we are going to bring you down{clan,gregoris,open}

[Stryker Loup Garou]

Whining, I pranced fretfully as Arwen and Mick ran into the cabin for some supplies. Since refusing to shift, mostly I wanted to go to Tempest Hollow and finish what we agreed upon, I really didn't want to linger around. The sooner we did this, the sooner those kids could have their full potential back, and the sooner I would be back with my daughter. Mick came back out with a backpack on his back while Arwen followed suit. Once they shifted again, I took off, bounding through the forest as my paws touched the ground lightly, I was a feather, an arrow blurring through the forest, just a black and red blur. Midian easily caught up with me, I felt his nudge and hoped flared in my chest again. Even if we ever faced death, being near my family like this I would always have hope. Paw after paw, flicking up dirt as we sailed through, our mission was to reach the place where Arya was once kept. Tempest Hollow, we WOULD change it, take the original creators down and it would be a safe place for other shifters. We all believed this.

"Okay, can everyone remember the plan?" Synge asked, his brown fur whizzed by in the corner of my eyes as I rolled them, bringing a smile curving along my nuzzle, lip pulled back to show a fang. "Of course buddy. But lets refresh, better than stewing in our own minds right?" I replied, knowing he was nervous, this would be pretty much his first real battle. I realized, that if we got into trouble, the others could call the munin with ease. But I would have trouble, this caused my eyes to go slightly blank, fear erupted in my belly, my stride a little slower before picking up again, I had to stay cool. "Okay, we go in, the way we did before to rescue Arya. I'll go and tell the students not to panic, and if they want to help us, they can, but to get outside and wait for a signal. Then, we fight. Those who are innocent can be spared if they prove they wont come after us. Those who are guilty will die." His voice held no emotion, but I knew how he felt. We didn't want to kill, but they had too die. Maybe in their next life they wouldn't be such creeps. Keeping this thought secure, I carried along with my family, Tempest Hollow got closer and closer with each step we took.

"That is right. Its us or them. Stick together. And Stryker, don't worry. I doubt we will need the munin to help, but if we do, and its you who calls, we can help." To emphasize his point, he sent me a flurry of images and messages through the link, so many that my mind reeled and I nearly tripped. "Thanks." I spoke, trying to keep my balance as we carried on through the winding path, my paws hit stones and crunched on leaves, which made me wince slightly but otherwise I ignored it. Zooming past the factory again, I shuddered, wondering if we would fix that place up next. It would need it, it was an eyesore in this beautiful forest, but one thing at a time or I would get overwhelmed I think. We followed the familiar path to the Hollow, of course it was Mick's first time so he followed us. He had not been with us on our rescue for Arya.

Soon we were upon it, and security had increased. I could smell guards with armor and heavy weapons, shotguns, machines, fuck even a grenade launcher! Jeezums, where did they get their funding from? Of course, this was the back entrance, the school was out in front and I wasn't about to go all the way around and enter from there. "Synge." I warned, telling him it was okay to back down and let me or Mick go, but Synge wouldn't budge. Nudging Midian, he took off, a streak of brown before a cracking sound, almost like lightening that I snarled, my front body pressed closer to the ground, my tail poised as I was ready to strike. I heard a bark, the sound of Synge's voice filled the air, stronger than before and I knew what it was. He called on the munin for help to get the message around. "Students and creatures here at Tempest Hollow. Friends and I are here to cleanse this place of the evil that infests. Go to the back, you will be safe I promise! Teachers, scientists, if you are innocent you may pass. But the guilty will be punished!" His voice faded, before the sounds of feet sounded through the air.

Shifters, one who was a bird shifter had her arms in chains, they trailed behind her, making an awful sound on the ground. Jumping, I place my muzzle around the chains, using the strength to break them. My fangs hurt, broken chain cut through my guns and I tasted blood. But the girl was free, her arms turning into wings. In place was a giant eagle, more larger than any normal eagle, and she flapped her wings. I saw the pain in her eyes as her wings ached, it was apparent she hadn't flown in months, years probably. "I'll come back for you. I can help you heal, just keep safe. Guys, lets go!" I said the last part to my family before licking Midian, nuzzling Arwen and winking at Mick. Tearing through the building, I could smell human blood and wolf blood. Synge had five upon him, each holding a knife. Snarling, I pounced, seeing wounds lining his stomach and back, fur mattered and covered in blood. Biting down on one guys wrist, I felt bone shatter underneath the pressure, blood sprayed into my mouth, spurring me on. Nerves on fire, adrenaline coursed through my body.

"Fuck, its her! The mother." A guy stepped out, with a woman behind him holding a clipboard. The guy had short black hair, with liquid topaz eyes. A white lab coat was over gray slacks and shiny black shoes. The woman was the same except she had long blond hair and liquid silver eyes. I think they were testing on themselves with shifter DNA or something because that wasn't normal. And I wasn't getting human scents off them either. "What are you?" I snapped, eager to kill. These two had faint smells of Arya on them, and anger rose in my stomach, bile coated my tongue. "You don't know Lyra dear?" The woman chuckled, her body changing as she spoke. Her body lined with tan fur, shaggy mane of copper red hung from her head like a lion, it was more at her head but thinned out as it ran along her back. I thought she was going to stay standing, but she was on all fours, a complete lioness but there was something else. I couldn't pinpoint that smell. "You know the legend of a lion that had the power to infect others, and was like no other lion? How his mane was so different, no other lioness's would mate with him, he was forced to turn human and live the rest of his life miserable? Well, we are his children! The only living ones apart from him. Well, except the runt over there!" He laughed coldly, turning into a lion creature as well. All that was different from a regular lion was the mane and how it went along his spine like that. But that was only supposed to be legend. The rapist told me about it though, knowing I would get a kick out of a special story involving another shifter. "Yes, but he never killed a soul." I snapped back, looking over at the one he called 'runt.' A small girl, around the age of nine with long copper red hair and liquid green eyes, her face heart shaped with pale skin.

