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"Chris! Rhisanth!"

Matt waved a paw vigorously as he jogged up to his friend and his mentor. Panting heavily from his run, he had made excellent time from their home to the university campus. He eyed the engineering building warily, noticing the large, squat black building embedded in it at an angle. "What the hell?"

"Matt!" The moose's hooves thudded on the dirt as he ran towards the husky. He scooped Matt up in his arms, catching Matt by surprise as he was distracted by the visions of the chaotic campus, then nuzzled the dog closely, nostrils buried in the thick fur. After extracting himself from the vice-like grip of the moose's muscular arms, Matt's ears went red as he caught Rhisanth's amused gaze. Chris just turned away from Matt and coughed.

"Let us bring young Matthew here up to speed on the situation." The elderly lion was always good at getting back to the business at paw. "Chris and I have fended off a number of demon attacks, but as you can plainly see there are many more occurring as we speak."

"The campus is overrun, Matt. I haven't heard from anyone else but you. And all of these buildings just appeared from nowhere; the entire campus is totally different."

"I haven't heard from Kael, either," Matt said, his ears drooping against his head. "I did hear from Laura however. She's holed up near the library. Jay's still near the student center last I checked, and Axel is at the south end of campus. Apparently he's called in the military to help."

"Kazar and other Council members are also about, helping to repel the attack," Rhisanth said, gesturing at furs dressed in black, white, and azure robes around the property.

Matt grinned. "That's a relief. We're not fighting on our own!"

"Indeed you are not. However, as representatives of the Council, you should be dressed as such." Rhisanth stepped in front of the pair of Earth furs and waved his staff over them. A bright light enveloped the group, and Matt worried the spell might gather unwanted attention.

When the light subsided, Matt found his t-shirt and shorts replaced with a burgundy cloak -- that marked his position as Head of the Earthly Order in Ameranth -- over jeans and a black shirt. All in all, it almost looked like he was some bad-ass movie character. The husky thought it was a good mix of Earth and Ameranth.

Beside him Chris gasped, which turned into a strangled yelp. The moose's kilt and vest had been changed into a maroon jacket with a trench tail. And black pants. Matt didn't think the moose had ever owned pants. Still, he thought Chris looked rather sharp. Judging by the grimace on Chris' face, Matt figured the moose thought otherwise.

"How am I supposed to move in these?"

"We've got bigger concerns than clothing, Rhisanth."

"In uniform, you should be able to ask for the help of any Council member," Rhisanth countered. "It will help you achieve your goals, young Matthew."

Matt silently cursed the old lion's logic. "Fine. Chris, you're with me. I need to find Jay and pick up my staff. It's got all of my foci. Rhisanth, can you continue to sweep the area for demons and help other furs in trouble? I assume you're fine on your own."

"A sound plan, young Matthew. I shall do just that. Keep your wits about you, both of you."

The grey-blue husky watched silently as the towering lion stalked his way to the crazy engineering-academy building mash-up. Nudging Matt to get his attention, Chris asked, "The student center?" Nodding, Matt jogged the way Chris came, and the pair made their way into the center of student social life on campus.

Crashes could be heard from the moment the door to the center opened. Screams echoed through the hall, setting the husky's fur on end. Turning the corner to the food court, they saw a barl'gura throwing chairs at furs who dared to make a run for an exit. Others were hiding behind the counters of each fast food restaurant. The donut shop was burning with demonsfire, and a few imps were starting on the doors to the student pub.

"Chris, get the imps, I'll take the barl'gura." Flakes of ice began to swirl around the husky's clenched paw.

"No."

"What?"

"I'll take the big one. You get the imps. You're better at taking out those guys, and I can keep the demon busy until you can help."

"But what about--"

Chris whirled on Matt and looked the husky in his icy eyes. Matt saw Chris's brown eyes meet his, and he saw no hesitation there.

"Okay. I'll be right behind you."

Chris sprinted across the tiled space, leaping over turned tables as he fished around for his gym pass. He smiled to himself as he gripped it tight in his left paw. As he came upon the demonic orangutan, he pulled his right fist back and slammed it against the creature's back with a feral bellow, feeling the magical strength flow through him. Chris' blow launched the russet-furred orangutan a good ten feet, causing it to slide into a pillar with a grunt.

