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Counter Earth Chronicles

Chapter 73: Someone Who Was Chosen From The Chosen (Finals Week Part Three)

Day 233 continued

(Wow once again Toby was in danger. Was his luck going to run out for good this time?)

“What a chapter! I wonder what is going to happen next? I know it is getting late but can we read another?" I asked the coyote female.

She just gave me a blank stare in the light of the red pad.

(She doesn't even speak a little English? I guess this is where I test what I know.)

*Ratata-frozzen-alta*

Lurie nodded and then corrected my translation.

*Ragata-frossen-alba* she said to me.

(Damn, am I ever going to learn Animalian?)

Lurie said that she was up for reading a few more stories with me before calling it a night. But given the subject material if she started getting hot, wet and bothered she wasn't going to be held responsible for what happened after that.

Story Three: A Light In the Darkness

_Toby struggled to free himself from the web as the spider-thing which was more than two thirds his size finished devouring the yellow-eyed creature and moved towards him. _

Unable to move or free himself the former tiger now bear, looked like he was finished.

_*slice* *slice* _

*UMF*

Toby found himself on the forest floor free from the spider's web.

“What happened?!"

“I set you free." The spider thingie said.

Toby stood up to look at it and its six eyes.

“You're a female! Why did you set me free?!" He asked her.

“Because I am no longer hungry. I only take what I need and that Twerp while not that tasty, was more than enough."

Once again fate had shined brightly on Toby. It turns out the spider creature was quite friendly or something like that.

“Thank you!" Toby said to the spider.

“Actually I always have had somewhat of an affinity for your kind." The spider responded. “I think you bears are quite handsome creatures." She said smirking.

_It took Toby a moment to realize exactly what and where her six eyes were staring. _

_That's right, I am going to have to do something about that. Toby said to himself. _

The little were was still unnerved that he was naked and even more so at having everyone stare at his genitals.

“You need help with something sweetie?" The spider creature asked bringing him back to reality.

“Yes ma'am please! I am looking for another bear like myself only taller he is brown with a tan muzzle and is wearing arm and leg bands- oh and he has tribal markings on his arms."

“Yes, I saw him a while ago. He is headed that way." The lady spider thingie said pointing.

“Thank you." Toby said to the spider.

“Beware though it looks like he was headed to see Surly."

“Who is that?" Toby asked.

“He is a cranky creature who lives in a large tree about a few miles from here. He likes studying things- intensely."

“You mean like a researcher?"

“What's a researcher?" The female spider-creature asked.

“Someone that studies things."

“Yes something like that- even more so. He obsesses about it and about learning, and about knowledge and learning about learning. Be very careful around him; he is quite unpredictable.

“Thank you ma'am." Toby said as he caught Devious' scent and resumed the search.

Toby continued carefully tracking Devious scent to the west. Along the way he thought about his exposure problem. He needed to cover up his privates with something, a piece of cloth- but there really wasn't much in the woods to work with save for leaves and bark.

As he continued to walk, the young were heard the familiar sounds of moaning. The Ghouls! Where they still after him?! No. There were additional sounds. Some one growling and another screaming. Was it Devious?

The little bear quietly and carefully made his way toward the source of the sounds. Toby arrived at a small clearing where he saw another group of ghouls or were these the same ones? He couldn't tell, the ghouls had surrounded two white wolves. The luckless souls appeared to be an adult wolf and his daughter who was much younger than Toby. The adult was dressed in a simple white loin cloth. His body had scars on it as well as what looked to be tribal tattoos on his biceps and thighs. The wolf had a small build perhaps from the hard life he had led judging by the numerous scars on his body.

"Papa! They are all around us!"

The younger wolf was also wearing only a white loin cloth and appeared to be quite scared given their situation.

_It looked like those two had survived many confrontations with the dangerous creatures that inhabited this world until now; the two fought bravely against their attackers- but there was just too many of them. _

Toby kept quiet as he watched the father and daughter fight against the horde of ghouls. The little bear wanted to help but judging by the number of ghouls surrounding the doomed wolves it was too late for them. If Toby tried to offer any assistance he would very likely share their fates.

_The wolves slashed and clawed at the horde of ghouls that were closing in on them in a desperate attempt to stay alive. As they knocked down one creature two more would step in to take its place. _

Toby watched in perverse fascination as two particularly ugly ghouls touched the male wolf on both his shoulders.

