Counter Earth Chronicles - Dual Realities

Chapter 57: The Worst Monsters Aren't Those We Bring With Us

December 3rd, YOE 35

9:30 AM Free Counter Earth (The Lair, Castle Wundagore)

“Greetings my little comfort animal." My beastial boyfriend said within our virtual meeting place.

“Right back at you my emotional support animal." I replied.

I so wanted to hug him. But the virtual space only resembled our room at the Oasis Inn; there wasn't any physicality to it at all.

“I wish all this were real- where we could actually sit down, relax and enjoy ourselves." I pouted.

“I agree if this were our actual room right now… I would strip you naked, lay you down- arms forward on that bed and then UMF, UMF, UMF, UMF, AROOOO!!!" He said making bedroom eyes at me.

“And after you had finished, I would crawl on to your back, swing your tail aside, slide inside you, feeling your warm, your touch and then UMF, UMF, UMF, UMF RRRRRRRRGH!!!" I countered.

“And afterward?" Spirit asked me.

“You would nuzzle me and I would cuddle with you."

“Would Commander Ursa be there?" He aked bouncing his eyebrows at me.

“Maybe if we asked nicely." I teased right back.

“Well maybe not, our intel suggests that after acting commander Ignatius got de-evolved the rest of the knight leadership is in a state of panic."

“Yes, my mistress, commanders Keiko, Rhinox and the newly promoted commander Wolf are wondering if they are going to be next." I said glumly. 

“I know you have been treating her sore behind from the paddling she has received the last several days."

“And loving every minute of it." I gushed.

“Perhaps she should think about defecting. Specifically if that gets much worse." The tian mountain dog suggested.

“I was thinking about that but it is improbable in light of what Deerfeeder did to Sir Ram and Mara."

“Well the KLIS situation has been quite beneficial to the rebellion, with the knights distracted we have been able to move more second class citizens out of the cities; the population of the Oasis has increased 20%."

“That is great to know…." I started to say as the simulation abruptly ended and I found myself on the sectional sofa back in the greatroom of the lair looking at an image of a dall sheep in a white lab coat on the view screen.

“Really Mr. Winter, gaming at a time like this?" 

“We all need our distractions, Dr. Pina." I replied respectfully. 

(Especially from you.)

“Come see me Mr. Winter, I need to speak with you."

10:02 AM Free Counter Earth (Technology Museum, World Three)

“So the four of you have been hanging out here?" Panda Lee asked questioning Cody Spenser.

“That explains why Arthur wanted me to cover for him. Yes Mr. Speedwell we are having another sleepover at my house!" Milo said quoting what he had said to Arthur's father.

“It is like I told you Arthur, Minka, Primrose and myself were trying to find a solution to the KLIS problem."

“Yeah after Minka discovered Master Koala's remains on another Counter Earth." Milo said pressing some buttons on the reality observation machine's control panel.

“What happened?" The she panda asked.

“He was killed by Sir Ram who didn't want him divulging a big secret of his." Big Sexy replied.

“Which was?" The chubby wolverine boy asked.

“Sir Ram reset the timeline to restore the empire after a cataclysm upset life on the planet." Cody admitted.

“That is heavy." Milo replied as he continued to play with the controls.

“It really happened." The cat admitted to his friends.

“How do you know?" Panda Lee asked. 

“Primrose, myself along with a friend of ours helped him."

The alien hunters were dumbfounded.

“Found them." Milo admitted. 

“How?" The panda asked.

“Master Koala employed several miniature cameras for observing realities in case of hostile inhabitants."

“Looks like they are being held by the local… gee that is disgusting!!!" Panda Lee gasped.

“What is it?!" Cody asked judging his friend's reaction.

“A puddle of goo just enveloped Minka! It turned into a six foot tall canid thingie!" The she panda replied.

“So now we know why they haven't returned. We have to save them!" The he cat gasped.

“And do what Cody? Those three are obviously in big trouble, and if we rush in we will be joining them." Panda Lee opined. “We need to think about this…."

10:20 AM Creature Controlled Counter Earth (Volcanic Peak)

“Weak… weak… weaker and weakest. You will be of no use to the triumvirate."

“But we support the triumvirate!" One of four piles of goo announced.

