It had only been a few days after Mine and Langshii's talk in the den...we were out foraging when the howl of another lupe was heard. Langshii lifted her head to get the message from the other lupe, and I tried my best to do the same.
What are they saying Langshii?
Hunters...in our territory....very close...
She lifted her nose to the air and sniffed a few times. A look of great seriousness appeared on her face.
I can't believe I didn't smell them before...they've got tracking gelerts with them...and they're on our trail.
Almost immediately after Langshii finished her sentence, we heard the bay of a gelert on our trail. We knew that it was accompanied by hunters and more gelerts. Langshii turned to me.
Run Growlsar.
The two of us ran quite a distance, but we were unable to shake the hunters. Not only that, but they were gaining on us.
What should we do Langshii?
If we stop they'll be on us in no time...follow me, I know a safe place.
Langshii led me to a narrow looking tunnel in the side of a rock, where we finally stopped. I looked at her face. She seemed to be very troubled, and thinking deeply about something. She then lowered her ears and turned her shining brown eyes to me.
Growlsar, I want you to go inside the tunnel and follow it to the end. It'll take you to a safe place.
Okay...you're coming with me aren't you?
No Growlsar...I have to stay here.
What?! But if you stay the hunters will find you..
And if I go with you they'll just follow are trail and find us both....I can't let them find you Growlsar. I can't let your life be wasted...
No! I won't leave you alone to them!
There's no timeGrowlsar." She moved over to a boulder next to the tunnel entrance and began to push it over the entrance...leaving me inside. Before I could try to get out the space was too small...I could only see a small glimpse of her face. She was crying.

Please run Growlsar, run and be safe...Remember everything...
She finished pushing the boulder over the entrance, and was gone. I pushed, clawed, and screamed. The rock wouldn't move. Outside I could hear the barking Gelerts...Langshii snarling...fighting....gunshots. I beat at the rock with all the force I could muster. Why it didn't budge I'll never know. Beneath all my struggling, all I could hear outside was silence. A horrible, cold, sick feeling filled me. I felt everything around me spinning. Hot tears flooded down my face as I uselessly pounded on the rock.
Langshii....

LANGSHII!!!

It's all a blur to me now...what happened after that. But I must've evenually gone down the tunnel. The next thing I can remember was sitting all alone in the cave that the tunnel had lead to. I was alone with my thoughts...thoughts of Langshii. Never had the thought occured to me that I would have to live without her. She was dead, and it was all my fault. I said that I would protect her, and I failed. I didn't deserve to live for that. What good was I anyway? A disgusting mutant...it should have been me who died. Now I was all alone...just as I was meant to be. Everything was numb to me. All I could do was grieve and cry.

A while later, my ears picked up some faint flapping noises in the silence...but it didn't mean anything to me. Then, something was coming towards me, almost in clear sight. It was too dark to see exactly what it was. I squinted, but the small object lifted into the air. I could hear it flapping above me, and stopping at a stalagtite just over my head. By the sounds I guessed it must be a korbat. I ignored it and lowered my head again, holding back more sobs.
Hey, what's yer problem? Not polite enough to say hi?" A voice said from above me. I didn't respond. I didn't want to.
Aw wassa matter? Litte baby lupe all lost and alone? Came to a cave to cry?
How can you tell if I'm crying or not?" I asked bitterly.
Ears like mine don't miss much. So I'd appreciate if you'd pipe down while I relax.
Don't tell me what to do...you don't even know what I've been through.
Join the club kid...it probably ain't such a big deal.
Be quiet! You don't know what you're talking about!
Alright, then enlighten me.
Someone I loved...she..she died."
Well don't waste yer time cryin' about it too long kid...you'll get over it.
How can you say that? You didn't even know her! She didn-...didn't deserve to...
Kid, if I cried for every pet that died in these woods I'd be all dried up. It happens.
Well, it shouldn't." The voice sighed.
Okay kid...would you feel any better if I let ya tell me what happened? Sometimes that helps...and it might help shut ya up."
I thought about it....telling someone else might help, just slightly.
Alright."
I heard the flapping noises come from abovem e again...I knew the stranger I'd been talking to was flying down to where I was. Sure enough, he was a korbat. But he was very different-looking. His fur was a light greenish color, his ears were exceptionally huge. Ruffled moss-green fur went around his neck. Where normal korbat paws should be, there were jagged claws. One of them was holding a claw-matoe. His tail was longer and thicker than most korbats, and his eyes were red...like mine.
You....You're a mutant!
Heh...look who's talkin'.
I'm sorry...I just haven't seen another mutant since I escaped the lab...you're not from there are you?
Wha? Who me? No, I ain't never been near one of those.
Well then, how did you become a mutant?
Eh, just a few too many run-ins with the esophagor...I er...stole some food from him once or twice...or three times... He hid the claw-matoe behind his back. He caught me once a while back...and 'punished' me by makin' me like this. Heh, it don't bother me at all. Now I'm just faster and smarter than that old lump! The only thing that really hurt was this...He pointed to two claw marks going over one of his eyes. But we weren't gonna talk about me...we were gonna talk about you, remember?

