I am looking to adopt...Picture: 
Kennel number:144
Name: Rocka Bay
Breed: Wolf
Why do you want this animal and what will you do for it?: First off, I would love to have this beautiful design because I haven't seen any other design like it; it's simply unique and I knew when I first saw it, I had to have it. She'd be a perfect character in my comic I am making, so she'd be getting LOTS of love, art, and attention.
Personality: Rocka Bay is a strong, confident wolf who does not let her weaknesses get in her way. Rocka was born with heart problems, causing her heart to skip beats, faint, and have intense pain. Despite this, she's very brave, and isn't easily scared. She'd do anything for the ones she loves, but is very head strong and stubborn. She keeps her promises and won't ever let you down. She can hold a grudge sometimes, but it's usually hard for her to stay mad at anyone for long. She does her best to keep out of fights. It takes some time to gain her trust, but once you do, it's worth it.
Likes: - Friends and Family.
- Rain.
- Roses.
- Spring.
- Being Alone (At times).
Dislikes: - Running.
- Pain.
- Fighting.
- Death.
- Autumn.
- Humans.
- Fire.
History/B ackground: "Don't let others discount you, show them your true potential", my mother would tell me. I didn't know her long though, she got horribly sick, along with some other wolves in my pack. Before she left, she gave me a stone attached to a string to go around my neck. She told me to hide it, keep it far from the alpha's eye, and to show everyone my true potential. I'll never forget her, or those words. It's been a week since she's left, and now this pack I am in seems to be dwindling down to what seems as nothing. A wolf gets sick, it dies. When wolves die, others get angry, and when they're angry, they fight. Sometimes I feel maybe I should leave, but a pup like me would never survive out there alone. Alone... that describes me well. I stick to myself most of the time, most the pups my age call me a freak and other hurtful names. I have heart problems, sometimes my heart will skip beats, I will faint, and have horrible, intense pains. No one really gets me here, except Sam, he's a pup my age. He was born with one blind eye, and he was abandoned by his parents for this. I talk to him sometimes, and he's the only friend I have, but even then, I like to be alone most of the time. It's just me.
Rain drops fall on the tree's leaves. Water gathers until the leaves gently let the water slide off down to the lands below. Drops tap on my nose, waking me up to a misty, dull land. For a moment, I just lay there. Just another dull day in my life, will it be different than any other day? Or will my life just pass me by, like I'm just going through the motions? I lifted my head to the sound of crows drifting through the air, screeching their cries. I look to my left and I see Sam. He's just looking at his reflection in the pond, looking just as bored as me. I stand up and pad over to his side, and I sit. "I wish there's something I could do, so everyone may remember me as something other than the wolf with one blind eye." I knew exactly what he meant. I glanced over at his milky-white, glossy eye. It resembled the mist that surrounded us, so dull, seeking potential. He then looked back at me, meeting my gaze. "Has your heart bothered you at all today?" He asked in his low, whisper of a voice. "I had a slight pain today, but I'm sure it's nothing." He nodded and looked back at the water. "What do you see?" He asked me. I thought for a moment, looking at the two wolves that stared at us. "Two wolves who are destined for something truly great." He smiled, then nodded. I trusted Sam a lot, since he was after all the only sort of friend or family I had. "Sam, I want to show you something, come on." I said and stood to my feet. Suddenly, a paralyzing pain crawled down my back, and my legs buckled. I winced in pain. As I began to fall, Sam caught me. "Are you alright?" I tried to speak, but jaws ached, and everything began to blur.
My eyes slowly began to open. I was laying on my back, looking at the trees towering over me. I rub my head with my paw. "How long was I out?" Sam, of course, wasn't far, I knew he'd never leave me after I fainted like that. He came trotting over. "Maybe an hour or two." Sitting up, I glanced around. He looked at me. "You were getting ready to show me something." Thoughts began to come rushing back. "Oh yes, I remember now, it's this way." I told him, standing, and walking deeper into the forest. He followed behind me, looking around constantly. I knew he was afraid something would be on his blind side, sneaking up on him. I don't know how he could stand being blind in one eye. He must miss so much stuff, I do feel quite bad for him. "We're almost there, don't worry." I said to reassure him. He nodded, still keeping his ears back, glancing every which way. We came upon a large willow tree. It was very old and wilted . There was a large slice in the tree, that went pretty deep. I stuck my muzzle inside and pulled out the stone my mother had given me, and tossed it around my neck. His eyes widened. "Is that..... is that a Topaz stone?"
Why was he so shocked? I gave him a puzzled look. He kept his eyes locked on it, until he slowly looked up at me. "Where did you acquire it?" He asked slowly. "My mother gave it to me before..." I glanced at the ground, I really didn't want to say anything else. "I'm sorry." He said, I could tell he felt bad for asking. "But, do you know exactly what that is, or what it can do?" Now he was beginning to scare me. "Sam, are you sure you don't have any.... mental issues?" He smirked. "Yes, I am sure, but that stone that you have has great power within it. Haven't you ever heard the story of the Diamond Pack?" "Never." I responded, still wondering what in the world he was talking about. "Long ago, there was a wolf pack who lived in a dry, dead land. This land was called Brayon, and wolves lived here were named the Pack of Brayon. Now, in the sky, lived a pack of winged wolves named the Diamond Pack. They have great strength and power, and could preform great miracles. The Pack of Brayon never gave up their hope in the Diamond Pack, and in return, the Diamond pack presented them with eleven magic stones: Garnet, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Emerald, Pearl, Ruby, Peridot, Sapphire, Opal, Topaz, and Turquoise. The Diamond Pack, of course, kept the Diamond. For years, the pack lived in peace, and used the stones for good, but that soon changed. They turned on each other and used the stones for their own personal gain. This caused many fights and great disputes. The Diamond Pack leader flew down from the sky, took back the stones, and spread them all around the world, as with the Wolves of Brayon, and they may never return. It's said if you can get all of the stones, and find the land of Brayon, you will get the land itself as your prize. It is no longer a land of death and emptiness, but is flourishing with life, and there are no humans to get in your way. But, it's very hard, since there are wolves out there to destroy the stones, in hopes of gaining the powers they hold. And once a stone is destroyed, the protector of the stone is too." It then hit me. "I am the protector, right?" He nodded. "And to repair a stone after it's destroyed, it's said you must find a descendant of a Wolf of Brayon, only they can remake it. But the protector, they cannot be saved after they die."