Being a mother, I was more inclined to protect every child, mother instinct boiled over. The girl clearly wanted nothing to do with this fight, so I nodded, her body disappeared as she took off towards outside. The man roared, the woman pounced on me, I was unaware of where the others were, hopefully they were taking others down because I wanted this to be over. I charged, turning my body slightly so that when I hit the male, I didn't lose any breathe but still, it hurt. I could feel his rippling muscles under his fur. "Midi, Arwen, Mick, Synge. Fight the others!" I ordered as the male bit down on my neck, his teeth squeezing and my breathing was rapid. My paws skirted on the ground, slipping as I tried to get a better hold because he was choking me to death. This was it. I was going to die. The female was circling, I knew the others couldn't kill her in time. Their blood was ancient, from a legendary creature himself. The others would die too, and I would never see Arya again........

Arya, her words and picture seemed to pop up in my dying mind, and that gave me strength, to see her again. With a low and menacing growl, I felt Mick, Arwen, and Midian's mind hit mine, along with Synge. Because I had never called the munin, I did need help, their words and power helped me carry on, despite I would be killed in a few more moments. Then, rippling power! A phantom wind shattered windows, a breeze pouring over us which ruffled up my fur. I could barely hear my parents as they swirled within the munin. "Please, help me!" I called to the munin, their strength hit me as mine began to increase. My bones grew bigger and longer, my body elongated and twisted as bones popped and rearranged themselves so I was standing upright. Muscles like banded, liquid strength ripped under my fur which was shimmering. And that lions teeth felt like toothpicks upon my skin.

With a great roar, I stood, grabbing the lion with one hand like paw, his neck skin tight in my hand. "Kitty, can you fly?" My voice was strong, raw power behind it. I saw the terror in his eyes as his mate, sister, whatever tried biting my legs. I felt nothing as I grinned, fangs glinted. "I would make you fly. But instead." Fast like a snake I strike, my fangs ripped into his throat, pulling backwards with a chunk of flesh, and blood, that dripped down my muzzle. A gurgle came from his throat as he died in my claws, I turned to the female. She knew she was next and tried running but I was faster. Picking her up, she hadn't tried killing me, but she did treat my daughter like shit. And now she would pay.

I wasn't aware of much as I stood on hind legs, if others were watching, so be it. With my free hand, I grab her neck, running one claw down her pulse point. It would be a shame and I considered sparing her life when she shifted back to human. Huh? Then she spat in my face, and I snarled. "I hope your happy with you tainted, weakling daughter." That was it. There was no way I would spare her now as I ripped her head clean from her body, blood splattered everywhere as her body dropped, before I dropped her head. Roaring in triumph, I remembered the others. I didn't want to shift back, but I thanked the munin and slowly began to change back to my normal wolfy self.

[Arwen Loup Garou]

We left the Luna at midday, hoping to storm the perverbial gates at Tempest Hollow by nightfall. Arya stayed behind with Cole and Syren. "She's safe with them." I assured Stryker as we ran toward the cabin. Mick had done as he promised and searched his father's office. We didn't find much on Tempest Hollow, but enough to know that there was definitely some shady business going on over there. I shifted as we got to the cabin and darted inside with Mick. Grabbing a couple backpacks, we filled them with all sorts of stuff we may need. Healing salve, bandages, gauze, medical tape, other herbs, clothes, cloth, bottled water, and even some food. Most of it wasn't for us, but for what or who we might encounter there. We intended to free those captive there, and demolish the rest. Who knows what might happen? I slid the file we'd grabbed when we rescued Arya into my bag, zipped it up and slid it on my back, loosening the straps so I could shift and keep it on.

"Ok, let's get moving." I called as soon as Mick and I stepped out of the cabin. We shifted again, joining Stryker, Midian, and Synge, already wolves, and as one pack, we ran for Tempest Hollow. Paws pounded the ground as we literally flew toward our destination. Midian surged ahead to join Stryker, Synge right on their heels. Mick and I brought up the rear. He was right, if Stryker got in trouble, she was the only one out of us that couldn't channel the munin. But we could help her, we could....force her to, in a matter of speaking. "We got your back sis!" I chimed in as I raced forward. Branches tugged and snagged at my fur, but I paid them no mind. They were little annoyances, that's all. My real mission was to get to Tempest Hollow.

We rounded the abandoned factory, and knew we were close, but we didn't slow, even as the scent of heavily armed men rose to greet us. "Fuck! They upped the ainty this time." I shrugged my pack off and called the munin. I wasn't fucking around, and I wasn't going in as human or wolf, but a strange mix of the two. I wanted every ounce of strength I could muster. Synge already raced inside, other's running out, desperate for freedom. "Rest now, fly later!" I called to the eagle/girl. A few men poured from the doors, guns drawn. "Kill the intruders! Round up the clients later, go go go!" I snarled and charged forward, raking my claws through one man's armor. A gut-wrenching scream echoed to my left, where Mick was busy tearing apart another guard. I broke the man's neck, with a swift snap, and stepped over the heap.

