Chapter VIII: The Confrontation


“Hey, she went this way!”
“No way, I saw her go this way, lets go!
Another near miss as Fang heard the wolves arguing. If one could see him beneath the disguise, it would be obvious as to how tired he was. That was nothing to say that had ran from one side of the forest to the other, his calves were burning and the façade in which covered his real image seemed to show the same signs of slowing. The only thing that kept him going was when caught a few lucky breaks here and again when he lost them and took advantage of a quick reprieve from the running he had done, and the plan was working, Talon’s cohorts were beginning to wear down as well. The fact that the image also hid scent and sound made him harder to find, which made him all the more grateful. Those moments however wouldn’t last long when all too soon they would find him and the chase would resume. Obviously, fear proved to be a powerful motivator, which for the time being made it all the more pertinent that they didn’t disappoint. How long he could keep doing this he didn’t know, nor why he was even doing this in the first place. Perhaps it was his own reasons for hating Talon, after all, he did kill his older brother who was mother and father to him after their parents died. Maybe it was for Talon’s cruelty to people in turn making Fang in Talon’s image. Maybe in the end, to see him fall would be worth all this running he had to do, which suddenly would be interrupted when he heard Omega’s voice in the back of his head.
“Fang, there’s been a change of plans, I have Talon on my tail, which is where I want him. It’s time for a regime change. When you get the chance to lose them again, hide and let the disguise deactivate on it’s own. Afterward, relay a signal to return home, they’ll assume that she’s been found and to return home”
Fang listened as he ran, trying to lose the crowd.
“Oh right, like they’re going to believe me!” Fang retorted in Night’s voice, doubtful of his chances.
“On the contrary, they’ll be more likely relieved that they can finally end this wild goose chase. I’m sure when they find you; it’s likely they’ll ask if you’ve seen Night. If they do, just tell them you were coming from the other side of the forest when you met the and you’ve seen nothing of her. The fact you’re just as tired as they are so that should give you some credibility. They’ll gather where Talon will meet me at, which by now Night should have the children free so there should be nothing to worry about. You also needn’t worry about Talon, because like I said before; I’ll take care of him myself. Are we clear?”
“Yeah, alright, I think I see a place now, see you when I get there.” Fang ended in Night’s voice to which at the edge of a hill was a deep wooded area that serves as a natural labyrinth as the Night façade sped into it, giving everything he had to hide whilst the mob ran past. Behind a thick tree, he watched as the hologram flickered and peeled off like old, dried paint until he was in his original state which about that time the bracelet suddenly fell off and crumbled away like burning Styrofoam until only a speck remained. So now nobody could have anything against him, he could walk into the din and thick of the pack acting as though he had ran from afar to give them a message as he suddenly approached, howling a message which wolves translated to “come home”, an easier way than the explanation which would be found out when they arrived as Fang now began to head that way himself, only he would rather take the long way back, walking all the way.

Talon was at his wits end as this creature, it was just making sport out of him now. It didn’t help that his fists were bruised, his jaws tired, his feet were sore, which much to his infuriation, Omega seemed to be fine, fit and could go for more. He would never stop nor tire, the frustration of being unable to catch one small little runt would make him a laughingstock of the pack, maybe it was a sign that he was getting old and out of touch. Here he was at the prime of his life, but his sedimentary lifestyle from deploying his pack to do the grunt work for him, had in retrospect may done more harm than good. The movements were confusing Talon when suddenly he recognized where Omega was taking him, back to the bar where his wolves were already in a circle to which he became furious. He spoke as simply as he could for his stupid pack to get the girl and again they had failed to produce her.
“Just what the hell is this; I didn’t say you could return, not without the girl! Why the hell did you come back?!” he roared then the wolves looked to Fang and then pushed him forward.
“He sent the signal to come home, we thought she was found! He lied to us!” a wolf said with accusation as the rest looked upon Fang with disdain.
“You will all be getting back out there again, but first you’re going to watch and learn what we do to traitors!” Talon said as he began to approach Fang whom was restrained by two wolves holding his arms.