“Only so you can be a burden to it. In the new order only the strong will survive!" The six foot tall feline reptilian goo creature announced.

*Squish* *Squish* *Squish* *Squish* 

After the she creature finished weeding out the weak and helpless from the strong and fit, the remaining free people acknowledged their new leader.

“Wise choice. Now as my first order go dig some graves… then we will… we will hold that thought…." She said running behind a boulder on the summit of the semi-dormant volcano.

*separate*

The goo creature found herself looking at the rabbit girl that she used to 'power up'.

“Out of energy again?!" Iiaca asked. “It is less and less and less each time we merge."

“Because it is unnatural." Primrose retched before vomiting. 

“Perhaps, but you and your companions have proved very useful to mine." The black puddle replied.

“And what do we get in return?" The rabbit girl asked. 

“You get to live." The puddle with eyes countered.

“You mean becoming enslaved and force fed." Primrose retched before vomiting again.

“Hey are you okay?" Iiaca asked.

“No. I am not, I am an accessory to mass murder."

“It was necessary. Here nothing ever changes unless you make it change." The sentient puddle of goo countered as the rabbit girl stared off at the volcano. “It is good fortune that you and your friends wound up here. How did you wind up here?"

10:34 AM Free Counter Earth (Sir Ram's Lab, Castle Wundagore)

“I have been reviewing Sir Ram's notes, Mr. Winter." The dall sheep in the white lab coat said as I entered the lab. “You and him had an interesting relationship."

“Sir Ram and I worked on a number of missions together." I said simply.

“Before your fall from grace and attempted redemption." He said moving behind me. The next thing I felt was a set of paws on my shoulders. “He despised humans but for some reason tolerated you."

“We had rapport sir."

“It also pained him to have to correct you during your conditioning therapy sessions. Regardless, I hope that we can have a similar relationship."

(Are you as evil as he was?)

“To that end I have a task for you. I am to join your master in a meeting with the High Evolutionary today. I would like you to watch over our human guest until I return."

“Don't you have staff to do that?" I thought I said to him but was corrected by Sir Ram's mind control device into saying- “Yes master."

“Good human." He said, patting me on my head. “Our rapport begins."

11:00 AM Free Counter Earth (Room B, Castle Wundagore)

It was with an air of trepidation that I entered an all too familiar lab in the science wing. Inside I found a junior knight keeping watch over a tan haired woman. 

She laid unresponsive on a bio bed. The device keeping track of her functions.

“Alex Winter you are my relief?" Naka Wolf asked me. “I was expecting Dr. Pina."

“Meeting with the High Evolutionary." I replied bowing to the junior knight.

He physically trembled at that. “I wouldn't want to be anyone in that meeting. The high master is most displeased lately." He said standing up from the chair by the woman's bedside.

“Yeah, I heard sir." I said approaching to look at the female.

(I couldn't shake the notion that she seemed vaguely familiar.)

Her eyes were slanted, her ears pointed like that of an elf and she had long fingernails which kind of looked like the beginning of claws.

“Interesting creature- the doctor recovered her after the aliens took his Anti-KLIS weapon, no tracking chip, no record of her anywhere within the empire."

I nodded at the maned wolf's analysis.

“She has been in this state ever since. It is awfully hard to interrogate her you see. Anyway, I stand relieved."

(Um, who is exactly is going to relieve me?)

I watched Naka leave the lab before sitting down on his chair next to the unconscious woman.

“I thought that alien would never leave!" I heard a soft voice say. Its cadence, it's tone was also very familiar to me.

“Alien?" I asked looking down at her.

“Yes, those fuzzy creatures that connected me to their machines…. how long have you been here amongst them?"

“It has been a number of years, madam."

“I can't remember when I was taken." She replied, opening her eyes. “Or for how long but I have to escape!"

Her mannerisms were a dead give away.

“LADY VERMIN?!"

(Talk about altered beasts!!)

11:40 AM Creature Controlled Counter Earth (Triumvirate Headquarters, Volcanic Peak)

“Maalo we have a problem." Iiaca said laying her host gently on the ground.

“I know." The reptilian goo creature replied. “I am having trouble maintaining this form for any extended length of time and I like this form."

 “Because we are draining their life force each time we use them."

“I figured as much Iiaca."

