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Counter Earth Chronicles Chapter 30: Something Is Out There (And It Is Coming...)

Day 98 continued

Traffic in World One that afternoon was busy, but not overwhelming and I managed to take in more sites as we departed castle Wundagore on our trip to the World Two Art Museum. Lurie and I also took the opportunity to eat our meals enroute as well.

I was told that the trip to World Two would take about an hour as that city was to the northeast. But it didn't. Our driver was not only smart, cute and sexy- she was also a lead paw. Before any of us knew it. The lioness had us approaching the outskirts of World Two. Man, she was a fast driver.

"This is going to be great." I have never been to World Two I said to my companions.

As we made our way toward World Two the females gave me a brief history lesson:

"So what do you think Alex?" The lioness asked me.

I looked around dumbfounded. "Uh, Lea did we even leave World One?! I can't tell the difference."

"Yes we did Alex." Lurie we responded- you are looking at World Two."

"No way! It looks like World One!"

"That's is because World One and World Two are sister cities- they look very similar to each other with a few slight differences." The lioness said to me. "Most likely because they were built around the same time, using similar construction designs, plans and themes."

"However, if you look carefully you will see the differences Lurie said to me."

"Whoa that's a castle!"

"That is one of them." The lioness said.

"That is Castle Warwick." Lurie said. "That is where the Knights of World Two reside.

(Wow it is so ugly.)

Unlike Castle Wundagore which was very new and modern and Castle Sevren which was repurposed from a former armory. Castle Warwick was an ugly beast and some what primative looking as well. It consisted of two large and tall pointed circular towers with four rectanugular shafts at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions. Those towers were placed on a hill on the outskirts of the city and surrounded by a long wall. The entire structure was composed of yellow brick with observation platforms placed every so often along the wall.

"So what is the deal with this place?"

"This was a former prison complex that was repurposed for the empire. It is not as elaborate as castle Wundagore but it does serves the knights' needs here." Lurie said to me as we approached the city.

Despite the angular looking skyscrapers and sprawling greenery on the outskirts, I did see some differences between World One and World Two.

"Wow, look at that over there to the west- what is that?"

"That is part of the historical district of the city- it contains some smaller museums and several parks." The lioness said.

"One of these days we will have to come back and check that out as well." I said to both females who immediately fell quite silent. "I say something wrong?"

"Humans are not allowed in that area." Lea said gently. "It is a nonhuman zone; only open to beastials."

"You're not missing anything there anyway." The 'yote girl added.

(Hmm... a zone only opened to beastials I wonder why that is so and just what is down there?)

We arrived at the World Two Art Museum around 6:20. I took a good look at the surroundings while Lea ate her portion of the dinner Sorren had made. The grounds of the museum were near a pavilion that was the spitting image of the one near the World One History Museum; They looked identical. The only difference was the Museum itself. Unlike the History Museum which was a very angular looking building comprising of several floors, the Art Museum was a huge circular building- like a big fat cylinder.

As we made our way inside I marveled at its size and design. It had about five floors comprised of artwork from across the empire- humans and beastials alike. I couldn't help myself! It was like I got sucked into a maze- so much to see to do and so, so little time! I started at the ground floor looking at the various galleries and exhibits classic, historic and modern. I also lost Lea and Lurie during that time.

It was on the second floor of the museum in the modern art gallery that I discovered a truly fascinating painting titled The Life Grid by an artist known as Night Scream. The painting was comprised of a 3D plane or grid shown in a 3/4 isometric view. On this plane were citizens of the empire many beastials and humans as well. The grid depicted the citizens on the plane moving from its right side to the left like they were on some type of conveyer belt. As the characters moved from the right to the left, they experienced the stages of life- youth, adult, middle age, and old age. At the extreme right side the characters were created and entered the grid which I guess symbolized birth. They then moved from right to left across the grid through the stages of life. When they reached the edge of the grid on the left, they fell off of it which symbolized death and the return to nothingness.

The picture was quite fascinating- I was transfixed studying it. Was the artist who created this work a human or beastial? Who ever they were they took painstaking care to draw as many beastial species as they could think of- canines, felines, ursines, equines, lapins, birds, lizards, bovines and taurs. The detail was amazing.

