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Counter Earth Chronicles - Dual Realities

Chapter 11: The Choice You Refuse To Make Will Be The One Made For You

March 16th YOE 35

1:11 PM (Counter Earth)

_A little human is hurrying to his conditioning therapy session in the science wing of castle Wundagore. _

“You are late boy!" The ram grumbled as I strolled into his lab.

“I am?" I replied observing the readout display from a console on one of the upper floors of the tiered metallic amphitheater. The clock was set three minutes ahead." I guess I am, please forgive me my beastial overseer."

I noticed that his lab's illumination was different this afternoon. The tiered floors above the room's center were all dark with just a spotlight on my punishment chair.

“I detect some sarcasm in your tone human." The evil beastial said as he removed his knight uniform and put on his lab coat. “It looks like we still have more work to do. Now take your seat."

I removed my white loincloth and laid down in the punishment chair. I watched as the ram carefully strapped me in nice and tight binding my hands and feet.

“Now let's see the crop, strap, paddle or whip? Decisions, decisions. What do you think boy?" He said smiling wickedly at me motioning to a small table nearby.

Well I had two responses- the proper response or mine own. If I told him my response I feel these sessions would never ever end. So I chose the proper response a second class, belittled human would be required to say.

“Whatever you would prefer my master."

“Good answer. Let's use the leather strap."

“Yes my overseer." I replied casting my eyes toward his hooves which seemed rather shiny this afternoon- just in time to see his pants drop to his ankles.

(WHAT THE??)

Sir Ram then placed his lab pants, lab coat and even his under garments on the small table and approached my punishment chair stark naked.

“Shall we begin?"

(Begin what?!)

I was scared to know the answer. In our previous sessions the beastial scientist was trying to break, crush and kill my independent spark until I was a subservient, submissive menial beta male. I thought I had passed that test but I was so very wrong.

I looked up slightly to see a ram's penis- tannish brown and tapered right in front of my face. A beastial ram's penis.

“Let's see how good you are at following direction." He said petting me gently on my head. Noting that I was fearing what he was going to say next. “I order you... I order you..."

(Oh no here it comes.... please Sir Ram don't say it! Don't make me do it.... please...)

While accompanying him on his missions for the knights I had seen him naked at one time or the other but I never sucked him off or would I think of doing so.

(What does beastial ram penis taste like anyway?)

I thought for sure I was going to find out.

“Lowly stinking human, I order you to kiss my bottom." He said turning around presenting his rear to me.

“Err..."

His posterior was stout and two toned and the area around his gluteus maximus near his tail was white. It extended down his thighs. Surprisingly everywhere else including his tail was brown. Which was weird. Because the rams I had seen the non-beastial types did not have tails. I think when he became a beastial the High Evolutionary must have made some modifications.

“I am waiting boy." The evil beastial said snapping me out of my analysis.

I thought back to my conditioning... his words were my commandments, his desires my prophesy.

I puckered up and *mwah* planted one right on the white part of his right ass cheek near the brown border.

Hey! His fur there was fluffy and really soft!

“Again. The other side now!" He ordered me.

I moved to his left ass cheek and kissed his butt again right where the white meets the brown.

(So soft! Who knew!)

“The tail, don't forget it."

“Yes master." I replied kissing the brown tip.

“You hesitated boy. It appears you haven't made as much progress as I thought you had." Sir Ram said standing up and turning around to face me. “I should redouble my efforts."

As the words left his lips I saw a flaccid penis in front of my line of site again. I soon realized that whatever the next order that would be given I was to obey it; follow through without hesitation.

“Open wide boy." He said approaching me. He wanted me to suck him off in the ultimate act of beastial domination. Sir Ram was determined to break me.

As I was about to find out what beastial ram penis tasted like, a console on the upper floor of the lab flashed red. It was an incoming message from Lord Tiger. Sir Ram grumbled as he put back on his pants, lab coat and went to see what the commotion was about. He pawed at the display for a few seconds before walking toward the entrance of the lab and right out the door.

And there I sat strapped into the punishment chair, my reprogramming session with Sir Ram interrupted.

As I waited for him to return, I wondered what would have happened if we hadn't been interrupted. Would he have removed his phallus from my mouth after a minute or so or forced me to continue until he came? If he did would he pull out and paint my face with his jizz or force me to swallow it? What does ram jizz taste like? Further, what other forms of humiliation were in store as the evil beastial scientist attempted to break me?

In the past sessions, I have been whipped, paddled and spanked in an attempt to make me docile and submissive. Ever the obedient human- don't challenge, don't question. Just obey.

I waited ten, twenty and thirty minutes for Sir Ram to return. When he finally did, he had his blue and yellow knight uniform on instead of his white lab coat.

The moment he entered the room, I knew something was up. The gleeful giddy grin he always wore during our sessions was gone. In its place, a neutral face. He placed a pad next to the whip, paddle and strap on the small table. He then approached my punishment chair and loosened the straps that were binding my hands and legs.

“Um, not that I am not appreciative, but what gives?" I asked standing up from the chair. My nude form for all to see.

“No session today boy." He said handing my loincloth back to me.

“Sir Ram?"

“I have some unsetting news to report." He began placing his paw on my shoulder.

I stood and looked at him.

“Sir Ram?"

“Corbin Mongoose is dead."

“WHAT?!!!"

“I know that you and Lady Ursa were close to him."

“I considered him my little brother. His adoptive mother was the spitting image of my sister."

“Yes, Dawn Stern."

“Sir Ram what happened?"

