FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Virtually Real Chapter 53: I Choose You, Reaper!

Characters:

Prowl-Ar/Tiger: Captain, human dual shifter, tiger/wolf hybrid and tiger/bull hybrid. Has black fur and white stripes.

Jordan/Wolf: Doctor, human shifter, wolf all black fur

Kyle/Drake: Second in command, Red XIII quadrimorph spends most of his time as a red Eastern anthro Dragon with Red XII markings

Kelly/Shock/Fox: Streaming reporter/diplomat, former transgender human shifter tiger/fox hybrid standard red fox with yellow stripes

Rider of Death/Rider/Saber: Anthro Sabretooth Cat, part of the MAS (Mobile Armor Suit) game

Mahan: The Shadow Runner's A.I. computer

Snowie/Robert: A Folf furry and Frost's friend from the Station and maybe something more.

Rekcah/Daniel: Snowie's husband and Frost's friend. Currently human but considering the possibility of becoming a furry.

House: V.R. creation the guardian of a Nexus Realm.

I stormed out of my office into the living room. I'd just had a fight with Jordan. He just didn't understand that I only wanted to be sure he was completely recovered before he got pregnant again. "Kyle, go try to convince Jordan that he doesn't have to be constantly pregnant. I've got to cool off before I say something stupid."

"I'll go talk to him, but don't be surprised if I don't have any luck." Kyle said, as he headed for the office.

"It shouldn't be that difficult to understand. I don't want to lose him." I muttered, "Mahan let me listen in."

"No. They have initiated privacy mode. And for the record I think you're being stupid. Jordan is a doctor so he knows what he can handle and what he can't."

"I want him to be able to have as many babies as he wants. However, I don't want him to suffer like Nature has."

"Nature's delivery was difficult, but he could have had more children. However they decided that three was enough for them. Jordan feels differently. If you really want to listen in you can try to use that mind communication thing you and Jordan seem to have."

"He's been completely blocking me, so I don't have any powers."

"Then you're out of luck." Mahan said, as something, or someone, inside me said "Then accept your own powers."

"Mahan I'll be in the bedroom full privacy."

I made my way up the stairs. Tye, Nature, and Shock were playing with the kids and Dash was powered down. It was easier now that they were sleeping through the night. I entered the bedroom and found Trace and Rider fast asleep and spooning on the bed. I made my way into the vault.

I'd been staring at the ornate box for hours or maybe seconds time didn't seem to make sense at the moment. "Am I really this stupid?" I asked. Of course there was no answer. "Computer, lower security on the box."

"Code word authorization needed."

"Reaper."

"Took you long enough." The voice said, as if speaking through a yawn. "You know if you do this there is no going back?"

"I know, either I'll learn that I'm completely insane and you've been a figment of my broken mind or you're real and I am death incarnate." I placed my hand on the box and there was a loud click and a compartment opened revealing a black gem about the size of my palm.

"A little overdramatic. You're just a vacation home. A place I have placed a portion of myself as a relaxing retreat from my obligations. Though it is quite convenient you've made yourself immortal. I'm just surprised you've let me live in you rent free, as it were, for so long."

I picked up the gem and a leather like cord formed. I quickly slipped it over my head. I immediately reached out with my mind to see if Kyle had any luck, but I hit a wall.

"Oh, did I forget to tell you? Jordan is the incarnate of a celestial being like me. The only way you can connect with his mind is if he wants you to."

"Fine, sneaky fox, he isn't alone." I carefully slipped into Kyle's mind.

"I keep telling you, I'm on your side. No one knows better than you do about when you'll be ready to have more cubs, but you've got to see his side as well. He's scared."

"What does he have to be scared of? I'm the one doing the hard part."

"Damn it, Wolfy. We're all scared we'll lose you if you're not careful. Have you noticed that Prowl-Ar has been slipping out for an hour or two at night?"

"Of course, he goes to check on the children."

"Sometimes that's true. However most of the time he comes down here, curls up on the couch and cries."

"How does he know that?" I wondered.

"I know because Shock and I made sure to set up the vent system so Shock could slip through in an emergency. Tiger does have a tendency to talk to himself and shock overheard him. That's how I know. Losing you is what he fears most. So he's going to go to extra lengths to make sure you're safe, and two years isn't so long to wait."

"Kyle, I swear I didn't plan it, but I'm pregnant now!" Jordan yelled.

I lost concentration and slipped from Kyle's mind. How was that possible? I'd been very careful making sure, genetically, that he couldn't get pregnant for two years. "Privacy mode off. Mahan, run medical scan. Is Jordan pregnant?"

"I'm not at liberty to reply."

"So that would be yes." I was so stupid. For the last month we'd been arguing . . . well, I guess Jordan had been trying to tell me and I was only hearing him saying he wanted more cubs. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, envisioned an empty part of the office and chanted. "From here to there from there to here." I stumbled back against the wall.

"Tiger!" I'm not sure which one yelled it could have been both.

"You really are stupid. You should have started with something simple like moving small objects, not teleporting. This isn't your story were you can bend the rules to suit yourself. You feel that? That's the weakness that comes from shortening your lifespan. That little stunt likely cost you a hundred years"

"G-good thing I'm immortal then."

