Shattered (Vitani, Mooch and Scamp centric)

Vitani let out a small yelp of pain when Mooch's teeth dug into her flesh. He was scared. Understandable, after all she was slightly frightened as well. Unlike her mother had often said, fear did not make you weak. Everyone was afraid at sometime or another.

"Not that hard Mooch!" Vitani hissed through gritted teeth. She was quite sure that Mooch didn't mean to bite so hard but that didn't mean that it didn't hurt.

Scamp tentatively continued further into the cave. He couldn't see a thing, and the darkness felt like it was physically pressing in on him. Still, he didn't let that stop him, although he did slow a little, as he glanced from side to side, trying to make out some shape in the thick darkness. If the entire system of caves was this dark, it was no wonder people got lost down here. He thought he saw something - or maybe it was just an illusion. Still, he turned back to where he thought 'Tani and Mooch were and asked "Can you see that odd glow ahead?"
It looked to him, at least, as if something was glowing in the distance. Or his senses could just be playing tricks on him.

Vitani looked up and squinted through the darkness. She could barely make out Scamp's outline in the darkness and ahead of him...was a faint barely visible glow.

"I see it too." Vitani said. She padded as far forward as she could with Mooch holding onto her tail "D'you think...it's the crystals?" she asked.

Mooch let go of 'Tani's tail, his own tail still between his legs. His ears perked up as he saw the glow too. It was right ahead of them. The darkness didn't scare him anymore, his curiosity made sure he was braver. He padded up beside his friends, between 'Tani and Scamp. His eyes widened.

"Whoa...so cool!" He cried. It wasn't loud but he wasn't quiet either.

Reuben was still following his friend. Hmm, dark caves? not good most of the time, good thing I'm following them. "Ouch!" Reuben yelped. He had stubbed his toe when he wasn't paying attention.

His ears pricking as he heard the shout, Scamp spun around to face the source of the sound - and collided with Mooch as he did so, sending them both to the ground.
"We're being followed." he said, glancing back the way they'd come. He couldn't see anyone; the glow from up ahead gave only enough light to make out the shapes of his friends, not enough to light any further in that direction.

Vitani whirrled around, claws unsheated and her dagger-like teeth barred. Her first thought was Scar's hyenas. Perhaps they had been spotted on their way into the cave. She knew that they would have trouble trying to fend off hyenas.

"Who's there!" she growled.

"Owowowowow!" Reuben muttered under his breath. At least I'm out of their earshot so they wont here me

Mooch shrugged and trotted closer to the lights. He hadn't heard anything, nor had he bothered to try to hear or smell anything. As he ran he called after his friends.

"C'mon guys!" He barked, "Who cares who it is? Let's go! It's probably that squishy alien thingy anyway. He's too lame to follow us anyway." He ran towards the entrance where the light was and immediately slipped and fell.

Scamp turned to follow Mooch. He was probably right, it likely would just be the experiment. Some people just wouldn't take 'no' for an answer.
"Come on, 'Tani." he said, nudging her with his nose towards the direction Mooch was heading in. "He won't be able to keep up once we get further in."

'Tani made to follow Scamp and Mooch, she was sure that she had heard something. Giving the cave entrance one last glance she trotted after her friends. She quickly stopped beside Mooch who was lying on the ground and nudged him.

"You won't see anything much from down there." she said. She glanced at Scamp before trying to help Mooch to his paws again.

"Hehe...thanks 'Tani." He smiled. She was kind. Unlike Two-Tone who was cruel sometimes for no reason. Must be why she was a villain. Unlike 'Tani, the lion cub who to Mooch was sweet, nice and pure. He gave her a punch on the shoulder playfully with his paw and smiled kindly without a word before continuing on. He was the leader after all.

"Let's see," he said, "Maybe this way. Or this way. Or...ummm..." He checked behind him hoping his friends were not loosing faith in his leadership.

Scamp couldn't help but roll his eyes. Barely even into the cave, and Mooch was already getting lost. "Stand aside." he grinned playfully, taking a step past Mooch. "Let a real dog show you how to do this." He sniffed the air, before resorting to his eyes. "The glow's brightest that way." he observed, pointing to the leftmost tunnel, which sloped downwards.

Vitani smiled at Mooch, and rolled her eyes at Scamp. Why did the dogs have to assume leadership? Did they really need a leader? It didn't bother her that much but it was just a thought. Vitani gave a few cautionary sniffs, all she could smell was dust and damp and another smell...she couldn't quite place it but it definately didn't smell of hyenas or other Outlanders, possibly a Pridelander had been down here recently?

"C'mon guys." Vitani said before cautiously taking a few steps down the sloping tunnel.

Mooch snorted as Scamp tried to lok cool. That's what he was doing in Mooch's eyes. Of course the dog couldn't be so uncool if Mooch wanted to hang out with him. He wagged his tail and walked down the slope.

He wanted to be the first to see it. To see the crystals 'Tani had talked about.

"Come on 'Tani," he growled, "Are there really crystals down here?" He snorted a laugh. "You didn't bring us down here to kill us didja girl?"