[Fiction] Reconnection

[Silvertalon]

Silvertalon's thoughts went back to the day she last saw Wakinyan at the breakfast table eating his favorite breakfast. His plate heavily heaped with large amounts of food more so then he would usually have. His rumbling was deep and pleasant to listen to, while he causal talk with Ptsean-Wi about daily events with the tribe. She smiled a little and listened in on the topics, eating her own meal slowly enjoying the flavor of cooked food. As she has become more and more used to the flavors and spices added into each of the meals Ptsean-Wi has made. The morning itself was starting out great, the sun was shining, a very clear blue sky. The air was warm a perfect day to sunbath and swim, a slight grin played across her muzzle wondering if she could lure Wakinyan out to sunbath with her. A slight flush ran across her cheeks and in her ears drawing some attention from Ptsean-Wi with a slight surprised and suspecting look.

Breakfast was one of the morning activities we all enjoyed each day, it was always very peaceful and enjoyable. But oddly there was an unusual feeling though out the meal, Wakinyan and Ptsean-wi spoke of one thing but clearly something else was being said beyond her ability to hear. The two seamed focused and a slight hint of concern upon Ptsean-Wi's face could easily bee seen. Although a word was never said about what they could be talking about, breakfast felt a little awkward today but she shrugged the feeling off thinking it was matters with Wakinyan's followers. As breakfast slowly came to a close she walked over to him gently nuzzled his cheek and whispered. He smiled a little and gently rubbed between her ears much like he always does and her own mirr can be heard for a few moments. She was happy and found content being near him it felt natural to her. His words came in a soft rumble telling her he had to do something. His words were soft filled with such sadness all she could do was to look at him and nods slowly as her ears drooped a little as if feeling his emotions. He smiled and caressed her muzzle and turned to Ptsean-Wi as they walked to the mouth of the cave. She watched not realizing this would be the last time she would see him again.

The first few days he had left, Ptsean-Wi kept quiet and to herself only doing things to keep herself busy to cope with her feelings and yet a sense of alienation seamed to slowly grow a uneasiness between each other. The days progressed the distance continued to grew between Silvertalon and Ptsean-Wi it was confusing to her as to why this was happening. Then the feeling of loss started to grow with in her heart realizing his absence more and more. She would wake up every morning hours before the sun rose into the sky. Watch and waiting for her Great Wakinyan to return, praying he would return each day to bring back what has been lost. As each day passed her heart sank, the feeling of being alone once again started to grow with in her. Each day she watched Ptsean-Wi leave for hours on end and sometimes for days leaving her alone in the cold cave. The warm meals she once become used to in the past slowly faded from memory as they became a rarity. As she would hunt down and feast upon the fresh kills more often then she would of liked, but only to return to a cold and quite cave.

One night she awoke from her slumber she looked around to room. Her eyes settled upon the door for a while as she sighed heavily. The sounds of her breathing was the only one she could hear, knowing Ptsean-Wi was gone for a few days. She arose out of bed pushing the furs off her body as she slowly rose and walked to his room. She stood in the arch way for a few hours just looking on and remembering as tears dripped down the side of her muzzle. The sadness in her heart was hurting she missed him greatly, his warmth, his voice his scent. It was all slowly becoming a memory to her. Slowly her body moved on its own, as she took her first few steps into his room since he left. Her talons slid gently over everything feeling and remembering what was once there. The memories and images so strong she fell to her kneels weeping openly at the strong sense of loss. Yet she felt a strange sense of warmth growing with in her as she let it all out.

She slowly rose to her feet, as her eyes looked on over were he kept the few things he possessed. She walked over and sat looking at all the things that haven't been touched since he has left. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she examined everything with a smile remembering things and places. Her talons ran over a photo of the Pow-Wow and how he so much enjoyed himself and how much trouble some of the other nova's caused as well. She chuckled softly to herself sniffing back a few tears, slowly as she took time to remember what she could of each item and the stories he told her about them. Her eyes came across a strange box in the collection of items as she carefully reached in and pulled it out setting it onto her lap. Her talons slid over the surface of the box as she heard a faint clicking noise of sorts and the lid open on its own. Her eyes narrowed slightly in confusion as she peered inside as her eyes set sight upon a strange device. A moment later she recognized the device as his communicator. Her heart skipped a beat as she carefully took it from the case and examined it. As the possibility of using this device to call him.

Her hands shook as she fumbled with it, carefully much like he wore his when she saw him did the same. It took a little bit of time to adjust the headset to her liking, she had hope that she could some how reach him. Her mind wracked itself trying to remember how he operated the device and how it worked, as a single talon gently slide over the surface of the device. A faint click was easily noticed as some how turned it on. Her ear flickered a few times not used to this device so close to her ear, as she made a few more adjustments. She took a deep breath and smiled to herself a little as she remembered how the device worked and asked it to call Wakinyan. The device clicked a few times as the eye piece moved forward in front of her right eye she nearly jumped not expecting it to do that. A busy signal soon followed. This completely confused her as she tired a few more times and got the same busy single over and over again. A growl escaped her lips, as she grumbled and mumbled if the damn device was working. A few moments later a voice indicated the status and function of the device telling her everything was in working order.

As the morning drew closer she sighed softly putting everything back into its proper place. Her hand went to reach for the op net device upon her ear as she lightly caressed it with loving touch. She sighed softly and smiled a little deciding to keep it to remember him by. She slowly rose to her feet and walked to the main den. Her eyes looked at the heavy hide covering the entrance to the cave for some time. She could see all of them eating breakfast at the table in her mind as her eyes closed, the warmth of the cave and the smells of the food in the air. She stood for a while remembering as her eyes opened once again seeing the darkness and feeling the cold air of the cave about her she sighed heavily, it has been days since Ptsean-Wi has returned. She looked at the door again slowly each step that of the last felt heavier and heavier. She opened the flap and stepped out into the open and took flight.

