Hone Your Claws - Adventures in Pantheria

by Matthais Unidostres

Episode 2

In a dark, echoing cave nestled in the jagged peaks that bordered the cold lands of the winged snow leopards, Jacko was pacing furiously. His blood-red coat was rippling like a pool of molten lava in the dim light. The air around him wavered with residual heat as his macaw-like wings flared in irritation, the vibrant colors seeming to flicker like embers. His usual smug, unbothered demeanor had been scorched away by the icy humiliation dealt by that purple snow leopard, and now his pride burned hotter than ever.

Standing at either side of the cave entrance, watching their fuming leader with a mixture of awe and trepidation, were Jacko's two loyal, albeit odd, monkey minions.

The first, Ban, was a stout, barrel-chested tamarin with a tufted white mustache that jutted out comically from either side of his face. His fur was a mix of earthy browns and grays, except for the white streak that ran down his forehead, adding an almost dignified touch to his otherwise goofy appearance. His round eyes gleamed with a mischievous, gluttonous light. His belly, slightly rounded from indulging in every treat he could get his hands on, jiggled ever so slightly with every move.

Beside him stood Ana, a long-limbed, slender capuchin monkey with a coat of silky, dark brown fur. Her eyes were wide and round, giving her an air of perpetual surprise, and her mouth was often curled into a dreamy, half-smile that suggested her mind was in a very different place from her body. Ana had a certain elegance to her, with a tail that seemed to flow like a ribbon as she moved, though her elegance was often marred by her clueless giggles and oblivious comments. She wore a crude necklace of shiny pebbles and scraps, trinkets she had gathered from the forest floor and strung together as “jewels,” a habit that Ban found both endearing and endlessly frustrating.

Ban adjusted his mustache, gulping nervously as he watched Jacko seethe. “Ah, boss, don’t get all worked up over that purple snow leopard. She just got lucky, is all,” he said, attempting to console his leader in his own way. “One good hit, and she thinks she’s tough.”

Ana, ever oblivious, giggled airily, shaking her head as though amused by the idea. “Oh, Jacko, don’t you worry! Everyone looks foolish sometimes!” she chimed in, her voice lilting with a certain innocence. “Why, just yesterday I tripped over a branch, and Ban laughed at me for hours!”

Jacko’s ears flattened, and his fur bristled with barely-contained fury. His eyes narrowed, and in a flash of movement, he snapped his wings open, sending a jet of fire hurtling just past the monkeys’ heads. The flames licked dangerously close, close enough that the heat made Ban and Ana yelp and duck, pressing themselves low to the ground in terror.

“You idiots!” Jacko snarled, his voice a growl that reverberated through the stone walls. “I don’t look foolish, ever! I am Jacko, the one who will dominate these sniveling, thick-headed snow leopards! I came here from South Pantheria to conquer, to make them grovel at my paws as their supreme ruler! And you—” he fixed them with a scalding glare, “—you came with me from the warm lands because you despised rules as much as I do. I hated being lectured by the other jaquins, and you hated being lectured by the other monkeys. You didn’t come all this way just to roll around in the snow like idiots!”

Ban and Ana exchanged a glance, nodding vigorously, eager to avoid further fire-based consequences.

“Oh, yes, yes, Jacko!” Ban chattered, smoothing his mustache with trembling fingers. “We’re here to help you conquer these snow leopards! We want to live like royalty, just like you promised, with more food and shiny things than we could ever dream of!”

Ana nodded, her eyes wide with an almost childlike excitement. “Ooh, yes! Like royalty! With a big, shiny crown and everything!”

Jacko’s snarl twisted into a cold, calculating grin. He drew himself up, casting a long, shadowed figure against the walls of the cave, his fiery wings spreading wide as he let his ambitions spill forth.

“Royalty?” he mused, his voice taking on a sinister, almost lyrical quality. “Royalty is for the benevolent, the soft-hearted, the weak. No… I am more than royalty. I am a conquering emperor. A despot! A dictator! I am an unstoppable force, an all-consuming fire that burns and melts and devours everything in its path. I do not need a tragic backstory to justify my strength, nor some woeful excuse to fuel my drive. I desire one thing, and one thing alone—absolute power. Power that is not questioned or challenged, power that does not yield.”

He let out a harsh, maniacal laugh, the sound echoing through the cavern and carrying an eerie resonance. The monkeys, caught in the contagious thrill of his ambition, joined in, their own laughs high-pitched and nervous but filled with genuine admiration for their leader’s vision.

Jacko’s eyes gleamed as he looked out over the cave’s mouth, down at the snowy plains that stretched across North Pantheria, his kingdom-in-waiting. “These leopards will learn that their icy fortitude is nothing against my inferno. I’ll burn melt their illusions of strength, and soon… soon, all will bow before me."

The winged jaguar sauntered forward, a smirk plastered on his fiery face. He flared his wings, embers flickering along his feathers as the rhythm picks up, sinister and bouncing with swagger.

