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Counter Earth Chronicles - Dual Realities

Chapter 61: The Light That No One Could Ignore

December 17th, YOE 35

8:00 AM Free Counter Earth (Oasis Tavern Bar, Dark Forest)

“You asked for me sir?" The tian mountain dog asked joining Deer-feeder's lieutenant at a long table in the bar area.

“I did. Have a seat. Liv honey, the usual please."

“At once master Masters. Anything for you love?" The orange haired barmaid in the white shirt and blue skirt asked.

Spirit politely declined. He was more interested in what the blond haired man in the green pants, brown boots, a brown shirt and frilled collar with the nicely trimmed beard had to say.

Spirit did as Iron Will suggested. He noticed that Deeer-feeder's second in command was sitting at his and Alex's favorite table in the bar.

“Something happened didn't it?" The partial beastial asked.

“The only way to say this is to say it. Alex and Ursa are missing." He said reaching for a tea cup.

“What? When?" The tian mountain dog gasped.

“About a week now. At first we thought they had gone on some type of mission for the empire, but chatter from the castle is pointing to some mishap with Sir Ram's replacement and that KLIS ship they were studying."

“Mishap sir?" Spirit asked, leaning forward. He was hinging on Will's every word now.

“I suspect the aliens took back their property and Ursa, Alex and Pina as well. I am sorry Spirit. I know you and Alex were particularly close."

“Sir, was it the faction that harvested Castle Wundagore? If so we can reach out to them and ask for Alex's return- they are only interested in beastials not humans."

“Slow down operative, we don't actually have an open line of communication with them anymore, especially since our business concluded." The colonial dressed man cautioned.

“You mean when Riz extracted his revenge on Sir Ram?" Spirit asked fidgeting.

“Yes. But, I will talk to Riz. Perhaps we can reach out to them again. If they will hear us."

“Thank you sir." Spirit said standing up from the table.

“Operative take some time off, clear your head." Will said lifting the tea cup to his lips. “With the knights pre-occupied about the KLIS harvesting we can spare you for a few days."

The tian mountain dog returned to room seven of the tavern, the same room he shared with his boyfriend before he left the new rebellion.

“Alex…."

8:56 AM Free Counter Earth's Moon (Very Dark Room, Undisclosed Location)

The morning silence was shattered by some wailing, it was so loud that it could be heard from beyond where Dr. Pina and I were being held. The vocalization was quite distinctive and familiar. As I rolled over I realized the soft fur I had been sleeping on for the last week and its owner were missing.

I scanned the infinite darkness outside of the spotlight that was containing us. The light had switched from blue to white. I felt my hunger, thirst and an urge to relieve myself return.

(Odd why now?)

After a week of being KLIS prisoners that was just another of the mysteries. Where were we being held? I don't know, it might as well have been a dark void. Were there others like us imprisoned in the darkness? If so, how many? Were they being held together in groups? Damned if I knew.

The spotlight redirected toward the far side of the void (?) I watched as three yellowish- orange watermelon head-shaped humanoids with slanted black oval eyes with white pupils, slit-like mouths and no necks levitate a beastial. The spotlight following them as they made their way to my location. The creatures dropped the unfortunate creature at my feet before leaving.

“Dr. Pina!" I shouted. The once proud and regal scientist fell forward knocking me to the floor of our prison cell.

*OOF*

“Sorry if my screaming unnerved you Mr. Winter, my captors were particularly cruel today."

“I see that." I replied as I wiped the tears from his eyes, noticing that the aliens had removed the dall sheep's other horn and judging by the noise he had made it was without anesthesia.

“I loved my horns." He replied, trying to reclaim some dignity. “They were my most distinguishing feature."

“I am sorry." I said petting him.

“No, I am sorry for getting us stuck in this situation Mr. Winter; my actions were bold, callous and reckless."

“Well, that is in line with your character, I replied petting him on his head. When you and I first met you were calling for help after one of your lab experiments was stalking you."

“I never thought to make an off switch- Sir Ram would have." The belittled scientist said as I stroked his fur.

“Well in all truthfulness, you are no Sir Ram."

“I know Mr. Winter, I know." The dall sheep replied, tearing up.

I placed both my hands on his head and made him look up at me.

“You are devious and cunning, while Sir Ram was aloof, distinct, cold, calculating, manipulative and evil."

“Mr. Winter!"

