FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Valeriya soared high through the skies; her massive wings catching air currents, keeping her aloft as she spiraled lazily through the azure blue of the aether. She was currently circling high above the Australian outback. She had been following an interesting human for some time now. He didn't bear the same energy as the people with a fragment of the Seed of Life inside them, yet his energy felt... familiar. It felt warm and friendly, like Gaia's. Valeriya had been intrigued by this, and decided to follow him. He had been travelling through the outback for some time now, heading deep into the northern territories in a battered old four by four. What he was doing was beyond Valeriya's understanding at the moment, but she was sure her Mother would be interested in him. Her vast form floated almost weightlessly through the sky, her feathers rippling as the wind passed over them. She had grown in size considerably since her birth, as had her brother. He was now the size of a small bus, over seven feet at the shoulder and nearly thirty feet in length (including his tail). Valeriya wasn't quite sure how large she was now. Not in actual units anyway. At a guess her body was about twelve feet long, her wingspan approaching forty. Her talons were like swords, and her beak was like a pneumatic cutter. Even at this height she cast a shadow on the ground. She glanced down at the vehicle, bouncing its way over the rocky ground, leaving a cloud of orangey-red dust in its wake. Her vision was so acute; she could quite clearly see the driver, the individual beads of sweat as they ran down his face. He looked nervous. He kept looking out of his window at the sky. Perhaps he knew she was following him? It seemed unlikely. She had been much more careful than her brother in regards to being seen, by scientists or others.

Valeriya had been studying the man for some time. He seemed quite young, maybe his late twenties. He was kind of... plain. He was kind of skinny. His nose was pointy and he had long slender fingers. His hair was long and a light brown in colour, almost blonde really, but not quite. It was tied back in a tight ponytail, trailing down his back. His skin was pale, but not the unnatural paleness of someone who never went outside. It seemed more natural, if it was natural to have such pale skin. Valeriya knew there were no towns for hundreds, if not thousands of miles. Although getting to a town didn't seem to be his goal. His car was slowing down now. Valeriya looked ahead of him and saw a large pile of dusty red rocks rising out of the ground. Growing on top of the rocks was a large, gnarled tree. It's sparse leaves fluttered in the breeze. The car stopped next to the rocks and the man got out. He clambered up the rocks and into the dappled shade the tree provided. He then stood there, scanning the sky. Valeriya decided that now would be an ideal time to make her presence known. She folded her wings and dived, she screamed through the air, the ground approaching rapidly. She snapped her wings open and shot along the ground, a few meters above the stony ground. A huge column of dust erupted behind her as the tree grew larger and larger. At the last minute, she pulled up, slowing her self enough to land on the roof of his car. All the windows smashed under her weight, and the tires popped. The roof buckled and the car skidded forwards a few feet. The dust blasted past the two and took a good while for it to settle. When it did, Valeriya was looking at a cowering, dusty man.

He looked up at her, stood up and brushed dust off his clothes.

"I think we're a safe enough distance now." He said.

Valeriya cocked her head. Was he not afraid of her? Everyone else she had found had been terrified to be picked up by a giant mythical bird.

"I know what you are. I know what your brother is too."

Valeriya was slightly shocked. This man wasn't lying; she could tell if he was.

"I... I don't know how I know... but my entire life I've felt out of place. Then when I saw your brother on the news... I recognized him. I felt a strange connection. I feel it with you too. I want to know what it means. I keep seeing a face in my dreams... alien yet familiar... ancient and kind, yet fierce and dangerous... can you help me? Please?"

He looked truly desperate. Like a man who has been lost and hoping his entire life, to finally see his salvation, yet not fully believing it was happening. Valeriya felt strangely connected to him, too. But she could sense no energy from the seed of life. Now she was closer to him, the same feeling she got when she was around Gaia was even stronger. There was something different about him. Something her mother needed to investigate.

"Can you understand me?" she asked

"Did... did you say something?" He asked, looking confused. Valeriya let out a loud crow, spreading her wings and flapping them, slowly rising into the air.