Ohhh, don’t start with me now, there’s no sob story here,
No tragic misfortune, no long-lost dear.
I’m pure evil, baby, no soft side, no fluff,
Just power and malice, I’m more than enough!

You think I’ve got motives, some old bitter wrong?
Fool—you’re dead wrong, just follow along:
I do it for pleasure, the thrill and the game,
No family reunion, no long-buried shame!

I’m the fire in the night, the chaos you fear,
A blaze from the shadows, creeping ever near!
I don’t want redemption or some sentimental scene,
Just to conquer this land and to rule it supreme!

What’s this? You’re asking if I’ve lost a friend?
Please—no weakness in me, no bitter loose end!
I don’t need a reason beyond power and might,
I am the flames that consume the light!

Snow leopards beware, I’ll scorch your skies,
With wings of fire and merciless eyes!
No tragic backstory, no tragic reveal,
Just pure domination; I’m here for the thrill!

There’s no mystery, no loss I avow,
Just me—my burning strength is taking over right now!
Your tear-jerking backstory—how quaint, how cute,
But I’m a villain with no need for dispute!

I burn ‘cause I can, I hunt ‘cause it’s fun,
No troubled history makes me what I’ve become!
I live for the chaos, the flames and the fright,
With fire and wings, I’ll reign over the night!

I’m the fire in the night, the darkness you fear,
Cower—A chaotic blaze creeping ever near!
I don’t want redemption or some sentimental scene,
Just to conquer this kingdom and rule it supreme!

So spread the word wide, let the cold mountains know,
That an inferno’s coming to melt down their snow.
No long-lost kin, no vengeance, no pain,
Jacko the jaquin—remember the name!

Ban and Ana cheered, clapping their little hands, their faces alight with wicked delight, as Jacko let his laughter grow into a roaring crescendo, his voice echoing into the icy night beyond, a dark promise carried on the wind.

---

The air was crisp as Allura, Alterro, and Twitch moved through the snowy plains of Pantheria. The sky was a soft, silvery gray, casting a gentle light over the endless stretches of snow. Every breath of air was sharp with cold, and each step crunched beneath their paws, leaving imprints that quickly filled with the fine powder that danced around in the wind. Allura couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia as she looked out over the landscape—this was where she had once played as a cub, racing over the snow with wild abandon, her wings spread to catch the frosty air as she bounded after her brother. It felt like a lifetime ago. And, in some ways, it was.

Twitch clung to her back, his little paws buried in her fur as he peeked over her shoulder with wide eyes, taking in the vast white plains with a mixture of awe and nervousness. He still wasn’t entirely used to the icy, harsh landscape of Northern Pantheria, especially when compared to the warmer, softer lands of Equestria. But as long as he was with Allura, he felt safe, even in this intimidating place.

As they walked, Allura noticed movement in the distance. Several other winged snow leopards were prowling around, their fur blending with the snowy terrain, their wings tucked elegantly along their backs as they trotted in graceful strides. One of them—a young, brash male with a look of cocky confidence—caught sight of them and sauntered over, his wings flaring slightly in a showy display. He was a striking sight, with a coat of pristine white marred by bold, dark rosettes that seemed to shimmer with an almost silvery quality. His eyes were a sharp, piercing blue, cold and full of self-assurance, and his smirk was the kind that spoke of a leopard who was used to being the center of attention.

His wings were sleek, each feather carefully preened to perfection, with faint silver tips that caught the light and made him appear almost ethereal. He had an easy, arrogant strut, the kind that made it clear he thought very highly of himself. As he approached, he flicked his tail in a lazy arc, glancing between Alterro and Allura with a raised brow.

“Well, well,” he drawled, his voice a smooth purr laced with mock amusement. “Is that the long-lost sister you were so obsessed with finding, Alterro?” His tone was dripping with sarcasm, his gaze lingering on Allura as though she were a curiosity rather than a fellow leopard.

Alterro puffed up, his chest swelling with pride. “Yes, it’s her! My sister, Allura, is back.” He placed a paw on her shoulder, grinning as he boasted, “And you know what she did? She took down Jacko with her magic. Didn’t even break a sweat!”

The brash snow leopard let out a bark of laughter, rolling his eyes. “Jacko? Are you serious?” He snorted, shaking his head as though he’d heard the funniest joke in the world. “You expect me to believe that some long-lost leopard cub just strolls back in here and takes down the most dangerous jaquin in Pantheria?” He gave Allura a dismissive once-over, his smirk widening. “Sure, and next you’ll tell me she can hold back an avalanche with a flick of her paw.”

Allura didn’t bother to respond. To her, this leopard was less than a nuisance. He was barely worth her attention, let alone her words. The way he strutted and smirked, the arrogance in his gaze—it was all so petty, so meaningless. She’d faced down far greater threats than his petty skepticism. In her mind, he wasn’t even worth the dirt on her paws. She simply turned her gaze back to the snowy landscape, ignoring him as if he were nothing more than a snowflake on the wind.

