The trip out West had taken the group a little bit of time to cover but the boy’s spirits are high as they near Insomnia’s lands. The sun is high in the sky, marking almost dead on noon, as excitement at the moments to come, courses hotly through Calico Jack’s veins. Without pausing, he leads the Raiders up to and over the borders, where he does not hesitate to release a challenging call for the pack.

Jack is eager to get some fights going, to feel the familiar high that the adrenaline brings during it and the deep, peaceful slumber that usually follows a raid. Tongue lolls out of the side of his mouth as he leads the group onward, ready and eager to prove himself. Rivin's necklace thumps rhythmically against his chest, beating a song that his heart is yearning to answer.

"Calico Jack"

Flurry felt the excitement mounting as they moved west, she had a lot on her mind true but there was nothing like a good old fashioned raid to distract her and get her blood pumping. As they move a grin starts to tug at her lips and by the time they get to their target she is practically vibrating, all that energy and hopefully an outlet just on the horizon. She kept herself alert, watching and waiting for signs or signals to tell her the fight was well and truly on. There wouldn't be a pretty purple princess to flirt with this time sadly but hey... What were the chances they had a horse right? Silver linings? And hey, maybe if they were lucky and actually won this time she'd get a cool cape... She'd like that. "Speech"

Art by Honrin

Another raid, another pack. Scald wasn't sure if he should be excited or bored. Maybe it was because he didn't quite get the same thrill of fighting as the others did. Either way, he would go to support Jack, his father, and the Raiders. Whether he left with Deluge or not, he would always have his family's back and Jack was family. The last time he had been this far west had been in search of his sister when she'd inevitably gotten lost on an island. Old memories have him laughing silently to himself as they make the trek. Following his sisters, Scald takes up closer to the rear. He doesn't mind being in the back. It'll only mean they'll get attacked first and he can pick up the weaker ones that don't necessarily want to fight. Was it cheap? Sure. Did he care? Nope. Pulling up alongside Flurry, he smirks at his sister before moving off toward the side to get a good look at this pack he wasn't familiar with. S C A L D

Gilgamesh was not disappointed at Jack's choice. While he had not been out west in a while, he did know of this pack. Insomnia led by Medusa. Ah, yes, the odd skeletal woman who was actually pretty decent at fighting. Maybe she would have some good fighters in her pack as well. The idea interested the Raid King as he followed Calico Jack across Boreas. Though their journey would be a slightly long one, he didn't mind getting out to stretch his legs. Plus, a break from those gremlins he called pups was nice too. For as much shit he got from Modesty for leaving, he knew she'd forgive him... Eventually.

His emotions shift from pride to excitement as they approach the border. There is no hesitation as they cross it and Calico Jack's call rings out. A smirk pulls at his lips as his paws eat up the ground, thumping in perfect tune to the war song playing in his head. Surely they would win this one!

"speech"

Sparrow's apathy has broken and now all she felt was raw rage. She knew her path forward and that path was covered in blood. Her son couldn't have planned a better pack to raid, though she hadn't voiced as much. She kept to herself these days, her thoughts only her own.

Sparrow's cropped short fur rippled over tense muscles as she followed the group into the pack. She had people to beat and answers to get. Sparrow's eyes scanned the horizon for her, unaware that some other familiar faces would surely appear in the raid. She wasn't eager or excited, just raw and ready.

Medusa hummed as she lay on her back just outside of her den, counting clouds and figuring out what shapes they seemed to make. Bunny. Bird. A tree maybe? That one was definitely a crooked ball or a misshaped head! She giggled before she stretched her limbs over her head. Today was a lazy day. Later, she and Rue would go get into some herby shit. But for now? For now, she was content to just- hm? Her ears perked up at the sound. A howl. A call. It takes her a moment to register it in her lazy daze, but then she realizes that it's a call for a challenge. A familiar call. One that she's issued over and over on the battlefield. She immediately flipped over onto her feet, scraggly fur and lanky frame stretching out before she grinned and darted into her den to grab her gear. The bones of her skeletal armor rattle as she easily slips into them, the skull propped up on her head as she darts back out. She issues a howl of her own, a call to summon the Insomniacs to join her to meet their visitors. She didn't care whether or not her own would try to take a piece of the trespassers, it was their choice if they wanted to try. Seymour flies off to scout ahead, and Medusa is right behind his shadow. She knows these lands well, though the Dancefloor wasn't really tricky to navigate to begin with. Medusa doesn't like trespassers, but she does adore a fight! She spotted the first one leading the charge, and so the Wraith raced straight toward him, tipping her head so that the skull piece dropped over her face, and a wild grin and cackle left her lips as she drew closer like a bat out of Hell! She attempts to come in at Jack's right side, the lanky-legged Wraith aiming straight for his flank in a full-on assault to plow into him and potentially knock him ass-first to the ground. "Welcome to Insomnia! Have a souvenir!" She cackles before she lunges, teeth seeking to grab his hip. If she were lucky, this guy would leave with a nice bite mark to commemorate this first assault on her pack! Medusa vs Calico Jack for Dominance Round: 1/? Age: Over 1yr Size: Extra large Build: Light Offensive Battle Accessory: Sharpened claw covers Defensive Battle Accessory: Wolf skeleton Companion 1: Wolverine, Female - Battle Companion 2: Cougar, Female - Battle *Companion 3: Lesser yellow-headed vulture, Male - Battle Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter Specialty: Weaponsmaster "Medusa"

