FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 01

Derrick ran along the path toward the schoolhouse. The building's exterior looked like the old Partridge Island Bacteriologist's Laboratory. The locals found it amusing that they were helping little things to grow in the Laboratory. Only in this case, the little things they tended to were the last generation of children with the Sight. No one knew why, but the last known child born with the Sight was now thirteen years old.

Thirty-two formed the last generation drawn to the island. Of that group, most were already adults and had moved on. Some men had chosen not to turn when they reached maturity. Instead, they found a life with their fellow humans as all the women had done. Only a dozen children remained in the school of the original thirty-two.

The schoolhouse was a break from what the islanders had done in the past. This last generation's schooling was on the island instead of the mainland. Their education included a class for those choosing to turn when they reached their twenty-fifth birthday. The class had different teachers visiting the children during every semester. Each of the teachers brought unique insights they hoped would help the children make wise choices in their future. Today, Oliver stood in front of the class.

As Derrick ran along the road, a striped temple dog stood in the middle of the road, shifting with every movement the black wolf made to avoid him. "Try what you will, Wolfy," Spackle yelled, "you're not getting around me."

"I'm late for Oliver's class, Spackle. He's waiting for these papers," the wolf said, shaking a worn leather briefcase in his hand. His one last attempt at veering around the dog failed and he found himself in a tight hug. "Husband," came the frustrated rebuke.

"Is this going to make you that much later than you are now?" the temple dog asked. "Give me a kiss, and I'll let you go."

"Coercion is forbidden in the Were Nation," Derrick chided.

"It's not coercion if you really want the kiss. Tell me you don't want to kiss me, and I will let you go."

Derrick sighed. "When have I ever not wanted to kiss you?"

Spackle laughed. "Then kiss me, and I will send you on your way."

The two kissed. As always, it lasted longer and explored more than either anticipated, but ended far sooner than either wished. Derrick pushed back. "Let me go before your pheromones get me any harder."

Spackle laughed, pushing his fur around the firm flesh jutting from it. "I doubt I can get any harder."

"Yeah, but you're a fur ball. I get wood, and it's tougher to cover up. This briefcase can only hide so much."

Spackle let the wolf go. "Wolfy, we'll see each other after class, right?"

Derrick nodded. "I promise. You stay here, and as soon as I deliver these papers, I'll be back. Got to go, Hon," he said.

Spackle grinned. He shoved the black wolf toward the schoolhouse, and Derrick ran down the road.

Derrick burst through the door and saw the badger glaring at him. "Hi, everyone," Derrick said as he put the briefcase on the large oak desk. "I'm sorry I'm late." The wolf leaned over and kissed the badger. "I'm sorry, Hon. I forgot that the flight takes a trip around the world to save time."

The badger's foot turned in a small circle, and he smiled. "It's okay, Pup. It were me that forgot them papers, and you ain't one for liking to fly." He turned to the class. "This is my husband, Dr. Robnton. You can call him Derrick or Wolfy if you wants to because he likes them names."

"I just heard you call him Pup," one student said.

Oliver frowned. "Yeah, well, you marries him, and you can call him Pup, but for this class you uses Derrick or Wolfy." Oliver paused a moment in thought. "Or Doctor. You can calls him Dr. Robnton, but he's not all that keen on that name."

The black wolf smiled. "He's right about that, class. I have a doctorate in art and music. I don't enjoy being called Doctor. Save that for actual doctors like my husband, Eric, or Nathaniel." Derrick tapped the briefcase, bringing all eyes back to the worn bag. "Gotta go, Badger," the black wolf said. "I've got a husband out there waiting for me."

Oliver smiled at the wolf. "You goes and have fun with that dog, Pup. I will see you later." There was a quick kiss, and Derrick headed out the door.

Oliver reached into the briefcase and pulled a stack of papers from inside. He shuffled the papers in his hands. "You gots an A," he said, handing one to the boy before him. The young man beamed happily. "You gots an A, too," he said as he placed the paper on the table in front of another. That youth smiled broadly as well. He paused in front of a young woman who appeared very nervous. "Don't looks so worried, Avery. You gots an R. You done good."

"An R, Oliver?" the young woman asked. "What's an R?"

"R stands for really good," Oliver said matter-of-factly.

"Then what's an A?" the other two holding papers asked.

"All right. An A means you done all right. Ain't great, but it don't suck neither," Oliver said as he continued to hand out papers to the others in the group.

Another youth stared at his grade and compared it to the lad sitting beside him. "So, an F must mean fantastic because Rob and I rocked this assignment."

Oliver turned back to the two. "F means you fucked up, David. You boys gots brains. Don't know why you'se so hard set against using them."

"But we did," Rob protested. "David and I worked hard to find two totally badass animals to become when we turned."

"A T-Rex and a terror bird?" Oliver replied, shaking his head. "You thinks them are good choices? That's why I gaves you both F's; because you'se fucked up."

"Why?" David protested.

Oliver turned to the class. "Okay, everyone, we'se going on a field trip after school to the highland." The entire class cheered. "I'll call Kwan and lets him know."

Oliver continued to hand out the rest of the papers, explaining what each of the letters meant, but the worried look on Avery's face didn't change. When the class bell rang, the boys poured out into the hallways, leaving Avery and Oliver alone in the room. Oliver looked at the young woman and asked, "You gots a problem, Avery?"

"I'm thinking of dropping out of the program, Oliver. I thought being a beast was what I wanted, but now I'm not so sure."

Oliver nodded. "Had my days when being a beast weren't exactly what I wanted to be. I knows how the doubts weighs on those who ponder on these things. Them boys around you are all excited about being a beast, but they don't ponder what it means. That's why we's got these classes. They ain't for you so much as them boys. Them boys aren't used to pondering what you does."

"Oh, I ponder about it, Oliver. I spend a great deal of time pondering."

"Because you'se a woman?"

"They said my parents chose that for me, but I admit I'm happy being a girl."

"But being a girl in a whole family of gay men can be tough?" the badger replied.

"Yeah, major tough."

"You wouldn't be alone, Avery. You wouldn't be the only girl like you in the Were Nation, and we gots boys who loves them."

"Really?"

"We's been around for a long time," the badger said as he straightened his papers on the desk. "Ain't just men and women on this planet. There's all kinds of in-betweens, and they's got a right to follow what their heart tells them to."

"But I wouldn't be alone?" the young lady asked.

"You won't never be alone, Avery," Oliver replied. "There's gonna be men like me that's gonna love you and be your friend, but I won't never be physical with you. But that's true of all of us in the Were Nation. We gots what we likes. We gots what our heart is drawn to. You was born special. You gots a bit of boy and a bit of girl DNA inside you. It lets you decide what's you want to be. But that boy part of your DNA can join with the Changeling DNA and turn you. What's you gots to decide ain't if you can do it, but if doing it is what your heart wants."

"That's what I'm struggling with. The Sight keeps showing me a world where I'm a beast, but one where I am always alone. I don't know if that's the world I want."

Oliver put out his hand, and Avery took it. Oliver walked toward the door with the young girl. "You'se fifteen, Avery. You ain't supposed to have all the answers about what you want. You'se supposed to be exploring your options. Maybe that's why you is here. Not because you don't think on things, but because you needs to be with others who has thought long and hard about their turning."

"Will you be upset with me if I choose not to turn?"

Oliver laughed. "Why woulds I be upset? I loves you, Avery. I wants you to be what you wants to be. Human, beast, don't matter to me. Just be what's you wants to be. You wants to be that bear you sees? Then be the best bear you can. But if somewhere along the line you realizes you wants to stay a human, then be the best human you can be. Don't you never worry about what those that loves you thinks because we's gonna see you as perfect just the way you are."

Avery let out a deep sigh. "That makes me feel so much better."

Oliver looked up at the young woman and smiled. "You know what's gonna make you feel better?"

"No, what?"

"Watching them two boys making asses of themselves on the highland later today."

Avery stopped in the middle of the hallway and stared at the badger by her side. "Oliver, you're cruel."

"Ain't cruel," the badger corrected. "Them boys ain't never pondered about that beast they're gonna become the way you did. They only wants to be excitin'. Letting them think that's the reason we's beasts is cruel. They's both nineteen. In six years, they's gonna turn. They ain'ts got time to be thinking like kids no more."

"Okay. So long as it won't embarrass them."

"Oh, I'se gonna do that," Oliver said with a laugh. "They's boys who ain't thinking things through. I gots to make them ponder their changing. They gots to realize it ain't a game with do-overs every time they make a mistake. They can't go pushing a reset button if they don'ts like their character. Only way to make that idea stick is to embarrass them for making a dumbass move."

Avery laughed. "Promise it won't be mean?"

Oliver nodded. "It ain'tgonna be mean. I'segonna give them everything they ever wanted."

Avery considered Oliver's words. "That's going to be so embarrassing."

"Yeah, it is."

"Is it okay if I don't go? I know the lesson you're going to teach them. It might be easier on them if at least one class member doesn't know what happened."

Oliver laughed. "They's boys, you know. Ain't gonna be in class tomorrow for two seconds without one of them other boys telling you all about it. It would be a kindness to them two if you sees what's gonna happen and tells them you understands how we all makes mistakes."

"Okay, I'll be there," Avery said. She let the badger's paw slip from her hand. "This is my next class, theoretical physics."

Oliver stared at the door. "Now, you asks me to join you in that class, and you'se gonna see someone get right-proper embarrassed."

Avery reached down and hugged the badger. "Oliver, I love you," she said as her hug tightened.

"Good thing that," Oliver said with a giggle. "I loves you, too."

Chapter 02

The two boys wondered if they had made a mistake making the trip to the highland. "Okay, you two, get over there," Oliver said, pointing to the middle of the field. The two hesitated but complied. Only moments later, all watched as the blue British Columbia sky lit up with a fireball heading straight for the two. The two began running from the flaming orb, but they stopped short when the badger held up his hand. "Stay there, boys," he commanded. "That's my husband coming for a visit. He enjoys making an entrance."

The fireball turned into a pangolin moments before it hit the ground and rolled out onto the grass. "Greetings all," the large, scaled creature said. Adam shook and became an otter that walked over and kissed the badger.

"Good to see you, Husband," Oliver said.

"Good to be seen," Adam said, letting their hug go. "And what brings me home?"

"Them two boys," Oliver said, pointing at Rob and David.

"Oh?"

"They wants to be a T-Rex and a terror bird when they turn."

Adam grinned. "Well, that is novel, to say the least."

"I was hopin' maybe you could help them reconsider those choices."

The otter looked at the two boys in the field. "Okay, my first question has to be, why did you choose the beasts you did?"

"Because they're badass," Rob replied.

"And they're big. No one is going to mess with a T-Rex," David replied.

"That is true," the otter said as he walked toward them. He smiled at the boys. "You two like each other?" Both boys looked away shyly. "I thought as much," the otter said, sizing up the situation. "You both need to start looking out for the other."

"We do," Rob protested.

"Not nearly enough," the otter corrected.

"What do you mean?"

Adam waved his hand, and the T-Rex stood staring at the much smaller terror bird. "You're not as big as I expected," David said.

"You're way bigger," Rob said, staring up at the scaly creature.

"Strike one, boys," Adam said with a chuckle. "You didn't consider how the animals you hoped to become related in size to the other. Go on, hug each other," the otter said, pushing the terror bird toward the dinosaur.

David tried to push out his hands as he bent over, and his head smashed into the smaller bird. "This won't work," he sighed, rising back up.

The terror bird stood flapping his tiny wings, realizing they were useless in a hug. "This won't work at all."

"And it's gonna get worse," Oliver said with a forced scowl to keep himself from laughing. "Okay, boys, let's see you pull them peckers of yours out."

"Not in front of everyone," Rob chirped through his beak.

"We's all seen one before. I ain't asking you to play with it or nothing."

Rob's eyes rolled. "I don't have one," he said as the shock of the truth took hold. "I don't have a cock, David," he said, looking up at the T-Rex. "At least not anything you're going to want to see."

"Mine's huge," David said, trying to reach down to cover himself. The short arms failed to reach his lower belly. "And I'm pretty sure it's covered in spines."

"Don't worry, boys," Adam said. "Oliver is only teasing you. Your genitals won't come into play today because you're too stressed to be even the slightest bit aroused. An overwhelming mating instinct drove those beasts of yours to reproduce. Romance has nothing to do with those body designs. Those bodies aren't made for cuddling."

"But they seemed so cool in the books," Rob said.

"Try kissing each other," Adam suggested. "That's simple enough."

The terror bird, with the razor-sharp beak, stared up at the massive, wet teeth of the T-Rex. "Nah, I'll pass on the kiss," Rob said.

"Me too," the T-Rex said.

Adam strolled over to the T-Rex. "You both have cloacae. That means you poop, pee, and have sex through the same orifice."

"We what?" the bird stammered, flapping his tiny wings.

"You should have done more than browse through the pictures, boys," Adam said. "Sex for you is a very messy business and one that most of us won't be thrilled to take part in at your welcoming."

The T-Rex tried smacking his head, but the tiny arms again failed him. "How could I be so stupid?"

The terror bird nodded. "We're sorry, Oliver. We didn't do what you asked. You told us to find animals that would let us stand with the Were Nation, and we just picked animals we hoped would impress everyone. We didn't have a clue they would turn out like this."

"That's okay, boys," Oliver said, chuckling. "You'se gonna make mistakes, but you is young, and sometimes those mistakes is gonna make the rest of us laugh. But we ain't laughing because we never made no mistakes. We's laughing because we know how many times we's been right where you is now."

"Yeah," the terror bird sighed. "You've got a right to laugh this time around."

"You're lucky I even let you talk," Adam said. "Terror birds and T-Rexes don't have vocal cords. But limiting you to only squawking seemed too cruel."

Rob's eyes lit up. "Wait a minute. I hadn't thought about that. Oliver is bigger than an average badger because he thought about that on his turning. Max and JP have wings. David could become a smaller T-Rex with longer arms, and I could become a terror bird with hands and vocal cords."

"Well, you'se finally thinking," Oliver said. "Aint' thinking worth shit, but you'se at least thinking."

"Why couldn't it work?"

"Come here," Oliver ordered, and the bird complied. "Okay, Adam," he said as he drew close to the terror bird, "let Rob change himself like in the turning. If he can stays focused, let them changes stick."

Adam smiled. "Are you sure about this, Oliver?"

"These boys has gots to learn, Husband," Oliver begged. "Rob and David don'ts learn by looking at a book."

Adam shrugged. "Okay, Rob. You've got thirty seconds to alter your DNA once I say go."

"Okay, Adam," the terror bird agreed.

"Don't forget anything," Oliver reminded Rob. "You needs a voice, 'cause if you don'ts think about it, you're not talking when this lesson ends. Gets yourself some hands instead of wings if you wants to ever hug a mate or pick up a pencil. And best be getting rid of that beak of yours if you don't' want to slice off David's pecker the next time you try to go down on him." Oliver paused, staring at the bird. "You mights also wants to consider making a sizable pecker for a T-Rex that ain't hooked up to your butt hole like that damn cloaca of yours." Oliver pointed to the dinosaur towering over them. "And make it a nice-looking pecker, considering how much David likes them."

The T-Rex groaned and looked away from the crowd.

"Okay, Oliver. I've got it all in my mind."

"Okay, then," Adam said. He raised his paw. "On your mark. Get set. GO!" he yelled.

Rob shut his eyes and tried to concentrate on the needed changes. Oliver punched his stubby wing hard. "Ouch!" Rob yelled. "What did you do…" Another punch landed on his wing. "Oliver, stop," Rob yelled.

"Fifteen more seconds, Bird," Oliver said as he punched the terror bird again. "You ain't changed nothing'. Best be getting to it." Another punch landed on the bird's wing and toppled him onto the highland grass.

"Oliver, stop it. I can't concentrate."

"I'se only hitting you, Bird. You'se a beast. You ain't hurt none. Ain't nothin' like the hurt you'se gonna feel when you're turning. If this bothers you enough that you can'ts think about your changing, what's you gonna do when it's for real?"

The terror bird rolled over, trying to right itself."Okay, Oliver. I get it. We won't have enough time to think about all the changes we need to make."

"What are we supposed to do?" David asked, shaking his head back and forth.

"You takes what you knows now, and you learns from your mistakes," Oliver replied.

"There is a reason the turning never takes place before twenty-five," Adam explained. "Even that year isn't set in stone. If a person isn't ready at twenty-five, we wait until he is. Our turning isn't a day when we want to make mistakes."

The dinosaur sighed. "I'll probably be eighty before I even get a chance."

The badger patted the leg of the T-Rex. "But we's gonna be right by your side for as long as it takes, David. You say you wants to be a beast. The Sight tells you that you needs to be a beast. You knows now that beast ain't no T-Rex. You gots to learn who you is deep down inside before you ever try becoming one of us. And you gots to learn who we is. We ain't badass beasts. We is the Were Nation, and we is so much more than what's you think we is."

Oliver waved his hand back toward the East and Partridge Island. "We ain't teaching you the history of the beasts because we is strong. We is teaching you the history because we is kind. Look at that giant brown bear when Kris walks by and know he weren't never that bear until the humans forced him to be. He came here as Santa 'cause he knew Santa was kind. Kris weren't scary. He weren't badass. He wanted the ones who first laid eyes on him not to be afraid."

Oliver rubbed his paws together. "Take it from one who knows, you don't wants to be trying to be the one who kicks ass. I learnt that the hard way. When I turnt, I wanted to spend my life as a badass wolf, killing the humans that killed the beasts. I was wrong, and the Sight made me what I is today to keep me from becoming the awful I was bent on becoming.

"You looks to the black wolf with blue eyes. Watch him and learn. He is kind. He is gentle. But he is fierce beyond belief if he needs to be. Come between him and his family, and you will regret it. But you will be alive in the end to regret it because even when that wolf is fierce, he is kind. Derrick don't kill. He don't tear you a new one because that ain't who he is. He ain't out to impress you with what he is. Derrick only wants to be your friend. That black wolf is the best of who we is. He is what you want to become, not some T-Rex or terror bird."

Rob bowed his head and shook it. "I'm such an idiot," he said. "I was so set on impressing everyone with how intimidating I could be, I never considered that wasn't the reason for becoming a beast."

David nodded. "Me too. I'm sorry, Oliver. I ignored the lesson you were trying to teach us."

"That's okay, boys," Oliver said. "That's why we has this school for you. You ain't got time to make all the mistakes we did along the way. And trust me, we has all made a lot of mistakes. That's why we is here. We is trying to teach you a different way. We wants you to avoid the mistakes we made."

Rob looked up. "So, what do we do now?"

"Now you gots to choose to be something better. Go on, you two, look into each other's eyes. Look deep at that boy you loves and choose different. Choose the beast the Sight tells you to become 'stead of the beast you hoped would wow us all."

The two young men looked at each other. Adam smiled. "Go on, gentlemen, I'll help you along, and for a few moments, you can experience what it feels like to be the beast you were meant to be."

The two closed their eyes and when their eyes opened, two upright wolves stared at each other. "You're beautiful," Rob said as he stared at the white wolf in front of him.

"You, too," David said as his eyes looked at the black wolf in front of him. "We were kind of lame, huh? What was I thinking? A T-Rex?"

Rob smiled a toothy grin. "Yeah, birds and dinosaurs won't cut it as a beast."

"And there we goes, class," Oliver said. "Rob and David has found their beast. Not by anything they learned from a book, not by trying to be something badass, but by following what their heart told them."

"How will we know that's what we're listening to, Oliver?" Avery asked. "How will we know it's our heart and not vanity?"

"Because you all has the Sight. You is the last generation that has it. There ain't no new babies being born with it. Ain't rightly sure why, but we knows you is special. Them that gave it to you is fading into memory. All of us with the Sight gots to make sure their sacrifice weren't for nuthin. We gots to become what they hoped we would become. We ain't training you to pick a beast today. This is training you to listen to the Sight. You needs to know when you follows it, and when you tells it to leave you alone. When you turns, it's gonna be a bit of both. We's trying to help you sees that before that day happens."

One of the young men raised his hand. "I might want to change the beast I chose."

"Might be a good idea, Scott," Oliver said with a smile. "Okay, all you closes your eyes. I wants you to ponder good and hard on the beast you told me you was gonna choose." Oliver walked over to the otter. "Keep them eyes closed and then hear what your heart tells you. Hear what the Sight tells you. That beast might change. It might stay the same. You find that beast between your dream and what the Sight tells you, and let it become a part of you. And when you sees that beast, open your eyes."

One by one, the children opened their eyes to stare at their animal classmates. One stood above them all. A great brown bear with a bushy mane towered over them.

Oliver walked over to the bear and smiled. "You sees, Avery? You can be that bear if you wants to be. Whatever it is you choose, you only needs to choose it because you feels right by it. If you is meant to be a beast, then you will know it. It will feel like coming home. That's what we does, Avery. We always comes home."

Avery's paws rotated as she looked at them. "Is this real?"

Adam shook his head. "No, Avery. The turning is much more painful. This is like putting on a costume. A bit of make-believe to get you contemplating about that day when you commit to an idea that goes far beyond a simple change in your body."

"But I'm a Rottweiler," one boy said, staring at his coloration. "I'm Beowulf, our dog at home."

Oliver took the upright dog's paw in his. "Nothin' is set in stone, Blake. This is what deep down you believes you wants to be. One day that might change. But you is a fine beast. You done good for today. You all has done wonderful for today."

With a wave of his hand, Adam restored the children to their human bodies. "There, that will be so much better when you have dinner with the rest of the family."

"Oh, jeez," David said. "I forgot all about Hanuel and Kwan."

"But they didn't forget about you," Adam said. "They're waiting for you over at the cavern. You enjoy a night on the highland. Tomorrow, the Red Wolf takes you home and your studies start all over again, and you know Oliver. He's a hard taskmaster. So don't stay up all night running around in those caves."

The badger waved toward the opening in the crag. "Go on now. You gots dinner waiting on you. Class dismissed."

The children turned and ran toward the cliff face, leaving the two small mammals out in the field. "Thanks bunches for coming, Adam," Oliver said.

"You could have done what I did all by yourself, Oliver," the otter replied.

"Ain't likely. I don't want no human knowing what you knows. What I am is best left between us."

"That makes sense. I already have a reputation for changing the looks of others."

"That's why I'm grateful," Oliver said.

"Did you know I can change your species with only a kiss?"

Oliver grinned. "Really?"

"Yeah, come give me a kiss, and by the end, I'll have you a lion in my arms."

"That's about the corniest pun I'se ever heard," the badger laughed.

"Maybe. But it's the truth," the otter replied.

"Yeah, it is. You thinks you could get us both home so our husbands can join us in that kiss?"

"Gladly," Adam said. He waved his hand, and the highland glade was empty.

Chapter 03

From outside the barn, Eric listened to the sound of metal clanging against metal. The polar bear paused and gazed at the smoke curling from the chimney. He bolstered his resolve and stepped into the barn. An American lion wearing a heavy apron glanced up and smiled at his father. "Hi Papa," Joshua said as the hammer above his head came down and slammed against the glowing metal.

"Hello, Son," the polar bear replied. "I thought I would drop by and see how things are going with one of my more elusive sons."

The lion laughed. "I'm not that elusive, Papa. You just don't enjoy coming in here because of the heat."

"I admit it took me by surprise that my son became a blacksmith," Eric replied, nodding. "It's not exactly a trade with a strong demand."

"This is a hobby, Papa," the lion said, continuing his hammering. He pulled the flattened metal up and looked at it. He gave a self-satisfied nod and shoved the metal back into the coals. "My calling differs from this."

"Your choice of name worries me more than your brothers."

"Why?" Joshua asked. "I would think my brothers' names would be far more disturbing than mine. Noah's family was the only one left behind after God's wrath killed every human. Gabriel has a few nice things to say as the messenger of God, but he is the one who tells Daniel how the world will end, and it's not pretty."

"Joshua is a soldier who led a tribe of humans in genocides of unprecedented horror. His armies slaughtered men, women, children, and even animals. Killing everyone other than their tribe to maintain the purity of their race and religion isn't a story that stood the test of time. Say what you will, Son, Joshua is a frightening name."

Joshua pulled the flat metal from the fire and placed it on the anvil. The hammer once more began shaping the metal. "That's true. It's kind of hard to take Biblical names and not wind up with some awful namesakes overall. We took our names for only one small part of the histories of man." The lion pushed the metal back into the furnace, pulled on the bellows, and the embers grew brighter. "Mine is for one and only one part of the story of Joshua, and it has nothing to do with the warrior." The lion let the tongs slip from his gloved hand. He pulled on the glove. When it slipped off, his paw glowed yellow. "I am not a warrior, Papa."

"I'm glad to hear that, Son. But then the reason for your name eludes me."

The lion smiled, slipping back on the thick glove. "Yeah, gestating with you and your husbands may not have helped me to be clear about such matters. Too many years with the temple dogs have left you all prone to insist we figure things out rather than reveal the answer. I appear to have inherited the trait."

"I could deal with the disappointment if you told me why you chose the name," the polar bear said with a frown.

"In time, Papa. It will eventually become clear why I'm Joshua." The lion paused, pulled the metal from the fire, and renewed pounding it against the anvil. "I will tell you this. I will not kill. That part of Joshua's history is not mine nor will it ever be."

"I'm glad to hear that, Son."

The lion pushed the metal back into the fire. "Blacksmiths learn early on they can mold metal into so many things." Joshua pointed to the flat piece of metal as it heated in the forge. "That bar of metal can become a sword, a wheel, a tray, or a buckle for pants we never seem to wear. It depends on who holds the hammer. The metal has no choice but to be what it is. It is the blacksmith who chooses what becomes of it."

Joshua picked up the piece of metal with the tongs and rotated it on the coals. He fanned the flames with the bellows. "Power is like that. Here is a fire burning hot. It will help forge this metal into a hackamore for Gustavo. He complained that the one he has doesn't fit right. I could forge it into a sword instead, but I chose not to do that with all that burning energy."

Eric smiled. "We're not talking about blacksmithing, are we, Son?"

"Even a simple blacksmith might have lessons to teach."

"I would hug you if it weren't for all that fire you're playing with."

Joshua pulled the glowing metal from the fire, bent it in the post vice, and pounded it. When the glowing metal darkened, he placed it into the oil barrel to cool and then pulled it out. "I think I'm done for a time." He put the bent metal on a large table, leaning it against a metal railing. With a button push, the flaming coals faded, and a protective lid dropped over the forge. "Can I interest you in lunch?"

"What are you offering?" the polar bear asked with a smile.

"Lion dick," Joshua replied, pulling the apron over his head and hanging it on a peg. "I heard it tastes like chicken."

"You heard wrong," the bear replied. "It tastes a lot like polar bear cock."

Joshua removed his gloves. He wrapped his arm around the white bear. "Really? It's been a while since I tasted polar bear cock." He kissed the bear and pointed toward the open barn doors. "What say we get out of this sweltering barn, and I can test your theory? The ranch house is much cooler than here."

"You have a way to taste both at the same time?" Eric said, letting the hug go.

"I'm a cat. We're very bendy. I can taste both with no problem."

The polar bear took the paw of the lion and the two walked out of the barn. "I think I'd enjoy seeing that," he laughed.

"Who knows," the lion said with a chuckle, "maybe I can show you how it's done. We blacksmiths love teaching the tricks of our trade." The two tumbled to the grass, never getting close to returning to the ranch house.

Chapter 04

"Well, fine Old Bear and I do mean OLD!" the black wolf yelled as he stormed into the kitchen. "Have it your way, but don't come crying to me when it all falls apart!" Derrick marched straight for the back door and opened it.

Will looked at Kris, and the Kodiak shrugged his shoulders. Oliver snickered as he shoveled another spoonful of cereal into his mouth. The four sons living at the ranch looked back and forth between each other with confused looks.

"Go on, drama queen; storm out that door. Run away from it like you always do," the polar bear bellowed as he entered the kitchen. "Only don't try turning around and coming back soon."

"Bastard Bear," Derrick growled as he slammed the door behind him.

Eric looked at the seven gathered around the table. "Just who does he think he is, anyway?"

Kris looked up from his cereal bowl and grinned. "A young pup who hasn't seen nearly enough of his Papa Bear? Seems to me you two are trying to figure out how to get away from this crowd without actually telling us that."

The polar bear stopped dead in his tracks. "That bad, huh? We didn't fool any of you?"

Will laughed. "Oh, the acting was top-notch, Old Bear. It might help if you remember that two of your husbands at this table have the Sight, and the other is… well, he's Santa. He knows when you've been bad or good, and you're pretty bad at being bad. You two don't fight like that even when you're upset with each other. We've got to figure it's because of some other reason. It's not that hard to figure out why, what with you two being apart for a month now."

"You coulds just ask," Oliver said, chewing his cereal. "We'd understand. Although, I likes all the drama. I thinks you shoulds have said fuck more. That woulds make it more believable. I always sez fuck when I'se really pissed off."

Eric stared at the badger. "I don't say fuck when I'm angry." He paused, "Well, hardly ever."

"Yeah, but you is acting. Gots to up your game, Old Bear."

The four sons chuckled as they realized what was happening. They were learning the ways of their family, and enjoyed the interplay between their fathers.

The back door opened, and Derrick poked his head back into the kitchen. "Didn't work, huh?"

"No," the polar bear replied. "But they said we could go, anyway."

Derrick lit up with the news. "Oh, that's great. I'm sorry guys, but Papa Bear's been in New York for so long, and I really miss him, and…"

"Don't go thinking this is carte blanche, Pup," Will said as he stood up from the table and walked his bowl to the kitchen sink. "We're your husbands, too, and we have rights."

Derrick nodded his understanding. "I know. I promise I'll make it up to all of you."

"First, the two of you have an all-day pass, but come sundown, we expect you to come home and spend time with us."

"Sure," Derrick said with another willing nod. "Anything."

"Okay, since you said 'anything', I'd like my pup to top me tonight when he gets home. I'm pretty sure your ass will be well worked over by tonight, so you can spend a bit of time making sure I get parity."

Derrick hardly gave it a thought before he nodded again. "Sure, Old Wolf. Home by nightfall, and I top you."

Oliver burst out laughing as he grabbed the arm of the Kodiak. "I tolds you, Bear. I tolds you that the old wolf would get Pup to top him by the time this was all done."

Derrick looked at the old wolf. "You planned this all along?"

"Sort of," Will said with a grin. "I knew you needed time with your Papa Bear. That gave me a strong negotiating position to get you to top me when you asked for time alone."

"Old Wolf," Derrick said with a low growl.

"You top extremely well for a bottom, Pup. Don't hold it against me because you're good at it."

Joshua looked up from his breakfast. "While we're working with that idea of 'anything', Papa Pup, can I throw my hat into that ring?"

"Me too," Colton said with a grin.

Gabriel raised his paw without looking up from his plate and shook it. "Me three."

Derrick let out a low groan that melded into a sigh. "Okay, Noah? What about you?"

The blue blob undulated slightly. "I'm good. I'll stay on the sidelines and enjoy the show."

Derrick grinned. "Okay, okay. I guess I said I would make it up to all of you." He extended his paw. "Come on, Papa Bear, we best get going before that sun sets on us still talking here."

Eric moved toward the door, and as he did, three dogs lying on their beds got up and followed him. "No, you three," he ordered. "Pup and I are going out on our own today."

Eric watched the lead dog move her paws in a series of motions. "I don't care if you think it's fun to watch us having sex, and I don't care what Noah enjoys. Today is only for the two of us."

There were more motions from the dog. "Okay, we'll give you extra-long walks tomorrow and treats," the white bear capitulated.

"How about I take you three for a walk right now?" Kris said, rising from the table. The three dogs nodded happily. "On leash or without?" There was a quick motion from all the dogs that the Kodiak paid careful attention to. "Okay, but no running after porcupines like the last time," the brown bear said. The dogs made another motion. "And no running after bunnies, or squirrels, or lizards, or anything else; just no running after anything, period."

The dogs bowed their heads and headed toward the door. "Don't pout, you three," Kris said laughing. "We can go to the pool later and toss in a few tennis balls. I'll even go swimming with you if you'd like." The three dogs immediately cheered up and headed for the door. As the Kodiak walked by the polar bear and the black wolf, he gave each a kiss. "You two get going. It's burning daylight out there." With that, he was through the door, catching up to the dogs who were sniffing every bush along the pathway.

Derrick and Eric left, closing the door behind them. Oliver started laughing. "We is such a fucked up family. We gots two beasts who cant's act their way out of a paper bag and dogs that is better at signing than I is. Sometimes I can't keep up with everything around me."

"We're not the only species evolving out there," Will said. "The dogs in our lives have always pressed for more communication between us. Since we're not learning Dog all that fast, they're taking up the slack."

"I'se tried to learn Dog, but I ain't sniffing their butts to say hello no matter how much fun they sez it is."

"Yeah, not going there either. But it's good to know they think it's funny watching us while we have sex. I always wondered why they came into our bedroom and sat there watching all the time."

Noah's gelatinous shape made a slight shift. "Maybe I'll become a dog one day. I seem to have that in common with them." The blob made a little chuckle when his brothers on either side bumped themselves playfully into him.

Oliver grinned. "You becomes whatever you wants, Noah. But you might notice that no dogs is watching us now, Old Wolf."

"True, that," Will agreed. "What say we go mess up the sheets before they get changed?"

"You gonna top me, Old Wolf? Seems only fair since you'se asking the other power bottom in this house to top you today."

Will reached out and grabbed the badger. He threw him onto his shoulders and started walking toward the master bedroom. "I tell you what, Oliver," he said, "If you don't get a hard-on by the time we go through the bedroom door, I'll top you."

"I already gots a boner," Oliver grumbled.

"Well, there you go. You've got a boner. I was looking for a hard-on. I guess I top you today."

Oliver wrapped his arms around Will's neck. "I loves you so much, Old Wolf."

"And I love you, Oliver," Will said as he dipped under the bedroom doorway. Without looking back, the old wolf continued, "If you boys don't have other obligations, you're welcome to join us."

Three of the four bolted up and were soon beside the old wolf and badger. Will turned back to the remaining son. "You're welcome to come and watch, Son, but we're left without our favorite bears for at least a few hours. We could use a handsome bruin in this mix."

The blob of blue gel laughed. With a shake, a bright blue see-through bear appeared. Will grinned. "So, can I poke you anywhere and get the same result?"

Noah grinned as he walked toward the group. "You'll need to find that out for yourself, Father."

When Kris returned home with the dogs, he joined in the fun. The six were soon too involved with each other to care that the dogs sat by the bed watching. Yet, after a few minutes, the three dogs looked back and forth between each other and quietly left the room. They realized their guardians needed some alone time, and the dogs were willing to let them have it.

