FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 01

It is a sunny, cloudless day in Traverse Town. The town itself is really busy, everybody is enjoying the coziness of the weather and were shopping, having some family time, you know...normal citizen activities. Same thing for the two gunmen Donald and Goofy hanging around as buddies in the market area. The streets were crowded but it didn't stop them from walking toward their destination.

"Hey Goofy, do you know why Oswald called us so urgently? I was having blast exploding those targets this morning." Asked Donald with a touch of anxiety in his voice. Goofy visibly cringe at the pun and answers.

"I don't know why, but you know him, probably invented a new weapon for his own arsenal or something, he loves sharing what he discovers and creates." Goofy answers ending his sentence with his signature 'Ah Yuk' sound. In his younger days, he hated that sound but now, he embraces that sound as his own and he is proud of it.

"Yeah, he is quite the inventor I must say. His creations always work and somehow reaches the market. I'm not surprised he is doing well in business but he did tell me that he wanted to go on a hiatus and be a full monster hunter. I guess I can understand that." They turn right at a crossroad taking them out of the market area to a modest suburb full of small mansions.

"Mhm indeed." Goofy reflected as they both stride along. At one point, they arrive in front of a wide tall gate, already opened leading up in a beautiful garden full of flowers of multiple bright colors. The mansion sitting in the middle of all those flowers wasn't as big you would think with such a garden but nonetheless, it still fitted the charm and ambience. You could say it was modest, not the most expensive kind of a mansion. The path leads straight to the front door of the mansion which opens wide the moment the duo is at arm length from it, received by Oswald, smiling like a child.

"Well hello there, you guys sure took your time." Oswald joked as he hugs his friends. "Come in, come in. I have some stuffs that I want to show you. I also have to talk about somethings with you seriously."

Oswald leads them inside to a large corridor with a surprisingly lack of ornaments or paintings on the walls. It isn't until they reach the main room (also used as the dining room) that the eye-candies settles in in a wonderful display. The walls were white and slightly reflective, the small ornaments on the walls and ceiling were made of bronze. There are three huge paintings side by side on the opposite wall of the room entrance.

The further one on the left shows Oswald and Mickey back to back, both looking upward. They looked younger on it, seven, eight or even ten years younger? The second and middle painting shows Oswald, Donald and Goofy wearing similar uniform while they were in a monster hunter academy that covered the teachings on guns and medieval weapons. That made any hunter versatile on the battlefield. The last painting is more or less the same as the last one but Ortensia was also in the mix and they had different uniforms, a full squad in their early active days. The room also gave access to a small veranda which had a door to go outside.

Everybody was and still is captivated by those paintings. It holds so much nostalgia, memories and it is holds 'chapters' of their lives. Donald and Goofy watch those paintings as they walk by and are interrupted by Oswald.

"Check this crossbow guys" Oswald grabs the weapon with his hands. The weapon is as big as his arms and weight enough to hinder your movements. "Made this baby this month, it can shoot a bit more then 70 yards with deadly effects. I had some issues balancing weights and movement speed but I found something that should do.". He grabs a bolt from the crossbow's quiver "those bolts are normal, nothing special. I just made some different ones with different materials such as gold, silver and wood to test them out. Range changes drastically but it still covers enough ground to be safe.".

Oswald hands the weapon to Goofy carefully so that the canine gets used to the weight and size. Goofy gets the weapon into position and Donald rushes to him to make sure there isn't any bolt readied. Knowing how clumsy Goofy is sometimes, he learned that precaution has to be taken every time for safety purposes. Then Donald has his turn and he has a harder time getting in position. The duck quacked gibberish while trying to find his balance. Goofy and Oswald both raises their hands trying to hide their laughter.