I took a deep breathe, taking it all in. "Why do you think your eyes are orange, and no one else's are? Because you protect the orange stone." Sam said, and looked at me for a reply. "So, you're telling me, wolves will come after me for this stone?" He nodded, now with worried eyes. "We have to leave, Sam." He looked at me wide-eyed. "Leave?!" I sighed. "We're close to being adults. Only 3 months away. It's now or never, and if the alpha finds me with the stone, he'll surely kill me." I could tell he didn't want to go, but I need him, he knew everything about these stones, and I knew nothing. I needed his help, my life depended on it. The brushes rustled in the distance. I looked over my shoulder. I could smell the alpha, he knew something was up. I then looked at Sam. "They're coming Sam!" Sam's jaw dropped. "C-come on then!" He said running. I bounded after him, catching up. I could hear my heart beating, and the tears escaping my eyes. "I can't die Sam! They're right behind us, I can feel it!" I panted harder and harder, and I could feel sharp pains pricking me everywhere. My blinks became longer until my eyes were barely ever open. "Come on Rocka, stay strong! Don't give it, your heart's playing tricks on you, that's all, please keep running!" Sam yelled. I shook my head, regaining focus. I saw double of everything, and the distance looked blurred. "Sam..." I said between pants and large breathes. "Come on Rocka...." And that was the last thing I heard before everything went black.
When I awoke, it was dark out, and Sam had made a small fire. He was licking wounds on his shoulder, back, and hip. It was all my fault. "What happened?" I asked, with great sorrow and guilt. "You fainted, so I hid you in an abandoned fox's den and fought the wolves that were after us." He said it as if it was no big deal at all. I scooted over to him and helped lick his wounds, they looked pretty bad. "I'm sorry Sam, this is my fault." I said, knowing that was true. "Don't feel bad, they're gone now, and you're safe, that's all that matters." He smiled at me. I smiled back, though, I never have had any romantic feelings about Sam. Romance never seemed like my thing, and he deserved someone better anyways. He yawned and looked at the fire. "You tired too?" I asked sleepily. He nodded. "We should get some rest. We'll be traveling tomorrow." "Where to?" I asked. He looked at the sky. "I'm not sure exactly where, we just need to get away from this pack, and after that, maybe join a pack who has experience with stones... or maybe start our own pack..." He looked at me to see my reaction, but I pretended I was sleeping. He just looked at me and smiled, gently licked my forehead and whispered "good night" in my ear before resting his head on his paws and drifting to sleep. A pack of our own? He was probably just saying that to make me feel better since it was my fault he got in that fight. There's no way a guy could ever like me anyways. I looked over at the fire, that was now dimming down. I then looked over at Sam, and all I could see were those wounds. This stone began to seem more of a curse than a blessing. A cold gust of wind blasted by, and as the sky darkened into its pitch black state, it got colder and colder. Sam was shivering, and so was I. Scooting over beside him, I lay my head on his back and closed my eyes. "Don't be getting any ideas." I said with a smile before falling asleep.
I woke up to the smell of fish, right in front of my muzzle. Sam looked over. "Found them in a river nearby, they're fresh." I sniffed them, then began to eat. "Thanks Sam, for everything, and I'm sorry about...." But he cut me off short. "Rocka, really, it's fine, I'm healing quite well, don't worry." He said with a caring smile before finishing his meal. I soon finished too, and boy did that hit the spot! He stood as I did. "Are you ready to set off?" He asked, and I replied with a nod, and with that, we walked along the stream. Sam began humming a song, which was quite catchy. "I hope you know that's going to be stuck in my head all day now." I said with a smirk. He laughed. "C'mon, hum it with me!" So we both hummed that odd tune until I broke it with a laugh, and my even more odd of a laugh got him laughing too. "I.. I don't think I ever heard you laugh before." I smiled looking at my paws as we walked. "Ya, I must admit, it has been a while." He still had that crooked smile on his face. "But hey, what's wrong with laughing?" And with that, he pounced on me, and we rolled around in the tall green grass like little puppies seeing their first spring after a long winter. He'd hide, and I'd hop and bound through the grass until I could find him. As I was hiding, he pounced on me and pinned me to the ground, holding a flower in his mouth with a devilish smile "Found ya'!" I rolled my eyes with a slight smile and slid out from under him. "We better get going." I really didn't want him to have feelings for me, he was such a good friend, I didn't want to ruin that. Besides, there are plenty of other better girls out there than me, what could he possibly see in me?