“It is an honest assessment. I have worked with that big horned sheep for a long time- he delighted in the suffering of non-beastials and those he deemed a threat to the empire. I know as a fact he got what was coming to him."

“Did I get what was coming to me too Mr. Winter?" The dall sheep asked looking up at me.

“When we first met, Dr. Pina I realized that I did not like you. But as we started working together… getting to know each other…"

“Became prisoners…."

“I have started to come around. I also like sleeping on you. Your fur is so soft."

“We must get out of here Mr. Winter… somehow." He replied brushing off my preferred bedding comment.

“We don't even know where 'here' is Dr. Pina. When you were outside our cell did you receive any clues, any hints to help us determine where we are?"

“No."

“What about Commander Ursa, Sorren or INTERCEPT?"

He shook his head no. It seemed that the aliens wanted to keep us in the dark about everything… so that there would be no chance of escape from wherever we were.

“What about restrooms?"

The dall sheep looked at me realizing what I was alluding to.

“That I can answer. I noticed that when the light lording down over us is blue we are rendered passive, docile, controllable. When it is white we are re-animated and our biological functions that were suppressed re-assert themselves like your need to produce liquid and solid matter right now."

“Yes, and?" I asked.

The dall sheep pointed to a foot long hole in the floor of our cell.

“That is for waste extraction?! Ewww!"

“It looks like you won't have to concern yourself any longer with biological needs Mr. Winter."

“Why is that?" I asked as the spotlight above us turned from white back to blue. “Oh bother."

9:20 AM Free Counter Earth (Castle Cafeteria, Castle Wundagore)

“How is my favorite chakat and little human?" The maned wolf asked staring into his communicator after taking his seat at his preferred table.

“Hi master Naka." Kiwi said respectfully. The lad was holding several small potted plants.

“Master?" The maned wolf asked confused.

“He is just being respectful. I advised him to always be- mind control device or not." The beautiful chakat replied.

“That is sage advice." Naka said looking around making sure they weren't being listened to by those in the cafeteria. “So how have you two been?"

“Worried about you. I heard that there was another 'incident'." Song replied.

“Wow, news travels fast." The junior knight said, scanning the room. There were some support staff from castle operations, a few cafeteria workers as well but he was the only knight present.

“Naka what happened?" The white chakat asked as Kiwi looked on.

He could see the concern on her face.

“The High Evolutionary has hand-picked someone to step in for Commander Ursa after her disappearance." The maned wolf replied.

“Biff, Looper, Dusty? Or is it one of the other knights sent over from Worlds Two, Three, Four or Five?" Song asked.

“Neither. It is Lady Vermin." The junior knight replied.

Kiwi and Song traded glances.

“Wasn't she just recovered?" The chakat anticipating what Kiwi would have said if not being mind controlled.

“She was and the master thinks her experiences with the KLIS makes her the perfect candidate, although her new look is going to take some getting used to though."

“Naka, has there been any pushback from the subordinates about taking orders from a human?"

“No Song. She is the most senior of the knight core here in the castle and she despises the aliens for obvious reasons. Anyway, the knights have a meeting in a few minutes. I better go." Naka said ending the connection.

“Sounds like it is going to be quite the meeting." The she beast said collapsing the viewscreen at her kiosk.

10:10 AM Free Counter Earth's Moon (Oval Corridor, Undisclosed Location)

The red dragon was exhausted from being studied, poked prodded, turned inside out and sliced laterally, horizontally, vertically and then being put back together again; he wanted to resist, to deny his captors the pleasure of using him as their test subject, but his everything hurt- even when he tried not to move.

Sorren was being levitated through the grey circular corridors of wherever he was not by the KLIS but the orange mellon headed creatures who had found him in the storage locker of the scout ship a week ago.

They took him to a large dark room with blue spotlights that shined on all whom were being held there. It was completely full. He was then taken to another medium dark room and another and another. No vacancy.

His captors realized that they had too many beastials to process and not enough places to store them. What could they do?

Sorren was taken to what looked to be an oval corridor and a long wall of what appeared to be cellophane. One of the creatures pulled back the outer covering and then…

*SPLUT*

It plastered the red dragon to the wall like an insect to flypaper before closing the outer cover.

“No cell today?!" Sorren protested.

The three yellowish- orange watermelon head-shaped humaniods with slanted black oval eyes with white pupils, slit-like mouths and no necks, looked at the red dragon like they were staring through him.

