The Subtle Cause of Chaos[Open!]

[The Creature Account]

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[atrb=background,http://i38.tinypic.com/sq07so.png] A large, red shape soared through the sky high above the fields surrounding Switchgrass Cover, beating its wings lazily. Within a few moments there came a brilliant flash of light, caused by light reflecting off a silver streaks running through its fiery colored scales. Obsidian spikes covered it's crania, running all the way down to the tip of it's tale in a deadly display. With a turn of the head, the dragon - for that is what she was - slanted her wings and glided through the cool air, scouting out the driest place she could find. As it happened, there was a herd of white stag directly below her, ever watchful, but unaware of her presence. The sparkling dragon drew in a deep breath, flames exploding from her hardened snout, streaming down to the little herd that within moments, had scattered, the fields around them set alight in a fiery blaze of orange heat. Grunting happily to herself, the she-dragon swooped low to the field, and began to burn ever so closely to the fleeing prey, deadly flames licking at their hooves. Flipping upside down, she waggled her serpentine like tail at them in defiant mockery. Furling her wings to shoot between a pair of stag, her deviant tongue licking her snout with glee, she flared them again to knock them both over. A booming roar shattered the sky, obviously representing satisfaction or perhaps that of humor. But as the menacing beast drew upward once more, it changed it's mind and swooped down again, grabbing two young calves between her deadly foreclaws before climbing higher into the sky. She wasn't hungry at this time, but little could stop the beast from doing anything it wanted. And just to prove her point, the red dragon swung the calves around in the hopes to make them dizzy and scare the living daylights out of them. They were safe, for now, but one could only take so much of their shrill cries shattering through ones ears.

[skyshade]

The nice warm breeze that swayed the grass had gently lulled Obi into a nice nap. When he woke up he saw a beautiful heard of white elk. Smiling at his luck, he pulled himself into a low crouch, the colors of his coat blending in to the grass.

Gently pulling himself forward, careful not to cause dust to fly in the air he started forward. That's when he heard the wooshing of a dragons wings. He had only seen dragons maybe once or twice before but he learned the sound of their wings hitting the air as soon as he could.

He hit the cracked red ground, hoping that the dry grass covered him. Wide blue eyes watched as the dragon blew fire next to the herd and carried off to calves. Obi ran back, keeping himself close to the ground, finding a small dead tree, he used it as cover to watch the herd. He waited for the flames to go out like the usually did.

But they didn't. Instead they burned brighter and spread across the dry grass faster. Smoke slowly rose up making it harder to see. His blue eyes widened with horror as the flames slowly came closer and closer to him.

[Keely]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,500,true][bg=546b56] Keely was stalking through the tall, dry grass. Her yellow pelt seemed to stand out more than usual these days. The winter was never really cold in the plains, just dry and ..well dead. She had been lucky today and was caring a skinny jackalope in her jaws. The thing was almost the size of the small female. She saw the white deer running through the grass. She could never hope to take one of them down. More often than not she was running from those sharp hooves that threatened to trample her. She could smell fear in the air. That was unsual. Maybe one of the larger pack mates had returned and attempted to hunt. Even her optimistic self doubted that though. Soon smoke filled the air as a dark shadow passed over head. She looked up, a dragon. She hunkered down, almost hiding under the dead rodent she had. Once she assumed the danger was passed she peaked up over the grass. Fire? Her purple eyes widened in fear. She may have been naive in most things, but she knew when to worry about survival. She looked quickly for shelter. Through the thickening smoke she saw a tree, maybe she could get above the smoke by climbing it. Her small body moved with alarming quickness, she still kept her prize in her jaws. There, a break in the smoke! She darted for the hole in the screen and saw one of her brothers under the tree she was aiming for. "OBHI!" Her mouth was full and she was fighting back a cough.

[skyshade]

Obi Stayed under the tree trying to avoid the stampeding elk. Smoke was everywhere and he couldn't breath. The fire was moving faster and faster towards him, the tree would no provide safe cover, if anything it would make it worse.

Turning around he saw Keely running towards him with a jackalope in her jaws. He ran up towards her staying low to the ground where it was easier to breath.