“Before long they will cease to exist Maalo."

“What is the alternative?"

“You could let us continue on our mission; you and your friends have what you want." The away team leader moaned.

“She and her friends were on a mission to save her world from annihilation." Iiaca said studying the she rabbit.

“Really? Where are you from?" The reptilian goo creature asked.

“Another version of your world that is being invaded by extraterrestrials who are abducting the population." Primrose said weakly.

“For what purpose?" Maalo asked.

“We don't know and we can't fight them." The rabbit girl replied weakly.

The reptilian walked toward primrose and gave the rabbit girl some nourishment drink.

“We don't have that problem here. We once did but not anymore- hence why we are the free people." Maalo proclaimed proudly.

Primrose moved to a seating position in front of Maalo and Iiaca. “How?"

12:45 PM Free Counter Earth (Sevren Castle, World Three)

Dr. Pina trembled a little as he walked down the halls of the old castle to his important meeting with knight command and their master, his master the High Evolutionary.

He noticed the tapestries on both sides of the walls, old, defined and distinguished, they matched the embroidered rug he was walking on all the way to the meeting room.

Inside he found an oval wood table seated around it were Commander Rhinox, Lady Keiko, Commander Ursa and Commander Wolf. There was also a empty seat formerly occupied by acting commander Ignatius, that would be his.

There was a viewscreen on a nearby wall overlooking the seated group. On it was the supreme leader of Counter Earth, the High Evolutionary intense red eyes, yellow beard and mustache. He was wearing his blue form fitting suite with red crest and cape with the hideous spiked shoulder pads and brown boots.

“Greetings Dr. Pina. Commander Ursa has informed us of the ideas you have brought to the table since replacing Sir Ram. None of which have borne any fruit. Can you explain why?"

The dall sheep scanned the room the leadership was equally nervous as demonstrated by their fidgeting. It was going to be one of THOSE meetings. In the back of his mind Dr. Pina wondered if he might get paddled today as well.

“Yes sir- my predecessor had some interesting programs prior to my arrival. With them he was only able to see within one of the KLIS space ships before he was taken."

“Dr. Pina, is it true that Sir Ram was formulating a plan to use the KLIS technology against them?" Commander Wolf asked.

“That was a grain, of a fragment of an idea. But he didn't know how to execute it." The dall sheep replied.

“And you do Dr. Pina?" The dictator asked.

“I created a being capable of thwarting the KLIS. I arranged for it to be 'taken' with the hope that it would create upheaval."

“Did it?" The ruler of all asked. Commander Ursa, Rhinox, Wolf and Lady Keiko all stared at the big horn sheep's replacement.

“Unknown sir. All contact with her was lost after the abduction."

“How long has it been?"

“Three days?"

“Then the project is a failure." The High Evolutionary concluded. “What is the back up plan?"

“Master, perhaps we should give him more time?" The grizzled old wolf asked.

“Negative Commander Wolf. No make that Sir Wolf. You are only saying that because no one has an iota on how to combat the KLIS incursion. I am disappointed in all of you."

Everyone in the room stared at the newly demoted leader of the knights of Sevren. Well, at least he wasn't de-evolved.

The room fell silent as those inside wondered what the high master was going to demand next.

The awkward silence was shattered by a communicator going off.

The dall sheep apologized as he lifted it from his lab coat. Commander Ursa's went off as well. They both answered. On the other end was a maned wolf.

“Naka, I am in a very important meeting!" Commander Ursa chastised her underling.

“Commander, doctor! Um, I thought you should know a KLIS ship crashed here in World One."

“Were there any occupants?" Lady Ursa asked joining the dall sheep on the other side of the table.

“Yes commander." Naka replied.

“All forces converge on that ship!" She ordered the junior knight.

“That won't be necessary."

“Why is that?" The High Evolutionary asked.

“There was only one occupant INTERCEPT." The maned wolf replied.

“EXCELLENT!" Sir Ram's replacement said clasping his paws in triumph.

 To Be Continued….

[MEANWHILE]

December 3rd, YOE 35

9:30 AM Chaundoon (Search Party Headquarters, Manassas' Spaceship)

“Alex, Lady Ursa how did the search go?" The she panda asked looking up from her circular station.

