FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The Lumarian shuttle quickly approached the Solar System.

"Captain," Alexei heard a voice call. "Captain, we're here." It was Kavhen. Alexei opened his eyes and looked out the window.

"We've reached the edge of your Solar System, sir," Raiche reported. "I'm disengaging the hyper drive and we'll take it slow from here. I approximate one hour until we reach the Earth's orbit.

The entire crew piled themselves into the cockpit to get a view of Alexei's home.

The ship quickly drifted past Pluto.

"Who inhabits that planet?" Axiroth asked.

"No one," Alexei replied. "The only planet in our Solar System that contains intelligent life is Earth."

There was a slight pause in the cockpit.

Alexei rolled his eyes. "Relatively speaking, of course. It's the only planet that supports life, okay?"

The crew, almost in unison, nodded and agreed with the lion, laughing.

"Very funny," Alexei smiled. He turned to Raiche. "Are you scanning the area for any Commune activity?"

"Yes, sir, I am."

"Did you pick anything up?"

"The only thing I'm picking up are the weak radio waves coming from the hundreds of satellites in the system. If it were Commune, trust me, I'd know."

"Keep up the search."

"Yes, sir. Now, will you relax? We're going to be on Earth in less than an hour, and it's looking like the Commune aren't even here."

"They're here, I know they are. I can feel them."

Kavhen placed his hands on Alexei's chest. "Everything will be just fine, Captain. There is no need to worry. We're all here for you."

Alexei placed his paws on Kavhen's hands. He looked up and smiled. "You're right. I've got to settle down... I haven't been on Earth for over six years, so I guess I'm a bit nervous..."

"Can't blame you," Jorhn said.

"C'mon, kids," Graunta began, "let's sit down. We've got to prepare for the landing, anyway."

The crew shuffled out of the cockpit and Alexei sat back and sighed. He wondered if anyone was going to remember him... if Kaelin would remember. He hadn't seen his home town since he was ten, and he wondered what had become of it. The Earth seemed so foreign to Alexei now, and he knew how the people would react to him. Despite their joking around, Earthlings truly are stupid, ignorant creatures. Alexei shut his eyes and lost himself in his thoughts.

Moments later, Alexei was interrupted. It was Raiche.

"Sir, we're just passing over Mars now. What should I do?"

"What? We're here already? That was fast."

"Well, you looked like you were concentrating pretty hard on something."

Alexei grunted.

"What do you want me to do, Captain?"

"Just orbit above the planet once we get there. Avoid any satellites and keep scanning for Commune signals. Once the eastern hemisphere is dark, engage the stealth cloak and land."

"Any specific coordinates, sir?"

Alexei thought for a moment. "Yeah," Alexei looked down at the control panel. "Land at Latitude forty-four and Longitude eighty... if the Commune are going to be anywhere, it'll be there."

"How do you-"

Alexei looked over at Raiche. "Please," he begged, "don't question me. Not now."

Raiche hesitated. "Yes... yes, sir."

Finally, the shuttle reached Earth. It orbited around the planet, waiting for the sun to cast a shadow on the eastern hemisphere.

Alexei stood up and addressed his men. "Alright, we've arrived at Earth and shortly Raiche is going to take us down. I want your helmets on-"

"You know we can all breath Earth's atmosphere, right?" Jorhn cut in.

"I'm well aware of that. I just... I just don't want them seeing our faces."

"You mean, you don't want them seeing your face," Axiroth said.

Alexei glared at the young Lumarian. "Fine, I will wear my helmet. The rest of you can do whatever the hell you want. Now, I don't want you to attack anyone unless they're Commune. The last thing we need is the Earthlings to assume we're the enemy. And one last thing: do not leave anything behind. No weapons, no armour, not even a spare bolt from this ship. Understand?"

In unison, all the Lumarians and the Olissian cried out, "Yes, sir!"

"Very good." Alexei turned around. "You ready to take her in, Raiche?"

"On your command, Captain."

"Good... uh, engage."

The shuttle slowly shot forward, its stealth mode now activated. The shut shakily entered Earth's atmosphere, heading toward Alexei's coordinates. The shuttle heated up as the crew thrashed about.

"How much longer?" Alexei shouted.

"Just give me a minute," Raiche shouted back.

As the ship entered Earth's stratosphere, the turbulence gradually eased. Raiche navigated the shuttle easily in the dark, just landing behind a large hill outside a small village in the middle of nowhere. The ship gradually cooled off and slowly shut down, the whirring becoming a quiet hum.

"Open the hatch," Alexei commanded. He grabbed his helmet from atop the control panel.

"Sir, are you sure? We haven't detected any Commune, so why risk-"

"Open it. Feel free to join me, or wait in the shuttle until I return."

The hatch opened and Alexei stepped out, carrying his helmet in his paws. Alexei took in a deep breath of the fresh country air and sighed happily. Tears formed in his eyes as the lion collapsed to his knees.

The rest of the Lumarians piled out of the shuttle, closing the bay door. Kavhen approached his commander.

"Are you alright, Captain?"

With a tear, Alexei replied, "I'm fine... Just a little overwhelmed, I guess. Come on," Alexei stood up, holding onto Kavhen, "let's look around.."

The team made their way to the top of the hill, overlooking a small village. There seemed to be some kind of festive event happening down there. There were tons of lights and lots of music and noise.

"What the hell's going on here?" Alexei said, shocked. "How... how is this possible? There wasn't supposed to be anyone here."

"Hey!" they heard someone shout.

Alexei quickly put on his helmet.

A whole group, possibly the entire village, gathered around the base of the hill, staring up at the giant Lumarians.

"Who the hell are you?" someone shouted up.

Alexei looked down at the crowd. They were all normal, unassuming furs, staring up in complete, breath-taken awe. However, there was one particular fur who caught Alexei's attention. It was a tall kangaroo, looking up angrily at the Lumarians. Alexei stepped forward.

The roo showed nothing hatred and rage in his face. "How dare you come back here!" he shouted. "You got what you wanted, so just fuck off!"

A quiet murmur filled the crowd; the rest of them seemed to agree with the kangaroo.

"Please," Alexei started, "We do not mean you any harm. We-" Alexei choked up. He turned away, tears forming.

The kangaroo pushed his way through the crowd and made his way up the hill, hatred pouring out of him.

Alexei looked back and faced the roo. He held out his arms.

The kangaroo smacked Alexei's arms away. "Fuck you!" he shouted. "You took away everything I ever loved, and God only knows where he is now... I hate you all so much... How dare you return here. How dare you!" The kangaroo shouted at Alexei, crying. He pounded his bare fists against Alexei armoured chest, falling to his knees. "You took away the one fur I loved..."

Axiroth stepped forward. "Hey, back off-"

Graunta held Axiroth's arm, shaking his head.

Axiroth backed off.

Alexei looked down at the kangaroo, unable to speak. He knew what he wanted to say, but he couldn't. He had found what he was looking for, what he had desired for over six years, but he couldn't find the words. Alexei backed away from the roo, almost in horror. He turned and walked back to the shuttle, his head lowered and crying. "Take the kangaroo and bring him to the shuttle. I want to talk to him."

Axiroth approached the roo.

The kangaroo looked up, weeping. "What the hell do you want? Can't you see... there's nothing left for you. You've gotten your prize."

Axiroth grabbed onto the kangaroo's arm. "You're coming with me."

Shocked, the roo began to shout. "What are you doing? Leave me alone! I've got nothing you want. Put be down!"

The crowd began an uproar. They begged for the roo's life, but Axiroth continued to drag the helpless kangaroo toward the shuttle.

The crowd rushed up the hill.

The other Lumarians aimed their weapons. "Back off," Jorhn shouted. "We won't attack you unless you give us reason."

The furious crowd backed off.

Alexei sat in the shuttle. He turned as Axiroth threw the kangaroo into the shuttle. Alexei stood up and pulled the roo in further, shutting the back hatch.

"What do you want with us? " the roo begged. "We've got nothing left to offer you... Alexei was very special. Not only to me, but to the planet. He thinks his powers were a curse, but I think they were a blessing... but you people took him away. Who knows where the hell he is now."