It was just before mid-day by now, the sun was beating down on us. We were both panting, and I really was wishing we'd stumble upon some water real soon. I looked in front if us, nothing but fields of green grass, no trees to give us shade, no ponds in sight. Just a large sun in the sky overwhelming us in it's heat. Sam began to come to a stop. There were gun shots in the distance, and they were getting closer. He looked at me. "Lay low, maybe they won't find us." He said, and I did as I was told. We lay in the glass, listening to every single noise. Sam slowly began to lift his head. "Don't." I said in a hushed voice. I motioned in front of us, and only a few yards away stood a hunter. He turned and saw me, and he began loading his gun. "Do you trust me?" Sam asked me. "Yes...." I said a bit confused. He reared back, my eyes grew big, then, with no hesitation, he sprung at the hunter and latched onto his arm. "Go Rocka! Head north!" The hunter screamed with pain and hit the gun against Sam's head until it bled, but Sam didn't let go. He just looked at me with loving eyes. "Go..." He told me before taking another blow. The hunter pried Sam off, and aimed his gun at him. Everything went in slow motion. Without thinking, I threw myself at the gun, knocking out of the hunter's hands. I snarled at the human with baring teeth. They turned and ran, and if they were smart they wouldn't come back. I quickly turned to Sam, who lay in a pool of blood. My jaw dropped and my eyes teared up. "S-Sam!" I hurried over to him. His breathes were short. His heart slowed, and it grew faint. I turned his head with my paw so it was facing mine. His eyes were closed, one had a gash right above it, and blood had covered it completely. "What have they done to you...." Tears slid down my face, but I couldn't help it. I nudged his face with my nose. "Sam?..." His eyes were half way open. He looked into mine, and I looked into his. "They'll be back, go Rocka, head north, there's a pack out there I've heard. You're strong, you can survive." I looked at him whipping away my tears. "I'm not leaving you Sam." "Why?" He asked, his breathing worsening. "Because... because you'd do the same, wouldn't you?" He just smiled and licked my nose. I closed my eyes. "Don't leave me Sam, you're all I have." "And you're all I want." He said as his eyes closed. "Sam... Sam!..." I fell on my side, and as I lay beside him, I cried myself to sleep, hoping I'd never wake up.
Before I could barely drift into my slumber, they sky grew grey, and thunder roared in the distance. One by one, rain came down upon us. We needed shelter before the rain got worse. I grabbed Sam by the scruff of his neck, and was able to find an abandoned den we could say in until the weather died down. He was alive, but barely, and it pained me to see him like this. My friend, almost dead, all to save my life. Yet again, I was wondering whether to love him or stay friends. It was still hard to think of anyone liking me, and I knew he could find better. I just looked at him for a while, wishing this whole mess never even started. I wanted to just get rid of the stone that hung around my neck, but it was my mothers. I knew it meant everything to her. To be the protector of the stone was a high honor, how could I ignore that? I lay my head on my paws and looked outside of the den. Rain was beating the ground, and bright slashes of light leaped across the sky, followed by loud roars. Sam was moving a little, I glance over and he seems to be awake now. I perk up my ears and lift my head, looking over at him. His fur was covered in blood, it made me sick to my stomach just looking. His head had a large gash from it's center down to his right eye. "I'm going to go find something to heal your wounds." I told him, but he stopped me. "Don't." He said quickly. "It's raining out, and there's lightening. I'll be fine anyways." I didn't believe what he said. If I didn't help him soon, his wound would become infected. "I'll be back, Sam." He tried to get up and stop me, but he was much too weak. "Please don't go, stay with me." He pleaded. I couldn't. "Stay here." I told him, and licked his muzzle before setting off.
The rain was hard on my back, and I kept a study pace until I could see a small forest in the distance. Once I made it there, I was able to find an aloe plant, which was very good at healing. I also took some large leaves, to cover the wound and keep out dirt. My stomach rumbled. I forgot all about getting food. But I couldn't, not now, Sam was loosing a lot of blood, and he needed help. I wouldn't loose my friend like I lost my mother.
It was a long walk back to the den, but I had to keep going. The rain and wind was pushing me away. I had to run. With heavy breathes, I charged forward, rain shooting in my eyes. My heartbeat got louder and louder. 'Don't give up on me, heart', I'd tell myself. Almost there. Almost there. Blinks got longer. Heart got louder. Faster, and faster, until all went black. No, I had to fight it. Get up, I'd tell myself. Sam's depending on you. I open my eyes and lift myself up. I take a deep breathe before pushing forward. I made my way into the den, and fell with pains everywhere, shocking pains, the worst. Sam didn't look pleased that I had left. "I told you not to, Rocka. Now look, you're in pain because of it." I looked at him, a bit disgusted he wasn't thankful. "I'm sorry my heart has problems, but it was worth it, you need these aloe and leaves. Now stay still." I told him as I rub the aloe's gel on his wound. He winced a little, but swallowed the pain. I place the leaves on it next, hoping to keep out any infections. "Good." I said, in hopes of it healing. "Thank you." He said with a smile. He leaned in to kiss me, but I just didn't feel that way for him, or at least I don't think I do. My head shot back. He looked so hurt. That only hurt me. "I'm sorry.... I just." I couldn't think of what to say after that. "What, am I not good enough for you or something?" He asked, backing up a little, still laying down. "No, Sam, it's not like that. You're my friend and..." "You're going to give me the whole 'we should just stay friends' thing?" I knew he was hurt by what I did. I did feel bad. "Look Sam, I'm just confused right now, and my life's gone a little insane. I don't know anymore, about a lot of stuff. I just don't want to ruin our friendship. You're all I have.""And all I want." We said at the same time. I looked at him, and I knew he understood. He let out a sigh and lay his head on his front paws. I lay down next to him. "I'm sorry Sam." He didn't say anything, but I still could tell he knew what I meant.