“That is a 'no' right?!"

*screech* *screech*

The cafeteria cook glanced to his left. He saw a short dark being with glowing eyes.

*screech* *screech*

“I don't understand." The goofy dragon replied as Sorren's captors watched the exchange between the two.

“That's right you aren't a Chado." It replied.

“No, I am not just someone who did something very stupid and wound up here." The dragon said, trying to look at the floor of the oval corridor.

“So that is what brought you here young fella?" The creature asked.

“Some friends of mine were studying one of these creature's ships. I did something I shouldn't have and got us all captured."

“So how long have you been guests of our friends?" The dark creature asked.

“I think it has been a week. A long week." The red dragon who wondered how long he would remain a piece of wall art replied.

“How long of a week?" The talkative Chado asked.

“I was turned inside out." Sorren said closing his eyes.

“Oh dear."

“I think they were trying to learn how I can spit flame."

“I take it you can't anymore?" The glowing eyed creature asked as the aliens continued to look on.

“Yes- they figured out how to turn it off. All this is my fault." The cafeteria cook said dejected.

“Now, now, we all make mistakes, we all are challenged and are tested, that is the way of things. Look at me, I made a wrong turn and wound up here- in this reality."

“Reality?!" The red dragon asked.

“What is more important is that we don't run from our mistakes but rise to the challenges and tests that are placed in front of us." The Chado replied closing his glowing eyes. “I know of another red dragon who was placed in a position of leadership- who has faced nothing but challenges this past year. He was a reluctant leader at first, but realized he must lead the way or those beside him, those under him, those he cared about would die."

“That is very heavy…. How is he doing?"

“Keeping on keeping on for the sake of those he cares about as you must to Sorren Dragon."

“Um… how did you know my name?" The goofy dragon asked the short dark creature with glowing eyes."

That was when the dragon's captors decided that they needed to re-examine their Chado captive MORE CLOSELY.

*YOINK*

“I thought my next appointment wasn't for the next few days!!" The Chado shouted as he was levitated away.

“Nice meeting you!" Sorren called out.

11:00 AM Free Counter Earth (World One School Of Technology Sciences)

“It appears that Panda Lee Ling and Milo Silver are again absent." The proctor said to his students. “I will need to reach out to their parents."

“Um proctor Teagan there is no reason to do that!" The white furred cat blurted standing straight up in the mid-sized classroom.

“And why is that Mr. Spencer?" The otter asked the adult cat who was masquerading as a teen.

“Because… because… they were abducted by aliens!!"

“CODY!!!" A hedgehog, rabbit and monkey girl chided the cat.

“I beg your pardon?" The otter proctor said turning to directly face the cat.

“It was the first thing that came to mind. Sorry." Cody whispered to Minka, Arthur and Primrose.

“Mr. Spencer with what is going on in the empire now, that is not the least bit funny in the slightest." Proctor Teagan said dressing down Big Sexy. “You are not joking. Why was I not made aware of this?"

“It happened last week… they were visiting one of the museums in World Three."

“It was during the time of the KLIS attack?" The otter gasped, nearly dropping his pointer.

“Yes." The white furred cat replied.

“Cody!! What are you doing?" Minka whispered.

“He is setting the record straight. Panda Lee and Milo have been missing for a week." Arthur said, drumming his paws on the chair arm he was seated at.

“It makes sense; we can't continue to cover for either of them indefinitely." Primrose opined.

“So now we tell the truth?" Minka asked.

“A variation of it." Cody winked.

“Still for Yoana, Panda Lee and Milo to have been gone so long…." Arthur surmised.

“The plan failed." Cody said realizing the obvious and trying not to look at the horrified reactions of his friends.

12:02 PM Free Counter Earth's Moon (Mysterious Lab, Undisclosed Location)

“Someone!! Anyone!! Please help!!" The she panda cried out. “I don't like it here! I don't want to be here!"

Panda Lee wanted to scream, she wanted to run badly but she couldn't. All she could do was stare at a large eyeball that was projecting itself off of a grey wall in the weird red room she had been placed in for study by her captors.

“There is none here to help you beast- child." A voice reverberated through her mind.

Who said that? There didn't seem to be anyone in the room with her. It was the eye!

It was controlling her, making her docile and passive. It was also inside her head, analyzing her mind, her very being… mapping… studying her from the inside out! But for what purpose?!