"What did this 'Alexei' mean to you?"

"None of your damn business, you beast!"

"Did you love him?"

The kangaroo glared fiercely at Alexei. "Yes, I did. With all my heart, I loved that lion. After you took him away, I was crushed. The only solace I got was helping rebuild his village, which was no doubt destroyed by you monsters. I never met a fur quite like him..."

Alexei reached around his neck and pulled off his shiny red pendant. He removed it and threw it at the roo.

The roo looked down in horror. "W-what is this? This is what I gave to- Where did you get this? Did... did something happen to Alexei? Tell me what happened to him!"

Alexei slowly removed his helmet. He lifted his head and looked vacantly into the kangaroo's eyes.

The roo looked back into Alexei's eyes, horrified. He stared, trembling and paralyzed, with nothing to say, tears starting to pour down his face. He thrust himself toward the lion, wrapping his arms around his neck. He wept loudly, barely able to say a word.

Alexei embraced the kangaroo, small tears forming in his eyes. He suddenly felt an almost overwhelming amount of happiness fill his heart. As he tightly held the weeping roo, he felt an incredible wave of warmth and tenderness fall over him, that which he had only felt once before; over six years ago when he had first met this kangaroo.

"I thought I'd never see you again,"cried the kangaroo.

"I... I've missed you so much, Kaelin... I was afraid... you wouldn't recognize me." Alexei continued to hold his truelove, the warmth flowing out of them, filling the shuttle with a blazing fire. Alexei looked into Kaelin's eyes and saw that same passion he saw six years ago. Alexei released his old lover, taking a seat on the bench.

Kaelin took a seat beside Alexei, holding his right paw. "Can you... take off your armour? I want to feel your soft, warm fur once again."

Alexei wiped the tears from his eyes and slowly removed the armour on his right arm, starting with his paw and working his way up. He unlatched his chest and back armour and removed it completely, throwing it all to the side.

Kaelin rubbed his paw across Alexei's warm, fuzzy chest, caressing the large scars. "What about your left arm?" Kaelin asked.

Alexei looked over at his mechanical arm. "That one... doesn't come off."

Kaelin looked at Alexei in puzzlement. "How come?"

Alexei sighed. "That's my new arm... I lost my flesh arm in battle almost five years ago. They had no choice but to replace it with this."

Kaelin stroked the cold, steel arm with is paw. "That must have been terrible... Can you feel anything through it?"

"A little bit, but generally no." Alexei lifted his left paw and rubbed it across Kaelin's cheek. He leaned in closer and kissed the roo softly. The kiss seemed to last forever.

Kaelin held Alexei's face in his paws, embracing the lion. He let himself go limp as Alexei wrapped his arms around his body, pulling the roo in close. Kaelin closed his eyes and allowed his senses to take over. He threw his arms around Alexei's neck and felt as every inch of his furry body succumbed to Alexei's soft touch.

Alexei, caressing Kaelin's back, started to removed the roo's shirt.

Kaelin could feel Alexei's hard and soft paws coarse across his back, lifting his thick, rough sweater above and over his head.

Alexei threw away the shirt and ran his paws slowly across Kaelin's soft chest. He moved his paws south, feeling and experiencing every subtle curve and bulge of Kaelin's muscular chest and stomach. Alexei rested his paws on Kaelin's waist, looking deep into the roo's eyes, smiling warmly.

Kaelin stared back, his paws resting on Alexei's tense shoulders.

In an instant, with just a look, the two shared an entire conversation. Their eyes, in that instant, talked about everything. Their eyes talked of love, and of how much they missed each other. They talked of how deeply their desires burned. How, for over six years, their passion for each other had never died or even dimmed. How they never, not even for a moment, forgot one another.

Kaelin finally got up out of his seat.

Alexei watched as the kangaroo slowly removed his large, baggy pants. Alexei's heart burned for the roo. He stood up and began to remove the bottom half of his armour, starting with his feet. As Alexei started to work on the armour around his thighs, also seeing a naked kangaroo standing in front of him, something struck him. He looked up at Kaelin. "I... I don't know if we should do this..."

"What?" Kaelin moved in closer. He placed a paw on Alexei's shoulder. "What's the matter?"

"I've missed you so much, Kaelin... I never stopped thinking about you. But..." Alexei lowered his head. "I've... made some friends while in space. Good friends."

"What're you saying?"

"I was put in charge of that group of aliens, the Lumarians, out there. We are the Elite soldiers of the Lumarian empire... my allegiance belongs to them."

"I don't understand... what does this have to do with us, right now?"

Alexei sighed. "I met a great Lumarian, Kavhen. Even when I started with them, when no one in the galaxy accepted me, he was there. He never had a problem with me..."

There was a moment of silence between the two.

Finally, Kaelin said, "You love him, don't you."

Alexei, his head lowered, looked up at Kaelin. He nodded, feeling ashamed.

Kaelin looked down with sympathetic eyes. He hugged the lion with a smile. "I don't blame you, Alexei. I would never expect you, or anyone, to do any less. It must have been so lonely out there, and it's only natural to seek a mate. It would have been foolish of me to think you wouldn't find love..." Kaelin caressed Alexei's back fondly. "I love you, Alexei, and I will always love you. We're soul mates, remember?"

Alexei smiled. "Thank you for understanding. When no one was there for me, when all I had was memories, Kavhen always stood behind me. He helped me accept my fate." Alexei paused for a moment. He looked back up at the roo. "But you, Kaelin... you changed my life. You gave me something that night that I would never forget, and I haven't forgotten. You made me see that life was worth living." Alexei became choked up. He rested his head on Kaelin's chest.

Kaelin smiled with watery eyes, and he held the lion close. "I know it wouldn't be right if I asked you to succumb to my desires... I have longed to be with you for so long... Perhaps we could just spend tonight together? Like old times..."

Alexei turned around and sealed the shuttle doors. He turned back to Kaelin. "I have waited so long for this moment, and now that it's arrived, I'm turning you down... It's not fair for either of us."

"What are you-"

Alexei kissed Kaelin passionately, pushing him back into the wall. As the two gently caressed each other, Alexei continued to remove the last piece of his armour. The two, now completely naked, fell to the steel floor, lips still locked and fondling every inch of their bodies. Alexei held Kaelin by his shoulders, then turned him around, now resting atop the roo's stomach. He slid his rump southward, now able to feel Kaelin's soft member against his tail. He leaned his face down closer to Kaelin's, kissing his furry chin softly.

"Are you sure," Kaelin began, "you want to do this?"

"I've waited too long for this, Kaelin... I know I do."

Kaelin smiled and lifted his paws to Alexei's cheeks, returning the kiss. As he caressed Alexei's face and the scar on his right arm, Kaelin's cock became more erect.

Alexei could feel the sudden change in firmness against his tail. He smiled as he reached his left paw back, now stroking Kaelin's hardening cock and fondling his balls.

Kaelin yelped as Alexei's cold, metal paw gripped his organ. "Jesus," he said, "I wasn't expecting that."

Alexei laughed, continuing to slowly caress Kaelin's cock.

Kaelin leaned his head back, taking in the most of this new, unique feeling. His member felt very hot as it was worked by the lion, and yet at the same time, it felt quite cold. The new sensation sent delightful shivers up Kaelin's spine.

Alexei stopped for a moment and slid himself down Kaelin's tail, resting just half way. He placed his paws on Kaelin's thighs and lowered his head, sniffing the end of Kaelin's now throbbing organ. He licked the end lightly, kissing it tenderly.

Kaelin giggled as Alexei teased his cock. He leaned up on his left paw and stoked the base with his right, using only a few fingers. He closed his eyes as half his cock was suddenly engulfed by Alexei's warm, moist mouth. Kaelin let out a loud, satisfied sigh as he removed his paw and let his body once again go limp. He squirmed about on the steel floor as the pleasure mounted in his cock. He enjoyed this feeling immensely - Alexei's lips tightly wrapped around his organ, bobbing his head up and down slowly, massaging every inch of his slimy, palpitating cock.

