FSE

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When technology and magic mix, terrifying things happen. Guns that can send anyone shot to literal, physical Hell fall into the hands of bored and angsty teenagers. Undetectable teleportation devices that can bypass all magic and technological defenses are used to abduct the powerful and wealthy. Magic-enhancing bracelets that empowered users to replicate themselves ad infinitum were sold as trinkets (and as a way to cure loneliness, but that mostly ended sexually).

This, of course, could not stand. The Powers that Be would not tolerate such chaos that threatened to overwhelm their peaceful world, and so the brightest minds on the planet came together and created the Mindscape. A perfect fusion of magic and tech, the powerful machine created a realm in which the mind of every single living creature could be accessed, their thoughts examined, and if need be, altered. Abuse of technological magic ceased quickly after that, and once it was discovered the Mindscape could alter reality itself, most other problems like hunger and disease ceased as well.

There was one flaw with the Mindscape; no one quite knew how it worked, and those who knew best refused to pass on their knowledge. As a result, as the years passed, the Mindscape was more and more of a black box to even the most powerful sorcerers, and became regarded as a sort of enigma. Knowledge of its existence was limited to only a few people, mostly those who worked around it, the Council, and the Grand Wizard, a young, powerful sorcerer chosen by the Council and his predecessor to be the sole user of the Mindscape, the one responsible for the wellbeing of the entire world.

Generally, Grand Wizards were chosen from those who ran the Office of Wizardry, and successors to the title generally knew years beforehand that they were to be the next. Much time and energy was spent preparing them for the immense responsibility. After all, not just anyone could be given the chance to completely alter reality!

Storm was one such man. The fox-wolf hybrid was the perfect choice for Grand Wizard, and assured by the Grand Wizard Orph himself that, once the elder wizard passed, Storm would certainly be the one to take on the mantle. The Council respected him, the Office was subordinate to him, his knowledge of magic was immense and his grasp of the arcane was impressive. His entire life's purpose was to become Grand Wizard and be the kind, compassionate, yet decisive soul to guide the world through the tumults of the ages.

And so imagine his indignation as he stood next to the podium on the Day of the Ritual, watching the Council Alder place the robe of Grand Wizard not on his shoulders, but on the shoulders of some young, runty vulpine nobody!

He had come out of nowhere, just some young upstart nobody from the poor rural lands. The combination of his immense intellect and stunning magical abilities made even the corrupt officials out there take a second look, and soon enough he was sent to the world's top universities to study. And here he was now, at the age of 19 and standing on the podium, ready to take the role that should have been Storm's.

It couldn't be denied that he had promise, and Storm had even followed his career with interest. After he was gone, the thought went, Arti might take over in his place. Yet the council had made the insane decision to completely ignore the years of work they'd put into him and elect Arti over his head!

A sharp clang pulled him out of his brooding thoughts, back to reality. The ceremony was nearing an end, and the small crowd gathered on the pavilion was beginning to disperse. The sun was just beginning to light over the horizon, washing everyone in bronze promises of the future. It lightened Storm's mood somewhat, and as he joined the throng of people streaming towards the Central Administration, the hybrid even entertained the idea that, perhaps, working under Arti wouldn't be so bad.

As he walked down the long, hallowed halls of the Consulate, the early morning light streaming through the windows conspired with the easy breeze and cool air to encourage the idea, lifting his spirits and making him more receptive to it. After all, being the Grand Wizard, while an honor, was also a role which had its important work hidden away from the world. Though in reality the Grand Wizard held an immense amount of power, the public perception was that the office was mostly under the purview of the Council. Would he really do so well in a role so privately powerful, but publically humble? No, perhaps it was right that he remain working in the office instead. There, he could enjoy his power without the public believing him to be a mere figurehead.

The sound of someone else's shoes joined his own, and Storm frowned a bit. Barely anyone took this route to the office, and it was rare that he ran into anyone on his way in. Looking to his left, he saw the earnest face of Arti struggling to keep up with him. His heart twinged with jealousy, but the hybrid slowed his pace so that the new Grand Wizard could catch up.

The two walked a ways in silence, not even the gorgeous day able to hide the awkwardness of the encounter.