She watched as the iris and cornea elongated, extending off of the wall toward her forehead. It seemed like it was transforming into a mountain peak as the tip touched her temple.

The she panda took a step backward, then another and another. She noted that her clothing had been removed; she was nude but that did not bother her or seem to even matter.

*SCHLOP*

She stepped into something! Something conical! It enveloped her legs, waist and stomach stopping just short of her chest. Panda Lee looked downward. It was another eye that had extended up from the floor forming a cone.

It seemed like whatever it was, whoever it was had finished studying her insides and now was going to study her outside. The cone, which resembled a small volcano, was covering two thirds of her body.

“Someone!! Anyone!! Please help me!!" Panda Lee cried again.

“There is none beast- child only I." Whatever was in that room with her replied again.

“Please! Why are you doing this?!" The terrified panda called out to whatever was communicating with her.

“We have the right." It replied coldly, disassociated like.

At that moment something inside the cone started sucking on the teens' exposed holes.

“What are you doing?"

“Concluding our study of your digestive system. You may now excrete liquid and solid matter for further analysis."

The she panda realized she would not be going anywhere anytime soon.

1:32 PM Free Counter Earth's Moon (Orange Room, Undisclosed Location)

The two extraterrestrials were flummoxed as they attempted to analyze the tall black canid goo creature in their lab under the watchful eye of their superior.

Yoana observed as what appeared to be a holographic control panel appeared in front of the KLIS scientist to her right while the one to her left took notes as their superior looked on.

*zap*

A bolt of electricity entered the glass dome containing the goo creature from Creature Controlled Counter Earth.

“Nope." She replied creating a hole in her body for the bolt to pass harmlessly through.

*ZAAAAP*

A cavalcade of sparks rained inside her glass prison. The female goo creature collapsed her form to a puddle avoiding everything. “Missed it by that much, care to try again?" She taunted the scientists who were trying to figure out what she was.

*FOOOM*

Pink gas permeated the glass dome. When it dissipated the canid goo creature leaned against the glass playing with a dollop of her mass. It looked like someone occupying their time with a yo-yo.

“Wrong again!"

The two scientists looked at their superior, the former protege of Mum who shook his head in frustration.

“How about you free me from this and I will show you three a REAL good time?" Yoana threatened.

The three KLIS immediately ceased their study and exited the lab. Was the free person starting to get to them?

Yoana carefully looked around the orange circular room, there didn't seem to be anyone else around save for the female tanuki in the corner who like her was encased in a cylinder glass dome. Still she didn't want to take any chances.

*power down*

The goo creature assumed the shape of the glass dome blotting out its interior from prying eyes.

“Let's not do that ever again!" Milo Silver coughed trying to catch his breath.

“Aww but I like merging with you, becoming one." The goo creature teased.

“Please don't ever say that again either. “So did you retake the ship?" The wolverine boy asked.

“Not exactly."

“What do you mean not exactly?!" The annoyed wolverine asked.

“Well your aliens are a little different from the aliens that we free people conquered."

“Meaning?"

“I can't conquer them." The female goo creature casually admitted.

Milo's eyes went wide at the admission.

“We are kind of their prisoners… well me more so than you."

“Yoana!!"

“Chubby… well less chubby…" She said looking at him. “You should thank me."

“For?" Milo said crouching on his knees.

“I have been concealing you from them- otherwise they would be experimenting on you just like big butt."

“Oh no! Panda Lee! What did they do to her?"

“I can't be sure- I think they mapped out the cellular structure of her body as well as reduced the size of her bottom, so she has less of a big butt than before. Well that is what I thought they were doing to her the last time I saw her."

“Yoana, we have to save her!" Milo said clasping his paws.

“That would entail escaping from this lab, taking over wherever we are now and escaping from that." The free person admitted.

“Which you are still trying to figure out." The wolverine said cutting his eyes.

“Yes." The goo creature said running a tendril along the wolverine boy's face. “But if it is any consolation I have slowed down feeding off of your life force over the past week."

“WE HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A WEEK?!" Milo shouted, blowing a gasket. “My parents are going to kill me!"

“Did I mention you look less chubby… chubby? How do you feel?"

“A little dizzy." Mr. Silver admitted.

“Any dehydration, weakness or fatigue?" Yoana asked.

“No."

“Good. I think they are coming back. I will need to envelop you again."

“Must you?" The wolverine boy recoiled.