Twitch, on the other hand, wasn’t nearly as calm. He narrowed his eyes at the brash leopard, his little body tensing with indignation. “Hey!” he squeaked, barely able to keep his voice steady as he glared at the larger leopard. “Allura did take down Jacko! She saved my life, and you’d better show some respect!”

The arrogant leopard laughed even harder, his chuckles echoing across the snowy field as he looked at Twitch with mock amusement. “Oh, look! She's got a pet! And the little fluffball’s mad! How adorable.”

Just then, a distant rumbling echoed across the snowfields, low and ominous. The ground began to tremble beneath their paws, sending a shiver through the group. In an instant, the source of the noise became clear—a wall of water was rushing toward them, a flash flood roaring across the snow, gathering force and speed as it cascaded toward them. Ice chunks and debris were carried along in the torrent, making it even more dangerous. The other leopards scattered, their eyes wide with panic as they scrambled to get out of the way.

But Allura remained calm, her eyes narrowing as she assessed the situation. Without a moment’s hesitation, she sprang forward, her paws digging into the snow as she planted herself firmly in the flood’s path. Twitch clung tightly to her back, his small body trembling with fear, but he trusted her completely.

With a fierce, determined look, Allura extended her wings and summoned her ice magic. Frosty energy crackled around her, forming a shimmering aura like a localized blizzard. She thrust her wings forward, releasing a powerful blast of icy magic that surged toward the oncoming flood. The ice met the water head-on, freezing it solid with a crackling hiss as the two forces collided. Within moments, the entire wall of water was immobilized, transformed into a towering barrier of ice that glittered in the pale light of Pantheria’s sky.

The snow leopards who had scattered were frozen in place, staring in awe at the sight. The brash leopard, in particular, looked as though he’d seen a ghost. His jaw hung open, his usual cocky smirk replaced with a look of pure disbelief as he watched Allura lower her paw, the aura of frost fading as she released her magic.

“Whoa…” he muttered, his voice barely a whisper. For the first time, he looked at her with something other than arrogance. There was a flicker of fear, respect—even awe—in his eyes as he took a step back, as though the sheer power of her magic had shaken his entire sense of reality. “Maybe… maybe she really did stand up to Jacko…”

Allura turned to him, her gaze icy and unyielding, a silent reminder that she was far more than he’d given her credit for. She didn’t say a word, didn’t need to. Her power had spoken for itself.

Twitch released his grip on her back just long enough to sit up, grinning at the brash leopard with unabashed satisfaction. “Told ya so!” he chirped, sticking his tongue out in a rare moment of boldness.

Alterro, meanwhile, was grinning from ear to ear, his chest puffed with pride as he watched his sister command the very essence of Winter. He glanced at the brash leopard, who was now struggling to find his composure, and couldn’t resist adding, “Next time, maybe think twice before doubting my sister.”

The other leopards looked at each other, murmuring among themselves, clearly impressed. It was clear that Allura was no ordinary snow leopard.

Allura turned to survey the frozen wall of water she’d just created, her eyes narrowing as she tried to piece together the origin of such an intense flood. “Where did all that water even come from?” she muttered, her voice tight with suspicion.

Alterro's face darkened as he put two and two together. “Jacko,” he said, his voice low with realization. “After you beat him, he must’ve thrown a fit. If he used his fire magic to melt enough snow, he could’ve created that flood out of sheer rage.”

Allura scoffed, rolling her eyes. “What a brat, throwing a tantrum just because he lost.”

But Alterro’s expression remained serious, his gaze shifting toward the looming outline of one of the tallest mountains in the distance. “If he’s really angry… and he starts melting the snow on Mount Uncia, Allura, that would be a disaster. A flood of that size would wipe out everything below. Acres of forest, destroyed. Dens, ruined. Snow leopards, foxes, lynxes, everycreature could lose their homes, or worse.”

Allura huffed, her tail lashing behind her as she glared at the distant mountain. “Well then, why isn't anyone else doing something about it? Isn’t this their home too?”

Alterro sighed, looking a little weary. “You know how our kind is, Allura. We don’t do… organized teamwork. Everyone sticks to their own families, looking after their own territory. It’s not like there’s someone in charge to rally them. We don't have princesses like ponies. We’d rather handle things on their own.”

Allura growled under her breath, her fur bristling with frustration. “Well, if no one else is going to step up, I’ll just have to stop Jacko myself.”

Alterro's eyes widened, a flicker of panic crossing his face. “Are you serious? Jacko knows what you can do. He must have a plan to take you out this time. He won't fight fair, and—," Alterro took a breath and hung his head, "Allura, I can’t lose you again—not when I just got you back.”

She looked back at him, her gaze steely and determined. “I’m not going to stand here and let that arrogant fool wreck everything. This is my home, Alterro. I won’t let it be destroyed right after I returned to it.”

