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Counter Earth Chronicles - Dual Realities

Chapter 2: All We Know So Far

February 13th YOE 35

4:20 PM World One (Counter Earth)

_Friday afternoon at a newly opened store... _

"Lyra you moved your store from the basement to the entertainment district?! That is outrageous!!" Minka said to the shy shopkeeper who was greeting her warmly.

The short brown haired woman in a orange dress with a frilly hem-line and brown blazer which was covered by a white apron just blushed- nervously.

"That means we won't have to travel too far to find parts for our tech!" Arthur exclaimed. "But how is it that you were able to set up shop away from the basement?" The boy hedgehog asked their friend.

"It is probably even more difficult with humans being restricted like never before." The monkey girl said thinking out loud while she studied the display at the front of the small posh boutique.

"MINKA!!" Arthur grumbled at the she monkey for her verbal oopsie.

"Because she found a sponsor." An white female pitbull in a redshirt and black pants said emerging from the back room. "I recognized that Lyra and her products have quite the potential which just couldn't be realized where this store was located previously in the bowels of this city."

"Thank you for becoming my overseer miss Masha." The shopkeeper said bowing humbly.

"Lyra why don't you show our customers some of the new products we are planning to introduce?"

"Yes miss Masha."

The hedgehog boy and monkey girl crowded around their friend as she presented them a silver pad with some of the inventory Miss Masha was thinking about carrying.

"You two might find this interesting." Lyra said. "Follow me."

They walked by several tables to a corner at the far side of the store past the numerous displays.

"What is that?" Arthur asked looking at what looked like a large white ball of fluff in the corner.

"It isn't a hairball Cody coughed up is it?!" Mika teased.

"This is the newest trend-- designer toys. They walk, talk and even eat." Lyra said turning and lifting up her hand like she was a model presenting a prize on a game show.

"What is that exactly?" Minka asked trying to make out what she was seeing.

"That is a yeti. It is the first in a line of sentient toys. Think of it as a very intelligent pet. One you can talk to and they would talk back."

"That would have its uses I suppose." Arthur said scratching his chin.

"Most likely for those who don't have any friends." Minka said without thinking. "Where is the on button?"

*Tug* *Tug*

"Not again!" Lyra shouted dropping her pad and scrunching into a ball on the floor of the store."

"Was it something I said?" The female monkey said as they watched something tug on the shopkeeper's apron.... Something that was unseen.

"GO AWAY!! GO AWAY!! GO AWAY!! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!!" Lyra shouted as Arthur picked up her pad.

"Lyra!! Stop this foolishness at once!" The female pitbull chided emerging from a office at the rear of the store.

"But overseer!!" She protested.

"Don't not make me retract my sponsorship!! Stand up and see to our customers this instant!!"

Lyra stood up and tried to regain some composure while what ever was tugging her apron started poking her side too.

*Poke* *Poke* *Poke* *Poke*

"Yes, overseer."

"What was that about?" Arthur whispered.

"Some weird things have been happening ever since I moved my store here. Ms. Masha refuses to believe me."

"Weird as in haunted?" The monkey girl said smiling broadly as the human woman nodded.

"You two used to investigate things that go bump in the night- right?"

"Um, about that- we gave it up after a close friend of ours became trapped in a realm beyond this one." The hedgehog boy admitted as Lyra studied his yellow shirt and brown shorts.

"You mean she wasn't taken out by the resistance?"

"No she sacrificed herself so that we could escape." The monkey girl said. "After losing her, we lost the desire to continue ghost hunting."

"I see. You two have been through some hard times as well it seems. But it would mean so much to me if you could just this once. Ms. Masha is threatening to close the store and send me back to the human camps." Lyra pleaded looking at the upset pitbull who was glaring at her from the store's rear office.

Minka looked at Arthur, Arthur looked at Minka and the two looked at their friend.

"Please..." Lyra smiled.

"Well..." The hedgehog boy said. "What time do you close?"

"All right we are back baby!!" The she monkey squealed. "Let's get our gear!"

8:20 PM The 3.0 Boutique

"Look at us Arthur jumping right back in without missing a beat!"

"Someone is excited. Although the ninja look is different." Arthur commented.

