The land was baren. All of it was oddly gray, strangely gray. No color. Some of it was from the fires that had caused terror in Zanzira, but most of it was something else. The land was growing icy cold, the trees lucky enough not to be burnt where wilting slightly. The ground was becoming cob webbed with frost.

She couldn't breathe. She didn't understand why. Her limbs where aching, chest aching and stinging as if the ashy air was still in her lungs. Eliza coughed, trembling, shivering. The veins drawn over her pelt where not glowing. They where out completely. The white mare walked steadily, entering the God's lands. She didn't understand, the fire was over, but she couldn't breathe still. She wanted to lay down and not move forever. Every time she even expanded her nostrils it hurt.

The mare tried to move up onto the stone in the center of the clearing, but her limbs would not budge. Suddenly, she tripped over nothing. Her body crumpled like a twig, twisting and pushing up ash and dirt as she fell to the black ground. On her side, she was quite still, except for the rising and falling of her chest. Her eyes where squeezed shut, her nostrils wide. She remembered how green it once was, how happy it once was, she remembered Onzilli and how...and how some part of her loved him. His face exploded in her mind, and the face of the thousands that had walked the land. No. No, she could never ever give up.

Her legs thrashed at the soil, the veins on her sides began to glow feebily, only the slightest trace of blue illuminating them. Her eyes flashed open and she screamed. The sound was panic filled, desparate, and rang out across the land like a boom of thunder. She called for everyone, for everyone, God, Lord and Lady, or pup. She wanted them all here, now. She took a breath and squeezed the sound from her throat, once again calling everyone to her.

Shishenti's head went up. Her ears twitched. Her paws where itching, itching. She wanted to run, run, run, run, run! She leapt to her paws, exploding forewards at full force, tearing across the earth towards what was singing at her to come to it. She could feel something tugging at her heart, something that hurt. Like...like a broken heart, like loosing your family.

She bounded over a large meteor, landing on the ground and spraying ash everywhere. Her purple eyes filled with detemination.

Rasp was huddled in a den, hiding from the fire outside. He was so confused. He did not understand. Why did the rocks of death fall from the sky. Then, something caught his attention. A butterfly, a golden glowing buttefly. Rasp's frightened eyes filled with curiousity. He squeezed from the den, stepping on the dark ground, staring up at the butterfly.

"'Ello my purdily!" He said to it. But then it began to flutter away. "NO! NO! DON'T LEAVE MES!"

He gallumped after it.

A gust of wind blew Blizzy off course. She tumbled through the air, but managed to catch herself. Suddenly, she heard a sound. It was a sound of pain, of screaming. Not wanting to think about what she was about to find, the she wolf began to scan the land. Something told her she should find the source of the sound. Prehaps someone had been burned by the rocks that had been tumbling to the earth a few hours before. Prehaps, they needed help.

Umbra was running across the land, towards something. It was a something, a something that said she should come. She should go to it, it was important, it would explain what was happening around her. Suddenly, she heard the thunder of hooves. She looked around, and to her utter astonishment, she saw a giant golden, scaled stallion. He looked fierce and proud.

Umbra leapt into the air, stretching her wings wide. Prehaps he was going to the same place she was.

(The silver means I'm using everyone except the chosen ones and Gods, okies?)

Many animals recovered from shock to feel a sort of calling (Two horses, three wolves, and three cats, to be exact) to the Meeting Place. They shrugged and galloped, sprinted, and prowled to the area, wondering what it was that called them so strongly.

He was one of the first to hear it, as he was one of the closest to Eliza. He knew something was terribly wrong. Why her? Why couldn't it be someone else? he thought desperately, and at full speed he galloped tirelessly to the meeting grounds. He gave a mighty rear and distressed whinny as a halt, and seeing Eliza's state, he fainted.

Sinder was almost dead. It'd been worse enough without the Rain, and a giant asteroid had flown past her side. But suddenly, she felt undescribable strength. She didn't know where it came from, but she also didn't know what would soon happen. The strength made her blind to her wounds, and trotted rather quickly than usual to the Meeting Place. She sat at the front of the crowd, reshowing the real her instead of the dark creature she would soon turn into when she 'found out'.