Storm was the first to break the quiet. "So... this is to be my first personal introduction to the Grand Wizard, is it? I'd imagined we would meet in the office, not in a disused hall." It was difficult to keep the bitterness out of his voice.

Arti caught on to the edge and nodded with a rueful grin. "Yes," he agreed, "it would have been more proper. But... I just wanted to talk to you before we get in there." The hybrid's eyebrows raised. The Grand Wizard wanted to talk to him? He would have figured the fox would keep him at a distance, viewing him as a contender to the office, rather than give him the honor of an individual audience.

"...and why is that?" he said after a moment of thought.

The young fox stopped, and Storm did as well, turning to face Arti.

One of the reasons people liked Arti was that he always seemed to be happy and bubbly. When he raised his gaze and stared Storm straight in the eye, however, there was no mistaking the gravity of his words. "I'll be blunt -- you're the more experienced of us two, and we both know it. You've been trained for years to do the job I've been thrust into, and I'm barely two months out of living in the middle of nowhere. It was a freak accident that I was discovered, and to tell you the truth, I'm not ready to do this."

He paused a moment, and couldn't help but grin a little at Storm's increasingly incredulous face. "That's right, we all know it, but I'm brave enough to say it. Call it humility, say it's because I'm a country bumpkin, tell me I'm lacking Capital tact, but it's true: I am not ready for this, and you are." The young fox let out a weary sigh. "But... this isn't one of those things that you can just turn down, and now that I've had the public ritual done to me, there's no turning back. I will rule as Grand Wizard until I die, and there's nothing that can be done about that."

"But... while there is nothing I can do to fix what has been done, I can recognize my faults, and I can recognize your strengths. I want to do this job as well as I can, and to do that, I'm going to need you. So, if you're willing, I have used the power of my office to create a new position; Assistant to the Grand Wizard. You'll have real power, real prestige, and you'll be my foremost advisor. You'll take on a mentoring role for me, help guide me through the struggles of the job, and I will go to you for advice. We both know that the Council makes noise about their influence, but the Grand Wizard is the one with the real power-- and you will share in that power. As my Assistant, only I will outrank you, and what you say goes as long as I approve. Even the Council Alder must obey you." As Arti's words filled the empty hall, Storm felt his heart fill. This was unprecedented! A Grand Wizard sharing his power, creating a new office to do so, those were things technically possible but never undertaken before. The hybrid's ego began to swell, stoked by the youngest fox's words. His knowledge was so great that, though he couldn't rise to the glorious heights he deserved, he was having his own office created, just for him! Real power, real influence, seniority over everyone but the Wizard himself.

Arti's grin grew as the shock and thankful disbelief spread over Storm's features. "Look, I know it's a lot to take in all at once. You think about it a minute, and let me know your decision. I'll be in my office, getting ready for the Ritual." He put his hand on Storm's shoulder. "I believe in your judgement. Be well, Storm!" And with that, the young fox trotted off down the hall towards the office.

Storm's eyes followed him, inadvertently focusing on his ass, but he really wasn't seeing a thing - all he could think of was what amazing opportunity he had come into. After all these years, he was given his break, and by the very fox who usurped what should have been his! He had never heard such humility, such frankness, such admittance of weakness uttered in the Consulate before. Perhaps he had misjudged the young fox. Arti may make a good Grand Wizard yet; and Storm would make for the greatest Assistant of all time. He would be sure of that.

---

When pride is involved, resolutions to put hurt feelings behind oneself is equal parts noble and impossible. Storm fully intended to throw his shoulders back, square his jaw, and face his future with as much dignity as he could muster. That resolve had faltered by the time he'd walked down those hallowed halls to the massive oak door that marked the Office of the Grand Wizard.

Once there, he paused outside the door, wavering. It was all very well to say he would suck it up when the Grand Wizard was there, soothing his ruffled feathers and promising power and influence, but were there really any weight behind the words? Storm suspected that the young fox might have been genuine, but intent does not always translate directly into reality. Would Arti have the support of the office behind him when he made this position? Storm was respected already, but he was respected because his future position was feared. Would the new position of Assistant be seen as a promotion, or as a consolation prize to a sore loser?

