[Companions Chapter 37]

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WARNING! The following text contains explicit adult subject matter. It is not intended for anyone under the age of 18. If you are under the age of 18, then you must stop reading now. The author has taken steps to ensure that this story does not appear in any subject-inappropriate or age-inappropriate forum. This version has been posted with the author's permission to Yiffstar.com.

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* _COMPANIONS_

* by Evoquus

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* (c) Copyright 2003, Evoquus, All rights reserved.

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* Feedback is appreciated: [email protected]

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Rating: NC-17 for explicit sex: M/M, F/F, Human-Stallion-Mare, Anal, Oral

Chapter 37: Destiny's Deceit

A frightened scream nearby interrupted the frolicking threesome.

"That's Malaya!" said Shianna in alarm.

Pandora turned to Rovaun nervously, then the three of them took off to find her. The trembling young mare was pinned against a large rock behind a defiant Parceph and Hurroll, who were defending her from a menacingly aroused Bouceph.

"Come on, Darlin'," he grinned lecherously. "You know you want it." He bounced his turgid cock up and down, flicking gobs of goo at her that splattered on the ground in front of her bodyguards. The clique, already on edge from the previous day, were quick to assemble.

"Congratulations, Bouceph," said Pandora. "You have managed to appall even me."

"She's barely a year old, you Creep!" shouted Shianna.

"That's old enough to start a family," drooled Bouceph.

"No it isn't," said Shianna, as if it were patently obvious to even the most mentally challenged.

"We'll see," he replied, knowing something that she did not. "Mom, maybe you can wield your influence and ask these nice impotent horses to step aside."

Pandora looked around. "Oh, I'm sorry. Were you talking to me?"

Bouceph scowled at her. "Mom, do you have an issue?"

"Why do you call me that?"

"Because you're my MOTHER!"

"Wrong, Billy," tsk-tsked Pandora. "Your mother was Zhorelle."

"My mother IS Zhorelle!" he snorted.

"Haven't you heard, Bouceph? Zhorelle is dead."

"Mom... what are you saying?" His attention no longer on the little Malaya, he approached the black mare with genuine concern. Parceph and Hurroll whisked the frightened young mare away to safety.

"Bouceph," said Pandora with a motherly flair. "With the best of intentions, you SCREWED UP!"

"What?"

"I am not Zhorelle. And now, thanks to you, I am not Daniel Racher, either. You murdered him just as surely as you murdered Jeremiah, today."

Gasps erupted from the clique. This was the first that any had heard of this. Rovaun and Shianna gaped at each other in shock. Sorrow would come later.

"No! I didn't murder him! He knew the risks."

"Perhaps you're right, Bouceph. It looked like murder to me, but then I suppose my opinion could be biased. Negligent homicide, then. Banishment, I should think, would be an appropriate sentence, don't you, Harlok?"

"With all due respect," said the Elder Palomino, "that is for me to decide AFTER a fair trial has been held."

"Forgive me, Elder," she said, momentarily forgetting her role in this society. "I meant no disrespect."

The Elder snorted. Pandora realized that damage control would require a lot more than verbally distancing herself from her son.

"Elder," she said bowing her head, "my behavior yesterday was unforgivable. There is nothing I can say to excuse it away. But that horrible creature is not who I am, and I have foresaken her name as the first step toward starting anew. I am Pandora. I truly regret all of the suffering I caused. All I can say is I'm sorry, and hope that you will believe me sincere."

Several Hipponaurs murmured skeptically.

"My husband Rovaun and my dear friend Shianna have found it in their hearts to forgive me, because they believe, as do I, that my soul is human. It belonged to a wonderful man named Danny, and I thank God that Bouceph was not able to change that. Daniel Racher is gone, but he left me his legacy, and as Pandora I pledge to live up to his soul's high standards. If there are any among you whom I have wronged, and you cannot find it in your hearts to forgive me, then I ask only that you allow me to make amends. I know that talk is cheap, for some more than others."

Most Hipponaurs agreed only with that last statement. It caught her off guard, humiliating her, but she remained respectfully contrite.

"She's telling the truth," chimed Shianna excitedly. "She let me kick her ass! It was soooo worth it! And she'll let YOU kick her ass, too..."

Pandora's eyes widened as she stared at the ground.

"... So come on, everyone. Get in line. Take a number. This is the opportunity you've all been waiting for, your big chance to get even... Oh yeah, there's just one small catch." The pretty white mare raised her hackles and growled like a rabid Rottweiler. "You'll all have to go through me, first."

Pandora smiled and nuzzled her cheek. "Thanks, Sugar," she whispered.

Shianna the bull dyke pecked her lover on the lips then returned her menacing glare to the crowd. Most Hipponaurs needed no more convincing. Only one stepped forward to challenge.

"Mom, I can fix you."

"Give it up, Bouceph," said Pandora. "Haven't you heard, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it?' I wish you hadn't fixed me in the first place!"

"But Mom..."

"You're on your own now, Bouceph. You have my pity, but you are not my son. Your mother is dead. May she finally rest in peace."

Bouceph stared at her in disbelief. Just then Hurroll came galloping back to whisper news to the Elder, who then passed it from Hipponaur to Hipponaur. Several stallions and mares departed. Hurroll came up to Rovaun.

"Malaya is gone," he said, desperately.

"What!?" yelled Shianna. "How could that happen!?"

