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Counter Earth Chronicles - Fallen Empire

Chapter 114: Ascension (Conclusion)

Day 327 December 2nd

"So what do you think?" Our caprine colleague asked Shakara and myself.

"It is a small boutique shop just outside of the central tower on the mainstreet of the city." I replied looking at the tan one level building with three open windows next to its entrance.

"Incorrect, it is MY boutique shop." Lily Blossom exclaimed proudly.

"Well it is in a convenient location." My red-eyed liones said. "But what are you selling?"

"Massages." The medicine lady replied. "With the challenges everyone is facing after relocating from our former planet to here..."

"This might become an essential service! Great thinking!" I replied.

Shakara and I walked inside to look around the establishment. The ambience was perfect! The waiting room had a variety of plants and smelling herbs situated in between the chairs. Just past the reception desk was the client's room. Three tables were placed side by side where couples could receive group massages.

"But how will you find time to run this place given how busy medical has been lately?" Ms. Kubari asked the caprine healer.

"That is why it is important to delegate sweetie. I plan to have a support staff to see to my customers when I can't be here myself." The she beast said smiling devilishly. "Anyone want a free demonstration?"

(She isn't related to Mara is she?)

"Sure!" I replied remembering my time at the Aurora Spa in World One.

"Great! Alex remove your shirt, pants, shoes and lay down on the table."

I did as ordered. The next sensation I felt was a deep tissue massage starting at my trapezius muscles, then moving to my shoulders with easy flowing strokes.

"Alright Alex, relax completely and just let your mind wander."

Wander I did. I thought about what had transpired a year ago this month- Counter Earth was suffering from the green sickness and by the end of the month world fall occurred. I also thought about the last four months on Chaundoon, the city's reconstruction and the new friends we had made on this world. Sure the level of technological sophistication isn't what it was on Counter Earth, but it was an acceptable trade off.

"My that is a handsome tuchus." The medicine lady replied kneading my backside while my lioness snickered... loudly.

"Ursa and I think it is rather cute."

"Um, where did my undergarments go?!" I stammered. I looked at the adjacent table to see that all my clothing had been neatly collected there.

"Clothing removal device." Lily Blossom said, smiling candidly. "It was useful in my prior line of business."

"Which was?" I asked, raising my eyebrow.

(I had finally mastered that technique watching my brown bear.)

"Sexual healing little cutie." The dark tan lioness said grinning broadly. "I hear that none of her clientele left disappointed... ever!"

"Um, yeah... I think we are done here." I said blushing badly as the peace of that afternoon was disturbed by a loud sound coming from the tower next door.

*YAAAARRRRGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!*

*THUMP*

The ground (and us) around the central tower shook from whatever it was. I quickly reclothed and joined Shakara and Lily Blossom who had gone outside to investigate. They found that a rock creature had fallen out a window from one of the upper floors of the tower and landed hard on the street below.

"Oh my gosh!! Oh my gosh!! Oh my gosh!!" I shouted.

"That is ambassador Umebo of the stone folk. He was in high level negotiations with Mesaha of the marsh folk!" The caprine said.

"King Dragon was officiating." Shakara said, helping me look over the corpse. "Apparently it wasn't going too well."

The ambassador resembled a humanoid in shape- a head, arms, legs but the rest of him was molten red, black and stone.

"This is bad!! This is bad!! No one can survive a fall from such a height!! The stone folk are going to be pissed!! There is going to be a conflict!!!" I exclaimed trying to find a pulse. That's right, there wasn't any pulse to be found... he is a rock creature.

As I was freaking out, the ambassador turned over, moved to his knees, stood up and started shaking his fist at someone or something from the upper floors of the tower.

Shakara, Lily Blossom and I looked upward to see a yellow creature shaking its fist right back at the ambassador.

"He's ok." The caprine medicine lady responded.

"They are both ok." My devious person observed.

"It looks like negotiations have broken down." I replied.

(I hope Sorren is ok.)

This year has been a wild ride for him especially the last few months...

Day 280 October 15th

"...so we wandered the wilderness for five months looking for a new place to settle." The maned wolf said to my mistress, myself and our other guest that evening- a brown female gorilla. "Never did agree on a place to start over and in that time we were attacked by spies, walkers, KLIS and humans who were storing items for the KLIS."

