[fic] State of Mind - Chapter Ten
There was lots of yelling and shouting after the shot had rang out, and Ward looked at his hands in amazement. When he had heart that faint click and seen what Sting had been staring at so intently at he had just reacted. He hadn’t thought or planned, he had given into the panic and instincts that told him to clap as hard and as fast as he could. Couching with his body pressed to the ground, he glanced at the Mustang on the ground next to him, hands over his head as he crouched behind the Elric’s wobbly but effective wall. He was alive. There was no hole in him. He was alive.
Ward wobbled with relief as a shaky sigh slid out. Sting shook his head roughly and grabbed the prey - no - the Elric’s arm. The maybe-pack-mate.
<’Do exactly what I say!’> he snapped at the smaller who nodded frantically in return. So young and inexperienced. <’…and stay quiet! No noise!’>
Hauling the Edward up with him, Sting pressed himself up against the rock wall as he looked for his pack. Never far behind, his loyal gunbu were crouched against a tree with the Alfons. Stifling down his instincts to eat the prey, he forced his mind to the situation at hand. Human-predator with a gun. His gunbu were out of its current range. He needed to protect his subordinates. The Elric had come for help and was also a subordinate. The Alfons was Ward’s. He needed to get everyone to safety before it happened again.
Before she…
He raged inside. Grinding down hard with his teeth, he clenched his fist as rage filtered through. He wanted to destroy that human so badly…
Focus. Yes, that was right. He needed to focus. Sting shook his head and looked around again. He needed to…assess the situation and get everyone to the den. Before anyone…Focus damnit!
<’Quick!’> He barked out, <’We need to [retreat] to the den NOW.’>
The Edward nodded firmly and without noise. The Mustang felt a flicker of pride. Quick learner was good, it would be a great benefit to the pack and aid greatly in building up the winter stores.
He was wasting time to act, he needed to focus. The human wouldn’t stay where he was forever.
<’Ward,’> he rasped out, <’When I say, I want you to run towards Flash and get everyone to the den.’>
The Edward was frowning and opening his mouth, probably some silly Elric nonsense. Why didn’t they ever obey? The Mustang tugged his hand-pelts firmly, making sure they were allright. Raising one hand, he shoved Ward forward with a roar. <’NOW!’>
Snapping his fingers, he sent his fire twisting, turning and exploding in a line behind them. He sent the fire darting against the trees, the dirt, the bush the human-predator was behind. He kept snapping his fingers as he sent the dirt and soils exploding high into the sky with dark smoke as he stepped backwards one step at the time. He needed to hide everything, make it so the human couldn’t see and shoot them down. He needed to keep everyone safe and unharmed, he needed to get them out of here and -.
Breathe.
Sting needed to calm down, his breaths were laboured and his vision doubling as he took hold of his emotions and forced them down. Focus. Take one step back after another and keep the fire up. Ignore the copper and arid smells of the Envy - dead - and keep moving. He couldn’t hear the pack running any more, they should be close to the den. He could hear the human yelling. Good. He hoped it burned, pack-killer. He snarled in its direction, a pure expression of hate.
With one more snap of fire, the Mustang turned around and marched quickly and firmly towards the den. He had to check on them, make sure all was right. Everything had to be right. Sting realises he’s shaking his head repeatedly and forces it still. Focus. He cannot panic. He is a Mustang, a pack leader and he needs to look after his pack. A Mustang always looks after its pack and never lets the gunbu hurt.
Never lets.
He stumbled, breathing laboured. Keep it together Sting. Keep it together and focus. That’s what she says. Focus focus focus. Focus!
He focuses, straightens up and marches up to the entryway of the den. He can hear the hushed whispers and chaos of his pack. His pack needed him, so the Mustang crawled on into the den.
= = =
They huddled in the den fearfully, muttering quietly to each other and slowly winding down from their experience. Sting’s smokescreen had helped them well as they ran stumbling to the den, Fons and Ward following the gunbu uncertainly. Now was not the time to fear each other, safety was priority when the human-predator was out there. The Edward warily eyed the Havoc. He would punch anyone in the face who tried to eat the Heiderich anyway.
Ward was crouched on one side of the den with Fons leaning on him and grooming his hair with shaky fingers, the Havoc and Flash were on the other side. The Havoc would mutter something and Flash would mutter something back as the gunbu chewed nervously on the white stick in his mouth.
Ward’s head shot up as something entered the den. Something big. Everyone else went quiet and stared at the entryway tensely until the Mustang entered. He looked tired and dirty, but unharmed. The young Elric let out a sigh of relief he hadn't known he had been holding in. They were safe, even the bastard who had pushed him around. He relaxed slightly into Fons’s hold and watched with alert eyes as Sting stumbled over to the other gunbu with laboured breaths. Was something wrong? He didn’t see any blood but the Mustang seemed wounded as he whined and shook his head repeatedly. The Edward frowned as the pack leader curled up next to and half on his pack mates, body trembling. Did he get hurt? Was there a body hole on him. He frowned harder until Fons curled his arms closely around him and whuffed in his ear.