_“DECOMPOSE!" They __moaned as the horde backed away from the white wolf who let out a death-cry as his body slowly melted to a pile of flesh, fur, scruff and bones. _

"Papa!" His daughter screamed running to him.

"At least we'll be together Scout!" The father wolf cried. Horrified his daughter ran to his side where she sobbed over his remains and continued to do so when her time came.

“DECOMPOSE!" Another ghoul said as it touched her on both her shoulders.

The ghouls then moved away from the wolves' remains as if they had lost interest and wanted to hunt more prey.

_Toby was horrified. But kept quiet for fear of being discovered. The ghouls soon resumed their migration or wherever they were going after attacking the wolves. The little bear just stared at the pile of bones and fur remains from his hiding place in the brush. Those poor, poor souls! _

The wolves' remains started shaking and trembling violently. Before Toby's eyes in the light of the moons the remains reformed into a ghoul!

So that is how they are made! Toby thought to himself. The newly formed ghoul was wolf-like in shape but was missing fur, some bones and its loin-cloth. It also had a smaller skull for its right hand. It looked like it had just risen from the grave to moan and follow after its brethren.

_Toby sat still and quiet as it moved away. When it and the rest of the horde were at a safe distance. He went to the site in front of him where the wolves had fallen. There were still pieces of bone, fur and matter there; apparently the newly formed wolf ghouls hadn't used all of the parts from their former bodies. _

_Seeing that, Toby picked up one of the loin cloths and placed it around his boy-bits. Hey, the wolves didn't need it anymore. Thankfully, the father and daughter hadn't soiled it during their final moments alive either. _

This place is cruel, mean and inhospitable the little were thought as he continued tracking Devious. Toby walked a few more miles trying to avoid encountering any of the other malevolent creatures in the forest. It was then that he chanced upon a large and tall group of trees. About twenty in all. As he stared at them he noticed one in the back left corner that seemed to be vibrating. There was also a small light coming from it!

This must be the place! As Toby made his way toward it- he realized that someone had hollowed out the center of the tree and built a domicile in it; the tree had a front door, steps and a window with an accompanying shade and it looked much bigger inside than it did outside.

_The craftsmanship and detail were amazing. Toby thought as he decided to peek inside through the window. Who ever had built this must have extensive knowledge construction, woodworking and artistry. _

The room on the other side of the glass looked like a small laboratory- there was a desk, counter with flasks, test tubes, chairs, a restraint rack with shackles and a were-bear and snake-creature wrestling. Wait! What?

Toby took another look to make sure his eyes weren't lying to him. It was Devious and he was fighting with a snake-creature?! The creature had a snake-like head with sharp fangs, brown body with a long tail with yellow diamond markings on its scales and claws.

_The creature lunged at Devious with its fangs. Devious managed to dodge out of the way. Devious then tried to bite and claw the creature who would similarly dodge as well. _

The snake-creature then swatted the were-bear with its tail knocking him to the floor and slapped a muzzle on its snout. Devious tried hard to remove it. When it didn't budge he quickly charged at the snake creature with his claws.

What where they doing? Were they in a fight to the death? What would happen if the snake won? Would Devious die? Toby had to put a stop to this immediately. He made his way to the front door and found it unlocked.

_Toby ran through it and into the confrontation with the bear and the snake-creature. _

_“Devious!" He yelled. _

_“Runt?" Devious asked in surprise. _

_“So now you brought reinforcements?!" The snake-creature hissed. _

The snake didn't take to having its home invaded and it knew that the arrival of another were-bear meant that he was out numbered. It needed to put an end to this quickly so it used Toby's distraction to its advantage.

The snake-creature used its tail to trip Devious flat on his hind quarters. As the adolescent was rising back to his paws- the snake-creature bound Devious in its coils- tightly. Devious struggled but found himself immobilized and helpless.

_It looked bad for the adolescent were-creature. Toby decided he better react and fast. _

“Surly don't!" Toby screamed running to the snake-creature's side grabbing its arm.

“So you know my name do you? Is this a desperate attempt to save this double crossing filth from his punishment?"

“Please sir, don't hurt him. He is someone who is very precious to me." Toby cried.