"The black mask, shirt and pants is too extreme?" The she monkey said looking down at her choice of clothing.

"A bit, as is the sword, smoke bombs and shuriken."

"Ok, but I am keeping the smoke bombs."

The hedgehog boy just stared at his excited partner.

"We need to be careful Minka." Arthur said solemnly as they approached the boutique store. "Last time we got in way, way, way over our heads."

"I hear ya." The monkey girl said trying the handle on the front entrance. "If it wasn't for Flo we would be that wolf demon's playthings- Like Flo is now. Although he did have a nice studly body for an evil being."

Lyra had left the front door to the store unlocked. As Arthur and Minka entered they surveyed the area; there were tables, shelves and display stands with tablets, pads and the latest cubes for sale.

"Nothing seems to be out of the ordinary." The she monkey said.

"Wait, wait! Is that the new collapsible pad?" The hedgehog boy said picking up a small rod from a white shelf seated next to an odd looking sphere. As he examined it a holographic viewscreen unrolled and extended to the right like a scroll parchment. "Why didn't I notice that earlier?!"

"Ahem, If you are done squeeing perhaps we should set up." Minka said bringing her partner back into reality.

"Yes right." Arthur said composing himself. "Lyra said that the 'hauntings' have taken place only here in the store.

"Ok so let's place our equipment in a plus shaped pattern at the doorway, the bookshelf in the corner, the left wall over there and the back wall there." The she monkey pointed. "Wait, is that the cube version 21?!"

"Now who is squeeing?" The hedgehog said teasing his partner.

The two Ghost Hunters set up their equipment and made their way into the back office where they sat and waited for the disturbances to start.

"Okay, it is the weekend of February 13th Year Of Empire 35. Minka and myself are investigating a possible haunting at the 3.0 Boutique here in the theater district of World One." Arthur said dictating into his cube. "The weather has been uncharacteristically rainy for this time of year. Could this be the cause of the suspected activity here in this store?"

"And now the fun part begins." Minka said setting a pad on a table in the office and staring at the footage from the perspective cubes that were set up through out the store.

"You mean we wait." Arthur said looking at his cube. He decided to watch the latest hub news report.

And we are coming to you live from downtown World Five where there is a small group of humans from a nearby encampment picketing. A female skunk said approaching a crowd of twenty second class citizens. "Niko roving intern from the hub news what is the reason for this assembly?"

"We are voicing our extreme displeasure about recent decisions made by the High Evolutionary!" A dirty and dusty woman holding a sign said to the she skunk.

"In regards to?"

"The rights we had that have been removed! I mean we aren't allowed to go anywhere or do anything beyond where we reside! It is worse than it was before the rebellion!"

"Yeah, we know that all opposition to his rule has been crushed, but it is like he is rubbing it in our faces now!" A disheveled individual said joining the woman. "So we came from our homes, neighborhoods and encampments to let him know it is not fair! We do not like being marginalized!"

"What would you say to those who believe that humanity got what it deserved?" Niko asked the irritated couple.

"We don't care! We will continue this disobedience until our rights and privileges are restored or the equivalent of you fuzzies!!"

"And there you have it back to you in the studio Zee." Niko said signing off.

"And so it begins again." Arthur said sighing as the Knights of Sovereign moved in on the crowd for violating curfew laws.

"Arthur look!!" Minka said drawing his attention to their pad.

"The electronics on display in the front of the store are levitating!! Serious mysterious!!"

Minka ran to the pad and started pressing a series of buttons on its side. "Hmm... doesn't appear to be a demon, ghoul or specter."

"No I think it is an object." The hedgehog boy said walking out of the back office to the front of the store.

"I was about to say that..." The monkey exclaimed.

"That metal sphere on the shelf against the wall!"

"That thing that looks like it is a large ball bearing?" Minka said joining Arthur.

The object which was slightly larger than their surveillance equipment seemed to be performing for them! There was a pretty melodic jazzy sound emanating from it along with a holographic visual display of strobing lights, multicolored, multi shapes and musical instruments oscillating in the background.

"That is just... just... wow." The monkey girl exclaimed observing. "I kind of like the beat and you can even dance to it! I would give it a 9 out of 10."

"The store isn't haunted Minka; it is that whatever it is." The hedgehog boy said as the performance concluded and the music stopped.