"Just put it on the table Donald and let's go outside, I have something on mind that I need to share." Oswald says thoughtfully. "You know" he begins while opening the veranda door "I've been thinking about going back into business, the danger, the adrenaline rush...I miss this, I am wondering if you guys would like to come with me, you know? Like a few years ago, bring the squad back together. Ortensia is already in.". Goofy hummes quietly, thinking about how his life as a hunter was and how his life is right now. He was happy about his current lifestyle and he didn't think that he would miss it until someone would bring it up.

"I guess i never thought about it. I keep training and such but I never thought about going in action again. I don't know...it could be good, I mean, I have nothing to lose right now." The canine admits.

"Hey! Stop saying what I'm thinking. It's irritating" Donald quacks while giving a friendly jab with his elbow in Goofy's side. "I guess I cannot add much to that except that if this mean traveling a lot I'm so in. Visiting places, taking quests, I'm so in."

"Well, have I another reason for this decision. I haven't heard of my little bro in a very long time. I do know he is alive because I would have received something for sure. It's been at least eight years, eight long years, it's agonizing. The last news I got from him was seven years ago when he sent us a letter saying he graduated from that University of Spell and Enchantment and then, nothing. I wonder what happened to him.". Oswald muses remembering waking up on Mickey's birthday and having the realization that his little bro wasn't with him, nor near him. "So? What do you guys think about that? I don't know what I'll find at the end but...I want answers."

Donald answers swiftly "Count me in." and Goofy follows shortly with "I won't stay here any longer and just watch you guys leave. I'm coming as well.".

Oswald visibly relax and sigh in relieves. He is happy, happy to have companions by his side for this upcoming adventure through unknown territories. "Ortensia will be happy to hear it. We made a great team back then and it's great to know we got each other's back.". The trio walk back inside through the veranda, Donald closes the door behind them.

Noise could be heard in the main corridor as someone closes the door "I'm home." says a feminine voice.

"Well? how was your shopping time?" Oswald asks while Ortensia's steps are becoming louder by the seconds.

"Good I also grabbed the newspaper while at was at it. It was a pain to walk in the market...oh Goofy! Donald! Great to see you guys here, how you guys are doing?" Ortensia's face lit up as she hugs them both one at a time.

"Not to bad, pretty pumped actually." Donald responds while Goofy just nods in approval.

"They accepted to come with us. The squad is back in town." The bunny grinned.

"Great, I'm so happy and glad to hear that. Sorry to bomb the good mood but I read some news that are pretty nasty." Ortensia sits down on a chair and shows the newspaper. Sure enough, on the front page it is written *'Spikes of vampires, werewolves and demons in the region End Of Sea'. *"This is not normal. A few people who lives there claimed that a gate has been opened and some even says that they saw The Horned King along with Maleficent there. If it's true then this is going to be some critical times. We even might have a war happening."

All three scoots behind Ortensia to read the rest of the news.

"We all know that they tried taking over those lands and failed spectacularly centuries ago, I thought they were myths..." Donald mumbles "It's in another world but if those two opened up a portal there they might be able to open one in any other worlds."

Goofy then points to a small paragraph that stipulates: "Please be very careful as vampires can travel afar faster. Beware of your surroundings and any strange behaviors or disappearance should be reported immediately. Any squad willing to help are welcome to do so."

"Sheesh, they aren't joking around at all." Oswald massage his right ear for a few moments. "You know, they need help, let's go and help then. I suggest we leave in two days, first for my brother's academy, I want to get some info of where he might be then let's book to End Of Sea. Meeting here in the morning."

All of them nod.

"Right, I'm going to start packing then and either way, if we don't go, we will be sent there as reinforcement, might as well be on our way. See you in two days then." Goofy answers while leaving, Donald following him closely.

Ortensia added "Going to prep up with food and utensils for camping...just in case. You take care of weapons and ammos dear."

The bunny gives a last glance to the painting of himself and Mickey with a feeling of hope and fear at the same time.

'I hope you are ok bro, wherever you are.' Oswald though as his friends leaves the house, fueled with determination for their upcoming adventure.