Hi everyone! Greetings, and welcome again to another chapter of Light.

Not much to say, except now that I'm on break, I hope to cover as much of the story as possible. And I want to thank my co-writer Perry for once again volunteering to help out with this chapter.

Get ready for another ride and most of all, enjoy! :D

Chapter 22: The Wolf in Chipette's Clothing

Phelan awoke to the most extraordinary feeling; that his body – young, naked and free – did not belong to him anymore.

Instead, he felt a weight pressing lightly atop his chest, followed by the tickling of a soft breeze. Slowly, the wolf-like chipmunk craned his neck forward.

Maia, white and naked in the moonlight, was still asleep; lying serenely in Phelan's arms like a kitten snuggled close to its mother. The only sounds gracing the night were the gentle rise and fall of her delicate belly, her breath ruffling even the tiniest of his chest hairs.

He purred at the sight of her newly painted Mark, as though Maia's heart had been born anew with a golden glow.

Was it only just a few hours ago, thought Phelan, that Maia and I gave into our desires? He looked upon the chipette, smiling as the memories washed over him like fresh rain.

Mo Cuishle, my love… You're so beautiful, even in your sleep…

It would be a sin to wake her, so Phelan ran his paws gently through the folds of her hair, until at last she stirred and her eyes fluttered open.

"Hello there, beautiful stranger," Phelan purred, leaning in to peck her cheek.

"Hi back at cha." Her smile was like heaven on earth.

They remained silent for a while, letting their tongues speak a language of their own as they kissed deeply. When they pulled apart, Phelan nuzzled into her, grooming and licking the sweat off her pelt. All he could hear was the melody of her soft, timid moans as he tasted her vanilla-scented fur, his tongue running over the little grooves on her back.

Then he felt a ripple tensing in Maia's spine, and the creamy-white chipette sat up straight, as though jolted by a quick current. Her face was turned towards the window, almost nervous with fright.

"Is something the matter, love?" asked Phelan.

"I… I just hope that my m–… that the she-wolf's doing fine, that's all."

"You're still worried about her? After what she's done to keep us apart?"

Maia rested a paw on Phelan's cheek, feeling the sharp curves of his jaw. "I know you don't like her, Phelan. But she still means a lot to me."

"Why? Because you're still placing your belief into the Order? Maia, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course."

"Then be honest with me. Are you happy?"

At this point, he would have expected Maia, tense and ready, to argue until the crack of dawn, even if it meant defending a lost cause.

"I… I don't know."

"Then it's obvious you're not," said Phelan, resting his paws on her trembling shoulders. "Come on, Maia! Don't you think it's time you stopped lying to yourself? Make a change for the better! Open up your eyes."

"Open my eyes?"

"To what a chipmunk's life should really be! Here, I'll show you."

He led Maia out to the open window, where a faint moonbeam shone its blessings upon the couple. "Now tell me, what do you see."

It sounded like a game she had played many years ago as a child, but still, Maia decided to humor him.

"I see… I can see trees, the forest, the stars in the sky, and God knows what lies beyond the horizon."

"Okay. Now close your eyes."

Maia smiled in silence, but kept her eyes shut, even as she felt Phelan's warm paws caressing her face, slowly sweeping across her pretty little eyelids down to her lips. She kissed the tips of his fingers, before opening her eyes again.

"What can you see now?"

It was the same old picture in the same old forest. She shrugged her shoulders.

"Do you know what I see? I see a quiet little place, even an island, beyond that horizon. Somewhere out there, you'll find two lovers like us, yearning to spend the rest of their lives with each other – a haven where we can make things the way we want them to be. No more responsibilities, no more burdens, and best of all, a fresh new start. And it's all ours for the taking, Maia. Just the two of us – together."

Before she could speak, he took her paws into his, as though ready to express his vows.

"Come away with me, Maia. Just say the word – and we can leave all of this behind. Think about it! If we start a family, our children won't have to suffer the same hardships we once did. Plus, I know they'll have your beautiful eyes, as well as my… scruffiness."

The thought of it eased Maia's mind a little as she expressed a sad smile. "It sounds wonderful, Phelan. And I really appreciate it."

You didn't need wolf blood running in your veins, thought Phelan, to detect a catch somewhere in the lines. "But?"

"But then who would watch over your brothers… and the chipettes?"

Phelan heaved a sad sigh. "I'm tired, Maia. I've been a servant to fate my whole life. For once, I'd like to create my own destiny – with you. And don't tell me the thought hasn't crossed your mind either."