“It is classified."

“Classified?!"

“What I can tell you is that they were assisting Theresa Branch and Oliver Justice with a investigation."

“The two wildlife researchers? I have watched their documentaries on the hub."

“I know you want to know, but all I can say is that they were in an area they shouldn't have been in, looking at something they shouldn't have and all four of them died as a result. That is all I can tell you boy."

“NO!!! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING!!! CORBIN!! DAWN!!"

The evil beastial saw the tears well up in my eyes and stream down my cheeks.

“Sir Ram how did they die?"

The ram patted me on the shoulder. “I will allow you some time to grieve. We will resume your sessions at a later date."

I watched him leave the lab as a wave of emotion and memories welled up inside of me.

I had met Corbin through the consortium who was trying to find him a new home after his immediate family was murdered. At first he was terrified of me, I didn't know why until I found out that my doppelgänger was responsible for much of his misery. Once we had gotten through that, he opened up to me.

We had shared many adventures from saving Lady Ursa, exploring Harbor Place in World Five to meeting the residents of World Six with Lord Tiger and discovering the Lost City. At some point my mistress decided that we led too dangerous a life which was something Corbin did not need at the moment so we found him a loving parent that would nurture and raise him. Dawn Stern who was this reality's version of my sister- but nothing like her, determined, loyal and ditzy. And now both of them were no more.

I just stood there stunned. This couldn't be happening!!! I approached the small table where the tools of this session had been placed. I found the pad Sir Ram left which I guess was going to be used to record notes. In its corner was a recent hub report. I clicked on it trying to abate my extreme grief and anguish.

The knight core is investigating the mysterious deaths of four from the science community who were observing wildlife in a remote undisclosed wilderness location. We have repeatedly asked for details and were told that they were in area they should not have been in. No further details have been forthcoming; the rest is classified. A male zebra reported.

At that point I just lost it. I brushed the crop, strap, paddle and whip off of the table and threw the pad across the room. It hit a closed drawer which opened up revealing the black PDA.

“The black PDA! This doesn't have to be my new reality... That's right. I can fix this..."

(Although the evil beastial said that messing with time was not for the meek.)

I remember the time he used that black PDA... the horrible future we visited and corrected. Well I am going to do the same again; correct all of this. I can just go back in time and prevent Dawn and Corbin from leaving....

I powered it on desperate to undo Corbin and Dawn's demise. As it booted up to the main screen I received a warning- insufficient power.

(DAMN!!!)

That's right the beastial scientist said that he had exhausted the device's power supply. I forgot. Thwarted, but yet determined I started poking around. Inside the device's sub menus I found a folder titled missions.

(Missions?)

Of course you know I had to check that out. The folder was a mini-journal of dates and times. There was the mission Sir Ram and I took to that dystopian future. But then there were others:

4162 traveled to city states period. Met Dr. Richard First.

(Was that the same Richard First Cody, Primrose and I met?)

_4253 traveled to World Seven. Met survivors of the cataclysm. _

(World Seven, cataclysm?)

Date unknown. I believe distant past. Traveled to biosphere Sefeiren. Possible transport vessel that allowed ONE's arrival on Counter Earth. Befriended vessel's inhabitants before destroying it and all life aboard.

(What?)

That was despicable even for Sir Ram. The folder included pictures of the interior of the biosphere and its inhabitants cute horse-like beings.

It was the contents of the next folder that blew my mind forever.

_YOE 34 traveled to the Lost City. Reconnected with acquaintances and helped fortify. _

The synopsis had pictures of the city Dawn had discovered as well as Lady Ursa, myself and Corbin. We were standing right next to a black haired teen, a brown werewolf, a grey pony and red eyed lioness.

(Who are these people?)

Next to the picture was a description. Survivors from World Fall December 31st, YOE 33. Alex was lost to ONE shortly afterward.

(When the hell did all of this happen?!)

To Be Continued....

[MEANWHILE]

March 16th YOE 35

1:11 PM (Chaundoon)

Lunch time for two coworkers at the Wild's restaurant in the central tower in World Seven....

“It is nice to finally find some time to get away from medical." I said to my devious person as she sipped some tea and watched me devour some noddles at our table.

“It has been busy for quiet some time little cutie." Shakara replied enjoying the moment. “We are lucky we could sneak away."

My lioness looked particularly radiant that afternoon despite the onslaught of patients we had seen that morning which had left the both of us particularly exhausted.

“Well Lily Blossom should be walking in anytime now. She can assist the boss if anything comes up while we are down here."

“Actually she just did Alex, just not into the infirmary." The red eyed lioness smiled motioning at a patron who had just walked in to the restaurant.

“Since when did we become the area's medical center? I need a break!" Lily Blossom said sauntering in.

“Pretty much right after we all moved to the planet." The horny lioness replied to the medicine lady.

“Um, wait, with all of us on break down here is it a really good idea to leave Penny all by herself in the infirmary?" I said asking the obvious.

“Ah she will be alright for twenty minutes." The goat beastial replied as another patron entered the restaurant. “And how is Titanous this fine afternoon?"

The jackal looked at us as he walked in. “Oh hi Alex, Shakara, Lily Blossom. Slow day in medical?"

“Not by a long shot. This was just the first opportunity the three of us had to take a break." I replied inviting him to join us.

“So still enjoying your visit here on Chaundoon?" Shakara asked checking out his white undershirt, blue shorts and red jacket.

“Are you still thinking about returning to the Nexus?" I asked piling on.