"Wait! Where are you going!?" The man called, he jumped down from the rock but Valeriya was already in the sky. She circled round and saw him run into the desert. He turned to face her and was yelling for her to come back. But Valeriya had no plans of leaving without him. She began to drop, heading straight for him. Her feathers began to glow, and the ground beneath her ignited, flames burning even the rocks. She streaked over the desert, her legs coming forwards. She grabbed the man and pulled up sharply, rising high into the sky. She could hear him gasping for breath. The force of her pickup had obviously winded him. She arced through the air in a loop. Her flames scorched the ground below her. The car was slowly turning into molten slag in the intense, nearly invisible flames. She dove down, a straight drop towards the earth. As she dropped, a Mach cone began to form around her beak, but before she could break the sound barrier, she hit the ground, vanishing into the earth like it was air. The ground rippled briefly after her passing, but it soon solidified. All that remained was molten rock and burning sand.

Bjørn slowly opened his eyes. He had obviously passed out when the... phoenix had hit the ground. But he wasn't dead. That much he was certain. Of Danish descent, he had moved to Australia in order to try and find himself. He didn't know why he had moved, but it had felt... right. Looking around, he saw he was in a large cave, the floor of which was covered in soft, velvety moss.

"I do apologize. My daughter can be a little... dramatic, when it comes to bringing guests home."

A shiver ran up Bjørn's spine. That voice. He knew that voice! Turning around he saw a large raised area, half way between a bed and a throne. There was a woman reclining in it, flanked on either side by the Phoenix, and what could only be the Dragon. He was huge, even lying down. He knew from first hand experience how large the Phoenix was, even though she was now settled beside the woman. Her skin was emerald green, her eyes were golden, and her hair seemed to be made from woody, spring vines.

"I see what you mean, Valeriya. There is something... familiar... about this man."

"I... I know you." Bjørn said. He could feel excitement welling up in his chest. He couldn't believe this was happening.

"Really? I doubt that." The woman replied.

"No... I do..." Bjørn slowly rose to his feet. The dragon let out a growl that made the floor tremble. Bjørn wasn't deterred though.

"You... I know you... William, isn't it?"

The growling stopped abruptly.

"And you... you are Gaia!"

Gaia looked surprised.

"You do know us... tell me. What do you think of, standing in this place?" She asked.

"I feel like I'm home." He replied. Then he laughed. Tears began streaming down his face as he laughed.

"I feel like I'm home! Like I am finally home! My entire life, I've not known what direction to go in, but now I feel like I belong!"

The woman got to her feet, and stalked over to him. She placed her hands on either side of his head and kissed him. Bjørn felt his entire body relax the instant her lips met his. His body trembled, unable to move. She slowly released the kiss, a string of golden fluid connecting them. Bjørn dropped to his knees. He was suddenly having trouble focusing on anything.

"You are a part of me." She said softly, "I do not know how, or when, but you were conceived bearing a fragment of my very soul. You are like my son and daughter, but you were not part of my design."

Bjørn swayed to one side and toppled onto his side. It was like he was incredibly drunk, but it was a very pleasant feeling.

"You are a very special creature, my dear Bjørn. I feel a connection with you I only feel with my closest kin. You are of my flesh and my blood, so you will join us, as my son."

William rumbled quietly behind them.

"No... he requires a different womb than the two of you had. I do not know what his rebirth will bring, but I know it will be glorious." Gaia replied.

Bjørn tried to speak, but all he could manage was a slurred gurgle.

"Shush... do not fear. I will erase any pain and suffering you experienced in your old life." Gaia crooned, stroking his hair.

Bjørn felt himself slipping into unconsciousness, but he jerked himself awake again. He realised through swimming vision that he was in a different room now. The air smelt sweet and felt thick. His body was pleasantly paralysed. His limbs were heavy and immovable, yet his vision was starting to clear slightly. He saw he was in a much smaller room than the one before. It was spherical, and was mostly filled with a peculiar flesh coloured substance.

"Do not resist me... trust me and know peace." Came Gaia's voice.

"Y-yesss... mmotherr..." he slurred.

"Good boy." She chuckled.

