FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The silence was really unbearable, so Aki decided to fly with Kass closer to the remains of the platform to see what happened with Lash. The platform was now covered in a low cloud of dust and a dark shadow could be seen moving inside it.

Suddenly, the rat rose from the shadowy cloud. Kass and Aki could not believe that it was really Lash standing there in front of their eyes. The rat’s fur and body became completely black and she was now much bigger than before. She looked so strong; how could the two ever have a chance? As they flew closer to the rat, Aki must have used all the skills she learned during the last few days to escape Lash’s attacking tail. They were lucky that Kass had the knife, so he could at least counter some attacks, as he was still Lash’s main target. Not even as Aki flew away from the rat to catch some breath, was she safe before the attacks. Lash was not only strong, but also very fast, and as a rat she had great climbing skills. She wanted to make Aki give up, because it was clear that they had no chance against so much power and hate!

The two cold only try to avoid the rat’s huge metal tail and wait; but for how long? Kass started to feel, that Aki’s body was slowly becoming colder and colder. The two needed a really good idea now to help them, because if Aki will become too exhausted to fly, then their adventure will be over and sure not with a happy end! Yet, the fight against the, now black, lab rat was still far away from being over. Aki’s body was already very cold and she was barely holding with Kass in the air, but not even now they thought on giving up! While Aki was dodging Lash’s tail, Kass had a bit time to think.

Lash was using the device’s power even if she was not a creature like Aki. This meant, that the rat must had the device connected to her somewhere on her body. The only question was, where? Lash’s clothes were ripped to pieces and only her black fur was now covering her body what made it a lot easier to find the device. There were only two places on the rat where it could be. Either on her artificial metal tail or on her adjustable ID collar, which she still had around her neck. Lash was using her long tail as a weapon to attack or to smash the falling parts of the breaking lab, so Kass did not thought that it would be there. It was just too risky and then, the stupid rat was not that stupid! This way, the only place was the ID collar, and besides, why else would someone like her still wear the collar, anyway? This was it, Kass found her weak point, and just in time, because Aki could not anymore! She just had enough strength for a last flap of her wings and then she needed to sit down for a while to recover. If Aki would not do that and continue, she would pay with the most valuable thing she had, her own life! Kass knew this well, but there was just no way that he would allow this; not as long as he will still draw breath! The two took a look into each other's eyes, knowing that this was their last hope. The little snow-white wolf rose in the height and with the last powerful flap of her white wings she flew head straight towards the dark rat. Kass leaned forward against Aki's body, so his beating heart was now right above hers. A soft whisper escaped the boy's lips finding its way into Aki's ear. It were the three most beautiful words in the world...

"I love you..."

Then they reached the dark rat! In last moment, before they collided with her, Kass reached the device with the blade. In that speed, he just scratched it slightly, but even that was enough for a huge wave of energy to escape the device with an deafening blow! The whole COHAF heard, but for all felt the enormous blow! Inside the lab, everyone, humans and furs alike, were looking up to the remains of the platform. They all were asking one and the same question. Were Kass and Aki all right?

The little white wolf found herself laying on her belly on the platform close to the cylindrical machine. She slowly opened her tired eyes and sat up as she heard Kass calling after her with a weak voice. As Aki looked forward, instead of her friend a tall black rat was standing right in front of her! The sight scared her to death! Lash was holding Kass by his neck with her metal tail and was slowly tightening her tail more and more. The boy was trying to loosen up the tail with his hands, but not even his whole strength was enough against Lash’s powerful grasp. The rat held him high, so he was not touching the broken platform.

Lash was so close to her victory! She finally got the last Darks by the neck and only a little more pressure, and his neck will break as easy as a matchstick. Aki wanted to do something, but as she tried to move, she gave out a short scream of pain. One of her wings was wounded by the crash landing as the knife scratched the device. Fortunately, Lash did not escape unharmed as well. By the blow was her ID collar reduced to ashes and the device was thrown high in the air and landed on top of the huge cylindrical machine. The rat was severely weakened and wanted the device back, but she could not get it as long as Aki will still be in her way. Lash never wanted to hurt Aki and never will, so she must did something else to keep the little wolf busy while she will get the device back. And she just knew what to do. Having Kass’ life in her paws, Lash knew Aki would do everything to save him. She put Aki for the hardest decision of her whole life! The little wolf must choose; was it Kass’ life or the safety of everyone in whole COHAF? How could Aki ever make a decision like that, she was just twelve! Just a couple of days ago, she was sitting in her wheelchair and thought that she had only weeks to live, and now she shall decide about so many lives? That was...impossible! As Kass heard what Lash said, he became so angry that he kicked the rat in her furred butt, calling her with the meanest words he knew.

"You cowardly rat... How dare you push Aki to a decision like that, don’t you have enough courage to kill me yourself..." - the boy yelled at the rat - "...father was right...you’re just a filthy stupid animal, Lash!"