"That is unbelievable Naka." I replied after hearing the story.

"But it is true Alex, I guess there is a limited amount of cargo they can keep on those sky ships of theirs."

"But what you managed to accomplish- leading the survivors away from World Three is still quite inspiring, not bad for a junior knight." Kala said as she reclined on our sofa. "This is so soft."

"Well except for the final few days where Naka violated some creatures' territory and he and his followers were nearly annihilated."

I received the most dirty look from the leader of the nomadic colony.

I just smiled at that very awkward moment.

"It was a good thing that Theresa and Oliver weren't with him, they probably haven gotten themselves killed documenting it." The she gorilla remarked.

"Would you like some tea?" My fierce ursine warrior said, bringing a tray with cups from the kitchen.

(Saved!!)

"Why yes thank you." I replied as Naka and Kala realized that there was a bit more of my brown bear than usual.

"Lady Ursa are you pregnant?" Kala asked.

"I am." She said setting the tray down and offering a cup each to our guests.

"But to my knowledge you are the only bear in the city." The maned wolf concluded.

"Science and technology are wondrous things Naka." I said grinning like Shakara.

I had the wolf and gorilla going for a second before my she beast let them off the hook.

"It actually happened a little over a year ago when Alex and I were extended prisoners at the Outpost of the Forgotten." She said candidly.

"It involved a case of mistaken identity, a prison revolt and a maniacal warden who had a side project of breeding humans and beastials and collecting their progeny." I responded.

"My assigned breeding partner is the father." Lady Ursa said to the wolf and gorilla.

"But if you were impregnated a year ago..." Kala asked.

"How is it that you are just starting to show now?" The wolf asked.

"She put her pregnancy off given everything that was going on with the empire last fall."

"Does your breeding partner know?" Lady Keiko's sister asked, raising her cup and taking a sip.

"No. Given how reliant that outpost is for supplies from the empire, it is likely that everyone there starved to death after the collapse." My bear knight concluded.

"Or maybe they found a way to hold on. It does bear some investigation." Kala said.

"Speaking of holding on I heard about your exploits in World Two Kala. Your sister would be proud." The junior knight said complementing the gorilla warrior.

"It seemed like a good idea at the time initially but toward the end we were running low on supplies and resources and we kept noticing that our enemies were multiplying and becoming stronger."

"We went through the same thing in the Lost City. We were expecting to get annihilated at any moment." I observed as I sipped my tea.

"I guess the reality shock was when some members left the Oasis and my group."

"You mean Sura?" Naka asked.

"And what was left of the Knights or Warwick." Kala said, placing her cup back on the tray.

"You realized your position was unsustainable." Lady Ursa said gently, sitting down on the sofa next to her.

"I had to come to terms with that. As we were evacuating the Oasis, my team made best efforts to free as many as we could from the gangs, entity worshipers and monsters on the way out."

"Alboa and Dom were surprised at how many passengers they had to carry." I said thinking of their exodus from World Two.

"So what do you think of Chaundoon?" My she beast asked- throwing the question out there.

"Well, it seems to be a much calmer world. But the two suns take some getting used two." Kala said.

"And the multiple moons." The wolf added.

"But it is great for howling at right?" I said joking with the soul survivor of the Sir wolf's wolf pack. Naka glared at me. "Err... I mean what do you think of World Seven?"

"It reminds me of Friendship Settlement from the Cody's Gift movie." Our guest said.

"You know you are right Naka." The brown gorilla said.

"It does seem like we have taken a step back in time." The wolf said, setting down his cup. "But everyone seems to be adjusting Nikka, Russell and Addy moved in together. Pabu, Russell and Nikka are helping out at the Wild's restaurant. Angi moved in with Una and Yogi. That was a good call, I heard Ms. Una is the colony's psychologist."

"She is." My fierce usine warrior commented. "What about Song and Kiwi?"

"Well we are sharing a home together." The wolf blushed.

"Congratulations." My mistress said.

"Thanks."

"You three make a beautiful family." I commented as there was a knock on the door.