[Silvertalon]

Silvertalon hovered in mid air for a few long moments before turning to look back at the cave she called home knowing this will be the last time she'll see this place again for a very long time. The darkness slow gives way to the rising sun, as the cool wind flows though her fur and under her wings with each flap. A tear falls from her cheek as before turning once again turning in mid air, taking flight to were ever her wings will take her.

“I will most likely not come back, I don't feel welcome any more.....” silv whispers with a hint of sadness.

Talon says not a word, emotion of loss and anger welling with in her keeping to herself and brooding.

Silvertalon slightly shakes with anger not knowing what is to come and why things happened this way. But the sadden loss of one she cared about is now gone, she grips with her emotions she is unfamiliar with as they stir strange long forgotten reactions with in her. Slowly her eyes open, as the cool caress of the morning wind plays across her body she looks to the sun and smiles a little. As she will keep Wakinyan in her heart, she will remember him for who he was. As the anger slowly melts away it is replaced with a warmth. She will remember the truth, his legacy and what he was to her with pride. A soft rumble wells with in her as her voice softly speaks out while in flight.

“I will never forget you... My Great Thunder Bird... Wakinyan..” Slowly tears roll from her eyes leaving the place she once called home.

The next few days she spent in the wilds collecting her thoughts and herself taking the time she needed to sort out things. Although as hard as she tried avoid notice she was discovered by hiker or two and hearing them scream and run in terror confused her so much, but yet a part of her enjoyed it strangely enough. She should of moved to a different location but choose to stay and collect herself. She was discovered by nova whom looking for the creature that was scaring hikers. He openly attacked her on sight or with reason other then what he was told. The scuffle didn't last very long, in a very short time the nova found himself pinned to the ground looking directly into the feral nova's eyes for a few long moments. It was clear to both of them if he pushed more things could be worse. A short time later the two sat down and spoke and he left in peace. She was happy to have someone to talk with for the time but was sad to see him leave, deep down she could tell the young nova had a good heart.

She looked to the west seeing the mountain range in the distance the nova said they were called the Rocky Mountains. A strange urge to head in that direction has been growing with in her for the past few days, as she felt drawn towards those mountains. It felt as if she needed to go there, something was waiting for her. Slowly she rose with what provisions headed to the Rocky Mountains spending a few more days flying over the steep cliffs and ridges looking for something searching for something. It did not take her to long to find a unusual markings on the ground the land itself was not naturally shaped and yet it looked like someone covered up what used to be here. Silvertalon landed in the middle of the field, looking around slowly. A tense but worried look crosses her face while her breathing rapidly rises not from the flight but something else that has her held in place. She can't move her body as growing fear wells with in her, voices and noises, images of things pass before her eyes.

The op net device flipped open on its own startling her out of the trance like state, feeling the power to move again as she backs up steps slowly away from the area... “l. Long..” she whispers the device picks up the name and tries to establish connection.

[Long]

The opnet device chirped at him rousing him from where he'd laid on the couch while watching the children play their video game. He picked it up and was a bit suprised to see The message coming from "Wakinyan" he decided it was worth looking into. "This Is Long, what do you require of me?"

[Silvertalon]

A low growl followed by a whimper is heard over the line followed by sound of heavy breathing catches Longs ears. Silvertalons voice comes over the line, "L..long? h.h.. Help.." is all she can get across before passing out. The sound of a body hitting the ground and light breathing is followed over the open line and no other sounds follow.

[Long]

"Dammit."

"Long found his brother in the study and nodded to him. "I need you to look after the children one of my friends is in trouble. I have to go help them."

"Of course Ryu, as you wish." Long hadn't gotten used to Saito's utterly subserviant tone but he didn't have time to really discuss it.

He got a fix on the opnet terminal's location using it's built in GPS and vanished in a flas of blue light to reappear ten meteres from where Silvertalon lay crashed on the ground.

"Silvertalon, are you alright?" He approaches warily knowing that Silvertalon is likely fully running on instinct.

[Silvertalon]

A flash of light blue flickers to life then quickly fades as Long appears suddenly. His eyes quickly discover Silvertalon on the ground, her body making no movements save for shallow breathing. her left hand is out stretched griping the ground, her right arm pinned below looking as if she did pass out. Long slowly approaches in a weary fashion being very careful just in case her instincts have taken over.

"Silvertalon, are you alright?"

Her ears flicker a few times but do not follow him as he moves closer seemingly she isn't truly aware of him. As Long moves around to take a look at her face, he notices her eyes are closed and what seams to be in rapid eye movement state. A few times her body flinches almost as if something in her dream is affecting her.

[Long]

"Oh this is rich. Long sits down on the ground and then focuses his mind. He reaches out touching the frontier of Silvertalon's mind and tries to open a doorway into Silvertalon's mind.

You have to let me inside if you want my help, you have to trust me now.

[Silvertalon]

Several moments pass slowly as Longs mind slowly connects with Silvertalon's finding a way into chaotic thought process. At first he can not sense or feel anything going on around him as the darkness envelops his senses. Then he feels something solid below his feet, a slow cool breeze slowly flows as the darkness gives way to sunlight allowing him to see were he is now standing. A few moments pass as more detail beings to make itself known, the sound of a helicopter in the distance catches his ears. As the ground below his feet changes rapidly from dirt to concrete as walls and buildings rise from the ground. All the while more and more changes take place all around him as the sound of the helicopter draws closer. Then sounds and noises reach his ears of people and machinery moving about shades slowly take form becoming faceless people moving about doing things.

The helicopter in the distance lands on the landing pad as many workers and guards rush forward. There seams to be a scamble of sorts as something is unloaded quickly under heavy guard. A few men step out wearing Lab coats as it would seam much detail is lost. The voices chatter away nothing could be understood, not even words don't make sense. What ever they are unloading is very important and much focus seams to be directed upon the task at hand. The large group moves slowly towards the center of the encampment as Long follows watching everything taking place while following the group. In the cent of the camp massive metal doors seam to rise out of the ground, slowly as a large elevator rises from the ground as the men step inside with the large container. Slowly the elevator beings to lower into the depths of the earth, for a while as long watches a couple doctors doing something checking some instruments upon the container. The guards attentions are watching the everything very closely.

