Menace

Menace had always been, well, a menace. He was always playing very roughly with his siblings and never listened to the adults. He had his own head, which - by the way - was not too bright.
He kind of knew this, though. That was the major reason, why he wanted to leave the pack one day and wander about the world to find other packs and live an amazing life. He did not know that he would have to master some hurdles.
From when he was a few months old on, he started "preparing" for his journey and decided that he would leave at latest as an adolescent.

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Starting pack
Noname Pack #84672
Decors added (optional):
Journal: (view forum entry)
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Pack name and ID/Link: Night Keeper Pack #128869
Decors added (optional): Ebony Jewelwing
Journal: (view forum entry)

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Pack name and ID/Link: Spirit's Heaven #77179
Decors added (optional): Lunar Flora Horns
Journal: (view forum entry)

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Pack name and ID/link: Vier Apfel
Decors added (optional): Owl Talon Necklace + Green Ravine
Journal: (view forum entry)

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Home pack
Noname Pack #84672
Decors added (optional): -
Journal: (view forum entry)

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Pack name and ID/link: Night Keeper Pack #128869
Decors added (optional): Dreamland Branch Overgrowth [Head] and Dreamland Branch Overgrowth [Neck]
Journal: (view forum entry)
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Pack name and ID/link: Serene Wanderers
Decors added (optional): Lunar Mushroom Overgrowth, Dreamland branch overgrowth [Front Legs]
Journal: (view forum entry)



Pack name and ID/link: Winterset Pack #119564
Decors added (optional): Scar: Foot
Journal: (view forum entry)

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Pack name and ID/link: Nocturna Ad Lumina
Decors added (optional): Mustelid Fangs Tail Jewelry

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Pack name and ID/link: Deep Ocean Pack
Decors added (optional):
Journal: (view forum entry)
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Pack name and ID/link: Starshade Pack owned by Lucky #50618
Decors added (optional): Red Oak Branch [Green]
Journal: (view forum entry)

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Pack name and ID/link: Viskande Vindar #25521
Decors added (optional): N/A
Journal: (view forum entry)

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Pack name and ID/link: Meropide #132885
Decors added (optional): Thigh swipe [left]
Journal: (view forum entry)

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Pack name and ID/link: Starshade Pack #50618
Decors added: Scattered Bones
Journal: (view forum entry)

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Pack name and ID/link: Winterset Pack #119564
Decors added:
Journal: (view forum entry)

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Pack name and ID/link: Salmonstone Pack
Decors added: -
Journal: went afk after taking him for abt. a month so I recalled

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Home pack
Noname Pack #84672
Decors added (optional): Floating Wisp [Small, Low]
Journal: (view forum entry)
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Pack name and ID/link: xXNightmaresXx
Decors added: -
Journal: chased or neglected him

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Pack name and ID/link: StinkyFlea
Decors added (optional): Blue Jay
Journal: (view forum entry)

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Home pack (end of journey)
Noname Pack #84672
Decors added (optional):
Journal: (view forum entry)

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Pack name and ID/link: Night Keeper Pack #128869
Decors added (optional): -
Journal: SpoilerLeaving the grassland behind, Menace bounded away, paws pounding on the soft grass. He scarcely looked forward, keeping his gaze focused on where he had come from for any signs of hunters. Suddenly a shadow loomed overhead, and he jerked his head forward, stumbling to a stop at what he saw. Massive trees towered before him, and the dense shrubbery looked as if it were overflowing. He had no doubt come to the Deciduous forest. He couldn't tell whether his paws had guided him here, or if it was fate.

Steeling his nerves, he decided to visit his old friends from the Night Keeper pack. Panting from his run, he knew he was growing old, and this would most likely be his last adventure, as it was so close to home. Secretly Menace hoped this wouldn't be an adventure, but from his last experience here, he knew he could only dream.

Padding forward until his nose nearly got pricked by brambles, he couldn't find the encouragement to actually go in the forest. Last time he was here, that voice wouldn't leave him alone until he left the trees. It wouldn't matter if he was as far away from its source as possible. All that mattered, was that he was covered in the tree's shadows, and the trunks circled him like a cage.

A bang came from behind him, and bark sprayed into the air, scattering on the floor nearby. A massive hole was in the tree next to him, and spinning around, Menace saw a human aiming a weapon right at his head. With a yelp, Menace shoved himself into the shrubs behind him, and took off running into the forest. Weaving past dense undergrowth, leaving patches of fur hanging on the branches, Menace only knew one other time he had felt more fear.

