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A YEAR OF EXPECTATION

"Sir! They're on the move again."

"Alright. We're just about finished here. Return to base to receive your next instructions."

"Yes sir!"

"This is it..." John smiled.

The other three looked forward to see a dirty alleyway a few blocks from the park. Filled dumpsters and trashcans stood close to the red-bricked walls. The black cement ground was tattered due to extreme exposure to the changing seasons.

"This place?" Alex asked. "It's a boring old alleyway."

"To me it isn't," John simply replied as he stood down the center of the dark pathway. "Do you remember this place, Louis?"

"How can I forget?" Louis smiled. "It's the place where you end up in our world, right?"

"Five hundred years of traveling and crossing through dimensions, we reached this place only to meet you."

"And that also by accident," Louis chuckled.

6 years ago...

A dimension rift opened in the air. The purple swirling energy blasted dark lightning here and there before spitting two white energies toward the concrete ground, only to be caught by the light blue trash compactor. The rift closed and the sky was clear once more. It that same compactor, two figures tried to escape from the dirty interior. The first one to escape was a light tan lion with brown mane and tail fluff. He wore a beige long-sleeved shirt with brown leather wristbands on both arms. His dark brown pants and leather boots looked pretty worn down due to years of traveling. His shredded cloak complements the adventurer look of the feline.

"Honey, can't you control those rifts to open on the ground?" His deep voice called his arctic wolf companion as he padded his dirty clothing. The lupine in the dumpster wore the same type of tattered cloak. Beneath it, his dark brown long-sleeved shirt, pants and leather boots were filthy due to his surroundings. He grabbed the edge of the opening with his gloved hands and jumped out.

"Sorry, but as I said before, rift hole connections can't be controlled. If we forcefully open them and locate the end points manually, our ages will decrease, and I'm certain we both don't want that to happen again."

"But after more than four hundred times, this is getting ridiculous. We always ended up somewhere where we don't want like the insides of the sea serpent from sixty seven dimensions ago."

"So you're saying that we should force the holes to the ground, turn me back into a child, and wait for another ten till twenty years until we can travel or go out again?"

"T-that's not what I..." Terrance flustered.

"Relax, big guy," the wolf chuckled. "I'm just teasing you. You're always so cute when you're flustered. Besides, after the incident, you know that I'll never age. That means those things won't affect me. Of course, that IS just a theory that has yet to be practiced."

"Joy..." The lion blushed.

"Come on, cutie. Let's hope this year we're able to find them."

"Yeah..."

The two wore the hood and scanned the area for a moment.

"Seems like this universe is well sophisticated," Ter deduced. "Cars, computer stores, security cameras, street lights... Better than the last one at least."

"And apparently it's mostly populated by humans," John added. "We'll definately stick out if we don't cover our forms."

"Let's change then."

Just as the wolf raised his short-gloved right paw, a young man accidentally tackled him to the ground, knocking the wind in both of their lungs. The lupine looked down on the person and noticed that the man was in a hurry. He panted for air as he stood up once more. He looked like he was being chased by someone. When John was about to ask a question, his answers were answered by a distinctive voice on the entry of the alley.

"Freeze!" a male's voice rang. The lupine stood up and the trio peered back to see a young teen with silver hair pointing a black Beretta to the adult. Strangely enough, the young man wore a dark blue police officer uniform as his attire, complete with baton, handcuffs, and radio. He glared his silver eyes at what seemed to be a runaway from a crime. The man, in desperation, pulled a switchblade under his shirt and got behind the lupine. In one fluid movement, the man held John hostage with the blade close to his throat and an arm around his neck.

"Don't move, or he's gonna get it!" the man threatened. John merely sighed before speaking to his opponent.