"Please, please, you have to help us! My...my sister! In the basement!" A girl clung to my semi-furred, muscular arm. "Go on, get out. I'll get them." She ran past, tears in her eyes as she fled for the freedom of the outdoors. I stormed past white coats and fleeing clients both, dropping only those who raised a hand or a weapon to fight me off. It didn't take me long to reach the basement. Men clattered up the steps, some armored, some in white lab coats, all armed. "Jesus H. Christ! What the fuck IS that?" "I'm your worst nightmare." I answered the stunned lab tech, grabbing his wrist and wrenching it back, shattering the small, fragile bones as he dropped his gun. I stepped on it, the satisfying crunch of metal rang out as the others retreated down the stairs.

I felt a pull, and knew that somewhere in the building, on a floor above me, my sister was in trouble. I imagined a ball growing in my chest, filled with the power of the munin and sent it hurling through our link. I felt her strength renew and grow. Stryker, for the first time, was channelling the munin. I grinned, and it must have looked awful in this half form, 3 more of the men before me paled. It only made me grin wider as I strode forward. The first section was like a lab, no patients or clients in sight, just Tempest Hollow fucks. It was a bloodbath. Bullets pelted me, but I simply kept on, clawing, hacking, biting and tearing into anyone within reaching distance. Limbs were torn from bodys, blood sprayed the walls as I brought death and destruction to all those in my path.

With the last of the men downstairs lying dead, I headed for the steel doors at the other end of the lab. I could hear screams and cries from the other side. A pad with numbers and a solid red light set into the wall beside the doors tipped me off that I needed a code to get in. "Fuck that." I growled, ripping the electronic device from the wall. I sank my claws into the steel, grunting with effort as I clenched and began to peel the doors apart. Finally they gave and I forced them partially open. What I saw inside made me cringe. Kids in cages, some half changed between animal and human. Many were dirty, too thin, and heavily medicated, a few were injured. I stifled my fury, not wanting to take it out on the kids. They were terrified of me, the scent of their fear almost suffocating. "It's ok. I won't hurt you. I'm here to save you. I'm Arwen." I spoke as softly and calmly as I could in this form, but still it was raspy and low. A few of the children seemed comforted by me speaking so I kept it up as I went from cage to cage, ripping the doors from the hinges.

"You'll be alright. I'm getting you out of here. My friends are outside. You'll be safe soon." Children huddled together, some cried, some were stone faced. One boy came up beside me. "I can help. But you gotta get this off of me. Please?" Solid blue eyes looked pleadingly into my emerald green ones. "Sure thing." I looked at the collar on his neck and found barbs jutting into his flesh. "Jesus, what is this?" I asked while inspecting it. It was some weird mix of technology and magick. I could feel it prickle along my skin. "It's what they use so I can use my powers. They make me wear it all the time. I hate it. It hurts." "Huh. So what are your powers? What can you do?" I tried to keep him talking while I looked over the thing he wore on his neck. I had to negate the magick first. I held my amulet in a half hand, half paw and chanted softly. It glowed in my palm, thrumming gently. I placed the amulet against what appeared to be the locking mechanism. With a loud SNAP and a spark of neon green, the barbs withdrew from his neck, the collar lost it's....life, for lack of a better word. "Hang on, we're halfway there." He nodded and braced himself as I gripped each side of the collar and pulled. It snapped in half and clattered to the floor. "Thanks Arwen! I'm Jack!" He smiled up at me.

I grinned back, but judging from the look he gave me, it was indeed a strange sight. "No problem Jack. Now how do you think you can help?" He smiled again, this time a bit more mischevious than before. He winked, then raised his hands and aimed them at the group of children. A bubble of blue the same color as his eyes engulfed them. The bubble rose, with the children still inside, and travelled up the stairs. "Neat. Let's get out of here Jack." He nodded again and followed his bubble of kids up the stairs. "Follow the wolves, the others are outside! You're safe with them!" I tore up the stairs, heading deeper into the institution as the kids wound their way to freedom. "Stop right there, bitch! You're not going any further." A voiced boomed from a doorway to my right. I spun around to find a very large....man, holding a fucking rocket launcher aimed right at me. "A little insecure about something?" I asked in jest.

There was more to this guy than being big and having a giant gun pointed at me. He was half....lion or something. But the mix wasn't anything like when my kind channeled the munin. This had medical experimentation written all over it. "And just what the fuck are you supposed to be?" I stepped closer, even as he armed the weapon. "I'm the enforcer. You aren't taking more kids! You got Arya, but we'll get her back." What?!? He knew us? This was soooo not good. I took another step forward, watching as his muscles tensed. "No, you won't." It was the last thing I said before the rocket launcher went off, exploding so loudly I thought I was deaf. I could have moved, but at close range like this, I was dead for sure.

"Spirits of the munin, my sisters, brothers, and kin....aid me now!" I screamed it, a deep gutteral growl that shook the foundations of the building. Clawed hands clamped down on the instrument half imbedded into my abdomen. The lion-monster-man's eyes bulged. "How did...? What the fu....?" I snarled, pulling the rocket from my belly. "You lose." I grunted, spinning the rocket and throwing it with all my might at him. It impaled him just below his neck, dead center in his chest, propelling him back down the now empty hallway. I turned and ran the other way, more of a lope due to the gaping hole in my gut. I pressed against the wound and ran, my strength draining. Even the munin had been taxed with all the effort they used tonight. "Shit...not gonna....make it...." An explosion rocked the building, tremors sending me sprawling to the floor, dust and bits of the ceiling rained down on me. I felt my munin form ebbing away. "Mick..." I mumbled, just before everything went black.