And so I told him. I told him everything. The lab, my family...Langshii. And he listened. I told him that I just wanted to give up, that I didn't want to live without her.
You can't be serious kid! That means that lupe wasted all of her time teachin' you. Givin' up now means that she died for nothing. You don't want it to be like that do ya?
No!
Then ya gotta bounce back kid. Be strong, remember what she taught ya and live your life by that. If you do that, a part of her will always be alive with you.
But...how can I do that?
Keep her words in mind...they'll show ya what you need to do.
I...don't understand.
You'll see what I mean...and when ya do, I'll be back to see you." He started to flap away.
Wait! I don't even know how I'll find you!
You'll find me...just ask for Stitchwings!
And then he was gone. At first, I didn't understand what he had been saying at all. So I thought about it, long and hard. I lay here for hours on end, pondering his words and Langshii's. I thought about her until I could see her in my mind's eye...hear her voice in my head.
There are others out there like you Growlsar....you'll show them the beauty of their own lives.
That...that was it! I knew what she meant, I knew what Stitchwings meant. Without another thought, I made my way out of the cave, back into the haunted woods and on a trail to a place I'd been before. I knew what I had to do....


Taking Action
I didn't have much trouble at all finding the old laboratory...just seeing it again sent chills down my spine. But I wasn't going to let chills stop me from doing what I had to do. Night had fallen, and the grundo guards night vision wasn't as good as mine. They couldn't see me as I padded silently to the back wall, where inside I knew more mutant pets were being held against their wills. Using my huge claws, I dug hard and fast into the ground, forming a tunnel that lead from the outside to inside the lab. It was a little tough, but I was able to bust through the tile floor and into the room. I saw what I expected, several mutant pets locked away in cages. Some of them were new additions, others were the ones who hadn't made it out before. I recognized one of them, and old mutant moehog who'd been at the lab before I had.
1117...is that you?" He asked. I smiled.
It's me.
Are you crazy? What are you doing back here?
I'm getting all of you out of here...every one of you.
I saw all of them looking at me like I was nuts. I just grinned and spit a huge wad of acid onto the wire for the cages. This time it was out of reach for the imprisoned pets, but not for me.
Everyone, break your bars, now!
They all looked uncertain, but decided it was best not to miss this chance. They all broke through the bars, and I directed them to the tunnel. I stayed behind while they all went through. I knew the guards would be in there at any second... Just as the last pet got through, the grundo guards ran into the room. Unfortunately for them, the only thing there to greet them was me.

Let's just say that I gave the guards quite a lesson before I went out through the tunnel myself. I met up with the other mutants, who had been waiting for me the whole time. I told those who could move fast to run as fast as they possibly could, as far from here as possible. I told the slower pets to stay close to me. We were moving out when I heard the siren sound. I knew that the rest of the guards would be on our trail in no time. I started running, the slower mutants going as fast as they could behind me. It looked like we were in the clear when I noticed that the old moehog had stopped. He was just too tired to keep running.
Please...leave me here. It'd be a waste to save a creature like me. Take the others and go.
No...you deserve a chance at life, just like you did when you were young. Just like we all do.
I hoisted the moehog onto my back and ran, making sure the others didn't fall behind. I knew that I wouldn't stop until I'd given them back their freedom....