Chapter 05

As the sun dipped below the plateau, the white bear and his black wolf mate gazed at the full moon rising over the other horizon. "It's a blue moon this month, Old Bear."

"So it would appear," the bear replied. Eric pulled the black wolf tight against his chest and kissed the top of the wolf's head. "Is Li Wei going to visit us tonight?"

Derrick chuckled. "He loves saying he only gets to visit us once in a blue moon."

"And what about Falong?"

"Falong is an unknown variable. He is still struggling with so much of this. He knows he loves Li Wei. But we are an enormous family. That can intimidate anyone."

"He's aware that he's always welcome, right?"

The black wolf nodded. "Spackle says Falong appreciates that. I think we just need to give him time. Spackle might be there with his husbands tonight if that's okay."

The polar bear nudged the wolf. "Of course, it's okay. You don't get enough time with that husband of yours as it is."

Derrick shook his head. "I never realized how difficult it is keeping long-distance husbands together. My respect for how Oliver juggles all of us has grown by leaps and bounds."

The polar bear sighed. "It's getting hard to figure out who's dreaming the night away with whom."

"Yeah, that's our family for you," the black wolf agreed. "There are so many individuals we feel responsible for. It gets complicated when we're not even on the same plane of existence."

"But somehow, we seem to make it work, don't we?" Eric said, rising.

"Yeah, we do."

"We best get home. If Li Wei is going to visit tonight, we all need to be in bed asleep at a reasonable hour."

"That's right. I completely spaced that I have an old wolf to top tonight."

"I assure you, he won't forget, nor will our sons."

"Race you home, Husband?"

"Go, Pup. I'll catch up with you."

Derrick gave the polar bear a quick kiss, and with a shake, the wolf was off, running toward the ranch house. Eric closed his eyes and fell backward onto the grass. He felt the large body drop beside him and opened his eyes. "Hello, Li Wei. It's good to see you."

"My pleasure, Ancient One. I hope you don't mind the early visit. You seem distressed. I was hoping we could talk before our play. It is always easier to bring you to this place when you are happy."

"I'm happy, Li Wei," the bear responded. "I have a beautiful family, a loving dog beside me; how could I not be happy?"

"Because you look out on this world with eyes that see too much of what might be."

The bear pushed up on his elbows. "I can't change who I am, Li Wei."

The golden dog nodded. "Nor would I want you to. But it might be best to speak about your concerns rather than hold them in."

The polar bear righted himself. The temple dog followed. Eric shook his head. "I got a call from Aubrey last night. She's dealing with another eighty-three dead in the Middle East. They call them skirmishes, but the dead and wounded probably don't understand the difference between a skirmish and the beginning of a tribal war. Max and JP warned me it was happening. I had hoped they were wrong."

Eric looked out on the plain and watched the bison moving as one along the grasslands. "One day, this will be gone. One day, they'll figure out how to destroy it all."

The thick yellow arm reached around him and pulled him in tight. Eric rested his head against the chest of the temple dog. "Perhaps the pendulum will swing in the other direction, and one day, the humans will sit at the table with the Terran Changelings and break bread."

"You have more faith than I do, Li Wei," the polar bear responded.

"I have seen so much more than you, Ancient One."

In the quiet that lingered, the temple dog kissed the top of the polar bear's head. "You did what you could. There comes a time when you must let go. The humans might find their way. There are still so many of them who reach out to the world beyond their own grasp. But if it all crumbles around them by their own making, then know that is as it should be. You protect Jupiter and her children. They were always your charges, even as the dragons were your brother's."

"But so much of what is beautiful about this world…" the bear said, unable to finish the sentence.

The temple dog rubbed the top of the bear's head. "It will all work out, Ancient One. All your life, you feared the day when your powers would be called on to do the unthinkable. But without realizing it, your entire life has been an effort to create a family that would help you avoid that day. The ones you fear losing most are the ones who will protect you from ever losing Terra. They have often been there to save Terra. In doing so, they kept you from manifesting the powers you hold."

"I'm grateful for the reprieve," the bear sighed.

"But you realize it is only a reprieve?"

"Terra is my responsibility. I realize the changes that are taking place. I know all too soon I will be asked to step up and take my place as her defender."

"It might not mean what you think it means, Ancient One."

"The meaning has always been the same, regardless of the circumstance, Li Wei. It has always meant that humans would destroy the earth they live on. To save Terra, I must kill the one thing that endangers her."

"Or find another way," the temple dog suggested. "Those who love you understand your responsibility. Give yourself time to understand theirs."

"I'll try," the white bear replied. "I sometimes wish you dogs could be less enigmatic. It would be so much easier if you came out and said, 'Why don't you try this or that?'"

"It is not in our nature."

"You couldn't make an exception for a bear who loves you?"

"And deprive you of what I know you need to learn?"

"Not even a few crib notes to get me started?"

Li Wei laughed. "What kind of teacher would I be if I did that?"

Eric chuckled. "Could you at least tell me this will all work out?"

"I wish I could calm your fears as well, Ancient One," Li Wei replied. "Life leaves memories in its wake, but what comes ahead is often best left unknown. Ask Oliver if he agrees."

The bear moved to snuggle in closer to the temple dog. "No need. I know what his answer will be."

The two remained quiet, captivated by the night sky. Li Wei leaned over and kissed the head of the bear again. "Morning is only eight hours away, Old Bear."

Eric looked up. "Old Bear? You don't call me Old Bear often, Li Wei."

"Only when I am preparing to have sex with you."

Eric grinned. "Is that what we're going to do?" the bear said as he realized his location had changed. He was deep inside the box canyon where his family spent so many hours entwined together.

"We do not find near enough time to be together, Old Bear. It is what I wish to do with our time tonight."

"Could you bring our family here?"

"There are only eight hours."

"I read where an old dog and a young wolf once held off the morning for two days in this canyon."

"That is true."

"Surely the two of us and a young wolf could stay the morning even longer."

Li Wei nodded. "Perhaps if a badger were to step in and help." The dog's eyes closed. "I hope Falong will not be lonely waiting for me to return."

Falong stared from wherever and whenever he was as the dog he loved kissed the polar bear. "I wish I could be so brave, Li Wei. I wish I could make a memory now and then rather than only holding on to everyone else's. To make a memory of my own would be a grand thing."

He became a temple dog and then wasn't. He became a dog again, and just as he was about to no longer be, the warm arms of a striped temple dog wrapped around him. "I would agree with you there," Spackle said as he pulled the newly minted dog close. "Tonight would be a good night to make a memory."

Falong turned inside the hug to face the stripped dog and frowned. "You are not supposed to be here."

"And yet, here I am, Dad," Spackle replied. "You have a choice. Join the family that will soon appear and introduce yourself to them or stay here with me."

"Either way, it would appear that sex will be involved," Falong theorized.

"Pretty sure you're spot on," Spackle replied with a grin. "Unless you prefer to sit here and talk. We can do that. No pressure either way. Whatever sounds good to you."

"There are responsibilities I must attend to."

"I know. But you're a god. You can multitask."

"I'm not a god."

Spackle smiled. "I watched you have sex, Falong. Believe me, you're a god."

The temple dog that wasn't a temple dog frowned. "I have never had sex before."

The stripped temple dog tapped his paw to his eyes. "I see all that ever was, and even more importantly for this discussion, all that ever will be, remember? Those memories don't become memories for you until you make them. It's the same for me. A kindness of the universe, I suppose. Our lives still unfold as a mystery."

Falong shook his head. "I realize now that you will be a most troublesome son."

Spackle smiled. "Not intentionally. But I imagine there will be moments. That said, don't worry, Dad. You will be incredible."

Falong looked away shyly. "The collective memory of every being that has ever lived moves like an ocean through me. I possess an extensive library of sexual skills to pull from."

The striped dog nodded his understanding. "And I hope you consider tapping into those skills more often than just this evening, Dad. Not only because I can tell it makes you happy but because my husband deserves a mate who will keep him sexually satisfied. At least for the short term. Until he gets adjusted to his new life."

"A mate?"

"Oh, I know, you're just friends. I hear that all the time between people who should be mated. It was the same for Wolfy and me. How long did it take us to realize that what we are now was what we always wanted to be? You stand where the two of us once stood. But one day, Dad…" Spackle said with a wave of his hands that finished his sentence. "He's a temple dog, Dad, and temple dogs have needs. Flip through those memories of yours and study their world. You asked him to be a part of your world. It's only fair that you be a part of his."

Falong's face showed his confusion. "He has never asked me to be a part of his world."

"And he never will. That's Li Wei. He knows you need him, and that's all that matters to him. But do you think his request for his brothers to join him when they die was so you could have more friends to pal around with?"

The newly born temple dog shrugged his shoulders. "I'm new to this."

"He loves you, Dad," Spackle said. "You may be new to this, but you store the memories of billions of loving relationships across this universe. If you bring back just one of those relationships, bring back the one Li Wei and Katashi shared. Bring a temple dog worthy of that love to this space."

Falong looked at Spackle like a lost puppy. "You know who I am, Spackle. You see me as I am."

"Sure, that's my gift. I inherited it from my father."

Falong looked at the stripped temple dog. He understood the gentle push that Spackle had made. He reached inside to find the strength to acknowledge his responsibility to one temple dog and found his responsibility to all of them. Falong stammered a bit, trying to find the words that eluded him. When the young temple dog smiled at him, he asked, "How do I bring that love to him? I can't stay in this form forever."

Spackle nodded. "Yeah, I know. But you can from time to time. He will find a way to stay in your world soon enough. But until that day, you're both better served by sharing the two worlds you live in. Even as we speak, he's gathering his family together in that dream state, bridging the world he came from and yours. Why don't we go down for a bit of fun? The memories will all be here when you return. If you want, he can help you sort them out when he returns."

Spackle rubbed the back of his striped neck as he thought. "But to be honest, Falong, I think you know the memories sort themselves out without you overseeing them. They come to you because they seek a place where they are safe. The memories are like us all. They want to come home, but we never understand how alive those memories are. For you, they are so much more. You live among the memories, hoping to find what you dream of experiencing. You were born alone. All this time, living alone, surrounded by more memories than quintillions of individuals. And yet, you didn't interact with any of them. You watched them. Every moment of your life, those memories fill all your senses. But you never thought to talk to one, to hold one, until Li Wei."

The temple dog nodded. "It is not only that, Spackle. All the hate, all the jealousy, all the pettiness, the gluttony for power and possession; I see it all. It flows through me like sewage. It burns, Spackle. I watch as it eats away at everything it touches. But when there is a simple act of love or a moment of beauty, it is all washed away. Li Wei is that simple act, that moment of beauty I never imagined would be mine to cherish.

Falong lowered his head, rubbing his new paws. "There is a race of beings living beyond your star charts whose lives are so brief. Their mating is painful, and the mortality rate of the children is high. Those who survive have three years to learn all they can from their parents because, in the fourth year, their parents will die. They live a maximum of eight years of constant sacrifice for the next generation. But in the billions of years their civilization has survived, they have built the most remarkable cities. Like the coral reefs of your world, those who build the cities will never share in the beautiful places they become. Generation upon generation doing their part for the ones that follow. Their only goal is to make life better for the generations yet to be born.

"And never a moment to whine or complain that it is too hard or that their life is too short. They are so remarkable, Spackle. How I love watching their lives flow by in memory. To share in the grace with which they live those lives, and to experience the love between mates and their children, is indescribable. They have no time for anything that does not bind them together. Their memory is pure bliss." Falong grew quiet for a moment. "I know their names and their generations. Not one of them goes unremembered."

The yellow dog looked up and smiled. "And then there is the Unity. Verital, Terran, it doesn't matter. An evolutionary path leading to the destruction of an entire race and worlds unimaginable stopped by a single act. All the horror was turned by the love of one who saw beyond their reality and forged a new one by sheer will. And in the end, a transcendent peace the universe had never known thrived for billions of years. How I envied their every movement, their every touch.

"And then I saw Li Wei. There he was, a Changeling, one of the Terran Unity, leading a dying soul to rest. He did it, knowing that all that lay beyond their sight were only the memories of who they were. Terra tethered him. She would not let him go, but Li Wei stayed with Trabelem until the Shestexar understood what the Changeling understood. The great ape held onto Li Wei and told him he was ready, and the memory he became was so bittersweet. I reached out to bring Trabelem's memory into my world. I freed the horned ape from his fear and reunited him with a well-lived life, save one moment in time that shadowed every other memory.

"Li Wei had promised Trabelem he would find forgiveness. And Li Wei showed him that forgiveness by standing beside him when all else fell away. Trabelem's memories were freed from the last moment of his life. In doing so, the dog kept the Shestexar from the darkness. He led the great ape to me, and I understood. I let the dark memory slip away. When I took Trabelem into myself, Li Wei looked up at me and smiled."

"That's what this is about, Falong?" Spackle asked. "You reached out to the one memory that sustained you?"

"Was that so wrong? He smiled at me. No one has ever seen me, Spackle. But Li Wei did. And when he smiled, he extended his paws to me. He saw me as I am, Spackle, and his paws reached out to me. Was I so wrong to take them?"

Spackle smiled. "I don't think so. Li Wei is a dog of a singular mind. He does nothing he doesn't stand by. Living in your world will never be a challenge for him as long as you share in the memories that sustain him."

"You're saying I should join him in their dreams?"

"I'm saying we should join them." Spackle put out his paw. "Come on, Dad. Let's go create some memories you can share with the one who will be you one day."

"And with all that you know, you do not flinch?"

"I never turned from love, Dad. No matter how confusing it might be."

"I am confused."

Spackle smiled as the temple dog took the other's hand. "We all are, Dad. Push forward. You know what brings you bliss when you sense it. It's not that great a leap to know it when you feel it."

Falong stared at his paws, rotating them. "The sensations I feel aren't what you think they are, Spackle. They are all memories of what someone else once felt."

Spackle put his paw on the other temple dog's shoulder. "Then choose the memories of the one who shares your life."

"He would not think it wrong?"

"Ask him, Dad. Don't stand here next to me wondering what he might say."

The temporary temple dog closed his eyes and followed the memories being made until they led the two next to the temple dog that shared his life. "SPACKLE!" Falong heard the happy crowd yell.

Falong opened his eyes and stared at the crowd. He grabbed the paw of the striped temple dog. "The crowd appears so much larger than I had anticipated."

"Don't worry, Dad," Spackle whispered, "I've got your back." He looked at the crowd, finding comfort that nothing had started. The group was hugging, and only Tamil was erect. But then, Tamil was always erect in the company of wolves hugging him, so it was something Spackle thought Falong would need to get used to. "Gentlemen," the striped dog yelled. "This is Falong, Li Wei's companion. He is not as he appears, but this is the closest he can get to a persona we can understand. He is new to this world, as are most of you. This is a bridge between where he and Li Wei live and where we live. I told him you would welcome him with open arms. He is willing to see where it goes beyond there."

Li Wei smiled and bowed toward the striped temple dog. "Well spoken, my love." Li Wei turned toward the crowd. "Falong is neither male nor female, but certainly not an 'it'. Even calling him them or they does not define what is before you. For this visit, we shall refer to him as his genitalia leads us to believe he is. Such a large gathering is bound to be intimidating, so if you will allow me a bit of time alone with him and my fellow dogs, I would be grateful."

The crowd nodded in agreement, but Adam raised his paw. "So, it's a bit of a tight squeeze in this box canyon if you want some privacy," Adam said. "Could we persuade you to take us to the highland?"

Li Wei smiled at the otter, then looked to Falong. "Perhaps as a welcoming gift for my family, you could search your memory."

Falong shook his head in fright. "I don't…"

Li Wei smiled and hugged the other temple dog. "But you can. You need only to find the memory." Li Wei leaned in and kissed the temple dog, and Falong drew on the memory of Li Wei's first kiss with Jiao-long. Falong embraced the shyness of Derrick as a chubby young man kissed for the first time by Eric. The newborn temple dog yielded to the kiss, and the memory became his.

"I can try," he whispered when the kiss had ended. The gathering found themselves on the highland, but not the one with which they had become familiar. There was no expansive field and elaborate housing. Instead, the much smaller highland that Eric and Derrick remembered climbing onto in search of the homing beacon lay before them.

"It's beautiful, Falong," Will said with a smile toward the nervous temple dog.

"It is where you shared so many memories with your mates."

"You did a wonderful job," the polar bear said as he stretched, raising his arms over his head. "Please excuse us while I take my husbands and our extended family down to the creek to bathe."

Falong nodded shyly.

"We might get noisy. Don't let it frighten you," Kris said as he dropped onto all fours. "Come join us if you are so inclined. The night is young."

Falong watched as all but Katashi, Spackle, and Tamil wandered away from Falong and Li Wei. Tamil looked at his two mates. "What do I do?" he asked.

"What do you want to do?" Katashi asked.

"I want to play with the wolves and bears, but I don't want to leave my mates."

Spackle smiled and extended his paws toward the tiger. "How about the two of us go, Husband? We can give Katashi some time with his husband and his companion."

Tamil looked at the two temple dogs standing together. "I thought Li Wei was dead."

"What we know of death is very limited, Tamil," Spackle replied. "Li Wei didn't die, but he gave up his body so that he could be with Falong."

"But they are dogs. They have bodies."

Spackle nodded. "In this place, they have bodies, but Li Wei is with Falong now, and they live in a place where those bodies don't exist."

Tamil scratched his head. "Here they have bodies; there they don't?"

"That's the way it works."

Tamil smiled at the two temporary temple dogs. "I am glad you are here with us. It's nice you have bodies here. I am not sure what I would do without mine."

Spackle rubbed the shoulders of the chubby tiger. "That is why they come here to visit us. We can't go to where they live without leaving our world forever."

Tamil struggled to understand. "It must be a place very far away."

"It is, and sometimes when we get lonely for them, they come to this place in our dreams where we can be together."

Tamil smiled. "Like when we visit the wolves in Montana?"

"Exactly," Katashi said. "We travel to be together, but this trip is much further for us all."

"You want to be with your husband, Husband?" the tiger asked.

"For a time," Katashi answered. "I will join you eventually,"

"Then I will go with Spackle and have fun with the wolves."

"Tamil?" Katashi said.

"Yes, Husband?"

"The little otter; don't ignore him for the wolves. You will find a great deal of pleasure to be had sharing your affections with all your family."

Tamil smiled and nodded. "Yes, Husband." The tiger stared again at the two temple dogs standing apart. "You are Katashi's husband?" He asked the one he knew was Li Wei.

"I am," the dog said with a bow.

The tiger looked at the other. "And you are his companion?"

The temple dog fidgeted nervously. "It's somewhat complicated."

Tamil walked over and reached out to Li Wei, and they hugged. The two rubbed muzzles that ended in a kiss. The tiger smiled. "You hug very nice Li Wei. I am glad you are Katashi's husband. I am his mate as well."

"It comforts me to know that you are his mate. I will rest easier at night knowing you are beside him," Li Wei said, releasing the tiger from his hug. "It must be difficult to keep all those who call each other husband straight. I found it so."

Tamil agreed. "Between those who call themselves Husband and those who call themselves Hon or Babe, it can be confusing. There are days when I forget, and I call Katashi and Spackle Father. They smile and tell me even though they are my husbands, they never gave up their responsibilities as my fathers." Tamil shook his head. "I live in a confusing family, but it is not complicated."

The tiger turned toward Falong. "It is not complicated, Fa… Fa…" The tiger struggled to pull the name from memory. "Dog." Tamil smiled at Falong to comfort him and put him at ease. It was what Tamil had been taught, and the tiger wanted the dog to be comfortable. "Temple dogs can love many, many people. Li Wei can love you and Katashi; just like Katashi can love me and Spackle. You only need to realize that now that you are a temple dog, you can do the same."

Falong smiled. "Thank you, Tamil. I will try to remember that."

The tiger rubbed the side of the dog's head. "Put it in here, in your memory."

The temple dog reached up and placed his hand on the tiger's paw resting against his head. "Tamil, I'm frightened."

The tiger nodded. "I was too, but they are kind. They will make you feel right. You don't need to be alone."

"Would you like to rub muzzles?" Falong asked the tiger.

The tiger leaned into the temple dog, and their muzzles rubbed up against each other. "You smell like Father and Spackle," the tiger said with a giggle. "You smell like all the temple dogs. Don't worry, Dog. They all love each other so much. You will be happy with them by your side."

Falong let the tiger's scent slip into memory. The fur, the whiskers, the arms wrapped around his body; all the sensations melded and became memories. How strange not to let the memories flow by. How strange to linger in their creation. It was so new. So full of promise. So different from all the memories that surrounded him. He closed his eyes, breathed in the moment, and lingered there.

Chapter 06

"This is so awkward," Falong said.

"Please, put your mind at ease," Katashi replied. "The last thing I want you to be in my presence is uncomfortable."

"But you are Li Wei's husband."

"And you are his companion," Katashi countered. "I suspect one day your relationship will deepen beyond that. It is best we both grow comfortable with that now."

"I took him from you."

Katashi laughed aloud. "Li Wei is not a possession, and he won't allow anyone to take him away from where he chooses to be."

"But the jealousy, the fits of rage at a spouse's infidelity," the newest temple dog sputtered.

"We are Changelings, Falong," Katashi said, still chuckling. "We abandoned our human side thousands of years ago."

"Then you are not mad at me for what I have done?"

"Li Wei wanted to understand what lies on the other side of what we call death. It would appear he has found out," Katashi said with a smile to his husband. Li Wei bowed and returned the smile. "I am grateful that you intervened so that he did not go where all others go."

Falong shook his head in disbelief. "He could have returned to you. Terra had him tethered to her."

Katashi looked at Li Wei. "Is this true?"

"It is. But I made a promise to Trabelem, and Falong is alone but does not wish to be. It seemed to me the greater good to stay by his side."

Katashi nodded. "I agree, Husband. Although I miss you more than I can say."

Falong watched the two interacting and embraced the memory of their longing to be together once more. "I ask too much of you both."

Katashi looked at the temple dog. "But it is freely given. I asked you earlier to put your mind at ease. Nothing has changed that would alter that request."

Falong shook his head once more. "I have so much to learn, so many memories to sort out."

"I suggest you take a break from such a laborious task and join us in copulating with our family," Li Wei said. "There will be time enough for the two of us to sort out all that you are struggling with when we are alone together."

"But I don't know how to be with your family in the manner you suggest."

This time Li Wei laughed. "Pick a memory, any memory of our family together after being apart. You will have all that you need to find your place among us."

For a moment, Falong closed his eyes and was no more. He floated among the memories of the Changelings lying next to their mates. He watched the rowdiness inside the master bedroom in Montana after the white bear's return from New York. Falong melded with the memory of the first kiss Oliver gave Max when they met in the newly created universe. Falong lived the greeting the otter experienced every time Adam found his way home. The temporary temple dog embraced the memory of the Megatherium, mating with his husbands while struggling to stay small enough to allow the badger to mount him. Li Wei was right. Any memory could provide him with what he needed to join the family, and every memory increased his desire to do so.

The temple dog reappeared next to Li Wei and Katashi. "You will stay close?"

Li Wei pressed against the newly returned temple dog. "How close do you want me to be tonight?" Li Wei asked as he leaned in and kissed the cheek of the dog that wasn't one.

"Inside me?" Falong asked.

"And my husband?"

"Sometime later tonight with his two mates?"

Katashi smiled. "Then I will leave you two to start here alone. Ease yourself into what your heart tells you is right. The memories of our feelings are only a guide. Don't venture where your heart doesn't wish to go."

Falong's confusion was evident. "I don't know where my heart wishes to go. Until I met your husband, I didn't know I had a heart."

"It will come, Falong," Katashi assured. "My husband is a gifted guide for the uninitiated."

Falong shook his head. "Emotions are one thing to watch from a distance and another to deal with them as your own."

Katashi nodded in agreement. "You have learned your first lesson. You will be a most amazing student." With a quick bow, the temple dog turned, dropped to all fours, and ran toward the forest creek.

Falong looked at his paws again, turning them, sensing them move, observing the stretch of the fingers. He focused on the pull of each muscle as it worked in tandem with nerves to move the body he inhabited. "I am not sure this is wise, Li Wei," the temple dog finally said. "There are so many emotions, so many ways to feel."

Li Wei wrapped his arms around his twin from behind. The kiss on Falong's neck sent shivers through his body. "You do not need to learn them all, Falong," Li Wei whispered. "Jealousy, hate, shame, envy, pride… so many emotions that will never serve you or our time together. You are noticing what calms you and brings you joy. Seek to hold on to those emotions and let all else slip away. It is not your obligation to change the memories that come to you. You are their caretaker, their protector. One day if you will have me, I will share in your responsibility."

Falong felt the shiver again at the thought. "I have never been with another," the temple dog whispered.

"Your time with Will as Alexander must be one."

"I was not there, Li Wei. As soon as I brought Alexander's memories into that world, I went away. I went so far away for fear I would see… that I would feel what I'm feeling now."

"Should we stop, Ancient One?"

"No," Falong replied. "I don't know where to go. I have no memories of my own. All of this is so foreign to me. I have always been. I will always be. But I have never lived in one moment of time."

Li Wei pulled the newly created temple dog gently to the ground. "Then we will find a way for us to live together," Li Wei whispered. "Somewhere between our worlds, we will find a place we two can share. The journey is only now beginning for us."

"And for your family out there in the woods?"

"It is beginning for them as well. There is a new world out there for them to explore. They realize the similarity to their own is an illusion. This world between worlds is still so new to all of us. But it is ours to share." The two temple dogs lay together, and Li Wei pressed in close, rubbing the muzzle of the other temple dog.

"We smell alike," Falong giggled as the fur of Li Wei tickled his nose.

"It is why we kiss," Li Wei said, kissing the other dog. Falong realized this kiss was unlike his first moments earlier. Each kiss was different. Each kiss brought a fresh wave of unfamiliar emotions and sensations. Falong tried to find another memory of kissing to teach him what to do and how to feel. A finger pressed between the two dogs' lips and distracted him. "Not out there," Li Wei whispered. "What you seek won't be found in memory. It is to be found here, Falong. Stay in this moment. This is our moment. We will find our own way." The being that had no beginning or end yielded to the kiss of the temple dog and bent into the moment.

Chapter 07

Falong watched the family playing. He had done so for hours. As he sat on the side of the creek, his feet dangled in the water, and he lost himself in the swirling memories being born all around him. When the warmth of another's arms wrapped around him, he turned to see who was behind him. Will let the hug go, held out his paw, and pushed it forward. "Sometimes, as a greeting, we grab each other's paws and shake them."

The temple dog reached out and shook the paw. "I am aware of all your customs, William."

The old wolf smiled. "So, you know my name."

"You go by many names. I chose the one that Marcus prefers. The memory of his feelings for you at this gathering is strong. Even though he lives inside Adam, his feelings for you are his alone."

"And Alexander's?" the wolf asked, sitting next to the dog. "What were they?"

"They were of an intensity for which there are no words, William."

"Then you were Alexander? You used his memories to act as his surrogate?"

The temple dog shook his head no. "You know that Adam's body is only a shell inhabited by incorporeals, right?"

"Yeah," Will replied. "He still feels wonderful."

"But that shell can change based on need. When you need Marcus by your side, Marcus is there."

"I'm glad Kendal set up their world to allow that."

"And when you need to be with your panda sons, they are there. Two bodies created from the same shell that houses them all."

"I thought that was because they were Changelings. I figured they could alter that body in any way that suits them. Our history has a story where a Changeling appeared as two individuals to save his mate."

"And Changelings can do that, but it is never truly them. Adam is even more remarkable. He is a construct for those who love you, independent of the singular body. It allows them to be with you in a way that brings them closest to you and in a way that maximizes their pleasure with you. As corporeals, that shell, that body, is essential for you to interact with them. I believe the temple dogs would say, 'They do what is needful.'"

Will nodded. "That makes sense. Forgive me for never taking the time to figure it out. I just accepted that they're all jumbled up inside, and from time to time, they aren't."

"I admire that in you, William. You do not think too deeply about what works for you. You accept the gifts without asking why or how," Falong said. "What you see before you is a shell I use to interact with you. It is not me, but it helps you see a part of me."

"I'm glad you're here tonight, Falong. Thanks for making the effort."

The temple dog fidgeted, trying to find the words. "That night, I did what I never did before. I let a memory free to act independently of me. I let the memory of Alexander come back to say goodbye. There is a memory of Derrick letting Bai inhabit his body so that he could bring his father back."

Will nodded. "Sure. Been there, read that."

"I offered the memory of Alexander the same option to use my ability to live on this plane where he could not. You do not know how deep, how intense a memory must be to survive outside the protection I offer. But Alexander's were beyond anything I could imagine. I knew he loved you. I knew Derrick loved you. But without those two, I could never have reunited you with what was only a memory.

"It was a moment in time when his memory melded with all that I am to be with you. And once with you, I left you two to be alone. I left the same as Derrick left Bai. The shell that held me remained and became the vessel for the one you loved. It was his memory that I gave life to, and having given it a moment in time, it lives on now as a memory of its own. I was not there in the memory's creation, but I flow through it now, and I see so much more than I ever saw before. It is a memory that I could never have created without the two of you and a memory that you could not have lived without me."

"So, was it real? Was it him, or only the memory of him?"

"I choose not to overthink what transpired that night. I suggest you do the same. Be true to your nature. Do not question the gift. What I know is that everything that Alexander ever was expresses itself not only in his memory but in yours as well. Hundreds of years ago, biology teachers would force human children to dissect frogs to learn about the intricacies of what they were. Few children walked away from those days without realizing what made the frog a miracle wasn't where the organs were placed. How the organs kept the frog alive was irrelevant to the miracle it was alive at all. Dissecting the frog yielded scientific data, but nothing of the miracle."

"So you're saying I shouldn't be trying to figure out how that night happened? I should just accept that it happened?"

"You have done that many times before. It would seem the best way to accept the gift you've been given."

"Thank you, then," the old wolf said as his hand reached out and took the temple dog's paw. "I struggled with how it could happen so much that I missed a large part of why it happened."

"Because he loved you, William. More importantly because Pup loves you. The young wolf has gifts that are unique to his nature. His love was strong enough to let a love equal to his cross this bridge to be with you. Pup and Li Wei pressed me to find a way to bring you two together. Li Wei means a great deal to me. I didn't have the heart to tell him no. I took a memory that flowed through me and brought it here. Derrick brought you here because he knew Alexander would find his way back to you in the only world he could."

"That's my pup," Will said with a nod. The wolf paused, contemplating whether to ask and finally decided to. "So, when I die, will I get to see him again?"

"You will both live on in memory. The memories never die. They live on in me. Li Wei says I am a caretaker of the memories if that helps."

Will chuckled. "Not really. I think I'll wait to see how it all plays out. Even so, thanks again, Falong. That night means more to me than I can tell you."

"The memories live in me, William. I know what it means to you. The Terran beliefs of gods and goddesses are a complicated history for humanity. I am not god. I am simply a part of the universe that has been here since it was born. But if there is a god, if something out there guides everything around us, it is beyond my understanding. We are better served staring up into the stars and letting the awe of all that is overwhelm us. Try not to find one entity to explain it all. Instead, embrace the mystery of it all with gratitude. Those are the memories to hold inside your heart next to Alexander."

"And how about you, Falong? Would you like to make a few memories with us tonight? Standing here on the sidelines might be entertaining, but some of us would love to hold you tonight."

"I have been with Li Wei. I have felt him inside me. There have been so many moments unique to this night. It has all been more than I anticipated. Even the desires I once had to be with you now overwhelm me. Like looking into the stars, I am awestruck by what I am experiencing. But I have only gratitude for this moment. I think this is where I wish to be."

The old wolf stood and hugged the temple dog from behind. "Yeah, we can be intense. Should we be going?"

The temple dog shook his head. "Please, no. Stay. I have watched Li Wei for hours with his mate. He has shown me so much by his interactions with his family. These moments teach me what it means to be a temple dog. I am learning what it takes to share his life. It is not yet possible for me to make that leap, but all that happens here is beyond anything I ever…" the voice of the temple dog trailed off.

Falong felt the gentle kiss on the back of his neck. It felt different from Li Wei's wider mouth but sent the same shivers through his body. "You protect the memories of so many lives and loves as remarkable as the ones you see out there," Will said. "And trust me when I say you are watching some remarkable men. But those overwhelming feelings you're having are because you're here, Falong."

The paws wrapped around Falong tightened, and he sensed a comfort in the touch. The wolf leaned close to his ear. "You're going to find this differs a great deal from being able to look at those feelings and emotions from a distance. You're here in this moment. This isn't someone else's life. It's yours. This is your moment, and you need to become a part of it. Li Wei is already teaching you."

"I have always been, William. I will always be. It is difficult to stay in one moment when you are all time and space."

"It will be worth the effort, Falong. Li Wei is worth the effort."

"I am beginning to understand that. I sometimes wonder what my life would be like if he had not looked at me and smiled. It would be the same as it had always been. My life before was so less complicated."

"And what do you decide?"

"I choose to stay in this moment and watch him copulate with a rhinoceros and a short-faced bear. I choose to stay where he is happy."

"And you, Falong?" the old wolf asked. "Are you happy?"

"I am if memory serves me," the temple dog replied.

Will gave the dog a shake. "You have a sense of humor. I like that." The wolf gave the dog another tight squeeze. "I'm heading back to the family. You could join me if you want."

The temple dog smiled and wagged his feet in the water. "I'm good here for the moment."

"Well, anytime you change your mind, let us know. We'd be happy to have you."

The dog chuckled at the thought that ran through his head. He looked up and smiled at the wolf. "One day, I will be happy to be had by you, William."

The old wolf waved and turned. "You and I are going to get along great, Falong. I feel it in my bones." He looked at himself and gave a knowing chuckle. "Or whatever I have here at the moment."

The temple dog stared at Will as he walked away. He watched the old wolf reach out and grab the badger that had lifted his head to see who was approaching. He kissed the little mammal square on the mouth. With a shove of the little body upward, the old wolf took the badger's cock in his mouth. Will sucked on it the way Falong had watched so many other beasts do over the hours. He looked down between his legs and ruffled his paws over the area. His thick, yellow cock slipped free from the entanglement of his fur. "This is only going to complicate matters even more," he sighed.

"Not as much as you might think," said the Kodiak as he sat beside him.

"Will you all come to visit me?" Falong asked.

"I suspect we will if you're agreeable to the idea. If you want to be left alone, I can get the word out."

Falong thought for a moment. "For now, I enjoy your company. Although your state of arousal is even more obvious than William's."

"Yeah, I put mine out there where my husbands can enjoy it. If it bothers you, I can become something less distracting. I am a Changeling, after all."