[Mick Loup Garou]

Before we reached the Hollow as I called it, I had gone to my fathers office to find information. Going back brought many memories, and my heart ached to burst when thinking they were gone, dead, but spirits soared slightly when remembering they were in the munin, they hadn't left forever. The search of the office didn't take long, the files that had slight information were old, and sniffing around I could detect the paper with ease. Age had a different smell, the newer pieces were fresh while the old were musty. Grabbing the file with one hand, I flipped it onto the table, grabbing a seat before reading. "Tempest Hollow, experiments with shifters and others that are more than simply human. Not much else huh dad?" I figured whatever else he knew, he was killed for it. How else do you explain their deaths the way it happened? Throwing the file at the wall, I stormed out, earning a few glances on the way but I ignored them, and instead focused on getting back with my family.

It hadn't taken as long as I thought, reflecting back, it took less than a few hours. A quick stop by Arwen's for supplies, Stryker was eager to go because she knew what happened, they took her daughter and others like her, and in her eyes, they needed to be punished. We ran, we all did, together until Stryker pulled ahead with Midian, and Synge rattled off the plan. I stifled a chuckle, he was his fathers son. Cole always had a plan and made sure everyone knew so they were on the same page. Heh, Cole would get a kick out of that. "Good job kid. You make your father, and all of us, proud." I spoke, my paws barely touching the ground as we ran. Since I was used to running with Cole, I didn't tire out, the anticipation of a fight pumped adrenaline through my body, keeping my senses on high alert. "Yea, could be they were expecting more." I spoke to Arwen, this was my first time here so I didn't know what was going to happen, and when we entered, all hell broke loose.

Synge bounded off, Midian was with Stryker who was facing off against two of the guard people. Arwen was gone. This left me at the entrance, and I figured I could stop guards from getting the kids outside, so I shifted to human. Solid plan if one hadn't grabbed a kids shoulders and yanked him back. "Help me!" The boy cried, I could see the pain on his face and deep in his eyes, which brought out the monster in me. Advancing, I figured I would scare the guy. Not call the munin, but slightly shift to give a more horrific appearance to those not used to it. Allowing my fangs to elongate, and my eyes shift to a paler color, muscles bunched under skin ready to spring at any moment. "Let the kid go." My voice was cold, anger hidden in the depths but I held it in, I didn't want the kid to not trust me either. "Oh yea? And what if I don't?" The guard asked, and in a flash I saw a gun, and that gun was pointed at the kids temple. Shit. This guy was gonna get it, using the kid as bait.

Allowing my eyes to go eve more paler, I opened my mouth wide, the amulet thrummed against my chest as I held my arms outwide. "Shoot that gun, and you will be the one to get shot." Tilting my head, I sneered before leaping, a swinging roundhouse kick shattered the guards cheekbone as I landed gracefully on the ground. "Guess he was stunned." I shrug, not caring. The kids life was more important. "Hey, your okay. Do you have a name?" The boy looked to be around six, and looking closer he seemed to have weird cat ear like horns on his head. "I'm Nick." The boy was clearly terrified, and I was curious to know his gift. Lucy had mentioned something about those horns, because her fathers ancestors had meet them before. "I'm a telekinetic race, the horns are the source of our power." I blinked back, shocked that he would reveal such important information like that. But as he mouthed the words 'I'm a freak' I shook my head. "No, your unique. Not a freak."

Giving him consent to climb upon my back, I felt a stir throughout the hall. Arwen called the munin before, and this was different. Stryker had called upon the munin too, and I closed my eyes, "Okay kid, I'm gonna go wolf again. Hold on!" I tell Nick before my body melted back to its wolf form, Nick held on tightly, fingernails digging into my neck and ripping our fur, the pain was slight and as long as he didn't slip, it was worth it. Concentrating, I called to the munin to help Stryker, my own silents words of pleas before Stryker was not Stryker anymore, but a huge six foot wolf monster. Opening up my eyes, I stared at the hulking figure, her eyes still a light silver and the red in her fur was darker, except around her neck and shoulders where it was lighter, more noticeable. "Get off me!" A girls voice broke through my head, and I turned, hackles raised towards whoever it was that was speaking. "Nick. I'm helping that girl okay? Then I'll take you to the exit." I felt Nick bob his head before I tore down the hallway.

The dirty linoleum made my paws easier to cling to as I sailed through, pushing my nose against the door before pushing it open, it flew back, smacking against the wall and splintered. The girl had torn clothing, the adult female stood over her with a knife and syringe. Being a wolf, a Loup Garou, we had better hearing, sight, smell etc, so I was thankful I heard this girl cry out. "Back away from the girl." My voice was powerful as I ordered that female to back off, she turned, the girl coward in fear as I struck the woman, knife and syringe scattered out of her hands as she hit the floor with a thud. Pressing my left paw on her neck, I heard her speak. "Kill me then." Well hey, I had to obey right? Lowering my jaw, I would make this quick. Fangs pierced skin, ripping through tissue as I tore out her throat. She died with a satisfied smirk on her face. Creepy.