I got up from the sofa to answer it leaving the two knights and the vigilante leader just as the conversation was getting interesting.

"So what about that Akita, you know the mercenary?"

(Aw, man! I wanted to hear that!)

I opened the door to find a familiar face on the other side.

"Sorren!! I mean your future majesty!"

"It is alright little buddy, I was out for a walk and I decided to stop by." He remarked.

"Come in, come in!!"

I escorted him into the great room catching just the tail end of the commentary.

"...he is getting a second chance because the civilization that would judge him for what he has done and the society that he affected technically doesn't exist anymore..."

"Mistress, Naka, Kala guess who dropped by?"

"Well if it isn't our chosen majesty." The brown gorilla said, smiling.

"Don't tell me you are delaying the ceremony again?" My perfect person asked.

"I don't think the Chado will allow anymore delays, Sorren; they want to make it official." I said, adding my opinion.

"No, I was walking and thinking and decided to check up on my subjects if you know what I mean- you madam knight are looking a little pregnant, Alex you dog!" He said petting me on my head. "Naka, Kala I trust your group is acclimating well."

"Mitsa and Lune are opening up their dream bakery. Penny and Nezera have joined the medical staff in the infirmary, Oliver and Theresa have decided to room together and Masha and myself are living together while we figure out the next phase of our lives. But you didn't come by to ask us that now did you?" The she gorilla surmised.

"Something is on your mind isn't it?" The wolf asked.

"Why would you say that?" Sorren laughed-chuckled.

"We were both leaders in our own colonies as such we became attune to looking after our respective groups." Lady Ursa said.

"Have a seat your majesty." The gorilla ordered patting the spot next to her and my mistress.

"Yes ma'am."

"Is the stress of reorganizing the colony and reshaping this society getting to you?" I asked.

"No." Sorren said looking down at the floor. "Sanda, Dawn, Cole, Chemar and I have been talking and planning for months."

"Then what Sorren?" My she beast asked, offering him some tea.

"I keep asking myself why me?"

"I have been wondering that myself." The gorilla warrior responded.

"I suppose the Chado had their reasons, whether you agree or not- you Sorren Dragon are their chosen one." The wolf warrior responded.

"And you will be the leader of this colony Sorren." Lady Ursa said. "Whether you want to or not. Whether you feel that you are ready or not."

"Not bad for a cafeteria cook." I teased.

"Wait, wait, he was a cafeteria cook?!" The gorilla gasped.

"Take it from us your majesty, the weight of leadership is a very heavy burden- each of us know." Naka said, trying to comfort the dragon.

"How did you cope with it?" Sorren said looking up.

"By surrounding yourself with smart individuals whom you can rely on when the weight of leadership becomes very tough." Kala said, placing her paw on his shoulder. "I had several in my group."

"I had Song, Nikkia and even Black in mine." The maned wolf replied.

"As did I Sorren." My perfect person commented.

"So trust yourself, believe in yourself you will not fail this city but if you do- I still have my swords." The female gorilla grinned.

"In fact we all do." The wolf piled on.

"Sorren get a good night's rest you have a big day tomorrow." My mistress said helping him up from the couch.

I saw him to the door and actually out into the street as the conversation resumed in the great room.

"So what is with the 36 hour days on this planet?"

"More time to get things done I guess."

"And the two suns?"

"It just means that there isn't a winter."

(It sounded like the conversation was getting even more interesting again.)

"Sorren you are going to be a good leader, a bit goofy but that is not a bad thing." I said following him from my mistress' lair.

"What makes you say that little buddy?"

"Let me simplify. Look at how the High Evolutionary ruled Counter Earth and just do the opposite."

As we arrived at the central tower Manderine was waiting.

*screech* *screech*

"I guess this is where we say good evening. Manderine wants to cover a few more items before the ceremony tomorrow." The goofy dragon said.

I gave my dear friend and future king the biggest hug.

"It will be alright Sorren." I said waving at Manderine.