He followed young Calico Jack to their target. Insomnia was a pack he vaguely knew about, and knew who the leader was, but hadn't checked the pack out itself. Medusa was both a formidable fighter and hunter. He'd seen her in action on both occasions, and had a few run-ins with her, and though he knew she was pretty strange, her abilities and skill were something not to undermine. She was the feral sort and had a strange way of doing things, but she always seemed to get her shit done. At least, that was his experience in the handful of times he had hunted with her in the past. The Raiders crossed the borders into Insomnia's territory, the Crimson male kept alert for any would-be surprises, and so far, as the group breached the lines, Medusa herself had appeared and went straight for Calico Jack. He paused to watch the scene, his companions keeping alert for any oncoming attacks.


"Speech"

Another raid...he didn't know how this one would go, but he'd be damned if he bowed out. His father would think him even more incapable. A coward probably, if he refused to go. The young devil was tired of losing, but he knew absolutely nothing about this pack or who led it, let alone what sorts of wolves lived here. He growled as they breached the borders, and it wasn't long before someone was racing toward Calico Jack, a wild cackle piercing the air as she launched an assault on him. Ears folded back, was that their leader? She was...strange... "Speak"

Ghoul had been hanging with Mac and Cricket. Which was something he did practically every day unless Medusa needed him. Living in Insomnia had been treating him well and he couldn't complain. What he hadn't been telling the others was that he was plagued nightly with nightmares. Except the one night his mother visited him. Seeing her had almost tipped him over the edge. A bitter taste lingered at the back of his throat as he tried to keep the dark thoughts away. In a sense, he was thankful when the calling howl rang out. Not from Medusa, but from a stranger. Both of his ears perked up as he looked to Cricket and then Mac. "Come if you want, or stay put," he said in a gruff tone before taking off with his fighting gear easily slipping on over his head and paws. Eating up the ground at a fast pace, he was quick behind Medusa who was already charging into battle. Before he went rushing in, his ruby eyes scanned the hoard of Raiders until they landed on a brown-coated female that was slightly larger than him. Suddenly, the story from Galho came rushing back to him. The pack scent was undeniable. "Sparrow!" The roaring yell left his lips as he turned and went straight for the ex-Pirate King. He knew that she didn't know who he was, but surely the pale coat and red eyes would be a clear indicator. As the feet turned into inches and his bulky form came to meet her, he did not hold back. Lunging forward, Ghoul snaps at Sparrow's face and aims to land a bite on her cheek and hopefully tear away some flesh. As he pulls his head back, he is still shoving his body forward to try and slam into her. "You owe me answers," he growls under his breath. Ghoul Klein

Ghoul vs Sparrow for Maim Answers about his mother's murder
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Claw gloves
Defensive Battle Accessory: Wolf skull mask
Companion 1: Albino dwarf caiman, Female - Battle
Companion 2: Albino dwarf caiman, Male - Battle
*Companion 3: Albino dwarf caiman, Male - Battle
Skills: Master Hunter & Master Fighter
Specialty: Relentless or Mangler

Vulcan wasnt expecting a raid this soon but he knew the world was always changing; nothing was set in stone. Nothing was to be taken as safe, safety was an illusion he had long ago learned about, learned to always accept what life threw at him head-on. He placed his spiked leather armor on his upper neck and with a howl he called his new companion, Flame a female Peregrine Falcon who flew by his side as he rushed to the battlefield. But what his eyes saw made him stop on his tracks for a second. "Father?!" He hadn't see him in years now, and to find him in such a comical situation was mindblowing.