All I could think about was Sam. So many mixed feelings, I wish I knew what to do. "We should get going, and maybe we can get something to eat." Sam said, standing shakily. "You alright?" I asked, quickly standing. "Ya, I'm fine." He didn't make any eye contact. I was beginning to regret what I did. He after all came all this way just for me, he must really care. I still had that lingering feeling that one day I would like him, but he'd find some other, more pretty wolf, and choose her over me. But then again, I knew I could trust him. All I could do now was make it up to him, to make things better and normal like they were. I looked over at him. "What are you hungry for?" I asked, smiling at him. He still didn't look at me. "Whatever we can find, I guess." I nudged him a little. "Beat you to that tree over there!" I said, and ran a little, but when I looked back, he wasn't running, just walking at his normal pace. I walked back over to him. "You're right, that was a stupid idea anyways." I thought for a moment. "Oh! We could sing a song!" I said, hoping he'd like that idea. "No thanks, Rocka." Now, I was beginning to be a little angry. "What's wrong Sam." "You know." He told me as we kept walking. "Can't you give me a break? We're running for our lives trying to protect this stone. Love isn't the highest thing on my list right now." Yep, that did it. We walked in an hour of plain, awkward silence.
We could both hear something in the brush in front of us. Sam got in front of me. "Stay back." He said protectively. His fur rose on his neck, and he snarled lightly. "Who's there?" He asked firmly. Four wolves emerged, all looking just as lost as us. Two had stones, one blue and one red. The one with the blue stone stepped forward. "We mean no harm." He said, and Sam loosened a little. "I am Blake." The wolf with the blue stone said. Blake motioned to a timid wolf with a red stone. "This is my brother, Blaze." He then pointed his muzzle to a female black and white wolf. "This is Stella." He told us. "And the older dark grey and white wolf over there is Shep." Sam introduced himself and I. Blake looked at my stone. "I see you have one, too?" While Sam was telling him about the stone and how we ended up here, I noticed Stella was quite interested in him. Now, I'm not the jealous type, but this bothered me quite a bit for some odd reason. I looked at Sam, and he too noticed Stella, but he seemed much more pleased with her than I was. "We were getting ready to head back home, you are more than welcome to come and stay with us for as long as you need to until you can find your own land." Blake said, turning to leave. "That would be wonderful, thank you." With that, Sam and I followed them. Stella made her way back to Sam, and got in the middle of us. "Hope I wasn't interrupting things." She said with a smile, but nudged me away, and of course, Sam didn't even notice. "Interrupting? Not at all!" Sam said, looking at her like the way he use to look at me. I just followed behind them, I miss talking to Sam. Maybe I do love him, and not loving him did ruin our relationship. I guess you know how you feel about someone once they're gone. I just watched them, wishing I was Stella. They were talking up a storm, and me, well I had no one to talk to. Once again, I was alone.
We made it there, and by now, I was getting very hungry. Blake could tell Sam and I were looking thin. "Stella, why don't you fetch them some food?" "I'll go too!" Sam said immediately. "Me too." I said, giving Sam a slight glare. He looked a little confused, but deep down I'm sure he knew why I glared. Blake nodded, and I followed behind Stella and Sam. Stella looked back at me. "Are you coming?" She said in a snobbish way. She kicked dirt in my eyes as she walked. I looked at Sam for help, but he kept his ears back and looked forward. "Well?" Stella said with annoyance. I didn't give her an answer, but I did speed up and walked by her side. She began to flirt with Sam, and would ask me things like 'oh, don't we look cute together?' She knew it was eating away at me. Sam knew too, and at least he broke up our conversation. "Hey guys, I think I hear a deer over there." He said, looking forward and crouching down. Stella and I both got down too, and sure enough, there was a deer. Stella looked at me. "Just stay back, we can handle this. We wouldn't want your little heart problems messing this up for us, now would we?" She said with baring teeth. Sam must have told her about my heart problems. I just looked at her and sighed. She looked at Sam, and he nodded, signaling her to come with him to attack the deer. Sam was the first to spring. He got on the deer's back, and Stella went for the leg, but the deer out ran her. Sam soon fell off, and I ran after it. My heart was beating fast, but even it knew it couldn't mess up on me now, I had to show Stella who's the best around here. But do things ever go my way? The deer kicked me straight in the head, and I fainted.
I woke up in a den, Stella was there with me when I awoke. "It's all your fault Sam got hurt." She said with an unhappy expression. I rubbed my head, I was still hurting, and was unsure of what was going on. "Sam?..." I mumbled. She gave a low growl. "He had a concussion, he went over to see if you were okay after you got hurt, but the deer charged at him, and he took a tough blow to the head." "Is he alright!?" I asked frantically, sitting up looking around with fear. "No, he died." I froze, and I could feel my heart break. Immediately, my eyes teared, and I felt a part of me was gone. "I was kidding, take a joke." She said, I could tell she was amused by my pain. "Where is he? Please take me to him." I begged her. "He doesn't love you, Rocka! He's better with me, just get over him already." She said with a snarl before leaving. I followed her out of the den and into the open and pinned her to the ground. She knew I was angry now. "Look Stella, you take me to him and you take me to him now!" She was unhappy, but deep down, she knew I could beat her in a fight, even if I did have an open wound on my head the deer gave me. She got up with a grunt and led me to a small cave near where we were. "He's mine." She said with a murderous look in her eyes before leaving us be.