Then everything begins to fade into darkness a short time passes, the air beings to feel damp, sound of pain reaches his ears. As a very dim light filters into the room allowing him to see someone chained, bound and suspended in the air with a strange mask over heads. A few faceless beings seam to be performing tests or possibly torture upon the helpless woman. Her body seams be cut, bruised and beaten. As it would seam they are forcing her to do something or possibly say something and yet she will not give in. As the scene slowly fades from view into darkness once again, but a sudden flash of light so blinding catches Long off guard for a moment.

Long now finds himself standing in a white room, the light is very bright. The same person is chained to the wall this time head slumped down so her face cannot be seen. Her body has been washed but yet the abuse is clearly seen. A lone figure slowly approaches this one seams to have detail almost a face to it and a red glow around his body. A hand reaches out as the two look at each other some words being exchanged. A strange sense of enjoyment and another of pure anger and hate can be felt coming off the two. The lone figure steps back a feeling of much amusement seams to radiate from him as his hand grasps a lever. Suddenly something takes place as a powerful light slams into the chained woman as she seams to be in much pain. But something else is taking place, as time seams to slow down two forms seam to split off from the chained figure each being reshaping. As red one grows quickly larger and larger taking shape of Talon. It grasps the smaller form pulling it into its body as if consuming it at first glance. But a faint glow with in the beasts chest shows Talon wasn't consuming but protecting the smaller form. The room itself starts to fall quickly into decay, fire and smoke billows around, as darkness beings to fill the room. The ground below longs feet rocks violently as glowing red eyes look directly at him a deep growl wells from with in the darkness. A faint eerie growling voice whispers out seething with anger, rage and seething with murderess intent.

“I... See ... You...”

[Long]

"What on God's green earth?" The question came out as he watched the transformation of Silvertalon from woman to beast. He ws unaware of any technology humanity posessed that could do something so radical. The implications were mind-boggling. Sensing he was in danger Long reacted instinctively. All the layers of his mental defenses were erected, straining the link itself. He maintained his calm and Speared the red eyes with his own piercing blue eyes. "And just what are you going to do now Talon?"

A battle-plan began to form, he wasn't really made for astral combat, but he knew enough to make himself safe from most things. "I'm not here to fight you. I'm here because you asked for my help."

[Silvertalon]

All around Long, the room shakes as the darkness seams consumes all the light, but cracks being to form in places, a red slight shining though. The sound of crumbling noises echo's in the dakrness as the eyes watch his every move they seam to be growing larger and larger. Suddenly as if the darkness was a room its torn assunder crumbling all around long. The red blinding light pours though, intense heat follows quickly afterwards, as the ground beings to crumble below Longs feat.

A Massive Roar, shakes the foundations of the lank scape drawing longs attention to a massive dragon like creature, with few fox like features. The beasts eyes are a glow, as its massive talons shred what is left of the darkness as if it was a substance as its dreadful gaze glares down a the small creature that is Long. The creatures wings extend outwards in a dominate display. Talon is clearly taking full advantage of her dominate position.

Long looks up at the massive beast standing at near colossal size, a fearsome beast that she has become. A slight gleam catches Long's attention, about the creatures neck is a chain, and attached to that chain a gem of some sort rests well protected by her armored scales. The beast brings back its right arm bringing its talons to bare with a mighty swipe giving long more then enough time to move. As the talons dig into the red earth below, sending a massive shock wave of dirt and rocks cascading forth. Long begins to wonder if such an easily read attack was intentional or not but its clear its focus is on him.

"I will consume you!" a very Erie faint voice seams to underline the hisses and growls coming from the monstrous creature.

[Long]

"Not possible child." Long exerts his will, not on the landscape but on himself. He expands into a fully fledged tiger form of equal size to to Talon and nods his head. His own claws are unsheathed and gleam in the harsh light of his radiant blue eyes. "I don't wish to fight, but I want to help Silvertalon, and right now you're in my way. Now Stand DOWN!" His voice booms in the astral landscape, His voice, both forceful and veiling the threat that entails the price of disobedience, echoes across the landscape.

"This need not come to violence, I just wish to help. N further blood needs to be shed."

[Silvertalon]

Smoke slowly billows from beasts nose as its eyes narrow at the large tiger like creature now standing equal to her size as Long exerts his will in its domain. A deep growl beings to well with in the beast, a curl upon its scaled lips seams to delight in this in some strange way. The creature is aware and understands him but this is its domain and its home. The creature slowly beings to circle Long sizing him up. It quickly becomes clear the creature will not stand down, but it will not let him pass either determined to stop him.

The creatures head rears back suddenly and snaps its head forward as a massive gout of flame comes forth from the beasts mouth. But at the same time another type of flame errupts from below the creature spreading out in all directions with a sudden surge of unchecked fury and raw power intent in stopping the intruder were he stands. But yet the creature leaves no clear opening to its body.

[Long]

Through the smoke of the attack a blue Glowing figure emerges. The blue flames of Long's aura wrap around him tightly in a protective barrier. He looks at the monster and tries a different approach. Even as he begins to stalk forward, directly at the embodiment of Talon. "Silver don't you want to know the truth of who you are? Don't you want to know what really happened? Don't you want to understand? If you don't help me here and now you never will, you'll simply be a creature to be hunted, to be studied, then discarded. You are and can be so much more!"

[Silvertalon]

Snarls noticing the flames flicker around the tigers body as the beasts eyes narrow. Its fangs bared as she watches closely lowering to the ground ready to strike. It watches the smoke and flame fade away seeing Long standing firm as it seams they were protected. The creatures eyes meet with Longs as they stare directly at one other very deeply.

"Silver don't you want to know the truth of who you are?"