“Nada." I replied. As my warrior bear placed her paws on my shoulder.

“We finished searching our assigned area. No signs of any of the away teams, only uncontacted clans and tribes." My she beast added.

“Amidst fabulous flora and fauna." I added smiling. 

“Panda Lee, Milo, have any of the other teams had any luck?" My warrior bear asked.

“We are still waiting for the other three search parties to report in so it is possible that they may have found something and just haven't told us." The chubby wolverine boy replied.

“Or they could have come up empty like we have." I observed as Milo pressed some buttons on his circular station. 

The room, work stations and us faded away as a large 3D map of Chaundoon appeared. The areas that had been searched the last few days appeared in red and orange and the unsearched areas in blue.

“True, so let's see where to search next? Why don't you try this area here?" The wolverine boy suggested.

“On it." I replied as the map disappeared we all reappeared on the bridge.

“Good luck!" The she panda said waving.

Time: N/A [eternity] Realm of Fire and Magma (Throne Room, Terror Tower)

“Mr. Black, Bine and Minka have been gone for some time." Arthur said to a black long limbed creature with a square head and white eyes guarding him and Flo."

It groaned in response.

“What did it say?" The hedgehog boy asked turning to the orangutan slave.

“Diamantopoulous likes to take his time." Flo replied. “He likes to savor the moment."

“Like a connoisseur enjoying a glass of fine wine…"

“Like yeah." The laid back female replied.

“But still it is taking too long…" The leader of the Ghost Hunters replied.

“Arthur time doesn't exist here, remember?"

“Yeah, there is only now." The boy said fidgeting as he looked around Diamantopoulous' throne room. He thought he saw something. Something flickering.

*BLIP*

Arthur and Flo looked at the foot of the dark wolf's chair. They found a strange being long ears, short stripped snout and cheeks and shaggy furred arms. It was crying. 

“No! No! No! It can't be!"

“Like who is that?!" Ms. Fuller asked.

“Bine?!" Arthur said, walking over to the being. “So this is what you really look like."

“I liked my new body!!! It had limits!!" The Eeth said crying again.

“That must have been one hell of a tour." The hedgehog boy said out loud as the trio were joined by two more.

*BLIP*

“Well that includes the tour, I hope you had a good time." A wolf demon said looming over a nude white canid he gently lowered to the floor.

“Who is that?" Flo asked as she approached.

The scent of sex permeated the creature as well as semen stains coming from his tail area.

“It's Mr. Black!" Arthur shouted running up to him.

“Like I think the master broke him." The nude orangutan said, placing her paw on his back.

“My life… it is finite… I am going to die some day…" The scared white akita recited.

“You forgot the part about winding up here doggie." The wolf demon said, smirking at his slave girl. “Now where is the last member of your party?"

*BLIP*

“Wow, that is a great way to get around these parts!" The monkey girl said as she suddenly appeared.

“Yeah, I guess it is." The demon scalie said as he stood next to her.

“Now remember what we talked about…." The monkey girl said to the creature.

“What did you two talk about?" Diamantopoulous asked his subordinate.

“That one is something else! I know it is highly unlikely she will end up here when she dies, but if she does- I call dibs… sir." The creature said, blipping out of the room.

“Looks like we are all here." Arthur said, running up to Minka. “Are you all right?"

The monkey girl looked at the grinning dark wolf and his victims. “Better than… is that Bine? And my Akita?"

“Diamantopoulous broke those two." Arthur said, hugging the monkey girl. “But some how not you."

“Heed Flo's advice no matter what they do to you." She whispered to him.

“Ahem!" The wolf demon said, approaching the hedgehog boy and monkey girl. “Mr. Speedwell, I will torment you now." 

“Stay close to Flo, Mr. Black and Bine." Arthur ordered staring off in the distance. “Be ready to leave at a moment's notice."

Minka gave him the weirdest look as the leader of the Ghost Hunters turned around to face the ruler of the realm of fire and magma who had his paw outstretched. 

The hedgehog boy hesitantly grasped  it.

*BLIP*

And just like that they were gone.

Time: N/A [eternity] Realm of Fire and Magma (Unknown)

“It has been some time boy." Diamantopoulous replied as they reappeared on a red surface underneath a grey sky. “Come let me get a look at you!"