Sam was laying on a bed of leaves, he was still knocked out. I walk over to him and lay next to him, resting my head on his side. "Sam?" I said, but no answer. He looked very weak, and by the expression on his face, you could tell he was hurting. I nudge him. "Sam?" He moved a little, but still looked as if he was in a deep sleep. "Please wake up Sam, it's me, Rocka Bay." His eyes fluttered open. He looked at me. "Who are you?" I was speechless. Had he lost is memory? My heart sank. I look at him with pleading eyes. "You... You don't remember me?" I stuttered, standing up and taking a step back in disbelief. "No, I'm sorry..." He then looked around. "Where am I even?" I look into his eyes. "Please try to remember Sam... What's the last thing you remember?" He thought for a moment. "I was with this beautiful wolf... Her name started with an S maybe? But I remember nothing else, only that my name is Sam." My eyes teared up. He had forgotten me, and even worst, loved Stella. He looked at me. "Why are you crying?" He asked with compassion. I looked away as tears rolled down my face. "You were my only friend, Sam. And now I've lost you like everything else I've loved. You're all I have... or I guess now it's had instead of have. And... and you're all I want..." He paused. "Say that last part again..." I look at him. That was what he said to me when he was hurt by the hunter. "You're all I want." I said, seeing if he may remember. He said those words over and over under his breathe, then looked up at me.
I look at him with hope. "Well?..." I said, wishing he'd remember something about me. He sighed, and shook his head side to side as if saying 'no'. I look down feeling defeated. Right then, I could see a glow, an orange glow coming from my neck. The Topaz stone was glowing. I then remembered the stones were magic and had great power within, could it help me now when I need it most? "Please help Sam remember..." I said to the stone quietly. The stone got brighter and brighter until all I could see was white, and then it dulled back down until all was normal. Sam was in front of me. "Hey Rocka." He said a little surprised to see me. He rubbed his head. "Last thing I remember is that stupid deer charging right at me and..." He couldn't finish his sentence before I tackled him with a hug. "You.. you're not mad at me? I mean, you seemed like it when I was with Stella...." "I though I lost you." I said burrying my face in his fur. He seemed a bit dazed still, but he smiled. "I guess you don't know what you have until you lost it... Sam, when I saw you with Stella, I only then knew what it was like without you, and I never want to feel like that again. " I said looking up at him. "Are you saying what I think you're saying? Rocka... I like Stella now. You turned me down, and to tell the truth, I've moved on."
I wanted to cry, but I needed to stay strong. I wouldn't let him see me like that, crying all over him. "I know I turned you down, but I was wrong. I just didn't want to ruin our friendship, but not loving you did, and once I saw how it was like without you, well I never wanted to be like that again." He looked so torn, like I once was. "You barely even know Stella." I said, taking one step forward, looking at him. He let out a slight sigh. "She hasn't let me down though, you have." He turned to leave. As he was walking away, he turned his head a little back at me, but didn't look. "Bye Rocka." He said with his tail held low and his ears back and sorrow in his eyes. He then left, heading back to where the others were.
I am so angry at myself. Everything that went wrong seemed to be my fault. I wish I had someone there for me I could talk to, to help me through all these hard times. A good friend, like Sam... once was, and maybe still is. I too decided to head back, but this time by myself, like I would do when I was young. My stomach then rumbled, remembering I hadn't eaten in a while. On my way back to the other wolves, I caught myself something small to eat. Once I got to where most of the wolves were, I found an unused den and stayed there. The sun was setting and I was getting tired. I can only wish tomorrow would be a better day. I let out one, long yawn, and fell asleep.
The next morning, I woke up to the sun creeping its way into my den. I gently opened my eyes, hearing birds sing their songs in the distance. The den was warm and inviting, and I did not feel like getting up. All was so peaceful, it almost seemed better just to stay there than to get up. My neck felt sore, maybe I slept on it wrong. I rub it to relieve the pain, but something was missing. The stone! It wasn't around my neck. I jumped to my feet, hitting my head on the top of my den in the process. I spun around, looking around, but no stone. Someone in this pack stole it, who would be the wolf to steal from a visitor of the pack. I then realized, lifting my head. Stella....
I marched out of my den angrily. My hair stood on end. I got a whiff of her scent, and followed it. I traced it down, through the forest into a large clearing. The smell led me to the base of a mountain. It was rocky here, lots of ruble and little grass. Large boulders stood like soldiers everywhere. I looked around. "Where are you, Stella?" I said with a snarl. I could smell her, she was close, but where? She could be behind any rock, just waiting to attack. I growled, looking around slowly. "Looking for something?" I looked up, Stella was high up, on a cliff of the mountain. The orange stone glistened as the sun shone on it. Sam was also up there, looking scared out of his mind. I knew he hated being in high places with one blind eye. He was on a ledge, pushing against the wall of the mountain, resisting the thought of falling. "Get down here, Stella! Fight me, you know who's stronger!" I said looking up with a low growl in my voice. "Just give it back Stella, someone's going to get hurt." Sam said with fear in his voice. She glared at him. "I just want a little fun, that's all." She said so innocently to him, then looked at me. "Come and get it! Are you afraid you're heart will let you down like you let Sam down?" She teased. That did it. I charged up the mountain side, sometimes I'd slide a little as the rocks under me slid down. I panted and breathed heavily. My heart pounded and my body ached. Pains shocked me everywhere. I winced, but I was so close. "Look at all this trouble you're putting yourself through just to show off to the one you love who has now moved on." She said with an evil smile. "Please stop Stella!" Sam begged as he looked at me worriedly. "She'll be fine, just forget about her, and worry about us!" She said with a snarl at him. I made to where she was, almost falling from exhaustion. My heart couldn't take much more.