Alexei, too, made audible noises of affection as he continued to suck on Kaelin's delicious cock, now getting a taste of the roo's sweet precum. He smiled as the precum lightly coated his tongue and dripped down his throat. While his mouth was busy with Kaelin's cock, Alexei's right paw played around with the roo's tailhole, caressing the soft sphincter gently.

Kaelin groaned as both his organs were softly massaged. Alexei's inviting tongue on his cock and his finger in his hole, Kaelin was in ecstasy. It had been years since he had been pleasured thus, and even more since he had been with his soul mate. Kaelin managed to open his eyes slightly to look down at his love.

Alexei, still pleasuring the roo, glanced up at Kaelin.

They shared a sweaty glance and smiled, Alexei soon going back to work and Kaelin continuing to writhe in delight. The two worked as a single organism; Alexei pleasuring Kaelin, and Kaelin's pleasure pleasuring Alexei. The two had a profound understanding of one another, sharing an almost unspoken bond. There was some powerful, indescribable force which had brought the lovers together. As the two continued to appease their carnal desires, the bond they shared only strengthened.

Kaelin's cock throbbed at the incredible sensation of both the moisture and the small amount of sharp fangs. His heart skipped a beat every time Alexei intentionally scraped his teeth gently across his cock. Alexei usually laughed devilishly when he did.

As Alexei munched away at Kaelin's cock, the roo started to feel his climax approaching. His back tensed and he shut his eyes tightly as he tried hard to prolong the pre-climax effect, concentrating hard on the feeling in his cock. Finally, Kaelin's orgasm smacked him hard in the face as the extremely sharp pleasure struck his organ. His hot seed burst out of him, quickly getting lapped up by Alexei. Kaelin conveyed his pleasure loud and clear to the lion, moaning and panting heavily.

Turned on by Kaelin's cries, Alexei greedily sucked the last amount of seed from Kaelin's cock, enjoying the sweet taste immensely. He lifted his head and positioned himself over the roo, his cock just rimming Kaelin's tailhole. Breathing heavily, he looked down at his lover, smiling.

Kaelin returned the gesture and reached his paws forward, stroking the lion's face. He leaned up and kissed Alexei softly on his lips, slipping in a bit of tongue while he was at it.

Alexei closed his eyes and muzzled back. While kissing the kangaroo, Alexei slowly started to insert himself into Kaelin's bowels.

Kaelin let out a short, sudden moan as he first felt Alexei's cock press up against his sphincter, then forcing its way through. He gripped his fists tightly as his eyes widened. Kaelin tried to continue kissing the lion, but he was short of breath. He put his paws around Alexei's neck to keep himself up.

Alexei, slowly sliding himself through the roo, continued to softly muzzle Kaelin. Kaelin's bowels massaged Alexei's cock as it made it's ascent, the organs randomly contracting and squeezing the lion's member. His hips and thighs finally pressed up against Kaelin's rump, his cock now fully inserted.

Kaelin, taking long, deep breaths, shut his eyes tightly. He quivered slightly as Alexei kept his hard cock up his rectum, leaving it there for a long while.

Breathing heavily, Alexei said to the roo, "How are you holding up?"

Between short grunts, Kaelin replied, "I'm... doing good. Keep going."

Alexei laughed as he slowly began to remove his cock. He stopped just short of a few centimetres, letting Kaelin rest for a moment. He rubbed Kaelin's furry thighs then progressed back into Kaelin's body, picking up a bit of speed.

Kaelin groaned and writhed on the floor as Alexei ascended his bowels. Between moans and grunts, Kaelin would quietly whisper Alexei's name. With his paws still linked behind Alexei's neck, Kaelin softly rubbed the large scars on his back and shoulders, arousing his senses. He leaned his head back as the pleasure endured. As the pair worked together as one harmonious system, Kaelin's eyes suddenly filled with tears.

Alexei slowed down then stopped. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing... it's just... we've been apart for so long... I guess it just started to sink in how much I've missed you, and how long I've been waiting for this moment."

Alexei smiled as his heart warmed. He stroked Kaelin's cheek with his right paw, wiping away some of the tears. He pulled the roo in close and hugged him tenderly. Quietly, Alexei said in Kaelin's ear, "Would you like me to go on?"

Kaelin sniffled. "Please, do."

Alexei released Kaelin from his arms and repositioned himself. He inserted himself once again and continued his journey. He quickly picked up speed and soon he was back to where he had left off.

As the two moved fluidly together, sharing their warmth and passion, Alexei started to feel his own climax approaching. He closed his eyes and started breathing long, controlled breaths. As he did, he could feel his apex slowing down; he was trying to hold off his orgasm as long as possible. Alexei continued in and out of Kaelin's bowels, grunting loudly each time he entered, but soon, the inevitable happened. Alexei's climax exploded into his cock, planting his hot seed within Kaelin.

Kaelin let out a pleasured sigh as he felt the warm seed inside. The seed within him, he knew, was a symbol of both their love and their eternal bond. Six years ago, Kaelin had planted his seed within Alexei, and now, the lion had finally returned the favour. The bond they shared was now complete, stronger than it was before.

Alexei continued pushing himself in as his organ slowly retreated. He kept thrusting forward until he could no longer. Alexei finally removed his cock, panting and the cum dripping out of Kaelin's sore tailhole and down his rump. Alexei murred quietly as he lay his tired body beside the roo. He rested his right arm over Kaelin's furry chest, caressing it softly.

Kaelin, lying on his back, cocked his head to the right and stared into Alexei's deep brown eyes. He smiled gently, still panting. "That was wonderful..."

Alexei replied with squeezing the roo, holding him close.

Kaelin closed his eyes and snuggled close to the lion. He turned to face Alexei and draped his left arm around his waist, rubbing it softly.

The two, their breath now catching up, held each other tight. They lay beside one another, staring into their heavy, narrowed eyes. Eventually, they fell asleep, paw in paw, with nothing but warmth in their hearts and their undying love for each other.

* * *

The two woke to a sudden and loud rapping at the back of the shuttle.

Alexei could hear shouting, but he couldn't make out whose. Alexei sat up beside Kaelin, who was just stretching his muscles, and wiped small tears from his eyes. He shook his head groggily and groaned. Alexei suddenly remembered what had happened, and he jumped to his feet. "C'mon, Kaelin," Alexei said, extending his left paw. "We've gotta go."

"Wha-?" Kaelin said dumbly. He looked at Alexei's outreached, mechanical paw. He held up his own, uncertain to touch it.

Alexei glared slightly, paw still extended.

"Sorry," Kaelin said, grabbing the cold, steel claw. "I guess I'm not used to seeing it attached to you."

Alexei pulled the roo up and turned to where he had thrown his armour. He began sliding it on until he heard a quiet voice from behind.

"What's going on?" Kaelin inquired, slipping on his baggy pants. "Why are we leaving?"

"I don't know," Alexei replied, now slipping to the top half. As his head popped out the top, his ears flicking back into place, Alexei continued, "They knew I was busy, and could probably guess what I was doing. And they know better than to interrupt me unless it's urgent."

"So... what is it?"

Alexei sighed. "We picked up some Commune chatter in this sector... that's the reason why we came to Earth."

"So, you didn't come just to see me?" Kaelin whimpered slightly.

Alexei lowered his head and placed a paw on Kaelin's shoulder. "I'm sorry... it's the only reason..."

"Oh..." Kaelin felt somewhat disappointed.

"If it's any consolation, I was supposed to be in a meeting with the Grande Council about five hours ago... That means my team and I are now looking at permanent exile from Lumar and its subsequent planets..." Alexei placed his right paw on Kaelin's cheek. "I didn't hesitate for a second to come to Earth."

"That's sweet." Kaelin smiled. "But before you go, I want you to keep this with you." Kaelin reached deep into his pocket and retrieved his shiny red pendant, handing it to the lion.

"Oh... I... Thank you, Kaelin..." Alexei said with a tear. He lowered his head and let the roo place it around his neck. Alexei held the deep-red stone, smiling warmly.

The banging continued louder.

Alexei turned and pressed a button on a panel near the back hatch. "What is it?"

A deep, raspy voiced sounded. It was Alyster. "Captain, the townspeople are getting restless and aggressive... What do you want us to do?"