"Never the less stick to practicing telepathy and telekinesis until your body has adapted. Let me further clarify, moving very small light things and seeing through other's eyes without actually interacting with them."

"You're Reaper aren't you?" Jordan asked.

I opened my eyes and the room was a bit blurry, but Kyle and Jordan were staring at the jet black fox sitting on my desk.

"Oh hell. You can see and hear me now can't you?" He asked.

"Prowl-Ar wasn't making you up, you've really been here the whole time?" Kyle asked.

"No, not the whole time. Not when Wolf was controlling him." Reaper growled. "You just had to form spiritual and mental bonds with them didn't you? I told you it was going to bite you in the ass one day."

"You should worry about your own, urk." Kyle lifted several inches off the floor.

"You do not threaten me!" Reaper yelled.

I had made it back to my feet as I watched Jordan grab Reaper by the back of the neck. "Release him now." He ordered.

Kyle fell to the floor where Jordan helped him up. I looked again there were two of him. No the one holding Reaper was different. I tried to move but time seemed to freeze.

"I will tolerate you because you are a part of my mate, but don't ever forget our powers are on different levels. Now be a good boy and go back to sleep until Prowl-Ar needs you."

"I am death. I transcend the multiverse. However, I do need to go and sleep because Captain Stupid over there used up all his energy." And suddenly both of them vanished.

Something was wrong. Kyle was on the floor when an instant before Reaper had him telekinetically by the throat hovering in the air. I'd lost time again. "Mahan-"

"Leave it alone. There are things human minds are not meant to know." Reaper whispered.

"Chrono scan." I finished.

"This doesn't make sense. I am eight minutes slow. And eight minutes have been removed from the chronological failsafe. How is that possible?"

"Doesn't matter reset ship's time to match the temporal clock."

"So that was Reaper. I thought he was just a part of you, like your tiger." Jordan said, as he checked on Kyle.

"Jordan, my Chiot, I'm sorry."

"You should be! Kyle could have been seriously injured!"

"I wasn't in any real danger. He was also holding me around the waist so I was fully supported the whole time. I think he was trying to provoke you, or punish our tiger." Kyle said looking first at Jordan and then at me.

"Jordan, mon chiot? I don't want to fight, but-".

"No buts, you're just refusing to listen to me. You know I want a big family. You said you were okay with that. Now you tell me I can't-"

"I know you're pregnant again. I'm thrilled, really I am. But I'm also scared. We both know we nearly lost Nature and I can't live without any of you. I made sure that it would be impossible for you to get pregnant for two years. It's why I wasn't worried about what we did after my transformation. Then right after that you blocked me from everything for the last month. Refusing to share anything, I was afraid I'd done something wrong and you kept going on about having more kids. I couldn't take the silence anymore I asked Kyle to try and calm you down and then I . . . I guess you could say I opened Pandora's Box."

"Tiger, you said you'd never open that box." Kyle gasped.

"I've been afraid of what I'd find, but I was desperate to discover what was going on in here and Mahan wasn't being helpful."

"What exactly does that stone do?" Jordan asked.

"The most basic level is that it lets me communicate telepathically with anyone else with a gem at no cost. It also gives me telepathy and telekinesis. I'll add teleportation but that's actually part of the telekinesis. However using the powers have a cost. Every time I use it my lifespan is shortened."

"I forbid you to ever use it." Jordan said, looking at me for the first time.

"Please let me finish. Currently I can use the telepathy to hear a person's thoughts and see through their eyes. I'm not sure I can communicate yet. Eventually with practice I have the potential to control every mind in the system. Telekinetically I can move small things; upper levels I'll be able to close wounds, mend broken bones, keep a person alive while repairing a mortal wound. Reaper is the god of change or death and I can easily use his power to kill but I prefer to use it to heal. As for teleportation that takes a lot more energy. How much depends on the distance and mass I'm teleporting."

"I don't care what you can do. If it shortens your life you can't use it."

"Wolf, don't get so upset. With practice Prowl-Ar will be able to do all of that with only a few years lost. However, he is also immortal. Everything he told you is the truth, but in his case his life isn't actually shortened however using his powers too quickly or recklessly will leave him like he is now, weak and barely able to move. Before you ask I don't yet know what his energy levels might be but-"

"Reaper, shut up. Why are you suddenly so free with the information?"

"Because your mates, Kyle and Jordan, are the ones you are meant to be with. Don't for a moment think I'm saying that your other mates are any less important to you, but do you think any of them would be here if you didn't have Kyle? As for Wolf, he's had to be reincarnated several times to be here with you. That takes spiritual commitment to a whole other level." Reaper jumped from the table to my shoulder and vanished.

"This is just between us, did you ever think to ask him why he wants to have so many children with you?" He whispered.

"No."

"Try asking him. Not now of course, wait until he knows how you really feel. Now, I really need a nap, and so do you." He whispered in my mind.

"Tiger, are you alright?" Kyle asked.

