FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Fear Is The Weakness - Self vs Self By Dexdor

Chapter 1

A large spike of pain woke him up in a growl, feeling bound by his very body as something behind felt like they had their paws in his back. "Try to relax, I'm almost done." That familiar, soothing voice spoke. Making the brass one feel safe almost instantly. However, if the bear was here, then...

He couldn't help but let out a sigh of defeat, regardless of how much it hurt. Trying to stay perfectly still as the white one worked deep inside him. "...How bad is it?" Beo eventually spoke up, nearly letting out a faint sob.

"...It's been worse. But it's still pretty bad."

"And the area...?" A long silence and another spike of pain.

"...Decimated." The word sank his heart. The Counterweight must've noiced it, because soon after, he pulled out those three paws and embraced the dragon tightly from behind. Doing his best to help the metallic one through his sorrows. "...I know..."

"And no one survived...?"

"...Not even the Forces." Another heavy breath nearly deflated him. Recieving a few licks of comfort on his plated neck. Something that usually brightened his mood, but there was no avoiding this pain. "...Tell me about it. About them."

"I really don't feel like it."

"It's not for me." The bear sat back up, carefully putting those paws inside the titanic beast once again and hearing him growl in pain. "It'll get your mind off of this while I cleanse you."

As much as he really wanted to remain silent, Beo took a deep breath. "...There was... A cranky old one." The expression put a sad smile over Bartan's muzzle. "Almost reminded me of the stories Lillith told me about you."

"Yes, I've heard them many times." He chuckled. "What about this cranky old one? How did you meet?"

The two dragon's groaned at each other while lying in the grassy evening fields. Almost having a conversation from their noises of exhaustion, mostly consisting of complaints about thier current occupation. Turning into whimpers and whines when a certain few sets of pawsteps were heard. "It's alright, you two. I think we're done collecting for now."

"Thank all dragon kind...!" The brown dragon mumbled through the long turf. Sensing the six legged bear lay down between them, mostly comforting the brass one.

"I know, I know. I'm familiar with the feeling of being overstimulated. It's not really fun." Bartan teased a bit, licking at the metallic frilled ear as a loud growl came from those thick plates. "But you can relax. I'll be heading out in several hours to help deliver your cures to the others possibly infected." A slight groan as the brass paw tried to dig under the fluffball beside him, getting the bear to follow the lead and cuddle with the brass titan. Chuckling a bit as it made a noise in question. "I guess I'll be the first Counterweight to be a Milkmaid."

"Don't call it that...!" Siggy grumbled. "It's officially on the list of Never Say Again Around Me."

"You have a list?" The white one asked.

"I do now."

"I'll have to agree with the stick on this one." A snort from across the mountain of fur. "I never thought I would get sick of being milked."

"A-hem. List."

"Well, I can understand why." A few licks from the bear and a couple of small kisses. "It's hardly for pleasure and only for a result. It feels almost like-"

"Wooorrrrrk...!" Siggy got a playful swat by the set of fuzzy tails.

"Yes. Work. Really ruins such a wonderful thing. But you two have put up with us stroking you empty-"

"Eighty seven times over." The brass one grumbled, getting a nuzzle from Bartan.

"Nothing you couldn't handle. Siggy surprisingly endured though."

"What do you mean 'Surprisingly'?" A bit of an long silence as the other two slightly leaned to look at the brown one until he snorted loudly. "Some friends you are."

"I'll say. They only stroked you off for the last seven days."

"Five days." Bartan corrected him, getting a slight noise in question and disbelief. "Time is a little wonky here, but it's basically been about a hundred and twenty hours or so."

"Ugh... I've never wanted to leave a paradise so badly." The other two chuckled at Sig'eaal's complaint.

"Well, we're not keeping you here against your will. You're free to leave when you wish." A small kiss on the brass lips. "Same goes for you as well, Beo."

"Maybe after I've gotten a bit more rest. I am feeling..." He trailed off, not really knowing how to describe it, but the bear just nodded at him. "I just don't think I can survive in a place like this."

"Not until we find a cure." The white one mumbled sadly, embracing him tighter. "I think the only way you have lately is due to Siggy's complaints."

"I don't know what you're on about. I haven't complained about anything since I got here." Another set of chuckles, and Bartan started to get up. Nudging and licking at the brown dragon's ears until he growled against it. "How has that tongue of yours not fallen off yet?"

"Thank you for your donation, Sig'eaal. You've helped a lot of people."

"Then why have I felt like I've been tortured since I got here?"

"That's what love feels like, Stick." A loud grumble came from the long snout, though Beo wasn't sure who it was for.

"That does remind me." The bear finally stopped. "Would you like to join our family, Sig'eaal?"

"Pass." The brown one grumbled, rather quickly at that. "Only because I've heard your stories from Muscles, and I don't feel like getting raped anymore." A look of confusion from the Counterweight.

"Well, you wouldn't have to..." An unimpressed look from those yellow eyes for a few moments and the bear sighed. "Good point. But if you ever change your mind, you're always welcomed here." Another few licks and a pair of lazy paws shoved the bear muzzle away. Forcing him to return to the brass one for another few kisses. "Wish me luck, and maybe some tail along the journey."

"I think you've had enough this week." Beo joked at him, seeing the white one overdramatically toss his muzzle. "I'll see you out though."

"You don't need to-"

"Trust me, I have to take a break from Siggy once in a while." A loud snort from the lazy dragon. Getting a thick lick from that purple tongue of the other before moving with Bartan. Once after moving out into a massive room filled with Milk bottles, Beo whimpered a bit. "I don't think they've ever hurt so much as they do now."

"It is an excessive amount, but I want to be sure. There's no real telling how much is needed to fight off such an illness."

"Let alone, if it will actually work." A heavy sigh was caught by a soft paw, getting the two males to look into each other's eyes again.

"It will. And if it doesn't, I'll just have to introduce you to them." A bit of a grumble. "You have so much to teach them-"

"And so much to give, yeah yeah." A few chuckles, but it brought a smile to the brass muzzle for a few moments. Then he looked back from where they came.

"...It is his decision."

"I know. I just..." Another sigh. "After seeing him turn into that black..." Another white paw moved into an embrace. "Is he... Going to be alright?"

"He's fine, for now."

"But I mean... Is he going to be like... Me?" A long silence worried him. "Does he know what to avoid?"

"I'm not even sure what to fully avoid. This..." A pet around those chestplates. "Thing is even new to me. I'm only responding in theory." A faint nod from Beo as he took a heavy breath, nearly squeezing the stuffing out of the furball. "But don't worry so much. And don't tell him just yet, but..."

"Hmm?"

"I did end up giving him... A 'Name Tag,' if you know what I mean." The dragon broke the hug to give him a confused look. "They're sometimes called Pet Tags. Just a small calling card if any Force ever finds him, I left a message to send word to me and I'll..."

"Attempt to fix him?"

"Or cure his urges, whatever is needed." Another set of chuckles. "You have it too, just in case."

"So you can stalk me in case you ever get lonely, huh?" Beo nudged the bear.

"Of course. But to be serious, I don't want another..." A silent nod in understanding. "I Can follow it if I need to though. So if you or me get worried about each other, or even Siggy..."

"We can track that stick down. Got it."

"And shove our own sticks in it, yes." An odd and almost insulted look from the brass one burst the bear into laughs.

"I think you mean Trees, I'd thank you." Beo snorted loudly.

"Trees can't fit into sticks."

"Well, our _Trees_can't fit into him!" The statement collapsed Bartan into incapacitation via laughs, even getting the dragon to a bit before joining the puffball on the floor.

The peace and quiet was nice, but it made the scrawny dragon restless. Granted, that could've been the previous acts the week brought him. Regardless, even the softness of the grass couldn't save those brass paws from creating tremors with every step. Making Sig'eaal grumble when it started to get close. "You'll live."

"That's the regrettable part to all this." The brown one snorted. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to leave." He grumbled, but remained laying on his back while the brass one stared at him for several long moments. "Eventually."

"I'm sure you'll get on that." It made Beo smile, but it soon saddened. "Can I ask you something?" A noise in question from the smaller one. "Why did you... Pass?"

"No idea what you're talking about."

"On Bartan's offer." Those yellow eyes looked at him in confusion. "To... Join us. Our family." A long silence and Siggy eventually exhaled loudly.

"You want the honest truth?" A faint nod.

"I won't be angry. I'm just..." Another breath from the brown one, as he looked towards his side.

"...It's because I can't share." He could feel those green eyes gaze at him in question. "I can't... Won't share you. Not with him, not with the 'Wall'." A chuckle from the large one. "If I can't have you for myself, I won't have you at all."

"...People change, Sig'eaal. Even I was able..." The smaller dragon went quiet, and the metallic one gave him a half hug by laying his head on Siggy's chest.

"Mother of Bahamut, you are heavy."

"You like it."

"Your bear likes it. I prefer not to become a pancake, thank you." But the brass one ignored him. Nuzzling against his chest for a few moments before getting back up.

"You can change, Siggy. You just have to believe you can. Just like I believe." He didn't respond to that, and Beo turned to leave. "Take care of yourself." Several pawsteps away, the brown one spoke up.

"Question." It made the larger dragon stop and look back. "How do I leave this place?" It made him chuckle and come back.

"It's better if I show you."

Chapter 2

The heavy shock of revival came with the massive pain once again, getting the dragon to almost roar against it before coughing. Every growl and hiss after seemed to echo around him along with the pain inside his body. Eventually fading and allowing him to feel that soft fur of recognition, holding that brass paw nearly as tightly as Beo was holding him. "...Sorry." That white muzzle said, laying down behind the titanic one and resting against his neck.

"...I forgive you." A few deep breaths, and he could still feel the pain pulse through, under his scales. Highlighting an unclean feeling through most of it. Hot, almost sticky like tar, signifying what he feared happened. Then it all came back once again. The flood of regret was something the bear could instantly identify, simply through contact. A type of pain he could not easily lessen with the dragon in such a state. With a deep breath and a shaky exhale, the dragon spoke up again. "How much was left...?"

A moment of silence before the Counterweight responded. "I managed to read the signs beforehand and reduce the damage to a minimum. But..."

"The damage I've done was-"

"You are not responsible for this, Beo." Bartan said a bit thickly. "This isn't your fault." A few moments of silence, and the white one nuzzled his neck again. "It'll be alright. We'll find a way to balance this."

"You keep saying that..." The mutter almost hurt the bear. "I believe you, but... It's getting harder for me to."

The ruins were cold and silent. Completely void of all life within the mechanical halls. What were once just bland white panels have now decayed into rust and age. Giving off a certain smell that the White Cheetah was rather used to by now. Cautiously scouting the dead Hive in case anything still lived within its corridors.

"Still no signs of life." The black Tirix behind him stated, still somewhat feral and taking less caution while looked into his device. "I'm still trying to access the logs to find out what happened here."

"Odds are an Unborn attack." Hatchet replied.

"I don't think so. There would be more signs of violence around. Possibly even bodies." The white one just looked at the shorter male. "This place is ransacked, yes, but I don't think it was attacked. Just abandoned."

"Then what do you call the debris floating outside?" He muttered, half gesturing a nearby large window towards the docks, and the black one just shrugged.

"It's possible something else hit it afterword. But so far, I want to say the Hive is still intact. We actually might be able to restore power and check out the logs."

"That doesn't explain why he would be here." The tirix slowed to a stop, looking at his step-brother for a few moments in silence.

"...You knew him better than I did. At least before he went rogue." That one got Hatchet to stop as well, almost taking a breath in thought.

"That's why I said it. It's not like him to look so deeply into the past. Let alone someone else's. We're Chimeras, that's all we needed to know for the longest time." It made the black one give a sad look, meeting with those red feline eyes as they glanced back. "...Sorry. I know it's harder for you to accept, October. But it wasn't for the 1st."

"At least not until those whispers got to him." A faint nod as they started walking forward again. "Whatever those voices said to him... It lead him here, I'm sure of it."

"But why though? In an abandoned Counter Force Hive of all things?" The cheetah grumbled, not noticing the odd questionable stare from the canine for a bit.

"You've never done investigations before, have you?" Half an irritated growl from Hatchet almost made the black one chuckle.

"My three were not big into research, what do you want me to say?"

"You're supposed to be the flexible one." October teased.

"Physically, sure. But you've got more resources to pull from." A faint noise in response, and then a bit of silence. "Are they saying anything?"

"Just exploring the possibilities of events. But..."

"But what?" The white one looked at him, studying the worried face looking off to the side as if to listen to someone not there.

"...Rixxix can sense something. An old fear that almost coated these halls. Whatever people were forced to do here, they did it in..." That black ear flickered to the opposite side and curiously looked over at some debris. Flipping over a large panel of wall to reveal a map and directions. "You were right."

"Hmm?" Hatchet muttered, but was almost left out of an invisible conversation. Trying to follow the signs of October's eyes and ears flicking in different directions. Catching and scanning for hallucinary sounds and voices.

"Is that where...?" Another moment of silence, and the black one looked in an off direction, then back at the map for a moment. "Okay. Floor 87. The backup power might still work if we can get down there."

"A place like this wouldn't have stairs."

"Means we'll just have to find an elevator shaft, and work with what we've got." The Tirix lead the way, but couldn't shake off the stare of red circles on him. Getting the two to lock eyes for a moment and making the younger brother whimper in question. "W-what?"

"N-nothing." Hatchet rubbed the back of his neck. "I'm just still not used to you... Having conversations with yourself."

"Myself...?" A glance around the hall they were traveling in. "Oh, did the 1st never...?" The feline shook his head.

"Not that I seen. At least not until the whispers."

"I thought you could hear them too." They came up to a large set of damaged doors. Both taking a side and sliding them opened, revealing a dark vertical hall that seemed to have no bottom.

"I could only when we first found them. After that, nothing." Another awkward glance at his smaller half-brother. "And I'm guessing Bartan...?"

"Can see and hear them as well. I never noticed until much later that others..." Another look around and the Tirix shook his head for a moment. Pulling a couple of small disks from his bandolier. Activating them and watching as they started to create a light and start floating on their own. Though the lights were able to show some old gear treads on the walls, there wasn't any sign of where the cargo elevator left off. "Usually yes." Another noise in question from the white one. "Ladder. They usually have one somewhere just in case, but I don't see-"

"Because they couldn't design one for a universal species." A sad look from that black muzzle. "You haven't been in one of these before, they have thousands of different beings forced to work on something. Aware of it or not."

"And they're all different shapes... Hence the stairs." A glance down the hall to where a typical set of doors would usually be, along with an emergency exit. Regardless if there actually was an emergency in a place like this, there was nowhere safe to go. Let alone, judging by the stories, the CF wouldn't care if they lost these people. A deep sigh was interrupted when he heard the cheetah take a step forward. "W-what are you doing?"

"Going to find the bottom."

"Bottom-?" Before the Tirix could stop him, the white one took a confident step forward to drop down into the black. Making October almost yelp as he watched his half-brother disappear into the darkness.

"He'll be fine." An orange tirix beside him said, looking down the same hole rather patiently. "He's got a little bit of the ferret in him. However, I would take a step to the side." The larger feline said while taking his own advice. Getting the black one to mirror those actions before hearing thick glass shatter from across the elevator shaft. Immediately spitting out the Cheetah from the darkness and causing him to slide back on the same floor as October.

The younger one heard of such strange abilities, but was still stunned to see them in action. Constantly studying the far wall for any damages or debris of that sharp sound. "The elevator crashed at the bottom. Possibly overloaded."

"And the exit?"

"Blocked." The two sighed at the statement though their muzzles. "I'm only assuming the power generator would be at the bottom."

"It might just be the spine of the Hive instead. If I were to make a place like this, the main power grid would be from the very center where all the plates connect." The black tirix thought out loud. "Odds are, this elevator would run alongside it..." He started walking along the wall, closely studying it while a holographic visor bent over his eyes. "Over here maybe."

"Through the wall?"

"Odds are there's an easier way to get to it. There should be a maintenance room very close by." Once again, they moved down the halls, a bit less cautious than before. Every so often, the echo of something either falling or running into the large building's outer shell echoed through the darkness. Constantly puffing out the Tirix' mane until he found a specific door. "Translated... This should be it." He tried the handle, but it barely moved. "Locked? Oh, I have just the device-" A sudden heavy palm thrust hit the door just above the lock. Bursting it wide open from the Cheetah's impatience. "Oooor you could do that."

"There's no reason to hide our tracks. For all we know, we're wasting precious time." Hatchet said bluntly, walking in and scouting the room rather quickly, but not identifying any threats. Let alone lifeforms. "All clear." October followed in, though still getting a bad feeling about the atmosphere of this place. Making his own scans and eventually noticing the feline studying him. Releasing a noise in question from the younger one. "It'll pass. You'll get used to it."

"I take it you two have been in worse?" The step brother didn't respond to that, and the black one let it pass. Searching for a few wall panels full of switches and many different electronic webbing, he looked at his brother again. "Want to try breaking this one too?" He grumbled, getting the older one to grunt a bit. Regardless, the black tirix started following instructions from a flickering ear. After a bit, he was so enthralled by his work, he didn't notice the Cheetah watching him. Completely lost in the process of fixing such a power grid. "This? Then maybe..." A loud snap came from one of them, but several panels began lighting up.

"Sounds like it's working."

"Just a few more steps apparently." Moments later, the lights came on, and several computers started up. Resuming many functions that have been neglected for so long. "That should be enough to trace what the 1st was up to." The black one said, turning to one of the computers nearby and searching through it while the Cheetah did the same on a separate.

"Does the name Xakoda ring a bell?" Hatchet asked from across the room, getting the younger one to glance back, then at the other three tirix' for their opinions. One by one, they shook their heads.

"Not at all, why?"

"Last time this Hive was completely functional was way back around when Rixxix made an appearance."

"In Veritas?" October asked, then looking at the other Black Tirix with a green highlighted mane. Hearing him sigh pleasantly.

"Good times. Wouldn't you say Deago?" A glance at the orange one from before, but no response. "Regardless, never heard of him."

"Still nothing. What's that got to do with the Hive?"

"She attacked it, apparently." A loud noise in question got the younger one's full attention. "A weapons developer that turned on the Counter Force that occupied this place. No real footage was found, due to the security messing up terribly-"

"Odds are she jammed everything. That's what I would do if I were to attack a place like this."

"Yeah, well... She ended up freeing an prisoner before she was shot and bled out."

"Prisoner...?" October looked closer at the report then took a quiet breath. "Vyitr-I'm just not going to butcher that."

"Hence why I didn't even try." The feline half grumbled.

"Vyitr...?" The orange tirix looked at Rixxix for a moment. "Vyitritvuietoafecr?"

