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Citadel Truths Episode Three - Animals Enforced By Darrel James Vanwinkle 12/23/2000-09/19/2003

Felix Ocean beamed proudly as he showed off his first three-dimensional anthropomorphic wild cat character on his computer. "I did it!"

Andros Fox and Valerian Mouse looked at the screen on Felix's laptop with excited interest.

Valerian exclaimed, "Well done, Felix. You finally conquered the hock joint dilemma. Good job!"

Andros hugged Felix tightly. "I knew you could do it, Felix."

Felix was very happy.

Valerian asked, "What is your next project, Felix?"

Felix grinned like the character on the laptop screen. "A wolf for my favorite friend." He winked at Andros with a smile.

Andros blushed, of course.

Valerian smiled. "I think this calls for a special dinner and an appropriate movie. Are you both up for some pampering?"

Felix and Andros both replied, "Yeah!"

Mr. and Mrs. Mouse stood off in the hallway, smiling at their son and his friends. They were pleased with their son's advancement and with the accomplishments of Valerian's friends. Although, they were still surprised from time to time when one of Valerian's more unusual friends would show up for a visit. But all in all, the two parents were pleased that their son could handle his own affairs by himself.

Mr. Mouse ahemed aloud to get Valerian's attention.

The three quickly turned to the hallway, then Valerian walked out to see what his parents wanted.

Mr. Mouse patted Valerian's shoulder. "Son? Your mother and I are extremely proud of you. We both think it's time that you fully inherit the citadel yourself."

Valerian became serious. "You're both wanting to leave, aren't you? It's okay. I understand. When is your official departure date?"

Mrs. Mouse replied, "It will be this coming weekend, Val. Your father and I are planning on moving to San Francisco to live near our family friends, the Foo-Ching's. I just know you can run the citadel by yourself. But if you do need us, you'll know where you can reach us."

Valerian smiled. "Thank you both for helping me achieve my goals through the years. I love you, mom and dad." He hugged the two tightly.

Mr. Mouse grinned, ruffling Val's hair. "After we're out of the citadel, your lycanthrope friends can run around naked all they like."

Valerian blushed. "Dad! They can't help themselves. I told them that they could relax here." He grinned. "Ryu Shou was telling me the other day about how much he enjoys having you both as substitute parents. As for Raul Wolcott, he really appreciates that you both have accepted him even though he is a werewolf."

Mrs. Mouse smiled. "Val, we simply think its time you operated on your own. Although, if you truly need us to stay here, we will. But your father and I would like to travel and see the rest of the world. We apologize for not giving you any other brothers and sisters, but we only wanted one child and that child is you, Val."

Mr. Mouse grinned, patting Valerian's shoulder. "And we think you turned out just fine. Just remember that we, your parents, will always love you. And we will be watching you from a distance." He gave Valerian an odd gaze. "Now go have fun with your friends."

Valerian hummed, then headed back to join Andros and Felix in the library. Once his parents had seemingly departed from the hallway, Valerian exclaimed, "They really spook me sometimes."

About an hour later, Valerian, Andros, Felix, Raul, Ryu and Reynard Spalding gathered in the dining hall, where a nicely prepared dinner awaited them. Afterward, they retired to the family room and clicked on the TV and watched an extended nature video. Valerian enjoyed gatherings of this nature and from the actions of his gathered friends, the feeling was very mutual. Soon, the video ended and each friend retired to a part of the citadel that suited them comfortably.

Valerian sat behind his desk within his book-enlaiden library within the mystic citadel. He was now relaxing in his easy chair looking through a gathered pile of mail and phone messages.

"You have won $5000 IF you return the winning number by the deadline date. Yeah right." He tossed it into the trash can with a smile and picked up the next one.

"Your subscription to Reader's Digest is about to expire. Please remit $65 to continue receiving quality content filled issues for another year." Again he smiled and tossed it into the trash can as well. He picked up the next one.

"Ooooh. Another psychic warning letter." He tossed that one as well, unopened. He chuckled, "If you were truly psychic, you wouldn't have to ask me to fill in my personal birthdate information and where I was born."

He picked up another letter. The envelope appeared to weigh quite a bit, although it was plain white in coloration, and was both taped shut as well as lick-sealed. It was boldly addressed to him, but with no return address.

Valerian hummed. "Odd."

He cautiously opened the envelope with his letter opener and carefully removed the documents from within. The total contents of the envelope were:

* 1) a torn atlas map page with a location circled and instructions jotted down upon it in ink.

* 2) several photographs of teenage to young adult males all marked as BEFORE pictures.

* 3) several photographs of supposedly the same males as furry beings and all marked as AFTER pictures.

* 4) a detailed letter from each male victim with instructions on contacting their next of kin, items they need and other unusual requests and information. Each letter was signed with their names, as well as a plea for help.

* 5) an amulet encased in a ziplock bag, with a detailed note enclosed, asking Valerian to not physically touch the item and to do both a scrying and detailed research on the amulet.

Valerian looked at the contents carefully and cautiously. "This is most interesting. I thought the stories of furry beings was just a fairy tale. A lie made up by some of the online IRC participants. I wonder why I was sent all of this?"

Valerian gathered up all of the contents into a cloth bag and headed out of the den. He quickly located his friends and together, they headed into the citadel's laboratory. He showed them the letter, the pictures, and the mystery amulet (still within the ziplock bag).

"So. You've seen the materials and the letters. What do you think?" Valerian finally asked.

Felix was holding the ziplock bag up, looking at the amulet necklace within. "It appears to be real. It'd be hard to dispute the gathered evidence."

Andros was holding the before and after pictures looking over each one. "It has to be real. We've been researching this sort of thing for the past few years. This is too important of a break for us to dismiss so easily. I say we go investigate it."

Valerian nodded his head. "I totally agree. This is an important break. Maybe the break we've been waiting for."

Reynold asked, "Do you think this amulet has any supernatural powers, Val?"

Valerian answered, "It's quite possible. I'll know more later when we go to investigate these people's claims. Damn, it sure looks convincing on paper. Especially with the photographs. But we need to be cautious in case it's a fake."

Andros looked up at Valerian. "You mean you're taking us with you? Really?"

Valerian smiled. "Of course. This should be a group effort this time. Myself, Felix and you, Andros, are more likely to be able to find out more information than with just one of us or far too many people. And the citadel will be just fine. Raul and Ryu can take care of the place. Reynold has a business to run back in England."

Felix smiled. "If this pays off, we can finally learn the secret behind becoming furries, ourselves. I think we're ready for it."