"Just hold on. I'll be out in a second." Alexei turned to Kaelin. "I'm sorry this couldn't have been more romantic... If I don't give you back soon, I don't know what might happen. If the Commune are coming, I don't want all these people getting in the way."

"It's okay. I couldn't have expected much else."

Alexei hugged his mate tenderly and opened the back hatch. The two were greeted with Alyster and the other Lumarians, holding back a crowd of angry and anxious villagers. They walked out, looking around.

"What the hell's going on here?" Alexei asked.

"Well," Axiroth started, "Once they figured out we weren't actually going to attack them, they sort of went nuts."

"Hey!" someone shouted. "Who the hell are you?"

Alexei quickly realized he had forgotten to put on his helmet. He started to sweat. "I- I'm with the Lumarians."

A tall dalmatian stepped forward. "You're one of us... what the hell are you doing with them?"

"I, uhh..."

Kaelin placed an arm around the armoured lion's shoulders. "Does it matter? He won't hurt any of you, so just leave him alone."

The crowd stirred and quiet whispers filled the silence.

"Okay, come on, folks," Jorhn started. "There's nothing left to see, so get lost."

The crowd, hesitant, gradually dispersed.

Alexei let out a sigh of relief. He and Kaelin walked down the small ramp and stood with Alyster and Lumarians. He looked up at them. "Everyone, I want you to meet Kaelin. He... he's my truelove."

The Lumarians smiled down on the furry couple until Kavhen stepped forward.

"So, you're the one I've been hearing so much about," the Lumarian said.

Kaelin backed off, frightened.

"It's okay, Kaelin. This is Kavhen."

A certain tension hung in the air.

Raiche cleared his throat. "I think I'm going to monitor for Commune," he blurted awkwardly.

"Yeah, me too," Jorhn said.

"I'll go with you," Eskelle added.

Shortly, the rest of the Lumarians gathered in the shuttle, closing the doors behind them.

Alexei looked as his mates. "Kavhen, I- "

Kavhen placed his arms gently around the lion. "I'm not disappointed, sir. I can't say I'd have done any different, given the circumstances. I know how much he means to you, and how long it's been."

Alexei smiled. "Thank you... for understanding." Alexei held Kavhen. "Go ahead and join the other, Kav. I'm going to walk Kaelin home."

"Yes, sir."

Alexei turned to Kaelin and rubbed his back with his right paw. "Wanna get going?"

Kaelin nodded.

The two walked off, paw in paw, down the hill and toward the village.

Walking along the street, the other nervous furs walking quickly away as they noticed Alexei's full armour, Kaelin asked, "So, tell me about them... the aliens. How are they treating you?"

"It was rough at the start. After they took me away, theu dumped me on a planet called War Planet... long story short, I had to battle endlessly until there was a victor, and they would have complete control over me. Coincidentally, it was a Lumarian who won."

"Then, how did you come to be their leader?"

"When I got there, the Grande Council basically decided my fate. I was to become part of the Elite Corps... as things turned out, they sentenced me to be their leader."

"'Sentenced' you?"

"I screwed up on a mission, and they felt since I would be more than happy to be exiled, putting me in charge of the lot of them would be punishment enough... at least, for someone like me. Eventually I gained their trust, and vice versa. It's been a crazy six years, Kaelin." Alexei gripped his pendant. "But I never forgot."

Kaelin smiled. "I can't imagine what that must have been like. After you left, I... I was very depressed. I cried, Alexei. Cried until I ran out of tears. I just kept walking, naked like how they left me. I didn't know where to go, or what to do. Someone eventually picked me up on the highway and I stayed with them for a while. In fact, they were the ones who reminded me of your village. They told me how they had started to rebuild a few years back, and how they're close to opening it up again... I've been living here ever since, waiting for you to return."

"Kaelin..."

"I knew, in the back of my mind, that you'd never return. But I still waited. I even bought a telescope in hopes that I could find you one day." Kaelin sighed. "That must sound pretty pathetic, right?"

"No, Kaelin, it doesn't," Alexei said, a tear rolling down his furry cheek. "That's the sweetest thing I've ever heard."

The two sighed in unison, continuing down the street.

Alexei looked about, marveling at the incredible reconstruction. "Even now, it's hard to believe that they rebuilt this place."

Kaelin glanced at Alexei.

"There was so much destruction... Everything and everyone was reduced to ashes... It was horrible. But now look: everything's as it was." Alexei's ears twitched as he suddenly realized something. "Who was in charge of reconstruction? Everyone who lived here was killed."

Kaelin thought for a moment. "I really don't know. When I showed up, things had already started. I just sort of did what I was told."

Alexei made a face suggesting deep thought.

"I know that face," Kaelin said. "You're reading my mind, aren't you."

"I'm reading everyone's mind. No one knows."

"Hmm. That's strange. What're you thinking?"

"I don't know... I guess it's not important. So, where do you live now? Not still traveling, I assume?"

"Nah. I live in some old sheep's basement now. She's pretty nice, but creepy. I don't like the way she looks at me."

Alexei laughed.

The two continued on in silence, their arms draped around each other. Finally, they reached Kaelin's home.

"Hey," Alexei said, "That's where I used to live!"

"Where?"

Alexei pointed to the closest house.

"That's where I live."

"Fuck you," Alexei said laughing, playfully pushing the kangaroo away. "Where do you really live?"

Kaelin laughed nervously. "I'm serious, Alexei..."

The smile slowly washed off Alexei's face. "That's an odd coincidence."

"You're tellin' me. C'mon, I'll let you meet Agnes. I'll bet you she made cookies."

Alexei felt uneasy. He hesitated as Kaelin walked up the small cobblestone path to the front door.

"What's the matter?" Kaelin turned and asked.

"I... I don't want to go in there. I've got a bad feeling."

Kaelin, looking somewhat frightened, tried to reassure the lion. "It'll be fine," he said.

"No," Alexei backed off. "We have to-"

A loud explosion cut Alexei off, rocking the entire village.

Alexei covered his ears, the giant fireball reflecting gorgeously off his Lumarian armour. "No," he cried, "Not again! Not again!"

Kaelin grabbed Alexei, shouting. "Snap out of it!"

Alexei looked up, greeted by a terrified roo's face.

A voice sounded off Alexei's armour. "Captain. Come in, Captain."

Alexei, shaking, depressed the comm button. "This is your Captain."

"Captain, we just picked up Commune signals."

"Thanks for the warning, asshole," Alexei shouted back. "I'm coming back now, and I'm bringing Kaelin with me. Open the door."

Alexei looked up at Kaelin. "We're going for a ride." Before Kaelin could reply, Alexei put his arm around Kaelin's waist and pulled himself off the ground. He flew up high until he could see the shuttle. Alexei then shot forward, the roo screaming behind him.

Moments later, Alexei touched back down, greeted by his team. He released Kaelin and said, just as another explosion sounded, "Get in the shuttle. You'll be safe there."

"Alexei, I'm not leaving you. Not this time."

"Please," Alexei begged. "I don't want to lose you."

"Alexei..."

Suddenly, a flash in Alexei's mind. He shut his eyes and held his head and groaned. Another explosion rocked the village. Alexei cried out in pain. "I won't let this happen again!"

Alexei raised his head. He looked past his team and into the shuttle. Alexei held out his arm and quickly pulled his helmet into his paw. He put it on, now addressing the Elites. "All of you, stay here and protect the shuttle and protect Kaelin. I'm going to destroy the Commune before they destroy my village again."

"'He'? 'Again?'" Jorhn said, dumbfounded.

"Just do it." With that bitter reply, Alexei took off toward the source of the explosion: the centre of the village. Alexei looked down as the crowds of terrified furs ran. Alexei growled and bolted forward, faster. He landed hard in the centre square, shattering the stone beneath him. Alexei looked up at the black, landing ship.

As the ship touched down, a large hatch opened. As the light poured out, Alexei was suddenly filled with an incredible rage. He clenched his metal fists, growling loudly, his breathing becoming heavier.