“Omega, dammit you promised you’d protect me! I should’ve never listened to your shit! Omega!” Fang screamed as Talon was a foot or two away from thrashing Fang when suddenly Omega got in the way.
“Talon, let him go! This is between you and me now, I Omega, by the rites and laws of ancient wolf pack order hereby challenge you for the position of Alpha-Chief!” Omega declared as Talon looked down at Omega whom at a moment stared at him, but then began to laugh.
“Please, have you looked in a mirror? You’re nothing but a pile of shit, if I stomp your ass, I’ll be picking bits of you off my feet!” he continued laughing on.

Fang looked to his former leader as though about to watch an execution. He knew Talon didn’t stand a chance and there was nothing he could do to save him...except warn him.
“Talon, by the gods don’t fight him...he’s not what you think he is! It’s part of his trap, don’t fight him!”Fang pleaded to which Talon growled.
“Shut up, you’re in for it as it is, want me to do worse?!”Talon threatened.

“Please stop talking and let’s get this over with, I have other things to do with my time today and listening to you two isn’t one of them.” Omega replied to which Talon began to settle down.
“So you’re serious, you do know that once you make a challenge, you can’t back away under penalty of death and the loser either becomes a slave or dinner, right?”
“I’m well aware of the by-laws for the rite of combat, this isn’t my first rodeo.” Said Omega as if using rodeo as an insult of Talon’s size, one that Talon got after a moment to which he snorted in annoyance.
“Fine, have it your way, but just so we get one thing clear, you’ve got no chance in hell of beating me, nearly every wolf in this pack has tried me, yet not one of them has succeeded. But if it makes you feel any better, I was quick with them, you on the other hand, I think I’ll take my time.” Talon smiled with a toothy grin, knowing with assurance that Omega would be more of a challenge to see how many pieces he could be broken into, rather than actually being worth fighting. But it was this inflated ego and overconfidence Omega was counting on, it would prove to be all the more enjoyable of smashing it to pieces.
“Well that’s going to be a problem, I mean sure it’s all good and well that you’d pride yourself with a reputation for being thorough, and if I had the time, I’d let you take all the time as you’d like, except that I’ve got my own agenda to keep with several preordained obligations to uphold. You were just something I worked in on the last minute because it’s getting in the way of my plans and I’d like to get it settled. Anyway, not that haven’t enjoyed our little bit of quality time, but frankly I’d like to get this over with quickly, you understand.” Omega said as though the veneer of a refined businessman made further insult to Talon’s character as his minions looked at Omega’s serene confidence and thought him either insane or that perhaps there was something more to him than his appearances let on...Fang of course knew what was about to happen, he wasn’t sure if he wanted to watch this fight, knowing the carnage would be severe. Naturally, Talon was stimulated by Omega’s overconfidence, by which he’d be all too happy to send his happy ass back to reality the hard way as his fist rushed to meet Omega to which in the last second’s time he had vanished as though it were some kind of illusion or parlor trick. That was when Talon then felt the pain in his left leg. Reflexively, he looked down at the aching leg to which the fur on that leg began to burn at Omega’s touch to whom jumped back. There were balding areas on his legs with singed fur around, leaving a mark in the shape of Omega’s hands to which baffled Talon’s mind as suddenly where the injury was affecting his leg as if it were going to sleep.
“What the hell is this?! What the hell are you?!” Talon yelled in outrage to this horrific effect that was now climbing up his leg, fur began to fall off in the affected areas as it climbed.
“Let’s take a moment to review what’s happening, y’see I have this interesting ability to influence your neurological and defense networks in your body. In fact, as we speak, your immune system is already attacking your hair follicles on your body, though that’s just a temporary side effect, your fur will grow back in time and the effects won’t spread. Though I can’t say the same of the horrific, long term effects on your brain.” Omega said to whom Talon looked to Omega with a degree of confusion, a hint of fear and of course rage.
“What the hell are you...aauuuggk...gnnkaaaa.” Talon slurred as he began losing his ability to speak and slowly began to get down on all fours.
