The Third Attempt

From above the ladder, there was a deep growl, and a shadow appeared near the entrance. Sir and Ivy backed away, but found themselves stuck at a complete dead end... Greely jumped from the top of the ladder, and confronted them fiercely. The skin under his eyes was dark, his fur was matted and tangled, and his saliva was dripping and frothing around his mouth; He had truly become an animal.

Sir stood right in front of Greely, rivaling him like he deserved. But Ivy broke the tie, and did something unexpected... She pulled out her pistol, and pointed it straight at Greely's head. She held it calm and steady, ready to shoot. She was going to do it.

She pulled the trigger.

But at this moment, she realized that there wasn't even a weapon in her hands. Greely was back in front of them, and with Ivy's gun in his own paws; the legends of Greely becoming one with a shadow, able to defeat an entire fortress in the dark-- they were not just stories.

"Greely... you--... No!" is all Ivy could say.

Greely wheezed, using all his energy to lift the gun right at Ivy.

A shot rang out.

Ivy was dead, and Jeremy was, too.