Valerian tapped his chin softly. "What if it's dangerous? Would you still want to give up being humans to become furry beings?"

Felix and Andros both asked at the same time, "Dangerous how?"

Valerian replied, "It's possible you don't get a choice on what you become. If that's the case, you could get changed into slugs or snakes and it would be permanent. Could you live with that?"

Andros hummed. "But how will we know if we don't take this chance? I say we go for it. Valerian, you could always undo it. Right?"

Valerian just looked back at Andros, and continued to tap his chin softly. "And what if I can't undo it?"

It was very quiet between the three as Valerian looked to his friends. Valerian then said, "Okay. It's decided. Get some sleep. We leave in the morning. Please don't even think to try on the amulet! I am going to be doing some scrying upon it to discover who the maker is and what powers, if any, the item has. Afterwards, I will meditate to replenish my internal powers and refresh my body as an alternate to sleep."

Everyone departed, heading back to their rooms, while Reynard joined Valerian for the remainder of the evening.

The next morning, Valerian, Felix and Andros loaded up the all-terrain jeep with camping gear, survival kits, spare clothing and personal effects. They piled into the jeep and set off down the highway on their grand adventure.

Over the course of the next few weeks, the three crossed several states, seeing the sights and taking in the views. Finally, the three arrived in West Virginia at a road side cafe near the circled area on the atlas map. Valerian, Felix and Andros seated themselves at a table and ordered a nice hot breakfast, with milk and tea, and a cherry milkshake for Val. They ate quietly for a few minutes before Andros noticed that Valerian seemed to be staring out the window.

Andros asked, "What's got your attention?"

Valerian softly replied, "Just watching the guy in the heavy leather trench coat outside. I could of sworn I saw paws instead of hands. And I notice he keeps his head either turned away or at an angle where I can't see his face."

Felix took a look, "Yeah, he looks pretty suspicious. Especially for this weather."

It had been pretty warm the last few days and the attire of heavy clothes was totally out of place. The three watched the guy for awhile, until the waitress came over and asked, "How was the meal, boys?"

Valerian smiled. "It was good. But tell me: See that guy out there? Does he come here often?"

The waitress looked then oh'ed and replied, "That's Phil Colton from the local Wildlife Reserve just up the highway. He comes by here once a day and picks up quite a load of food and drinks."

Andros asked, "Does he always dress like that? I mean, that's winter wear and it's been quite warm lately."

The waitress thought a moment, then answered, "Yes, I believe he always wears those clothes. At least, he's worn those clothes every time I've seen him."

Valerian smiled and gave the waitress one of those famous overpayments he was known for giving out when he's on the road. Felix and Andros ogled as Valerian handed over the money.

The waitress became down right cheery as a result. "Thank you! Be sure to drop by again anytime!" She headed back into the kitchen.

Felix asked, "Why did you do that for?"

Valerian quietly replied, "She gave us some useful information. The Wildlife Reserve is located dead center of the circled area on the torn atlas page. She also told us who runs the place, so we should go talk to Phil Colton."

Andros nodded his head.

The three got up and headed outside. They located Phil Colton immediately.

Valerian called out to him. "Mr. Phil Colton?"

Phil turned slightly to see who called his name, as Valerian, Felix and Andros walked up to him. "...Yes?"

Valerian calmly exclaimed, "My name is Valerian Mouse. This is Felix Ocean and Andros Fox. We were on our way up to the Wildlife Reserve and the waitress told us that you own the place. Would it be alright if we visited the reserve today?"

Phil turned his back to the three and stared up the highway for a moment, then replied, "Sure. Just go on up. I'll be along shortly." He walked off to the cafe's back door, knocked upon it, then entered.

Andros said, "Can you say -suspicious-?"

Felix nodded his head.

Valerian thought to himself, then said, "I think we just hit pay dirt. My friends, Phil Colton is a furry horse."

The two looked to him, eyes wide. "How can you tell?" Andros asked.

Valerian grinned. "I am an Archmage. X-ray vision is a minor spell, but very useful. Shall we head on up to the reserve?"

The three piled back into the jeep and drove up the highway to the Wildlife Reserve exit. Then they turned off unto the private drive. They drive almost two miles until they arrived in front of the reserve's main offices. Valerian parked the jeep in a vacant visitation parking space, and the three got out and glanced around carefully. Valerian reached into his magical pocket and changed from his traveling clothes into his archmage clothes and cloak.

"You expecting a fight, Val?" Andros asked warily.

"Some people don't appreciate snoopers sticking their noses into their private affairs, and yes, we may have to fight someone. It's better safe than sorry. I've been in worse battles under more unseeming circumstances." Valerian answered.

"Perhaps we should wait inside the reserve's office." Felix suggested.

The three headed inside the building and looked around the office casually. It was very clean and almost in an apparent state of non-usage. Everything seemed as if it has not been used in quite a while. Valerian looked at the date on the open memo book's top page. He nodded his head when he saw that it hadn't been used in over four months. Felix looked over the impressive degrees and awards on the walls, as Andros looked over the magazines and books gathered on a table. Eventually, the sound of a vehicle was heard arriving, a car's door being shut and the office door opened to reveal Phil Colton himself. His hat, once fully removed, revealed his equine head, ears, and mane. He didn't appear to be in the least bit of concern over his appearance now. He did stop short when he saw the archmage robes that Valerian was now wearing.

"You came." Phil said, looking Valerian over in a casual observance.

"Then you got our package. I apologize for not being more talkative down at the cafe, but that was public and the locals aren't too sure of what's going on around here. I've explained my appearance off as an elaborate costume for an upcoming nature gathering. But even that explanation isn't going to hold forever."

Valerian merely nodded, then looked over Phil studiously. "I don't recall seeing your picture among the ones in the package, Phil. I take it that you are satisfied with your change? Where are the others that have begged my help?"

Phil nodded his equine head and replied, "They are down in a private guest cabin away from the main office. I'll take you there. They are scared and rightly so. They weren't sure of where to go or what to do, so they came to me. I put them up in the private guest cabin. After the fourth one arrived, I became concerned enough to send word to you. One transmorph experience per month is, in my opinion, an epidemic. When it happened to me two years ago, I wasn't really concerned about it, but having four show up in four months is plenty to worry about. Can you please help them out? Remember, I am quite happy with my own transmorph. It is the others who need your help."

Valerian nodded his head again, then looked at Felix and Andros. "This is why we're here. Take us to them."

Both Felix and Andros nodded their heads approvingly.