Kass just did not want to watch anymore how Aki will suffer under the weight of the decision; not after he already made the decision for her. As Kass called Lash a filthy animal, it definitely crossed the line! Lash was very proud to be a furry and Kass’ words hurt her very much! She did not want to wait a second longer! The rat squeezed Kass’ neck as tight until a loud, awful cracking could be heard and the boy stopped moving. Aki wanted to reach Kass, but Lash stepped to the platform's edge and let go of the boy. As she did this, she grabbed one of the chains, which were holding one of the sides of the damaged platform and cut it off with her tail. The loose chain started to drag the rat upwards very fast. Lash had now clear passage to the device on top of the machine. She knew that Aki will decide ant try to rescue Kass and will fly down after that stupid human. Even if the boy would be still alive, there was no way how Aki could reach him in time with that wounded wing before he would hit the floor!

In the moment, as Lash threw Kass down and was dragged up by the chain, Aki had only a single second to make the hardest decision ever! She knew, that Kass wanted her to stop the rat and save the others, but her heart was longing after him so much; how cold she ever...?

"Please, forgive me!" - Aki screamed out in tears as she closed her eyes tight, making her way to the edge of the platform.

Then, with all her remaining strength...she reached her paws after the chain! The steel chain was cutting through her paws as it was still running up, making Aki scream even more. Only few seconds later, the chain finally stopped. Aki remained sitting there on the damaged platform with her cut paws and cried. The black rat stayed hanging in the halfway to the top completely horrified. Lash could not believe what the two young ones just did; they gave up each other just to protect everyone in the city!

As Lash, with her last strength, climbed up the rest of the way on her own, she felt really strange. The last Darks was dead, she had her desired revenge, so why was she not happy? When she reached the top, she saw that the device was laying in the middle and little Aki was sitting next to it still in tears. Lash could easily pick up the device and make her plan of hate and revenge come true, because she was the winner, but she has not felt like that. Not after she saw how much pain she has done to the little white wolf. Aki’s painful crying was hurting the rat more than she could ever imagine. Then, the little creature spoke to Lash.

"You told me...that Nare Darks killed our families...but as I found myself a new family, you took it away again... ...where is then the difference?" - Aki was sobbing as she was saying these words and those bitter tears were dripping down on her white fur as a rain of pain and sorrow.

The rat tried to defend herself by saying, that she just wanted to get rid of the cruel humans, that the furs would not need to fear anymore; but that was a mere excuse. Aki looked down to the young ones who were still sitting by the wall. Most of them were still humans, but there were many furs among them as well. Yet...right now, there were no differences between them, they were all scared the same. It could be seen in their eyes. The young ones were crying and snuggling up to one another from the fear; humans to furs and furs to humans, wishing only one and the same thing, to go home to those they loved. Aki was right in everything, but it was not that simple for Lash. The rat just could not forgive the humans all the things they did to her as well as Aki will never forgive her what she had done to Kass.

This was where the rat was wrong. Aki did not seek revenge. She knew that back then, Lash tried to help her with the device in the medical station even if it went wrong, and she helped her to escape from the ERF as well. The rat also bandaged Kendi’s wound after Darks hurt her, and she was putting herself in great danger by that. Just like then, when Lash found her and Kass in the ERF after the explosion. The rat could kill Kass immediately, but she tried to help her instead, so how could Aki hate her... The little white wolf was still sitting there in tears. She did not care what will happen with her anymore, she only wanted Lash to stop this. Aki walked to the rat and pressed her head against Lash’s belly and rubbed her silky black nose against the rat’s fur while she was still crying.

"If you want the device...you can take even mine, but please...you must stop!" - she said begging with a shaking voice.

Lash’s fur was soaking with Aki’s bitter tears as she still could not believe that the little wolf forgave her. Aki was just like her mother, giving everything she had just to save those she loved. It really was unbelievable! Aki, only a twelve years old little white wolf defeated Lash, now the most powerful being in whole COHAF, only with sincere tears...

And so, all the hate and revenge have finally come to an end, but the danger was not over yet! As the device landed on top of the high cylinder machine, it started to absorb all the huge amount of heat and so produce masses of energy. Unfortunately, it had nowhere to flow and if the device will overload, it will be the end of all! The two females needed to remove the device from there, and fast; but...how? That thing already forge welded itself to the cylindrical machine from the enormous heat. Aki and Lash still had in fresh memory what happened as they tried to remove the device by force just from Lash’s collar, not to mention from a tower packed with energy! And then, the only thing they could destroy it with, the knife, was who knows where by now. The chances were standing very, very bad!

As the device began to produce more and more energy, the whole place started to shake so strong, that it became too much for the damaged lab. It begun to collapse completely! Everyone needed to get out, but fast! Aki asked Lash to bring out the young ones while the little wolf will try to cut off the device from the heat, but Lash did not want to hear about that. It was sheer madness! Whoever would touch the device now would die within a moment! Aki knew that of course, but she did not care anymore. Without Wuffy or, Kass there was no one left in Aki’s life. She stayed all alone, but she still could rescue the rat and the other kids. And then, as a creature she had no place in this world, what Lash said by herself, but thanks to that and the device in her chest maybe Aki could hold out long enough to at least reduce the catastrophe. Then the little wolf took out the knife. All this time, she held it behind her back with her long tail. Aki could barely hold it with her cut paws, but even then, she stood tall by the device rising up the blade. Lash could only watch this, as without the device, she could not get even close to Aki now because of the immense heat. Holding the knife above her head with its tip pointing down, Aki closed her beautiful icy blue eyes and a soft whisper escaped her mouth.

"I love you too..."