Matt turned to his own problems: three imps had succeeded in destroying the pub door, and were about to slaughter every fur in there. The husky made two throwing motions with his empty paws, causing two icicles to fly towards the imps. The first projectile popped the back on one imp, but Matt missed his second shot. The pair of remaining leathery creatures turned on the Earth mage and smiled madly at him.

The barl'gura roared, causing the windows to rattle. The echo was completely unnerving, but Chris held his ground as the creature launched itself at him. Using a burst of speed, the moose attempted to side-step the attack, but he had waited too long. He bit back a scream as he felt claws rake across his thigh, hot blood splashing onto the floor. The moose made a mental note to try not to slip on it as he ignored the pain as best he could.

Hopping to the left, Matt felt the heat of two fireballs narrowly miss his head. Another icicle flew from his paw and another imp dissolved into nothingness. The sprinklers finally kicked in, dousing the remnants of the great wooden double doors and the combatants with water. Barely missing the husky, another fiery projectile blasted the wet floor beside him and caused the spray from the impact to burn his legs. Yelping, Matt fell onto his back, away from the scalding steam.

Chris tried not to put much weight on his injured leg. Dancing on one hoof, however, was difficult. Still, the moose gave the barl'gura a run for his money. A left jab, followed by a right hook and another left jab as he hopped to the side. None of the hits were solid, but Chris had taken Rhisanth's advice to heart, holding the gym pass tightly. There were no other fighters, and he needn't -- couldn't - fear that he would hurt one of his friends, so even a glancing blow was enough to cause the demonic orangutan to roar in defiance, if not pain. Despite that, the demon still managed to rake its claws over Chris' new jacket. More blood seeped out, blending with the color of the fabric. He knew he couldn't take much more punishment.

Matt had rolled to the side, his burgundy coat weighed down by the water from the sprinklers, and launched another icicle. The final imp exploded in a shower of frozen shards, and the husky breathed a sigh of relief. Glancing over, he saw his friend struggling to keep up with the larger demon. It was clear that even with his magic, Chris was losing the battle. After scrambling to his feet, Matt shed the sopping jacket and sprinted over towards the moose, ignoring the slight sting in his scalded shins.

"Frozen throne heed my call, take my foe or I may fall. Stop him solid in his tracks, keep me safe from his attacks!"

A burst of blue light blasted the demon from behind, and when the light subsided, it was completely encased in ice. Its ugly visage twisted with rage behind the frozen wall. Chris' eyes went wide.

"Chris, now!"

The moose flexed once, wound up, and uppercut the trapped creature. His bellow filled Matt's ears, forcing them down against the husky's head as the ice snapped in response. The barl'gura's body disappeared while the head dissolved mid-flight.

Cheers went up from the students trapped in the hall as students and staff alike poured out from behind the counters to greet their saviors. Chris allowed a pair to help bind his wounds, while another brought Matt his jacket. He thanked then waved off the students, absently telling them to go find somewhere safer while he checked his text messages.

"Jay hasn't responded," Matt said with a frown. Chris thanked the two foxes for their help and limped over to his friend. "Laura's by the exit where I saw Jay last, but he's nowhere to be seen. I know we're tired and hurt, but we need to keep going."

"I know," Chris said, his voice low as he tried to hide his limp. The pair walked towards the exit that would lead them to the library to help their friends.

* * * * *

The entrance to the university grounds was proclaimed by a large metal arch covered in red paint. The arch had been built decades back as a break with the tradition of walled and gated campuses. Instead, the designers created a physical expression of openness and change, and Axel was sincerely cursing that design decision. No walls or gates were a clear security risk, and made for a much more difficult time in securing the campus.

Which was why he had called in the military. When the first reports of strange black buildings appearing from nowhere had started rolling in, the police had dispatched a helicopter to get a good look. Never before had one of these "mass hallucinations" actually displaced buildings, and Axel felt that this occasion was different. The sheer number of 911 calls over the past twenty minutes certainly supported his theory.

"Alpha squad reports they've reached the Economics building, and Beta squad has reached the first year dormitories," said Officer Jerek Brown.

"Good," Axel said, glancing over to his partner. "Still think I shouldn't have gotten involved, Jerek?"

The badger grunted as he shrugged, his beady eyes traversing the campus grounds. "May have actually worked out for once, sir."