"Okay kid, come on. To the exit we go!" The girl obviously knew Nick who held out his hand for her, and when she was secured on my back, I took off, speeding down the hall but slower than before because of the extra weight. Seeing the exit, the two kids cried out before something hit me, sending me sprawling out, coming to a standstill just inches from that sweet exit. "Go! Run!" I snarled, hoping the kids would take off and they did. They tore for that exit like it was the only way to survive, and it probably was. The guy who made me sprawl out pressed a button on a remote, and electric shocks zipped their way through wires, the ends were hooked. Oh damn, in my side. I felt the power of the shocks throughout my whole body as I convulsed, paws twitching, eyes rolling back in my head as white hot agony wiped everything from my mind. I snarled which rolled into a howl which rolled into a growl. I couldn't distinguish scents from sounds, words from tastes, it was a ball of fire and I was trapped.

"Had enough yet mutt?" The words barely hit my brain before his fingers lifted off the button. The agony slowly left, but my limbs ached furiously, my breathing was labored. "No." I tried standing, shaky on my limbs as I limped towards him, whose lips curved into a wicked cold smile. Again he pressed the button, and I was ready. With a few words the shocks stopped, reaching near the hooks before they backtracked. Just as the electricity would blow the remote up, the hooks ripped from my body, leaving two slightly bloody wounds. A resounding boom made me smirk as the remote blew up in his hands, his body flew backward as a charge of electricity more powerful than what hit me, charred his body from the inside out. He was dead before he hit the floor. Another explosion rocked the building as I jumped backwards, a snarl tearing through my jaws and through the building, when I felt more pain. The electricity shocks were nothing compared to this, it was like my own heart was being ripped from my body.

I heard my name, a faint sound coming from someone I loved so much that it hurt to think about ever losing her. "Arwen!" I screamed, racing down the hall again, sniffing out her scent. My limbs were sore but I had to reach her, I had too! I knew the battle was dying down, most of the kids escaped, most of the workers here were dead. We each took out a fair number of them, so this place would be soon free of those wretched spawn. "What about her?" I heard Stryker's voice in my head, her voice laced with worry and concern, "I don't know yet. I heard her call my name, but I can't sense her. Shes in the black." Stryker gasped, Synge cried out, if I didn't get to her soon, there was a chance she would die. Pushing myself to my limit, I saw Arwen sprawled on the floor, a wound in her stomach. No! This cannot be, I refused to lose another person I loved! Skidding to a halt, I shifted before I even stopped in a stand still.

"The bag, where is it?" I was frantic, my heart beating a mile an hour before feeling Synge's cold nose before he deposited the bag. "Go help the others Synge." I whispered, petting his head and feeling the soft fur before he took off at a fast paced run. I virtually ripped the back open, contents spilling everywhere. The healing salve we had wouldn't heal a wound this large. But I had packed other things too, which should, hopefully, help heal or wake her up enough to shift and let her body heal the rest. See, most wounds could be healed unless it was a death wound. Some wounds could never heal and thus, you died. But this wasn't, otherwise she would be dead already. I kept that hope in my head as I grabbed a dish, pouring water into it and some herbs which I smashed up, making a sort of paste. Grabbing the lighter, I flicked but nothing happened. I tried again and no flame. Third time fire! "Earth, Air, Water, Fire, elements four, I call. The flame of power, of hope, will cleanse the salve before me, maximizing its potential. I call on each element to band together, for together you are strong!" My state of mind, I couldn't remember most of what the words were, so hell, I improvised. But it seemed to listen.

The flame danced blue, then green, then jumped onto the salve in a blinding white flash while I chanted over and over. The lighter I place back down since the fire was on the salve, and it wasn't burning it, with words you could help direct it in a different way. The fire was bringing it together, making it stronger and more potent. Just what I wanted. Waiting a few minutes for it to finish, it seemed like a freaking lifetime until the light disappeared, the flame died, leaving the salve perfect and ready for use. Hopefully, it would be enough. My hands smeared in the salve, getting a whole lot on it before I moved over to Arwen. Smearing the salve on her stomach, I chanted a healing spell Syren once taught me when I first became a healer. "Come on Arwen, don't die on me baby. I love you okay! With all my heart and soul, your my mate, my soul mate, I love you too much for you to die." I whimpered, continuing the chant even though my bones ached and my strength was depleting. Feeling a renewed strength, I realized the others were helping, using their strength to aid my own, to save one of our own. My mate, Stryker's sister, Midian and Synge's sister in law and best friend.

[Midian Loup Garou]

This whole plan was insane, but I was all for it anyway. That's my daughter they kept locked up in there, the same fuckers who took Stryker from me all those years ago. It didn't matter one damn bit if Arya wasn't biologically mine, she was my daughter! I wasn't about to sit back and let other kids suffer. God only knows what kind of horrific shit went down at Tempest Hollow. More than anything else, I worried about Stryker. She wasn't weak, don't get me wrong, girl's got some fight in her, and when she's fighting on behalf of those she loves, you'd better watch out. But still, the initiations were a few days off, and she couldn't tap into the munin like the rest of us. There were ways around that. She was Loup Garou after all, and we were too, so we could easily help her to channel the munin if things got that bad. I just didn't want it to go that far.

I felt better once we were running again. I surged up to Stryker, who was hell bent on ripping Tempest Hollow apart and nudged her as we ran. She seemed to need it. I tried to concentrate on the task at hand, but all I could think of was my mate. We were going right into the headquarters of the monsters who stole her away, abused her, raped her, stole her child. Yeah, good plan right? Shit. As soon as we reached the place Arwen channeled the munin, seems she wasn't taking any chances. I kept up with Stryker, I wasn't leaving her side for shit.