The beast takes a step backwards snarling more so as its massive head shakes a few times. Its eyes glare at Long with growing anger and yet it doesn't move towards him now but slowly backwards.

"Don't you want to know what really happened? Don't you want to understand? If you don't help me here and now you never will, you'll simply be a creature to be hunted, to be studied, then discarded. You are and can be so much more!"

The creature rears back on its hind legs roaring out in frustration, anger and pain. Its hands clasped over its head trying to drown out Longs words. It staggers backwards a few more steps fighting its own self from with in. The ground itself starts to tremble voilently in between the two, quickly serval barriers of flaming rock are errected in between them atempting to keep the intruder far back as possible.

"NO! I WILL NOT LISTEN!!! NOOOOOOooooOOOo!" roar's out as it struggles with its own inner self.

[Long]

Long presses home his own attack. "Fight Silver, listen to my voice. You called to me, asked for my help."

Long suddenly appears next to Talon in his giant four armed form. His lower arms catch Talon's paws as she swipes at him, and his upper arms hold her gnashing jaws just above his head. He can feel her hot breath on his arms face and chest, even as her talons start to bite into his arms. His tail snakes out and touches the gem set in the necklace softly.

"Don't you wish to be free, to be all that you can truly be? Don't you wish to be whole again? I can help you, but you have to want it, you have to help me. Otherwise you'll always be alone, just you and beast within you. Is that really all you want from life? Is that all you dream of living for, of knowing? isn't there something more?"

His voice isn't the rumbling roar he'd used before, but only the soft tone of someone who's been there before. "There's more Silvertalon, so much more, to life."

[Silvertalon]

Talon struggles feeling her arms held firmly in place by Long's powerful lower arms. Her jaws are also held firmly in two massive paws as her eyes gleam with growing rage. Talon's fury grows quickly adding to her strength giving Long a good struggle if not a serious problem in keeping her in check. Talon does try with all her might to sink her fangs and talons into his body while trying to free herself. Her long tail thrashes about curling around from time to time to whip Long across his back.

Talon does not notice Long's tail curling around taping at the gem lightly. His voice rings in Talons ears as she continues to struggle. All the while Talon can sense Silv awaking from her slumber, as Longs actions are rousing sleeper. Talon must not let that happen at any cost, she must fight with everything she has. Talons struggling becomes much more of a handful with each passing moment growing steadily stronger.

The gem begins to glow faintly at first as the sleeper stirs with in. Talons muffled roar can be heard crying out her rage and anger. Long can sense a growing panic with in Talon as something is taking place with in the beast. A faint cracking sound can barely be heard under the sounds of struggle. Talon's struggling suddenly stops for a few moments a wince of pain courses though the monsters body. As blood trickles down over Longs hands from its maw. Talon seams to be in slight shock as her incredible strength beings to fade.

[Long]

Blood flows down his arms where talons and teeth are sinking in. Slowly but surely his strength was winning out. Thus far he'd only just barely managed to keep his own claws from ripping through talon's astral flesh.

"Wake up Silver, wake up and be free."

He wrestles the much larger talon to the ground, his arms now pinning hers to the ground even as the other set holds tightly to the huge maw of the feral fox-dragon. "Be calm, and be free. You want that right?"

[Silvertalon]

Long takes advantage of the creatures sudden lapse of weakness, quickly forcing Talon to the ground. The earth below the two shakes voilently as two massive creatures impact into the ground. A muffled roar of anger and protest can be heard as Long easily pins the mighty beast down using his body to keep feral creature in check. Talon continues to struggle not giving up fighting to the bitter end.

The gem is hidden from view, but it is not idle. As four beams of light shoot out of the ground below the two struggling creatures. The tight grip Long starts to change, he can feel the creatures flesh beginning to melt in his grasp. Talons strength at this time is all but gone. The gurgling cries can of protest can clearly be heard. The light below talon slowly begins to circles cutting into the earth below the massive feral fox-dragon. His hands upon the beasts maw finally have nothing to hold onto as they pull clear dripping with a black substance. Longs own body beings to sink into the melting body of the feral fox-dragon.

"NOoooo eeerrrrroowllll... I... Wwsassss Free!! Nooooo! Cuuurrrsee Yuuuu Tttigggerrrrrrr" Talon's voice gurgles as the feral creatures massive body slowly melts deforming before Longs eyes, the gem itself becomes more and more active.

[Long]

Long releases his hold on Silvertalon and reverts to his normal form. He watches intently as Talon melts away, still on guard, but hoping his words finally reached the real target of this.

[Silvertalon]

Long watches the massive form slowly melt before his eyes. The creatures features fades away, as a massive of black ooze bubbles before him shrinking in size. The black ooze continues to shrink at a rapid rate, as two vague outlines of form beings to shape itself before Longs eyes as he watches. As the mass of blackness bubbles away someone or something seams to be standing still. The other seams to be hunched over a few feet near by as the excess ooze like substance vanishes leaving two forms completely covered.

The two forms stay perfectly still for a few mintues motionless like statues, slowly movement takes place upon the form that is standing. As the ooze like substance slowly is peeled away vanishing into the air, as a white light shines though the cracks and holes. As more of the substance fades into non-existance the brighter the light becomes a very slow process. Suddenly the blackness over the form starts to ripple violently, as more and more cracks appear. The ground starts to voilently shake, as a deep forbiding growl echos though out the barren lands around long. Suddenly with our warning as if the figure exploded the dark substance shatters and bursts forth in all directions. The bright light quickly envolpes the area with a powerful engery burst. The landscape itself reshapes itself in a blink of an eye into a paradise as far as the eye can see.

Slowly the brightness of the light quickly fades as it comes, Silv stands with her wings out streched looking to the sky for a few moments. Before she falls to the ground weakend for the moment as she breaths heavily gasping for air. Her eyes remained close for a short time as they open looking towards Long while taking a few moments to regain her strength.