"Lurie! I found him! He is over here!" I turned around as Lea and Lurie entered the gallery. "See something you like?!" The lioness asked me.

"This painting is fascinating!" I said look at the detail.

Lea took a good look at the painting... "Ah yes the mysterious artist Night Scream. He is an up and coming artist and has made many thought provoking paintings and yet no one knows who he is or even what he looks like." The lioness said to me.

"Wow!" I said smiling. "Very mysterious."

"Yes, yes very mysterious." Lurie commented. "We better get going. The concert is about to start."

We started to leave the gallery when another Night Scream piece titled Who Are You? off to my left caught my eye. I just had to take a quick look much to the 'yote girl's annoyance. This painting had a picture of a galaxy in the background and two characters in the foreground. The one on the left was silhouette of a human being and the one on the right was a silhouette of humanoid animal with a tail, ears, paws and claws most likely a generic representation of a beastial. The two characters were separated by a question mark. Another mysterious piece of art from a mysterious artist.

"Alex are you done yet?" Lurie asked annoyed.

"Are you kidding?" I said to the coyote. "This is the best night of my life!!"

"Um, you mean it is a close second compared to the night Ursa took your virginity!" Lea teased.

"She told you about that?!"

Lea didn't say anything she only winked.

"You are going to have a hard time topping that this evening Alex, but for the record the night is young. You are with two beautiful ladies and about to see a third. So let's forget our problems, the empire's problems and the planet's problems. Tonight let's just have fun and enjoy life." The 'yote girl said to me.

Lurie grabbed me by my left arm and Lea by my right and with that I was escorted by the two she beasts, a lovely coyote and a hot lioness to the courtyard at the lowest level of the Art Gallery for the concert.

The name courtyard was actually misleading as the concert venue was in the building near the concessions. Despite being a small intimate affair, there were about 60 seats in front of small stage at the venue and a crowd leading into it.

I stood behind Lurie and Lea was standing behind me as we waited in line to be seated. I couldn't help but look around to see who was in attendance. Sura's fan base was diverse indeed; I saw a few humans and many, many beastials- felines, canines, ursines, equines, centaurs, lizards, ermines, a few bovines and some other species I didn't recognize.

At last it was our turn. Lurie handed the tickets to the usher who was standing with our hostess of the evening Sura who was greeting all of her fans as they were being seated!

"Hi and who do we have here?" The she beast said looking at Lurie, Lea and myself.

Sura was a rabbit beastial- she looked to be in her late 20s and she was in white dress with a pink bow that was offset by her brown fur and brown hair; she looked stunning.

(Wow, I met a diva! A real diva!)

I tried to answer the lady rabbit's question but was awestruck by being in her presence and only pure stupid came out of my mouth.

"BUH, BUH, UM- DUH!" I responded.

I grabbed Lea and pushed her in front of me to try to answer the she beast's question.

Lea looked at the singer standing next to Lurie and tried to answer as well.

**SQUEE!!** was the only coherent word she could assemble.

"I see." The rabbit singer said.

"I think I can translate." Lurie said. "Lea here is a huge fan and she just loves your music."

**SQUEE!!** The lion girl said nodding her head.

"And Alex here is new to OUR pop culture and has never been in the presence of a star. The experience has been a bit overwhelming for him. But he is glad to be here and to meet you."

"FUAHH!" Was all I could manage to say.

"You must get that a lot." Lurie said to the diva.

"I do, but I never get tired of it. Or meeting the fans. Thanks for coming Lurie, Lea and Alex. I hope you enjoy the show." Sura said in the softest tone.

After the Sura greeting, the usher escorted us to our seats and my ability to form coherent words returned.

"Wow a snake beastial?!" I said stupidly when I saw him.

"No, Alex- a naga. Now don't stare it is impolite." Lea corrected me.

The lion girl returned to speaking as well.

The usher took us into the venue past a stern looking guard, a beastial alligator who gave Lurie an interesting stare as we walked past him. The usher then guided us through the crowd and all the way to the front row- dead center!

"Lurie how did you managed to get these seats?!" Lea asked in amazement.