Synge was in trouble, 5 guards were on him. Stryker and I tackled a couple, I heard her crunch some poor guys wrist. Ouch, fuck, that'll teach him to play with knives. "You ok, bro?" I nudged him after we'd managed to kill off the remaining bad guys. He nodded, licked a wound, and bounded off. I turned to find Stryker in the midst of channelling the munin herself. "That's my girl! Go baby go!" I poured my strength into her, willing her on as she battled two lion shifters. Another came in from behind, looking like he was having a serious bad hair day. What's with the fucked up manes anyway? I backed up, pushed off with my hind legs, and ran smack into him. We rolled, snarling, spitting, snapping at one another. Growls ripped from both of us as we scrambled for purchase, that one killing blow. I finally got him, rode him down, and dove for his throat. Hot blood, sickly sour tasting, rushed down my throat as I clamped fangs over his neck and tore into his jugular. I yanked my head back, goring his flesh as blood sprayed and pooled below him. I spat out the hunk of skin and wheeled back around for Stryker.

I reached her just in time to watch her snatch up one of the lion creatures by the neck. I gotta say, Stryker in munin form was scary, and sexy as all get out. I think I drooled a little. The lion thing shifted back into a woman, spat in Stryker's face, which elicited a menacing growl from me. I stood at attention at my mates side, warning off any others who thought about attacking. Kids were pouring out of hallways and rooms, rushing for the exits. The bitch's words, shocked me. Arya? Tainted? Ohhh....wrong shit to say to the wrong people. Stryker's eyes blazed with fury, and I hoped to hell she never turned that look on me. If looks could kill, man, that lion bitch would have been dead a couple times over. Her head separated from her body as easy as tearing into a hunk of bread. Damn, that's my woman!

I panted, watching her with awe as she changed back to simply her wolf. I licked her face as soon as the change was complete. "You are fucking amazing. God damn I love you." I grinned, and then we were off. Further down the hall and a turn to the right showed a line of offices. "I'm checking it out. We gotta find the people responsible for all this." Stryker nodded and I darted in. It was empty, for now. Everyone seemed to have vacated, either to flee for their lives or fight for them. I shifted and began shuffling through papers, digging through drawers. I half wished Arwen was here to go over the computers. She was damn good at things like that, where I was mediocre. I found a ton of encrypted files on one computer, in the furthest corner of the office. M. Santiago was emblazoned on a plaque on the desk. A flash drive sat off to one side. I plugged that puppy in, wiped it clean of, guess this won't come as much of a surprise, child pornography, and started to copy all the encrypted stuff. "Jesus, these guys are some sick fucks!" I didn't even want to know what else these creeps might be into. I clipped the flash drive to the enchanted silver chain that held my amulet and looked around. "Ah, fuck it."

This time it was my turn. A fireman's axe sat in a nice little glass case in the wall. I rammed my elbow into the glass, shattering it, and grabbed hold of the red axe. "This oughta do just fine!" I grinned, spun and began to whack and chop everything in sight. The computers came first. Sparks flew as the axe hacked into the towers, glass showered from shattering screens, keyboard pieces went flying. Then I attacked the desks, feeling like a god damned lumberjack. I half wanted to keep the axe, but decided I'd done enough damage here for now. I shifted back to a wolf and started out of the office when I heard whimpering. My ears perked, flicking in the direction of the sound.

A small alcove in the back of the offices held a mini break room. Coffee pot, snack and soda machines, and a young woman in a white lab coat hunkered down in a corner, crying and shaking. I growled and stalked toward her. "No! No, please. Please! I'll do whatever you want, I'll tell you everything. God, please no!!!!!!!!!" She almost split my eardrums with her wailing. "Fine. You're coming with me." I shifted again and stood there with my hand out toward her. "Come on then, we gotta move." She timidly took my hand and I half dragged her out of there. She was terrified, and I only hoped she'd have some answers for us.

As we rounded a corner back to the main hallway, pain ricocheted through me. "Arwen!" I spun around, dragging the girl with me in the other direction. Down a couple more halls, I wasn't even paying attention to where I ran, I just knew I was heading for Arwen. Some kid with a....a balloon or something full of other kids passed me by. He smiled and waved as he directed the ball of floating children down the hall and presumably outside. This place just gets weirder and weirder. I found Mick, already hard at work on Arwen. I'd been sending them both what energy I could. Keeping my hand locked on the girl's wrist I knelt beside Mick. "Fuck, what happened? She'll be alright Mick. She'll be alright. She's gotta be." We couldn't lose Arwen, not now, not ever. I couldn't even bare to think what it would do to Stryker.

[Stryker Loup Garou]

My energy was still rocketing through my body despite the fight before, I figured I would at least be slightly tired, but no, more adrenaline seemed to course through my body, fur stuck straight up as if it had been gelled. I felt amazing, and again I couldn't help but thank the munin for their aid. "Thank you Midi. I love you too." A quick, careful nuzzle as he licked me, before we headed off again. Paws hit the ground in a steady beat before we entered a hall with offices lining down each side. Even though there wasn't many around, mostly kids still escaping, it still gave me the wicked creeps, that I shivered before reigning in my emotions. Midi said he would check out the office and I nodded, knowing I wouldn't be able to handle that myself. "Stay safe Midi, I'm going to make sure everyone is out. See you soon." Now that the threat of those lion shifters were done for, I felt more secure in running to make sure every kid was out and free. I wasn't going to let anyone stay behind.