Finally, a silhouetted figured appeared in the bright orifice of the dark ship. It walked out slowly as the platform extended. As it came out into the warm, fiery light of the partly-torched village, particular features were made clear.

The large quadruped, with three large claws per armoured foot, stood at least four feet taller than Alexei. The powerful upper body, rather, the torso, was completely unarmoured. Similar to Alexei's left arm, this Commune soldier had two mechanical arms which joined at the shoulders. Enormous scars stretched across its muscular chest, stemming from where the flesh and steel intertwined. The alien had only one eye, the other being covered by a large scar which ran down its face, starting at the top of its bare cranium and ending just past its large jaw bone. Spikes protruded all the way down its spine and armoured tail, as well as having large, razor-sharp teeth which glowed warmly in the light. The Commune finally stopped as he noticed Alexei.

In a deep voice, it said to the lion, "You, Lumarian. Your armour tells me you are one of the Elites."

Just then, Alexei's team emerged from the dark, fiery backdrop of the village, followed by Kaelin.

Alexei whipped around. "I told you to stay at the shuttle," he said in a dark voice.

"And it appears you have brought backup," the Commune interrupted. "No matter. It just so happens I still have a group of loyal followers."

Just then, at least fifty armoured Commune slowly piled out of the shuttle, lining up behind the large one in front of Alexei. Obviously this one was their commander.

Alexei turned back around. He said, trying hard to keep his sobriety, "Why are you here? And why did you attack this village?"

The Commander laughed. "The last I heard, you Lumarians were in possession of a particular Earthling. I want him."

Alexei was breathing heavily. "Why... did you come to Earth? It's forbidden."

"I could ask you the same thing, beast. Now where's the Earthling? The lion!"

"You assume we have him..."

"Do you?"

"No. Now leave this planet before we force you off."

The Commander growled. "How dare you threaten me." He stepped forward. "I could crush all of you so easily..."

Alexei scoffed. "I am not afraid of you, you Commune piece of shit."

The Commander bared his teeth and swung his massively powerful fist at Alexei.

Without even flinching, Alexei raised his left paw and easily blocked the attack. He raised his right to block another, then another, then another. Finally, Alexei grabbed hold of the Commander's right arm and pounded him in the gut.

The Commander spat and skidded several metres back. Still on his four feet, he looked up fiercely at the lion, holding his gut. He charged forward, screaming terribly.

Alexei sprinted forward and dodged the Commander's attack. He reached out his left paw and grabbed onto the Commander's tail, gripping tightly, cracking the armour. Alexei let out a terrifying cry as he pulled hard on the tail, moments later swinging and slamming the Commune into the cobbled street.

The Commander shakily got to his feet, wiping the blood from his face. He looked back at Alexei. "Who are you..." he said under his breath. Just then, the Commander was met with a hard foot to the face, sending him flying into the crowd of idle Commune. The Commander got back to his feet with some assistance.

Alexei approached the Commander, the enemy troops surrounding him. In a dark, malevolent voice, Alexei said, "Call off your dogs, coward. This fight is between you and me."

The Commander snarled, signaling his troops to back off.

"I am going to tear you limb from limb, Graves... I will make you pay for what you have done to me..."

The Commander, Graves, said, just as he got to his feet, "How do you know my name? Who ar-"

Alexei interrupted him with a hard elbow to his gut. He then leapt up and slammed his foot hard into the Graves' face. As Graves staggered to the right, Alexei smashed his face again with his left paw, then again with his right, and once more with his left. Alexei grabbed hold of the Commander's arm and threw him through the air. Like lightning, Alexei struck Graves in the spine with his knee, while still in the air.

Graves slammed into the ground, shattering the stone beneath. He lifted his head shakily and looked at Alexei through bloody eyes, just as the lion slowly and gracefully descended back to Earth. Now filled with furious and frustrated rage, Graves shouted at Alexei, "Tell me who you are!"

Alexei walked up to Graves, focused on his eyes, now just a few feet away and seething. "You destroyed my friends, my family... you destroyed my life. I'm going to enjoy tearing you apart."

"No," Graves started, stumbling back, "you... you can't be..."

"Yes, I am, Graves." Alexei removed his helmet.

Graves stared up at the lion in shock and horror. "Y- you..."

"If you thought for a second that after sixteen years I'd have forgotten what you did, you're dead-wrong."

Graves started to laugh maniacally. "After all these years, I've finally found you. I'm going to destroy you for what you've done to me."

"How dare you try to turn this around. You came and attacked me first. You underestimated the power of a ten-year-old lion, so I took your arms. I defeated you in battle, nothing more."

"You had no idea what you were doing, so don't pretend that you do. Tell me, boy, if I said I'd leave now, you would not kill me?"

Alexei replied with silence.

Graves scoffed. "I thought so. If you were just a bit stronger, boy, you could have killed me then."

"I have grown a lot since then, Graves. Don't make the mistake of underestimating me again."

"Oh, I won't, boy," Graves said quietly. "Believe me, I won't..."

Suddenly, Graves' tail whipped out and slashed Alexei across the face, sending him flying, blood trailing behind. Alexei hit the ground with a loud thud. He groaned and looked up. Alexei was met with a steel foot to the jaw.

"Alexei!" Kaelin cried out, trying to push his way past the Lumarians.

When Alexei finally skidded to a stop, blood gushing out his nose and mouth, he could hear the Commune soldiers cheering uproariously behind him. He climbed to his knees and finally to his feet. He was breathing heavily through bared and bloody teeth, watching Graves strut confidently forward.

Graves then twisted and depressed something on his left wrist. Just then, his forearm split open and a sharp metal device replaced the otherwise smooth plating. Graves did the same with the other arm. "You've caused me a lot of grief, boy. But I'll make sure you pay."

Alexei snarled at the approaching Commune.

"Yes, yes, yes. I know what I did to you, but you still have your real arms." Graves glanced at Alexei's left arm. "Interesting. It appears as if you, too, are missing an appendage."

"I have your brother to thank for that," Alexei barked.

Graves grinned. "And so it was replaced with a chunk of Commune technology." Graves laughed, "If irony could kill..."

Alexei darted forward, crying out. He jumped up to avoid Graves' tail, then slammed down, missing the Commander.

Alexei quickly leapt to the right, two large, mechanical fists nearly smashing him. Alexei rolled and hopped to his feet. He quickly spun and put his paws up, deflecting another powerful blow.

Graves, quickly recovering, kneed Alexei in the gut then grabbed onto the small lion, holding his paws together. He smiled evilly then let out a strong, electric current through the sharp devices that had replaced his forearms.

Alexei cried out in pain as strong amounts of electricity coursed through his body, bloody tears leaking from his eyes. Finally the current stopped and Alexei hung by Graves' hands, twitching uncontrollably.

Graves laughed. "I've grown, too, boy. Every day I live with these metal monstrosities attached to my shoulders is another day in hell. Every day, I wake up feeling the same cold burning throughout my body as the metal twists and tears my insides. Every day fills me with rage, boy, and you're to thank."

"A-and... what about the rage I feel," Alexei looked up, barely able to speak and keep his eyes open, "when I think about the ones I lost... at your hands? Having to spend the next ten years of my life cold and alone... it was torture."

Graves growled. He swung Alexei back and slammed him into the ground.

Alexei, now feeling numb, coughed up a substantial amount of blood. The blood poured from his face and through the massive cracks in his armour. Alexei writhed around in pain in a small pool of his own warm, thick blood, as Graves stood over him, watching in delight. Alexei tried to lift himself, but he hadn't the strength.

Graves laughed confidently as he took Alexei's head in his hand, lifting him to his face. He reached out with his other hand and tore off Alexei's cracked armour.

Alexei groaned as he hung helplessly by his head. His chest and back was soaked in blood, and it ran down his armoured legs and poured onto the street. He could hear Kaelin begging for the Elites to help... They didn't move. They knew better. Alexei looked deep into Graves' eyes, and a familiar rage welled within him. His body suddenly filled with life. Alexei started to tremble.

"What's the matter, little lion?" Graves said, throwing Alexei into a wall.

Alexei fell to the ground, landing on his paws and knees. As the Commander quickly approached, Alexei got up to his feet.

