It was a cool, clear night in the new Black Mountain lands. The moon was full, all was quiet, and there was peace in the air. But it was a peace that would not last.

In the depths of her newly picked den, Shining Skybird began to fidget endlessly on the ground. Intense discomfort and pressure beat on her abdomen, compelling her to lie down on her side. She began to whimper quietly in pain. She needed another healer by her side, or any other female who could help her through her labor. She knew what to do, but she could not help herself. She had seen and helped other females in the pack before, so the process was nothing new to her. Yet at the same time, being the one in labor was much more difficult than being a bystander.

As the pain began to grow more intense in preparation for the first pup, little did she know that her experience would not get any easier. In fact, she was in for the most difficult night of her life.

Aspen was tired. She'd just gotten through with one meeting with the pack leaders, those who were still present anyways, and another would be held tomorrow on the final decision and vote on how the lands would be split. For now, all would sleep on it.
She huffed gently as she padded through the woods, heading for the small set of makeshift dens the Black Mountain Pack had dug from the side of a steep hill. No longer near the mountains, they had no caves anymore.
She was preparing to enter an unoccupied den when a soft whimper reached her ears. The she-Alpha's brow furrowed lightly, not sure if she really heard it or not, but then a gentle rustling caught her ears.
"Who's there?" she asked warily, walking parallel to the few dens they had to pack the wolves into for sleep. She paused, then, when she came to the one Shining Skybird occupied and the scent of birth slapped Aspen in the face. Her eyes widened slightly, ears flipping up as she stood at the mouth of the den and stared inward. She could see the shewolf's discomfort and spoke softly,"Hang on, Shining Skybird, I'll fetch Howlite." and after a second thought,"And Sage Ghost." frightening as she was, she was now the oldest in the pack and would know what to do.

The closing reality of fatherhood was constantly on the soldier's mind. His large white paws, stained brown by the soft marsh mud, carried him quietly as the male searched for food for his ever hungry mate... and the rest of the pack too, but more for his beloved healer.
A dark shadow followed his pace, spaced but a few feet from him. Kerridwen had taken on the duty of helping to hunt for the super-pack that for now seemed not to want to part ways. Her cold amethyst eyes occasionally glanced to her brother, but mostly kept to scanning this unfamiliar terrain.
Noses twitched on both as the scent of food drifted towards them, just before the faint cry of a trapped deer sounded... probably trapped in a deep mud pocket... an easy meal to bring back, IF they didn't get trapped themselves.

The sound of Aspen's soft voice brought emotional comfort to Shining Skybird. She had begun to fear that she would have to go through the process alone, which in and of itself was scary to think about. As the she-alpha went off in search of Howlite and Sage Ghost, another sharp cramp pounded against her abdomen, and the urge to begin pushing became stronger. It wouldn't be long now until the first was born.

Aspen trotted quickly through the territory, using each available sense to find her targets. Her paws flew swiftly over the ground, carrying her farther from the distressed Shining Skybird. The she-Alpha was reluctant to leave the Healer's side, but she knew that to get the help she needed it was necessary. Movement ahead caught Aspen's attention and she turned to head towards it. Luck was with her, as when she approached the Elder Sage Ghost turned her ruined head in the young shewolf's direction.

"You look like you've seen a spirit, Aspen." she remarked flatly, a brow raising at the wide-eyed Alphess. Sage Ghost could understand, though. She recalled her first year as the head of the pack. It's a mix of emotions; fear, nervousness, stress, frustration. The list goes on.

"Shining Skybird is in labor." she huffed worredly. Aspen had not yet lived long enough to witness a birth, let alone know how to handle it,"I need your help." They needed more healers in The Black Mountain Pack, one just can't cut it.

"Tall Pines has a healer, SnowTooth." Sage Ghost remarked, turning away from the crowd she had been conversing with.

"There's no time to find him, Elder." Aspen stated, turning to lead the post-Alphess to the scene. "I need to find Howlite, also." she explained as they picked up their pace to a fast trot.