"Parceph and I were only gone for a minute to bring her food and water. When we got back to the shelter, she had vanished."

Off in the distance on the side of a hill, a large pine toppled over mysteriously. Several Hipponaurs turned to see what had happened, but most did not give it any concern. Bouceph saw the tree and he saw the hill of his destiny. He looked up at the sun, which was nearing the hilltop. There was at most thirty minutes of daylight left.

"Did Malaya leave any tracks?" asked Shianna.

"A few, but they are not easily distinguishable in the terrain. We need everyone to fan out..."

"Not everyone," said Harlok. "Rovaun, are you sound?"

"Yes, Elder."

Then I need you and Hurroll to guard Bouceph to be held for trial.

"But Elder..."

"Do not worry, Hurroll. We will find your daughter. I will assist in the search. Shianna and Pandora will accompany me."

The mares followed the Elder while Rovaun and Hurroll stayed behind to keep an eye on Bouceph, who nervously monitored the sun's progress.

"Thanks for fucking up Mom again," he sneered.

"Shut up... my Son.

"Miss your balls?"

"When I decide to kick you in them, Bouceph, you can be sure that I will not miss."

Rightfully intimidated, Bouceph pointed his testicles in a direction out of his father's reach. "You know, Mom says I'm a better lover than you."

"And she talks to you from beyond the grave, does she? How is Elvis?"

For several minutes the stallions all stared at each other with mutual loathing, then Bouceph perked up his eyes and ears. "I guess they found her."

Rovaun and Hurroll turned to see, then the stallion bolted in the opposite direction.

Rovaun tore after him, but Hurroll held him back. "Let him go, Rovaun. Please help me find my little girl."

With five minutes of sunlight to spare, Bouceph made it to the hillside for his destined rendezvous with the virginal Malaya. He recognized the landmarks and the terrain, but Malaya had not yet arrived. Then, hearing her footsteps approach, he crouched behind a bush so as not to scare her off. But the Hipponaur that emerged from the trees was not the young mare he was expecting.

"Hello, Bouceph," said the stallion.

The bush was too small to conceal him from a full-grown stallion's perspective. He stood up to challenge the other. "Hello, Parceph. What are you doing here?"

"Looking for Malaya. What are you doing here?"

"Just watching the sunset."

"Considering suicide? I'd be happy to assist."

Bouceph looked around nervously. If the mare saw them both here, she might easily change her mind. And there was no way that Parceph was going to allow their mating to take place. He had to get him to leave.

"I know where Malaya is."

"Where!" snorted Parceph.

"Why should I tell you?"

"Could it be because you owe me a debt or two or several billion?"

"Look, Parceph, I'm sorry about your mate, but I swear it was all his idea."

"You're so full of shit, Bouceph."

"No! We had a deal!"

"What deal!?"

"He would let me do him once a day for a hundred..."

"Just stop talking," said Parceph, shaking his head in disgust. "I hear words but they're garbled. Nothing that comes out of your filthy lying hole makes any sense."

"I SWEAR I'm not making this up!!"

"And I swear that you are a lying, murdering, shit-wallowing dung beetle."

The sun just touched the horizon. Bouceph could not figure out where Malaya was. She should have been there by now. She was probably hiding.

"Go! Just go!" he insisted. "Get out of here!"

"Why."

"Because Malaya is MINE!" he boasted. "We are going to be bond mates."

"In your dreams."

"Yes! Exactly! In my dreams. We mate tonight right on this hill. She's a tight squeeze but, ohhhh, she loosens up well."

"You fucking bastard!"

"That's my plan," he smirked. "So you see Parceph, it's my destiny, and there's nothing you can do to stop it."

"I can try." Parceph prepared to lunge at him, but his feet became inexplicably weighted down.

"You'll have to try harder than that." Bouceph scanned the trees. "Where the fuck is that little cunt! MALAYA!!! Damn her!"

Parceph struggled against his invisible bonds, but then settled down to change tactics. He considered the sunset. Bouceph saw him thinking about it and turned to admire it with him.

"Pretty, isn't it? Malaya thinks so." Then he mockingly whispered as if sharing a secret, "Too bad you didn't bring Hurroll with you. The two of you just might have pulled off a coup."

"You're insane, Bouceph. You and Malaya - it'll never happen."

"Oh it happens, dear Parceph, along with so much more. Destiny showed me. Her first foal is born in a year, a beautiful little girl named Pixel, and every year after that, they all just keep lining up for me."

"You dreamed that!?" said Parceph in alarm.

"This afternoon. Guess I fell asleep while waiting for Mom to come home. I'll tell you another fantastic little secret: It only takes a couple of weeks for a thirsty young mare and her daughter to prefer stallion piss to water. You should see the little darlin's come a-runnin' when Daddy rings the dinner bell, fightin' to see who gets first dibs on his teat."

Parceph gaped in horror.

"And it warms my soul to see Malaya instructing young Pixel on the proper techniques of how to make Daddy so very happy. Ohhh, my Destiny is so be..."

"nnnnnnnNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!"

Parceph exploded a psychic blast directly at Bouceph. The gloating stallion did not see it coming, did not know what hit him, and did not have a hope in hell of surviving it.

Bouceph collapsed in a lifeless heap, and Parceph found he could move again. He stood over the body and sighed with mixed emotions, glad that it was over, and terribly angry that it was necessary. How could one rotten soul cause so much pain to the undeserving? Now it was he who had to account for his sins.