About that time, Night and the others were behind a row of bushes as they watched, when they saw what was happening, as Talon was being dethroned by one of Omega’s abilities, they knew what he was doing, and they were not going to stand by to watch Omega torture another wolf, enemy or not as they came upon the crowd of delinquent wolves whom were too stunned at the sight of their master to notice Night and her students enter amongst the assembly.
“Stop me if anyone’s heard the story of Daniel, where God saw the horrendous empire of King Nebuchadnezzar to who sought to subvert vast glory, power and prestige to himself. Though he wasn’t singing to the same tune when a recurring nightmare had turned his life into a hectic mess. He tried everything he knew to do, turned to every resource he had but nothing work until our boy Daniel told him that instead of ruling a country, he’d live like its livestock for how long shall we say...say does anybody know how long his highness had been put out to pasture?” Omega said as he looked up at the confused and frightened Talon whom suddenly found all too late the powers of this creature creeping all through him.
Fang tried to warn him as Talon now found himself in abject misery from this new view-point he found himself in as he watched as his pack gazed upon him with a mixture of fear, disgust, but also bitter intentions that would be visited upon him.
Terrance being the rather astute Fox seemed to perk at the chance for trivia as he blurted out.
“I think it was seven years, right?”
Omega looked at Talon as though he were brokering an animal and making his appraisal.
“Yes, well said my Terrance, that’s absolutely right, and I think seven years is plenty of time for him to reflect on his previous life choices. Though honestly, I’ve really done nothing at all to him, save reflect upon in essence as to what you all really are...a bunch of wild animals who had only recently become accustomed to living like humans.” Omega said to which they all looked at him, instantly muttering amongst themselves feeling insulted and confused.
“How can you say that? You don’t really mean that, do you Omega?” Laen said looking to him, afraid of what he would do to the rest of them.
“Yes my dear, I do. Though please don’t misinterpret my cryptic viewpoint. From my perspective, most any carbon-based lifeform are animals; even humans though suffice it to say as refined a people as they are on this planet. So by and large in the case of Talon, I’ve merely took out the part that made him intelligent. So the fact remains that the only thing that’s helped in your evolution was the slow and eventual growth of a prefrontal lobe that grafted itself onto an animal brain. Little else has changed, you still have the same drives and needs as any wild animal, you just happen to decide to wear something in the mornings and pay taxes on the side. The sad irony is that with just a simple lobotomy, snip off that one evolutionary advantage of ten thousand years, and suddenly you are just like our friend Talon here, a bumbling, stupid wild animal, though granted if I took off the restraining genes I had spliced into his DNA, he’d be much meaner than he would have been when he was smarter.”
Everyone looked to Omega with a degree of disgust, speaking degradingly of their lineage, their struggle that took those centuries to become, and now only to say that though this culmination that had made them successful, they were still animal, vermin, inferior. So Laen, feeling that her pride as a hunter and a Mountain Lioness had been snubbed at would not let this insult pass without a few choice words in their defense.
“Wait a minute, who are you to come here and suddenly play God?! If we’re nothing more than just a bunch of dumb animals, then what the hell is it to you, huh?! Who suddenly died and gave you the authority to judge us like you’re better than everyone else? You may think we’re a bit backwards and maybe we’ve still got a lot to learn but you can’t just stroll in here and just assume you’re in charge. It doesn’t work that way!” Laen said forthrightly, doing her best to hold her ground as she looked Omega in the eye, ready to stand up for her beliefs, even if she had to wrestle Omega to the ground to do so, only instead Omega held his gaze, staring right back.
“You’re correct; you do have much to learn. However I do commend you for being so brazen even in spite of knowing what I am capable of. It is refreshing to know that while there are few seldom who have the courage to stand up to me, knowing what I am.” Omega said with a smile.
“You’re many things...”Said Laen whom felt emboldened to give Omega a piece of her mind.