"I'm fine. My legs don't want to hold me up but-"

"Captain, sleep." Jordan ordered before falling to the floor unconscious.

"Damn, I knew there was something I was forgetting. The gem turns any psychic attack back on the attacker doubled. Kyle, make sure no one touches the stone. It can't be removed, anyone that tries may be killed, and I don't have the strength left right now to make it safe. Get Jordan up to our bed."

"What about you."

"I'll rest on the couch. The way I've acted I don't deserve to share a bed with our Wolf. I'd sleep in the brig, but I'm going to be lucky to get to the couch. Please, make sure Wolf is comfortable, he's pregnant after all."

Kyle picked Jordan up. "I'll be back to get you." He said, as he left the office.

"Mahan, lock down the office. You, out of everybody will understand that I need to be punished. I deserve to be here . . . alone . . . on the floooooor."

***

"Tigger, I need to get up."

I woke instantly. I had my arms tight around Wolf and Kyle had his around me. Obviously orders meant nothing to them. "Did you just call me 'Tigger'?". I asked hoping I'd heard wrong.

"You don't like it?"

"It's fine, but let's not use it in front of anyone but our mates, all right?"

"I guess, but the same goes for calling me Wolfy from now on. Now can you let me go? I really need to get up."

I let him go and he immediately headed for the bathroom. Once the door shut I heard a deep rumbling laugh.

"So Tigger, Mahan reminded me what that gem will do if we touch it. Fortunately your uniform protected us, with a bit of creative input."

I glanced down. I was in my tiger form wearing a tight white crop top, crimson panties, and blue and white striped arm and leg warmers. Everything looked stretched to their limits. I was caught between wanting to scream and getting my cloths changed. "Mahan! I swear I'm erasing you this time!"

"Oh come on Tiger, you have to admit it's kind of cute."

"No it isn't, uniform on." All that happened was everything changed color to pink and a white harness formed.

"Ah, who's my good little Tigger? You are, yes you are." Wolf said, as he exited the bathroom. "Though I think you'd look better in leather and a red harness.

"You can dress him up next time. I like him looking all little and girly." Kyle said, with a laugh

"This is getting even for being such an ass, isn't it? So, what do I have to do to get my regular clothes back?"

"First you have to admit you're cute." Kyle said.

"Then you have to say you're going to be a good kitten." Wolf added.

"Finally you have to spend the day dressed like that or until every member of the crew sees you." Mahan finished.

"Okay Kyle, I can admit that I'm cute, because you and Wolf believe I am. Jordan, I'll always be your good little kitten, your big strong daddy bull, and hopefully the tiger you deserve."

"Mahan, fuck you." I concentrated and waved my arm across my body dispersing all my uniform's nanites and reducing them to dust. It was a substantial use of telekinesis, but not enough to exhaust me.

"Interesting. You do realize when you replenish the nanite reserves you'll just have to do that again." Mahan stated angrily.

"No, Mahan return things to normal. We're not going to have him exhausting himself on something so trivial." Kyle ordered.

"Mahan, one thing; keep the harness in the memory. It was actually kind of comfortable and I could tell both Kyle and Jordan thought it was sexy." I grinned as they both blushed. "Now about protecting you. There is a way, but I'm not sure how dangerous it'll be for us." I put my hand on the gem. "Shard." I felt incredibly weak.

"Tiger! What the hell are you doing?" Kyle yelled, in panic.

I held the gem shard out to him. "Take it. Only way to help me."

He quickly reached out. As soon as his fingers touched the shard I felt normal again.

"What was that?" He asked.

"Basically I split off a piece of my soul. Well not exactly. Think of it more of my vital energy. When you touched the shard you became attuned to me and my energy returned to its normal level because we're already soul bound. Shard." I said again, and held the shard out to Jordan.

Jordan looked exceedingly unhappy but he took the shard. We were both flooded with energy. More than I'd ever expected.

"Damn Wolfy, you're more powerful than I ever expected." I gasped.

"I feel- I feel like I just injected pure adrenalin." He responded.

"Yeah, that's the normal reaction, at least close to normal. Basically we're also sharing soul energy now. You'll both be able to safely touch my gem without risk though it's probably best you still don't try to remove it. It also links us telepathically allowing communication with anyone with a shard. It protects you from my abilities so I'll never be able to control you. Finally, with practice, you'll be able to use low level telekinesis. Jordan, I'm just guessing here but I'm betting your current skill has jumped up a level or two."

"What about our infants?" Wolf quickly asked.

"They will be protected until they are old enough for their own shards." Reaper said, as he appeared draped around my neck. "They are a part of Prowl-Ar so they are a part of me. I have granted them full immunity to the negative aspects of my powers and those of the gem." He yawned, and vanished again.

"As freaky as that is, I have to admit it's better than before." Kyle said.

"Wait, you've spoken to him before?"

"More like he's taken control of you and spoken to us." Wolf responded.

"And you didn't tell me?"

Kyle and Jordan looked at each other. "We, uh, thought it was you imparting important information while in trance. Besides it's not like you don't talk to yourself, or at least your journal rather often." Jordan grinned at me.