From her back, Twitch poked his little head up, his eyes flashing with a fierce determination that belied his small size. “Yeah! And I want revenge! That overgrown feather-duster almost ate me! Let me at him!”

Alterro hesitated, a mixture of pride and worry battling within him as he looked between Allura and Twitch. Finally, he let out a sigh, his shoulders slumping as he resigned himself to what he knew he couldn’t prevent. “Fine. But I’m staying by your side the whole way. I’m not letting you face him alone, Allura.”

Before Allura could respond, the brash young snow leopard, who had been lingering nearby with a bemused expression, stepped forward, his smirk reappearing with a defiant gleam in his eyes. “Count me in too. No way I’m sitting this one out. Besides…” He gave her a cocky grin. “If you really did beat Jacko, he must be desprate for revene. You’re gonna need all the help you can get. And you’re not talking me out of it.”

Allura’s tail flicked with irritation as she shot him a withering look. “Oh, fantastic. Just what I needed, a peacock in leopard’s fur following me around.”

He shrugged, entirely unfazed. “Hey, I don’t care what you call me. I’m coming, whether you like it or not. Someone has to keep you from being too confident and getting. . . burned.” His smirk widened at his own pun.

Allura let out an exasperated sigh. She could sense that he wasn’t going to back down, no matter what she said, and deep down, she knew that with Jacko involved, she might actually need the extra help. Even if he was insufferable.

With a last look at the frozen wall of water and the snowy plains stretching out around them, Allura took a deep breath. Her mind was set, her path clear. “All right,” she growled. “Mount Uncia it is. Let’s move.”

---

The group set off, the snow crunching beneath their paws as they made their way toward the towering peak of Mount Uncia. The mountain loomed over them, its icy slopes gleaming in the muted light, and a chill wind whipped around them, carrying with it the scent of frost and stone. The journey wasn’t an easy one; the ground was uneven, and the cold grew sharper as they climbed. But Allura’s resolve was unshakable, her heart fueled by a fierce determination to protect her home and everything in it.

Twitch clung to her back, his tiny claws dug into her fur, muttering under his breath about how he was going to make Jacko regret ever trying to snack on him. Alterro walked by her side, casting protective glances her way every few moments, his own steps steady and strong despite the worries that weighed on his mind.

And the brash young snow leopard—who still hadn’t bothered to introduce himself—strutted along beside them, his wings partially flared as if he wanted to catch any stray breeze, his cocky grin never leaving his face. He occasionally tossed a comment their way, mostly directed at Allura, each one more grating than the last. But beneath his arrogance, there was a hint of genuine curiosity, as though he was slowly starting to realize that there might be more to Allura than he had first thought.

They climbed in silence for a while, the only sounds being the howling wind and the soft crunch of snow under their paws. The higher they climbed, the colder it became, and Twitch’s muttering grew quieter as he buried himself deeper into Allura’s fur for warmth. The brash leopard, for all his bravado, had fallen silent too, his smirk replaced with a look of concentration as he focused on the steep ascent.

At last, they reached a narrow plateau, a spot that overlooked the snowfields below. Allura took a moment to catch her breath, her gaze sweeping over the landscape as her mind filled with a strange sense of foreboding. Somewhere up there, Jacko was waiting, no doubt reveling in the chaos he was causing, delighting in the thought of the snow leopards drowning under a deluge of melted snow.

“Allura,” Alterro murmured, his voice low. “Are you sure about this?”

She looked at him, her blue eyes blazing with determination. “Yes. Jacko wants to destroy what I love, just because he can’t stand losing. I’m not going to let that happen.”

---

They paused on a narrow ledge that jutted out from the mountain, a perfect perch from which to catch their breath and survey the valley below. The wind howled around them, making Twitch shiver and burrow deeper into Allura's fur, his small frame quivering with the chill. Allura herself was looking down the path they’d climbed, her gaze distant and intense, until the brash snow leopard strutted forward with a huff, clearly having decided this was his moment.

He stopped, stretched his wings dramatically, and struck a pose that looked like he was trying to show off every muscle he had. With a gleaming grin, he looked directly at Allura, his chest puffed out proudly.

“Ladies and gentlecats,” he purred, as if they were an audience of thousands rather than three mildly annoyed companions. “Allow me to introduce myself, the one, the only, the legendary…” He paused, clearly relishing the moment, before he announced with a self-satisfied smirk, “Azerax!”

He held the last syllable of his name like it was some kind of victory cry, his wings spread wide as if he expected applause.

“Yeah, you’ve probably heard of me,” he continued, his tone as slick as fresh snowmelt. “The fastest flyer this side of Mount Uncia, the bravest in the face of danger, the fiercest hunter in all of Pantheria.” He took a moment to pose again, angling his head just so, his icy blue eyes catching the light. “Oh, and did I mention I’ve single-handedly driven off a whole pack of dire wolves? They ran away whining with their tails between their legs!”