Phil didn't smile; an indication of how serious the situation really was. He did nod his head, as well and proceeded to lead the three out of the office, down the trail, and to another, almost secluded building. "I'm coming in." Phil called out as he opened the door. The four entered one at a time. Phil started handing out breakfast meals to each of them by name. "Lewis Deerborn. Leveret Farley. Felipe Ramsden. Tony Ulricson." Phil then turned to Valerian, saying, "This is Valerian Mouse, and his two friends, Andros Fox and Felix Ocean." Phil stepped aside.

Valerian stepped forward a step, looking each of them over carefully. "This is going to be an interesting day. Who wants to go first? I'll need to know the events that led to each of your transmorph experiences." Valerian continued to look them over.

Lewis Deerborn was now a stag morph; Leveret Farley was now a rabbit morph; Felipe Ramsden was now a ram morph; and Tony Ulricson was now a wolf morph. Each of the four furries looked positively spooked in terms of dealing with their new bodies and it seemed as if no one wanted to go first.

Valerian looked to Phil. "Who showed up first, Phil? We'll start there."

Phil pointed to Lewis immediately. "Lewis was first. Then Leveret. Followed by Felipe. Then Tony."

Valerian nodded his head and looked to Lewis.

Valerian sat on one side of the table and motioned for Lewis to sit across from him.

Lewis reluctantly did so.

Valerian smiled softly, exclaiming, "I don't bite."

"I'm just nervous. And scared. I don't want to be like this." Lewis shakily replied.

Valerian produced a notepad and a pencil, then looked to Lewis once again. "Anytime you're ready. And I promise: anything you tell me will be kept completely confidential." He again looked to Lewis expectantly.

Lewis nervously bit his three-fingered hands gingerly, then slowly began.

"I was an avid collector of small pewter items, usually those offered from role playing game companies or artists. I have quite a collection of assorted knick-knacks, pendants, and necklaces. A lot I got from old girl friends."

"One day, I'm reading my favorite pewter magazine, and I come across a very small advertisement for an ususual pewter necklace from what seems like a new company I'd not heard of before. The company was called Black Dragon Creations. BDC Inc. The price seemed quite reasonable at $59.95, so I thought I'd give it a good shot and see what kind of artwork I'd end up with."

"It was chancy, but from the picture, it seemed like a good deal."

"Six to eight weeks later, I received a package in the mail from BDC Inc. I opened it immediately, and inside, within a ziplock bag, was this silver chain upon which a pewter dragon-like figurine hung freely from. I'm like "whoopee-doo, another dragon necklace", so I opened the ziplock bag and put the necklace on around my neck. Then, I picked up the enclosed letter and began reading it."

"Dear Esteemed Collector: Enclosed in protective storage you will find your pewter Transmorph Dragon figurine necklace, enchanted under the proper ceremonies, magicked by a circle kinsfur, and sealed for your usage only. Instructions follow. Carefully open the ziplock bag, place the necklace around your neck, and speak forth the words of power, 'Dragon, Transmorph Me', and you will become a member of the species that your circle kinsfur is. Satisfaction guaranteed. If not satisfied, merely return the necklace exactly as you received it, to the return address given below, and you will receive instructions for undoing the magical transmorph. Failure to return the necklace within sixty days will indicate that you are fully satisfied with the results. Thank you for your interest. Signed. Kearznothn, Dragon of the Woods, President of Black Dragon Creations, BDC Inc."

Lewis took a breath here and exhaled slowly.

"I thought it was a joke, so I threw the letter into the stove along with some firewood and set it ablaze."

"That night, I was sitting in bed, wearing the necklace, and thinking, 'Well, you get what you pay for.'"

"I sort of held up the dragon and kind of sarcasticly and jokingly uttered the words of power out loud. "Dragon, Transmorph Me." I was getting ready to laugh at how silly that sounded, when suddenly, the dragon glowed brightly in my hand and I seemed to hear the word 'Granted.'"

"That's when the pain hit me like a bolt of lightning. I hit my back flat on the bed screaming in agony. Good thing I lived alone. It felt like the whole world was tearing parts of me off of my body. Everything hurt at the same time."

"After a full hour of utter agony, it was over with. I was lying there, my throat was sore from screaming, everything around me seemed different somehow. My room which I knew was dark from having the lights out, was somehow lit up with a dim eerie light. Almost like I could see in the dark."

"I looked down at the dragon figurine, that's when I saw my hands. I looked at my three-fingered hands for a little bit. I reached up to scratch my head, the way one might do to think, and that's when I discovered my antlers. I started feeling my whole head all over. I slowly turned down the covers on the bed and looked over my body. I had been transmorphed into a deer. A buck stag morph. But for some reason I was not afraid, but being like this bothered me a lot."

"Then I remembered that Phil Colton, a friend of mine, lived locally, and studied wildlife. I made plans to come see him about this. Getting here discreetly was difficult. I had to teach myself how to walk all over again. Then I had to get used to driving a car with hooves."

"Eventually, I arrived here and explained to Phil on what had happened to me. That's when Phil showed me that he was also a furry being. He decided to let me stay up here until we could figure a way out of this."

Lewis got up from the chair and walked over to his bed, sitting down there to finish his breakfast.

Leveret slowly took the "hot seat" and looked across the table at Valerian. His expression was wildly on edge, giving the feeling that he might bolt at the slightest sound.

Valerian began by calmly asking, "I gather you don't like being a rabbit?"

Leveret nodded his head, then slowly spoke.

"I'm no where near a professional, like Lewis, nor an adult, like Phil. I'm just barely into junior high school in Bolton, Kentucky. I attended a comic book convention with two of my friends. We were well into our third day at the convention, when we came across a display of miniatures that was setup just off the back side of the main circuit track."

"Looking back now, I recall thinking that this booth wasn't even advertised as being part of the convention. As the three of us approached the display, the banner seemed to catch our eye: "Be the superhero of your fantasies! Custom Furry Super Miniatures!" We were looking them over one by one."

"One of them, a small dragon like miniature, caught my attention immediately. You see, I LOVE dragons. And this one was nothing like any of the other miniatures on the display table. I pulled my money out and bought the dragon figure from the display owner. He boxed it up for me, and then, helped my friends find the ones they wanted."

"That night, we were in our rented motel room. One of my friends was in the shower; the other was watching the local news and weather on TV. I opened my dragon miniature up and began looking over the detailed workmanship."