Day 281 October 16th

The sunlight was golden the morning of Sorren's coronation. It was held in the event hall a block east of the tower. All the inhabitants of World Seven were in attendance for this greatest day of days. The event hall was very basic, essentially a long rectangle room with an elevated platform at the far end, which was decorated with drapes and flowers. There was a red carpet leading from the entrance of the hall right to the stage. Attendees stood on either side to watch the ceremony.

On stage stood our future king flanked by eight Chado. He looked very, very nervous as one by one each of the eight stepped forward to address the colony and start the ascension ceremony.

"...Chado Legends foretold of a planet in chaos..." The first said.

"...Ruled by a brutal master...." The second continued.

"...Undone by an invisible enemy..." The third commented.

"...That many would try to confront and fail..." The fourth said following up.

"...But the enemy was ancient, cunning and unconquerable..." The fifth Chado said jumping into the presentation.

"...An epic migration would take place from that world to ours..." The sixth said, a rather rotund fellow.

"...Within the migrants would be an individual of the most modest of stations...." The seventh said continuing the story.

"...Who would rise bringing stability to all of Chaundoon..." Manderine said concluding the story.

Each of the eight presented the attendees with a piece of their prophecy of legend culminating with their announcement:

"Kneel Sorren."

The red dragon knelt as the lead Chado placed what looked to be a small triangular shaped crown on his forehead.

"Arise King Dragon The First of the combined kingdom!!!"

As my dear friend stood up the eight Chado bowed and all in the room erupted in cheers. I looked to my left and right, my lovers as well as the rest of the beastials, humans and monsters who had accompanied me on this journey were cheering as well.

"Speech!!!!" "Speech!!" The crowd demanded.

"I never in my wildest dreams believed this would ever happen." The goofy dragon said candidly. "Me, the chosen leader of my friends, my acquaintances, my family and of a civilization!!"

Sorren was quiet as reality of his new reality hit him.

"My time as a citizen of the previous civilization, taught me about many of its biases and limitations. None of which will be repeated here. There will be no first, second or third class of citizens. Here we are all family, all equals whether you are beastial, human or monster."

Cheers were heard again throughout the event hall as our king continued his acceptance speech.

"Thank you. The last nine months has given me perspective on what the formation and composition of this new colony should be. As my first act, I decree that there shall be daily hugs between all my subjects!!"

(Now that is interesting.)

"And in the beastial tradition- communal eating, bathing and sleeping."

(Nothing new here.)

"Love and respect between all citizens."

(That is good too.)

"Especially the love part!!"

(Well, at least he left that open to interpretation.)

"I want kissing too, lots of kissing!!"

(Now that was such a Sorren statement.)

I have decided there will be a new knight core which will focus on protecting this civilization and the planet."

(That is going to be a big job.)

"Comprising this new core will be former knights and those who have proven that they are more than qualified to serve this colony. Leading the new core are senior knights Lady Ursa, Lady Barq, Commander Rhinox and Commander Sanda. Mid-rank knights Naka, Cole, Chemar and junior knights Gahri, Arugula, Tanya, T'hoka, Ananias, Linias, Sandu and Kala congratulations."

The scorpion-boy, fire lizard and gorilla were especially shocked at their recruitment.

Sorren's acceptance speech continued.

"I am also constructing a colony council that will aid me in making wise decisions and to advise me when I am not. It will be representational of the sum parts of this colony. Shira of World Six, Song from the nomadic colony, Haem from the monster colony and Masha of the vigilantes welcome."

I scanned the crowd looking for the sabre-tooth tiger, the chakat, the mother pitbull and the octopus monster. The first three were equally shocked while I couldn't read Haem's expression.

For the next 10 minutes King Dragon read off positions within the colony and who would fill them.

"As for the sciences, archaeological research will be headed by Dawn Stern and Corbin Mongoose. Wildlife studies will be headed by Oliver Justice and Theresa Branch. As for Medical, the infirmary will be run by Penny Penguin with support by Lily Blossom, Alex Winter, Shakara Kubari and Nezera of the vigilantes. Congratulations to one and all."

"Well that was rather abrupt!" My lioness commented.

"Abrupt or not it means that it won't be just us anymore in the infirmary." I said smiling.

"But now we have a boss?" The dark tan lioness gasped.

"We do."