The stallion bellowed his second banshee cry of the day. Its hollow mournful wail palled the valley with profound sadness, beckoning all to grieve and to atone. The cry caught the ears of those it intended to call, and also attracted the attention of two travelers, a human and his Clydesdale.

Azgard stopped dead in his tracks when his ears detected it. His rider could tell at once that the summons was not a wedding announcement.

"Hold on, Companion," said Azgard, shifting into high gear.

"This isn't good, is it," bounced Fred.

"No."

Within a few minutes, they heard more wails join the lament.

"My God," said Fred, "how many of them are there?"

"If Destiny is kind, Companion, then I would say ALL of them... save but one."

Fred wanted to cover his ears as the sorrowful cries grew nearer and louder, but to do so meant letting go of the straps that kept him on his mount. Thankfully, the cries died down, just as the two of them reached the clearing on the hill where the rest of the clique had gathered. Azgard and Fred recognized the fallen stallion.

"Talk about deja vu," said Fred. "I thought Garson was already dead in this timeline."

"I don't believe that is Garson, Companion. It is... or was Rovaun's son."

"Oh no."

The crowd separated to allow Bouceph's parents to view the body together. Parceph remained humble and prostrate next to it.

"What happened?" Fred asked Shianna.

"I don't know. But it looks like Parceph killed Bouceph," she whispered.

"Why would he do that?" Fred gasped. The Parceph he knew was much gentler than that.

"Probably because Bouceph killed Jeremiah."

"WHAT!??"

The other Hipponaurs snorted at Fred to show some respect.

"Azgard," Fred hyperventilated, "I needed to talk to Jerry!"

"I know, Companion... I am sorry."

"Rovaun and Pandora," Parceph said solemnly. "I will not ask for your forgiveness, for I am unworthy of it. I murdered your son."

"No Parceph!"

"Are you sure you do not wish to amend this confession, Parceph?" said Harlok. "Surely it was self-defense."

"No Elder," said the honorable stallion. "It was pre-meditated from the beginning. I planned it. I lured him here. I killed him. And my only regret is that it had to be done."

Hurroll stepped forward with head lowered in contrition. "Elder, I, too, played a roll in this deception."

"No, Hurroll," said Parceph. "You did not know that I planned to kill him. Elder, Hurroll's only crime was that of staging Malaya's disappearance. He thought I was only going to castrate Bouceph to reduce the likelihood of his coupling with Malaya."

The Elder snorted, bitterly disappointed in the two of them, just wanting to live his life in peace. "Very well," he said. "Hurroll, since your crime was relatively minor, and Bouceph was a perceived threat to your daughter, a threat that I witnessed myself, you are on probation for... a month."

"Thank you, Elder."

"However, you, Parceph, cannot be let off so lightly. Under normal circumstances I would have no choice but to order your execution. But given the recent history between you and the deceased, I shall allow you to choose your own punishment, provided that I and Bouceph's biological parents find it sufficient justice."

Pandora and Rovaun exhaled in relief the stale breaths they had been holding. An apology from their friend and a night of wanton sex would suffice.

"I choose exile," proclaimed the condemned.

"Do Bouceph's parents find the punishment of exile from this clique sufficient justice for the murder of their son?"

"We do," said Rovaun.

"I do not," said the Elder, sinking the hearts and hopes of the Hipponaurs present, all of whom adored the convicted stallion.

Parceph stood silently regarding the Elder, whose job it was to mete out justice in a fair and impartial manner. The Elder was just as much on the hook as Parceph, and Parceph put him there.

"... And castration," Parceph proclaimed.

"No, Parceph," said Pandora. "Choose banishment. We could still come and..."

"Rovaun," interrupted Harlok. "Your companion is not suggesting that she visit a banished Hipponaur, is she?"

"No, Elder," he replied. "My companion would not dream of intentionally breaking Hipponaur law."

"Very well," said Harlok, giving Pandora a glare to keep her mouth shut so that everyone could have a happy ending. "I do not want to HEAR... of anyone INTENTIONALLY visiting a banished Hipponaur. Do I make myself clear?"

The Hipponaurs all nodded approvingly at his gaping legal loophole.

"So, Parceph. What shall it be? Banishment," he said with a smile, "or exile and castration," he said with a frown.

"Exile and castration."

The crowd gasped.

"So be it," Harlok snorted angrily. "Azgard, is your Companion handy with a blade?"

The Clydesdale turned to Fred. "Did you bring your first-aid kit?"

"Yes, but..."

"Yes he is, Elder."

"What!?" cried Fred.

"Excellent," said Harlok approaching the man. "Fred McHenry, is it?"

"Um... Yes, your... Elder."

"Please listen to me carefully, Mr. McHenry. You will make a clean cut at the base of the scrotum, being very careful not to damage the testes. Do you understand?"

Fred gulped and nodded. He removed his medical kit from one of his packs and approached Parceph.

"This isn't why I came back here," he groused.

"I know, and I'm sorry," said Parceph. "But thank you for doing this."

"Why are you thanking me? This is cruel and unusual punishment. You guys should have a law against castrating a perfectly healthy Hipponaur."

He dabbed the base of the stallion's scrotum with alcohol. "I don't have a local anesthetic with me Parceph. This is going to hurt a lot."

"Thanks for the warning. I'll try not to kick your head in."

Fred backed away in reflex. Parceph snickered and winked at him.

"Don't even joke about that!"