We ran for miles, and the guards never found us. Once I was sure that we were safe, I sat down and spoke to the others.
You're all free now...you can live your lives however, and wherever you want. Don't think that you have to be confined to these woods just because of the way you look. Other pets will tell you otherwise, but you have the right to live normally just as much as normal pets do. You can go now. Remember...your lives are all beautiful...the most beautiful things you'll ever know.
As they were walking away, all of the mutants turned to me and smiled.
Thank you.
The moehog said. They all went in their seperate directions...I knew that they would remember what I told them. I smiled. A wonderful sense of satisfaction and happiness came to me...I could almost feel Langshii by my side...

For a while I went back to the life of a lone lupe...hunting on my own, travelling through the woods...Every now and then I'd come across a pet in danger. They weren't always mutants, but I was always willing to help. One day though, I met a creature I'd never seen before...

I could hear small cries of protest coming from a clearing in the haunted woods. I lowered my ears and went to see what it was. I saw a large group of grarrls gathered around someone. They were taunting the creature and laughing at it. I knew that they were playing with it before they decided to eat it. I moved closer, and got a better look at whatever it was that the grarrls were tormenting. It was a two-legged hairless thing..It looked like a female. She was backed up against a rock and had no way to escape. Whatever she was, I couldn't let the grarrls continue what they were doing to her. Grarrls didn't even belong in the woods. I stalked over to where they were. I watched curiously as the strange creature picked up a small rock and threw it at one of the grarrls. He roared angrily and made a lunge for the creature. Without thinking I sprang in front of her, bristling and warning him not to harm her.

I hadn't thought about the fact that I was no match for a group of large grarrls. As soon as that occured to me I turned to the two-legged girl.
Run!
She didn't question me. The two of us ducked underneath one of the grarrls legs and took off. Just as I thought, they ran after us. I saw that the creature wasn't running on all fours, and that was slowing her down. I slowed down to her pace, but I knew they would catch up soon. I took every twist and turn that I knew, but we couldn't shake them...and soon I took a wrong turn and we wound up at the edge of a cliff. I slapped myself inside for making such a mistake. Now the grarrls really had us cornered...I watched as the two legged picked up a stick. She was preparing herself for battle. She smiled at me half-confidently. I smiled back and bared my fangs at the oncoming enemy. The grarrls stomped toward us, their leader grinning. Suddenly I had an idea. I glanced over the edge of the cliff and saw that there was a deep lake at the bottom. Turning to the two-legged, I motioned toward the edge. I think that she understood what I wanted to do...cause she looked even more nervous.
Jump, now!
To the grarrl's amazement, the two-legged and myself leapt off the cliff. The both of us screamed, and she grabbed onto my neck. All I could do was keep yelling and pray that we wouldn't be killed...

I don't remember actually hitting the water...that's cause I was knocked out. When I came to, I found myself in a small confined place...it was made of stone with a few large rocks placed here and there. I was lying on a pile of straw neatly gathered in one area, and tightly tied together. My fur was dry, and I felt a stinging in my paw. I looked down and saw that it had some kind of white thing wrapped around it.

