Combustion

This is the second book in the **Animal Books** series.

## Part 1:No-furs and Roads

### Chapter 1

A bright sun lit up the pelts of a golden feline, as a ginger tiger followed her from behind. The jaguar stared out at the wide world, as a hummingbird, two dogs, and two dinosaur hatchlings joined her.

*"*Its so pretty!*"* Chirped the hummingbird, her eyes sparkling.

The second dinosaur yawned. *"*My legs hurt,*"* He complained, dramatically limping on his back leg. *"*Come on, Dead.*"* Mewed the jaguar. *"*We've only been walking for a few hours.*" "*Plus,*"* The tiger chimed in. *"*You got plenty of sleep during that thunderstorm.*"* Dead flopped on the ground. *"*I probably *would* have gotten some sleep if Amber hadn't been freaking out all night,*"* He pointed out, flicking his tail towards the small green hummingbird. *"*Hey!*"* Squawked Amber. *"*I wasn't *that* scared. Right, Alger?*"*

The tiger limped closer to Amber. He had gotten attacked by Dew, a hostile jaguar, who had severly wounded him. Luckily, a lightning bolt had struck down the enemy jaguar before he could harm anyone else. *"*Right,*"* Alger purred sarcastically. The other dinosaur, Deer, was bouncing up and down, excited. He couldn't talk much yet.

*"*Are we at treasureland yet?*"* Asked the terrier puppy, Dart.

*"*No, silly!*"* Barked the borzoi pup, Dash. He had been hiding his exhaustion, but Dawn could tell how tired he really was. *"*Its probably past this hill!*"* Alger nodded in agreement. *"*Well, come on.*"* The tiger purred, flicking his tail. *"*Dash is right; just past this hill is,*"*-he hesitated-*"*Treasureland.*"* Deer was already running down the hill, with Dart and Dash right behind him.

*"*Wait for me!*"* Called Dead, jumping off the ground and running towards the three. Dawn and Alger trotted next to each other, white Amber was gazing around nervously, as if the grass would come to life any second.

*"*Can I ask you something?*"* Meowed Dawn as Alger and her moved to a slow run. *"*Anything.*"* Purred Alger, curiousity and confusion in his eyes. *"*Why did you get so...*"* Dawn hesitated, searching for the right words. *Scared? Terrified? Tense? "*Why did you look worried and scared when Dart mentioned treasureland?*"* Alger seemed to be thinking of a lie. Dawn gave him a stern look. *"*Family stuff.*"* He answered quickly. *But his family is really nice...* Dawn thought, remembering the kind faces on the tiger familys faces.

As Dawn and Alger caught up to the other members of the group, they were batting at Amber, trying to knock her out of the sky. *"*Take that!*"* Barked Dart, trying to paw at Ambers wing. She just flew higher. *"*Hehe, Amber your a good babysitter.*"* Joked Dawn, eyeing the small hummingbird. *"*I still don't like how you put DINOSAURS and DOGS in our group!*"* Amber chirped back.

This time Dart knocked her down, and the young animals surrounded the bird.

*"*Help.*"* squawked Amber as Dart scooped her up in his jaws, and ran away. Alger chased after, and retrieved Amber, who was shaking the drool from her wing, looking disgusted.

*"*Treasureland!*"* Shrieked Deer, looking out to see a big no-fur city, filled with dens and trees. *"*Oh wow...*"* Dead said in awe, looking like he would faint. Deer took no hesiation, and started darting out into the trees. *"*Come on, slowpokes!*"* He called when he was half-way in the forest. Dawn raced after, followed by Alger. Amber led Dart and Dash towards the trees. Dead hesiatated and quickly followed after. *"*If we want to complete our quest,*"* Deer roared excitedly. *"*Then lets go!*"*

### Chapter 2

By the time Dawn and Alger had reached Deer, he was already trying to run out of the trees. *"*Deer! Wait!*"* Called Alger. Deer stopped and ran back. *"*We need to stay under the trees,*"* The tiger hissed in the hatchlings ear. Deer nodded.
*"*I'll go take a look at where we need to go,*"* Offered Amber, flying high over the trees. She burst back through the canopy a moment later. *"*Good news and bad news,*"* She squawked with a sigh. *"*The good news is that it will only take another day or two to get out of the no-fur city and into the mountains,*"* Amber chirped. *"*But,*"*-Her voice turned low and she sounded worried-*"*the bad news is that there's no food or water in sight, and we can't get out of the trees to find better shelter.*"*

Alger sighed. *"*We'll make it...*"* He murmered, flicking his tail.

Dawn shrugged. *Why is Alger acting so weird?* She and the rest of the group started walking farther into the forest. It reminded her of her and her familys old home, before they met Alger and went to the ancient temple. Dawn shook her head to clear that thought. She knew it was her destiny to go and fulfill the prophecy, whatever it meant.