His legs wouldn't stop moving, and they took him further and further into the shadows. He was running from death into death, and his heart beat dangerously fast. Breathing hard, Menace finally let himself slow down. He slumped to the floor, taking in heaving, rasping breaths. He knew he couldn't stay in one place for long. He needed to find the Night Keeper pack before the voice found out about his presence.

Standing on shaky legs, Menace made his way through the tangled vegetation, walking in a direction which he hoped would lead him to his destination. After a while of walking, getting used to dodging the hedges of plants, the oaks, beeches, and birches, started mixing with fir and pine. The trees then broke away altogether, and a stream lay in front of him. He knew exactly where he was.

Having crossed the same stream when he was just a pup, with the help of a scout called Bear, he now knew which way to go. Following the meandering stream between rocks and small saplings, he came to a part of the forest where a real path lay in front of him. The shrubs were parted, and the grass underpaw was well-trodden. With no hesitation, Menace stepped into the forest again, and onto the true trail to the Night Keeper pack's clearing.

Finally, the trees opened up around him, and he was looking right at the home of the Night Keeper pack. Wolves milled around on well-walked dirt. The only grass in the clearing was of stragglers, the small patch outside the leaders den, or the scarcely growing stems that bordered the place. Ignoring stares, Menace walked confidently to the leaders den, brushing inside as to be hidden from penetrating gazes. At his 'leaving', whispers broke out in the clearing.

A grey wolf resting in a mossy nest raised her head, her eyes widening as she recognised him. Scrambling to her paws, Menace couldn't help but smile at her excitement.

"Menace! Oh, it's so good to have you back. How have things been on your travels?"

Menace dipped his head, a sign of respect. "I have been to so many places. I wouldn't know where to begin."

Shadow stood, brushing against Menace's cheek. "Settle down and tell me. I have lots of time, and I'm curious as to what you got up to."

Menace grinned, setting himself down on the ground. Shadow lay back down in her nest, and quickly words were tumbling out of his mouth.

***

"Wow. Menace, that sounds amazing."

"I know. It's been so fun to see all these different wolves, and learn how they go about things."

Shadow smiled. "You're welcome to stay. Please, make yourself at home in the travellers den."

Menace gave a swift nod, turning and bounding out of the den in one quick leap. He then reared back, nearly bowling over a strange, purplish wolf with white patches all over his fur. The wolf gave him a look of confusion, but not wanting a chat - Menace guessed - he brushed swiftly past and into the den.

Menace blundered out into the clearing, surprised at nearly crashing into the wolf. He had been so quiet, there was no warning. Glancing back at Shadow's cave all he saw was a white tail-tip disappearing into the darkness beyond. Menace shook his fur out, padding towards a den he knew was the travellers den. There were bound to be new wolves wanting to see Shadow all the time... It's just his stare that unnerved Menace. Nests neatly covered the dirt floor of the travellers den, and he settled down in one of them. Bone-weary from his earlier running Menace's eyes shut on their own accord, and shadows swarmed to claim him with sleep.

Menace blinked open his eyes, surprised at how he's slept. So quick, so eager. He really was growing old... Darkness loomed outside of the cave, and Menace knew night had fallen. That's what he gets for sleeping early, no sleep for the rest of the night. Forcing himself onto his weary paws, Menace stretched, padding outside into the night. Stars blinked overhead, and the moon cast milky white light across the clearing. A few wolvish silhouettes were dotted around the ring of the clearing, and Menace assumed they were on guard.

Menace slipped along the cliff wall the travellers den - all of the dens, really - was dug into, not even attempting to suppress his shudder when vines became the floor, and the walls were green, not brown. Why was it that everything led him back? Back here, where a nightmare lived akin to wolves. A dark shadow formed ahead, the night sky allowing it passage outside. Menaces blood ran cold as he saw it, freezing him in place. A chill trickled down his spine, and he just wanted to run away. But he was frozen stiff, watching the tendril form fingers, and slide the vines apart. He knew the cave was there. He knew the creature was inviting him in. But his paws just didn't want to move.

His brain was screaming at his legs to move, move, move. Forward or backward, who cares. The dark shadow retreated into the slit behind the vines, and slowly his blood warmed, slowly he gained control of his limbs again. Taking a stiff step forward he instantly wanted to take it back, but he kept going. One foot after the other. A flicker of thought crossed his mind, but he forced it away where he could examine it later. Why wasn't he hearing the voice?

TBC