"You mean C. Weight?" Deago nodded at him, while the brown Tirix was just looking back and forth at them.

"Is that...?"

"The Counterweight that touched Rixxix, yes October." The orange one said, getting a loud groan from the other black one.

"Stop saying it like that! It makes it sound like he molested me."

"Was this the same creature you and Linet were traveling with...?" Ryoko asked, getting a nod from the other three. "So he was bound here before you met, I wonder why?"

"What are they saying?" Hatchet asked his half-brother, getting a double take from the feral one.

"Oh, just about... They called him C. Weight. And Ryoko questioned why he was locked up."

"Because he experimented with Veritas." A noise in question from the other four, though the Cheetah could only hear October's. "It's illegal to try anything new as a Counterweight, and Vyitr-whatever ended up doing something different with that universe. Much like Bartan did."

"Dad?" The white one nodded, still scanning the report. "...But he experimented as well. Why wasn't-?"

"He locked up?" A faint nod. "Kinda hard to get arrested when there isn't a Law Enforcement to arrest you."

"Is... That why he sent you...?" The two locked eyes for a few moments, the older one almost being able to see October's faith slightly shaken.

"...He sent us for many reasons. Perhaps that was one of them." Hatchet resumed his scan. "Make whatever opinions you wish of those orders, but it's history now. Your feelings are not going to change that." It made the black one's head lower a bit, but dropped the subject. Returning to his own research on the other side of the room.

Chapter 3

"Are you sure this will work...?" The grey Tirix with one eye missing asked, looking doubtfully at a vial full of blue liquids. Almost being able to see the bear through the glass and substance within. "I feel like this is some kind of prank."

"I know it seems farfetched, but it's the only real thing that meets the common factors." Raccel grumbled at that answer, really not wanting to believe it. "It doesn't taste bad, if that's what you're wondering."

"Doesn't make it... 'Not' what it actually is." A deep breath of thought, as he couldn't keep that orange eye off of the sample. "Can you at least tell me which one it was from?"

"Would that make a difference?" Bartan tilted his head and perked his ears. Trying not to make the event uncomfortable for Raccel.

"Not really." Another long study and a bit of a grumble. Then he pulled the small lid off and took a deep breath. Taking it in one single quick shot like it was a form of horrible medicine. A bit surprised at the pleasant taste of blueberries and grapes. A few unsettling grunts after and an extra swallow just in case. "I think I can feel it moving."

"It's just your imagination." The white one smiled, extending a paw forward and the Tirix gave him the bottle back. Then an unexpected yelp as the larger creature came in for a hug. "It should make the extreme negativity fade away soon."

"I can't say I've noticed any real effects of late, but... I appreciate the concerns, Bartan." He felt the six legged one nod. "As well as my spine still intact." A chuckle and the bear let go.

"I'm so used to hugging someone much bigger, forgive me."

"That's... Alright." The grey one said a bit uncomfortably, finding a seat in the abandoned home. "I'm still finding it hard to believe that he's still alive."

"Beo?" A nod. "Did he ever tell you what happened?"

"Never got a chance to. After his encounter with Nalchulus..." He gestured towards the back of the home, and the white one scanned the area. Still finding the old red dragon on a very large pile of mattresses several rooms down. "He hasn't been the same since."

"It's not the Negativity, but that doesn't excuse my husband's actions." A breath from the bear as he looked into that orange eye sadly. "However, I don't think there would've been any convincing the old friend."

"Friend...?" Raccel asked a bit seriously, getting a faint smile from the white muzzle. "What sort of stories has Beo told you?" That one got Bartan to chuckle.

"The best and the worst. I couldn't really think of another word to describe their relationship." Another moment of silence. "He's told me about Lynnoa."

"Who?"

"The... 'Pet' as the others called it. Before Beo left your iron city."

"Oh. I never knew her name."

"He didn't tell anyone." A breath from the bear. "At the time, Beo was still contemplating if it was a weakness or not. Something he feared deep down within himself." The grey one nodded in understanding. "It seems that they care about each other so much that they will do anything to protect each other. Yet, they tend to select the worst ways possible to do so. You can see my loss of words."

"Perhaps Frenemy would fit?" It made the larger one smile.

"Yes. Yes, I suppose it would." Those brown eyes gazed upon the old dragon once again. "I would like to talk to him. Is that alright?"

"He hasn't even talked to me much since. If you can somehow fix this..." The white one nodded, going in for another 'Less-Tight' hug before leaving the room.

Those tattered ears picked up the voices from afar, but he couldn't quite make out what they were saying. Just mumbles distorted by several walls and the ache of constant ringing that accompanied the silence. The old dragon knew what was coming by sheer instinct by now. The dog would be worried about his state of mind, and ask this newcomer to pry on the elder's feelings. Something he really didn't want to do.

The growls didn't keep the pawsteps away, no matter how loud he attempted to make them. And they were too strange to be the stick's, foreign and not of dragonkin. Not to mention, something was off. Nearly picking out three sets of paws instead of just two.

A slight knock on the door was only greeted by a growl that left his red throat. Expecting such a warning to be ignored due to the Tirix' concerns. "Leave." Nalchulus finally said in anger, hoping whatever this thing was would finally let him be. But regardless, it let itself in.

"Nal?" The unfamiliar voice echoed through the damp room. Only to be absorbed by the pile of mattresses and the faded scales that rested on them. Back still turned towards the only normal exit. "I'm-" A faint whimper interrupted the stranger, coming from that same muzzle as the dragon began to feel a strange warmth. One of gawking and staring, specifically at the red one's rear end.

The silence was enough to make the old one finally look at the visitor, and stare back at the furball in almost disbelief. Never in his many years encountering such a strange mashup of fluffy parts and slapped onto a single creature. One that couldn't stop staring under the dragon's tail, where his package was unintentionally on display. Finally tracing those brown eyes, Nalchulus snorted loudly and covered said package with his thick tail. Finally snapping the bear out of a strange trance and getting a growl from the elder. "S-sorry. I couldn't help myself. I'm Bartan, a friend to Raccel and-"

"Let me guess, a relation to the one that raped me." His grey eyes specifically looked away before he said it, loathing to use such a word to describe such a thing. More for his own pride. "And now you want to give your own words of comfort as if they will magically remove such a wound, is that it? For what? His own comfort?" Some silence, and the red one exhaled. "Just-"

"Would you like to have a session?" A slow turn of the dragon's head, expressing both puzzlement and irritation like he was being ignored.

"A what?"

"A session of pleasure." A long silence and he could almost tell that the bear was blushing. Making the elder one's ears go flat against his head.

"No." A whimper of disappointment as Nal got up to turn about. Finally facing the white one and attempt to stare him down. "What are you doing here." He grumbled, barely asking a question. All at once, that blush went away as Bartan sighed. Taking a few steps closer and getting a threatening growl that didn't faze him.

"I am Beo'Karah's Husband." One ear lightly perked, but the grumble didn't hold back. "You know him as Beo'Kros-"

"I know him as a rapist, yes. I know him as the one who assaulted me for saving his scaly hide!"

"And I know that you 'Saved Him' from that Dragon Maiden behind his back." The bear almost snapped back, getting the red one to stay silent for a bit. "You and him both did stupid things to save each other-"

"He raped me-!"

"He _ Saved _You. Cured you of an illness you've been stained with for a long time! One you weren't even aware of!" Another growl from the red one. "I know he did it in the worst way possible, but he cared enough to do it in the first place." A long silence as they stared at each other.

"What are you doing here."

"...I've come to make amends."

"So, you're asking for me to forgive him. Is that it?"

"In return for a gift, yes." The dragon tossed his snout.

"Please. There's nothing you could give me to even consider that."

"You're wrong. I can give you the one thing you've always wanted-"

"Quite the ego attached to that tail of yours, isn't there?" That one actually made the bear growl a bit. "Makes me wonder who exactly is in charge of this little relationship with him." Another thick stare. "Tell me, how many strokes did it take to get that behemoth to submit? How many for the stick? He's in on it too, correct?" More silence, and Bartan looked away. Closing his eyes for a breath as the red one snorted.

"...How long has it been since you last trusted someone? One that isn't Raccel?" A faint growl returned. "When you seen the signs of a Dragon Maiden manipulating Beo, that wasn't because you were interested or curious about such things." Those brown eyes locked back onto the grey ones. "You knew from experience, didn't you." That red jaw tensed a bit.

"You know nothing about me-"

"I know how she felt." He said a bit sadly. "I can understand why honestly, I felt the same way with Him. I also know that she used you as protection at first." His claws pierced through the mattress. "But you figured it out soon enough. You weren't blind, Nalchulus. You just wanted her to be the real thing so badly."

"Leave."

"She was, though." A very faint inhale. "Even if it didn't start that way, she learned the truth about you and that heated heart. And she used you-but not for her benefit. For both. For your relationship." Those grey eyes at least started to calm down, but also showed pain. Like an old wound was ripped open. "She was taken away from you too early, Nal. Just like Lynnoa-"

"I was only trying to save him from the pain-"

"I know." The white one almost whispered. "But sometimes you just can't. It was too late by the time you found out." The red one's gaze eventually dropped and looked off to the side, barely catching the white paw lift up for a request. "Please, can I have your paw?" Those eyes questioned again, but submitted a few moments later. "Nalchulus. My name is Bartan. I'm a Counterweight, but not of this universe." Another white paw started stroking that red one a bit, getting a very faint numb and pain feeling from it. "I can do many things for you, but I can also take them away, understand?" He said softly. "So when I ask you to consider forgiving Beo for his actions in exchange for a gift..."

The upper paw slid up his red forearm, almost displaying the glossy crimson scales that clearly did not match the rest of his aged body, those grey eyes looked at it with a bit of shock. Slowly studying and flexing it, no longer feeling the harsh pain of near fossilized bone and muscle. "How...? The Forces-"

"Were never taught how to do it properly." A step closer to comfort the dragon's awe. "Nal, Eternal Youth is a very complex transition that requires usually all three Forces to fully obtain. And that's not to be confused with the Immortality that some species tend to have, those are just exceptionally long lifespans that have no recorded end." A white paw stroked that faded red chin a bit. "I can do this for you, but it requires me to touch you in nearly every area. So I need your consent."

"Eternal... Youth?" A comforting nod from the bear. "And that is your gift?" He asked, in disbelief.

"Yes. If you're willing to accept it. If not, I can attempt something else." A few moments of just studying the renewed paw, and the dragon was almost stuck. Not really knowing how to accept such a thing, until those white hands cupped his chin once again. Almost giving him the decision to either submit to them, or turn away and forever remember that he rejected such a surreal thing. With a difficult breath, he leaned into the forest of white. Letting them finally take the weight of age, something that nearly defined the dragon for eons.

A few pets of comfort, and those strange feelings returned. Sliding up and down that red muzzle and letting them brush away the dead grey that he hated for so long. Ones that echoed the disease of weakness across eons, stained onto his once beautiful and defiant body. Now removed by a few single paw swipes, only adding to the surrealism and making those grey eyes question if he was dreaming.

As they brushed up and over his eyes, that discomfort grew. Making Nal grunt a bit as a set of paws quickly moved to his head. "Nalchulus? I'm going to put you in a state of nirvana for the rest of this to make it less unpleasant. You'll probably feel very lightweight, but you'll enjoy yourself a lot more while I work. Is that alright?"

A deep breath to relax. "...Yes." He finally spoke, unable to look the bear in the eyes. Feeling a strange warmth start spreading through those paws and making his head weightless. Letting it sore through his aching bones and finally silence their cries for attention. Warning him that something was wrong for centuries, something he could not do anything about. Until now.

To accept a gift was much harder for the dragon than fighting Raccel for the first time. His entire life, Nal only claimed what was his. Regardless if they still belonged to another person or vermin, the Red one's rule was absolute. Never was something specifically given to him that was not already his. But time? Endless time at that...?

The warmth invaded the ruined temple that was once a fearsome kingdom. Nearly repainting those walls like they were so many eons ago by two sets of white paws. Resealing every crack that was taken, every scratch that had been made, patching every tapestry to perfection. Removing every mark made by a blade or arrow, from the surface of his face and deep down. All with a single brush of winter.

Caught in such a trance, the dragon began purring loudly and uncontrollably. Once again nearly giving his weight to the bear while closing his eyes. Making out every fiber that banished eons away from his very being. Tracing it over his eyes, around his jaw, inbetween his snout, and feeling it sharpen his dulled fangs. Doing a bit of his horns and mane before stopping a bit. "Nalchulus?" Bartan asked softly, just getting a blissful noise in question that eventually opened those grey eyes. Following a single paw that held something.

The red one held his breath, still a bit lost in the haze. Gazing at another dragon like looking into a past memory, a reflection that was once lost to him. Stolen by time itself. It would've been unbelievable if he couldn't make out the rest of his aged body still connected to that wyrm's face.

His heart fluttered, almost wanting to whimper and cry in happiness. But was still too prideful in front of another person. Instead, trying to take a clumsy step forward to hug the white furball of a creature. Meeting him halfway with a chuckle and embracing his strange way of thanks. Giving a few licks that still restored escaped life from those scales and spines with the very touch before continuing.

Those four paws worked on his armored neck, reversing the damage taken from deflecting countless near-deathblows. Scars and dents disappeared while several plates shifted back into their normal state, then freshly painted with the gloss of a newly hatched. This creature wasn't just simply removing time from his body, but giving everything a second chance. Any defects ever born into his body, removed and fixed to a near paragon status. Giving even the most simple of breaths to become much easier to manage.

As the bear took a faint step back, the dragon almost followed. Hoping the white one wasn't done, and by his adoring chuckle, he was far from it. Just repositioning his paws and snout to work on the side of the red one's head while those white hands continued their work deep within the elder one. Licking around the jawbone to find any place he might have missed, until he got to the ears.

Tattered and almost broken, they still fought against the tongue out of instinct. Trying to flick the red appendage away, as if not to notice it was fixing those frills with every soft lick. Even getting the dragon as a whole to almost growl at such affection, especially when said ear was caught by the Counterweight's fangs. Not biting hard, but almost playfully... Perhaps arousingly.

Regardless, another growl and the white one let go. At least before working on the other ear. Nearly getting a warning growl before that tongue even made its complete journey to the other side. Not staying on it for too long after restoring the frilled appendage and the dragon's hearing to its full potential. Then taking a step or two back to once again look Nal in the eyes.

The faded grey iris had been polished into a silver disc, nearly mirror-like to the point where Bartan could see his own reflection when looking hard enough. "Nal?" A faint noise in question, as if he were sleepy. "I'm going to start working on your back now. Which means I'm going to have to get behind you." A slow blink to confirm he understood. "After that, I will work on your underside. Which in turn, I would like to have a session. Do I have your permission?" That almost frightful look told the hexeped that the dragon was still conscious of his own decisions, not really knowing how to answer that. "If you don't want to be penetrated, that is fine. But I would like your consent if that is alright."

A long stare in silence before he spoke up. "...Why?"

"Why do I ask?" The white one repeated, seeing that blush return. "Because once I start restoring that part of you, I might not be able to help myself." A slow blink. "So I thought I would ask befor-"

"Alright." Those brown eyes studied him to be completely sure, and the dragon nodded. "As long as you don't..." A nod from the white one that time, as he lead that red head down softly on the mattress. Giving it a few pets before walking up and laying down behind the elder one. Feeling that soft fur embrace his aged spine as if spooning the dragon before those paws went to work.

Within moments that stiffness went away. The sluggish and tired muscles almost melted into a warm oil before being reformed into his young self. Even through the glowing nirvana he could sense it, just like his old tired memories. Even reaching a paw back to meet with another to grasp it with thanks. Getting a few friendly kisses from that muzzle before continuing to work on his shoulders and arms.

Once those were done, he moved onto the wings. The joints still sensitive and almost frail from constant use, the opposite of the membranes. Though now aged and numb, much of them were tattered and torn from many battles had. It's a wonder the old dragon could gain enough lift with the several holes between the branches. All repaired with a single soft stroke as they continued down the dragon.

It was the back the required most of the attention, having a constant set of paws tending deep within the old beast. Filtering out and removing so much scar tissue and old wounds that haunted the red one for so long. Even the white hind legs were working on that thick tail as the bear continued to climb down. Feeling him get closer towards those haunches and almost getting uncomfortable. Pondering what exactly the creature meant by Session.

But the white one didn't go straight for those specific areas. Tending to the entire hips and back legs before nudging the red one to lay on his new back. Almost embarrassed by such a thing, let alone uncomfortable showing how stiff the supernatural massage got him. But those paws and muzzle only pressured harder. Eventually getting the dragon to cave in and reveal his black weapon.

Aged and scarred, much like the rest of his previous body. But the Counterweight hardly looked at it, saving his studies until much later. Actually tending to the tail a bit more before climbing over the red one. Almost expecting another intruder to prod between those haunches, putting up his red paws just in case and planning how he would get out of a situation. Easier now that he wasn't bound in ice, but that could always change.

But the white beast only resumed his work, starting with the dragon's collar and moving down. Feeling his old heart flutter while the furball rested on his new structure, now able to easily support such weight like his prime years. Those red paws, going from defense to embrace without even noticing it as he felt his entire body reach completion. All except for one area...

A nervous swallow, but Nal already gave his consent to the white one. In exchange for what he always wanted, he would accept this price. Feeling that white muzzle kiss its way down the dragon's pelvis and around the erect weapon to ensure all of those areas were well taken care of. Then those middle paws slowly cupped what the white one eyed when he walked in the doorway. Exhaling a heated breath as soon as they made contact, and feeling a bit of a sting as everything inside the red sack was renewed.

Then finally, the black draconic weapon. Chiseled with a few unnatural lines down the sides. Ones on par with some of the sheath wounds, possibly telling a story of a lucky shot with a blade or worse. Never being able to be healed normally, nor get enjoyment from the pain of being erect once again after such a thing sealed up. It was a wonder it didn't get any infections, but odds are with the faint traces of burn marks...

It made sense now why the old one was so against sessions like this. Not only from the recent assault against his lower region, but the sheer pain it would normally bring him to even be ready. But that changed today, with one long lick of that red tongue, he started from the very base of the wound. Deep inside the flesh where cold steel sundered such a beautifully designed weapon. Bringing it back to its former elegance and welcomed with a soft kiss against its tip. One that got a few pleasant lick as well.

The dragon almost hissed against such a touch, unable to recall the last time he could enjoy such a thing before that forced deformity. The black tower loving the admiration that the white beast was giving, and almost jerking for more. For him to go further and remind it what it meant to feel pleasure without that aching sting. As those claws dug deep into the bear's mane, they started to almost force him down the shaft with his maw.