“You’re a pompous prick, a vain narcissist, and for all I know, an alien from outer space, but like I said, you’re not God, we’re not going to be intimidated or bullied around just because you know a few parlor tricks. I also don’t think we need your input on how we should or shouldn’t live our lives just because you don’t agree with it. Yes we’re old-fashioned, yes we hunt and kill for our food, and yes we even act like animals at times but we’re also clean, decent, and we help out one another, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. So if you find us disgusting and ignorant, and maybe even primitive, then maybe you either need to get off of your little ego trip and try to be a little more tolerant, or you can go home if you feel so uncomfortable here. I don’t give a damn either way. Oh and while you’re at it, put Talon back the way he was, at least give him some dignity!”

Omega looked at her for a moment at her whom had her arms crossed, her face appeared tough, strong and with some expression of disgust. But his sensors could tell it was a strong front, there was traces of adrenaline which suggested she had a degree of caution of what he could do...but then true courage was to stand up in the face of fear in spite of the danger, which proved she wasn’t ignorant to his devices and furthermore she had some degree of knowledge to his identity, as she mentioned that he was an alien...to quote Holmes. If you take what remains, however unlikely, then it must be the truth” So it went without saying that Night had taught her well. So Omega conceded to a defeated smile, she had stood her ground and made her point to which in every instance that she said was right, there could be no place for argument in her reasoning.
“I’m impressed, Night has taught you well how to handle a scenario like this, I was like you once, once upon a time...but in my life-time I’ve found that diplomacy mattered very little to those that wouldn’t listen, so I had to use force. I’ve used force so often that I’ve forgotten what it was like to be patient. So I suppose you’re right, maybe I still have room to learn.”
Omega said as he touched Talon whom now had moments ago vomited after eating grass, had an almost instant change of appearance. His ruby eyes which had been dull and mindless, suddenly became bright and clever again as he struggled to recollect himself. Yet though all the while he had been a dim creature, he had just enough understanding to the conversation Omega held with Laen, that it was her captive whom had spoke in defense of Talon when all else would turn away any way of kindness or pity, allowing him to succumb to his fate. Though in many ways he deserved what came to him, Laen pitied him enough to stand up for him just as Night stood up for Fang. That had been the second time and the second wolf that had been saved by their captor, to which was evident to Omega that they preferred to settle their affairs in their own way and time, and that by settling their affairs for them had only dismayed them. They seemed perfectly settled in using their own kind of justice, and Omega had no right to neither change nor interfere with those ideals.
In all this time Night had seen this, conflicted with her two sides palpitating against each other, her darker half relishing in delight with Omega’s decent further into the darkness while she could only watch, seeing that Omega had learned nothing...yet it came to one of her students to make it a point to challenge Omega, that in her came the stern voice of reason that seemed to bring Omega back to his senses in realizing his folly for trying to control reprobated minds by force only to become equally tainted. It was a psychological victory for Night as the Beast, her darker half, sunk away back into the shadows of her subconscious while Night became able to move again without the conflict as she approached Omega, Laen and Talon, whom was getting up, weak from the influence Omega had set on him that had sapped his strength.
Talon whom suddenly had come to his senses saw himself in front of Omega, whom at the moment was looking at Laen and Night, as though his attention was diverted away from him, an amateur’s mistake he would exploit as he deftly snatched Omega, thinking he was caught unawares. Now he had him, with a million horrible things he would do to him, revenge for playing him the fool before his own pack not to meantion messing with his mind with his alien methods. His friends were unwise to reveal he was an alien. He could of course kill him and sell his body to the highest bidder be it the government, a vast think tank, scientists, or even a collector, any of whom would pay a fortune worth in the billions that would set him up from a small town gang to one of the largest crime bosses in the world whilst also be famous for subduing an alien invader, which gave him a fairly good chance of granting him immunity from any crimes he’d commit, why with the funds he was sure to be bestowed, there’d be a good chance he could make his own country. All it took was to kill Omega, but what would be best? Eating him, obviously, wasn’t a good idea, neither was crushing him as neither would hold up to any claims, he needed to make sure there was evidence. Then a wicked idea occurred to him as the little Lhi’aan wiggled in his hands to which to the horror of Night, Laen, and the rest of the students, Talon grabbed Omega by the arms and suddenly ripped him in half.