"Oh lighten up."

Fred cautiously placed the knife on its target, pulling the testes down to stretch the skin. "I can't believe you're making jokes right now."

"You will learn that it always helps to have a bright outlook."

"If you say so. Your outlook is going to be rather bright in a couple of seconds. You'll probably see stars. Are you ready?"

"Do it."

Fred pulled the knife. In one stroke, he severed the sacs and cradled them in his left hand. Miraculously, the gelded Hipponaur did not even flinch.

"What's the matter?" asked Parceph. "Why did you let go?"

"Parceph, it's done."

"It is?" The first clue for Parceph was the warm feeling of blood flowing down the inside of his leg. Fred covered the wound with sterile gauze. The ex-stallion beamed. "Fred McHenry, you are a natural gelder," he praised sincerely.

"Please don't say that," said Fred remorsefully. He prepared a suture to sew him up.

"That will not be necessary," said the Elder.

"He'll lose a lot of blood if I don't close the wound," protested Fred.

Parceph nodded to him. "Thank you, Fred. You've done enough for me. I'll be okay."

"Fine," he said, throwing in the towel. "What do you want me to do with these?" He held out Parceph's family jewels.

"Just leave them there, thanks."

Foregoing any suturing, Fred taped the gauze into place just as Parceph felt his wound waking up, strangely hot and tingling, but not nearly as painful as Rovaun's ordeal.

"Mr. McHenry," said Harlok, "while you're at it, I believe those belong to Rovaun." Harlok pointed to the dead stallion's testicles. "Bouceph will not be needing them anymore. If you wouldn't mind returning them to their rightful owner..."

"Oh my G..." Fred gawked at the red testicles on the gray stallion and shook his head in disbelief. Carefully slicing them off, he brought them to Rovaun but refrained from asking the obvious question of how they ended up there in the first place.

"This is major surgery, Rovaun. There are a thousand veins to connect."

"Oh nonsense, young man," said Pandora. "Just make an incision and tape those naughty runaways back into place. Try not to put them on backwards."

"What!?" He scowled at the moronic mare.

"We haven't met," she said. "My name is Pandora. And you are...?"

"Danny, what the hell are you talking about?"

"Oh... dear. It seems we have met after all."

"Yes... it seems. Stop acting like a jackass and shut up for once. I would appreciate it if you would leave the veterinary advice to those of us who actually attended veterinary school."

"Oh..." she said, reading his animosity loud and clear. She looked to Rovaun, not sure of how to handle the situation.

"My Companion is correct in this matter, Fred. My testicles will repair themselves once they are attached. It is what they do best."

"Second best," nuzzled Pandora.

Fred stared at Rovaun, then relented. "Fine," he grumbled. "Let's all play 'Pin the Balls on the Stallion.' What a fucking waste of tuition. Maybe someone should blindfold me and spin me around three times just to make it challenging."

"Parceph," announced Harlok. "You have been legally castrated. I leave it to you to dispose of your genitals properly. And I don't want to HEAR... of you re-attaching them... anytime soon. You are hereby exiled forever from this clique, though you are welcome to visit for a week twice a year. That is all."

Harlok departed allowing the other Hipponaurs to express their regrets to Parceph for the loss of his Companion. Several offered to help him re-attach his testicles, but he thanked them and declined graciously. To Rovaun and Pandora, they also expressed their regrets for the loss of their son, despite the fact that his mother had publicly disowned him.

"Do you wish to bury him, Husband?"

"No, Companion," said Rovaun. "Despite Parceph's confession, he did not murder Bouceph - he executed him, and I believe he had the moral, if not legal, authority to do so. We do not bury our dishonored dead... that is, unless you want to."

"He was not my son," she said.

"Nor mine."

"If it is all right with you," said Parceph, kneeling down next to the body. "I will attend to his body, properly. Having taken his life, I owe him that much."

"Very well, Parceph, if it will help you heal," said Rovaun. "And I still consider you to be my close friend. You are not indebted to me."

"Thank you, my friend."

The Hipponaurs left Parceph alone in the twilight to grieve the passing of Jeremiah and his killer. Fred rode Azgard in silence. Rovaun, Pandora, and Shianna were equally doleful. Suddenly Pandora stopped and wept tearfully for her son.

"I know he had his flaws," she cried, "but he wasn't all bad."

Rovaun and Shianna comforted her. "I know, Companion."

"He was our son, Rovaun." She hugged Shianna. "And your bond mate, my dear."

Shianna dropped her head and shed some tears of her own. "He was awful," she lamented, "but he had his good points."

"Mm-hmm," agreed Pandora.

"I can't think of any, but..."

Pandora managed a sniffling chuckle and smiled at Shianna.

"... I think I will miss him."

"Me too," she said, hugging the other mare.

Rovaun joined them. "I cannot think of a single accomplishment of his that I can honestly say I am proud of, but... he was my son, and that should be enough."

"I wouldn't want to be Parceph right now."

"He will need our support if he is ever to forgive himself."

"I bear him no ill will, Husband."

"Neither do I, Companion."

Azgard could not contain his curiosity any longer. "Rovaun, may I have a private word with you?"

Rovaun glanced at his mate.

"Oh go on, Dear," said Pandora. "Azgard and his friend probably have a million questions about me. You can catch up with us later. Shianna and I will just be reminiscing about the cad."

Rovaun kissed her, then joined Azgard and Fred straying off the trail together.