But knowing this wasn't the space nor moment for a family reunion(At least a less aggressive one), he needed to fight. And as such he picked a target, he could have gone for his father, but he didn't want to fight him(yet). Not without answers first. So he went for the next wolf he saw(Diablo), Unknown to him that he was his younger brother. He snarled as he aimed to go from behind, attempting to slam his right shoulder into his brother's rear(tail base), aiming to hopefully knock him off balance as he aimed to firmly bite anywhere he could reach.

Vulcan vs Diablo for Dominance(Raid)
Round 1/??
Age: +1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Defensive Battle Accessory: Spiked Leather Neck Armor
Companion 1: Peregrine Falcon, Female - 41"
Skills: Advanced Fighter & Intermediate Hunter

hi "speech"

code by shaz

Hed been polishing his weapons all morning. Winter appeoached and despite himself he needed to beprepared. Then he heard the alpha call. Eraithus quickly snatched up his antler chestpiece and bear skull armor. Hed been aching for a good fight since his scars healed. Low and behold eraithus growled. "Kick her ass ghoul!" his ears pinned as the blue man picked out a target further into the line.

His target was scald. Quickly Eraithus snarled throwinf himself into the fray of things. Teach them to try and raid insomnia. Eraithus swung his antlers to the left attempting to sweep them across scalds chest. His head lowered, hackles rising. Glad that his new bear skull would protect his head during these types of altercations. If sparrow was around after this, she had some questions to answer.

Eraithus vs scald for dominance
Round 1/2
Age: over 1 year
Size: Large
Build: Medium
Offensive Battle Accessory: Antler chestpiece
Defensive Battle Accessory: Bear skull
Companion 1: Snowy Owl, Female - Battle
Skills: Beginner Intellectual & Expert Fighter

The sound of an unfamiliar call, let alone a call to arms, was enough to tip Veigar over the edge. Intruders - for real this time, not like the last time she'd ran into a sole unfamiliar wolf - were here, and they were ready to fight. He had no choice but to head to the call as quickly as he could, slowly when he approached the group that had begun to gather. He tried to assess what was going on without his sight. A few wolves were already brawling and he caught the scent of a few of his packmates here as well. Some knew he was without sight now, some had no idea - he'd sequestered himself away for so long that he wouldn't be surprised if half of Insomnia didn't even know he was around anymore. Time to change that though, not that he necessarily wanted that option, but curling up in a hole somewhere and dying didn't sound like a great plan either. Donning his bracers he'd join the fray, moving slowly and cautiously. Already his luminescent markings begin to brighten, already agitated, both at the intruders and his own lack of ability to properly fend them off. Trying to get his bearings was hard, but he caught the scent of a female and decided to run with it. Didn't know shit about her but it didn't matter. Clearly this pack meant to inflict violence and Veigar would return it to the best of his ability. Once Flurry was within closer distance he did a strange little dance, approaching fast and aiming to bump her side with his nose. Once he got a proper orientation on her and had a decent idea of how she was standing, he dove backwards and then forward again, aiming his parted jaws at the side of her neck. He had no idea if the attack would land, but he acted as such, his jaw swinging and his paws aiming for her side, somewhat frantically trying to hit and attack wherever he could, unable to really anticipate her movements let alone react to them. Veigar vs Flurry for Dominance Round 1 / ? Age: Over 1 Year Size: Large Build: Light Defensive Battle Accessory: Leather foreleg bracers Disability: Full blindness - Severe Skills: Advanced Fighter & Beginner Intellectual

Things were finally starting to settled down for the once-stressed mother. She rescued her daughter and although it had been rough settling back in, and learning to trust, she still had her moments. As long as one of her companions were alongside Cryptis keeping an eye on her, then she couldn't be too upset. Her daughter was growing up after all, but she was afraid of giving her too much freedom. Of course, she didn't believe that she herself had turned back with the freedom her mother gave her, but given that she had just gotten her daughter back from being kidnapped, it was hard for Widow to believe that it wouldn't happen again.

Or would it?

The call of a challenge rang out across the dancefloor and Widow was on her paws faster than she could blink. She didn't know where her daughter was at the moment, but hopefully she could trust that she would not try to defend off these wolves. Of course it was just a raid, they were here for resources not wolves, but the stench of pirates in the air made her stomach sick. She fucking hated the pirates, and even if they smelled a little different, there was no doubt it was just the same group of water-logged idiots under a new idiot king.

She grabbed her staff and cloak before she tore across the dancefloor with her companions in tow. Others had already collided in battle before her, she could see Medusa taking on a calico looking wolf but her attention was quickly drawn to a very bright red man that seemed to be looking around and otherwise not doing anything. Perfect.