Graves charged forward, snarling madly, ready to attack the lion.

Alexei, much to Graves' and the audience's surprise, sprung gracefully into the air, his head held up and twirling as he passed over the Commander. Alexei landed with an equal amount of grace, spinning around. Everything seemed almost to stand still as Alexei dashed forward. He came up behind Graves, who was just turning around, and jumped up. As the lion flew forward, he twisted his torso, then at the right moment, he pounded his metal fist into Graves' back, sending a splash of blood and a bit of gore flying from his muscular shoulder.

Graves, who had been forced in the same direction, cried out terribly. With his right hand, he held his large wound.

Wasting to time at all, Alexei bolted forward and past the staggering Commander. Alexei, now directly in Graves' path, jabbed his right elbow into his ribs. Alexei could feel the bones shattering beneath his bloody elbow. He could hear and feel every single snap as he dug his elbow deeper and deeper into Graves' side.

Graves flew back toward the centre of the square, almost as fast as Alexei had attacked. He tried desperately to stay on his feet, but the cobblestone destroyed his chances and sent the alien stumbling hard to the ground.

Alexei once again bolted forward, his hard foot landing square in the quadruped's lower ribs, between his two front legs. He felt the armour bend and twist as it almost seemed to mold to the shape of his hard foot.

Once again, Graves skidding across the cobblestone, writhing in pain. The attack had left a large dent in his armour, which pierced his skin and smashed his ribs, and left a constant pain in Graves' underside. He groaned loudly as he continued to agonize on the cool, hard ground.

Alexei held out his paws to his sides, palms down, and concentrated, still walking slowly toward Graves. He lifted his bloody, trembling arms, bringing large chunks of earth and stone with them. Alexei walked past the dark, floating pillars, focused on Graves.

Graves turned back in incredible pain. He stared up at the large pillars, another one rising with each of Alexei's steps. Graves counted at least ten, but he could hardly see; his head was pounding and he felt weak and dizzy.

Alexei lifted his arms above his head, just holding them there, stopping several metres away from the injured Commune. As he did, each pillar moved, aiming toward the grounded Commune. Alexei stared down with demonic eyes, a certain blaze in his eye.

The two stared at each other, Graves lying on the ground, injured, and Alexei above him, soaked in his own blood.

Alexei could hear Graves' thoughts. He could sense his anger, his pain, his fear. He knew Graves was beaten and defeated. He knew Graves had made a mistake. He knew Graves didn't want to die. He knew everything. Alexei knew what happened to Graves sixteen years ago, when he first visited Earth, and after he left. He knew of the horrible, agonizing operation he went through to repair his arms. He knew the pain Graves' felt; the constant burning flowing through every artery and every vein in his body. Every inch burned as the cold steel twisted and grinded around inside, slowly tearing him apart. He knew the mechanical arms weren't meant as a form of repair, but as a torture device. Graves screwed up sixteen years ago, and he had to suffer the entire time.

Alexei knew that type of pain. His entire village was destroyed by the beast he now towered over. Alexei had wandered the planet, alone and afraid, having to bear the loss of his loved ones. The pain he felt all those years, while not physical, fueled his rage and power. As Alexei stood over the monster, he started felt something odd. Was it pity? Did he have sympathy for the vile creature lying bloody before him?

The tension in the small village mounted as the two continued to stare each other down. Both the Commune and the Lumarians stood breathless, waiting for the next move. Kaelin gripped Kavhen tight, scared senseless. He couldn't stop the tears from running down his face. Kavhen put his arm around Kaelin's shoulder, comforting the terrified roo.

Alexei tried to control his breathing. He did not feel sympathy toward Graves... he couldn't. The bloody lion started to tremble.

Graves took note of Alexei's distracted eyes. "W-what's the matter, boy?" he said, wincing as he tried to talk.

"I hate you!" Alexei shouted. "I want to tear to apart... I want to make you pay for what you did..."

"But?"

"I... I can't... destroy you. You... you've paid enough as it is. The past sixteen years of your life were as torturous as mine..."

Graves was speechless. He lay there, staring up at the confused lion.

Alexei sighed and dropped his paws, the earthen pillars crumbling back down. Alexei fell to his knees, his head lowered, tears pouring and trembling terribly. He buried his face in his arms and chest until he felt a warm paw on his right shoulder, then a hand on his left. Alexei looked up and was greeted by Kaelin and his team. He smiled and, with a bit of help, got to his feet. Alexei turned back to face Graves, he, himself, getting help to his feet.

"What now, boy?"

"There's two options... You get the hell of this planet, or you can kill yourself. Either one suits me fine."

The Lumarians began to walk Alexei back to the shuttle, the Commune doing the same. Alexei felt that same warm paw on his back again. "Stop..." he said. Alexei turned and faced the weeping roo.

"I... I thought you gonna die out there," Kaelin cried. He wrapped his arms around Alexei's neck, holding him tightly.

Alexei gestured with his head for his team to give him some room. "Thank you, Kaelin." Alexei rested his bloody head on Kaelin's chest, staining the shirt. Alexei gripped Kaelin tight, never wanting to let go. When he embraced this fur, all his troubles, all his problems, all his worries seemed to melt away. He murred as he caressed the roo's slender back.

"Alexei," Kaelin started, "what are you going to do now? You defeated the alien... are you going to leave, too?"

"I don't know. Honestly, I haven't thought much about it. I can't just abandon my team... My obligation is to them now. I'm sorry, but I will probably have to leave with them."

"Then take me with you."

"What?" Alexei pulled back, his paws resting on Kaelin's waist. "I- I don't know. I mean, I had no choice but to join them, but you... I don't know if I can subject you to that. My life isn't safe, nor is it pretty."

"I don't care. I want to be with you. I can't spend another six years without you... At least think about it, won't you?"

"Sure, Kaelin," Alexei rested against the roo's body once again. "I'll consider it." A tear suddenly dropped on Alexei's head. He looked up to see Kaelin crying. Alexei started to feel very anxious, but he didn't know why. Kaelin's body then became heavier, and Alexei struggled to keep the roo up. "Kaelin... what're you-"

Kaelin looked into Alexei's eyes, barely able to keep his own open. He was still smiling as his body slowly fell. "I... I'm so happy we met, Alexei..."

"Kaelin... what's wrong with you?"

As Kaelin's flaccid body fell past Alexei's eyes, he noticed Graves standing near the entrance to his dark ship, staring malevolently into the lion's eyes. Alexei wore a face of confusion as Kaelin's body slowly continued to fall. Alexei gripped Kaelin's paws, holding tight. Suddenly he noticed something: a large Commune blade jutting out of Kaelin's back. "No... oh God, no..."

Alexei got down to his knees and cradled the cold, fallen roo in his arms, weeping uncontrollably. "No... i-it's alright, Kaelin... Everything's gonna be fine. Just hold on... Please, don't die on me... please... don't die..." Alexei lowered his head.

Kaelin lifted his weak head. "Don't... don't cry, Alexei... just be glad... we were able to meet... once again..."

Alexei wept into his and Kaelin's paws, feeling his heart shatter into a thousand pieces, burning furiously. "No, don't go," he wept. "Not yet, please..." A long moment later, no longer sensing Kaelin's life force, he stood up, letting the roo's limp body drop. He stepped over Kaelin and walked toward Graves, his head lowered and paws clenched, tears rolling down his face.

As the lion approached, Graves' men gathered in front, protecting their Commander.

Alexei continued forward.

The fifty or so Commune all held out their weapons, aiming at Alexei. Without warning, they fired at the lion, all at once.

Alexei stopped, his head still held low. Every one of the Commune's shots were easily deflected.

A large plume of dust and earth began to rise up, devouring the lion, caused by the Commune blast. They continued to fire into the dust, small flashes emanating from within the plume like lightning in a darkened sky.

Graves finally gave the order to cease fire. As the weapons fire stopped, the dark plume continued to rise.

The Commune stared into the dust cloud, awaiting a response. The tension mounted as time seemed to be at a stand-still.