Indecision threatened to paralyze him, but Storm managed to draw himself up and steel his nerves. Whichever the reality, he would have no way of knowing unless he walked into that room. And so he mustered every bit of courage and dignity he had and opened the heavy door.

At first, nothing seemed off. Everyone was milling about, paying attention to their own tasks. There was a general buzz in the air, but wasn't that to be expected after a new Grand Wizard was sworn in? It was the whisper of covered laughter that first let Storm know something was off, the quiet shushing nearly too silent to be heard, yet still undeniably there. It was with a foreboding heart that Storm made his way to his new desk, positing right next to the Grand Wizard's doorway and set apart from every other station.

As he approached, the din quieted, and he could feel the eyes of the entire office upon him. There was nothing on top of the solid oak desk, nothing below... he circled around and found there to be nothing on the chair as well.

Cautiously he sat himself down, and as he looked out across the room, everyone did their best to look busy. It didn't fool him, but there didn't seem to be anything wrong. Perhaps they were just nervous, being under him? Or curious as to his reaction, being one-upped as it were? Regardless, Storm was determined to keep a stiff upper lip, show them all up. He could take this with dignity, with poise, with-

"What the actual fuck?"

As he was ruminating, Storm had opened his desk's bottom drawer and found it to be filled to the brim with oversized adult diapers. He pulled one out and held it up, looking furiously around the room, and as if on cue the room burst into sharp, jeering laughter.

"Look, it's the office baby!" "I just knew he needed them, after he'd been crying about getting snubbed!"

"Big diapers to go along with your little boy attitude!" The snark was as harsh as it was universal, and Storm's anger faded away into a cold, brittle shame. Every laugh, every jeer stabbed at him like a knife, and he let the diaper fall to the ground. Slowly he stood up, trying to keep the tears from his eyes and at least pretend he was in on the joke. He put on a fake, weak smile, managed a quiet laugh, and looked as if he were taking it in good stride.

All things considered, he was. His pride was shattered but it was nothing that a few days could not fix. All told, he would recover and get over it... that is, until he turned to see the Grand Wizard's door opened. Standing in the crack was Arti himself, and the young fox was wearing a wide grin.

Something inside Storm snapped. That young personification of his downfall might not have been in on it, but that shit eating grin told Storm everything he needed to know. There was no way Arti could make a good Grand Wizard. There was no way he could ever give Storm the power and respect he deserved. Arti made grand words about how much he valued the older hybrid's input, but that grin told Storm that it was all lies, unwitting or not. After a stunt like that, his career was dead. And so only revenge could lay in his future. Suddenly, Storm found it quite easy to put on a broad grin, laugh and shake his head like it was all some sort of game. No longer was he humiliated; that brittle and cold feeling had turned into something much stronger, and much colder - calculated fury. Even as the laughter died down and Storm got to work, a plan was forming in his mind. He would show Arti. He would show the Council and the office. He would show them all.

---

The day passed as quickly as it could for Storm, what with the heavy humiliation from earlier hanging over his head. His only solace was the plan slowly bubbling in his mind; but it would have to wait until everyone had gone home. Until then, he waited, doing his best to make himself look busy despite the fact that his position as Assistant didn't actually have any responsibilities attached quite yet. It was just as he thought - Arti gave him an empty figurehead role just to placate him. Nevermind the fact that the young fox had only just begun his own job, and likely hadn't the time to figure out exactly what he was supposed to do, let alone Storm!

Eventually, as the sun began to set through the single bay window in the office, one by one his coworkers began to pack up and leave. Some of them came by and said goodbye to Storm, slipping in an apology about earlier, but most didn't even bother, whisking themselves away to home and security without a second thought of the horror they'd wrought upon themselves.

Before long, it was just him and Arti left. Storm waited, and just as he was beginning to become impatient, the ancient door to Arti's new office opened, and the young fox himself poked his head out.

"Hey uh, Storm. Can I talk to you a minute in my office?"

