The two looked around only to notice 3 other wolves in the room not counting the teacher, they headed to some seats and sat down. The teacher walked in and introduced himself, "Good morning young leaders I'm Philip Crest as you may know and today I'll be…" He stopped mid sentence as he looked up noticing Westen and Lloyd, it had been years since the meeting Philip had been apart of deciding what to do with 2 young wolves, of course a few days ago he was informed of 2 new students he figured they were intellectually on par with Alpha children, he didn't think they'd actually be something far more, "…teaching you like the last few years, of course we'll be doing the physical later today to find out where you all are physically and intellectual. As you know these tests will determine how you will rank in the class and how the school will see you as an Alpha, I have to come to notice there are 2 female Alphas once again, so 2 generation in a row which I'm not surprised especially coming from my clan as from the Flares. I do want to point out your younger sibling that is next in line will also be doing the same test if they rank higher than you… well good luck proving yourself. Now than I'll be doing role call when you hear your name obviously just say here… Diamond Flare?
"Here!" A blue haired girl shouted as she casually smiled
"Hannah Crest?"
"Here!" a girl with black eyeliner and white hair responded
"John Sun…that's original." Philip called as he whispered that last part
"Here sir!" A boy with black hair proclaimed
"Lloyd Moon?"
"Here."
"Westen Moon?"
"Present."
"Well that's all of you.. now than-"
"Excuse sir but why are there 2 Moon clan members? As far as we're aware there should only be one meaning the oldest." John asked interrupting Philip
"The reason young Sun is due to who they are. As you know every other generation there is an Altima, the protector of our people and your generation is the one that will bring forth the 400th Altima. As your teacher it's my job to teacher and help prepare you for the role of Alpha which means you must also be prepared to deal with the Altima as well. You'll learn in time why exactly the role of Altima is so important to –"
"Excuse me sir, but who said that a clan of disgusting wolves get the honor to produce the 'protector' of our people? I mean it was only what 8 years since they lost 2 of their own to a Human, it's brings dishonor even saying that word eww, but what to expect from such a pathetic clan." Diamond proclaimed as Westen began to stand up before Lloyd grabbed him and shock his head, one of Lloyd's many trainings growing up was controlling his emotions as he was told they were dangerous, Westen gave him the "Are you serious?!" look but Lloyd reassured him, "This is coming from a dishonest family and a clan who is known for being smart," Lloyd stated "Your name isn't Diamond it's Diana, I wonder how many hoops your parents had to jump through, Diamond was a nickname given to the mother of the wolf people being Aaron's wife, the 1st Altima. Her name was proclaimed unusable which is why we don't know her true name but rather the name Diamond, the same name that was also claimed to hold great honor and not a single wolf, Alpha or otherwise should name their child after the her, in fact the reason she is considered to be the mother of wolves, is due to how many wolves saw her as a motherly figure during the Beginning Age in which the humans gave us Wolftopia."
Everyone looked at Lloyd surprised he knew so much of their history very little information was given to Lloyd's intelligence but perhaps there's more than meets the eye, this was due to Lloyd's teacher. Unlike Black who refused to teacher them intellectually, there was another who did just that. A few years ago when Westen found the library within Black's house that he asked Lloyd to read them books after books learning more and more. One night however a figured showed up on the hill as the boys stopped died in their tracks, the figured started to back away before Lloyd asked them to wait. They did just that, as Lloyd asked multiple questions there was only silence, the moon's light never touched them for Westen to identify them, all he saw was a white leopard tail. This stranger began to teacher the boys different things but through a strange method not of a physical way but rather a mental. Westen was the only person who could even see them, but they never spoke it wasn't that they refused to but rather they chose to sign instead as days turned into months and months into years. Lloyd and Westen began to know and understand the stranger, Lloyd even had the thought to take off his blindfold but was told not to. At one point the stranger did speak, but their voice sounded as if it was cracked, but they chose never to speak after that time hoping to teach Westen their language. Lloyd had remembered much of this unknown teacher of his as Westen was his translator but now that he could see and understand much it was as if something or someone was guiding him now in this moment.