Bjørn felt something wet and sticky grab his arms and legs, and he was pulled slowly into something soft, slippery, wet and fleshy. He could feel his body being gently squeezed and massaged. Light slowly faded as he was dragged deeper into the fleshy mass. His body was soaked with slime, and the tendrils wrapping his arms and legs made it impossible to move. He felt himself enter a larger area, space opening up around him. This area was filled with a dull reddish light. Bjørn found he could see clearly now. He was in a small fleshy room. Barely big enough for him to stand in, thick ropes of clear slime dripped from the walls all around him. They landed on him, coating his body in sweet smelling goo. The air was thick and heavy, like he was breathing some kind of gas. More fleshy tentacles emerged from the walls, encircling his body. One with a large cup shaped sucker on the end covered his nose and mouth. It forced something down his throat and up his nose. Bjørn inhaled deeply, his body shuddering as the wonderful, drugged air entered his lungs. More tentacles wrapped around his body, slipping between his buttocks and slowly and easily sliding into his anus. It was only now that Bjørn realised he was naked. It didn't matter anymore though. As another tentacle engulfed his rapidly hardening cock, his body gave up. He hung there; supported by the fleshy tendrils, his body being fed a cocktail of drugs, pleasure being forced upon him. The large womb - for that was what it was - began to fill with the clear goo. It rose slowly around his body, covering it with an incredible slickness and wetness. Soon the goo was over his head, and he was floating in a prison of flesh and clear slime. He could feel his consciousness slipping again, but as he faded in and out of the waking world, he felt two tendrils press against his ears. There was a wet squirming feeling, and a sudden crunch. Bjørn gasped, but the intense pain faded into incredible pleasure, and his mind went totally blank as the tentacles invaded his brain. Altering it, massaging it, forming it to Gaia's designs...

"So who is he, mother?" Valeriya asked as Gaia returned to the bedchamber.

"He is your brother my love. He is as close to me as you are."

"Yeah, but who is he?" William pressed. Gaia sighed and sat down on the throne bed. There was a humming sound, and William began to shrink. He reduced in size until he was back to his original size, slightly larger than a Liger. His scales now matched Gaia's skin colour. Spring had rolled around, so he was emerald green, his belly, eyes and horns had turned to a burnished gold colour. Valeriya's feathers were changing to green as well, although she had a lot of catching up to do, considering she was born after William. After both she and William had shrunk themselves down, they nestled against their mother who leaned back. One hand stroking William between his horns, the other gently stroking the top of Valeriya's head.

"Hmm... where to begin..." Gaia mused. "You can get a lot of information from a single kiss you know."

"We don't care about what he was!" Valeriya said.

"Yeah! How come he's our brother?" William chimed in.

"Ah well, that is a story I myself did not know until I drew it from his soul. I remember it now though."

"Please tell us!"

"Yeah! Tell us!"

Gaia chuckled.

"Alright children, settle down and listen."

William and Valeriya snuggled even closer, Valeriya resting her head on Gaia's thigh.

"Many, many years ago, I walked the Earth openly and freely. My most powerful creations walked the land. Humanity has called them 'Dinosaurs', a rather vulgar term I think. I remember feeling lonely and depressed, surrounded by these mindless beasts. I did not know why I had created them in the first place. I yearned for something similar to myself. So I culled the Dinosaurs and created humanity. When Humans built their first civilization, I realised that they were using their greater intelligence to wage war on each other, subjugating their fellows. I did not wish this; it saddened me so very much. I shed but a singe tear in my grief. This tear crystallised into a crystal, and was lost to the currents of time. My crystalline tear resurfaced, and were used as a fertility medicine by a woman who knew nothing of how the world worked. She did become pregnant though, the child bearing a fragment of my soul. This child is your Brother. He grew up in his old life, lost and confused. He had always felt out of place and distant from his foster mother, never belonging and never knowing why. He was depressed most of the time and could never find happiness or love."

William whined.

"That's really sad!" he interrupted.

"Shut up, William!" Valeriya hissed, "I wanna hear the story!"

"Be nice to your brother, Valeriya. He is very sensitive to emotional things. Now then... where was I... ah yes. So, when William appeared on the news as a 'Dinosaur', he recognised him. Bjørn saw William and saw his brother. This unlocked a memory, deep inside him. He knew that a Phoenix would rise, so he waited. Waited for the Phoenix to come and find him in her territory. And find him you did. Soon he will be reunited with his true family, and we shall be whole and complete. I'm sure you felt something nagging at the backs of your minds. Something was missing. Well that something has been found. After his rebirth, we shall set forth into the world and bring about our utopia."