"I want it, Phelan. You know I'd do anything to have a life with you…" She leaned closer into Phelan's arms. "But right now, our place is here."

"But… Can't we just leave them with Dave and Miss Miller? Plus, they've already got an amazing career ahead of them. We'd just be in their way."

Maia shook her head sadly, resorting to the only answer she could think of: silencing Phelan with a kiss. "Nothing can replace us, Phelan. Your brothers need you, and my place will always be with the Order."

It was clear, the way she looked into his eyes. He knew all the while of the task he'd sworn to carry out – with all of his body, mind and soul. However, the last thing he wanted was an argument with his beloved mate.

"You're right, babe. I'm sorry," he said, smiling in earnest as he brought Maia's forehead close to his lips. "Come on, let's get you back home."

He handed Maia her toga, before searching around in the crumpled sheets for his clothes.

"Phelan?"

"Yeah?"

Her voice, no longer filled with fear, was now overshadowed by a certain doubt. "What will we tell them? I don't think we can keep this a secret for long."

"You mean, about our relationship?" Phelan's trench coat rose and fell against the frame of his laughing shoulders. "Knowing the boys, especially Alvin – he'll probably have a good laugh about it. But they'll come to accept us. After all, you're my family now."

The chipette's green and blue eyes lit up. "Is that… what they'll think of me?"

"If they're not happy about it, that's their problem. Plus, I'm not afraid to shout to the whole world that I love Maia Miller. I will. And don't you try me," he chuckled.

Maia giggled, though Phelan could tell from the chipette's tone that she was still unsure of herself.

"Hey, come here," he crooned, pulling Maia into his arms. "I promised I would never let anything hurt you, and I intent to keep that word. We're soul mates for life, remember?"

"For life…" whispered Maia, her eyes shut in trust.

As she surrendered herself to the mercy of Phelan's lips, both chipmunks were fully aware of the heat rising through their huddled fur. Unless they could restrain their passions, something within was bound to explode – again.

A second later, an explosion did happen – a pounding at the door that startled both chipmunks.

Phelan stood in front of Maia, baring his teeth in a soft growl. "Stay here."

Cautiously, the wolf-like chipmunk made his way. His paws grasped the knob ever so slowly, before yanking it back quickly like a shot.

The surprised, unexpected figure at the threshold tumbled forward onto the floor, but when it didn't get back up, Phelan recognized the hazel-brown fur behind those clumps of blood.

"Oh crap! Soron? Soron! Maia!"

The rogue was breathing heavily, wincing in pain as Phelan hoisted him onto his shoulders and dragged him across the room. Together with Maia, they laid Soron across the moth-eaten sheets. "What happened?" she asked.

"I don't know. He was already like this when he came in!"

Phelan was licking Soron's fur, hoping that his saliva would at least stop the bleeding. Soron's body suddenly jerked as Phelan ran his tongue over one of his bigger wounds.

"Yeowch! Hey, watch where you put that thing!" He groaned, hissing bitterly.

There was something about the look in his eyes; swollen with the tiniest veins of red, as though he was consumed with so much pain.

Or was it just another of his attempts to conceal his sadness?

"Maia, hand me your bundle."

The chipette tore her cloth into straps, which Phelan used to bind tightly around the worst of Soron's cuts. "I thought you said you had this under control?" Phelan mumbled through a mouthful of fur.

"I did have it under control, brother," Soron replied, rolling his eyes. "Really, you should have more faith in me."

"Yet you only trust me as far as you can throw me? Where's the faith there?" Phelan returned, a smug smile on his face. Soron groaned, cracking his neck joints.

"Oh, shut up."

The hazel-brown chipmunk caught the sight of the Claddagh ring painted on Maia's tummy, and even he couldn't resist a grin.

"Hmm, not bad; I guess I had given you the chance to fulfill your belly fetish after all."

Phelan would've told him to shut his trap, but thought otherwise. The worst of Soron's bleeding had already stopped, but he was still breathing heavily.

"I don't know how much longer he can last. If we can get back to Alvin and the others, he'll be safe for now. Soron, can you orb us home?"

"Last?" Soron half-shouted, feeling insulted. "What do you think I am, minced meat?"

"Does that mean you can take us home then?"

"Oh, well let's see. I come back from a bloody battle that incinerated most of not all the trees within a hundred mile radius from this cabin, while you two go out humping each other into the night. Now here I am a few hours later, you calling me a dying old oak, and you want me to orb us out of here? Of all the times to lose that brain of yours…"

Phelan slapped his forehead. "Okay, my head hurts. Don't Light bearers have, I don't know, a healing ability of some kind?"