"Go back!" He coughed, nudging her away. "The fire is coming this way, and fast!" He looked back at the tree to see it burst into flames.

[Tobias]

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[atrb=background,http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt87/Tye-Lily/Comissions/tobiasbg2.png] Tobias too had been stalking about in the tall grasses. He wasn’t out hunting, mostly just wandering and thinking, as he often did. His small form was easily lost in the grasses and it helped him block out distractions and think. His maroon pelt stood out a bit among the dry dead grass, and had he known what was about, he might have reconsidered his choice of wanderings for the day. Suddenly he froze, a deep sense of foreboding creeping over him. Something was very wrong. His ears twitched trying to find the source of his dread. There was a sound of wings, not bird wings, closer to the sound made by bats. But not even a swarm of bats flapping their wings in unison would produce such a strong sound. Then there was a hiss and a crackle, almost like lightning, but the smell was wrong. His amethyst eyes looked skyward. His tiny hope that he was wrong faded as the dragon came into view. Flying in his direction. He heard the elk coming, their approach cloaked by the tall grasses. He had to move, but he was terrified of catching the attention of the flying beast. Clearly, that wouldn’t matter if he was trampled by the swarm of oncoming hooves, so he bolted away, trying to get out of their path. Along with everything else that was happening so quickly, the wind shifted slightly toward Tobias. The smoke overtook his senses almost immediately and his eyes widened in near panic. This was not simply smoke expelled from the dragon, foul smelling as that was. No, this was smoke from a proper fire, a fire fueled by dry grasses. If he were being rational he would have fled from this place toward water, toward some natural barrier that could break the fire and stop its spread. But the other smells removed all rational thought from his mind. The elk weren’t the only ones wandering the plains today. The scents of his siblings were unmistakable. And they were coming from the direction of the blaze. “No,” Tobias whispered. He ran, trying to keep his head down below the smoke, and trying desperately to sort the smells and find his siblings. But the smoke was thick and he could barely see or smell anything. He called out, coughing, hoping they were okay, hoping he could find them. “Keely? Obi? Where are you?”

[The Creature Account]

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[atrb=background,http://i38.tinypic.com/sq07so.png] The dragon blinked as new life hit her glowing eyes and exceptional senses. Teeth clicked as she spied flashes of gold an orange. One might think those colors would be harder to spot, with a fire raging with that of the same colors. But not to her. The parting of the tall grasses was also a dead give away. Snorting to clear her of the emitting smoke, the species of said creatures hit her nostrils like a slap in the face. Wolves. Kings of the land. It bought a sneer to her snout, for she automatically outranked them. She and her kind were the Kings of both land and air. It was then an easier target ran into view. It's dark maroon pelt setting a striking contrast against the dead yellowing grasses. She knew without a doubt they had seen her, but as she bellowed out a formidable screech that seemed to shake the sky itself, she let them know that she too, had seen them. Focusing back onto the other pair for the moment, the she-dragon let the red one flounder about on his own for a minute. Cruel as she could sometimes be, the dragon lifted one of the calves and flung it at the fleeing couple, it landing with a glorious thud in front of them, followed by one last cry and a series tiny clicks as it's bones shattered. She was sure she had made her point. With an evil grin gracing her snout, the dragon redirected her attention on the maroon one. He was all alone. As much as wolves didn't scare her, two were always much more to handle than one. Folding her wings tightly, the dragon plummeted, almost gracefully, toward her target. Closer she fell, madness glowing ever brightly in her black orbs. One, two, three! Fireballs shot from her mouth, landing dangerously close to the male. They weren't too big, but where enough to cause the grass around him to light up in dismay. Boom, boom, boom. Another hysterical screech, and the red beast flew upward again, keeping an eye on the others as well. Oh how she loved to play! Even if her style of play was a little.... different to what others might like.

[skyshade]

Obi took off after Toby's voice expecting Keely to follow. Jumping aside from the falling calf he stopped a second to look at it in horror. It was such a pitiful sight. But then Tobias's voice rang in his head and he continued his journey to get his family to safety.