Night suddenly in shocked terror watched her friend being torn in half, the children screamed and cried and hid their faces as they watched the silvery fluid drip from the sides, no doubt it was his alien blood being drained onto the ground as Night dreaded in pain held her hand to her face as she knew that the pain would only give way to rage and rage would release the Beast inside her to which God knows what would happen. It only got worse when she heard Talon laugh at his accomplishment.
“Hehehe...so, no snide remarks, no stupid comments? Of course not because you’re dead! Too bad you’re not gonna be around to see your precious Night screaming for you while I...” He suddenly paused, frozen for a moment with horror as the eyes on either side opened, looking straight at him. He was startled at first when one of the sides kicked Talon in the chest hard to who fell over, the terror of the alien still moving did more than the seizing pain in his solar plexus as the two sides dropped to the ground and suddenly melted into a slivery, semi-solid mass that had the consistency of melted cheese which seemed to quiver and move on its own. Night had half expected Omega to merge back together and reform just as he did on the day they met, but instead he did something she nor anyone had expected, the two masses recollected themselves separately and formed into two smaller Omegas. Everyone had to double take, unable to believe that there were in fact two Omegas, standing eerily like two identical twins of mischievous and malevolent intentions as Talon tried to crawl back, away from the alien, putting dread to the sudden realization that this being that stood before him was incapable of dying, the two words he dared not want to believe: invincible, immortal. It had suddenly occurred to him that Omega had been toying with him the whole time, allowing himself to be vulnerable, to give himself the illusion of death if only to lull Talon into a false sense of security. So in the end it wouldn’t have mattered how much he would have cut him up, be it four, it could be twenty, the result would have been the same, it was like cutting an earthworm, which would only multiply to making smaller but equally the same effect as many others. Talon only looked on with an unwavering anxiety at the situation he found himself in.
It was weird to look upon these two, the twin Omegas that seemed so lithe, resolute, cool and calculating as they smiled identically with a poised demeanor, the intellect in their eyes scanning over the frightened wolf titan. The two were even smaller than the original, both no larger than a child’s doll, neither wavering in their gaze at him as they ran their initial analysis over him, collecting data on him.
Terrance watched with academic fascination at the alien set, like perfect reproductions, pristine and perfectly matched in either way, looking on with an admiration of this effect that seemed like mitosis as he had split himself twain and emerged as two separate entities of a hive mind.
The same enthusiasm however could not be said of Night and Laen, disturbed by this effect. But of the two, Laen was more offset by this. As someone who had such a closeness to nature, she was appalled by this defiance to the natural order...he didn’t die, he wouldn’t die, he just separated and continued on as if he were not a member of the living and breathing. It wasn’t natural, it wasn’t right...it wasn’t fair.
The two Omegas stood with faint, deliberately smooth, efficient motion as it stood silently at Talon with eyes that seemed demanding as if they were staring into his soul.
Talon only growled half with anger, but in it was a slight whimpering of fear.
“Look, I’m sorry...y’know we can talk about this now, just tell me what you want.” Talon said, extending a hand as if hoping it would make Omega calm down while also holding it up in case he had to defend himself to which he knew that it would have been a useless gesture. Apart from the fact that he couldn’t fend himself against two, let alone one, he had already been subdued once before. He knew that the second time, God forbid if there was a second time, something far worse would happen. It was in this despair that he awaited the reply of this duo that was before him.
The Omegas looked at him, one tilting his head as if acknowledging him speaking.
“This planet...” one said.
“Your planet...” said the other.
“Your planet has been left to ruin in part of the complacency of inferior lifeforms...”
“...and therefore it has been left to one resolution, the selection for the extermination of one third of all organic life...”
“...followed by the systematic conversion of your world, translating biological into artificial.”
“...you will be spared to observe as the Earth will be transferred into the Lhi’ardika...”
“...you will be my witnesses as nature dies to give way to Lhi’aan technology.”
Talon looked to Omega in horror, knowing that his world, the world as he knew it would be gone, destroyed and recreated as an alien world a world that he knew he would not be able to survive in.
“So after all that, what happens to me?!” Talon asked, not at all concerned for the others, to whom Omega looked at Talon with cold eyes that had no emotion in them whatsoever.