Twitch’s face scrunched up in distaste, his lips curling into a sneer. “More like they got tired of listening to you yap,” he muttered under his breath.

Azerax’s grin didn’t falter, and he struck another over-the-top stance, stretching one wing high while tilting his head in a way he probably thought was irresistibly cool. “So, yeah, if you want someone who’s got the strength, the looks, and the brains to handle a hot-headed jerk like Jacko, look no further. Azerax is here.” He said his own name like it was the answer to every problem, his voice dripping with smug confidence.

Allura’s claws dug deeper into the snow, her teeth bared in a barely restrained snarl. She looked ready to throw him off the mountain herself, whether he had wings or not. “Do you ever stop talking?” she growled, her voice cold enough to make Twitch’s ears flatten.

Azerax flashed her a grin, entirely unbothered. “Only when I’m too busy doing, sweetheart. I can’t help that my reputation precedes me.”

“Oh, believe me, you’ve made quite the impression,” she muttered darkly, glancing at Alterro. “Can I throw him off the mountain yet?”

Alterro chuckled softly, though he gave her a look of gentle warning. “Bear with him, Allura. He could be useful, you know… if Jacko’s the one throwing fire at us, we’ll need all the help we can get, even if they’re…” He paused, giving Azerax a patient smile. “Overly confident.”

Azerax’s grin widened, taking Alterro’s words as an affirmation of his greatness. “See? Even he gets it.” He lifted his chin, casting Allura a wink as if they were sharing some private joke. “No need to be jealous, Allura. Not everyone can be as talented as me.”

“Jealous?” she repeated, eyes narrowing as her hackles began to rise. “I think I’d rather go claw-to-claw with Jacko by myself with no help at all than listen to you."

Alterro gave her a sympathetic look, but he nodded firmly. “Think of it this way: he might distract Jacko when it matters.”

Allura growled under her breath, throwing a sidelong glance at Azerax, who was busy preening, his wings spread and his head tilted back like he was posing for some invisible portrait artist. “Fine,” she hissed. “He does make an irresistible target.”

---

As the group trudged further up the mountain pass, the biting wind whipped around them, carrying with it the silence and shadows of the looming peaks. Unbeknownst to them, two pairs of eyes peered down from a high, rocky ledge above, squinting against the glare of snow reflecting the morning light. Ban, the short and chubby tamarin with a bushy white mustache, clutched the edge of the cliff with one hand, his other paw pressed against his lips as he shot an irritated look at Ana. She, the lanky and absent-minded capuchin, was swinging her tail in the breeze and humming to herself, seemingly oblivious to the dire mission they were on.

“Shhh!” Ban hissed, his white mustache bristling with irritation. “Do you want them to spot us?”

Ana blinked down at him with her wide, vacant eyes, tilting her head as if his question was a complex puzzle. “Oh! Sorry, Ban! Just got a catchy tune in my head. Winter Wrap Up, Winter Wrap Up! For tommorow—”

Ban rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, “Focus, Ana! We’ve got a job to do.”

He turned his gaze back to the snow leopards and the twitchy little rabbit on Allura's back, who were steadily making their way up the pass. Ban rubbed his paws together, a glint of mischief in his eye. “Now… let's see how well these fancy cats handle a little snow.” With a wicked grin, he pressed his feet against a loose boulder, and with a heave, he sent it rolling down the slope, kicking off a cascade of snow and rocks. Ana, quick to catch on, clapped her hands and gave the snow a shove herself, giggling as the avalanche gathered speed and thundered down toward the unsuspecting group.

Twitch was the first to notice, his eyes going wide as he looked up. “Avalanche!” he squeaked, his whole body trembling as he clutched Allura’s fur. “Avalanche! We’re gonna be buried alive!”

Allura’s head snapped up, her ears flattening as she prepared to summon her magic. But before she could even lift a paw, Azerax leaped forward with a dramatic flourish, his wings snapping open to their full, impressive span.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got this!” he declared with that same self-assured grin. He beat his wings in powerful strokes, sending a frigid wind slicing through the air. The wind gathered strength, swirling around him like a miniature blizzard, before blasting forward to meet the oncoming wall of snow.

The force of Azerax’s icy gust collided with the avalanche, creating a howling storm of snow and frost. The avalanche seemed to hesitate, as if uncertain, before the icy blast began to push it back up the mountain, scattering the loose snow and stones. Within moments, the avalanche was stopped in its tracks, the snow settling in a packed blanket along the cliffside above.

Allura blinked, genuinely impressed despite herself. “Well… that was actually… kind of impressive,” she muttered, trying to mask her surprise. She shot a look at Azerax, who was still posing, basking in his own glory.

Azerax gave her a wink, his chest puffed up. “You see, Allura? Stick with Azerax, and you’re in good claws.” He said his name like a badge of honor, clearly reveling in his own heroics.

Allura stifled an eye roll, even as a small part of her begrudgingly acknowledged his skill. She shook her head, not wanting to give him the satisfaction, but she couldn't help the grudging respect that crept into her gaze.