I bent down to sniff it when I heard footsteps. I lifted up my head and bristled my fur. Then I noticed that it was the two-legged.
You're awake!" She said.
What's going on here...where am I?
This is my home...or what there is of it so far.
Why did you bring me here?" I didn't want to sound rude or anything, but I had every right to be cautious.
Oh, I'm sorry...when we fell, the impact knocked you out. I brought you to the surface and took you home to dry off. You hit your paw on a rock..I bandaged it up for you.
She smiled. What strange behavior...most strangers I'd encountered had never acted so...friendly. I was still a bit suspicious.
Why did you do that?
You saved my life...I couldn't just leave you to drown."
I looked at her for a bit...I hadn't been expecting anything in return for helping her. But it's not like I was unhappy about it. Well...thank you.
Thank you too. I would've been grarrl bait if it weren't for you. By the way...my name's Wildandloose. But you can just call me Wild for short.
Alright...I'm called Growlsar.
Nice to meet you...hey why do you look so confused?
Well don't get the wrong idea by my saying this but..aren't you afraid? Of me?"
No...am I supposed to be?
No. It's just that most pets I've encountered are afraid of the way I look.
Well first of all, that's a ridiculous way to act...and secondly, I'm not a neopet.
Not a neopet? Then...what are you?
I'm a human.
I had no idea what a human was. I'd never met or seen one before. I asked some more questions, and eventually Wild had explained to me that there were thousands of humans living all over neopia, and that most neopets had one. Neopets and humans took care of each other...sort of like a small pack I suppose. I sat and listened with great interest. I'd never heard of anything like it. When she was done telling me everything, she stretched her arms up and yawned.
You can stay here for the night if you want to...I know that the bed and everything isn't very comfortable...
On the contrary...it's actually a lot like a lupe's den.
That's what you are, right?
What?
A lupe...you're a lupe aren't you?
Yes, that's what I am.
I've seen lupes before...not to offend you or anything, but you're very...different looking.
That's not how it always was...that's not how it was meant to be...
She was a very curious creature. She kept asking questions about me. About becoming a mutant..everything. Before I realized it, I was telling her everything about my life. Even about Langshii, and losing her. Wild in turn told me about her past...She was a human unlike the others. All of her friends had come to neopia and found a perfect neopet for themselves, almost immediately. She searched for days, in the create a pet building and the adoption center. But she never felt that special connection that's supposed to happen between a human and pet. Her friends looked down on her for that, and more or less abandoned her. Her loneliness also tended to push other pets away. So she became a wanderer, making her home in the haunted woods where no one would bother her.
Sometimes, some stray ghost or neopet would stop to pick on me...asking me things like 'aw, where's your pet little girl?' Usually a good glare, or even a lesson from my fist would shut them up. But as you saw that doesn't work on grarrls.
Maybe you shouldn't be so cold Wild...don't you want to find a neopet for yourself one day?
Of course I would...but after all this time it's become clear that a person like me could never have a pet...I was never meant to, and I just have to accept that.
I realized something then. She was just like me...not a mutant, but an outcast. She was falling into the same pit of despair that I had. I had to help her.
That's not true Wild...you deserve a chance to have a pet just as much as any other human does. You may be different...but you have a good soul. And no one as good as you should have to believe that they have to be alone." She just looked at me. She looked like she wanted to believe what I was saying, but part of her didn't. Don't give up Wild...that's the worst thing you could do.
We talked for a while longer. Eventually Wild got tired and said that she was going to sleep outside by the door. When I asked her why she wouldn't sleep inside she told me that someone had to make sure I was kept safe...I was injured after all. I decided it was useless to protest. I yawned and stretched out on the straw, then laid my head on my paws. As my eyes were shutting and my mind went off to sleep, I decided that I liked Wildandloose very much.

---

Friends and allies
I didn't have to stay with Wild much longer...by the next evening my paw felt better and I was ready to go again. We said goodbye, and she said that if I ever needed her for anything I could always drop by. I smiled and told her that I definitely would. As I was walking away, I felt a sort of hesitation. I couldn't explain it...maybe it was because I'd felt so warm and comfortable in there...or maybe it was because I'd actually made a friend...

