Counter Earth Chronicles - Fallen Empire

Chapter 66: The World Is Not Going To Change Because You Want It To (Home Part V)

Day 173 (evening)

“Come on pet. At some point you must start eating again." My warrior bear said sitting me down at a table in the eating place. I felt like all eyes there were tuned to me; today's entertainment a former Other learning to eat again.

“Perhaps his stomach just needed to settle." Dianna suggested.

“It did a day or so after his separation from the entity." Shakara said. “He felt queasy for a while afterwards."

“It was beyond awful, I thought I was dying." I said to the bear, lioness and centaur that were standing around the table.

“But our little Alex hasn't eaten anything in over three months." My lady bear protested.

“ONE took care of my biological needs." I said to her.

“Yes pet, but you are no longer part of ONE. You have to start eating again otherwise you grow weak will waste away." Lady Ursa said placing a paw tip underneath my chin.

“And you need to start sleeping too." The dark tan lioness added.

“It is not like I don't want to- it is just that I am not hungry or sleepy." I countered. “I guess my physical needs have not started reasserting themselves yet."

“Perhaps he should start slowly." Dianna said disappearing behind the counter. She later reappeared with a wooden bowl and spoon. “Here let's try something very simple."

“How simple?" I asked.

“Tomato soup." The female centaur responded.

(That is simple.)

“Dianna how did you?" Shakara asked placing the bowl in front of me.

“I know our food supplies are extremely limited but I made an exception for him." Ms. Wild smiled as Lady Ursa directed me to eat.

“How is it little cutie?" My lioness asked.

“Reddish- orange and very flavorful." I said slurping.

“Good then drink all of it!" My warrior bear ordered. 

“And keep it down." My lioness added.

“By the way, does anyone know where is this week's meeting being held?" Dianna asked.

“The commander was thinking about some place central." My mistress responded.

“Meeting?" I asked looking up from the bowl.

“Yes little cutie- it is a status meeting where all of us converse and express ideas." Shakara teased. 

“And concerns." Dianna said.

“We have continued to have them frequently even after your departure." Lady Ursa said looking over the eating place. “I think we can fit everyone in here. It may be a little snug though."

“There was a time when everyone in the lost city was just the nine of us." My dark tan lioness said reminiscing.

“Now it has grown to be thirty nine." The she centaur said. “I think the presenters can stand here in front of the counter. There should be enough room for the commander, Lady Barq and you two."

“What do you want me to do?" I asked the females.

“Sit there, be quiet and eat your soup." The brown bear said. 

“Yes mistress." 

And so little by little the residents of the lost city entered.

“Is this where the meeting is?" A female naga asked.

Shakara nodded.

She was accompanied by Lolly. The two Coreys showed up shortly afterward. Then Mia, Rumble, some lemmings, Lady Barq and Addy, Commander Rhinox, Zhade who sat down in a corner by himself- Ananias and Corbin who sat next to me. Then the rest of the residents including a walrus, lemmings, spring hare, deer and the yeti I had seen before.

The former knights of the empire stood in front next to Shakara in the packed eating room. I was amazed at how large the colony had grown.

“Everyone! Thank you for coming." The rhino warrior said greeting the crowd.

“Did we have a choice?" Zhade pouted in the corner.

“No Zhade." Lady Barq said to him. “These meetings are necessary in order for us to stay informed."

“Yes, yes there is no longer an hub or any other form of communication. I get it." The human/beastial hybrid said sulking.

“I wanted to start the meeting by announcing the return of Alex Winter. He was one of the founding members of this colony and was taken away from us while on a mission. Somehow he found his way back to us." The rhino warrior said.

(Wow Commander, that is laying it on real thick.)

“He has been reinstated and will be resuming his position alongside Shakara Kubari in the infirmary." Lady Barq added.

“Questions? Concerns? Fears?" The jolly rhino asked the crowd.

“Wait, wait wasn't he an Other?" A lemming in the back of the room asked.

“He was." My mistress said addressing the question head on. “And so was I for that matter."

(Thanks my love.)

“How can we be sure he isn't now?" Another lemming who was standing next to the first asked.

“In Lady Ursa's case she was rejected by the entity." Lady Barq interjected.

“In Alex's case he REJECTED the entity." Shakara said.

“How is that even possible?" The walrus asked.

“It is and he is the only person that has." The rhino warrior said. 

“But sir how can you be sure that he isn't one of them?" A mountain reedbuck asked the obvious question everyone was thinking.

“Speak to, touch and get to know him." The little mongoose boy said hugging me. He then stood up on his chair next to me. “See no change."