She had the stone's string in her mouth so the Topaz was hanging down. She had stolen the stone, but I was still the protector of it until she put it around her neck. "I've always have liked the color orange, what about you?" She egged me on. I snarled, baring my teeth. "I'd watch it, mutt!" She said as she went to the edge of the cliff and dangled it. "Once I drop this and it breaks, you die." "Don't do this Stella, you don't know what you're getting yourself into!" Sam said, coming towards us. "Shut up Sam! You don't care for her, you care about me!" She had that murderous look in her eyes again. "I'm not so sure anymore." He said looking at me, then back at her. "If I can't have you, you can't have her." Stella said cruelly, and she dropped the stone. I froze, knowing I was going to die within seconds. It went in slow motion, I watched as she slowly opened her mouth, freeing the Topaz. "You monster!" Sam yelled with a snarl. I had never seen him angry, ever. He charged towards the cliff, ignoring his fear. He tackled Stella and the both tumbled down. I quickly ran towards the edge and caught them both, holding their paws against the mountain's wall, my back foot caught in a vine, the only thing keeping me from falling with them. I saw the stone's string was wrapped around Sam's tail. They both began to slip. "Save me, Rocka!" Stella yelled frantically as she squirmed, trying to pull herself up. "Stop moving, you're making yourself slip!" I said, my grip loosing on her. "Liar! You want me dead! I'll die if I don't!" She said as she swung back and forth. Her paw slipped a little more. "Pull me up Rocka!" She said, growling. She kept moving. "Stella, don't move!" I said again, but she didn't listen. Her paw flew out from under mine, and she tumbled to her death. I shut my eyes tight as I heard the loud 'thump' against the rocks. I then looked at Sam, now holding both of his paws. The vine loosened a little, and I slid a little more off the cliff. Sam looked into my eyes. "You gotta let go, or we'll both die." He said. My heart stopped and my eyes teared up. "No, I can't! I won't Sam, not after all this!" I said, closing my eyes with tears streaming down my face at the thought. He swung his tail up and the stone landed on the ground beside me. "There, you and the stone are safe, now let go Rocka." He said as the vine loosened a little more. "Trust me." He said looking me straight in the eyes. Something inside me told me it'd be alright, I could tell he had a plan. I gave him a kiss, and let go.
I got back on the cliff, and didn't look as he fell. I got the stone and put it around my neck and hurried down the mountain, hoping I had done the right thing. I had a feeling he knew what he was doing, he always does. I got to the bottom. I looked around. "Sam?" I said turning my head every way possible, looking for him. "Right here." He said. He was tangled in some vines near the bottom of the mountain, holding him a couple feet off the ground. I let out a sigh of relief, and hustled over to him. I nipped at the vines until they snapped and he was able to break free. I nuzzled him. "I'm so glad you're safe." I said with a smile. He nuzzled me, then looked at me in the eyes. "I'm sorry Rocka, I was dumb to ever fall for Stella. She was never really my type, and truthfully, you were the one for me this whole time." "And I was stupid too, for ever even having to think about if I loved you or not, at least I can see the true answer now." I said and licked his face happily. But I soon stopped and looked around. "What is it?" He asked looking around, too. I sniffed the air. "Stella." I said, and followed the scent. I found some flowers that sprouted from the ground and plucked them, setting them on Stella's body. I may not have liked her, but I have a heart.
Sam and I headed back to where the others were, just me and him this time. Something felt odd though, something was very wrong. We hurried back and Blake was pacing back and forth. Blaze and Shep were talking to him. Blake stopped as he saw us. "You two must go, he's coming for you, he's coming fast and he wants the stone. He'll kill for it." I was all so confused. "Wait... What?" Sam was just as confused as I was. "I have two brothers. My other brother is Jade, he isn't like us. He wants the stones for his own power. He breaks the stones, so he wields the power. He's turned on all his family, and will kill to get the stones. Once he breaks all the stones, whether they are repaired or not, he will have ultimate power, and will become unstoppable. He needs your stone, Rocka. He's coming, and you must leave. There is land west of here, Shep will lead you there. He'll protect you until you're safe. Once you get there, there is another pack awaiting you, they'll help protect you until Jade is gone." Blake had been so nice to us, I hated leaving. Without him, we may have been dead. Shep stood and came to Sam and I. He was an elder wolf, with white hairs around his muzzle and eyes, and some sprouting on his back. "Come on you two love birds, I'll take ya' there." He said with a smirk and began walking. I looked at Blake. "Thank you for everything, I will never forget you, friend." He smiled, I nuzzled him and went after Shep. Sam said his farewell to Blake and came after me. "You know, for an old guy, you're pretty fast!" Sam said with a pant. "When I was a young lad, I had to catch all the food for my family. You got to be quick on your feet, laddie." "Yes sir!" I said jokingly. "So... Have you ever seen Jade before?" Sam asked, seeming a bit fearful. "Aye laddie! He's quite the brute. He's strong from all those stones. He's broken and stolen the power from 3 stones, and currently hold the green stone, emerald is what you call it, stole it right from me neck!"
"'My' neck, not 'me' neck." Sam corrected him. "Accent, laddie." "Continue, please." I said, wanting to hear more of Jade. "Aye, we were in a tussle, when I was a young lad, we were friends, and I was dumb to ever trust a lad like him. He tricked me and pinned me, taking the stone right of me neck, him and his blokes beat me 'til I admitted he was stronger, but I didn't. I'd never tell him that, because it ain't true. The alpha, his dad, broke up the fight, and Jade got quite the beating from him. His father never favored him, maybe that's why he's so bitter. But listen laddie, you never want to meet him, he's not afraid to kill you, or anyone for that matter." Just that made my heart race, and I could feel pains all over my body. I winced. "You alright, laddie?" "My heart problems." I said taking a breathe. "It's fine now." "Are you sure?" Sam asked. I nod. "You two love birds hungry?" Shep asked. "Well, now that you mention it...." Sam said with a hungered look on his face. "You two make a fire, winter's creeping up on us, and it'll get chilly tonight, I'll be back with food." Shep said trotting off. I got some flint rocks while Sam got wood. The sky was a pinkish orange and clouds gently floated by. We started the fire and lay donw next to each other. I could tell Shep was right, winter was coming soon. The cold air rolled in as the sky slowly but surely grew darker. I shivered a little, and Sam scooted a bit closer. "Are you cold?" He asked, licking my forehead. "Just a tad, laddie." I said jokingly. He chuckled and set his head on my back. "I'm glad we're together again." I put my head on his paws. "Me too, me too." Sam lifted his head. "Rocka...." I lifted mine and looked into his eyes. "Yes?" I said. He looked a little embarrassed. "I just wanted to say I.... I" Suddenly, a squirrel flew between our faces, a dead rat landing on my muzzle, and a decapitated crow falling on Sam's head. I quickly sprung back, tossing the rat away from me. We looked over from where they came. Shep had dead animals lying around him. "Aye! Eat up ya' love birds!" "Way to ruin the moment..." Sam said with a disgusted face, lowering his so the bird slid off.
