leave Sakutaro stunned for days after. On Koi's due date, Magic invited Sakutaro over to watch over their birth. The mountains the pack lived in weren't far away from the forest he lived in, so he made it just in time for Koi's pups to be born. As one pup climbed to the light of living, Sakutaro blinked, struck in a daze. There were just too many legs! Confused, the looked to Koi, who had a calm expression on her face, as she licked the odd pup dry. "This is a very rare condition", she whispered calmly, "I've heard of it before. She won't live long, Sakutaro, I am so sorry." Sakutaro looked down at the pup, despite her odd appearance, she desperatly wiggled to drink at Koi's belly. A deep love formed inside him, a warmth and a fighting spirit. He knew there could be something done. Many moons ago, Luna adopted a strange mutated puppy along with the fox pack, and he knew the Moon Wolf blessed that pup with eternal live. "I won't give up on her", he said gently and left the den, looking for Magic. He knew Magic was touched by the spirit of the Moon Wolf, he could feel the same strange aura from her like the mutated pup Bando had. He entered the leader's den. "Magic, Koi had a pup of mine with a deadly mutation", he gasped, "Please...I can't have her die. I'd do anything." Magic blinked. "I can help her", she said, "But it will cost me a lot of energy. We need to prepare a bit for it." "Almost done", Sakutaro responded, and went out to gather materials, food and a bundle of moss with water. 

Magic used her powers on the pup, and just like Sakutaro heard from Bando, her vitals improved massively. "I would like to have her join my pack", Sakutaro asked of Magic. Magic softly closed her eyes for a moment. "The season right now is too dangerous for her to travel", she said, "You can come get her at the next Lunar Moon."

Impatiently, Sakutaro waited, clinging to his life, until the Lunar Moon finally came. Amber Moon came with him to bring Mayu, the name he had chosen for her, home to his pack. Sakutaro's bones hurt from the walk, but he didn't complain, he couldn't take his eyes off his beautiful daughter. The Lunar Moon protected them during their journey, and Mayu made it home safe, they brought her up to the safest cave the pack had together with Bando.

That night, Sakutaro dreamed of Mayu running around and catching butterflies, and Bando hopping next to her. He didn't go out for hunting the next day anymore, as his legs wouldn't support his weight anymore, and the next night, he closed his eyes for the very last time. The pack gathered in sadness, Blueberry was heartbroken. The Noel Winter Eve Pack attented to hold Sakutaro's ceremony, and bury him gently under the big oak tree. The new breeding male and beta of the pack would be Clear Sky, a strong and intelligent Scout who was touched by the Lunar Moon's magic.

With Clear Sky in charge as second in command, he decided since the pack was rapidly growing, they would be needing more hunters. The early days were hard, especially in winter many wolves had to be hungry over days, and Clear Sky never wanted his pack mates to suffer that fate ever again. As such, he put together another hunting party, ensuring there is one party sent out at all times. Clear Sky himself took onto territory patrol, since there have been sightings of stray wolves wandering around. Clear Sky had heard stories of male alpha wolves stealing other pack's females, and he would rather die than giving up any of his pack mates. As he walked on a late winter day, he stumbled upon a blue-ish pup that was shaped so oddly, yet so familiar. The pup was shivering and shaking, and Clear Sky smelled coyotes nearby. He realized that this pup was suffering from the same genetic mutation as Bando, and on top of that, he looked a lot like himself. Clear Sky instantly felt attached to the abandoned pup. He walked over to him, the pup was just barely alive, gently picked him up and carried him back to the camp. When he walked by the highest den, Bando sticked his head out and screeched. His little legs struggled to carry him down, while Mayu slowly followed. Some pack members had gathered, including Amber Moon and Minoki. Amber Moon sighed. "I am not sure we can help him", she said, "We have no idea how to summon the Moon Wolf, and it is night. It is way too dangerous to walk to the Noel Winter Eve Pack now to ask them for help." "That won't be necesarry." Clear Sky turned around to see Little Blueberry walking up to them. "Do you see this crystal?" She lowered her head and touched the still pup with her nose. Around her neck was a glowing, blue crystal like necklace. The pup wasn't breathing anymore. "This was a gift from the Lunar Wolf", she whispered, "It told me to use it wiseley. I think this is exactly the time for it." The crystal started glowing, brighter and brighter, and suddenly movement rattled through the little body of the mutated pup, it took rapid breaths that slowly normalized, then he blinked in confusion. "Where am I?", he asked quietly, shivering now in fear. "Don't worry, you are save here", Bando said and the pup took a glance at him and visibly relaxed, seeing a wolf just like him. "It seems your pack abandoned you. I found you in the woods", Clear Sky explained. The pup sighed. "I don't remember anything. It was just...cold. And dark. I couldn't see...but now..." Bando touched his nose, and Mayu cuddled up to him. "You have us now", Mayu said gently, "And the pack will love and protect us." His eyes lightened up and he got on his stubby legs. "What is your name?", Amber Moon asked, but the pup shook his head. "I never got one." Clear Sky looked at him for a moment. "Your name shall be Morishige, Shig for short", he proposed, and the pup's eyes lightened up even brighter. "I...I like the sound of that", he said overwhelmed. Little Blueberry gazed at Clear Sky for a moment. "I think you should have this", she said and removed the necklace to gently place it around his neck. "What...why? Are you sure?" She nodded. "It feels like the right thing to do."