"I can't wait to meet him properly." William said enthusiastically.

"Neither can I!" Valeriya agreed.

Gaia had been concerned they wouldn't be satisfied with her somewhat confusing tale, but it appeared her programming and brainwashing was completely and utterly in control of their minds. Even so, she had been quietly massaging their minds, making them more likely to accept her story without question.

"You both worked very hard today, I think you've earned a rest." She said.

"Aww! But I like hunting people!" Valeriya complained.

"Yes I know you do my dear, but even Phoenixes need their rest." Gaia replied, caressing her daughter's head. Valeriya's eyes started to droop. She ruffled her feathers and sank down next to Gaia. She let out a quiet cheep, before falling into a hypnotic sleep. Gaia turned to William, but his eyes were already closed. He had taken to her conditioning so easily and quickly. It was like he was born to be her pet. She gently stroked his head, and he stretched and yawned curling around her and his sister. Valeriya was a little more resistant, but her defiant nature was hard to get rid of. Her conditioning was still total though. Only a few creases remained, and once they were smoothed out she would have her powerful, obedient pets. Pets who were addicted to her, who worshipped her and obeyed her utterly. Gaia shuddered. She was getting horny at just the thought! Maybe it was the effect of humanity, but she found she rather enjoyed this feeling of utter dominance. It was a feeling she had no plans on getting rid of any time soon.

A few nights later, Valeriya returned to the nest, two people clutched in her talons. She flew through the now vast caverns that made up their home. Gaia had decided to renovate the subterranean network of caves and tunnels, saying their family were getting a little large for the old passages. The Phoenix emerged from the tunnel into the rebirthing chamber. The chamber itself had been expanded to colossal size. Hundreds of the strange fleshy plants filled the cavern, each bearing thousands of the womb like pods that caused the transformation in humans. The first few plants they had used had regurgitated the humans a few weeks ago. Gaia's new creations were busy down below, helping their recently born fellows. They were an incredible species. Humans and animals fused together to create a creature that was both. Bipedal creatures with human minds and the natural abilities of animals. William had suggested the name Animalia Sapiens to describe them as a whole. Valeriya just called them 'Sapients' because it was less of a mouthful, much to William's annoyance. She glided down to a ledge, carefully depositing her cargo before she alighted on a rocky outcrop over looking the cavern. Two wolf Sapients arrived, carefully picking up the unconscious humans and carrying them off towards one of the plants. She seemed to recall William called the wolves Lupus Sapiens. She wondered if using suborders was really necessary, but William had insisted. Gaia had been content for him to have his way, and the Sapients seemed to like the names. Valeriya watched the happenings in the cave. New Sapients were being released from their pods all the time, blinking and spluttering into the world. Valeriya had been intrigued by how their bodies had changed from that of what they had been. Take the wolves for example. They had wolf heads, with intelligent, almost human eyes, but the bodies of people, albeit covered in fur. Some had plantigrade legs, and some had digitigrade legs. Some had paw pads on their hands and some did not. Some were more animalistic, while others appeared more human. This was the same with most of the other animals. Snakes, for example. Some had powerful, muscular tails from the waist down, others had legs. It was the same with the aquatic species, and the insects, and everything else. It was a rather spectacular, colourful array. Rumbling sounds made her look up, and at the entrance to this cavern came William. He had made himself huge. Poking his head into the cave he opened his mouth. Quite a few humans and a tidal wave of golden goo washed out onto the cave floor. The sapients immediately gathered round, dragging the unconscious humans off to pods. William began to shrink down, eventually reaching his normal size. Valeriya observed as the now much smaller dragon wound his way through the plants and busy Sapients until he reached the outcrop that Valeriya was perched on.

"Why do you have to be so dramatic?" she asked, cocking her head at him.

"What do you mean?" he replied, sitting on his haunches.

"I know you can walk around at that size without making the ground shake."

"Oh... yeeeeah."

"Seriously. Why do you even bother?"

"I dunno? I just feel like I should be a bit more... stompy."

"Weirdo."

"No, I'm awesome!"

Valeriya ruffled her feathers and squawked with annoyance.

"William... Valeriya... come."