Falong smiled. "No, it's okay. It's very handsome for a penis. They are peculiar-looking things, but I am getting used to them."

Kris laughed. "Getting used to them would be a helpful thing to do in this family."

"Can I touch it?"

Kris dropped into the water and positioned himself before the temple dog. "Sure," he replied and pushed the erection forward.

Falong reached out and touched Kris. At first, it was tentative. Then, with more curiosity, he stroked the shaft. "It is more veined than Li Wei's," the dog said as he continued to toy with it.

"Ribbed for extra sensitivity," the bear replied with a snicker. "It gives my husbands more pleasure with those extra bulgy bits when I'm aroused."

"Would Li Wei enjoy them?"

Kris watched the paw still playing with his cock and nodded. "He always seemed to."

Falong pulled his paw away. "I had forgotten your relationship with Li Wei."

Kris took the paw and gently brought it back to his erect flesh. "Don't let the friendship Li Wei and I share, keep us from developing one of our own."

Falong stared at his paw, smiled, and continued to rub the bear's cock. "One day, I think I might want you to touch mine."

"But not tonight?"

"I am not sure. Is it okay for now if only Li Wei touches me in that way?"

The bear put his paw on the dog's. "Of course, Falong. Whenever you're ready. The way of the Unity is a radical departure from what many species do out there. It isn't the only way. It's not even a common way. We don't want you to do anything you are unsure of."

"I flow through the memories of your world. I watch how you change to be with the ones you live with now. One day I hope to change as easily to accommodate the one who stays with me."

"He will do the same for you, Falong. Stay with him long enough and you will both find that space where you are comfortable."

"He smiled at me, Kris," the temple dog said. "In all the universes that have come and gone, in all of time and space, only one has looked up from what they were becoming and seen me watching over the change." Falong paused. "Why do I keep telling the story to everyone I meet?"

The Kodiak smiled. "Because you are sorting through the memory to find the why of it all. Telling the story helps you find the answers to questions you're only now beginning to consider."

"There are so many."

"Welcome to our world."

Falong let the bear's cock slip through his paws and rubbed his thighs. "How did he see me, Kris? How could he even be aware of what was happening?"

"He's a remarkable dog," the bear replied.

"And his brothers?"

"Equally remarkable."

"In time, I promised they could be by Li Wei's side."

"Then you will have your hands full one day," the bear told the dog. Kris paused and added, "Assuming you have hands, which I doubt."

"They are entertaining short term, but I find retaining this shape is exhausting."

"You don't need to stay here with us, Falong. Tell Li Wei you're tired. Let him take you home. We can all find our way back to our own homes."

"You need only to wake up."

"Well, then," the brown bear said, standing up. "Let's go draw the evening to a close. We have overstayed our welcome."

The temple dog shook his head. "No, no, you didn't. It is new to me. But I loved every minute. There are so many happy memories, and I have yet to meet you all."

The Kodiak kissed the cheek of the dog. "One day, Falong. We have all the time in the world to get to know you."

"One day, I will cherish you all in memory."

Kris smiled. "But not too soon, I hope."

The temple dog smiled back. "Not too soon."

"Li Wei!" the Kodiak boomed. "Your companion is tired. Tonight's festivities have gone on too long. It is time we returned home."

Li Wei pushed up from the tiger's crotch and stared at the temple dog and Kodiak bear standing hand in hand. "I have aroused Tamil. It may be unwise to let a tiger remain unsated."

A striped paw beside Tamil pulled the tiger away from Li Wei and back into the arms of his mate. "Li Wei needs to go home. Shall I attend to you, Tiger?" Spackle asked.

"I would like that, Dog," Tamil said with a grin.

"Then let's go home, and I will enjoy tasting you for breakfast," the dog said with a laugh. "It is a simple act. You need only to close your eyes and then open them again."

The tiger obeyed the command, and he and his mates had left the highland.

Kris raised his free hand. "Close your eyes, everyone. On the count of three, Open them again." He commanded.

"Wait," a despondent rhino pleaded. "You're all half a world away. When I open my eyes, Martin and I will be lying down with the pack on the Serengeti plains."

"Then the pack will reap the benefits of your play here tonight. Tell Kabelo I expect a thank you the next time we meet."

The rhino stood up and shook himself. "Fine, Bear. But I want more than a thank you when next we meet."

"Done," the bear promised.

"Then, on the count of three, Bear," Chipo said reluctantly as he closed his eyes.

"ONE… TWO… THREE…" The highland was empty save two temple dogs.

"You are tired?" The one asked.

"Holding this shape is difficult."

"In time, you might find it easier."

"Perhaps," the other dog replied. "I need to return home. Would you be opposed to joining me?"

"There are so many memories to sort through, Falong. I promised to help. Our union would appear to be a necessity."

"You would no longer be a dog."

"What would I be?" Li Wei asked.

"A part of me. A part I hold dear."

"That is all I ever wanted from you, Falong," the temple dog said as he extended his hand.

"Let the highland go. Let the body go. Stay with me."

Li Wei smiled. "Where else would I be?" Falong took the paws of the dog in his. "One last kiss, Falong," Li Wei begged. The two leaned into the kiss, and all that ever was became all that would ever be.

In Montana, on Partridge Island, and on the starlit plains of the Serengeti, the family woke to find their bodies wet from a creek that did not exist. The memory of being with their family left their horniness unabated. They would sort through being on an alternate plane of existence later. For the moment, the aroused family had more pressing needs to take care of and surrounding them were partners eager to see to those needs.

Chapter 08

"I should caution you, Little One," the temple dog instructed. "While we enjoy our time with you, you must pay attention to your needs beyond copulating with us."

"I know, I know," Derrick sighed. "My body is a temple… blah, blah, blah."

Noboru tilted his head. "Why would you say such a thing, Pup? Your body is not a temple. Inside these bodies we wear lies every sensation we will ever experience. All the joy, all the sadness, everything we are, we interpret through these bodies. When we touch, the love I share with you is expressed through these fingers," Noboru continued as he wiggled the digits on his paw. "This body of mine as it enters you is not a temple, Pup. It is a playground. It is a place where we come to leave all that the world throws at us for a moment and find joy in simply being."

The black wolf shook his head. "But I was always told that my body was a temple and that I had to keep it clean and sacred."

"I cannot disagree with those being excellent outcomes, Pup," the temple dog responded, "but one could say the same for a playground. A playground requires upkeep and attention so as not to fall into disrepair. One not only uses the swings but must attend to their care. The leather and metal need oiling, and the seats must be checked for wear."

Derrick giggled. "I like that idea. You can oil my seat and check it for wear."

Noboru smiled. "That's the idea, Pup. Your body is not a temple. It was not meant to stand as an unmoving edifice dedicated to that which only touches on one aspect of our lives. We meditate, we go inside ourselves in the temple, but we can do that anywhere, even on a playground. However, a playground gives us the freedom to share so much more. It opens our world to all that is possible. Your body is a playground, Little One. And I need such a playground this morning."

The young wolf looked down shyly. "So do I."

"Then shall we find that oil you spoke of and make sure both our seats are working properly?"

Derrick nodded happily. "Yeah, Noboru; I would like that a lot." The temple dog extended his hand and the black wolf took it. "My body is a playground," Derrick thought to himself. Within that moment, he saw all the unlimited possibilities of believing those words.

On another plane of existence, another temple dog walked beside the polar bear. The two were quiet for a time, content in each other's company and the silence. When the surrounding forest blurred, Eric looked up at the trees. The leaves and branches began blending as if they were a too-wet watercolor. "I guess it is time, Li Wei," the white bear said.

"It has been a pleasant visit," the dog replied. "Perhaps you might return when we can enjoy our bodies, as we have done so often in the past."

"I'm sorry, Li Wei," Eric said, shaking his head. "Sometimes I need to get away. Usually, the highland is enough of a break for me. This time, even my most sacred place on Terra seems too close to what is on the horizon."

"I understand, Ancient One," the dog replied. "You are always welcome here. This is a place where you have no obligations, no powers to wield, nothing on the horizon save the dawn of a new day."

The polar bear sighed. "It's beautiful, Li Wei. I hate having to go back."

"But your return is as inevitable as the sun rising, Little One," the dog pointed out. "You and I both know this. Embrace the truth. Don't turn away from it. This is a respite for you, but inside your life, you will find so many respites waiting to be discovered. You can find it in the touch of your mates, the scent of the highland, the sound of the waterfall cascading over the edge into the depths below. All that surrounds you can become the peace you seek."

"Or the conflict I see."

"It is always a matter of perception, that is true," the dog agreed.

"Then what do I do when it all comes crashing down on me like last night?" the bear asked.

"You can come here, or you can look around you and see the arms that will hold that crashing world in place until you can gain a new foothold," the dog answered. "Either is fine, but one will always be there without so draconian a leap into another reality."

"My husbands," the bear sighed.

"They are amazing, Ancient One. Do not hesitate to lean on them. You assume too much when you assume your burdens are yours alone to bear."

The polar bear nodded. "A weakness of mine that I am trying to correct."

Li Wei took Eric's paws into his. "And one that your child suffers with, even as we speak. You failed to notice that the child of two fathers so focused on their responsibility and duty created a son who struggles with those same traits."

Eric looked into Li Wei's eyes. "Colton?"

"Go to him," the dog said with a nod. "He needs his father, and his father needs him. There are lessons to be learned and bonds to be forged."

"I thought he was happy."

"He is his fathers' son. Both fathers have reasons to be happy, but their burdens so often make them overlook the paths to that happiness. Colton suffers from the same affliction."

"He's a gardener in Montana. I don't know if life gets any simpler than that."

"He is the son of two fathers who teach him by their every act."

Eric sighed. "I'm missing the big picture, aren't I?"

"A trait all of us share from time to time."

"I bet you won't give me an answer to what is bothering my son, right?"

"Your perception grows with each visit, Ancient One. I am amazed at your progress."

Eric laughed. He looked up toward the tops of the melting trees and the sky blending into a wash of color. The Highland was fading. When he watched the morning sunlight move across the colors, he turned and saw his son, kneeling in front of a tray of flowers that he was planting. He was no longer on the highland of years gone by, but home in Montana. He knelt beside his son and wrapped his arms around him.

Colton giggled. "Weren't you supposed to be on the highland with Papa Wolfy?"

"Change of plan, Son," Eric replied. "I came home to have a chat with you."

"Why?"

"Because there is something you want to talk to me about. Instead of a little birdy, a big dog told me so."

Colton turned around in the hug. "No, I'm fine. My life here on the ranch is wonderful. Honestly, I'm fine. You have nothing to worry about."

"I would love to believe you, son," the bear pressed, "but fine isn't what I hoped for you when I brought you into this world."

The bear-wolf's face turned. "There's nothing you can do to help, Papa. It's a burden we all have to shoulder on our own."

Eric shook his head in disbelief. Li Wei was right. Colton was his son, and he had taught him to believe in the very thing he now saw as a weakness in his own character. He picked up his son's lowered face and kissed him. "You have so much to learn about the ones who surround you. We both do."

"I will be fine, Papa. Honest."

"Then tell me what bothers you, and we'll be fine together."

"There's nothing you can do. If there were, I would have brought it up. But I see the men around me. I see how they rise to their challenges. I am trying to rise to mine."

"And the one you wish to step away from?" the bear-wolf's father asked.

"This," the son responded. His paw raised and the red glow of his Armbruster's wolf father flamed across the fur.

"You don't want it?"

"Does anyone with this power want it?" Colton asked.

"It is complicated," his father said with a sigh.

"It's not complicated, Papa. The power I possess is contrary to everything I believe. I am the one thing that goes against the core of who I am."

"I didn't know."

Colton rose and brought his father with him. He waved out toward the well-tended flowerbeds in front of the ranch house. "I am the child of two men who desperately wanted to have nothing to do with the battles they were thrown into. What made you think that I would be any less than what I am?" The bear-wolf turned away from the bear. "What made you think I would want a constant reminder that one day I will become the very thing I hate?"

From behind, Colton felt the large white arms envelop him. "I'm sorry, Son. Your father and I didn't know."

"How could you? You take on every power they throw at you. You don't stand down. It's not in your nature to run from the battle. But I'm not you, Papa. I'm not Adam. The two of you see your duty differently than I do. I see the red flame telling me I am a warrior. But I'm not that man."

The warm kiss brushed the back of Colton's neck. "I don't want you to be that man, Son. I want you to be the man you are. Your happiness is all I've ever wanted for you."

The son's paw rose and the red flames burned around it. "I don't think I'll ever be truly happy with this as my birthright. Father didn't have a choice. I don't have a choice. We are born into this world, and the powers that come with us can be seen as a gift or a curse." His other paw rose and glowed green. "This is my gift." The red paw shook. "This is my curse." The two paws continued to glow. "I cannot be one without the other. This is the cost of being the son of Eric and Donovan of the Verital."

"Father tried to find his path away from this," Colton said, shaking the flaming red hand. "He became Adam. But even then, who he was followed him. It wasn't enough to force him to kill the Children of the Night. The universe threw the Order at his feet and demanded he solve a problem that wasn't even of his making. The cost of being who we are is too high. As your son, I am all that I have ever wanted to be, and all that at my very core, you two taught me to hate."

The hug around the bear-wolf tightened. Colton watched the red fire burst from his paws and spread across his body. The head of the polar bear lowered and pushed up against the young Changeling's neck. He felt the comfort of his father holding fast and the teeth setting into his shoulder. What followed wasn't expected. It was a searing pain as if his whole body was on fire.

The young bear-wolf struggled to find why the act that brought him so much pleasure in the past now brought only burning pain. And then beneath all the pain, hidden by that pain, he sensed the power ebbing from his body. He tried to break from the hug, but the polar bear would not yield as his fur glowed red. "No, Papa," the bear-wolf whimpered, unable to stop the flow of power.

"Be still, Son," the glowing red bear whispered between his clenched teeth. "For the first time in my life, the ability to take on another's power is a gift to me. I can heal my son. I can make him whole. Don't deny me this moment to make my curse my gift."

The bear-wolf lowered his head, closed his eyes, and let the power flow out into the bear. "I love you, Papa," he whispered back. From a distance, the two were one giant conflagration. The flames that should have ravaged everything around them remained bound to the two. Nothing around them wilted. Nothing burst into flame. The ball of fire became a swirling pillar of flame that lifted toward the sky like an inverted tornado. When the fire ebbed, the two collapsed to the ground.

The quiet between the two remained for some time before Eric spoke. "Well, that hurt."

"Still does," Colton added.

The polar bear's paw reached out and held on to the bear-wolf's paw. Eric turned his head and smiled at his son. "Our first conscientious objector has been born. I can't tell you how proud I am that he is my son."

"Are you sure, Papa? Are you sure this is what you want?"

"I am sure, Son. You can walk the path we can't. Become the child of warriors who finds a way to become something else. You will become what your father and I have only dreamed of. In your face, we will find the peace we seek. What parent could ask for more?"

Colton laughed past the pain inside him. "I'm a gardener. Most parents would want more from their son."

"Then most parents are wrong. Nothing could make me happier than to spend my life beside you working in this garden. You have chosen a path that so many of us dream of walking."

"Maybe you could walk the path with me now and then, Papa. There's always more work to do here than one set of paws can accomplish."

The bear rolled over from off his back. "I would like that, Son."

The bear-wolf rolled up from where he lay and sat upright next to his father. "Thank you, Papa. I know what it means for you to do what you did. I will be forever in your debt."

Eric smiled. "Just be my son, Colton. Live true to your only remaining clan color. That will more than pay the debt."

The bear-wolf looked into his father's eyes. "I will never kill. I will protect and provide aid. But I will never kill."

The white bear nodded in agreement. "I will let the family know. Your promise will be one that all will help you keep."

"I think they would be happy to help you keep your promises, Papa."

Eric smiled. "I think an old friend has been trying to teach me that. It's something I need to think about." He put his arm around his son. "You know, you've been with us for quite a while, but you smell like a newborn. I believe you're finally what you hoped to be."

Colton smiled back. "I know I am, Papa."

"So, about that smell."

Colton grinned. "I'm still a pretty aggressive top. I don't feel like that changed."

The polar bear shrugged. "I've been known to be a pretty aggressive bottom."

"So, you're going to take the lead?"

The white bear leaned in and kissed the bear-wolf. "Oh, yeah, Son. Aggressive bottoms always take the lead sooner or later."

"What about the rest of the family?"

"Trust me, they'll be here soon enough."

"So, we have this brief space in time to be alone together?"

"This is our moment, Son."

The second kiss was from the bear-wolf. "I love you, Papa," he said as he pushed the bear down onto his back. "Thank you for always being what I need when I need it."

"It's my pleasure, Son," the polar bear said as he lifted his legs up on the bear-wolf's shoulders. He closed his eyes as the beast pushed forward and entered him. So many thoughts flooded Eric's mind. As the body above him began rocking in and out, he yielded to the one thing in his life his son needed. He reached up, pulled the bear-wolf down into a tight kiss, and pulled the cock inside him even deeper. Right now, his son needed an aggressive bottom, and the bear was going to make sure he found one.

Chapter 09

"Well, this has been an enjoyable break from my work week," Will said as he pushed himself out of the pool. "Colton," he continued as he looked back at the bear-wolf in the pool, "I'm glad you found your calling. I'm glad your Papa could help you secure your place in our family."

Colton's smile turned to something more mixed. "I'm sorry you don't have the same option, Will."

"I hold the power given to me because it is a part of the world I was born into. The warrior's life is something I understand. For better or worse, I am comfortable wearing this mantle." The paw of the wolf burned red for only a moment. He shoved it back into the pool and it disappeared in the rising steam.

"But it is not who you are."

"No. I am the wolf in love with so many handsome beasts," Will replied. "The power has nothing to do with the part of me at my core. It is only there to protect that core when called upon."

"And you are okay with that?"

Will sat beside the pool and let his feet dangle in the water. "If it means that none of my family ever has to use their power in a similar fashion, I won't hesitate to wield it should the situation arise."

"It will one day, Will," Colton said.

"It has before. I may wish it never would again, but you know," Will said as he tapped next to his eyes, "the Sight."

"The Sight in me lies dormant, Will, but even I can see what looms on the horizon. Given the chance, the children of man will lay waste to Terra."

"And your Papa will rise to defend her."

"Will?" the bear-wolf whispered.

"Son?" the old wolf said, dipping back beside the half-submerged bear-wolf.

"Don't let Papa use his powers to kill. Don't let him become the awful he is afraid to look at."

Will grabbed the bear-wolf into a tight hug. "Since meeting your Papa, I have stayed by his side helping him save lives." The old wolf pushed back, letting both paws glow a fiery red. "A dying Changeling gave this power to me because they thought I would be skilled in knowing how to use it. They made a mistake. My skill lies in avoiding its use whenever possible."

"Perhaps that is why they gave it to you."

Will smiled as the flames receded. "Maybe. I will use everything in my power to keep my family safe. And I will do all I can to keep your Papa from staring into the awful."

"I sometimes think he is teetering on the edge of that abyss."

"Me too."

"What do we do, Will?"

"What we have always done, Son. We bring him home. In our arms, he will find another way."

Colton smiled. "You have always called me Son. There are days when I feel I should call you Father, the way Nathaniel does. It seems right some days."

"Yeah, but most days I'm a bastard, and everyone calls that bastard Will." The old wolf paused. "Well, except Marcus and Falong. They call me William. To each their own."

Colton's smile widened. "The rest of the family is saying their goodbyes. Tomorrow we will return to our separate lives and different occupations."

"That is on the agenda, I'm afraid."

"I will spend the next few days digging up the autumn flowers and storing them in the barn for winter. Then I will plant flowering kale for the winter months. Kyle gave me some amazing hybrids this year. The kale can take the cold much better, but its colors are still bright and cheerful. They can survive the harsher conditions and still be beautiful."

"They are beautiful," the old wolf agreed.

"My Papa is like that."

"Preaching to the choir, Son," Will agreed with a chuckle.

"His mates are also beautiful. Even the one whose paws flame red."

Will smiled. "Thank you for saying that. It means a lot to me. I am glad your paws no longer do."

Colton nodded. "As am I." The bear wolf paused again, letting the silence linger before he asked again, "Will?"

"Son?"

"If I asked my father to stay… to not return to New York. If I asked him to stay and plant flowering kale with me. Do you think the old wolf would cancel his appointments to stay for such a frivolous thing?"

Will wrapped his arms around the bear-wolf and hugged him. "Spend a few days bringing new life to our home, while preserving life for another season? Letting you teach me how to be one with the earth my husband is sworn to protect? Perhaps I'll get a glimpse at the path your Papa needs to follow so he can stay his hand from wiping out the species that sired me." Will paused. "Yeah, I can do that. There is nothing frivolous about what you ask of me."

"The sex in the showers when we clean up after planting can be."

Will pulled the hug tighter. "Yet another reason I love you, Son. I'll ask your Papa to join us. Bear Paws can survive a few more days without us. We both need to be here beside you."

Colton pulled hard from his side of the hug. "I love you, Father."

"I love you, Son." With their two wet bodies pressed so close together, Colton couldn't feel the tears as they streamed from the face of the old wolf.

Chapter 10

The blue gummy slug's body shifted, and an arm appeared, pointing to the craft. "These models are to scale. I'm using the other aircraft to give you some sense of size. That smallest one is the Red Wolf, followed by the Gray Wolf, the Blue Whale, and these two would be the Leviathan and the Behemoth."

The large group of humans and wolves stared at the models and a wave of murmured reactions flowed over the crowd. "Son, those airships are huge," Will said, staring at the model. "How will you even get them off the ground?"

Noah's arm retracted back into the gelatinous blob. "That's the beauty of it. They won't use a conventional launch. Each will create a stable wormhole in the outer rings surrounding it. Once the wormhole is created, the ship enters the hole and folds in on itself appearing at its destination. The technology isn't that much different from the jump-gates the puddle jumpers use."

"Do we need anything that big?" Derrick asked. "I mean, they look large enough to hold the entire Manhattan offices inside them."

"I realize their size is daunting, but compared to what they do, they are relatively small."

"They're nice, Son," Kris interjected. "But those wormhole generators are light years beyond what the Blue Whale uses. Before we go giving humans access to some very sophisticated tech, I'm going to ask Pup's question again. Do we need something that big? We could create a fleet of Blue Whales for the cost of one Leviathan. They could accomplish the same thing and be nimbler at doing it. Is there any reason we need a warp-capable cruiser?"

Noah recognized what his dad was asking. Despite the change in design, Noah couldn't hide what the Leviathan and the Behemoth were. They were almost identical in system function to the ship that crashed into Earth over sixty-five million years ago. "Not at the moment, Dad," Noah admitted, "but the technology needs to be in place for the future. I'm teaching the Were Nation the lessons it needs to know, not today, but in the years to come. Those lessons need learning. I'm only asking Bear Paws to foot the bill."

"Bear, let it be," Oliver said as he shoved the model Leviathan to see if it moved. It didn't. Even on a smaller scale, the airship was imposing. "Your boy sees what you don't." He turned to the blue blob. "Wish it weren't so, Noah. But you sees things, don't you?"

The blue blob reached out and touched the badger. Instantly, it became another badger. "Three of my fathers have rather remarkable versions of the Sight. I seem to have inherited a great deal from them."

"Ain't remarkable, Son," Oliver said with a frown. "And it ain't no gift. It's a pain in the ass. You'll find that out soon enough."

The newborn badger hugged the other. "I already have, Father. Even before I was born, the Sight pressed itself on me in ways I hated. But my badger father taught me to accept whatever power would keep my family safe. So, I let the Sight lead me to where I am today. I don't like it any more than you, but we do what we must, Father. We always do what we must."

"Then I is sorry, Son," Oliver said. "I'se sorry for whats you see. I'se sorry you chose a name that others won't understand until down the line."

"I'm sorry about what I see as well, Father. But I chose the name because I want people to understand what's down the line," the newborn badger replied. "I want them to know I will be there beside them." He turned toward the gathered crowd. "The Leviathan and the Behemoth will push the boundaries far beyond the Blue Whale. They can traverse great distances without expending even a fraction of the energy needed to pilot a human-made shuttle. You could travel to Mars in less time than we take to fly from Partridge Island to the highland. Coasting in for a landing will take more time than the flight."

One human in a white lab coat continued to flip through screens of diagrams while others watched. He raised his hand. "It's a remarkable piece of technology, Noah. But we're years away from the ability to create a vehicle of such size and technological intricacies."

"This isn't a project that you can begin tomorrow, Isamu. The groundwork that needs to be in place will take years. Even then, when we start building, you will need me to fill in the gaps." The badger began to turn blue, and the body took on a liquid sheen. "Understanding and being able to use this technology within the next decade is imperative."

"What's the real reason we're building these, Noah?" a werewolf in the crowd asked.

"For our future, Kabir," the restored blue blob replied. "Beyond that assumes more than either Oliver or I will say is certain."

"So, how much is this project going to set us back?" Eric asked.

"Ballpark okay?" the blue blob replied.

The polar bear sighed. "Billions or Trillions?"

"We can source some components with the help of the Hexadeltans. They've offered to extend their assistance for free."

"That didn't answer the question, Son," the white bear pressed.

"Trillions," Noah responded. "But probably not over sixty or seventy for the pair. That's not so bad if you look at the annual budgets I'm proposing over the next fifteen years."

Another human in a gray suit looking at screens of graphs and projections shook her head. "Noah, these projections of yours have us spending more than the US federal budget at times."

Eric shook his head and let out a groan. He turned to the humans in the group. "Can you do that? Can you pull the funds without it red-flagging the project in our annual tax reports?"

The woman in the trim suit laughed. "Seriously, Eric? How are we supposed to do that?"

"I don't know, Hanna. Write it off as research expenses in developing something. That's why the company went private again; to help you deal with my family's projects. You don't have to answer to shareholders. You only have to make the books look good."

The groan Hanna made matched the bear's as she shook her head. "Okay, we have a few products in the pipeline ready to launch. We'll hold them back and funnel the funds into their research budget for a few years. I'll have accounting get very creative." The human turned to Noah. "Is there any tech on this ship we can introduce elsewhere to cover building it?"

The blue blob undulated for a bit. "There are some new stabilizers that fit within human capabilities. They will make a major impact on most forms of transportation, including the Mars shuttle. Their introduction could justify a quarter of their cost. Were you developing them independently, it would take decades and cost trillions. We can have them in production in five years. The increase in profit margins should cover years six through twelve. By then, the ships' construction will be well underway."

Hanna let out a sigh. "Okay, that we can work with. Bear Paws Enterprises is on board. Go make yourself a couple of mini planets."

"Thank you, Hanna," the blue blob said. "Thank you all. I will need your best theoretical physicists, your best engineers, and a crew of sturdy beasts content not to ask too many questions."

Hanna nodded. "You'll have them. When do we see full diagrams and specifications?"

Noah reached out and touched Oliver again and became another badger. "I'll have the plans on your desks by tomorrow. We can create an itinerary for both in the next two weeks."

"An itinerary?" Kabir asked. "You make this sound like we're going on a trip."

"More than you know," Noah replied, with a nod to the werewolf.

The werewolf laughed. "I won't even ask what that means, Noah. I may not have the sight, but I know when not to ask questions of those who do."

The newly minted badger smiled. "That is a wise approach, Kabir."

Oliver raised his paw to attract the attention of a human in a three-piece suit. "Before you heads out, Bill, can I asks you to consider taking a young girl on as an intern? Her name is Avery, and she's a student at Partridge Island's school for youngsters with the Sight."

"Any reason in particular?" the hiring manager asked.

"She's got gifts," Oliver replied. "She can see in her head what Noah here was talking about and make it so I almost understands it. You'se gonna need a link to them smart ones, and the ones that does the work. She can help."

Bill gave a smile. "We'll see about getting her a trip out here. If she can work with our New York suits, she's got more than an internship. She's got a job."

Oliver smiled. "Thank you, Bill. Now if you don'ts mind, I wanna take my son here off somewhere and thank him personal-like for keeping this meeting short. You all gots holidays to attend to."

The meeting crowd split up, and groups headed toward their transport to various homes worldwide. When all but the family remained, the badger named Noah smiled at the one named Oliver. "And exactly how did you intend to thank me?" he asked.

"You wants to fuck a little mammal in the butt?" Oliver said with a snicker as he reached out and hugged the other badger.

"If we can find someone else who wants to fuck my little mammal butt."

"Wait, wait, wait," Derrick interjected. "There was a lot of very confusing conversation going on between you two earlier. I didn't expect the human contingent to even notice it, but I sure did. Do you think you might at least take a moment to explain it? I heard you mention the Sight seeing what none of us sees, training exercises, technologies that need to be in place in a decade; what gives?"

"I'se gonna be fucking you when Noah is fucking me, Pup. Does you need to know stuff we don'ts want to talk about, or does you need to have your butt plowed by a badger that loves you?"

Derrick thought for a moment. "I'll go with the butt-plowing badger. But later we can discuss the other stuff, right?"

"Later, you uses your Sight and when you starts to sees it, you turn away from looking too deep, just like the two of us done."

Derrick nodded. "Okay, Oliver. Where are we going to do this butt-plowing escapade?"

"I sez we waits for the Black Rhino to come back and we all go spends the weekend at the highland."

"Well, school is out for another two weeks for winter vacation, so I'm game."

Will grinned, "If Pup is game, then I'm hunting for Big Game this weekend."

"Me too," the polar bear said, rising. "Come on, family. Let's go have dinner at the commissary while we wait for the Black Rhino to return. That way we can hit the highland running."

Oliver grinned. "Ain't running bear. I'm saving all my energy for more important things."

The white bear swooped down and scooped Oliver up. "Deal, Oliver. Just remember that badger dick is my favorite dessert," he replied as he tossed the badger on his shoulder.

Kris repeated the same action with Noah. "And you, Son," the brown bear said with a laugh, "do you have any idea how much I enjoy badger dick for dessert?"

"None," the newborn badger answered. "But I hope you will show me tonight."

"I doubt we'll make it much past boarding the Black Rhino, Son. I like badger dick so much better than those inflight snacks." He paused and looked at the doors exiting the boardroom. "Come to think of it, I always eat my dessert before my meal. I'm sure there's a room here somewhere I can show you."

"Down the hall, fourth door on the right," Eric said, pointing. "Limit the dessert nibbling to an hour, okay?"

Kris frowned. "Only an hour?"

"You can always ask for second helpings on the highland."

"And you'se got two to choose from, Bear. Maybe you can eat both at the same time."

"Oh, I like that idea," Kris said as he ducked past the boardroom doors. "I'm always up for trying new dining adventures."

Will laughed as he slapped the back of the exiting bear. "You're already half up as it is, Bear. I think I will join you rather than eat at the commissary. Can you whip me up a creamy treat?"

"I can try, Old Wolf," the bear laughed.

"Then I'm good letting dinner slip by, Old Bear," Will said, looking back at the polar bear.

"Who else wants dessert before we have dinner?" the polar bear asked with a sigh. He expected everyone to raise their paw, and he wasn't disappointed. Eric wasn't even concerned when he realized one of the raised hands was his.

Chapter 11

Oliver stared up at the tree. "You knows Gaia is gonna be pissed at you, Pup. She don't likes it when people chop down trees just to hang Christmas all over them."

Derrick nodded. "Fine. I agree with her, and I'm good with staying on her good side. The tree isn't real. It's twelve feet of intricate fabrication that will last for decades. The lights are built into them, and they're old-school LEDs, so they have a friendly warmth without warming up. No wilting, no fire danger, and especially, no dead tree to throw into the fire come January."

"But it smells nice, like a real tree," Oliver protested.

That's because I had Max and JP harvesting the sap from the Grand Firs and pine trees all year when it dripped out. At the base of the tree, what looks like a water reserve is an incense warmer that turns on every time someone enters the room. It warms up the sap, the vapor goes up the hollow tree trunk, and flows out the individual holes drilled into it. Presto-chango, the fake tree smells as if we cut it down yesterday. It's all old tech for the most part, but if it ain't broke…" the black wolf said, letting the words trail off.

"Well, I think it's beautiful. And it will look even better when we decorates it with all them ornaments you collect."

Derrick smiled. "I agree."

"Will it stay smelling pretty even when we is fucking under it?"

The black wolf laughed. "I'm afraid we need to limit our play to in front of the fireplace this year. We don't want a repeat of last year."

"The old wolf said he was sorry. He forgot the tree was there when Jean Pierre and his family walked in."

"Well, this year, no one has to say they're sorry. We're going to avoid any complications by making the tree off-limits. This year's tree is for looks, presents, and Christmas spirit. We're doing the holiday humping across the room."

Oliver nodded. "Makes sense, I suppose." He paused and looked at the fireplace thirty feet behind him. "Still might be risky. They is awfully close together for a family like ours. Especially if anyone starts throwing furniture around."

Derrick sighed. "I'll have the maintenance crew fortify the base and lower limbs tomorrow. Maybe those changes will help. We can always hide the metalwork under a tree skirt, I suppose."

"Mights do the trick," Oliver said, thinking with his paw pressed against his chin. "Might helps if we just tie the old wolf up to the side of the fireplace. Them stones is pretty sturdy."

"He would like that, wouldn't he?"

"Thinking he might."

"Then I'll mention getting some tie-downs discreetly placed when they fix the tree."

"He's gonna love it," Oliver said with a snicker.

"Best Christmas ever," Derrick said with a smile.

"We can hopes it will be." Together the two walked out of the main hall. The lights lowered, and the tree, which smelled like the real thing, powered down.

Chapter 12

The polar bear had stood staring at the trimmed artificial grand fir tree for almost an hour. His fingers played with the small wooden star in his hand. "How many hundreds of years and each year it's the same?" His free paw wiped the tears from his eyes.

"Placing such an important ornament on the tree is never a simple task," the Kodiak bear said as he entered the room. He paused when he reached the white bear's side. Kris reached out and ran his paw along the outer edge of the wooden star. "He was quite gifted with his tools. At least that's what I would expect, given your love for him."

The polar bear shoved the Kodiak with his shoulder. "You are such a perv."

"I meant his carving ability. It's small, but the workmanship is quite impressive."

Eric looked into the eyes of the Kodiak, and the brown bear smiled. "You didn't mean that," the polar bear said. "Or it's not the only thing you meant."

The brown bear shrugged. "True. He had to be an amazing man to capture your interest. I know my son. I know he never loves without going full in. But your first love is so different from all the rest. There are so many first lessons to learn."

"You forgot Chetanluta," Eric corrected.

The Kodiak shook his head. "I didn't forget him. You saved his life. He loves you for that. But you are his father, not his lover. Trust me, Son, I know of what I speak. Being your father is far easier than being your husband. The love you and Chetanluta have shared has never been the same as those awkward challenges you faced with your human husbands. It's difficult realizing the human in front of you is the one you want by your side forever."