I went on with my nomadic life for a while...though I did pay many visits to Wild. We became very good friends. I found that I could talk to her about anything. It was very comforting, and I wished that I could've had more friends like that. One day though, I happened upon another ally. I was out on an early morning hunt when I heard some loud chattering coming from a cluster of trees. Thinking that it could be a potential meal, I went to check it out. A found a large group of usuls, all scurrying up and down the trees at top speed, like they were chasing something. Suddenly a branch snapped, and with it down fell the pet that the usuls had been chasing. He hit the ground hard and groaned in pain. He was another usul. But his fur was dull purple rather than bright beige. His tail was thick and almost reptillian-looking. And his head was swelled to a huge size, with three gigantic red and yellow eyes bulging from their sockets. He was a mutant. The other usuls scurried up to the edge of the branch that the mutant had fallen from, and looked down at him.
Like, what did we tell you about hanging out with us Glen?" One of them asked.
Yeah, when are you going to get it through your head?
The mutant usul sat up and looked at the others up in the tree.
But guys, I just-
We don't want to hear it Glen. Do you have any idea how humiliating it is to be seen with you? You're like, disgusting." The mutant hung his head.
It's not that bad, is it?
Like, it totally is. Now stay away from us, or like, else." One usul picked an acorn from the tree and hurled it at the mutant. The others followed suit and soon the poor guy was being barraged with them. I decided to step in.
Hey, back off!" I stood in front of the usul to block the acorns and glared up at the other usuls. They immediately stopped when they saw me.
Leave him alone...he didn't do anything wrong, he just wanted to be a part of your group.
They stared at me.
Like, they're multiplying!
Ew, that lupe is as gross as Glen!
I am so out of here.
The whole group turned tail and scurried away through the trees. I sighed and then turned to the mutant usul, who was rubbing one of his eyes. He looked up at me.
Please...don't eat me!
I'm not going to eat you...I wanted to see if you were alright.
Yeah, I guess I'm okay...I suppose I owe you a thanks.
No, it's alright. You needed help. I'm Growlsar...I'm a mutant lupe. What's your name?
Glen...I'm Glen, a mutant usul.

I listened to Glen's story for a while...about the hardships of looking like he did in a society where looks are everything. I sypathized greatly with him, recalling the rejection of my own pack.
I know that I don't belong with them... I just wish that they didn't have to remind me like that. I look around me, at other usuls, at other pets, and I think 'I can never be a part of them, why do I try?
You want to because it's horrible to be all alone. They're the ones who are acting wrong...but it seems that most normal pets don't understand. Only someone like us would be willing to accept us.
Yeah...it's too bad that there isn't a society of mutants. Then we could all live there..all have someone to turn to and someplace to come home to...you know?
Yeah...I know.
I talked with Glen for a little while longer, then he decided to head off. I told him that he could hang around me for a while, but he declined saying that being on his own was his way of learning how to live alone. So I walked away from my new friend, keeping his words in my mind....
I walked on until late evening, and sucessfully found something to eat. Once I had finished I sat down in a clearing and started to think out loud.
Hm....a society for mutants...he's right, it would be great. But there's no way anything like that could exist. I've never heard of mutants actually banding together before.
Hey bonehead! Talkin' to yerself instead of cryin' now are ya?
There was a voice above me. I immediately arched my head up to see who had spoken to me, and saw a small pet flying down toward me. It was...
Stitchwings!
Hey, ya remembered my name. Nice goin' there.
He flapped down and perched on my shoulder.

You found me!
Yeah...believe it or not word about youse is gettin' around...all them good deeds and heroic acts and such...rumor has it that ya busted a bunch 'a mutants outta one of Sloth's labs. Looks like ya finally figured out what you were supposed to do huh?
I looked down, then back up at Stitchwings.
Yeah..it looks like I finally did.
I took Stitchwings to Wild's home and introduced them. Stitcwings really admired her decorating, and so did I. Wild said it was gross. I don't understand human taste. Stitchwings and I spent the night in the room I'd slept in the first time, while Wild stayed in a new room she'd built for herself. I talked to Stitchwings for a while, discussing all that had happened since we last met. When I told him about Glen and what he'd said about a society for mutants, Stitchwings looked inerested.
I was thinking bout what he'd said...but it sounded impossible. What's the likeliness of something like that happening?
Zilch. Unless someone makes it happen.
Someone makes it happen? You don't mean me do you?
Think about it bonehead. You've done so much for mutant pets already. You've got ways of making guys that look as ugly as swamp gunk feel like a million bucks. You've got the power ta bring a bunch a mutants togetha...if anyone can make it happen, you can bonehead.
We didn't talk for much longer after that. Being completely nocturnal, Stitchwings decided to fly out for the rest of the night. I went to sleep with the thoughts of making Glen's idea real weighing heavily on my mind.
A couple of days later I was on my way to get a drink from a local stream. As I drank, I thought hard about how I could possibly assemble a band of mutants. It sounded like a lot of responsibility. There was no doubt that it would be incredibly hard. My thoughts were interrupted when I heard a whimper from the other side of a bush I was near. I crept inside it and peered through. The sound was coming from another lupe...another mutant lupe! She looked like a female version of me...but I put my suprise aside to find out what was wrong. I revealed myself to her and asked what the problem was. I learned that her name was minortropic, and that she had suffered the same mutation story as myself. Only she hadn't lived up to the tests. She was thrown out, and her daugher Autunm was kidnapped in her place. Now Tropic was desperately trying to find Autumn, before she went through the torture that her mother did. I didn't think twice about helping. I knew that I could find autumn and get her out. We reached the lab, where we were joined by Stitcwings. He used his own tactics to distract the guards, while me and Tropic got Autumn out. We found that it was too late to stop what they'd done...the poor puppy had been mutated. That didn't stop Tropic from ripping open the cage and grabbing her daughter. While we ran to safety, we were again followed by Stitchwings, and to my surprise, another mutant korbat. His name was Wufei_Sama, and he was an old friend of Tropic's who had been trying to help her find autumn. He and Stitchwings carried the pup, and I led everyone back to Wild's home. Once we were inside, I told Tropic that she and Autumn were welcome to stay the night. Tropic gladly accepted, and went to comfort her daughter. I looked over at the poor pup. She was terrified. Tears were pouring from her little eyes. The things that had been done to her in that lab would never be forgotten.