Dragonfly was dead tired. He hadn't eaten in awhile, and had the random urge to eat cookies when he heard the call. His ears perked and something told him this was urgent, so he burst into flame and sped to the Meeting Place. Once back in his normal form, he sat next to a 'O.O'-faced Sinder. They glanced at eachother and they suddenly knew that they were fighting the same battle.

Elegance was.. well, she wasn't particularly doing anything. She'd luckily found a den and so the Rain had barely affected her, except for the fact that there seemed to be nothing but heat all around. When she heard an urging to the Meeting Place she couldn't help but notice that the land seemed to be dull and lifeless around her, and she knew it wasn't just the Rain. This made Elegance's sinuous movements quicken as she sped to the place she was to go to. She, wanting to see very well, sat next to a Drayagon at the front she didn't know (Which happened to be Sinder, Dragonfly was on the other side). She neatly put wrapped her tail over her paws, and fell backwards as soon as she looked up at Eliza.

Aqua felt relieved when she heard the call to gather. She had been flying back to the River of Ice, confusion beginning to settle into her mind, thinking about what she could tell Frost. How could she tell him that she couldn't bare to return to his land any longer. How could she tell her that she dreaded the moment she would have to return to sleep? How could she tell him that she couldn't bring herself to see his face again?

She shivered and swished her tail, changing direction. Then she almost fell out of the sky. A giant meteor fell only a foxlength from her face. She shook her head and flew faster, hoping to avoid any more meteors. It wasn't long until she reached The Meeting Place. She nearly fainted when she saw Eliza. She blinked and walked slowly to her side. She bowed her head and sat beside her. "Is there anything I could possibly do to help you?" she asked, sorrow clouded her eyes. Surely this wasn't Eliza'z end?

Camini looked around and wondered what sound she had heard. She poked her head up through the grasses of the Socializing Grounds and began to race toward the sound. She knew that it couldn't be a bird, she knew their calls by heart. It wasn't like anything she had heard before. She raced faster and faster and realized where it had come from almost instantly.

A gathering call! she was instantly excited. Something important was about to happen and she knew it would be important, Eliza never called meetings without a reason. She jumped on top of a low rock and scrambled down it into The Meeting Place. She was stunned to see that she wasn't the only one to be called. She scowled. She had hoped that this would be a special opportunity for her, disappointment gripped her with an icy hand. She walked by Eliza's body, not even noticing that she had fallen. She walked past the other animals and sat on a low rock, left of the limp body.

Nyx looked up at the leaves in Yan Forest. A strange ringing sound was echoing through her ears. She twitched her whiskers and laid her head down on her paws again. Whatever it was, it could wait until she had finished her nap. Nothing would make her get up. Nothing.

Dweezil snorted at the sound in her ears. His mane and tail fired up brighter. The sound annoyed him more than that "Goddess" that he had first met when he had claimed his rightful land. He looked up into the sky and began to follow the irritating ringing. He began to plan how he would dispose of the creator of the sound, picking up speed in his need to rid his mind of the noise.

Soon he came to The Meeting Place and looked around. Several creatures where there already. He walked close to each one, listening intently to decide which one had made the infernal noise. But it wasn't long until the noise stopped and he had to abort his search. He scowled and sat down beside a Drayagon. Then he noticed that the creature on the Drayagon's other side had fallen down. Slowly, he inched away.

She was still. She listened to what was around her, waiting to hear the first footsteps of those that arrived. Then, it happened again, the crushing, the sensation that the whole world was closing in on her chest. She kicked at the soil, as if trying to run from the pain. Nothing helped though. Slowly, the pain subsided again, ebbing away from her.

A voice, a soft weak male voice, "Its coming..."

Then, she saw something. She opened her eyes wider, but everything was so blurry. Something golden, something wonderful and golden against the blackness, a heavy thud, and then it was gone. Her eyes closed again.