“Would you rather they discover you?" The goo puddle asked.

“Damn." Milo silently grumbled.

*SCHLOP*

“Relax and just give yourself to me, all of yourself. I promise you, we will get out of this… somehow."

*Power Up*

“Ready for more boys?" The six foot canid goo creature asked as the grey aliens returned to the lab determined to figure out what was taunting them under that glass. “Oh! ho, ho, ho, there are more of you!"

To Be Continued….

[MEANWHILE]

December 17th, YOE 35

8:00 AM Chaundoon (Milton and Melinda's Grooming, World Seven)

“Well as I live and breathe! Midnight Black!" Melinda exclaimed as the white akita entered the shop she shared with her mate.

“Milton, Melinda, you two look well." The white akita quipped. “How is everything?"

“Actually with the city's population on the rise we have been rather busy." The brown haired human groomer commented.

“That's right I had to learn how to groom all styles of fur, plumage, scales and everything else in between. Have you ever tried to groom one of the mud folk or the stone folk? Now that was a learning experience!" The blond haired animal groomer commented.

“By the way I like the new look." She said grasping the former assassin's paw.

“I don't, that is why I am here." Minka's squeeze replied.

“Hmm….." Melinda commented as she examined the akita's fur- she realized that all of Mr. Black's fur was white. “That is like wow… how did this happen?"

“It was the last case I was investigating with Minka and Arthur." The former assassin replied humbly.

“That must have been some case." Milton said joining his mate.

“It was."

“So you want to go back to your original fur color?" The female groomer asked.

“Yes." The akita replied grasping his paws.

“Milton, reschedule the rest of my appointments, I am going to be busy for the next several hours!"

8:56 AM Chaundoon (Robo Bears' Mine, Unexplored Mountains)

“Lady Ursa why did we land so far from the robotic bear's mining operation?" The blond archaeologist asked as she stepped out of the blue coupe.

“We are conducting an environmental impact analysis." My brown bear replied to my sister's doppelganger.

“To what end?"

“To make sure that they are living up to their end of the agreement." I replied as I pressed the third toggle switch on the weapons console.

“That is an interesting way to treat an ally who helped us save the planet." She replied as the co-pilot monitor and keyboard emerged from the glove box.

Surveillance probe engaged.

*So nice to have that component operational again.* Overwatched announced as the two females gathered around to watch the returns from the scan. *Everything is nominal. I am detecting minimal impact on the surrounding environment.*

“It is good that they decided to restrict harnessing materials for their ships to this mountainous area in the middle of nowhere." I observed as Dawn opened up her archaeological kit and started taking some soil, and air samples as well.

“Confirmed captain Raizi is a bear of his word. Virtually no impact…" Professor Stern started to say.

*Everyone! Brace yourself! Sizematic activity detected!* Overwatch shouted as the ground around us shook violently.

“Dawn to me!" My fierce ursine warrior shouted pulling her toward the blue coupe. “Overwatch activate deflectors!"

The Chaundoon quake lasted for about 30 seconds. It was rather moderate, but still unnerving.

“I didn't know that could happen here." I replied conducting diagnostic tests. Everything seemed in order.

“Nor I pet." My she beast replied.

“Hello, what is that?" Professor Stern said pointing.

*A tall spire with a dome at its base.*

“It is similar in design to the one that Marbas individual erected near your recent archaeological site." I replied zooming in on the front mounted camera.

“It looks like Club was right." Professor Stern gasped.

Lady Ursa and I looked at the blond female.

“That resurgent civilization is looking to dominate the planet."

9:20 AM Chaundoon (Forest of Feelings, Perna Pride Territory)

“COME HERE YOU!!" The female savage with the petite breasts who wore a beaded necklace shouted. She presented her sais to a small flightless bird. That was all it took.

*EEP* The brown, beige and tan avian shouted racing away at top speed.

“After it!!" The female warrior shouted to her human squire.

Kiwi watched the nude feline savage dart right after her prey, the athletic female slid under, jumped over, bobbed and weaved through forest plants and brush like a sprinter in a decathlon- her movements were swift, effortless and very graceful.

The pre-teen grabbed the only article of clothing he had living among these feline savages- a satchel and ran after Stab.

“What is so interesting about this short diminutive bird?" He asked the female on the move.

“It is a Owary… common to this area and also our breakfast!"