“Isn’t it obvious...the ones responsible, like you, will die...”
“...while I will live on.”
Talon gazed off in dismay, struggling to come to terms that his days were numbered, soon to be a world without him in it. Something he found appalling that one day he would stop and he would die. But what was really disheartening was that he had no idea as to how or when it would happen, to say nothing of it happening on an alien world where there would be no comfort to the recognizable and familiar. No trees whispering in the wind, no smell of grass, nobody to mourn for him but himself.
There was an argument in the crowd to the side of the two, and in spite of Night’s attempts to hold her back, Laen suddenly stepped forward to the side of the pair, still refusing to be intimidated even if the odds were against her, even if that meant she ran the risk of dying for it, she wouldn’t allow herself to wait quietly and anonymous while listening to this nefarious plan come to fruition that would destroy everything she held dear.
“You’re not going to touch this world, not if I have anything to say about it. If you think I’m just gonna stand by and let you cover our world with metal and wires, then you’ve got another thing coming. I’ll fight to my last breath, with my own claws; I’ll defend the sanctity of this Earth. You’ll have to pass my cold, dead corpse before you chop down one tree!” she said, to which in response one of the Omegas gazed at her and suddenly a beam erupted from his eyes, just mere inches from her head which hit a tree, slicing it and making it crackle, toppling over and then landing on the ground with a shaking thud.
“Oh would you look at that...I chopped down a tree...”
“...all without stepping over your cold, dead corpse.”
“Such a silly little girl.” They both said snidely in unison as they turned their attention away from her as though she didn’t exist...to which Laen stood frozen in shock, finding that all those passionate speeches were meaningless to this creature and his powers when suddenly he turned again and shone a beam in her eyes as well as her friends. She flinched, closing her eyes from the light which blinded her momentarily, which in the afterimage in the darkness of her closed eyelids, there was a message, perfectly made words written in the afterimage the light had provided...the message said.
“Play along, trust me on this.” To which there was a picture of Omega winking, a sure sign that perhaps Omega was inducing Talon into a psychosis, using this tactic to make him suggestible to any of Omega’s ploys, perhaps even to convincing him to turn himself into the authorities. So if this was some plan to dethrone Talon, she would have to play along.
“Fine, I get it now, I was wrong about everything, we’re not perfect, I know. But we can learn, you can teach us how to live...just please spare our world!” She said as she got down on her knees before the two.
“I beg you; please don’t take our world we love away from us. Don’t let the concrete creep into my forest...please!” she said, nearly sobbing to make a convincing act.
“Omega, if you had any love for me, wouldn’t you please show us some compassion...some tenderness.” Night said, knowing his plan but emphasizing it as to make known of their relationship.
The two looked to Night, then to Laen, then to Talon who was cowering in his self-pity.
“I have considered your proposal...”
“...and by unanimous evaluation of the scenario...”
“...I have decided to spare your world...”
“...on one condition.”
“You must meet the provisions that I will lay out...”
“ One: As victor to our confrontation, I being in all good standing as the new pack Alpha will decline reign and thereby choosing someone to rule in my stead as decreed in the laws...”
“...and so by my rights as pack Alpha, I choose Fang to rule in my place.”

Everyone turned and gazed at Fang, who at the moment was befuddled, caught off guard, never expecting something of this scale happening to him to which he wasn’t sure how to feel. Talon of course was disgruntled, angry over this dethronement, but Omega’s word was law...for now. Something told him that Omega had other plans in mind, meaning he would be leaving soon and he would be taking his rightful place back when Omega was long gone. His plans would follow through as he intended; a slight delay was all this was. He only needed to play nice until then.
After a few moments to gather his bearings, he knew that now he was on top of the world so to speak, as Pack Alpha, changes could be made that were long overdue, many improvements would be implemented, and of that he would make a point in doing so. But as a start, he would announce his rule by leading in a howl, the birth of a reign as he raised his head high and let out a deep, melodious howl to the moon which every wolf, including Night began in chorus to the coronation of a king. The other howls as it turned out was only sounded if it were of approval. Had he howled alone, the entire pack would tear him apart, but this was not the case, clearly they’ve wanted a new leader, somebody that was competent and cared more for the needs of the pack rather than on himself like Talon had. Afterwards, everyone chattered happily, shaking hands with Fang. Grudgingly, even Talon shook paws with Fang, knowing this victory would be a short-lived one.