“To be blunt we have developed a what we think is a effective screening method to detect vessels of the entity." Lady Barq stated. “It has been enacted and we are confident that it is effective."

“Against all Others?" A scalie asked.

“Everyone we encountered so far." Lady Ursa said.

“How does this screening method work?" The scalie said following up.

“That is a secret. All that you need to know is that an Other can convert those near them just by touch." The Commander said. “The thirty-nine members of our community don't have that ability."

“Further, Others don't sleep or eat for that matter." My lioness said.

At that instant I felt more eyes on me, watching me eat my soup. I sensed that not everyone present was convinced. 

“Suffice to say Mr. Winter lived among them and interacted with them for an extended length of time. We can use that to our advantage. As of this moment, I am making him along with Lady Ursa our subject matter experts on the entity."

“So how long will it take to defeat the destroyer of empires?" The female naga asked.

“Yes and when will things get back to normal?" The spring hare asked.

There was an eerie silence that fell along the room after that question was asked.

“Unfortunately Arugula, this is the new normal." The badger said to the spring hare.

“The empire has been decimated, much of the population deceased." My warrior bear said adding her voice." 

“Perhaps one day we will find a way to defeat ONE and take back what was taken from us." Commander Rhinox said taking control of the conversation again. “But we don't know its vulnerabilities or weaknesses."

“So nothing has changed then." Zhade commented.

“So sir, we must seek and form alliances with the hope that a future ally has knowledge that could aid us?" A white avian (he looked like a seagull) asked.

“As much as we can." Lady Ursa said. “That includes taking in those who are in need."

“And will they become prisoners here too?" The part tiger, part human in the corner of the room asked.

“What do you mean by prisoners Zhade?" The rhino warrior asked.

“Exactly what I mean! I can't come and go as I please! Zhade you can't explore the surface world it is too dangerous! Zhade you must remain down here! And when I am down here I am watched closely- we all are! There is no freedom and activity is restricted!" Zhade shouted to audible gasps from those in the crowd while there were some head nods as well. "It is like I am captive number 13825!"

“Perhaps you have been living under a rock sir but there isn't much left of the outside world- Others, night creatures and the KLIS are all roaming around. And those are just the dangers that we KNOW about." Lady Barq said berating him.

“When the empire fell, the economy, industry, sciences and technology also ended. Six months out we are just starting to realize the total effect of the collapse- the horrifying experiments that escaped from science labs for instance." The rhino warrior said.

Rumble snorted in disapproval.

“You are not horrifying big guy." Corey said taking the were-creature's paw. While the yeti teared up.

“That is why access to the surface world is restricted." Lady Ursa said. “For our own safety. You can explore as much as you like down here but not up there."

“That is what I would expect a enforcer of the former empire to say. And doesn't anyone find it odd that the rulers of the lost city- our overseers as it may, are all former knights from the empire?" The human/beastial hybrid said stirring the pot.

“They speak the truth!" Corey said adding his voice. “Before you got here we lost four of our own two came back however, but the other two are still missing."

“Zhade shut it!" Corbin shouted as several in the crowd nodded in agreement. “Lady Barq, Lady Ursa and Commander Rhinox are doing the best they can in a very, difficult situation. It is a dangerous world out there. Just after its formation, this colony was threatened with extinction many, many, many times. It was through the resourcefulness of these three present and my mother, that we have survived."

“Through the formation of a tri-dictatorship where opposition is not allow and dissension is restricted."

“I don't know about that Zhade- you are being allowed to speak now." Shakara said to the dissenter.

“I know you haven't been here long." Corey said to the hybrid- but this colony doesn't run by majority rules. That would be extremely dangerous. Our leaders listen to our suggestions and use our input to make decisions to ensure our very survival. I don't know about you- but I like living."

“...it has worked..." Rumble grumbled.

“Okay security here is rather strict. But let's focus on the positives Zhade." The red naga  asked. “Is any beast here thirsty, starving, ill or sick?"

There was silence among the crowd.

“Is any creature stressed? What about worried or burnt out?" Lady Barq asked. “No, just fearful."

“Well it looks like we are doing something right. If you think there is a better way son, let's hear it." Commander Rhinox said gently.

"Well, I... err..." The dissenter was silenced.

“The world according to Zhade!" Mia shouted from the crowd. She received a nasty look from Dianna.

“Look I know you got a raw deal from the empire, but now is not the time to settle scores." Lady Barq said as Zhade grinded his teeth.