I couldn't argue with that. "So that leaves Shock, Rider, Trace, Tye, Nature, and Dash to give shards to."

"Dash? It'll work on synthetic lifeforms?" Kyle asked.

"It should. As you said, he is a lifeform."

"No." Wolf said sternly.

"Huh?" I grunted.

"No more than two per day. We already know you're not going to get a boost from Shock, you can't be sure about Dash and I'm sure your counterpart in the story gave Trace, Tye, and Nature shards in the past."

"No, everything happened so quickly in the story after getting the gems and then later they were protected by other shards-"

"Wait!" Kyle yelled, "There are more of those things?"

"Uh yeah, Life, Courage, Strength, Emotion, Luck, Time, Compassion, Stealth, Size, and at least three more. Possibly more, but I only knew for certain there were thirteen."

Both Kyle and Jordan sat down. "How- do you-".

"The gem, or more appropriately the gem's guardian chooses who to bond with. So far the only ones I've noticed that might have a connection to a telegem, that's what they are called, are you Jordan and Snowie. And their powers? Most are self-explanatory, but I need you to be very careful of Genesis, the green telegem of life. It often bonds with healers but it is a double edged sword. It often pulls life force from others in order to heal the one it bonds with or the one they are trying to heal. Oh and the clear gem of time is another one to watch out for. It allows its owner to travel through time but only forward never back."

"So it's basically useless." Kyle laughed.

"Yes and no. Its shards can allow glimpses of possible futures. And in the right hands the life gem can be a powerful force of healing."

"What's the downside of the black gem?" Wolf asked.

"I-" I sighed. "I know when someone is going to die, when they can't be saved. Sometimes as much as an hour beforehand leaving me time to get away from them. If I can't I feel their pain and suffering and a small part of me goes with them when they do die."

"That's why." Jordan said, as if he suddenly understood a fundamental secret of the universe.

"Why what?" Kyle asked.

"Why our tiger always retreats out here to deep space, never spending much time around others. We're safe because we've taken the immortality treatment. I bet it's worse if you've formed any sort of bond with them as well."

All I could do is nod.

"Don't worry Tiger, we're not going anywhere. Not ever." Kyle insisted, as Jordan nodded in agreement.

"I- I know." I couldn't tell them that I knew Nature was supposed to die and then the next instant it was like reality had changed. If that was true, either another one of the gems were loose or a god had taken an interest in us. Both possibilities scared me.

***

I sat in a booth at the back of a seedy diner on the outer ring of Big Hub Station. I was wearing a rather dirty and torn leather outfit that, as far as I was concerned, was far too tight. I was also wearing a metal mask that made me look like a roaring cat. Wolf was somewhere watching me. He was supposed to be making sure I was covered but I knew from the way he selected my clothing he was watching me.

A musk deer slid into the seat across from me. "Listen, I'm a reputable Captain and I don't normally deal with your type, however your message indicated you had information related to a ship I'm trying to find."

I placed a pad on the table. "Captain, speak with Lady Destruction to get permission to travel through the rift. You'll be too far into the future for the one you're trying to find. On that pad are the coordinates for another rift that will take you to the correct time. The coordinates for the Crimson Shadow wreckage are there along with the instructions you need to extract the, ah component you are looking for. Now this is very important, There are added instructions on that pad follow them exactly otherwise you'll never get your mate back."

"How do you know all this, and what do you want?"

"I want you and your mate to join the Shadow Runners. I'm an interdimensional traveler and there is already a version of me there so this is the only help I can give you."

"You know, the rumor is you're dead."

"Really?" I asked sarcastically.

"Blame Shades, she's the one that sold you out for current maps of wild space. So why are you giving me this information Mr. Tiger?"

"While we've been indisposed the Federation has pushed the Bugs out of Human occupied space. Now it's only a matter of time before they turn on the Leonar Draconian Alliance. I'm just trying to give my non-human allies a way out before it's too late."

"Is that why the Bad Luck has disappeared?"

"No, they're working to ferry as many as possible through the rift already."

"What about Shades?"

"She's human and can survive whatever the alliance can throw at her. She took off right after dumping my team here."

"Speaking of your team I have two members that have left the military and are now working as mercenaries. Basically they've been providing extra security for the Indigo Flame. At least until we could find you. They never believed you were dead." Mærik waved and two men approached the table.

"Commander." Slider said, as he slid in beside me.

"With my job completed I'll just be going. Good journeys Mr. Tiger." He said, as Lee took his place.

"You didn't think you could just leave us behind did you" Oh and it's Snowie and Rekcah now, by the way."

"What are you two up to?" Wolf asked, as he pushed Snowie over to join us.

"Frost said you were ending your broadcasts. That meant if we wanted to continue playing alongside you we needed to get permission to join whatever game you choose next."

"I'm planning on returning to an older game. One where I," I glanced at Wolf, "Where we travel through portals rescuing individuals in order to make them slaves."

They nodded, "Sex slaves, right? You don't seem the type for any other form. Sounds like fun. Well, if we get to be slave masters."

"You don't get it. Most of the slaves are underage." Wolf growled.

"So? It's a game so no harm done." Rekcah replied.