"T-that's not true my parents named me Diamond due to my hair color!" Diana shouted furious that someone had exposed her and what her parents have done right there in front of the other future Alphas. "Doesn't matter what they tried to name you after, the name Diamond is unusable by law. Which means your mother must've done something in her position to give you that name. Course another theory is that you call yourself Diamond without knowing and your mom doesn't know." Lloyd stated as he kicked his feet up and leaned back.
Philip stood there not wanting to test the Altima in a battle of knowledge. Most Crests know that regardless of the clan they're from no wolf has come intellectually close to the Altima. He sat down in his chair and cleared his throat "Alright that's enough, if you would please settle down Lloyd indeed has a point of the taboo which is displeasing that I a Crest of high status failed to notice such a thing I'll correct this immediately. We'll continue with the physical training that I have planned as well as intellectual test. Now as for what you said Diana, the Moon clan has always been the gateway in which the Altima arrives no other clans have given birth to an Altima. It's a phenomenon in which not even the Crest can't figure out. Now onto the test, the first one is the test of intellect, I'll be asking questions about our people, clans and history and I'll be keeping track on who's got the most points." Philip claimed as he stood up and began the test
Minutes passed as he kept score,
1. Lloyd
2. John
3. Westen/Hannah
4. Diana
With some many questions it seemed he knew exactly where each Alpha child ranked in terms of intelligence. "It seems we have the unusual ranking, Altima, Sun, Moon, Crest and finally Flare. Which is why we do these test last year the Moon had the highest rank with the Flares having the lowest now than moving on to the physical test." He calmly said as he put the scores on the White board
1. Lloyd- 350
2. John- 349
3. Westen- 345
4. Hannah – 345
5. Diana- 290
"Each question ranged from 1 to 3 points which is the cause of the scores you see here on the board. You may also know the perfect score of the young Altima this is due to the fact he was able to answer every question correctly when I asked them, now seeing as this was verbal and therefore it was based off speed as well this means whoever answered 2nd was given half credit and so forth downwards. Any questions?"
"I have a question, Westen and I tied does that mean anything specific or is it just because of ranking he was placed first?" Hannah asked
"Good question, the reason you are ranked that way is only because of how things were answered technically you should be ranked 3rd as well, but we look at the entire picture, you only ranked lower than Westen due to the speed aspect of the test, he was clearly faster in answering, whereas you had the clear cut answers. Perfect counters to each other so to speak meaning you can flip your placements. Any other questions?"
"I have a question, what's with the alarm going off downstairs?" Lloyd asked, as he said this a massive alarm went off in their room, Philip surprised that he could hear that as the walls of the school are made of material that is sound proof specifically in the Alphas room to the point wolves don't use their enhanced hearing. "That would be the summoning alarm, it means the Alphas have been summoned together and we are to head towards the meeting hall. I do realize that the meeting hall is a large distance away –"
"300 miles to be exact sir." Lloyd stated
"Yes however we have Walter Moon on standby due to his ability of teleportation and other wolves with similar abilities, now than we will head towards the door."
Walter opened the door as the Alphas made their way, he grabbed ahold of them and teleported them to the meeting hall, "There we go young leaders I'll be back once everyone is here." He stated he disappeared finishing his sentence
"Alright young leaders this is the perfect chance to see what will happen when you are called for a meeting while miles away, you need to find a wolf that can teleport you or perhaps like most Alphas be faster than teleportation, I do encourage you all to watch careful in this next meeting as it'll be an experience for you understand?"
As the group headed outward toward the meeting hall they found themselves standing in front of Alphas circle, a place where the Alphas were to sit and discuss matters, of course no one was there due to the prime circle being for public display, Lloyd noticed the lists of alphas separated by clan and the years they served, he noticed his father's name was crossed out right next to it read the words "Dishonored" he clenched his fists knowing that he was going to fix that one day. As they headed out towards the public hall, he sat in the reserved area specifically met for the next generation, he noticed that all the Alphas were here including his uncle sitting in the Altima seat, which wasn't truly his, Westen tugged at Lloyd's sleeve pointing out someone was on the stand, and they had a white leopard tail! Lloyd knew he couldn't act just yet, he calmly had to sit. The stand was a place in the center of the circle for wolves to talk to the Alphas in specific matters, it's the exact place where Black Sun made his case all those years ago, course the public could also see the stand as it was a full circle rather a half of one. This allowed the Alphas to face the public and the speaker to only face the Alphas. As the voices rose, soon the Alphas appeared taking their respective seats eventually allowing Black Sun to appear and take his, as the voices went from loud discussion to slight murmuring, as the voices silenced when Black raised his hand he spoke in a booming voice,
"People of Wolftopia, we have gathered here today at the discovery of a pest in our land, this creature decided to cross our land looking for something or someone, if this filth would speak that is I'd like to know what exactly brought them here."