“You would be better off with a different roll model. We had an agreement and he backed out on it- he deserves everything that is coming to him!" The snake creature said flaring his fangs.

_“Sir if you kill him, you will be killing me as well." Toby said bluntly. “I am not from around here and I can't survive on my own. I need him and from the looks of things he needs me too." _

“Hmm... you're too small to try and rescue him." The snake-creature said looking at the were-creatures difference in size.

“Is that a short joke?!" Toby asked assuming an accusatory tone.

“What if it is?" The snake-creature asked the little were. “What are you going to do about it?" He said as he starred Toby right in the face.

“Nothing sir." Toby said meekly.

“You are quite small and helpless." The snake creature said crossing his arms studying the little bear.

Surly moved Devious to the restraint rack and shackled his arms and legs as Toby watched.

“It looks like Devious- you are going to live up to the end of our bargain whether you want to or not." The snake-creature sneered.

He then turned to the little were-bear:

“So runt you came to fetch him? Why?!"

“It is as I said Mr. Surly. I am not from around here."

_“Really? Where are you from then little bear?" _

Toby was silent for a moment while he pondered whether to tell the snake-creature the truth.

“Woodland Forest."

“I have never head of it." The snake creature said.

“It is another place away from here- outside your world." Toby admitted reluctantly.

“So you are a mortal!" The snake-creature said looking the boy over. “How did you wind up here and how is it that you look like you are from Devious' tribe?"

_Toby paused for a moment then spoke: _

“I entered this world earlier this evening- accidentally. I have been trying to find my way back ever since. I wandered through the Forest of Terror and its many, many dangers before meeting the bear clan far east of here. Instead of offering me shelter and assistance, they tried to kill me; I ran for my life but was hunted and caught by one of them- Devious who took mercy on my plight and turned me into this saving me from them."

“I thought you looked rather young and inexperienced." The snake-creature said nodding his head. “Technically speaking you were just born or rather reborn today."

“That is why I need someone to help me until I can find my way back to my realm and my world. That is Devious over there- but if you kill him, you will be killing me as well."

“Well little were-creature you should have chosen a better role model! That creature is selfish, vindictive, lies and can't be trusted." The snake-creature scoffed.

“Please sir, he is the closest thing to a friend I have here." Toby countered.

_“You really are new here. That word does not exist among the bear clan; each member only uses the other for their own selfish interests." Surly said to the little bear grabbing his paw. _

_The snake-creature sat Toby down at his table in the lab as Devious muffled something to the both of them. _

“Oh one more thing- there is no escape from this place. Many have tried and many, many have died. The forest is littered with their remains."

“Sir, I can't accept that there must be a way out of here!" Toby gasped.

“I have been searching for a very long time and I haven't found one yet." The snake-creature countered.

“Has anyone else ever tried to make an exit? Professors, scientists, explorers or inventors?" Toby asked.

“What are those?" Surly asked.

_“Researchers like yourself." Toby said gesturing to the lab area around them. _

“There isn't any of that little bear, technology as you know it doesn't exist here; as far as I know I am the only researcher in this realm. You see life here is very hard and every beast is too preoccupied with just trying to get by. So there are no discoveries, no inventions, innovations or advancements other than what I myself find- collective knowledge is not shared. If any beast else has made a discovery they kept it to themselves save for rumors."

Toby looked at the bound adolescent were-creature and then the snake creature.

“Which brings me to your 'friend' Devious. I got him out of a rather tough situation a while back and he promised that he would allow me to study him as compensation- I have been dying to study one from your clan for quite some time. I had heard rumors that certain members of your kind can turn their enemies in to other creatures or stone if they so desire. Devious claimed he could."

_“I see." Toby said. “So now what are you going to do?" _

“That depends entirely on you boy." The snake-creature said rising from the table they were seated at. “I want to show you something."

_The snake-creature lead Toby to what looked like a computer work station between the window and the door of the house. He pressed a button and the display illuminated. _

“Wow, it looks really old." The little bear commented.

“Perhaps, but it is the only piece of technology here. Go ahead take a look at it."

Toby examined the work station that looked like a very old computer he had seen in a museum. He looked at the monitor and then the entry device a pad with a few buttons. He was quickly able to figure out how to work the device.