"I have a feeling that I will be making amends to that one," said Pandora.

"To Azgard?"

"No, to the human."

"Oh," said Shianna. "I don't know anything about that, but Fred's a nice enough guy."

"He seemed very angry with me, but perhaps he was only upset, given the difficult circumstances."

That evening the clique gathered solemnly around an unlit campfire to pay homage to Jeremiah. Wood, twigs, and dry grass had been assembled in the stone circle, but not set ablaze, to symbolize the life whose spark had gone out. Also, Fred forgot to bring more matches.

No one knew much to say about the private man except that he was loved by one of their own, which was all that was necessary to honor him. Less was said about Bouceph, though the passing of any Hipponaur warranted sufficient attention to disperse an emissary to the nearest clique. Parceph was often the main topic of conversation whenever someone dared to break the silence. Most felt his destiny to be terribly unfair, and they hoped he could cope with the second loss of his beloved.

But for the most part, the dark evening wore on in silent solace.

"Who wants to hear a ghost story?" said a ghost, lighting the campfire.

Several Hipponaurs whinnied with fright when for a split second, the specter of Jeremiah, his face lit by the faint yellow flame of his own butane lighter, set the dry grass on fire and then extinguished just as quickly.

"Did you see that, Azgard?" said Fred, his spine tingling so much that he shuddered repeatedly.

"Yes, Companion," said his astonished mate.

"He's dead," whinnied Pandora. "I helped bury the poor soul myself!"

"Then who lit the fire?"

A stallion emerged from the darkness. Though technically his presence was against the law, no one, not even the law, objected.

"Parceph! We just saw..."

The stallion held his head high and proud, and then another stallion came out of the darkness to stand tall and proud next to him.

"Bou... ceph?"

"'Fraid not," said Jeremiah, emerging from him. The virtual man hugged his Companion and his savior.

Gasps, whinnies, and cheers erupted as the two were instantly swamped by their friends. Fred reached out and shook hands with a ghost, who felt just as warm and alive as ever.

"Jeremiah," asked Pandora. "Is there some previous relationship between you and my son that I am unaware of?"

"No, Ma'am."

"Then please forgive my bewilderment, but can you explain how it is that your soul finds his body so hospitable?"

"Certainly, Ma'am. I'd be happy to show ya."

With a maudlin flair, Jeremiah snapped his fingers. Next to him the gray stallion reared up on his hind legs and proudly displayed his third set of testicles, dark brown this time.

"Careful, Companion," said Parceph. "My boys are hanging on by a mere thread, and they are all that tie your soul to this planet."

"Oh, don't be such a wet blanket."

"Parceph," decreed Harlok, "it would appear that my judgement was a tad premature, now that it is quite clear that Bouceph is not at all dead. Therefore, I officially rescind your exile. However, I cannot demand that he return your testicles to you. You will have to work that out amongst yourselves."

"I'm sure I won't be needing both of them," grinned Jeremiah.

"Jerry, I'm so glad you're alive," said Fred, "I need to understand what's happening to me."

"How the hell should I know?"

"Well... because... you're really old, and weird shit is happening to me, and..."

"Listen, Fred," said Jeremiah. "You're the oldest human alive with a Hipponaur bond mate. You're even older than me."

"What?"

"I'm virtual! I'm virtual today, and I was virtual two hundred years ago. You are blazing new territory all on your own, Fred. I can't help you 'cause I don't know. I AM real curious to see how you turn out, though," he virtually grinned.

"But..."

Jeremiah moved on to mingle with other well-wishers, leaving Fred with more questions and no answers. Then the non-virtual man noticed that Parceph's bandages had completely soaked through, and he offered to change the dressing. As Fred carefully peeled the red gauze away, Parceph felt another hot tingling at the wound site, like the vibrating hum of a powerful electromagnet.

"I'll be damned," gasped Fred. The tingling stopped immediately.

"What is it, Doc?" asked Jeremiah, always interested when someone else was fondling his mate.

A shallow pink membrane stretched across the wound, concealing two small but definite lumps.

"I think you can keep both your balls, Jerry," he said, completely removing the bandages. "Parceph is growing another set."

"You don't say," said the stallion in amusement.

"You Hipponaurs are amazing," remarked Fred.

"Companion," grinned Azgard, "as a general rule, Hipponaurs do not grow back entire organs."

"Then Parceph is the exception to that rule."

Parceph turned to him. "Or perhaps you are."

"What?"

"Yes, Companion, don't you see?" said the Clydesdale. "You are an equine veterinarian - you heal horses."

"But... how?"

"Your emotional state in proximity with the patient, of course."

"Oh... of course." Fred threw up his arms.

"Let's try an experiment, Fred," suggested Parceph. "Place your hand on my balls again, that is, if I'm not being too forward."

Fred shrugged. "No, I don't mind. I so rarely get asked that by a horse."

Fred held his hand under the stallion, but neither of them felt anything miraculous happening.

"Concentrate, Companion," said Azgard. "Try to remember how you felt when you first bandaged Parceph."

"Okay." He took a deep breath and exhaled, then did as Azgard suggested, trying to imagine the regret he felt for pointlessly castrating the beautiful stallion.

And then the small testes rumbled in his hand.

"That's it," said Parceph. "That's the sensation I felt!"

The expanding testes grew uncomfortably hot while dropping lower into his hand. Then the stallion whinnied in pain.

"Let go! Let go! Please!!"

