Shattered (Vitani, Mooch and Scamp centric)

"Me not keep up? I have all of Stitch's powers including speed." Reuben spoke back. "So if you dont mind I'd like to come." "By the way I'm Reuben."

Ouch. Mooch's words were harsh and she couldn't help but feel that he had just insulted her friend. Sure, Reuben might not be the most physical or 'cool' creature in the camp but he was kind and nice and he had stuck up for her. Still she bit her tounge instead she glared at the ground. She didn't want to lose her new-found friends but sometimes she thought Mooch could be...well...a bit of a bully.

Scamp ground his teeth in frustration. He wanted to spend time with his two new friends, not some alien creature he barely knew. True, Reuben might not be too bad - but he just didn't want him to come with them. Just the three of them, exploring the caves - THAT was what Scamp had been looking forward to. He glanced awkwardly between 'Tani and Mooch, wanting to say something, but unsure how to respond.

Vitani felt unsure about what exactly to do. It was clear that Mooch and Scamp didn't want Reuben to go with them. She couldn't help but agree, a little. No offense to him. She kind of wanted this adventure to be between Mooch, Scamp and herself. Still she felt she was being mean to the experiment that had helped her and was her friend too.

Mooch's eyes narrowed. He didn't want to be mean. He was trying to be a nicer dog. He growled low, annoyed. He wanted to spend time with his friends. HIS FRIENDS. He had a new crew and Reuben was not cool enough to run with his gang. He wasn't even cool enough to hang with his gang when it consisted of him, Wizzer, Two-Tone and Dipstick. He looked at 'Tani and Scamp. Scamp looked like he agreed with Mooch.

He bumped Scamp with his shoulder and nodded.

"C'mon guy! Let's go!"

Vitani glanced at Mooch and then at Reuben. She wanted to go with Mooch and Scamp to the Crystal Cave but she didn't want to insult her friend. With an apologetic glance at Reuben she trotted after Mooch.

"You could have been a bit nicer to him." Vitani said softly to Mooch.

Mooch's eyes rolled as he looked at the female lion. Softie...

"He'll be fiiiiiiine 'Tani! C'mon!" He whined, "There's an adventure waiting for the brave and the strong and the tough! He ain't any a those!" He wagged his tail and gave 'Tani his sweetest smile. "C'mon, 'Tani! Show us where this cave is!"

Vitani had an unreadable expression on her face but she shrugged. She would apologize to Reuben later...she didn't want to lose his friendship. Her sapphire eyes scanned the darkness before she said.

"It's just east from here. It's not far now." she then grinned and said "Ancient curse, here we come."

Scamp grinned too, as he kept pace with his friends. This was the kind of life he still sometimes longed for - complete freedom, with friends at his side. If Angel were here too, everything would be perfect.
The thought of Angel threatened to drive him back into his depressive state, but he ignored it. She'd be his sooner or later, he was certain.
"Do you think the curse really works?" he asked Mooch. He didn't believe it - of course he didn't believe it, he told himself quickly. Still, there was a lingering doubt in the back of his mind, and if they DID get lost in there, he'd never see Angel again...

Vitani shrugged "Could be, I dunno." she replied "I've never actually been there."

Vitani knew there was no such things as ancient curses. They were just stories weren't they? To scare cubs into doing what their parents told them. Still, there was that lingering doubt in the back of Vitani's head but she quickly pushed it aside. There was no such thing as ancient curses.

Hmmmmmmm.... Reuben thought. Using his sensitive hearing he picked up their conversation. "So ancient curse they say? Maybe I should follow to make sure they don't get in trouble." he spoke to the air. And with that he sneakily followed the trio.

"There!" Vitani exclaimed, her sapphire eyes focused on a large cave in the distance. From the outside it looked fairly normal but Vitani knew that appearances could be very decieving. A smile carved itself on her muzzle "C'mon!"

Vitani raced ahead of Mooch and Scamp through the long savannah grass to the cave entrance. It was dark and gloomy in appearance and the occaisonal drip of water was heard. Vitani took a sniff, just in case there was any Outlanders lurking in the darkness of the cave. There wasn't.

Perfect.

Scamp followed her up to the cave mouth and peered in. He'd never actually seen a natural cave of any type before, so even if there weren't the crystals 'Tani mentioned, it would still be a new experience for him. He made the first move, taking a few steps inside - and 'felt' the darkness, almost like a physical sensation. He gasped, but didn't turn back, although he did pause to allow the other two to catch up.
"How do we see anything if it's this dark?" he asked 'Tani, once he'd got over the sensation. "Do the crystals glow or something?"

Vitani followed Scamp into the cave, the fur on the backnof her neck stood on end. "I dunno." she said softly "Maybe? If they don't you can grab onto my tail so we don't get lost." she suggested.

The darkness was thick and almost suffocating, it felt as if it were alive somehow. Vitani was on full alert. They could easily get lost in the vast cave and then what would they do?

Mooch did just that. He wasn't leading the trio anymore, Scamp was. He was behind 'Tani. He bit down hard on her tail in fright when he entered the cave, his own tail tucked between his legs and his ears dropped. He whimpered slightly.

He didn't mind letting his new friends know he was scared of the dark.