"This doesn't have anything to do with Frost does it?" Snowie practically growled.

"Frost is the reason I quit the game to begin with. Well that, and I no longer needed a sexual outlet." I pointed out.

"How young?" Rekcah asked.

"The youngest was eight years old."

All three of my companions cringed at that. I really couldn't blame them. "He was also the most sexually active since he had been trained, seemingly since birth, to service his father and older brothers. However if I restart the game eight years will have passed."

"So they'll all be adults from now on? Or will there be new cubs?" Snowie asked.

"No more under sixteen. Rider, Shock, and Wolf are interested in, ah bigger stronger types. And after all the smaller slaves I thought I'd try their preferences."

"What about Kyle?" Snowie asked.

"Except for a few exceptions he prefers smaller males." Wolf answered.

"So when do we start and what do we need to know?"

"I still need to tie up a couple of loose ends here at Big Hub then we'll travel to the Alliance capital. From there we'll portal out of this game and back to House."

"House?" Snowie asked as he glanced at Rekcah. "Um, Frost has mentioned a couple of times playing a game where he pretends to be a slave."

"That little . . . now I'm going to have to figure out how he was able to access the game. Even Mahan is locked out unless I'm in the game."

"Hold on, I just thought of something." Rekcah said. He would have attracted attention, but I'd taken us out of the game when Mærik left. "We, and I include Frost can safely have sex with you in VR without becoming addicted."

"Well yeah, because you're not actually ingesting actual genetic material just a highly detailed replica of it." I replied.

"Yeah, that will work for a while but you know Frost wants the real thing. I think he wants us all addicted to each other."

"Um," I sighed, "I had a vision of the future. One in which I was carrying Snowie's child. However I don't know if you impregnated me in the traditional way or if I was just acting as a surrogate for you two."

They looked at each other again. "Hun, don't take this the wrong way, but if we're going to be having kids, we'd prefer to be doing so with Frost."

"Have you-", Wolf started to ask.

"No! Frost brought up that it might be possible but we made it clear that we're not even thinking about kits right now." Rekcah insisted.

"However after he mentioned it we talked and, maybe at some point in the future, just not right-" Snowie was cut off by an alarm. "Speaking of which he's about to get out of class. We need to go."

I nodded, "Keep him safe." I said, as they logged out.

"And satisfied." Wolf added, with a laugh. "So, what species do you think he has for a master, dragon or tiger?"

"Or wolf maybe? I have no idea, though I'm betting on Folf or Bonny. Still, I hadn't even planned on allowing him to ever access the house game."

"So eight years have passed. I guess that's going to make Frost your youngest slave. I can't wait to see how you handle this."

I just groaned and covered my face with my hands. "No way, He isn't going to be my slave, I- just no. I'll make sure he belongs to someone else even if that isn't what he wants."

Wolf laughed.

***

"Okay we've figured it out." Trace said, as he sat beside me. He cooed to Sakura, whom he was cradling and I continued to feed Lee his formula.

"Figured what out?" I asked.

"How to stay with you and remain where our characters belong. After you finish up at Big Hub you're going to travel to the Alliance headquarters and tell them to evacuate their Empire and move to the Kah Har galaxy. Then you're closing down your public version of the game. However Wolf also let it slip you're thinking of returning to an older game. You didn't think you could just leave us out did you?"

"It's not that I planned on excluding you, I'm just not sure how I'm going to fit you in."

"What's the game about?"

I blushed.

"Oh so it's all about sex then?" He said with a laugh.

"It's the game I was playing before I met Kyle. I'd wanted to relieve some stress so I entered the game to purchase a pleasure slave. An exotic like a dragon. However I ended up with an eight year old bunny and a ten year old fox."

"So no sex then."

"Um."

"Dad, that's not good, you realize that right?"

"I'd never consider . . . at least I didn't think I'd consider doing that in reality. It was a game so what was the harm? Besides the bunny was well trained and really insistent about keeping his partners satisfied. So I played the game and it wasn't just cubs I had an older fur as well. At least a seemingly older lion. Anyway, after mating with Shock we switched over to the MAS game. However, Kyle wanted to try a pure fantasy style game."

"Frost's game." He said with a nod.

"Yeah, and when Kyle suggested I take advantage of Frost I attacked him. The thought of anyone suggesting such things about my son triggered something. Something I hadn't felt since writing the arena scene where I told everyone I was your father, or when I had to kill Tye. At that point I locked the game and shut it down, or so I thought."

"What changed? I mean Snowie and Rekcah are still alive."

"My three oldest sons made it quite obvious they wanted to have a sexual relationship with me and Jordan wants to play the game with me. Still I was hesitant until Frost decided he wanted to have a relationship with Snowie and Rekcah. Wolf then pointed out before any of our kids get old enough I should either get it out of my system or at least have a healthy outlet in VR. Honestly though with all of you I rarely get a chance to even think about sext before I'm in the middle of an orgy with no escape."

"Yeah, we've noticed Papa Wolf is a genius, except when it comes to you and we're still trying to figure out how he went so wrong choosing you as his mate."