Fred backed away, allowing the scorched gonads to slowly return to body temperature.

"Great balls of fire!"

"I think we need to do this in baby steps," said Fred.

"I agree," said Parceph. "A few seconds of therapy each day for a week ought to do it."

"Therapy for both of us," shrugged Fred. "I still don't know my own strength."

Pandora had observed the bizarre medical drama with the utmost fascination. She was particularly interested in Fred, since he was the closest thing around that resembled Daniel Racher.

"Rovaun," she said aghast, "are all humans so... gifted?"

"It would not surprise me, Dearest," he chuckled. "You certainly are."

The black mare humbly approached him. Fred regarded her apprehensively.

"I am Pandora," she said respectfully. "Did you know Daniel Racher well?"

"Uh..." he swallowed. "No, not very well."

She closed her eyes in disappointment. "It is my belief, that I retain his soul."

"Yeah... Rovaun told us what happened. I'm very sorry."

"I also believe that I... that is, he, has wronged you in some way."

Fred glanced nervously to his mate, but smiled and shook his head. "No, Pandora. Danny never really did anything to me that I didn't deserve."

She opened her eyes and smiled politely. "Then I hope that we can be friends."

"Sure Pandora. I'd like that."

"Then... please don't think me crass, but I wonder if... I could feel for myself what it is like to be hugged... by a man."

Fred chuckled, but suddenly found his palms dripping with sweat.

"It is all right if you do not wish to," she said mildly.

"No... really it's fine. I like hugging horses." He gave her an embrace, scritching and rubbing her mane, and the wonderful feeling brought tears to her eyes. She brought her chin down to hold him and they both trembled with frightened affection.

Pandora released him and nuzzled his cheek. "Thank you, young man."

"Call me Fred," he smiled.

Pandora returned to her mate and hugged him next, then quietly broke down while he held her.

"I'm sorry, Companion," she cried. "I'm so sorry that I can't do that for you anymore."

"Shh, Companion," he consoled. "It will be all right. I will always have those memories. With you by my side, I want for nothing."

She composed herself and nuzzled his handsome face. "Thank you," she said. "And as long as I have my Little Red Pony, I shall want for nothing as well."

"Companion," he laughed. "What did you call me?"

"You're my Little Red..." [Gasp!]

She stared horror struck at the beaming stallion. "I have... a twin sister... a HUMAN sister named 'Emma.'"

"Let me think for a moment," he mused. "By Jove, you do. How come you never mentioned this before?"

"My second grade teacher was Mrs. Loshke."

"Come here, my Darling."

Rovaun scanned the mare briefly, then continued to beam brightly. "You have just recovered one tenth of one percent of the damaged portion of your brain."

The mare stared into the wilderness with astonishment. "There are so many images that make no sense... disconnected and confused, but... I don't think that I feel any different."

"Of course not, Companion. Those memories are already a part of you. They do not change you, the merely help you discover and understand."

All eyes fell upon Fred again, who blushed uncomfortably with his hands in his pockets, really wishing Jeremiah would steal the limelight away from him. As for Rovaun and Azgard, it was impossible to determine which of the two stallions was the proudest in the universe.

Pandora nervously approached the doubly apprehensive man again.

"It seems that you can repair more than severed genitals."

"I don't know, Pandora... I... I just gave you a hug, that's all."

"Would it be asking too much... for another one?"

"Um... okay."

Fred embraced her again. And again, nothing happened at first. Then he relaxed as she brought her head down, and soon they both began to tremble. The longer they held each other, the more the mare shook, until she quaked so violently as memories flooded her brain that she screamed and fell backwards, scooting away from the man as fast as possible.

"Are you all right, Companion!" came Rovaun to her rescue.

"I... I can't do this right now, Rovaun," she heaved. "It's too fast... and too soon."

"That's fine, my love," he whickered. "You do not have to do this if you don't want to. Not now, not ever."

She looked up into his loving eyes and thanked him for being so understanding, then rose to her feet and regarded Fred again, from a safe distance.

"Baby steps?" he said, smiling sincerely at her.

"I think that would be best," she agreed. "Thank you, Fred."

Azgard stepped forward to prove to the world that his human Companion was harmless. He hugged Fred and nuzzled him longer than anyone, physically manifesting nothing more uncanny than a happy Hipponaur sigh.

"I think Fred McHenry is going to do all right for himself," the Clydesdale whickered.

"If I can just figure out what the hell I'm doing," said Fred, equally excited and frustrated with his evolving talent.

"I suspect Parceph and Pandora will be of great help to you in that regard. And if you need more practice, then you may castrate me and culture me a new set of testicles. I think they might look nice in stripes."

Fred chuckled and dearly hoped his Companion was joking.

Jeremiah moseyed up to him with his hands in his back pockets, until he pulled one out and offered it to Fred.

"You're gonna be famous."

Fred shook his hand and shook his head. "I don't want to be famous."

"Well," said Jeremiah humbly, "any man that can do what you can do, ain't necessarily got a choice."

"I know," he sighed. "I'm just going to have to learn to keep my cool."

"Meditation helps. I could give you a few pointers."

"I'd like that," he nodded.

"Come see me first thing tomorrow morning. We'll get you straightened out."

"Thanks."

Jeremiah moseyed up to Rovaun and Pandora next. "They say confession is good for the soul. My soul needs some healin', and I reckon so does my mate's." He eyed his stallion, who then dropped his head. "May we speak with you?"