And so yet another strange wolf entered the pack and found a home, the unlikely family living up in the highest den, protected by the pack and the spirit of the Moon Wolf.

A few days later during the night, the pack's high honored experienced scout Blueberry passed away peacefully in the morning, reaching the highest age any pack member besides the old alpha ever reached with 8 years. Even though the pack was sad, they knew Blueberry had been mourning ever since Sakutaro had passed, and now they would finally be ruined again.

Little Blueberry took her full adult name of Blueberry that day. But the new Blueberry knew she was too weak to be such an excellent scout like her previous namekeeper. Amber Moon now was tasked to find a new strong scout, one with thick fur and strong legs who could go all the way to the Glacier and Rainforest to patrol their territory, to find new hunting grounds and to bring back nesting items. One day, Clear Sky befriended a young female wolf with thick fur and slender, muscular legs. "I met her on the way to the mountains", Clear Sky said, "She is a loner, her pack chased her away. I think she may be the right scout for us." Amber Moon was about to answer, as she looked the new wolf into her eyes. Deep, black eyes. Amber Moon stumbled, stepping back in terror, as a flashback played inside of her head.

When Amber Moon was very young, just before she joined the pack, she was looking for food inside the nearby forest. She was barely able to walk, let alone hunt, but she was starving. Being just a pup, she didn't realize the lingering predator slowly closing the distance between them. Suddenly, Amber Moon was shoved to the ground, fangs pierced her skin, as she struggled in fear and confusing. She felt a strong weight on her, but managed to bite something soft and the weight let go for just a second, enough for her little body to struggle out. She looked at her attacker, who was a dark black wolf with a ripped muzzle and exposed bone, who had dark, black eyes that looked crazed and bloodshot. That sight would forever burn into her head.

"Amber Moon?!" She heard Clear Sky call. She was laying on the ground, Clear Sky's kind eyes looking down on her. Had she passed out? "What just happened?" She heard the panic in his voice. Her heart felt heavy. Slowly she got up. "I...am so sorry", she stumbled. She saw the black eyed wolf sitting a bit further away, staring at the ground. "I am used to that", she said, and her voice was soothing and soft, "Wolves are always scared of my eyes, since that monster lived in these woods, killing anything in it's path. You know the story, don't you? Yes, that was my father. That murderous wolf, who killed my entire pack in a frenzy. I killed him." Amber Moon stood paralized, staring at the brown wolf, she saw tears pouring down her face, and she knew her words were sincere. "I was almost killed by him", she said slowly, "But...I cannot run away from my fear all my life, and...you are so strong. The pack needs you." Amber Moon knew she would always have a lingering fear of the black-eyed wolf, but she knew Caramel, the name she gave her, had a good heart. She was exactly the new scout the pack needed, and Amber Moon put the pack's needs above herself. Maybe one day, she could overcome her fear of those black eyes.