The second form slowly obsorbs the dark ooze into itself formings Talon's beastial body. A very large feral, dangerious, vile and twisted looking creature lays across the ground sprawled out. Talons breathing is very slow and shallow, it would seam for the moment the creature is exhusted. A few mintues pass as Talon lays motionless, helpless and vurnible before Long.

[Long]

Long walks over to where Talon lays and a sword appears in his hand. He holds the tip beneath her throat and and speaks softly. "Submit and yield, and live." He looks over to Silver who'd collapsed on the ground.

"So the sleeper has finally awakened. It's a pleasure to meet you again Silver. I know I disturbed your rest, but you called to me, and I have come."

His head turns back to Talon as he awaits an answer. It may be her mind but with help from Silver Long had managed to win, and as it stood he needed Talon to understand, so he sought to establish his dominance.

[Silvertalon]

The sound of foot steps draw closer, Silv's ears pick up on them as her silvery eyes rise. Weakly she pushes herself up watching a strange tiger like creature drawing a sword and bring the end of the blade towards Talon and calmly demands talon to submit. Silv looks on in confusion of what just happened and who this creature is as her memory is a little hazy. The look on her face clearly shows she at a loss for a moment.

"So the sleeper has finally awakened. It's a pleasure to meet you again Silver. I know I disturbed your rest, but you called to me, and I have come."

"W.. wh what did you do to my sister? Who... and... W..what are you?"

Silv struggles to sits up with a low growl, not sure if this creature is friend or foe. Yet he seams familiar the longer she watches him and the way he addresses her. Long can see the confusion very clearly, he can tell she's still recovering from being suppressed by Talon. As his next course of actions will determine to Silv if he is friend or foe.

Long's head turns back to look at Talon and yet the primal creature has not moved once inch. Long watches for a few more moments awaiting a reply but gets none, as the feral creature lays like a helpless child at his feet. Its clear to him now Talon is not faking as she is clearly uncontentious for the moment. As his choice of action becomes a bit harder. If he kills Talon right now or harms her in front of Silv, while Talon is so helpless it would be committing murder. Thus Silv would most likely respond. But if he leaves Talon alone and allows her to recover. Then he risks a strong feral minded creature possibly attacking him from behind. As such a troublesome choice now lays in his hands as a choice has to be made. Silv watches him carefully, he can see she's recovering now slowly rising to her feet as her strength returns and yet she is awaiting his answer.

[Long]

"I am a friend and teacher of Wakinyan, I am a frend of yours as well." Seeing that Talon has made no move, he removes the blade from her neck andsheathes it at his side. He then turns to Silv and speaks in his most calming tone.

"She attacked me wwithout provocation and I defended myself, all the while I called to you, to your desire for the truth, to rouse you from your slumber." His arms bear the truth ofhis words, there are still claw marks and bitemarks on his arms where he'd held off Talon's attacks. His back aches from the repeated lashings, but he doesn't mention that.

I am a nova, just as you are,I've been one for over sixteen years now." He looks down at Talon and smiles. "I know better than most what being in your situation is like."

[Silvertalon]

Silv takes a few moments with out saying a word watching Longs actions closely and listening to his words carefuly she slowly nods. As her wing rustle upon her back, as her eyes follow his movements very closely still considering.

"I see, my sister would do such things. You came to this place she would indeed see you as an intruder, if not a threat reguardless of your intentions."

Her eyes slowly rise to meet with Longs as she peers into them after taking a few long moments to see the damage Talon has caused. A smile plays across her snout as she rumbles a little bit, "Some how.. In some way.. I believe your telling the truth. Long is it not?" She pauses for a few moments, "I.. Think I remember you but right now things are a bit hazy. Were are we now? What has happened here, why has my sister attacked you and for what reason?"

She kneels down beside talon with a look of concern, her talons trace over the feral form's body slowly looking at the bruises and wounds upon her body. Silv's talons slide acoss her sisters muzzle as the tips drip with a bit of blood. "She's aslo hurt, what did you do to her?"

[Long]

"In the real world You was lying injured on the ground. I had to make my way into your mind to try to find out what hapened. She attacked me and then you woke up. I cannot answer why she attacked, but no lasting harm was done."

He does his best to look calm and nonthreatening. "So tell me, why did you call me?"

[Silvertalon]

"I see, I.. Vaguely remember calling out I.. Didn't know whom I called out before I fell into the blackness of dispair..." Silv takes a few steps back holding her arms and trembling some remembering where she is. As a few lost memories being to surface slowly at first. "W.. why am.. I trembling so..." The air seems to get colder all of a sudden.

The area around Long and Silv beings to ripple like the fabric of reality is slowly rebuilding itself. The blackness beings to creep in with a very unsettling feeling to it. the light fades as the feeling of being in a confinded in a small room and the dreaded sense of dispair and desire for release. Silv's eyes close tightly, while she takes a few steps back, "W.. why, why.. am I here?" As her eyes fly open her gaze darts around the room quickly. As her eyes widen the look of sheer horror starts to replace the confusion that was only moments ago seen. ".. N.. N..no! I.. it.. Can't be!" She staggers back against the wall as chains behind her rattle making her jump! "No..I.. Can't Be here! Not Again!"

Talon moves just a little bit at first, as the feral creature beings to stir. Talons ears catch the sweet sounds of panic and her nose twitches a few times catching the scent of fear in the air and beings to thrive on such emotions. The beast uses the emotions to heal itself in atempts to recover. As for now Talon is still in no state to fend for herself.

Silv looks to Long with ever growing panic and fear looking for a way out. "No! No! Not here! No! We.. Must go!" She desperately looks for the door. The smell of the room hits Longs sense of smell as it is very rank and damp. The sounds pain and other noises reaches his ears from other rooms. A warm breeze seams to come and go upon the back of Longs neck for a few moments. He quickly turns around he comes face to face with a strange faceless figure bound in chains. Silv seems to be transfixed with a terrifed expression upon her face, her eyes wide in fear. Then the sounds of foot falls begin to echo into the room as they draw closer something or someone is comming.