How could the hybrid say no? Every fiber of his being roiled in prideful anger, but Storm swallowed, smiled, and stood up, padding behind Arti and taking a seat in the overstuffed leather chair that sat on the guest's end of the ornate desk. Arti's seat was far fancier than his, but it was made of pure wood and looked uncomfortable. Indeed, the young fox adjusted himself a few times before finally settling in, and Storm made a note to swap the two chairs when he inevitably took the office of Grand Wizard.

Silence hung in the air like smoke, and it took a minute before Arti finally brought up the courage to clear it.

"Look, uh... I'm sorry about earlier. I had no idea they were going to do it, and I admit that I laughed, but still, it wasn't proper," the Grand Wizard began.

Storm interrupted with a dismissive laugh. "Oh, don't worry about it, sir! It was all done in good fun, no harm done."

The fox raised his eyebrows. Evidently he'd been told of Storm's crankatrous habits, and something about his assistant's reaction didn't quite sit well with him. "Certainly, but it was still mean spirited. I recognize the time and effort you put into trying to secure this position for yourself, and frankly, you deserve it." Damn right I do, Storm hissed silently. "But all that aside, that behavior was entirely inappropriate towards the Assistant to the Grand Wizard."

Storm shrugged a bit, gaze shifting a bit to his left. He studied the vast bookshelves a moment, red-bound tomes older than either of them towering to the vaulted ceilings. "Perhaps, perhaps not. All things considered, sir, the position of Assistant did not exist in the minds of anyone until hours ago, and it's still a phantom of an office. Phantoms get no respect, because they do not really exist."

"Well, yes. You're exactly right." Storm shot Arti a glance, tipping his head. He hadn't expected to hear that frank admission come from the Grand Wizard's maw. "I promised you power and respect, but the truth is, I'm new here and so my words are just that for now -- words. Your office is nothing more than an idea right now, and people don't respect ideas. This reception was exactly what we didn't need, and the respect of your office was damaged before it really even began. What we need now is to do some damage control, and then lay out a plan to give you real, actual power and authority. With real power and my support, respect will follow. Now, what I was thinking we do next is...'

Arti continued on, but Storm wasn't listening. The Grand Wizard could be making sweet verbal love to him, promising him the world - and he was - but none of it made any difference in the hybrid's mind. The young fox had already proven his inability to put action to his words, and while he said all the right things and displayed a wisdom beyond his years in admitting the faults of the office, Storm held no confidence that anything could come of it. What could a young, frail foxboy like Arti do against centuries of traditional inertia?

Storm felt his distaste for Arti brew in his chest, becoming sour and more poisonous every second. What did it matter what Arti had to say, anyways? Even if he had the influence and power to back his words up, Storm was going to be the Grand Wizard if his plan worked. Whatever Arti promised now would dissolve when the hybrid took power, so there was no use in thinking too much about it. All he had to do was play it safe, play it nice, and eventually he'd get his chance to strike. The first step of his plan was to happen tonight - all else would follow.

"...and so anyways, I think that's a solid plan for our first forty days, don't you agree?"

"Hmn? Oh, uh, yes! Yes, of course sir! It's a dashing plan, really, I can't think of any flaws in it whatsoever." Storm had been caught unawares, absorbed in his own thoughts as he was, and had to think quick to make it seem as if he were paying attention.

Arti's growing frown hinted that perhaps Storm had not performed quite as well as he'd hoped, but his response set the hybrid's worries to rest. "You know, I don't think you should call me sir anymore. That's what employees say to their bosses - you and me, we're more like mentor and student, advisor and king. We should treat each other as equals. What say you, Storm?"

Storm dipped his head. "I think that's a wise decision, s- er, Arti."

"Good!" Arti flashed a wide grin and hopped down from his chair, gathering his robes together and striding around the desk. Storm envied the energy and conviction in his step, something that had left him ages ago. "Now, I got to go get ready for the second part of the ritual, the one that will bond the Mindscape to me as Grand Wizard. I'll go gather my stuff, and you go ahead and get yourself home. I know it's been a long day, and I'm sure you want to relax. I'll see you tomorrow, Storm?"

By the time Storm opened his mouth to respond, Arti had power walked out the room and was well down the hallway. Storm found his eyes following Arti's young, perky ass. Only the slamming of the door jerked him back to reality.