She sensed others arriving, heard their voices and their footsteps as they came towards her. Some where confused, she could tell. At least they where coming, most of them anyway. She tried again, sending the call out to those who had not yet arrived, so that it rang louder and louder in their ears. This could mean the end. Something bad was coming and she knew it.

Shishenti arrived at the Meeting Grounds, eyes wild. She jumped, surprised at the sight of so many creatures huddled here. Most where staring...staring at something. She turned, and saw, to her astonishment, two horses. A unicorn, and Eliza. It could only be Eliza. What other Alandor had those markings? Both where still and silent on the earth. No one was helping them?! When a she wolf came forth and began to talk to the white mare, she felt better, and moved to join the crowd.

Umbra landed gently in the trees around the Meeting Place. Her green eyes darted over the figures, laying for a fraction of a second on the Goddesses before once again turning back t to the arriving creatures. She plunged down into the crowd.

Copper trotted into the grounds, his golden scale's shine dullened by ash. He tossed his mane, wondering why in the world he wad here and why so many other where here too. Moving into the crowd he turned to stare at what some where looking at.

Rasp exploded out the tree-line at full gallop, his black head band nearly flying straight off of his head. The golden butterfly fluttered up higher and higher, and then, POP!! The butterfly exploded into dust, which showered down and then vanished. Rasp's face twisted and he let out a moan of disatisfaction. "NOOOOS!"

But he didn't stop. Instead, he kept going, and collided face first with the leg of a very large something. It sent him toppling backwards into the dirt. Shaking his head and looking upwards, he saw that he had collided with a very very very large horse with FIRE for a mane and tail. Rasp's eyes bulged and nearly popped out of his head. He gave a small apologetic grin.

Eliza heard a voice. Her eyes opened again. She was staring into the face of Aqua. She was asking her if she could help. Eliza's head rose steadily, though she ached everytime she moved a muscle. She flipped her legs upwards, trying to stand, but her legs where shaking so badly she couldn't. He head lolled some, and then she spotted Onzilli. Her eyes widened at the site of the unicorn.

"No, you cannot help me, h-help him," she said to Aqua, surprised at how shaky her voice was. She tried again to stand, but she could not. Her mane fluttered around her head like the puffs of a dandelion, but she could not get to her hooves not matter how hard she attempted to stand. She rested, putting her head on her foreleg and closing her eyes. She had to do this. Something was very very very wrong.

As other felines, lupines and equines gathered, rumors and confusion continued to spread, just as the fire rains had spread among the terras.

2 Horses:
Skulni had been concerned about his homeland as soon as he had seen the falling stars in the claiming grounds. Now, he worried that the worst was yet to come. Pele was exhausted. Her scales lacked luster, especially where they had been burned or frozen. Water was difficult to find in the social grounds now.

2 Wolves:
Zipporah had heard the call; it had burned in her ears as the fires had burned in the Cloud Forest for three days. Now, as confusion reigned, she saw the host of the Core herself laid low. Zipporah looked around in vain for her father, hoping that the god could give her some reassurance. No sign of him. Lee was shaken but not completely crazy after what he had seen. Now all he felt was shame. Shame for hiding and not facing the danger like the warrior he was. Tired, he entered the Meeting Place, hoping for an explanation as to the rain of fire.

2 Cats:
Aegni had not feared the flames. What he had feared was the resulting cold and possible famine. Already it was becomming difficult to find food on Phoenix Mountain. He was afraid that he would need to hunt in the uninhabited terras in the cat fire lands, Although she had only recently laid claim to her land, Xiri heard the call of the Core strongly in her ears. There was no mistaking the urgency of the call. The leopard climbed the trunk of a fragile dead tree in order to watch the proceedings from above.

1 Very Lost Partnership
Sleipnir felt dizzy and disoriented. He had walked blindly following the odd ringing sound until his ears hurt. His legs trembled with exhaustion, but every time he stopped, the ringing grew louder and more painful. Calista wasn't much better. She wouldn't stop yelling at him, urging him on. It was like the witch knew what was going on even if Sleipnir didn't. He just wished she would shut up. By the time he stopped long enough to open his eyes again, the ringing had receeded and Calista was silent. The Meeting grounds were also oddly quiet. Nothing but the murmur of voices could be heard here. All was centered around a few small figures. Sleipnir kept his distance, not wanting to be trampled because of his small size.