Talon growls weakly reaching out towards the tiger with a snarl! "Noooorrrooo!... Y...Y.. Mustn't!... G..ge..get! H...er.. Awa.. way..!" Talon coughs up some blood glaring at Long ing anger in what he has done. A soft hissss and a bareing of teeth quickly follows, talon recoils from a very small source of light with in the chest of hanging body. "T...Ta...ek.. An Gooorrr...NOEREW!!!"

[Long]

"Damn." Long swears even as he grabs ahold of Silver and Talon and drags them from their mind and into his across the link. Walls upon walls of panels surround them, each one a screen into a memory. Quietly, they all begin to fade from existence replaced with the mountai Long had called home for a decade. The transformation done, Long drops to one knee and releases Silver and Talon as he takes in several massive gasps of air.

"Never done that before, wasn't sure I could drag you both." He slowly rises to his feet and looks around. What was that? Why was it so crucial that we run from it?"

[Silvertalon]

Talon grunts softly as she is dragged along by long some place different. The feeling to her is alien and forbidding to her senses. The feeling of being truly powerless in this place makes her feel uneasy but yet something lingers with in her. The sense of dread, she can feel it with in herself the pain. Yet still her internal wounds have not healed at all. Talon props herself up against a pillar grunting softly in discomfort. The feral creature yelps softly in pain, as her hand moves to her chest feeling pain. She winces as her hand touches the area drawing it back to find blood upon her talons and palm.

Silv's ears lay back as she quickly walks over to were talon sits propped against the pillar. She kneels at Talons side ignoring Longs questions for the moment as she tends to her sister. A few moments pass as Talon submissively acpects Silv's aid as she inspects the wound and checks for other injuries. A very worried look plays across her face as her gaze turns to long. She to has realized she is also powerless to do anything and it worries her a lot. Her gaze falls onto Long as he has been watching silently and yet Talon watches him like a hawk in return.

"Death is call...." Silv whispers softly.

"Where ever we are... It.. Has caused some complications more so then I think to realize, and yet it has bought us time..." Silv pauses for a few long moments as her eyes lower some.

"... I am not sure what that was nor do I think Talon does herself. I suspect what ever it is has been there for a long time. Its far stronger then Talon or myself, its nothing like us. As you can see before you Talon's hurt not from you, I doubt you could seriously hurt her like this with out great effort. But I suspect no matter where we go that thing can harm us....." Silv looks up into Longs eyes looking very worried.

"As limited as our abilities have become Talon and myself are still linked to our body we still feel the connections and they are becoming more alien to us as time passes. We are hurting inside talon more so then myself, its a matter of time before I start to show the effects. I guess you can say we embody a part of our physical form to what extent we are still learning our true natures." Silv seems to be more aware of herself then talon does.

A soft sigh escapes Silv's lips, talon glares at Long still quite a feisty critter till the very end. Silvs gaze focus upon the door, "Going back would most likely ensure oblivion. If we stay, it only delays the out come." A soft growl wells with in Silv's chest with growing anger and the sense of hoplessness.

[Long]

"One of the things I've noticed, You are two separate entities even when you combine. One aspect is lways dominant."

He closes his eyes and sighs. "That can be a horrendous issue, that neither of you is truly able to accept the other. You must learn to grow beyond that and to truly accept yourselves. I know it doesn't sound easy, but it's going to be necessary. I'm not certain but whatever it is on the other side is likely only able tobe fought by the two of you. It will take your combined abilities acting as one to defeat it."

Long knows he could show them how to do it, but the idea of willingly letting loose his more animalistic side is a risky proposal, even under optimum conditions.

[Silvertalon]

Silv just stares at long for a few long moments in slight disbelief, "What do you mean? We have always been as you see before you, we are our own selves. We are not entities, we both have our dreams and desires and yet we share the same body. What your saying is crazy talk. Merging..."

Talon growls softly watching Long talk with Silv her eyes narrow some as she coughs up some more blood, the wounds seam to worsen a bit more. She watches Silv and Long talk with some strange amusement. Her eyes follow Longs movements very closely like a preditor observing its prey.

"It's true currently as we are with Talon hurt and myself powerless we wouldn't stand a chance. Even if we both were up to snuff, I am not sure what the acutal out come would be...." Silv pauses for a moment. "Even if we combined our efforts it still might not be enough."

[Long]

Long resigned himself to what came next. "Then perhaps I should show you what true fusion can be like."

Long began to glow and soon the light became too much for Silver and Talon to endure. Then it was gone and standing before them was a Young asian man ina kimono, and a full-fledged bengal Tiger that stood four feet hall at the shoulder.

"As you can see, I too know what it is like to be two halves of the same being." Long nodded to the Tiger and smiled. The Tiger eyed both Silver and Talon with a dangerous look, even as his nostrils flared. "Easy, we're here to help them, not the other."

The tiger's massive head looked up at him and spoke as it always had, without moving it's mouth. "You are no fun Ryu." With that he walked over and circled Silv and Talon,analyzing and critiquing them. Ryu's hand rested on his sword's hilt, ready for the battle that would inevitably come.

"Each of them are strong personalities in their own right. Fusing them together into a seemless meshing is not going to be easy. LEt them stay like this Ryu, they're obviously happy with it."

"If they do not learn to fuse and truly become one, they will die. Neither of them is strong enough alone to fight what they must fight. Just as you and I were not enough alone to fight off Shen-Khan. Remember it wan't until we learned this that we were able to throw off the shackles of servitude." The Tiger went silent as he drew near to Talon. His Blue eyes looked directly into hers for what seemed like an eternity. Then slowly he sat back on his haunches and nodded. "You fought well enough young one. With a bit more time you could be even better."

