Mayella sat with her little ones behind a bit of brush. Her blue tail flicked around as she hunched over. "Okay, JudgeMent, one more time, now. I want you to go out and catch that birdie."
JudgeMent growled and wriggled with excitement. How glorious it would be when he caught his first bird! "Don't worry, Mama. I'll catch that biddie no matter what."
"Good," Mayella smiled slyly, "Now... go!"
JudgeMent lunged out, thrashing at the little bird. It zoomed away quickly, and JudgeMent sat, paws in the air, empty. "Mama, I suck at this biddie catching. Can we go back to meece?"
"Judge! No, you gotta learn to catch birds, mice, and hare, not to mention countless other prey... But for now, come back, let Sorrow have a try."
"I'd be happy to," Sorrow growled, dipping down low. Soon another birdie perched on the ground. Sorrow lept, flying through the air, at the bird. Mayella turned, too late.
"No, Sorrow! Not that type of bird!" She dashed out from the brush, charging the bird. It spread it's wings to an amazing width, and smacked Mayella away. Sorrow tried galloping back, but made it not far before the eagle had her in it's great beak.
It was the most massive eagle Mayella had ever seen. Great and golden with gray flecked feathers, and a deep yellow beak. It's thick talons were shingin black, and it's legs a dark yellow-gray.
Mayella started up again, but was smashed back to the earth. The giant eagle went to take off, but it's wings hit trees on either side. It could never make it out. So the eagle, with Sorrow in it's beak, started slowly running through the thick vegetation of the forest floor.
Hurt, Mayella knew she could do nothing to get her darling back. But she also knew that the wind was blowing towards the area her mate was hunting in. She knew that wind carried scent and sound. She knew that she could not save her dear, but her husband could.
"JaxClaw! Get Sorrow! She is in the beak of a giant golden eagle! It cannot fly until the clearing, and I am injured, save our darling!"
Now she could only hope that the message reached him in time.
Meanwhile, Sorrow was smarting all over. Her paws hurt. Her head hurt. Her spine hurt. She looked around as well as she could from the bird's harsh grip. She squeaked in agony as the bird tumbled over stones. It wasn't sure-footed. if she could only wiggle out and get under some brush...
Sorrow wiggled as much as she dare without hurting herself further. She grasped the air with her paws, clawing loose feathers that floated past on the light wind. An idea flashed through her mind. She reached a paw over, close to the bird's head, and thrust her claws full-force into the soft, feathered flesh. The bird screamed, letting go of the lynx in the process.
She tried to run, but suddenly felt a tug. She was grabbed none-too-lightly and yanked beneath a small boulder, into a hole. From there she watched the eagle search for it's meal. Finally is sauntered off, bewildered and aggravated.
"Hello, cat," said a friendly voice from deeper in the hole.
Startled, Sorrow yelped, but was otherwise silent.
"What's the matter, cat got your tongue?" Snickering came from below. "No worry, least it's not an eagle. But the coast is clear, and it's stuffy down here. Get out before we all suffocate." A murmured agreement sounded.
Sorrow climbed out, slowly. She stopped, chills up her spine, and turned around.
A badger crawled out, it's roly-poly body dragging on the ground. "Why, hello, cat. Now you see me, won't you talk? Fine, you won't talk, I will. I'm Asali."
A little white mink came out. Sorrow was amazed at the sight of something so white- it wasn't even winter! "I'm Azira. Nice t'meet ya." She slunk around to the lynx's side, and raised a paw to shake. The cat hissed. "Oh, shush, you. Yer just a kitten, not bigger'n Asali here. Scarce bigger'n me. Oh, wait'll you see..." She snickered quietly. "Oh, com'out you big lug!"
Finally a giant animal that Sorrow had never seen before stepped out. It was sleek and weasel-like, with red sides and a deep black back. It's eyes had a light red fur around them, and the giant black pupils contradicted with them greatly. "I'm Azul. Nice meetin' you, cat. What is you, 'ways?"
Sorrow found her voice, "I'm Sorrow... I'm a lynx."
"Ay, Sorrer, that's purty name," Azul said, "By the way, I'm a wolv'rine. Nuttin' great 'bout me, 'cept m'size."
"An' yer way o' talkin', real unique," Azira said, snickering more.
"And your's is no worse, Az!? Smooth, buddy, I'm sorry to say, but you are no better than Azu."
Azira stopped snickering to stick her tongue out at Asali, "Well, Azu here ain't gunna make fun o' me for my snick'rin' li'e you, 'ere."
"Who says I ain't, Az'ra? I make fun o' you as much as I make fun o' this littl'n. 'Er spots're somepin' to laugh at, y'know."
"Lez not make fun o' the littl'n, Azu. She be new, so lez not push't."
"Yeah, lets not push it, guys. Not stop your chattin' and comfort the gal," Asali growled. She walked up to Sorrow, long claws digging into the earth. Sorrow stepped back.
"S-s-s-stay away, badger..."
"I'm Asali."
"Whoever you are! Don't hurt me, please!"
All three chuckled. "We won't hurt you! We saved you, Sorrow," Asali grinned.
"Yeah, w'did. Can I'call ya Sore? Li'e, it'll make it easier," Azul crept up.
Sorrow sighed. There was no getting away. "Fine. Call be Sore, or Sorrer, or whatever. Just don't hurt me. And if mama comes, you don't hurt her either."
"Hows about this- we help ya find yer ma, but you give us pr'tect'on, all wi'ter from biggo creatos sich's bear an' coug'. Y'in?" Azira asked.
"Yes... I'm... in..."
Story's taking a new turn! Did you expect it?
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