"They do," said Maia. "But its effects are nullified when two members of the Order fight each other. We made our vows to never hurt another of our kind when we first receive our powers. Breaking the contract results in… this."

The wolf-like chipmunk looked down at his paws, sighing in despair.

"My powers only bring more pain and destruction. Is there no one else we can turn to?"

Maia shook her head sadly. "Right now, the only ones with the highest powers are the senior-ranking members of the Order, like Soron was, and… and…"

All eyes were now focused on the only chipette in the room.

"That's it!" Phelan snapped his fingers. "Maia, now that you're Marked, it shouldn't be a problem! You can teleport us home!"

"W-what?" squeaked Maia. "But all I've done is simple levitation and moving orbs! Now you're asking me to do complete astral projection?"

"Oh, for the love that is all that is bright and holy, would you get on with it? We don't have all frigging day!"

Phelan shot Soron a brief glare, before turning to face Maia.

"I… I can't do it… I'll only mess up again, l-like I did with that vampire…" Her voice trailed off as Phelan's paws filled the spaces in between her trembling knuckles, silenced with the tender brush of a kiss.

"Trust in me, Maia. And believe in yourself. I know you can do this."

Soron banged the back of his head on the table, groaning frustratingly, causing the pair to break off and look at him.

"Good God, princess, give me your paw! I'm only doing this once, so don't get used to it."

She looked at him, confused, but understood when Phelan squeezed her paw, nodding in approval. Maia slowly took Soron's paw, and the silver-clad chipmunk's eyes instantly turned silver, a bright aura surrounding his body. A sudden surge of energy ran all the way from Maia's ears down to her tail-tip.

Truly, it felt like the power of the world in the palm of her paws.

"Now, do it. Do it for him." Soron whispered to her.

Maia nodded slowly, took a deep breath, and closed her eyes…

Alvin had Brittany pinned down onto the couch, and now he was all over her like a puppy, digging his paws playfully into her sides.

"A-Alvin, stahahahhap!" she squealed. "You're tickling me!"

"Not until you say it, Britt! Come on, say it!"

Simon, sprawled out on the floor, looked up from his chess game with Jeanette. "Do you mind keeping it down? Some of us here are trying to concentrate."

Jeanette couldn't resist a grin as she lifted one of Simon's pawns off the board.

"I'm sorry, Simon. But since we're playing by the touch-move rule, what you did there is considered a legal move. Check!"

"Aw, nuts! Give me a break, will you?"

Only Theodore and Eleanor were silent, their attention glued to the television screen. Still, they were able to tear their gaze, giggling at their siblings' antics.

"It's a shame Phelan's not here. He would've enjoyed seeing us like this," Ellie spoke up. "Come to think of it, I haven't seen Maia all evening either."

The silence was punctured by a series of frantic, hurried knocks.

"Speak of the devil, that must be him," said Alvin, hopping up from the couch. Nobody paid any attention as the red-clad chipmunk made his way to the door, until they heard a high-pitched voice; this one filled with alarm.

"Phelan? Maia? Soron! What happened to you?"

The television, the chess game – everything was ignored as they rushed to the door, where Phelan and Maia stood. They were both holding up Soron, who had his arms wrapped around their shoulders, barely able to stand.

"Should we call an ambulance?" asked Jeanette, looking nervous. "Maybe we should check in all three of you at the hospital, just to be safe?"

"We're fine," reassured Phelan, though he was straining a little from the excess weight he was carrying. "Soron too, even if he looks like mashed pulp. Just help us get him onto the couch."

They did as he said. Simon left, and returned with the first-aid kit.

"Did you get yourself into another fight? Who was it this time? Another ninja?"

Soron snorted. "Ninja? No way! Though, she was pretty sneaky."

"What? You got beat up by a girl? That's pretty lame –" Alvin started, but was cut short by Brittany's icy stare. "I mean… Dang, she must've caught you off guard!"

They watched as Simon, clearly having done this before, changed Soron's bandages while applying a quick dash of iodine to the scratches.

"You're lucky these are only minor cuts," said Simon, pointing to the lacerations on Soron's arms. "But your chest wounds might take a few days to recover. Until Dave comes back, I suggest you rest here, take plenty of fluids and stay off crime fighting or any physical activities for the time being."

"How do you know all this stuff?" asked Alvin.

Simon rolled his eyes. "Unlike you, someone actually pays attention during Health class."

"Thanks, Simon." Phelan looked up at the chipettes, as though just realizing they were there the whole time. "What brings you here at this late hour?"