The wolf pulled on the boy's cheeks, opened his mouth and studied his face. 

“My how you have grown! And you lost your virginity!"

“Diamantopoulos…." Arthur murmured.

“That wouldn't be a plea for mercy would it? You know I hear that all the time and it is just not my thing." The wolf demon said cocking his head and studying his next victim. “So where did we leave off?"

“You were using my fears to torment me, Diamantopoulos." Mr. Speedwell volunteered.

“Yes, yes how rude of me! As I recall you were very afraid of failing."

“I was at one time, but I have come to realize that not every case we have investigated can be solved and not every client can be saved."

“That is a mature perspective Mr. Speedwell, very mature. Let me guess- you arrived at that conclusion based upon your personal experiences during the apocalypse on your former world?"

The hedgehog boy nodded.

“Well sit back and relax boy it is not a matter of if I break you but when!" The wolf demon smiled demonically. “We have all the time in the world!" 

Arthur looked around trying to figure out where they were.

“Curious about this place huh?" The dark wolf asked as the boy took in the surroundings. “This is my toy box."

“You play with your possessions here?" Arthur asked as he suddenly noticed he was alone. “Diamantopoulos?"

The hedgehog boy looked at the endless horizon. He saw a large set of eyes staring back at him.

“You betcha!" A voice echoed as the eyes disappeared. “Perhaps I will keep you here like FOREVER!"

The next thing he knew he was staring at a 50' tall wolf who wiggled his foot paw menacingly at him.

Arthur thought about running but where to? Wherever he was extended to infinity in every direction and if he tried Diamantopoulos could just step on him, crushing him like a bug.

Wait a minute! There it was again! That distortion Arthur had thought he had seen in the throne room, it was here as well. Hmm….

“I have experience being stranded in mystic places." The hedgehog boy responded.

“Hello? Anyone there! Hello?" A margay said appearing next to the demon and hedgehog boy.

“Diamantopoulos we are sorry we entered your domain without permission!" A leopard cat cried entering the scene.

“Please let us go!" A sand cat pleaded.

“One moment boy." The dark wolf said turning away to look at his play things. “You three can't you see I am with a client!"

“The Shadow Chasers!" Arthur gasped. Peyton, Pia and Geff were still wearing the same clothing they day they disappeared.

“Diamantopoulos I acknowledge you are the master of this realm." The leopard cat acknowledged.

“But how long will we continue to pay for our transgressions?!" The sand cat asked.

“Eh, until I grow tired of you three. Hint, hint! It hasn't happened yet." Diamantopoulos said nonchalantly. 

Arthur watched the pained faces on Peyton, Pia and Geff as the dark wolf clapped his paws.

*BLIP* 

And they were gone.

“As you can see boy, I do let them out from time to time, they are some of my favorite play things." 

“Is Flo one of them too?" Arthur asked.

“Nah, no matter what I do to her- she is always so damn cheerful! It is annoying! But this is not about her Mr. Speedwell, it is about you." The wolf demon said grinning demonically. 

“Diamantopoulos…." The boy sighed.

“I have it! How about living out the rest of your life serving under the thing that ruined your planet!" The duo soon found themselves in World Two on Conquered Counter Earth.

The hedgehog boy beheld the magnitude of devastation. It was beyond imagination.

“Want to hear the good news brother?" A macaque asked booping the hedgehog boy on his nose.

*touch*

“Uh oh looks like you have been touched!"

His fur started vibrating. 

“Weird sensation isn't it? Your consciousness being pushed aside as your soul is being ripped from your body?" The wolf demon asked.

“Ah! Such a young and supple body! You will be a welcome addition to our collective!"

The words came from Arthur's mouth but they weren't his own.

“I'm a pepper! You wanna be a pepper too?!" The wolf demon teased.

“This isn't real Diamantopoulous."

“Why would you say that?"

“You don't have a physical form in the world of the living." The hedgehog boy countered.

“Very good little hedgehog. I see why you are the leader of your group." The dark wolf said as the false reality ended. “You know you and the she monkey died on the day of the fall right?"

“But somehow we survived and are here today." The boy countered as he noticed more unexplained distortions wherever they were.

(That confirmed it!)

“Well that was before the timeline was tweaked by those trying to restore the empire."