Day 327 December 2nd

"Ambassador? Ambassador? Are you ok?" I asked as the rock being continued to shake his fist at the being who was also shaking its fist from the upper window.

"A fall like that would have killed just about any one of us." The caprine said.

"Well remember his composition is a bit different from ours." Shakara said.

"All the same we should take him to medical to be checked out...."

*WHOSH*

I was spun around so quickly like a sign being passed by a hover vehicle at high speed as the ambassador darted back into the central tower.

"Eh, call it a hunch but I think he is ok." Lily Blossom suggested.

"All the same we better get in there." My lioness said.

We found where the high level negotiations were taking place in the meeting rooms a floor below the infirmary. Inside we saw the ambassador of the stone folk and the ambassador of marsh folk about ready to come to blows most likely from the trip one gave the other out of the window.

Lily, Shakara and I watched as our king accompanied by Duchess Jua was trying to officiate the meeting while Chemar, Sanda and Cole were trying to calm down the ambassadors.

"Guys, I think the knights could use some assistance!"

Shakara, Lily and I coaxed the rock being back to his chair at the far side of the meeting table while the cheetah, donkey and caracal coaxed the other ambassador to his respective seat. Apart from his three eyes, orange hair and rotund exterior he looked more like a walking macaroni casserole.

"I am nothing but a glorified baby sister!" The red dragon lamented to the leader of the sand folk as he tried to resume the meeting between two of Chaundoon's bickering inhabitants.

"WAGHHH!!!!!" The molten red and black rock creature yelled slamming its fists on the wood table nearly snapping off a piece of it.

Across from him a yellow gloppy creature voiced its opinion about the insult it had just received.

"GRAAAHHHHH!!!!"

*SMASH*

"And there goes another table." King Dragon sighed.

"Cheer up your majesty." The beautiful dragon like-being seated next to him advised.

"Why Jua? All I seem to do is mitigate, mediate and moderate dispute after dispute day after day!"

"Such is the burden of a leader." She said to the goofy dragon.

"I so miss the old days working in the castle cafeteria..."

"But you have a more important role, now King Dragon- to help keep the peace between the many beings and creatures on Chaundoon. So in your former life you were a food preparer huh?"

Sorren nodded.

"So let me ask you something, what did you do if one of your guests didn't like what was being prepared for them that day?"

"I would reduce their portions and make them laugh with a funny remark." The red dragon replied.

"While others search for what they can take, a good leader searches for what they can give." Jua whispered to Sorren. "I learned that during my time as leader your majesty."

It was like a light went on in his head.

*BWOOSH*

The arguing ambassadors watched as a ball of flame erupted from the maw of the dragon. The two creatures stood up from their chairs and looked at the king.

"GRA?" Mesaha remarked.

"It is a special trick of mine." Sorren said as he blew eight perfect smoke rings from his mouth. Then a stick figure. Then a house and then a hover vehicle all made of smoke.

The two ambassadors were impressed and actually smiled and laughed.

"Now who would like to see a heart? Keep in mind I also take requests...."

That evening...

"Mistress!!" I said greeting my bear at the front door.

"How was your day?" Shakara asked, appearing from the great room.

"Tiring Barq, Rhinox and I are still training the new recruits, many of them are showing promise though." Our very pregnant warrior bear said.

"Speaking of promise..." The horny lioness said rubbing the bear's big pregnant belly. "It won't be long now."

"Yes Shakara, I know."

"Have you thought of a name?" I asked taking her sword.

"No. Not yet pet. I also heard you two had a busy afternoon." Our bear knight said.

"Well Lily Blossom did open up a massage parlor next to the central tower." I started.

"While we were there, a high level negotiation meeting King Dragon and the Duchess were conducting almost collapsed." Shakara said, leading Lady Ursa to the sofa.

"It started when one of the attendees threw the other out of the conference window."

My bear looked at me like she couldn't believe what I was saying.

"It happened, but Sorren was able to dissipate the tense atmosphere mistress."

"How?"

"By him being himself." I said smiling.

"And the negotiations?" Our bear knight asked, sitting down.

"They are making progress the lioness said grinning."

Alex Winter December 2nd YOE 34