Charging towards the man, he was still a ways out when she grabbed her staff between her jaws and pulled it from it's strap. Fangs sank into the familiar notches her teeth had made before as she clenched around the weapon, her ribs expanding with each heavy breath as she approached. Dipping her head down with the weighted end of her staff towards her right, she sought to whack the front of the man's forelimbs as she ran towards and parallel to him.

"Speech!"

Widow vs Ignis for Dominance
Round 1/?
Age: Over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Witches staff
Defensive Battle Accessory: Hooded cloak
Companion 1: Common raven, Female - Battle
Companion 2: Domestic short-haired cat, Female - Battle - boosted
*Companion 3: Common Raven, Male - Battle
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Dexterous paws - Offensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Intellectual
Specialty: Professor


Code © Rex 2023

The Raiders cross into Insomnia lands, announcing their arrival for all who wish appear and face them. An answering, rallying call rings from with the lands and the excitement now crashes into him like waves. Jolly Roger caws an alert and the boy turns his head to find a skeletal marked woman bearing down on him. With a small yelp of alarm, he shifts forward, getting almost of his body clear of her charge.

However, the taller woman does manage to clip his butt, forcing his hips to skew and Jack suddenly has to fight to stay upright. The woman’s words and cackling laughter barely have time to register before he feels a sharp pain in his right hip. With a loud, “OUCH!” Jack pivots to turn and face the woman head on. As he moves, the boy cheerful says, “Thank you! This is my first time leading a raid! Need a scar to remember you by.”

Joy sparkles in his eyes as he lunges toward the woman, seeking to try and latch onto the underside of her throat. Maybe, if he can control her head, Calico Jack can pull her down to the ground and pin her.




Calico Jack vs Medusa for Dominance
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Modified cutlass
Defensive Battle Accessory: Reinforced bandana
Companion 1: Macaw, Male - Flying
Companion 2: Cat, Male - Battle
Skills: Master Fighter & Expert Navigator
Specialty: Marauder


"Calico Jack"

The boy is spunky, she likes that! She earned a yelp when she hit her mark, another bubble of maniacal laughter slipping free as chaos ensued around her. From the corner of her eye, her dear little hyenas started bearing down on the intruders and she couldn't be more proud of the ferocity in which they were defending their territory! Her infamous Cheshire grin spreads beneath the skull on her head as she returns most of her focus back to the calico youth in front of her. "Congratulations! Medusa can do that!" She responded quickly just before he sought to take a jab at her throat. "Eep!" She instinctively tucks her head in, guarding her throat for a split second before she continues to propel herself forward, using her momentum as she raises her forelegs up to wrap around either side of his neck, seeking to entangle her sharpened claw covers into the fur and skin on the back of his neck, and should he try to pull away, maybe he'd get that scar he was asking for. Then, like a jack in the box, she throws her head forward in an effort to knock his skull with the skull piece she wore dead center on his forehead. Maybe she could turn his brain to mush before the fight was done! Medusa vs Calico Jack for Dominance Round: 2/2 Age: Over 1yr Size: Extra large Build: Light Offensive Battle Accessory: Sharpened claw covers Defensive Battle Accessory: Wolf skeleton Companion 1: Wolverine, Female - Battle Companion 2: Cougar, Female - Battle *Companion 3: Lesser yellow-headed vulture, Male - Battle Skills: Master Fighter & Master Hunter Specialty: Weaponsmaster "Medusa"

Sparrow didn't have long to contemplate her answers as the Insomnia Bitch went after Jack and he in return. She wanted that opportunity, but another soon found its way to her. A younger wolf called her name, but when she looked, no familiarity flagged in her mind initially. She'd seen other albinos in her life, and this young adult didn't bear any of the same markings she recalled on anyone. Without much time to think, the wolf attacked, which made since because they were raiding. Well, this was just an obstacle in the way of getting to Medusa.

Sparrow didn't flinch back as the man latched onto her cheek. The sharp pain gave way to something akin to catharsis, but not quite. He wasn't who she wanted, the pain felt unsatisfying. Sparrow pushed forward, trying to topple the man and land a bite of her own on the boney part of his maw. The sooner she could shove him away, the sooner she could go after Medusa.

Sparrow vs Ghoul for Maim (I don't owe you shit)
Round 1/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Sword
Defensive Battle Accessory: Reinforced pirate hat
Companion 1: Harlequin Macaw, Female - Flying - Boosted
Companion 2: Capuchin monkey, Male - Battle
*Companion 3: Mushroom mutated housecat - Battle - Boosted
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Bone spurs - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Knight

His teeth clamp down on her cheek and he feels nothing. Even with blood, skin, and fur filling his jaw, there’s no sensation. No thrill, no excitement. All he wanted was to know who killed his mother. Who had ripped her from his life all too soon? Fury over that, displaced upon this woman he barely knew, urged him forward.