"Oh a few friends owed me some favors." She responded humbly as we were seated. I sat between the two females Lea was on my left Lurie on my right. While we were waiting for the concert to begin, I studied the stage which was quite small about 20' x 20' just enough room for a band- drums, guitars, keyboards and a vocalist. I also looked at the lighting structures immediately above the stage a metal frame roughly the size of the stage with several concert lights which to me seemed to be hanging precariously.

I didn't have much time to ponder that because too soon the rest of those who were in attendance were seated and we were greeted by our hostess of the evening Sura.

"Greetings everyone! Thank you for coming and welcome to this evening's performance! Tonight, we here in this venue are not first class or second class citizens. We are not the superior or inferior, the privileged or unprivileged, the successful or unsuccessful, the rich or the poor, the loved or the unloved, human or beastial. But rather lovers of music." Sura said greeting everyone in attendance.

Sura's greeting was in Animalian, but she also repeated it in English for those in the room who didn't speak the language. I wondered if she would be performing the concert in Animalian, English or both?

Sura started the concert by introducing her band whom had been with her some time. The keyboards were played by a young buck who also appeared to be in his late 20s. The drums were played by a young looking leopard. The guitars were played by equines. Lead guitar was played by mule who appeared to be in his late thirties and bass guitar was played by a zebra who also appeared to be in his late thirties.

"Before we get started everyone let me introduce you to my band- some of my most dearest friends who have decided to join me on my musical transition from opera to more contemporary music."

I noted that the lioness to my left was studying each of the band members with particular interest. Despite my suggestion to wait a while, was Lea thinking about putting herself back on the market?

Sura continued... "On drums is my dear friend Leo, one of the best drummers in the empire. On keyboards is Mike one of the craziest keyboarders around...."

I gasped when I heard that! One of Sura's band mates had the same name as Lea's ex! What were the odds? I quickly looked at Lea. That dour look she had earlier returned to her face. She was probably thinking about him again. She probably had been all day. I shook the thought away from my mind as Sura continued her band's introductions.

"On lead guitar we have the established one and only Steven! And last but not least on bass guitar J who plays that bass so well we call him a poet!"

OMG! The two band members names combined formed the name Steven J Poet the rebel leader who nearly wiped out Sorren and myself. I turned to Lurie when I heard that.

(Is the universe screwing with us?!)

She just shrugged at me and directed my attention back to the hostess for the evening.

"Ok everyone since I am moving away from opera and still in the process of writing new material...." The audience gasped in shock at the revelation. "I thought I would start the show with several covers from some of my favorite contemporary artists who have inspired me to make this transition. Hit it boys!"

The band started playing, the pulsing beats were loud and the guitar licks were intoxicating. I thought at least we could move beyond that weird introduction that had occurred to just having some plain fun. I was expecting Lea's dour expression to change too once Sura started singing. It didn't, it got worse.

Sura launched into a medley of covers from some of her favorite artists in various styles dance, rock, pop and especially jazz. Her range was amazing:

** "Days go by and still I think of you... days when I couldn't live my life without you- without you." **

The bump bump da-ta-da bump bump beat of the song was intense. The audience started cheering.

(So this is dance music.) I remember thinking. It was then that I looked at Lea. She wasn't cheering. That dour expression on her face hadn't changed either. Just then Sura went to the next song:

** "I know what you're doing yeah, I know why you say you love me, I know what you're doing yeah yeah and I don't think it's fair." **

** "I know why you dialed my number and I know you say you're mine- I know what you're doing and it's not gonna work this time..." **

The guitar licks on the song were intense, and it did have an effect on Lea, her dour expression increased and her lip started quivering.

(Uh Oh! Next song please!)

The band slowed the tempo down as Sura began the next song:

** "When you left I lost a part of me- it's still so hard to believe 'cause we belong together! Who else am I going to lean on when times get rough? Who else is gonna talk to me till the sun comes up? Who's gonna take your place there ain't nobody better we belong together!" **

Despite slowing down, the tempo of the song it didn't help. The lioness started tearing up and that lip of hers was still quivering.