\*\*\*

As the group were almost at the edge of the forest, it started raining. Paws and talons covered in mud, the seven animals were struggling to get to the river leading to the mountains. *"*How much longer?*"* Winced Dead, struggling as wind buffeted his green scales. *"*Don't know.*"* Meowed Alger. *"*Maybe if we can find some sort of den, we can stop and keep going tommorow.*"* Dawn suggested. Alger agreed, and after a bit, they found an abandoned fox den, and slept there for the night.

Dawn was worried about Deer. The cold was no good for his thin scales, and he was very weak. Amber also wasn't doing well with the rain and cold, but was still doing fine.

*"*Dawn?...*"* Whispered Dart. *"*I'm cold...*"* He sniffled.

Dawn curled her long tail around the two dinosaurs and dogs. Alger was sleeping at the edge of the den, breathing deeply. Deer was already asleep, while Dash and Dart were fidgeting and trying to find a comfortable place to sleep. Dawn put her head down on a grass patch, and fell asleep. She drifted into a blank, dark dreamless sleep, breathing peacefully.

## Part 2:Lost and Alone

### Chapter 3

As the sun seaped through the clouds, Dawn found her eyes blinking away sleep. She stretched, and noticed the rest of the group were sitting outside, their bodies glowing in the sun.

*"*Couldn't sleep?*"* Quested Dawn, judging from the six animals drooping tails.

Alger turned around. Dawn noticed he had sleepy eyes and bags underneath them. *"*Yeah. Were all hungry and cold.*"* He mewed darkly. *"*I'll try hunting,*"* Requested Dawn. She glanced at Dart, Dash, Deer, and Dead. *"*Do you think their old enough to hunt?*"* Dawn knew that hunting in an unfamiliar place would be hard. She needed help. *"*I'd say so,*"*-Algers voice dropped into a whisper-*"*But Dead is too weak to hunt let alone eat, and Dart is getting scrawnier by the day.*"*

*"*What about Dash and Deer?*"* Asked Dawn. *"*Dash seems like he would be a good hunter. But his thin pelt is no good for the cold,*"* Admitted Alger. He flicked his ears twice. *"*And Deer would either scare away all the prey with his excitement, or also get sick from the cold.*"* Dawn sighed. *"*I could go by myself I guess. Until the weather gets warm-*"*

A sound cut her off. A tree fell. *"*Move!*"* She called before quickly realizing what was happening. No-furs were cutting down trees! *"*Run towards the trail to the mountains!*"* She yowled. *"*Meet me there!*"*

Dawn watched her friends run. She attempted to run after them, but a falling tree cut her off. There was no way she could escape now. As she bolted towards a cliff that would hide her, a branch took her by suprise, and fell on her. Yowling in pain, she managed to bite it and bring it off, but heard a snap on her leg. She limped towards the cliff, and hid behind it. Her vision blurred as dust coated her pelt, and she crouched to avoid it. Dawn just closed her eyes, and wished for mercy.

### Chapter 4

As the dust faded away, Dawn opened her eyes. The forest was almost completely destroyed. Scrambling to her paws, Dawn tried to stand, but a horrible pain told her that she wasn't going to be using her left front leg in a while.

Wincing, she stumbled towards the mountain trail. With all the trees cut down she could easily see it. *At least thats one thing thats helpful,* She thought wistfully. She limped as fast as she could towards the trail. When she got there, Dawn tried sniffing the air for her friends. *A feather!* There, a green feather, the color of Amber's feathers was laying on the trail. *"*They made it!*"* She exclaimed. *"*Yes we did!*"* Barked a familiar voice. Dawn saw Dart beneath her with the rest of the group close behind.

*"*Thank the moon,*"* Dawn sighed in relief, seeing the group. *"*Where's Amber?*"* Asked Dawn, seeing the green hummingbird wasn't there. Alger sighed, and flicked his tail towards farther up the trail. They journeyed under the mountain trees, to which Alger led them to a small den. *"*A branch fell on her,*"* The tiger mewed. Dawn then saw Amber laying in the den.

The bird was scraped and bruised, but Dawn also noticed a swollen eye.

*"*Amber?*"* Dawn reached out a paw to nudge the hummingbird, but Alger batted her away. *"*I'm hoping to find Magma Tribe,*"* He mewed with a determination that took Dawn by suprise. *"*They can help her.*"* The tiger continued. Dawn guessed Magma Tribe was a tribe of tigers, so she didn't bother asking.

*"*Where are they?*"* Asked Dawn. *"*Well... thats the problem.*"* Alger sighed. *"*They live in the pine forest, but that place is rather dangerous.*"*

Dawn tilted her head. *"*Why?*"* She asked, though she thought it might be obvious. *"*They... have bad history with other kinds. And...*"* He paused. Alger started fiddling with a stick in his claws. *"*...my family.*"* The tiger said at last.

*"*Your family?*"* Dawn echoed. Alger just nodded slowly.