<’Safe now. We go?’> The Heiderich murmured, eyes on the others.
Ward stayed silent, thinking. The Mustang was muttering to himself - or the gunbu - ignoring the Elric and Alfons. Flash was grooming his hair and talking while the Havoc leaned against them, sometimes glancing up at the two with a quirky smile.
He made his decision. He would return to his den for just a little bit. He would join the pack later when things were stable. Ward suspected it was not a good time to join right now. Rising to his feet with Fons as a faithful shadow, he slipped out the entrance. The Havoc gave him a little wave as they left, but did not move from his watchful position.
Outside it was silent, but Ward trusted to the Heiderich as he sniffed the air and nodded the Edward on. The air was cold to his skin and Ward shivered. He needed to get his outer pelt from the den. Glancing to the left, he was unsurprised to see Fons still there, tensely watching the forest. The taller one nodded at him as they slipped off into the darkening forest, feet padding silently as they headed back to the den.
Crawling in, Ward wrapped himself up in the outer pelts while Fons wrapped himself around the Edward. Curled up in their warm pile, they both watched the outside world as some flakes of snow drifted down. All was silence, but nothing needed to be said. It was a time for quiet and comfort.
Fons sighed as he lowered his chin down and rested his head on the dozing Edward
= = =
Ranger Marty frowned at the scene he had found. If it wasn’t for the presence of the dead Envy, he would have through the Mustang and Edward had finally fought. Instead, there was a much more serious problem as shown by the headless body and shell casings he had found.
He radioed in the central office. “Crrrrkkk…this is Ranger Marty…We’ve got poachers in the West….. Our Envy is dead…yes…. I’ve seen signs of the Mustang and Edward, but it doesn’t look like the poacher got them…I’ll keep looking, over.”
Marty looked around at the destroyed area. It wasn’t often the Mustang got so fired up, but going by the sheer destruction he was angry. The only sign of the Edward’s presence was a wall of rocks. A fascinating piece of natural architecture. Giving the wall a pat, Marty strode off to check on the pack. If anyone had been shot they would need to be tranquillised and taken to the vet.
= = =
Endangered Envy poached: protestors furious
In breaking news, early last evening a poacher shot and killed an endangered Canadian Envy. The news has shocked the organisers of the open season who protest that it was none of the 300 registered hunters participating in their annual hunt.
Animal liberationists are angry at the news, with small riots breaking out this morning in front of small businessowners who sell equipment to the hunters.
When hearing of the illegal poaching, the Elric Protection Squad has come forward with concerns about the safety of the National Park’s newest addition, a spunky Edward who is courting in their range.
If anyone has witness suspicious activity on the western ends of the National Park around the E5 highway, it is requested that you phone 1800-A-Poach with as many details as possible.
Ward wobbled with relief as a shaky sigh slid out. Sting shook his head roughly and grabbed the prey - no - the Elric’s arm. The maybe-pack-mate.
<’Do exactly what I say!’> he snapped at the smaller who nodded frantically in return. So young and inexperienced. <’…and stay quiet! No noise!’>
Hauling the Edward up with him, Sting pressed himself up against the rock wall as he looked for his pack. Never far behind, his loyal gunbu were crouched against a tree with the Alfons. Stifling down his instincts to eat the prey, he forced his mind to the situation at hand. Human-predator with a gun. His gunbu were out of its current range. He needed to protect his subordinates. The Elric had come for help and was also a subordinate. The Alfons was Ward’s. He needed to get everyone to safety before it happened again.
Before she…
He raged inside. Grinding down hard with his teeth, he clenched his fist as rage filtered through. He wanted to destroy that human so badly…
Focus. Yes, that was right. He needed to focus. Sting shook his head and looked around again. He needed to…assess the situation and get everyone to the den. Before anyone…Focus damnit!
<’Quick!’> He barked out, <’We need to [retreat] to the den NOW.’>
The Edward nodded firmly and without noise. The Mustang felt a flicker of pride. Quick learner was good, it would be a great benefit to the pack and aid greatly in building up the winter stores.
He was wasting time to act, he needed to focus. The human wouldn’t stay where he was forever.
<’Ward,’> he rasped out, <’When I say, I want you to run towards Flash and get everyone to the den.’>
The Edward was frowning and opening his mouth, probably some silly Elric nonsense. Why didn’t they ever obey? The Mustang tugged his hand-pelts firmly, making sure they were allright. Raising one hand, he shoved Ward forward with a roar. <’NOW!’>
Snapping his fingers, he sent his fire twisting, turning and exploding in a line behind them. He sent the fire darting against the trees, the dirt, the bush the human-predator was behind. He kept snapping his fingers as he sent the dirt and soils exploding high into the sky with dark smoke as he stepped backwards one step at the time. He needed to hide everything, make it so the human couldn’t see and shoot them down. He needed to keep everyone safe and unharmed, he needed to get them out of here and -.
Breathe.
