Shapeshifters

29

WE STOOD THERE upon the rock as all the packs lowered their head. I looked around and saw Rose, Thorn, Goldendawn, Star, Tawny, and everyone else. They were all here.

When the leaders stood, so did the packs. One of the leaders, the leader of Valleypack, announced that we would have a meeting, just us and the leaders.

"How did you guys find out the truth?" Tansysky asked us.

"It all started when I fell...three moons ago," I proceeded to tell the leaders my story. Dustfly interjected to add some details. I told them about meeting Sunny and Petunia, using a fake name, having to learn their ways, to Black taunting me, breaking the first half, and making a plan to return here. I left out all the mushy stuff for our own sake.

When I finished, Stormsky, Cedarsky, and Tansysky looked at us in astonishment. Not believing that a pup of almost two moons survived all that.

Cedarsky was the first to snap out of it. "What do you want us to do? How are you going to break the second half?"

"That's what we came to do," Dustfly replied. "I know we are just legends—"

"Fantasies," I interfered.

"But we need you three to decided a new name for us," He explained. "One we can accept. Then we plan to banish whoever is behind this curse."

"You know who it was?" Stormsky inquired.

I cocked my head side-to-side. "We don't know for sure, but we have an idea."

Cedarsky nodded. "You believe it's Black."

Dustfly nodded for me to respond. "We only think that because he was the one taunting us for being dead and still becoming in-trainings."

Tansysky shook his head. "It makes some sense Cedarsky. I know he's your first deputy and all, but you can't allow that to cloud your judgement."

Stormsky sensed Cedarsky's conflicting mindset with this and told Dustfly and I to give them a moment to discuss things over. Instead of walking away, like a normal wolf, we flew up. We waited up there until Stormsky motioned for us to come down.

"We have names for you," He explained. "If you are willing to accept them."

Dustfly and I exchanged a look and nodded our consent. The leaders turned around to face the packs. The members of each pack looked up at them with longing. Wanting to know what the discussion was about.

Tansysky started, "Dustfly and Lighteye are indeed the children of Shapeclaw and Shapetail. The three of us," He indicated the other leaders. "Have mulled things over and decided on new names for them. We hope Nightpack agrees with these names." He looked at me. "Lighteye, step forward." 

I stepped up and was surprised to see Cedarsky step towards me. "Lighteye," He said. "You were only a pup when you were cursed. Shapeshifters for a long time were a fantasy to you. Now, I call upon Nightpack as I give you the name of Fantasyheart. With this name, comes great power. Use it well."

I dipped my head at him and stepped back. Tansysky had Dustfly step forward. I watched as Stormsky gave Dustfly his new name. 

"Dustfly," Stormsky started. "From what I've heard, you were three moons when you were cursed. For your short life as a pack member, shapeshifters were only legends. Because of this, I call upon Nightpack as I bestow upon you your new name. Legendheart. Carry this name with pride. Use its power well."

Both Legendheart and I stood there as the packs chanted our names with glee. The leaders moved to one side to allow us to address the packs. 

"This moon," I started. "Is the moon I will always remember as the moon of a new beginning. I've dreamt about this moon since my first moon I spent cursed. In the up-walker world."

Legendheart opened his mouth and I let him speak. "We will protect you. Sometime in the future, we will collect the only thing we will ever take from you. One pup. That's all we will have from each pack to protect you." He looked at me, signaling that I accuse and banish Black.

I sighed and took a step forward. "I call upon Black of Shadowpack to step towards the rock." I watched as the group departed and Black walked toward Legendheart and me. When he reached the base of the rock, I continued, "Black, you taunted us with our second name. With you here I banish you and any member of any of the packs who followed you. Leave and never return."

"If you do," Legendheart took over. "You will be killed on sight. No exceptions."

We watched in horror as many member, from all packs left. Following Black out of the five pines. I was silently hoping that there would be no revenge. But knowing Black, there would be.

Legendheart dismissed the meeting and we stayed on the rock as everyone trickled out. I noticed Goldendawn standing near the back. I excused myself from Legendheart and flew down to her.

"You aren't coming back, are you?" She had tears in her eyes. I shook my head. "Why?"

"We can't have Valleypack or Shadowpack thinking we value Sunpack more." I explained. "Now, it's our duty to guard all the packs."

She nodded and turned to head to Sunpack. I flew back up to where Legendheart was sitting and sat next to him. We both waited until the last member was out of sight before talking.

"Where are we to stay?" Legendheart asked me.

I shrugged. "Let's look around five pines and see if there is anything suitable for a den," I offered.

He nodded and we split up searching high and low for a cave or for anything could work until better arrangements could be made. I found something behind the base of the rock. I called Legendheart over and when he arrived I showed him what I had found.

"This is perfect Fantasyheart!" He exclaimed. 

 I gave my chest a few embarrassing licks then went into the cave. It was an opening at the base of the rock, big enough for us to get through. I immediately knew it was placed there by Shapeclaw. I silently thanked him as Legendheart and I slept in our new den for the first time.