Silence hung in the air a few moments as Storm tried to solidify his plan. Arti had, to his credit, put on a great show about actually caring for Storm's wellbeing and eventual power and respect, but at this point nothing could dissuade the hybrid from thinking the worst of his temporary master's intentions. But that wasn't what he was thinking about, nor was Arti's fat ass -- though that did linger in the back of his mind. No, Storm was caught up on a single word; Mindscape.

What the hell was a Mindscape? Despite working in the Office of Wizardry his entire life, Storm could not think of a single time the phrase had been mentioned. He had spent years studying everything there was to know about becoming the Grand Wizard, including all the rituals... so if Arti was going to prepare for a ritual to bind something called a 'mindscape' to him, why had Storm never heard of it before?

Planning his next move could wait for a moment. Now was the time for action.

After making certain Arti was well and clear away from the office, Storm closed the door with as soft a thud as he could manage. Then, he turned his back towards the door and took in the office once more.

A part of him twinged as he studied the room. The ornate trimmings, the massive bookshelves, the fine, oak furniture -- all enchanted to have an ethereal glow -- all of it was supposed to be his. He began to pace around the room, running his paws across all that had been taken from him as he did so. The baubles... even the dust was rightfully his to clean. Instead, it was given to this no-name kid from the middle of nowhere.

His lips twitched into a scowl as he made his way behind the desk. He rested his paws on the hard wooden chair that belonged to the Grand Wizard, and after a few moments, dared to pull it out and take a seat in it. The surface was hard, sure, but whatever ancient magic had been wrought on it made it almost bearable, made it feel as if it were cushioned. Storm let out a sigh as he relaxed into it, each curve of the chair molding to his body as if it were made for him.

This could be his life. This could be his view, staring out against those massive wooden doors to the rest of the world. Above it all, towering over whoever had the misfortune of sitting across form him. He was beginning to understand why the Grand Wizards kept that stoney old chair there; it gave its occupant a sense of control, of power.

It all could be his for real... and perhaps soon, if he could figure out what exactly the Mindscape was. His previous plan had to do with years of political intrigue, calling in favors and waiting for the stars to align for him to make his move and force the young boy out. But this Mindscape business... that could be his ticket inside before the end of the year. He wasn't sure what it was, but even the name screamed Power and Influence... and if he could find out this hidden ritual, he could perhaps hold it over the Council and force them to do his bidding.

But what could it be? Where could it be? Was it even a physical thing, or a psychedelic experience? His eyes wandered the room, straining to search in the fading light of the day. The sun was dipping below the horizon, and it was becoming more and more difficult to see. He dare not turn on a light, however; if Arti came back to see the lights on, he would suspect Storm had stayed far later than he was allowed to.

Minutes passed, and his heart began to beat as he became more and more aware of the passing time. The light was fading, and he had to find this 'mindscape' before it went away entirely. Every creak became a footstep in his mind's eye, heralding the return of the Grand Wizard and the end of his ability to search for his biggest hope. Each second ticked away his chances to redeem the situation. It got to the point where Storm was about ready to leave, heart heavy, and do his best to figure it out another day.

And then, the sun dipped below the horizon. A sudden shadow enveloped the room, and there, Storm found his answer; everything was. Everything, that is, except the chair itself. It held a dim glow, faintly tinted the color of magic, and it alone illuminated the room enough so that he could see.

Storm frowned, and began to examine the chair more closely. The color of pure magic was entirely indescribable, something unique in the world, and only able to be seen by the most skilled of wizards. Whatever had been given that aura must be a powerful relic indeed, and so if the mindscape was as important as Storm had hoped, the chair must be tied to it. No one would spend hundreds of millions of dollars to infuse a simple chair with pure magical essence without a reason. This had to be the key!

After a couple minutes of examination, Storm began to piece together the purpose of the chair. The designs engraved into its sides weren't just nonsense; they were ancient runes! It was difficult for him to read, but he understood enough to follow proscriptions when he came across them; so, struggling to stay calm, he obeyed them. He sat in the chair, gripped the arms tight, spun to face the window, and closed his eyes.

His vision became dark, as he'd expected. And then, everything was.