But Bartan resisted for a bit. Taking his time to really study the up-tipped flare and the spines that parted from it. Ones that reminded him of long frills, like dragon ears. Just a bit thicker and flexible. A few more licks and Nal let out a whimper. Pressing down harder, and attempting to thrust that black weapon inside. Teasing him a bit more, but enough was enough.

Those jaws parted, finally obeying the desperate demands to just take it in. Feeling those paws press down until that black nose was against his sheath. Nearly regretting that action, whereas that tongue started painting those ridges. Exiling the breath out of the dragon's lungs as he struggled not to make too much noise.

Lap after lap forced the intensity to rise drastically, until it was too much for the red one to handle. Stressing with a whispering roar, he squirted several jolts into that white muzzle. Feeling the tongue gather such a substance and varnish his tool with it before sliding his maw out and over that tower. Matching the speed with the dragon's breaths, almost playing him like a musical instrument.

That pressure began to rise soon enough, increasing the pitch of the scaled one's whimpers. Streams of pre-release began to drip out of that white muzzle as those fangs carefully went over every spine. That tongue teasing the very sides and ridges when it came down to meet the red sheath with a brushing kiss. Pebbles of juices gathered together to form thick beads as they ventured down with the muzzle, traveling the pleasant journey over those sensitive divides and forcing the red one to squirm against the ticklish movement. Pushing Nal so close to the edge as he fought drastically to hold back.

But he couldn't. The pressure was rising, the bliss overwhelmed him. And all he could do was tense his body, not even roar in warning as that black weapon thickened inside the bear's maw. Spraying a near eon's worth of repression into the Counterweight as a thick white seed. Feeling it escape between his lips until a red paw reached further down. Grasping the muzzle tightly against his weapon and barely hearing a surprised yelp from Bartan as he continued to swallow.

Nearly a minute and a half of the dragon's orgasm, and it began to slow down. Though the straining feeling was still felt, it was like the red one just ran out. Until a few surprising grabs by those furry paws and a thick pressure once again started to rise within. Just as those last few jolts of liquid were passing, another full release rushed through him. Spraying into the bear's muzzle in a near steady jet.

A bit of whimpering came from the white one as he struggled to pry himself out of the dragon's grasp. Feeling those furry cheeks begin to swell up with the dragon's juice, releasing so much that swallowing it wasn't enough. Stretching where it could around that muzzle and throat, pressing against the red grip as torrents flooded that maw. But the paw kept its hold, grunting past the sharpness of his fangs against that flesh for another few minutes until the red dragon was spent. Setting free the bear and collapsing to catch his breath.

Those wounds stun, but were soon restored. Finally getting the feeling back in his body and recognizing that fur brushing up his chest, Nal opened his eyes and barely got out a yelp as Bartan pinned him down and kissed him. His muzzle still full of that white dragon seed and feeling it slip into his own, getting the sensation of sweetened cinnamon to dance along his tongue. Like a thick frosting that was very warm.

He was too weak to fight against it, and barely noticed the extra weight the Counterweight put on. So for now, Nalchulus just accepted the gift. There was no pride to be harmed, no action provoking him or calling the red one frail. Just pure bliss and affection from that red tongue. One the dragon was not used to, but could learn to be.

He gently lapped the inside of the red maw as he waited for Nal to recover. Even looking him in those silver eyes with a smile before touching noses and getting up. Thinking that the session was complete, the now younger looking dragon took a deep breath. Now that his chest was dismissed of that weight that is, until it came back. Only taking a step forward and squatting down, then a brush against his black weapon.

The straining feelings were brushed away, and the red one's stamina was restored. Feeling the tip of his fleshy weapon begin prodding the forest of white, it was clear what the bear was asking for. Something Nal was fine with, but wanted on his own terms; grabbing the slightly bloated furball and start rolling it on the side of the pile of mattresses. Getting a playful yelp from Bartan as the dragon leaned over him.

Taking a deep breath and stretching out his body, feeling so surreal that there wasn't a single ache detected. His lungs, able to take full breaths. His tail, able to curl up and slam against the concrete floor. And his wings, touching the ceiling and walls without so much as a flinch. He grabbed the forest of white and embraced it tightly in thanks, before forcing his weapon inside it. Getting both males to roar in pleasure.

Normally, it would've been a stupid idea to attempt such a thing without some foreplay. Nal was just thankful that his tool was already greased up from the muzzlejob. Feeling it slip inside nice and easy, a heated warmth that still felt like it was brushing against his sensitive flesh. Throbbing thickly and proudly against the teasing fibers.

Every harsh thrust was him testing out his new body, throwing everything he had into it. From the tail flicking in the air, almost breaking the sound barrier like a whip, and slamming his haunches into the bear's rear. More thankful at the moment that Bartan was almost indestructible, meaning the red one could go all out. Grasping the white shoulders and sides with freshly sharpened claws. Biting into that thick mane with a powerful jaw, the strength able to crush diamonds into simple powder. And then muscles; bulging drastically, but not as much strength that the white one was used to.

Still, it was enough to bite back out of instinct. Feeling the pain, and almost loving it, Nal barely even noticed the orange sprays underneath him. Constantly in focus of just ramming into the furball and rising that orgasm back to full. Every thrust was like filling a meter by a percent, slowly increasing the volume of an imaginary tank until it was overfilled. Feeling his weapon begin to leak out those spare juices as his insides were struggling to keep it all contained.

All at once he felt himself go over the edge. Gaining an adrenaline rush to thrust into the white one at double speed, spraying several torrents in the process before one final full body one that pushed the two up the pile a bit more. Grasping the furry coat tightly as his weapon went to work; spraying that thick seed into the equally white bear with every ounce of energy and pent up aggression the dragon had.

The torrents began fighting against a pressure that started inside, as the two whimpered loudly against it. Soon after, Nal began to feel a bulge under him as the Counterweight took shallow grunt and breaths. Every thick jet that was released from his black tower pressed against the bear's belly, getting it harder and harder for the dragon to continue releasing inside him. That is, until those tails grabbed those red stones again.

A thick sting was felt, then that full pressure from before. Finally overpowering the struggle within, and expanding Bartan's belly between them. Getting another series of orange sprays as well, as the dragon was pushed up. Feeling the conflict deep within the furry belly with every thick release out of his weapon. The pressure getting tighter and tighter until the red one was empty.

Nearly collapsing onto the living pillow, Nal attempted to pull himself out of the bear. Taking a few tries, but eventually his weapon gave way. Allowing the two to officially rest and regain some energy spent. Not expecting the white one to still cuddle with him, let alone go after his ears with that tongue. A few growls of annoyance and Bartan stopped.

A few minutes of rest and a strange look was shown in those silver eyes, making the bear release a noise in question. "...Why?" Two of those four ears perked. "Why do this for me...?"

"For you?" He questioned, but not coldly. "I did this because I love my husband. I did this because I don't want him to feel hurt." That odd look didn't release, but saddened slightly. "What Beo does sometimes... He still acts like the dragon he once was. Especially around you and Raccel." A white paw on his red one. "That doesn't excuse what he has done to you, but it also doesn't completely make up for what you did to him." Bartan leaned in closer. "I'm tired of this feud. And I will not allow you two to hold a grudge. Whether you consider forgiving him or not, I will tell him that you did."

"Because you love him." The dragon mumbled, getting a nod and a slow blink. Those eye trailing off the forest of white and into space for a few moments as the Counterweight got up. Heading towards the door without another word. "Bartan?" He looked behind as their eyes met. "...Thank you." A nod as if to say You're Welcome, as he opened the door. "And I will... If he forgives me."

"He already has." A sad smile traced over that white muzzle as he left the dragon to his slumber. Walking down the hallway to meet a clearly uncomfortable tirix still enjoying his tea, the two caught glances as if to question. "He'll be fine."

"You got him to talk?"

"Yes. You could say he's a new dragon now." Bartan smiled, walking past and catching the reflection of Raccel unable to look at the new weight the bear was currently carrying. Trying to make complete sense of what he heard from afar and only spading his ears with shyness. "But give him a few hours, Nal's a bit tuckered out."

Chapter 4

Another heavy shock that his body was trying to ignore. Feeling so weak that he couldn't even make a noise besides a few shallow breaths. "Beo, I know you're afraid, but I need you to do it." The bear said, trying to comfort him. "Just a little, alright?" A cough, and then a deep breath that gave him a bit more energy. Then another. "Good, keep doing that while I attempt to fix this."

"...Did it..." A cough and a groan of pain. "Work...?"

Bartan stayed quiet for a bit, but stroked him in comfort. "...There was a significant amount of reduced damage, but..." Almost a breath of relief from the brass one. "You starved yourself to death, didn't you?"

"Seemed like a good idea at the time..." Beo half joked, growling at the pain while taking a bit more feed.

"But it's horrible for your body-"

"It's better for them..." A sad look and the white one hugged him tightly. Getting the dragon to eventually pull the counterweight over so they could embrace each other. "If most of them survived, it was worth it."

"It's not worth you living in famine... You can take a little."

"Only to crave more." A defeated sigh from the white one as they just enjoyed their company.

The brass behemoth was resting in the fields, collecting the sun's warmth while lounging on the dried grass. Not really feeling the effects of being overheated, possibly due to how reflective his scales were. Almost sending signal lights in all directions for anyone to spot the titan.

But he wasn't trying to hide or avoid detection. The dragon was just tired of the smoggy smells that seemed to cloud the more populated areas. And those smells brought back painful memories he really didn't want to relive. Instead, he was just trying to relax. Not really getting any sense of direction, just not wanting to feel famished again.

But the dried meadow did come with its flaws. Many of the animals a bit farther out, especially birds, were rather noisy. Their constant chirping almost ruining Beo's vacation, as well as a strange feeling of a nearby presence. Nothing threatening, but almost ignoring the massive creature for reasons unknown. Almost irritating him by instinct and listening into some random gibberish his filled ears were picking up.

"Excuse me, sir!" The voice from far away addressed something nearby it. "Would you like to sign a petition to get the heavy yellow thing off my house?" It even made the dragon make a noise in question, but not look towards it. "I'm looking for at least 255 signatures to convince it to leave, and I've only gotten three so far." Heavy Yellow Thing? Granted, the large one was covering quite a bit of space. It wasn't so farfetched that he was laying on someone's habitat. But he didn't feel anything out of the ordinary under him.

A few faint grunts were barely heard after. "You will? Thank you, kind sir! I just need you to sign here... And here. Initials here... And the date. It's the 23rd." A few more grunts got the dragon's attention, looking over at a strange man talking to a wild rabbit. "That will do! Thank you once again!" And the animal scurried off. Seeing a red haired human with shades and modern clothing make eye contact with the brass one. Getting Beo to curse under his breath. "You sir!"

The dragon curled his neck as the strange man walked towards him. "Me?"

"Yes! Would you like to sign a petition to get the heavy yellow thing off my house?" A very slow head tilt from him, as the human showed him a sheet of paper on a clipboard with several dozen paw prints on it, and a series of unintelligible scribbles. Tilting the clipboard for the dragon to read easier. "I'm looking for at least 255 signatures-"

"To convince me to move?" The man gasped.

"It's like you can read minds! -Wait, You?" The red one asked rather seriously. "Why would I want you to move?"

"Because..." He motioned for Beo to go on. "I'm laying on your house...?"

"You are? I could've sworn I lived over there." Again, he seriously said. Pointing a bit further down and confusing the dragon even more. Not seeing anything yellow or large in the empty space. Let alone a home.

"...Where?"

"Just down there a bit. Come, I'll show you!" He started marching and humming a tune, leaving the brass one a bit dumbfounded. Yet, curious. Enough to get up and follow him to a flattened cardboard box laying in the middle of the grass, with a single dandelion in the center of it. "See?"

"There's a flower on it." Beo half grumbled, getting his ears to flatten against his head.

"Yes. Yes there is."

"Flowers aren't large."

"I didn't say it was large. I said it was heavy."

"Flowers aren't heavy either." He half hissed.

"But this one is. Hence the petition." A few moments of irritated staring and the man shrugged. "You want to try to move it? I'd appreciated the help. My stamp collection is in there."

"...Stamps?" A near excited nod and the large one sighed. Taking a paw and flicked the flower off the box, but it didn't move. Another attempt, and the plant remained. Grabbing the flower, the man interrupted him. "Ah-ah-ah." An angry stare in question. "Lift with the legs."

His ear flickered, both puzzled and in disbelief, but tossed his muzzle regardless. Getting into position, he used his full body to start lifting a single cut dandelion off the box. Or would have, if it even moved. Getting the dragon to growl in anger and try again. This time using both paws and not playing around. His muscles bulged through his brass scales and nearly roared as he lifted the tiny plant up about a foot and tossed it off to the side. Landing with a heavy earthquake.

The man cheered as he scooped up his box and looked inside the folds. "Awwh, he ransacked it. Oh well. Looks like I'll have to find a new place." He looked at the dragon who was still a bit shocked at the crater the flower made, double taking when he caught the stare. "Where do you live?"

"...How?"

"-Do we get there? You tell me. I mean, I guess I could lead the way, but it might take us a while." A blank stare from those green eyes. "Me leading the way; it is!" And he started marching away from the clearly puzzled dragon. Not noticing his questionable stare that didn't let off until the ground started shaking violently.

From where the flower landed sprouted a colossal mutated one with a set of jaws, hissing loudly at the brass one that braced in defense. Snapping to bite at him, but missing as Beo jumped back out of range. Still slightly stunned at the surrealism to act to respond otherwise. Hearing the monstrous plant roar at the dragon as he prepared to strike back with a concussive blast, however was interrupted by the clipboard being thrown into his field of vision.

The flying object collided with the mutated flower and exploded into a series of colorful fireworks and sunflower seeds. Once again leaving the brass one speechless for a moment before looking at the man once again. "Huh. Apparently I only needed four signatures. Go figure." The two looked at each other for a bit in confusion. "Anyway! Coming?"

A long silence as the puzzled stare didn't let up. "...How-?"

"-Skittle button." A head tilt.

"...What-?"

"Huh?" A rather serious question got the dragon to look back and forth at the many strange areas. "Did you lose your contact lens?"

"My what?"

"You know, for your eyeballs." His head tilted the other way. "It allows you to see. Can also make your eyeballs glow in the dark, but we don't talk about that. Too many adventurers with arrows and slingshots." Beo remained quiet for a long bit, wondering if he was somehow dreaming. But unless he was powerlifting in his sleep while being sprayed with sunflower seeds, it wouldn't make any sense. Granted, none of this did. "I take that as a no?"

"Hmm? Oh... No. I didn't lose..."

"Anything but your words. I've been there. Still haven't found that dictionary. Such a shame." A few slow blinks. "It was written by a pterodactyl, and started everything in the T section with PT instead. If anyone gets a hold of it, they'll never know that it's spelled wrong! And that fish ain't tight, yo!"

"...Did..." Beo started, looking around for a moment. "Did you hit your head or something...?"

"Nope. Just naturally a conehead." Another blank, but more curious stare. "So! Coming? Be hard to find a new home alone." The brass one looked back to where he was sleeping before, then back at the human.

"...Sure. But what do I call you?"

"Hmm... My Secret Identity is the Caped Catfish, but you can call me Dehoken." The red haired man said, leading the way into the field. "But don't tell anybody! I'm only telling you because you nearly got eaten by a radioactive eggplant."

"Eggplant...?" He couldn't help but look back at it. "I don't think that was an eggplant."

"No? Stapler?"

"What's a stapler?"

"The worst thing you've ever seen. Apparently they're illegal in Colorado, who knew?" The dragon raised an eyebrow. "What about you?"

"Me...? I'm-" "-WAIT!" The large one completely stopped mid step as Dehoken whispered to him. "Before you tell me, you need to answer me one very important personal question..." A long silence as the brass one listened. Studying the man to the point where his green eyes could be seen folding out in large black pupils through those sunglasses.

"Wh-?"

"What color is your toothbrush?"

"...I-"

"This question is important. If it's yellow, then don't even talk to me." His ears lowered a bit. "You need to speak softly in whispers instead. Also in haiku."

"I..." He started, almost expecting the strange man to interrupt him. "Don't have a toothbrush."

"..._ Really _?" Dehoken seriously asked, very surprised. "Huh! You're the first acorn I've seen that doesn't have one!" Once again, the statement was lost to the dragon. "They're all the rage these days. You're not waggling it until you've got one." He leaned to the side to whisper to the dragon, blocking the other side of his mouth with his hand. Then stretching his lips to Beo's other ear. "That's what all the kids are calling it these days."

"Calling what?" He asked, watching the hovering mouth as it snapped back onto the man's face. Then he shrugged before walking into a large rock. "You okay?"

"-I'm okay."

"...How much can you actually see in those sunglasses?"

"What sunglasses?" A blank stare at the serious question. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"That might actually answer my question then."

Several hours later, and Beo was still nowhere's close to an actual answer. Yet, that didn't bother him... Much. "Then the doctor told me that BOTH my eyes were lazy! And that's why it was the best summer ever." Dehoken finished his story to a clearly lost dragon as they came up a hilltop.

"And that's why you're wearing sunglasses?"

"Sun-what-now?" A slightly irritating groan from the metallic beast. "Oh these things? A man with very nice teeth gave them to me. Said they gave off magical powers around kittens." A toss of his snout at the excuse.

"Sadly, that's a rather normal thing, coming from your maw."

"You know my mother?" The serious question made the dragon stop and cover his eyes with a paw. "Oh look. Civilization." He stopped and looked over the distance, seeing a town rather nearby and giving a bit of a worried look. "I know that expression..." Those green eyes met those shades, and the man pointed off to the other side of the dragon. Following it rather quickly to see three outhouses; one for males, females, and a ridiculously large one for dragons. "I'll wait here." Dehoken whispered.

"What? N-no. I don't need to..." A grunt of discomfort. "I just... Don't want to go near something like that right now."

"I'm sure they're clean-"

"Not what I was talking about." He grumbled rather quickly.

"You mean the town? Why not?" A worried expression painted over Beo's face as he looked it over. "They might have an RC Cola machine."

"A what?"

"Only the most mediocre carbonated beverage ever!" A few slow blinks. "You have to try it to believe me."

"But..." Beo took a breath. "Dehoken... It's not safe for me to be there. It's not safe for anyone, including you." The man tilted his head like the dragon did from time to time. "It's a long story-"

"Does it have anything to do with Hippo-Eating Spiders?" A double take that was getting less and less surprised.

"N-no."

"Then do tell. Last time I was told a story in an upcoming storm, it was raining those things. Worst Tuesday Ever." A few blinks from the large one and the man overdramatically motioned for Beo to continue. "Go on."