"Is it a portal to another dimension?" Minka asked as the holographic display above the sphere went blank.

"I am not sure..." The hedgehog boy said scratching his chin.

The display illuminated once again and the scene changed. The Ghost Hunters were now looking at some ancient stone ruins outside a forest covered by a peculiar grey and white sky.

"Is this a hub broadcast?" Minka asked trading glances with her befuddled partner.

"It certainly looks like it." Arthur said as the pair moved closer to observe before the unbelievable happened. They heard themselves!

"Well it took us a while to arrive but here it is!" Minka said triumphantly walking into view.

"I thought it would be bigger." A black akita said following her into frame.

"Doesn't matter, but if what the locals say is true about the hieroglyphics...." Arthur said to the monkey and akita as he himself walked into frame of the image the sphere was projecting.

"Yes, yes boy it would be a huge paranormal discovery. A link to the past. Look, I will believe it when I see it!" Midnight Black said sarcastically.

"My akita is a skeptic!!" The cheeky monkey said glomming on to his arm.

With that the holographic display on the sphere faded and some type of shield closed over it.

"Arthur, what did we just witness?!"

"It was us." The hedgehog boy said with his jaw open.

"And who was that with us?! He was dressed like a mercenary or assassin." Minka said wide-eyed.

"Someone you were quite familiar with. You were attached to him like a piece of jewelry Minka."

"A future boyfriend perhaps?!" The girl monkey smiled. "I sure hope so!! Did you check out his physique? That flat stomach, those broad arms and that tight butt!! Momma like!!!"

"If that was indeed the future. But that place didn't look like any I am familiar with. Arthur said blowing up his partner's fantasy.

"And did you see the sky? Weird. I have never seen a sky that color." Minka added.

"Come on we better tell Lyra of our findings." The boy said removing the sphere from the shelf.

Immediately the electronics in the store stopped floating and returned to their locations.

"You are taking it?! I guess we should." The monkey girl said looking around.

"Yeah Minka, we just solved a mystery only to stumble onto another. I for one would like to know what it is we saw. Don't you?"

To Be Continued....

[MEANWHILE]

February 13th YOE 35

4:20 PM World Seven (Chaundoon)

Friday afternoon at the Colony Council's Chambers within the Central Tower....

"Sign here, here and there too." The ugly female pitbull said holding up a form to the hedgehog boy, monkey girl and their akita companion.

"What is with these forms?" Minka asked the colony council member.

"Well when the cataclysm hit most of technology was lost so we were forced to go back to the old ways." Masha responded as the monkey, hedgehog and akita stared at her. "That is not what you meant is it?"

The former warrior noticed that the trio were dressed as if they were going on a long expedition. Arthur was wearing a yellow shirt and brown shorts with multiple pockets. Minka was wearing a green shirt with brown pants and a explorer's hat and Midnight Black was wearing a shirt (if you could call it that) made of metal links, black pants and a long dark blazer whose length extended to his legs. Then there was their supplies.

"I believe these forms are travel documents outlining our route and destination outside our kingdom- essentially our journey in case we don't come back." The akita assassin said staring down the canid female.

"Well, we would like to narrow down where we would have to look in case you do go missing." Masha said smiling at the trio. "So what are you seeking actually?"

"The mere-folk claim that there are some hieroglyphics at an ancient ruin about a four hour hike away from here that have been exhibiting weird behavior."

"What type of weird behavior?" The pitbull asked cocking her head at the hedgehog boy.

"They literally come to life." Minka added.

"Oh my! Now I would like to see that! Travel request approved. Now if you aren't back within three days, I will come looking for you." Masha warned.

"Remember to bring your axe." Midnight Black said ushering the boy and girl away.

"Well we have a long hike ahead of us..." The leader of the newly reformed Ghost Hunters stated.

"The million mile journey aways begins with the first step." The monkey girl said locking arms with her dark akita.

"That is a very wise saying. Who said it?" Arthur asked.

"My grammy!" Minka grinned as Midnight Black shook his head.

After double checking their supplies, the trio departed World Seven making their way through forests, valleys, swamps and whatever else lay in their path enroute to their destination.