Toby realized the workstation was a device for storing and cataloging knowledge, a knowledge database. The snake-creature let the little bear explore the entries in the database which the boy was able to readily read and comprehend for some reason- a side effect of his transformation?

“I see you have no trouble reading and understanding the text." Surly said.

“Yes sir." Toby said. “This database Mr. Surly is amazing. Do you have any entries on the creatures that inhabit the Forest?"

“That would be under indigenous beasts." The snake creature suggested as he stood next to Toby with his paw on the boy's shoulder.

Toby opened the database and started reading through the entries. He found descriptions and images of all the creatures he had encountered so far including the crawlers, ghouls, globs, twerps and the spider-creature. There was also an entry for the bear clan he had met but it was awfully short. Underneath that was a entry for nagas and it had a picture of Surly!

“Nice picture of me don't you think?" Surly said. “Why don't you read the entry out loud."

“Um, ok." Toby responded:

Naga- a snake-creature commonly found west of the Forrest of Terror. These creatures are solitary, antisocial and have two subclasses: Diamond back and Silver back....

“You're a naga?" Toby said to Surly.

“Keep reading." He said to the little bear.

_.....Silver back nagas are characterized by brown scales with a yellowish silver design. Their eye pupils are circular in nature. Their tails contain a double row of scales. Nonvenomous. _

That was interesting. Surly didn't look anything like that, he didn't even come close. Toby thought while exchanging glances with the snake-creature. Maybe Surly was a Diamond back. He continued reading:

Diamond back nagas- are characterized by brown scales with a yellowish diamond design. Eye pupils are vertical. Head has an angular shape to it with a pit between the nose and eyes. The tail has a double row of scales.

_Toby looked back and forth between Surly and the display as he read the entry. That described Surly exactly! _

But there was more:

Diamond backs are Extremely venomous, Extremely Unpredictable, Extremely dangerous. Do not approach for ANY reason...

As Toby finished reading the entry, the snake creature showed the little bear his features including his vertical pupils, the pit between his eye and nostrils and the double row of scales on the tip of his tail.

"Oh my stars!" Toby eeped.

Toby nearly turned white and struggled very hard not to faint when the snake creature opened his mouth and showed the little bear his fangs- drops of venom dripping from each.

“Now that we understand each other. I am going to show you my sincerity." The naga said grabbing Toby's paw and leading him back to Devious.

“No it's ok, I believe you!"

“Perhaps, but let me drive home the point little bear...." Surly said. The snake-creature then attacked Devious biting him on the neck!

“Devious! No!" Toby screamed dropping to his knees. “Mr. Surly how- how could you?"

“He is alive little bear. But whether he stays that way depends on you." The naga said turning to Toby. “You see my venom is quite potent. One drop causes extreme madness. A second drop causes death."

“I don't understand." Toby bleated.

“It is simpler than you little one. You are going to take his place; I am going to study you- intently for the next few nights. For your friend's safety you will do all that I ask of you. Each night that you are compliant, I will administer antidote to my venom a little at a time restoring his sanity a piece at a time. If you are obedient, he will be made whole by the time I am finished with you. But if I detect any treachery little one, any deviousness, any miss direction, I will bite him a second time and you will know what will happen then." Surly said as he pressed a button on the console and Devious shackles and all dropped into a pit underneath the lab. “I will then let the forest have you."

“I will comply sir." Toby said dropping to his paws and knees.

_“Excellent!" The snake-creature said lifting the boy to his paws. “This way." _

Surly lead Toby back to his chair. “Have a seat." He ordered the little bear.

_Toby nervously sat down fidgeting as the naga approached him and started a physical examination of the former tiger's new ursine body. He checked Toby's mouth, teeth, nose, breathing, pulse, heart rate and eyes. _

_“Ah very, very good." He said. _

“Mr. Surly?"

“Yes boy?"

_“Why didn't you restrain me?" Toby asked. _

“There is no need to, it is called leverage little bear. I don't think you will escape with the life of your 'friend' hanging in the balance."

“Oh." Toby said.

“Now I am going to study you inside and out with emphasis on your Circulatory, Integumentary, Skeletal, Urinary, Respiratory, Endocrine, Lymphatic, Muscular, Nervous and Reproductive Systems. If you are a good boy I may even share my findings with you."