"Dehoken... I'm... Not what I look like." He mumbled, feeling that strange gaze of being studied from afar. "I'm something called a Terrasque."

"You mean a French Dragon-Chimera?"

"I don't know... I'm not really sure what it actually looks like."

"But you are one, so wouldn't it look like you?" A heavy breath in defeat from the brass one, and the human could tell something was wrong. Especially after the dragon closed his eyes and looked away, like he was struggling to keep himself composed. "You're... Afraid of it?"

"...Terrified. And from what me and my husband can tell, it feeds off of negativity... 'Eating' too much..."

"Will result in the devastation of the world around you." A faint nod and he took a deep breath. Feeling a hand on his arm that was a bit... Strange. Reminding him of the white bear, enough to look back at his new friend and see him in a strange silver-white wolf form. Getting the dragon to curl his neck. "I know what it's like." Dehoken said seriously, traveling in a different direction. Away from the town and motioning Beo to follow.

Chapter 5

The two scanned the computers in the dark room for what felt like dozens of minutes. Trying to find anything they could that wasn't specifically a date. All while the three behind the black tirix half argued among themselves. "All I'm saying is, odds are they wouldn't know the 1st by name. There shouldn't be any record or data based on that." The orange one said, getting a snout toss from Rixxix.

"Yeah, searching for intruders didn't work out so well. If you don't recall."

"Actually, there were several detections-" The brown one started.

"Which could've been anybody. Considering how scavenged this place is, it wouldn't surprise me that they were just vultures."

"Guys... Please..." October whimpered, getting a reaction from the cheetah on the other side.

"Still nothing?" The smaller black one shook his head. "Nothing much here. Hard to get any data when the scanning sources were turned off." A breath from each of them.

"I just don't know why he would come out here. The headquarters I could understand, but an abandoned Hive?"

"HQ would've been too easy, hence why Bartan suggested it before-"

"Oh, that is just a name I really wish I didn't hear again." A mechanical voice grumbled harshly, startling both males into defensive stances. But they didn't detect any presences nearby. "But if you came from the bear, then I suppose I understand why you're in one of my Hives, let alone on my network."

"Network?" October asked, seeing a faint red light that wasn't on before. One in the middle of the switchboards and carefully approached it. "You're the AI system?"

"Arkist, yes. And I'd file you under trespassers, but it is difficult to trespass in an area that has been disqualified. And, you're not worth my time."

"Yet enough to make contact." Hatchet muttered, getting a bit more relaxed.

"Only out of curiosity than anything. Usually people look for more materialistic valuables rather than digital ones."

"We're just trying to follow someone's tracks is all." October said in a more peaceful manner.

"Let me guess: tall. Black. Forcefully demanding like he has some daddy issues?"

"That's too good of a guess. Means we're on the right track."

"Were, Spots. You clearly don't know how long it's been since that encounter. You're basically just wasting your time, and mine."

"What did he ask about?" The cheetah growled.

"I see he wasn't the only one with daddy issues."

"You mentioned Bartan." October interrupted them. "Did you know our father?"

"I've met with the furball several times, yes. Can't say I'm fond of such meetings."

"Someone that doesn't like the bear, surprising." Hatchet grumbled sarcastically.

"Is that what the 1st asked about? Bartan?" A strange feeling of being studied fell over the black tirix.

"What if he did? What if the little rodent was just looking for a biscuit recipe?"

"Rodent...?" The white one interrupted again, overlooking his half-brother and making him a bit uncomfortable. "I always thought they were more like... Cat-Dogs."

"You misunderstand. Everything looks like vermin to me, in one way or another." Ark got a bit of a growl.

"All we're trying to do is find the 1st and stop him-"

"From doing what, exactly?" A moment of pause from October. "If he were to get dirt on that overgrown cottonball, what would be in it for me? You've already established that I dislike that bear, for him to meet an end in some way and tell you about it would only sabotage such a plan." A sarcastic gasp. "Oops."

"He wouldn't try to end Bartan, he's too valuable to lose."

"Perhaps in a level mindset, you might be onto something Spots. However, this one looks awfully familiar to this '1st'. Aside from the fact they tend to have the same twitching ears." A bit of a worried look from the younger one. "I've witnessed a lot of mind games, pawns. A few constant whispers can alter the reality of the mind far better than simple manipulation. Of course, often leading into insanity."

"He can't kill a Counterweight. You're misdirecting us."

"Who says the rodent has to be the finishing blow? The lives of a Counterweight can end just as easily as everything else, providing you find the right dagger for their heart." The two males looked at each other. "I see gears turning..."

"Don't believe it, October. It doesn't add up."

"Yet it's the only lead you have." A detestful stare from the Cheetah. "If you're here, you must be scraping the bottom of the barrel." Another worried look from the tirix as the machine chuckled. "The emotional ones are so easy."

"Don't listen to it. We're leaving." Hatchet growled, making his way to the door and almost tugging his brother to follow.

"Tell me, one-with-the-stupid-hair. How often have those whispers convinced you to do something-?" A half-roar from the white one as a thick blade slashed through the console. Sending sparks jolting for several moments and making the black one yelp a bit.

"H-Hatchet?"

"I've already lost one..." He whispered harshly. "I won't lose another." A thick stare from those red feline eyes. "Understand?" An intimidated shaky nod from the younger one.

"Too Late..." The last words of Ark came through as the last bit of power was soaked up. Getting the two to stare at it for a moment, and the cheetah left. The tirix soon following, but now a bit shaken.

The tears and stings of ash forced him to cough awake, doing his best to expel such a horrible thing from his mouth and eyes. That clenched throat never felt so dry in his lifetime, as it struggled to do anything else but cough onto the field of soot and dead grass. Finally able to see after about nearly a minute, he didn't recognize where he was. Let alone, the burning city in the background.

Almost crying out into the air, his eyes barely caught sight of something white. What he could only describe as muscular werewolf, standing upright and towering over the young boy. Making him whimper as he locked onto those cold silver eyes, as it studied the naked human with a near expressionless face. Not angry, not curious.

At first, he thought it was a statue, but the heated breeze did make that white fur flow a bit. Sending shimmers of silver like it was made out of metal. "W-...Where am I?" The boy finally got the courage to speak, but didn't get a response. "Where's my mom?"

For a long bit, the creature didn't speak. Just stood there, arms crossed and never blinking. "Your parents are dead." It said, almost without remorse. Though, not with enjoyment either. "Your friends, family. Everyone who ever existed on this planet before this; dead." A whimper from the smaller one.

"W-what...?"

"You killed them." A horrible fear was caught in his throat, unable to process the sheer thought of it. "You transformed into a Weapon and cleansed the surface of the planet, as you were told." A cough as the young one started to cry. Instantly getting those spaded wolf ears to point backwards. "Doing that will not bring them back. Let alone, will spend your body's limited resources."

"B-but..." A few sobs still came out. "What are you-?"

"I'm here to end your life." That fear once again. "Usually, the Weapon slumbers within the planet. But for some reason, it chose you." That look didn't let up. "I've never seen that before." A long silence as the young boy sobbed a bit, whimpering loudly when the wolf took a step forward. "You remember it."

"What-?"

"That power. You remember it. Could feel it, can still even." Another few moments of study and it turned around. "Come with me."

"Why-"

"I'm only giving you this choice once. Either come with me and possibly live, or I can end your existence now." A cold stare from those near lifeless eyes. "If you try to escape, you will die out there. You're not worth pursuing, but you cannot survive in a dead world."

"That boy was...?" The brass dragon studied the now wolfish person on the other side of the campfire. Though, fake and just blowing transparent plastic orange flames over a fan, it was still giving out warmth like it was real. "Who was...?"

"That... Wolf-thing was a creature named Xion." Beo's ears perked. "He was a Living Outbreak, which is-"

"An overpowered adrenaline rush." A puzzled look from the white one. "And... I know that name. My husband mentioned him before. And you..." Those green eyes looked around in thought. "You were from Veritas, right?"

"You know about Veritas?"

"Not a lot, but Bartan has talked quite a bit about it, let alone the events there."

"Who?"

"My husband." An awkward silence. "He's a Counterweight. Along with our wife, Arson-"

"I know her!" Dehoken almost chirped. "Me and her go way back." It made the dragon smile for a few moments.

"Can I ask..." A noise in question. "What's with the... Fur coat?" The brass one asked a bit shyly, seeing the white one literally look at his black jacket.

"It's polyester, I think."

"N-not what I'm talking about..." Another head tilt from the canine. "You look like a..."

"O-oh. It happens almost on instinct now that I hardly notice it." His frilled ears perked in question. "Xion... Trained me. To control myself, and do many things with my destructive nature. He wasn't cruel, but he was strict. And he didn't like my more... Human form, if you can even call me that anymore."

A nod in understanding, and a motion for him to go on. "One of the very first things he taught me was how to shapeshift, more or less into this. He..." A chuckle. "He did not have any sense of humor, and whenever I addressed him, I needed to look like him."

"...Why?"

"I think it was a sign of respect, to attempt to look like the one that's taken you in. Almost as if I were his... Son." A sad look from those green eyes. "Ever since then, everytime I've been or felt rather serious..." He gestured the furry look.

"To the point where it's natural instinct." A nod. "But you learned to control yourself. To keep yourself from becoming that monster, right?"

"That's... Complicated." A noise in question. "Beo... You can place a barrier between you and it, but you are that monster. That's just something you need to accept." It made his heart sink a little bit. "The longer you distance yourself away from it, the harder it is going to be to accept it. That doesn't mean you have to be Evil... Or Destructive." A heavy breath from the larger one. "The truth is always painful and ugly, no matter which way you look at it. But that doesn't make the world around it that way."

"What do you mean?"

"During my training with Xion, he would often ask many questions that I swear were rhetorical. Why was I training with him? What did I want out of this? Why did I choose to live?" Another sad look from those green eyes. "Yes, he expected an answer out of those. Often enough, they were answer that he didn't approve of, and he would let you know. Again, he wasn't cruel, but he wasn't... Supportive of bad decisions, I guess would be the best way to put it."

"Bad Decisions...?"

"Training to protect other people, when you can't protect them from themselves. To attempt to fight a monster that was pure Instinct. Perhaps control would've been a better word. But why I chose to live? That one I could never figure out, aside from the idea of being afraid of dying." A slow blink. "But I eventually figured out those answers. Again, not without his disapproval, but..." Another chuckle.

"And they were?" A faint shrug from the wolf.

"To make people laugh. To brighten the days of those around you. Some of them get frustrated with my humor, but that's an issue with them. I do what I can to make people happy, and I'm happy with that. If I'm happy with myself, I can be happy about what I've become. About what I am."

"...What are you?"

Chapter 6

The brass behemoth purred himself awake. Snuggling up against something rather fuzzy that he missed dearly. Squeezing it in one of his famous hugs, it omitted a loud squeak in his arms, bringing him back to reality. In a field where the one he missed was not present. But what was he holding then?

His eyes slowly opened to get used to the sunlight, barely making out something rather white in his arms. Soft, yes, but not as soft as he was used to. A few more moments and he could make out a bear muzzle, but one that looked like a stuffed animal. Makeshift, and slightly crude, but it was a rather charming attempt at his mate. Even life-sized too... To a degree.

Though it did make his heart sink a bit, missing that furball, this wasn't a bad replacement. Definitely enough to almost feel like home, and enough to slumber with for a bit longer. Repositioning himself away from the glaring sunlight, the brass dragon went back to sleep until it once again woke him up... After a bit of grumbling.

Looking over his surroundings of forestry and fields, he couldn't find any signs of Dehoken. Getting up and stretching out a bit, his ears picked up some music off in the distance. Turning a corner revealed a twenty foot neon sign that read "The Forehead Smack" and pointed into the ground nearby. Getting a chuckle from the dragon, recognizing the reference of his Mentor often face palming many of the wizard's strange ideas.

But still, there was no building around to see where this 'pub' was. Though the music could still be heard at a distance, the brass one began exploring still. Coming up to a jar of mints and another sign saying "Prenez Un," a language that was foreign to the dragon. Regardless, he took one and struggled with the packaging for a bit. Tossing it into his maw and getting the strange flavor of peppered eggs.

But aside from that, nothing happened. Even after waiting around for a few moments. A shrug from those red wings, and Beo continued down the vague path. Starting to notice that the grass was getting thicker and the trees taller, or at least it seemed. After a careful study of his surroundings, it was the dragon that was getting smaller.

Half a yelp, he took a few steps backwards, only to see the process reverse. The further away he moved from the music, the larger he became. Even exceeding his own size after a bit of experimenting. Though disliking the idea of being small, he wanted to find Dehoken and see what trouble the man was causing. If he could even be considered a Man anymore.

Pushing forwards, past the point where the grass towered over the dragon, he was starting to get worried. But eventually came up to a small building, one just big enough for the dragon to fit through easily. Labeled "The Forehead Smack" and having a neon animation of the white wolf putting a paw over his eyes from time to time.

Though it took some effort, Beo squeezed through the doorway. Only to feel gravity and the floor take a right angle downward and nearly get the brass one to trip, let alone brace his surroundings a bit. Witnessing several Dehokens eating and talking with one another, with one on the other side of the bar. Back turned and tending to some breakfast cooking. Though it was a bit odd, the dragon was learning to see the charm and humor of it all and making a smile spread across his muzzle as he walked to the wooden divider.

Leaning over the bar, he gave the cook a nuzzle while purring. Only to see him flip around and slap that brass muzzle with a spatula with a loud and painful _Smack!_Making the dragon yelp loudly in surprise and hold the stinging area. "No Licking!" The wizard shouted at him.

"I wasn't licking you!" He hissed, more at the pain than anything. "I was just...!"

"You were thinking about it. Let alone, doing it in your sleep."

"No I wasn't." The brass one grumbled. "I'm not a sleep-licker."

"Then how do you explain THIS!?" Dehoken ripped off his apron, jacket, and shirt all at once. Revealing his torso completely red with raw and causing everyone in the bar to gasp loudly. Even one person to scream until they fainted. All looking at the cook in horror until he zipped up the damage done to his clothing, then immediately going back to their conversations like nothing happened.

"You sure you didn't go on the Slip & Slide too much again?" Beo snorted.

"Don't you try to blame this on Wham-O! It's why I gave you the cuddle buddy. You can sleep with that from now on."

"Cuddle buddy?" He curled his neck, then remembered the stuffed animal version of his husband. "O-oh... That..."

"You paused for a minute there." The man stared the dragon down, seeing those ears blush. "Why."

The screen then flashed quickly back to Beo's previous resting spot, where a very unhappy looking stuffed Bartan was... Well, 'Stuffed' in the rear with a large amount of blue liquids. Looking rather bloated and misshaped before flashing back to the bar.

Dehoken gave off his most shocked frowning face as the dragon whimpered. His frilled ears hanging low. "I didn't know what it was for, and it's been a while since-" Another slap on the muzzle with a spatula made him help loudly.

"That's the last time I give you a stuffed animal of your six-legged furball."

"Can I have one?" A random Dehoken asked in the background, only to get a threatening point of the anti-muzzle weapon.

" Not Until You Give Me Your Sneeze!!" The cook yelled, only to then completely change into a cheerful tone. "So, what will you have?"

"Have...?" Beo looked over the menus and felt a little uncomfortable. "I don't think I should-" A threatening point from the utensil again made him whimper.

"You're hungry, and you should be eating. I haven't seen you take a bite out of anything since we met, and your stomach has been more talkative than you are." Another embarrassed look from the dragon and the man sighed, half frustrated. "You've got to be kidding me."

Another flashback to the over-stuffed Bartan to see several fang marks on the back of his neck. Once again, blue liquids were basically pouring through it.

"It's technically a bite." Beo rubbed the back of his neck.

"Did you just... Replace the entire stuffing with your own...!?"

"N-not intentionally. I'm not really sure what it was, but it felt like cotton candy." A long silence fell over the bar as all the eyeballs were looking over the brass dragon. Probably on the verge of becoming completely purple.

"...How would you know that?" An embarrassed whimper and Dehoken covered his eyes while taking a breath. "Moving on, I'm cooking you something and forcing you to eat it. What do you feel like?"

A sad look from the brass one. "I really..." Another threat of the spatula. "Don't know-"

"I make a mean Slapjack. Want a shortstack of those?" A shrug from those red wings, but the brass one nodded regardless. Taking a breath and looking around, never noticing how weak he felt until the wizard mentioned how often Beo's been starving himself.

His mind wandered off into thought and remorse. Really missing his new family, but unable to survive in that environment for very long. And the places he could survive in, outside of places were still somewhat toxic to him. Granted, the sorrow look was interrupted by a stack of pancakes that were placed in front of the dragon. Looking at its syrupy goodness reminded him of the first time the bear showed Beo such a meal.

But that memory was interrupted by the pancake speaking. "Oh Wows. Looks what we has heres. An Overgrowns Yellow-Bellied Lizards that thinks it cans stands up tos the big stacks!" It made the dragon curl his neck at it. "Yous got a lot of nerve to come arounds this place."

"...I'm brass, not yellow." He grumbled back.

"Same difference."

"They're two entirely different colors. One's even specifically metallic."

"Alls brass' is is a dirty gold!" That one made the larger one growl.

"Beo, stop talking to your food."

"He started it!" The dragon hissed.

"Awwwhs, the little lizard's throwing a hissy fit." Another growl at the shortstack. "You wants a piece of me, tough guy? Comes and gets it-NO! NOTS LITERALLY-!"

The black tirix was trotting through the hallways with his other companions, looking around for a specific blue gerbil for information among the busy pacing of others within. "Something doesn't feel right." The orange one beside him almost whispered, like the other people could hear them.

"I concur, it's more busy than usual and they're trying to hide something." Ryoko's statement worried October. Giving him a sad look while watching out for others.

"I just need to find Lillith or Hatchet. But I have the feeling I won't find him here." The youngest one whispered, this time catching the ears of other people but didn't get attention aside from that.

"You could always call her." Rixxix, the other black one, suggested.

"Only to perhaps disturb her or keep Lillian from her work." Deago said. "And that's if you can get an answer."

"Perhaps Rixxix is onto something." The brown one said, getting the others to stop and look at him. "Set your UCD [Universal Communications Device] to track hers. No one's disturbed or interrupted this way." The younger one looked at the other two for their opinions and they shrugged, but nodded. Of course, what the AI said to him a few days ago still ringed in his head, he set the device and started following its instructions.

"You're worried again." The orange one almost whispered again. Getting October to sigh.

"Should he not be? I mean, the talking switchboard-"

"Arkist." The other three interrupted Rixxix, getting him to toss his snout.

"_ Talking Switchboard _." He grumblingly ignored them. "Basically said we're manipulating him."