Sura started to notice that one of her fans was not enjoying herself. The lioness in the front row next to the human and coyote didn't seem to be enjoying the medley. She moved onto the next song a smooth and jazzy ballad:

** "There's a place for us, Somewhere a place for us. Peace and quiet and open air... Somewhere. We will find a new way of living. We will find a way of forgiving... somewhere... some how... some day... somewhere." **

That didn't help either! Not only was that lip of hers quivering. Not only was she tearing up. Lea now started shaking!

Sura again took notice and quickly moved on to the next song:

** "Even now when I have come so far I wonder where you are... I wonder why it's still so hard without you even now when I come shining through I swear I think of you and how I wish you knew even now...." **

By now the lioness was crying. I gently patted her on her shoulder. Sura by this time realized something was upsetting one of her fans and moved on to the next song which sounded very retro:

** "I can't let go and it doesn't matter how I try... I gave it all so easily, to you my love. Two dreams that never will come true... Am I strong enough to see it through? Go crazy is what I will do...." **

** "If I can't have you I don't want nobody baby. If I can't have you ah ah, I can't have you I don't want nobody baby, If I can't have you ah ah." **

That song brought the house down! And Lea and myself with it. Lea started sobbing uncontrollably. Those love songs brought up strong, strong emotions from her failed relationship with Mike Anger. She got to me to as well, causing me to remember how much I miss Lady Ursa.

Seeing that she had caused one of her fans in the front row to break out in tears amongst 59 others who were cheering. Sura abruptly halted the concert, walked off stage and approached Lea and myself. Much to Lurie's shock.

"All right girl, what's going on?! Why aren't you having a good time?" The perplexed rabbit lady asked.

Lea continued to sob uncontrollably. Sura turned to Lurie as she interjected:

"I guess this wasn't a good idea after all. My friend here is going through some tough times right now. She is recovering from a relationship that was a lie."

"How so? Did your significant other treat you badly, was he insensitive or uncaring?" The sexy rabbit lady asked Lea.

"No, he was a informant for the rebellion." Lurie responded in Lea's place.

Sura approached Lea and placed her paw on the lioness's shoulder.

"Wow, I guess those love songs really didn't help then girl. Sorry about that." Sura said as one of her band mates gave Lea something to dry her tears. "Ok, I have been a bad hostess. No more love songs. In fact I have the perfect thing!"

Sura whispered something to the mule who ran back to tell the other members of the band.

"Ok Lea this one is for you. Hit it boys!"

The beat returned da ta-da-ta-da-ta as Sura sang. Her new cover seemed to be tailored just right for the occasion.

** "Lea!!! It's your life, things may not always go right- for you. In those times just leave it behind 'cause sometimes you gotta play the game..." **

** "Just to survive without losing yourself It's a fight, it's true. It takes time, don't have all the answers, no matter how hard it gets hold on to what's inside..." **

** "DON'T NEVER LET NOBODY BRING YOU DOWN GIRL, DONT' NEVER LET NOBODY TEAR YOUR WORLD APART! LOOK INTO THE MIRROR AND SEE WHO YOU ARE- BEAUTIFUL YOU ARE!" **

I hugged the weeping lioness as Sura moved on to the second verse:

** "In the dark the pain chips away at your heart so deep. Can't you see? See the light in the distance open up your eyes, look, look to the sky and believe...." **

** "There's so much more to life when you're free- that's the key. And in time you will find all the answers don't have to lose your pride- hold on to what's inside." **

** "DONT' NEVER LET NOBODY BRING YOU DOWN, GIRL, DON'T NEVER LET NOBODY TEAR YOUR WORLD APART! LOOK INTO THE MIRROR AND SEE WHO YOU ARE- BEAUTIFUL YOU ARE!" **

Sura's cover was not only motivational, it was inspirational as well. I looked to the left and to the right of the courtyard. I saw a man dancing with a female centaur. Quite a site. I saw a woman dancing with a male mink. On the other side of the room I saw female leopard dancing with male fox.

In fact the audience was dancing in the aisles humans with beastials and beastials with humans no hint of prejudice in the room at all. That night Sura was right it didn't matter who was superior or inferior, if they were privileged or unprivileged, successful or unsuccessful, loved or unloved, human or beastial for that matter. We were all lovers of music.

"Does Alex dance?" I heard Lea ask me as the song played on.