“I hate the empire and all who represent it!" He said as the spring hare whispered something in his ear.

“If this community, our colony is erased from existence like the Grand Kingdom, your resentment and divisiveness won't matter." The Commander said.

(I can attest to that.) I thought to myself as I continued slurping my soup.

“Enough about the outside world. What else is on your minds?" Lady Ursa asked.

“Let's talk food supplies. Can we have some variety instead of the same old thing every day?" A familiar grey gorilla complained.

“What you don't like my vegetable stew Ananias? " Dianna asked.

“Hey! Momma works hard to make sure everyone here eats a well balanced meal." Little Corey said.

“Yes, but he is right- our supplies are limited but if we want more variety we have to start growing our own food." The she centaur stated.

“We have been thinking about that." My bear knight said- “There are a few sites in the forest that we could repurpose for growing."

 “There will have to be some type of rotation to work them as well." Corbin said.

“And some type of security to guard the gardeners." Mia said.

“Very well, Mia, Dianna, Corey- I mean Wild not Collins, you will be in charge of that project." The rhino said.

“What is the status of the water supply? You know I like the soaking pool." The scalie from before asked. “Specially when beautiful nudes are using it."

The alligator with the big jaw line received some odd looks from everyone present.

“Clean, clear and flowing." Mr. Collins said as Rumble looked on. The stream that provides our supply actually grew in size after the demise of the Grand Kingdom."

(That is good to know.)

“What about clothing?" The walrus from before asked.

“Yeah many of us only arrived with only what was on our backs." A lemming commented.

“Which means we have had to wash them frequently." A raccoon dog said.

“Yeah mine have worn thin and the undergarments are torn." A penguin commented.

“We need some way to repair or replace what we have if not this is going to be a problem." An avian in the crowd said.

“That is going to be a difficult one to answer." The first lemming said. “Fundoshis and loincloths for everyone? Well, there would be less to wash."

The suggestion received a lot of chuckles from the crowd.

The meeting went from afternoon to evening as the former knights, my lioness and our centaur cook answered questions and those present identified more services vacancies that needed to be filled.

Several projects and activities were also proposed including cleaning the entire city, searching for a backup water supply and maintaining the the mazes. Ms. Una volunteered her students for a lot of them. 

“Is there any hope for the future?" Came the final question from a raccoon in the crowd.

“Well there is another colony that was recently formed- near World Three. It is nomadic." The badger warrior said.

“Then there are the cities that the entity is building." I said standing. “Only two were progressing while there have been set backs with the Other three."

“What will happen if and when they are completed?" A deer in the audience asked.

“Frankly I don't know. ONE's vision will be seen through fruition?" 

(We don't know what that will entail for all of us.)

“Alright if there are no further questions, I thank you for coming." The rhino warrior said concluding the meeting.

“Those of you who are on night watch report to your posts." Lady Barq ordered.

“And thank you warriors for keeping us safe!" Little Corey and Mia shouted in appreciation.

“...welcome..." Rumble said show his teeth.

I watched as Corey and Rumble left, then Ananias, the walrus, the spring hare and the rest of the attendees.  

The Commander went back to his office. Corbin joined him- they seemed to be in deep conversation about something.

“That was quite a meeting." I said turning in my bowl to Dianna.

“Yes but it is necessary to have these meetings to reassure those who are very fearful." Lady Barq said collecting Addy while Little Corey, Mia and Lolly started cleaning up the dining area. 

Shakara, my mistress and I started to follow the badger warrior out of the eating area. However the little avian overheard our conversation and did what she did best.

“Why?" She said looking at her adoptive guardian.

“To dissuade fear." Lady Barq said.

“Why?" 

“To keep everybeast from panicking." Shakara added.

“Why?"

“To maintain order." Lady Ursa said.

“Why?"

“Um, disorder is counterproductive and detrimental to our colony." I said to the youngling.

“Ok I love you buh-bye!" 

“Hey come back here!!" The badger said running after the little avian.

(It is so great to be home.)

“And there they go." My lady bear laughed.

“She has been quite a handful as of late." My lady lion said as we made our way out of the central building and onto the stone walkway.

“Well I guess I should head back to the box."

“Well about that little cutie...." My lioness said grabbing my right arm while my bear grabbed on to my left."

“You are coming home with us tonight."

My females escorted me back to our home between Mr. Collins and Ms. Stern's houses.

The stone house was one of the most welcoming things I had seen until my perfect person picked me up and carried me across the threshold.

“My you two tidied up a bit!" 

“We knew you were coming back home today pet."