"That's when I noticed the instruction note included within the box. At first I thought it was a sales receipt, so I pick it up and start reading it out loud. My friend watching TV looked over his shoulder just as I said, "Dragon, Transmorph Me." His eyes went wide almost immediately, as I doubled over in pain and agony from the sudden cramp like feeling throughout my body, as I ripped out of my clothes and I became as you see me now."

"When it was all over with, I lay in the floor in the middle of the remains of my clothing. My other friend who was showering, was now in the room with a towel around himself and also looking at my transformed body. I whimpered a little. I was scared. Still am."

"My friends grabbed the note and looked it over thoroughly. You see, unlike Lewis' note that told of how to undo it, my note only gave instructions on how to become the new morph. It was like the remaining portion was torn off. And I know I didn't tear it."

Leveret sobbed quite openly at this point.

Valerian merely tapped his pencil on the table quietly.

Leveret then recomposed himself to the best of his ability and continued.

"My friends were becoming as frantic as I was, so we finally decided to return to the display where I had bought the dragon. When we got there, we were, of course, shocked. There was some sort of Special Forces Unit team combing the convention and heavily investigating the area where the mystery display had been. My friends cautiously got me out of there without incident."

"We got back to our room late. On the news, a report about contaminated radioactive lead was being carefully collected from the area of the comic book convention where a display owner was unknowingly selling the "items" to unsuspecting customers. A general recall was politely requested and they said that no harm would come to the customers who purchased the said items."

"This made us suspicious immediately, so we checked out of our room (explaining that my looks was a new fursuit that I was trying out) and drove a good part of the night till we pulled into the parking lot of the roadside cafe down the road."

"Fortunately, Phil was there early to get a meal and he noticed me and realized what must've happened to me. He approached the three of us and offered to help me. He showed us that he too was affected and I decided to trust him."

"My two friends went on home with the explanation that I stayed at the convention and would return home on a bus. Phil had since contacted my parents and explained that I had befallen the "virus" that the news reported and he was helping me to recover from it."

Tears were streaming down his cheeks when he finished. Leveret stood and slowly walked over to his bunk, where he climbed up into his bed to quietly cry some more.

Felipe took the empty seat now and placed both paws on the table in front of himself. He met Valerian's gaze sternly and seemed ready for anything. Valerian looked at Felipe studiously, then nodded his head expectantly.

"I am from Colorado." Felipe began. "I was horseback riding along side a local highway, when I came across the scene of what looked like an accident. The delivery truck was sitting sideways in a ditch. I assumed he had slipped on a patch of ice and slid off into the ditch."

"My horse is of draft horse stock and was a champion for pulling weights greater than himself. I hooked a rope up to the tailgate and slowly pulled the truck back unto the roadway. The driver thanked me profusely and gave me a dragon miniature as thanks. He then slowly drove away and out of sight."

"Later, I was at home opening up the dragon to see what it was I was given."

"It was okay, for a dragon." Felipe grinned. "I personally like horses better." He became serious again. "I set the little dragon over the fireplace, then settled back in my chair and got to reading the enclosed instruction note. Keep in mind that I was not holding the dragon at this point; it was on the mantle of the fireplace."

Felipe took a breath at this point, then continued.

"I read the note out loud, in detail, with my heavy Mexican accent."

"When I got to the "Dragon, Transmorph Me." part of the instructions, the dragon on the mantle began to glow brightly. That's when it happened. The dragon floated off the mantle and grew right there in my living room. I was out of my chair pretty fast and had my rifle cocked and aimed in little under a few seconds."

"The black dragon glared at me, saying, 'You are not my target! But you have spoken the words!' I didn't understand what he meant at first, so I opened fire on the dragon. He growled loudly as I saw the blood fly from his scales, then he roared and breathed a gout of fire. The flames ruptured the gas pipes in the nearby kitchen, and the whole house exploded in a ball of flaming hell."

"The dragon immediately came at me, but I fired upon him again, this time, right in his left eye. He reeled back in obvious pain and flagrant anger, then pointed a claw-like finger at me. I was engulfed in a flare of glowing light. My body became wracked with pain, as I was rapidly transformed into my current body."

"Somehow, I still had the rifle in hand and blasted the dragon once more in his other eye. I'm a pretty good shot, but not normally that good. I fired into the dragon twice more, and he fell over in a heap in front of the burning remains of my house. I was forced to sleep in the stables that night."

"The next morning, I contacted Phil, who I knew personally. Phil is a good horseman too. Like a brother. I told him in detail what had happened to me and he arranged for me to come here for a few months. When I got here, I met Lewis and Leveret and realized immediately that our changes were deliberate."

Felipe got up and offered his empty seat to Tony.

Tony slowly took the seat and sat there quietly for a few minutes. He then said, "I'm not happy about being a wolf, but it feels natural and I am not afraid. More like bad timing. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time."

Valerian blinked, "What do you mean?"

Tony smiled a wolf type smile. "Normally, you would say that curiosity kills the cat. In this case, it was my undoing. I am a native American indian from South Dakota. I got tired of having local animals disappear from our local area and the authorities would not do anything about it, so I personally went in search of answers."

"I followed some local wolves one night. They led me into a secret conclave of buildings within the badlands region. I had never known that place was there."

"I entered one of the larger buildings and watched a mysterious group of dark robed people conducting dark magicks within a large circle. Waving of hands, odd smelling candles, incantations, the whole bit."

"That's when I saw the dragon like dolls on the far table."

"These people would carefully place a doll unto the altar, chant around it and the doll would glow and speak a name. The names seemed to be of human beings around the world. I was as quiet as the wolves themselves, until the current doll spoke my name."

"That startled me enough that I accidentally kicked the metal railing I was standing upon. They all immediately looked my way. That was it."

"I bolted out of the building as if the hounds of Hades were upon me. I ran a good two to three miles into the wilderness that I knew better than most locals."

"But it was no good. They soon found me and forced me to return to their conclave with them. I was hoisted up upon their altar and they demanded I give my name. I refused to speak. So they stripped me of my clothes and strapped me down to the altar itself."

Tony looked down into his lap at this point, then resumed with his gaze on Valerian.

"Normally I would have enjoyed the forceful pawing upon my naked flesh, but this was not the time to be enjoying what my captors were about to do to me."

"The largest robed figure stepped forward and lowered his hood. I gasped in fright. It was a black dragon. He glared at me, then seemed to see right through me. He exclaimed what my true name was, and set the dragon doll that had spoke my name upon my chest and chanted some weird words I can not understand (nor that I can remember or repeat)."

"I felt myself change immediately, then I was unstrapped and released. I gathered my clothes, then departed the building. They did not bother to follow me."