"Not well, but I will give it a try." I told the now composed lioness. I pulled Lurie up from her seat as well and we joined the crowd dancing in aisles and on the floor in front of the stage. This may not have been the best night of my life but damn, it was a close second.

** "DON'T' NEVER LET NOBODY BRING YOU DOWN, GIRL, DON'T NEVER LET NOBODY TEAR YOUR WORLD APART! LOOK INTO THE MIRROR AND SEE WHO YOU ARE- BEAUTIFUL YOU ARE!" **

** "Don't care what they say anymore. There's no time to be insecure. I'm leaving it all on the door..." **

** "She's staring at him in the face. She's taking it day by day. I'm finally on my way!" **

** "DON'T' NEVER LET NOBODY BRING YOU DOWN, GIRL, DON'T NEVER LET NOBODY TEAR YOUR WORLD APART! LOOK INTO THE MIRROR AND SEE WHO YOU ARE- BEAUTIFUL YOU ARE!" **

As Sura's cover ended the audience applauded and applauded and applauded.

(So perhaps there is hope for peaceful coexistence on this world Sura's music just might be one of those components to that.)

"Not bad Alex, but you definitely need dance lessons!" Lurie chided me.

"Sorry growing up I didn't have time for dance lessons- too busy worrying about the next meal." I told the coyote female. As the audience finished applauding and started to take their seats in anticipation of Sura's next song.

"Perhaps we could help you with that." Lea started to say. "There are a number of dance clubs in World One that we could check out some weekend."

"I would love that... Oh my gosh! You have got to be kidding me!" I gasped.

"It sounds like a plan." Lurie started to say. "Wait what?!"

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" I screamed running toward the stage.

I grabbed Sura who was quite shocked at my actions and quickly pulled her off the left side of the stage. We landed in a big heap on the floor.

"Alex honey, if you wanted my autograph all you had to do was ask...." The rabbit lady started to say.

"Alex, have you gone crazy?!" Lurie and Lea yelled at me in unison.

"Get everyone off of the stage right now!" I yelled looking back at my female companions.

Lurie and Lea heeded my warning and quickly managed to pull the leopard and buck from the stage. The mule and zebra followed shortly. No sooner had they cleared the platform, the rigging holding the spot lights crashed down onto where everyone had been performing just minutes before destroying the band's instruments and the stage. Glass went flying everywhere.

The shattered glass from the lights and rigging landed on the audience and some landed on Sura, her band members, Lea, Lurie and myself.

"Is every beast OK?" Leo asked.

"Shaken and stirred, but ok." Sura replied getting up. "Alex you saved our lives! How did you know that was going to happen?!"

I started to answer, but Lea was faster.

"Our Alex here is clairvoyant; he sees things before they happen." The lioness said to the shocked rabbit lady.

"Far out!" The buck said.

"Yeah we owe you our lives!" The mule said standing up.

"A simple autograph will do." I said to Sura and her band while folding my arms behind my head smiling.

"What on Counter Earth happened?!" Lurie said looking at the rubble.

Just then we were approached by the usher and alligator.

"Every beast alright?" The naga asked.

"We are fine the zebra told him just some minor cuts."

It was then the alligator approached me. "Hmm.... you look quite familiar..."

He was tall and green with a muscular build and he was wearing a outfit that looked to be a cross between a uniform and chain-mail. But his most defining features was that big alligator snout and his sharp teeth.

"How so?" I asked the imposing security guard whom I soon realized was not a security guard at all but a knight from Castle Warwick.

"I know! You're Alexander Winter! A rebel!"

With that the knight made a flying leap and tackled me right there in front of Sura, her band, Lea, Lurie and the audience.

"OOF!" Was all I could say as I was flattened by the alligator warrior.

"Gee I thought you said he was clairvoyant?" The buck said to Lea. "He should have seen that coming."

"Partial clairvoyant actually." I moaned from underneath the knight.

"Quiet rebel! You are in a lot of trouble for your acts against the empire! You should know by now nothing or no one escapes the Jaws Of Justice!" The knight yelled at me.

(The Jaws of Justice?! Really?)

"Ow!" I moaned.

"Gary you were always so over dramatic!" The coyote said to the alligator.