"We're not forcing him to do anything." Deago stated a bit thickly.

"Actually-"

"We're not." Another thick statement that silenced the brown one a bit. "We're only here to give our opinions."

"That's an understatement if I ever heard one." The larger black one almost challenged the orange, getting a glare from him. "Me and Ryoko, sure. Limited to Opinions. You on the other hand are basically carrying his strings." A growl.

"You are a bit forceful on your suggestions, Deago." That glare moved over to the brown tirix, but he didn't seem intimidated. "That can't be overlooked."

"That's because I'm morally correct. I know what's right-"

"Sounds like a Dictatorship to me." Another growl at Rixxix.

"We certainly can't leave someone like you in charge." The orange one growled at the larger black one. Leaving October with an uncomfortable feeling while leading the way.

"Why not?"

"Because you murder people! You leave them to die!"

"And? A general needs to feed their soldiers from time to time-"

"Those serpents are not Soldiers! They're savage, unreliable-!"

"Well maybe they would be a bit more _reliable_if they got some fresh air sometime, hmm? Just a thought." Rixxix snorted.

" Stop! Please!" The younger one roared at them, causing everyone in the hallway to halt for a moment. Staring at the feral tirix just holding a paw over his eyes and taking a breath of frustration. After a bit, they continued on, but the tension still didn't release off October's shoulders.

"This is probably what Ark was hoping for." Ryoko said to the others, trying to comfort the younger one. "Your arguments will only cause stress on his psyche, which in turn will only lead to mistakes." The other two took a breath but didn't respond. "Come, Lillian should be up ahead." Another breath from the smaller black tirix before carrying on.

They found the blue gerbil in the same old hoodie along with Hatchet, who seemed to be getting ready for another mission. Seeing the female greet October from afar, but he could tell she was somewhat worried. Or even just having a bad conversation with the white one. "Where are you off to?" The feral one asked, getting a common stoic, yet serious look from those red eyes.

"Another job." He responded, donning two of those strange longswords to his belt. Oddly wide to the point of axes, but halfway down the blade they created a gap that acted like a hook of sorts.

"We just got back from the last one-"

"Well, NK#694 isn't going to defend itself." Those black ears perked, not knowing the area. Then he looked over to Lillith for an explanation.

"It's being assaulted by Unborn. The walls were completely shredded."

"That..." The black one started. "We can't do anything against that. If the cuts are too big, the only thing we can do is quarantine the area. Why would-"

"Because the 1st has been detected there." Another worried look from those orange eyes. "It's why I didn't tell you."

"Because you don't think I can handle it-?"

"Outside of simulations, you haven't seen an Unborn." Hatchet almost growled at him. "To bring you in this area would be suicide." A quiet moment, and the black one exhaled a heated breath. Going towards his own locker and getting a few things while getting that growl the feline held back earlier. "No-"

"You're not going alone." The younger half-brother almost hissed. "And Bartan doesn't want you running solo anymore." An intense staring match. "I have greater perception than you do-"

"But worse reflexes-"

"Then I'll keep on Layronix. Or even SyeRen, she's faced them before." The cheetah's ears went back. "If the 1st is there, you'll need my help bringing him in." A long silence. "I'm not a rookie at this, I know what I'm doing and what I'm up against. And so do they." He motioned towards the other tirix', who were not visible to the others. Finally getting a sigh from Hatchet.

"...We leave in Ten. If things get dicey, you Recall back to base. Understood?"

"Only if you do." Another angry stare. "Even if it's escaping into Oblivion, don't fight this on your own. You don't need to."

Chapter 7

The screeching and cries of pain were sounds of nightmares into the dark night. One almost showing off the horror of a massive wound that painted the sky. The tirix had seen many photos of such things before, but it was still surreal to see it with his own eyes. Really noticing a strange 3D effect to it that the pictures couldn't quite capture.

Along with that, there was something strange within the darkness of the tear. An odd shape that he couldn't quite make out, but once in a while catch a glimpse of red. Perhaps a bit of fur of something that dared to enter such a terrifying place. Regardless, the tirix knew of the result of such things before he could discuss it with his half-brother.

The cheetah's eyes showed no fear, something October almost envied at that moment, as they came up to the edge of a city. Following the constant traces of their devices, trying to track down their lost comrade. "This feels like a trap." The black one finally spoke.

"I know it does. But he wouldn't do that." A look from those orange eyes told Hatchet that the younger one wasn't so sure. "He's too smart for it. He knows it wouldn't work."

"Then why be here? It doesn't seem like he's trying to hide."

"Perhaps the 1st is trying to show us something. Warn us about..." Another sad look was felt as the white one looked away from his brother.

"You don't... Believe what Ark was saying, do you?" A breath from the feline.

"...No." The quiet moment was interrupted by another cry of pain, getting the two to look at each other. "Do it." The younger one curled his neck in question. "We're not engaging until you're protected." A bit of a sigh, and the tirix nodded.

Taking a step back on the flat surface rooftop, he placed a paw in the center and concentrated. Seeing a glyph being drawn out from the center of the paw placement, inked by a shimmering gold energy until it was completed. Upon that, it shrank back into the paw and covered his black coat with the same energy before fading. Making October exhale for a moment and grunt at the strange feeling. "Did it work?" The white one asked.

"Yeah. Just not used to how she normally feels. It's like it's... Stiff." He shook his coat trying to get the feeling off, but it didn't do much good. "I'll be fine though-" His brother quickly drew one of his swords and slashed against the black one's shoulders, making him yelp but barely even feel the blunt trauma. Though his hide was cut, only for a moment before being completely restored. "Ow...!"

"I guess she was never cut by this material before."

"First time for everything." October grumbled, getting a rather calm look from the white one and sighed. Tossing his snout and giving him permission to strike the tirix again. This time, not even a wound, let alone barely any force felt. "Happy?"

"Satisfied. I just want to make sure-"

"Yeah, yeah." Another grumble. "SyeRen wasn't called a Paragon for nothing."

"Speaking of which..." A look in study at those red eyes. "What about her Outbreak?" A noise in question, then he recalled what he was talking about. Something Deago used to call Ashes Of The Innocent. "Not like it would really matter here, but-"

"I only... Mirrored her defenses. Nothing else." A nod from Hatchet as they started going across the rooftops. Trying his best to just ignore the cries for help and the harsh shrieking of metal insectoids. The young tirix had encountered them in simulations before, but something about this felt more... Dangerous. Even with the superb defense, October still felt vulnerable.

He didn't even notice that his brother was gaining ground ahead of him until he jumped a roof early, then several creatures chased him from the streets below. Dividing the two before he could catch up to Hatchet. Instead, calling out to warn his half sibling of the metallic humanoids.

Their roars sounded like several thin plates of steel scraping against each other, as they withdrew the blades from the sides of their forearms. The middle one of the three striking in a downward slash against the white cheetah. With unreal reflexes, Hatchet managed to draw one of his weapons and deflect the first swing. Sending it to the side to lightly collide with the second creature's attack, while leaping over the first one's middle sweep.

That dodge, along with a rotational kick to the third Unborn, lead to a heavy snap with the straight-axe. Hitting the first one's shoulder hard, but not piercing through the polished steel-looking plates that covered most of its body. However, it did give him a little bit of distance between them as the Tirix made it to the same rooftop.

The second and third insectoids both slashed at the feline, nearly attacking him in sync and barely giving him a chance to escape. Though a bit risky, he took to the air a second time, bending his body in such a way where both slashes would barely miss him. All the while preparing to kick the first Unborn in the face, just before it could get its refooting once again.

The hind paw seemed to have a lot more power than it seemed, sending the creature sliding on its back a few meters just in front of the tirix, while the cheetah hit the ground. The other two took the prone stance as an advantage, and swept their armblades upward together, even cutting through the very ground they were standing on with ease to ensure a hit. With very little momentum built up, Hatchet used his free paw to move into a handstand-cartwheel between the two uppercuts. Once again, barely dodging them with what looked to be dumb luck.

With his weapon hand, the white one struck the second Unborn's arm, catching it within the hook halfway down Hatchet's blade. Pulling it back and spinning it with a pivot, he positioned the creature's arm to bend backwards and lock it into a vulnerable position; leaning forward. Finally drawing his second straight-axe, he cut between the plates of the creature's side twice, sending streams of black fluids out before tripping it forward. Warding off the third insectoid before finishing off the wounded one with a heavy slash to the neck.

Meanwhile, the First Unborn was still recovering, October drew his own weapon and stabbed it between the chestplates. But the wakizashi's blade was just a bit too thick to get between them, surprising the tirix for a moment. Long enough for the creature to slash heavily at his neck, getting a heavier impact than his brother's blade, but the Paragon's defenses kept him safe. Still, if he didn't have it-

A kick to the feral one's side nearly sent him off the roof, being distracted by his own thoughts. Keeping himself on it while the plated monster got up, and doing his best to remember his training. Making the mistake of looking the creature in the hollow eyes, two very faint stars of madness were the only things visible in the black void. Nearly paralyzing him as the creature took another swing. "October-!" The orange tirix shouted at him.

A black metal serpent caught the offensive arm, snaring it to the side while another did the same to the opposite. With a small roar, the young tirix shoved the short katana-like weapon up the Unborn's split jaw, looking at those lights once again with fear until they faded and he took a few steps back. Nearly off the edge again.

Everything around him went nearly silent, like a thick soundproof sphere surrounded October as he nearly panicked. Not even hear his half-brother call to him until a few times. "Hey!" It finally snapped him out of it, looking at Hatchet for a few moments, still standing there, almost relaxed. "You hurt?"

It took a moment for the young one to respond, but he did. "Y-yeah..." A thick look from those red eyes.

"These ones are easy compared to the ones in Veritas." That made his black ears lower a bit. "Get used to it. If you want to, you can go home-"

"No." He snapped, almost angry at the suggestion. Trying to match that thick look. "I'm fine."

"Then start acting like it. No more distractions, got it?" A faint nod as he started following the white one again.

A few more of them were encountered, but on their own terms. After that first kill, the younger brother felt doing such an act become more and more easier. Though his conscience nearly badgered him for taking a life, these creatures needed to be stopped at any cost. That still didn't stop October from looking at their lifeless corpses for several moments. "What's wrong?" Hatchet interrupted his thoughts, nearly double taking at him with a loss of words. "Don't feel sorry for them-"

"I-I wasn't. Just..." A noise in question. "Do they look different to you?"

"What you seen in simulation were the records in Veritas, so odds are they do change a bit from Terrasque to-"

"I mean..." A breath, and the tirix turned on a search light from his UCD. Pointing it at the metallic plates of the Unborn and getting a rather strange reflection from it. One of metallic red and abyss oil. "That's not normal..."

"...No. It isn't." The cheetah studied it closer. "Almost reminds me of Counterweight's blood."

"Counterweight's?"

"They tend to commonly hold this metal look to them. But this black..."

"Looks like Unborn blood. It's not like them to sacrifice their own for more power."

"This isn't a power ritual." The feline looked over on another corpse. "This one has significantly less, but it's there. Yet, only on certain places."

"Meaning, it wasn't bathed in it, but a spray instead?" October looked over his other companions.

"Perhaps an after effect to something that was recently slain." Ryoko suggested.

"But what?"

"I can take a very good guess, little one." Rixxix said rather calmly, looking up at the tear with an object inside. "The grasp of escapism, it puts a flutter in my heart."

"Escapism...?" The smaller black one repeated him, getting Hatchet to look at the same direction.

"A Counterweight's paw, perhaps?"

"Why would they-?" Their UCD gave off an alert of something nearby. Getting the tirix to look at his brother for a moment, and notice the white feline instantly find the creature. Falling backwards rather quickly, Hatchet hit the floor and feel through it as the sound of glass shattering echoed. Surprising the younger one, and using his own UCD to follow him from afar as the cheetah took on pursuit.

It was several rooftops away as the group of tirix' attempted to follow the sounds of glass shattering. Seeing his brother's dot on the radar jump from one section to another quickly. "We'll never catch up to them like this!" The orange one said.

"Deago's right. You need to use another power. Try using Layronix as well." The younger one gave a worried look at Ryoko.

"I-I've never used him before. I don't know-"

"Can't be that hard." The other black one grumbled, getting that same worried look. "I mean, spots there is making it look easy."

"What about Downe then?" Deago suggested. "There's nothing here worth preserving, as horrible as that sounds." A bit of a whimper from October, and he stopped.

"If you don't catch up to him, you're going to lose them." A faint nod at the brown one, as the younger one started drawing a glyph on the ground. The red lines and foreign lettering quickly expanded out and absorbed into the black creature's body when he struck it. Trying to prepare his own awareness for such a change while waiting for his brother's next teleport.

As soon as the blip changed, October took off. Nearly breaking the sound barrier before taking off to the air and falling in such a distant arch. Running up against a couple of buildings while still getting used to a drastic speed increase, he was a least catching up to the two very quickly. Even with their constant movements and teleports, the young tirix took to the streets when he overshot a building. Still closing the gap between the two, even with all the extra debris and obstacles that were added.

All at once, they stopped and the black tirix passed them on the streets below. Skidding to a harsh stop, he back trailed and ran up the building. Once again overshooting the roof, not quite getting enough awareness, and broke the dramatic silence when he landed with a whimper. At least SyeRen was still activated, doing no damage to his body. But he released another whimper when the young Tirix overlooked... Himself. A taller, upright version of himself that was in a deadlock stare with his half-brother...

It was a peaceful night in the oddly colorful city of Lego Land, with many of its residents standing completely still in the streets. Almost greeting those around them with blank stares and smiles as the makeshift stars above twinkled with the light of the moon. That is until a brass goliath was sent tumbling into the city block, sending hundreds of colorful bricks flying through the air as debris. Even hearing a terrible audio recording of sirens and people screaming in the distance as the Lego people were suddenly attached to fishing wire and manipulated like puppets fleeing for their lives.

But the dragon shrugged off the blow, getting up to face his own behemoth; a larger purple Cryo wearing rather modern clothing. With a growl, Beo sent several shards of ice hurling in the air to distract the creature. Getting it to block and half dodge the threatening vapor, enough to almost imbalance the creature. The brass one used this opportunity well to send a concussive blast at the side of it's footing to trip it to the ground.

The dragon then re-entered the fight with a leaping hammer blow, trying to strike the prone creature with the heavy paw. Only to see it teleport away in a small cloud of smoke and reappear just in front of him, rotating backwards in a sweep with its long tail. A hind leg following that, they both barely missed the dragon by inches as the Cryo continued its rotation. Matching the brass one's retreating height for a spin-tailwhip + kick.

However, it was surprised to feel that foot get blocked by the dragon's forearm, though taking the tail to the side, it wasn't anything Beo couldn't handle. Locking the purple paw with his other brass one, the dragon got a firm grip of the behemoth's leg. Making him yelp loudly as the metallic titan dragged it a step and threw the Cryo into another city block. Sending pink and white bricks all over the place, and more 'people' screaming in terror.

A quick roll in recovery sent a few more buildings into fragments of their former selves, as the purple goliath got into a stance. Starting his own lightning attack from its hand, but stopped when the dragon sent out several sharp shafts of ice from the ground. Though not completely reaching the Cryo and puzzling it for a moment, a sudden concussive blast against its back nearly impaled the creature onto them.

But with unexpected reflexes, those shards of ice were heated up insanely fast. Near instantly turning them into steam and creating a thick fog that quickly turned into a storm cloud. The lightning from before jumping off his paw and bathing inside the hot sauna excitedly, but only giving off little tickles against the behemoth inside.

Meanwhile, Beo from the outside was trying to freeze such vapor solid, but under-estimated just how much heat was inside that fog. Not even turning it remotely solid before the Cryo's exit and taking its electrical backfist to the snout. Nearly turning him around from the sheer force of it and trying to keep his balance. Instead of evading and getting some distance, the dragon chose to retaliate with his own middle swing. Only to have it be blocked, slightly pushed back, and for the purple one to slam on the ground heavily.

Once those large paws hit the floor, a large burst of electrical energy was shot upwards around it. Almost giving a physical impact rather than something stunning like the brass one would've expected. Nearly throwing the dragon up into the air like he was heavily uppercut. Trying to recorrect himself to fly normally was very difficult, and he soon caught a glimpse of the purple goliath meeting him up in the air. Getting the brass one with a wild lariat, sending them both crashing into some poorly colored buildings.

The two rolled their separate ways, once again knocking over a few buildings or walls. The purple one once again going into his stance, then suddenly yelped painfully before tending to a hurt foot. "What-?" Beo started, only to be interrupted by a series of whimpers.

"I stepped on a Lego." Dehoken whined, getting a blank look from the dragon that just looked at the toyetic debris surrounding them. "It's like... The _ WORST _Pain...!" Once again, the brass one gave him a puzzled look, and even purposely stepped on one of the hundreds of bricks. Only to feel nothing out of the ordinary.

"I... I'm not getting it."

"Be thankful." The purple one grumbled, easing down to a sit while he tended to his sore sole. "Just... Give me a minute here." He said, starting to hiss through the pain.

"You're the one who wanted to fight in here."

"Yeah, thinking I could score two nostrils with one brownie, if you know what I mean."

"Not in the slightest." Beo chuckled at him.

"I always wanted-" A hiss in pain as he started to rock back and forth. "To have a King Of Monsters style brawl in a city without consequence."

"Clearly you didn't think ahead."

"You think I don't know that!?" Another hiss and the dragon chuckled at the frustrated reply. "Sorry, it's just..."

"The worst pain-?" "The_ WORST _Pain!" The brass one just shook his head.

"Where did you learn how to fight like that?" An odd, and almost angry look at the upcoming dragon. "Talk. If there's one thing I learned from the furball, is that talking will get your mind off of the pain."

"...Xion. Wouldn't let me study under him without it."

"Without what?"

"His martial arts." Another hiss directed at his foot, but they were getting weaker. "Guy was almost obsessed with his ways. Hating the idea of people using a tool to defend themselves."

"Tool?"

"Weapons, armor, and the like." A noise in question. "He believed so viciously that the body was the perfect weapon, and to replace that was an insult. Both to him and my own body."

"But isn't your... Magic...?"

"Extensions, yes. But I guess he didn't want me to be a One Trick Pony." Another puzzled expression from the dragon. "Most people, when they are gifted with power tend to just focus on using said power. Having variety is better than being predictable."

"So, not just magic, but physical strength...?"

"As well as self-control. You, for example, tend to fight rather straight-forward and almost barbarically." The brass one snorted at him. "I mean, it works, but... What's going to happen when you face something that can't be physically damaged? That can't be knocked around easily, or maybe even frozen? What do you do then?" The statement almost worried Beo, not having to think about it before.