Her young life was scarred forever, just like mine. Just like mine...this had happened again. This or something just as terrible was happening to another mutant as I sat there and stared at her. Mutants were suffering, being forced to live out a horrible fate because of the way they looked. And there was nowhere for them to go, no one for them to turn to. And it would just keep happening. That was the final straw. I was going to do something about it, and that was that.

---

Forming the Clan
I left Tropic and autumn in the care of the two korbats, and went into Wild's room. I'd decided to tell her about my decision.
You want to form a band of mutants? Like a mutant clan?
That's right...like a clan. There are too many mutants and outcasts out suffering out there...I just can't ignore it anymore.
Then go for it Growlsar. It's a great cause, and I know that you'll be able to pull it off.
Thank you Wild...but I don't want to do it without you.
Huh?
You've been like a best friend to me Wild...you and I have a special connection. I want you to help me form the clan...will you be my first member?
I saw Wild's eyes tearing up. She smiled, then bent down and threw her arms around my neck. She hugged me tight and then I smiled.

Thank you Growlsar...you were my first real friend. You've made me feel like I'm really worthwile.
Of course Wild...any time.
My smile grew even broader. I glanced out the window and looked at the stars twinkling above. I knew Langshii would be proud of me.

And so the formation of the clan began. I already had a few mutants who were willing to join with me. There was Minortropic and her daughter, Stitchwings, and Wufei_Sama. Along with them and Wild, I scouted for a location for our clan's meetings. We searched all throughout the haunted forest, but found nothing. Then, Stitchwings went to find a good place to hang from for a rest. We weren't far from the place called Scary Cave, and that's where he wandered off to. But instead of resting, Stitchwings went exploring the cave's passages. While the rest of us were all out in the woods discussing where we'd look next, Stitchwings came back, yelling excitedly.
Hey, youse guys! I think I found the place! C'mere, follow me!
So we all followed Stitchwings into Scary cave, down a series of passages until we came to a perfect place. It was large, secluded, and well hidden. It even had another exit directly to the outside. I sat down in the middle of the cavern and smiled at my friends.
This will be our meeting place...this will be the place you can come to when you're feeling alone, the place that you can always call home...the place where you can belong.
Tropic and Autumn howled with joy, and I joined them. Wild gave some kind of human cheer, and Stitchwings and Wufei just smirked. The clan called Outcasts of the Soul was officially born.
The clan was a success. Word spread of us and soon more mutants gathered. Among some of them were Bobo, a blumaroo abandoned by his previous owner, Trice, a lupe who was mutated after a massacre on her pack occured. Then there was Bakathikaro the buzz, Chibiochan the shoyru, and Link the lupe, a former group of bullies who had been transformed into mutants as punishment for their cruel ways.