With these words, the blade began to sink quickly. Filled with hopes and wishes of both, furs and humans, the knife hits its target with all the strength that remained in Aki’s body. As the blade reached the device, the everything-destroying rays of static electricity shoot out of the device again. All the energy from that thing started to flow through the knife into Aki’s body. The little creature began to scream, but this time there were no tears. The pain was so huge that it caused cramps in her entire body, but even then, she did not let go of the knife! She wanted to take away as much energy from the device as possible, no caring about what will happen to her.

The place shook so strong, that not even Lash could hold her balance and fell on her back. The rat was covering her head with her paws, because she could not stand the immense heat and Aki’s horrible screams. It was driving her to madness!

"Master Wolf, how could you let this happen to your beloved Aki?!" - Lash screamed out, feeling terrible for not being able to help her.

Then...right in front of Lash’s eyes, a white paw reached after the knife and held it right under Aki’s paws preventing the energy to reach the little wolf. By then, Aki’s icy blue eyes were already closed, and as the cramps left her paws, the little wolf let go of the knife. Falling backwards, she landed softly in the person’s soft white fur.

"I have promised to be always there for you..." - said the big white wolf gently, holding Aki in his paws.

Lash could not believe what she was seeing. It was impossible! The wolf was supposed to be...dead! And even through that, he was standing there, right in front of the rat. Wuffy put his long black coat carefully around Aki’s hurt body and then carried her to Lash. The rat’s eyes were wide open as the wolf was walking towards her. She immediately stepped backwards, as if she would see a ghost, and as master Wolf came close to her, Lash was shivering with fear. She was scared about what will the wolf do to her, because all this was only her fault, but as the legendary wolf laid Aki in her paws, the black rat stayed completely confused! She was not able to put together one meaningful sentence.

"Aki... ...because I... ...the boy..." - this was all what came out of the rat’s mouth.

Wolf only smiled softly and said that everything was all right. Lash did not understand it! She killed Kass, even Aki heard the cracking as she broke his neck; and now, Aki did this, because she wanted to save all the others! So, how the fur could everything be all right? Then the rat saw, that master Wolf was still bleeding from his wound, so he was in a bad condition. But if he was alive, should that mean that her master Alex was...? Lash was really worried, but master Wolf only told her to stop being worried and to bring Aki and herself out of there to safety. There was just no time left for more explanation! Lash took Aki and started to walk away from there, she only stopped for a moment to ask a last question.

"Why are you helping me as well?" - she asked.

"Even when you ran away as a young one, you never stopped to be a part of our family, and then, a good friend of mine asked me to help you as well." - came the surprising answer from the white wolf.

Lash’s eyes filled with tears as master Wolf said the word... Family. It sounded so beautiful to her. After this, Lash left the collapsing lab with Aki, leaving the other wolf there alone. As she was hurrying to the entrance before it was completely blocked by the falling parts of the lab, she took a last look at the wolf and whispered slightly.

"...I will never forget your kindness master, and will make everything right again, I promise!"

Carrying Aki and with tears in her eyes, Lash ran out of the underground lab the shortest way she knew; into the school above and then outside to safety. She ran into the nearby park next to the school where all the others were already waiting. Each one of them was there. Luke and Kendi with the other kids, but also her master Alex, and to Lash’s big surprise Kass, the boy she thought she killed was standing next to the black wolf as well!

Kass did not know about what happened on the top of the machine between Lash and Aki and still held the rat for an enemy. He screamed at her, asking what she did to Aki and wanted to hurt her, when Alex stopped him. The black wolf told him to look closer at Lash, and as Kass did so, he saw it too. Lash’s fur was white again and her eyes were filled with sadness. Her cheeks were wet from tears as she was holding Aki in her arms close to herself. This rat seemed so distant from the one who tried to kill him. Kass did not know how could that be, but he knew, that hurting her would not change anything. He took Aki from her and to Lash’s big surprise, he gently handed Alex’s black coat to her to cover her naked body.

"Thank you..." - it was all Lash could say as she was caught absolutely by surprise by Kass’ kind gesture.

She took the coat from the boy’s hand and put it around her, now again, white furred body.

Both of them were now kneeling above the little wolf, treating her wounds. A moment later, Aki came back to herself and she could not believe her icy blue eyes! Not only that Kass was there, but he was there together with Lash, and the two were smiling at each other, happy that Aki was all right. At first she thought, that she died and this was the haven, but as she felt that her wing and paws were still hurting her, she realized that this was for real. You would not believe how happy she was! The little white wolf put Kass into an embrace, and the two were so happy that they were together again like never before! Aki did not understand how could Kass be alive, but she was happy that he was there. Kass told her, that it was just like in the message she left for him when he got her ID collar from Niaa after the surgery.

"...and one day it will rescue his life." - were Aki’s words and exactly that happened.