“Oh." Naka and Song's son replied.

“We have it cornered now!" The feline warrior growled.

Kiwi watched as she leapt into thick brush. There was some rustling and then silence.

*bonk*

“Stab?" The boy called out. “Stab?"

“OW." The female grumbled rubbing her head.

Well elegant and graceful- not so much but she did have a pleasant looking rack and beautiful bottom.

“You hit your head!" The boy observed. “That is going to leave a mark! I mean it could have happened to anyone, the north section of the canyon looks like a set of forested steps with sudden vertical walls."

“Nice recovery." Stab said cutting her eyes at him.

Kiwi was going to treat the scratch mark on her head, but the feline warrior had other ideas.

*yoink*

“Shh." The savage said pulling her attendant into the brush with her.

“Did you find it?"

“No. It got away. Unless there are more around here, we will have to go fishing instead." Black Scythe's daughter said rubbing her head.

Kiwi was quiet.

“What is it?"

“We are not alone here…" Kiwi whispered.

“Very good little scout, you are improving. Where?"

The pre-teen pointed.

“This area is relatively remote and out of the way." The female warrior whispered as she started to crawl toward where her squire had pointed.

*rustle* *rustle*

Kiwi watched as she lowered her sais. Judging by her reaction it wasn't their quarry. But another warrior and his!

Kiwi and Stab watched as Impale was involved in a heated embrace with another!

In front of them was Pummel on all fours facing forward, tail aside, snout slightly raised her preferred breeding position.

Impale was buried in her rear, his left paw on her thigh, the right holding her tail, one knee on the ground the other perpendicular to her back. The slender feline had removed his wrist guard, shoulder guard and necklace placing them on the ground nearby.

UMF, UMF, UMF, UMF, UMF, UMF, UMF, UMF, UMF.

Kiwi did a double take! He couldn't believe what he was seeing! He looked over to Stab who was transfixed on the action. Perhaps she was taking notes?

*UNGFF!!!* Impale shouted as he came. White viscous fluid started dribbling from Pummel's cub tunnel.

“Hmm…. that wasn't a lot." Stab blurted out.

“It wasn't?" Kiwi asked the feline warrior.

“That was wonderful." The muscular female replied staring over her shoulder.

“Pummel, why out here in the middle of nowhere?" Impale asked.

She smirked at him. Impale realized it was another of her quirks. She liked being humped in private.

“I guess we should get back to hunting." Mr. Goodfellow said as he started to turn away.

“Let's go say hi first."

“Stab?" Kiwi started to ask, but the female had already left her vantage point in the brush to visit with her brother and his breeding partner.

Apparently the S'mar weren't prudes about their mating practices!

10:10 AM Chaundoon (Knight Command, World Seven)

“King Dragon!" The caracal said standing at attention as Sorren entered Sanda's very small office. “Forgive the mess, I was meaning to tidy up…"

“But you have been preoccupied. You do know that cleanliness and being presentable are some of the tenants of being a knight?" The red dragon said channeling Duchess Jua.

“Yes, sir! I am sorry sir!" The tail-les caracal said embarrassed. Given his position within the core, he should clean his office more frequently- dusted the windowsill that looked out to the street, swept the floor and even wiped down his stone desk and wood chairs in the 10 x 10 room.

King Dragon remained quiet as he inspected the knights' watch commander. He straightened Sanda's long tan shirt as he eyed the caracal's grey shorts and loosened up the orange scarf around his neck.

“Just kidding." The goofy dragon said smiling. “I know yourself and the senior leadership have been quite busy."

“Yes, Lady Ursa, Lady Barq and Commander Rhinox are out in the field today."

“So you are in charge?"

“I am my liege."

“Any updates on Marbas and his activities?" The red dragon asked the yellow eyed cat.

“His obsessive ambition to resurrect his fallen civilization continues sir." Sanda said humbly.

“And ANOTHER threat emerges. It is always something!" Sorren huffed as smoke billowed from his nostrils.

“I know you and Duchess Jua will lead us through this one as well King Dragon." The knight said smiling.

“Thank you for your support, Sanda." Sorren replied.

“I do have a question though."

“Yes?" The red dragon asked lifting his eyebrow.

“You have been tight-lipped about your battle with Marbas, what exactly happened?"

“Well…"

Earlier…

December 10, YOE 35

12:19 PM Chaundoon (Former forest, Uncharted Wilderness)

“Marbas please! I do not wish to fight you!" The former cafeteria cook pleaded.