"Mr. Black?" Arthur asked their roommate and traveling companion.

"What is it boy?" The akita said his nose raised as he inhaled the scents that were around them looking for trouble.

"Do you miss Counter Earth?"

"At times. I would prefer to have a nice blue sky with puffy white clouds compared to all of this." He said gesturing. "And a day that is only 24 hours in length."

"But you have to admit Mr. Akita a variable colored sky does make things interesting! I like when it is gold colored. It is so beautiful!" The cheeky monkey responded.

"So you are saying that this planet has a beauty uniquely its own?" The dark canine said to the monkey girl and hedgehog boy.

"Well it does have two suns and two moons and no winters." Arthur countered.

"And some amazing flora and fauna." Minka commented.

That idea would further be reenforced as the group moved on. They passed by a eerie bog that had large life size bubbles hovering over it. The hedgehog wanted to touch one but was pulled away by their over protective assassin companion.

If that was not weird enough the group passed by rock-like platforms which were literally floating in the sky. Then striated sandstone formations that looked like they had been painted with a very large brush.

"Wow, if I didn't know better, I would say that we are in some type of video game!" Minka said holding her akita's paw.

"Perhaps we are?" He said teasing.

"Naw, this is all real!" Came her reply.

"A joke Mr. Black?" Arthur asked teasing him. "My you are full of surprises today."

"I think he is trying to expand his skills set! You know less kill-ie kill-ie and more comical, perhaps living with us is having a positive effect on him?" The she monkey said looking over her canid hunk.

8:20 PM Somewhere in Chaundoon's wilderness

"It appears that we have arrived." Midnight Black said as the three walked toward a red, grey and white rock formation outside the forest that seemed to spring from some sand dunes the trio had been climbing. "Hmm... I thought it would have been bigger."

"Naw it is about the right size." Arthur said as his quills bristled.

"What is it boy?" The akita asked.

"Do you ever get the feeling like you are being watched?" Arthur said looking around. He didn't see anything to justify his uneasiness though.

"We are in a strange place on a strange world...we should all be on guard." The assassin admitted.

"I could guard you all day my akita. You have been working out again haven't you?" Minka asked.

"Yes and you have been watching me again haven't you?" He said as he reached for a knife from its holder on his thigh and started looking around.

The grinning she monkey nodded her head repeatedly. "Flex for me later?"

"We will see." The canid redirected her attention back to the rock formation and Arthur who was moving from the larger to three smaller ones which were separate from the main structure.

"Mr. Black, Minka! What do you make of this?"

The assassin looked at the markings the boy was staring at. "They look like pictograms, it is definitely some type of ancient writing."

"Any idea what is says?" The monkey girl asked.

Arthur reached into a pocket and pulled out a book of pictograms. He started trying to match the images within to the ones on the formation.

"Where did you get that?" The she monkey asked.

"It was a gift from the professor and Corbin. Ah here we are a large circle with a dot in the center, two lines either side."

"A barbell thingie above and below." Minka added.

"Well boy?" The dark canid asked waiting impatiently for the translation.

"Here lies our monument, more than a structure, more than a symbol; it is a reminder to past and future generations of one of the greatest civilizations this planet has ever known so that its accomplishments, achievements and success will not vanish into the sands of time... Wow that is deep." The hedgehog boy said finishing.

As he did a large white ring shot up from the center of the structure. It hovered over the formation before Arthur, Minka and Midnight Black disappeared inside it.

"You two alright?" The assassin asked kneeling as he checked on his roommates.

"I think so." Minka said standing. "I feel so woozy."

"We are inside the rock formation." Arthur said looking around. There was a vaulted ceiling and a raised marble platform with a ornate white elegant chair. On the wall immediately around it and them, more hieroglyphics. "It appears to be some type of assembly hall."

"Look more pictograms wow, they are quite large!" The she monkey said trying to make sense of what she was seeing.

Arthur, Minka and Midnight Black walked over for a closer look.

There were two canid-like beings a grey male seated on a throne and a white female on his lap. They were attended by numerous servants that appeared to be part eagle, part horse and a amalgamation of other creatures and animals.

"Boy?" The akita asked.

"I can't be entirely sure- but the seated canines. I think they are the deities that presided over this civilization."