“Or have Shira and Gia convinced you to stay permanently? They can be quite persuasive if you know what I mean." The horny lioness said bouncing her eyebrows.

(Where did she learn to do that?)

“Yeah. It is turning into an extended sabbatical actually. I was thinking about where I fit in around here."

“You mean like finding a job young fellow?" The goat lady asked.

“Yeah exactly. I mean Shira and Gia are part of the Colony Council helping King Dragon run the city."

“And when they aren't they are taking care of you aren't they?" The lioness said batting her eyelashes seductively.

(That was such a Shakara statement.)

“I think our jackal here is suffering from some homesickness." I said offering my medical diagnosis. “I would prescribe some comparative reflection- living on Conquered Counter Earth vs enchanted Chaundoon followed by some personal attention from his female companions; twice a day- once in the morning once in the evening."

“You speaking from personal experience little cutie?" The red eyed lioness teased as the jackal responded to her previous question.

(UM, YEAH!!!)

“Well, yes, yes they are. I guess if I am going to stay, I need to find some way to contribute around here."

“Well there are plenty of vacancies across World Seven- the sciences division has an archeological section, wildlife studies section and a medical section but no planetary science section." I added. “It would be nice to know why the planet behaves as it does."

“You mean like why the sky's color varies?" The jackal asked.

“Yeah, it is really a weird dark red today." I replied.

“I think that has something to due with the two suns or the three moons." Titanous suggested.

“Can anyone really be sure?" I said throwing it out there.

“Well there is now a fourth moon which is black in appearance, I think if we ever develop a planetary science wing, that should be their first assignment." The medicine lady added.

“But even outside the sciences there are vacancies- the city still needs an planner/engineer since Corey left." I replied as I thought about ordering some tea.

“In the medical wing we could use some help. There are only five of us. Alex and I work mornings and afternoons. Lily Blossom and Penny afternoons and evenings and Nezera nights." My devious person replied. “Lately we have just been swamped."

“I think one of the problems is the lack of technology on this world- it feels pretty much like the colonial days like in the Cody's Gift movies." I said motioning to Pabu that I wanted a cup of tea.

“Yeah apart from what were able to bring with us from Counter Earth it has been pretty rough." Lily Blossom said motioning to the ground hog chef that she wanted what I wanted.

“It is getting a little better. Hue and Cassia were able to replicate your med scanner so now we have two- one for the infirmary and another for the field." I replied as there was a commotion outside the restaurant.

The four of us watched as what looked to be one of the sand folk crawl in front of the restaurant and collapse.

“HELP!"

He had white scales, was dressed in a brown one piece parcel of clothing that looked like a toga and was wearing sandals. He also appeared to be around Minka, Arthur, Milo and Panda Lee's age.

“And break time is over." The goat lady said.

“I guess we will talk to you later." I said to our jackal table-mate as we departed.

“Nuts, we didn't even get to dessert." The lioness said biting her lip.

Shakara, Lily Blossom and I helped cary the young sand dragon to the infirmary where Penny interviewed him while we checked his vitals.

“Bruises, cuts, scrapes and some gashes- he has been roughed up really good. No broken bones though." The medicine lady said completing her assessment.

“Thank you Lily Blossom." The penguin said. “So young one what happened...?"

“Our village has been attacked!!"

“Wasn't King Dragon visiting there today?" The she penguin asked.

“He was." Lilly Blossom replied.

The mood in the medical really turned somber just then.

“I will go and alert the knights." Shakara said running out of the infirmary.

I started to gather my things together hoping for the best while dreading the worst.

We found out the young sand dragon's name was Martin.

“Alright young one, I need you to tell me everything that happened." Penny said taking his paw do not leave out any details."

Three hours earlier.....

“So what do you think King Dragon?" The leader of the sand folk said as her caravan came to a dead stop.

“This is it?" Sorren bleated without thinking. “It's ok."

That outburst created chatter among the duchess' attendants and guards and even the goofy dragon's own guards.

“I mean this is it! A quaint little town in the middle of no where." The goofy dragon said as he stared at the one and two level red mud brick houses that comprised Duchess Jua's kingdom. There were about thirty in all.

“Nice recovery." The female sand dragon said eyeing her steady carefully. “It is a desert village actually."

“Well..." The red dragon blushed.

“Not all of us can be rulers of large dusty cities, with showers and restaurants." The dragoness countered.

“Your majesty welcome home!!" A bare chested grey dragon wearing only a totem necklace and brown toga said greeting the Duchess.

“Shaman Psi."

“I trust you enjoyed your visit with the off worlders?"

“Most definitely." The she beast said eyeing her beau. “I trust you were able to manage things during my absence?"

“Mostly but there are somethings we need to discuss."

“Understood." The dragoness replied. “Psi this is King Dragon the ruler of the combined kingdom."

“It is a pleasure to meet you your majesty." The grey sand dragon said bowing respectfully. “I see you brought your security detail."

“Yes Linias and Sandu." Sorren replied.

The fire lizard and the scorpion boy nodded.

“Shaman Psi is our village healer and my second in command." The duchess said concluding introductions. “Our village prospers- you did a fine job in my absence."

“There is one thing your majesty." The grey dragon said smiling.

“Oh yes, there is." The ruler said adjusting her white toga- making sure she looked presentable.

Sorren, Linias and Sandu watched as the inhabitants of the village exited their houses and lined up on either side of the main road into the town and clapped.

“Ah, it is so nice to be home." Mathias said to Mattimeo.

“And you thought this assignment would be boring." The scorpion boy said to the fire lizard.