"Oh, Miss Miller's having another bingo session with her friends, but she said it was okay if we spent the night here instead," explained Brittany.

"I think the real question here," said Alvin, stepping in between Brittany and Phelan, "is what were you and Maia doing in the middle of the night? And why is Soron involved?" He pointed to the recovering chipmunk on the couch.

Phelan opened his mouth, but stopped as he felt Soron rest a paw on his shoulder. To the Sevilles and their counterparts, it looked as though the hazel-brown chipmunk was thanking Phelan for saving his life.

No more lies, thought Phelan. Soron, Maia, Alvin and the others; they've learned to trust me. It's time I repaid the favour.

And taking a deep breath, he told them everything that happened tonight. How he snuck away from the house to meet up with Maia. How they ventured deep into the forest to find Soron waiting in the cabin in the woods.

How they were almost devoured by a she-wolf who could talk, and how Soron bought them some time so that he could Mark Maia. Beckoning the creamy-furred chipette to his side, he gently lifted up a portion of her toga.

There was a sea of murmurs and gasps all around as Maia's Claddagh ring shone like a little light on her belly.

"It's beautiful!" gasped Brittany in awe. "Is it… permanent?"

Maia nodded silently, her cheeks tinged pink.

"You must be the luckiest girl ever," said Eleanor, "if you can get a tattoo made specially for you by the one you love."

Phelan smiled, though it was more of embarrassment and not a moment of pride. He was about to get to the part where he gave up his virginity to Maia, and she him. Then something crossed Phelan's mind. "You know, it's way too much of a coincidence."

"What do you mean?" asked Soron.

"Isn't it odd? Maia and I choose to conduct our Marking ceremony tonight. The same night that the Order comes to know of our plans and tries to stop us with whatever means necessary."

Soron stood up, his eyes narrowed in slits. "Are you suggesting that I set you up, brother?"

"I'm suggesting that you're jealous of the fact that I'm in love with someone and you're not, so look who decided to play matchmaker to tear us apart!"

Alvin quickly tried to pull Phelan back, but the two brothers were now at each other's noses – quite literally, as they were staring each other in the heat of battle.

"Are you insane? Why on earth would I bring you and Maia out to a cabin in the middle of nowhere and then set the wolves on you?"

"That sounds like the sort of thing you would've done to me, when I was still an agent of the Darkness!" spat Phelan.

"I've risked my fur so that you and your precious girlfriend could share some pillow talk, and now this is the thanks I get? That's a pretty crappy thank you, ya dirty little mutt!"

This time, Phelan was jabbing his finger into the hazel-brown chipmunk's chest, coming close to blows. "Don't you dare call me a mutt, Soron Andrews!"

Before either of them could break out into a fight, another voice spoke up, speaking so softly as though it was drowning in guilt.

"Soron didn't tell on us, Phelan. The Order came because someone else tipped them off."

Phelan turned to face Maia. "How do you know that?" he asked, his paws trembling.

There was an edge of steel in Maia's voice as she broke the silence.

"Because… I'm the one who did it."

Everything happened so fast that no one had time to blink.

With the strength that would have shamed a professional wrestler, Maia grabbed Soron's arm and flipped him over the couch. Straddling the hazel-brown chipmunk on the ground like a trussed turkey, she then directed her attention to Phelan, who sprang forward in the split of a second.

One moment he was on his feet trying to save his brother, the next he was flung several inches away from Maia, while the television exploded just moments before Phelan collided with the wall.

Soron growled and thrashed about, but Maia tightened her arms in a death lock, her fierce eyes compelling Soron to give up the struggle.

"If any of you come closer, I'll break his neck!" yelled Maia, even though the chipmunks and their counterparts were still too startled to move a step.

Soron, still trapped in Maia's grasp, ground his teeth. "That's it! I've had just about enough of you, princess!"

His body glowed in a blinding light, before disappearing as a tiny orb. Maia, realizing that she was now clutching thin air, turned around to feel Soron's roundhouse kick land smack on her face, as she went flying towards the wall just steps away from Phelan.

Growling, Maia got back on her feet, but Soron was faster. He threw a quick punch, smashing the chipette against the remains of the TV. Wasting no time, Maia retaliated by hurling orb after orb of light against him, the Mark on her fur glowing with the fury of her newfound strength.

She might as well been throwing tennis balls, as Soron simply deflected each orb with a flick of his paw, blasting many holes all over the living room.