There were many more members as well. And one evening, we were all at a meeting when who should walk in but Glen! You can imagine how happy he was to see his words made into reality.
Soon our clan flourished. It became a safehaven for all mutants. We could relax, play, eat and socialize, just like normal pets. Not only that. We also shared all of our stories and pain, and were there for each other. Everyone got along great...especially Stitchwings and Wufei. They were like two peas in a pod. The most important thing about the Outcasts of the soul was that everyone felt like they belonged.


One evening I was out looking for some food to bring back to the clan. I watched the dark faeries glittering above me. As long as I kept my distance, they were nice to look at. Suddenly, the brief moment of peace was disturbed by a loud thumping sound...it sounded like huge paws stomping on the earth...and coming closer. I froze in my tracks, waiting for whatever it was to come to me...

Into my vision walked a lupe....larger than any I'd ever seen. His muscles bulged from his body, and the menacing scowl on his face struck a pang of fear into me. He saw me and his eyes narrowed. Growling, the gigantic lupe padded over to me.
Who are you...and what are you doing here?
I'm...Growlsar, a mutant lupe. This is the territory of my clan, I was out finding food.
That's nice...but I'm going to have to ask you to leave, immediately.
Leave? But why?
The lupe snickered..another thing that sent shivers down my spine.
Don't you know who I am? I'm Balthazar the bounty hunter, and you'd be a fool not to be afraid of me!" I had to admit that I was afraid...but that didn't mean I'd give up my clan's territory so easily.
What do you want with my clan's territory?
I need more territory for my dark faerie hunting...and this place is perfect. Just look at all of them!
But this is our territory...we had it marked!
It's mine now...if Balthazar says it's his, then it's his! He put his face directly in mine and snarled.

You have until tomorrow evening to be gone from here, mutant." He added an extra snort. And if I find that you and your clan are still here...I'll kill you.
And without saying another word, Balthazar stormed off into the shadows..and disappeared. My mind was racing. Leave our territory? Where would we go? I didn't know what I was going to do.....

I'd made it back to the clan's meeting place as fast as I could, and broke the news to them. They were in a panic.
Leave? But we just got here!
We can't stay, Balthazar will kill us!
This is terrible!
We have to leave!
I tried as hard as I could to get their attention...I tried to say to them that we didn't have to give up yet...I tried to tell them to calm down..but they couldn't hear me over their panicking.
HEY...ALLA YOU...SHUT UP!!
Everyone fell silent and turned their heads...including me. Stitchwings landed next to me and looked at all the other mutants, frowning.
Just listen ta yourselves...ya all sound like a bunch a' sniveling cowards! All of us, especially Growlsar, worked ourselves to death to make dis place what it is. We made it ta show everyone else they were wrong about us...and now yer just gonna give it up like that? You all oughtta be ashamed! This is our territory, and we can't just hand it over!
The mutants remained silent...I decided to speak.
Stitchwings is right...we made Outcasts of the Soul as a place for all of us to belong...if we gave it up it would be like giving up our rights, our dreams! When we were making this clan, anyone would've told us that it was impossible. But we did it anyway. Anyone would tell us that stopping Balthazar is impossible...but I won't believe that. Seperated, we're outcasts with the world against us, alone and weak. But together we're strong! We can do anything we believe in...and that includes defeating Balthazar. Now..I'll understand if any of you don't want to fight with me...but I'm going to defend our territory. If you're with me...please don't hold back.
I got a long moment of silence after that...not one pet moved or said a word. The courage I'd just displayed was beginning to falter...then I noticed a small body pushing it's way through the crowd of gathered mutants. It was Autumn. She looked at me with her shining young eyes.

Mister Growlsar...I'll help you.
Everyone stared at Autumn...then Bakathikaro stepped up.
If this kid's willing to risk her life...then heck, I'm not giving this place up without a fight! Are you with me guys?" He called back to Link and Chibiochan. They both nodded and joined him. Glen came after them.
I'm with you Growlsar...
So am I!" Tropic shouted.
Me too!" Called Trice.
Soon all of them had stepped up. They were all shouting, offering their help to defend what we had made. I smiled and looked at them in awe. Then I looked down at Stitchwings.
You know you can count on me bonehead.
My confidence tripled. I grinned and turned to the others.
Alright, tomorrow night we'll fight Balthazar, defend our land, and defend mutant pride!