The three rooms of our old stone home- the den, bedroom and common area that included the kitchen had been swept and cleaned. There was a rug now at the entrance and a few chairs in the den.

“Welcome home little cutie."

“It is great to be home. Seeing all of you and the lost city now vibrant with activity is a reminder of what we stand to lose and what we need to protect at all costs." I said to my females.

“Yes." Lady Ursa said entering our bedroom. She removed her clothing placing it on a chair in the den. Shakara watched and did the same.

“I think we should call it a night." The lioness said to the bear.

“I am inclined to agree." The bear said to the lioness. “Don't you think so Alex?"

“Wait what about guarding the entrances to the city?"

“We are off tonight Alex." Lady Ursa said lying down on our bed.

“Really how is that possible?"

“Adequate staffing." Shakara said grabbing my hand and leading me into our mistress' chambers.

“But don't concern yourself with that pet, you have your own duties to perform... here."

*shove*

“Yes, I guess I do." I said as my lioness pushed me toward the bed. I removed my clothing before kneeling at my warrior bear's side. She then picked me up and brought me to her chest. “My pillows!"

“Ahem!" She said as I was reminded of my new ritual. 

I locked lips with my she bear in a deep passionate kiss. We stayed like that for half a minute before she broke it directing me to make my way down from there. I then kissed her neck, her cleavage, then her nipples, then stomach before reaching her groin.

“Especially there." Shakara chimed in. I gently kissed her sex receiving a slight gasp for my efforts.

“That is good." Lady Ursa said lifting my up by my armpits.

“Hey, what about the other side?" Shakara protested noticing that my perfect person decided not to make me kiss her back, tail or rear including her flanks.

“I have something better in mind Shakara, now kneel."

The lioness did as ordered. Lady Ursa laid me back down placing the back of my head on the lioness' lap.

“Um, hi." I said looking upward at my devious person while I felt someone feeling my scrotum, kneading it and massaging it- until...

*boing*

“There it is." The horny lioness said as part of me started to stand at attention.

I soon felt something warm and wet move its way downward from the tip of my penis. Before I knew it, I was inside my perfect person. She shifted her weight forward so she could raise and lower herself more easily.

My face was jammed into her cleavage as her chin and neck rested on my forehead. She then rode my erection gently and slowly up and down, up and down. Shakara watched growing very impatient awaiting her turn. I was a little confused by the whole thing until I realized that my she beast was savoring the moment and I should too.

“Mmm...." The brown bear rumbled as I inhaled her scent.

I attempted to reach my arms around her forgetting that it was an impossibility to due to her size and bulk.

“There it is pet right there, yes that is the spot!"

“I will say!" I said as I felt that familiar soft tickle make its way toward my nether regions, then my testicles, then my shaft and towards the tip of my penis.

Lady Ursa sped up, and sped up and sped up...

That was when my fierce ursine warrior abruptly stopped. She clenched me tight with her 'inner hand.'

(This is it mistress! your Essence of Winter is here!) 

“GUAH!!!" I moaned as I exploded into her.

Shakara held my shoulders as the brown bear received that which she wanted so badly.

“He squirted nine times." The lioness said to the bear.

“Exactly?" The bear said to the lioness. “How did you know?"

The dark tan lioness responded by batting her eyelashes.

As my sanity slowly returned from sex with my perfect person, I found myself reclining on her like some type of backrest- my butt resting in her crotch and my head on her breasts. Oh and there was a horny lioness lurking nearby.

“My turn." She said eyeing me predatorily.

She crawled up past my legs, waist, stomach and chest to stare me right in the eyes. Like my perfect person, I kissed my devious person deeply and passionately for almost half a minute.

“Forgetting something little cutie?"

I then kissed her neck, her cleavage and the tips of her big boobs, making my way down to her stomach and then her sex.

“Very nice little human." She said standing up, turning around and presenting her rump to me.

“Do I have to?" 

“It was our agreement pet." My perfect person said.

“Yes little cutie." 

I was getting ready to kiss the dark tan lioness' ass when at the last moment she turned and my lips touched her flank instead.

It was kinda hot actually.

Shakara lowered herself onto my shaft facing away from Lady Ursa and myself.

My hands found her tail first them her sides and then her flanks. Unlike my bear lover, my lion lover did not raise and lower herself onto my penis she just massaged it with her vaginal muscles while underneath her I quivered.

The feeling of Lady Ursa's breasts beneath my head, feeling Shakara's rump with my hands and me inside her was more than I can handle.

“Shakara, I am... I am... I going to... GAH!!!"