Back then on the platform, as Lash was holding Kass by his neck with her tail, it was the metallic ID collar Aki gave him, that broke to pieces under the pressure, not his neck. Later, as Kass came back to himself, he was carried by Alex who was leading all the young ones outside to safety, but Kass had no idea why. Only Aki had an idea why was Alex helping them now. He must have learned the whole story about Kay’s death from Wuffy. Thinking on the wolf, Aki was standing in the middle of the crowd and was searching for her Wuffy, but the wolf was nowhere to be found. They stayed shocked as they heard from Lash that master Wolf was still down there and was trying to stop the device from overloading. Aki, afraid about him, wanted to run back there to help him, but Alex grab and held her long tail, not willing to let her do that. By now, it was far too dangerous, even for her! They could really feel how the energy was building up in the lab under their feet. The fur on the furries started to stand up from all the power in the air around that area. Only a little more was now necessary and the whole city will be blown to dust! The whole COHAF was shaking strong and all our heroes were in their thought with the white wolf.

"...please master Wolf, you can do it..."

"...Wuffy I love you, please hold on..."

"...you have never failed me old friend, and I know that you never will..."

These all were the wishes and thoughts of our heroes, which were connecting their hearts with the white wolf. They all were standing there, looking towards the school. Aki and Kass in embrace, Lash and Alex standing by each other, and even Kendi put her paw in Luke’s hand, and as the boy squeezed it gently, Kendi knew, that she found a friend for a lifetime. And then...

A massive bright blue lightning of pure energy shot from the school high in the air through the white clouds and illuminated the whole city! As that happened, our heroes knew that White Wolf has rescued them all; but at what cost? The scene was unbelievable! Everyone was amazed while looking at the giant ray of energy, that was still electrifying the sky. Only Aki was starring down at the green grass under her paws as if into Wuffy’s eyes and a sincere tear as clear and glittering as the purest diamond run down her cheek.

"Thank you for everything...father." - this was the first time in Aki’s life that she called the wolf that way.

Then, as the ray of energy disappeared, everyone knew, that it has finally end. As everybody were surrounding Kass and Aki, Alex walked away from the crowd to the ruins of the school. He wanted to know what happened to his friend. As he came to the edge of the big hole filled with ruins, what was all that was left from the great lab and the school, he saw that the top of the cylinder machine was still visible. The device was still there and the knife was stuck in it as Aki left it when Wolf took her away. However, there was something more important that caught Alex attention. Two black collars were hanging on the knife’s hilt. As Alex took the collars in his paws, he noticed that they were connected in each other like two endless rings.

"Forgive me that I was wrong in you, my friend..." - said Alex and tears appeared in the black wolf’s deep blue eyes, understanding what the two connected collars meant.

He returned to Aki and the others and with words, everything is all right, he gave her something he found there as well. It was a small white box, the little wolf lost as her clothes were shred to pieces. Aki understood Alex's words and slowly took the small box from him and as she turned to Kass, the boy took her into a hug to comfort her a little bit. The two were standing on the same place in the park where everything begun, but this time they were not alone, but surrounded by friends. Behind the two was standing a statue, which was showing a young couple; a furry and a human standing in front of each other and shaking hands.

"You knew it all the time Wolf, right?" - thought Alex for himself as he noticed the statue of the two young founders of COHAF.

It was really a fitting background for the scene, but the adventure was still not on its definitive end, as the tears of a little white wolf indicated.

Aki was crying, because it seemed that all what they were through was for nothing! Without the energy, there was no hope for saving Missy and all the others; and now even Wuffy was gone too. Everybody felt so helpless when they realized that Aki was right. The secret lab under the school was their last hope. All the energy...just gone! When suddenly, Kass let go of Aki and was starring at her chest for a moment. The little wolf begun to blush a little bit, not understanding what was Kass up to.

"That’s it, maybe there is still a chance!" - he called out all of a sudden, dragging everyone’s attention on himself.

It seemed that he found out how they could rescue the young ones in the medical station, but what had Aki’s chest to do with it? Hopefully he has not planned to use Aki’s device, because it would be too dangerous for the young ones, as well as for Aki! Fortunately, Kass has not thought on that, but it was not far away from the truth. He was thinking on yesterday, on what his father was doing. Nare Darks wanted to remove the device from Aki by draining its entire energy, so it could be safely removed. Aki did not seem to remember much from that time. Only a lot of pain and the moment as Kass touched her paw. She was not too happy to be reminded on that, so she wanted to know what was the point. Only Lash understood what the boy wanted to say. He meant all the energy that Darks took away from Aki’s device; but that was a dead end. He must have known that all the energy was lost as the network became overloaded; that was what caused the explosion that blew the ERF main lab to bits. The whole city saw the explosion! What Lash said was right, she was wrong only in one thing. The explosion was not caused by overloading of the energy network. It happened as the needle, through which was the energy flowing, broke apart. This caught the white lab rat completely by surprise, because if the boy was right, there was more than enough energy, and not just for the laser surgery! These were fantastic news for our heroes; but they needed to hurry, because Dr. Rees has said that Missy and the others have not much time left.

It was not the only reason why they must hurried away from there. The huge ray of energy that shot high into the sky attracted too much attention. A lot of security forces were for sure already on their way there. Kass, Aki, and Lash left the park while Alex stayed there with Luke and Kendi to be sure that all the kids will be all right until their families will come for them. As the security arrived, they only found a destroyed school and all the missing kids were sitting in the park and waiting for their families to pick them up. When then the security was asking the kids about what happened, the only thing the kids could say was the truth how Lash and the creature rescued them all.