"You might want to know who you're dealing with, young man," he said. Before the others got to respond, John stomped his right boot to the man's foot. Using that chance, he slid through his arm imprisonment and got behind the attacker. He kicked him behind his knees, causing him to fall. As the man stumbled, the lupine pounced and placed him in an arm lock. "Cause you're facing a dangerous wolf here," he whispered and growled at the man's ear.

"Excuse me officer," Terrance smiled under his hood. "But I think it's time to cuff him."

"Yes, of course," the police nodded, still shocked from the quick display. He pressed a button on the radio on his shoulder, reported to his co-workers that the suspect had been apprehended, and asked for a small back up. He stepped forward and cuffed the man before pulling him up to his feet. Seconds later, police sirens could be heard and other officers stepped out of the panda car. One of them, a woman in her thirties, came up to the young officer.

"Everything all right, Officer Timberwolf?" she asked.

"Everything's going smoothly, lieutenant," the young officer stated. "The suspect has been successfully apprehended thanks to these bystanders."

The female lieutenant nodded before facing the two travelers.

"Thank you for helping us arresting him," she smiled. "He has been wanted for rape and murder cases for the past few weeks."

"It was nothing, really," John bowed slightly.

"If you would, we would like for the two of you to come to the department for questioning."

"About the type of contact we made, right?" Terrance asked.

"It will only take a short while."

The two couple stared at each others' green eyes before shrugging.

"It's like we don't have anything to do anyways," John smiled under the hood. The lieutenant smiled and faced the young officer behind her.

"Mr. Timberwolf, you and Mrs. Stellar bring these two men back to HQ," she ordered. The hooded people's ears perked up before staring at the woman in uniform.

"Stellar?" they asked silently.

"Yes maam," the two officers nodded before coming towards the travelers.

"Right this way, please," Timberwolf gestured the two men.

"Huh? Oh. Yes," John snapped out of his thoughts and followed the young officer to the black striped car with sirens. The travelers, still wearing the cloak, sat down on the back seat, whispering to each other.

"That lieutenant said Mrs. Stellar a moment ago," John told the lion. "Could that mean Kendric's wife?"

"How should I know?" Terrance whispered back. "I'm not either of them, remember?"

"Excuse me," the silver haired officer interrupted on the front seat. "I forgot to thank you for helping me to catch that guy."

"It was nothing," John smiled. "If you're not there, I would've helped him up or something."

"Yeah, that could mean more trouble. I'm Louis and this is my partner, Veronica," he introduced themselves.

"I'm John. This is my partner, Terrance."

"Pleasure to meet you," Terrance bowed.

"Likewise," Veronica smiled as she drove the sedan. She wore a similar outfit as Louis, including the pants. She had a pair of cerulean eyes and hazel brown hair.

"So tell me, Louis," John started the conversation. "You look really young for an officer. You must be in your early teens now."

"How right you are," Louis chuckled. "I'm only seventeen."

"What!?"

"But I thought that people can only take full time jobs when they've reached adulthood," Ter added.

"I know," Louis grinned.

"He somehow won a bet that allowed him to join the force," Veronica explained.

"Hey, that case changed a lot of lives," Louis said to his partner.

"Still, a young man like you usually try and find some other girl and make out."

"Sheesh, you sound like you're my..."

Louis became silent as he remembered the incident two years before. Veronica knew about the incident and sighed.

"Sorry to remind you," she apologized. Louis just remained silent and ignored her. The lady in uniform sighed and eyed the couple on the rearview mirror. "You'll have to forgive him. He's lost his family two years ago."

"I'm very sorry to hear that," John pinned his ears.

"It's none of your faults. It's that damn hooded man that did it," Louis grumbled in anger.

"Hooded man?" Terrance eyed him.

"Some crazy lunatic with a dark cloak and scythe killed both of them on Christmas afternoon. And it was actually the time when my father returned to accept the both of us."

The two looked at each other with muzzles gaping slightly.

'It can't be... can it?' they thought.

"Forgive us for prying, but could you explain to us a little bit more on the details?" John asked.