*rumble* *rumble*

“I will comply Mr. Surly, but could you please start with my digestive system? I guess I am getting hungry."

The naga stared at the little bear. “Very well." He left the lab briefly and returned with a bowl of a tan brown, gloopy something. It looked like oatmeal.

“What is that?" Toby asked the snake-creature.

“Your meal." Surly said as he placed a spoon into the substance and started feeding his test subject. “Chew carefully and slowly." He ordered.

Toby obediently did as he was ordered; he was quite hungry.

“Oh!" Toby belched. "This is very, very rich."

“Be that as it may, I want to see if you can digest this."The snake said.

Surly fed the boy for a good twenty minutes. Then placed the bowl to the side and examined Toby's neck, mouth, throat and chest with a bizarre looking instrument that looked like a fork but was missing a few tines from it.

He then picked up his little were-creature gently laying Toby down on his side on the floor.

_“Huh?" Toby asked surprised. _

“Lie still." The snake creature said as he placed a small stick like probe into the little bear's mouth. He then lifted Toby's tail and gently placed a similar stick like probe into his anus.

_The little were assumed that both devices were there to monitor his body temperature like thermometers until he started feeling very nauseous. _

“Mr. Surly I don't feel so well."

“I know." The snake said as he place a bowl in front of the bear with the upset stomach.

“Mr. Surly why?" Toby asked as he started to retch- loudly.

“I want to study how much of your meal you were able to digest." The snake said as he started to rub Toby's back. “It is inconvenient, uncomfortable, but necessary. Now let's see what was in your belly."

*BLARF!!*

The naga continued to rub the little bear's back as he put the contents of his stomach on display into the bowl including the probe that was in his mouth.

As Toby finished vomiting. The naga removed the probe from his anus and the bowl and collected his vomit as well.

“Impressive!" The snake-creature exclaimed.

“What's that?" The little were asked still retching.

_“Your digestive system is quite efficient. It processed what you have just eaten transforming it into energy and did not produce any waste. I have never seen that before." _

“It did?" Toby asked.

“I still want to examine your excrement to corroborate my findings." The snake-creature said.

“EW!" Was all that Toby could say.

Surly then continued to feed the boy until he was full and begged the snake-creature not to feed him anything else.

“Very well. Let's move on to your respiratory system."

“Uh, how are you going to test that?" Toby asked.

Surly fumbled through a drawer near the boy producing a large cylinder with a red indicator on it. He attached a tube to the neck of it.

“I want you to take a deep breath and then exhale into this device with all that you have."

_“Uh, ok." Toby said as he placed his maw around the breathing tube. _

He then took a deep breath and exhaled hard pushing as much air from his lungs as he could. Surly watched the meter on the cylinder fluctuate wildly.

“That is enough boy." The snake-creature ordered. “Your lung capacity is quite impressive too. Despite that you don't have the petrification ability that some of the others do."

“What's that?" Toby asked.

“The ability to turn things into stone at your will." The snake-creature responded. “It is a final attack that kills one's enemy. I suspect your 'friend' does, but he refuses to show it to me. Perhaps he has used it in the past with much regret..."

_“How so?" The little were-creature asked. _

“Because once it is done. It can't be undone." The naga said to the boy.

“Devious does have the transformation ability." The boy said to the snake-creature. “I used to be a mortal. To save me from the clan, he turned me into this- one of them."

_“Exactly how did he accomplish this?" Surly asked motioning to Toby to stand up. He then started examining the little were's body. _

“Hold your arms out." He ordered.

Surly examined the boy's muscle tone, paws, back, chest, head, rump, tail and groin, much to Toby's embarrassment.

“He bit me on my shoulder and it hurt very much. The pain radiated out from the bite and expanded to envelope my body- he warned me not to fight it, just accept it. I was then changed to the creature you see now. It was very, very painful."

_“I wished that I could have studied you in your mortal form for comparison as well. It appears that your transformation also aged you." Surly said. _

“How can you tell?" Toby asked as Surly fondled his scrotum and testicles.

“When you were a mortal how low did these hang?"

“Not much at all." Toby responded thoughtfully.