[Silvertalon]

Silv and Talon look at long in slight confusion as he takes a few steps back. A soft glow begins to form around him slowly as that glow brightens steadily into a light in which either can not endure much longer forcing them to shield their eyes. The bright light overwhelms the area for a few moments before its gone leaving the two a bit disoriented for a moment. Their gazes turn back towards were Long stood only to find a tiger and a human standing side by side.

Talons eyes narrow looking directly at the tiger that slowly circles around them. Her eyes directly look into his as the two stare down one another for a few long moments. As its clear the two feral mind sets seam to clash with just by the mere look. Slowly talon moves with some pain growling low with in throat fangs slowly bare as she crouches despite how badly injured she is able and ready to fight. Silv just watches for a moment in a careful way studying the tigers movements.

"You know they say.. A wounded and cornered animal is most dangerous then a healthy one..." Silv growls softly not liking how the tiger is drawing close in such a manner. Her eyes look directly into the humans for a few long moments before he speaks.

A few words are uttered as the tiger turns to speak to its owner. Talon watches the tiger very closely growling low not standing down as blood drips from her chest to the ground. Silv looks down towards talon and gently rests her hand upon the feral's head gently. Talons growls stop and then she slumps slowly to the ground holding her chest with a slight pant, and yet her gaze doesn't break off the other feral creature before her.

"Well I can see why you would say such, you both are one and yet you are two in one. But still we Talon and myself, are our own. How can we be one if we are not truly the same." Silv pauses her next few words as she watches the tiger draw close the two feral eyes locked upon one another. Talon tenses but doesn't growl this time. The tiger pulls away and sits on his hunches and speaks again to Talon this time around. A coy grin slowly plays across Talon's muzzle and a low growl escapes her lips.

"You... Truly have not seen anything yet....." As her teeth bare in quite a display of teeth as one could take it as threating or even taunting in manner.

[Long]

"We're in our domain Talon, and here we are master." Ryu commented but was then interuppted by the tiger. "Do you really think He and I are the same?" The gtiger actually laughs at this.

"We share little in common, Ryu and I. He seeks order, honor, and adheres to duty. I crave freedom, passion, and desire. when we are apart we vie for control of one body, to the victor go the reigns of control.However, this has limits. IN battle we are weaker on our own, we have both had our chances at proving ourselves the true master. We have both failed."

He looks down and then smiles to the two of them. "Together though, when we unite and synchronize ourselves, we are nearly unstopable." The tiger looks over to Ryu who nods and then they begin to synchronize. It takes a momnet but then the two are emitting the exact same "quantum" signature, and they both raise their heads and their eyes flash as the speak the words in perfect unison. "Power and Responsibility united."

They go translucent and seem almost superimposed over each other as the power and their minds form bridges between them. Then as their bodies synchronized in the same position, their eyes flashed again and the world went blue.

When the world came back into focus, Silv and talon were left looking at the real master of this realm. "It is a painless proceedure, one that combines the best of both halves. I am the Tiger, and I am Ryu Hideyoshi. But greater than either of those, I am Long, the nova."

[Silvertalon]

Talon growls a little eyes narrowing upon Ryu as her muscles twitch some. Her ears lay back a bit knowing his words are true for the moment powerless and weakened. This feeling so unsettling and alien to her as she is forced to endure it. Her eyes move towards the tiger as it interrupts and laughs at her. The growl turns into a snarl as her body tensing under the fur and scales. Silv's hand comes to a rest upon Talons back and instantly the feral Talon lowers to the ground with a low growl. Her eyes focused upon her taunter, her tormentor and she is itching to sink her talons into his hide.

"Talon.. Calm down, besides you don't know were he's been... He could have fleas.." Silv smirks with a slight chuckle shaking her head some.

Silv continues to listen to the two talk intently curious as to were the conversation will lead to. All the while she keeps her hand upon Talons back ensuring she will not assault the tiger its quite clear Talon wants a piece of him. Silv nods nods her head from time to time gaining some information finding it familiar in some strange way.

"I see, but still why would it relate to us? You two are the same with your own ambitions. We are different with our own ambitions how would this relate to us?"

Both Ryu and the tiger move side by side with a coy smile across their faces. Silv watches carefully as does Talon with a soft growl. The two turn their attentions upon Silv and Talon for a moment as they focus. Unknowingly they watch trying to figure out what the two are really doing not realizing or sensing the quantum engeries changing to match one another. Suddenly both Ryu's and the tigers eyes glow as they speak in perfect union...

"Power and Responsibility united."

Suddenly both Ryu and the tigers body quickly becomes translucent and superimpose slowly over one another. Again unknowingly to the two on lookers they are unaware of what changes take place and yet strange melding takes place. Silv is speechless for a moment or two as she watches the form of Long become what he is before her eyes and Talon smirks a little with a wince of pain slumping to the floor expended once again feeling much weaker then before.

"Interesting, you are both and yet you are one. Still if... and I do mean if. It were possible in some way how is a merger take place, how do you trigger such a catalyst. Although knowing Talon she would see it as chance to grasp more power, whats the chances of such a out come, who would come out of such a blend...." Silv pauses for a moment. "It truly is interesting, but yet I am not sure if its possible... Your much different then my sister and myself."

[Long]

"Yes, I am. I've had sixteen years to learn this properly. I am a fusion of the two parts, but I wasn't always so. When I errupted was the first time I felt my second self, the tiger took over, waging war against my enemies. Perhaps showing you that might help you somewhat."

With that Long summons up his own memory of his erruption. A massive panel appears behind him and then he moves around beside Silv. "Just watch the panel, it will show you how I became Long."

Silv and Talon see a young man is his high-school uniform on his way in an elevator. When the door opens the boy walks out down the hall and enters a room labled "Hideyoshi". A bookish man sits at a desk rustling papers in front of a computer terminal. There is a flash of radiant light and an explosion as the room is rent assunder by a hellish energy beam. A yell escapes the boy's mouth as his father is burned horribly. A second later two Novas enter the room through the hole the blast made. One, a metal Tiger-looking man and the other, a nova covered in scales and breathing flame.