Icesong hurridly left the claiming grounds when she heard the call. She hadn't been here very long, but she thought she had better go anyway. The chill snow leopard raced across the ground. At least it wasn't very far, it was still in the shared lands. She had never run this far in her life. As she became more and more exhausted, she kept running anyway. Why would the core be calling? she wondered. At last, out of breath, she saw many animals gathered. Why were they here? What did the core want to tell us? She padded slowly over to investigate.

Daedirian heard, and he followed, knowing that only an important matter could be brought to attention by the call for all beings. The wind wolf smiled grimly and began to run, using the powers as a swift to arrive at the cold, lifeless, barren lands of the meeting grounds quickly and with little effort. He nodded hello at the animals around him, (so few, he thought sadly) his icey blue eyes roaming over the arriving creatures and the ones gathered. Their attention was on a mare that was centered in the group and he turned to see her too. His ears drooped and he lowered his muzzle in a sign of respect.

Nagerrum was wandering close by, his eyes closed and his tail hanging listlessly. He heard the call and went to see what the commotion was about. He didn't much care, of course, but he would because it was asked of him. The dark grey wolf shook himself and his fur bristled in the cold air. Then he began to walk, and only arrived when it seemed all was lost. Eliza was dying, or so it seemed. His purplish-blue eyes narrowed when he looked over the others around him. They seemed to be in mourning already. Well, calm down! She wasn't gone yet.

Capuli sighed deeply and got to her massive paws. She knew she should answer, so she did, but of course she wasn't happy about it. The cougar licked her chops and stretched before making her way to the ever-growing group around the mare. She found a spot beside a femme wolf and nodded at her before turning away. She wanted to get away as soon as she could. This meeting was not a happy one, and she only liked having a sunny disposition.

Aqua looked down at Eliza, questions swirling in her eyes, but she did as the Goddess had said. She stepped over to Onzilli and looked at his body. She could see that he was still alive and came to the conclusion that he had just fainted. She looked around for a puddle, any source of water would help. And she soon spotted one. On a boulder not so far away dew drops from leaves had gathered in a small crevice. She stared hard at it, willing it to move.

Slowly the water began to draw itself out of the space. It gathered into a liquid cloud above the huge rock. Slowly, Aqua drew it nearer to her. It continued to grow in size as it hovered over Onzilli's body. Then, without warning, it fell toward the horse's head. Aqua hoped that the water would help draw Onzilli back into consciousness.

Dweezil looked down at the small thing that had just collided with his leg. It was a wolf. A small wolf. Such a small creature, he thought, why is it here? He glared down at it. He noticed it smile like it had made a mistake. He glared harder and raised his hoof over the creature's head.

Then he saw the water in the air. His eyes went from the wolf to the uncondensed cloud. His hoof lowered to where it had been before, unconsciously letting the wolf get away. He knew that water didn't just simply decide it was tired of sitting around somewhere and begin to fly. No, there had to be another explanation. And he soon saw it. One of the "Goddesses" had raised it to help a fainted horse. He snorted and rolled his eyes, looking the other way like he hadn't seen anything.

Sleipnir closed his eyes. Why wouldn't the world stop spinning? He lost his balance and stumbled against a withered tree, prompting an indignant growl from a cat laying above him. He muttered an apology and moved away. Calista screeched at him to open his eyes. She pushed him to move to where he could see. Sleipnir climbed onto a large boulder so he could see. Several gods and goddesses looked exhausted and powerless as they clustered around the Core host. The air was still and thick with tension. Even a goddess dumping water on a god did so in strict silence.

They all felt the silence. It covered the area like a thick fog. Was it dread? Or anticipation? Or was it something else, something unnamed, and better so. An unuttered thought, perhaps, regarding the fate of the lands the Zanzirians had all come to love.