"Fine, but you won't believe me if I tell you," Louis sighed. "This guy has crimson red eyes with skeletal features. He looked exactly like the grim reaper himself. He brought this icy chill across the room, freezing us to our places. Then in one swipe, he killed my father. Then he floated towards my mother and I before dealing another swipe. My mother fell and was badly injured. I was practically petrified at the sight. As he swung his scythe towards me, I remember my mother made a barrier of pure light around me, protecting me from the dickhead. She even blasted him away with one of her light beams before he disappeared. She smiled at me once more before she..."

"We're very sorry," John said to the devastated man.

"The psychiatrists said that he got PTSD, that's why he's imagining all these," Veronica said to them.

"I'm serious!!" Louis objected. "My mother was a good woman and a great mage! The bastard that took her away is exactly like death!!"

"Wait! Back up just a bit," John interrupted. "Did you say mage a second ago?"

"That's right! And I'm a mage as well!!"

"Louis, stop saying that," Veronica scolded. "You're nothing but a normal child."

"Now calm down," Terrance tried to stop the two but was completely ignored.

"Normal!? How can I be normal!? I was practically pestered by my whole school just because of my appearance and the fact that I'm a real blood mage!!"

"Louis, you're talking nonsense! People can't use magic! You're just imagining things!"

"Excuse me..." John called.

"Imagining things!? So you're saying that I'm sick!?"

"Yes, and you need therapy!"

"Hello?" John called once more.

"I'm not delusional! And I'm gonna prove you that I'm making things up and that I'm a real mage!"

"Guys?" John called

"Oh yeah!? Then prove it!! Prove it now, young man!!"

"ENOUGH!!" Terrance roared loud enough to shake the car. The trio stared at the hooded lion who, at the moment, was panting for air. Terrance growled and continued to glare at the two officers. Louis stared away towards the window while Veronica returned her focus back to the road.

"Louis," John called.

"WHAT!?" he snapped back.

"Does this reaper have a diagonal crack right on the left side of his frontal lobe?" John calmly replied. Louis was wide eyed at the statement.

"Y-yeah..." he mumbled, but loud enough for them to hear.

"I see..." John smiled. The rest of the ride was silent. Veronica parked the car behind the department before stepping out in fury. The three males stepped out only to stare at each other.

"How did you know that?" Louis asked the wolf.

"We had some personal business with him," John smiled. "Could you tell us about your magic?"

"But... my mom said that showing them to other people will bring chaos."

"It's alright," John chuckled as he raised his left paw. He cast a miniscule icicle above the leather glove, startling the teen. John pulled off his hood, revealing his full lupine head. "I'm also a mage like you."

"To be honest," Louis chuckled, "I was pretty much scared when I saw your head and magic. No offence, by the way."

"None taken," John giggled.

"And today, you still looked the same as always."

"You know my secret, right? You don't have to question it anymore."

"Then you mentored me and gave me that other form until the other incident happened."

"I guess I'm were lucky enough that Ter and Kendric are there."

"But unfortunately, not for this little guy," he rubbed Chris' hair.

"Hey!" he yelled. Both adults chuckled slightly at the young boy before looking at each other.

"Thanks John," Louis smiled. "For everything."

"It was nothing," John chuckled.

"No, really. If it weren't for you, I would've stayed cursed and died back in New Years. You also helped me by giving me that form and taught me magic to destroy that bonehead for good."

"I didn't do anything. It was actually your own doing, right? I only guided your path, that's all."

"And it helped a lot. Thanks."

Louis gave the lupine a warm hug of gratitude. The lupine was a little startled before he returned the hug. They stayed that way for a few moments before breaking it apart.

"Shall we go?"

Just as the lupine was about to answer, his ears perked up as he heard several footsteps coming their direction.

"Right after we take care of business," he replied, facing towards the source of the sound. He focused his magic around him to change his attire into his old traveler's outfit.