“Well I can see here that your scrotum is larger and hangs lower than that of a youngling. In other words you are sexually mature and now appear to be close in age to Devious as well. Anyway moving right along. Next let's test your blood. Let me see your paw."

“Your are going to prick me aren't you?!" Toby said scared.

_“If I do what are you going to do about it?" _

“Plead."

“Don't like the sight of blood do you?" Surly snickered. “I could always bite you- I can't promise that I won't inject anything though."

Toby was silent as he held out his paw. Which the snake-creature pricked causing a few drops of blood to appear. Using a dropper the naga collected some samples.

_“Now I am going to test your circulatory, lymphatic and endocrine systems." _

Surly said as he grabbed another dropper and placed a few drops into the blood that was appearing on Toby's paw from the pin prick.

_“How do you feel right now?" _

“Should I be feeling anything?" Toby asked.

“You should start to feel really dizzy and soon."

That did happen. As the were-bear stared at the naga the room started to spin and quickly. He felt very dizzy.

“Impressive! That was an almost instantaneous reaction!"

“Mr. Surly please."

“Here boy." The snake-creature gave Toby something sour to drink. “That should stop the dizziness. Now we wait to see how long it takes to work out of your system. In the meantime I suppose I should make you comfortable. The naga said lifting Toby from the chair and putting away the bowl and the rest of his instruments.

Surly carried Toby to another room of his house. Toby watched the naga wriggle across the floor from the lab. It was amazing to watch this creature without legs move.

“I couldn't help but notice the loin cloth little bear. Like you it is adorably cute, but functionally useless."

“Useless?"

“The members of that clan don't wear clothing as you could tell from your 'friend' Devious. They only adorn their bodies in small trinkets, markings and drawings."

Toby was silent.

Surly continued... “From the limited information I have been able to gather they are ruled by a female whom they call the Sage. Each member of the clan is named after a prevailing trait that they exhibit. You probably have noticed that in your limited dealings with them."

Yes, Toby admitted some of those that pursued him had odd names like Worthless, Useless, Hopeless, Hapless and then there was Devious.

“Well, the Sage leaves members to fend for themselves for the most part only bringing the clan together when they or their territory are threatened. Having said that, she is quite controlling and manipulative. Her subjects will do anything she asks and without question."

“That is the person I met this evening at their big meeting." Toby said. “How long has she been in power?"

“For quite a long time. So what ever she is doing to keep the clan from being wiped out it is working." Surly said to the boy. “How do you feel?"

_“Exhausted." Toby responded. _

“It looks like it is working out of your system. That didn't take long at all." The naga said. “Ok boy, I guess we should call it a night. As per our agreement I will now treat your friend."

The naga let Toby follow him back to the lab where he pressed a few buttons on the console. A image of Devious appeared from the pit still bound and gagged on the computer. Surly pressed another button and a rod with a sharp tip descended from the ceiling and jabbed the were-creature in his left shoulder giving Devious a small piece of antidote and small piece of his sanity back.

_Surly then turned off the console, picked up his little test subject and carried him to the rear of his house. As he did Toby glanced out of some of the windows and into the forest. It was still dark. _

“Surly, when does daybreak happen around these parts?" The little were-creature asked.

“Daybreak?! What is daybreak? Surly asked.

“You know, when it is not dark outside."

“It is always night here little bear there is no such thing as day." Surly responded placing Toby down on a chair.

“It can't be Toby said getting up from the chair and looking out the window of the room. See it looks like the darkness is now starting to fade- like dawn is approaching."

“That is as good as it gets."

Just as Surly said that, the pseudo dawn ended and the night returned.

_“Oh." Toby responded as the snake-creature picked him up. _

_“You see, it is a new night. You will rest here." _

_“Mr. Surly you don't have a bed?!" _

“A bed?! Oh yes that is that soft thing you mortals sleep on. I don't have a need for such a thing. In fact, it doesn't exist here." The naga said to the boy.

“I am starting to realize quite a few things don't. If you don't have a bed then, how do you sleep?!" Toby asked him.

“Usually wrapped in my coils like you will be." Surly said surrounding and binding his test subject.

“Too tight! Too tight!"

_The snake-creature loosened his grasp. _

“Better?"

_“Yes sir." Toby said as he relaxed within the creature's binds. In a weird way it felt like he was wearing a big circular blanket. _

As the naga was preparing to drift off to sleep. Toby thought about his host.