As the snow finally settled, two shapes became visible, half-buried and firmly stuck in the tightly packed snow. Ban’s mustachioed face glared down from the mound, squirming as he tried to free himself. Beside him, Ana was giggling, clearly oblivious to the fact that they were both trapped.

Allura narrowed her eyes, tilting her head as she examined the two monkeys pinned against the mountainside. “Who are these idiots?” she muttered, more to herself than anyone else.

Alterro, who had been watching the whole spectacle with a bemused expression, sighed. “Those two are Jacko’s minions. Ban and Ana.” He nodded up at them, his eyes narrowing slightly. “They follow him everywhere, doing his dirty work.”

“‘Dirty work’?” Allura snorted, her disdain clear. “Looks to me like they’re just making fools of themselves.”

Ana, still giggling, swung her tail playfully, oblivious to their predicament. “Well, looks like we made quite the impression. Or, we'll leave impressions once we pull outselves out of the snow!” she chirped, trying to wiggle one of her arms free.

Ban shot her a furious glare, his mustache quivering. “Quiet, Ana! This is no time for jokes! We’re stuck, and Jacko’s not gonna be happy about this!”

Ana’s face twisted in confusion. “Oh, Ban, don’t be such a grump! We’re just having a little fun, right?” She giggled again, as though they’d merely stumbled into some playful game.

Ban’s face reddened beneath his white fur, and he thrashed against the snow, muttering to himself.

Allura smirked, glancing back at her companions. “Come on, let’s leave these buffoons to dig themselves out. We’ve got bigger problems to deal with.”

With a final disdainful look at the two monkeys, the group continued their climb, Azerax casting a particularly smug look back over his shoulder as if to remind them all that he’d just saved the day. Alterro stayed close to Allura, his gaze thoughtful as they made their way up the rugged path toward the summit of Mount Uncia.

Behind them, Ban and Ana continued to struggle against the packed snow. Ana’s laughter drifted up the mountainside, even as Ban grumbled in frustration.

“Jacko’s not gonna be happy, Ana. Not happy at all,” he muttered, wriggling with all his might.

Ana, still giggling, replied, “Aw, c’mon, Ban! Maybe he’ll give us another chance! I mean, everyone makes a little whoopsie once in a while, right?”

Ban shot her a glare, his eyes narrowed. “A ‘whoopsie’? This was no ‘whoopsie,’ Ana. This was a full-blown catastrophe!”

But as the group of snow leopards vanished around the bend, Ban and Ana were left alone, stuck to the mountain like two disgraced decorations. Ban grumbled, his mind racing with thoughts of Jacko’s inevitable fury. Ana, however, continued to chuckle softly, as if their predicament was all just a lighthearted romp.

---

At the peak of Mount Uncia, Jacko stood triumphantly, his wings spread wide and his jagged shadow cast across the sparkling white snow beneath him. The winged jaguar threw his head back in wild, manic laughter, each cackle echoing through the icy mountain air. His eyes gleamed with malice as he surveyed the endless slopes below him, his tail lashing in excitement.

“Ohhh, what a delightful day to be a jaquin! Soon, all this snow will be nothing but a memory, and these pathetic snow leopards will be flooded out of their cozy little dens! I will be their one true lord and master, the supreme dictator of these frozen wastes!” he crowed, his voice ringing out in a dramatic, almost theatrical cadence.

“Not so fast, you burning hairball!”

Allura’s voice was a sharp contrast to his, brimming with defiance and determination. She stood there with Alterro and Azerax on either side of her, the trio of winged snow leopards glaring up at where Jacko was perched up the slope from them. She narrowed her golden eyes, her fur bristling in fierce anger. “You’re about to be shut up for good.”

Jacko stood tall, his eyes narrowing as he sized up the three leopards before him. He let out a disdainful scoff, his lips curling in an unimpressed smirk. “Oh, really? This is the best the mighty winged snow leopards can muster?” He shook his head, feigning disappointment. He raised a claw, sparking with fire. “You got lucky before, but let’s see how well you fare against me this time, kitten.”

With a snarl, he raised his claw, ready to unleash a scorching blast at Allura.

“HIYAH!”

Seemingly out of nowhere, Twitch launched himself straight into the side of Jacko’s face, landing a surprisingly fierce karate kick right on his cheek.

Jacko let out a startled yowl, his fiery concentration faltering as he swatted at Twitch, who skittered away with surprising speed. “You… you miserable little rodent!” Jacko snarled, rubbing his face in disbelief.

Seizing the moment, Allura leapt forward, her claws digging into the snow as she summoned her magic. Frost danced along her paws, gathering strength as she prepared to unleash a blast of ice. But Jacko dodged, his wings flaring as he swept to the side with uncanny speed. He retaliated, hurling a blazing fireball toward her.