Their mother's voice drifted through their minds, and they obeyed immediately. Valeriya shrunk down to her normal size, and took off, following William who was already bounding down a separate corridor. They shortly arrived in the bedchamber, which was still the same size as it had been. Gaia wasn't there, but her voice came from the small room in which their new brother was being born.

"In here." She called softly.

Valeriya hopped after William as they entered the small room. Gaia was sat on the floor, cradling something. The room was covered in slime, and the large womb like organ was nowhere to be seen. As the two approached, they saw a small figure cradled in Gaia's arms, dripping with slime. He was about five feet tall, and his skin was snow white. His eyes were completely black and his nose was missing, just a small bump where it should have been. He looked the spitting image of Gaia during the winter. His long, white hair was slicked back by the slime, and his mouth was slightly open. His eyes were half lidded and he was panting. His body was rather feminine, and it was hard to tell if he was a 'he' at all.

"Your new brother, Bjørn. Is he not beautiful?" Gaia asked, gazing down at him.

William moved closer, sniffing Bjørn's head. He then licked his brother's face and trilled happily. Bjørn slowly reached out with a slender hand, and placed it on William's snout. William slowly lay down in front of Gaia, so as not to disturb the delicate hand. Valeriya hopped around to settle behind Bjørn's head. She opened her beak and let out a wave of blue flames. They washed over Bjørn, evaporating the slime but leaving him untouched. Bjørn let out a sigh, curling up next to Gaia, eyes closing as he drifted off into sleep.

The four of them sat there, in the warmth and comfort of the small room.

"Four of us together. We are now whole." Gaia said to William and Valeriya.

"How come he isn't like us?" Valeriya asked.

"I designed the Dragon and the Phoenix, but I did not design him. He is based of the memory of my form, thus he looks like I do. But he is the same as you two in spirit."

"He's so small..." William said, staring down at Bjørn.

Gaia smiled and patted William's snout.

"Yes he is, but I have no doubt he will be strong like you two. Now, I have decided to change your roles slightly. My new race is nearly ready to emerge, so policing the hemispheres is no longer necessary. You will instead guide my newest creations. In order to do this, I will transform you. You will remain Dragon and Phoenix, but your new forms will be in keeping with my new designs for this world."

"But I'm not even a year old yet!" Valeriya said, sounding worried "Are you going to take my wings away?"

"Of course not, dear. You will see." Gaia replied reassuringly. "You can think of it like a caterpillar becoming a butterfly. This is your infant stage. You no longer require this form, thus it will change to something new and even more beautiful."

"Will Bjørn go through the same?" William asked.

"No. His form is now fixed, but yours are still flexible. Why do you think you can change size with such ease?"

"This all seems kinda... last minute. Maybe even a little rushed." William said thoughtfully.

"I have had these plans for you since the beginning. Are you questioning me?"

"N-no mother! I... I didn't mean..." William whined. His tail and ears drooped.

"It's alright child. I know how it may seem to you. It must be confusing for both of you, but trust in me, follow my plans and obey me. Everything will be just fine."

William huffed gently, laying his head at Gaia's feet. Gaia smiled at the submissive act. She reached forwards and place a finger on his head. His eyes slowly closed, and soon his breathing settled into the deep, rhythmic pattern of sleep. She did the same to Valeriya, the phoenix slowly sinking down to the ground, her eyes closing.