Rolling his own eyes, Axel said, "Damn it, Jerek. What'd I say? None of this 'sir' bullshit. Just 'cause I got a command doesn't mean we're still not beat partners." The german shepherd scanned the parking lot and the fine arts complex entrances as he and Jerek chatted.

"Sorry I'm such a stickler for the chain of command, sir."

"Hold." The german shepherd held up a tawny paw, stopping the badger from further commenting. He squinted, trying to get a better look. "Over there, the alley between the drama and music buildings. Cover me."

Pulling his pistol from the holster, Axel moved swiftly but silently towards the small path to the library parking lot. The cop released the safety, but kept his finger straight, adjacent the trigger. He heard the badger moving behind him.

When the pair drew closer, Axel held up his paw again. The alley wasn't really an official path. He could see the packed dirt where students had clearly preferred to use it as a shortcut, but the entrance was obscured by a number of chest-high bushes. Axel held his breath as he stared down the shrubbery, keeping his ears cupped forward.

One of the bushes to his left rustled slightly, and the german shepherd turn and threw a ball of lightning at the sound rather than firing his gun. A black-suited doberman suddenly appeared, standing almost immediately in front of the officer, shaking in a silent scream as the electricity of Axel's magic coursed through him.

Before he could even register who he had hit, though, Axel heard a flurry of clicks behind him: the sounds of safeties being released on a number of pistols. The shepherd turned his head slowly, and felt the cold metal of a gun barrel against his temple. The slight movement was enough for him to see Zachary Knowles on the other end of the gun, and the badger with his own gun trained on the CSIS agent. Two more agents, however, had the badger in their sights. 'Classic standoff.'

What really scared Axel, however, was another black-clad agent who had a cougar in a fireman's carry. "Knowles. What're you doin' with Jay?" 'And since when did Jay wear bathrobes out on campus?'

"You're in no position to be asking that," Knowles said. Axel swore he could hear the dark jaguar purring.

"Kidnappin' is a felony, y'know. I should have you arrested right here."

"Should, but can't." The dark jaguar flashed his fangs as he smiled. "And not only because I have immunity from the law."

"Nobody should be above the law," Axel said, growling.

"The fact that you're powerless to stop us makes us above the law. Now, you and Officer Brown here will let us go, or Jay gets a hole in his pretty little head, along with matching holes for you two as well."

Axel snorted. "You'd die too, Knowles."

"That won't happen," the dark jaguar said with a laugh. "You'd never endanger a civilian like that."

The doberman shook his head and snarled, apparently recovered from the electric shock Axel had handed him earlier. Outnumbered and outmaneuvered, he knew he had lost. Axel sighed and nodded once.

Guns trained on both agents and officers alike as the two groups disentangled themselves slowly, soon it was just Jerek and Axel by the bushes, and the five agents with the cougar a few yards away on the sidewalk. With a wave of two agents' arms, a stiff breeze nearly knocked the german shepherd over. As he recovered, he watched the air in front of the furs in black shimmer for a moment. Then they were gone.

"Fuck! They can become invisible!" Axel re-engaged the safety and holstered his gun as he scowled at the empty space before him.

The badger was clearly dazed. His normally beady eyes looked immense and white against his dark facial fur. "So w-what now, Axel?" Axel remembered that they never really saw much action on their old beat, and immediately regretted not helping Jerek out more with combat training.

"Nothin'. We're outgunned with no way to track those bastards. We call in a report and wait for the military platoon to arrive."

"Damn."

Axel turned to Jerek and gave him a resigned but shaky smile. "At least you stopped callin' me sir."

* * * * *

'Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!'

Jay had to move when he realized that a number of imps and a big sulfur-smelling ape creature were on their way to the student center. He had tried to stay put as long as possible, waiting for his boyfriend - he hoped Matt would still be his boyfriend - to come pick up his staff. And possibly save the cougar in the process.

The staff was a bit long for the short cat to easily hide vertically, but he managed. He recognized how important that staff was to Matt. He'd heard enough stories about it that he knew the husky would be limited to pretty much just ice-based magic without it.

But before Matt could find him, other demons had begun to hunt for victims in the area, and to dodge them Jay had snuck over to the loading dock a few yards from his original hiding spot. If he could only get to the field by the economic and science theatres, he'd be safer, or he thought he would be. There'd be a lot more furs in the area, and solidarity came with numbers, right?