Ghoul feels her slam into him as her teeth grab onto his jaw. Pain radiates across his face but he doesn’t care. She can tear him up all she wants. She could try to topple him over, but he would do the same. Shoving back against her, he hoped he won. Then maybe he could force her to answer his questions.

Ghoul vs Sparrow for Maim (I still want answers, bitch)
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Extra large
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Claw gloves
Defensive Battle Accessory: Wolf skull mask
Companion 1: Albino dwarf caiman, Female - Battle
Companion 2: Albino dwarf caiman, Male - Battle
*Companion 3: Albino dwarf caiman, Male - Battle
Skills: Master Hunter & Master Fighter
Specialty: Relentless or Mangler

Sparrow didn't know what answers she was supposed to owe this man or if she even had any to give him, but it seemed he was confused about something. Maybe he was sick in the head. She once heard albinism was a defect and some said you got defects from being inbred, so maybe that was what was wrong with him. It wasn't Sparrow's problem to figure out and she had no intentions of sticking around to make it her problem.

As the man pushed into her, Sparrow twisted and tried to gain the upper ground with her weight alone. She attempted to wrap her legs over him and shove him down. If she was lucky, maybe she'd snap his neck in the process.

Sparrow vs Ghoul for Maim (I don't owe you shit)
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1
Size: Dire wolf
Build: Heavy
Offensive Battle Accessory: Sword
Defensive Battle Accessory: Reinforced pirate hat
Companion 1: Harlequin Macaw, Female - Flying - Boosted
Companion 2: Capuchin monkey, Male - Battle
*Companion 3: Mushroom mutated housecat - Battle - Boosted
Mutation 1: Cat claws - Offensive
Mutation 2: Bone spurs - Defensive
Skills: Master Fighter & Master Navigator
Specialty: Knight

Calico Jack stifles a laugh as he reaches toward the woman’s throat, her sound of alarm almost too much for him to not laugh at. For the boy, the fights and raiding are all just fun, a way to sharpen their skills and come together as a pack. Besides, having the name Raiders kind of means they have a reputation to live up to. The woman tucks her neck instinctively as he lunges toward her and her next move is not totally unexpected. Knowing that height often plays a part fights, he is ready and raises his own front end off the ground in a mirror to her movements.

The sharpened claw covers dig deeply into his flesh as she warps her forelegs around his neck but Jack refuses to back down and moves to try and wrap his own legs around the woman’s shoulders. Now, being young and more than a little stupid, the boy has taken part in headbutt challenges because… well, why not? So, as skeletal marked woman suddenly moves her head in a bid to knock him silly, the boy knows exactly what to do.

With a sharp laugh of happiness, Calico Jack’s ears flatten against his skull and his neck bunches in preparation for the hit that is to come. At the same time, he moves to aims his own forehead toward hers in the hopes to connecting solidly with the woman’s skull.



Calico Jack vs Medusa for Dominance
Round 2/2
Age: Over 1 year
Size: Extra large
Build: Light
Offensive Battle Accessory: Modified cutlass
Defensive Battle Accessory: Reinforced bandana
Companion 1: Macaw, Male - Flying
Companion 2: Cat, Male - Battle
Skills: Master Fighter & Expert Navigator
Specialty: Marauder


"Calico Jack"

Rivin felt her stomach flutter. Had they not been off on a raid, she would have chosen to walk beside Jack, to talk to him about… what exactly? Did it matter? She felt at ease near him, but for now she lingered at the back of the group, considering what they might do after the raid was over. She wanted to clean up the mess her family was in, but mostly she wanted to talk to Jack about her shift in rank, and ask if he might want to sit with her when the weather warmed so she could work in the garden. Working alone was fine, but the yearling found herself yearning more for his company. He was a light in her darkness. Warmth to her cold. And Rivin knew she needed him now more than ever.

But arriving at the site of the raid she needed to put those feelings aside. The wolves of Insomnia would rise to meet the challenge of the raiders and Rivin would let her gaze flick across the pairs briefly. So many wolves… she’d never get used to the chaos that occurred at raids. At her side Feng licked his lips, eagerly seeking out an opponent to sink his needle sharp fangs into. Lark would remain close to Rivin’s other side, a support for the red streaked girl. “Are you sure you should have come, Rivin? Your neck wound is not fully healed… an opponent could tear it open again…”[/color] The cat spoke with concern. Rivin frowned but didn’t speak, keeping her defenses set in case a wolf dared come at her.

"Speech," 'Thought.'