The polar bear's paws rubbed the wooden ornament uneasily. "Forever is never an option with humans. You would think I'd learn that lesson."

Kris put his arm around his son and pulled him in close. "Says the bear holding a star still in love with the human who carved it. I am right about the desire to stay beside the one you love forever. You are right that a human body does not grant them that luxury. But the love lingers. The desire never goes away. You learned the lesson you needed to. That lesson wasn't that all humans die. You ignored that lesson when your heart told you that the man standing before you was the one you loved. You learned to love an ephemeral. For a moment, you ignored how brief their life is. And in that moment, you found a love that will last forever.

"What you have yet to learn is that each of the men you loved chose to ignore the truth that they would die to be with you. They saw their mortality, and they turned a blind eye toward it. Each realized that entering into a relationship with another man posed a great deal of risk and danger. They all understood the perils of the love that dared not speak its name, and yet, they embraced them all to be with you."

The Kodiak rubbed the arm of the polar bear with his free paw. "Look at the star in your hand, Son. There is a heart at its center. It wasn't only a Christmas gift to you. It symbolized that he knew the risks he faced in loving another man. He gave you his heart, and here, so many centuries later, you still hold on to it. What more could you hope for when you love an ephemeral? What more could an ephemeral hope from you?"

"Time to tell him who I was," Eric whispered, turning the star in his hand. "Time to show him another world beyond the wars he fought. Just more time. What I always hope for; what the humans always take from their own."

"The heart never understands time," the Kodiak sympathized as he pulled the white bear's head against his shoulder. "It is never enough. It can never be enough." The father kissed the top of his son's head. "So, here we are. What do you do with his star?"

"I place it on the tree as I do each year," the polar bear replied. "Some traditions are more melancholy than merry." He reached out to the tree and nestled the star on a branch.

"We remember you, Eric Adalbern," the Kodiak said. "I'm sorry that your wars took you from my son before you had a chance to build a life together. There is so much regret, so much longing. You never returned as you promised you would. I know you meant to, but war and plagues honor no promises made. I'm sorry you died alone, away from the man who loved you. There was so much regret in my son finding your name in the census ledger of the deceased soldiers."

Kris's paw reached out and straightened the star. "No good comes from your death, but my son took your name, and he has saved so many lives in that name. In some small way, I think he hopes it will help you rest easier. Me, I'm his father. I hope in some small way it helps him rest easier. I hope it makes your memory less painful. So many hundreds of years and still the heart knows what the heart wants but cannot have. All that we have lost…" the brown bear's voice trailed off.

Kris felt Eric's paw tighten in the sideways hug. "And all that we have found," the polar bear whispered.

"All that we have found," the Kodiak repeated. "But for a moment, we can stay with the loss until it softens. I think Eric would want us to do that much for him."

The polar bear nodded his agreement against the brown bear's chest. "I would like that, Dad." The two spoke no other words as they looked at the star cradled by the tree.

Chapter 13

The polar bear looked up from the shrinking cock and gave it one last lick. Eric smiled at the black wolf pushing up onto his elbows. "Merry Christmas, Pup," he said.

"Merry Christmas, Papa Bear," Derrick replied.

"Well, it ain't as good a Christmas as it could be," the badger groused. "How many centuries does I have to wait until Santa comes down my chimney Christmas Eve?"

Derrick laughed. "Kris spends every Christmas Eve with Noboru; you know that. We have traditions, and that one makes me tear up every time I think about it. It's about the nicest thing ever."

Oliver's right foot pivoted in a circle. "You'se right, Pup. I'se being greedy. No wonder Santa don't come to give me nothing. Them two should have their night the way it's always been."

The old wolf grabbed the badger and hugged him. "You knew when you married Santa that one day a year he was going to pull an all-nighter. It's in every story ever written about him."

Oliver snickered. "Ain't no story about him pounding a dog for that entire night."

"Well, they always tidy up the stories for the kids," Will said as he rose from the bed. "Merry Christmas everyone. It's Christmas morning as of twenty minutes ago. I'm going to take a look at that big box under the tree with my name on it."

Adam shrugged. "I might as well tag along. I remember a little box out there with my name on it."

The old wolf reached down and hoisted the otter up onto his shoulders. "I point to the otter and the badger to remind everyone that wonderful things can come in small packages."

"I'll go too," Derrick replied.

The polar bear looked at the badger. "Coming, Handsome?"

"You holding my hand?" the badger asked.

"I'll hold whatever you want," the polar bear replied, leering at the badger.

"Then we is going." Oliver lifted his hand and Eric took it as they followed the other husbands toward the grand hall.

Even before they entered the room, the light from it was blinding. They walked into the room and gazed at a giant of a man dressed in a fur-lined green robe. His head pressed up against the twenty-six-foot ceiling, and his loose-fitting robe exposed a chest covered in a warm russet mat of hair. The long, flowing hair and bushy beard were the same ruddy color. All recognized the hair's remarkable resemblance to the fur of one special bear in their life.

The face was unmistakable, and the family grinned at the man as he smiled down at them. The giant's genitals hung below where the belted scabbard tied the robe together. They too were a familiar and beloved sight by all who gazed at the glowing man towering above them. The holly wrapped around his head had icicles dangling from the leaves. In his hand, he held the torch that caused the room to radiate beyond bright.

"Come In!" the giant yelled with a laugh. "Come in and get to know me better, men." The voice that reverberated through the room dropped a bit. For a moment, it seemed the giant slipped out of character. "And by 'know me better,' I hope we're all thinking biblically." With a wave of his hand, the torch was gone, the bright light faded, but the booming voice returned. "You have never seen the like of me before."

The polar bear smiled with a nod. "Never. And if I'm not mistaken, we shouldn't see you until one o'clock."

"Don't blame me for the badger's wish pushing up our itinerary," the giant replied.

"Bear, aren't you supposed to be with Noboru tonight?" the black wolf with blue highlights questioned.

"It is already past three in the afternoon in Tibet. Noboru and I have spent a most remarkable Christmas Eve together." The giant spread the right side of his robe wide, and beneath it, Noboru clung to the giant's leg. "Santa asked him what his greatest wish for the season was, and this is it." With a pull outward of the left side of the robe, Bai appeared, holding fast to the other leg.

The giant began shrinking, the fur along his robe and chest melding into the greater mat of fur that spread across the slowly appearing bear. Soon, Bai and Noboru were taller than the giant who once hid them. Kris pulled them both into a tight, sideways hug. "But what is the Ghost of Christmas Present without a feast?" the bear bellowed. With another wave of his hand, the temple dogs from around the globe appeared.

Tamil stood beside Katashi and Spackle. Tamil's eyes widened in amazement, and he clapped his paws together. "He did it, Santa did it. He made my Christmas wish come true."

Katashi smiled. "Of course, he did, Tamil."

"Our brothers helped by teleporting here, Tamil," Spackle added. "Still, Kris suggested this gathering, so Santa did facilitate this gift. But we need to do one more thing," Spackle said. "We have long-distance family who need to be with us this morning." The paws of the striped dog rotated in a fashion shared by many members of his family. "No sleeping through this day," he said with a laugh. "But to get everyone where we need them to be, we all need to be asleep first."

"But remember," Kris said, "at three o'clock this afternoon, we all return to our respective homes. We're supposed to be in Billings for Christmas dinner with the Outreach folks by five. That's less than fifteen hours from now, so let's not waste any time." The great hall melted away into the highland of five hundred years ago. At the edge of the forest, Li Wei and Falong stood waiting.

"Merry Christmas, all," Li Wei said with a bow. "We have presents for you all wrapped up in these bodies. Come enjoy them at your leisure."

Noboru needed no encouragement. He ran to his Khenpo and grabbed him in a tight hug. "Master, I have missed you so much," he said as he buried his face in the other's furry chest.

"And I have missed you," Li Wei replied. "Today, let us only be the lovers we have always been to each other. No master, no student; only two lovers bridging our longing for a moment."

"But what of our husbands?" Noboru asked without letting the hug go.

"They will understand," the temple dog replied.

"They could be with us as well."

"And they will," Li Wei replied. "But not right away. First, let me taste you and remember what it feels like to move inside you."

Falong leaned into the two. "I will attend to Katashi and his family's needs. Bai will have no problem finding arms to hold him in this crowd. There are so many beautiful memories to make here today. I wish to be a part of them."

Noboru looked up from his hug. "You honor us with your presence, Ancient One. We have grown so much watching your struggle to adapt to our world."

The temporary temple dog smiled at his twin. "I am honored to be a part of all that surrounds me. The struggles have been few. Only a bit of trepidation mixed with so much pleasure."

Will stood watching the interplay between the three temple dogs across the field. "Before this becomes an hour of bowing, I suggest we get more into bobbing and a bit of thrusting. The clock is ticking."

Will felt Derrick's paws wrap around his waist. "Yeah, it is, Old Wolf. But here, time slows when those in love are together."

Will turned around and hugged the black wolf. "Then we should have all the time in the world, Pup, because there is not a one of us on this highland who is not in love with everyone else."

"Then I suggest you take me because I want you inside me when our husband mounts you."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really."

The old wolf scarcely had time to lay the young wolf on his belly and penetrate him before he felt the Kodiak shove himself up against the wolf's backside. With a forceful shove, the bear pushed his massive cock deep inside the old wolf. Around the highland, everyone was finding a way to couple with each other. In time, words were no longer necessary to express the affection each had for the others.

In Montana, the sky was taking on the rosy glow of morning. Three winged beasts pushed open the ranch house's massive front doors and walked through the entry hall into the great hall. They smiled at the welcoming tree with its decorations and lights. Each stooped to look at the names on the packages. Chet looked off toward the master bedroom. "It would appear our family is sleeping in late. What say we go wake them?" he said with a grin.

"Sounds like a plan. It's always fun to wake them up," Max replied. Yet, when they neared the master bedroom, only a swirling mass of light and dark stood before them. "Looks like no one is asleep this morning," the blue bear laughed.

JP reached out and put his hand into the swirling light. "Spackle, you son of a gun. You've figured it out. I thought it could be done, but the logistics…"

"Logistics of what, Hon?" the angel beside him asked.

"How to bridge Falong and Li Wei's world and ours in a way that allows a much larger number of our family to join us," the blonde bear replied. "We're on the cusp of their dream state and our reality. My guess is we're still asleep, but able to connect with the entire Were Nation on our side of that dream state. If I'm right, Spackle left this portal open as an invitation to Falong's side of that same realm."

"Couldn't Falong just bring everyone into his side of the dream?" Chet asked.

"Not without a Herculean effort that would leave him exhausted," JP answered. "But more importantly, the ones present wouldn't make the choice to join him. His son has given us a way to ask them first if they want to join us. And I say 'us' because I am definitely going through that portal."

Chet gave a nod. "Me too. If Papa Bear and Pup are on the other side, that's where I want to be."

"So, my guess is that in our dream state here, our world will act the way we would expect our own reality to behave," JP said as he tapped his ComLink. "Ori, could you let the Were Nation know that the Montana family is inviting the rest of our family to join us for a Christmas brunch? We'll be dining on each other."

The ever-polite voice replied, "I would be happy to, JP. How wide do you want me to cast the family net?"

JP thought for a moment. "You know, Ori, it's Christmas. I say invite them all. Tell them if they want to join us, we'll find a way to make it happen."

Chet nodded in agreement. "We'll even pilot the airships if it gets them all here," he said. "Or there, I guess, is more accurate." The hawk-man paused. "Can we use the airships to get around in this world?"

"They should work, because we assume they will," JP said nodding.

"However, how about we fudge a bit and let us get everyone who says yes here without the airships getting involved?" Max asked the angel next to him. "I mean, we can't get them to wherever the rest of the family is, but we sure can get them here in front of the portal. Spackle can do the rest."

"It is Christmas. And that would be one great gift, wouldn't it?" Chet said with a smile. "Okay, Ori. Tell them to respond yes to us, and my husbands will bring them here."

Within the hour, thousands more of the Were Nation family crowded the highland. As another group of beasts appeared in the distance, Will looked up from the grass he lay in. Atop him, a temple dog paused his thrusting long enough to watch the group moving onto the field. "We should welcome the new arrivals, Genji," Will said.

"But I have not yet properly seeded you," the temple dog replied.

"We sometimes delay our gratification to attend to the needs of our family," the old wolf said. "Your brothers taught me that."

The temple dog nodded, pulling out of the wolf. "You are wise, Little One. But I will attend to you after we have welcomed the newly arrived.

"I will look forward to it," Will said as he struggled to stand up. "It's good that we stopped when we did, Genji. I wasn't sure I would be able to walk upright after you were done with me."

"Should that be my goal, Little One?"

Will chuckled to himself. "Sure, why not?" He waved to the group as they neared. "BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!" he yelled. Without breaking whatever rhythm they were into, all on the highland nodded in agreement. When fifteen hours had come and gone, all realized the day was lingering to accommodate Noboru's Christmas wish; a wish now shared by all.

Days later, all would find that they woke up at home hours before they left to join their family. The Were Nation had grown used to the idea that it was best not to question how or why things happened that brought them together. For those who understood, it was a shared gift. For those who could never understand the science behind their visits, it was magic. That, in truth, was how everyone viewed the gatherings… magic of the very best kind.

For now, the family enjoyed a brief respite from responsibilities and obligations. Only one seemed to find the weight of his destiny weighed on him greater than even those in his midst could lift. Eric enjoyed the company of those he loved, and their passion provided a welcome diversion. But that diversion ebbed in the space where he was handed off to a different beast. In those moments, he saw who and what he was pushed forward into the gaps. He was not the destroyer of worlds, only the destroyer of all that threatened those worlds. To save Terra, her mother, and her sisters, his task was to destroy the deadliest creature their solar system had created. None could remain behind to begin again the nightmare that loomed on the horizon.

There on the highland, the daylight was fading from the festivities. All knew what the dimming light meant, and even with the joys of the days together, a longing slowly replaced the happy interactions. The hugs became tighter, the kisses longer. The word goodbye crept into more conversations as the beasts let go of each other and woke to find themselves home.

Eric lay nestled between two temple dogs, feeling the last pulse of the ejaculating cock inside him. He leaned forward and kissed the other dog. "Thank you Falong. Thank you for being here for all these days."

"I have enjoyed my first Christmas celebration immensely," the temporary temple dog grinned.

"Before I go, can I ask you a question?"

The dog nodded. "Of course. But please don't be upset that I have no answer for you."

The white bear shook his head. "You already know what I was going to ask, of course."

"It is who I am, Eric," the dog replied. "All that ever was; all that ever will be."

"So you know of my dilemma?"

"I do, but it is not a straightforward decision you must make. Each choice leads to different outcomes. It is in your best interest to make the right choice."

"Infinite paths from infinite choices?"

The temple dog shook his head no. "The multiverse is a mind game for bored physicists and science fiction writers. Reality is so far beyond their speculation. It is better and truer for you to know that the universe you live in is the only one that matters. Your choices here will never be augmented or reversed by decisions being made by another Eric in another universe."

"I was afraid you were going to say that."

"It is what makes you all so special."

"But you can't tell me the path I should take any more than Li Wei?"

"No. But the path is so clearly marked I will say I'm surprised that you don't see it."

"What path? What choice? I see nothing around me."

The dog slipping from inside Eric pulled the bear close. "Then you are blind, Little One. For there is so much around you that you should see."

Eric closed his eyes as the dog inside him slipped out. The longing for him to return overrode the conversation for a moment. At last, the sensation faded. "What, Li Wei? Please, no mystery, no lesson. Please tell me what I'm not seeing."

"The love that surrounds you. The love that binds you to your mates, to your family, and to the surrounding universe. Become aware of it all, Little One, and the path will not only become clear but so will all those who walk the path with you. You believe that you alone must face your challenge because of some obscure prophecy. But that is because you choose to interpret the prophecy in a vacuum of your own construction."

The dog from behind pulled the bear tighter, and the one in front put out a paw that rubbed the bear's face. "See what you should always see, Eric," Falong whispered. "See what you fail to see. To say more would risk us taking on your responsibility, and that is not who we are. It's not who you need us to be."

"Then what do I need?"

The two dogs spoke as one. "You need to see what is in front of you that you refuse to see. You need to open your eyes to the truth." The two dogs paused and then barked out the order. "Open your eyes!"

Chapter 14

Eric's eyes opened, and he stared at the long stretch of white beach. The crystal blue waters lapped against the shore. "This is where Derrick and Oliver returned to Earth in this universe," the striped temple dog said, answering the unasked question of the bear that sat beside him. "On this island, Samuel and Raymond taught Derrick the lessons Changelings teach each other of love and what it means to be the Unity. This is where Katashi and I spent our first night with Tamil after he turned. So much of what gives me joy rests in this place. There is no place on Terra where I am more sure of myself and calmer than here," Spackle said as he squeezed Eric's paw.

"I understand why you love it. I imagine we all have places like this where we're at peace."

"Yours is the highland."

"Yeah, it is," the bear said with a chuckle.

"I debated about taking you there, but the highland has so many distractions," the dog said with a similar laugh. "So many, many pleasant distractions."

"You're not here to distract me?" the bear said with mock indignation. "I thought that's why I was here instead of in bed with my husbands. I'm crushed."

"Oh, bear, before our time together ends, you and I will distract each other. But we have miles to go before those moments."

"And where are those miles going to take us, Spackle? Why did you ask me here?"

"To provide a few answers you asked Falong and Li Wei to help you find. I am here to help you veer from what you feel you promised Terra and discover what the promise meant."

The polar bear stopped in his tracks and turned toward the temple dog. "You know what I asked them?"

"My apologies if it seems like eavesdropping, but my brain is wired to go beyond what normal temple dogs intuit. I am Will's mate. I am Derrick's mate. It is the nature of every temple dog to feel what every other temple dog feels. It is my nature to feel what every mate of mine feels. And when I feel pain and such incredible doubt, it's not my nature to stand on the sidelines and let them suffer."

Eric smiled, rubbing the dog's paw in his hand. "I'm glad you don't. There's too much hidden in our family. Too much hurt has stayed for too long because one or the other of us takes on a burden we think is ours alone. I will admit I'm guilty of contributing to that frequently."

"Which is why we can talk," Spackle said with a smile. "You asked for help. I might be stretching it a bit, but you can ask your mates if you don't think I'm right. When a Changeling asks for help, you throw it out into the universe for everyone who loves you to hear."

"I'm not opposed to you hearing it, Spackle," the bear agreed.

"So much of what we do seems random in this life."

The bear snorted. "So much of it is."

"True," the dog chuckled. "But much more of what surrounds you never has been random. So much of this universe leads to one moment in time that is never seen; the Big Bang of all that came before becoming all that follows."

Eric sighed. "Oh, gawd, Dog. You aren't going to spout deep metaphysical philosophy on me, are you?"

"I don't know. Do you find that arousing?" Spackle said with a mischievous grin.

"I hate it. I love you dogs, but I hate metaphysics."

"But you love us?"

"Yep," the bear said with a nod.

"And you love answers?"

"Yeah, but mostly not the ones you give. They always lead to more questions."

"It is our nature to make you find your own answers."

Eric reached out, reclaimed the dog's paw, and let Spackle tug him in a new direction as they began walking again. "I understand that, Spackle. But the answers I've found aren't always the ones I hoped to find. You are aware of what I'm struggling with. You understand the promise I made to Terra. The Unity sees me as responsible for making the promise, and its execution rests in my hands."

The temple dog continued walking, squeezing the polar bear's paw. "And you see the promise as an order of execution, don't you?"

"The humans infect the planet like cancer. We treat it, and it seems to remain in remission. But, one day the disease grows again beyond where anything can control it. Parts of humanity wage war on everything, including Terra. Like cancer, the only thing we can do to save the patient is to cut away the disease. Leave behind even a bit, and it will regrow and start the cycle again."

"I have to agree with you to some extent. Leaving Terra in proximity to the humans puts her in jeopardy," Spackle replied.

"So, if I don't kill them, and I don't subjugate them, what do I do with them?" the bear asked.

"To answer that, dear bear, requires a bit of backstory. Without it, your understanding and your choices have limitations. You, most of all, must make your choices fully informed. Eyes wide open, Old Bear. It can't be any other way." Spackle waved his paw toward a path leading back into the jungle. "A few meters from here, there's a lovely patch of grass. The sun is warm, and the company is pleasant. Let's say before I tell the story, we start with a distraction. A few hours of the two of us reminding ourselves how much we love each other."

"Is the story going to be that difficult to hear?" Eric asked as the two walked up the path.

"Perhaps not. But I'm willing to use its telling as an excuse to play with you."

"You don't need an excuse, Spackle. I doubt I would ever say no to you."

Spackle smiled. "I, too, doubt that. However, today, I want you to say yes, understanding that our lives are linked in ways you've never imagined. Pressing your body close to mine seems a pleasant way to remind us how important that link is. Especially if you let me link up with you in the manner I hope." The smile turned into a wide grin, and Eric returned the grin.

Spackle stepped onto the grass from the worn pathway and fell back into it. He patted the grass next to him, and Eric dropped beside him. Spackle rolled over on top of the bear and kissed him. "For a time, let go of all your responsibilities. Let me be the one to make the choices. Let me take care of you the way you have taken care of us for so many years."

Eric looked up into the eyes of the dog. "That is so difficult for me to do. Relinquishing control, letting responsibility slide, it doesn't come easy."

"Which is why we are here, Old Bear. To begin your training. To lay a foundation for all that will come."

The white bear smiled at the temple dog. "Ever the mysterious pronouncements."

"It is the way of the dogs. If you think about it, it is also the way of the badger and the black wolf you love. Those who see what is far beyond tend to self-edit what we will discuss with others."

Eric put his paw up to the dog's muzzle and rubbed it. "Your responsibilities seem greater than even mine, Spackle. You, Oliver, Pup… so much to juggle and keep in line."

"We all have our challenges. It is best not to judge their difficulty so much as learning how to share those difficulties."

"And lying here in the grass with you does that?"

"I think so. I believe it is why we touch, and why intimacy between us is so crucial to what we are. It is the foundation of which I spoke, Old Bear."

Eric laughed. "Li Wei and Katashi always call me Old Bear whenever we are about to have sex."

Spackle smiled. "That, too, is the way of the temple dogs," he said as he lifted the legs of the bear onto his chest. "Let everything else go, Old Bear. Let me guide our time together. You have no responsibilities save to enjoy yourself." The dog pushed his dripping cock against the hole of the bear. "And even that is my responsibility. I will ensure you enjoy our time together."

With a gentle shove, the dog entered Eric, and the bear's eyes closed as the wave of pleasure swept over him. The polar bear let the dog on top of him choose how to move and pleasure him. In doing so, both mind and body relaxed. The decisions the bear had yet to make and all the responsibilities that required his attention slipped away. For a moment, all that existed was a temple dog above him and soft grass beneath him. And in that moment, it was all Eric needed.

Chapter 15

The hours of play had faded as the sun set behind the jungle. Laying in the cool grass, the two beasts remained locked in their embrace, touching and kissing past their ejaculate and sweat. "We need to go bathe," Spackle finally said.

"I suppose so," the bear agreed. "Best to do it before dark."

"That's still hours away. The sun is setting behind the palms, but it won't dip below the horizon for quite some time. Until then, we'll have plenty of light."

The two walked back toward the ocean, and in the warm waters, they cleaned each other. "So, Spackle," the bear eventually said with a sigh, aware he had cleaned and re-cleaned every body part of the dog before him. "What is the backstory I have to know?"

"The story of everything surrounding us; all that has taken place from before the first Big Bang, to the rebuilding of the universe, to this moment. This has all been to preserve one moment in time. To preserve the first memory."

"I'm not sure I understand," the bear said as his wet paw rubbed across the white chest of the dog before him.

"So many actions have been taken in this universe to secure the first memory in an everlasting, unalterable form. The first memory is where a temple dog looked up into the unseeable, and having seen it, the dog smiled."

Eric waved out toward the ocean in a broad, sweeping motion. "All this… because Li Wei smiled at Falong?"

"All this, and so much more than you will ever realize."

"But why?"

"Have you seen Li Wei's smile?"

Eric laughed. "You know what I mean."

"Schrödinger's Cat."

"Excuse me?"

"Schrödinger's Cat. Dogs love to chase cats. Schrödinger's Cat is my favorite because it answers so many questions."

"It doesn't answer any questions. The entire premise of Schrödinger's Cat states a quantum system exists as a superposition until it interacts with or is observed by the external world. When either or both happen, all the potential options collapse into each other into one possible definite outcome."

"And you think we dogs get all metaphysical weird on you?" Spackle asked with mock indignation.

"You lost me, Dog."

"All that ever was, all that ever will be, every quantum theory and so many you haven't even thought to postulate lay there unseen until it was seen by a dog. The dog smiled at what couldn't be observed by the external world and pulled it into a moment. And, having been still in that moment, captivated by a smile, Falong came into being. The infinite potentialities all collapsing into the one definite outcome."

"You're saying our entire universe is because Li Wei smiled at Falong?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying."

"How?"

"Really? You want to ask that question of me? You're talking to a guy who sees the truth of all things, and you're asking me about science tech? Even the Unity is light years from postulating reality theory beyond guesses in the dark."

The bear shook his head and dropped into the shallow water. His legs extended, and his paws pushed out, causing small waves against the tide. "No, Dog, I don't even want to know, but I don't know what to ask."

"Then might I suggest, rather than ask how, you ask why? Because you already have the answer to that."

"I do. I would reach out to be with Li Wei wherever I am if all he did was smile and reach out to me."

"One question down," Spackle said, dropping into the water near the bear. "Are you ready for the stuff that makes Oliver's brain hurt when we discuss it?"

"How's my brain going to handle it?"

"Surprisingly well," the dog said, putting his arm around the bear. "Look out on the ocean. Stare at the waves as they ripple across the shoreline. Gaze at that point where clarity of the water turns into a blue so beautiful it almost brings tears. You and I, here together, are sharing something no one else in the universe will ever know or understand. We give this singular moment in time existence because we are here to contemplate and understand that we are a part of it. Without us, everything surrounding us doesn't exist."

"If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it fall…" Eric said, letting his voice trail off in thought.

"Since before time, the one who watched existed, but having no point of reference to understand, all that was seen had no meaning. All that ever was or ever would be remained outside of existence."

Eric sighed. "Well, so far, I believe Oliver and I would agree our brains will hurt thinking about this conversation."

Spackle chuckled. "You, me, all of us, are Schrödinger's Cats. We have always been infinite numbers of quantum outcomes waiting to be born with each passing moment. There is no multiverse. You can't travel to an alternate world where Hitler won the Second World War. There is no world where Chen Mi prevented the War of the Continents by signing the United Nations water accords instead of invading Russia. They don't exist. Humanity opened those boxes a long time ago. No alternate Erics are making every choice you opted not to. Even when we bounce around in time, the moments of our lives are redrawn in the context of only one universe — the universe that exists because he sees it. The only universe that came into being when the one who watched became aware of what, until that moment, had gone unseen."

"The universe where Li Wei smiles."

"Exactly. Everything surrounding us has meaning, only because we are here to give it meaning. The one who watched never understood what they saw. There was no context for them to understand. When one they watched looked up and acknowledged them, a moment in space/time coalesced around the knowledge that the one who watched was not alone. The watcher became aware that what filled the universe had meaning. And in understanding that simple fact, Falong came into being."

"And in becoming, all he had ever seen, all he ever would see, came into being as well," Eric said, still making small waves in the water with his paws.

"There. It wasn't as hard as you thought, now was it?"

The bear shook his head. "It's harder. You're telling me we're only a story unfolding to keep that moment in time a constant? All we are is the backstory for those two? I thought it was something greater, something more…"

"All deep metaphysical philosophy stuff?"

The bear sighed. "Yeah, I guess." Eric's head dropped into his paws, and he rubbed his forehead.

"Would it be so bad to find out we have lived our lives to keep two such wonderful creatures as Falong and Li Wei together?"

The bear shook his head again, never lifting it from his paws. "No, I guess not. I was hoping for a bit more free will in all of this. Now I find out all I am is actor five in the crowd, act one: scene two."

"And that, dear Bear, is where you must see the unseen. Look out into this universe and realize how much life is swirling around us; everything set into motion by a smile. All this cause and effect distilling down to one truth, a truth by which you live your life."

The bear remained silent until he realized the dog wasn't proceeding until he admitted that truth. "Save one, save all," he whispered.

Spackle's smile widened. "Li Wei is teaching Falong that truth. All those things he has seen, Falong now understands within the context of the lessons he is learning. Falong understands now why all he has seen, all he will ever see, must be preserved, must be held in memory. The universe around us does so because there is one who will always provide meaning to what is happening. Good or bad, it is seen, it is understood, and it has a reason to be."

"We sing our histories so we are not forgotten. Our stories give meaning to life by their retelling. We don't let the ones we love fade away," Eric said. He looked up at Spackle. "So, Falong is doing on a universal scale what we do as individuals?"

"Pretty much, and in doing so, all that surrounds us is reframed moment to moment in a context we can understand because now Falong understands."

"Then I guess it's a good thing Li Wei saw what no one else could."

"Decidedly so. Falong now understands he needs to preserve the first memory for his life to have meaning. But it also means he needs to ensure this universe evolves with a family to sustain Li Wei. For the first memory to survive, all the memories that surround it must be preserved as well."

"Falong created us to be Li Wei's family?" the bear said, looking up from his paws.

"No, Falong doesn't create anything. He lets it grow into what it was always meant to be. Falong loves Li Wei. He sees an obligation to protect and nurture the same things that Li Wei loves."

Eric shook his head. "Li Wei loves everything."

"How fortunate for everything Falong does as well, don't you think?" The polar bear looked up at the smiling dog looking down at him. "Li Wei represents the best of who we are, Eric. We sent our best out into the void. In return, all that ever was, and all that ever will be, embraced the one great truth you hoped to teach the humans. The humans never learned. Falong did."

The thick striped paw slipped up and stroked the muzzle of the polar bear. "We are the Unity born of Terra. No one walks alone. The word family doesn't begin to describe the depth of our commitment to each other or the world around us. This is what Falong has learned. This is who he is when he lingers in the moment to be with Li Wei and his family."

"I guess I missed the big picture," Eric whispered.

"Let me paint a bit more of it for you, Eric," the temple dog said as his paw lifted and stroked across the horizon. The colors spilled from an unseen brush across the blue sky. In time, the image was that of a hospital emergency room. Paramedics were wheeling a pregnant woman past the entry doors. Eric smiled as each part of the carefully orchestrated chaos fell into place. "That's my mom," Spackle said happily.

"So many unseen events filled these moments," the dog continued. "The birth of a child is amazing by itself. But when the one who sees all that ever was, or ever will be, reached down to touch the child, so much began to fall into place. A gift so much greater than the Sight rested in that touch."

Eric stared at the temple dog. "We didn't give you the Sight?"

"No," Spackle answered. "My father did. Not my human father, but the father trying to provide a way for me to find Li Wei and Katashi. But, in giving a part of himself, sometimes a father doesn't understand where to draw the line."

"You see what Falong sees?" the bear asked, trying to confirm what the words he heard meant.

"Yes. And in seeing, I find understanding."

"How?"

Spackle created small waves in the water with his paws, the same as the bear had done earlier. "Because he loves the one who smiled at him, Falong needed the one who loved Li Wei to live on beyond the moment of Li Wei's death. Katashi's shattered heart had to have a way to heal. Tamil and I were that way, Old Bear. That means Yarnell was where he needed to be when I first visited the island. And Will was where he needed to be when I returned. Li Wei and Katashi were out doing their tai chi when I turned the corner because, without that moment, nothing that led me to them would ever be. But even before that day, Falong needed to ensure Li Wei was born. He needed the Unity to stay on Earth, a planet of very little interest to them sixty-six million years ago.

Eric stared at the striped temple dog. "Are you saying that rogue asteroid wasn't an accident?"

"I am saying there have been very few accidents in the history of the Changelings and their life here on Terra."

"But to kill off so many dinosaurs who had lived for so many millions of years," the bear said wistfully.

"Oh, the dinosaurs were going to die, Eric. The asteroid would have hit Earth, with or without you. Throwing you into its path was solely to bring you to Earth in a way you couldn't leave. So many cats in boxes, Old Bear. So many outcomes needed to fall in place for this universe to be. A Megatherium weds a Short-faced bear. A badger seeking redemption becomes their mate. The same badger who bore witness to the birth of this universe alongside his black wolf mate."

"All for a dog that smiled?"

"A dog that brought meaning to the watcher's existence, and also to our existence in the process. What better reason?"

Eric nodded. "I can't think of a better one."

"And one more box to open, Eric. One more reality to bring into life."

The bear looked quizzically at the dog. "I don't think I understand."

"Inside the box is the cat we call the human race. We know it will kill Terra. We know little more than that, but we know that. So what do we do?"

Eric sighed. "Squish the box and everything inside it, I suppose."

"Or leave the cat in the box right where it is. And then move so far away from the box that even if the box opens, the outcome of what's in the box is irrelevant."

Eric shook his head. "You lost me."

"Come with me," Spackle said as he stood up. He walked the bear over to a series of rock outcroppings jutting from the shallows along the beach. "Look here," he said, pointing between the limpets and anemones.

Eric stared at the life teeming in the water. He watched Spackle's finger point toward a small shell moving across the sand. "It's a hermit crab," the bear said.

The temple dog smiled. "Okay, this analogy will fall apart if you think about it too deeply, but I hope it will help. Think of the crab as an entity which survives only with the help of a shell to contain and protect it."

Eric looked up at the dog and grinned. "Adam is my husband, remember? I'm pretty good with that idea."

"Now take that idea, that so many beings need a shell to survive, and blow it up way, way bigger."

"Like Terra?"

"And her mom and siblings. Why do you think in so many billions and billions of galaxies out there, so few have sentient planets? And why, in this Podunk solar system, do we have four sentient planets all grouped together?" Spackle pushed his finger in the water and tapped the little crab. Instantly, it pulled into its shell. "This little guy will never venture from its tiny world until one day the need for a larger home will force it to search for a new one. It will leave this protection and venture out until it finds a larger shell and then transfer to the new shell."

Eric sat quietly, taking in what Spackle was saying. The dog continued. "Sentient planets don't grow, of course. But they need something to hold on to, something to keep all they are from drifting out into space. But once they find it, they bundle up like that crab and try to protect their home."

"So, when a newborn comes along, it doesn't venture far from momma," Eric said thoughtfully.

"That's the reason they're grouped together," Spackle agreed. "The further you venture, the greater the likelihood you have of dying before you find a new home. You grab the first world that fits and can sustain you."