The seasons came and went, and the pack grew in numbers, much to Amber Moon's content, there were barely ever fights between the pack members. Amber Moon offered many wolves shelter, but especially the nervous Alaska caught Amber Moon's eye. Alaska always seemed to be on edge, flinched at every possible noise, even if it was just a bird. Caramel found Alaska hiding in a dug up foxhole, shaking and unable to talk. It seemed that Alaska was mute, which just added to her unease. Amber Moon wasn't sure Alaska would stay, but quickly, a male wolf named Samburu took quite the interest in the nervous mute. Alaska seemed to lighten up with him around, becoming more open, but Amber Moon couldn't help but think there was something off about her. Until one day, Alaska came to her, gesturing to her visible pregnant belly, and lowering her head. Then she nodded up to the den where Bando, Mayu and Morishige lived. At first Amber Moon didn't understand, but Alaska gestured back to herself. "What makes you think that?", she asked Alaska. She nodded towards a wolf nursing pups nearby. "You had siblings like them?" She nodded, and tears ran down her face. She clearly regretted her choice, and seemingly she was scared how Samburu would react. "I am just like her", his voice suddenly rose, and Alaska almost jumped out of her fur. "I knew it the moment I saw her, and I knew the risk. I will take full responsibility for the pup, if it is mutate. You see, Alaska may never have another chance at having pups", he sighed, "Minoki told me." Alaska was very still. Amber Moon shook her head. "It's not your fault, and not the pups fault. We have these up there. We won't turn away another one. We are a pack, we are family, Samburu. We hold together no matter what." Alaskas eyes sparked.

A few days later, Alaska gave birth a pup just like Bando and Shig. They named the little thing Cinnamon, and Alaska couldn't have been any happier. Amber Moon took care of the needed procedures, so Cinnamon could live happily ever after, long after Amber Moon would have returned to the earth.

News had gone around through the forests that the Purple Moon Pack was sheltering strange mutated pups that somehow survived their birth defects. While some looked at the pack in awe, others had other thoughts about it. 

On a scouting trip, Caramel stumbled over a weird bundle hiding in a cave she was exploring. The pup...no, the pups? She wasn't sure what she was looking at, a two headed puppy was shivering in the cold cave near the mountains, trying to cover it- or themselves? in the foliage. Caramel picked up the bundle, barely weighing more than a hare, and carried the strange wolf home to her leader. Minoki hurried as soon as she saw the pup Caramel was carrying, collecting the herbs she would need to treat the puppy. Amber Moon looked at the puppy and couldn't help but wonder. Even though the twins shared a body, their heads were totally different personalities, one shy and introverted, while the other one looked up to Amber Moon with sparkling eyes. "What's your name?", she asked them, but the pup shrugged. Mayu climbed down from her cave, looking at the weird pup that was a bit smaller than her. "It's gonna get crowded in the den!", she whelped in excitement. Amber Moon smiled gently. "I wanna name them!", Mayu jumped up and down and her paws spun everywhere, "Star and Sun!" The shy pup kept looking down, but the other one whimpered happily. Maybe they can't talk?, Amber Moon asked herself, but that was nothing that couldn't be worked on. 

A few moons passed after the pack had settled again, when Caramel reported a big female bear had made her den in the forest, claiming to be adopting pups from packs they couldn't stay in. Amber Moon decided to visit the bear, wondering if Caramel was seeing things. But sure enough, as she reached the den Caramel had described, she heard puppies playing and a huge bear approached her. "Hello! I am Lillemor, or the momma bear if you will. I noticed a lot of pups get lost in the woods, so I am here to offer them a home and rehome them to new packs. Have a look?" Amber Moon didn't even plan to, but entered the den. It was nicely lit by sunlight, she saw a lot of neatly done nests, sleeping pups, playing pups. "I just wanted to check our new neighbour, see if you mean any harm to my pack", she said, turning to leave, "But I will send some pack members to have a look." "Any time, ?" "I am Amber Moon, the leader of the Purple Moon Pack." "See you soon then, Amber Moon!" 

Amber Moon left because she promised Caramel to come along a scouting trip with her, but sent Amora and Crowley over to the den of the bear to have a look. They returned with a beautiful little puppy that looked a lot like Amber Moon. Amber Moon didn't have any words at first. She remembered how Luna had told her, the moment she saw Amber Moon, she knew she was meant to lead the pack. And Amber Moon was sure, this pup was meant to become the next leader. She gently sat down next to the puppy. "Hello, dear, I am Amber Moon, your alpha." The pup wagged her little tail. "And you'll be Amber Sun."

As word got around the territories that the Purple Moon pack was sheltering mutated pups that were meant to die, not everyone agreed that it was fine to let these wolves live. Amber Moon heard of these packs before that strongly believed in survival of the fittest, that rejected the Moon Wolf and the Sun Wolf and the mighty rules they put down for the leaders to follow. But never would she have imagined that it would come to this.