"That's allright, I can handle Shining Skybird. You find Howlite." Sage Ghost directed,"Which den is she in?"

"Second to the left." Aspen replied before splitting off from Sage Ghost and moving at the same, hurried pace deeper into the forest. She passed several other groups as she searched, but none had the familiar white and fire coat that Howlite possessed. She did, however, eventually pick up his scent and turned on a dime to follow it at a loose run. The Alphess caught up to him in minutes, and she slowed as she cantered up behind him and his dark sister, Kerridwen.
"Howlite." she called in a quick tone,"It's time, Shining Skybird is in labor. Hurry." she ordered, giving a curt nod to Kerridwen before turning and dashing off, leaving him little to no time to stand with his mouth agape as she suspected he might do.

Sage Ghost's hurried steps slowed as she neared and entered the cave where the heavily pregnant Healer lay panting.
"How close do you think you are?" she asked, positioning herself at the end of Skybird and peering at her naughty-bits with her one good eye. It may be awkward, but she needed to get a look to be sure things were progressing normally.

OOC: Going to try to keep my posts fairly paragraphed from now on :3

Their ears twitched to the sound of paws beating the earth, fast and urgent. In the stillness of their surroundings, such a sound would be hard to hide, not that this was even attempted... Both siblings turned to see the new Alpha come skidding and clearly distressed. Kerridwen returned the greeting, as Howlite's jaw dropped in disbelief at the news (as predicted XD).
Lost for words and stammering over a soft babble of his head running in overdrive, the soldier was quickly snapped out of his shock as an annoyed growl and teeth snapped at him. "MOVE IT!" There was no time to be wasted. Shining Skybird needed him.

His sister's impatiens was more than adequate to send the new father leaping ahead past Aspen and heading at top speed back towards the dens.
Kerridwen paused for the Alpha to follow before herself, intending to pace herself more conservatively than the white and fire streak that blurred ahead of them.

"Shining Skybird!" Howlite called as he came skidding to a stop in front of the dens, tripping over his paws and tumbled over himself into the entrance of the den...

Shining Skybird looked up expectedly at the sound of paw steps with the hope it would be Howlite. Instead, it was Sage Ghost, but at least someone was there for the time being.

"Really close. I...I need to push!"

Just before Howlite arrived, Shining Skybird gave her first big push. It was perhaps the most unpleasant feeling she had ever experienced. After her first push, she took a deep breath. Howlite's sudden tumble caused Shining Skybird to startle, which in turn caused her to push again.

"Howlite, careful!"

SHe had not meant to snap, but it was a consequence of the pain she was experiencing. She had to take another deep breath before pushing again, and as she did, she looked up to see that head of the first pup coming through. She could hardly believe it. The first was almost here! With a new sense of determination, she gave one more hard, long push before the first was out. She immediately moved to lick the pup's nose. The pup's first squeak was enough to cause Shining Skybird to temporarily forget about the labor pains as a big smile came to her face. It was a boy! His fur was white, the top of his back and head firey orange. He looked just like his father.

But the joy would have to be put on hold. The second one was on its way.

(ooc) I'll wait for both of you to respond. If either of you want to skip, let me know and I'll move on to the next.

He cringed as he bashfully eyed the elder, Sage Ghost, after the quick snap from Shining Skybird at his clumsiness.
"What can I do?" Howlite panted, his body quivering with anxiety at the pain his mate felt, as she pushed "Breath, my dear! Brea-"
Words caught as the first tiny body touched the ground. His white face stretched wide with the warmest smile, crinkling his fiery cheek markings, as his blue eyes began to mist with overjoy at the tiny copy of himself.
The soldier crawled across on his stomach, not wanting to risk tripping over himself again, uttering soft whimpers to the pup's squeaks, his muzzle dwarfed the child as a soft tongue flicked at his son.
His SON!