"Hey Synge." I yipped as I ran past him, his fur was bloody and mattered with dirt and blood. Not just his own but blood of his enemies. He simply nodded, his energy levels were drained. For some strange reason I couldn't help but think of how much food we were all gonna eat after this. I sniggered for a few moments, the rush of battle and everything else made me just laugh. Which in wolf form it came out as a rough growly sound, but still, the thought was there and Synge would know what I was doing. Hopefully. We both took off at a slow trot, keeping all senses open to make sure no one was left behind. Rounding a corner, I saw a few kids scrambling towards the exit, one have shifted. She was having trouble, I could tell and it broke my heart. Calling to the munin, I asked for their aid in helping the shifter, before her limbs fully melded into paws of a lynx. Thanking the munin, I nuzzled the lynx, telling her it was okay and she was safe. Words unspoken passed between us as her silent thanks echoed my mind before she was gone.

I heard Mick's voice, and asked what happened when he said Arwen was in the black. Horror rose in me, gasping for breathe I nearly fell to the floor then and there, but pulling myself together, which granted was difficult, Synge bounded off leaving me alone. My paws felt like lead as pain lanced my body, paw after paw, I had to get there, I just had too! Reaching the scene took what seemed like forever, in that time thoughts raced through my mind as my body ached more. Because Arwen was hurt, my body was responding, just like the others. Then, I saw Arwen lying down, Mick was working up a salve and I sat down on my haunches, my breath leaving my body in a whoosh. Denial was what I felt next, Arwen couldn't be like this, this was some sort of sick joke. Arwen was tough, strong, who never gave up on her baby sister, this woman wasn't Arwen. But no matter how much I thought that, it wasn't the truth. Far from it.

A low whine escaped my jaw as I stood back up, padding closer before sticking my nose upon her temple. Giving her strength and Mick, it was rapidly depleting from my own source of reserves. Hearing Midian, I barely responded, nor did I respond when Synge came upon the scene, giving more strength. Shifting back, I placed a hand on her cheek, tears threatening to spill from my eyes. "Arwen wake up. Come on, wake up dammit." I choked, knowing that if she died, no, I couldn't think that way. She would live! "Come on sis, please. You never once gave up on me when I was gone, and I never got to properly thank you. You helped me, unknowingly yes, but now, I'm helping you." I chanted along with Mick, doubling the effects, but my own strength was nearly gone. My body was slumping, but I had to keep going, Arwen, my sister, who had always believed I was still alive, who helped me through dreams, she would make it. I believed that, I had to because the alternative was something I didn't want entering my mind. "Arwen please,"

The sounds of pawsteps, footsteps and breathing made my head snap up, cutting off my words as I stared in wonder. A girl stood, fire blazed in her eyes, she seemed to be the leader because everyone was looking up to her. About twelve of them braved the place again but why? The girl began to speak. "you helped us even though you didn't have too. Now we help you. We protect our own, help our own. You fall in that category." Their own energy pooled together towards us, falling into Arwen. Another boy walked up, hands glowed white, and I couldn't help but snarl. "Thank you kid, I don't know your name." The girl just smirked softly, "but who is this boy?" The girl spoke again. "You are wary, fair enough. I am Alice, this is Carlos. Carlos is a healer, thats his ability." Okay, that sent my nerves down a notch as Carlos knelt beside Mick, helping use his healing ability to help heal Arwen. I was shocked, I didn't think this would happen. "Thank you. And I have to say, I'm going to be taking over this place. No more evil, just good." "Your intentions are noble Stryker, and they will work. We will return when this place is under your command." Uh, how did she - "My power is to see the future." She chuckled. Ah so that explains it. She said nothing about Arwen though, perhaps she wasn't allowed.

[Arwen Loup Garou]

Darkness engulfed me, as Mick's name left my lips in the barest whisper. I'd over taxed my reserves, taking a rocket to the gut, or rather stopping it from blowing a hole through me or just blowing me to bits entirely, was pushing the limit, even for me. I wasn't ready to die, but I wasn't sure I was still alive. I couldn't feel the munin, so I must still be alive. I couldn't feel anything. I couldn't see or hear. It would have freaked me out, it should have freaked me out. Instead, I just kinda floated in nothingness. Time had no meaning. It was just me and darkness now.

Voices, faint, of my family and friends. I tried to move toward the sounds, but in this place, there was no up, no down, no left, no right. Where were they? "I hear you guys!" Did I really speak? Or was it only a thought? Warmth stole over me, and I could smell them, my family. The scent of Loup Garou wafted to me, filling me with hope. I wasn't dead! Or was I.... Was this the munin? Surely they'd smell like Loup Garou as well. Ok, I'm starting to panic now. Not good, this is not good! If I could wake up, I could shift and heal. Or so I thought. No, no I was sure of it.

Mick's scent filled me, and I heaved a sigh of relief, so to speak. I was pretty sure that in this place, I wasn't breathing. I just hoped I was in the real world. "Mick, gods I feel you baby." Whispers, jumbled echoed through the blackness. I couldn't make them out, but I was sure my name was being called. I felt small, insignificant, and at the same time I felt as if I was huge and expansive. My molecules filling this entire black void. More warmth, spreading, wrapping me up. Something wet touched my head. Wait a minute! I could feel it! I flexed my fingers, and knew that something was happening. Mick was healing me, but there was more, so much more.