He ran into view just in time to see the dragon launching fireballs at Toby's red figure. Obi jumped backward as a fireball barely missed him, scorching a few hairs off of one of his tails.

"HEY!" He yelled at the dragon, the words not really registering in his mind until after he said them, "That was my favorite tail! Look at it the white's all black and ruined now."

He charged after the dragon only to realize that it was up where he couldn't reach and his brother was trapped in flames. Going to the little balls of flames, he searched for any sign of his brother.

"Toby?! Toby?! Toby if you can hear me, tell me if there's an entrance or exit. Well on second thought if there's an exit just go through it and save us some trouble. Unless you need help, oh for the love of... Just respond please!" His words were broken apart with continues coughing due to the smoke. His blue eyes watered in pain as the smoke stung them.

[jerminyn]

Stormy was getting tired as he tried to keep a sustained run with his small body. He had seen the fire and knew if it spread too far it could cause consequences to the local hunting area. He slowed to a walk, deciding it was better to go slowly and be ready for it, rather than reaching it tired. For a moment he thought he saw a red glint in the sky, but peering closely at it, he only got too much sun in his eyes.
As he trotted forward he heard the crackling. He hated fire, what a pity he was only a water-ice Lupus, a fire Lupus would be able to just calm it down right away.
He perked suddenly, he thought for a moment someone had been calling out. Hearing nothing directly after that, he moved on, after all, who would get themselves stuck in a blaze like that?

[Keely]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,500,true][bg=546b56] She skid to a halt as Obi came vaulting toward her, she looked up at him, frightened. The tree exploded into flame she backed up and let him push her out back through the hole she had come through. She turned, falling a few steps behind Obi in the process. Her ears pinned back on her head as she heard the terrifiying roar of the great beast. Then a thud made her drop her meal in surprise and alarm. A calf twitched in there path. She stopped in a panic. Obi ran off to another voice. Toby? Bother her brothers where caught in the blaze. She looked up at the sky, why was the dragon doing this? Lyxxi were no threat to dragons, they were too small to even think about breaking skin on a dragon. She saw the dragon flying in the direction of Tobias' and now Obi's voice were. What was she supposed to do? She wished Fyodor was here to help her, but she had not seen her mate in a long time. Coughing, and fighting back tears, she finally moves around the calf, feeling the heat welling behind her. They had to get to shelter. Shelter. Oh god. Where was Mimzy in all this? The purple eyes female darted out from the smoke, her path would lead her past her siblings. She had to help them too, but her daughter! She could be trapped! The small mother was panicking more and more as the fire pressed around them, "Obi! Toby! Where is Mimzy!?"

[Tobias]

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[atrb=background,http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt87/Tye-Lily/Comissions/tobiasbg2.png] The roar of the dragon shook everything. Tobias’s mind raced. The normally calm and collected wolf’s mind was lost in a rather incoherent stream of thoughts: Dragon-Fire-Keely-DRAGON-Obi-Fire-FIRE-DRAGON!! His normal strength was as a strategist. He couldn’t beat a dragon with strategy, and he certainly couldn’t combat a fire with one. Even through the rising smoke he could see the dragon swooping down toward him. He skidded to a stop, eyes wide with fear. And suddenly, the sky rained with fire. It was the stuff of nightmares. The dry grasses caught and the flames spread quickly. The heat was more intense than any he had ever known. His eyes burned from the smoke and the heat and he shut them tight. He threw his head down to the ground, trying in vain to escape the smoke. His lungs burned as he coughed and sputtered. His four tails were tucked in close, trying, unsuccessfully to avoid the sting of the flames. He tried to open his eyes but could only manage a painful squint. He knew that he needed to move, but he had no idea if there was even a safe direction to move in. Left? Fire. Right? Fire. Ahead? Fire. Above? Smoke. And below? Dry fuel that would probably soon be on fire. His mind was clouding, but he thought he had heard Obi’s voice. And perhaps Keely’s as well. So they were alright. That was good. It was good that they were alright. Toby’s mind cleared at the thought of his siblings. Although his own mind was fairly certain this day would end with him either being eaten by a dragon or consumed by flames, he had to get him family out of here one way or another. There was no sense in them all being caught up in the flames. And so he did something he was fairly certain he had never done before. He lied to them. “I’m fine. Go!” He shouted as best he could. He throat felt raw and his voice was hoarse. “Obi, take Keely and go!” He coughed again and tried to think of what to say to get them away from here without him. “The dens!” he called again. “Mimzy was at the dens. Go!” He choked out the last words and hoped they were enough. If his siblings could get away he could accept that he might die today, but he would never forgive himself if anything happened to one of them because of him.