"And if you're lucky, it's an uninhabited planet."

Spackle laughed. "Yeah, pretty much. Terra chose such a planet. She bypassed Mars with its bacterial growth and chose Earth. It was fine until the dragons arrived and changed her world. It would be like having a starfish grab onto the little crab's shell. The very thing that kills you wasn't something you ever expected to bump up against."

"So, where are we going with this?" Eric asked.

"You know, Old Bear. We go where your husbands and children have always wanted you to go. But you missed that path by fixating on the prophecy's most obvious outcome. Don't kill the humans, move Terra away from them. Find her a new shell. Find her family new shells far away from the humans. Let the humans blow up this rock we're on. It's not Terra. Terra can live somewhere else. All we have to do is safely move her and her family to another solar system."

"But can that even be done?"

"I know a bear who can do it with the help of his family. But he's been so busy thinking about killing pests, he never thought about moving away from the pests."

Eric smiled sheepishly. "I've been a fool. You're right about my family. They have been trying to steer me in this direction. Li Wei and Falong told me to open my eyes. That's what they meant. I needed to see what my family saw. Instead, I went for the most obvious solution."

"I don't blame you. It's the easiest solution. But you promised it would be your choice of last resort. You have boxes of potentialities in front of you that you have yet to consider, along with all those other boxes you worry about. The other choices won't be easy, but they will leave you able to sleep at night."

"Will you help me find the way to make this work? I can't say the path is all that clear to me."

"It was never meant to be, Old Bear. From the beginning, that one goal, to keep the one who smiled safe and happy, required a draconian solution. It required an outcome bringing Li Wei's family together to preserve them. The path isn't one a single leader forges out of sheer will. It's a path carved out of the darkness by so many hands and minds working for a common goal. In another universe, my brother realized that. He found Marcus, and together they united billions to redraw the entire universe."

The bear stared into the eyes of the temple dog. "Kendal?"

"Small universe, huh?" the dog answered. "Falong was a father to more than one. One son to save the universe that Li Wei lived in. The other son to hold that universe in place when Li Wei left it. His other sons to keep everything in order. From the big picture down to the tiny details. Everything from attaching an empathy gene to humans, to a saber-toothed cat bringing a blind child back from the darkness to save his family. Even having Eric Adalbern buy an island, so Tamil could help Katashi rebuild the life Li Wei insisted he have."

"Martin, Max, and JP are Falong's kids?" Eric asked. Spackle gave a nod. "I never knew. I thought we were all free agents trying to do our best to make a safe place for those we loved."

"You are. That's the beauty of it, Old Bear. We all want what Falong wants. To look up and see the smile of one who loves us. Falong isn't forcing you into a life; he is letting you find it. And now, because Terra means so much to you, he is guiding you to a way to save it outside of destroying the humans."

"By bringing the men I need into my life," the old bear acknowledged.

"My husbands, your husbands, your children wouldn't have it any other way. This was never meant to be your task alone. When you promised to watch over Terra so many others stepped up to support you. This dear bear, is your moment to realize who stands beside you instead of thinking the task is yours alone."

"I'm going to need help to see even that."

"Which is why we're here today and for the next few days to come."

"You're going to teach me who those individuals are?"

"No, I am going to have days of incredible sex with you that will leave you exhausted."

Eric laughed. "And that helps me how?"

The temple dog wrapped his arms around the bear and pulled him close. The polar bear could feel the dog's cock already swelling between them. "You will be for a time relieved of your responsibilities in favor of playing with one that loves you. It will relax you and remind you of what you are working to preserve, all at the same time. This is one of the moments for which I was born, Old Bear. To help you understand the reason for which you were born."

"And that is?"

"To look up and see who smiles at you. To return that smile to the ones you love and in doing so, change everything."

Eric smiled at the dog and leaned forward into their first kiss of many.

Chapter 16

Eric sat at the Montana ranch's dinner table. He toyed with his food without taking a bite. The group around him ate quietly but chose not to engage the bear in conversation. When the polar bear let out a long, frustrated sigh, Oliver decided to break the silence. "What's wrong, Old Bear?"

"I've been gone for four days, but none of you even seem concerned about where I've been."

"Might be 'cause to us you ain't been gone but a few hours," the badger replied.

The polar bear turned to the badger. "What?"

"You didn't come home with us this morning. We figured maybe you and them temple dogs had things to discuss. We ain't never worried about you arriving late. You does it all the time. We still gots Christmas presents out there under the tree waiting for us to open."

"But it was four days. One with Falong and Li Wei, and three with Spackle."

Will looked up from his dinner. "You were with my husband? I hope you remembered the rule about taking pictures."

The polar bear glowered at the old wolf. "That was a joke."

"Nope," Derrick chimed in. "Pretty sure we meant it. If you go out with other guys, we want pictures. I'd prefer video, but I understand how easy it is to get caught up in the moment, so a couple of quick selfies would work."

Kris pushed his plate back. "While I admit photos of you and Spackle on a three-day sabbatical sounds too good to pass up, I'm curious how that came about. Falong and Li Wei play fast and loose with time when we're in their company, so a day lost is no big deal. Those two cute winged bears across the table from me do the same all the time, but they rarely take others with them. Even Derrick has shown a willingness to let time slip by unnoticed. But, Spackle? When did he start shifting time?"

"Within the last three days, it would seem," Eric replied. "He had some important things to tell me. You know how our family prefers a little closeness before or after those difficult conversations."

"He banged your butt?" Oliver said, his eyes widening.

"Multiple times," the polar bear replied. "And I returned the favor."

"Dang," the old wolf lamented. "We really should have been more insistent about those photos."

Eric looked over at Will. "I doubt Ori works in a time vortex parallel dimension sort of thing."

"Okay," sighed the Iberian wolf. "Would you at least consider getting the family together so we could watch you two go at it?"

Eric laughed. "Okay, Husband. That I'm willing to do." The white bear's countenance became more serious. "As for our conversation, I think it's up to Spackle to tell you most of it, but there is one thing I need you all to realize. All three dogs told me I've been clueless about the men I love most. I want to say I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry about?" Lothair asked.

"For being blind. For not seeing the strength of the men that surround me every day. Thank you all for being so patient with me," the polar bear answered. "For all our lives together, I've seen myself as one needing to watch over and protect you. You were my responsibility. It never occurred to me you might see me as the one who needed watching over."

Oliver looked up from his plate. "Damn fool bear, what else would we do? We loves you, remember?"

Eric smiled. "I remember. Sometimes I forget that my protective instincts aren't the only ones in the family."

Will leaned back. "Glad you figured it out, Old Bear."

"I have to agree with the old wolf," Jean Pierre added. "Jason and I often worry you take on burdens you should share with us. Lothair, being your younger brother, often defers to your judgment without questioning it."

"Actually, anything but," Lothair chuckled. "He's bull-headed. It does me no good trying to convince him I can help until he decides he needs that help."

The white bear's face dropped. "I'm sorry, Brother. I won't make that mistake again."

Lothair reached across the table and rubbed the polar bear's paw. "Sure you will, Brother. And I'll be here waiting for you when you come around. It's what we do, remember?"

"That goes for us as well, Papa," Chet acknowledged. "We will be here. No one at this table tries harder to protect us than you, but in doing so, no one puts himself in jeopardy more than you. The rest of us know how to ask for help."

"You used to, Old Bear," Will said. "I've stood by your side so many times because you asked. Whatever's troubling you, get it out. Let us take a bit of that burden off your shoulders."

"That's what Falong and Li Wei said. They told me to open my eyes to those around me. I have been trying to stay true to my promise to protect Terra. Things are changing in the human world again. What I hoped was a change in their basic nature now seems to be slipping."

JP sighed. "I'm sorry, Eric. Going into this, Max and I knew that what we did might only be a reprieve rather than what we all hoped for. We didn't bring it up to anyone because we hoped like you that what is happening now wouldn't be the outcome."

"So you see it?"

"We all do, Old Bear," Will said.

"When you boys said there was another path to saving Terra that didn't call on me, I took it without even considering the ramifications. I saw the death of the humans as the only solution to fulfill my promise. You offered hope that there might be another way. But human genetics appear to be shifting back again. I wondered if the actions of humanity would force me to honor my promise."

"Is that what this is about, Son?" Kris asked.

"That's what this is about," Eric replied.

"So, did the dogs suggest another path?" the brown bear asked.

"They did. They told me to ask you for help."

"'Bout time, Old Bear," Oliver grumbled.

"Then you know?" Eric asked. "You know what I was considering?"

"We all know, Papa Bear," Derrick interjected. "Each of us watches the news. Max and JP aren't holding back in their discussions with us. We've only been waiting for you to ask for help."

"You might have suggested something," the polar bear replied.

"I said to kick your ass, but no one listens to the badger," Oliver replied. "Probably wouldn't have worked, anyway. Lothair is right. You'se bull-headed." The badger paused. "Smacking you upside your head while kicking your ass might have worked, though." He looked at the white bear and smiled. "We loves you, Old Bear. Sometimes the best we can do is lets you find your way back to us."

Eric reached out and grabbed the badger in a tight hug. "Thank you. Thank you all. Spackle suggested a way to keep my promise, but I can't do it alone."

"We're with you, Papa," the four red wolves said in tandem.

The old wolf looked at the four and growled. "Don't you four dare start that!"

Darius laughed as he shook his head. "No tandem-speak, Old Wolf; we promise. It was a fluke."

"But they're right, Papa Bear," Derrick interjected. "We're all here for you. Just ask."

"What I'm going to suggest, what Spackle suggested, will require more than those around this table. Everyone needs to agree to this course of action because, without everyone on board, I'm not sure of the outcome. Even with everyone backing the idea, I can't say as I'm all that confident."

"Then we call a family council," Will said. He tapped his chest, and Ori greeted him. "Ori, I need you to call a gathering of the Were Nation, New Year's Day."

"Might I suggest a bit later, Will?" the ever-polite female voice responded. "Your family sees New Year's Eve as a celebration that often lasts into the following days. A later time will also give the Nation time to rearrange their schedules."

Will laughed. "You're right. How does March fifteenth sound?"

Eric stared at Will with a frown. "The Ides of March, Old Wolf?"

Will gave a halfhearted grin. "Julius Caesar aside, the Ides of March was the last day to settle old debts. I figure paying on that debt we owe Terra is a long time coming. I'm putting the date out there in case you need some time to prepare that speech you'll have to make."

The polar bear sighed. "Ori, how does March fifteenth sound?"

"Long enough for everyone to get their affairs in order."

"Then get the word out, please," Eric asked. "To the entire Were Nation."

"Not only the chosen representatives?" the female voice asked.

"No, everyone who responds must have a seat at this gathering. Stress that this meeting is far too important to miss."

"That is over forty thousand individuals, Eric," Ori advised. "We don't have a gathering place for such a large group."

"Yes, you do," Adam said, waving his hand to attract the white bear's attention. "The home planet of the Order offers a place for you to gather. We should be there as well, Old Bear. The reconstructed auditorium will provide you with the space you need."

Eric gave out a grateful sigh. "I have no clue how we're going to pull it off, but if Adam can bring us together, we will decide where to go from there."

"I will keep you appraised of those responding," Ori said calmly. In her mind, though, even she could not help but feel anxious about the outcome of the days to come.

Chapter 17

The temple dogs and the white bear walked in silence in the garden. Eric struggled with his thoughts that pulled him away from the dogs that walked beside him. Each time, one dog would squeeze his paw and bring him back. There was no reproach, no condemnation of a bear that couldn't stay in the moment. Finally, the polar bear let each dog's paw slip from his embrace.

"I'm sorry, Bai, Noboru," Eric said. "There is so much on my mind. I'm here in this beautiful garden with dogs I love, and I can't even see it for all that occupies my mind. March is still a month away, but it seems to take up all my waking thoughts."

Bai gave a single nod of his head. "It is often a struggle to stay in the moment. There are so many things to do, so much that weighs on our minds. But take one truth from this turmoil in your mind, Ancient One; nothing comes from any thought unless it finds its existence in the now."

"Daydreams that are nightmares are still daydreams?" the bear asked.

"Exactly," Bai replied. "The only way we affect change is by living in the moment, by acting in the moment. All the worry and planning that races through your head will not change this world until it becomes real in this moment."

"I wish I could tell my head that," Eric sighed.

"You can, and will," the temple dog replied.

"How do I do that?"

Noboru's paw waved out toward a long pergola covered in blooming wisteria. "It is beautiful, don't you think? This is a highlight of the temple gardens here in New Zealand. It is why we are here today; to enjoy their blooming so late in the season. It's why we invited you here as well. There is much we can learn today by a walk in the garden."

"It's incredible," Eric replied. "The flowers are gorgeous."

"Wisteria is so much like those I love," Noboru said as they approached the structure raised high above their heads. "Both are so beautiful that to describe them only shows how feeble any language is at explaining that which is important. But beneath that beauty is strength. The poles that support the pergola appear to be wood. They are not. Solid steel holds this tunnel of flowers up. The trunk and branches of the wisteria are so heavy that in time they would collapse any wooden structure."

The three stepped beneath the pergola and looked up at the hanging purple flowers as they walked together. Bai's steps shortened, allowing Eric and Noboru to walk together. When Noboru's paw reached out, the white bear took the paw in his hand and clung to it. "This beauty and strength is a two-edged sword, Ancient One," Noboru continued. "Left alone to find its own path, wisteria will climb onto walls, fences, and anything that will support it. But that is the dilemma — there are so few things that can support it. Given time, that which is so beautiful will tear down a house's walls under its weight. It will collapse arbors. It will destroy the world around it, all while remaining so beautiful it would tempt one to let it live knowing the outcome."

The dog reached up and stroked the flowers hanging from the top of the pergola. "When the day comes that the wall collapses, those who thought it beautiful will realize that this beauty comes at too high a price. The homeowners will kill the wisteria and dig out its roots. They will rebuild the wall. But never again will they allow the wisteria to grow along its side."

The bear paused in the walk and felt the dog's paw squeeze his. Eric looked into the eyes of the temple dog. "Are we talking about the wisteria or a bear destined to destroy an entire species?" he asked.

"Both are so beautiful that one would stand back and watch the destruction happen rather than stop what seems inevitable. But it is not inevitable, Ancient One. There is another path for you and the flowers. The flowers above us are not here by accident. We care for and prune them. The complicated nature of wisteria is known to us. We make accommodations to keep it from becoming a destructive force. Those who care for it give the plant the support it needs. It is up to us to keep it upright and strong."

The dog tugged at the bear's paw, encouraging him to walk again. The two walked deeper into the tunnel of flowers and leaves. Bai followed, remaining quiet, almost contemplative, as he listened to the Khenpo from Tibet. "My analogy only goes so far, but the similarities between my family and this beautiful plant do not go unnoticed by me. Sometimes, what and who we become is determined not by ourselves alone, but by those who love and care for us. They are the hands that keep us in check. They are the ones who guide us to a path where we grow without destroying that which is around us. The ones we love are the gardeners of our souls. They keep us from ever becoming what must be destroyed to save all else, regardless of how beautiful we appear."

"There are other worlds beyond this temple, Noboru. You seem to know what my thoughts are on the matter."

"We are aware of your thoughts, and we support your choices."

"I have committed my family to living in the universe out there instead of on this tiny planet in a single-star solar system. We've glided under the radar for some time. But that won't be the case as soon as we take action on our plan."

"Indeed," the temple dog agreed. "And what comes of this commitment?"

"Preservation isn't as easy as destruction. To save Jupiter and her children, and to save the humans, I will need to train."

"You will."

"Pup and Oliver will need to train to be by my side," the white bear added.

"They will. Your days of staying hidden will end once the universe realizes you are augmenting an entire solar system for the sake of four living planets."

"And Will… damn it… he will need to train."

"He will be the most difficult to convince," Noboru said, nodding. "But you are right; he will need to train."

"Can I count on your brothers to help?" the polar bear asked.

"Of course," Bai replied as he came up alongside the bear's free paw. He took the paw in his. "They are already contemplating a way to train Will that involves extensive amounts of sex. The rest of you, I'm sure, will be more cooperative, but copious sex still seems a wise path to choose for your training."

"You would take on that task? You would be the gardeners of our souls?"

"If you will forgive us for what will some days appear to be going at you with hedge shears."

The polar bear chuckled. "I'm willing to trust a master gardener to know what I need."

"As do we, for those who watch over us. That is where my analogy falls apart, Ancient One," Noboru said. "The wisteria has no conscience, no moral code to guide it. We do. It is how we frame our world. The strength in you, in those men you call husbands and children, is immense. Those who stand by you often have powers that can be a blessing or a curse, depending on their use. You are not a wisteria. We are not taking care of an unthinking plant. We are taking care of the ones we love, knowing that they are taking care of us."

"For a time, I hope you can accept that this calling I accepted will supersede everything else."

"Of course, Ancient One. If you can accept that your calling is not yours alone. It is time you let the gardeners in your life help shape you to that calling."

"So, you're my gardeners?"

"If that metaphor works for you."

"I would enjoy being planted by my gardeners," the bear said with a grin.

"I believe seeding you is in keeping with our nature," Bai said, pulling the bear down onto the path under the wisteria. He rolled Eric underneath him and pushed forward, lifting the bear's legs.

Eric looked up into the face of the dog and let his paw stroke the dog's muzzle. "The wisteria is beautiful, Bai, but you are even more so."

The temple dog smiled. "This is why I placed you on the bottom today, Old Bear. I see only you. The wisteria needn't be upset over such an unfair competition for my affections." The dog shoved closer to the bear and pushed the bear's legs forward. "I am eager to plant my seed in such soft soil," he said with a chuckle as he penetrated the bear.

"Just so long as you know, I expect to find equally moist and plowable soil."

Noboru's face leaned over the top of the bear's. His smile widened. "Bottom soil is deep. As you know, I am very much a bottom, so a soil metaphor will, by necessity, require that my plowing be deep and prolonged."

Eric's eyes closed tightly as Bai's first thrust pushed past his sphincter. A deep sigh came from the bear as the dog's second thrust pushed in deeper. "Oh, Dogs," the bear groaned happily. "I promise you; I will be up for gardening all this week."

Noboru leaned in and kissed the bear as one paw reached out to play with his nipple. "At last, Old Bear, we have taught you to budget your time for that which is important."

The polar bear's paw reached up and pushed against his ear. "Ori, no calls for a week."

"Is there a reason I can provide for you declining to answer?" the ever-polite female voice asked.

"I'm gardening," the bear replied.

"Of course," Ori said. "Enjoy your gardening, Eric." There was a pause. "And you too, Noboru, Bai. The other dogs will finish their summer preparations on the fields soon. I believe within the hour you will have quite the crew for your gardening."

The bear made a throaty gurgling sound as the thrusting of the dog above continued. "Always good to have many hands to lighten the load," he finally said.

"I am sure of that," Ori replied. The three could almost hear a laugh in her voice when she added, "And I am sure there will be many loads shared this day." The three beasts giggled like schoolboys playing doctor for the first time.

Chapter 18

"I have to admit, Pup, I'm unsure about this," Eric said, closing the book in his paws. "I understand why the dogs encouraged me to train, but to be honest, I didn't expect to find you here on my first day of training."

"That's because you think of me as your pup."

"I don't know I want to think of you as anything else. So much seems to change these days. I guess I was hoping to hold on to the relationships I have. You know, to have something that didn't constantly change on me."

Derrick gave a chuckle and wrapped his arms around the polar bear. "Papa Bear, nothing is changing. I will always be your pup. We decided that long ago. I'm totally content being your pup. But that doesn't mean I'm not of value to you and your efforts."

Eric slapped his forehead. "God, Pup, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it to sound like that. When I look at you, the only thing I see is that gorgeous newborn sharing his first night with me."

"And helping you step up to your calling as a top for my aggressive bottom nature, as I recall."

The polar bear smiled. "You have always been so strong, Pup. I forget sometimes you hide it so well behind that shy demeanor of yours."

"But I'm not shy about helping you, Papa Bear. And of all the people to teach you, the temple dogs realize I am the one you need now."

"Why, Pup?"

"Because we are two of a kind. On the surface, we seem so different, but scratch just below those outward appearances, and we are the same."

"We are?"

"We don't want the powers given to us, but we will learn to use them if it means we protect our loved ones."

"Sure, but that's true of everyone in the family."

"And while many believe the healer in you is a doctor, a scientist, if you will, I know the truth. You're an artist. You use your skills to create life from the bits and pieces of the fallen. Papa Bear, what you do, you don't see as science, but as a gift of love, an expression of who and what you are."

Eric shrugged in agreement. "That's true. But that's a single patient. We're talking about creating a new world for Terra. That strikes me as something akin to what Max and JP do. I mean, all that physics-driven science that comes so easy to them." The bear pointed to the books beside him. "I'm rereading every book on theoretical physics I can find, trying to get a feel for the possibilities."

"Humans aren't the best group to read up on if what you want is science, Old Bear," Derrick said. "You were born knowing more than we ever figured out."

"That's why I'm reading the books," Eric replied. "Sometimes it helps you consider things in a different light by looking at something so radically wrong."

Derrick laughed. He pushed a seat next to Eric's chair. "Can I make a suggestion?"

The polar bear shrugged. "Sure."

"Stop trying to understand the science behind what you hope to do. Concentrate on why you're doing it, and what you hope to achieve. Let the need for understanding go. Embrace the magic of what you do."

"It's not magic, Pup. It's science."

"No, Old Bear, it's magic. The Unity doesn't get it. The Changelings don't get it. You, my gorgeous bear, don't get it."

Eric looked into the blue eyes of the wolf. "What is it we don't get?"

"You always sought to use your powers to change the world around you, never understanding the nature of the power."

"You lost me. We can't use the power without knowing how it works."

Derrick rubbed up against the fur of his mate. His paw reached out, and a rainbow-colored rose appeared. "I don't know how it works."

Eric took the rose and placed it on his desk. "Point taken."

"And that's why I'm here. To tell you that you need to let go of the thought that you can ever be like Max and JP."

"You want me to be like you?"

"Nope, not even me. I'm here to tell you that you need to become you. If you can accept that, you will find what you need to make this work. But I will say, in deference to our lovable winged bears, you and I are much closer to each other than you are to them. The lessons you need to learn aren't those taught by them. There's a reason I'm here today."

"I wish I had your faith, Pup."

"See the worlds for Terra and her family being created by your hands and trust that your vision is all you need to make it happen."

"Like you and the highland?"

"And the sealing of an interdimensional rift by a guy who can barely pronounce interdimensional rift. Trust me; there is no way I can explain the science behind it. You and I, Papa Bear, we're artists. If we try to approach our challenges using someone else's talents, we will falter. But if we can embrace our own talents, our own vision, then all that surrounds us will rally around us to make that vision a reality."

The polar bear sighed. "There are the powers of so many inside me."

"And you honor them by being true to who you are. Don't try to be them. Your brothers gave up their powers to you, so you could use them in a way circumstances never allowed them to. They gave them to the healing class for a reason. At the end of their lives, they choose to give their powers to one they hoped would give life, not take it."

"That's all I ever wanted," Eric replied as he bowed his head.

"Then be what they dreamed of being. Osogovo took their dreams away from them. But they hoped you would rise and honor them by being all that you ever wanted, because that was all they ever wanted, Papa Bear. You are the Unity. What you felt for a lifetime, they felt as well. Life took that dream from them, but they trusted you to make their dream live on by fulfilling yours."

Eric reached out and grabbed Derrick, pulling him into a tight hug. "When did you grow up to be such an amazing man?"

The black wolf with blue highlights giggled. "Marry the husbands I married and some of it is bound to wear off on you."

"So, what is the training you're supposed to help me with?"

Derrick extended his paw and opened it, revealing a small pot with dark soil. "Visualize a flower in your mind sprouting through the earth. Change only one thing."

Eric chuckled. "I believe that's a page out of my mother's playbook."

Derrick nodded. "It is. Once you realize you can do one small thing, the larger things become more manageable in your mind. Somewhere along the line, I'm sure I'll bring up all the drops in the ocean that Li Wei has told us about."

"So, is there anything new I'm going to hear?"

"Not from me, Papa Bear," Derrick replied. "You know everything you need to know. Our only job is to help you remember it, and then be by your side when you choose to do it."

Eric shut his eyes and tried to envision the flower. When he opened his eyes, there was a small blue phlox growing in the pot.

Derrick smiled. "Easy Peasy."

"Moving Jupiter and the kids into a different solar system is more complicated than that."

The black wolf shook his head. "Actually, not all that much more complicated. You painted a small picture of a flower in your mind, and the powers within you made it into a reality. Painting a new home for Terra and her family is a larger canvas, but essentially the same thing."

Eric leaned over and touched the small flower. "You think all I have to do is think those new planetary homes into existence and they'll be there?"

"The universe has already created the planets somewhere out there. All we're doing is moving them around so that the ones we love can live their life there. We're redecorating more than creating."

"Okay, I guess in a few more days we'll have a talk with the Were Nation and the Order. If that goes well, we can see about finding ourselves new homes for our family."

"And of course, you need to create a new world to house so much of the life from our old world. It doesn't take much to realize why Noah chose his name."

Eric shook his head and sighed. "Yeah, that."

Derrick pushed closer to his mate. "But, he's there for you, Papa Bear. He knows his place is beside you, and before you even knew what you were going to do, he was moving toward that goal. So many have already stepped up to be beside you. You're not alone, Papa Bear. You never were. Let us help you. This is what family does. All my life I wanted to feel a part of a family, and I realize now that I've found it; I will do anything to protect it. You have only to look around you to realize that I am not alone in that desire or commitment to protect what I have."

"I don't understand why I sometimes fight change, even if I realize it's for the best."

The arms of the black wolf wrapped around the polar bear. "Why do you think I'm your first teacher? We struggle with the same lessons. I'm not here to be an example of what's right, Papa Bear. I'm here to show you, that even with all our weaknesses and doubts; we rise to the occasion when we embrace who we are. But, not as individuals, as family."

"Sometimes learning that lesson will take smacking me over the head with a brick."

"Oliver suggested that," Derrick said with a snicker. "Which is why he won't be teaching you anything for at least a few more weeks."

Eric looked into Derrick's eyes. "I love you, Pup. I don't know what I would do without you."

"Stay focused on that, Papa Bear. Save one…"

"… Save all."

Chapter 19

The conversation was in French and amped up beyond the norm. "We've got a code 1A arriving in two minutes," the orderly yelled as he grabbed a nurse and pulled him toward the helicopter landing pad.

"What's up?" the confused nurse asked as he began running alongside the other werewolf.

"A construction accident. An I-beam fell on a guy. It crushed his lower half. The SMUR unit isn't sure how he's even alive." The orderly pushed the doors open and stepped out onto the helipad. "He's coming in on SAMU-25. Where is Dr. Prokhorov?"

The voice over the orderly's ComLink was comforting. "I'm on my way, men," Ivan said. "I'll be there before the helicopter touches down." The werewolf was pulling a white lab coat around his shoulders as the helicopter's wheels touched down on the helipad. "I'm staying a werewolf," Ivan said. "If he becomes conscious, I want him looking at a friendly face."

"He's being brought in by SMUR, doctor. We have no way of verifying if he's a beast or not."

The doors of the Airbus helicopter flung open, and the three rushed to the gurney, lowering it to the ground. "He's alive. No human survives what happened to him. He's a beast. That much is certain."

As the SMUR team ran alongside the hospital's team, they briefed everyone on as much as they were told, but in reality, that wasn't much. They couldn't fathom how a man with his lower half crushed into a mass of flesh and bone was even alive.

"I sure hope he can make it," the orderly replied. "There's no other place on Earth where he has a chance, that's for sure."

Ivan nodded, the green light flowing from his paw as he held onto the injured human. "I think his beast has given his life to save his human side. I'm not sure this is someone we can save." He tapped his ComLink, and in English, he said, "But there is one I know who can." Ivan paused and whispered, "Please, Brother, say yes." The pace didn't slow as the orderlies pushed the gurney into the emergency operating room. The SAMU unit had already assembled, waiting for Ivan to choose his treatment options. "Eric," Ivan said.

"Hello Ivan, what's up?"

"I have a beast here… at least he was. His beast is dead, and the human is at death's door. There was an accident at a building site. A crane collapsed, and an I-beam fell. He pushed a group of workers out of harm's way, but that harm hit him square on his lower half. This is beyond what I can do, Brother. I can save his life, but there is nothing I can do to save what isn't there. His legs and most of his pelvic region are gone. I need you and that dog you're training with here now."

The polar bear stammered, "I'm not… not ready…" the voice went mute, and Katashi and Eric stood on the opposite side of the gurney. The bear stared at the human on the gurney and sighed. "I guess the dog has a different opinion," he said.

"That is true, Ancient One," Katashi replied. "It is time for you to step up to your calling."

"I'm not sure what you mean," Eric said, asking for the details he realized he didn't want to hear.

"For months we have merged the powers in training exercises, and so much good has come of it."

"I'm fine with that, but this…" Eric said, pointing to the human on the gurney.

"Is one of our own struggling to survive. Only one in this room can save him. Do so, Ancient One. Turn toward what you are. Acknowledge the powers in you. Meld the healer and the builder inside you. Take one who is moments from death and give him back the life he deserves."

"I can't," the polar bear responded.

"You can. Is it not yet clear to you? You keep thinking you can't use your powers unless it is to go all in to save Terra. One day that will be true, but today is not that day. Combine the powers you need to save the beast that saved so many lives; a healer to bring back life, and a builder to restore flesh and bone that is no longer there. Work the powers you've left dormant for too long."

Eric sighed. "You make it sound so easy, Katashi."

"Because it is, Little One. You have but to reach out and see beyond the limitations of your mind. You have chosen a path to follow. Now, when that path presents itself to you, you must not shy away from it."

"Without you and your Khakkhara involved?"

"Training wheels off," the golden dog said with a nod. "See beyond the man in front of you. See what Derrick is trying to teach you. This does not differ from a flower waiting to be born. It does not differ from what Terra and her family ask of you. This is your chance to let the one in front of you find a new home created from the one he can no longer stay in."

Eric looked down at the frail human with his lower body crumpled beyond recognition. The bear touched the bloody mess that once were legs. At that moment, he understood what Katashi meant. He had cloistered the powers away for too long, for fear that using them would lead to the extermination of humanity. Here lying beside him was a near-dead human, once a brave beast. This didn't require him to use all he held inside; it only required a whisper of what he was. Katashi wasn't teaching him how to use the powers. That was instinctual. He was teaching him how to parse them, to control them in the way he thought impossible.

"Can I do this?" he asked the dog.

Katashi gave a nod. "You were not born to be the end of days for the humans, Ancient One. You were born to care for those in need of healing. The powers you carry inside you will be divided and in chaos, until you choose to unify them. Choose today to bring two together to save this man's life."

"Just for today?"

"Not even today; just this moment. Leave all other concerns behind. Act as your innermost self tells you to act. Teach the powers who you are."

The healer in Eric reached out. The warm green glow grew cooler as the blue light mingled. All save Katashi marveled at what they were watching. Katashi alone understood the immense power in play, and he delighted in seeing Eric embrace his first tentative steps. To everyone else, it was a miracle of flesh and sinew realigning into a body long past retrieval. Blood flowed through restored veins and arteries. A heart pulsed inside a body regenerating past the obliterated limbs and bruised flesh.

Eric closed his eyes and he did what Derrick taught him to do. He used all his years of training and his understanding of biology and anatomy to create a new body from the cells of the old. Where there were no legs to build from, he saw them returning molecule by molecule. All his years living in the dark time blended to create a new body pulled from the surrounding elements. What was in his head became real for one of the Were Nation willing to sacrifice his life for others. This day, the sacrifice would not be a life. The bear was more than a vessel for harboring the powers of his dead brothers. He was a conduit for their spirit, their love. He would restore the one before him because that is what his brothers would have done. It was what he wanted to do the instant he appeared in front of the human.

When the white bear began singing, Ivan looked up from staring at the patient. "He's speaking to his dead brothers," he whispered. "He is telling them of his fears."

"And of his challenge to let them go," Katashi interjected. "Today the bear is making peace not with the powers he holds, but with those that gave him those powers. He is forgiving his brothers for what they did. He is telling them he understands."

The conversation with his deceased brothers continued for almost two hours when the polar bear stopped the song. He looked up at the others and smiled. "He's going to be fine. You will need to get him out of here without anyone who saw him earlier seeing him now. This will be one patient recovery that can't easily be explained."

"As sad as this is, I think we will have to report that the patient died," Ivan said. "There is no way he could have survived, given his injuries." He looked at the clipboard on the gurney. "Philippe Merchant will be laid to rest for his bravery, courtesy of Friduwulf Hospital. We'll keep it simple; a closed cardboard casket to be buried in the national forest of Orléans." The wolf looked up at the bear. "Thank you, Brother. I can't tell you how much this means to me."

Eric smiled. "Given the right amount of encouragement, there's a good chance I will do the right thing."

Ivan returned the smile. "You did the right thing. Our brothers would be proud knowing they entrusted their powers into the right hands."

"Reluctantly accepted powers," the bear replied.

"Reluctant, yes. But accepted nonetheless. I stand by my statement. The powers are in excellent hands. Learn to use them wisely, Brother."

"That is the goal," Eric said. "I have excellent mentors," he added, with a nod toward Katashi that the dog returned.

Surrounded by beasts, the human's eyes opened and looked about. He gave a pained smile and reached toward the glowing blue-green paw. "So, this is what it takes to get the fabled Changeling polar bear to visit us here in Paris. All those trips I made to Bord du Lac, and hardly a glance from him in my direction."

Eric smiled. "I wasn't aware that you had an interest."

"It probably doesn't help that you never met me. I was one of the crowd visiting the town every time we heard you were coming for a visit. I've had a crush on you for years, but I was too shy to approach you. Ever since I read the histories of our people, those feelings have only grown. The picture of you and the old wolf operating in a Civil War field hospital is amazing. So many soldiers walked away with their limbs because you would not take a saw to them. And here I am, looking at what my dying wolf couldn't even see for the blood. I have legs where there were none."

"I'm honored to have been a part of your life today. We will be together every day for the next few weeks. We should have time to get to know each other better, and to figure out a new name and backstory for you."

The human smiled. "My wolf died saving me. I am grateful for what he did. If I may turn again, I would like it to be as the wolf I once was." He paused and wrapped his small hand around the bear's paw. "Is it too much to ask the bear who saved my life to be the one that turns me?"

The polar bear shook his head. "Not too much at all. It will be a while before that day. We have to let your current body settle into a new configuration. What I have started here is only the beginning. You will need to learn so much about this new body of yours."