"I did not return to my village. Instead, I sought out the elder shaman of our reservation for help. I told him what all had happened to me and he arranged for me to come join Phil here within this wildlife reservation."

"As I said before, this morph seems natural to me."

Valerian couldn't help but smile as he finished jotting down notes. He stood up and looked to Phil for a moment. Then, Valerian pulled Felix and Andros outside.

Once outside, Valerian looked to the two. "What do you both think? Still think it's worth the risk for becoming furries?"

Andros said, "Although their stories are a bit frightening, I'd still risk it if 'you' were in charge of causing the transformation."

Felix merely nodded his head in agreement with Andros.

Tony stepped outside at this moment. He smiled when Valerian looked at him. "I'm taking a walk."

Valerian smiled back, "I'll go with you. Felix, Andros, why don't you both chat with the others and Phil for awhile."

As Felix and Andros re-entered the bunkhouse, Valerian walked with Tony down the wilderness trail to the lakeside.

Tony sat down on a bench positioned there and relaxed.

Valerian also sat down and slowly looked at Tony. "You're gay, aren't you, Tony?"

Tony smiled, "How'd you guess?"

Valerian replied, "When you said you'd normally enjoy people pawing your naked flesh, that tipped me off. Don't worry; it doesn't bother me."

Tony looked over at Valerian and asked, "Are your two friends gay too?"

Valerian nodded. "Their mated to each other. We all live within the Mystic Citadel near Washington state. Andros and Felix want to become furry beings, but preferably the furry types of their choice. I don't think it's a good idea, but they are determined to find a safe way to make it happen."

Tony looked down into his lap, then said, "Forgive me for being so forward, but are you mated to anyone?"

Valerian looked directly at Tony. "No. Not yet. The life of an archmage is a lonely one. There is much to investigate in the world and most of it is done alone." Valerian sighed.

Tony looked to Valerian again. "You don't really believe that, do you?"

Valerian was quiet for a while. "I'm not sure anymore. Whenever I purposely make an effort to find a mate, the attempt always ends in disaster. So I have not been looking anymore." Valerian looked at Tony fully. "Are you interested in me or something?"

Tony smiled. "Yes."

That night, Valerian and the others were all sitting around the dinner table having a nice large meal, curtesy of one of Valerian's summoning magicks.

Phil and the others ate and chatted casually with Andros and Felix, while Valerian mentally pondered each of the victim's stories.

After the meal, Valerian was once again sitting down on the bench by the lake's side, studying the evidence carefully. As he pondered the evidence, a sudden voice startled him enough to raise his magical defenses and go into archmage battle mode.

The Special Forces Unit officer was pinned to a tree immediately!

Valerian glared at him a moment before releasing him. "Are you nuts? You almost made me kill you..." Valerian slowly regained control of himself.

The SFU officer said, "So you're the magician, Valerian Mouse." He gulped quietly standing there unmoving. "I knew something major was going on when I got word you were in the area. You're investigating the furry victims, aren't you?"

Valerian quietly reminded the officer just what he's dealing with as Valerian caused the lake water to rise up in the form of a female water nymph, then released the water back into it's former state. "Yes, I am investigating the furries, by request."

The SFU officer replied, "No need to get all defensive. We're all on the same side. I promise. I just want to help the poor people who's been affected by this. And put a stop to the ones causing it to happen. Truce?"

Valerian lowered his cloak and resumed his seat on the bench. "Sorry. I don't cut deals with those who lie on national TV concerning this subject. Radioactive lead? Puh-lease! Who do you think you're dealing with? I won't fight you, but if you attempt to gather those under my protection, I'll declare war on the United States. And you -know- who will win, don't you?"

The SFU officer smiled and sat down. "I'm smart enough to know not to fight against you. That would be suicide. Shall we concentrate instead upon the perpetrators of this morphing incident? I want to stop them as much as you might want to. I sincerely hope I am assuming right. You -do- want to put a stop to their activities, right?"

Valerian nodded his head quietly. "You realize that merely stopping them does not change the victims back to normal. I must learn how the process works so I may change the victims back into their ordinary normal dull lives."

The SFU officer replied, "So, when we stop them, you will be the only one with the knowledge on how to make the changes? Surely you realize that we want to assure the public that no more transmorphing incidents occur. If you have that knowledge, then we will dog your trail every waking moment. Do I make myself clear?"

Valerian's eyes glowed brightly. "You stick too closely to me and I will not be held responsible for anything bad that befalls you or your people. Do I make -myself- clear?"

They were both quiet for a while, then the SFU officer stood up. "I'll be in touch. Don't do anything stupid." He vanished off into the darkness, back towards his mobile base camp.

Valerian sat there a moment longer before standing and returning to the cabins.

Early the next morning, Valerian had gathered Phil and the others around the mystic jeep.

"It's no longer safe here." Valerian explained. "The SFU people are combing the area. Talked to one of their officers last night at the lake. He's a complete ass. I just wish I could change his shape to reflect his attitude." He winked and grinned. "All those who wish to return to my Mystic Citadel with me stay close to the jeep. If you want to take your chances here, then step away. It's your choice."

No one stepped away.

Valerian smiled and initiated the recall spell, transporting the whole group to the Mystic Citadel's courtyard. Their arrival startled Ryu from his early morning activities with Raul. They both smiled when they realized that Valerian and the others had returned home.

Valerian looked to his guests. "Sorry for the sudden teleport, but with the SFU people on the prowl, I could not waste time. This way they don't know we're gone. Andros and Felix will show you all to your rooms." Valerian turns to Phil and Felipe. "Ryu can show you both where my stables are. I keep some of the finest horses available for riding purposes." To the whole group, he continued, "I need to go to my study to research more of this evidence. If anyone needs me, I will be there."

Valerian walked into the citadel and proceeded to his study. As he entered, he immediately frowned and his eyes glowed red.

The SFU officer from the previous night was sitting in a guest chair within the study. "I told you not to do something stupid."

Valerian growled, "How'd you get here?!"

The SFU officer grinned. "It is so nice to be right. I knew you couldn't wait to move the furries right after you met me, so I caught an immediate plane to your citadel and asked your parents if I could await your early return. I've only been here for about half an hour."

Valerian recomposed himself and took his usual seat. "You're on my turf now, you understand. The citadel isn't even in the United States. If I chose to change you into a donkey, no one would even blink twice..."

The SFU officer laughed for a moment, then got a very serious look upon his face. "That would be your right, but I have a job to do and I warned you not to do something stupid. Removing United States citizens from their home country without due course of passports and proper documentation, can lead to your arrest the next time you set foot in our country."

