The Wolves of the Gems

Chapter 29

0 miles from the territory border: Volcanic Plains Pack Territory: Lava Rocks: Mid Winter

"So this is it," the midnight she-wolf said, staring at the endless dark, rocky ground, broken only by the large peak in the centre of the territory. "This is what it has all come down to."

"Months of searching," the dark brick stone grey wolf said.

"Months of fighting," the pure black wolf with the muddy white collar said.

"Months of walking," the silver and white she-wolf said, "so much walking."

"It has all come down to this," said the grey wolf with tan markings.

On the border of the Volcanic Plains pack stood wolves from all across the land; the white alphess and her two yearling children from the Snow Pack, who had reunited with the group and her large brother in the early winter; the brown alphess and her three best warriors from the Northern Forest Pack; the father and his speedy son, who was born in the Southern Forest Pack, but ended up being also part of the Metal Forest Pack; the wolf-dog from the North West Canyons; the two siblings and the scout from the Mountain Pack; and finally the last of the Storm Pack. All under the watchful gaze of the white, winged wolf, who's original pack faded long into myth.

"You all have been travelling together for way too long." Rain ran forward with her wolves following behind, "let's finally end this reign of terror!"

"I second that!" Nightsong said as the wolf-dog ran after the Northern Forest wolves.

And soon all the wolves were running into the Volcanic Plains Territory, except for Matla, who flew above them. Normal were these wolves? Far from it. But determined and courageous? It was the one thing they all had in common. And because of it, they all moved as one. They all moved as a pack.

And it was not long when the residents came charging towards the intruders.

"So, who's going to howl at the den entrance?" Darkness asked as he ran.

"Leave them to us," Rain smirked as she and her wolves surged forward. And were they fast, the speed of their surge almost made the Plains wolves rethink who they were attacking. Almost. The force of when the wolves collided was bone shattering. But even if bones were broken, no wolves were showing it as they battled one another.

The group pressed on, deeper into the territory, this time with Snowstorm leading. And it was only a matter of time before another wave of Volcanic Plains wolves came, many more than the first.

"These ones are ours," Snowstorm said as Stormcloud and Texas ran up on either side of the white alphess.

As they ran closer to the wolves, Stormcloud's and Texas' eyes started to glow, as did the gems on their necks. Fire erupted from the ground, and lightning rained down from the sky, surrounding the Plains wolves. They were trapped, trying to find a way to get out, but to no avail.

Snowstorm's yellow eyes glowed pale blue and ice surged towards the trapped wolves, freezing them in place. The group ran past the ice sculptures, closing in on the Fire Mountain, the plume of ash and smoke rising high into the sky.

"The entrance is this way," Matla said above the group once they reached the summit, leading them around the volcano.

"I think not intruders," the alpha of the Volcanic Plains Pack said as the group rounded the corner, standing on a pile of rocks, with his son and the rest of his pack beside him.

"Garmr," Darkness snarled at the dark, smokey grey wolf.

"Ah, so my name has not left your memories," Garmr said from his perch, "yours has not survived my mind though. I don't remember names of traitors to the Rogue Pack."