“Serious mysterious! Would you care to elaborate further?"

The dark wolf's reaction told Arthur that he was starting to grow frustrated trying to break him. He had successfully done so to Midnight Black and Bine and had scared Minka Mallow before passing her off to one of his minions. 

Arthur figured that he didn't need to beat him, just stall him. 

Diamantopoulous placed his paws on the hedgehog boy turning him around thinking.

“How about becoming a toy plushie of a sex starved female?"

“An eternity of that? That is rather disturbing but not scary." Arthur remarked as the wolf demon put his paw to his chin.

“Since you are adept at detecting false things, how about I show you what I REALLY look like?"

Arthur watched as the wolf disintegrated and was replaced by a large living flame with eyes. He recoiled back from the blazing heat.

“My magnificence is too much eh? How about you give us a big hug?"

“No thank you…" The flame was on him in an instant. Arthur was burned alive, his fur melting from his bones under the intense heat.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!"

Time: N/A [eternity] Realm of Fire and Magma (Throne Room, Terror Tower)

“Gotcha!!! Ghost Hunters 0 and 3 against Dark Diamantopoulous!" The wolf demon said tossing Arthur into Bine and Midnight Black who were still murmuring.

“Arthur?" Flo asked, coming to his side.

“He got me too." The leader of the Ghost Hunters admitted. “He scared me badly."

“You betcha! Now which one of you haven't I mind fucked yet? Oh yes! Ms. Mallow- I have come for you." The wolf demon giggled as more distortions appeared. “Now come along girl, it is your turn."

“You see that?" Arthur asked Minka.

“Yeah, I was wondering what that was."

“See what?" Diamantopoulous asked.

“The veil between the neighboring realm and this one is strengthening!"

“Our time here has come to an end?!" Minka shouted asked.

“Oh drat." The wolf demon replied as he realized what was happening. “Oh well, safe journey's- do come again!"

“FLO!" The monkey girl said hugging her friend.

Bine took Midnight Black's paw as the room started flickering.

“So long Diamantopoulous…" Arthur started to say but thought better of it. He decided to run up and hug his tormentor tightly.

10:20 AM Chaundoon (Eeth's Realm, Plane of Tranquility) 

“What happened?" Minka said looking at the blue sky and mirror like ground. They had returned from the realm of fire and magma with their souls intact. 

“The veil between here and there restored and we were pulled back." Bine said, taking stock of himself. “It appears I am back to normal."

“You mean in Angie's body." The she monkey said looking down at her groin. Her clothing and virginity was intact, all of it was just the wolf demon's dark illusions.

“It was only a matter of time." Arthur replied. 

“Not soon enough boy."

“Mr. Black?" Arthur asked.

“Like, I think you should start calling him Mr. White." The orangutan slave said smirking.

“FLO!!!" 

“In the flesh." The nude orangutan said before the hedgehog and monkey were upon her.

“It worked!" Minka cheered loudly. 

“Which also means." Arthur said looking around. “There!"

The group looked at a small scraggly black puff of smoke writhing on the ground.

“Is that?" The akita asked.

“It is." Bine said as a bubble encased the unwanted guest. “Let's see how he likes being in our realm!" 

“Another open case closed." Minka said cheerfully. “And we got Flo back!"

“Although we do need to find her some clothes." The white akita replied.

“I have been in that realm so long, I have forgotten what wearing clothing was like." She admitted.

“You have my sympathies Ms. Fuller. I have no idea how you tolerated that wolf or his dimension." The akita replied.

“I think we all are going to need to visit Ms. Una after this." Arthur said to his companions.

“Bine, I think it would be a good idea to stay away from that phenomenon for everyone's sake. We are lucky the veil strengthened and we were pulled back to your realm." Minka said.

“And now the tables have reversed. We will entertain Diamantopoulous until he is pulled back into his realm." The being in Angie's body responded.

The comment caused the hedgehog boy to ponder.

“Something wrong Arthur?" Flo asked.

“Maybe…." He replied.

“Anyway, I will see you out. It looks like you have someone waiting for you." Bine admitted.

The group took a few steps forward and found themselves outside the Eeth's realm and in front of a black utility vehicle driven by a red eyed lioness and co-piloted by a junior knight.