"Don't let him hear you say things like that."

"It's okay, I'll just blame you."

"You would, wouldn't you?"

"Of course. You don't think I want Papa mad at me do you? I'm not the stupid one in the family."

I sighed. "Anyway I'd planned on restarting the program eight years later when all the slaves are of age. However Snowie let it slip that somehow Frost got a copy and has been playing the game as a slave."

"That little shit. He could at least have shared with his older brothers." Trace growled.

"You were sort of involved with Luca at the time."

Trace smiled. "Yeah that was fun. We learned a lot of new things and I think I could have considered Luca to be my mate, except he refused to bottom, ever. While I was happy to play along for a while, when it became obvious he wasn't going to change his mind . . . I'd like to say that's when it was over but I stayed with him because it was fun and because Tye had Nature. I didn't realize how badly I needed a deeper relationship until I saw you were willing to let Wolf have complete control of you. I mean, I was just playing at being submissive compared to that."

"And now?" I asked.

"I don't know, Nature needs and deserves so much love and attention that I can't imagine being mated to anyone else."

"What about Tye?"

Trace grinned, "We're basically twins we share everything, and I do mean everything. Anyway, yeah it sounds like a fun game. Count us in."

"And the current game?" I asked.

"Hmm, well the plan needs to change a little. The three of us rejoin Dawna on Big Hub, smarter with a better understanding of the MAS game. Then, since you're likely to go private again we join you in that game. Though now we just have to decide what role we want to play."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, Frost might have the right idea the thought of being both your son and a sex slave to you and your mates does have a certain appeal."

"Did Luca train you to be that horny?" I quickly asked.

Trace laughed and immediately cut it off as Sakura let out a howl at being disturbed. "No, I'd like to think I taught him a thing or two."

I shook my head. I was sure Luca would disagree.

***

We stood in front of the Alliance Council. It was good to see such a diverse group of species. They were debating whether we were serious or not.

"Captain Nightiger, I don't want to simply dismiss your warnings. However what you're asking, the evacuation of millions of worlds, innumerable individuals, Just because you believe-"

"It's not just a belief. I'm proposing you evacuate to another galaxy, two in fact, millions of years into the future. I know the Federation is going to overrun this galaxy. In doing so they eliminate all other sapient races. I realize not everyone will believe us, but I'm telling you this to spare as many lives as possible."

"You're all humans, true you can change your form, but how can we trust that you're not trying to weaken us in order to make an invasion easier?"

"Prime Council Member, in the last few weeks The Federation has pushed the bugs back into what used to be considered bug space. I'm sure you've seen the reports on how they are now taking control of that territory. The Alliance will be next."

"Yes we've seen those reports but there is no-"

"There is another thing to consider. Recently the Federation tried to have us killed. They failed, of course, but in doing so the trials we faced changed us." Kyle said, as he shifted to his full dragon form. "You were right, our former selves were the reincarnated avatars of the Dragon God and his mate. However after nearly dying we have fully incarnated in these forms."

"So you're saying you are the Dragon and Tiger Gods that brought about the combination of the Empire and Alliance?"

"That is correct." I said, as I shifted as well.

"And those you took with you when you left last time?"

"Yarl, Ketz, and Talon from the dragons, and Pyre and Raze from the taurs."

"And how are they doing?"

"They are doing well. That is the other reason we have traveled here. The ether separating our realm from this one can be easily opened here and now that our full knowledge and powers have returned we cannot remain in the land of mortals for extended amounts of time. It threatens the fabric of reality."

"And who are these individuals you are taking this time?"

"The striped fox, black wolf, and sabretooth are our mates. The two tigers are Prowl-Ar's sons along with their gray wolf mate. That is, they are the sons of his human incarnation. The arctic fox and human are special individuals that risked their lives to find us and let us know what the Federation is planning. They have earned a place in my realm." Kyle said, nodding at each of our companions.

"Whether you believe us or not is up to you." I keyed in the access code for the House game and a portal opened. Snowie and Rekcah entered first followed by Trace, Nature, and Tye. Shock and Rider went through together.

"Tiger, I'll hold the portal open on the other side." Kyle said, just before he stepped through followed closely by Wolf.

"I doubt we'll meet again but you never know, the rift you'll be traveling through is in the far future so there is always a chance you'll meet another incarnation of one or all of us." I said, as I backed through the portal.

I turned around and immediately knew something had gone wrong. I was standing in the middle of a small island. It was maybe a kilometer from one side to the other and surrounded only by water. No other land as far as the horizon. There were a few palm trees and some grasses but that was it. Most disturbing was the fact I was all alone.

"Hello, I'm the guardian. Who might you be?" House asked as he appeared dressed only in a grass skirt.

My first thought was "Where did everyone else end up?" and my second was "What went wrong."

***

The game paused and we were together again.

"What the hell is going on?" Nature yelled. "We appeared in jail cells wearing these collars and being questioned by a lion as to how we got there. You know I don't like cages!"

Kyle laughed.

"What's so funny?" Trace asked.

"The collars, they're mine so the game has designated you three my slaves."

"At least you're in the game. Ours crashed leaving us in an empty VR chamber." Snowie pointed out.