“Alright weakling, then remain still while I strike you down!" The creature with the three eyes that seemed to be gleaming in unison shouted.

*OOF*

Sorren shouted as he received a punch to the gut, which caused him to fly backwards.

“WEAK!!!!" The beige creature taunted him. “Perhaps after I make you a paperweight I will add your kingdom to mine!"

“Not going to let that happen either." King Dragon dry heaved as he stood up. He noticed Marbas smiling at him.

“Then we fight." Marbas said as his claws elongated.

*slash*

There went that nice shirt Jua had made for him, it was lying in pieces on the ground.

Perhaps he should have dodged?

Marbas followed it up with another.

Sorren blocked his face with both his arms taking yet another hit which gave him enough time to charge up for his counter.

*dragon flame*

Marbas was hit on his chest by dragon fire.

“That tickles!" The black haired jagged limbed creature lied recoiling.

“TICKLES?!" Sorren exclaimed his jaw dropping.

“Hint! Hint! I am much more than I appear to be!" He said taunting the young ruler.

In reality it stung but he would never reveal that to the dragon. He then charged at Sorren like a bull would a matador.

It was obvious the young leader did not have much experience fighting- his movements were, anxious, erratic and awkward. The guardian of the mysterious fallen civilization would use that to his advantage.

*bump*

He headbutted Sorren launching him into the air.

Sorren was stunned, but recovered. He fired several short bursts of flame as he descended back toward the ground. The creature dodge each and everyone trying to avoid being torched.

Which allowed King Dragon to lock in on his position.

*slam strike*

Sorren's elbow made contact with the creature's head knocking him face first to the ground.

“In-elegant, but effective." Marbas replied recovering. He launched into a series of strikes charging his opponent.

Sorren tried dodging each having no desire to get slashed by the creature again.

*gash*

(Well that one was different.) King Dragon thought to himself before he was pinned under the creature's weight.

“This battle… I have learned something… YOU ARE NOTHING!" Marbas said taking a deep breath. “I exert total control over flora, fauna, nature and all living creatures as I see fit!!! ...And now your remains will adorn the foyer of the throne room!!"

(What am I going to do?!) The goofy dragon thought as he was about to be petrified.

“Should I strike a pose?" He said looking directly at the three eyed guardian bouncing his eyebrows.

“HUMOR?!" Marbas cough- snickered at his prey's comment.

So the fallen civilization's guardian did have a sense of humor! That was it!

“Goochie goochie goo!" The red dragon said tickling the creature on his side.

“What are you?!" *snicker* “Don't! Wait! Stop! Baw Haw Haw Haw Haw!" The creature giggled rolling on his sides.

“Marbas, you really need to laugh more."

“That was rather cunning and devious little kobold!" The three eyed creature said staring down the red dragon.

“The name is King Dragon. You can call me Sorr- No, to you it is King Dragon. Nice to BEAT you. You will remember my name guardian because I am the one who beat you at your game." The shirtless ruler replied with smoke billowing from his nostrils.

“Challenge actually." The creature said standing. “I respect strength and loathe weakness.

Now…

“You know the rest. He unpetrified Dawn, Corbin, Club and Ursa's butt. Believe you me, Lady Ursa was glad to have feeling back there."

“Wow, sir, that battle must have seemed very scary." The caracal remarked.

“It was but at my darkest moment, as my life was flashing in front of my eyes I saw a vision." Sorren said sitting down on a chair in front of the carcal's desk.

“Really?"

“It was of two dear friends of mine Tauren and Lurie. They saw that I was unsure of myself, that I was about to give in, give up, to let myself become a statue adorning the hallway and corridor of one of the structures of that creature was erecting."

“Did they say anything to you?" Sanda asked transfixed.

“Yes they did." King Dragon replied. “We gave up and gave in to temptation. You must never, never, not ever. You must be the light that no one can ignore."

“I don't get it. What did they mean, your majesty?"

“I have thought about it in the days after my meeting with Marbas. They were telling me to never give up. I realized every challenge, every trial and tribulation I have been through this past year has only made me stronger. This challenge was no different." The goofy dragon surmised.

“I can see why you were chosen to lead us- King Dragon, you are the fire of hope that shines brightly for us all." Sanda replied.

“Gee. My self esteem just climbed two points." The goofy dragon replied nervously as a sweat drop appeared on his forehead.