---

When he first opened his eyes, he found himself in a void. Wizards were regularly faced with situations that most people couldn't comprehend, and so he was well used to the unexpected, but this... this was new. The void wasn't dark, it wasn't black, it was... nothing. It had no color, not even the color of magic, and that was something entirely new to him. At first, that excited him -- for the first time in decades, something new! -- but it didn't take long for dread to set in. He was, after all, suspended in nothingness, and though he didn't seem immediately harmed, the thought that he might not be able to get out terrified him.

As if responding to his worries, the void pulsed, crackling with energy as pure color began to form around him. It cycled through the visible spectrum and quite a bit of the invisible, even including the color of magic, before it finally settled on a nice, gentle purple. It was deeper than lilac, but not as violent as violet.

As the pulsating color settled, Storm felt something brush against his feet. Looking down, he saw nothing, but nonetheless he felt something there. Something... solid, soft. Ground. In moments, though he still looked as if he were floating, Storm touched down on the amorphous ground, supporting his full weight on the shifting surface

He had only moments to process this new development before something began to form in the far distance. Little orbs of white light apparated, spaced in a matrix with a yard of space between each sphere. Between these orbs there were little thin strands of light, pulsating between each one. As Storm looked around, more and more of these orbs began to appear, seeing to form distinct clusters.

Something looked strangely familiar about the clusters, both their shape and the way the strands connecting them pulsated and wriggled. It was as if each orb was communicating with each other, as if they were sentient, and each cluster was its own system. Every orb was a small part of a whole, each working in tandem to run... something. But what?

They're the minds, Storm realized. They're the 'mind' part of the mindscape.

The revelation was stunning. If these clusters of orbs were truly individual minds, then that meant the Mindscape was a collection of the consciousness of every creature that could be accessed via magic. And if the Mindscape could visualize and form these minds, then it could access them, and perhaps even change that.

Such power and access gathered in one place... it was unthinkable. It dwarved the influence of the most prestigious universities, the soft power of the most beloved dictator, the destructive power of the largest nuclear bomb. It was no wonder the Council elected to keep the very existence of such a device secret, and to entrust it to the hands of one person only. The job of the Grand Wizard was larger than anyone could know.

That thought stuck with Storm, and he scowled, even in the face of such an awe-inspiring sight. Was this to be the sole domain of Arti, was that upstart little fox to be the man to utilize such an unprecedented amount of power? He might have disliked yet understood the council's decision beforehand, but now the fact Storm was passed over was a travesty. How could they make such a monumental mistake?

"Welcome, Storm."

So caught up in his stewing, Storm almost didn't hear the ethereal voice that echoed through the boundless plane. He might have jumped, but the voice was so gentle, so calming, that he managed to suppress that instinct.

"Who are you?" he asked after a moment. He felt somewhat silly, given that there was no one there, but the voice he had heard was very real, and he was promptly rewarded with a reply.

"I am the Mindscape," said the voice simply. It was simultaneously booming and quite, everywhere around him and only in his mind all at once. "The previous Grand Wizard has retired, and so a new one has been instituted." It was more an observation than anything, and Storm couldn't reply except for a nod. "I see you do not have the material for the ritual. This is a problem to be rectified soon?"

Ah, a question. But what could he answer? Could the Mindscape sense if he was lying? "...yes, it is," Storm finally said. It wasn't a lie; Arti would arrive at any moment with whatever materials were needed to complete the ritual. The realization sent a jolt through the hybrid's body. Whatever he did here, he had to do fast.

But first, he had to explore. "...Mindscape?" There was no reply, but Storm somehow felt that he was being listened to. "I wish to explore you, but I find your current form, uh..."

"Overwhelming?" said the mindscape. "Distracting, confusing? Do not worry; all Grand Wizards have an adjustment period." It took a moment for Storm to realize that the Mindscape had just called him Grand Wizard. A fleeting grin graced him, but it faded when he remembered that, soon enough, the Mindscape would be addressing Arti the same way. "This form is the most efficient for daily work, arrived to after a hundred years of trial and error, but I can change my form to help the new Grand Wizard understand his job. What can I do to help?"