Our other three heroes were now on their way to the ERF. They were in a real hurry now, because yesterday Dr. Rees said that the young ones have probably only a day to live without the surgery, and today it was already a late afternoon! They have not even taken the time to put some clothes on, so the two females were running just in the long black coats, which they held closed with one paw above their chests. Lash was leading the quickest way there and Kass was running close behind her, only Aki seemed to lag behind them. She still has not recovered and her wounds were still hurting her, especially her cut paws. As there was no time to waist, Lash got back to the little wolf and begun to carry her in her arms.

"A dangerous enemy and now a caring friend?" - thought Kass for himself as he was watching the rat in front of him.

After a while, they could already see the ERF building complex now without the main tower building in the middle. It seemed that it will be hard to get inside, as they needed to pass a lot of security that was posted there, but Kass and Aki obviously forgot whom they had with them. Lash was now the current lead of the ERF and then, she knew this place as the back of her paw, so they should let this to her. As they came there, they hid themselves behind one of the fallen walls of the main building that was still there. Lash said to them that they should wait for her there until she will find a safe way to get them inside. The rat then turned towards the ERF building and wanted to walk away when a hand caught her tail. It was Kass; he wanted to go with her and as they will be safe inside, Aki could follow them. There was no time for argues, so Lash nodded and took him with her, leaving Aki alone for a while. The white rat felt as if Kass still would not trust her on fully, but that was not surprising. Lash betrayed Kass’ father, so there was no reason for Kass to think that it could not happen again to him as well. It seemed that it will take its time until Lash will earn their trust, but she was firmly decided to do everything for that, as well as for helping the young ones in the medical station. It was not too hard for the two to get inside, as Lash was now the ERF leader and Kass was LV9 brat. The only trouble was, how to get Aki to them unseen?

The little wolf was waiting outside and tried to use the little time she now had for herself. Aki tried to help her wounds heal by licking them with her warm wet black tongue and has not paid attention to her surroundings. Inside the ERF, Kass and Lash were searching for a way to get Aki inside unseen, but they were rudely interrupted as the alarm was raised. As they looked outside, they saw that all the security was chasing someone and as something white flew from behind a building, there were no doubts about what was happening. The security found Aki and in her current condition, there was just no way for her to escape. How right the two only were, because after about half an hour, five security guards walked with the creature inside the ERF to inform Lash. The guards had no idea that Lash and Aki were friends now and were waiting for any orders from Lash about what to do with the creature. The rat could play their game, but they had no time for that! Every moment counted if they wanted to save all the young ones in the medical station, so Lash needed to act quickly. She threw down the oversized black coat from her body and as the guards were distracted for a moment, Lash used her strong metal tail to get rid of them. One by one the guards fell on the floor unconscious. This was it, Lash officially resigned on her job in the ERF! Kass stepped to Aki and tried to wake her up, but the young wolf laid there without a move. The guards must have shot her with the tranquilizer gun again as did Lash in the Depth, so it will take a while until she will wake up, so they needed to carry her, again. The lab rat was now leading Kass, who was carrying Aki, deep into the ERF underground, to the most secure place there was. Only the top leaders had access to this part of the Energy Research Facility, and without Nare Darks, Lash was now the only one.

They were almost there, just through this corridor, when they needed to hold on, because Aki was coming back to herself. It happened in right moment, because the large corridor in front of them was blocked. As the main building collapsed, many upper and underground floors have collapsed as well and blocked the way ahead for them. This made Kass really upset. Just now, when there was so little time, stupid things as these are slowing them down, as if they would not have enough problems so far. On this rant of Kass', Aki finally woke up. Seeing the boy like that made her apologized for the trouble and the holdup, but Kass said that it was not her fault. He should have stayed there with her in the first place. After this, he offered her a hand to help her stand up what Aki accepted with a gentle smile. Lash still could not believe how strong the two and their friendship was. It was just that the rat never experienced anything like this before. Her hatred made her to miss out on a lot of things, but now was not the time for daydreams. The sky already began to change its color to golden; and along with the daylight, the lives of the young ones in the medical station were vanishing with it as well. Kass and Aki knew that getting through the collapsed corridor will not be so easy, but searching for a way around would just take too long! All they had, was a narrow crevice up in the collapsed wall. A wide passage could be seen behind it, but it was full of electric cables that hung just everywhere, sharp steel wires that were sticking out of every side, and the shattered glass was simply all over the place! There was no way to walk through that!

"Why walk when we can fly?" - said the little wolf.

It could be seen on Aki that she was still exhausted. The chasing with the security sure cost her even more strength, so Lash refused the idea and wanted to find another way. It upset Aki that Lash was against it! She wanted to make the holdup good again. This was important for Aki. Kass felt the same, so he agreed with the little wolf, so Lash had no choice. This time, Aki took Lash on her back for better balance and then the little wolf took Kass in her paws. She rose to the narrow opening and slowly squeeze herself with the others through. When they were finally inside, she begun to fly through the passage very carefully. Aki must have focused hard, as there was just enough space for her wide wings to stretch on fully and to avoid the deadly obstacles. If a part of them or their clothing would catch up anywhere on the steel wires, it would drag them right onto those sharp things, so they really needed to watch every move. Few careful flaps of Aki's wings later they could finally see the exit. As Aki sat them down on the other side, her saliva was dripping down from her opened mouth as she was trying to catch her breath! Aki was really the best, she brought them there without a single scratch; but where exactly this "there" was?