"Ow!" I continued to moan.

"Oh hi Lurie, I thought that was you!" The alligator said to the coyote.

"Ow!"

"Lurie you know this person?" The lioness said to the coyote.

"Ow!"

"Yeah we used to date a while ago, but he was married to his career so it didn't work out. By the way, Gary get off of Alex. You are crushing him."

"Ow!"

"But, but he is a rebel! He is wanted across the entire empire!" The knight said to his former girlfriend.

"Say Wha?!" Sura and her band said in unison.

"Ow!" I moaned.

"Check his tracking chip." Lurie ordered.

The alligator pulled out a scanner from his uniform and scanned my left shoulder.

"Alex Winter. It says that you belong to Lady Ursa and reside in Wundagore Castle? Hmm... the number on the tracking chip doesn't match! How is this possible?" The alligator warrior exclaimed.

"It's a bit difficult to explain." The lioness added. "But this Alex, is not the one you are looking for. You see, Alex is not from this world but rather another. He inadvertently emigrated here and subsequently became an honest, just and loyal citizen of the empire. It is just coincidence that he looks like a wanted rebel."

"Ow!" I moaned.

"Gary or Jaws or whatever you are calling yourself today. Would you please get off of Alex?" Lurie asked her former boyfriend.

Jaws looked at her then me.

"He is my friend. He can be trusted." Lurie said candidly.

I don't know what I was more shocked about the realization that Lea excluded the fact that I was from an alternate reality in her explanation or the fact that Lurie said that I was her friend or was it the realization that Alexander Winter had made it out of the rebel valley after his comrades were killed and was still out there?

Just then another knight entered the room. This one was a male lizard slightly smaller than the alligator warrior, he was wearing a helmet, chain mail and carrying a spear.

"The perimeter is secure sir! Say what happened in here?"

"You junior knights are always on the top of your game. I sometimes think it was a mistake replacing the machine men with you lot." Jaws said rolling off of me. "Sorry about the slight misunderstanding there citizen."

"Ow!" I moaned.

Jaws, helped me to my feet and had me crouch and lean my body forward. "Take deep breaths he ordered me. The pain will pass momentarily."

"If you want to really apologize, you should allow Alex and me to assist you." Lurie said to her ex.

"Why do you say that?" The alligator warrior asked.

"Because this was sabotage; the supports to this rigging were cut!" Lurie said showing Jaws the cut marks.

"Lea, this honorable knight is going to need your assistance with his investigation. Could you please check on the injured?" The alligator said addressing her in the third person.

Sura and her band agreed to assist the lioness as well given that the concert was now over and would have to be rescheduled.

"Pipkin, no one is to leave the courtyard until those responsible for this incident are found. As of this moment everyone here is guilty until I say otherwise. I want everyone here questioned as to what they saw and when they saw it. Especially the humans." The alligator warrior ordered. "Enlist the help of the usher if needed."

"Yes sir!" The lizard warrior stated and was off.

"Nothing like smoothing out beastial- human relations baby. I am sure none of those in attendance would even consider joining the rebels after their treatment here this evening." Sura said in disgust as she followed Lea to check on her fans.

"Excuse me- Gary or is it Jaws? Is this how the knights conduct their investigations? Everyone is guilty until proven innocent?" I asked regaining my composure.

"It is little human. Those responsible are most likely in the rebellion. It is always the rebels. Rebels are always humans." He responded. "That is why they are treated as such and why I will personally conduct YOUR interrogation later."

"What if by chance it is someone else?" I asked the knight. "And the humans here had nothing to do with it?"

"I personally think the rebellion had something to do with this- Sura is a stanch supporter of peaceful coexistence between the classes, who would have something to gain by her demise? The rebels." The alligator warrior said sternly to me as we studied what remained of the rigging.

90 minutes passed as Lurie and I assisted Jaws in his investigation. Lea, Sura and her band assisted the injured. Fortunately the most severe injuries were nothing more than a few cuts and bruises. Thank goodness no one was killed.

Pipkin interviewed everyone in attendance including Sura and her band and interrogated the humans in the audience as well. He didn't find out anything more than Jaws had nor did he have anything to add to the investigation as well.