11:00 AM Chaundoon (Community Garden, World Seven)

“Minka, Flo, Panda Lee I wanted to thank you for helping out." Dianna Wild said to her assistants that morning. “Since what equates to summer and fall around here has ended, I need help planting for the winter and spring."

“Arf." Lolly said complimenting what the female centaur had said.

“Not a problem." Flo said as she pulled some carrots out of the ground. Well, they kinda looked like carrots.

“Yeah, we have been looking for ways to keep busy while we are on hiatus." The she monkey added.

“I know harvesting from the garden isn't as exciting as studying the paranormal but we appreciate the help."

“Think nothing of it Ms. Wild, we are happy to be here." The orangutan said as she looked at her dirt covered paws.

*flicker* *flicker*

That has been happening a lot lately!

“Chaundoon's seasons are not even relatable to Counter Earth's; actually they are entirely different." The she panda observed.

“How would you categorize them- Panda Lee?" Dianna asked.

She thought about it for a moment. “Dry, drier, very dry and wet. With the wet being I guess the equivalent of winter."

“With the rapid population growth the city has experienced we had to expand the garden- but we were limited in space being boxed in by the buildings." Ms. Wild said.

“So that is why you decided to grow the garden vertically." Flo said looking upward. “Any space you can find I suppose."

“We could also search for what we need outside of the city too." The centaur commented.

“Well there is that supersized forest Alex discovered." Panda Lee suggested.

“That would be a great place to obtain additional fruits and vegetables! Everything in that forest is twice the size of what it should be." Minka added.

“Like, how are things going with the restaurant?" Flo asked.

“Very busy! We used to have some downtime between breakfast, lunch and dinner- but now it is constantly busy. Little Corey, Little Gia, Tina, Lolly and Mia can barely keep up seating and serving our customers."

“Like, sounds like you could use additional staffing." The orangutan said to the centaur.

“I guess I could. Would you three be interested?" Dianna asked, smiling.

Flo, Panda Lee and Minka looked at each other.

12:02 PM Chaundoon (Crystal Prairie, Near The Marble Canyons)

“What a lovely afternoon the chakat said as she trailed her lover and their teacher."

“Orange sky, comfortable temperatures and pleasant company." The maned wolf said looking behind him enjoying the view and it wasn't the prairie.

“That may be true hunters, but that is not why we are out here." Shred replied to his trainees.

“Let me guess, you are going to formally announce that you have done your part to help rebound the pride's numbers?" Song asked admiring the bare backsides of the warriors she was following on the trail but trying very hard not to show it.

“Are you and Pierce expecting?" Naka asked grinning.

“No." The male savage replied.

“Is it one of your female breeding partners?" The maned wolf asked with baited breath.

“No. I mean not that they have indicated."

“Then why are we patrolling outside the pride's boundaries?" Song asked.

“Because of this." Shred said kneeling.

The chatkat and maned wolf gathered around him to see what the savage was pointing to- a marking on the ground."

“A paw print?" Naka asked.

“Look closer hunter." The warrior admonished.

“It is from another pride." Song observed.

“Correct, we have no reason to come out this way, this area is barren, desolate and has nasty terrain." The warrior said.

“Tell me about it." Naka said looking around at the tree-sized crystals rising out of the ground, laying here and there and sloping on each other.

“So why did warriors from a rival pride…?" Naka started to say.

“Perhaps word has spread about our war with the Yowies and they have come to assess our pride's strength."

“For a hostile takeover." Song said completing Shred's sentence.

“Or maybe they are thinking about defecting?" Naka said reaching.

“Well Three Rivers Pride took out some smaller prides near their territory a few seasons ago." Shred thought out loud.

“What happened to the members of those tribes?" Naka asked.

“They were given two options- join or die. The same would happen if Perna Pride fell to another tribe."

“That prospect gives me shivers." The maned wolf replied.

“Right, let's find these warriors and go say hello." Shred said drawing his weapons.

As the patrol party was about to make their way deeper into the crystal prairie the ground trembled and shook before them.

“Chaundoon Quake!" The maned wolf shouted.

“They have them on this world?" The chakat asked.

“Not without reason. Look!" Shred shouted as a portion of the crystal prairie descended into a pit in the ground. Rising on the same spot was a large vertical spire, at its base a large dome and green space.

To Be Continued….