A Heart’s Burden

Christmas had finally come along. Everyone was gathered around the bonfire outside of camp where the turkeys and buffalo were being roasted. Even Lucifer showed up just to be spiteful towards his brother. He was dazzling the kids with fireball tricks.

All of a sudden, a single bolt of lightning with one burst of thunder struck the ground, followed by a blinding light. Out of it stepped a small ghostly figure. The only one not in shock was Logan, who fell down crying. The figure walked over to him, it's paws ever so slightly floating above the ground. No one dared move as the spirit placed her paw on their King's shoulder. She spoke in the softest, most angelic voice Jay had ever heard. "Don't worry Dad, we're at peace." Jay, Brian, and Victor all simultaneously gasped. It was the spirit of Kelly! They all slowly approached her, teary eyed. "Ahh, there are my big brothers!" she exclaimed, giving them a group hug. "I can't stay long I'm afraid. This was my Christmas wish, to take on this very important mission from God." "What mission?" Brian asked. "What's he like?!" Jay blurted out. "I can't quite explain him," she said. "You're not condemned brother. Even with your friend over there," she nodded at Lucifer and waved sarcastically. "Your Father says 'Hi'." Lucifer just snorted at this remark and then nodded to her with appreciation a moment later. Deciding to join the group chat, he walked up and side commented to Jay that his Father was arrogant and controlling. Jay just shrugged off his friend's family drama comment.

"As for my mission," Kelly went on, "I need to speak to Nala and the rest of you here." Spotting the tigress out, they all gestured for her to join them. She slowing approached unsure and confused at why this entity would want to see her. Kelly glanced at Logan and then back at Nala. "This is going to be awkward and frightening," she began. "I don't want ANYONE to panic," she insisted, "but soon the two of you are going to have a child and history is going to try and repeat itself." Nala gasped and whispered towards Logan "It's only been a day, how could she possibly know?" "We have accountants that see everything…" Kelly whispered back mockingly, winking at her. Speaking to everyone now she said "That's why in five months time we know that the dragon plans to try and destroy this family once again." Logan instantly became stone cold serious, sliding out his claws. "We have to kill him this time," he growled. Jay evilly laughed at this notion. Brian looked at his Father and quickly said "I'll start stocking medical supplies and we can start fight training immediately." "WAIT!" Jay yelled, suddenly laughing losing all momentary feelings of revenge. He threw his arm around his brother. "We're gonna have another sibling!" he cheered. Brian started laughing too. Logan looked down at the ground and said "Oh God… I'm too old for this." "Ohh, you're only like a hundred." Kelly smiled out. "Ouch. Felt that," Jay said. "This immortal thing really sucks."

The night grew late with conversation and with a heavy heart, Kelly kissed everyone goodbye. She trotted off towards the stars, ascending yet again into Heaven. Whispering and rumors floated through the night, a somber tension filling the air. The leaders tried to assure everyone while also coming up a hushed plan.

The sun rose the following morning, strong and full of determination. While the others set up courses for training, not fully knowing what to expect. Jay spent the morning with his children and wife. He ran up sneakily behind Dusk, spreading his wings open. Full sprint he leapt up and playfully grabbed her by the shoulders and took off into the sky. Everyone turned, their fear quickly fading into amusement, as Dusk's shriek pierced the air. Jay's wicked laughter almost masking it. "You're alright!" he yelled down to her over the wind, grasping her close to his chest. "Take a deep breath." She finally calmed down and took a small gasp of amazement. The bold wistful mountain rose in the distance until they were soaring up the face of it. Everything in sight seemed to shimmer and glow in the morning dew and rising sun. He smiled wide down at Dusk and she just started uncontrollably giggling. Satisfied, he swooped up above the clouds and the entire world turned golden, a milky warm heat washing over their fur.

He eventually glided back down to where Crystal and Dawn were waiting. Dawn was still in shock, legs wobbly, she managed to flop down at her mother's feet. Dawn dashed up to Jay and demanded her turn. He smiled with complete felicity, and licked down her ruffled excited fur. "You ready?" he asked. She just nodded vigorously. They took off and right when he thought she was nice and settled, he did a barrel roll making her scream and clutch on even tighter. Other than that, he gave her the same breathtaking tour as her sister. When he returned, Crystal waltzed over to him and tugged teasingly on his mane. "Is it my turn?" A mischievousness flashed through his eyes and he chucked. "You get the dusk tour with the sapphire sky and starlight. And…(he paused kissing her) a moonlit dessert if we're lucky." He chuckled again, kissed her dotingly, and then strutted away to check on the battle preparations.

He found his Father, brother, uncle, and the three huge tigers of the family that were the muscle, the security. All being Siberian tigers, there was Roman and his wife Susan, and the more recent addition Jay had just met, Blizzard, an albino with the thickest fur he had ever seen. He and the whole rest of the group spent the rest of the afternoon sharpening weapons. Jay pulled out his pride and joys; a double edged dagger with reverse teeth rightfully dubbed "The Gut Checker," and a brutal hand axe he called "Spinal Tap." Basically everyone there had a samurai sword too. Even Logan pulled out his wicked medieval axe from the 14th century that Lucifer had gifted him.

By the next day everyone was aware of the situation. All of the pride's kits were rambunctious and practice fighting, tumbling around under everyone's paws. Jewel was the only youth actually worried and was preparing for what was to come. Logan had had enough of it. His voice rang out over the camp, "Let all children, young and old gather here!" They all came running, most bouncing excitedly that their King had specifically requested them. "Everyone is important in the battle to come. This is serious. Offense is just as important as defense, and that is where y'all come in. The fact is that we need your help… I need your help. Anyone not directly involved in the fight will be reinforcing our structures and I need all of you to gather branches of all sizes, logs and limbs, and reeds too and bring them back here." He looked around a minute and snap pointed at the group of sisters Diamond, Crystal, and Ruby. "They are in charge of the remodeling. Please do as they ask. The whole pride is counting on you." The children were stone silent, staring at him with the most intent seriousness they had ever had. Logan briefly nodded and then turned, jogging back towards the training grounds they had constructed. He wasn't going to let his world collapse like it literally did in that nursery all those years ago.