Suddenly, the dust cloud tore apart from the inside, revealing a dark, demon-like lion within. His fur was messy and stained a dark red from his own blood. He was breathing long, heavy breaths while baring razor, bloody teeth. Within a second of tearing the cloud apart, Alexei dashed forward. In the blink of an eye, he confronted the small Commune army. Alexei jumped up, almost hanging in the air for a moment, then smashed his fist down, crushing a soldier, blood spraying in a circular splatter.

Before the Commune could fully realize what had just happened, Alexei swung his left paw, smacking another soldier away. He quickly jabbed his right elbow behind him, pounding a soldier's gut. Alexei spun and took hold of the alien's skull, then bashed it into his knee, shattering the face. Alexei then turned and thrust his paws downward, extending his razor sharp claws. He bolted forward then suddenly jumped high into the air, avoiding a swinging tail. As Alexei came down hard, he dug his claws deep into the Commune's chest, spilling its blood and tearing its muscles. Alexei then ducked as a Commune blade flew over his head, just nicking his ear. Alexei looked over his left shoulder and swung up, tearing straight through a soldier's stomach, its entrails spilling all over Alexei.

The soldier screamed horrifically as his innards almost sprung out of the large gash.

Alexei, his teeth bared, laughed demoniacally as he began to pull the intestines out, wrapping them around his neck and waist.

The Commune army stopped as their teammate fell and watched as the blood-garbed Alexei continued to drape the entrails around himself, laughing.

Alexei spun around, the guts flying about, and stared at the remaining army. The evil smiled washed off his face just as Alexei dashed forward. He skidded to a stop, right in front of a surprised Commune, then thrust his foot into its leg, shattering the armour and snapping the bone in two.

The soldier screamed terribly as he keeled over.

Alexei leapt off the falling Commune, crying out. He flew forward and landed in the middle of the army. He whipped his head about, entrails flying around, searching. Alexei ducked and slashed open another's gut, adding to the lion's current attire. Right in the thick of battle, Alexei easily and skillfully dodged and blocked every attack. To him, time was moving twice as slow as he wove effortlessly throughout the attacking army. He dove forward, under a Commune's legs, scraping his claws on its underside, splitting it's lower rib-cage and spilling more blood. As Alexei hopped back up to his feet, he continued to whip his head around, still searching within the massive melee.

Alexei bent forward, letting a fist fly overhead, then spun and jammed his left elbow into a Commune's gut, piercing the skin and spreading gore. Alexei, like lightning, spun and struck another foe, just tearing through the flesh. He bolted forward, slamming his knee into another, shredding its midriff to pieces. Alexei would cry out terribly each time he struck. He quickly leapt off a corpse, an enemy leveling the cadaver beneath him. Alexei agilely spun and kicked his foot, splattering the alien's skull. Once again, the swift and nimble lion kicked off the falling corpse, striking another foe. Each hit was certain death, as the demoniac lion was as relentless as he was powerful.

Alexei continued to tear through each of his enemies, searching for the one called Graves. He knew if he was ever going to rest, if he was ever going to find peace, it would be at the hands of this monster. He knew that only after he had ripped that alien apart, piece by piece, he could depart from this world in peace. But until then, he would continue to fight.

Alexei swung up his metal arm and tore through an alien's jugular, blood spraying everywhere, the alien falling with a silenced gurgle. He spun again and knocked an alien away, ripping off it's arm.

Suddenly, from behind, something had grabbed onto the lion.

Alexei struggled for a moment as he felt the alien squeeze tighter. He let his legs dangle as another bloody Commune approached.

The Commune had just attached something to his knuckles; it was large, metal, and sharp.

Alexei stopped struggling. As the soldier behind him held his arms tightly, Alexei's face and torso easily exposed, Alexei looked into the approaching one's eyes.

The approaching Commune started slamming his fist into his hand, laughing. He stopped in front of the lion, staring back. Suddenly, he struck Alexei clean in the gut.

Alexei spat up a large amount of blood as struggled desperately for breath. He looked up through slivered eyes, the entrails still covering half his face and body, seeing the reflection of the moon glinting off the metal piece. There was a small smear of blood on it. As Alexei regained some wits, he saw the remaining Commune form a circle around himself and the soldier, yelling and cheering their comrade on.

The Commune, fueled by the loss of his brothers and of his cheering mates, struck Alexei in the face.

Alexei felt the jagged, metal knuckle tear through his skin, spraying blood to the right. Alexei felt dizzy and his vision was heavily blurred. He suddenly felt another strike, this time on his right cheek. Then again, and again, and again. Alexei felt the metal dig and twist into his gut, shredding the skin and pouring blood down his stomach. Alexei groaned loudly as the searing pain in his face seemed to grow with every second. He could feel the blood pouring out of him and dripping down his already stained fur. Alexei continued to take strike after strike, each blow hurting more and more until eventually the Commune was pounding away at raw flesh. Suddenly, a sharp pain in the lion's left eye. He screamed out horrifically as a metal, jagged object dug into his eye. He thrashed about wildly as the rod refused to leave his skull. He could hear the Commune laughing.

Suddenly, Alexei was thrown to the ground, hard. He tried shakily to get back to his feet, but he was met the hard knuckle of the Commune's foot. Alexei felt himself painfully skid across the cobblestone, coming to an immediate halt against an enemy. Alexei groaned as the beast picked up the lion.

"So, dear Alexei, you aren't so strong now, are you."

With some effort, Alexei opened his right eye. He was greeted by Graves. He felt his blood start to boil, and yet he was drained of his strength. He couldn't move, but he knew what he wanted. He knew what he had to do, but he couldn't do it. Alexei hung lifelessly from the Commander's arms, barely able to keep his eye open.

Graves, with his left metal hand, gripped the jagged rod and tore it out of Alexei's face, spreading more gore down his chin.

Alexei cried out, which became barely a whimper. He hadn't the strength to fight back, or even to react. He felt his entire body burn, and yet he couldn't do a thing. He felt his blood boil, and yet he was helpless. He continued to stare into Graves' eyes, showing nothing but hatred and malevolence.

As Graves stared back, his confident smile now worn off, small beads of sweat rolled down his bloody face. Even as he held the powerless lion, again in both hands, he felt Alexei's hatred flowing into him. He could feel the pain Alexei felt. Graves dropped the jagged rod, mesmerized by Alexei's stare.

Alexei tried to talk. "I... hate... you..." was all he could muster. Alexei heard the Commander growl deeply, gripping him tighter. He shut his eyes tightly until he felt something touching his chest, shaking slightly. Alexei, using all his strength, lowered his head, now staring into the deep-red pendant hanging around his neck.

Suddenly, memories of Kaelin poured into Alexei's head. He could see the spry and happy roo. He saw him, sixteen years ago. He saw his slender body as he embraced him warmly. Alexei felt a sudden rush of pleasure as he remembered that night, sixteen years ago, when the two mated and became one. Alexei smiled as he remembered giving himself to the roo, giving him his virginity. He giggled as he stared at the naked kangaroo, feeling himself pawing off at the sight. Alexei watched as the roo turned around, smiling back. Suddenly, the roo's chest burst open. Alexei cried out in horror as he ran toward his love. Alexei, feeling his powers gone, tried to run as fast as he could, but he seemed to never draw any closer. Alexei, while still running, watched as the roo fell to his knees, blood constantly surging out of his chest. Alexei ran, his tears streaming out behind him, as his one true love and soul mate fell.

Alexei suddenly opened his eye, a fire burning within him. He started to tremble as the pain began to overwhelm his body, the agony and rage now fueling his anger and his power. Alexei started to growl.

Graves noticed the fire in Alexei's eye. He looked into Alexei's face, almost paralyzed. Graves then hastily threw the lion into the ground, grunting as he did.

Alexei held out his paw and recovered quickly, skidding a few feet away. He stared back up at Graves, bent over on his feet and right paw. He bared his teeth and shot forward, screaming. Like lightning, Alexei struck Graves, sending the large Commune back. Without missing a beat, Alexei dashed forward and stuck again, before Graves had stopped moving. Alexei struck once again, sending Graves into a wall with a large crash.