As they looked ahead, a huge reinforced door made of massive steel was standing in their way again. The door looked like from a vault, but this one was much thicker and much more secure! This was it, Aki had enough! No more blocked paths! The little wolf immediately spread her legs and placed all four of her paws on the floor, then raised her tail high, preparing herself to clear the way ahead.

"No! Stop! I can open those, remember?" - yelled the rat in panic - "...and stop being so quick to raise your tail. Think of the others as well!"

Aki realised that Lash was right with the door, but what she meant with the last part? Only as she looked back through her spread legs, she understood it. Kass was still standing behind her...red like a fox, again! The boy began to lecture Aki, that she should have learned it by now. Not everyone was a damn furry!

"Yup, those two are really something special..." - said Lash to herself as she could not stop laughing at them.

While the two were distracted with each other, the rat stepped to the keyboard next to the door to unlock it. As Lash’s identity and rank were verified, the huge steel door slowly begun to move, revealing the place behind. As the two saw it moving, they immediately stopped talking. They were really lucky that Lash was with them as the door was massive. No way that even Aki with her tail would get through this piece of steel. Behind the door was stored now the most valuable thing in whole COHAF. Its very last energy! This was the place where Lash was leading them, the heart of the ERF. A short while later they stood in front of the opened door and only a single step was between them and all the energy. As they were walking inside, they knew that the look will amaze them for sure. There were more creatures in history of COHAF than persons who have seen this place before them. Not even Lash was here before and that sure meant something! The three stayed really amazed, because the room was dark and cold. There was no sign of any energy! Only as the emergency lights turned on they saw what was the matter. In the middle of the large room was a trio of huge cylinders similar to the machine in Lash’s lab, but these were much bigger and much more advanced. Around the machine was a deep gap as a part of the cooling system and also as a precaution for anyone to touch that thing and get hurt. There was also a guard railing around the gap to protect anyone from falling in there, otherwise it would be a long way down. Only three heavy electromagnetic fuses were connected to the cylinder machine and there was the problem. One of the fuses was switched up. Kass and Lash understood that it must have happened when Nare Darks was taking the energy out of Aki’s device. The fuse switched up to prevent overloading. Aki only understood that they just needed to drag the fuse down and then it should work again. Kass agreed with her, it sounded easy, but it will be hard to do that. The fuse will be only hard to move and it was too far away to reach it. It also will be very hot from all the energy too! Because of all this, Aki was the only one from them who could touch it, but her paws were too short to reach the fuse and she had not much strength left in those hurt paws of hers.

Now, a real teamwork was requested! The little wolf could only reach the fuse with her long tail when she stood by the edge behind the railing, so far away it was. She laid down on her back to the edge supporting herself with her legs on the railing and then she put her tail around the fuse. Aki started to drag the fuse down while Kass and Lash held her by her paws, so she would not accidently fell down in the deep gap. The white wolf bite her black fangs together as her tail began to stretch to its maximum as all three of them were now trying to drag the fuse in the right position. Aki was pressing herself away from the railing with her legs while Lash and Kass were pulling her by her paws with all their strength. To rip the construction out of the floor in the ERF lab was a piece of cake against this thing! The stupid fuse just did not want to move a single bit! Only as the three changed the position, the fuse finally began to move down. Kass was now holding Aki under her arms while Lash was holding the boy by his waist. This way, they were getting the maximum possible leverage, as the three were now dragging the fuse with all their remaining strength. Slowly, it was moving down to the point from where it will jump in the right position all by itself. Only a bit more was necessary...and then, suddenly the fuse switched to its right position with a loud metallic hit.

As the fuse moved, Aki loosened up her tail so she would not get it pinched under it and all three of them fell backwards. The little wolf landed on top of Kass who was now laying on his back. The two young ones were touching with the noses and looking into each other’s eyes. Aki always felt much warmer inside when Kass was so close to her. It felt like in haven, laying on a soft, warm, white cloud while everything was so bright and shining. The two smiled at each other and it felt really pleasant to them, even if they were not really in haven. The "soft, warm, white cloud", they were laying on all this time, was in fact Lash's naked body, and the rat did not seem to enjoy it half as much as the two. Especially, when it was her, who landed on the hard floor, but...the bright light around them was real!

The whole room was now filled with light and it was not the only thing. The huge cylindrical machines in the middle were also full, and how! They were top packed with the purest energy Lash has ever seen! They could not believe that all this energy was once inside Aki’s body! The little white wolf never stopped to amaze. To see all the bright blue light rotating in the cylinders through their clear surface was really wonderful. The three have really made it this time, they had energy again! Now, the only thing they had to do was to direct the energy to the Veterinary Medical Station. As the current ERF leader, Lash was the only one who could do this. She begun to move her pink paws on the virtual screen, while Aki was resting in Kass’ embrace on the floor. The time begun to pass very slow for our young heroes as they had nothing to do now and could only wait. Every minute was as long as an hour. Even if Lash was working as fast as possible, the progress was minimal at best. Since the ERF blew up, the system was not working properly anymore what made it even harder for the lab rat.

"This stupid system has more holes than a cheese grater!" the rat screamed and slammed her paws through the virtual screen.