“Allura, watch out!” Alterro shouted, diving forward to shield his sister. But instead of simply blocking the fire, he called upon his own magic, gathering up piles of snow around them. With a roar, he launched a barrage of snowballs, extinguishing the fireball and pelting Jacko from all sides. Snow splattered against the jaquin, momentarily blinding him.

Jacko snarled in frustration, shaking the snow off with a furious growl. He raised his wings, and with a roar, unleashed a blast of scorching hot air. The heat radiated outward, melting Alterro’s snowballs mid-flight and sending the snow around Allura and Alterro’s paws into slushy puddles. They lost their footing, slipping and tumbling back as Jacko loomed over them, his eyes blazing with rage.

“You meddlesome snowcats,” Jacko sneered, his wings pulsating with fire, “This is the end for you!”

Just as he prepared to strike, Azerax shot forward from behind, his wings spread wide as he focused his ice magic. With a sharp inhale, he summoned an icy updraft that surged upward in a howling whirlwind, lifting Jacko off his paws and tossing him high into the air.

Azerax leapt up, meeting Jacko mid-flight, and the two of them tangled in a fierce, mid-air struggle. Claws clashed, and wings beat against each other, each trying to gain the upper hand. Finally, with a grunt of exertion, Azerax slammed Jacko on the head. The jaquin went limp for a moment, only to suddenly lash out and wrap his hot wings around Azerax. The two of them continued to fall, eventually crashing into the snow below in a chaotic tumble of feathers and fur.

When the flurry of snow finally settled, Jacko stood tall, laughing in wild triumph as he surveyed the scene. Azerax lay motionless at his paw, his eyes closed, his body lifeless and still in the snow.

Allura’s breath hitched, her heart sinking as she looked upon her fallen allt. “A-Azerax...?” She took a shaky step forward, her voice soft, having never imagined that one if them would be seriously injured.

Jacko, his chest heaving, flashed a fanged slasher smile reveling in his victory. “Do you see, you little snowcats? This is what happens when you dare to defy me! Now, I shall incinerate you, melt all the snow on this mountain, and turn your lands into my own warm and wet waterpark!"

But then, a faint sound cut through his gloating —a faint, high-pitched whistle.

Jacko paused, his ears flicking, just in time to see Twitch standing proudly at the edge of the peak. The rabbit flashed a mischievous grin, gesturing to the snow around him. Jacko’s eyes widened as he realized Twitch had been digging holes all over the snow-covered peak, weakening the stability of the packed snow.

With a triumphant stomp of his foot, Twitch jolted the snow beneath him, and suddenly, the entire peak trembled. The snow shifted, collapsing into a massive avalanche that barreled down the slope, carrying Jacko with it. The jaquin’s roars of fury echoed all the way down as he was swept off the mountain, tumbling helplessly in the icy torrent.

As the dust of snow and frost settled, Allura turned to Twitch, her eyes filled with gratitude and respect. She nodded approvingly. “Nice work, Twitch. You saved us all.”

Twitch gave a smug little smile, brushing a bit of snow off his shoulders. “Ah, it was nothing. Just being the key to everything as usual!”

But rather than celebrate, Allura’s gaze shifted to the still and silent form of Azerax lying in the snow. She padded over, the taint of failure souring her stomach as she crouched down beside him. “I… I’m sorry, Azerax," she whispered, "You just wanted to help us. You didn't have to do that. You didn’t deserve this.”

A long moment of silence stretched between them—until, without warning, Azerax’s eyes fluttered open, a playful smirk on his face.

“Oh, don’t get all sentimental, Allura. I just figured I’d play dead to give Twitch the time he needed, ” he said, sitting up on his haunches with a cocky grin, “I couldn’t let the big bad Jacko figure out what he was doing, could I?”

Allura’s expression flickered between relieved and bewildered, her mouth falling open in surprise. She narrowed her eyes, and with a low growl, she swatted him right in the face, pushing him back into the snow.

“Don’t play games with me, you insufferable show-off!” she snapped, burying her feelings of concern deep within her.

Alterro burst out laughing, shaking his head in relief as he looked between the two of them. “Well, I don’t care how we did it or how ridiculous it all got—what matters is that Jacko’s plan was foiled.”

"Until he comes back up here and tries again," Allura said with a scowl.

Alterro kept smiling and said, "Oh, but here's the thing about Jacko: he never repeats himself. Whatever he does, he does it once. He once said 'no repeat performances from me'. When he pulls off a scheme, that's it. It's dead to him. He won't try to melt the snow again, you can trust me on that."

Allura could tell that her brother knew what he was talking about and was absolutely sure about it. She fept that she could share in his optimism. The three snow leopards, plus one rabbit, exchanged a look, a newfound camaraderie settling between them. Azerax was smirking as usual, Twitch was practically vibrating with excitement, Alterro was standing proud and heroic looking, and Allura… well, she found herself with a faint, genuine smile on her face as she looked down the mountain.

They had protected the snowy realm they called home from Jacko’s wrath. And they did it not alone, but together.