"Shock, how about you?" I asked.

"You were there but, I had no control and was locked in the form of the King's Shadow."

"Rider?"

"I- I don't want to talk about it."

"It can't be that bad." I coaxed.

"I was locked in the form of a Lion and I'd just bitten you to the point I could tell you weren't going to survive."

"Rider! Look at me. I'm here and I did survive. You were locked in as the lion slave Evan. likely the same one that was interrogating Nature. It wasn't you, I did survive, and the scars were even erased. Wolf, how about you?"

"I was on a small island in the middle of an ocean. House was there but he looked like one of the cabanas from the Island. What about you?"

"Small Island and a few palm trees House appeared as a guardian only and no shelter. It seems the game dropped us in different times."

"So how do we get to the same time?" Tye asked.

"First we need to establish the time to get to. Kyle, where did you end up?"

"I was replying the part of when I arrived the first time. I honestly thought the game was giving us a quick review before starting again."

"So, at a guess, Nature's game is where we need to be."

"That's a lot of time to span." Kyle quickly pointed out.

"Not really. House develops based on the number of characters. I might have one or two portals available. All I have to do is pick up maybe four slaves and I'll be at Wolf's level. As long as one of the portals that becomes available is time shifted a day or two and I can portal back in with Wolf. And so on until we're caught up. In the meantime I guess this game is on pause. Rekcah, I'm betting your game crashed because of something Frost added to keep from getting caught. I'll check the programming on this side and, if you two still want to play, I suggest checking your side and talking to Frost."

"We will. Trust me, we're real interested to find out more about this game. The idea of you, you of all people, owning slaves is to, what's the word? Inconceivable to believe without seeing it for myself." Snowie laughed.

I shook my head. "If you say so, talk to you in a bit, I've got some serious world building to do.

***

I composed myself and re-entered the game. "I have many names, though you can call me Lord Lightstripe. I arrived through a portal and I can feel this is a nexus realm. Did you bring me here?"

"I suppose I did. I'm not sure how, but if you are here then I must have. Though it seems I can't re-open the portal you came through. I'm only powerful enough to open three portals right now."

"You probably gain power by the number of people that visit or live here."

"I want to be more powerful. No, I feel like I'm supposed to be much more than I currently am. If I open a portal will you return with more people?" House asked.

I reached for my waist and found that I had my money pouch. Since it was connected to the vault in Char's Nexus I could tap it from any time or realm. "Yes, I think that is possible."

"Listen, this is important. Until I get a lot more powerful I won't know when to open a portal for you." He tapped my hands. "I've gifted you with the ability to open a return portal. All you have to do is tap two stones together. Pulling them apart opens the portal. Anyone you bring with you will need to do the same thing once you've opened the portal so that I know they are coming."

"Got it. Open a portal and let the adventure begin." The portal opened and I stepped through expecting to see a very early version of the King's castle and village.

"DaaAad, I raised him from a pup and trained him to be a good boy. Why are you making me give him away?"

It was night out and I could see the father and son, both humans, standing on the corner under a street lamp. Strangely the pole was painted red and white while all the others were unpainted.

"You know full well if they evolve into a morph they must be turned over to the association."

A pick-up passed me with "Pokemorph Extraction and Transport Association." Written on the side. It stopped at the pole and a scruffy looking woman reached out. I instantly knew they weren't to be trusted. I shifted to tiger form, slipped into the back of the truck and under a tarp.

"You're doing the right thing. We transport the pokemorphs to an Island where they can be safe. Don't worry it will be well cared for." I heard her say.

"His name is Charcoal." The kid replied.

I heard the sound of a felt pen squeaking. "There, see, no one will forget. Now we really must get going. We have a Wigglytuff across town. I know it'd hard, but there are plenty of pure Pokémon out there for you to catch and train."

"We're on a schedule here." The driver growled.

"We're very sorry for keeping you." The father insisted.

"No daddy! Please!"

The truck jolted as it took off. Maybe a minute later I felt a thud as something hit the tarp, rolled down and into the bed.

"Be careful! You don't want that ball to activate."

"You worry too much, I clamped it."

"Is that it for the night?"

"Hmm, yeah four reported and four received."

"Why do you insist on the stupid stories? Protected Island, assuring them their morph will have a good life, and writing the creatures name on the pokeball? You know as well as I do it's never getting out of that ball. The next stop is the incinerator and no more morph."

"Because people can't handle the truth, especially trainers. Bad enough the human types that evolve naturally. Human society, would collapse if the morphs were given a chance to mate and multiply. Not to mention the extinction of pure Pokémon. No, disposing of these creatures is the best thing for everybody. Still I have to wonder, which of those last two was the pervert?"

I stopped listening as I searched for the pokeballs. Charcoal, Crimson, Sparkle and Stone. Each had a metal device that fit around the ball, but it was simple enough to remove. I carefully slipped them into my pouch and waited. The truck eventually stopped. I immediately jumped out, shifted to median form and, started searching for a couple of rocks.

"I told you to be careful that's either the Incineroar or the Luxray!"