Alexei walked up to Graves, a furious and wrathful aura pouring out of him. Alexei approached the fallen soldier, now looking down on him. He put his foot on Graves' neck. "You..." he started in a deep, almost raspy voice. "You deserve much, much worse than anything I could possibly do..." Alexei kicked Graves hard in the gut. Alexei continued to stare down into Graves' eyes. A sudden burst of anger washed over him like a black tsunami of horrid memories. Alexei quickly bent and crushed the Commander's face against his right fist.

Graves cried out in pain.

Alexei paused for a moment as Graves writhed about on the cold, stone ground. Then, another strong burst of anger. Crying out horribly, Alexei pounded Graves' face again, then again, and again. "You," he said as he pounded his fist, "destroyed," he struck again, "my," and again, "life!"

Graves made a barely audible noise. "You... can't..."

Alexei lifted his quivering fist high above the Commander's face. After a short pause, Alexei took one final strike at Graves, splattering his skull into the cobblestone ground. Alexei lifted his fist out of the splattered mess, a thick, chunky, dark-red paste coating his cut-up paw. Trembling, Alexei stood up, his gore-coated paw held in front of his face, and backed off a few feet. He suddenly fell backwards, still staring into his paw. He looked down at his half-naked body, horrified at large mass of Commune entrails still wrapped tightly around his bloody and beaten torso.

The remaining Commune soldiers inched their way closer to the lion.

Alexei cried out in horror as he stared down at his paw. He clasped his head in his left paw and shut his eye as he fell back and to his side, still screaming out. "No," he cried repeatedly, "Oh, God, no!" Everything suddenly went dark and Alexei drifted alone in agony. Alexei wept into his bloody paws, still drifting in darkness, completely numb. As the numbed lion continued to drift, his burning heart felt more at peace. He had finally killed the monster who, sixteen years ago, had murdered his family and slaughtered his village. With the beast dead, Alexei could now rest in peace... Slowly, everything faded away.

* * *

Alexei opened his eye to a bright light and groaned. 'Where am I?' he thought to himself. 'Am I... dead?'

"The Captain's waking up..." Alexei heard a voice. He moved his head around, feeling a sharp pain in his neck, the light blurring his vision. He also felt very cold.

'I can't see anything... Just this light... Where am I? Am I dead?' Alexei felt burning hands caressing his torn body. Alexei lay back his head, shutting his eye and letting himself go limp. The hands finally finished and Alexei tried his eye again... still the bright light. Alexei started to feel a slight tingling in his fingertips and toes, then slowly a searing pain developed within him. Alexei tried to lean forward, but was stopped by another burning hand. It caressed him back down. Alexei felt a slight prick in his right arm, then he was numb again. He could feel the busy hands on his chest and stomach, but it didn't burn. It didn't even tingle. Eventually the whole feeling went away and Alexei drifted back into the dark.

What felt like just moments later, Alexei woke to a sudden crash. He lifted himself quickly, feeling a sharp pain in his gut. Alexei held his stomach and groaned loudly. As he attempted his eye once again, the bright light was gone, replaced by a dark, blurry, sterile room. Dim and buzzing flourescent lights gave an eerie glow to the dark walls. Alexei rubbed his head as he sat up, the pain now striking his arms and legs and neck and head. A door shifted open and a bright light flooded the room, blinding the lion.

Alexei growled and put his arm across his face.

"Commander," a voice called, "Please lie down. You need to rest." The blurry figure picked up a few things off the floor then approached the lion.

Alexei moved his arm as a bright, shimmering Lumarian slowly came into focus. "Who... are you?"

"I'm Eskelle, sir. The chief medical officer of the Lumarian Elite Corps."

Alexei turned to a second Lumarian.

"That's Kavhen, sir. Do... do you remember who we are?"

"Of course I remember. I can't see... what the hell happened to me?"

"Well, as far as we could tell, you blacked out after defeating the Commune Commander. We got you back in the shuttle and took off to the nearest Lumarian outpost. We're about five hours away from Earth."

"What, you weren't there with me? Where the hell were you?"

"Captain," Kavhen cut in, "I think you should come with us."

Alexei turned to Kavhen, his sight slowly returning. "Where...?"

Kavhen put his arm around Alexei and lifted him off the cold, metal table.

As Alexei's feet touched the steel floor, sharp pains shot up his legs and spine. Alexei growled as he keeled over, being held up half way by Kavhen.

Kavhen, his left arm around Alexei's soft, furry back, reached down his right arm and swept the lion off his painful legs. He looked into Alexei's eyes as the lion put his right arm around Kavhen's neck.

Alexei reached his left paw over to connect with his right, resting his tired head on Kavhen's shoulder. Being cradled in the Lumarian's arms, Alexei was brought out of the infirmary.

They traveled down the dim, humming corridors, Alexei's vision starting to completely return. He looked down at his chest and noticed that it, along with the rest of his fur, was dyed a light pink from the blood. He also noticed several large, sutured wounds poking out from under the many layers of clean, white bandages, which wrapped tightly around his beaten body. And, of course, his red pendant still remained. Alexei rubbed his head against Kavhen's chest, shutting his eyes.

Suddenly, a dreadful thought struck Alexei. What happened to Kaelin? Alexei felt uneasy and shifted about in Kavhen's arms.

"Is something wrong, Captain?"

"Kaelin... What happened to Kaelin? What did you do with his body?"

Kavhen replied with silence. The three entered another room and were joined by Alyster and the rest of the Elites.

"W-what's going on?" Alexei asked.

The Elites shifted away from the table, revealed an unconscious roo.

Kavhen put Alexei down.

"Oh..." Alexei felt his heart sink and tears welling in his eyes. The sharp pain in his legs was replaced with weakness and Alexei fell. "Oh God... I can't believe... I let this happen to you... The most powerful being in the galaxy... couldn't save one life... And I've been cursed with eternal life... It's not fair... It's not fair!"

Alexei heard a groan from up on the table. "Wha-?" it said.

Alexei quickly got to his feet, unable to find his words.

He watched as the roo slowly opened his eyes and turned to face Alexei. "A- Alexei?" he mustered.

Alexei's heart exploded with ecstacy as he draped himself over the waking roo. "Kaelin," Alexei cried, "I thought you were dead! I saw the sword... I saw the sword sticking through your chest..."

Kaelin smiled.

Eskelle cut in. "We managed to save him just after you let him go. The wound was fairly clean, and it didn't hit anything too vital... he's got a fake lung, but it works just as well. This one's a fighter, Captain, just like you."

Alexei put his paws around Kaelin's face, smiling happily. "How are you feeling?"

"My chest hurts and I'm cold and tired... otherwise, I'm fine. I'm glad to see you're not dead."

Alexei laughed and the pair embraced.

Alexei never wanted that moment to end. He wanted to stay with Kaelin as long as he lived. He knew what he had to do. "Kaelin," Alexei said, lifting his head, arms still around the roo, "I want you to come with us... with the Elites. We can train you, teach you to be a warrior. I don't know what will be in store for us when we return, but whatever it is, I want you with me. I never want to leave you again."

Kaelin shed tears of joy. He looked up at Kavhen. "But... what about...?"

Alexei looked back at Kavhen.

There was an awkward silence.

"I understand, Captain, how you feel. You two were meant to be together. I don't mind... if you two reunite. Just know that I still love you, and I always will."

Alexei was glad, and yet he felt sorrow. He lowered his head. "Thank you, Kav. It really means a lot to me." The two hugged warmly.

"Alright," Jorhn cut in, "I think that's enough of that. What do you say we head on home?"

"Sure," Alexei said, wiping a tear from his eye. "Let's move."

The Elites filed out of the room and Alexei helped Kaelin off the table. Holding the roo in his arms, Alexei felt strong again. The pain left him and his weakness was gone. Shortly, they all piled into the shuttle, Kaelin taking a seat beside the Captain.

Alexei held paws with the weak and recovering roo. For once in his life, Alexei felt full. He had finally found his destiny with the Lumarian Elite Corps, and he had exacted his revenge against the Commune. Alexei could now die in peace, and he knew that he would now spend the rest of his life with his soul mate and truelove, Kaelin. His return to Earth was triumphant, and Alexei knew now that his life was finally complete.