"Try to help keep Skybird calm is about all you can do." Sage Ghost answered in irritation. At the sight of the pup crowning, she called,"Allright, it's almost here." and then it slid from it's mother. The post Alpha only took a glance at it, barely realizing that it was almost a clone of it's father, as she was concentrating on Shining Skybird's labor.

The old post-Alphess's memory flickered back to Bright Lark and her labor and her brow furrowed slightly. She recalled all the blood, the wrenching screams from the shewolf. She hadn't even gotten to set her eyes upon her children before the Spirit of Life came for her. Sage Ghost shook herself back to the present and focused herself again. Shining Skybird was showing no such complications, but since then birth always held a subtle undertone of danger.

Aspen stood uncertainly at the entrance, wishing that Ebon Star were here..but knowing that more company would likely just stress the Healer even more. She turned her back to the scene and sat just under the lip of the den entrance. If anyone approached, she would send them away.

Shining Skybird refocused as the tension in her abdomen urged her to push once again. She groaned slightly as she tried to push the next pup out. Thankfully, it too only took a few good pushes before another white pup came out. This one was tan along the back, stomach, chest, and ears. It was a girl.

Shining Skybird was just as delighted as she was when the first pup came out, and quickly went to work cleaning her up.
"Howlite, it's a girl. You have a little girl!"

The Healer did not have much of a chance to celebrate their second pup. In the midst of her joy, an intense pain shot through her body from her abdomen. But this was not just the same labor pains she had experienced with the first two, it was much worse.

Shining Skybird reacted with sheer agony. Her head went back down against the den floor, her teeth gritting and whimpers intensifying. She was still trying to push, but the intense pain made it feel almost impossible. Even as she pushed, the pain grew worse. Shining Skybird's breathing grew short and quick, and her tightly clamped teeth were the only thing keeping her from screaming. As she pushed again, the pain grew to be almost too much, and she couldn't hold it in any longer.

"GET IT OUT!"

She didn't understand what was going on. She could barely bring herself to push any more. Why? Was she dying? No, she couldn't be, not now. She looked to Howlite with fear in her eyes, voice quivering with anxiety.

"Howlite, help me. Please."

All she could do was plea to him. She was scared. Despite the pain, she felt another urge to push, and against her desire to do so, she did. Another scream erupted from her muzzle as the pain shot through her. Little did she know the head of the pup had begun to crown.

Meanwhile, in a not too distant area, Silver Eagle heard the scream of the laboring Healer. Although the screams themselves were not natural for the birthing, there was a slight disturbing essence in the air. Perhaps it was coincidence that this disturbance paired with Shining Skybird's labor, but he had to be sure. The disturbance was not ordinary. It was evil.

His overwhelming joy was short lived as Shining Skybird screamed out in pain after the birth of his second child.
"I'm here... Hold on, my love." was all the male could say as he stepped quickly around to her other side, licking at her face and holding one of his large paws over her to prevent her thrashing and harming the two new pups.
"What do I DO?" he pleaded to the post-Alpha. His blue eyes paled with distress as he looked back to his mate, "Breath, my dear... Breath!"

"What is happening?" Kerridwen asked over the screaming, as she loped towards the Alpha who guarded the den. Her fiery back bristled at every sound the small den echoed. Her face twisted in inner conflict as she tried to keep her cool, but still the concern for her sister-in-law and her pups seeped through, making the flier more agitated over the matter...
Soft growls escaped her as the new aunt tried to see into the dim light of the den, where the others were hidden.

"I'm sorry, Kerridwen, but I must say I don't know." she stepped in front of the Flier, an apologetic look upon her face and in her voice,"Shining Skybird is stressed as it is, she doesn't need more wolves crowding in there."

Sage Ghost aimed a growl in Howlite's direction,"Just keep doing what you're doing." she snapped, lowering her head to see what was going on. There was a bit of blood leaking forth now and Sage Ghost frowned deeply but did not say anything. No, lest not freak everyone out more as it could just be torn skin. There, the top of the pup's head was just poking out.
"Good! Keep pushing, Skybird, another one is almost here." she ordered loudly.