“YES!!! MY WARM HAPPY!!!" My lioness growled-roared. 

I gave the horny she beast all that I had left.

“Mistress, Shakara...." I said as my sanity left me again.

Now Mr. Tovu you claim to have great interpersonal skills, can follow direction and our extremely faithful and fastidious? I asked a unassuming red panda who was standing before Demona and myself in a mock office we had constructed for nefarious purposes. 

Yes.

What makes you think you would be a good fit for our opening? The harpy said looking down at the male beastial who staring at us from the otherside of the desk.

With all respect, times have been hard since the empire fell, there is lawlessness everywhere, virtually no employment and now rumors of zombies walking around! The panda bleated.

But you braved all that to come to this interview today. I said to him.

Please, I don't have time for that zombie nonsense I have mouths to feed! I need a steady income!

But what would you do with your salary Mr. Tovu? Demona asked. It isn't like you can go to a bazaar and purchase supplies.  

The monetary system has been replaced by one of barter- food, water, clothing and supplies. The little beastial responded. 

Very interesting. You will have to show us this system. I said to him.

That means I am hired?! 

Yes. I said to him.

So what are my duties?

Enteral loyalty and servitude. Demona said moving to the little beastial's side of the desk.

What does it pay?

Oh occasional indescribable pleasure and the sharing of knowledge- but only if the boss is pleased. I said joining Demona next to him.

That is a weird form of compensation. He said staring as we stood on either side of him.

However there are upfront costs. The harpy said.

What type?

Oh, just your free will. I snickered grabbing his paw with my hand.

*touch*

“Did he?" My ursine warrior asked.

“Yes, I think he finally fell asleep." The lioness responded.

“They way we were tiring him out it was bound to happen." My bear concluded.

“He really likes your chest my lady. He looks so peaceful and happy."

“He should, he is with those who matter most to him."

“Now we just have to get him eating regularly." The dark tan lioness said.

“Yes and the rest will follow- regular trips to the bathroom, relieving himself."

“It is so hard to believe that he hasn't done that in three months." The leonine healer observed.

“Shakara..."

“I wonder how that is even possible?" The red eyed lioness asked.

“It is a mystery Shakara. Perhaps we will know one day."

*NGHFF* I said stirring. 

I was wedged between my females! I was laying on my right side, my head and arm resting on Lady Ursa's rack. She was lying her left side her head just above me, her paw holding my arm. Shakara was spooning me from behind- her paw touching my shoulder and her head was dangerously close to the bear's.

“Did sleep finally claim you pet?"

“No. It was another shimmer." I responded.

“That was a long one. We had thought your insomnia had finally ended." The dark tan lioness said. “What was it about?"

“Duping the desperate." I said. "Demona and I constructed a fake job fair to obtain more vessels for ONE."

“It is a good thing that his activities have been restricted, if he were in the field and had one of those at a critical moment...." My warrior bear said.

Our healer agreed.

I laid between my lovers while the two of them slept and I attempted to. I didn't mind though I got to admire their bodies.

It was around 3:29 in the morning when there was a knock on our door, well rather a loud pounding. I went to answer it while my bear and lioness fumbled for their clothing.

“Corbin! Lady Barq! What's wrong?"

“Sorry to disturb you three." My mistress' rival said. “But it is matter of extreme importance."

“I think Naka and his colony are in trouble." My little brother said glumly.

“Did that mole I told you about find their whereabouts? Did he deliver them to the entity?" I asked my little brother.

My little brother's face turned even grimmer.

“I see." I said as Shakara and Lady Ursa joined me at the front door.

“We promised to support them in anyway possible." The badger warrior said. “Now is the time."

The lioness and bear nodded. Corbin and Lady Barq prepped the prototypes while Shakara, Lady Ursa and I bathed and dressed. 

Shakara and Lady Ursa sat down in the blue prototype and Lady Barq and Corbin in the silver.

“How long will you four be gone?" I asked.

“We don't know pet. In the interim you will be staying with the Commander." My perfect person said.

“Addy is staying with the Wilds." Lady Barq said.

“You will have to watch the infirmary for me little cutie." My devious person said.

“We will contact you when we know more." Corbin said as the badger powered on the silver prototype. The blue prototype powered on afterwards and then they were off on a dire mission to help the maned wolf and his fledgling colony.

Now that is irony! Three months ago, I abruptly departed the lost city (not of my own choosing) leaving my family and now three months later my lovers, my little brother and a close friend did the same to me. 

Alex Winter June 29, YOE 34