The four of them left to have a private heart-to-heart.

"As Bouceph's parents," continued Jeremiah, "you deserve to know what really happened." The man sat down on a log next to the obedient body of their former son, and said flat out, "We ambushed him."

"Ambushed!"

"That's right. We hit him simultaneously using guerilla tactics. He was unaware that Parceph was concealing me, and we kept it that way so that he'd drop his guard when the time was right. It took both of us to execute him, but his murder was plotted entirely by me."

"You cannot take all the blame, Companion," said Parceph.

"I can, because I set the wheels in motion. I planted the dream in his head, making him believe Malaya was his. You had no choice but to help me kill him."

Pandora gasped. Rovaun could not believe his ears.

"What would possess you to do such a thing!" he snorted. "Are you telling me Bouceph was innocent!?"

"Technically, yes. My death, though unintentional on my part, was a direct consequence of my own actions."

"Parceph, did you know about this!?"

"No, Rovaun," he said respectfully. "I was not a party to this crime until after my Companion's death." He addressed Pandora. "Before you brought me his body, Jeremiah had already returned to me in spirit. We both knew he had died, but neither of us knew how or why. Though his body had expired, enough of his brain remained accessible to answer those questions."

"It was then that we both realized my plan had backfired," said Jeremiah, "and we agreed that the only way to protect Malaya from Bouceph, now, was to kill him."

"BOTH deaths were unnecessary!!" bellowed Rovaun.

"I don't regret what I did," said Jeremiah.

"That is easy for you to say! My dead son may disagree!!"

"Malaya was in danger."

"Because you placed her in danger!" raged the stallion. "And was Hurroll aware of your deception as well?"

Jeremiah lowered his eyes and shook his head. "No, he knew nothing about the false dream."

"Then for your sake," the stallion growled with chained fury, "I hope he never finds out." Rovaun pawed the ground violently. "Jeremiah. You are the LAST person I would have expected to do such a thing. What could possibly have been your motive!?"

Jeremiah shook his head coolly.

"Rovaun, I came from another world. A world very similar to this one. I also came from another time. About three years in the future. I have seen your future. And I have seen Malaya's future..." He looked down and sighed. "Her miserable future."

Rovaun raised up and became silent. Pandora did not know what to think, but reserved judgement until she heard the whole story.

"In my timeline, there was no Daniel Racher to change the course of Hipponaur. Young mares were still forced to bond with stallions. Bouceph had made a formal request to be Malaya's bond mate. Ironically, because he was universally despised by mare and stallion alike, it made him an ideal candidate. But the Elders recognized his motives and denied his request. So... he took her anyway.

"Her innocent mind was easily manipulated. She remained devoted to the bastard despite all of the vile and grotesque things he made her do. She got pregnant during her first estrus."

He rubbed his face in his hands, which trembled as if revealing his true age. It took a moment to recompose.

"During Malaya's pregnancy, Bouceph was no less demanding. She found it more and more difficult to meet his needs, but he kept her close to prevent her from getting any 'liberating' ideas. He promised her that life would get easier after her daughter was born, because then the young mares could share in the daily chores. Malaya was so tired. She actually looked forward to giving her daughter to him in that way."

Parceph closed his eyes, for these memories of Jeremiah's were now his as well.

"A month before she was due to give birth, Malaya finally came to her senses. She had to save herself, but more importantly, she had to save her daughter from the clutches of the beast from whom she could never escape. So..." Jeremiah raised his head to Rovaun. "She killed herself."

"Oh!" cried Pandora.

Rovaun stared at the man somberly.

"The first Hipponaur suicide in fifteen hundred years. And the youngest... ever."

Rovaun looked down to consider this tragic tale, but then shook his head at the man. "You do not know that THIS Bouceph shared that same destiny."

"That is true, Rovaun, but I couldn't take that chance. You saw for yourself he had eyes for Malaya."

"And you made matters even worse!"

"No, Rovaun, don't you see? If Bouceph had dreamed of Malaya on his own, then it would have been their destiny. Malaya's fate would have been sealed! But by planting that exact same dream in Bouceph's head, then all bets are off. Destiny is forever in doubt and hope is restored. I cheated him of that destiny, but I also knew that Destiny would exact a price for my deceit. So I willingly offered myself in Malaya's place, hoping that Destiny would find it an equitable trade."

The man clasped his hands together tightly. They felt so real to him, but their reality was transitory. "Unfortunately," he sighed, "Destiny did not. There was a variable I had not anticipated. It was never my plan to die today."

Parceph nuzzled the back of his Companion's head to remind them both that he was still very much alive.

"I was left only with Plan B," he continued. "Since I could no longer lure Bouceph away from Malaya, my only choice was to lure him to her instead. With Parceph's help, I felled a tree, knowing it would bring Bouceph to us at the right time. You know the rest."

Again, Rovaun shook his head slowly at the ancient man who should have known better than to play this fateful game. "Jeremiah, you speak of preordained doom and hopelessness. Have you not learned by now that destiny is always in doubt? And when there is life, there is always hope."

"And there is something else to consider, Companion," Parceph chastised his mate. "Bouceph's final dream."

Jeremiah sat stone-faced.

"What dream?" asked Pandora.

"It occurred this afternoon," replied Parceph. "He described an additional dream that showed his future with Malaya - a future that was worse than death."