"What was that?" Wind Feather asked her mentor as his pace picked up. Her ears were pricked as she, too, had caught the bloodcurdling scream. Somebody was in trouble, or hurt! The shewolf also picked up her own pace to match Silver Eagle's, eyes widening in fear and concern. They crossed into the new lands, and the Spiritual took note of the fresh, kicked up trail of canine tracks. She wasn't sure, but she thought she may have also spotted a large bear print or two as well. Yanya?
They were here, they finally made it.

Stone Fur had watched most of the happenings but stayed back, knowing well the dangers Shining Skybird faced. He bit his lip before finally stepping forward. "I believe it would be best if all but the healers and her mate were to leave," he suggested, "This happened once before... a strain too great..." He shook his head, "It won't happen again... not now... not when we're only now able to celebrate the rebirth of our pack." He would ensure Shining Skybird survived this... with Yanya's help, and with the will of the First Wolf, he would make sure of it.

[[Yeah, not the greatest of my posts, but it's just a quick one to kinda' get back into this. Future ones will be better. ]]

Howlite's paws resting over her body reminded Shining Skybird that she couldn't move around too much. Her other two pups were right beside her, and she didn't want to hurt them. Yet holding still seemd almost more painful than moving around. She listened to Howlite's voice as he instructed her to breath, but is was difficult when she was trying to push and coping with agonizing pain.

As Sage Ghost instructed her to push, she begrudgingly did so. Anything to get this one out. As she pushed again, she let out a softer cry, her eyes clamping shut as though it would help the process move faster. That one push got the rest of the head out. Shining Skybird was getting tired, but the pain caused her breaths to grow quick and short. She almost couldn't take any more, but she had to give another push. With the deepest breath she could muster, she gave another push. Although it was considerably weaker, the pup's shoulders managed to come through.

With her little remaining strength, she lifted her head to look back at the pup. Dear Black Wolf, she still needed to push, but she was almost there. She mustered up whatever energy she had left to give one last good push, and finally the pup came out. It was another boy. He was light brown with white ears, and what appeared to be a darker brown surrounding his eyes and going across his cheeks.

Exhausted, Shining Skybird's head fell down to a resting position. Her eyes showed how weary and tired she was.

Silver Eagle did not look back to his student, but rather continued at his pace. They were almost at the den site.

"I imagine that someone is in labor. But that isn't what bothers me."

It wasn't long before he came upon the group of wolves gathered outside the den. Although he couldn't see inside to know what was happening, he didn't need to. The air was heavier here, and it chilled the Spiritual down to his bones. There was a dark energy within the den that poured out into the air. He couldn't explain it, but he would have to find a way to get closer once everything died down.

Howlite licked Shining Skybird's head repeatedly, both trying to comfort her and cool her exhausted face. The soldier looked up in concern at the words of Stone Fur, his eyes darkening at the thought of there being something wrong with his family.
As the Spiritual came in, the white and fiery male lifted himself up and protectively stepped to stand over his mate and the new pups... something must be wrong for the wise Silver Eagle to have such a look on his gray face.

Yanya, like the others, heard the cries of pain and ventured to investigate. An agitated growl greeted the bear, as Kerridwen moved to assist guarding the den, lying on the other side of the entrance.
Her great size would prevent the bear from entering the den that, unlike the spacious caves of their former home, had been dug out of the earth and was just big enough for the height of a wolf.

Sage Ghost's ears pricked at more pawsteps approaching. She glanced to the entrance to see Stone Fur speaking to Aspen. His words caught her ears, and she gave a soft snort though she agreed with his words..she just didn't like being given orders. We all know that by now, though, don't we ( ;D )? Ole' predictable Sage Ghost, or was it? Where normally she would have given a snappy retort to Stone Fur's comment, instead she slowly got to her paws and made her way towards the mouth of the den.
"Do your best, Stone Fur. Shall I fetch the Tall Pines Healer, as well, or can you handle this?" her tone was short, clipped, but her attitude sure threw Aspen off guard.