"And the ones around them?" Minka asked.

"Their subjects." Arthur managed to say as a foggy mist surrounded the glyphs and them. "They are gone!"

"Um, there is a reason for that...." Minka gasped as a topless what looked like a partially striped equine in green decorative thong appeared behind her.

"My word." The akita managed to say. The characters within the glyphs had disappeared and reappeared in the room!

The grey canid with the long ears was seated on the white throne. He was wearing eye shadow under his eyes, jeweled earrings with tassels along with decorative shoulder necklaces, golden belts around his tunic. He was obviously a creature of great importance.

Above the hedgehog boy was the white canid similar to the grey- gold earrings, lavish two piece (bathing suit?) with a blue shawl. Next to her servants, musicians and artisans minimally dressed.

"Serious mysterious! It is TRUE!!!" The hedgehog boy said noting that all everyone present were topless except for the white candid.

"WHY ARE YOU HERE?!" The trio heard a voice echo through their minds.

"I heard that clear as day but their mouths did not move!" The akita said stunned.

"WHY ARE YOU HERE?!" The question was poised again.

Arthur, Minka and Midnight Black turned their attention toward the seated grey canid.

"It would appear that we have gotten off on the wrong paw... I am Arthur, this is Minka and our colleague Mr. Black. You see, we research and investigate paranormal happenings."

"HAPPENINGS?" The female canid near Arthur asked.

"Yes we had heard rumors of some strange events and occurrences at these ruins your canine-ship. So we came to investigate!" Minka said smiling.

"We are explorers and seekers of knowledge." Midnight Black said addressing the canid-like beings.

"TO WHAT END?" The grey canid being asked.

"Knowledge is power." The akita assassin said bluntly." "We came to see if it was true and apparently it is." Midnight Black said sheathing his blade.

"That one has a dark soul." The white canid said without moving her lips.

"Yes, but he is learning to change his ways!!" Minka said looking at the beautiful canine. "He took in Arthur and myself when we had no where else to go and looked after us."

Minka and Midnight Black were forced to prostrate themselves in front of the grey canid being while his servants stood off to the sides speechless.

Upon his command the white candid approached and placed her paw on the hedgehog and monkey's ears.

"These two... their souls are young, pure and full of curiosity." The white furred canid said to the grey canid.

"VERY WELL."

The seated grey canid snapped his paw finger. The being's servants apprehended the three. Their clothing was removed. Arthur and Midnight Black were given grey tunics to wear while Minka was given beaded pink panties.

"Um what is going on here?" The hedgehog boy said looking at his companions, then the seated grey canine who looked at his musicians who immediately started playing.

"We have decided to allowed you to join our celebration. Come! Drink, frolic with us... dance with us... play with us..." The white candid said to the trio without moving her lips.

"Well? Why not? They appear to be friendly!" Minka grinned and grabbed her reluctant akita by the paw and started dancing near some musicians who were playing lutes and strumming stringed instruments resembling harps, and violins.

Not wanting to offend their host, the hedgehog did the same dancing with some nearly nude gryphon like females.

"Um, so are you from here?" The hedgehog boy said trying not to watch the two females' breasts bounce in time to their movements despite the fact that they were nicely shaped and well proportioned.

The trio frolicked, pranced, danced and played with the grey and white canids and their subordinates all night long until they were beyond exhausted. Morning eventually came. It was a golden one at that.

"I'm sore in places I didn't know I had!" The akita said stretching.

"That is because we danced all night long and had a tad too much to drink! I have never had so much fun with beings from a long gone civilization in all my life. Admit it you had fun too!" Minka said hugging her akita.

"Yes, yes I did." Midnight Black blushed underneath his dark fur. "That nectar I drank, I have never had anything like that before."

"And the truth will set you free!!" The cheeky monkey said.

"Well, it would appear our hosts have returned from where they came while we were sleeping." The dark akita said looking at the platform and the pictogram mural behind it. "Were they ghosts?"

"Quite a night huh Arthur? Arthur?" Minka called out. She looked at Midnight Black who then ran around the chamber before focusing in on the mural. Right there on the wall standing behind the grey and white canines was a hedgehog boy dressed in a brown tunic presenting a vase to the two deities.

To Be Continued....