The human mustered up another smile. "Like being a baby again. I get to learn to walk. Learn how to feed myself. Find someone who can teach me how to pee up against a tree. All that important stuff."

Eric smiled back. "All that important stuff. You rest for the time being." He looked up at Ivan. "Take good care of him, Brother. I will see you both tomorrow."

The wolf nodded his understanding and reached out his arms. The two gave each other a hug and a kiss, and when Eric turned to Katashi, the bear and dog were gone. "Yep," Ivan said shaking his head. "I'm never getting used to that."

Chapter 20

"I need all of you to come to Agries," Adam said, wringing his hands nervously.

"Why, Otter?" Oliver asked, looking up from his dinner. "We's gonna be there in two weeks."

"I realize that, but before that day, I need you to meet someone. It's important."

Will shrugged. "Sure, if it's important to you, let's go meet someone."

"It's important to all of you," the otter said, still wringing his hands. "I've been putting it off for some time, trying to figure out a way to ease into it, but I think it's best to just do it and be done with it."

"Adam, what is this all about?" the polar bear said, pushing back his plate.

"This," the otter replied, raising his hand. The bears, wolves, and the otter found themselves on a cobblestone pathway. Well-manicured flowerbeds and trees bordered on either side. Small buildings built into the side of a hill appeared to be more sheds than homes. Barely noticeable, they melded into the landscape.

However, most confusing to those around the dinner table was the rest of a select grouping of their family. Everyone involved with the Order's attack on the Changelings was present. And that included those attacked on other continents. Adam was still wringing his hands. "Please," he said, "everyone stand down. Don't let your instincts rule your actions."

"Adam?" Eric pressed.

"Everyone, I would like you to meet Tephos," he said. The tentacled creature pushed open the door and moved out from one building. His tentacles raised high above his body as if in surrender. Francisco's and Will's paws flared into red flame, and Oliver's turned a blinding white. But none moved beyond the initial activation of their powers.

Tephos looked at the crowd and cowered. Adam stood between the creature and his family. "Please, he is not the Tephos you knew. The one you knew died that day on Agries. This is his symbiont. He had no will to be involved in that day any more than any of you did."

Both Will and Oliver's paws dropped, and the flames receded. Francisco followed. Adam's hands let loose from their grip and relaxed. "He was sent back to his home just as all enslaved symbionts were. But he has returned. Tephos seeks to right the horrible wrongs that my kind forced on him. He wants only to serve in his quiet way. He works here as he did on his home planet as a gardener. He is the caretaker of the commons here on Agries."

The crowd looked at the writhing tentacles that lowered. If the creature could have pressed closer to the ground, he would have. "Please, kill me if you must. Exact your revenge for your fallen. I have seen so many wrongs committed in my name. I had hoped for a life of service when I joined the Order, not the subjugation of worlds beyond number. The weight of my guilt is overwhelming. I could not stop it. Kellas, forgive me, I could not stop it," Tephos cried out, collapsing into a blob of writhing flesh that reminded all of Adam's hands only moments ago.

Derrick was the first to step forward and kneel before the creature. He reached out and rubbed the glistening surface on top. "I hold no ill will to the ones who have suffered for their enslavement by the Order. You have paid more than anyone should ever ask for any perceived sin. It was not your doing. It was not your actions. The one who sought to kill us is dead. All I see is a gardener who has done a wonderful job of restoring this planet to a beautiful world."

The creature's unblinking eyes rotated upward along the flesh, almost as if flowing along the surface. They looked at the black wolf. "I want only to serve. I want only to create something beautiful from the wreckage of my dreams. Please, I mean you no harm."

Eric knelt beside the black wolf and placed his paw on the creature. "And we mean you no harm, Tephos. Go in peace."

Will and Oliver stepped forward. "My apologies for the flames," Will said as he knelt before Tephos and repeated the gesture on top of the creature's head. "I am quick to act when I perceive a threat. But I don't see one now."

"I only wish to make amends, to find some absolution for what I was a part of. This is what I did once so many centuries ago. This is all I know," Tephos said as his tentacles waved toward the landscaped pathways.

Oliver looked at the creature and realized whom he saw. Beyond the disturbing visage of a creature so alien to him, there was a kindred soul. "You is seeking sanctuary. You is trying to heal what your heart knows it can't heal on its own."

The blobby creature with skin folding and refolding as it moved looked up at the badger. "Yes… sanctuary."

Oliver wiped a tear from his eye. "Then you has found it. This place is your sanctuary. This place will help you heal. Adam will make sure of that. We all will do what we can to help." Oliver stared at the creature. "Normally, we hugs when things are all sorted out, but I can't sez I wants to try that."

Tephos looked up, and a small smile formed on his thin lips. "Oh, Kellas, please no," he said. "Your fur feels like pins stabbing me. And, please forgive me for saying this, but you are all so hideous. I can barely look at you."

Oliver laughed. "We is hideous?"

"Oh my, yes. All you fur-bearers are." Tephos's tentacles moved downward and into the shape of a V, almost as if he was preparing to pray. "But you are beautiful on the inside. I can look at you and see past the ugliness. I can see your beauty."

"Then I suspect it's time we learn to see yours, Tephos," Nathaniel said as he stepped from the crowd. "Allow me to introduce you to our family. There are many more, but these are a good start." One by one, Nathaniel introduced his family, and with each, Tephos gave what appeared to be a nod.

The day would grow long past the introductions as Tephos took the family around the pathways into forests of trees and flowers. Ponds with waterfalls and creeks flowed throughout. It seemed as if everything had grown there for years, but everyone knew that the skilled tentacles of an artist cared for each stone, each blade of grass. It would take some time for the family to see what Tephos saw when he looked at them. But one day, they would see beyond the undulating shape of folding layers of skin and tentacles into the soul of something beautiful. All were willing to let their hearts take them in that direction.

Chapter 21

The Ides of March came far sooner than Eric had expected, but he felt more confident and prepared for the day than he had in months. Standing before the Order's newly built auditorium, he gave his otter husband a gentle nudge. "It's beautiful. So much nicer than the old auditorium."

"We sacrificed a bit of functionality for aesthetics," Adam said. "You will still have no problems with the entire group hearing your proposal." The otter extended his hand toward the wide doors. "Your family awaits."

"And thousands of others," Eric said with a sigh.

"You're mistaken, Old Bear," Adam corrected. "Everyone inside this building today is your family. Not a single individual inside doesn't love you and support you. They see you and your husbands as those who stepped up and fought for their freedom when they could not. If that isn't family, I still do not understand the concept."

Eric gave a nod. "You understand the concept fine, Adam. It's me that struggles with it."

"Then shall we take a few steps forward and see what comes of your struggle?" Adam walked toward the doors, and they slid open. There in the lobby stood his husbands, flanked by the temple dogs. The white bear smiled at the gathering. "It would seem all my support animals are here," he said with a chuckle.

"Of course we is," Oliver said. "Where else is we gonna be?"

"I hope I never find out," Eric replied. "Thank you all. You don't realize how much it means to have you here."

A gentle wind seemed to move through the hallways, flowing around everyone. But on second glance, even the potted trees scattered around the lobby remained motionless. Few were surprised when the beautiful blue woman appeared beside Oliver and Derrick.

"I don't often see you at these meetings, Mom," Eric said.

Gaia smiled. "That's true. The history of the universe is full of meddlesome mothers. I didn't want to be seen as one of them. That reputation can get around."

"But you're here today?"

"Yes, because Pup asked me to be."

Eric looked over at the black wolf. "Pup?"

"She needed to be here. She understands your prophecies and she is familiar with Terra and her family."

"Thank you then for asking," the polar bear said, "and thank you for coming, Mom."

Gaia gave a nod as her only response.

Eric looked at the small gathering in front of him. He smiled at the black wolf and ran his paw across the dark muzzle. "I spent so many years watching the video stories of your heroes with you, Pup. Those heroes fail because they seek to hide the uncomfortable truth from the ones they love. They feel a need to spare those individuals from what they know, and in doing so, only complicate their lives when the truth comes out. I am not a hero, but I am guilty of that same delusion."

Derrick smiled and let his paw repeat the gesture across the muzzle of the white bear. "You're a hero to me."

"I promise that from this day forward, I will not question your right to know. I will no longer hide my life's secrets or my fears of the future. I will treat you as I should have always treated you, as my confidant, as the one I can share everything with. What truth I know, what doubts I have, all that I am, I will share with you."

Eric looked across at the entire group. "What and who I am, I held back so long in fear. And I see in your eyes that you have figured out so much on your own. That struggle to find the truth I hid should never have been your challenge. I should have shared everything I am with every one of you. I'm sorry. That hidden identity in every superhero story should never be a part of who we are. I should never parse the truth from the ones I love. Hiding the truth from you will never protect you. Only if you know everything can we help each other make the choices we need to make."

"You are learning, Son," Gaia said with a smile. "Today you become a part of the Unity you have so long turned from."

"I am sorry, Mom," the polar bear said, bowing his head. "Somehow, being able to dissemble from the group, led me to believe that I should. I was mistaken."

"Then today, we see what comes of the lesson learned," the blue woman replied. "Let's start that journey together." With the rest of the family, Gaia entered the main auditorium and sat behind the podium at the front of the dais. The rest of the family seated themselves, and the temple dogs moved out into the auditorium to take their seats in the first row in front of the dais.

Eric paused, gathering the courage to speak what weighed on his mind. He looked out at the family surrounding him and realized how many had the Sight. He wondered how far they had let it take them to understand his dilemma already.

The polar bear sighed, steadied himself on the podium, and pushed forward. "When we crashed into Terra sixty-six million years ago, we promised to do all we could to repair the damage. At first, we thought that meant saving as many species from extinction as possible. But we realized how feeble our attempts were. For one hundred sixty-five million years, the dinosaurs evolved into the dominant Terran lifeform. We killed all but a handful of avian species. I was told the asteroid we collided with was on a trajectory to hit Terra and that the dinosaurs would have died with or without its collision with us. But it doesn't seem to calm my soul to think that is the case."

"We hoped to be the protectors of Terra, and I made a personal promise to ensure her safety." The bear paused, trying to collect his thoughts. All his rehearsals of his prepared speech seemed to get lost in the years of history he saw come and go. "We tried so hard to be good stewards, but in trying to preserve life on the planet, we allowed the one thing that could kill Terra to grow and flourish."

"The humans destroyed her once. Our sons stepped in and reversed that, but even their efforts could not reverse the human genome's wiring to seek order by domination. As with most primitive life forms on Terra, survival of the fittest manifested in humans. They continued the behavior where the strong kill the weak and take their resources. Our hope that they would see peace and cooperation would serve them better never came to fruition."

Oliver sat quietly, listening to Eric's speech, and Derrick took notice. "You haven't said one word about big words, Oliver," he whispered to the badger.

"The old bear's got enough on his plate without me pointing that out," Oliver whispered back. "I understand him fine. I ain't complaining about nothin' if it gets the old bear through this day."

Derrick kissed the badger on the top of his head and returned to listening to Eric. Like Oliver, the black wolf hoped the bear he loved would find the words he needed to express what was in his heart. Still, he knew how difficult that would be.

Eric paused for a moment, once again collecting his thoughts. "I have always thought that my promise to Terra would result in the extermination of the humans. But my family has offered another path. I hope to step onto that path with the help of all who surround me. I choose not to kill the humans. Rather, we wish to move Terra into another solar system where she can be free from human intervention."

There was a murmur from the crowd. The remaining species of the Order were the most vocal in their response. One of them spoke beyond their hushed conversations with each other. "Eric, while we support your protection of Terra, no one has ever attempted the transference of a sentience into a new host planet. There are good reasons for that. The balance of life between the planet and the sentience is delicate at best. The fact sentient planets existed was unknown to most of us until your first announcement. We do not understand how it is possible, let alone the mechanics of such a miracle."

"We understand that," the polar bear agreed. "Still, we have talked to Terra, her mother, and her siblings. She and her family seem willing to take the risk, and in doing so, she avoids destroying another sentient species. Regardless of my personal antipathy for the homo sapiens, Terra does not wish to see them exterminated. She hopes for another possibility. She understands the risk posed by leaving them on her surface, but she seems adamant that we find another way."

"Can't you move her to Saturn or another planet closer to her that doesn't pose so great a risk?" another of the Order asked.

"We have thought about that and discussed it," the polar bear answered. "We love Terra and want what's best for her, but her desires play into the choices we make as well. Jupiter and her other children, Io and Europa, are happy living inside any stable celestial body that doesn't support life."

"Then Jupiter…" the same member of the Order said, asking a question by letting the name dangle.

"She is aware of the life growing inside her atmosphere. It is unique and delicate. In our discussions, that life was a concern for her. She realizes humans tend to dissect all other life that interests them. Jupiter knows what they will do to her once they find the small, burrowing creatures that move through her lower atmosphere. She finds the risk of moving to another support body preferable to waiting for the inevitable incursion of humankind. Jupiter has watched what the humans have been willing to do to her child, Europa in search of life. She wishes to protect her children. She has come to us as their guardians."

Eric paused, waiting for other hushed conversations to calm. He continued when the auditorium grew silent. "Terra is the one most affected by moving her family to new homes. She cannot move into an already inhabited planet. The transfer would destroy most of the life on the planet's surface. What follows as she adjusts to the new planet will cause cataclysmic geological and atmospheric changes. Those changes will decimate whatever remains on the planet's surface after the transfer."

"Then what do you do?" A voice from the auditorium asked.

"We do what Jupiter's family asks of us. We will search for new worlds for them to inhabit, and when we find them, we will make the transfer. Only Terra wishes to sustain life on her surface. We love her, and she loves us. The Were Nation will terraform a planet to support the life we bring to it. Our promise as a nation is that we will be her guardians, even as we hoped to be in the past. We will live on her surface, and we will be stewards of the world we create. We will provide Jupiter and her children a new solar system where they can be free from the self-destructive nature of humans."

"Finding a planet capable of sustaining life is no simple task," another of the Order interjected. "Those planets are far apart and an imposing distance from the Sol solar system."

"I believe we can do what I am proposing. More important to this discussion is that Jupiter and her children believe we can as well."

"Belief doesn't save anyone, Eric," another of the Order said. "You are talking about risking the lives of the universe's rarest living creatures."

"I realize that. But we have a formidable group of individuals backing me on this course of action. And we are here today to ask you all to become part of that group."

"We have heard the stories of what Derrick is capable of, Eric," another in the group said. "But is he capable of such a draconian task?"

"Of that, I'm sure. But Terra's safety rests in my hands. It is a promise I made to her and one I intend to keep."

The voice laughed. "You, Eric? A Changeling of the healer class that never uses his powers unless pressed to? You scarcely have the power to heal a wounded family member, let alone move sentients across the galaxy."

"There is a misconception of who I am and what I am capable of," the polar bear replied. Eric lowered his head. "I don't want to do this, Mom," he whispered.

"They need to know, Son," the blue woman answered. The words flowed through the bear. They were the calm of the ocean on a clear day, the comfort of hearing rain on a tin roof after a long drought. They were all life manifest in his mother's words, and they wrapped around the bear like a hug. The white bear looked up and turned to see his family.

Adam smiled at the polar bear. In the voice of the Armbruster's wolf, he said, "You can do this, my love. We have hid the truth for far too long. Don't back down from who you are. Embrace your legacy instead of turning from it."

"The Unity has been who we are for billions of years," the bear replied. "You have heard the stories of the mother of all and the one who divided the powers of the Verital into clans to save her world. You are all aware of the Unity, blessed with four billion years of peace because of our beliefs. But we have not disclosed all that we once were."

"Then a reckoning might be prudent," Kattar said as he stood up from his seat on the council. "Old friend, we have never let the truth hide in the shadows."

"The Verital realized this day would come," Eric replied. "We hoped to wait until the proper time when we could tell our story in a period of calm." Eric shook his head. "But the humans never afforded us that, and now Jupiter and her children's lives are at risk."

"I stand by you," Derrick said as he took a place to the left of the white bear. "I stand by you and the choices you make. We all do."

"So we expose the hidden identities? We stop hiding the secrets?" Eric asked.

"No more secrets, Husband," Will replied as he stepped forward. "Today, I am pushing back against the Sight. I waited for you to find your way here today. I want to hear what my husband needs to tell me. But understand that what you tell us doesn't matter. I stand with you regardless of what happens today."

"I understand now why you hesitated," the black wolf with blue highlights responded. "The minute you said Gaia was the one who divided your powers, the Sight kicked in. Oliver and I see nearly as much as Spackle and with far less control over what we see. Nothing changes. I stand with you."

The bear leaned over and gave the wolf a tight hug. "I love you so much, Pup," he whispered.

Eric released the hug and rose to his full stature. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "What you will hear might be disconcerting, but who we are is inescapably linked to our past. The billions of years before you learned of the Verital have become lost in the stories told throughout this galaxy as myth and legend. They are real. When you return to your homes, you will understand who defends Jupiter and her children. Let your planets and your people learn that the sentient planets have not only a champion but an entire race dedicated to their protection."

"So, be it," Kattar said. "We will listen and learn."

Kris hugged his son from behind. "It's time, Son. Let us be who and what we are without an untold story between us and those we love. This is our story. We need to tell it."

Eric cleared his throat. "For billions of years, we have written the history of the Verital. We are known throughout this galaxy and so many light years beyond your knowing. We are a species of beings so peaceful that the Order once considered us a planet of no consequence in their goal of subjugating this universe. You of the Order that remain need to understand that your now dead members were mistaken in their evaluation. We were not always known as the Verital. You might know us by our previous name," the bear paused not so much for dramatic effect but his own hesitancy to speak the words. "The Kathlak."

One of the council bolted from his seat. "The Kathlak?" he sputtered. "They are a myth, a story we tell to frighten our children on Learnach night."

"Myths often have a basis in fact. The story you tell varies little from the truth. We chose the name of the Verital on the eve of Merthralia."

"Merthralia?" the council member said, choking on the word.

"The universe's most violent clash of titans; two tribes involved in a war that brought hell to lives uncountable. It killed the innocent and the guilty without discrimination. In the stories, no one survives Merthralia save the dark beasts. They are the creatures you tell your offspring hide in the shadows, waiting to take the disobedient child.

"You know how the myth ends. One group of hulking creatures survives, the other obliterated by a single act. One creature, above all, so fearful it remains nameless, cloaked in the darkness. Fear itself becomes incarnate in the body of a beast that devours worlds and swallows up the Kathlak. But you do not know what it takes to make a race of monsters vanish into the darkness. That part of the story is so horrible even the legends let it slide for fear that the telling of it might awaken the monster that destroyed the Kathlak. None speak the name of the beast that killed the Kathlak for fear it will return.

"The truth is so much worse than you can imagine. It was the bloodiest civil war of all time. A battle between one race of creatures so powerful that they bent the universe to their will with a single thought. A war against those fighting to free the universe from those who enslaved every world they touched. There were battles so violent and horrific that even those who survived could not look at the outcome without crumbling to the ground in pain.

"And then, she who gave birth to all rose and did what no mother should have to do. Over one thousand eight hundred galaxies infected by the Kathlak were destroyed by a single thought. A quadrant of the universe gone without a trace. An energy flare so immense that all life, all planets, and even suns folded in on themselves. Complete annihilation. A shockwave displaced stars and planets for four hundred thousand light years in every direction. Galaxies realigned and moved from their set orbits. With a single thought, all but a handful of the Kathlak were extinct. Only those who called themselves the Verital remained. The monsters were killed by their mother, and in the wake was a cosmic void that until today remained a mystery."

Kattar's head bowed. "We have heard the legends of the Kathlak. We never realized that the Verital and the Kathlak were one and the same. For a legend to survive billions of years, it must be either remarkable or horrifying. We now understand how it is both. The birth of Gaia's children is never spoken in tandem with the Kathlak. I believe you were wise to correct that oversight."

Eric nodded in deference, not trying to control the tears that fell down his face. "So few of our kind survived. There were so many worlds devastated by our actions. There was no civil war. No war is ever civil. Every war reaches out and harms so many innocents." The bear paused in reflection. "And ours, among so many wars, was violent beyond words."

"The Kathlak were slavers, Eric," Kattar said. "The war you speak of was one to free more than your people. Countless worlds are free today because of what Gaia did so many billions of years ago."

"The actions of the Kathlak had to be stopped," the bear said, bowing his head. "No war is without cost, but ours took such a toll on this universe. There is so much regret, so much pain that never heals. A mother should never be asked to sacrifice one child to save another."

"It was an act of atonement no mother should have to endure," Kattar said as he walked to the sobbing blue lady on her knees.

"She didn't think others would understand," Eric replied.

"I am a mother," Kattar replied. "I understand what I will do to save my children. To ask a mother to save one child at the cost of another is beyond imagining. We weep for your fallen and rejoice in those saved." He knelt and took Gaia into his arms. "I weep for you, Mother. I cannot imagine your pain. You did what you had to do. But the knowing doesn't calm the grief of a mother. The legends die today. We will speak no more of fables meant to frighten children. We will speak of the horrible truth that one should never have to endure alone."

Gaia looked up into the eyes of the Hexadeltan. "I have no words."

"Nor do I," Kattar said and pulled the hug in even tighter. "Take us from this place," he whispered. "Let us cry over your fallen children together."

The wind picked up around the two, stirring the fur of the Hexadeltan and the hair of the blue woman. The whirlwind faded, and the two were gone.

Eric wiped his eyes and turned back to those in the auditorium talking amongst themselves. "Now you know the power of the Unity. Now you know why my mother split up those powers to save the universe. None of us has ever held all the powers together since that day so many years ago. She could not entrust another with so much power ever again. Not until the birth of her son. The one Verital born with the power that, until then, his mother alone possessed. A child who could not only divide the powers of the Verital but combine them as well. One who can draw those powers into him from any source."

Eric gave an anxious rub of his paws together. He looked out into the auditorium filled with so many from so many worlds. In the front row, he saw the temple dogs sitting together. Bai stood up and bowed to the bear. "Speak the words, Ancient One. Tell all the worlds that surround you who you are. Tell them of the birthright you never wanted but have endured for so long."

"I am Eric Adalbern of the Terran Unity. My father is Kris, and my mother is Gaia. Those are not the names they held in distant history. They are the names they chose to be reborn into a different reality. Our history is so much more than those who you see today. Gaia is the mother of all the Verital, the one who changed our world forever, the one who divided the powers of the Unity, and she who saved our people. I am her son. I am the vessel created to unite those powers again."

The green glow spread over the bear as his arms reached out and began the familiar motions as his hands moved in concentric circles. Within the movement, the orb appeared. It wasn't the dark star of the black wolf's, but one that pulsed and glowed with all the colors of the Changelings.

Eric's husbands looked on in silence as the orb shifted. Eric lifted one paw away from the upper arc of the orb. "You can do this, Old Bear," Oliver said. "Sees your path. We ain't gonna let you fail." Eric's eyes closed, and the raised paw fell through the orb, vivisecting it. The room shook as if a slight earthquake had rumbled past. For a moment, the bright light surrounding the white bear distracted everyone. When the light faded, the orb was gone.

"You caused a seismic disturbance?" one of the Order asked, shaking his head. "That is a show of your powers?"

Eric nodded. "Check the stellar locators we gave you."

All the Order picked up the devices resting on their chairs or next to them for those too large to use chairs. The silence as they stared at the screen betrayed their disbelief. "It can't be," one of them said. The murmur through the entire room swept over the auditorium like a wave. Only the Were Nation remained mute. Few of them knew what they were looking at.

"Agries has moved thirty-two light years from where it once was," the polar bear explained. "You are in a new solar system with only one star. But you are within its circumstellar habitable zone. Your orbit is stable, and you are safe. But you have a new home far from the one you had moments ago. It is what we intend to do for Jupiter and her children."

Another of the Order repeated the first words uttered. "It can't be. No one being can do that."

"You know how powerful a single member of the Unity can be. Even with them divided, we hold incredible powers in check. Millions of years ago, a small group of us crashed on a tiny planet in the Sol solar system. Forty of us remained behind when the rest of our exploratory mission returned to Verital. We became the Terran Unity; Changelings that watched as our world evolved. We have made so many mistakes in our effort to help that world. It can be argued that the worst of those actions was stepping in and helping the humans survive the world they were so unfit to live in. The species we thought would be the world's salvation turned against not only that world but against us as well.

"Thirty-nine of my brothers died either trying to save the humans or being killed by them. Thirty-four never found their way back. As they let go of their lives, they gave the power they held to another. Will, the Iberian wolf beside me, possesses the Red clan power from a dying Changeling despite his reluctance to accept it. Derrick, who you already know, shares the power of the Blue clan with his son Max, the blue-winged bear, behind us. Martin and Chipo, the saber-toothed cat and the rhino behind me, hold the powers of two of the Yellow clan, as does my brother, Anders. Those of you in the Were Nation already know their stories. The resurrected Changelings and all our children hold powers they can wield with devastating results.

"However, as each of my brothers died, they realized their powers would go out into the void if they didn't find a new place for them to dwell. In moments of crisis, the place where the powers flowed was to me. I am not only a member of the green clan by birth; I am the holder of the combined powers of thirty-one of my dead brothers. The power I hold dwarfs anything the Kathlak ever possessed."

The bear paused. "I am the child of Gaia. I am the protector of Terra and her family. But I do not stand alone. I am the husband to men so much wiser and kinder than I am, and they guide me. The temple dogs that are with us today see beyond our worlds. They, too, guide me.

"But most importantly, for this discussion, I am a member of the Were Nation, if not by birth, by their generosity to embrace me as such. The reason you are all here is for me to make a request. Terra needs a new home. She looks to her protectors to create that home for her.

"This is not my task alone. I realize that now. Terra wants a home filled with the ones she loves. It is our responsibility to create that home for her. Our responsibility is to be the stewards of the world we love. I am asking the Were Nation to rise and defend Terra. I am asking them to create a new world for her and her family."

The Were Nation rose as one and cheered. Those of the Order watched in amazement. Adam looked up at Eric and laughed. "Give my people a minute, Hon. They've never seen a vote to approve any action done that easily."

One of the Order's members in the auditorium stood up and began clapping. One by one, others stood until, as a group, they rose and cheered as well. The bear looked out at the throng of cheering beasts and smiled. He looked down toward the temple dogs that stood applauding. Bai bowed, and Eric returned the bow.

When the clapping had quieted, and the various creatures took their seats, a Hexadeltan stepped forward from the crowd. "I am Glautel, of the Hexadeltans. I am here at the request of Kattar. To be honest, I didn't know why he asked me here. I believe now I understand why. Kattar is head of the council of the Order but holds no position on his home world other than the noble titles of mother and father. I am the prime minister of our worlds. The prime minister has the power to speak on behalf of our people. We wish to offer you and the sentient planets sanctuary."

Eric shook his head. "Madam Prime Minister, your offer is generous, but there are solar systems out there where our actions would be far safer. We have no wish to jeopardize your worlds in creating new ones for us."

"I understand that, and it's not without some trepidation that I make the offer. I believe the sentient planets can find a home anywhere in the galaxy, but I believe the same is not true of the Were Nation. You are a small group, and while your love is undeniably strong, I think you will find in time it can be very lonely out there in space."

"We can bend that space, Madam Prime Minister."

"It's not the same as living next door to your friends. I am proposing something far different from what you may have thought. I believe the Were Nation and Hexadeltan's history shows that we are growing mutualistic. We share our lives in so many ways, but mostly, we share the joy of being with each other in ways I never thought possible with another species. A closer, reciprocal relationship created between our interdependent nations would benefit us all. "

"Terra needs to find a habitable planet. Her family has their own needs."

"We are a binary star system. We have twelve planets revolving around those two suns in orbits that are already stable. One is a gas giant that Jupiter might even find familiar. If Io and Europa need to stay nearby, the planet has nine moons to choose from that are similar in size to your moon. One is substantially larger."

Eric grinned. "I have been to your solar system, Madam Prime Minister. You already live on the two habitable planets. Terra can't move in if tenants are already living on the surface."

The Hexadeltan gave a knowing nod. "That is true, but if you look at the moon Veltavia that orbits that gas giant Blevantar, it is in the habitable zone of the larger sun. However, being tidally locked with Blevantar leaves it uninhabitable. Were it moved into a different orbit, that could all change. It would take atmospheric adjustments to avoid the radiation surges when you're orbiting closest to both stars. But with the proper alignment, the effects would be negligible.

"If you can move Agries, I suspect moving Veltavia would be within your powers. Moving a secondary moon into a stable orbit around Veltavia would even give you an axis tilt. You could live on a planet resembling Earth, with seasons and tides. Our people would enjoy visiting during the changing of your seasons. Both of our planets have no axis tilt, so things remain much the same everywhere."

Kurt Carver reached into his satchel and pulled out a roll of silver metal. He unrolled it, staring at the exposed screen. With a few swipes, the Epiciyon was staring at the Hexadeltan solar system. He raised his hand and shouted from his seat in the auditorium. "She's right, Eric. If you can move Agries light years to a new location, moving Veltavia into a new habitable orbit should be fairly easy. You're just kicking it out of Blevantar's orbit into its own around the largest star."

"But won't that upset the other planets?"

Kurt shook his head. "It shouldn't. We're talking millions of miles between planets. It will have some gravitational effects, but overall, it could be a suitable location if the logistics work out." He paused. "And the neighbors are friendly. That's a big plus."

"Are you sure about this, Kurt? No harm to the Hexadeltans if we move a Blevantaran moon out of its orbit?"

"I didn't say that, Eric," the bone-crushing dog corrected. "Some of what happens will be up to those with more power than our terraforming team can supply. The micromanagement of creating a new orbit is complex. Providing a stable planetary system capable of supporting life is up to you and your husbands."

"But it can be done?"

"Yeah, if you can move planets in space, we can do it. However, I'm also saying that you best have some of your strongest back-ups on the Hexadeltan worlds when you make those changes. There could be some hiccups in making the moves, and you need someone to have their backs."

"So, how does this work?" Eric asked the muscular dog.

Kurt shook his head as he stared at the screen in his hands. "Veltavia is a moon orbiting Blevantar. Jupiter could settle into Blevantar. Her children could make the leap into her moons without complications. Veltavia's tidal lock with Blevantar complicates matters, but there is a workaround. Jupiter's new world is smack dab in the middle of the larger sun's Goldilocks Zone. The gas giant can't sustain life as we know it, but her moons might. Veltavia is Blevantar's largest moon. It would be perfect were it not for the tidal lock to the gas giant, leaving one side forever facing the sun and the other in shadow."

"That's Veltavia's only problem?"

"For the most part, yes. I believe the honorable Prime Minister is proposing we move Veltavia further out, past the gas giant's orbit. From that orbit, we jump-start its rotation on a new vector. Veltavia is about the same size as Earth. You place it along the L4 or L5 Lagrange point of the gas giant's orbit, and it will remain as stable as Blevantar in its revolving around the sun. You create a new habitable planet with minimum work. Add a smaller moon in a stable locked orbit around Veltavia, and you have Earth 2.0. Plus, Momma can see her daughter beside her in the same orbit. It will take incredible mathematical calculations to figure out where that point is. But we spend a few months doing the computations, and we should be able to guide your placing of Veltavia into a stable orbit fit for a habitable planet."

Eric sighed. "I hate math."

A voice from behind him spoke with a slight giggle. "Then aren't you glad you have someone who loves both you and math?"

Eric turned to see the cream-colored bear with wings wave shyly at him. "JP?"

"I already have the computations done, Eric. Oliver and I have been talking for a few days about what it might take to move a planet into a habitable zone. "

"Yeah, but you're you, and I'm me. What you see inside that brain of yours won't translate well when you try to explain it to me."

"I wouldn't have to explain it if you provided me the power to make the move." JP waved the hand again. This time, it glowed a bright white. "You give me the power, and I can create a stable wormhole big enough to kick Veltavia through the door and out into that stable orbit. Adding a moon is easy once we figure out the ratios. There are plenty of dwarf planets rotating in the Hexadeltan solar system that might work."

Eric laughed aloud. "Really?" He shook his head disbelievingly. "You can do that?"

"To pull it off, I need to draw my power from a source with all the powers you alone hold. Oliver promised me you would rock our world with a night like we've never had if I helped move the planet for you."

Eric looked at Oliver, and the badger gave a sheepish grin. "Gots to dangle the right thing in front of that boy to get him interested, Old Bear, and that ain't a carrot."

"I would do it regardless, Papa Bear, but I have to admit Oliver knows how to negotiate a deal," JP interjected with a wide smile. "But your powers will be in full play to make it happen. You will do what you promised to do. Taking all that you are and using it to save Terra and her family."

"And we can do that?" Eric asked.

"Sure," Oliver replied. "I tolds you that boy had talents he don't show until it's needful. JP wants you to know that now it's needful. He can do all that ciphering you folks always seem to worry so much about. By the time it's all done, you gots yourself a home for Terra to move into."

"Okay, so we push Veltavia into place, and then we move the sentients into their new homes?"

"Mostly that's how it will work," JP said with a shrug. "We'll have details to work out, and I guarantee some things will not work out as planned, but if we stay flexible, Kurt is right. This move is doable."

"So, once Terra's new home is in place, what say we try moving Jupiter first?"

"I think that's a good idea," Kurt spoke up. "She's the most familiar with planet migration because she came from outside our solar system. And, since Jupiter wants to land on an inhospitable planet, that gas giant makes it the easiest target to hit."

Eric thought for some time, trying to sort through the options, when he felt the little paw press into his. He looked down at the badger. "What do I do, Oliver?"

"We is being offered sanctuary, Old Bear. I knows how important that is. You saved my life by offering me sanctuary. You seen what it done for Tephos. Let the Hexadeltans do the same for us."

"But the risk."

"Ain't no risk, Old Bear. You gots me, and you gots Pup. You gots a whole family of powerful people loving on you. We ain't gonna let you fail."

"So, by my side, all the way."

"Maybe a bit of inside you before and after, but when you'se moving planets, we'll be there." The badger grinned. "Just saying. You works hard, you gots to play hard afterward."

Eric bent over and kissed the top of the badger's head. "Thank you, Oliver. I'll take you up on both offers." He stood back up, and in a booming voice that filled the auditorium, he said, "We accept the Hexadeltan's offer of sanctuary."

The cheer from the crowd this time had no lag between the bear's words spoken and the nod given by Prime Minister Glautel.

While the cheering continued, Gabriel pulled his polar bear father to the side. "I know this is a difficult time for you, Papa. I want you to know that your sons are beside you every step of the way. We are here to help."

Eric nodded. "I know, Son. It can be tough when your Papa still struggles with where he needs help."

"Which is why the three of us were born with the Sight," Gabriel said. He paused. "A very selective and focused form of the Sight, I should mention."