The chipettes screamed and ducked for cover, while their male counterparts shielded them with their bodies. Whatever protests and pleas they were now shouting fell on deaf ears as Maia, in her frenzy, threw an orb against the chandelier, snapping its hinges.

The entire thing smashed against the floor with a deafening bang – enough to have woken up the entire neighbourhood.

"Soron! Stop it, both of you!" Phelan groaned, clenching his stomach.

Maia's breath caught in hard, rugged gaps, her body still trembling from the ordeal. Slowly, she crept toward the fallen ornament, looking for a sign that she had hit her mark. With a wave of her paws, she moved the chandelier out of the way, gasping when she noticed that no one was there.

Phelan and the others widened their eyes in shock, still lost for words.

"Where… where did he go?" Maia said, her eyes darting in every direction. Everything was silent, and Maia went instantly into her best defensive stance, though she looked like she could cry at any moment.

She had to admit, she had no idea of Soron's strength when she had accepted this mission. Then her mentor's words came rushing back, warning her that Soron was among the highest ranking warriors of the Order, just before his exile.

Have I been underestimating him all this time?

She did not hear the silent whoosh under her feet as Soron rematerialized behind her, nor could she sense those vengeful paws poised for her neck until it was too late.

The entire room shook as a loud crack rang through the inside of the house. The sudden force brought Maia to her knees as she desperately clawed on the grasp that wrung around her neck, slowly squeezing down on her air passage.

"I guess… you forgot the warning I left you that night," Soron's voice came dangerously, his eyes glowing a heavenly white, a paw of bluish white fire in his other paw.

"Break my brother's heart, and I'll see to it you return to her in pieces."

Maia's tears streamed fearfully as Soron linked his mind with hers, echoing his voice inside her head. This was Soron's true form; underneath the burning hatred and rage, Maia had never seen him look so…noble, and powerful.

"You've obviously been pulling some strings in the Order," Soron hissed, venom coursing hatefully from every inch of his body. "No matter, I'll handle this with my own paws, then…"

The Rouge chipmunk raised his paw, the orb in his palm growing bigger as it met the light of a dimming bulb above them.

"In nomine Patris, et Filli, et Spiritus Sancti. Ame–"

"Soron, no!" Phelan's guttural screams shattered Soron's concentration, just seconds before he could deliver the final blow.

The hazel-brown chipmunk glanced up, his lips frozen in mid-protest when something sharp ran through his gut. As streams of blood trickled down his lips, Soron saw a tendril, sharp and white as a lily piercing right through his tender belly.

The fire in Soron's eyes burned like small, bright white embers before he let go of Maia's neck, crumpling to the ground like a rag doll.

No one else dared to move or make a sound.

Maia, staggering to her feet, turned to face the chipmunks and the chipettes like a complete stranger. Phelan's eyes were still wide. However, the look of surprise was not towards Maia's sudden betrayal, but on the hazel-brown she-wolf that now stood behind Maia as its thoughts rang out in a rich, booming voice.

In the name of the Order of Light, I declare you, Soron Andrews, under arrest for treason and pledging allegiance with the enemy. I hereby pronounce you guilty and sentence you to further judgement.

Down, but not out, Soron slammed a paw onto the floor, letting out a strangled cough as more blood spewed from his lips.

"You little bitch… I trusted you! We all trusted you!"

You know that Maia is not to blame, foolish Rouge. If you seek the architect of your downfall, you only need to look into a mirror.

Occupying half the frame of the now open door, the she-wolf stood regal and proud, with no signs whatsoever of the fight she had with Soron. The tendril seemed to be sprouting from out of her back, like an octopus with an extra limb. Nonetheless, she was a sight to behold, and a halo of light began to surround her, blinding the chipmunks before it dimmed down.

In its place, there now stood a chipette, slightly taller than Maia, but still young and beautiful. Her eyes were still the same shade of violet, yet they glowed with a brilliance that was just as fierce and controlling as the she-wolf's.

All eyes were now locked onto this strange creature, her statuesque paw still hanging mid-air as the tendril wrapped itself around Soron's chest.

Even with a bad leg, Maia got down on one knee, her head lowered in what appeared to be an honorary salute, much to everyone's surprise.

"W-Who are you, and what are you doing in our house?" shot Alvin, trying to put on a brave front as he held on tight to Brittany.

The look on the chipette's face was as unperturbed as a field of snow, yet she managed to stare Alvin down before averting her gaze toward Soron.

"I am the Matriarch of the Order of Light. But they call me… Serenity."

To Be Continued...

Until then, reviews and comments would be much appreciated. See you!

"Always trust in your stories."

~ Wind