*HISS* *HISS*

“Yeah the senior knights do take the better assignments leaving nothing for us underlings."

*HISS* *HISS* *HISS*

“But this one didn't turn out to be so bad." Linias added.

All of the duchess subjects, young and old poured out of the thirty or so houses to greet their ruler as she returned to them.

Sorren smiled as they made entrance to the sand folk's kingdom so many happy smiling faces. It was as duchess Jua was a revered rockstar. He was impressed.

“Is this the one you have the hots for your majesty?" A youngster around Kip's age asked analyzing Sorren as if he were some kind of shrink.

“Let's just say I vetted him... personally Martin." The dragoness replied cryptically.

“Nice to meet you your majesty."

“My such a precocious child." Sorren said smiling right back.

“I am Martin your lordship... monarch's assistant."

“You have a personal assistant?" The red he dragon asked the white she dragon.

“Yes I do."

“I need to get me one of those..." Sorren said aloud.

“So shall I give you the grand tour King Dragon?" The duchess said offering her paw.

“Let's shall, I mean yes your majesty." Sorren said grasping it. “How long has your tribe err... clan lived here?"

“Generations." The dragoness replied leading the way.

“We moved into this area after the stone folk abandoned it for some reason." Mathias replied.

“It was hard work building a functioning colony. It took a long time." Mattimeo added.

“But we made due." The brown sand dragon said scanning the village. There were four elegant fountains at the boundaries of the colony, a few small what looked like palm trees lined through out and a brick walkway within the interior. But the most prominent feature was a octagonal two level cottage with a white fenced balcony on the second floor and a fancy gold roof with a small spire on top.

“Wow. It is nicely constructed." The red dragon said admiring what he was seeing.

“We dug a series of wells which provided enough water for this." Jua said motioning to something green and lush beyond the cottage. “You like your majesty?"

“That garden is even bigger than the one in our city." Sorren remarked.

“Each of us take turns maintaining it." The brown sand dragon announced.

“And the rest of your diet?"

“We are hunter- gathers." The light brown sand dragon announced.

The leader of the sand folk escorted King Dragon through out her village and all thirty homes. Sorren got to meet each and every inhabitant of the tribe. He saw shaman Psi's home, he met weapons makers, clothes makers, pottery makers, artisans, builders, gardeners and more. He was amazed at how the Duchess deeply cared for her subjects.

Their tour ended at the aforementioned cottage which was actually Duchess Jua's palace. It wasn't as extravagant as the central tower in World Seven, but more than adequate for the leader of the sand folk.

Inside Sorren found carpeted floors, curtained walls and a small white platform and ornate white bench softly padded. It was here that Duchess Jua sat down. Her security detail on either side of her.

*HISS* *HISS*

“Yes it is impressive." The scorpion boy said as he and Sandu were lost in the magnificence of the structure. “This is probably the most important building in the village."

“It is." Mathias replied. “The balcony on the second floor provides a great view of the surrounding area."

“Come on don't be shy." The dragoness said patting at cushion to her right.

“Well you don't have to ask a fella twice." The goofy dragon said grinning.

King Dragon sat to the right of his main squeeze and observed how she ran her kingdom's affairs.

And so....

“How is the new irrigation project progressing?" Jua asked a builder.

“The initial designs have been made and the locations identified my liege." A slender yellow female replied bowing.

“When will work start?"

“Tomorrow your majesty."

“What is this new project Jua?" Sorren asked the sand folk's leader.

“The first in a series of projects to turn this patch of desert into an true oasis. Hopefully it will provide the garden and the village with a constant water supply for drinking and bathing." Jua replied. “I plan to make our village a stopping point for travelers seeking to trade goods and wares."

“That is very forward thinking my lady. But you might want to have some more outhouses too." The red dragon suggested. “You know some tourists like to eat!"

That comment made the Duchess laugh and laugh.

“I also have an idea for a waste system that will allow for more out-houses."

As King Dragon observed he gained a deep appreciation for this monarch and how she governed- wise, insightful, benevolent, and patient- especially when she had to mediate disputes.

“Duchess he stole my kill!!"

“Well she stole my spear!!"

“Well if you two can't work out your differences in accordance to our traditions you could invoke domchak." The female sand dragon said eyeing the the yellow and green dragons who sought her counsel.

“What is domchak?" Sorren asked Mathias.

“It is winner take all; a fight to the death."

“It is reserved for situations when two can't come to agreement." Martin said.

“Well?" The Duchess asked the two feuding former friends. “If you two were to fight one of you would lose your life over something as futile as meager possessions. Now is this dispute really worth it?"

“On second thought your majesty I will share my weapon." The he dragon said.

“I think I could share my meal." The she dragon replied.

“Dispute has been resolved." The white dragon said smiling wryly at the red dragon. “Next."

“Yes your majesty." Psi said walking into the court.

“Shaman."

“The matters I wanted to talk to you about." The grey dragon said bowing.

“Speak."

“The last few hunts have been unsuccessful; our game has left our ancestral territory."

“Do we know why?" The white dragon said leaning in.

“There has been whispers that the planet's balance has been disrupted duchess."

“It is not just us ma'am." Martin said bowing respectfully.

“Explain." The dragoness said eyeing the grey sand dragon.

“The marshfolk whose territory abuts ours to the south have disappeared mysteriously."

“Lady Ursa and Commander Rhinox have noticed something similar with the tree folk and the mud folk. Sorren said thinking out loud.

“Some have reported seeing strange creatures in that same area as if the marsh folk have been driven out." Psi continued.

“Several weeks ago one of my subjects was abducted and was missing for several days before being returned." The red dragon said to the white dragon.

“Yes I remember, his guardians haven't let him out of their site since. There is also the hedgehog boy that also has disappeared never to return- Hmm..."

“There was also that storm cloud that took up residence in the city." Sorren said placing his paw underneath his chin. “And the mysterious residents of a city in the clouds that attacked Alex Winter and Lady Ursa without provocation."

“Your thoughts your majesty?" Psi. asked.

“Missing game, disappearances, rumors of unrest in neighboring tribes? The balance of the planet does seem off. But why?"

“Is it all related?" Martin asked.

“I don't know." The dragoness started to respond as the ground shook.

“What the?" Psi shouted as a guard ran into the cottage.

“Your majesty the stone folk have returned!"

“Strange I don't remember having appointment with Umebo today."

“Duchess Jua they want this area back -GAH!!!" The guard looked down to see a circular hole cut through his chest. He collapsed right next to the rock that had blown through him.

“It is Umebo of the stone folk, he has gone mad!! UNGFF!!" Another shouted entering there was a big stone planted right in the middle of his forehead.

*HNNGH* He moaned as he collapsed.

Jua traded glances with Sorren as the cottage was pummeled with boulders.

“He is attacking?!!"

The leader of the sand folk stood up from her throne and walked to the entrance of her 'palace'. At the far end of the of village was a rock creature- molten red and black rampaging. Next to him where these creatures she had never seen before small eyes, large mouths black scales. Next to them more rock creatures. It was an invasion.

“Your orders your majesty?" Mathias asked as Psi, Martin, Linias, Sandu and Sorren joined her at the cottage entrance.

“We fight them." She grumbled. “All able bodied warriors assemble!"

“Linias, Mathias with me. Mattimeo, Sandu protect King Dragon and Duchess Jua." Psi said running through the doorway as a wall to the cottage was shattered by another boulder.

*KRASH*

The scorpion boy took a moment to trade glances with his king. Sorren nodded.

“Martin you are Jua's assistant are you not?"

“Yes your majesty?"

“I have had my own dealings with Ambassador Umebo..." Sorren started to say.

“King Dragon?"

“I have a message I need you to deliver..."

Now....

_2:11 PM Central Hanger. _

I made my way to where the prototypes were parked expecting to meet the knights who would be accompanying me on this mission. As I entered through the doorway it became stunningly clear how overtaxed the knight core was. That's right not a single vehicle was there.

I plopped down my medkit and returned to Knight Command in the central tower. That is where I found Chemar under attack by my supervisor.

“This is all there is?! Where is the senior staff?!!" Penny asked.

“All on assignment Penny, I am acting." The cheetah said uneasily.

“Acting as what? Duchess Jua's kingdom has suffered from a attack from an unlikely enemy! The boy on my med table walked hours in search of help! You need to scramble everything you have!"

“Boss I just came from the central hanger there isn't anything to scramble." I announced joining the conversation.

“All the prototypes are away on missions we are spread very thin at the moment." The acting supervisor acknowledged.

“Uh just how thin Chemar?"

“There are just six knights watching the city."

(Well damn.)

“Chemar the sand folk's village has come under attack- the boy in my infirmary stated their warriors were overwhelmed. Three hours have past- our leader and the sand folk's leader could quite possibly be dead." The she penguin said assuming a grim tone.

“Um let me think!!! Theresa and Oliver out- they pretty much resemble their truck and the Manassas are studying the fourth moon that appeared." Chemar said thinking out-loud.

“There is one remaining person in the city that has a vehicle. He will have to do." I announced.

“You mean Titanous?" The chetah asked.

“He has the camper he brought with him from the Nexus." I added.

“Alex you will be heading into a unknown dangerous situation." Chemar warned.

“Yes. But we can't just stand by and do nothing! It has been hours! How much longer are we going to wait?"

“It is probably getting worse by the minute. Very well I will give you Cole and Arugula." The mid-level knight said fidgeting.

(That will just leave four knights to watch over World Seven.)

“Alex do what you can but don't get yourself killed." The she penguin warned me.

“I will scramble what I can, when I can." The cheetah said to me.

“Yeah they just have to return from their missions first." I said snarkly.

2:30 PM Outside Central Tower...

I regathered my medical supplies and met the donkey and spring hare who would my guards for this mission.

“My this is quite an away team." Cole commented.

Arugula and I about lost it when our transportation arrived; a camper behind the wheel was a familiar canid beastial.

“So one call for a ride?" The jackal asked.

“It is hard to believe that Titanous has the only other vehicle in World Seven." Cole said examining the camper.

“Well there is plenty of room." The jackal said smiling. “Now we best be on our way."

The spring hare sat with the jackal up front while Cole and I took the rear.

“Everyone steel yourselves were are headed into an unknown situation it quite possible that the four of us may not return." The donkey announced.

“Nice speech, very motivational and engaging shall we be off?" The jackal asked.

And so we- this away team of two warriors, a medic and our driver departed World Seven on a rescue mission. As we took to the sky I turned back to see that flares were being launched by the knight core from the central tower in attempt to call back all the knights who were away on missions. Given the fact that there was no communication system to speak of- it was the best we had.

Not a word was said as the jackal headed toward the desert away from the arid highlands of the city. What would take hours by caravan was only minutes by air.

The hover vehicle flew over a forest then desolate wasteland of rock, stone and sand. In the distance were three mountain peaks which were as tall as sky scrapers the center one looked like a volcano. “Land there." Cole ordered the jackal.

“Isn't that a bit far from the sand folk's village?" Titanous asked.

“Yes it is." Arugula responded.

“So what gives?"

“Titanous, we don't know what we are walking into. This would be much better if Attack Beast or the prototypes were here but they are not and we don't know when they are coming either." I replied.

“There are most likely going to be casualties and the last thing we need is for you to become one as well. Wait here. If we don't return..." The donkey started say.

“Tuck tail between my legs and retreat?" The jackal asked.

“Alex, Arugula with me." Cole said exiting the camper. “Weapons at the ready."

I grabbed my gear and followed behind. “Titanous be safe."

There was almost no coverage; the ground was rust colored with sparse patches of brush here and there. The sky out here was also a dark red- a foreshadowing of what was ahead of us.

The town just jutted out from the desert a type of oasis from the nothing surrounding it in either direction. The situation was grim; about half of the homes had been toppled, demolished and destroyed. The other half had been ransacked and there was misery everywhere. I noticed a number of Jua's subjects were lying on the ground, under rubble and stone folk were walking about patrolling that which they had concurred.

“This is a massacre!" I shouted kneeling to check on some of the fallen- a young couple the male had brown short horns, green eyes. His companion was tan slightly smaller, her horns were longer. Both were wearing one piece garments that covered their torsos. Their faces frozen in fear.

“Can you do anything for them?" The spring hare asked studying our surroundings.

“No. It is like they had all the water sucked out of their bodies."

“These three over here looked like the were flattened." Cole gasped.

I ran my scanner over them. “It was like they were crushed by something large.

Arugula grabbed the wrist of another luckless soul the corpse turned to dust in her paw.

“What kind of creature can do that?!" She gasped.

“We need to find King Dragon NOW." I demanded.

(Sorren please be okay.)

The donkey motioned to me that we were going to check on the remaining structures one by one looking for survivors while avoiding enemy patrols. The spring hare up front, me in the middle and he in the rear.

Arugula opened the door of a partially collapsed red brick structure. Inside we found a lanky greenish tan dragon with yellow eyes and short horns.

“You will pay for this!" He shouted his nostrils smoking.

“Whoa easy! We are here to help!" I shouted. “I am Alex Winter, a medic from World Seven. These two are Cole and Arugula from the knight core."

“As long as you are not one of them... come in! Come in! It is not safe to be out there."

“Is there anyone else here with you?" Cole asked looking around.

The sand dragon shook his head while I pulled out my med kit and started scanning him.

“Your wrist and leg are broken and you have a slight concussion Mister...." I announced.

“Nomi. You three are lucky you didn't get savaged."

“Can you tell us what happened here?" The spring hare said kneeling why I started Splinting his leg.

“It was the stone folk. No one knows what made them attack, they showed no mercy- taunting, rampaging and killing. What you see is all that remains."

“What about your defense forces?" Cole asked.

“We tried to fight them off, but they were too many and too strong." The sand dragon said.

“Well it looks like we are in the clear for now." Arugula said peeking out the window.

“No. They keep coming back it is like they are trying to pick off survivors."

“Or they want something." The spring hare replied pointing at some movement outside.

The donkey joined her.

“That is Ambassador Umebo but who is that with him?"

“Large mouths, red eyes, green skin, suction cup hands they look like walking leeches." The spring hare said to the donkey. “I think they have seen us! Get down!"

*GAROAR!!!*

No sooner had she uttered those words the leader of the stone folk curled himself into a boulder and went bowling from survivors. Nomi's house was flattened as if a tornado had hit it.

*BWOOSH*

“We were now out in the open for all to see."

I felt something clasp my head and I suddenly started to feel very weak. It was like my life force was being drained from my body. I looked to my right Arugula was fighting three of those walking leech things. Cole was trying to fight two of the stone folk with his sword and Nomi and I were surrounded.

*KLANG* *KLANG* Cole's sword was hitting rock.

(This is bad, very bad.)

I tried shaking off whatever had a grip on my head but it wouldn't move. I ended up using the point of my grappling hook.

*SCREECH*

It was one of those walking leaches. I gouged out its eye which caused it to stumble back away from me. I took the opportunity; I charged stabbing it right square in the chest. It fell backward.

*SLASH* *SLASH*

I watched the spring hare fell two of her attackers with her short sword before dropping two smoke pellets creating just enough cover for us to flee.

(Time to go.)

In the confusion Cole and I grabbed Nomi and followed Arugula to the remains of a nice looking cottage at the center of the village. It appeared to be an hexagonal two level. The upper level appeared to have been sheered off.

“Good thinking young one." The sand dragon said complementing the ninja.

“Not that good they found us again."

“Ambassador Umebo what is the meaning of this assault stand down!" Cole shouted at the rock creature.

The knight received his answer in kind.

*STRIKE*

*AUGH*

“He won't listen to reason." Nomi warned. “It is like he is possessed."

“Our situation turned dire as more stone folk and leech creatures emerged from the ground like zombies. They started surrounding us; moving in for the kill. It was like they were lying in wait knowing that someone would try to help.

“There are too many of them!" I shouted looking from left to right.

“Fall back to the cottage!" The spring hare announced dragging Nomi.

“Cole!" I shouted.

“Alex my legs..." The donkey announced as I noticed movement from the remains of the cottage.

*HISS* *HISS*

“Sandu!!!"

The fire lizard emerged from the cottage hurtling fireballs at our attackers hitting some, but mostly providing cover fire. He was joined by one of Duchess Jua's guards.

“Mattimeo!!!"

We quickly made our way inside.

“Status?" Cole asked.

“Bad." The sand dragon replied. “Umebo and those things kicked our keisters and have taken over the village. Mathias, Linias, Duchess Jua tried to evacuate as many as they could. Sandu, King Dragon, myself and shaman Psi tried to hold them off while the others fled."

“Well you didn't do a good job." Nomi replied.

“We decided to make our final stand here." The light brown dragon replied.

“So where are the others?" Arugula asked.

“Hopefully somewhere away from here. But King Dragon is injured..." Mattimeo said pointing.

I made my way to what most likely was the throne room. I found King Dragon passed out on the floor a pool of blood coming from his mouth. Next to him a grey sand dragon who I presumed was shaman Psi. The two of them stayed and fought to make sure the rest could escape.

I quickly assessed the both of them Sorren had internal injuries that needed tending to- while shaman Psi... all signs of life had ceased. I did what I could for our ruler- but he needed to be in the infirmary in World Seven now.

I walked back to the front of the Duchess Jua's Palace where I found the Arugula, Sandu and Mattimeo fighting off the invaders.

“GET BACK!" Mattimeo shouted as he blindly charged a blackish red rock creature with yellow horizontal striations across its body. The creature stood a good six feet tall, carried a blank expression and was rather bulky.

The sand dragon's attack was met with a back hand swat that sent him spiraling into the back into the cottage.

The female ninja darted in from my left running toward the stone creature at blinding speed she threw something at it that exploded in its face before similarly being swatted away.

Sandu grumbled and hurtled several balls of lava at the red rock creature who just grunted like he had been tickled with a feather.

“Are you ok?" I asked helping the spring hare off her butt and to her paws.

“Yeah, I but we aren't going to be able to hold out much longer."

“How did you three manage to hold your position for so long?" The injured donkey asked.

“We managed." Mattimeo said standing up.

Cole, Arugula, Nomi and myself watched as Jua's guard regained his footing, picked up his spear. He then spun it faster and faster making an artificial sand storm.

(Nice trick.)

Sandu joined in hurtling more lava blasts into the sand and wind.

*WAGH!!!* The stone creatures roared as it was pushed back.

“It is only a matter of time before they advance again! What are we going to do?" The spring hare asked the donkey.

“I don't know! Anyone have ideas?" The mid-level knight asked.

*VRRROOOMMM*

“Someone call for an evac?" A familiar jackal said landing his camper adjacent to our location.

“Titanous!" I shouted.

“I thought we ordered you to stay put!" Cole said to the insubordinate jackal.

“I bet you are glad I didn't. But if you want me to retreat..." He said grinning.

“Arugula, Alex get Nomi and King Dragon. Mattimeo, Sandu provide cover." Cole ordered.

“Right." We said in unison.

It wasn't easy but we somehow were able to load Sorren, Nomi into the camper. Then Cole who was in severe pain from his injuries.

“Is that all Titanous?!" Shouted.

“Almost! Mattimeo, Sandu let's get!" I said waving at the door.

“Right."

*HISS* *HISS*

With the final passengers inside I told our jackal driver to floor it.

“Ok every one next stop anywhere but here." Titanous announced as the camper shook violently and was tossed on it's side and all of us within.

“Please tell me that this contraption can right itself!" Nomi asked.

“Negative." Cole moaned. “Alright Titanous, Alex, Arugula, Mattimeo, Sandu I am sorry for dragging you into this."

“You are not saying what I think you are saying sir?" The she ninja asked.

“I am; we are not going to get out of this- save yourselves I will hold them off."

“With what? Your broken pelvis?" I asked the mid-level knight.

*HISS* *HISS* *HISS* The fire lizard said indignantly.

“What did he say?" Titanous asked.

“We are not returning without our king. His loss to our city, our colony would be immeasurable." I said to the jackal knight as the camper shook violently. “Or something like that."

Sandu nodded.

“Looks like we are making our FINAL stand here sir." The spring hare announced grabbing her short sword from its sheath.

The fire lizard nodded as the ground surrounding the hover vehicle started to shake again but suddenly stopped being replaced by the sound of loud pounding.

*POUND* *POUND* *POUND*

All of us thought this was the end thinking that the sounds we were hearing was the utility vehicle and its camper being crushed by the stone folk.

“Guys you aren't going to believe this." Our driver said. “There is some type of shield holding them off.

I crawled into the front of the cab in to see Umebo, his subordinates and leech creatures all pounding on this invisible shield encasing the camper.

“What is going on?" Mattimeo asked alarmed.

“Our salvation." I replied exiting the camper, the she ninja, fire lizard and jackal followed.

We saw a red prototype disengage its holo-projector and a female badger and nervous cheetah step out.

“Barq, Chemar!" I shouted running toward the senior and mid-level knights.

“Sorry for the delay." Chemar said waving to the blue coupe that was flying over our position.

“How long have you been here ma'am?" The spring hare asked the badger.

“Long enough." Lady Barq said walking around the perimeter of the extended deflector shield that was protecting us from oblivion.

“Sanda and Kala are searching the surrounding area for survivors. What is your status?" The chetah asked.

“We have injured." Mattimeo said.

“King Dragon, Cole and others." I replied.

“Chemar, Arugula, Mattimeo, Sandu, Titanous right the RV." Lady Barq said barking orders.

The female warrior then went to the edge of the barrier to observe our assailants.