[The Creature Account]

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[atrb=background,http://i38.tinypic.com/sq07so.png] A slight growl of irritation rumbled through the dragons throat as her sight began being clouded by the thick, blackened smoke. It was here that she paused mid-flight, hovering high above the ground to see what she had done. With all the smoke it was hard to see those wolves, those wolves that could harm her young. Hormonal and overly hostile, if that dragon was rational she would know that they were far from her babies, and couldn't hurt them. However, unlucky for the trio it was her first time at being a mother, and all her instincts shattered any line of reasonable thought, and she was in protection mode. Switchgrass cover was a massive area, and the fire she had created now covered most of it. The deadly smoke rising higher into the sky was a beacon for destruction, for miles around it would be seen. The powerful fire fight showed no signs of stopping, tree's, animals, plants and everything else seemed to be swallowed by the deadly heat. Perhaps this place was a little too dry than what she originally thought. Tension, fear and death suffocated her senses, and for a moment she felt calm. There shouldn't be any danger now. There was no stopping this monster, its dry food supply was endless here, and would tear apart the entire terrain within days. The ground was black, the sky was black, both being caressed in between by a violent orange. Straining her beady optics, the dragon barley made out the wolves she had been trying to scare off. Alas, they were still alive, this confirmed as loud bark-like noises filtered up toward her from one of the wolves. Was he challenging her? She couldn't understand his words, but understood his tone very well. He was threatening her wasn't he? Threatening her young. They were all together now, but the fire was hot on their heels. Soon the smoke clouded her vision once again and the best made a split second decision. Folding her wings once more she dropped with amazing speed, totally blinded by the smoke. Her head held a mental map however, of where the struggling trio had last been. Letting out a defiant roar, she flew through the smoke like a maniac, claws swinging everywhere to try and snag one of them. Nobody threatened her.

[skyshade]

Obi felt reassured that Toby was safe, but worried at his voice. His voice was horse, sounding as if he had taken in too much smoke. Obi stood there for a few seconds trying to decide what to do as the flames steadily danced closer. His mind worked at the speed it did when he was on a hunt. He didn't want to abandon any of his siblings, but who was the top priority right now?

"TOBY." He called, finally making his decision. "Meet us at the dens before night or else I'm looking for you. Be safe!" He trusted Toby to make a good decision to get to safety.

Running through the smoke, he lowered himself so as to be able to see and breath. He saw Keely up ahead.

"The dens! Mimzy's at the dens, if we sepperate we meet back there, okay?"
He didn't wait before speeding off. He was running faster and faster, his tail flairing behind him working like a sort of fan for the smoke.

He had reached a large rock when he felt a horrid pain on his side. Howling in pain he fell down under the rock. Blood seeped through a large gash in his side, dieing his fur red. He caught a flash of a red talon. That freaking dragon again. He was going to have to do something about her, but first, he needed to find safety.

He got up only to feel a searing pain run through him. Falling to his side he made one desperate move and worked his way around the rock. Finding a little way in, he pulled himself under, using his paws to dig a bigger hole. Once in a cramped area under the rock he collapsed.

"I will just wait for the fire to pass then follow it." He reassured himself, hoping that the rock was enough protection from the flames.