But instead the cream-colored cougar had gotten caught behind the truck by some imps, and that's where he was still stuck. Some imps nearby had started blasting the large vehicle with fire, and Jay made sure he stayed behind the tire so the creatures couldn't see his feet beneath the undercarriage. He realized his free paw was shredding the rubber in nervousness, but he prayed he couldn't claw through the thick material.

The cougar nearly flew into the air when his phone vibrated in his pocket. Grabbing his phone, he drew in a quiet breath to keep his paw from shaking too badly as he read the text.

"Where r u?"

A hissing noise punctuated the text as a tire on the other side of the truck began to deflate. It leaned away from the cougar as he typed a response. It was full of typos, but he sent it anyhow. Matt was smart. The stench of scorching wires filled the air, and Jay realized that the truck itself must be burning. He didn't have much time before the creatures would get bored and either move on, or find him cowering behind.

The phone buzzed again, and Jay held it tight, hoping the sound wouldn't carry. Wiping his sweaty paws on his muscle shirt, he flipped the phone open again. This time it was Laura, telling him to hold tight.

Just when he finished reading the text, an imp's shriek pierced the air. More of the demonic creatures began to yell, their voices shrill and grating, and though the truck stopped shaking under the constant barrage of fire he could hear the sizzling of their demonfire still.

"Charge!" Laura shouted, and Jay nearly fell to the ground in relief, using Matt's staff to hold him up. The pounding of something or someone large approaching could be felt in the asphalt as someone actually did charge. More demon screeched. Laura yelled something unintelligible, and a male voice answered her with a roar.

Everything stopped.

After what felt like an eternity, when he finally felt and heard something beyond the pounding of his own heart, Jay peered around the corner of the truck and saw the voluptuous white wolf giving some rhino jock a thumb's up. The breath whooshed out of him like he was punched in the stomach, but it was a relief.

"Jay!" Laura ran to him and dragged him up into a hug, pulling him away from the fiery vehicle. "Are you okay?"

"I," Jay started, his voice small, "I'm okay. Really. Scared, but not hurt. Where's Matt?"

The breath was knocked out of the cougar again as he felt someone tackle him from behind.

"God fucking damn it, Jay! Thank you for staying alive!" Matt was crushing his ribs, but Jay would have endured the pain forever if it meant that he could stay in the husky's arms. It hurt so good. "I don't know what I'd have done if you were killed!" He could hear the husky's breath hitch as Matt nuzzled Jay in the neck before letting him go.

The cougar turned to face the handsome husky. "Here's your staff."

"Thanks, sexy kitty."

Jay's heart soared to hear his boyfriend's nickname for him. Maybe things would be okay after all.

"So you're here, Matt, and Chris, myself, and Laura. Where's Kael and Axel?"

"We don't know where Kael is," Laura said, rubbing her paw over her dyed tiger stripes.

"He hasn't answered any texts at all. Not from me, or Laura," Matt said, his tail dropping between his legs. Matt's phone vibrated, and Jay watched quietly as his husky answered, his face going from delighted to confused in the span of about five-tenths of a second. "The hell? Axel said you were kidnapped by CSIS, Jay."

"That's obviously not right," Jay said, "Who could it--"

"Jason!" Matt shouted, and began typing furiously. "What the hell does CSIS want with Jason? Shit. Axel says they turned invisible and got away. Zachary Knowles' team knows magic."

Jay had the good sense to look guilty when Chris shot him a glare at Matt's statement. He knew he had a lot of work ahead of him.

"What can we do to help him?" the cougar asked, one paw playing with the colored studs in his ear.

"Nothing."

"But--"

"We've still got a demon invasion to deal with. Until the current crisis is resolved, we can't chase Knowles."

A loud roar echoed off the nearby library, student center, and squat black buildings, interrupting the group's conversation. Furs from both Ameranth and Earth began to scream and ran past the burning truck and Matt's little group. Everyone turned to watch a great bi-pedal creature swoop on leathery wings from the top of one of the academy buildings to the grassy field below, pouncing on a black-robed mage who had been distracted by his own fight with an imp. Jay couldn't see the mage clearly, but when the reptilian creature was done, there wasn't much left of the mage to see.

"What is that?" The rhino-jock asked, finally finding a voice in the conversation.

Matt shuddered under Jay's paw. "That's a Baatezu."