Storm frowned, pondering a bit. Obviously 'everything' would be too obvious an answer, but he didn't want it personalized too much to his own needs. This was a fact-finding mission only, and he didn't anticipate that he would ever have the chance to come inside again. As much as he wanted Arti to be removed from his post, Storm couldn't imagine his removal would come from this single journey into the mindscape; as such, he needed to make sure the little fox could do as good a job as possible in the meantime.

"Well... first off, the fact that I can't see the ground makes me uncomfortable." Almost before he finished the sentence, Storm looked down to see a more solid 'ground' becoming visible. Those minds below the horizon adjusted so that they were above it, soaring high into the sky. "And secondly... these mind clusters are too confusing. Could you, like... simplify it a little?"

Immediately, the clusters began to shrink as the orbs drew together. They began to meld, and it wasn't long before each massive cluster had condensed into a brain-shaped sphere, milky white in color and about the size of his chest. They all slowly fell onto the ground, sitting on the purple surface in rows.

"I have condensed each mind into a small sphere, so that you can touch it and access all the individual parts inside. Is there anything else I can do?" the mindscape echoed.

Storm didn't answer, already too enthralled in exploring this new arrangement to notice he was being addressed. The hybrid began to pace the rows, finding that as he approached an individual mind, he could immediately tell who it belonged to. They seemed to be arranged in different areas, possibly representing communities, with almost invisible strands of white connecting individual minds to others. Perhaps a visualization of who is attached to who?

The sheer amount of options available to him was overwhelming enough, but knowing that he distinctly lacked the time to really explore, Storm resigned himself to only investigating a few minds before heading out. But which to choose?

It didn't take long for him to decide on his first mind. "Mindscape," he said, "take me to my own mind."

Storm blinked, and suddenly he was there. The milky white sphere on the ground looked just like any other, and yet he knew it was his own. There was a sort of gravity that emanated it, drew him in, and Storm slowly, nervously reached down and brushed the surface.

At once, Storm knew everything there was to know about him. He re-experienced every memory, every feeling and thought he'd ever had, every experienced he'd ever been given, and he was given these events both as they happened and as he remembered them. He could feel his intelligence, his values, his thoughts, his principles and everything else as a sort of emotion, each one distinct yet unmistakably the same.

It threatened to overwhelm him, and Storm tensed, focusing all his energy at isolating one or two aspects of his being and concentrating on those. It took a second, but before long the cacophony of information left him, and Storm finally found he could explore with purpose.

The first thing he did was to delve deep into his psyche; he had always been curious as to why he was the way that he was, and here was the answer to it all. Why was he jealous when he was, and why did he like the things that he liked? More importantly, what would really make him happy? Storm figured he already knew the answer -- becoming the Grand Wizard would make him finally, truly happy -- but why not go see, just to make sure?

As he searched, the thought of being Grand Wizard stuck in his mind. There was the excitement that he might one day actually fulfil his dream, and the hope that his plans might turn out, but mostly, he felt anger. Anger and resentment that his birthright, the role that should have been his was taken away, stolen from him by some stupid, upstart runt of a fox that he called Arti. He shouldn't be slinking into the Mindscape like a thief, constantly looking over his shoulder and hoping no one would walk in. He should be the one controlling it all!

When the Council makes a decision, they do so for a reason. It was true that Storm, by most accounts, was the perfect person to be the Grand Wizard. He, however, did lack one trait that the council thought absolutely necessary for access to the Mindsphere; temperance. Storm often let his emotions get the better of him, and in a place as sensitive as the Mindscape, even the slightest alteration in mood could corrupt anything and everything. Arti had that even temper and presence of mind that the Mindscape required; Storm did not.

Because of that, as Storm poked around in his mind, angrily searching for the answer to his happiness, his anger began to subtly adjust his mind. It turned into a feedback loop, his irritation shaping his mind to be more irritated, and that increased irritation turning to real anger, fury, and then finally, coldhearted revenge. It tweaked the values of fairness that Storm held dear, making it so that those ideals only applied if it had to do with him, and lowered his inhibitions in times where he felt slighted, as he did now.