Shep plopped down beside us with his collection of small, dead animals. He stuffed his mouth and looked at us. "Eat up you two!" Sam wiped a little of Shep's spit from his face, then looked at the dead animals, and found on he liked. We ate and were soon finished. "Are you two laddies up for a story?" I look at Sam, we know older wolves tell boring stories that seem to have no ending. But how could we say no to him? "Sure, why not?" I said and listened. "When I was a wee lad, I was friends with the evil wolf, Jade. One day we got in a tussle, and he and his buddies ganged up on me and..." Sam stopped him. "Haven't you already told us this?" Shep thought for a moment and sighed. "I'm getting old laddies, me memory isn't as good as it once was." He said with a hint of sadness. I felt bad for the guy. "It's fine, it happens to everyone. How about a different story." Sam gave me a look as if saying 'really? Another story?' "Lets see here, well, one time I saw the land of Brayon. Others call me crazy, but I tell you, it was there, right before me eyes. I was in a battle with another pack. I was injured and starving. I was near death when I came to a dense forest. I fought me way through brush and vines, leaping over fallen trees and escaping quick sand. A wall of vines block the way and when I got through that, there was a golden gate and inside was a land that can only be seen in dreams. Suddenly, something in the sky covered the sun, and when I looked, it resembled a bird mixed with a wolf. It was closing in on me, and just as it got close, I fainted. When I awoke, most of my pack was dead, all injured in some way, except me, and I was no longer hurt, not even a wee scratch on me!" I was amazed. Could he really have seen the land of Brayon? "Tell us more!" I said, as if I was a young pup. "Aye laddies, it's time for rest, we have a long day tomorrow, much traveling, and we'll always be on the move." I nodded. "Good night you two." I said and set my head on the ground. Shep looked in the distance for a while. "Watch your back, Jade." He mumbled before setting his head down and falling asleep.
I woke up to a cry for help. "Help! Someone... Anyone?" I nudged Sam. "Psst, Sam, do you hear that?" I asked, waking him up. He yawned an perked his ears up. "Help!" "It sounds like... Shep!" Sam said, standing. I stood and sniffed the air. I followed the scent, Sam close behind. It led us to a tall oak tree. I looked up and Shep was perched on a shaky branch. "I thought I heard something, so I came up here to be the look-out, and now... I'm a wee bit stuck." I looked up at him, then looked at Sam. "You're getting him." "Me?!" He sighed and looked up at Shep. "Alright, jump down, and I'll catch you." Shep reared back. "Timber!" He pounced right on Sam's back, making Sam's legs spread out until he was lying on his belly, Shep happily sitting on him. "Thank ya' lad, you're quite comfy." Sam gasped for air. "I can't breathe!" Shep chuckled and stood up. I walked over to Sam and laughed lightly. Sam stood and stretched, his back making a loud popping noise. "Ah, much better." He said. "Come on you two love birds, we got a long ways to go." Shep said walking off, Sam and I soon following.
"He's close, I can feel it in me gut." Shep said with fur on his back raising. "How close?" I asked fearfully. "Close enough." Shep said and quickly changed direction. "We'll be taking a detour, the farther from him, the safer." We followed him and he led us to a darkened forest. "Be careful when you meet him, he's strong, but even he has his weaknesses. Find them, and use it against him." "Lets just try not to worry for now, and get as far as we can from him. " I said, and so we did. After a while, I began to notice Shep was beginning to limp. "Are you alright Shep?" I asked. "I'm getting old, laddie. Me bones and joints aren't the best anymore." "Do you need to rest?" Sam asked, seeming worried too. "No, no, I'll be fine, you two take the lead, I'll catch up." Shep said, his walking only worsening. I stopped. "I cannot go on if you're limping. We can find some time to rest." "No." Shep said firmly. "Jade's on his way now, I'm not going to make us sitting ducks. He looks for the best moment to strike, if we keep moving though, we could make it to the other pack in time." Shep paused. "I promised Blake I'd protect you both, and by all means I intend on doing so." "Shep, it's not like we can't fight, we will." Sam said to Shep. "You don't know anything laddie, Jade could take that head right off your shoulders in a split second I'm sure. He's very sly and quick, you'd never even see it coming. So if you'd like to keep your body in one piece I suggest you listen to me." Shep said, and kept pushing on. I could tell he was serious, and Sam and I didn't really have much of a choice.