As if the rain wasn't bad enough for the hopefuls trekking on towards the calling. The calling, for what, congregation in these bad times. If it wasn't dark it was bright with the embers of fire, burning the flesh off their bones if they misplaced a step. What was the world coming too?

There were the few that refused the calling, but many willing to find out what needed of them in bad times was enough to get them to their feet. A group then emerged from the rain and fog, lead by a wolf, with large white wings, tipped with the blackest of blacks. By his site was what looked exactly like a sumatran tiger cub from the old world, but her tail was tipped with fine horse hairs. Behind them was a Draygon mother and her foal, their scales a stunning sky blue, and the foal skipping as if nothing bad happened. A brotherless felin, her hindquarters of that of an appaloosa tagged alone, strangley without her brother. A large muscluar cat, his royal blue stripes streaked down his white fur, his sabre teeth hung out subtlely.

Where was Akila? The goddess?

She leapt upon the rock beside her, stood as proud as she would in 100 years youth, letting out a roar that silence even the foal in her play, then sat, gazing her emerald eyes upon Eliza.

"Akila awaits..." she snarled turning to the late comers, as the remaining creatures filled the empty places in the meeting area.

ooc;; you asked for it.

She could see them all gathering around her, the gods and goddesses(sp?) closest to her. And yet, inside of her chest, the core stirred. The feeling was as light as the flutter of butterflies, but drew attention to it all the same. Her breath came in gasps, as if she was drowning underwater. The Core's own dread was filling her up, making her wheeze. She didn't understand. Zanzira had been through hardships worse than meteor showers. What was so wrong that the Core was freaking out like this? Why was she so weak? She felt like she had some sort of awful fever.

At last, the white arabian threw her forelegs to her front, striking her backlegs out at the soil and pushing herself to a stand.

In front of the crowd the host stood, head low, eyes dull.

"Eliza...Eliza...I need...I need to use your mouth Eliza..." The Core's voice was feeble, as if the being was talking to her from far away.

"Why? What is the matter with me?" She asked.

"Eliza, please..."

"Okay, then..."

She felt her mouth go limp, the jaw dropping far down and sort of hanging there for the fraction of a moment. Then, the jaw lifted, clacking together with her top teeth. Her tongue flickered oddly, and then she felt her own vocal chords shaking. All at once, she heard the male voice of the Core filling the air, but some how it seemed to have new strength. Somehow, speaking to its own creations gave the Core a voice that made her ears ring. It was calm, soothing, but demanded attention, and was full of authority and commanding.

"My Zanzirians, I have news for all of you. The Rain of Fire was not the last of the terror. My friends, my inhabitants, my gods and goddesses, we have another problem to worry about that may mean the end for us all...it may mean the end of our world..." His voice trailed off in a long silence. But then he spoke again, "As we speak a meteor twice the size of our planet is making its way towards us. If the meteor where to hit us, we are done for. We have one option. Though I am weak, I have enough power left to give eight of you the ability to stop the destruction coming towards us. I ask for volunteers. Who wants to step foreward and attempt to save our world from chaos and fire?"

Aqua's ears perked when The Core began to speak and she listened intently. She would do anything for The Core. Anything for the benefit of their world. But something inside her said that she shouldn't get involved in this. Something that said that she had no right to get involved this time. Something that nagged at her to remain silent. Instead, she glanced around and her eyes landed on a dark stallion. His mane and tail glowed hot and, she discovered as she looked closer, were flames themselves!

Silently, she flicked her tail at the Nightmare to come closer. Her instincts told her that he was the one. He was meant to go on this journey. Again she felt that she couldn't explain the feeling. It sent chill bumps up her spine to think of going against it. She had to trust her instincts on this one, she just had to....

Dweezil listened as The Core spoke and restrained himself from rolling his eyeballs. What sort of "disaster" would anyone leave in the hands of inexperienced blockheads like this bunch. Then he noticed the "Goddess" again. Her tail wagged at him as if she was summoning someone. He glanced around and then looked the Goddess in the eyes again. Me? his eyes said. He stood up and walked over to the white wolf.