Valerian smiled, "Can you prove that the people who are now furries were ever the people they were before?" He also got serious. "Their names may be the same, but that's where it ends. No dental records. New heights and weights. Brand new identifying traits and markings. No clear sign of the previous person resides in the new morph. So I repeat: can you prove who they are?"

Ten minutes of silence passed between the two. It ended when Raul entered in his full werewolf identity and dropped Valerian's collected mail on the desk. Raul then left the room.

The SFU officer watched Raul leave, then asked, "What was that?"

Valerian smiled again. "That was Raul. He's a werewolf."

Valerian went over his mail while the officer watched.

Then Valerian pushed his chair away from the desk as he picked up the large unmarked brown parcel. "Deja'vu."

The SFU officer asked, "What do you mean?"

Valerian didn't smile. "The last time I got a parcel like this was when Phil contacted me about the furries in West Virginia. This parcel is from Florida. And it has the same feel as the first parcel I received."

The SFU officer exclaimed, "But you haven't even opened it yet. How do you know what's in it?"

Valerian carefully opened it and emptied the contents upon his desk without touching anything. Letters, pictures, and a broken dragon figurine enclosed within a ziplock bag. "Just like last time. Are you interested in actually helping solve the problem, or is the government only interested in acquiring a new weapon, furry soldiers, for their military usage?"

The SFU officer winced as Valerian pegged it on the nose. "You're not stupid. But you're right. We cannot allow this to continue. I'll help you."

Valerian replied, "Good. Let's look over this new evidence, shall we?"

The SFU officer, who's name was Mark Jolson, remarked, "One guy became a fox, his room mate became a lion. And both are living on campus at a university. And their transmorph incident was witnessed by almost the whole university. No way to keep that sort of thing secret. Well, it's out in the open now. What do we do?"

Valerian replied, "I'm not sure. Have you noticed that their dragon miniature is broken into two pieces? Any idea on how that happened?"

Mark answered, "Yes, I saw that. One miniature; two transmorphs. Any idea where the other miniature disappeared to?"

Valerian said, "I would imagine that they kept it. Don't know why though. Can't figure out why they sent me the broken miniature."

Mark asked, "Will you be visiting them?"

Valerian responded, "If I do, it will be a private trip. Don't want to spook them. Besides, I imagine they are being protected by the university." Valerian smiled, "If I do go, would you like to come along?"

Mark blinked his eyes. "You'd invite me? Why?"

Valerian grinned. "I don't fully trust you yet. If I went, I'd rather keep you in my line of sight, rather than behind my back in my own citadel. Not that Raul wouldn't love to chomp upon you..." He laughed.

Marks laughed too, though uneasily.

Valerian winked at Mark, "Raul doesn't eat his victims; he makes love to them." He winked again.

Mark did a double take!!

Two hours later, Valerian and Mark found themselves at the University of Florida within the dean Omar Kinsbert's Office, together with Stewart Brown and Leopold Denver, as well as the dean himself. Stewart was currently a brown fox morph and Leopold was currently a lion morph. Omar had agreed to allow Valerian to speak with the two, now famous, students, within his office, with supervision.

Valerian exclaimed, "Whichever one of you got changed first should start the story. I'll take notes and listen openmindedly. Mark will also listen and make observations that I may miss."

Stewart said, "Words slipping out from one's mouth can be a dangerous thing. I and Leopold were attending a mandantory seminar that Dean Kinsbert was giving on the university's lack of funds, when I whispered to Leopold that I wished I was a fox morph, then the university could publicly study me, and we'd get grant money to help out the university. Leopold replied that if I got to be a fox, then he would get to be a lion morph immediately thereafter. We had no sooner said that when this little dragon figurine suddenly dropped into my lap. The instructions told how we could become furries. So I initiated the instructions, then Leopold grabbed the figurine and did the same. We changed right in front of everyone. The figurine broke in half with an audible "pop". Nothing really frilly, but that's how it happened."

Leopold nodded his muzzle in agreement. "That's right. Exactly."

Valerian and Mark looked at each other, then looked at the two furries.

Valerian thanked Dean Kinsbert for his help, then, Valerian and Mark teleported to the citadel for a well-deserved lunch.

Valerian looked to Mark, "Well, what are you thinking?"

Mark sipped his coffee. "I think their morphing incident was mighty convenient."

Valerian nodded his head in return. "You thought so too. Good. I've seen enough evidence. I think it's time I investigated Kearznothn, Dragon of the Woods, President of Black Dragon Creations, BDC Inc."

It took a few days to arrange a meeting with Kearznothn, but with perseverance, Valerian and Mark found themselves within the corporate office of Kearznothn, Dragon of the Woods. As Valerian expected, Kearznothn proved to be a massively large black dragon, easily a thousand years old. His wisdom far exceeding multiple tomes and volumes found in libraries throughout the world. His power proving a match for even Valerian's meager abilities.

Kearznothn rumbled quietly, "Welcome to my lair. What brings you?"

Valerian bowed humbly, "I am the archmage known as Valerian Mouse, a meager practitioner of the arts and barely acknowledgeable to your own great presence and power. I come to you to solve a mystery. Figurines made by your company are being imbued with transmorphing power and distributed to unsuspecting individuals across the United States. These victims are changed into furries of varying breeds. I would like to know the reason for these activities and if such activities are unknown to you, why your products were chosen to represent the transmorphing power."

Kearznothn nodded his great head and smiled toothily at his guests. "Valerian. You are not unknown to me. Tales of your deeds come to me through private means, and while your words are carefully chosen, you flatter me by saying that your power is weak. As we both know you are the foremost wizard in the Western Hemisphere, second only to the Golden Yak of the Eastern Hemisphere. Yes, I have heard about the flood of transmorphing furry beings, but I was not aware that my products were involved. Do what you may to discover the truth, but I urge you not to reveal that I am a dragon to anyone else. When you give your word, I will know you speak true." Kearznothn affixed a gaze upon Valerian awaiting an answer.

Valerian stood and placed a hand upon his heart, "My word is given. No one will know you are a dragon. And if they do learn of it, it will not be through me."

Valerian moved forward and allowed Kearznothn to draw blood from Valerian's shoulder. Mark shuddered in fright as he saw the blood flow forth. When the agreement was completed, Valerian stepped back and sternly nodded his head.

Kearznothn looked at Mark, "And you. Can I have your word as well?"

Mark paled noticeably. "W-w-will I have to spill any b-b-blood?"