The orange feline looked to side to side, until finally, he spoke in a fast voice. *"*So I was born into Magma Tribe and was almost killed by the leader because I was "weak" but my family saved me and we went to the forest and killed their leader Doe aswell as a few other tigers in revenge and we escaped to the mountains and then all of this happened and YEAH.*"*

*"*...ok.*"*

## Part 3: Alger's Confession

### Chapter 5

*"*Stop right there!*"*

The yowl came from a burly orange tiger, its claws gleaming as it glared at the seven animals. *"*Alger!*"* Exclaimed a dark orange tiger with strangely thick stripes. *"*Oh, Domino! I missed you!*"* Purred Alger as the tigers both twined tails together.

Alger pointed his tail at the three other tigers who had ambushed them. *"*This is Dotty, Dove, and Down!*"* He explained. The three puffed out their chest. *"*We see your friend is injured,*"* Said Dove; her fur stopped bristling and she looked at Amber. *"*Dragonfly will see to that.*"* Carefully, Dotty reached over and picked up Amber gently from Dawn's back. *Alger said these cats were mean...*

As they entered the Magma Tribe camp, Dawn stared in awe. It was surrounded by tall grass, with an extra wall of brambles to keep intruders out. There was a big den that Dawn guessed was the alphas den, and a few smaller nests and dens for the others. Dotty disappeared in a big cave and came out without Amber.

*"*Dragonfly will heal her. Dragonfly is awesome!*"* Dotty purred, giving his chest fur a few embaressed licks.

**\*\*\***

*"*Amber!*"* Alger meowed, running towards the green hummingbird as she flew out of the den. *"*You're good!*"* Amber rolled her eyes and starting flying around her friend. *"*Yea! Dragonfly said I was just shocked so I got knocked out for a while. She shocked me with something and it woke me right up!*"* Amber explained excitedly.

*"*Thanks for your help!*"* Mewed Dawn and Alger at the same time.

The leader, Drift, approached. *"*You thought that was it?*"* He laughed. *"*Foolish!*"* All the tigers started to cheer. *"*Kill them.*"* Mewed Drift, signaling with his tail. Shrieking, the dogs, the dinosaurs, and the felines and birds bolted.

Dawn felt the angry breath of the tigers on her tail as they ran towards the exit, not even having time to think. Dawn suddenly raked her broken leg against a sharp rock. Falling to the ground, she stumbled onto her back and landed with a painful thud. Claws raked her neck as her green gaze landed on Alger. The tiger turned around.

Without hesitating, the six animals leapt into battle.

### Chapter 6

Dawn stumbled and got up, joining in the fight.

She immediatly leapt on Domino, who was aiming for Dead. She sank her teeth into the tigers shoulder which sent him howling into the bushes. A prickling pain on Dawn's side made her whirl around to see Dotty was on her back. As blood streamed down Dawn's back, she noticed Dotty stumble off. Amber was flying on on out, pecking at Dotty fiercly.

Suddenly, a yowl, much angrier than the others echoed through the fighting. It was Alger's. *"*You buzzard-food munchers! You conniving liars! You really think I'd just let you hurt my friends like this? I may be a 'traitor'. And I may be 'weak'. And I may've stopped fighting when I was a tribe tiger, but I'll never stop fighting for *these* animals. My real friends. I am not a tribe cat, and you just need to accept that! Revenge isn't neccessary! I'LL GIVE MY LIFE IF THATS WHAT IT TAKES!*"* Dawn stared with admiration as Alger tackled Drift.

*"*Buzz off!*"* Yowled Dotty, as he spun around and knocked Amber back with his tail. *"*Dawn! Lets go!*"* Dawn heard Alger called. He was by the entrance with the others.

Dawn picked up Amber quickly until she found her wings, and the seven darted away, disappearing.

**\*\*\***

The seven found a cave to sleep in for the night. The sting of betrayal hurt more than there wounds. Dead had a shredded ear he couldn't hear out off, while Deer had a long scar from his nose to his chest while protecting Dart. Dart only had a spot of fur taken from his tail, While Dash had a scratch on his eye that blurred his vision. Alger had a few minor scratches, aswell as Dawn.

The animals couldn't sleep well, despite the peaceful glow of the moon and damp air.

As Dawn slept, she couldn't help but think of Alger. *He's been through so much. But I know what he can do...*

As the jaguar drifted into a dream, she was visited by a jaguar with stars in their coat. *"*Greetings, Dawn. I am Drizzle.*"* The feline mewed. *"*I have a message for you.*"*

*"*Alger will blaze through the lands like a combustion,*"*

*"*But watch out,*"* Dawn stiffined.

*"*Don't let his grief get the better of him.*"*

## Epologue

Fire took off his hood and gazed at the sleeping felines.

*"*Dawn the wild...*"*

*"*Alger the brave...*"*

*"*Amber the smart...*"*

*"*Deer the joyful...*"*

*"*Dead the weak...*"*

*"*Dart the jumpy...*"*

*"*...and Dash the healer.*"*

He took a deep sigh. *"*Sorry, Amber.*"*

*"*But I'll be taking your life soon.*"*

**END**