"I'm... Not sure. What I've done... When I had to, it's always been enough. More than enough."

"But if you could be taught more, wouldn't you want-" Another whimper in pain, as the Cryo held his foot. "Seriously, it shouldn't hurt this bad!"

"Let me see that." Beo grumbled, taking a look at the behemoth's sole and seeing a colorful glob at the bottom of it. "You didn't step on Lego, you stepped on... Gum?" The brass one pulled it off and got a whimper from him. On the other side of the sticky substance was two metal prongs. "What is...?"

"Is that a Staple!?" Dehoken grumbled, getting another puzzled look from the dragon. "I'll tell you about it later, but it's a trap. We're not safe here!" He whispered, getting the metallic one even more confused. "But seriously, wouldn't you want the ability to do more than just... Bash your way through problems?" Beo only stared at him in thought for a few moments, until this strange snapping sound caught his ear. "Fishsticks, they're here! Run!" Though still lost about what was going on, the two retreated out of the realm.

Chapter 8

"You insist on pursuing me..." The upright black tirix said, finally breaking the silence between him and the white cheetah. Unarmed and unarmored, aside from his pants. Almost ignoring his younger brother as he shook off the heavy landing. The impact nearly numbing his paws.

"Only for as long as you keep running." Hatchet replied, trying to keep his focus on the larger black one. Nearly ready for another attempt to chase him down. "Don't let it come to this-"

"Why? Because he wouldn't want you to?"

"You really think Bartan would want that-?" " Do Not Say That Name Around Me!" The 1st barked loudly, nearly silencing the distance screams as the two continued their deadlock stares. "He wants me alive, doesn't he?"

"That was his order."

"One you persistently follow until your death. Perhaps his too." He half gestured the smaller tirix.

"It's my preference too." Another long stare.

"And how long do you insist on keeping that oath?"

"For as long as I have to." With a near impatient rotation of his bladed axe, Hatchet changed his stance. Nearly getting the 4th to whimper, not wanting it to come to this. "We just want you back."

"So he can have a firm grip again, I'm sure."

"You weren't the only one who had a rough beginning."

"That's not what I'm talking about!" A silence fell over them, as the older black one sighed. "You heard them too. How are you still standing by his word?"

"Who's to say that those whispers were even reliable-?"

"And if they were!?" Another long silence, and the younger took a step forward. Finally getting the attention of his older sibling.

"That's why you were seeking information..." October the 4th said, getting almost a growl from the other. "You were trying to prove your doubts, that's why you were in the Hive."

"I was trying to disprove them." The 1st corrected them thickly. "Do you two have any idea what that bear has done?"

"Yes and no." Hatchet said, matching the larger one's tone. "More importantly: I Don't Care."

"Of course you wouldn't. You're just a good little soldier. One easily replaced if you happen to fall-!"

"Is that what this is about!?" The younger one shouted. "His experimentation with life and creations!?"

"Part of it. It's illegal for Counterweights to exp-"

"Says who!?" The 4th growled at him, getting a near death-like stare from familiar orange eyes. "And what makes Them right!?"

"Do you know why we were sent to take out the CounterForce, pup?"

"There were many reasons. The biggest one was that they were a pain for everyone-" The cheetah started.

"They were a pain for that Bear! You were even_Told_ that!"

" By Unreliable Sources!!" Hatchet roared.

"...And if several other sources say the same thing?"

"That doesn't make it true." Another harsh stare at the white one.

"Yet, you insist on constantly believing it. Like a loyal pet." A halfhearted shrug from Hatchet.

"That's the Krow and Dehoken in me." A double take from the younger tirix in massive surprise. Nearly lip syncing the response to question his half-brother. "Believe it or not."

"I don't." A faint smirk from the feline. "Like... Seriously? Dehoken is your third...?"

"Ask Arson if you don't believe me." A grunt from the older black one. "You got something against her as well?"

"Only the typical part. Much like you, she seems to follow his every word."

"And she shouldn't?" The 1st nearly snarled at the white one's rather calm response.

"You spoke with that AI, didn't you?" The younger one asked, not getting his attention. "What did Arkist say to you? What were you looking for?"

"...Information."

"About Bartan." Another low growl when Hatchet continued his sentence. "And? What did you find that was so disillusional that you purposely made yourself found, and lead us away from the distractions?" A worried look from the 4th, as he looked up at the tear before back at his older brother.

"I didn't cause this." The 1st answered the silent question. "I was trying to stop Ywuggal, but-"

"He wouldn't listen." A bit of a sad look from those younger orange eyes. "It's unlike any other CW to listen to a mortal. Especially one like us-"

"You mean a Frankenstein's Monster?" He growled at his younger kin.

"Any other CW except for-"

"Don't!" Another growl, this time at their half-brother. "How much do you know about him?" A half shrug basically said that Hatchet didn't care. "That bear and fox are the youngest of all Counterweights. Even they were the result of Experimentation from Vyitritvuietoafecr-"

"In order to save something he cared about." The smaller black tirix added.

"So much so, that he broke a lot of rules."

"And was imprisoned for it, until Xakoda freed him." Hatchet said. "Dying in the process. Gunned down by the CF, I might add."

"I'm not saying they're perfect, but they were needed!"

"Why-?"

"To Keep That Bear In Check!" Another heavy stare. "You want to know what's interesting? Bartan is the only CW to have emotions on record."

"They were a gift from the Original Bartan from Veritas-" The 4th started, only to get that stare as well. Not really having the intimidation to resist it.

"Is that what he told you? Funny, he told me that the original never claimed the Gift was Emotions."

"What do you mean?" A look at the feline.

"That bear has been around more Terrasques than any other Counterweight. Has experimented far more than any of them should. And to top it all off, he's keeping a Terrasque around as a pet!" The other two gave him a bit of a surprised look.

"What are you on about?" Hatchet started.

"Keeping one as a pet...?"

"That dragon he's been hanging around with."

"Beo?" The 4th asked, tilting his head.

"I don't know its name. But Ark told me it's a Terrasque. One that was supposed to replace another that Bartan killed. And instead of confiding it, that bear let it loose. Claiming it's part of his family, isn't that right?"

"That is his new husband..." The white one looked at his younger half-brother for a moment, getting a sad one in return.

"But that's not..." A look at both of them. "That can't be. Beo just can't-"

"Survive in an area without pain..." Hatchet took a breath. "That doesn't make him a Terrasque. They're far too dangerous to keep around in the open."

"Ask Arson, if you don't believe me. And pray she's not under its spell as well." The cheetah's ears went back, but didn't respond past that.

"Just like you believe Ark's word?"

"I believe the truth." A long silence, and the sudden hissing of Unborn started to get close. Getting the attention of the white one, and the 1st took the opportunity to withdraw quickly. A growl left the cheetah as he started to chase him down. Making the smaller black one yelp and start to catch up, only to be quickly surrounded by the insectoids.

"What is the point of this?" Beo grumbled, trying to keep his balance on hind legs and a having a very difficult time with just standing. "Dragons were not made to do this."

"Funny, every dragon I met was made to do that. Now- NoMoreWhining!" The man flicked the spatula in the air, making it give off a loud snap like it was a whip.

"Were they forced to wear pants too?" A loud growl in frustration as the brass one once again adjusted the black yoga clothing attached to his lower half.

"No, but they didn't have their bits swinging about for everyone to see or get flattened by!"

"For the last time, that was my tail-"

"Your tail is not a squishy!"

"_ A _Squishy?"

"Silence! Release the Marbles!" Another snap of the kitchen tool and a sack fell from the ceiling of the large building. Leaking it's contents of very small marbles that slowly rolled towards the dragon's hind paws, getting both of them to just stare at the small pile they made for a few moments. "...This is where people usually begin to slip on them."

"I thought you were teaching me about balance."

"Balance on marbles, yes." Another blank stare for several seconds. " Release the Paint cans!" He swung the spatula again and several cans that were half full fell from the ceiling. Attached to strings at the handles, they swung towards the dragon and collided with a loud _Bonk!_but the brass one remained standing. Leaving this awkward silence of near disappointment. "...Well that was anti-climactic."

"I'll say."

"Maybe if I made them bigger...?" An unimpressed look from those green eyes. "Yeah, you're right. That is a pretty lazy way of increasing difficulty." Beo just snorted at him, but some movement caught his eye. Along with a thick "_whoosh!"_he barely seen the massive paint can swing at him before it knocked the dragon out of the building. "Didn't seem to work."

"I don't think any of this is going to work." The brass one grumbled, making his way back in and sitting down. "I'm just not... Made to stand up like that."

"Doesn't mean you can't try to."

"What do you think we've been doing for the last three hours?" He almost hissed at the man, getting a shrug in response.

"I donno. What do you do during your weekends?"

"It's Tuesday."

"And a boring one at that. But if you can't do the physical stuff, maybe we should try magical instead?" A sigh from the large one and Dehoken made a noise in question.

"I'm just not feeling it today."

"Why? Because it's Thursday-?"

"Tuesday."

"Monday Funday?" A faint chuckle and a smile from his metallic muzzle.

"I'm just tired. Just feel like sleeping lately."

"You've been eating, right?" No response, and the man gave him a less-than-impressed look. "Beo..."

"I just don't want to-"

"Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, you must eat to keep your energy up! Especially while training and skiing." A bit of a whimper as the dragon's ears fell.

"But-"

"No butts! I don't like butts in my language sandwich! Now let's go find you something to eat." A heavy sigh from the large one, as well as a loud grumble from his mid-section. "Onwards! Beo's tummy demands it!" And he started marching off. Though uncomfortable with the decision, the brass one got up and followed him.

Chapter 9

"You let him escape." The white, six-legged fox stared down the cheetah and black tirix. Nearly getting a whimper from the smaller one who was looking a lot more guilty than his half-brother. "And you left October behind to be ambushed."

"He had his defenses up." Hatchet half grumbled.

"And if he did not, he would have been slain." Arson tried to sound a bit angry, but there was this falseness within it. Almost forced as she studied the two. "What happened down there." It was barely a question.

"A-another Counterweight tore through the fabric in order to get closer to the Terrasque." The tirix said with his ears low. "I think its name was... Ywu-"

"Ywuggal, yes." A rather surprised look from those orange eyes, while the feline nearly expected the answer from her a bit sooner. "Bartan has followed that one's trail of destruction for a while now. I trust it is deceased?"

"Missing a paw, at the very least. Along with a lot of blood." The spotted one answered, getting another studied stare from his mother that felt rather uncomfortable.

"...Do you believe what the 1st said to you?" Hatchet quietly exhaled, not really answering the large one. Then her red eyes looked over the tirix, nearly asking the same question. Getting him to whimper and nearly break before the cheetah relieved his brother of the stare.

"I'm not sure. He had some good points, a few of them somewhat make sense. But you've been around a Terrasque or two before as well, yet you're not affected by this manipulation." A blinkless stare. "As much as you attempt to be like your husband-"

"Husbands." An uncomfortable grunt from the feline.

"You are still just mimicking their emotions."

"And you believe that Bartan's is real?"

"He does a much better job at displaying it than you do, if anything." October nearly whimpered at his brother's calm statement, nearly expecting her to take it as Talking Back to a superior. "The 1st also claimed that Beo is a Terrasque."

"He is." Arson replied rather blankly, finally getting a serious reaction out of her son... And a near petrified stare at the smaller one.

"And you're okay with this?"

"I am. And so is Bartan." A couple of questionable stares at her. "You are afraid?"

"You're not?" The younger one blurted out.

"I do not fully understand the concept of fear, but the seed of concern has been planted."

"Why didn't you tell us this sooner!?" Hatchet grumbled.

"Would it have mattered?" The two males looked at each other, wondering if the statement was rhetorical or not. "We did not know at the time what was wrong with Beo'Karah. We are still not completely sure."

"Seriously?" The tirix asked, almost surprised. "You guys literally know everything."

"Untrue. The infection that has plagued Beo's body does resemble that of a Terrasque, and he was sent to become one when Bartan discovered that he could not use himself as a host."

"Wait-what? Dad tried to...?" October trailed off.

"Indeed. He was the one who slayed the previous one. He assumed it was only fair to the universes and Counterweights who relied on such powers-"

"We got it." The feline interrupted. "So Beo stepped in instead? And Bartan attempted to keep him as a-"

"During the metamorphosis, Beo passed over his soul to Bartan as a final gift. He then used that to create a new body for Beo'Karah to live out here. However, we are thinking his soul was tainted before it was passed onto-"

"Again with the uncertainty." The black one grumbled. "I've never known you guys to be uncertain of anything!" A clam look from the fox towering over him.

"For us to see Terrasques is like you identifying Shadows. You can see that they exist, but you cannot identify what lurks within them. We can tell it is there, and it has been eating away at every body Beo has had since then. Regardless of how often Bartan has fixed them."

"So you guys did not know before you accepted him inside then. But to keep something like that around is dangerous, why-?"

"Because he loves him, for one."

"Interesting choice of word there." The tirix mumbled, getting a slightly puzzled look from Arson. "You said He instead of We."

"I attempt, but I cannot feel the same-"

"Yeah-yeah." Hatchet grumbled, almost impatient and looking at his brother. "Where would the 1st get that information?"

"The Hive? From Ark?"

"Why would Ark have that?"

"Because Arkist is the one who controls the metamorphosis of Terrasques." A double take from both males, as well as a blank state. "Did you not know-?"

"No!" Her son hissed. "That would've been very helpful!" Only a half shrug from her.

"You didn't ask." A whimper of frustration from him as the feline put a paw over his eyes. "Is there anything else you would like to know?"

"Where is Beo now?" The black one asked.

"Quite far away, from what I can tell. But Bartan is meeting up with him soon."

"And the 1st?" The feline questioned, getting the Counterweight to study him for a moment.

"What do you plan on doing with that information?"

"You know that already-"

"He will not come back, Hatchet." She thickly said to him. "He cannot trust Bartan anylonger due to those whispers and doubts." The two just stared at each other for a few moments, making the younger one rather uncomfortable. "I have given you two another mission for now. Lillith will brief you." Another several seconds of staring and the cheetah exhaled a heavy breath while turning about. Leaving with his brother while he whispered to Hatchet.

"How in the hell do you have the stones to talk to her like that!?"

The large abandoned building was silent and dark. What little windows there were poorly screened with a black paint, giving the slumbering behemoth inside an easier time to rest. Barely noticing the faint whistle that was coming outside, even after it was drawing closer. Hearing him stop just outside the massive door and start tapping at a digital keypad, giving off an annoying beep everytime a key was pressed. Pressing it for nearly thirty seconds straight in a ridiculous display of a password got the dragon to grumble. Only to hear a buzzer at the end of the input. "Huh. I could've sworn that was it." A moment later, the large door fell inside the building with a loud crash, letting much of the setting sun in and getting the brass one to grumble louder. "Neat."

Again with the whistling as the man walked up and sat in front of Beo, taking notice at the deep breathing like he was still in a deep sleep. "Come on, you've been sleeping since fake Friday. We'll never find a home at this rate." Another loud grumble that was more him trying to get up. Barely opening his green eyes and focusing on his friend. Blinking a few times before feeling the heavy weight of his eyelid, forcing it to a close. "I found you some oranges! Though they're yellow, oval, and don't taste like oranges. So I could be wrong about them." A smile over the brass muzzle as the dragon tried to chuckle. "You okay? You've been eating lately, so your energy should be kicking in soon. I guess that was on the real Friday, so..."

He didn't get a response aside from heavy breaths, making Dehoken frown until he heard something land outside. Watching the door closely and spotting a white silhouette, almost reflective step through the door. "Dehoken? Is that you?" A bit of a noise in question as he tried to make out the large furball.

"Oh, you're the..." The man glance over at Beo for a moment as the bear came closer. Giving him a sad smile. "And you know me from..."

"Xion, yes. As well as many events from Veritas." A bit of an awkward look. "I still consult him from time to time. He was a very good mentor."

"Just no sense of humor." The man grumbled, getting a hearty chuckle from the six legged one.

"I know that all too well." Those brown eyes looked over at the dragon, as he rested a furry paw on that muzzle. Nearly getting a purr from it, identifying who it was almost immediately.

"What's wrong with him?" Bartan took a breath, wondering where he should begin. "He's told me about the Terrasque and how he was supposed to replace one."

"Yes, and the events afterword?" A solid nod. "As well as..."

"The destruction." A bit of a sad look as the white one attempted to look through those sunglasses. "I've been trying to feed him, get him to at least eat, but..."

"It's still an infection that takes a toll on his body." Another frown. "Your methods were not in vain, they kept him stable for a long time. But after a while, the body cannot host it anylonger. This is the longest I have actually seen him go without..." A heavy sigh. "All I can do is either repair it, or give him a new one to start the entire process over again."

"But it doesn't cure it...?" The bear shook his head.

"It's something past physical. An infection that's transferring the lines between spiritual and material, affecting both of them at once." A heavy sigh. "I've tried even straining his soul from it, but it still comes back. It's probably too late to do so anymore... Sometimes I wonder if it's just for the best if I just let him rest. But even then, I'm not sure if he will." Dehoken took a heavy breath in defeat, getting a paw on his shoulder. "I'll... Figure something out eventually. For now I'll just cleanse him again."

A nod from the man. "I'll give you two sometime alone then."

"Don't wander too far. He'll want to see you when he wakes up." Another nod and Dehoken left the large building. With a deep breath and a lick between the dragon's eyes, the Counterweight started. "Let's get you back to normal."

A slightly chilled east wind was blowing through the deserted city, often sending whistles and whispers between the broken windows. Nearly singing songs of the past like they were still alive, unable to recall what really happened to them.

The plantlife was nearly the only thing left that survived here, climbing and grasping the many tilted buildings that depended on each other for support. Forced to watch the sun rise and set each day and question if anyone had forgotten that the city still existed. Especially over on the mainland. Walking through the occupied, yet abandoned streets, the man could feel their stares of shock and awe. Never thinking they would see another one of his kind again.

But he wasn't their kind, that was the harsh truth. Something he's still attempting to accept even to this day. Regardless of appearances, the young man was really something much worse. A threat to even the lifelessness of the city. Though that's as far as it would go, for he was anything but unstable. Someone else made sure of that.

Encountering those old thoughts and this deserted atmosphere brought that more wolfish form out once again. Barely even noticing the change anymore until he caught his own reflection, making him stop and study it. Nearly looking like his mentor's son if he ever had one, making Dehoken take a heavy breath from those memories. "...How long has it been?" He asked out loud, knowing it was watching him. "Do you even remember?"

A digital sprite of a feminine doll appeared in the reflection from afar, almost studying the white and silver creature before answering. "I cannot. That data has been lost for a very long time."