We all came to the top of hill, and beyond us was acres of grass and trees, and in the very distance, you could see the outline of mountains. "It's right over those peaks." Shep said. "That's far!" Sam exclaimed and looked at Shep. "You sure you don't need to rest?" Shep nodded. "You two matter more than a couple of aching joints." We kept walking and he continued. "As I grew old, my former pack got tired of me. I suppose I wasn't strong enough for them. I was old and I couldn't do much. I was hurt badly from the war, fighting for that pack. Since I couldn't do work, they saw me as nothing. One night I fell asleep and the next morning, they were gone. I had spent so many years with them, and even had a family once. My two pups died in the war, fighting right next me. I guess I'm so strong on protecting you two is because I see characteristic of my pups in you both..." He then sighed. "I'm miss 'em everyday, and seeing you is almost like seeing them, and I won't let you die like they did." I was truly touched by this, and I felt terrible for Shep. How could he do so much for his pack, and they ignore that and abandon him because he was old and weak? "I'm sorry Shep, I'm sure you're pups are watching over you, and that pack must regret leaving you, because I know Blake is happy to have you in his pack. "Aye, thank ya' laddie." Shep said with a smile on his face.
It was a little after mid-day now, and Shep seemed more and more worried. He had entered a forest, it was dark and eerie, with a strange feeling to it. Shep stopped and looked around. "He's here." He said. I froze, my heart feeling as if it had stopped. Sam looked so worried, and being without sight in one eye in the situation almost killed him. Shep began to snarl, his fur raising. Out from the bushes emerged a white wolf with a flame-looking marking that was black around one eye, black paws, and black slash looking markings on his back and tail. He was large for a wolf, and very muscular. His eyes were bright green, and he had the emerald around his neck he has stolen from Shep. He looked younger than Shep though, most likely because he wished the stones would give him youth. Shep stood in front of Sam and I. "We meet again." Jade said to Shep, standing in front of him. "I see you still have the stone." Shep said angrily. "Well, if the Topaz stone is as easy to get as I got this one from you, it should only take a minute." Jade said, stepping forward. Shep moved forward, coming face to face with Jade. "You won't be getting this stone, you gotta go through me first." Jade snarled and latched his jaws onto Shep's muzzle and yanked him to the ground. Jade pinned him to down and bit at Shep until he had multiple wounds. Shep was so old he couldn't get up, he was no match for Jade. "Just like old times, right Shep? Tell me I'm stronger, and I may just not kill you." Shep spat in his face. "Never." Jade snarled and threw Shep into a large rock. "I'm going in, I can't let Shep die like this." Sam said. I pulled him back. "No Sam, you'll die."But then I looked at Shep, he needed help badly. Sam ran and lunged at Jade, but Jade quickly tossed him into the rock. Shep picked himself up. "You're no wolf, Jade, you're a disgrace." Shep said, then spit out some blood from his mouth. Jade ran at him and slid him straight into the rock again, this time he held him against it, digging his claws in his neck. "You just don't know when to stop, do you? Now you'll pay for it, Shep." Sam got up again, and bit Jade's leg. Jade yelped in pain and let go of Shep, turning his attack on Sam. "Why do I bother with you two, when all I need is the Topaz?" Jade asked and then looked over at me.
I took a step back, Shep was against a rock, smothered in blood, and Sam was on the ground, unable to get up. Jade came over and stopped in front of me. Fear filled my insides. I looked into his eyes and all I saw was pure evil, blood and death. "It's a pity such a pretty wolf as yourself has to be killed.... Unless, you just hand over the stone, then all of this mess will be over." "Don't do it!" Sam yelled, trying to pull himself up. Jade turned to him, charging at him. "I thought I finished you, mutt!" Jade growled and stood over him, and just as he was getting ready to bite him, Blake leaped into view and tackled Jade. They fought, until Blake pinned him to the ground. "If there's one wolf stronger than you, it's me. Leave these wolves Jade!" Jade looked at him with anger. "You'd never kill me Blake, and I know that. One day I will fight you, and I will win." Blake looked at us. "Rocka, I'll be back, stay with the others 'til I return." Blake then looked back at Jade. "Now go home, and this time I am making sure you do. Now go, run! Before I do fight you." Jade got up and darted off, Blake not too far behind.
I ran over to Sam and helped him up. We both turned our attention towards Shep. We hurried over. He was in very bad condition. We both lay next to him. "You two love birds made my final days the happiest." My eyes teared up. "Final days?" "Aye, I'm at the end of my road laddie." Sam looked deeply sad. "Please don't...we, we can help you, right?" "I lived a long life, it's just me time." A couple tears rolled down my face. "No, I can help you! My stone, it can help you!" I said beginning to cry. "No laddie, me pups are awaiting me up there." He looked up at the sky. "They've been waiting a long time to see me again. Maybe now we can be a family like we use to be before that war." Even Sam had a few tears. "Go see your children, and tell them I said hello, and that you're the bravest wolf I've ever met, by far." "We'll never forget you Shep." Sam said. Shep closed his eyes and smiled. "I see them, right beyond that light, I knew they'd be waiting for me. I'm home at last." He said, and he had the biggest smile on his face he slowly stopped breathing.
Sam held me close as I cried. Shep gave up his life for me and Sam, yet he embraced his death. He was not fearful of it. I'll never forget that guy. He'll always be close to my heart. Sam and I threw back our heads and howled to the sky in remembrance. When Blake came back, we all helped each other clear a nice spot under a tree and set Shep there, surrounding him with flowers. He deserved it.
After all this, we didn't know what to do or where we were suppose to go. Blake just thought it'd be best if he split his land in two, and Sam and I could make our own pack in one half, and Blake could stay in the other. We'd have an alliance, and would team up to help stop Jade. I don't know what the future may bring, but I embrace it with open arms. As for me and Sam, well, it's just us, but to tell the truth I like it that way just fine.
Art: By Me:
And much more to come!
(Also, remember she's going to be in a comic I'm making, so she'll have lots of art <3)
Other:If I am lucky enough to call her my own, I just wanted to say I promise I'll take great care of her, and get her loads of art. <33 I worked really hard on this story and I hope it paid off. (:
