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Counter Earth Chronicles - Fallen Empire

Chapter 107: Between This World And The Next

Day 298 [November 2nd] (Medical, World Seven Central Tower)

“Good morning…." Penny Penguin said as she entered the conference room to start her staff meeting. She then stopped and examined her subordinates as reality set in. “Geez, I didn't realize I have such a motley crue!!!"

“We have been on this world three months and you are just realizing that now?" A female caprine asked sarcastically.

“What do you mean boss?" Nezera said, trying to act all innocent despite displaying her fangs.

“Don't get me wrong, I was glad to be promoted to the head of medical- I just never in my wildest dreams believed that I would be supervising a rogue scientist's minion, a medicine lady, a vampire and a knight's pet." Penny lamented.

“We are living in interesting times ma'am." The caprine responded trying to stifle a yawn.

“Be that as it may, we are YOUR motley crue." Nezera said staring down the she penguin.

“Um yes and thank you for coming. I know it is still night out, but by our time system it is 8:00 AM."

“Penny it doesn't help that we are trying to use a 24 hour clock system on a planet that has 36 hour days." Lilly Blossom observed.

“Noted." The senior healer said to the caprine medicine lady.

“Doesn't affect me, I like the night." Nezera said.

“It might help if we did change our system to account for the extra 12 hours." The dark tan lioness sitting next to me yawned. “Thirteen AM anybody?"

“Watch it Shakara that is contagious." I warned her before the inevitable happened.

*YAWN*

“Are you finding my meeting boring Mr. Winter?" Penny asked.

“No ma'am." I replied trying to stifle another yawn.

(Man, what a night, Lady Ursa worked me and Shakara over really good. But despite that I did sleep kind of well although I am sore.)

I snatched a glance as my devious person winked at me as the Infirmary's newly promoted leader droned on and on and on. It made me long for the old days when it was just Shakara and myself watching over everyone else.

“So what do you think Ms. Kubari?" The penguin asked starring directly at her.

“Huh? What was the question again Penny?"

(BUSTED!!!)

I guess I wasn't the only individual recovering from our night time fun.

“I was asking what you thought about additional staffing? Presently we have three healers and two medics. I think we need to add someone else."

“Do you have anyone in mind Penny?" I yawned.

“No. That is why I am seeking your input- think back to the colonies each of you came from. Did anyone assist in helping you with your duties?"

“No, it was just Shakara and me in our colony." I replied.

“I was the designated healer at first, but I decided not to travel with Naka or Song on their journey." Lily Blossom replied.

“Don't look at me, I was looking out for myself." The grey lady bat replied. “It was before I started caring about each of you."

“And I was the healer for Kala and her bunch after I was liberated from the Horde." Penny replied. “Anway, I want recommendations from each of you on who we could add to our group."

(This sounds like it is going to be a long boring meeting. I would rather be doing something else, anything else. Even journaling. Fortunately I brought mine.)

*scribble* *scribble*

Picking up where I left off... Where was that? Oh right. After the dance party on the beach Shira and I had confronted Mr. Xava after realizing he had used hypnosis to compel us to stay in the nexus with Dongo, Doria, Dom, Aboa and Titanous.

“I asked you a question." I said as the grey otter's eyes turned very black and he reformed into a hideous octoid like creature- green scaly skin with green splotches, webbed hands and feet, oval eyes with a red horizontal slit and tentacles where his mouth should have been it kind of looked like a faux beard. “Um, sir." I said backing up.

“I don't like your tone boy." Mr. Xava said morphing back to the grey otter with the black eyes.

“Was that what you really look like?" The little brown otter asked.

“Not now sweetie."

“Mr. Xava." Shira asked. “Why?"

“Acala, Tippi, Dongo, Doria, Dom, Aboa, Titanous and even you two are the closest thing to a family I have. The past few months here hiding out from the rest of the world have been the best times of my entire life. I don't want it to change." The grey otter said as Acala put her arm around him. “Besides, everyone here is happy."

“Can you truly say that?" The saber tooth tigress asked the shapeshifter. “It doesn't feel like we were given the opportunity to find out for ourselves.

“Mr. Xava I know that you don't want things to change here, but you know that they will. The forces that are reshaping the planet are expanding and will eventually find this place and then what?" I said snapping the shapeshifter back into reality.

“I suppose I could change their hearts and minds too Mr. Winter, perhaps convincing them to move on." Mr. Xava said.

“Perhaps you could. But what if they can see through your hypnosis? Why take the risk?" Shira asked gently.

“Because I can't leave." Acala said breaking into the conversation.

“Mom?"

“My dear?" The grey otter said to the brown otter.

“They should know. I have a degenerative, incurable condition that without his influence would have turned me into a living breathing plushie doll. It developed from a very rare insect bite after my arrival here."

“I knew Mr. Xava was the reason for your recovery." The little otter said looking at her mother. “I knew it!"

“As long as I stay with Mr. Xava's, under his influence, I can live as normal a life as possible. But it can be only here."

“Because this is where his power is the strongest?" Tippi asked her mother. “What about the hypnosis?"

“Now that is new." Acala asked, turning toward her companion.

“A recent discovery of mine." The grey otter said.

“The rest of the inhabitants- they are under your influence as well aren't they?" I asked the shapeshifter point blank.

“Yes."

“You know why Shira and I are here. We are trying to save our colony as well as those who have allied with us. That is why we are seeking assistance." I said prodding him again. “Please."

Mr. Xava looked at Acala and Tippi.

“Very well." The shapeshifter said.

The otter family left Dom's RV and joined everyone on the beach. We followed.

“I knew there was something more to this place." Dom said sitting down.

“You released us?" Aboa asked uneasily.

“The only suggestion I gave you was a strong desire to stay here." The grey otter said.

“So apart from that our actions were our own." Titanous said looking at Shira lustfully.

She traded glances with him as I did with Aboa.

“That is good to know." The cervine said in agreement.

“Mr. Xava…" Dongo exclaimed, turning to the otter.

“You know why. You saw what was left of the empire." He said to the hyena. “So did Tippi it is dangerous out there- death lurks around every corner. It is safe here."

“Mr. Xava what exactly are you?" Doria asked.

“Perhaps that is another story for another time." The grey otter started to say acting mysterious."

Tippi reached for his arm. “How about the short version… dad."

“Very well this place, the nexus is my place of origin, my home. Thirty four years ago I was taken from here by a scouting party for the new ruler of the empire. I was imprisoned and studied for a long time. Due to my age and inexperience my captors didn't know what to make of me and I didn't fully comprehend my situation, so I studied those who studied me."

“Oh my." Doria exclaimed.

“It is not as bad as it sounds my dear, as I grew older, I longed to return to my home. That opportunity occurred December 31st. I escaped my handlers and prison as the empire began to crumble."

“That is when you ran into Doria, Acala, Tippi and myself." Dongo said in amazement.

“Yes." The grey otter said.

“And you took pity and led us to the only place you thought we would be safe." Acala added.

“Yes." The shapeshifter replied.

“Thank you Tippi." Said hugging the shapeshifter.

“So you initially used us to return to your place of origin." Dom added.

“But as the months went on you didn't want any of us to leave." Aboa concluded.

“I have grown to care about all of you deeply. You are my family." Mr. Xava admitted.

“So you bode no ill will to those that kidnapped you?" The cervine next to me said.

“And did who knows what to you?" The hyena asked.

“No. The empire is no more nor are those who experimented on me as well. It was because of those experiments that I discovered I could change my shape and assume others. I know now it was wrong for me to force all of you to stay here."

“Everyone my offer still stands, we are looking for a means to relocate our colony off world. Dom, Aboa your vehicles would aid us in that task." Shira said gently. “As compensation if any of you want to accompany us we will take you as well."

“So you two are giving up on this world completely?" Titanous said, cutting his eyes.

“Our experiences over the last eight months have led us to conclude that things are not going to get better until the new enemies are defeated." I said snapping everyone back into reality.

“So you are planning on cutting and running." Aboa concluded.

“We plan on starting over far from here, a place that is not besieged by darkness."

There was chatter amongst the group as they pondered their futures.

“Look I know there is concern about just giving up, but I know for a fact that many other cultures and civilizations have tried to fight and beat ONE and failed." I said throwing that fact out to everyone present.

“But just giving up…" Aboa said.

“Ok I sense hesitation. There are some in our colony that share your concerns as well- what if Dom and Aboa lend us their assistance and in return we will give the evacuees an option to come with us to the new world or relocate here to the nexus?" I said sweetening the deal.

Day 212 [August 8th] 6:10 PM (Lady Ursa's Office, Central Building.)

“Outstanding job pet." My fierce ursine warrior said.

“Although you two did take your time coming back." Lady Barq said as our debriefing commenced.

“HEY!!!" Shira growled. “We ran into some complications."

“Such as?" Commander Rhinox asked folding his arms on the meeting table.

“We didn't want to come back. That was primarily because we and the inhabitants of the nexus were under the influence of a creature hiding among them." I replied to the leaders of our colony.

“It worked out in the end."

“How so?" The badger asked the tigress.

“We convinced the creature to let everyone there make their own decisions for themselves." Shira said with a wry smile.

“I wonder how many will go and who will stay?" My she beast pondered. “Rhinox, Barq make the announcement."

“So when is departure?"

“Tomorrow pet. While you and Shira were away Feleen warned us about another forthcoming visit from ONE."

“So this is indeed our last night here in the city." The sabertooth tigress said.

(WOW!!)

“It feels so surreal. I mean this place, our home for the last seven months. It sheltered us, protected us and we it. Many, many times over." I said to my female companions wistfully.

“Ursa what about Zhade?"

“He deserved the right to come along as well." My perfect person responded.

That night not many in the colony received a good night's rest. While the leadership was finalizing their evacuation plan, the rest of the community packed and said goodbye to their homes and the underground city.

Day 213 [August 9th] 6:30 AM (The eastern maze)

“Ms. Una?" Professor Stern asked the female naga.

“Everyone is accounted for except for Commander Rhinox, Shira, and Lady Barq." The snake lady replied said scanning the crowd.

“They have gone ahead in the prototypes to check the route." My sister's doppelganger replied. “Madam knight?"

My pregnant brown bear stepped in front of the crowd that had assembled at the entrance to the eastern maze.

“Thank you Ms. Stern. Friends, family and loved ones. Today is the culmination of much strategic planning and hard work. Today we are leaving this planet which has been our home since our creation, for another. In a sense we will be refugees fleeing this world that has descended into darkness and chaos for stability of another."

“Those that do not wish to accompany us on this journey will have the option of relocating to an alternate location." Dawn said addressing the crowd.

“What if we want to stay here?" A walrus in the crowd asked.

“Not possible. Our enemies know about the Lost City and staying here is a recipe for annihilation." My fierce ursine warrior said staring him down.

“Everyone form a single line. Ananias and T'hoka will take the lead. Tanya, Corey and Rumble will bring up the rear. Ghari and Arugula will watch the center. Linias, Sandu and Haem inbetween." Dawn said.

“The rest of you pick a spot behind one of our warriors. Buddy up and stay close to them. We have a dangerous journey ahead. After we leave the maze, we must walk for several miles through the monster king's territory to our transportation and I don't want a single life lost. Am I clear?" Lady Ursa said.

Meanwhile...

“Aboa right here. Park right here." The little otter said to the deer.

“Why can't we go any further?" The cervine asked.

“Past this point is where the sky turns red and hover vehicles fail."

“You mean this is where you wrecked your mother's sedan isn't it?" Dom said overhearing.

The little she otter grimaced before she nodded. “This is the extent of the synoptic's hold over the area. This is also the Monster King's domain."

“This is the agreed meeting spot." The puma asked. “So what do we do now?"

“We wait." The cervine said.

And so our departure began on a beautiful August morning.

“Today is the day!!" Mia said gleefully

“We are leaving for a better place!!" Yogi said excitedly.

“Yeah I can't wait!! Little Corey said excited.

“Not so loud you three, do you want the enemy to hear you?" The scorpion boy asked.

“Sorry." Little Corey said to the trident holding monster.

“Less talking, more walking and stay close to me." Linias said to the yeti and his human friends.

“So this is how it ends." Dianna said to her mate. “I really liked where we lived."

“Immaterial dear." Hue said looking at the she centaur. “Our leaders had a hard time defending and protecting the place."

“I guess you are right."

“But you know what? Home is where you and I, Corey, Mia and Lolly can be together as a family, whether it be this world or the next."

“Well said Mr. Wild." Melinda nodded in agreement.

“As a future father myself I can really understand your reasoning." Milton interjected.

“Something wrong Shakara?" I asked the pensive dark tan lioness.

“I felt that I forgot something little cutie."

“You remembered to pack all scanning tools?"

“Yes."

“What about our documentation and collective knowledge?"

“I remembered that."

“Herbs, medicines, elixirs, potions and antivenom?" I said testing the red eyed lioness.

“Affirmative."

“I say you are good."

“Nice day for an evacuation." The black haired teen said readying his crossbow. “Something wrong Rumble?"

“...trouble…" The honorary beastial said as our migration came to an abrupt stop.

Standing in front of Ananias and T'hoka was Malice. Animus, Vicious and Insidious were with her.

“Something I can do for you creature?" The silverback gorilla said staring down the cat monster.

“You are in our territory at this hour… why?"

“We are on a journey and are only passing through." The Mountain reedbuck said drawing his sword.

I watched as the warriors segmented the line in order to protect the civilians nearest to them. Tanya, Corey and Rumble in the rear, Ghari and Arugula in front of them, Linias, Sandu and Haem who were in front of Shakara and myself.

“Malice just let us pass." The scorpion boy said to the cat creature.

“And if not?" Animus asked.

The wyvern received his answer as the blue and red prototypes magically appeared in front of the four weapons locked on to their targets.

*Hiss* *Hiss* The fire lizard said to the cat creature who was momentarily startled.

“What did Sandu say?" T'hoka asked the scorpion boy.

“He just reminded her of the thrashing she received the last time she attacked our colony." Linias said. Today it would be much worse because we all are present.

“You are very lucky boy. We have a new leader now. Unlike our previous, he is not interested in you or your miscreants friends."

“That is good to know." Linias said as he, Haem and Sandu walked by the Malice, Animus, Vicious and Insidious.

We walked for four more miles before reaching Aboa's and Dom's RVs.

“We made it!!" Ms. Una shouted in celebration. “We made it!!!"

“Was there ever a doubt?" Corbin asked the she snake.

“Alright everyone split off into two groups." Professor Stern ordered. “Group one in this RV over here. Group two in the other."

I wound up being in group one. I noticed that Dongo, Doria and Titanous weren't on either RV.

“Where to mac?" The female cervine said as I sat down in the passenger seat.

“Follow the red, blue and white hover vehicles Aboa."

“Tippi!!" The Wild children shouted from somewhere in the back of the RV.

“Have you decided to come with us?" A yeti asked hopefully.

“Well, not exactly." The little otter said to her friends.

And so our charted RVs took off for the wilderness west of World ONE, to the prairie, the chasm and the space-gate.

“Hopefully you and Dom didn't have to wait too long." I said to our driver as we made our way southwest.