---

Taking My Place
The next evening all of the mutants from the clan were assembled. Several were hidden...we'd devised a plan, and were hoping that the element of surprise would be our best tactic. After waiting for what seemed like hours, the ground began to rumble. I recognized the frightening thud of Balthazar's paws...he was coming. I turned to the others, and whispered to them that this was the big moment, and hat I knew that we could pull it off. Then I looked straight ahead, closed my eyes and breathed deeply.
Langshii...if you can hear me...please give me the strength I need to save our clan...
Growlsar...you don't need my help...you have all you need right with you....
To this day I'll never know if I imagined that voice or not...but it filled me with hope and courage. As Balthazar came into view, I lowered my ears and stared him straight in the eyes.
What? You're still here, mutant? Do you really wish to die?
We've decided that we're not going to give you our territory Balthazar...we're going to defend it.
Ha! A challenge? I'd be more than glad...I never turn down a challenge.
He snorted at me, then bared his huge teeth and began to snarl.
And now I'll show you what happens to those who challenge Balthazar!
He ran at me...his speed was incredible for his size. I didn't waste a second.
ATTACK!
All the mutants hidden in the bushes rushed Balthazar. They'd been sure to stay downwind, and he hadn't expected them at all. Using every bit of speed and power they had, they leapt on him, clawing, biting, doing anything they could.

Balthazar fought back with fury...but we knew that he could match us in strength. We were prepared...
Now everyone!
Bakathikaro lead the other airborne mutants down from the trees, surprising Balthazar again as they continually attacked him from the sky. But that wasn't all we had in store for him...Stitchwings and Wufei flapped down from their hiding places in the branches. They both sent out a supersonic wave at Balthazar. He howled with pain and desperately tried to cover his ears. That was my cue. I opened my mouth and shot a huge blob of acid at his face....leaving his sight as well as his hearing useless. The other mutants backed off and unleashed a demon's breath attack, cancelling out his sense of smell. Being unable to hear us, see us, or smell us, Balthazar was helpless. Mustering all the strength we could find, Soro the moehog and myself rammed ourselves squarely at Balthazar's chest. He was knocked over and sent rolling several feet. We all stood our distance as the haunted woods fell to silence. Balthazar coughed and struggled to get up. He turned his head in our direction, painfully trying to open his eyes.
Alright...you've won...::cough::..you've beaten me...take your little piece of land then. But if I ever catch ONE of you on my faerie hunting grounds again...you'll be dead before you can call for help!" He started to pad away, trying to walk as best he could. Take care of the land, mutants..." And he disappered into the shadows as he'd done before. I sighed heavily and looked at where he'd vanished.
We will.
At that moment, everyone cheered, flew in happy circles, jumped for joy..celebrated in any way they could. We had succeeded.

Later that night we were all sitting outside the cave entrance...eating our fill of the food we'd gotten to celebrate. In the middle of it all, Glen stepped up on the meeting rock. He cleared his throat and talked to everyone.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone..and especially Growlsar. If it weren't for you, we would've all been back where we started, outcasts. So thanks to you Growlsar...you're a truly great leader.
I blinked.
Leader?
Yeah...you're the one who brought us all here." Tropic said.
You pulled us together!" Soro added.
You never gave up on us!" Bakathikaro chimed.
Even when we wanted to give up." Bobo said, smiling.
You're our leader Growlsar...we want you to be." Glen stepped aside from the rock, and motioned for me to step up. I hesitated, but slowly walked up to the meeting rock and looked down at all my friends.
Way to go bonehead." I heard Stitchwings whisper.
Thanks..all of you...I'm honored...I never thought the day would come when I lead my own clan..I especially never thought anyone would want me to. Thank you. From now on, I'll be the greatest leader that this clan will ever know! And belive me, Outcasts of the Soul will live on for generations to come!
The mutants all cheered, just as they'd done when we defeated Balthazar. I smiled proudly at them, and raised my tail high. I was a leader now after all...maybe it wasn't how I'd imagined when I was a pup, but it was more than good enough for me. I sighed and looked to the sky.

Langshii...I understand now. I'll carry on what you taught me, and I'll never let it die. Thank you Langshii...I've found my place.