“Ambassador Umebo you have committed an act of war by attacking a neighboring tribe. I order you to stand down and surrender!"

The leader of the stone folk and his horde continued to pound on the deflector shield oblivious to the knight's commands.

“The camper has been righted and the wounded have been secured." Arugula announced.

“They are not listening to reason." The badger said to me. “It is like they are crazed."

“Looks like your orders have fallen on deaf ears." The cheetah replied.

*POUND* *POUND* *POUND*

*Lady Barq deflector status is at 57%.*

“They are not going to let us out of here without a fight my lady." Chemar said approaching the passenger side of the red coupe.

“We were facing annihilation before you two arrived." Arugula added.

Lady Barq stood in perfect silence for a moment.

“What she going to do?" The jackal asked.

“What is necessary to for all of to get out here alive." The spring hare replied.

“She is going to bring it." I said ushering my companions back to the now righted camper.

“Roadie engage side-pods prepare machine guns and missiles." The badger warrior said sitting down back within the cockpit.

*Lady Barq may I remind you that the armaments we are about to expend- there is no way to replace them once they are used.*

“Automated assistant may I remind you that a tribe conducted an unprovoked attack on another looting, plundering and killing innocents and attacking its leadership and ours." The badger said countering the argument.

Chemar sat back down in the copilot seat and started typing on the keyboard that emerged from the glovebox. The probe launched from the rear of the prototype. The holo-projector also made twenty copies of the red prototype outside the deflector shield confounding the enemy.

“AMAZING." Mattimeo said staring.

“We should get inside where it safe." I said ushering the sand dragon.

The side-pods were deployed. Titanous, Cole, Arugula, Sandu, Nimo, Mattimeo and myself watched as the red coupe dropped the deflector shield.

A group of the leech creatures ran straight toward Lady Barq and Chemar in the prototype. They were met with a barrage of bullets. Their bodies dancing violently as they were loaded with lead before falling to the ground and bleeding out.

We watched as three missiles fired from the left side-pod making direct hits to Umebo and those next to him who were attacking the holo-projections of the prototype.

*CH-BOOM*

*KRAAK*

Bits of rock and sand went flying everywhere when it cleared Umebo was the lone combatant he looked to his left and to his right seeing the bodies of his comrades in bits and pieces destroyed by this red hover vehicle. He charged at it in a desperate attempt to make its occupants pay for what they had done.

That was when he noticed a red beam come from seemingly out of no where make a horizontal cut from lower left to upper right on his body. No sooner had that happened

the upper half started sliding off of its lower half.

The assault on the sand folk's village was over. Moments later the blue coupe drove in from the east with those who had evacuated the village a wounded monarch was among them.

“Mattimeo!"

“Mathias!"

The duchess guards ran to greet each other as did a scorpion boy and fire lizard.

“Sandu!"

*HISS* *HISS*

“I trust the battle here was just as fierce as was ours?" The brown dragon said to the tan dragon.

“Well we were the distraction- you had the harder job of protecting the rest of the tribe." Mattimeo said to Mathias.

“Duchess! Thank goodness!" I said to approaching the leader of the sand folk.

“How is Sorren?" She asked as I ran up to greet her.

“Wounded as are you." I replied reaching for my medkit. “You fared better though."

“What about Psi?"

“Your healer he didn't make it." I replied.

While Roadie and Overwatch kept guard, we walked through the remains of her village. She took time to look at all the deceased.

Psi's remains were in the ruins of the cottage. The dragoness dropped to her knees scanning where he had fallen. There was a green totem nearby. She picked it up and placed on his chest.

*GASP*

The grey colored dragon inhaled and sprang back to life.

(WHAT?)

“Welcome back old friend."

“Did we win?" He sat up looking around.

“With some help." The she beast replied.

“It doesn't look like it." Psi said looking around.

“Sixty percent of the village has been destroyed, our defense force was decimated and there isn't much left to rebuild."

“So what are your plans your majesty?" I asked.

“We start over, we have to." She said to the two of us.

“Only to have it happen again."

“Psi?"

“The stone folk tried to take our village, our territory for themselves. We beat them back, but what is to prevent them from trying again your majesty?"

“So what you are saying is that our position here is indefensible?" The ruler asked her second in command.

“I would propose we ask our allies for assistance."

“I am sure King Dragon would have no problem allowing you sanctuary. I mean we have the space." I said smiling as Kala and Lady Barq joined us.

“I believe everyone has been accounted for." The gorilla female said.

“How many dead?" The Duchess asked.

“Twelve." The badger replied.

“All right everyone from a line! We are leaving. The young and old in front, the able bodied fighters in the center and back. I will bring up the rear!" The leader of the sand folk shouted.

I watched the newly formed caravan leave the remnants of the village for World Seven.

“What of him?" Psi asked looking at the leader of the stone folk and his remains.

“URRR?" The rock creature said blinking his eyes and looking around. It was like he was coming out of a dream. “He looked around the remains of the sand folk's village and then at us."

“You are our prisoner." Jua said grinding her teeth. “You will answer for what happened here today."

“URRR?"

“Although I doubt we will be able to get any information as to why he and the rest of his kind attacked." Jua said ordering her guards to pick up Umebo's pieces.

“Your majesty?" I asked befuddled.

“Alex Winter." Kala said stopping me as the monarch walked off.

“What is it?" I asked the two female knights.

“Kala and I don't think the stone folk were solely behind this attack on the sand folk's village- willingly at least there is something more sinister going on ...."

(WHOA.)

To Be Continued....