Wolves Band Together

The Fallout

Back in the day, there were 5 brothers: Alex (oldest), Conrad (2nd oldest), Ray (middle), Max (2nd youngest), and Ashton (youngest). They were all in a band called "The Pack," and their goal tonight was to reach the perfect moonlight howl. All the pressure was on them, but mainly on Alex because if they weren't perfect, they were nothing. So he had a plan even though he didn't bother telling his other siblings about it.

Worker: 5 minutes till showtime!

Alex: Alright, guys, we're gonna open with "A full moon for you" and end with "A quarter of the my love is yours"; wait, that sounds wrong. Ooh! How about "A quarter of my love is yours" and end with "All my love is yours." Ha, yes! We are going to become legends tonight.

Conrad: *sharpening claws on a rock* 65, 66, 67...

Alex: Love it, brother! I need to see 20 more strokes. Those claws need to be rippin' dude!

Conrad: Oh, c'mon! *shiny and sharp*

Alex: Man, those could slice through anything.

Ray: Alex! Do I really need to keep wearing these? *wearing dog booties*

Alex: Yes, you do, Ray! They're bramble booties.  They're delicious and fun to wear. Now let's see those dance moves!

Ray: Fine. Elder wolf into slimy slug and end on raging bear, yeah.

Max: Bro, you look stressed. Breathe.

Alex: *sarcastic* Well, of course I'm stressed, Max. It's the first show of the tour! We have to hit the perfect moonlight howl we promised our fans!

Max looks over to the littlest brother Ashton, who is cowering from all the noise outside.

Max: Fine, just calm down. You're making little Ashton nervous.

Alex: Nervous?! No, no, no. He's not allowed to be nervous. He's gotta be perfect.

Max: *breathes in and out* Give him a break Alex, it's his first time singing in public. *stands behind Ashton* Hey Ash, how are you feeling?

Ashton: I feel nauseous and scared and...

Max: Feel like you're about to explode?

Ashton: How did you know?

Max: *sits down* Ha, you got the pre-show jitters. It's completely normal. Everyone gets em. Wanna know what I do when I get em?

Ashton: Barf and explode?

Max: *stands up and smiles* I think of all the bad things that could happen and shake it off! *starts shaking*

Ashton giggles and starts to shake, too.

Ashton: But no one's ever hit the perfect moonlight howl before? Is it true it can shatter diamonds?

Max: Yeah, it's that powerful.

Alex walks right in between them while giving his brothers a quick pep talk.

Alex: Alright, bros, just remember whatever happens follow my lead.

Max: Or we can go and have fun together.

Ray: It's just so much pressure. *snaps a twig in two with teeth*

Worker: 10 seconds!

Conrad: And what happens if the howl doesn't happen?

Alex: Oh, that's not an option. We either hit it or life as we know it we end!

Ray and Max look worried while little Ashton looks excited.

Alex: Let's howl!

Announcer: Alphas, betas, omegas, and all in between, please welcome: The Leader, The Lover, The Playful One, The Tear Jerker, and making his 1st appearance... The Puppy! Give it up for... The Pack!

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ALEX:

You cast a spell on me, spell on me.
You hit me like the night fell on me.
I decided you look well on me, well on me.
So let's go where no one else can see you and me.

CONRAD:

Turn the lights out now.
Now I'll take you to the den.
Spend a little time time with me instead.
Stay with me, and I'll make you glad you came.

ALL:

The sun goes down, the stars come out, and all that counts is here and now...

*The perfect moonlight howl begins to glow around them, and Alex gets excited and tells his brothers to form a small pyramid*

RAY: *whisper yells to Conrad* What's he doing?! We didn't practice this!

ALL:

Make you glad you came!

*They're becoming out of tune with each other and start to become unstable. They all end up falling off the high cliff and on top of each other.*

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Alex: See what happens when you don't follow my lead!

Conrad: Bro, that is exactly what happens when we follow your lead!

Alex: Oh, so it's my fault. Is that what you're saying? I know we can reach the perfect moonlight howl.

Conrad: What if we don't want to!

Ray: Yeah, this used to be fun. Now you just want us to be "perfect."

Conrad: You know what? I'm done playing "The Lover." My piercing sharp claws, and I quit!

Ray: I quit, too, and you can take these! *throws booties at him* I'm in a support group! Did you know that?! A support group! I'm gonna find wolves that understand me!

Alex: Fine! I don't need your complaints! I'm out, I'm sorry. I'm gonna lone wolf it in the far west. Yeah, that's right, big bro going solo. Yolo. Goodbye forever!

Ray: Cool, I'm outta here!

Conrad: Same here!

Max: Guys, please, c'mon! *sighs*

Ashton: *folds ears back* It's my fault, I ruined everything.

Max: No, no, Ash, this isn't your fault. We're not a team anymore. We've gone from pups to adults, and now there's only one place for us to go. The outskirts!

Ashton: But not you, Max. You're not leaving, too?

Max: Not forever. I'll be back, I promise. But right now I I have to follow my heartsong. It's telling me to start a solo career.

Ashton: Then, what am I gonna do?

Max: Ash, you, are gonna do the most important thing of all. You're gonna... *looks to grandmother* Take care of Grammy!

Grammy: Aw, c'mon Ash, let's play tic paw. But I won't let you win because I play rough. Grrr!

Ashton looked nervous then at Max.

Max: You might have to let her win. Occasionally. *wink*

Ashton: *nods fast*

Max: When you miss me, you can wear this.

Gives Ashton his favorite necklace of a meteorite that had fallen when he had made a wish on it one night. Says it would always bring him good luck.

Max: It'll be like I'm right beside you.

Ashton: When you come back we can make a hideout.

Max: Definitely.

Max looked at his little brother solemnly and gave him a hug ending with a forehead touch to symbolize their deep connection.

Max: *sighs* I'll see you soon little Ash. *walks away and nods back at Ashton before running away*

Ashton sat at the edge of the den where his brother had left. Just as he was about to head inside be heard his brother howl. This small gesture brought him some comfort. His ears folded back and a single tear running down his cheek.

Ashton: Bye. See you later.