Kearznothn's eyes never wavered. "No, but it does help me believe you will keep your mouth shut."

Valerian said, "I will make certain that he does not reveal anything."

Mark looked at Valerian, but said nothing. He knew in his own mind that what he has learned would be magically erased once this mission was complete. His mind raced for ways to remember after being forced to forget. "As Valerian says, I will say nothing."

An hour later, Valerian and Mark were in the jeep driving out towards the induction ceremonial site where Tony Ulricson had said his transmorph had taken place. Valerian had soon parked the jeep at an overlook alongside the main road. The two sat there quietly.

"You're going to erase my memory, aren't you?" Mark asked in a single breath.

Valerian looked at Mark with a serious gaze, "If you're concerned about Kearznothn, don't worry. I have other ways of insuring that a promise is kept. I've been through situations like this before. I myself can make pacts with dragons, demons, gargoyles, and even other mages, by the spilling of my own blood. Such an act on my part insures that any promise I make to a supernatural creature will be kept. In your case, you have seen a -real- dragon and have been asked not to reveal his existence. You gave your word that nothing will be said. I am quite sure you will do your best to keep quiet about it, but no one can keep silent all of the time. So, no, I will not erase your memory of the encounter, but should you speak about it openly to anyone, a change will occur and it won't be one you will like."

Mark sighed a breath of seeming relief, "Thank you. And I will try to keep my mouth shut about the drag- I mean, Kearznothn..."

Valerian smirked, "It's okay. You can say the word 'dragon'. It's just you and me, currently."

Mark asked, "Out of curiosity, did you believe Kearznothn when he said he wasn't involved?"

Valerian replied, "To the utmost. Most dragons are incapable of lying when their eyes are affixed upon a mage of great power. Such encounters take a lot of willpower to prevent oneself from buckling under and cringing like a pup. Kearznothn is a professional, and thus, not lying. He is innocent of these circumstancial events. Besides, he passed my lie detection spell with flying colors."

Mark blinked his eyes and asked, "When did you cast that?"

Valerian grinned, "About two minutes before entering his office. I would not have been able to cast spells in his presence and doing so would have conferred an insult to his integrity."

Valerian looked forward towards the dark and foreboding target destination. He got out of the jeep. "Are you ready?"

Mark got out of the jeep and double checked his gun and extra clips. "I think so. Thank you for supplying the silver ammo."

Valerian smiled, "Think nothing of it. We're not up against normal people here, but creatures who can only be harmed by mystic silver, which I provided to you. Let's go. No heroics. If it gets too hot, get out. I won't be available to save you once we're inside their complex. My target is the main enchantment chamber. The spell of undetectable scent will wear off in one hour, so try not to attract attention to yourself. Here we go."

Valerian and Mark parted company almost immediately upon entering the large building complex.

Mark made his way up towards the rafters and catwalks, while Valerian quietly traversed the hallways invisibly.

Valerian did see some of the other gargoyle like creatures as he searched for the main enchantment chamber.

Mark came across the chamber well before Valerian did. He kept quiet from his vantage point and awaited a signal from Valerian.

Valerian found and entered the large circular enchantment chamber. He mentally looked around, then spotted Mark high atop the catwalk. The larger gargoyle, who appeared to be shaped like a dragon, was just finishing an enchantment upon another figurine.

Valerian chose that moment to full appear, as he turned off the invisibility spell. "This is quite a place you have here."

The large gargoyle screamed at Valerian. "Capture him!!" Several smaller gargoyles emerged from around the chamber and launched themselves at Valerian. Valerian spoke one word: "lightning" and all of the small gargoyles were struck by a bolt of powerful electricity, smashing them to the floor of the chamber. Valerian then looked towards the large gargoyle.

The large gargoyle growled and spoke in a very gutteral tone, "You! You're a mage! You have no business here! Leave!"

Valerian smiled, "Correction. I -do- have business here. I am under contract from the dragon that makes the figurines to put a stop to your villainy."

The large gargoyle launched himself at Valerian.

There was a single well-placed audible shot, as the large gargoyle hit the floor holding his head in agony, screaming, "I burn!! What have you done?!"

Valerian looked upwards to where Mark was holding the still smoking gun. Valerian nodded his head, and Mark headed off towards his secondary goal.

Valerian just gazed down at the gargoyle, as the creature suddenly became engulfed in flames and quickly burned with unearthly screams of agony until it was nothing more than a pile of ash. All of the other "gargoyles" vanished with soft pops, leaving behind only small piles of ash and wispy vapors.

Valerian walked across the chamber and casted a disintegrate spell upon the figurine, destroying both it, and the magic upon it. He picked up the tag and looked at the name of the victim, then pocketed the piece of paper. He then walked over to the iron bound leather spell tome, and looked upon it's opened selection. "Furmorph."

Some time later, both Valerian and Mark were back at the jeep watching as the complex erupted in a massive explosion of flame and destruction. The destruction continued until morning, when there was nothing left of the complex.

Mark asked, "So... are we finished?"

Valerian, without looking at Mark, replied, "Not quite."

Mark looked at Valerian. "What else is there?"

Valerian replied, "You were their next target." He handed Mark the slip of paper.

Mark looked at it and saw his own name and mailing address.

Valerian continued, "You were getting too close to revealing them, so you were going to be their next target."

Mark gulped, "What would I have become, out of curiosity?"

Valerian once again looked at Mark, "It's not clear, but I am assuming you'd become something with either stripes or spots. I make that assumption on the basis that your name is Mark. All of the other people made into furries became what their names suggested. Here's some examples: Phil Colton became a horse. Phil is latin for "lover of horses", and Colton is just too obvious a chance to make someone into a colt. Lewis Deerborn became a deer. Again, the name says it all. Leveret Farley literally means "young rabbit of the far fields" in latin. Felipe Ramsden is another play on the name, and he became a ram. Tony Ulricson became a wolf. Ulricson literally means "son of the wolf" in Nordic. Then there was the two in Florida, Stewart Brown and Leopold Denver. Leopold is obviously "lion", but Stewart's morph as a fox doesn't match his name, unless his middle name is Todd, or his last name was changed due to parents remarrying after a divorce, where his last name could be Fox, Foxx, or Phoxxe. So you see, the morphs are all dependant upon the name you have."

Mark blinked as he realized that the names and the morphs matched. "I see." He sighed and gazed out over the overlook. "So where do we go now?"

Valerian smiled, "I will return to the citadel where I will either undo the unwanted morphs, or make new ones, depending upon what people want. You, Mark Jolson, will report in to your superiors and tell them about the now defeated doomsday cult and you will not breath a word about the furries, the dragon, or about anything you've seen in my citadel. Perhaps one day, we will meet again..."