The polar bear frowned. "You see something?"

The dark blonde bear nodded. "I am Gabriel. In the Bible it was Gabriel's responsibility to announce what comes from heaven." The Kodiak bear paused. "We didn't choose our names out of a hat, Papa. We all have tasks ahead of us, and we chose our names to match those tasks."

Eric sighed. "Joshua made me aware of that. It certainly sounds like a Changeling thing to do. I hoped you would choose your names because you liked them."

Gabriel put his arms around the polar bear and hugged him. Above the cheering, Gabriel whispered into his father's ear, "We do like them. We chose our names to honor the callings we see as sacred. They tell our Papa that we love him; that we will be there beside him through his most trying times."

Eric returned the hug and pulled the bear in ever more tightly. "I love you, Son."

"I love you too, Papa." The bear pushed back from the hug. "Now about that announcement…"

"Maybe somewhere quieter?" the polar bear suggested.

The dirty blonde Kodiak waved his hand toward the exit at the rear of the dais. Together hand-in-hand, the two left with the crowd still cheering.

No one on Agries read the headlines on Earth's newsfeeds later that day about the skirmish on the border of two South American countries. The most jarring headline stated that the fighting left one hundred fifty-two dead. Quickly resolved, both nations assured an anxious world it was an anomaly they would not repeat.

The President of the United States called her fathers, wondering how they felt about the news. Ori told her that Greg and Mike were attending a family council. But Ori promised she would inform Aubrey's fathers of her call when their ComLinks were reactivated. Another call to her uncles left a similar response concerning Eric and his husbands. Aubrey looked out across the White House's south portico at the dark clouds swirling in the distance. A storm was approaching, and the president couldn't help but feel it was somehow oddly prophetic.

Chapter 22

The polar bear stared down at the cum-soaked belly of the werebadger below him. Still trying to catch his breath, he ran his paw along the white liquid and smiled as he made circles in the matted fur. "I'm not sure these last few hours will help me prepare to move sentients from one planet to another, Oliver. But I am grateful for a reprieve from that chore."

Oliver looked into Eric's eyes and smiled. "Li Wei taught me Old Bear. I has been teaching you from the moment you first kissed me hello on that landing rock out there. I had me a teacher that taught me sex, the best kind of sex, teaches us with every touch, with every feeling. Every one of them temple dogs taught me using sex, because I pays attention when they is sexing me. I has been teaching you in the way I knows how, in the way them temple dogs taught me."

"No slaps upside the head?" the bear asked with a grin.

"That's to wake you up to what you ain't seeing. You knows that, and you knows I only suggest hitting you with a brick. Ain't never gonna be me that smacks you. What's I gots to do is teach you who it is that's surrounding you, and who you is to them. Ain't nuthin' better than poking the one you loves in the butt to teach you that lesson. You is in me deeper than even that dribbling pecker of yours was a few minutes ago. Old Bear, you is a part of my soul. You forgave me when I thought there weren't no forgiveness to be found. And you went so far beyond that. You showed me love, and I ain't never forgetting that."

"How could I not, Oliver?" Eric questioned. "In you, I see one who has suffered so much in life and rose to his challenges every time. I dream of having your strength, your ferocity in loving the ones who surround you."

"You already has that, Old Bear. You only needs to believe it." The badger pushed up into a seated position leaving him inches away from the bear's spent cock. He leaned over and licked a drop of the semen still spilling from the slit. "And you has such a fine pecker. You ain't gots to necessarily believe that, but I'se glad the rest of us do."

Eric laughed and pulled the werebadger up into a hug. "So, what do I learn, Oliver? What are you here to teach me beyond my love for you?"

"That there ain't nothing beyond that love, Old Bear. You looks up into that night sky, and you can watch a bazillion stars with worlds whirling around them. In all of them worlds, there ain't another one like the bear who is holding me. You is rare and special beyond words. You is magic because there ain't no way to explain what you is by science that won't diminish you. Old Bear, you weren't born for any other task save loving those around you. Terra ain't no different. Her family ain't no different. You loves them, and you wants to do right by them. What's you gots to know is that doing right by them is the same as you always done with us."

"Moving those planets seems far more monumental than lying out on the highland with my husband, Oliver."

"But it ain't. It's different, but them powers inside you know how to move through you the same way you moves through life. I feels the power, Old Bear. I wishes mine was like yours. Mine is all raw, and uncontrolled. Yours is like a… a…" the badger struggled to find the word, "… like the wind. All them powers melding and flowing together as if they was always meant to be that way. They can be calm, or they can rage somethin' fierce, but they is like the wind, always moving and changing into what is invisible all around us. Only you control how them powers combine."

The polar bear shook his head. "They were never meant to be combined, Oliver."

"Tell your momma that," the badger corrected. "She who divided them powers done so by controlling them all."

"Mom is Blue clan," the bear rebutted.

"She is what she wants you to see, Old Bear. She wants you to see someone who brought order out of chaos. But what does you think she used to destroy the awful first? What's does you think she needed to best critters that had the combined forces of the Unity in every one of them? What does you think it takes to kill a critter that can destroy a world? Where did that power come from if it weren't your mother? Why did you think you could take on all your brother's powers?"

Eric was quiet, and the tears slipped down the fur of his cheeks. "I never thought… She never told me…"

"Because she loves you," Oliver said. "Because she don't want you ever looking in her eyes and see what she had to do or the power it took to do it. She don't want you knowing what she had to be to save all." Oliver paused and wiped the tears from his own eyes. "She is your momma, and you is her son. You has all that she ever was born into you."

The bear pulled the badger in even closer. "God, no. Please, no."

"She gave it all to you so you could be better than she was ever allowed to be. She gave you what she was because your momma hoped you would never have to be in the place she was; so deep into the awful that she had to kill her own babies by draining every bit of what they was out of them. She divided them powers up with her Verital babies, but she took everything from the Kathlak and left them dead so that they couldn't hurt no one no more." Eric let out a wail of pain, and Oliver joined him.

The two remained deep in the hug until morning bled into the night with a deep red sky. The badger nuzzled his face into the chest fur of the bear. "You is her son, Old Bear. You is her last, best hope for redemption. I knows it is a lot to put on your shoulders, but it ain't a burden. It's a challenge, and you is the one that I knows in my heart can rise to that challenge. You has taken the broken and them near death and brought them back so many times. You has done what your momma always wished she coulds have done.

"Them planets ain't no different. They is in a place where there is war all around them, and they is hurting. All you gots to do is what you has always done. You figure out a way to save them lives. It's in you already, Old Bear. That path you keep thinking you can't find is already there, in front of you. I seen it that day on Partridge Island when you gave me sanctuary. I has seen it so many times since. This ain't nuthin' new, Old Bear. This is them planets asking the only one they knows who can fix their problem to rise up to that challenge."

"I'm not sure I can," the bear whispered.

"And that is why I is here to teach you, Old Bear. Because I knows you can."

"Is that a promise, Oliver?"

"Yeah, that is a promise, Old Bear. You has all that you need, and it ain't in them powers of yours. It's in your heart. You lets that love of yours guide you the way it does with us. Ain't no difference with them living worlds out there. They's just bigger." Oliver giggled. "Look at the men you married. You'se always had a thing for bigger; don'ts know why you is frightened by it now."

Eric clung to the badger as he fell to the ground. He pushed the werebeast's stout legs up against his belly and shoved forward. The white bear smiled at the one below him who had a willing grin. "So, what's on the syllabus for learning today?" he asked.

"Gots no idea what a syllabus is, but you is heading where I wants you to go just fine, Old Bear. Them lessons I gots to teach you is hard enough. That's why we does it with lots and lots of sex. So you knows the ones that loves you will always be there next to you."

The polar bear leaned in and kissed the badger as his cock began swelling. He felt the badger's cock firming up along his belly and closed his eyes. He let the love flow through him even as the werebadger's smaller paws rubbed the nipples on his chest. Class was in session, and he was determined to become the teacher's pet.

Chapter 23

Eric stood atop the hill, looking into the night sky. "It's much brighter than I expected it to be," he said.

Kattar nodded. "The proximity of some of our planets is closer than yours. I was told that it might help if you could see the new homes you were moving the sentient planets into."

"Well, that is the working theory."

Kattar wrapped an arm around the polar bear. "This will work out, Eric. JP and you did a fine job of moving Veltavia into place. It has been three months, and as predicted, everything remains stable. Even Blevantar's gravitational perturbations have the exact effect on Veltavia shown in JP's calculations. Nothing on Terra 2 and Terra 3 has changed. We are from every conceivable measure precisely where JP said we would be. I have read your histories, and I have seen the men who stand beside you tonight. I am no less confident of the pending outcome."

"But this is the first time I am holding a life in my hands that's the size of a planet. A very large planet."

"Jupiter has faith in you."

"I do, too," the black wolf with blue highlights standing beside the polar bear interjected. "Remember what Oliver and I taught you, Papa Bear."

Eric smiled at the wolf. "I'm glad you're here with me," the white bear said.

"Where else would I be?"

"On Terra 3 with Oliver, making sure nothing goes wrong with the Hexadeltan planets."

"Oliver is strong enough to handle that. He has his backup. That's why I'm here on Terra 2 with you. I have your back tonight, Papa Bear. You concentrate on one thing only. You move Jupiter to her new home."

"That's one incredibly big thing, Pup."

"That's why we have the big guns doing it," Derrick said with a chuckle. "You can do this, Papa Bear. You have been preparing for this day your whole life."

"I never even realized planets could be alive until Mom told me, Pup. How could I be preparing for this my whole life?"

Derrick pushed his foot into the groundcover that surrounded them. The plants seemed similar to creeping thyme but still appeared Hexadeltan with their six-sided leaves. "Remember what Oliver told you. You have always been a healer. You keep getting better at what you do each time you use those powers to heal those around you. Today is the day you take a life and save it by doing what only you know how to do."

The bear shook his head. "I'm pretty sure you or Oliver could do what I am about to try."

"No, Papa Bear, we can't. We can move things around just fine. We can make some trees and a building or two, but we are considering moving a sentient life to a new home. I think you know that you're the one Terra and her family need to pull this off. You have an understanding that comes with keeping things alive. You sense when things are going wrong and what you must do to make them right. All those tiny things only you know because you have been a part of them for so long."

"I hope you're right, Pup," Eric said. He bowed his head. "Jupiter, it's time. I need you to see the planet. If you can see where you're heading, I can help you make the leap. But the first part of what happens must be that leap. Are you ready?"

There was quiet for some time. The polar bear's head twisted back and forth as if listening to a conversation he alone could hear. When he lifted his head, his eyes glowed green first, and then a brilliant white spread over his entire body. "Gentlemen," the bear yelled, "protect the Hexadeltan home worlds." The bear's paws reached out and a bolt of light sped upward into the darkness. The gas giant, Blevantar, millions of miles away, glowed even brighter. "When you see the light, Jupiter, you jump toward it. I'll fold the space, but you have to be there when it folds."

Derrick watched his mate as the bear began moving his arms through the surrounding air. Broad circles and sharp slashes became light that faded almost as fast as he drew them. All the clan colors were there, and they mixed and melded with each other with each stroke. That's when Derrick realized what was happening. The bear was performing surgery. He was taking an organ he saw in his mind and transplanting it into a new, healthy body. Light years apart from each other, the bear saw what he did in the language he understood. The surgeon was saving a life. The black wolf smiled. "You bring her home, Papa Bear," he whispered.

"She's made the leap," the white bear said, "but that's not the complicated part of this. It's not a transplant. It's a rebirth." Eric's head tilted to the side as if trying to understand something from a new perspective. The hands moved again. "Of course," he said. He looked at Derrick and smiled. "I guess you are right, Pup. It does help to have a Changeling involved in this. The planets aren't a new home for the sentients so much as it's their chrysalis."

Eric's paws never ceased moving, the colors shifting with each moment. "The danger in the transfer is Jupiter landing inside a planet that can't sustain her growth. More than a shell; it's a part of her. Blevantar must have all the components needed for her to thrive. In the same way everything we need to create life is in our chrysalises, the planets need to be balanced for the sentients' survival."

"Can you do that?" Kattar asked.

"Yes, I can. It's so simple. She's teaching me what I need to do. It's like being a fellowship doctor. She's guiding me the way a mentor would. Cuing me what I need to do and then letting me do it."

The paws of the bear continued their movements until both arms rose and a beam of white light burst heavenward. The beam of light remained until the bear collapsed to his knees. Derrick ran over to Eric and shook him. "Are you okay, Papa Bear?" he asked.

"I'm fine," Eric replied. "Drained, but fine." He looked up at Kattar. "Jupiter is home. And we sent the kids a love letter."

"I am glad to hear that," Kattar said. He paused for a moment and then asked, "You said she is in a chrysalis?"

"That's the closest I can come to what the planet is for her."

"Does that mean at some point she will emerge from that chrysalis?"

Eric contemplated the question for a moment. "Not with as dramatic a turn as our births or those of butterflies. There will be no exploding planets if that's what you're asking."

Kattar laughed. "That is what I was asking."

"They live their lives inside the planets. But at some point, whatever it is they are grows to where a part of that energy breaks free from the planet and moves out into the universe to find a new home."

"Somewhat akin to single-cell mitosis?"

Eric nodded his head. "For lack of a better descriptor when we're referring to pure thought. But the planets provide more than a shell to live in. They provide nutrients to that thought. Jupiter tried to explain it, but I think she gave up on the why and instead told me what had to be there. Maybe somewhere down the line, when we're not quite so pressed for time, she might explain it to me."

"Amazing," Kattar said. He reached down his hands to the bear and helped pull him up. "So, is this something that we can accomplish for Jupiter's daughters?"

"Yes, and the sooner the better. She is none too happy leaving them in hostile territory."

"I understand that," the Hexadeltan agreed.

The black wolf's head bowed. "Change is coming fast, Papa Bear. Shields up," he commanded.

Eric looked into the darkened sky and watched the shock wave approaching. "Shields up, Pup," he said as his paws pushed forward. The dome over the group extended beyond the horizon. Glaring white, the dome resembled nothing of the soft green of the polar bear's norm.

The ground shook with a slight tremor. Above, the white dome undulated like a wave passing overhead. The black wolf's hands moved in familiar circular motions. "Papa Bear saved one, it's our job to save all. Are you ready, Badger?"

Across space, the badger's color shifted as the white light glowed from inside him. His eyes closed. "I gots it, Pup," he replied. He looked at the beasts surrounding him. "Shields going up, men. Give me everything you got." Will, Francisco, and Jiao-Long's paws turned a fiery red and the flames flashed toward the glowing white badger. Anders, Martin, and Chipo added the powers of the Yellow clan. Max's blue paws flared and sped the light toward Oliver. Oliver's paws lifted toward the sky and the bolt of white light spread out.

From a distance, the crowd surrounding Eric gazed at Terra 3 as the white shield spread over the planet. It was as if the planet in the sky was a star growing in brilliance and then dimming again. Derrick smiled. "I told you we had your back, Papa Bear. Terra 2 and Terra 3 are going to be fine. Everything is still the same as it was."

Kurt Carver looked up at the receding white dome. "Well, we overlooked something," he said as he looked back at his tablet and flipped through screen after screen. "We assumed sentience was incorporeal. It apparently carries some mass." He paused, looking down at his screen. "Crap, it was right there in front of me all the time."

"What was in front of you?" Eric asked.

The Epicyon sighed. "Einstein's 1905 paper, 'On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies'," he replied. "I'm sorry. We'll have a quantum physicist and astrophysicist on our team tomorrow. We won't make the same mistake again. Energy has mass. Moving energy has greater mass. Jupiter's sentience is not far removed from the electric pathways in our brains. Jupiter rocked that gas giant out there when she made the leap. That shockwave was her landing in her new home."

"What about the planet where she left?"

"Honestly, I don't know. It shouldn't have been as dramatic leaving as landing, but you'll have to ask the Mars and Earth seismology teams to determine what's happened. It might have been severe."

Eric tapped his ComLink. "Ori, could you please inform us of any damage to Earth, the moon, and Mars because of Jupiter's move?"

The calm voice didn't respond. "So, now what? We have a twelve-minute wait before she responds?" Eric asked.

"That would be correct," Kattar responded. "Until you provide us with the Verital upgrades, we're using fixed point hyperspace transfer. It's not meant to travel twenty-eight light years between communication hubs, only between planets in the same solar system. We are bouncing off of some rather old transfer points out there in the galaxy."

"Whatever happened to subspace communication?" Kurt asked.

"Your science fiction writers never had to explain it," Kattar replied with a shrug. "While I believe in magic, because it surrounds us, sometimes you have to understand the science before the magic becomes real."

Eric gave a nod to the answer.

Kurt stared at the polar bear. "Are you ever going to explain how the Unity sings with us on our runs in real-time no matter where we are?" the bone-crushing dog pressed.

"I don't know. I suppose you should ask them. You're talking to a Terran here," Eric answered with a chuckle.

"I don't speak Changeling."

"Then I suppose that's another thing to add to your to-do list."

Kurt sighed. "Okay. Maybe I can live with it being magic."

Kattar laughed. "That is my choice. There are so many things to learn, but if it already works, and everyone seems happy with it, then I rarely explore how it happens. Then again, I'm not a scientist. My desire to understand everything isn't as strong as yours, Kurt."

"I'm the same," Derrick agreed. "It may not be what you scientists like to do, Kurt, but I have more important things to think about." He grinned at the dog. "Like who's topping me tonight when we get home?"

"Okay, Kattar, Wolfy, you win," Kurt replied. "My team and I have a lot to review with what just happened, but that all starts tomorrow when we gather up the experts we need. If you want a volunteer, I'll top you. I'd love to spend some time with that smorgasbord of delights you call your husbands."

Chapter 24

Eric stared through the telescope and sighed. "It doesn't look much like a Goldilocks planet from here."

"That's because it's waiting on you, Papa Bear," Derrick said, rubbing the polar bear's shoulders.

The polar bear smiled. "JP put it into a parallel orbit with Jupiter. Regardless of Veltavia's larger mass, Terra can sustain her life if the rotation and orbit around the sun is stable."

"And all it cost you was the best night of sex JP and his family ever had," Derrick said with a snicker.

"That night took three days," Eric said with a grin.

"Who knew JP could be such a bottom around you, Papa Bear?"

"I did. Don't forget, Kris and I were with him when you all returned on that Fourth Night reunion."

Derrick gave a nod. "So, here we are. We need to create a world that can sustain life on the surface. And once that's started, you need to help Terra make a leap into that world. We can't do anything until you've done what you promised."

"I think that's why I've been postponing it as long as I have. Terra is the one I made a promise to, but that promise is far more difficult than anything I did for her mother and sisters."

"Her family is resting comfortably in their new homes. And you did that with very little consequence to their neighbors," Derrick said, trying to calm the white bear's fears. "You can do this. I have faith in you."

Eric tried to force a smile. "So, exactly what is it I'm supposed to do?"

Kurt Carver put his eye against the telescope and stared at the lifeless planet for a time. "We need you to do what my team can't, Old Bear." The Epicyon stood back up. "Give me twenty years, and I would have a planet ready for transplanting some primitive life forms. I might even have a few teams of experts in domed cities."

"But we don't have that time," the polar bear said.

"Right, so you need to do the work we can't. You need to create a viable world where ecosystems can evolve. And once you've done that, you transfer Terra into that world, sit back and watch, and then retool based on what transpires. With the basic terraforming necessary in place, Noah's plans can begin. That's when we'll step in."

"I have no clue what it takes to create a habitable planet."

"It's like making seven-layer bean dip," Kurt replied. "You just put layer upon layer of stuff on the planet, and then you ask Terra to move in."

"Dog," Eric sighed with frustration. "That's no help at all."

"Use that encyclopedic brain of yours, Old Bear," the Epicyon replied. "It's not that you don't know what to do. It's that you never thought to explore it. All the knowledge you need is buried inside that head of yours. All you need to do is pull it out."

"Ewe," Oliver said, staring at the bone-crushing dog. "You knows that's about the most disgusting image you can come up with, don't you, Dog?"

Kurt sighed. "In a metaphorical way, Oliver. I'm not asking him to pull out his brains."

"Probably could choose your words better then, Dog."

Kurt leaned over and stared the badger in the face. "After this is all over, what do you think about being fucked by a dog that loves you?" the dog's grin widened. "There. Did I choose my words well enough for you?"

"Yep, you did right fine," Oliver answered. "Unless you was being all metaphorical about that fucking."

Kurt stood back up, laughing. "Okay, Old Bear, there is yet another reason to get this night over. I have a play date with your husband."

"You help me get through this, Kurt, and you can have me any way you want me," Eric said, shaking his head.

"Look, Eric, this isn't as hard as you're making it in your mind," the dog consoled. "You are learning to use your powers at the feet of some of the best teachers this universe offers. Those powers are alive in a way I can't explain, but I watched them in practice. They want to help you as much as we do. You only need to guide them. See Veltavia as a planet ready to accept new life in its core and on its surface. See it and know you have the powers needed to make it so."

JP stepped forward and wrapped his arms around the polar bear. His blonde wings flared outward and wrapped another layer of comfort around the bear. "Bears can't fly, but we do," he whispered. "Worlds can't be made overnight, but they can. Trust that what you do is what you were born to do. You're a healer of worlds. You're our Papa Bear. The one who will bring us all home."

"Son," Eric whispered. "I am so afraid. There is so much on the line."

"Let the fear slip away, Papa Bear," the Kermode said. "Feel the ones who love you by your side. They never left you, and they never will. There are so many more than your husbands standing beside you. We are a part of you so ingrained in your soul that you don't even need to ask us for help. And beyond us, the entire Were Nation and the Order stand by you. Twelve billion Hexadeltans extend their support to you. All they are will flow through you without a word spoken."

Eric grabbed the blonde bear in a tight hug. "How is it that all the young pups I think I know somehow grew up to be such amazing men?"

The smaller bear rubbed his face along the chest of the larger and laughed. "I'm still just a kid, Papa Bear, but I grew up learning how deep our love for each other goes. I see the links between us all, and I know where the links are strongest and where they can do the most good."

"And you trust tonight I can find those links?"

"You don't have to find them, Papa Bear. They will be there when you need them. Two were created fourteen billion years ago, and they only grow stronger as each day passes. Hundreds of millions more wait by your side, ready to step in should you need their help. Tonight is simply another night for this family of ours. Terra needs to come home, Papa Bear. Bring her home."

Eric closed his eyes. "Save one…"

The blonde bear tightened his hug. "Save all."

"It's something everyone keeps reminding me of."

"There could be a reason," JP said.

The winged bear let his hug of the polar bear go, and Eric looked out at the crowd. "There's a need for me to be on Veltavia. I can't guide Terra to her new home as I did with the others."

"I can go with you, Papa Bear," Derrick said.

Eric shook his head. "No, Pup. I need you and Oliver here on Terra 2. This transfer will involve aspects that the first three didn't have. All we had to do with them was hit our mark and keep everything else in place. Despite that, the first three were more complicated than we anticipated. I am sure there will be glitches along the way this time. You mitigated some serious consequences for the other planets when Jupiter slammed into Blevantar. But we are spreading our resources thinner this time. Your backup is off taking care of Earth and its solar system for this leap. I need you in place protecting the Hexadeltan home worlds." He paused. "And to protect all those other planets and asteroids you seem to have taken care of without mentioning."

Derrick gave a shy smile as his head turned away. "I was trying to be helpful. It's easy to overlook other things when concentrating on one important project."

Eric hugged Derrick with one arm. "And I'm grateful." He looked at Oliver, and the badger ran to his open arm, creating a three-way hug. "I'm grateful for both of you. Without your help, so much of this could have gone wrong."

"You'se gonna have lots of other beasts to thank when this day is over, same as last time, Old Bear," Oliver said. "We is all standing by you today. We gots your back."

Eric released his hug. "Well, then you best be off to protect those in your keeping."

"He's right about that, Oliver," Kurt said. "We might have a planet in the Goldilocks Zone, but we can't be sure it will stay there once Terra makes the transfer. Those sentients hit their new homes hard, and they carry a certain amount of planet-altering weight with them. Eric will have his hands full, but we must ensure that the Hexadeltan planets are safe. And that means keeping the entire solar system intact. Eric has promises to keep with Terra. We have promises to keep with the Hexadeltans."

Eric knelt in front of the blonde bear. "You and Max take my son and head over to Terra 3. You watch over them, please. The temple dogs will join you if you need help. If things don't go right from my side, I need Oliver and Derrick together."

JP nodded. "Sure thing. Max and I will take care of Terra 3. Although truth be told, I think our husband would be happier if Derrick was with him on the same planet."

"Tell him I'll make it up to him," the polar bear said with a smile.

"Send in Oliver to pick us up after this is over. I like the way he negotiates for services rendered. I'm sure he can think of something to keep that angel mate of ours in heaven for a few days."

Eric laughed. "You have a deal." He took a few steps back and closed his eyes. "Let's hope I get this right. Katashi says it's easy, but I still think there's a learning curve to space bending where I haven't grasped all the details."

Adam moved through the crowd and to the front. "I'll get you there, Husband. Save your strength for the important stuff." The otter hugged the white bear. "Remember, no holding your breath. The first thing you think of when you get there is an atmosphere."

"Right. Troposphere, ozone layer, stratosphere, mesosphere…" the bear recited.

"No, Old Bear," the badger interjected, cutting off the bear's listing. "Don'ts you go forgetting everything we taught you. You land on that rock, and you sees yourself on a beautiful spring day full of blue skies and white clouds. And you takes a deep breath of that day and let all them oxygen molecules fill your lungs. You take it in, and you sees in your mind how that air protects you and gives you everything you needs. You don't go telling it what to become. All you does is lets it be what it needs to be."

"Are you sure, Oliver?"

"You is a healer, Old Bear. You heal that sick world by seeing it well again. Sees a sky and water. Sees whatever you think Terran needs to settle into her new home. This ain't nothing new to you. You makes that world somewhere life can grow, and then you brings Terra to it."

Derrick gave a nod. "You can do it, Papa Bear. We're going to be with you all the way."

"You're going to be on a different planet, Pup."

"And always by your side," the black wolf said. "We've got skills." With a twist of his paw, Oliver and Derrick were gone.

JP smiled at Eric. "Later, Gator," he said. His paw twisted, and JP, Max, and Chet vanished from the field.

Eric shook his head. "Let's hope you're not the only ones with skills tonight."

Adam smiled and let his tongue slip over his lips. "I've got skills."

"That's not what I meant, Husband."

"No, but let's get this over and done with so I can show you them, anyway. I'm heading to Jupiter to hold her hand and ensure Terra's orbit stays stable once she jumps. You take care of Terra." The otter's hand rose, and the bear found himself on a rocky planet.

Without thinking, the polar bear followed through on his training. He took a breath of the oxygen-rich atmosphere he needed to fill his lungs. It was there for him, exactly as Oliver had promised. Eric's arms moved forward, trying to focus his power, but they had barely moved when the blue sky above him began filling with clouds. He took another deep breath and felt the air move into his lungs. The clouds turned dark, and torrential rain soaked him to the bone. "Crap," he fumed. He looked up at the sky. "Could you fill up the oceans in some other way?" he yelled. The rain didn't subside. But the bear realized at least the planet had an atmosphere and water. That meant everything else could fall into place, given time.

"Terra, it's time," the bear said, closing his eyes and concentrating. "Do what your mother and your sisters did. When you see the light, you jump to it. It's moving day, and we need you here." The bear's paws reached upward, and a bolt of light sped toward the sky. In his mind, Eric saw space and time bending toward the Earth and felt Terra leap into the void.

"Shields up, Papa Bear," the bear heard Derrick command. Without questioning, the bear threw up a tight green dome around himself. The force of the sentience hitting the planet and burrowing deep inside threw him across the rocky planet. Eric slammed against a stone outcropping. He shook his head, reeling from the pain, and tried to regain his bearings. Around him was a darkness he hadn't expected. Terra's arrival had thrown him halfway across the planet.

The first thing that Eric saw was a bright yellow light in the distance. "Oh crap," he said. The bear pushed his arms outward again, and the green shield formed in time to soften the brunt of the caldera's explosive shock wave. "Terra," he yelled. "Keep your core stable. This is your home. You need to learn how to take care of it."

The bear watched as the yellow glow in the distance faded. "Better, I guess," the old bear said, letting his paws lower. "I know this isn't easy for you. But you're the one who wanted life on your surface. We're all in this for the long haul, but if we're going to make this work, we need your help."

The bear stared at the landscape and realized the erupting lava hadn't abated. Billowing smoke had only obscured the molten rock and the ash cloud headed toward him. The torrential rain cooled the hot air that now surrounded him. In the distance, a pyroclastic cloud moving to the southwest of where he stood further obscured the flaming caldera in a black cloud. "Terra, there's no time for you to evolve all over again. We have a timeline if you want us to be your children."

The bear felt the wind move around him, and he closed his eyes as it cooled his skin. "Terra is young, Son," the polar bear heard the voice that felt like a cool breeze whisper to him. "She has much to learn about adjusting to a new world."

Eric took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I know, Mom, but I don't know what to do. I'm unsure of how to help her."

"You have done amazingly well, Son," the voice whispered as cool as the rain surrounding him. "Adam ensured Terra is still within a stable, habitable orbit. You have ensured her survival. Leave now. There is so much for the two of us to do before you return."

"She will be okay? Terra will be okay?"

"She will be fine. There will be a few growing pains, and all will be right again."

"And you, Mom? Will you be okay?"

"I raised more than one child in my time. Terra is a bigger challenge than most, but Jupiter and I will see to her care. Go. I will be fine."

"The surface of the planet isn't safe, Mom. I don't want to leave you here alone," the bear said. Ash began dropping from the sky as clumps of rain-drenched mud. Eric shook his head. "I'm not sure anyone should be left alone here."

"I am not alone. Terra is with me. I am here to make sure Terra isn't alone. This is not your home, Son. Not yet. Give us some time to clean up. It's embarrassing when company drops by while we're in such a mess."

Eric laughed. "I love you, Mom."

"And I love you, Son."

"Terra, try to behave," the polar bear said. "I love you, too. Welcome home."

The white bear wasn't sure what he heard. Yet, for the first time, he realized Terra had spoken to him without his mother's interpretation. "I'll be back soon with some housewarming gifts," he answered to the voice inside his mind. With a twist of his paw, the bear was gone.

Chapter 25

"Wow," JP said, staring at the landscape before him.

"Terra isn't quite ready for visitors, JP," Eric replied to the single word statement made by the winged bear.

"So, why are we here?"

"Terra needs a moon in the proper orbit and an axis tilt to keep things the same as she remembers them. Those are beyond her ability to secure. Plus, we promised the Hexadeltans they could visit a planet with seasonal changes."

The Kermode bear sighed as his wings flared out and flapped slowly. "We can do that. But Eric, if we do, there are other problems that might crop up down the line."

"Such as?"

"Axis tilt means that our world will wobble from time to time. Severe changes can happen. Remember the axis shift caused by groundwater depletion back in the twenty-first century? The world went to war over the outcome of that one. Natural shifts can cause the same problems."

"But we could adjust for those, right? I mean, if we can bring a moon here and set it up, we can fix an axis tilting in the wrong direction, right?" the polar bear asked.

JP forced a smile. "Sure, Papa Bear. We can fix it, but if that shift occurs suddenly, as it has done in Earth's history, this will be a messed-up world for quite some time."

"Is it too much to ask for? Should I tell Terra we can't do it?"

"No. Terra isn't the only one who wants to see something of home," JP answered. "We all dream of a new home that reminds us of the one we left. Without a moon and the axis tilt, only a handful of us will recognize a place we called home."

"So what do we do? Can the two of us pull this off? You do the math; I give you the power to pull a moon into place?"

JP nodded. "Yeah, we can do it."

"So, back to my first question. What do we do?"

"Well, first, we need to head back to the highland."

"Why?"

"Because what I want to do with you, for starters, won't feel too good with all this rock beneath me."

Eric chuckled. "Sex? We start with sex?"

"Our best projects always do."

"That's true."

"And if we do it right, we might find a badger and a black wolf willing to help pull a few ice comets out of orbit. I don't know whether you noticed it, but this planet has a serious lack of water. What's here won't cut it for an entire world populated by the seedlings being raised on Earth."

"I'm so glad my family is more scientifically astute than I am."

"It's what we do, Papa Bear. We help each other fill in the gaps." He looked up at the polar bear and gave a wicked grin. "So about that gap I need to be filled?"

Eric reached down and patted the dry soil. "We'll be back, Terra," he said. The polar bear righted himself, and with a twist of his paw, the two were gone.

A laugh filtered through the air, and a small dust cloud swirled around the rocky surface. "They are young, Terra," the voice cool as falling alpine snow said. "They need their time for play. Soon enough, they will return. Until then, perhaps we should work on moving all this rock into a better place for them. There is still much for us to do."

A rumble far away shook the ground as two tectonic plates slammed against each other. The world rocked as a range of mountains pushed upward into the sky. The goddess of nature and her godchild were redecorating in anticipation their family's return.

Chapter 26

"Exit four-thirty-four in three kilometers. Preparing to leave the magnetic grid," the voice in her helmet told the motorcyclist. "Reducing speed to 105 kilometers per hour."

"Thanks, Ori, I'll take it from here," the woman on the motorcycle replied to the news. "Can you make sure I'm not followed?"

"Of course, Madam President. However, your security staff will be none too happy about it."

The woman laughed as she revved the engines, waking them up for manual control. "It won't be the first time, Ori. Please tell them this meeting is so classified I couldn't mention it to them."

"They will not believe me."

"I know, but at least it covers the bases when I show up later today in New York."

"As you wish, Madam President. Returning your vehicle's steering and speed control to you. Enjoy your stay. I'm shutting down your entourage's engines now."

The motorcycle weaved through the stalled black SUVs in front of it and sped off down the road. By the time the Secret Service had exited their cars, the president was beyond their sight. When their engines came online, the phalanx of SUVs sped to the next exit. All they found at the end of the off-ramp was a barricade with a notice of a new road being built when funds became available. There were no signs of motorcycle tracks in the red Montana soil and no sign of the president.

One of the dark-suited men tapped his ComLink. "She's done it again," he said with a sigh.

"Where the hell did she go?" the voice on the other side asked.

"You're the ones who are supposed to have tracking satellites everywhere. You tell me."

"We lost her the minute your cars went down. That cycle of hers has four tracking devices, including two impervious to EMP and holophasic pulses. How the heck does she slip through?"

Another suited man walked forward, tapping his ComLink into the conversation. "She has friends in very high places," he answered.

"Of course she does. She's the president," the voice in Washington, DC, fumed.