“Shakara, I think we have found them!"

“That much is obvious Ghari." The lioness said to the confused crocodile. 

“They sent someone after us?" Minka asked, holding her akita's paw.

“We received a message that one of the away teams was in trouble. It looks like it was you." The junior knight replied.

“It was touch and go for a while but we pulled through."Minka replied.

“Um, who are they?" Shakara asked.

“That is Flo, a former long lost friend of ours and the other is my akita."

“It is a long story." The hedgehog boy replied grasping the she orangutan's paw.

“So Midnight Black what happened to you? Or should I call you Midnight White?" The horny lioness teased.

“Not a single word medic." The akita assassin mumbled.

“Ghari, Feleen let's get these four back to the infirmary. It looks like they have been through quite a lot."

*Sounds like their report is going to be a doozy.* The female sentinel replied. 

10:34 AM Chaundoon (Central Chamber, Marble Canyons)

“What is going on here?! A nudie show?" The bound jackal asked looking around.

“It is a societal norm in these parts." Titanous' visitor responded. “Clothes are reserved for only the highest ranking members of the pride. Think of it like a nudist beach or resort."

“Wow, tribal life." The brown and white jackal replied as he noticed the maned wolf was also not wearing anything. “That would mean your move wasn't lateral at all was it?"

“Here, I am just a hunter." Naka replied. “I am helping this tribe recover."

“Soooooo how is tribal life treating you?" Titanous asked while trying not to look down at the wolf's groin but he couldn't resist. “You look great by the way."

“Titanous why did you come back? Perna Pride is not entirely welcoming to outsiders!"

“Medical received a message a few days ago from one of the away teams."

“Which one?" Naka asked sitting down.

“No one knows. The knights sent out search parties to check on each team in the field. I volunteered to check on you, Song and Kiwi even though you technically are on your own." Titanous said watching another female feline walk by. “The girls here are outstanding! I am all for casual nudity in public! It leaves nothing to the imagination!"

“Quit gawking! It isn't polite!"

“How can I not? So beautiful, so nude!" Titanous said making goo goo eyes at another passerby. She growled at him. “So ferocious!!"

“Come on, we are going to speak to the leadership, maybe I can smooth things over." Naka ordered.

“Um, why?"

“Because you are in a lot of trouble. This pride, well most any pride does not take well to having their territory invaded."

“Not invaded, more of a welfare check." The bound jackal smiled at the maned wolf.

11:00 AM Chaundoon (Chamber of the Four Kings, Perna Pride Village)

“And that is the story chief Lyra and chief Black Scythe." Naka said dropping to his paws and knees bowing most respectfully. “My former tribemate was concerned about my family and myself after my former village received that message."

“I was ignorant of your ways. For that I apologize. I did not mean any disrespect." The jackal said mimicking the maned wolf while admiring what the leadership of the pride was wearing.

“He doesn't appear to be of any threat." Lyra said pondering. “I guess we have held him for long enough."

“Very well you have successfully checked on your friend. Return to your village and tell your chieftains of what has happened here and that we allowed you to leave- intact." Stab and Impale's  mother replied. 

She nodded at two of her guards who picked up the jackal and started to lead him out of the chamber back toward his RV outside the village.

“Um, your chief-ship?" Titanous asked, turning around.

“What is it?" Lyra asked.

“Does it have to be male escorts? I mean could I be escorted by some female warriors pretty please?"

“The female leaders of Perna Pride looked at each other then the maned wolf who just face palmed." 

11:40 AM Chaundoon (Unnamed lake, adjacent to a unnamed beach )

*GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR*

“Axe, Bow can you hold our little subject still?" Oliver asked his two S'mar protectors.

“It would be in our best interest to finish this NOW." The former warrior from Kenja Pride complained.

“But this six-eyed canid wolf thingie is sooo cute." Mr. Justice said.

“But his six rows of razor sharp teeth are not." Bow contested.

“Why are we doing this again?" Axe asked.

“Glad you asked. Theresa and I are trying to create a visual record of ALL wildlife on Chaundoon- our new home. Once that is accomplished we will do so for all the indigenous tribes as well."

“Yes you are trying to increase your knowledge and decrease your ignorance." The feline warrior started to say as their subject tried to wriggle free and dart toward a larger version of its species who had tracked the quartet- its mother.