"You sensing anything Alex?!" Lurie asked me.

"Nothing." I told the she beast.

"Pipkin didn't have any luck. Either." Jaws stated.

"Was everyone involved in the concert interviewed?" Lurie asked the alligator warrior.

"Everyone here." Lurie's former boyfriend responded.

"What about the production crew?" Lurie asked.

"No."

"Say where are they?" I added. "The director, producer and sound crew should have been down here too after seeing what happened."

"Always missing the obvious- maybe you should find them." The 'yote girl said to the alligator.

Lurie and I followed Jaws, to the second floor of the Art Gallery- to a side hallway where the control room was located. In there we found the production crew who were responsible for all the work behind the scenes. Three groundhogs in their seats chatting while watching the action on the court yard.

(Why didn't any of them come to check on Sura and her band?!)

"I need to ask you some questions." The alligator warrior said sternly to the three. The groundhogs did not respond or even acknowledged that we had entered the room. They seemed to be talking amongst themselves.

As Jaws approached them, we realized they weren't talking amongst themselves- they were in a daze, some type of trance and chanting:

"ONE is coming! ONE is coming! The ONE who will carve order out of chaos, make that which is wrong- right, unite that which is ununited, create unity where there is none, establish equality from where there is inequality, construct peace from where there is confusion, constitute contentment from where there is none. ONE is coming! ONE is coming!"

The three were unresponsive to anything anyone said to them; they just kept chanting.

"Look at this!" Lurie said.

Jaws and I walked to the work station she was at in the rear of the control room. It was a security monitor that was recording the concert in the courtyard.

"Hmm..." The she beast said pressing some buttons.

Lurie rewound the recording of the camera to when the courtyard was being prepped for the concert. In doing so we discovered that the stage crew was responsible for the rigging collapse; they were clearly seen weakening the supports so that it would indeed fall crushing those below it.

Lurie's former boyfriend Gary the gator or Jaws as he liked to be called, had to eat his words that night as it was discovered that the stage crew had sabotaged the rigging at the venue and almost killed Sura and her band. The audience was allowed to leave having been exonerated by these findings.

The three groundhogs could not be awakened from their trance and were taken to the hospital and placed under observation. It was weird because they had worked for the museum for a number of years and were well respected amongst their peers. If I remember correctly, those three never snapped out of their dazed state. Over the next three years they kept chanting about ONE. When they were asked who that was, all they would reply was ONE that would free the planet from pain, suffering and misery.

(Were they talking about Sura? The High Evolutionary, someone or something else?)

Sura felt bad she and her band couldn't finish the concert. Those that attended the first 45 minutes, were given tickets for a make-up date in the near future.

Lea, Lurie and I were given hugs and autographs by Sura and her band for saving their lives and averting disaster despite Sura still being in shock that she almost bought it that day. But we felt that she would recover and go on to perform in the future.

It was 10:15 PM when Lea, Lurie and I made our way back home.

"Lurie thanks for inviting us to the concert." Lea said. "The first 45 minutes were great."

"I think the second half was even better." The coyote responded.

"You mean me being crush-tackled by the Jaws of Justice and labeled a rebel?" I asked Lurie.

"I mean your intervention this evening, Alex. If you hadn't come this evening Sura and her band would be dead and many innocents injured including Lea and myself." The coyote female interjected.

"Something still bothers me though." I said to the females. "Although the culprits were caught. How did they wind up in that weird trance like state, why did they try to sabotage the concert and who is this ONE they were talking about?"

We all mulled about it on our way back to the castle. No one including myself could come up with any answers.

Knowing what I know now, looking back this was the second domino to fall on the empire's road to ruin.

Thanks to Lea's lead paw, we arrived back at Castle Wundagore around 11 PM. Lurie and I hugged Lea at the loading dock as she departed for her apartment.

On the way back to Tauren's lair Lurie was very silent. I decided to break the silence.

"That was some concert. Despite all that Lurie, I did have a good time. Thank you for inviting me."

"You're welcome." She said. "We better get back- or the boys will start to worry."

We arrived at Tauren's he and Sorren were still up. As Lurie and I entered the lair we realized why- they were standing around the kitchen counter talking to someone who was wearing a dark grey cloak.