“Surly, how long have you lived here? In this place?"

“Hush and go to sleep little bear. We will talk again later."

“I was just wondering."

“All my life. I was born here." The naga responded.

“How old are you?" The little were-creature asked.

“Using the the method you mortals use to tell time- I am almost 90 of your years- middle aged."

“Where I come from 90 years old is not middle age." Toby responded.

“Time flows differently here some age very slowly and some not at all." The snake-creature responded.

_Toby was about to ask Surly another question when the naga rattled his tail in front of the little bear startling him. _

“Go to sleep or is this a ploy to bore me to death so that you and Devious can escape?"

“Nothing like that sir. I was just curious." Toby decided to remain quiet and let sleep claim him as well.

Several hours later Toby awoke to find the snake-creature watching him rather intently.

“Eek!!!"

“Something wrong?" Surly asked.

“How long have you been watching me?"

“A while." The naga responded. “I was studying your sleeping habits."

“Weren't you supposed to be sleeping too?" Toby asked.

“My kind don't really sleep that much." Surly said standing up.

“Well having you watch me while I sleep, it is creepy especially when you 'stand' up and look down on me like that. Like I am your prey or something."

“So how do you feel little bear?"

“Tired."

“I mean do you have to relieve yourself?"

“Toby thought for a minute, got up and then nodded."

_Surly rose, uncoiled himself and then carried his test subject back into the lab, set him down on a chair, rolled up his loin cloth and placed a glass cylinder underneath the boy's penis. _

Toby was embarrassed. “You don't have a bathroom?"

“So that is what you mortals call it? No. This is it."

_“EW!" The little bear said. _

_“Let's talk about something else then." Surly said as he presented the cylinder to Toby's penis. _

“Why do you do what you do?" The little bear asked.

“Hmm?" The naga responded anxiously waiting for his urine sample.

“Why do you study things?" Toby asked the snake-creature.

Surly responded almost instantly. “I have a thirst for knowledge that developed when I was a youngling. I think it started when I poisoned my first victim which caused me to wonder why they reacted to my venom like they did. No one could tell me, so that in turn peaked my curiosity from there. When I learned the truth I started growing curious about other things and that fueled my quest. Now where is my urine sample?"

“Uh...." Toby responded as Surly gently rubbed the little were's bladder.

Just then a trickle of urine left the little-were's penis and collected in the cylinder.

“That was it?!" Surly asked Toby.

“Um hmm."

The naga placed the cylinder on the counter of the lab, grabbed his instruments and resumed examining his test subject.

“Unbelievable! I fed you an entire meal and this is the only waste you produced?!"

_That peaked the snake-creature's curiosity tenfold. Over the next five nights Surly poked, prodded, picked, pricked, examined and reexamined every orifice on his reluctant little test subject vastly adding to his knowledge and his database on the bear clan. _

_Toby obediently complied with each of the naga's requests. Although he was a bit freaked out when the snake-creature wanted to collect a semen sample. Many times the snake creature ran and reran the same tests to verify his findings often tiring Toby out completely. As the bear slept, the snake would study him some more. After the completion of each night's work Surly would administer a little more antidote to his venom restoring a portion of Devious' sanity each time. _

_On the fifth night during Toby's final physical... _

“Your new form boy is incredible on many levels." Surly said grabbing Toby by the jaw. “I have never seen something so adaptive and efficient. Take care of it boy. In this place it will be the most prized possession you will ever own."

“Yes sir." Toby responded. “So will you keep your end of the agreement?"

“I suppose I shall." The snake creature responded. “But tell me what do you intend to do with Devious if I free him?"

Toby thought about it. “I am going to have him teach me how to survive here. How to deal with the many dangers, how and what to eat. He is also going to help me try to find a way back to my world."

_“If one exists the snake-creature countered. I have been looking for a exit for a very long time and have yet to find it." Surly said pressing a button on the console. _

As he did a trap door opened and a lift moved Devious from the pit to the floor of the lab in front of the two.

“You chose an interesting character to be your guide and mentor." Surly said examining the adolescent were-creature. “Devious is nothing but a selfish rogue. But still, having someone to look after just might be good for him. It just might give his life a little purpose and force him to change his ways. There, his sanity has returned."