A group of Sapients entered the room, carefully carrying William, Valeriya and Bjørn away. Gaia got to her feet and followed them out. Bjørn had been left on the bed, curled up and sleeping soundly. Valeriya and William had been taken to the rebirth cavern. Soon she would be able to take everything up to the surface; soon everything would be set irreversibly into motion. She walked through the twisting caverns and tunnels she had opened up to accommodate her growing family. The corridors and caves were filled with the sounds of conversation and laughter. There was no racial segregation here. She walked through the living spaces she had carved for her creations. She saw young children, their fur or feathers downy and fluffy playing happily together. She saw an adult horse teaching a confused looking lion mathematics. Gaia had only removed their old lives, but kept their knowledge and experiences intact. By removing their "humanity", she had made them more humane and kind to each other than actual humans. Her walk took her outside of the underground den, out onto the hilltop surrounded by an ocean of trees. She closed her eyes and spread her arms wide. She could feel every single living creature, be it animal or plant. She was the Earth. She was its mother, it's guardian. She could feel the sickness that infested it to its core. She could feel the greed and avarice of humanity. It made her angry and ashamed. And yet she could also feel the humans that were trying to make a difference. She could feel their sincerity, their desire to help and heal the planet. Everything was a great big vortex of confusion, pain and emotions. She had been gone too long. She had let humanity go for too long without checking, and now she had more than seven billion of them running around. She knew the planet could support them all, but not in the destructive way they were going about exploiting her natural resources. Although it pained her, Gaia knew that a massive cull was the only option. Those that chose to join her freely would be reborn into a new world, free from suffering and greed. Those that denied or defied her would be destroyed. Their forms would be used to repair the planet they had damaged. Once the initial cull had taken place, she would tear down the ugly cities of steel, concrete and glass. But she would not reset her new race back to zero. She would keep the beneficial technology and promote the construction of smaller, more efficient settlements. She would encourage exploration, scientific studies and intellectual pursuits. The world would finally become the utopia it was supposed to be. This time she would keep watch. This time she would make sure that her will was obeyed.

A little while later, the warm warrens under the earth were silent. Gaia moved quietly along the corridors, feeling each of her new creations. She was connected to all of them. She could feel them dreaming, feel them having nightmares, feel them sleeping soundly. She could feel them making love, she could feel them whispering quietly to each other. Closing her eyes she could see every single one of them. Soft blue outlines in the blackness. She looked around, her eyes still closed. She was surrounded by life. Life she had direct control over. They did not know it, but each one of them had been reprogrammed to instinctively obey and follow her. It was the only way she could be certain her plans would work. She supposed that some might consider her evil or immoral, but she owned everything on this world. It was hers, and she had the power to change it as she saw fit. Looking towards the rebirthing chamber, she saw two bright white outlines. The power William and Valeriya had was astounding. Their love for Gaia, their desire and conviction to carry out her will... it went beyond what she had programmed them to feel. Even if she released her control over them, Gaia suspected they would remain by her side. It wasn't something she was willing to test, however. Opening her eyes, she frowned. Heading into the plant filled cavern, she went over to the two large pods that housed her first children. There was a Sapient sitting in front of them, gazing up at the gently pulsating, fleshy sacs. A soft light appeared in the air above Gaia, casting gentle illumination over a small area. The sapient spun around in surprise. Gaia saw it was an arctic fox. His small, lithe frame covered in grey-brown fur.

"M-mother!" He spluttered.

She gently shushed him, and settled herself down next to him.

"What troubles you?" she asked. The fox looked nervous.

"I-In my old life... I knew William... sort of." He said, fidgeting with his bushy tail. Gaia closed her eyes briefly.

"Ah yes. You are David Petersen, aren't you?" she said, opening them again.

The fox nodded. He looked thoroughly miserable.

"I-I keep getting... visions. From my old life. Nothing is clear, but he... William killed people I knew... people I was friends with... I mean I don't care about the old me anymore, that's in the past. B-but... these memories... I fell I should do something about them."

"I see. What were you planning on doing?"

"I don't know!" David grabbed his head, tears welling up in his eyes. Gaia reached forwards and pulled him into her arms. He looked at her with surprise, but then his eyes drooped. She began stroking his head softly as he rested against her shoulder.

"William is you older brother. He is everyone's older brother. All he wants to do is protect you all. He would never harm any of your friends without good reason.

"I... 'spose..." David said quietly. Gaia kissed him gently on the head.

"Come on. I will walk you back to bed." She said, getting up and taking David by the hand. He got slowly to his feet, rubbing one of his eyes. He shuffled meekly after her, being led along by his hand.

"You don't need to worry about your old life anymore, David." She said quietly, leading him through the twisting corridors to one of the living quarters.

"Mm'kay..." he mumbled in reply, letting out a yawn.

Gaia carefully lay him down on a pile of soft moss, next to a mixed group of others, all sleeping soundly. She kissed him on the forehead and left. David had curled up next to a snake, who hugged the small fox in its sleep. Gaia headed back into the rebirth chamber. She would have to completely erase everyone's memories of their past lives. That meant she would have to make them believe they had always been this way, and that every skill and scrap of experience had been gained here in this place. Easy enough, but it would take time and concentration. It was a good thing William and Valeriya would be ready to emerge come the morning. The next few days would be critical. She knew the reaction from humanity would be violent. It was to be expected. Of course they didn't need to die, but Gaia knew that many would resist. That was where William would come in.