Mark nodded his head and wondered if he'd ever get to see Valerian again. In his line of work, possibilities were boundless, but chance encounters were few.

Once back at the citadel, Valerian contacted Kearznothn, informing the dragon of their success and of the defeat of the demon like gargoyles who had been causing the grief. The news pleased Kearznothn much, who in turn proceeded towards making further business arrangements with Valerian, should he wish to accept them.

Soon after Valerian hung up the telephone, he gathered the furry victims who had decided that they wished to be restored to their normal selves. This proved to be Lewis Deerborn, Leveret Farley, and Felipe Ramsden. Although Leveret requested that once he had finished high school, he would like to resume being a rabbit and attend the University of Florida, where Leopold and Stewart were attending. Valerian nodded his head, promising to make it so.

Phil Colton continued his visit for a few days, then with Valerian's aid, returned to his job in West Virginia, opting to retain his equine identity at the wildlife reserve. Though he would always ready to lend a hand if asked.

Tony Ulricson opted to stay in his wolf morph identity and spent a few days with Valerian. When his visit had ended, he announced that he was heading back to the reservation to receive special training from the elder shaman who knew of his new life. Valerian and the others bid Tony a fond farewell, then Valerian teleported Tony back to South Dakota.

About a month later, Felix and Andros were sitting within Valerian's massive spell library.

Valerian looked to his two friends, "Are you sure you still want to go through with this? I have already verified that you can become what you want, but I am still uneasy about doing this to my friends."

Both Felix and Andros nodded their heads in agreement, holding hands.

"Very well, if you are so determined to go through with it..." Valerian walked over to the spell tome and cast the furmorph spell upon both Felix Ocean and Andros Fox.

Felix slowly transmorphed into a wildcat-morph, while Andros slowly transmorphed into a wolf-morph. Their clothes shredded off of their bodies as they changed and when it was done, a wild cat and a wolf left the chamber, arm in arm. And seemingly very happy about it.

Valerian closed the tome, his mind thoughtful.

Two days later, Mark Jolson arrived at the citadel to see Valerian. Once in the massive study, he looked across the desktop at his former colleague. "Long time no see."

Valerian looked up from what he's doing. "Mark? What are you doing here?"

Mark smiled. "I'm the new ambassador for the United States Government assigned to handle matters and situations of importance as they arise from your citadel. They were going to assign someone else, but when I caught wind of it, I quickly volunteered. Besides, you already know me and well... I just wanted to see you again."

Valerian smiled, standing up. He reached across the desktop and shook Mark's hand. "It's good to see you again, too. I might as well give you a tour of the citadel and introduce you to the other loonies..." Valerian lead Mark off into the citadel to meet the others.

Mark was quite surprised at how the citadel had became almost a zoo while he was gone. The only two humans present were himself and Valerian. The rest were in their natural forms and identities, and conducting business with freedom and ease. Valerian introduced Mark to Raul, Ryu, Felix and Andros, as well as Edward Brookes and Reynard Spalding from England.

Once they were back in Valerian's study, Mark sat down and smiled. "I had not expected to be fully welcomed into your intricate world so openly, Valerian. That one unicorn rubbed on me like I was family."

Valerian laughed at that! "Mark... That one unicorn was Reynard, who you would recall me telling you about by his nickname... the Slinky Fox! And yes, he seems to like you."

Mark blinked his eyes and blushed. "Um, is his liking me a bad thing?"

Valerian grinned. "Probably not. It's just that... well... I don't want to mislead you, Mark, old -pal-, but Reynard likes -all- guys. He lives on a farm with three others, and Reynard would love to have a stableboy helping around the farm." He winked the way he usually did when he told about Reynard's preferences. "Believe me: Reynard is overly friendly, in a dominant sort of way. But I happen to like him and Edward, anyway."

Mark blushed again. "Well... I sort of like him too. But I can't be his stableboy. I am your ambassador. Although if Reynard wants to hang out here while I do my job around you, that's his choice. I won't turn him away. My superiors might think I'm crazy for enduring all of this, but a stranger in Athens, Greece once told me... It is so nice to be right." He winked.

Valerian grinned. "In that case... you and Reynard can share a citadel room!"

Mark laughed and grinned.

Valerian then became serious and said, "I know you work for Chess in Europe, Mark. I did my homework on your organization and quite frankly, I am impressed. It is a good team and they do seem to care about the special folk in the world."

Mark smiled. "If you know that, then I better tell you my Chess nickname."

Valerian arched an eye. "Nickname?"

Mark grinned. "Yeah, all Chess agents of sufficient rank have a nickname. It helps for identifying us. Anyway, mine is..." he paused for effect. "...the Wonderland Rabbit." He winked.

Valerian laughed out loud. "How in the world did you end up with a nickname like that?"

Mark chuckled, then said, "I was always fond of Lewis Carroll's literary works and my favorite tale was about the Adventures in Wonderland. One day, however, I found out through chance that Wonderland was for real. I had an unexpected encounter with the White Rabbit. He had lost his pocket watch and was looking for it. I wasn't even a Chess agent yet when this happened, but I promised him that I would help him find his pocket watch. Turned out that an evil Warlock had stolen the pocket watch to perform a time stop spell that would freeze the Earth for all time, pardon the pun. The White Rabbit, along with the March Hare and I, teamed up and attacked the Warlock's tower. I was a fool in those days, and I was almost killed, but I did manage to latch my hands on the pocket watch. Afterward, while the March Hare was patching me up, the White Rabbit thanked me profusely and promised to en gift me with something special someday. That is when Chess stepped in and they escorted the two bunnies back to the Wonderland portal. I got to watch them go home and I was sad to see them go. On that day, I was offered the chance to join Chess. As it turned out, the job I had done was classified as an Elite Agent ranking mission. What they call a 'deadly' encounter. I've never seen the two rabbits since, but I want to."

Valerian smiled, patting Mark on the shoulder. "Tell you what, my friend. Some day, when I learn how to do it, I'll arrange for you to meet your rabbit friend again. It's the least I can do. We're friends after all, aren't we?"

Mark smiled back, wiping a tear from his eye. "Thank you, Valerian. And yeah, we're friends. I'm glad you didn't accidentally kill me at the lake. Who knows? Maybe we were meant to meet. Kismet, you know."

**End of Episode Three - Animals Enforced

Stay tuned for Episode Four - To Dream of Dragons**