---

Ban trudged up the mountain path, shivering and grumbling under his breath. The little white tamarin's fur was damp and clumped from the snow they’d been stuck in, and his cheeks were flushed with the chill. His usually fluffy mustache drooped pitifully, and his shoulders were hunched as he hugged himself, trying to keep warm.

“I don’t know why we had to come up this blasted mountain in the first place. It's not like we have any snow melting fire powers,” he muttered to himself, shooting a glare at Ana, who was bouncing ahead of him with an infuriating spring in her step.

Ana didn’t seem to mind the cold one bit. The capuchin was practically skipping, her tail flicking with each step, and she gazed up at the icy peaks around them with wide, excited eyes. “Oh, come on, Ban! Don’t be such a grump! Just think, by now, Jacko must have beaten those silly snow leopards and that little bunny friend of theirs! He’s probably up there right now, celebrating our victory!” She twirled around dramatically, her arms wide as if already basking in the glory of their conquest.

Ban let out a snort, not convinced. “Yeah, well, he better have. Because the last thing I need is for him to be mad at us again. You know how he gets when he’s… disappointed.” He shuddered, remembering the singed tips of his fur from the last time Jacko’s temper had flared in their direction.

Ana giggled, barely paying attention to his grumbling. “Aw, Ban, you’re worrying too much! We’re with Jacko, the mighty, fiery Jacko! There’s no way he could lose to a few fluffy snowcats and a tiny—.”

A low, ominous rumble cut through the air, interrupting Ana’s cheerful musings. Both monkeys froze, their heads turning as they noticed a distant white wall of snow… tumbling rapidly down the slope, heading straight for them.

Ban’s eyes went wide with horror. “Oh… no. No, no, no!”

Ana squinted, tilting her head in curiosity. “Hey, is that… is that Jacko?”

Sure enough, amid the churning snow, a familiar figure was being tossed and tumbled, limbs flailing helplessly as he was carried down the mountain in a swirling mass of frost and ice.

Ban and Ana shrieked in unison, but there was no time to do anything. The avalanche was upon them before they could even think of scrambling out of the way. They screamed, grabbing onto each other as the wave of snow surged over them, sweeping them up in its icy embrace.

Ban, Ana, and Jacko were all caught in the roaring tide of snow, tumbling end over end as they were carried helplessly down the mountainside. The monkeys could barely see through the whirl of white, their arms flailing as they tried—and failed—to get some sort of grip on anything.

Jacko, on the other hand, was furious. His wings were pinned to his sides by the weight of the snow, his claws grasping at nothing but frost, and his fiery magic was smothered by the relentless cold. “This… is… unacceptable!” he roared, though his voice was muffled by the snow. “When I get out of this, I’ll—argh!”

They tumbled and slid down the entire length of the mountain, and when the avalanche finally lost momentum near the base, the three of them were unceremoniously deposited in a pile of tightly packed snow. They lay there, stunned and dazed, half-buried in the icy blanket.

Ban groaned, prying his face out of the snow. He looked over at Jacko, whose normally gleaming fur was matted with frost, his eyes narrowed in barely-contained fury. Ana was sprawled on her back, giggling almost dementedly due to the frughtful experience.

“You… imbeciles!” Jacko snarled, struggling to free himself. “You couldn’t even keep those meddlesome snowcats busy while I melted the snow? Is it too much to ask for competent minions?”

Ban winced, casting a look at Ana, who was still sprawled out and letting out a sound that was half-giggle half-whimper. He gulped and said, “It’s not our fault, boss! We were… uh… strategizing!”

Jacko’s furious fiery glare could have negated the coldest of blizzards. “Strategizing? When I finally claw my way out of here, you two are going to—”

But his words were cut off as another pile of snow slid down from a nearby drift, burying him even deeper, leaving only his twitching tail poking out from the white mound.

Ban and Ana exchanged a look, and for a moment, they both held their breath. But then, in true Ana fashion, she burst into round of truly joyous giggles, clutching her stomach as she laughed uncontrollably. Even Ban, despite his nerves, couldn’t help the tiny snicker that escaped his lips.

“Just… don’t let him see us laughing,” Ban whispered, casting a wary glance at the snow pile where their furious boss was buried.

Author's Note:

I intended for Jacko to have the voice and cadence of Christopher Lloyd. The inspiration for Jacko was The Hacker from the PBS Kids show Cyberchase.
Also, here are some images to give you a better idea of what Ban and Ana look like.

Comments

[Starlight Nova]

Is any similarities to characters from Elena of Avalor coincidental?

[Matthais Unidostres]

12039028
The only thing I used was the Jaquin species. This is not a crossover. Jacko isn't from Avalor, he's from Southern Pantheria. Lots of franchises have dragons and unicorns, but that doesn't mean they're all connected. Every story has their own take on mythical creatures. The Jaquins in my story have fire magic, something the ones from Disney didn't have.