While he was drawing all the attention, Bjørn, Valeriya and the Sapients would begin gathering the people that gave themselves freely. Then mass conversion could begin in earnest. Of course, the threat of nuclear weapons was high, especially once the humans realised the very planet they lived on was against them. The greatest strength of this plan would be the surprise. From all that she had learned of modern humans, there was the general consensus that the existence of higher powers was merely a fantasy, and that everything she could do and everything she had done was strictly regulated to stories and songs. Oh how they would regret their vile actions towards her world. She sincerely hoped the most destructive and the greediest individuals would beg her for mercy, try to barter with her. They would receive no quarter, of course. Her new utopia had no room for greed or selfishness. Placing a hand on one of the pods she closed her eyes and sighed. She was expending a lot of energy to do all this. If this plan failed, she would have to return to her slumber, and who knows what humanity would do then. There was a cracking sound. Gaia looked up. A crack had appeared under her hand on the pod's surface. She snatched her hand away. More cracks appeared in the pod, and suddenly a hand burst through the lid of the pod in a spray of glowing white fluid. There was a loud crack and a hole was torn in the hard shell protecting the fleshy womb. With a huge gasp, William emerged from his pod. Glimmering slime dripped from his body as he sat up. His powerful muscles tensed and writher under his scaly skin. His broad shoulders heaved as he drew in a huge gulp of air. Dragging himself out of the pod he collapsed to the floor. He had changed into an anthropomorphic version of his former self. His head was still that of the Dragon, but slightly more human now. His back, shoulders and thighs were covered by armoured scales, midnight blue in colour and tougher than steel. The armoured scales also covered the top half of his tail, and covered his head like a helmet. They ran down over the outside of his arms and his clad his hands like gauntlets. The rest of his body was covered in silky smooth, dark red scales. He lay on the floor, panting.

"William! You were not due to emerge until tomorrow!" Gaia said, rather shocked at this turn of events.

"I couldn't stay asleep." He replied slowly. He still could not speak with his mouth it seemed, despite the change.

"I felt you... your weariness. I could not sit and wait as my mother grew tired."

Gaia knelt next to her son, gently stroking his head.

"My dearest child... your devotion to me is truly astounding, as is your affinity with the earth. Both you and your sister and your brother... Without you three I would be afraid that my plans would not come to fruition... but with you all by my side, I have no fear."

William reached up and took her hand in his. His hand dwarfed hers, as did his entire body, his powerful muscles rippling beneath his scales. Yet his touch was soft and gentle.

"With you to guide us, with you lead us, we shall retake the Earth and we shall bring your vision to life. This I swear." He said, gazing up at her. Gaia smiled down and him, leaning forwards and kissing him on the snout. Her smile curled her lips slightly. William at least, the most powerful of her three true children was utterly bound to her.

Valeriya, unlike William, was still in her womb. These pods were much larger than the ones used for the normal Sapients, yet Valeriya was curled up, floating in the middle of her fleshy prison. Her body had changed, much like William. Her form was humanoid, but covered in orange-gold and amber feathers. Her head was still the same as it had been, albeit smaller and more form fitting. A large pair of wings now adorned her back, folded tightly behind her. Her legs and arms were also covered with her glimmering feathers, but below the knee and elbow the feathers stopped, being replaced by smooth, scaled skin like that of a bird. Her skin was a dark burnished bronze in colour, her three large toes tipped with jet-black talons, her fingers similarly equipped. Here eyes were half lidded as she floated in her warm cell, her body asleep. But her mind was awake and working. She had felt William awaken, heard him speaking with mother. She had tried to break free at the same time as well, but she wasn't strong enough. William was clearly the powerhouse of the trio, being able to break through the thick outer shell of the pods. Valeriya desperately wanted to leave the fleshy confines that surrounded her. She wanted to be with her mother and brothers, she wanted to stretch her wings again, test her new form, but she couldn't move. Her body wouldn't respond.

"My dear Valeriya... I can feel your desire to emerge, but you must be patient."