Omega watched and waited for everyone to die down, they hadn’t forgotten that the two still stood. So long as he was around, he was till pack Alpha until he fully relinquished the position. After all, there were still more provisos to decree, all of which they waited on eagerly.
“If we are done with the party...”
“...we shall continue.”
“Two: The pack now reorganized will make amends and remunerations with the community in penance of past crimes to serve and defend in order to ensure that the community is kept safe. Since law enforcement is scarce here, you will be a peacekeeper group designed to protect the community as terms of your penance for the things you have done. To that end, you will pledge yourselves to live by these words: “To defend everyone, to assist anyone, to pursue justice for all.” These will be your three main words you will live by for the rest of your lives. This pack will be at the aid of the community Twenty-four Seven, ready and willing to hunt down groups, much like yourselves before this regime change. You will implement that change. However, you will detain all convicts in a civil, tactful, and only attacking when necessary. That’s why I will be asking if the Hunter’s Association would be willing to give some training in detaining fugitives as I have set it so by humanely making good in the capture of said fugitives without killing them or harming others. I can tell that many of you are pleased with the new management, so I am sure you are all eager to help in this endeavor, working together as a pack as a pack should. Are there any questions?”

One of the wolves, a female who was wearing a jacket, had white fur and several piercings on her ears stepped forth before the two Omegas.
“Yeah, so here’s what I wanna know, do we have to take in this scum ball Talon? We can’t let a selfish scumbag like him be in with us, he’ll only slow us down or try to tell us what to do.” She said with a degree of disdain for her former leader.
Talon glared at her, growling angrily, only to look at Omega which was all he needed to back off.
“Very good question, which leads me to implement my final edict...”
“Three: As a pack that stands to go for the good of the whole rather than the one, this will be a democratically ran pack, where everyone will have a voice and everyone will have a vote. There will no longer be violent fights to the death to determine decisions of any kind. You will put everything to a vote where the majority rules in favor. However the Pack Alpha has the power to implement the rules but must go by the vote. The Pack Alpha while being a leader must remember the definition of the word “Leader”. Too often have I seen people who call themselves leaders end up being self-serving despots who throw their weight around with threats and terror...like Talon. A true leader is in the very essence a guide, someone to point the way. The leader though he holds position is both servant and master to his people, that he ensures the survival of the whole and gives orders that only benefit everyone as such that there would be no need to worry over resources because when a leader utilizes the best in his people, the people in turn thrive. But getting back to answer your first question, yes you can get rid of him by means of a vote. If all parties are in favor, then he can be banished from the pack.” The left Omega said as they looked to Fang.
“Gotcha, so you heard him...them...whatever. Anybody says we should kick Talon out of our pack, howl.”
Suddenly there was a huge eruption of howls that sounded in unison, reverberating through the air as their frequencies clashed against one another until they all went silent again.
“Alright then, Talon...get out of our pack!” he said to which his followers growled at Talon who tucked his tail between his legs and growled back.
“This isn’t over runt...I’ll be back with a newer, stronger pack, just you wait!” He said as he dashed off to which Fang and his pack laughed at him fleeing into the dark.
Omega finding his plans now sufficient decided to remerge himself back into a single entity much to the relief of everyone who had gotten tired of the double vision tactic Omega was implementing.
“That’s better, and now if all minds are at ease, I think this meeting is adjourned.” Omega said calmly to which the wolves howled, concluding the meeting as they went back into their bar, one that in a few months time would be transformed from a dilapidated building to a new and efficient headquarters. Fang stayed behind to look down at his tiny new friend through which had changed his life for the better.
“You sure know how to work people over. Anyway, I’m still wondering why you chose me to be Pack Alpha instead of someone like Night. Wasn’t I just as bad as they were?” Fang asked to slake his curiosity.