Jeremiah buried his face in his hands. Yet another variable that he had not anticipated had changed the balance of the equation. Malaya's life and her daughter's, and possibly many more innocents down the line could now be destined to serve the beast forever. For the young mare, this living hell had been architected specifically for her by Jeremiah.

"Oh no..." he wept into trembling hands. "No... no... no..."

Everyone pitied the man who now had to live with the terrible burden of not one, but two Hipponaur deaths. As for Malaya's ultimate destiny, only time would tell. It was up to Rovaun, Bouceph's closest living relative, to decide how justice should best be served. The deed was done, and could not be undone. Rovaun believed the man to be remorseful, and that living forever with his onerous conscience was punishment enough. The stallion offered some solace.

"Jeremiah, though I starkly disagree with your actions, I believe that your intentions were honorable. If there is anything to be learned from Destiny's fickleness, it is that some things, not all things, but SOME things happen for a reason. Bouceph is gone, but Malaya, my future daughter-in-law, is safe. It is my prerogative to believe that her destiny was always intended to be altered in this manner. Thank you for saving her life and assuring my son Tantau's happiness. But next time, please come to me or Parceph before acting so hastily."

The man wiped the tears from his face. "Thank you, Rovaun. I will."

"And I wouldn't read too much into that final dream of Bouceph's," offered Pandora. "He often daydreamed of the most heinous scenarios."

"And thank you, Pandora. Allow me to express my sincere condolences for your loss."

She sighed and then smiled at him. "Perhaps if you lose some weight, tone up a great deal and bathe regularly, I might consider adopting you as my son again."

"I'd like that, Mom," he sniffed.

"Our family tree is starting to look more like a tangled grapevine," quipped Rovaun. Then he offered Parceph a conciliatory hug. The stallion accepted it gratefully.

"Thank you, Rovaun," said Parceph. "As usual, your compassion knows no bounds."

"And as usual, you continue to push its limits, my friend."

"What are friends for?" he said dryly. "If it will make you feel any better, you can kill my bond mare."

"That will not be necessary."

Rovaun, Pandora, and Shianna cuddled together in the warm evening. The stallion delighted in watching his two-mare harem snuggle into each other. Pandora nuzzled the white mare softly and whispered with a wry smile, "I remember how Tantau was conceived."

Shianna giggled. "That WAS fun."

"Yes it was, Sugar. I pray that some day we can all do it again."

"Hmmmm," Shianna sighed, "that would be nice." Then she changed the topic momentarily. "I've been wondering. Is Bouceph really dead? I mean when you think about it, he's still walking around, only he's much more charming."

"I suppose that depends on whether or not you believe Zhorelle is dead, my dear," replied Pandora.

The white mare brushed her lips against the black's. "No question about it. Dead as a door nail."

The black mare snickered.

"Pandora, on the other hoof," cooed Shianna, "is alive and well and the hottest thing to walk on four legs since... since..."

"... since Shianna," Pandora cooed, finishing her sentence.

"I must be dreaming," grinned Rovaun.

Pandora sat up, suddenly possessed by a strange desire. Lifting her right front hoof to Rovaun's mane, she watched in amazement as a single finger poked out to scritch the stallion's neck.

"Will you look at that," she said in wonder.

The stallion chuckled. "Welcome back, Companion."

Pandora held her hoof up and marveled at the freakish digit, flexing its joints at her command.

"Which one is that, do you suppose?" she asked.

"I believe it is the middle one," said Rovaun.

"Is that so?" She held her hoof up and vertically extended the finger. "My muddled brain seems to think that this means sexual intercourse."

Rovaun and Shianna busted a gut. Pandora took their amusement in stride. "Obviously I still have a few wires crossed. No matter. I'll straighten them out in the morning."

"How are you feeling otherwise, Companion?"

Pandora smiled and shrugged. "I still feel perfectly *normal*." The last word was spoken in a register that was distinctly human and male. "Eeep! Was that me? I beg your pardon," she blushed, as if apologizing for an obnoxious belch.

Shianna rolled in fits. Rovaun controlled his amusement so as not to alienate his Companion during this awkward transition period.

"As I said, my love," he nuzzled. "How could life with you ever be boring."

"How are your naughty 'nads?" she nuzzled back.

"Working overtime to remain attached. I am afraid I shall have to give them the night off."

"My poor sexually frustrated Husband. How can we make you feel better?"

"Hmm," he smiled slyly. "Maybe you and Shianna should discuss that intimately amongst yourselves."

"We may just do that," she said, giving him a kiss.

She snuggled back into Shianna, comfortable enough with herself and her lovers to not be too concerned about the man waking up inside of her. Pandora noticed Shianna staring apprehensively at the hoof that had recently projected a virtual finger. The black mare knew just what to do to relieve the white's anxiety. She leaned over and nuzzled a private spot inside an indentation just above Shianna's left shoulder, and made all her worries fade away.

Shianna closed her eyes and moaned blissfully, "Oh Pandora... Sweet sexy Pandora... Don't stop... Please swear to me you'll never ever stop..."

"Don't you worry your pretty pink nose, Sugar," Pandora whispered. "Let Rovaun have his virtual human man-slut. I swear to you, my love, this real Hipponaur mare-slut will forever and always be yours."

"ooOOOOoooohhh!"

#

[End of _COMPANIONS_ Chapter 37: Destiny's Deceit]

[This concludes Part 12 of the series. Take a break.]

[Next in series: Chapter 38: (to be posted)]