[Keely]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellSpacing,0,true][atrb=cellPadding,0,true][atrb=width,500,true][bg=546b56] She coughed again, she stopped running. Obi had run on ahead, Toby said he was alright. However the maternal instinct in her told her otherwise. Her brother was lying. Obi ran off, she wanted to follow him, but she could not leave. A deafening screech vibrated through her, she felt the swoosh of the wings pass her, suffocating a few of the flames as if to blow them out. She saw it lash out, her eyes widened, and she screamed out as her brother was hit, "OBIIII!!!!!! NOOOO!" Tears came to her eyes, the fire had pittered everso slightly around Toby. He did not look fine. Without really thinking the adrenaline took her and she charged toward Tobias, vaulting through the flames to slam her body into him, attempting to push him out of the fire. Her momentum would take her through as well, not without a few burns. Her family was all she seemed to have. Fyodor had dissapred, as did most of the pack. Her brothers had always protected her. It was her turn.

[Tobias]

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[atrb=background,http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt87/Tye-Lily/Comissions/tobiasbg2.png] Tobias heard Obi’s response and inwardly cheered. It would be okay. Obi would get Keely out of here and they would be alright. No matter what happened to him, they would be okay. He winced in pain as a large flame licked one of his ears. He pawed at it frantically to stop the flame from spreading. The air around him was thick with the odor of scorched fur. His coat was already mottled with burns, some mild and others more severe. But the pain was helping him to focus. His brain was lacking oxygen and he needed to get away from this smoke. He felt the dragon’s roar more than heard it, the vibrations rocked through him even in his altered state. A strong gust of wind followed the dragon as she passed over them, and Toby knew that she must be close. But for that moment the air was a little clearer; the smoke was rushing after the dragon and the flames had momentarily shrunken. It was then that Tobias realized something: fires need to breathe too. The dragon had cut the fire off from its air just as the fire had been cutting Toby off from his. But unless the dragon was planning on continuing her aerial acrobatics just above his head this moment of relief wouldn’t last long. If he was going to get out of his fiery ring of death, it had to be now. Although he willed himself to stand his whole body felt weak. He struggled with his own weight, meager as it was. His muscles felt tight and his legs shook. His tails hung limply behind him. His throat felt tight and his breath was shallow. He managed to get off the ground, but just barely. He doubted he had the strength to move, let alone to propel himself through the remaining flames. But even as he realized this, he was moving, not of his own volition, but due to a collision with something. It was a moving sunbeam… Together they passed through the flames and hit the ground rolling. It was just enough to smother any flames that had clung to them. Toby coughed in the relatively clearer air as he sucked in oxygen. His vision was still blurry from tears and smoke, but he squinted his eyes open and to his horror recognized the other figure on the ground. He choked out her name in a mixture of confusion and fear, “Keely…”

[The Creature Account]

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[atrb=background,http://i38.tinypic.com/sq07so.png] A high pitched hiss seeped from the Dragon's snout, her claws returning empty from her try at catching one of those blasted wolves. She thought for a second, why should she even bother? She could sense their fear, their weakness. They wouldn't make it out of here alive. If it wasn't her to take them, the flames would do it for her. But what about her babies? What if she was wrong? No. She couldn't leave until they were fried within the flames or dangling from her fangs. Rising into the air for another elegant loop around, it was then the scent of blood hit her nostril. Glaring at her claws, the maroon tinged liquid was easy to see. She had wounded one! Chuckling with pride she hovered again, snout twitching to scent the air. She was hungry now. Instead of plummeting toward the ground, this time the dragon glided, following her snout to where the injured morsel was. There! A large pile of rocks further up the field away from the other two, whom she lost sight in as the wind changed direction. The area of the rocks remained untouched by flames, and untainted by smoke. Hmmnn... Risky. Without another thought, the she-dragon made a beeline for the loner, her claws and body connecting with the ground in a mighty thud on the dry earth before she snaked her way to the rocks. The scent of his blood made her frenzied, and she screamed around the rocks in wait for her prize to make a move. When he didn't, black orbs narrowed, snout poking in various tiny holes. She couldn't get in there. Up and over she scrambled, flicking rubble everywhere and growling defiantly. She could wait. Either that or he would perish to the flames. Nesting upon the rock pile, the dragon tapped her claws on the stone, a malicious grin gracing her snout. Come out, come out, wherever you are...