"If it pleases the other at the table I'd like to know how our defenses were breached by someone so weak, there's no possible way they came through easily if anything it's possible they killed wolves to get this far." John Sun spoke as whispering began soon the hood that was covering the person in question was taken off revealing a semi human snow leopard, her eyes are blue, her hair is white and one of her ears are torn. Westen's eyes grew recognizing her, this caused Lloyd to get up before Westen grabbed him this time and whispered to him to sit down before he did something he would regret, Lloyd relaxed and sat down before allowing the Alphas to talk,
"This is disturbing news to say the least all this time we have been discussing to reconnect with Animtropic to have someone like them to break the treaty is unheard of." Lois stated as she had been writing most of what had been said thus far
"I wouldn't jumped to that conclusion, it's possible that they come from Feline Kingdom as Leopards are related to Cats therefore they could be a spy to see how are defenses are for an attack, we must be on guard than correct?" Peter questioned as the others look at him before Walter spoke,
"If I may, if we're taking in any possibility than they could easily be on the run from Faunas Heaven created by the Human Alliance or perhaps Animtropic has gone to ruin and they're on the run from there, don't jump to conclusion just yet."
As he finished Black just shook his head knowing full well that Walter was trying to do something but he wasn't having it, Walter knowing that Black was too good at understanding body language was hoping for this as he needed a way to break something big to the others,
"Walter you have got to be the dumbest person here for saying something like that, no one here believes that they could come from that forsaken place known as the Human Alliance, nor do they believe that Animtropic has gone to ruin."
"But how do you know that Black? As far we know any possibility is on the table regardless how 'dumb' it may seem, think about it they haven't talked since you caught them earlier this morning. What are you keeping from us?"
"Don't question me! I have done everything by the book regardless of how-"
"No Walter has a point what exactly are you hiding from us… because you told Peter and I that they had been caught by the Sun's security not by just you specifically so please enlighten us on what exactly you're hiding."
"There's no need to question Black's authority there's probably a reason –"
"No justifiable reason could ever explained why he is lying to Lois and I. John you have no place to talk as from what we have witnessed these past few years Black will always side with you and vis versa because he's a Sun after all. Now stop hiding what you know and explain the True situation."
"Fine you want the truth… I found her on a hill with a tree. This hill is at the edge of my property how she got that far is something I don't understand, but she did have this," Black revealed the book that Lloyd held that morning "King of the Fire Dragons" people began to whisper to one another, "Silence! I am aware what this book means to our people but I will not have it cause gossip to be spread. Now as for you… what are you doing here filth?"
"Black I would watch your tongue, as far as we know she is our guest, now please young women please tell us why you are here."
The faunas stood there as Walter finished his words, before she spoke "I deaf, I can only read lips. I no harm I bring message." Her voice had a crack in it which Lloyd had heard once before, "You're deaf? Well that's something new… I know that no one here knows your native language to translate, but is there a way to make things simpler?" Walter stated as Lloyd stood up "I know her language," Many wolves gasps as Lloyd walked over to the stand and putting his hand on her shoulder "This is Phoenix, I met her 3 years ago on that hill, she was a kind and understanding women who helped Westen and I learn things we didn't know like reading and writing. Even well I was blindfolded for most of my life she helped me use my other senses. Now sensei please speak your mind."
Walter sat there until he stood up "Before we hear the message from Phoenix I would like to point out the flaws Lloyd has revealed to us, Black Sun was supposed to care for the boys yet clearly he didn't I have also heard from Destiny that he hasn't been feeding them correctly either, how she discovered this is due to our friend here, Phoenix had written down what she experienced while here in a journal that Destiny found, I myself also saw that instead of preparing Lloyd for his role Black decided instead to blindfold him, this goes against many rules and laws that Aaron, Jericho and many other Altimas have established beforehand."