"No, I mean higher than any military or governmental position in your Rolodex."

"Higher than the president?" the voice from headquarters asked.

"Yeah," the man answered with a flash of his golden eyes going unnoticed. "You won't find her until she's ready to be found."

"Maxwell, when you return, I want a debriefing with you. If there's something you know about our president's ability to disappear at will, I want to be told about it."

The man in the black suit shrugged. "I wish I could help you, sir. I have station-ten clearance to attend to the president, and I'm afraid you don't. If you have questions concerning my behavior, or that of the president, ask your superior."

"My superior is the president."

"Yeah, I know," the man said with a chuckle. "It's a bit of a Catch-22, but we must all deal with it." The man tapped his ComLink, ending the call. He looked out over the group standing by their vehicles. "There's a diner about eight miles down the road. They serve up the best chicken-fried steak you've ever eaten. I suggest we head out and enjoy a bit of lunch." Before anyone could complain, the man reached into his inner suit pocket and flashed a badge everyone recognized as above their pay grade.

"Maxwell, don't we deserve some answers here?" the other man, who once thought he was in charge, asked.

"I'll tell you what I can, but we're on a need-to-know basis. I can tell you that where the president went is safer than anything we can provide and she's where she wants to be."

"This isn't some joyride in the countryside?"

Maxwell shook his head. "She called this meeting, Phillips, and the ones she called to it are major players."

"But you can't tell why she called the meeting?"

"Nope. Truth be told, even I'm not clear on the reason, and if they're not telling me, you better believe something big is going down."

Phillips kicked the dirt at his foot. "Mother fu…" he cut himself short. "Do they sell milkshakes at that dinner? My ulcer is acting up."

"I wasn't aware you had one," Maxwell replied.

"I don't, but by the end of my tour, I'm pretty sure I will."

Maxwell laughed. "They have great shakes. Follow me, everyone, I'll get you there." The group stepped back into their vehicles and waited for the rear vehicle to move around them and back onto the highway.

"Now returning to the magnetic grid," Ori's voice said politely. "Where would you like to go, Virgil?"

"I'd like to go home, but I'm wondering where home will be with all the talk I'm hearing."

"These are complicated times," the voice said with an air of agreement.

"You know Harper's Diner down the road?"

"Of course. Harper is working there today. Jean Pierre called him and told him to skip his day off. He will love seeing you. He rarely gets out-of-town visitors from the Were Nation."

"Please tap into his ComLink and tell him to expect about thirty people at his diner in six minutes, would you?"

"Of course, Virgil," the ever-polite voice replied. "Would there be anything else?"

"Give my husband a call and tell him I'll be home late tonight."

"I will do that, Virgil. Enjoy your lunch. Harper makes the best chicken-fried steak in the nation."

"He told me it was the best in the world."

"Katja Rintala makes a cutlet with Ayrshire beef in a cream sauce, which I believe would rank higher."

Virgil laughed. "Well, don't tell him that, okay?"

"Of course not," Ori replied. "He is expecting you. Exit four-fifty-one in three kilometers. Preparing to leave the magnetic grid."

The president drove along a dirt road that stirred up no dust until she saw the plateau overlooking the plains below. What she didn't see was the ranch. "Why did you go dark? After all those years of the world seeing you, why now?" She paused, listening for an answer that she already knew. "It isn't holding, is it? After everything you tried, we're the one species that has found a workaround for peace. We simply can't handle getting along."

The president heard the chime on her ComLink. "Answer," she said. The voice on the other side of the line was a familiar one from her childhood. "Jason!" she said happily. "How are you doing?"

"I'm doing great, Aubrey. How's the President of the United States doing?"

"My entire family goes off the grid for three days. Calls to my dads and every other family member I think of leaves me talking to Ori. And then the ranch disappears from every map of Montana I can find. You forced me to call a family meeting. The first time a human has ever called a family meeting, Jason. And in about four hours, I'm supposed to be in New York in front of two hundred and thirty-three countries. How do I explain why every power source in the entire world shut down for forty-eight seconds and then rebooted? With all that on my plate, how do you think I'm doing?"

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Yeah, that's what I thought you were going to say," the little fox responded. "Is it still okay to say I'm happy to see you?"

The president laughed, "Of course it is. And if you're not outside to hug me when I get there, I will be sorely disappointed. That is if I can even find you. I'm heading toward where I think you are, but I couldn't prove it by what I see."

"Aubrey, would you please stop your motorcycle?" Jason asked.

The president throttled down her bike and pulled it into a controlled skid parallel to where she thought the ranch was in the distance. "Done, Jason. What's up?"

"Ori, take down grid fifty through seventy-eight, inclusive of where President Cortez is located."

"Jason?" Ori's voice posed an unasked question.

"Do it, Ori. She needs to know."

A vibration on the horizon shifted like a mirage in the hot Montana sun, and the familiar ranch appeared. Slowly materializing behind the ranch, the shell of something incredibly large and spherical began taking shape. Kilometers in diameter, Aubrey stared at the drone cranes, moving beams into place. From where she stood leaning against her bike, the sweltering day made it a blurry, shimmering colossus. Through the haze, it was dark, ominous, and unmoving. "You're making a Death Star?"

"No," Jason replied. "We're making a moving van."

"Damn," the president said. "This is exactly what I thought was happening."

"I thought it might be easier to see it from a distance. It's rather imposing close up."

The unmoving object suddenly shifted. A portion of the inner section rotated away from the rest of the structure. It spun three times and then locked back into place. The darkened sphere returned. "It's very imposing from a distance, Jason," Aubrey replied.

"Well, come on in, Madam President. We'll see you in a few minutes. Ori, please restore all stealth protocols. Put visual GPS on Aubrey's helmet visor to guide her in."

"Yes, Jason," the perfectly tuned voice replied.

After the indispensable hugs and greetings on her arrival, Aubrey gazed up at the enormous sphere from below. It wasn't what it appeared to be from a distance. It rested in the valley below the plateau and still rose far above the ranch. Concentric circles were moving out from one central sphere in the middle. The circles aligned with each other, but occasionally, one of them would move. Each ring rotated around the nearly completed inner ball of black mirrored metal. Taller than any skyscraper she had ever seen, the inner sphere was a maze of intricate lacework covered by the outer shell of black metal.

Jason answered the unasked questions that raced through the president's mind. "It's called the Behemoth. Its sister ship, the Leviathan, is being built offshore in Florida. It's two point six kilometers tall from the outside stabilizers. The sphere itself is one kilometer high. The metal sheathing is an alloy of hematite and sub-phasic feltathigh."

"Oh, stop right there, Fox," Aubrey protested. "Feltathigh? Really?"

Jason laughed. "It's a metal mined from a planet twenty-eight light years from here. None of us can pronounce the name the Hexadeltans gave it, so the old wolf gave it its new name."

"You let Will name a metal? Seriously? What were you thinking?"

"It makes us laugh to say it," Jason confessed. "Not much about what is happening here makes us laugh." The fox pointed upward toward the inner sphere. "Its interior can hold three hundred and sixty tons of cargo. The Leviathan can hold just under eight hundred billion liters of liquid and aquatic biodiversity. It also supports a crew and the life support required to monitor and keep any ecosystem viable.

"Wait, wait, wait…" the president interrupted. "Back up a moment here. You said mining one of the ship's minerals is happening in the Hexadeltan's solar system?" Jason nodded. "So the Hexadeltans are onboard with you moving off-planet?"

"Yeah. We're going to be neighbors. It was a done deal once we got the logistics of transplanting planets down."

"Transplanting planets?"

"Jupiter and all her kids have already moved. Turns out, Terra is Jupiter's offspring, the same as Io and Europa."

"Okay. So, why can we still see Jupiter, and why aren't we floating out in space without Terra below us?"

"We didn't move the planets. We moved the sentience."

"You lost me, Fox," the frustrated president interrupted again.

"Terra is a sentient planet."

"Right," Aubrey agreed.

"Sentient planets aren't the planets so much as what exists within them," Jason said.

"Okay, so you're losing me again," the president said, with a sigh.

"It's like your body. Your body is a bunch of oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus, all smooshed together. Toss in a few other atoms of stuff, and you've got yourself a body. But it's pretty much a shell for something more difficult to put a finger on."

"Yep. I'm good with that," the president said.

"Humans don't know how to transfer that spark of what makes life 'life.' But you speculate about it all the time."

"Soul transfer," Aubrey said, shaking her hands mysteriously. "Spooky stuff."

"Right. Well, it's way easier for sentient planets to transfer their essence from one body to another if they get help. Kind of like a hermit crab swapping out a new shell, only the shell has to be of a very particular type. Once we found planets suitable for hosting Jupiter and her kids, all they needed was our help to make the jump to the new planets. All four now live in a new solar system safe from…" Jason paused, trying to figure out a kinder way to say what he had to say. "…well, you."

Aubrey sighed. "Point taken, Jason. So, what happens to us?"

"You have the same planets in this solar system that you've always had. Only they aren't alive. What you have is the shells."

"So," Aubrey said, waving her hand toward the high desert surrounding them, "we're left with Earth instead of Terra?"

"Exactly. Not that anyone noticed the difference. Remember the rash of earthquakes and other geological anomalies ten years ago?"

"The Great Shift?"

"Yeah, that was Jupiter making her move. Thankfully, her leaving was less cataclysmic than the arrival at her new home. We're sorry for the damage, but we had no idea her leaving would affect the solar system as it did. We corrected for the other transfers, including Terra."

"There were trillions of dollars in damage, Jason," Aubrey protested. "Parts of the planet are still struggling to get back on their feet a decade later."

"And we are sorry. We were unaware of the consequences that Jupiter's move might have. The temple dogs had a choice to make when they saw the shock wave approaching. They didn't have the power to shield all the planets. It came down to saving lives or saving buildings. Mars and the Moon required them to save both. But on Earth, the tidal surges couldn't be stopped if they tried to mitigate the earthquakes. They did the best they could under the circumstances."

Jason gave a frustrated sigh. "Mistakes were made, and we are still doing our best to rectify them. But we made a promise to protect the sentient planets. And the threat to them was growing every day. Humanity's survival came with a cost laid at the feet of the ones who were putting the planets in jeopardy."

Aubrey nodded. "I suppose we should be grateful. We can rebuild things. We can't replace lives. Now I realize why no one died. We called it a miracle. I should have realized it was my family at work." She looked back at the black mega-sphere. "I'm glad Eric found another way. How is Terra?"

The last ten years she's been working with us to create a planet that can sustain life."

"So, Terra is gone. I thought I would notice the difference," Aubrey said, with a sigh.

"You learned about Terra from your fathers," Jason replied. "You've never actually talked to her. It's like missing an ancestor that died before you were ever born. Life will go on as it always has."

"I guess when it gets right down to it that's true," the president said with the regret clear in her voice.

"Jason, I think you've told Aubrey more than enough for now," the voice behind the president said.

Aubrey turned to see the white bear standing in front of her. "Old Bear," she said enthusiastically as she hugged him. Eric wrapped his arms around the human and hugged back. "I'm sorry, Old Bear. I'm sorry it's come to this."

"Me too, Aubrey. All I can say is that the original plan was much worse."

"The fallback plan in place on the Day of Transformation?"

The president felt the bear nod. "I am tasked with protecting Terra. The fallback plan was for me to end the threat to her in the quickest, most sure way possible."

"Thank you then. Thank you for finding another way. Even if it means you're leaving."

"Don't thank me," the old bear said. "I couldn't see the choices my family could. Terra chose the one that protected her family but left everything as it is on Earth's surface."

Aubrey pushed away from the hug and looked up at the white bear. "Terra chose to let us live?"

Eric smiled. "Yes. I am as surprised as you appear to be. Thankfully, I have family and planets with much greater imaginations than mine. I was going to do what my powers were set in place to do. What you see before you is Plan B. In it, humans survive, and so does Terra."

"But not together?"

"Not together. Sometimes a relationship is so dysfunctional that the only option is to walk away from it."

"That's the nicest way I think you could have described us," the president said, shaking her head. "At least you make it sound like we're up the evolutionary scale from a bacterium giving Terra a nasty rash."

"You're more like a virus," Eric replied. "If the host doesn't kill them first, viruses kill the host with no regard to the fact that in doing so, they kill the very thing that sustains them. That's the human race. You're more like viruses… mutant, killer viruses."

Aubrey was silent for a moment. "Damn. I should have taken 'dysfunctional relationship' and gone with it."

"Yeah," Jason agreed. "Don't ask Eric to describe humans. It's never pretty."

Aubrey rubbed the arm of the polar bear. "We've never given you a reason to think of us any other way, Old Bear. But I'm still sorry."

The bear nodded. "Me too."

"Coming through, folks," a werewolf in a lift-suit yelled. The wolf was carrying a large box in the metal hands of the machine. "I've got self-fusing rivets here, so you don't want me dropping them."

The three moved from the middle of the pathway to the side, and Aubrey watched as the twelve-foot machine with a wolf inside lumbered by. The werewolf stopped at a lift at the plateau's edge and stepped into the cage. He pressed a button with the machine's third arm, and the lift vanished as it descended into the valley below. "How long before you're gone, Old Bear?"

"Within the decade. It depends on how quickly we can establish the biomes on Terra's new home. Terra has a crew helping her out. There's so much planting to do. We have hundreds of beasts on the planet and they're still settling in. It takes a greater toll on Terra than the rest of her family is dealing with. We'll give her a few more years before we bring in advanced life forms. For now, we're filling up the oceans with small stuff because they can handle the turbulence. Single-celled microorganisms are the mainstay. There are a few sponges taking hold.

"We're not following evolutionary pathways. You won't find trilobites wandering around the ocean floor. We are transplanting living species we know work well in our ecosystems. The terraforming crews are eager to plant something more than mosses and algae once the land masses stop moving. They've tried planting on the more stable continents, but their only goal was to increase the oxygen levels. The trees and such will have to come along later when Terra isn't quite so antsy."

"It all sounds amazing, but the only thing I can think of is I how much I will miss you all."

"We'll be back from time to time," Jason said, trying to sound optimistic. "Establishing a new ecosystem on a planet isn't easy. Fine-tuning the flora and fauna takes a lot of tweaking. This is where we'll return to pick up the things we need to do that tweaking."

"And we're not all going," the white bear interjected. "My godson, Éric, and his husband, Luca, are staying. Their family is here. The town where everyone sees them is here. They're staying behind to protect them. All totaled, there are two hundred and eighty-nine beasts staying behind."

"That's comforting," Aubrey said. "At least not everyone is leaving."

"Don't be too comforted by their staying behind. All but six have subdermal transponders."

"A fail-safe?"

"Activated by command or in the event of a medical emergency. Coeus will be hyper-diligent about those who stay behind."

"Coeus?"

Eric gave a nod. "Ori's child. Ori will move to Terra once the infrastructure is in place to allow the transfer. Coeus will watch over those who stay behind."

"What happens when someone activates their transponder?"

"You'll have some very short-term visitors. My brother, Jiao-long, was eager to teach his sons how to create traversable wormholes so they could act as rescue teams during emergencies. Seems they were already aware of them. They've known about them for millennia. While he was dead, they were not sleeping."

Aubrey laughed. "Your family leads a life that doesn't adapt well to our vocabulary. How's Jiao-long taking the idea that his children know more than he does now?"

"He's fine. Actually, more than fine. He's so proud of all his boys. All I can say is thank god he doesn't carry a wallet, or he'd fill it with pictures to show you every time he visits. His children are trying to teach him how to augment his wormhole techniques to be more akin to what Adam and his family do. Turns out the temple dogs are space-benders. It's like watching any kid trying to explain high tech to his parents, but they're hanging in there."

"And you, Old Bear? How are you doing?"

"I'm in the same boat as my brother. I am working with powers I have let lie dormant for too long. The temple dogs are equally patient with me, though. I used space bending to help transfer Terra's family here. It's better than wormholes for large object transport. I was clumsy, but I'm getting better at it. So, there may be hope for us both."

"Not that, Old Bear," the president pressed. "I mean, how are you doing?"

The bear sighed. "Not well, Aubrey. Everything about what is happening hurts. Everything that I do weighs on me. But there are things we cannot change and promises we've made that I have to honor."

"What can I do to help?"

"Can we send a few visitors to your meeting with the UN representatives?"

"Of course. Are you coming as the CEO of Bear Paws Enterprises?"

"I'm not coming. My son, Gabriel, is. He and the others won't be representatives of any earthly consortium. They're coming as alien visitors. There is something we need to tell the inhabitants of Earth."

"Do I get to hear about this first?"

"Would you like some lemonade?"

Aubrey shook her head. "That bad, huh?"

The polar bear nodded. "That bad."

Chapter 27

The dinner break had ended. The milling around of UN representatives was ending, and once more, people were finding their seats. Aubrey looked down at her tablet, trying to sort through the agenda one last time. The United Nations Secretary-General stood up and gaveled the gathering to order. The last of the stragglers talking among themselves found their seats.

"Thank you all for staying for an additional session on such short notice," the Secretary-General said. "We will send a transcript of this meeting to all the nations not attending tonight. Once they have time to review the data, we will decide our future actions." He turned to the President of the United States and extended his hand. "I will turn over the rest of this meeting to President Aubrey Cortez."

The president stood up. "Thank you, Secretary-General, and thank you, members of the United Nations. Please understand what I am telling you, I found out only today. My staff has spent the better part of today confirming the information. We believe it's in the world's best interest not to hide anything." Aubrey did her best to give all the gravitas she had to the words that followed. "We stand on the precipice of a disaster of unbelievable proportions, and only a concerted effort from all our nations will avert it."

The murmur of the crowd was almost instantaneous. "Please, please," Aubrey said, raising her hands to quiet the crowd. "I did not come here without proof, but I needed to get your attention, and now that I have it, I would like to proceed as best as possible in an orderly fashion. We will not leave this room until we address all your questions as best we can."

One man behind the president leaned over to another and whispered, "Are you sure that Eric doesn't need to be here? I'm positive this isn't where I should be. I'm not the most diplomatic of my brothers."

The white-bearded, portly human next to him smiled. "Gabriel and I discussed this. My son has enough on his plate already. You're his brother, and Adam suggested we need you to lend a certain gravitas to this meeting."

"I can't imagine why," the other said as he leaned back to listen to the president.

The president pointed to the individuals behind her. "These gentlemen will answer most of your questions, but first, we should explain what is happening. The Neptune Far-reach Monitors verified the information I am about to give you. We also have confirmation by both the Sagan and the Leavitt deep-space telescopes. Two asteroids are approaching Earth."

There was an immediate interruption. "That is why we built Sky Shield. This didn't need to involve us, did it?"

"Sky Shield can protect us from any meteoroid two kilometers or smaller. That is enough to protect us from almost anything we deal with. It handled 99942 Apophis without a hitch. But there are Asteroids out there much, much larger than Apophis. We never had to deal with them, but that's because we haven't been on this planet for very long. The asteroid that destroyed the dinosaurs was almost twelve kilometers in size. Planet killers, those asteroids larger than even the one that took down the dinosaurs, are out there. And there is one coming straight for us. In its wake is a smaller, but no less deadly, companion."

The voices of the crowd were no longer a murmur. The panic was evident. One question was on everyone's lips, "How long before it hits?"

"At their current trajectory, they will impact the planet in ten years."

A gentleman in the middle row called the answer into question. "No telescopes can follow such a small moving object ten years out. Is this all some sort of conjecture by the US?"

"No, it's not," replied the dirty blonde Kodiak behind the president. What the UN representatives saw was mixed. Most saw whatever character gave them the most confidence in what the bear was saying. But Gabriel had little concern about what the humans saw when they looked at him. He folded his arms and leaned on the table in front of him. "The Neptune Far Reach monitors received a substantial upgrade to their optics. The Sagan and Leavitt telescopes can see even further out into space. The Mars long-range telescopes are being retrofitted and will confirm the data within the week."

"Scientists are always claiming an end to the world," another yelled out across the hall. "It hasn't happened yet."

"That's true," the white-haired man with a strong resemblance to Santa responded. "The world never ends because those scientists save you by sounding a warning bell in time for you to do something about it." The man leaned forward, matching the bear. "You're always slow to act and reluctant as hell to do anything, but eventually you realize what they're telling you is the truth, and you do something about it. But this time, unless you heed that warning bell and act quickly, you won't need to worry about the end of the world because you'll watch it happen in real time."

"How can you know these things?" another voice asked.

"Because we're aliens, and we've watched what has happened to this planet for a very long time," Gabriel answered. The white-haired elf waved his hand low across the table, and five gray aliens with large black eyes appeared. "Really, Dad?" the first Gray fumed. "Papa told me about this." The one furthest from him shrugged.

"This is insane!" another in the crowd yelled. "Since when did we allow alien creatures to determine what we do with our planet?"

"YOUR PLANET!" the middle Gray said, standing up. "Of all the arrogance," he bellowed. "This is not your planet. It never was."

The first Gray looked up at the one standing only a foot taller than those seated. "Uncle, try not to get upset. We're not staying here, remember? Let them believe that this is their planet. It may convince them to act to preserve it."

"But Gabriel," the other protested, "They weren't even here first. We were here millions of years before them and the dragons long before us. They have no right to act as if we're the ones who don't belong here."

"I know, but it's their nature to do so, nonetheless. That isn't the battle we're here to fight." The seated gray put his hand in the hand of the one standing, and he turned to the crowd of nations. "We fit the Neptune satellites with optics of our own design. We told your scientists where to point your satellites. The data on the screens before you confirm what we're telling you. This isn't something you can choose not to believe without serious consequences."

"This is what you bring us, Madam President?" one of the crowd yelled. "Aliens and dragons? Mythology wrapped up in costumes?"

Jiao-long growled. "You ignorant ape. You talk of mythology when you barely survived your own? How often were you on the brink of extinction from your wars over whose god is right? How many children died because you couldn't believe scientists found a vaccine for the diseases that afflict you? And now, you can't believe what stands before you because of your incredulity?"

"I see a group of fuzzy images and very little proof that what we see and what you say is true," the UN representative rebutted.

Aubrey broke in, trying to keep the increasingly vocal crowd calm. "These men are here at risk of their own lives trying to help us."

"You want the truth?" the standing Gray yelled.

"Uncle, no!" the first Gray said, bolting from his chair and becoming an upright massive bear that all could see. That was when bedlam broke out. The standing Gray shook, and a massive purple dragon rose in his stead. Gabriel reached out to restrain his uncle but found himself flung against the far wall when the dragon's wings snapped into place.

"This is the truth," the dragon roared, his thirty-foot wingspan pushing against the ceiling. The crowd broke into a panic, and many of those seated were now running for the exits.

Further down the table, the last Gray shook his head and became a ruddy Kodiak bear. "Well, this went spectacularly well, huh, Husband?" he said, looking at the Gray to his right.

The last of the Grays shifted into an otter. Rubbing his head as he stood up, Gabriel looked at Adam. "Are the humans always this difficult to deal with?" the younger bear asked the otter as he made his way back to the dais.

"I told you there would be complications," Adam replied. With a wave of his hand, all the UN representatives were back in their seats. However, this time as they rose to flee once more, they found themselves pinned to the seats and incapable of talking. The otter stood up. "I hate doing this, but you know how when your kids are driving you nuts because you need them to act like adults, but they won't?" The otter jumped up on the table. "So, now you're in a time-out, and when you decide to act like adults, I'll let you out of those chairs. In the meantime, I suggest you listen to the others on this dais because your lives depend on it."

The young Kodiak finally reached the dais and begged, "Please Uncle, this can't go on. We can't scare them into believing."

The dragon looked down at the bear and shifted. The winged temple dog hugged the blonde Kodiak. "I've made a mess of things, haven't I? I'm so sorry, Nephew. Honestly, I don't know why you brought me."

"I was the one who insisted," the otter said, smiling. "You're here because now these people believe that aliens and dragons are real."

Aubrey shook her head. "I think most of them believe they're having a mental breakdown, Adam."

"Pretty much the same endgame for me," the otter said, with a laugh. "Show them, Jiao-long. Show them what those fuzzy images look like up close."

The dragon's hands rotated, and a wormhole opened near the ceiling. Covering the expanse of the vaulted ceiling, the crowd looked upward at the two rusty rocks hurtling through space.

"It's only a projection," said one of the UN representatives, who found his voice again.

"I'll let you out of your seat," Jiao-long offered as he shifted back to a winged temple dog. "Reach out to the asteroids and the wormhole will take you there. If you live long enough to reach back before your lungs explode, I'm sure the General Assembly will be grateful for your sacrifice. The object lesson of seeing your dead body landing here on the podium should sway a few in our direction. Dead bodies always seem to impress people that what they're seeing is real."

"Or you could believe us," the dirty-blonde bear said shaking his head at the dragon's retort. "We are here to tell you that in ten years, the smaller asteroid will hit the side of Mars, raising enough dust to blanket the entire planet. The humans there will be buried alive. The dust will push past the air filters. It will suffocate them within three days.

"The asteroid's mass will remain mostly intact, but the impact will throw it off from its parallel path with the other asteroid. As it ricochets off Mars and hits the larger asteroid, there will be a change in their trajectories. Those changes will place the larger asteroid on a direct path to the center of Asia. But before it hits Earth, it will hit the moon, splitting it into even more debris falling toward Earth. The smaller asteroid will impact the Pacific Ocean near San Francisco. They'll be moving at five hundred eighty-nine kilometers a second. They will impact Earth sixty-three days after every human on Mars has died. The humans on the moon and Earth will fare no better. This is a mass extinction event with no human survivors. Even the most resilient organisms except the extremophiles that live near the hydrothermal vents will be obliterated."

The UN Council members stared at their vid-screens as an animation of the bear's words showed in graphic detail the outcome of inaction. "But surely you can help us," another who found his voice begged.

"Oh, now the aliens are just fine," the winged temple dog groused. "Save our sorry asses, but don't mingle. We humans own this planet, after all."

"Uncle," Gabriel said, frowning at the dog. The dog zipped his fingers across his lips and dropped his head against the table. With a simple motion of Jiao-long's paws, the wormhole above the crowd folded in on itself and was no more.

"We will not be here when the asteroids enter this solar system," the young bear responded. "We are leaving. Preparations are already underway. You declared this is your planet. You must step up to save it. I doubt anyone else is going to."

"But you can't leave us defenseless," a voice called out.

"You're not defenseless," Gabriel countered. "If you work together, you can push both of the asteroids out of their current path and direct them both toward the sun. It would only take a few degrees to shift them far enough to miss Mars and Earth if you begin the process soon enough. Two asteroids falling into the sun won't affect your planet. Asteroids hit the sun's surface all the time. Both asteroids will burn away to a tenth of their size and flatten before they impact."

Aubrey leaned on the podium. "This is what we must do as a world united. If we choose to continue to let our increasing bickering win out, then we will see the end of the human race in ten years. If we try to save ourselves by burying underground, we will fail. Those whose minds are already working on this problem say it will be five years before they can implement a solution to move the asteroids. If we ignore what is before us, if we wait to act on this, then we write our own epitaphs with the blood of those we promised to protect."

"But how can we know this is true? This could bankrupt entire nations and deplete reserves. The costs will be staggering."

"Yes, those could be the outcomes of our actions," Aubrey responded. "And unless we realize that we're in this together, that we must share all that we have, and all work toward a solution, we will fail. Pretend if you will that we can survive a planet-killing asteroid. We certainly can't survive two. This is where humanity has to decide what is important to us."

"Can you give us time to review what you've shown us?" the Secretary-General asked. "We will need to talk to our people. We must decide what is best for us."

Aubrey nodded. "Of course. Take the information we gave you and return to your homes. This is something we all must commit to if we are to succeed. That level of commitment requires thought and study."

One of the assembly rose. "As one scientist who will now throw his hat into this ring, I would like to point out that time is of the essence. If we can alter the trajectory of those asteroids, they may miss us. But if we don't do it soon enough and don't push them far enough away from us, we will still suffer. A near miss could alter the asteroids' trajectory. Even if the larger one misses, the earth and moon's gravitational fields could pull the smaller one into an orbit around Earth. The results will be catastrophic."

"Well spoken, Dr. Tamaguchi," Aubrey said. "This has been a most unusual night. I can't say it went as smoothly as I had hoped, but as you return to your people, know that you will face equally difficult circumstances going forward. Like tonight, we must get this information into the hands of those who can help, no matter the complications. This is one negotiation that we can't walk away from."

The otter looked first at his brown bear husband and then at the others. "Well, I think we pretty much did what we came here for. How about I take the family out for cake and ice cream?"

Jiao-long lifted his head. "With those little sprinkles?"

"Sure, why not?"

The temple dog smiled. "I'm game."

The others nodded. With a wave of the otter's paw, the aliens were gone.

Chapter 28

The polar bear and the blue woman with long, flowing hair walked quietly along the rocky surface. "Are you sure, Mom?" Eric asked. "Do you think she's ready for me… for us?"

"Terra has grown leaps and bounds over the five years," Gaia replied. "She is ready for you, Son. She is so eager to try and help. Talk to those helping with the terraforming. They are amazed at how fast this world is evolving." Even surrounded by nothing but rock and stone, Gaia's voice was the breeze through trees that weren't there. Eric smiled. How he loved his mother's voice. How comforting to sense life when she spoke, even where none was to be found.

"I've been studying hard to understand what makes a healthy planet," the bear said.

"I thought your husbands warned you of the dangers of bringing science into this," the mother advised.

"They did, but JP put the moon into place using science. The axis tilt is stable because he knew the degree it needed shifting to be so. I'm not afraid of science, Mom. I realize that it keeps me grounded and more secure in what I do."

"Then I encourage your efforts to learn all you can," Gaia responded with her voice wrapping around her son like a hug. "But try to remember the mystery that life brings us doesn't always need to be solved. Sometimes letting the mystery be is what creates the miracle we seek."

"I will, Mom. I've been studying by looking at pictures of the earth, everything from microscopic plant life to views from space. I still know little about the minutia of it all, but I understand enough to sense what Terra needs."

"I hope you noticed she stopped the constant rain once she finished melting the comets. And her volcanic activity has lessened substantially." Gaia's arms waved outward to the sky. "Even the ash is gone from the atmosphere. Terra is trying to make herself ready for you. She is invested in the world around her. Today, you bridge her world with yours."

"I learned how salty the oceans need to be to sustain the life she wants. I understand why the polar ice caps form. The glaciers, the temperate zones, the deserts, the various wind patterns that affect climate, I've studied them all." Eric paused. "All I want is for her to be happy."

"And she wants the same for you," Gaia said with a smile. Her hands extended outward and waved toward the rocky surface. "Here is your canvas. Here is where she wants you to build your world. Kurt and his crew have proved she is ready for this challenge. But their progress is so slow. Terra needs you, Son. Whatever vision is in your mind, this is what you have to work with. Build that world for her."

"I'm not sure I'm that skilled."

"Derrick thought the same thing. He lacked confidence, not skill."

"You said you would hold his hand."

"I can hold yours. Only most find it more embarrassing when a mother does that for her grown son."

Eric laughed. "Okay. You're right. But will you at least help me by ensuring I'm putting everything together correctly?"

"That is the joy of a new world. There are so few mistakes you can make. See the world in your mind's eye and let it evolve to meet that vision."

The polar bear reached out his paws and stared down at them. "Not a surgeon's hands, Son," his mother cautioned. "This is not taking away. It's not sewing back together a torn world. Use the gifts given to you by your brothers. Bring order from chaos. Bear witness to the life in every stone. All you need is before you. You simply need to rearrange it."

The bear rotated his paws and stared at the blue glow. "As in the dark time," he whispered.

"Exactly. You have created life before from only the atoms that surround you. Your father taught you all you need to know. Lean into your instincts. Let them guide you."

Eric pushed his paws back out, and the blue glow covered his body. It melded with a layer of green, and then the yellow light swept over it all. In his mind, he walked through virgin forests and touched ancient sequoia generations old. He felt the ocean breeze across his face and the sound of wind moving through grass across the open plains. The world became a life that only wished to be born. He marveled at the gestation of everything, sharing the same amazement as the creation of his sons inside the chrysalis so many years ago.

The world around him began taking the shape and form that matched the eons of slow evolution that Terra once experienced. In his mind, the same growth that led to the birth of a child billions of years old spilled into the new world all around him. Terra knew what she wanted. She had seen it grow up around her, and she guided the bear in his task. Eric realized the world would grow the same as his sons had grown. They didn't need him to decide what they would be. He only needed to watch over them and give them what they needed to find their path. Terra would be the same.

Continents continued to drift into place, pushing up new mountains and digging canyons into the earth. Icecaps formed at the poles as the world adjusted to accommodate the axis shifts made by a winged bear so many years ago. The jet streams evolved, moving over the surface of the young planet. They found the paths of least resistance, and in doing so, they taught the white bear their secret.

Eric sensed a warm glow spread through him as his paws turned a bright red. Deep within the ocean, fissures in the earth leached molten lava and gasses into the water. A nutrient-rich soup for life spilled from Terra's core. Even the power he feared most gave birth to life in the darkest recesses of the evolving world.

Erosion that would have taken millions of years to accomplish created fjords in only moments. Coastlines stretched out along the edges of the land. They became sandy beaches and rugged cliffs of basalt, limestone, and granite. The world's timeline sped by like a child sired in the dark time. Eric understood this world. He knew how to create life from the atoms that surrounded him. He had learned how to fuse all creation into the evolving life within the chrysalis of the Unity, and it poured out onto Terra through his brother's powers.

There was no fear, no hesitation. Eric listened to Terra, and he responded to her entreaties with a confidence that amazed even him. How long the old bear stayed at work, he couldn't say, but eventually, he slowed. He paused and whispered to Terra. "It's time, Terra. We need to rest. What remains must be done by our children. The Were Nation will rise to meet you. They will be your helpmates, your protectors, and the stewards of this land we have created together. It is time for you to rest. It is time for your surface to grow calm."

The bear heard Terra's voice, and this time he understood her. "We will be one, Terra. We will find a way," he said as he collapsed to his knees onto the grass below him. He looked up at his mother, smiling down at him. "How did I do, Mom?"

His mother sat beside him. "I think Derrick would be very proud of his Papa Bear today."

"And Oliver?"

"He might not say it, but he would be proud of you as well. He just wouldn't want you to get a swelled head about it."

The polar bear chuckled. "That sounds like Oliver." He paused. "I love them, Mom. I love them so much."

"And they love you."

"I hope I do right by them. I hope I do right by everyone."

"We can only try, Son. We do our best. It is all we can ever ask of ourselves or anyone else."

"Thank you for being here today. Thank you for all you did."

The blue lady threw back her hair and laughed. The entire world around the two came alive with the sound. "Who me?" she asked. "All I did was hold your hand."