"Mother? Is that you?"

"Of course my dear. I would not leave you alone. William has gone to be with your younger brother. I will remain here with you until you are able to emerge."

"Thank you mother... my body... it won't move, I'm scared."

"Oh my dear sweet Valeriya. You will be fine. Your body cannot move because it is not yet strong enough to do so. By tomorrow you will be ready, I promise you."

"I hope so mother... I hope so."

"Have no fear child. Rest now; let your body regain its strength. I shall stay here by your side until you emerge."

"Thank you... mother..."

Gaia felt Valeriya slowly fall asleep. As with William, it was like something had clicked into place. The final piece of the puzzle and been slotted in. Valeriya was entirely under her power now too. Gaia hadn't expected either of them to be as easy to control as they had been. Bjørn had been hers right from the start though. In truth she didn't know anything about how Bjørn came into being. The story she had told Valeriya and William had been made up on the spot. The fact that they didn't question its many plot holes and confusing statements was a testament to how deeply they trusted her. Gaia rested atop the pod, lying on her front. Her head resting against its smooth surface. She could feel Valeriya inside. Her spirit was strong, all her children were.

"Tomorrow... humanity's destructive reign will end." Gaia whispered.

The city of Yellowknife is the largest city in the North West Territories of Canada, and the region's capital. The residents of Yellowknife were disturbed from their morning routines by an earthquake. The tremors cracked roads and pavements, and caused windows to break, but otherwise no other damage was done. It wasn't until around midday that they came. through the forests came an army of anthropomorphic animals, all different species, marching towards the city with a single purpose. At their head walked four individuals. Gaia led the exodus, followed closely by William who stood at her back, a looming and intimidating bodyguard. His dark red armoured scales gleaming in the bright sunlight. Valeriya followed him closely, holding Bjørn's hand. Bjørn was smaller than his brother and his sister. His body seemed frail and thin next to the lean form of his sister, or the massive and powerful physique of his brother. As they approached the outskirts of the city, they saw flashing lights and armed men. Obviously such a huge group of individuals would have attracted attention, and with almost a thousand Sapients, Gaia's army was hardly unnoticeable.

"Mother, they have guns. They are afraid. I can smell it. They will shoot without hesitation." William said quietly.

Gaia came to a halt at the edge of the forest. Her army came to a halt behind her, lining the edge of the trees. Gaia turned to Valeriya and Bjørn, holding her hand out to Bjørn. Bjørn let go of Valeriya's hand, and took his mother's, huddling up to her like a bashful child.

"William. Pave our way into the city. Keep them distracted. Yellowknife will be our staging point. We will have all eyes upon us by the time the day is through."

"Yes mother."

Gaia smiled. It seemed William still had not regained his ability to speak with his mouth. It was a small matter when compared with the task ahead, however.

"Valeriya. Observe from the skies. Direct our family in their mission. Remember, those that wish to surrender will be spared, those that resist are to be... subdued."

"Yes mother." Valeriya replied, spreading her wings.

"Go now, the world changes now!" Gaia said, raising her hand.

William watched Valeriya jump into the air, spreading her large wings and soaring into the sky. He began walking purposefully forwards, watching the humans panic. He could hear frantic radioing; confusion and fear were gripping these men with guns. Humans... to think he had been one of them. Such potential squandered with greed and violence. His pace quickened, he broke into a jog, his powerful body carrying him easily over the uneven ground. He saw guns being levelled at him. He smiled, showing rows of sharp white teeth. He had already died once. Killed by wolves in the forest. The first rounds hit the ground around his feet. Pistol fire. Then the rifles opened up, and the rounds struck him squarely. But he didn't falter. The bullets fell to the ground, forgotten in his wake. When he was about a hundred yards from the police barricade, he charged. He covered the gap between himself and the humans with incredible speed. The air was filled with the crack of rifles and the loud pop of pistols. As he was about to collide with a police car, he jumped, sailing easily over the vehicle, landing behind the police lines, and facing their backs. The police began to turn, but it was too late. William slammed his hands into the ground. Huge columns of rock erupted beneath the cars, launching them into the air with incredible force. Chaos erupted. People began fleeing in all directions, trying to escape the supernatural spectacle before them. William let out a deafening roar, and charged into the city.