Aqua lowered her head and whispered into the black horse's ear, "I want you to go," she said. "I know it's not my job to deal with the horses, but I want you to go and help destroy it." She looked him expectantly in the eyes. "I order you to go," she added in her firmest voice.

Dweezil's eyes portrayed his shock. His jaw had dropped and his eyes were the size of maple leaves. He couldn't refuse the proposal. The Core had promised power after all. And he couldn't go again a Goddess's word, could he?

He stood with his head held high and looked at the gathered animals. "I volunteer," he said and sat again beside the Goddess. Out of the corner of his eye he saw the Goddess's pupils shine with worry.

Camini's head raised when she heard what The Core had said. She immediately wanted to go. She wanted to protect the planet to bring justice and order and right and-- The Nightmare's voice broke into her thoughts. I volunteer...

Oh, pooey.... To Hell with the planet, I'm not going anywhere with him! she thought. Some things she just wouldn't do. Her head lowered and she let herself drift into a sleep. Darkness clouded her head, but she didn't dream. She didn't expect to. Not dreaming wasn't unusual.

Sleipnir was in a daze. He heard the words of the Core, but he seemed paralyzed by the threat of danger. Wake up, you son of a donkey! I have not guided you for these years to have you falter on the brink of greatness. Why are you being such a coward? You've faced worse dangers in war. Calista. Sleipnir chinged inwardly. For being his consience, she was sure trying hard to get him killed. He resisted for a few moments before giving in.

The small horse pushed his way through the forest of limbs to the gods and goddesses. He ignored the curious stares and the rolling eyes; he had seen them all before. "I will go." His stance was firm with determination, but his mind still trembled as he argued with Calista. It's too late now; you already volunteered.

Azul watched the horses come foreward with trepidation. Why had no wolves stepped up? No matter; there is still time... but not really. He looked for his daughter standing in the crowd, but could not find her. as he turned back, his eyes caught those of the little horse standing before him. Those orbs swirled with conflict, fear and courage. Azul nodded to him, unable to break eye contact.

Sleipnir caught the wolf god's glance and held it, savoring the feeling of security within it. He walked slowly over to the god and stood near him. A breeze attached to the wolf seemed to comfort Sleipnir as he stood watching the rest of the crowd.

Onzilli's eyes slowly regained their usual state, blinking quickly in the sudden light. He struggled to stand, legs quivering like a newborn foal, and took in his surroundings. But his eyes kept on wandering to Eliza, distress clear in their brown gaze.

Sinder nuzzled at the snow leopard near her, eyes never leaving the front. She immediately stood upright, abandoning the heavily furred cat as her alerted blue gaze snapped towards the weakened Alandor. Volunteer! There's nothing stopping you! she urged herself, and indeed there was not. The little Drayagon's personality was immediately renewed by the situation, therefore granting much more than enough courage to..

"I'll be glad to volunteer!"

Not a centimeter of Dragonfly's being had the slightest fragment of something negative towards volunteering. His ambitious, over-cunning side knew popularity was ensured if he was chosen; his more selfless side wanted to help save the world he loved and rescue Zanzira from what was to come. He didn't even hear the Drayagon's excited cry; he was too busy perking his ears and taking in what had been said by Eliza.

"I volunteer!" Dragonfly stood up as he said this, tail wagging from side to side and eyes looking up towards Eliza.

Elegance, after returning to consciousness after Sinder's soothing, woke up just in time to hear the request. Her response was much more sophisticated than the impulsive "PICKMEPICKMEPICKME!" of Sinder and Dragonfly. One of these had an intense hunger for adventure whereas the other was clouded by a fogging ambition; the Shard lacked both, and she certainly did not fancy being around seven other Zanzirians for such a long length of time. But another side of her knew that her calmness would be gratified, and perhaps she would be a valued member of the party. Taking a deep breath, the snow leopard stood up and took a hesitant step forward.

"I'll go."