They knock each other into another room, sending shrapnel everywhere. A piece pierces The older man, and a smaller pieces pierces directly through the boy's left torso. The sharp heavy pain floods through his body as he tries to make his way to his father. The charred blackened body turns it head slightly, and says its final words. "Ryu... Ryu.. my son.."

The young man sinks to his knees, his hero lays dead before him, His head begins to throb in a pounding headache. Pure unadulterated Rage burns in him. Rage at the two novas for fighting in the city, at his father for leaving him, and at himself for being to helpless to save him. The last part of the memory becomes covered in a red haze as power explodes from the boy, The scream uttered of Pure unmitigated Rage becomes a window shattering roar. The Tiger emerges from the flames of rage, and assaults both of the novas it deemed threats. The taste of blood, the crucch of bone, the sharp knives of pain as fire bathes the youth's body, the smell of singed fur, all of it seems real to Silv and Talon. The panel goes red as the battle rages on, then finally, the panel fades to black and goes dead.

The entire time Long watches both of his charges, guaging their reactions.

[Silvertalon]

Silv takes a few moments to examine her sister noticing the wounds have gotten worse with all the movement she has been doing. Her eyes look up towards Long with a very worried look, Long can tell things are most likely getting worse. She listens as he talks about his past and the tiger as brief as it was. Her attention was directed to a panel behind him offering to show them his eruption.

"I see, why did it take you so long to learn... This fusion you speak of?"

Silv waits for a reply but gets none just yet as the show begins. Her eyes are focused upon the panel as her eyes quickly dart from one point to another, as if analyzing every action taking place. A slight show of remorse can be seen during the time when the father died. A few other times she winces not liking the out come of some of the scenes, somewhat repulsed by them. Yet she stays focused learning what she can from what is being shown to her. As she seams very intent and curious to see what else will take place.

Talon on the other hand scoffs at the panel as it is brought up as she closes her eyes feeling its not worth her time to watch. But her ears perk at the sounds of a fight, crashing sounds to see a old man dying and a child crying out as two nova's battle. A chuckle escapes her bloody maw as she watches with amusement, but then her eyes narrow watching more intently at the scene of the eruption as the tiger comes out. She growls a bit glaring at the panel for a long moment before a very coy grin plays across her muzzle with such amusement. As she delights in the senseless slaughter tiger goes on.

The panel darkens as the picture fades away, Silv remains silent for several long moments thinking about what she saw. But Talon whines softly with a displeased look like she was quite enjoying the show. Clearly both their reactions are radically different from one another yet exactly opposite from one another at the same time.

[Long]

Long frowns at Talon's responses to the panel, and is somewhat happy that Silv is actively thinking about it. The light flares again, Long becoming his two halves again.

Ryu looks to them and nods. "That was my father, and the white tiger was the nova who would adopt me as his son. He taught me how to wage war, how win at doing so. But still it wasnn't enough. There were times where he either had to reign me in, or entice me to take the necessary steps. He laid the fdoundation for the fusion of my two halves to solve the issue."

"The fusing of my two halves makes me stronger, lets me fight unhindered by arguements. One thing that unites us, is our desire to survive, and to grow stronger. So far, the fusion has come through on both counts."

[Silvertalon]

Silvs attention comes to full focus once the bright light flashes, noticing Ryu and the tiger standing side by side still a bit curious as how he keeps doing this. She nods a little bit as he speaks understanding the old man was his fauther and yet strangely this time around Talon ignores the fact the tiger is around seamingly intent on resting with shollow breaths. Talon seams to look paler and weaker with the constant loss of blood that seamingly wont stop. Silv seams to a bit more worried as she checks on talon with a soft whimper.

"Ryu, its becoming worse. I am understanding what your fusion can do. No dout Talon knows to some exent, but would this fusion save my sister or would we as one fall under the same effects she is suffering from? I am not sure how much longer she can hold on Ryu, what is ever happening to her now. Will happen to me..."

[Long]

"Will they heal? I don't know Silv. At this point though, I don't see may options left to us. I cannot heal her, and you would have if you could already."

He looks at Silv then kneels down by talon. "If you want to survive this you're going to have to trust in me, and in your sister. You've already seen that this is reversible, but right now it's the only way you'll survive. Silv needs you, and thats the only reason when we fought that I didn't hurt you."

He returns to where he had been standing as the Tiger walks over to her and touches his muzzle to her forehead. "What's it going to be? Do you die here, feeble and broken, followed by your sister? Or are you going to swallow your pride like I do and do what's best for the both of you, and save yourselves?" He looks her in the eyes, an intense soul-searching look to his eyes.

[Silvertalon]

"I don't think they will heal or other wise they would of been taken care of much sooner...." Silv looks over the wounds Talon has with a sigh, "I am unable to heal them either it seams." Slowly her gaze turns to Ryu, "The wounds are becoming worse slowly over time."

Talon growls a little watching Ryu come closer her teeth bare not in a threatening way but in pain as she winces. Her eyes stay focused upon Ryu as he takes time to examine the wounds upon her body. Slowly her ears splay back as he speaks to her, as she is not used to one talking to her in such a familiar manner. Deep down Ryu can tell his words are sinking in even though she is reluctant to acpect his words so readily.

Talons ears flicker focusing on the sound of someone walking towards her as those eyes turn to face the tiger directly. She freezes in place in surprise not having noticed him sooner. As the tigers muzzle touches her forehead. Talon just blinks a bit dumb founded for a few moments as the tiger speaks to her still in slight shock such a creature got this close to her so easily. Her eyes lower a bit as she growls softly this time not threateningly.

"What... Will.. You have me do?" Talon sighs softly as she finally submits to the idea. She glares a bit at the tiger leaning back against the pillar resting. Her eyes narrow as both hers and the tigers lock even though she submitted to the idea she'll wont submit to no cats gaze so easily. As the two are locked into a very competitive staring contest of wills if not more.