The true scent of the munin came to me now, along with the scent of my closest friends, my family. Pinpoints of light stabbed at my eyes as my lids fluttered open. Suddenly a surge of energy rushed through me, filling me to bursting. "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" My chest heaved with a huge intake of breath as I sat straight up. "Holy shit!" I blinked around. Synge, Midian, Mick, and Stryker were all with me, along with a bunch of kids. One's hands, glowing white, moved away from my stomach and the glow faded. "Thanks, everyone." I took a deep breath and wrapped my arms around Mick. "I'm okay." And I was, there wasn't even a mark left where the rocket had gored a hole in my gut. Thank the Moon!

I pulled back from Mick to hug my sister next, then Midian and Synge. "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you guys. Wait, who the hell are you!?!" I saw the woman Midian had by the wrist. A white lab coat over sensible white shoes. I growled as I spoke. "She's one of them." Midian raised a hand and filled me in. She'd spill, huh? Hope it was something good. He also unclipped a flash drive from his necklace and tossed it to me. I caught it easily. "What's this?" He explained that he'd found an office, and ransacked the place, downloading all the encrypted files to the flash drive. "Sweet!" He smiled, then told us he killed the computers, literally. "Remind me to get you an axe for your birthday, and keep you away from my laptop." I grinned, and that seemed to put everyone at ease.

Same ol' Arwen here! I stood up and brushed some of the debris from the explosion off me. It's a damn good thing the ceiling didn't cave in or anything. I'd have been toast for sure. I lifted the woman's chin. "What's your name?" "M...Mary." She blinked tear filled eyes at me. "Mary, I'm Arwen. Now, you're going to answer some questions for us. But first, we're getting out of here." I thought fast, if she was one of them, I didn't want her at the cabin. The kids we'd set free were more than welcome, hell I'd even cook for us all. But not Mary, no way. "The factory. We'll meet there. Round up any of the kids that want to come with." "And let the kids know that if they want to come to the cabin with us after the interogation, I'm cooking everything in the pantry!" I sent the second half of my message to Mick, Midian, Stryker and Synge. And I meant it, I was going to cook everything I had in stock. I was so freaking hungry I thought I'd be able to eat it all mostly by myself! However, I knew there'd be enough for everyone. And who knew when the last time these kids had a decent meal.

[Stryker Loup Garou]

Quiet, silence, I hated it. Looking from Mick to the boy, Carlos, my body shook slightly, terrified of losing my sister made my vision dim, before watching the blinding light healing her along with the salve which had a rather nice scent to it, almost like- "Can you hear that?" Mick's voice made my head turn to look at him, my dark hair fell in layers over my face so half of my eyes were hidden when I stared blankly. Then when Arwen yelled, I jumped a foot in the air with a slight squeaking sound which made Synge snigger in my direction. "No need to thank us Arwen." I whispered, ignoring Synge and knowing I would pay him back later with a tussle. Mick took no time in hugging Arwen, wrapping his arms around her and kissing her temple, the smile of relief echoed our own. We would not lose another to the munin, that was for sure. Mick was busy mumbling I love yous in Arwen's hair before they let go.

"It's fine." I hugged my sister, feeling so warm and happy that she was alive and not dead, my arms were tight, keeping her close before letting her go to hug Synge and Midian. "We are all glad your alive." Mick nodded his head, grateful that we all had help because, who knew what could have happened? Life was unpredictable, we all knew that first hand. Now that Arwen was up, I sat back down, crossing my legs as I stared at the woman who Arwen directed her words too, Midian filled her in, watched as he unclipped something from his chain and threw it to Arwen before she was speaking again. Her words sent me into convulsions of laughter, just imagining the picture right there. Wiping my eyes, and letting the laughter died down, I cleared my throat. "Okay, we will let the kids know." I nod, hearing her last words only directed at us, Mary was left out. Good, I didn't want her near the others, even if she was good. She worked here, she didn't deserve to go to the cabin. Simple as that.

"Midi lets go." Standing, I pressed my hands to the floor, pushing myself up and walking over to Midian, the floor felt rough and slightly sticky under my feet from the linoleum. I knew Mick would stay with Arwen and Synge would make sure they were okay before following us. Heading back through the hallways that were becoming way too familiar, some of the kids that lent us energy followed silently, almost like ghosts. When we were away from the others, I held onto Midian's hand, taking in a deep inhale of breathe so I could speak without pausing, not to mention I was nervous. "Okay Alice, Carlos. After the interrogation, you are more than welcome to come to the cabin. Arwen will cook, we can all pitch in if needed, but Arwen is the main cook." Arwen was the best cook out of all of us, I didn't mind admitting that. "The others, anyone, can come. All you kids are welcome." I moved into the back, seeing everyone peering at me, some with fear, some with hope, I began feeling self conscious again.

Folding my hands across my chest, and feeling a blush form on my cheeks even though I didn't know why, some of the kids began to come closer towards us. Alice began talking and in the end, around twenty of the kids decided to come with us, the rest were going to spend it in the woods before moving north. Safety was not an issue, they wouldn't be followed or hurt, so I wasn't as nervous to let them go. When the rest departed, thanking us before leaving, I motioned for the others to come with as I turned, holding onto Midian's hand again before walking through the halls towards Arwen. "You know, I never expected this, the kindness they have even though they have been hurt in more ways than one. I'm glad we got to help them Midian, and this place will never be the same. I won't let it." I spoke privately to Midian, giving him a half smile before kissing his cheek. "I love you."