Sting needed to calm down, his breaths were laboured and his vision doubling as he took hold of his emotions and forced them down. Focus. Take one step back after another and keep the fire up. Ignore the copper and arid smells of the Envy - dead - and keep moving. He couldn’t hear the pack running any more, they should be close to the den. He could hear the human yelling. Good. He hoped it burned, pack-killer. He snarled in its direction, a pure expression of hate.
With one more snap of fire, the Mustang turned around and marched quickly and firmly towards the den. He had to check on them, make sure all was right. Everything had to be right. Sting realises he’s shaking his head repeatedly and forces it still. Focus. He cannot panic. He is a Mustang, a pack leader and he needs to look after his pack. A Mustang always looks after its pack and never lets the gunbu hurt.
Never lets.
He stumbled, breathing laboured. Keep it together Sting. Keep it together and focus. That’s what she says. Focus focus focus. Focus!
He focuses, straightens up and marches up to the entryway of the den. He can hear the hushed whispers and chaos of his pack. His pack needed him, so the Mustang crawled on into the den.
= = =
They huddled in the den fearfully, muttering quietly to each other and slowly winding down from their experience. Sting’s smokescreen had helped them well as they ran stumbling to the den, Fons and Ward following the gunbu uncertainly. Now was not the time to fear each other, safety was priority when the human-predator was out there. The Edward warily eyed the Havoc. He would punch anyone in the face who tried to eat the Heiderich anyway.
Ward was crouched on one side of the den with Fons leaning on him and grooming his hair with shaky fingers, the Havoc and Flash were on the other side. The Havoc would mutter something and Flash would mutter something back as the gunbu chewed nervously on the white stick in his mouth.
Ward’s head shot up as something entered the den. Something big. Everyone else went quiet and stared at the entryway tensely until the Mustang entered. He looked tired and dirty, but unharmed. The young Elric let out a sigh of relief he hadn't known he had been holding in. They were safe, even the bastard who had pushed him around. He relaxed slightly into Fons’s hold and watched with alert eyes as Sting stumbled over to the other gunbu with laboured breaths. Was something wrong? He didn’t see any blood but the Mustang seemed wounded as he whined and shook his head repeatedly. The Edward frowned as the pack leader curled up next to and half on his pack mates, body trembling. Did he get hurt? Was there a body hole on him. He frowned harder until Fons curled his arms closely around him and whuffed in his ear.
<’Safe now. We go?’> The Heiderich murmured, eyes on the others.
Ward stayed silent, thinking. The Mustang was muttering to himself - or the gunbu - ignoring the Elric and Alfons. Flash was grooming his hair and talking while the Havoc leaned against them, sometimes glancing up at the two with a quirky smile.
He made his decision. He would return to his den for just a little bit. He would join the pack later when things were stable. Ward suspected it was not a good time to join right now. Rising to his feet with Fons as a faithful shadow, he slipped out the entrance. The Havoc gave him a little wave as they left, but did not move from his watchful position.
Outside it was silent, but Ward trusted to the Heiderich as he sniffed the air and nodded the Edward on. The air was cold to his skin and Ward shivered. He needed to get his outer pelt from the den. Glancing to the left, he was unsurprised to see Fons still there, tensely watching the forest. The taller one nodded at him as they slipped off into the darkening forest, feet padding silently as they headed back to the den.
Crawling in, Ward wrapped himself up in the outer pelts while Fons wrapped himself around the Edward. Curled up in their warm pile, they both watched the outside world as some flakes of snow drifted down. All was silence, but nothing needed to be said. It was a time for quiet and comfort.
Fons sighed as he lowered his chin down and rested his head on the dozing Edward
= = =
Ranger Marty frowned at the scene he had found. If it wasn’t for the presence of the dead Envy, he would have through the Mustang and Edward had finally fought. Instead, there was a much more serious problem as shown by the headless body and shell casings he had found.
He radioed in the central office. “Crrrrkkk…this is Ranger Marty…We’ve got poachers in the West….. Our Envy is dead…yes…. I’ve seen signs of the Mustang and Edward, but it doesn’t look like the poacher got them…I’ll keep looking, over.”
Marty looked around at the destroyed area. It wasn’t often the Mustang got so fired up, but going by the sheer destruction he was angry. The only sign of the Edward’s presence was a wall of rocks. A fascinating piece of natural architecture. Giving the wall a pat, Marty strode off to check on the pack. If anyone had been shot they would need to be tranquillised and taken to the vet.
= = =
Endangered Envy poached: protestors furious
In breaking news, early last evening a poacher shot and killed an endangered Canadian Envy. The news has shocked the organisers of the open season who protest that it was none of the 300 registered hunters participating in their annual hunt.
Animal liberationists are angry at the news, with small riots breaking out this morning in front of small businessowners who sell equipment to the hunters.
When hearing of the illegal poaching, the Elric Protection Squad has come forward with concerns about the safety of the National Park’s newest addition, a spunky Edward who is courting in their range.
If anyone has witness suspicious activity on the western ends of the National Park around the E5 highway, it is requested that you phone 1800-A-Poach with as many details as possible.