The new female Alpha had stepped in front of the grey and brown Healer when he'd first arrived, a worried look upon her face as she replied in a low tone,"Please help her, Stone Fur." she glanced back to see gruff old Sage Ghost approaching and hurried to add,"It's bad." Now, of course, Aspen expected stone-hearted Sage Ghost to order the young Healer away, that she had it all under control, but when she offered to fetch another healer while he worked on Shining Skybird the young She-Alpha was simply floored. Perhaps the battleax was chilling out in her old age? Either way, Aspen gave a nervous smile to Stone Fur as she stepped aside to allow him room to pass into the den. Sage Ghost quickly pushed past Aspen.

Stone Fur quickly made his way to the laboring she-wolf's side, his lips pursed tightly together as he made to assess her condition. At the question of the former she-alpha, he turned his head back. "Any and all healers should be here to contribute," he said, "Broken Light taught me a great deal, but my experience is limited." A tear formed in one of his eyes at the mention of the elderly healer that had passed on along with Fire Wind just before the packs arrived here, but he shoved the thoughts aside. Now wasn't the time for sorrow. Such an emotion would only cloud the young healer's judgment.

"What's wrong Silver Eagle?" Howlite asked, his voice low with concern. Blue eyes glanced towards his pups as Shining Skybird began to clean them, what could be wrong? Sure his youngest was hard to get out, but that couldn't mean anything?

Kerridwen scowled at her brother's over reacting... "Howlite, they're FINE." she eyed out Aspen, wandering if the alpha would let her see her new nephews and niece?

A soft growl escaped the soldier at being reprimanded again by his sister. 'Damn it, I'm not a pup anymore!' he thought as he leaned down to gently lick the soft white and light tan, almost cream fur of his daughter, who squealed as she blindly felt around for her mother's side.

Shining Skybird could hardly do much more cleaning. Her youngest was the last, who squealed as he eagerly searched his mother's side for food. With her pups mostly clean, she rested her head back onto the ground. She looked over to Stone Fur with weary eyes.

"Stone Fur, I need to rest. I'm sure everything is okay."

Meanwhile, Silver Eagle eyed his apprentice, Wind Feather, and spoke softly to her.

"Do you sense that energy?"

As he was approached by Howlite, he turned his attention away from Wind Feather. Although the circumstances were uncertain, he had to phrase his words carefully so as not to worry Howlite more than was necessary.

"I can not say just yet. With your permission, I would like to get a closer look inside the den once Shining Skybird is asleep."

Wind Feather's eyes were as round as the full moon. Indeed she sensed it, it squeezed around her soul like a set of sharp teeth. Something she couldn't explain hovered at the edges of her vision...a hint of darkness that seethed of bad energy though what it could be the young Spiritual could not fathom.
"What is it, Silver Eagle?" she asked in a whisper, staring into the dark confines of the den. Her skin prickled and she involuntarily shivered.

Aspen's heart leapt and constricted at the same time that Silver Eagle and his young student approached. It was her first sighting of them, and was overjoyed that they were alive! Yet, his words gave her cause for concern and her brows furrowed lightly. What's going on? she wondered to herself, casting a glance to Kerridwen who was staring intently at her. The Alpha looked over her shoulder, noting how tired Shining Skybird was...and the ominous tone Silver Eagle held...."I'm sorry, Kerridwen." she truly was,"But Shining Skybird has had a rough birth and I...." she glanced to the Spiritual,"I don't think now is the right time." Aspen desperately wanted Ebon Star right about now.
At that moment, Snow Tooth came flying up to the den, eyes wide,"Is she okay? What can I do?" He came to a skidding halt, almost losing his balance but stumbling forward a step or to and catching it.