Kass heard her and wondered how could she compare the most advanced computer system with a kitchen utensil? Lash answered him, that she would earlier redirect the energy through the grater than through the damaged underground energy network! This was a real problem now! What use was all the energy to them when they could not bring it there, where it was needed the most? Kass was really angry about it, but he was trying to hold it back because of Aki, who was still too exhausted and too hungry to pay attention to all this. Only Lash was still tapping in the virtual screen, trying to do something that would help, because over the years she learned that there was always another way.

After a while of moving her pink paws up and down the screen, she really seemed to find a way, but they needed to be quick now! Lash turned to the two, but must have realized that they have fallen asleep on the floor by the wall. Kass and Aki must have been really tired, because they were sitting there in each other’s embrace without a single move and were slowly gathering their lost strength. As Lash spoke to them, Aki's ears twitched and perked up in attention, and a moment later both were fully awakened and were now listening to the rat. It seemed that the white lab rat really deserved her lead position in the ERF. She found a way to bring the energy to the medical station through the old surface system and from the two she wanted to get to the medical station and inform Dr. Rees. All the young ones must be already prepared for the surgery when the energy will start flowing, because Lash did not know how long she will keep it that way as the old surface system was never meant for so much energy.

Everything was now on Kass and Aki, but at first they needed to get out of the ERF. Through the IP camera they could see that a lot of security was positioned by the entrance just waiting to catch the dangerous creature. Kass and Aki knew that there was no time for them to be careful or afraid, now the two must be brave and strong. The lives of their friends were depending on it! Aki took Kass on her back and then she rose in the air and flew with him out of the room leaving the rat there alone. As Lash was watching them leaving, she let out a soft whisper.

"Good luck you two, you will need a lot of it..."

Like a white arrow they flew through the tunnel in the broken wall and with cunning and speed Aki avoided the steel wires and hanging cables. They made it through only with few scratches on them and were now continuing to the ERF exit. All the security forces were already waiting for the creature there with their weapons loaded with shock rounds and pointed on the exit. Aki was not going to play their game this time and said to Kass to hold tight. As they flew outside, Aki began to fly straight up high in the sky, far away from the security and their weapons. Kass was pressed close against Aki’s body and held tight on her neck fur with his hands, almost strangling her.

Aki and Kass were now flying above the high skyscrapers through the silent cloudless night. The moon was shining as if showing them the quickest way. The two young heroes never flew this fast before, they just hoped that it was not already too late, because the medical station was finally in sight! It was about time, because Aki was barely holding with Kass in the air. It was costing just too much strength to fly with a hurt wing, so she flapped with her beautiful but tired wings for the very last time and then she begun to glide down. Unfortunately, she was too fast and the medical station was too close! Aki crash landed with Kass in the reception hall through the glass-made entrance door, which was how else then closed. In last moment, the little wolf took Kass in a hug and wrapped her wings around him to protect him from landing on the shattered glass. Everyone inside immediately stepped around the two trying to help, but as they saw black blood on the little wolf, they moved backwards, fearing the dangerous creature. Few seconds later, Dr. Rees came there to see for herself what was happening there. She immediately helped the two to stand up asking them what this should mean! Aki was breathing heavy from the long and exhausting flight, so Kass explained everything to Jenny. She was shocked and amazed at once! Lash was now helping them and they have enough energy for the laser surgery? Jenny had no idea how was that possible, but she was more than thankful for that. She had some really hard time to keep the young ones alive, but now, there was hope again!

"You two are the greatest friends one can wish to have!" - Jenny said as she knelt down to them and put them into a deep sincere hug.

A moment later she let go of them and called her assistant to help her prepare the young ones for the laser surgery. Understanding, that this was their only chance to save them, Jenny did not want to waste a second. It took almost an entire hour until everything was ready. It was the highest time, as Lash could not wait any longer with the energy and she let it through to the medical station. She just hoped that Kass and Aki have made it and that the old surface system will last long enough.

While the surgery was in progress, one of the nurses tended to Aki and Kass and their wounds. After she was done and left them alone, the two understood that it all finally came to an end. The adventure was unforgettable and they were through so much together just to make all of this possible, but now, the only thing they could do was to sit down and wait. The waiting room on the fourth floor was filled with silence as Kass and Aki were sitting there alone, without a word. The only noise that could be heard was coming from outside of the building and also from Aki’s belly. The two have not eaten the whole day, so Kass decided to bring them something to eat and asked Aki to wait for him there.

Not long after the boy left, a nurse came there and she looked very worried. At first Aki thought that it was because of her, because she was a creature, but as the nurse, a shapely otter, began to speak, Aki understood that it was much worse! There was no time to wait for Kass and then, there was nothing the boy could do about this problem either. Aki needed to be very fast now, to stop the worst from happening. She opened one of the large windows on the floor and flew through it outside. As she was flying down alongside the building, Kass saw her while he was getting back with the food. At first he thought that he just imagined it, but as he put the food aside as looked through the window, he saw her. Aki was flying down towards the main entrance where a whole army of security forces was waiting to catch her, or worse...!

"No! Aki, stop! They will kill you!" - Kass was screaming after her and hitting his hand against the window, but she could not hear him, not through the thick glass - "Why...?" - the boy asked and tears could be seen in his golden eyes.

Only as the curvy otter came to him, he understood everything.