“He is fine?!" Toby asked the naga who was releasing the were-creature from his confines.

_Devious dropped to the floor of the lab. _

_“Fine being the relative term. Now take him and go- while you still can." The snake-creature said giving Toby some items. _

“Thank you Mr. Surly. But please let's not end on these terms."

“What do you mean boy?" The naga asked arms folded.

“I mean I am new here and I need resources. I need friends Mr. Surly. I would like to think that during our time together that we became just that. You freely shared your knowledge with me and I appreciate that."

_“I will think about it little bear, but if we should meet again- approach me at your peril." The snake-creature said rattling his tail. _

Toby picked up Devious and help escort the weak were-creature outside of the lab where he fed Devious the food that Surly had given him.

“How do you feel?" Toby asked.

“Weak. That snake did not feed me until today." Devious said devouring the food Toby had given him."

“I think he did that on purpose. Remember he bound your mouth so that you couldn't bite him." Toby said.

“Yeah Runt. He bit me instead." Devious reluctantly admitted.

_“So what was it like to be poisoned? To lose your sanity?" _

“It wasn't fun little bear. I thought when he threw me into that pit after I went back on our deal, I was done for. But here I am five nights later- free. What did you do?" The adolescent were-creature said to Toby.

“I pleaded with the naga to spare your life. We ended up coming to an understanding where I would voluntarily become his test subject if he would promised not to kill you." The little bear said looking Devious in the eyes.

“You... did... that for me?"

“Yes I did. I came looking for you after you abandoned me in the forest. Tracking you was quite perilous and I came close to dying again and again. It also taught me something important as well." Toby said. “I can't survive here, not without help. I was lucky to get this far and many many times I thought my luck had run out."

“So we're back to wanting me to take care of you is it?" The adolescent were-bear smirked.

_“Yes, I need help. Someone to teach me how to live here in this dangerous place. Someone to help me search for a way back home. Devious that person is you. You have lived here all your life I presume and know this place like the back of your paw. Toby said helplessly. _

The were-bear thought for a minute.

“What's in it for me?!" He ask the little were as he finished eating.

“What's in it for you?! What the hell!" Toby stammered. “I just saved you from a vicious, venomous, unpredictable snake!"

“You ARE new here. Listen Runt. No one here does anything- ANYTHING out of the kindness of their own heart. We are just tools to be used by others. Everyone has a reason or ulterior motive for everything they do. Everyone." Devious said to Toby.

“I didn't." The little bear responded.

“Didn't you now? You were mad at me for abandoning you, you hunted me down and ended up rescuing me from that snake. That little bear was not out of the kindness of your own heart."

Devious had him there.

“So again what is in it for me?" The adolescent were-bear said to Toby.

_“To start, I will save you from yourself." Toby said thoughtfully. _

“I am listening." The adolescent said folding his arms.

“I will teach you what we mortals call friendship and how not to screw over other beasts potentially bringing harm to your safety and well-being." Toby added.

“And?" The adolescent were-beast added leading Toby on.

_“I will also teach you how to come out of yourself and care about others." _

“And?" Devious said petting Toby on his head.

The adolescent were-creature was waiting to hear the deal closer which Toby had yet to mention. What did he want? He looked at Devious in the light from Surly's lab. Toby saw him in his entirety- the were-creature's slender muscles, his firm chest, his plump crotch showing his exposed genitals and that devious, devious smirk on his face.

Toby figured it out what Devious wanted.

_“I will be your little bear?" Toby asked scared to know the answer. _

“Hmm... I wouldn't mind having a little buddy to play around with." Devious said as he inspected his creation- the short arms and legs, his snout, ears, rump and tail and those adorable genitals.

_“I accept. I will teach you how to survive in this dangerous place and I will help you search for a way out no matter how fruitless that exercise will be.“I will also need to introduce you to our leader and the rest of the clan." For the time being though, stay close to me." Devious said standing up. _

“You mean the ones that hunted me in the forest?" Toby asked as he started to follow the were-creature.

“Yes those. So if you should meet any of them. You won't be hunted. But our immediate needs are to find a place to sleep for the night and quickly. This area of the forest is particularly dangerous and it is not safe to be here."

Story Three Ended

To Be Continued....