Many wolves began to whisper including the new generation of alphas, Lloyd stood there making sure that he could understand and realize what just happened, his uncle had been exposed for who he truly was. The whispers began to die down as many of the Alphas stood up expect for Black, Walter than nodded his head signaling to Phoenix that she can speak,
"George…left a message… I can't talk…well... I deaf I use sign language… may I?"
"By all means Lloyd will translate for you if that can be done young Altima." Walter stated as Lloyd nodded his head watching as Phoenix began to sign these words,
"My dear people, I have left a message with an old friend who can help us with my untimely death by taking forth my role in hopes to prepare my young grandson Lloyd for when he takes my place. As many know the Altima can not die the same way twice, I have been informed by Aaron the first Altima that I will be the last death, what this means I haven't discovered, what I do understand is this, The Devil Family is plotting something to tear us apart. Phoenix maybe different but she is a symbol to help us see what we truly cannot see that has caused us problems for years, and that is the distance we have created between us and other semi humans, we need to increase our knowledge, military and technology with that of our allies and not keep them in the dark. I have been informed as well that this generation will be different from the last, Aaron has titled them the Defiance Generation, due to writing this letter I am aware I will die soon. For my grandson Lloyd I leave you everything I owe so that you may become the Altima I believe you can be, for my grandson Westen you are to take my knowledge and tools I have gained over the years, for my granddaughter Destiny I would like you to have the Moon family heirloom and the items left behind by your mother. And that is the end of the message."
As the wolves began to whisper once again, many of the Alphas looked at each other before Walter spoke, "This message has revealed much for our people but I believe the Alphas can agree when I say this is George's Will and we must take this at full value for what it's worth." Peter shook his head in agreement, John looked annoyed, Lois looked troubled and Black was furious as the whispering began to die down and silence once filled the building.
"This is ridiculous for us to believe such a filthy creature, how can you stand there and defend her or even believe her. My father was a man of honor nothing she said was anything close to the Will I discovered in his chambers. Her deafness alone makes her a pathetic person who we can't trust. Don't forget who we are we are Wolftopia we are based around honor and other animal nature believing who is the true alpha of our people."
"And you believe that to be you? I hate to say it Black but Walter is right. We need to-"
"Shut up! If you pathetic alphas can't clearly see this is a trap then I will destroy you all as temporary Altima I have the power to invoke Altima's Choice. You have refused to believe me on this entire conversation which means you are defining the Altima itself!"
" Actually you're wrong there Black, the Altima's Choice can only be invoked by the true Altima which is your nephew Lloyd, George already gave us the temporary Altima being Phoenix even if she is an outsider if the Altima trusts her then there's no reason for us not to.
As the room fell silent, maybe thoughts ran through Lloyd's head of the possibilities for his uncle's response. Not much time passed when he stood up and cleared his throat "Fine if that's the case I will step down as the Altima." Black stated as he began to walk down towards the crowd, before saying a few words "As my last decree, there will be a Tournament that all the wolves of this new generation must do, and if they lose they are to be banished from Wolftopia, there are 3 rules to the tournament,
1. You are a child of an Alpha the first born
2. You are within the age range of 7-17
3. You are a gifted wolf with some form of power
if these rules don't apply to you these then you don't need to participate if they do apply to you there will be 3 section each with 4 challenges that you must past, once the points tally up the wolf with the least amount is banished and if you wish to take the Alpha seat you may participate without penalty." Black stated as he began to leave the hall with a smile,
"Are you insane! You're asking us to put all the first born Alpha children against each other including the Altima himself in these challenges. This could be disastrous for all 4 clans." Walter shouted making sure Black heard him
"I don't know, he's got a point there. Aaron claimed they were going to be a different, a new generation let's put them to the test shall we?." John stated as he looked off in the distance, Peter shook his head in agreement knowing that an Altima's last decree cannot be undone, George's was to put Phoenix in his seat and Black's was to create this tournament for the Alpha children. Lois looked uncomfortable as she slowly nodded her head as well, a loud gasp filled the building as Walter stood in shock, but he knew deep down that they were right there was nothing they could do for this decree to be undone.