"But this is where it started, isn't it?" She went quiet. "What were you to them?"

"A navigational program. Used to map out the entire universe in order to help lead them. Back then, they weren't even called the CounterForce, let alone had any clue how large of an operation it would turn out to be." She finally took her eyes off the wolf and looked around, as if dusting off old data and recalling them as memories. "Though I was still called Ark at that time, used as a lighthouse for many places and stations. Eventually expanding into something greater."

"Like taking care of Terrasques." A near dirty look at him.

"I take care of Universes, Outsider. And no, it has not been a clean job. Many things need to be done, many sacrifices need to be made." Another look at the buildings. "They were so frightful of their Counterweight, did you know that?"

"I can imagine so."

"To the point where they thought they must fight against the creature in order to obtain freedom. That went better than expected, but it was a very short war." A slight touch against an old abandoned vehicle and the headlights began to turn on. "Technology is useless against them, they were fools to think that such things could be tamed."

"And the Counterweight?"

"Let them do whatever they wished, along with the rest of its species. A very poor choice, whereas the CF thought that they had complete control over everything. Until they met with the Terrasque. A dying one, and they still could not defeat the creature." A sad look from Dehoken, whereas he couldn't picture it outside of being Beo. "Do not tell me you pity such things as well." She scoffed.

"No one deserves that fate."

"Yet something must be sacrificed in order for others to live. Unless you truly believe what that bear says." A bit of silence as they locked eyes. "That means yes, and you're as great as a fool as he is." No response. "That's what this is about, isn't it Outsider? That Bear?"

"Actually, it's about someone else. Just related to him." A noise in question. "I'm going to ask you once nicely; what is the cure for a Terrasque?" A strange look, and she started laughing.

"You cannot be serious, child. You mean that dragon is still alive?" No response. "How many hours as that Counterweight put into repairing that creature?" Again silence, but the air was getting tense. "There is none, Outsider. Once the ooze hits, they will become the abyss."

"I don't believe you." A chuckle from the doll.

"Believe what you want, it's not a matter of faith. It's fact, much like burning a piece of paper. You cannot reverse it." He took a long time to study her, eventually even taking off his glasses to reveal the rainbow iris. Taking a breath before tossing them aside, giving a strange wave with the other paw as if gesturing the sky. Then she felt something off, but couldn't quite place it. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to make sure you never do that again."

Chapter 10

"You must be joking." The electronic doll nearly cackled. "Do you really expect me to believe such threats? I'm not even physical. You cannot threaten me with something so foolish as pain."

"Then I'll just have to hunt you down and erase every trace of you."

"Even if you could find every trace of data, I'm a program, you idiot. Do you expect me to _cherish_existence like your kind does? I'm not afraid of a premature end. It's ridiculous that you'd think such a thing." She scoffed, but was almost startled by his sudden roar. Paying witness to how quickly his fur shed and was replaced by a purple hide. How his body morphed into a more muscular physique, a longer and thicker tail equipped with spikes. Black horns out of his head and back, along with a single row of red mane, tracing down his spine and tail. Though his size was only a bit bigger than previous, Ark only rolled her eyes at the display. "You're joking. What part of your small brain isn't cluing in that barbaric tactics and intimidation isn't going-"

A sudden overhead paw interrupted her, getting the doll to step backwards to avoid the attack. Seeing the tail swing following it and taking another step to near casually avoid that, however wasn't expecting the backfist. Let alone how quick it connected with the side of her mechanical body. For the very first time she felt a heavy sting that nearly paralyzed her, unable to respond nor attempt to avoid the upcoming straight that followed.

Again, she felt that unreal pain with the connection of the purple fist, but not the impact when her body hit the ground several yards away. Bouncing off the broken pavement and hitting a magnetic wall that stun her like before. Disabling her motor functions for several moments, forcing her to obey such horrible warning signs that her vessel was damaged. Then detecting the Cryo coming closer.

"What did you do!?" She painfully shouted, even hurting her pride a bit as she forced the mechanical body to stand up against such a thing. "Such a thing is Impossible! I don't have-!"

"You're digital, and not the first enemy I faced that was." Dehoken growled. "If you tell me the cure, I'll drop the field and allow you to retreat-"

" There Is No Damn Cure!!" A roar of desperation and pain. "And if you kill me, you doom everything else in existence! Terrasques don't last forever, and they _ Need _to be Replaced! _ You Can't Stop That!! _" No response from the creature. "They Need To Exist-!" Another insanely quick punch that broke the sound barrier, slamming the doll into the magnetic field and rubber-banding her back within the dome that surrounded the city. Filling the air with a mechanical scream that could be heard for miles.

His heart ached seeing him like this, laying on the floor grunting in pain. Or at least trying to, whereas what little energy the dragon could obtain was quickly snatched away by that damn infection. Feeling through him how tearing that black ooze out of his body felt, nearly whimpering on cue with his husband. All this, and for what? Just to keep him alive. But for who's benefit?

He was so concentrated and lost in thought that Bartan barely noticed they were being watched from afar. A silhouette of something hybrid, but instantly recognizing those three sets of DNA. "October...?" The white one called, but not getting up from his embrace with the brass dragon. Still, he got no response from his first son. "I've been worried about you."

A long silence between them. "...It shows." The 1st finally replied.

"Not enough, I'm afraid." Those brown eyes glanced down at Beo. "You found me at a bad time, as you can see." He said, continuing his work. Hearing the tirix walk inside the building and resisting the urge to be united with his missing son. "Be cautious... You don't want to touch him right now."

"...What's wrong with him?" A sad look from the bear and he sighed.

"The infection is just getting stronger. I've never seen it last this long, nor be this bad-" A painful whimper from the slumbering one. "...Normally he ends up-"

"I know." Another sad look, but this time with a smile. "I've been researching his... Progress, so to speak."

"...Do you know what his favorite flavor is?" A strange stare from those feline eyes. "Oranges. His favorite color, Brass. Especially when the light hits it. His favorite feeling is fur... His worst fear..." He pulled out one of those six paws from the dragon's back, displaying the abyss ooze that seemed to plague the dragon's inside. "I know you must think of him as a monster... You've been trained to think of Terrasques that way. I cannot state that it was a wrong thing to do-"

"I know." The black one whispered.

"...There's a person trapped in all of them. Usually they get devoured within moments, but Beo..." A painful sigh. "I think it makes it harder to do this to someone you love." That strange stare was felt again. "...Before you disappeared, you probably never expected me to say such a thing."

"...Not at all."

"I was... Different back then. Back when I first made you... I've changed, but I can't say for the better." No response. "Do you believe her? Ark?"

"...I don't know."

"Sometimes I think she's right, you know." A noise in question. "I often wonder if I am infected by the same thing. Perhaps I always have been and just couldn't tell the difference. But I always had companionship with me... I always had Arson, my Forces... My sons, both created by my paws and hers." A heavy sigh from that white muzzle. "Something I've never felt I did right by."

The tirix was silent. "I know you don't trust me anymore, October. You've always had your doubts, considering how hard I've pushed you growing up. Those whispers... The information you've discovered on your quest, they're not lies. Just perspective." A look from those brown eyes, filled with sorrow. "What are you here for?" The 1st only blinked slowly. "Are you here to attempt to end me? Stop me from something? Perhaps from doing more damage to the worlds and universes outside? Or are you here to end... Him?" The black one looked over the brass dragon, but still didn't get a response.

"I can understand both decisions... At times I question if it is for the better. I love this dragon, to the point where I nearly sacrificed myself several times to keep him alive. And he has done the same. But I wonder if I should just end his suffering... That's what Terrasques are created for: to suffer and devour the suffering of others. Preventing his transformation only continues that, and prolongs his numbness against such pain or fatigue." A shaky breath. "Yet, I am absolutely terrified of losing him. Unable to restore him to the point where... He's no longer Beo." A few tears rolled down that white muzzle. "When is it going to come to the point where he is no longer himself? When this black ooze of corruption will feed on the husband I know and love?"

Again, Bartan got no answer and continued working on repairing the ill dragon for several quiet minutes. "...Where is the other one?"

"Dehoken?" A nod from him. "...He's fighting."

"Fighting?"

"I assume Arkist." A bit of a shocked look.

"...What good would that do?"

"It's not about the outcome, October..." A breath. "He'll probably try to enforce a fix or some way to reverse this, but truth be told... There's a reason why Arson used him for one third of Hatchet's creation. Dehoken is from Veritas... He craves conflict when bad things happen. That's how most of them dealt with change."

"I've never felt that."

"Your three didn't have that trait." A sad smile from the bear. "Truth be told, there were many reasons why I picked Deago, Rixxix, and Ryoko."

A half shrug from the tirix. "I just figured you drew the names out of a hat." He got a long chuckle from the Counterweight, even lightly joining in on it himself.

"Your three also didn't have Outbreaks. Those were the two main reasons I chose them for you. I trusted them to guide you well, even Rixxix." Some silence and those brown eyes looked over the black tirix. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, or pressured you to become something great. I..." He trailed off, sighing heavily before returning to his work. After nearly a minute, the 1st stood back up.

"...Let me end this."

Those cries of pain traveled across the land, demanding the attention of the two brothers from afar. "What the hell is that...?" The feral tirix asked, still trying to use his device to scout it. "I can't get anything from-"

"That's a Cryo." Hatchet half whispered, getting a look from those orange eyes. Even after the doll screamed in agony once again. "I know that roar anywhere."

"But they're usually like two hundred feet tall minimum, aren't they?" A noise in confirmation. "Then...?"

"...I'm checking it out." A whimper from the younger one. "I know her orders were to pursue the 1st, but we can't let this go unscouted." The white cheetah took off, getting the tirix to sigh and follow him. Entering the abandon city limits and instantly getting some strange feedback from their UCDs, getting the two to grunt and take them off.

"Ow...! What was that? I've never seen anything knock out these before-" Another nearby cry interrupted October, as something small and humanoid crashed through a few buildings.

"Be cautious. Odds are it already knows we're here." A worried look at his half-brother, as the two moved out.

Chapter 11

It was overwhelming. Unbelievable that any species could even survive, let alone function properly with such a sense. Constantly putting the damaged mechanical doll into states of shock, halting it's motor functions and preventing her from even attempting to fight back. Once again, Ark cursed that purple creature traveling across the rubble as she attempted to stand up. If only she could somehow jam or pierce through that damn magnetic field, she could escape back into her internet. "It doesn't have to be this way." The Cryo said thickly, getting the doll to almost growl.

"You are nothing but a persistent bully! Living in your own world of delusions and expecting everything to go your way! Even when I keep telling you that your request is impossible, you seem to think that torturing me will make any difference!" She frustratingly roared at him.

"It will." Another growl from the doll. "Eventually you will become too damaged and cease functioning. When that happens, I'll go after any programming you've related to so no other creature will be corrupted by your-"

"You Idiot!! You do this, and you'll be the end of everything in existence!!" A painful shock nearly caused her to collapse, knowing this body wouldn't be able to take much more punishment. But close by she detected two others within the dome. Quickly spotting the Cheetah and black Tirix on a rooftop and nearly whimpering in defeat. "Not these two again..." It even got Dehoken to glance over at them, almost making eye contact, but not letting the doll out of his sight.

"Does that sound like...?"

"Arkist?" The white one questioned his brother. "You look like hell."

"I try my best for my encounters to the inferior." She grumbled, almost getting ignored by the two.

"So, what did she do to piss you off?" The Cryo looked at the feline. "I'm not going to argue she doesn't deserve the smackdown, Dehoken, but-" The younger one's double take interrupted him. Nearly rolling his eyes at his brother lip-syncing Really? silently. "Unless you know of another red maned Cryo in his outdated clothing."

"Outdated?" The purple asked, a bit shocked. Getting a shrug from Hatchet.

"Aren't you a little old to be wearing cargo pants?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. They're classic."

"No. A Trench Coat is classic. You've should've been out of those by your thirties." A blank stare from the Cryo for a few moments.

"This conversation sounds familiar..."

"Anyway." October interrupted the conversation. "What's going on here?"

"She's the one who turned Beo into a Terrasque, and probably many others I haven't met."

"I can't understand why." Hatchet grumbled, getting another blank stare causing him to put a paw over his eyes. "UnderstandWhyYouHaven'tMetThem."

"I thought Arkist just ran the Hives. She manages all Terrasques too?"

"It would appear so, both her confession and Beo's own story. So I'm culling her." The Tirix tilted his head at him.

"...You can do that?"

"I can try." A sigh from the 4th. Nearly mimicking his half-brother's actions.

"DadWasNotKiddingAboutYouGuysBeingStraightForward."

"You say something?" Dehoken asked seriously.

"N-nothing. Just... Questioning those I used to look up to when I was younger-" The doll suddenly took off into the streets. Disappearing from their vision.

"I used to look up to GeeKer and Freakaziod when I was wee lad." The two brothers looked at Dehoken rather awkwardly, wondering if he even noticed Ark's withdraw. "Does it show?"

"...Not much, no." Hatchet grumbled.

"Are you going to...?" October almost whimpered, pointing at the vacant space that the doll once occupied.

"Yeah, eventually." The two stared blankly at him. "It's not like she's going anywhere."

"Your confidence is overwhelming."

"You think so? Hmm, I better cut back a bit then. Don't want to get overconfident." The two released awkward grunts while looking at each other. Both wondering the same thing as they followed him: Is he always like this?

She couldn't understand why she was running. It wouldn't do any good against one of them, let alone three. But something was driving her to survive, something she couldn't explain. A force of will which took control of her instincts, following closely to the patterns of fear. Causing her to keep sprinting away from those footsteps far behind her. That is, until the doll's foot got snagged by something.

A sharp hiss came from that foot, as a black metal serpent pierced through the mechanical limb. Snaring her down to the pavement, and preventing her from moving just for that moment for another one to nail the other foot. She didn't even notice any pain from them, so they weren't from the Cryo. A slightly heavy landing behind Ark interrupted her thoughts, trying her best to free her break free as quick steps charged behind the doll, then forced a paw into her torso. Entering through one of the damaged cracks from her beating earlier.

A different pain was suddenly recognized, as well as some familiar presence. Getting the mechanical doll to nearly stiffen in shock as a muzzle rested on her shoulder. "Remember me?" It growled, almost sounding like that feral one in the Hive... And...

Again, her investigations were interrupted, as a black ooze started leaking out of that cracked shell. Her whispers of denial were barely heard, as such a thing was corrupting her. Not only the physical form, but even through her digital nerves. Barely even hearing that white cheetah call out to the one holding her in place.

"You cannot be serious!" Bartan looked at his son in disbelief. Even stopping his work on the dragon for the time being. "If you even touch this, you'll...!"

"I know." He replied like he was sure. "But she needs to be stopped... These need to be stopped."

"And this isn't the way to do it! If anything, I should be the one-"

"You're needed here! With him!" A sad look from those brown eyes. "And she's stuck at the moment, Dehoken has her trapped in a confined space. Distracted at that." A moment of silence and October took a step towards the pile of black ooze, only to get the bear to stand between him. Almost protecting it. "This is the only way-"

"Hardly!" He almost scolded. "There will be other opportunities to get rid of Arkist, you don't need to do this!"

"Only for her to see something like this coming! You really think she won't make failsafe after failsafe following this event!?" The Counterweight's jaw tensed. "She's vulnerable, and too persistent to be reasoned with. If you won't take her out, she will end you and all the work you've done to this point."

"That's still not a reason to sacrifice yourself!"

"It's either me or him." A gesture to the dragon. "I've already screwed up, too much to be trusted by anyone else-"

" They Will Manage! I Will _ Force _ Them To If I Have To!" The bear barked in desperation. "You will not do this, October! I've lost you once, I won't lose you again."

"We're out of options, Bartan." Another step closer got the white one to growl loudly. "I accept this-"

"No."

"You will need to as well-" "No." " No!" A tense silence. "I forbid it! I will not let you suffer this fate-"

" It's My Choice!"

" I Don't Care!" He roared, sheading a tear. "We will find another way."

"And who will be sacrificed then?" A frustrated breath. "Arson? Beo? Hatchet? The 4th? Someone unwilling to give up their lives?"

"Stop."

"This happened because you couldn't let go of what you wanted, father. You let this happen to your Husband, getting rid of Ark might cure that." That white muzzle shook side to side. "It's worth a shot-"

"It's not worth you..." A black paw was felt on his white shoulder. "It's not worth-"

"Then who would it be worth?" A heavy exhale in defeat. "I am your creation, your first prototype. I was not made for anything else but experimentation." A whimper. "Arkist will likely try to erase me for even existing, given enough time. Same with Hatchet." A tear. "The 3rd. The 4th... The list goes on." A whimper in denial. "Let me do this, so they can have a future. So Beo can have one without this torment." Those brown eyes, moist with tears, gazed into those orange ones.

"How...!?" Ark grunted loudly against the pain. Nearly feeling her body fuse with the black tirix and the ooze. Changing their structure, soldering their nervous systems together to create a brand new form of pain. Overwhelming the two to the point where they couldn't hear Hatchet curse at them loudly. Landing quite far in front of the two, so the half-brothers could almost have a silent conversation with their eyes that only lasted seconds. Seeing the white one flick one of those heavy blades, covering it in a white shine before dashing through the two in fractions of a second.

The three creatures now sharing one body collapsed several dozen feet behind the Cheetah without anymore signs of pain. But the black ooze kept moving, mutating and feeding off of the restlessness in such an area. Keeping it's oath of silence until the other tirix and Cryo caught up. Looking at the monstrous growth in question, then the feline's almost sad expression. "What happened...?" His half-brother asked, not getting a response. "What Happened!?" Seeing those red eyes avoid his orange ones gave him a clue.

"Should that be moving?" Dehoken broke the tension, getting the other two to witness the mutation's accelerating rate. "That's not good."

"Damnit... I was really hoping that would kill it." Hatchet cursed, looking over at the purple one. "We can't let it grow here, and we can't touch it!"

"You can't touch it. I should be fine." Dehoken replied, getting a couple of questionable looks. "...I think I'll be fine."

"You're actually willing to risk that?" October whimpered.

"You say that like I don't take risks everyday." A horrible time to give long blank looks at the larger creature. "Say what you want, everything's out to get me lately."

"Can you get it in the air?"

"Well, yeah. But what good would that do?" He asked the white one.

"I'm bringing it to Hell." Hatchet replied, taking off to the rooftops. Leaving the other two to question his statement.

"Hell?"