Meanwhile, Aki reached the ground. She landed on the street only few meters away from the main entrance of the medical station. The security formed a big bow around her and pointed their weapons at the creature, ready to shoot. It was exactly as Lash said... The humans will never let her be, because a creature was something that this world will never accept! Fear could be seen in Aki’s icy blue eyes and few tears were running down her cheeks. The ice cold night breeze was making her really afraid, because the smell of gunpowder was burning her silky black nose. That meant only one thing... This time, the security has loaded live ammunition! Even through the fear, Aki wrapped her white wings around her hurt naked body, and very slowly she began to walk towards them. The security and the people that were standing nearby could not believe it. Was this hurt, scared little furry really the dangerous creature they heard so much about? Then Aki spoke out to them with a soft, scared, begging voice.

"Please...let the energy flow... Do with me whatever you desire, but please...please do not cut off the medical station from energy now..." - she said through her sobbing with her eyes closed tight.

Even Lash was watching this! She got there shortly after the security to see if Kass and Aki have made it. The rat could not believe her large ears about what she just heard from the little wolf. The security was about to kill her on site and even then was Aki thinking only on the young ones? Lash could not let this happen! She threw the black coat down from her body and wagged her long sharp tail wild in the air, preparing to strike down the first security guard that moves! The rat was ready to run there and defend Aki to her dying breath, when she was suddenly stopped. A black paw was holding the rat’s shoulder not willing to let her go. Master Alex stepped out of the darkness of the night and said Lash to be still and watch carefully.

As the white lab rat looked back at Aki, she saw that a boy was standing between her and the security. It was no one else, than Kass standing there and shielding Aki with his own body.

"I am Kass Darks...and if you want to shoot her, you must shoot me first!" - he said towards the security.

Then, as from nowhere, Luke and Kendi appeared there and joined in immediately.

"Aki was protecting us with her own life, and so shall we!" - told the two friends together.

All the other kids were there as well. They have not waited a second longer and stepped between the security and Aki as well.

"She was risking her life for us...! We won't let you to hurt her...!" - called all the kids.

Lash was now standing there with an opened mouth. Humans were standing up for a furry...for a "creature"? Only this morning she held it for impossible and now she was seeing it with her own eyes! The scene was really unbelievable! The security had no other choice than let the creature be, as the very top leader of the security, a young blond woman with glasses, ordered to them. As a LV9, she was a real authority in the city and no one dared to talk back to her. She was shocked as she learned what was going on in the medical station. If Aki would not stop them and they would cut off the energy, all the young ones would die! Then the young woman walked to Aki, putting the little creature into a big hug. Soon, the woman let go of her, saying to stop by in her office with a collar when all this will be over and she will issue her a new ID. Aki did not know what to say on this. She thanked her and wanted to go back to Kass, but the woman took her by the tail, not willing to let her go that easily. As Aki turned around, a serious look could be seen in the woman's brown eyes.

"...one more thing..." - said the young woman and her expression suddenly changed to a loving smile - "...thank you for saving me and my daughter back in the cafeteria."

What?! Kass and Luke stayed there absolutely surprised. Was she one of the people that Aki rescued there? Unbelievable! Well, it seemed that Aki found a new friend in the woman. And mentioning friends, what were Luke and the others doing there, anyway? The boy explained, that when all the lights in the medical station switched fully on as in the only building in the whole city, they knew that the two have made it, so they hurried up to them. Now, the kids had other, more important question to ask. What about the young ones in the medical station, have they made it?

As everyone walked inside, Jenny was already waiting for them in the reception hall. All, Aki and the others wished for in that moment, were some good news; just this once, please! Surrounded by the kids, Dr. Rees tried to explain it the best she could, but... Aki suddenly covered her ears with her paws not willing to hear the rest, not after all they have done! Jenny put down her glasses, took Aki by her paws, and put the little wolf into a sincere hug. No one could believe their eyes, as after a soft whisper into Aki's ear, a wide smile appeared on her muzzle. She literally threw herself on the veterinarian from the happiness and both fell down on the floor, screaming and laughing like crazy! Jenny's whisper was the most fantastic news Aki could ever dream to hear... The surgery was a great success and all the young ones, including Niaa and her little sister Missy will be all right thanks to all of them!

Everyone started to laugh and hug each other from the joy. All this was possible only thanks to all of them, but especially thanks to Kass and Aki. The two were risking everything they had to save their friends, and not only them. COHAF still had a long way to go, but this was a good start to the future. And from now on, for what they did already, Kass and Aki will for everyone remain heroes forever!

It seemed that our two heroes must have been really tired, because sitting on the sofa in the reception hall they fell asleep, how else than in each other’s embrace. They were laying there with a warm satisfying smile, as if everything was just like it should be. This was what meant to be family, what meant to be friends; not kind or wealth, but only the pure sincere love shared with others, as one little white wolf was doing all the time...

Aki was sleeping there with one of her paws placed on Kass’ chest, while in the other one she held a well-known black collar and a small white box. Alex, the big black wolf, just smiled on this. Maybe the box's content will probably stay forever a secret, but as he knew Wolf, then that, what was inside was at least as beautiful and precious as Aki herself. And maybe, just right now, was Aki dreaming about the one, who gave it to her. And who knows, maybe she will meet the big white wolf again, by another great adventure...