It was a day like every other. Not a cloud in the sky, the pups were playing, mentors were conducting training lessons, until Amber Moon's ears perked up, she heard paws running and sliding down into the camp, and Caramel stopped right before her, panting, limping, covered in blood. "They are here", she gasped, as she dropped down, "We are under attack." Then she passed out. But Amber Moon didn't need to hear anything else. "Clear Sky! Get her out of here! Giorno! Protect the upper den!" She looked over to the hunters who just returned. "Get the pups someplace safe! Quickly!" They barely managed to relocate when the intruders fell into their camp. Big black timber wolves stalked all around them, Amber Moon spotted a huge white wolf with a missing snout who was probably their alpha. He growled, and the camp exploded into a fight. 

She barely had any time to react when she heard a growl and turned around. She spotted a massive grizzly bear climing up to the den where the special pups were located. They had lured a bear into their camp! And Giorno was all alone up there! She wanted to run, help her beloved mate, but she got tackled by a brownish she-wolf, got bitten into the ear until it tore off, but she barely felt the pain. Giorno was all she could think about. Blind and in rage she bit into the neck of her enemy, and shook and shook until the body felt limp onto the ground. Her paws flew across the earth when she climbed up, she saw the bear, blood everywhere, she heard the whimpering of Mayu and the others, her vision was red and blurry where blood flooded over her eyes, the pain now throbbed through her head and she stumbled. "No, no, no...", she stammered, as the bear bit hard into Giorno's shoulder, tearing out a huge chunk of meat. But Giorno hit back, scratching his claws over the bear's eyes, making the huge animal groan in pain, letting go of him and stumble backwards in pain, and Amber Moon was right there blocking the path. The bear was in rage and pain, basically trampling all over her, and she found herself down in the dust. The smell of blood filled her nose and she heard a thud, as Giorno fell down next to her. "Remember, Amber Moon", he whispered, and she had to strain her remaining ear to hear his words, "I will be waiting for you." And then he became very still. Amber Moon felt cold and alone. He was gone. She felt little paws on her back, Mayu's glassy eyes filled with fear and tears, and the pain took her consciousness away. 

When she woke, the battle was over. The pack seemingly managed to push the attackers back after the bear retreated, many were hurt, some badly, but they were all going to make it. All except Giorno. She tried to sit but she smelled Minokis sweet herb scent, and a paw pushing her back down. "Rest", she said quitely. Amber Moon spotted Amber Sun standing right next to her, covered in blood and scars. "Amber Sun killed that bear", Minoki said. Amber Moon's undamaged ear flicked. "I couldn't let it wander, might come back for revenge and kill the pups or-" Amber Moon shook her head. "Listen", she whispered, "I will not recover from this, my little Sun. Giorno is waiting for me, and I will not let him wait much longer." "No, no don't say that. Minoki, tell her-" But Minoki shook her head. There was nothing she could do. Nothing to heal Amber Moon's broken heart, and her age was giving her the rest. "You will be a great leader, Amber Sun", Amber Moon said softly, "I believe in you. I did from the very first moment I saw you. You will protect and love this pack just like I have, and like Luna has before me. I will always be with you." "I am not ready!", Amber Sun yelped in tears, but Amber Moon closed her eyes and sighed. "You were never more ready, my dear."

Amber Sun didn't leave Amber Moon's side after that anymore, but it was clear that her alpha would not recover, given her high age. It was a breezy summer night, a few days later,  Amber Sun was half asleep next to Amber Moon, when movement woke her. Amber Moon sat over her, watching her with loving eyes. "Everything okay?", Amber Sun whispered, and Amber Moon shook her head. "It's time for me to go", Amber Moon saif softly and laid down next to her. "Go where?" Amber Moon didn't respond to that. "No matter how hard it will be, no matter which choice you have to make, I will always be with you. Just like Luna was always with me." She sighed gently, and closed her eyes, a last deep breath went through her body, then she became very still. "No...", Amber Sun gasped and a deep howl escaped her throat. The next hours went by her in a blur. The pack awoke to the news of Amber Moon's passing,  congratulating Amber Sun on becoming the alpha. But she didn't feel ready. What was she supposed to do? She felt weak and helpless. Amber Moon made the wrong choice. She couldn't do it.