“It was long enough." She said smiling at me. “By the by, I caught a glimpse of your lionesses. She has some really big boobs."

(Sigh, it is going to be a long trip.)

Aboa and Dom avoided World Three and World ONE on our way to the destination. Taking us slightly longer to get there.

9 AM (The chasm.)

“Well here you are all safe and sound."

“How you and Dom landed the RV in here is truly amazing!" Tippi exclaimed.

“We are almost home everyone." Dawn said stepping out of Dom's RV.

“Everyone that is traveling off world take your things and follow Lady Barq, Lady Ursa, Rhinox and Shira to the platform over there." Corbin announced.

Tippi, Yogi, Mia and Little Corey watched as everyone from Dom's RV exited and made their way to the platform surrounded by eight obelisks and disappeared in a vertical stream of light.

“All right everyone who is going, do the same!" I announced.

Corbin, Aboa, and professor Stern watched as the members of our colony exited the RV and headed towards the space-gate and like the other group disappeared in a vertical stream of light. Except for a few hold outs.

“This is where we part." The brown otter said to the mongoose, yeti and the Wild children.

“We are going to miss you Tippi." Yogi said tearing up.

Mia, Little Corey and even Corbin started crying.

“I would say come by for tea every now and again but I guess that won't be possible."

“Don't worry. I will keep an eye on her." A rabbit hybrid said.

“And I will keep and eye on the both of them." A half human/half tiger said.

“Zhade, Kenna you both decided to stay?" I asked.

“Yeah as exciting as this new planet you speak of is. Kenna and I decided Counter Earth whatever condition it is in, is our home." Zhade replied.

“Well welcome aboard." Aboa said.

“Dom!" The cervine said to the puma we should be going."

“Right."

“Hey, Alex. Don't be a stranger."

“Actually I won't. We still have a few neighboring colonies we would like to evacuate as well." I said waving as the two RVs departed for the nexus.

“Everyone ready?" Dawn asked.

“Yeah." My little brother said following his adoptive mother to the platform we had seen the rest of the colony disappear on.

Yogi, Mia, Little Corey and myself joined.

There was a blinding flash and long vertical stream of light.

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

Just like that we wound up on the other side of the universe.

“What a rush!!" Mia's brother said.

“This platform looks identical to the one in the chasm." Mia replied.

“Right this way." My sister's doppelganger said leading us through a doorway to the outside.

The space-gate platform was in a small building near the central tower of the second lost city unofficially titled World 7.

We stepped out into the street finding the rest of the members of our colony being greeted by six of the Chado in a triangular formation.

The lead stepped forward to greet Lady Ursa, Lady Barq, Rhinox and Shira as the remaining five moved to the side of the street and clapped.

“*screech* *screech* Welcome…. Friends….."

“Thank you." Lady Ursa said meeting the creature's paw in hers.

“Manderine you have been practicing." Dawn said to the red eyed creature.

“Yes… The rest of your family are waiting…"

Behind the clapping Chado was the rest of the greeting party, Chemar, Sanda, Cole and certain red dragon.

Since Dawn, Corbin, Lady Ursa and myself were the first members of the Lost City on Counter Earth, our group decided we should enter the new lost city err… World 7.

And all that occurred on August 9th our moving day. Rumble would later tell me that the night before leaving the lost city Corey left a few surprise parting gifts in the south, west and north mazes with a note in case any of the synoptic's minions returned to try and conquer us.

Knowing Mr. Collins as well as I do, the note probably said something like- We Have Moved!! Please Visit Us At Our New Location: Nowhere Near You!!!

*scribble* *scribble*

So that is how we arrived on planet Chaundoon with the Chado's help. They would become our landlords, close friends and allies on our new homeworld. In the coming days as we got settled in, we would also realize why those beings with the red eyes, hourglass abdomens and long arms let us move to their planet. But wait, I am getting ahead of myself.

To Be Continued…