“You were which is precisely why I chose you. They need someone they can identify with, a leader who has the same interest interests at heart as his pack. That is what a true leader is, not some egocentric dictator whom abuses his own power to satisfy his every beck and whim. Rather a more pragmatic individual, humble, and resourceful of his powers, utilizing his commands to serve the better good of all involved. That is why I chose you, because I sensed some of those qualities, to follow orders that are meant for a higher purpose. So now instead of taking orders, you will be giving them, though I must warn you face a great responsibility in leading this pack. Its survival rests in your hands now. It will not be easy and you will make mistakes along the way, but with time and hard work in striving to lead in the approved manner, there will be no doubt that you and your kind will thrive.” Omega stated, his inspirational message in passing the torch to Fang was both a heavy, yet honorable privilege to uptake.
“Alright...then I’ll do my best, I won’t let you down boss.” Fang said assuredly, that the pack couldn’t be in better hands.
“You’d better not, unless you want another beating.” Omega said seriously as he approached Fang who appeared nervous until Omega pointed at him, catching him off guard with a teasing gesture. To which Fang knowing he’d been had, both shared a laugh as both doubled up in hilarity. Then Fang stretched out his massive hand, an offer to shake hands, parting as friends.
“Thanks for everything Omega, I gotta hand it to ya, you’re one tough little guy and you pack one hell of a punch. Guess I won’t be underestimating the little guys anymore, eh?” Fang smiled, holding the little hand into his own, the first time he felt it without it wanting to kill him...it felt cold not surprisingly he was metal yet, while it wasn’t the warm handshake man-to-man, it still had the warmth of their kinship.
“Careful, if I agreed to that, then I’d definitely be a vain prick.” Omega said to which both chuckled at the sentiment, all of which seemed to be in spite of Laen, who upon hearing those words began to sulk.”

“I’ll be keeping an eye on you, and just in case, should you need help, you’ll find I’m not far away.” Omega stated as Fang felt a prick in his paw as a tiny speck of silvery fluid seeped into his skin.
“Ow, hey! I felt that, what’d you do?” Fang asked as he looked at his hand.
“Think of it as sealing a contract, as well as a perk. I don’t do this but to the few I trust. It’s a symbiotic bond, where I inject a tiny portion of myself into your blood. Once in, I will merge with your body, I will have complete and unremitting surveillance to your every move though for the most part I will remain unnoticed, a small lack of privacy being a small price to pay when you consider the benefits I have to offer.” Omega said as Fang looked to Omega, finding the idea a little offsetting, knowing that he would have not real private thoughts to himself from now on, a rather depressing reality that now he lacked the freedom to do as he saw fit.
“So then I don’t get to call the shots on what goes on in my head? I mean geez, don’t I get a say on how I think anymore? What’s so great about that?” Fang asked a little disgruntled at his situation.
“Don’t get the wrong impression here; I’ll only maintain a slight degree of censorship, I’m not the thought police. I just intervene should things get out of hand. But it might interest to know that these processes works the other way around as well, you will have exclusive access in consulting me at any time by way of telepathic communiqué. But that is merely the start into the bargain. As a complimentary side-effect, you will also enjoy a vast longevity, retaining your youth in length of a substantial degree. In other words by the time you’re seventy, you’ll have changed very little, a year or two differences in appearance is all. Just think, your pack will live on, because you will live on to make sure it survives. With the longevity I have given you, your youth will give you strength whilst time will give you wisdom. My gift to you so that you can be a gift to this world.” Omega said to which Fang affirmed, knowing that the path ahead would be rough, knowing he and his pack had much to atone for, and yet knowing that he had all the time in the world now. He knew that so long as he took a day at a time, then time would seem immaterial, only the accomplishments that marked as evidence of that passing. So, with a nod, neither having anymore to say to each other, gave a gesture of good will to one another and then parted ways. Both knowing that though the future would be uncertain, that neither here nor there would they be intimidated, that though they were on their separate ways, the brotherhood they now shared would get them past all that lay ahead.