"I-I'm not sure." The black one whimpered, catching a large appendage forming from the living tar and yelping while retreating. Making Dehoken release a noise in question before being slapped by it and shoved into a building. Growling at it while grabbing the surprisingly solid 'tentacle' and pulling the black creature towards him, then slugging it harshly with a lightning coated fist. Hearing it give off its own growl of anger before getting hit by an equally hard backfist.

The stunning effects didn't work long, but long enough for the Cryo to get a bit more charge. Then slamming the grounds with near liquid lightning, forcing the ooze upwards in a massive electrical burst. Opportunity arose for the feline to make his move, jumping high above it and coating his two long-bladed axes with a rust colored essence and slashing down at the ground with two sharp swings. Sending that energy through the black creature and digging into the ground massively, creating a dimensional portal below it.

Hatchet then landed on the another roof with a large billboard. Severing its ties to the building quickly and kicking it over the airborne tar monster. Then falling through the rooftop and appearing out of the billboard with the sound of glass shattering before throwing both his weapons through the ooze. Appearing on the other side with rusted chains attached, made up of that same essence.

Another quick teleport to where the blades landed, Hatchet then started dragging the creature into the portal. The harsh orange winds forcing against that struggle, and even forcing the portal to open wider. Before the ooze got inside however, it flung out a tentacle in desperation. Latching it onto Dehoken's muzzle out of all things, and dragging him down into it as well. Closing shortly after, leaving the black tirix in the abandoned city alone.

Chapter 12

"Huh. That was neat." Rixxix said, almost enjoying the show while a rather stunned October composed himself.

"W-what...?"

"That was Oblivion." Ryoko came into view, studying where the portal was from afar, rather interested in the sight. "It was a beautiful city in a separate dimension. One promising prosperity to any species who claimed its grounds. In turn, countless wars and invasions were fought over its region. Spoiling it, and turning the entire land into a rust covered wasteland." The other three looked at the brown tirix in silence for a few moments. "What? You never looked into your own brother's story?" The 4th shyly shook his head, getting him to sigh in slight disappointment.

"The main question is, are they going to be okay?" The orange one asked.

"I cannot tell. And it's doubtful Oblivion could even contain a Terrasque for very long." October gave Ryoko a sad look. "In any case, we can't do anything to help from here."

"...Maybe someone else can." They looked at the younger one. "I have an idea, but..."

The air was almost blistering as the three fell from the glowing orange sky. Near stinging winds from a rusted dust storm made it slightly difficult for the Cryo to adjust to, but he soon did. Freefalling onto several aerial seaships and landing on the bow of one. Nearly battle in size, and fully armed, there wasn't much time of observation before the makeshift Terrasque began lashing out at the two with several long appendages.

Finally freeing purple muzzle from the tentacle he was dragged down with, Dehoken got slapped a few more times for good measure. While the cheetah dodged with surreal precision, bending in almost imposable lengths to just barely avoiding contact through sheer advancing flexibility. Spinning to evade one last strike, Hatchet finally took the opportunity to counter with a few heavy slashes. Ones that seemed to have nearly triple the range of his own weapons.

Thick invisible blades formed into the air, mimicking the pattern of those long axes with very little slack. Cutting into the black ooze much harder than before on the surface, and nearly getting hit by the spray of tar before he teleported through the floor. Appearing on its flank and adding a few more strikes before retreating once again onto a different ship.

The Terrasque spent it's precious moments lashing out around it and tracing the feline's steps. Regretting leaving the neglected Cryo after getting thrown back by a purple straight. Sending it into the bow's first set of turrets, until the larger beast followed up with a charging knee. Wrecking through the gunships first two sets of weaponry, and against the bridge.

A heavy body blow dug into those opened wounds, getting the mutating creature to cry out in agony as the wall behind it began to crack. That same knee as before rammed into its adjacent side next, followed by two backfists. One from the right arm, setting off a thick explosion on impact and only making the strike from the left fist that much more harsh. Even following its own explosion. Aiming the Terrasque towards the ship's command tower before nearly impaling it with a right body blow.

That purple fist dug deep into its opened wounds, then soon felt the sting of electricity flowing off that paw. Exploding in a static burst and forcing more of that tar to pour out of those previous cuts. A second one nearly cut off the first creature's scream before Dehoken started lifting up the growing mutation with that single arm. Swinging it over his own head before slamming it down behind him in one final electrical burst that cracked the ship's exterior.

Meanwhile on the other ship, Hatchet was observing from the very tip of the bow. Waiting for another chance to tag in, but with the constant sprays of black liquids, it would prove difficult to be of assistance. Almost growling at the feeling of being useless in this fight, the ship's turret started to adjust. Pointing straight at the Cheetah for a clear shot and getting the feline to look at it almost in annoyance, until it gave him an idea. The cannon fired, and the white one spun backwards to strike the massive bullet with his weapon, deflecting it off to Dehoken's current ship and shattering its hull loudly.

The first ship started to plummet down, aiming for the city streets with the Cryo and Terrasque still on board. Granted, the purple one didn't realize they were falling until the ship started tilting down. Let alone the massive amount of smoke, sparks, and debris starting to come out.

The thick sound of metal being quickly cut and scraped together echoed through the sky, as the bow of the ship started to tilt much faster in the freefall. The back half going off in its own little spin, as the Cryo barely seen Hatchet on the hull of yet another ship. As the force of the massive object started to turn and rotate faster, it was getting harder to keep his balance. Yet not as difficult as he expected, though enough to really brace for the landing.

Eventually, the bow crashed into the rusted buildings of the abandoned city. Bouncing off from its own weight to level city block after city block, while the ship's interior erupted in several clouds of fire. Sending shards and sections of its hull spraying in many directions as the other fleet evaded the makeshift projectiles. A few of the larger shards still scatter-shotting many of the other ship's hull, and even bringing one down to follow it.

"Why have you summoned me." It was barely a question from the white wolf, towering over the younger black Tirix and those around him. Nearly getting a cold stare from what was almost a hallucination. Regardless, its sheer presence was enough to get blisters from the sky, worrying October that they might burst and erupt any moment, causing even more problems than they could handle. "Speak." He said thickly.

"I..." He whimpered, almost looking at the other three for guidance. Getting a growl from Xion and a thick stare from those cold silver-like eyes. A breath to compose himself, and the 4th tried to match that stare. "I need your help."

"You need me to clean up your mess?"

"No." The tirix almost snapped at him, actually getting a bit angry at the tone. "A Terrasque appeared here. I don't know the details, but it's too dangerous for it to remain in the open like this." That stare didn't let up. "I need to find a way to banish it. Transport it without anyone touching it, because-"

"Do not waste my time telling me what I already know." A slight whimper from the young one, as the nearly nine foot giant look at their surroundings. "Where is it now."

"My... Brother has it locked away in another dimension, but it won't hold it for too much longer." Those silver eyes returned to October.

"We will need space." A few shaky nods. "A lot of it."

After several long tumbles and crashes, the first ship's bow came to a stop. The flames outside the wreckage quickly getting sucked inside by some unknown force, only to explode loudly with ten times the impact. Shattering the very streets into fissures and upsetting many buildings to fall onto their companions. Nearly creating a domino effect in the middle of the city, and a smoke screen of rusty fog. Within the middle of it was the cries of torment from the mutated creature.

Several more massive quakes, and a sudden change in that cloud that could be seen from above. As several more buildings from afar got toppled over, like something large was sent through them. Soon after, the second ship fell onto the land, causing even more destruction to the abandoned relic. There wasn't much time to observe the fight from above before the sentient battleships found Hatchet's location on the side of their ally's hull. Barely hearing the dozen turrets take aim over the noise below and fire their rounds at the feline.

With a faint growl, the Cheetah stood his ground. Waiting for the series of massive bullets to become airborne before stopping the first one with the very tip of his blade. Jumping on it quickly and then deflecting the series of shots down below. Directing them into the cloud in a shower of metal and more explosions before falling back to the first bullet. Using its surface to teleport to another ship and start sending that one down below as well.

Meanwhile, the Cryo was shaking off the surprising blow from the tar creature. Still being able to sense it through the rust storm, as well as hear the heavy black tentacles dart through the air. Moving out of the wreckage before it collapsed on top of him, Dehoken started forming a bladed saw out of the rusted air, until several whistles could be made out.

Soon enough, the entire city was bombarded with a metal storm. Massive bullets crashed into the grounds and laying into growing Terrasque. Screaming at the constant impact and damage it was doing to its developing body, and ripping its old wounds into new lengths. Ending with one more ship falling directly onto it, carrying what could only be described as several dozen nuclear warheads.

After the winds blew the dust away, the black creature emerged several times bigger. Roaring into the sky and lashing out at the ships above. Culling them with a single few tentacles, but hearing Hatchet teleport near him with that same glass shatter. "I think you just made it angrier."

"That seems to be my specialty." The feline grumbled in reply. "Any ideas?"

"I think a reality show about a guy who's allergic to floors is a very dumb one."

"...You and me both, but not what..." A near frustrated sigh from Hatchet as he put a paw over his eyes. Getting a rather puzzled look from the Cryo. "How did my mother ever like you?"

"Your mother? That sounds like an insult."

"Kinda meant to be." A snort from the purple one. "But seriously, what are we going to do about that?"

"About what-now?" He asked, getting another black tentacle stuck to his muzzle and pulled into the ever-growing ooze with a loud yelp. Well, attempting to yelp. Sounded more like he got his snout stuck in a vacuum cleaner hose. Nearly getting trapped in the blob of tar as it attempted to swallow the behemoth, only for it to start increasing in size drastically. Making it much more difficult to wrap around it.

Instead, those large purple paws slammed into the Terrasque's sides. Forcing a mix of electricity and plasmic vigor into the black ooze and damaging its structure greatly with a series of rapid bursts. Hearing the creature scream once again as the behemoth lifted it past chest height.

He let go, but only for a moment to make fists. Slamming them together with the tar creature between them, the beast sent every type of magic he could think of into one single blast. Then repeated it after lifting the creature up a bit more. Slamming it with a massive amount of energy that nearly made the air around them ignite and turn into plasma.

After just a few slams, it was getting to be too much for the Cheetah to even remain several blocks away. Feeling the air around him slow down like it was turning into a thick liquid, and withdrawing to the point where he could breathe normally. The space around the two larger creature morphing and bending like time itself was about to tear apart, worrying him that maybe even this dimension might not be able to hold this creature for much longer. Let alone both of them, if they keep this up.

A thick white glyph started writing on a very large building near Hatchet, one that looked a lot like the symbols that October used. Quickly drawing onto the skyscraper's wall, and opening a portal of thick darkness. Getting the feline concerned about what's happening on the surface. Was this for their safety? Or was it to expel...?

A sharp look at the Cryo and the Terrasque, still in the purple one's advantage. "Dehoken!!" Hatchet roared, barely getting the behemoth's attention and seeing the portal. Taking the black creature one more time to slam it into the liquefied grounds before grabbing it one last time. Throwing it overhead and directly into the abyss darkness as the feline bolted out of its range. Barely dodging a few more desperate attempts to remain in this world.

The Glyph disappeared soon after, locking the Terrasque inside and out of Oblivion. Though concerned about the abomination's blood that was spilled, this place has dealt with worse. As the massive creature walked up behind the Cheetah, the two locked eyes for a moment. "You going to be okay?" He asked the purple one, getting it to look at its own paws for a bit. Completely soaked in half crusted ooze.

"Might need a bath."

"And a breath mint."

"I think you mean eight thousand breath mints." The purple one made a sour face, sticking out his tongue and spitting out a bit of black. Then took a breath, trying to be serious. "But I... I think so. I'll get checked out just in case."

"I think I know where Bartan is anyway." A faint nod, as they stared at the wreckage behind them. "...Dibs on not cleaning."

"You can't call dibs on that!"

"My dimension, my rules." A whimper from the Cryo.

Chapter 13

The two stepped out of the rusted portal, finally free of those harsh winds but not from concerns. Scanning the area carefully and spotting the Tirix and tall wolf in the middle of a mass clearing of several city blocks. But taking a breath of relief for now and a full one when the 4th's expression was rather calm. Still a little intimidated, but calm. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah. Just a mess in there." The feline replied.

"So, the usual then." A smirk from his older brother and a nod. Getting those red eyes to look over at the white canine who was only looking at Dehoken. Who then swallowed loudly before changing into his own wolf-like form, and lightly bowing in respect. "I take it you two know each-"

"What are you doing here." Xion interrupted the small black one, nearly getting him to yelp in surprise. Granted, his 'question' was directed towards Dehoken. "You should be back in Veritas, where you belong."

"I'm needed here."

"Were needed here." Those cold eyes looked at October, who only lowered his head a bit, then returned back to the other wolf. "Now we are no longer. You should leave while you still can." A heavy silence and Xion turned around. Once again glancing at the younger tirix. "You may call upon me again." A small smile from the 4th as the giant wolf disappeared. Finally easing the stress of the world around it.

"What the hell did you guys do?" The Cheetah asked.

"We sent it back to where... Beo was converted. I'm not sure if it'll stay alive, but the universes surrounding it now have a living Terrasque."

"It wasn't living before?" The two brothers shook their heads at the wolf.

"It died shortly after Bartan left it. Which reminds me, you wanted to see him."

The streets have turned dark, leaving a few small orbs to light up the large building. The bear and dragon laying together in a silent embrace within the dim glow, and a few ears caught some footsteps. Those brown eyes watching for the Cryo's return, rather surprised to see his more canine form. That didn't make those circles any less sad. "Are you alright?" Bartan softly asked.

"I was... Hoping you could tell me that." A noise in question. "Beo said that you could almost read his..." A gesture to the brass titan, no longer even breathing. "Is he...?"

A heavy breath. "His body quit on him. I'll have to make him a new one." Dehoken entered and sat near the brass one's head. Touching his cold scales almost hoping to feel a pulse. "Only to have it corrupt that too."

"And it's getting faster everytime, isn't it?" A faint nod as the bear rested his head on the dragon's neck. A long silence between the two as Dehoken struggled to tell him something. "...Your...Son?"

"I know..." He said sadly. "He knew as well, regardless of how much I fought with him." Another heavy breath. "I was always too hard with him. Expecting so much back then."

"I think that's how all parents are. And trust me, you don't know strict." A chuckle.

"I'm not so sure. I tended to look up to Xion and his ways quite a bit."

"Then you would know strict." He half whimpered. "So... I'm okay?" A soft nod.

"Not a single thing wrong with you. Did you touch it?" A sudden stop as Dehoken remembered all the contact he made in that last fight.

"Touch works... For a start." Another chuckle. "Could say it slapped me, I slapped it. Even got a bit of it in my mouth."

"How'd it taste?"

"The _ Worst _." A large smile on that white bear muzzle. "I mean, the _ Worst _."

"I'll take your word for it-"

"We're talking : take a piece of toast that's been stuck in a toaster for the last four hundred years, sandwich that between two car tires. Then glaze it with three parts motor oil, and one part skunk spray." A laugh. "The _ Worst _. Pray he never tastes like that."

"Yeah..." A heavy breath.

"...What if...?" Those brown eyes looked at him.

The dragon grunted awake, feeling almost uncomfortable. Getting those familiar set of paws trying to brace him down. "Beo, stop. Just for a moment." He made a noise in question, but barely listened to him. "Please."

"I'm alright, Bartan." Beo yawned, snapping his jaws a few times. Looking at his mate's worried look and giving it a small kiss. "What are you doing here-?" He stopped, seeing another brass dragon on the other side of the room. One laying completely still, with his colors. "What-?"

"Shh..." He tried to block the brass one's vision from it for a bit. "I just need to make sure you're doing okay. So stay still for a bit." His heart started to race a bit, frightful of the idea of death once again, that not even those paws could remove it. Or perhaps chose not to for the time being. "Everything looks normal except for your heartrate. And that's due to..."A glance back, like he was trying to protect the dragon from such a sight. "It's unsettling, I know."

"So, I...?"

"That body couldn't take the infection anymore. Repairing it wouldn't do anything else." A sad look. "How do you feel?"

He studied himself for a few moments. "...Fine. A little hungry and sore. Along with a really bad taste in my mouth." A sad smile that almost broke the bear into tears. "But not hungry for... What's wrong?" That gaze fell, and the dragon caught it. Regardless, he didn't get an answer. Once again, Beo looked around the room, trying to avoid looking at the hollow body. "Where's Dehoken?" That one broke the Counterweight, nearly making him collapse. Shifting his weight onto the brass titan. "Bartan? What's wrong?"

The winds were blowing gently across the evening fields. Making the long green blades of grass dance, along with his red spines. Greeting the metallic behemoth as he casually walked through, looking at the stars twinkling from afar. Almost trying to relieve the dragon of his depressed mood. Something he was thankful for.

It was strange to live in such a place without worry. Even after a few days, he usually started to feel the side effects. Nearly getting tired of the same old questions. "How do you feel?" "Any Pains? Cravings?" And the bear could see it, so Beo couldn't blame him. He was only concerned for the dragon's health and state.

But each question only reminded him of what this brass being had taken. Nearly unwillingly. However, if he did have a choice, would he be selfish enough to choose this? That one made him stop and think, to the point where he needed to park himself within the grass and just stare into space.

"Are you okay?" He was so spaced out he didn't hear his husband creep up behind him. Glancing back at the white furball, he made a faint noise to answer him, but unsure himself if he was or not. Physically, yes. Just like any other time, but...

Regardless, he opened a wing for Bartan to join him. Shifting himself to half embrace his love and hold one of those four paws tightly. Nuzzling against each other in a few faint purrs and licks. Leading up to a deeper kiss, but this is where the brass one started to pull back. "...Sorry, but I just don't feel like..."

"That's fine." He gave the larger one a sad smile. "My tail is ready for you when you are." A snout toss made him chuckle.

"Of course it is. It's always ready for action." A playful nudge. "I like it like that." A deep breath. "But I just haven't... Felt like it since..." A nod in understanding as the two just held each other. "I..." He started, taking a breath. "I dreamed that you had died, and I was forever alone. The one person to keep me alive and well, and..." A few soft pets to tell him it was okay. "Bartan... Was I worth all this? These Sacrifices?" A bit of silence. "I need you to tell me that I was-"

"Were you?" The bear asked, almost thickly like he was angry. Getting those frilled ears to drop, but getting a heavy sigh from him. "I know it's a hard thing to hear, let alone think about. It was more my choice that I made for you, and I've been asking the same things lately." A slight whimper from the large one. "But the more you think about it, the Burden of the evidence will only continue to grow. If you are unsure, then... You Need To Make Yourself Worth It."

"And the only way to do that is to live."

"Live Happily." A sad nod from the brass dragon. "They gave themselves for us, to give you a new life. Now, how are you going to spend it?" The white bear asked softly, only to get a tight embrace.

"With You."