"You still like to wear that old suit?" Louis smiled as he placed his hand on a Beretta 90two under his shirt.

"You got a new gun?" he replied as he pulled up his hood. The two smiled before pulling the small kids closer towards their place. Moments later, the group was surrounded by a small group of thugs. Each one of those men was carrying either a steel baseball bat or an iron crowbar.

"Probably eleven of them," John counted to his current partner.

"We can take them, right?" Louis said as he stared at the five in front of him.

"Give us the dough," one of them snickered. "Or you're gonna get it."

"Now why would you want the dough, if you can have the whole knuckle sandwich?" John replied with a smug. Before any of their opponents were able to react, John leaped forward and punched that same person on the face, catching them off guard. In a twist of his body, he kicked the next person on the face with a flying roundhouse before landing on the ground. Louis smacked the person closest to him with a backhand with his armed right. He kneed the next person on the stomach before hitting him on the back of his head with the butt of the black gun. Two people charged to each of them. John handled his pair by picking up a nearby bat and threw it towards one of the people's feet, stumbling him, and bringing the other one with him to the ground. Louis, on the other hand, threw his gun at the person on his left before running on his body. But as he stepped on the staggered man's stomach, he stealthily placed something unbeknownst to the lupine. He jumped high and grabbed the recoiled object before pointing it towards the other one and shot it clean through his left hip. He landed on his last attacker's shoulders hard, bringing him down as well.

"Nice going, Louis," John smiled as he zapped the remaining with a quick jolt and a tackle.

"Thanks," Louis replied as he holstered his gun back. He picked up his cell phone and called for back up and paramedics.

"Sir, the bait has been set."

"Excellent. Now, let's prepare for the last phase..."

"Hey, what's this?" John asked as he found something shiny on one of the unconscious person's pocket. He picked it up and examined the metallic object. It was a spare key to his home.

"How did this guy have this?" John's muzzle gaped. "Wait! Our home!"

"We'd better go back, fast!" Louis nodded. The men picked up the kids to their backs and ran back towards the estate. As John barged in towards the front door, he found nothing out of the ordinary. But as he sniffed the air, he was confirmed that there are other people in the house.

"Someone's in here..." John said to the silver haired cop behind him. He continued to track the scent until he had reached the living room doors. He definitely knew that there are people inside since the doors were closed, which were very unusual in his household.

"They're in here..." John whispered.

"Let's give them the element of surprise," Louis suggested.

"All right. On three then." John nodded as he braced himself.

"One... two..."

Louis quickly opened the door and turned on the lights.

"SURPRISE!!"

The lupine yelped in surprise and jumped back. Inside, the living room was filled with guests, party balloons, confetti, and a wide banner that stated "Happy Birthday". John gazed at the silver haired man close to him. He had a huge grin plastered on his face.

"You set me up, didn't you?" John questioned.

"Maybe..." Louis said as he snapped on a green striped party hat. "And you might want to close that muzzle of yours. Lover boy's been planning this the whole week."

"You planned this all along?" John stared at the brown maned lion that stood in front of him.

"I had help from those two," he said, pointing at the lovely couple behind him, Kendric and Veronica.

"So the people who were stalking me were you two?" he asked.

"It was very easy to spot you since you're wearing something out of the ordinary," Veronica smiled.

"And those thugs?"

"Just pure coincidence," another party member, James, explained. "But since they're there, we took advantage of them."

John gazed at the people around him and smiled. He was touched by the efforts that these people had made just for him.

"You guys..." he sniffled as tears of joy started to fill the corners of his green eyes.

"In any case..." Louis said as he placed another hat, this time a purple polka dotted one, on the crying lupine's head. He gave a nod to everyone in the room and they all said the same thing as the lion/wolf couple kissed passionately.

"Happy Birthday, John."

******

Here's to a very happy birthday to you. I bet your foresight didn't foresee this. Hehehe...

Louis