(Was this the ONE?!)

As I approached them, I noticed that this person in the cloak was bare foot. No, make that had bear paws. I instantly recognized who they belonged to.

"Hello pet!" She said staring at me. Seeing Lady Ursa safe and sound was just too much, my eyes welled up as I leaped to hug my fierce ursine warrior tightly.

"MISTRESS!!!"

"I looks like someone has missed you my lady." Tauren said.

"Indeed- greatly." My she beast replied simply. Placing her paws on my back.

But in embracing my mistress- I noticed something was different about her- I soon realized it.

"You're covered in blood!" I stammered. Her chainmail was smeared from top to bottom with blood.

"Things got ah, messy Alex." My she beast said simply. "But don't worry it is dried and not mine."

I wanted to hear all about it. I supposed that I would in time. After I finished hugging my mistress, I ran upstairs to grab my things. As I was leaving I hugged the trio to thank them for being my surrogate family while my mistress was away.

"Thank you for looking after me Tauren."

"You are welcome here anytime Alex."

"Looks like we will have to wait until next time to work on your heterosexuality problem." Sorren giggled.

Lurie and Tauren gave the goofy dragon such a look when he said that.

"Thank you Lurie, for you kindness, generosity and your friendship." I said to the female coyote.

"I am glad you are house broken!" She joked.

Hearing her say that I gave her such a look.

"Watch it you...."

As we were leaving my mistress asked Tauren... "I trust Alex was on his best behavior?"

"He was my lady." Tauren responded.

"He is welcome here anytime." Sorren added.

"I will send him over the next time I am on an extended mission. Until then farewell." My mistress said to the trio. I waved to them as we departed.

That evening my mistress took a long relaxing shower to wash away the dirt, sludge, grime and blood she had accumulated during her long mission. I soon joined her telling her about the concert at the World Two Art Museum and what had happened there.

"Very interesting. I am surprised that Gary needed assistance from an engineer and clairvoyant. He is the commander of the Knights of Castle Warwick and a capable warrior." My she beast replied.

"Oh yes mistress he is definitely the Jaws of Justice." I giggled.

As we were getting ready for bed, I pounced on Lady Ursa who was resting comfortably on her back her and hugged her tightly.

"All right Alex! I know you missed me horribly while I was away and I am sorry about that- it couldn't be helped- but are you ever going to release me?"

I looked my she beast right in her eyes and kissed her on the snout.

"Mistress I had feared you and the others were dead. Especially since there was no word- nothing since the morning you left."

"Now Alex, you know I would eventually have to return- my personal 'Essence of Winter' supply was getting rather low anyway. Say are we going to sleep like this?"

I looked at the most important beastial in my life, grinned and replied:

"Mmm hmm." As I rested my head on her breasts and started to drift off to sleep. My mistress made herself comfortable, placed a cover over us and dimmed the lights in her room. I sensed she was overjoyed to be back home safe and sound with her favorite human.

I was just about to drift off to sleep, but I just couldn't let one thing go. I know I shouldn't have, but I couldn't help it. The suspense was killing me. She hadn't said one thing about her mission on the way back to the lair. Not one thing. I was dying to know if Lord Tiger, Lady Vermin were ok. Oh and Junior Knight Ram as well, but I did not want to come right out and ask.

"Mistress?"

"Yes pet?"

"Could you tell me a story?"

"What about Alex?"

"I want to hear the one about the courageous fierce knight of Wundagore whom went on a rescue mission to rescue her comrades from some evil heinous bandits."

"Alex, you know that is classified. All I can say is that Ram and I safely rescued Lord Tiger and Lady Vermin and that the Bandit Trio has been apprehended and will be judged and punished for their actions." She said rubbing my back with her paw. "Besides I would rather hear a much more interesting story."

"An interesting story? Which one is that mistress?"

"The one about a human and his dragon friend who went a on a trip to World Three. This trip was against his guardian's wishes and nearly resulted in his death and the death of his friend at the hands of some blood-thirsty rebels."

(UH OH!)

"Do you know that story Alex?"

(AW CRAP!!!!!)

"Umm..."

To Be Continued....

Next Week: The sow corrects her cub!