Storm pulled back, yanking out of his mind as his chest burned with cold anger. What was he doing exploring his own mind, when he had the mind of every single person in the world at his disposal? He had read once that to know one's enemy is to achieve victory. And, luckily for Storm, his enemy's entire existence was somewhere in this mindscape, ripe for the hybrid's taking. All he had to do was ask.

And so, Storm came to a decision that he never would have even considered, had he not corrupted his own mind. "Mindscape?" he asked. "Bring me the mind of Arti."

At once, Arti's mind was in front of him. It sat there, white, pure and unblemished. It stoked the fire in Storm's heart to find that the mind of the young fox had more of a pull than his own, signifying, he assumed, a greater intelligence and potential. Without hesitation, he plunged his hand into the mind in front of him, and began to frantically search for Arti's great weakness.

Sparks flew from his fingertips as he delved deep into Arti, sifting through memories and wants and fears. There was a lot of useful material there, but Storm was looking for something undeniably damning, a single nugget of advice that would help bring down the fox in one fell swoop. An insecurity, a memory, Storm was willing to use anything to help him achieve his goal.

While he was sifting through the young fox's memories, Storm watched them as if in third person, an onlooker observing from behind. That gave him a very interesting view; namely, of the young fox's ass. The hybrid started searching through Arti's memories beginning when he was younger, and so as he progressed, Storm got to watch as the twinkish fox's features developed. At the beginning of puberty, he was shaped like any other boy, but as he got older and older, his hips began to flare out, pounds of flesh packing on the fox's bottom as his jeans filled out more and more.

Child-rearing hips, Storm couldn't help but think as he watched Arti walk down the graduation aisle. He'd gone commando that day, and so his graduation robes clung tightly to the boy's frame, hiking up his crack and giving each cheek a clear outline. They bounced up and down as the boy made his way up the steps, jiggling with the sway of his hips. That boy has child-rearing hips, or would if he were a girl. Fuck, I'm straight, but that ass looks amazing.

The sparks intensified as Storm got lost in his own fantasy, standing there in Arti's memory as he dwelled on the size of the boy's rear. If only they were bigger, god I'd even top it if it were bigger. Twice, three times the size, just insane...

After spending a few minutes lost in his own fantasies, the sparks travelled from Arti's memories into the rest of his mind, making tweaks here and there. Storm was doing the same thing to Arti as he had done to himself, and equally unconsciously. Before long, though, Storm jerked himself out of his stupor, and the changes ceased.

"Fuck. Mindscape, how long's it been?" he asked, suddenly aware of how long he'd been standing there. His pants were tented, but he ignored that for now.

"Forty minutes, Storm," came the reply.

"Fuck, I got to go. Mindscape, let me out!" But before the Mindscape could do a thing, Storm paused. A thought occurred to him, brought about by the singular goal of revenge now nestled deep in his mind. "Before I go: what materials do I need to complete the ritual?"

"The scrolls, two emeralds, and a lock of the Grand Wizard's fur to serve as DNA identification."

Storm's lips curled in a grin. Without thinking twice he curled his finger into a locket of his hair, yanking it out with a hiss of pain, and tossed it on the ground. Hopefully...

"Mindscape, let me out.

And then there was nothing.

Storm yawned, stretching a bit as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. How long had he been asleep? Where was he? The hybrid's tired, muddled brain struggled to work out these questions, but the sound of distant footsteps suddenly jerked Storm back to reality. He yelped as he jumped out of the solid oak chair, cursing as he slammed his knee against the lip of the desk in front of him.

"Fuck," he hissed to himself as he started to rush out of the room, grabbing his things as he did. He must have fallen asleep in that chair, had some goddamn grandiose dream about whatever the hell the Mindscape was.

He closed the office door behind him, stopping by his desk to gather his things and stalk out into the hallway. The hybrid narrowly missed Arti as he returned, who rushed by him without so much as an acknowledgement. He held some scrolls in arms and a few gems in his hand, and disappeared into his office with a sense of urgency.

Storm stood there and watched him go in. "Fucker," he growled under his breath. "Have fun with whatever the fuck a Mindscape is. I'll have your robes before the year's out."

And with that, Storm left the building, willing himself to forget that stupid mindscape dream so he could plan his revenge at home in peace.