“I think I can be of assistance." Bow said as the female canid stared down the human who was holding her cub. Dire Dogs are ornery. The adults even more so than the cubs."

Hearing that Oliver traded glances with Bow and Axe and then the angry six eyed canid mother. “Um hi." He said, waving nervously as the pup's mother growled at him.

Theresa, Bow and Axe watched as the female canine grabbed Oliver by the scruff of his neck and tossed him into the lake.

“AUGH!!!" 

*splash*

She then picked up her cub and left.

“Point taken." Mr. Justice said swimming toward shore as his companions started to laugh uncontrollably then stopped.

“Oliver!" Theresa called to him. “Swim faster!"

“Huh?" The red headed man said turning around just in time to sea a large head with a long neck rise out of the water looking at him hungrily. “Sea Monster! This is outstanding! Yipe! Sea Monster!"

The creature followed the man to shore watching him run and cower behind the two fierce looking savages who stared it down. It wisely decided to turn around and go back underneath the water's surface.

“Phew!" Oliver said as Axe helped him up. “We need to get a picture of that."

“You have got to be kidding." Bow said, bringing the red head back to reality.

“It would be nice but how?" Theresa asked.

“Everyone we have company!" Axe said as a red coupe landed next to their white truck and the occupants stepped out.

“Chemar, Ripple! So nice to see you!" Theresa said greeting the knight and dragon defender.

“To what do we owe the visit?" Mr. Justice asked.

“Just checking up on our teams in the field." The female sand dragon replied.

“The city received a message that one of the away teams was in trouble." The cheetah added.

“Well it wasn't us." Theresa replied.

“But since you two are here. Maybe you could help us with something?" Oliver said with a gleam in his eye.

Chemar and Ripple looked at each other. 

12:45 PM Chaundoon (Uncharted Wilderness)

“It looks like one big multicolored carpet down there." I said studying the returns from the probe. “If any one of our away teams are underneath all that foliage it would be rather hard to determine that."

“You could switch to infrared pet." My perfect person suggested.

“Yeah, I almost forgot." I replied. “Wow. Overwatch I could use a second set of eyes here."

*Affirmative Mr. Winter. No humanoid, beastial or S'mar life signs detected.* The automated assistant announced.

“Another goose egg for this sector of the planet." I started to say as I was interrupted.

*Now this is interesting!*

“What is it Overwatch?" Lady Ursa asked.

*A segment of the forest- it is gone!*

“Let's see it." My she beast ordered.

“It looks like something flattened and burned all the trees." I replied.

*It extends for a quarter of a mile.* The automated assistant announced.

“It is worth a look." Lady Ursa said heading toward what looked like cursed ground.

We landed right in the middle of what used to be lush forest now downed, burnt trees.

“What could do this?" I asked turning to my warrior bear. 

She shook her head at me as I prepared to open the cockpit to take a look around.

*WAIT!* The automated assistant warned.

*FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM*

The tracts of land adjacent to our location were enveloped in flame downing the weird and beautiful trees within them.

“Overwatch?" Lady Ursa asked.

*More of the forest was just leveled.*

“Looks like on purpose." I gasped.

“The radius extends for about a mile." My lady bear remarked looking at the returns from the probe.

“What is that?" I said pointing at something anomalous and weird in on my monitor.

*An arch Mr. Winter at the far end of the leveled forest.* The automated assistant surmised.

The coast was clear as we exited the prototype and approached.

It was about ten feet in height and two feet wide where it extended from the ground and oval shaped.

“It looks like a doorway Alex."

(Hmm…) I cautiously walked through it. Within, the scenery changed from forest to tunnel!  

My warrior bear concerned for my safety soon joined me.

“Alex, that was most foolish!" She said placing her strong arm around my waist and pulling me toward her. 

“Yes, but if I hadn't been so bold- we wouldn't have wound up here."

“It reminds me of the mazes surrounding the lost city. Dawn would go nuts if she could see this." My she beast observed.

“Actually mistress I think she did." I said pointing. 

“Oh no!" Lady Ursa gasped.

Directly in front of us were stone statues of a female human, male S'mar and a mongoose boy. Their faces frozen in screams.

To Be Continued….