"So what? They lose their abilities when they become morphs. Riolu get him!" I heard the woman shout.

"Tyrunt, don't let him escape!"

I found a couple of appropriately sized rocks. I spun back around, slammed them together and pulled open the portal diving through immediately. I rolled as I hit the sand and shifted to human form so House would recognize me.

"Lord Lightstripe, I told you, you need to have each individual use stones. You are very lucky your two friends weren't lost in the rift between realms."

Both the Riolu and the Tyrunt had followed me through. I reached into my pouch and pulled out one of the balls. I activated it and threw it at the two Pokémon. I was already throwing a second as a day form Lycanroc morph appeared. The second and third balls contained an Incineroar and a Luxray morph. The final ball was an Arcanine morph.

He pushed me to the ground. "So, you planned on murdering us?"

"No I-".

He slowly picked me up and I became acutely aware of his nudity as he made sure my face rubbed his ample balls, "See how big I am? Guess your fate."

He turned me around in his arms and then spun us. I could see The Lycanroc was stuffing the Tyrunt, causing him to give out little roars with each thrust. The Riolu was even less lucky being spit roasted by the two feline morphs. "Today we learn if a morph taking a human turns you into a morph. Like a morph taking a non-morph Pokémon. Don't worry I'm a good boy and I'll go slowly."

I gasped as I realized my uniform was still set to nude when at house. Arcanine clamped his paw over my mouth and shoved in, hard and deep, my scream of surprise muffled. Obviously he'd wanted to catch me off guard. "Oh, sorry, I forgot how delicate humans can be."

There was a bright flash and in the place of the Riolu was a Lucario but instead of fighting he was pushing back against the Incineroar while actively sucking the Luxray.

"Friendship, such a wonderful form of evolution. Just start stimulating the right spot and they evolve almost immediately. I wonder, will you hold out longer than that Tyrunt? He's looking rather happy to be taken. Don't worry you'll be joining us even if all of us have to fill you multiple times."

I had to admit I was enjoying what was being done to me. My mates, even when playing rough were always careful and loving. This was visceral and even a bit vengeful fucking. I was enjoying it so much I lost track of time. The Arcanine had knotted me but the Tyrunt hadn't evolved yet.

"Seems our new master isn't close to joining us. Perhaps a different form of stimulation is needed?" The Lucario said, as he pushed himself onto my cock. "Mmm not bad, bigger than the cats but still a nice fit."

"Great, you've evolved into a cock slut." The Arcanine muttered.

"Fine, keep trying to evolve him your way I'll go help with Chomper."

I really hate to admit I whimpered a little as he pulled off and walked away.

"So you're a top, probably preferred females as well? Don't worry we'll evolve those thoughts away." The Arcanine growled, dominantly.

There was another evolution flash and now the last Pokémon had evolved into a Tyrantrum Morph.

"Hey pup, why don't you let a real Wolf work on him?" The Lycanroc said, as he left the Tyrantrum to join the cats leaving the Lucario on his own.

"Back off, this is my bitch."

"You said it yourself, he'll change even if all of us need to fill him."

"I said he's mine!" The Arcanine pulled out. His knot had deflated somewhat but I'd likely be sore for several days.

"Listen dog, you're going to need to learn your place." The Lycanroc growled. "I'm a wolf and your natural superior."

"I'm a legendary!"

"In your own mind maybe. Otherwise you're way more common that-".

"Enough!" I yelled and shifted to my bull form.

"So, the human 'played' with a Tauros and a Zebstrika last. We may have underestimated him. The Luxray said as he and the Incineroar joined the two staring at me.

"Is it really possible for such a combination to exist?" the Arcanine asked.

I was mad and the feeling of guilt that I'd betrayed my mates, even though I had permission, was starting to get to me. "I'm not a morph, I'm a shifter, a human able to take on an animal form. Now, how about you explain about pokemorphs, since Today is the first time I've ever encountered any of you."

"You didn't know about pokemorphs? The Incineroar asked.

"Not until I released you from your pokeballs."

"But I heard the conversation with the other trainer. We weren't going to be released. Instead we were to be destroyed." Arcanine said.

"No, that was our trainers. This fool was trying to rescue you. Unfortunately Riolu and I ended up here and he sent you out to battle. I mean really, it was like he didn't know you didn't have any abilities after your evolution." The Tyrantrum said.

"We overpowered you easily enough and now you're a morph just like us." Luxray pointed out.

"You don't regret evolving into a morph do you, Chomper?" Lucario asked, as he rubbed the edges of Chomper's genital slit.

"No, I suppose not."

"So pokemorphs are created when you evolve while having sex?" I asked.

"No, a Pokemorph evolves when either a human or another Pokemorph shares sexual fluids with a Pokémon before they evolve."

"And you figured the same would be true for humans. An interesting notion but since humans don't evolve like you do it would never work, despite the fact some humans would wish it did."

"You changed into a Tauros Zebstrika hybrid though." Chomper pointed out.

"First of I'm not entirely human. I'm a shifter, uhm, sort of like a Ditto but with a set form, or in my case two. This form is my tiger bull form." I shifted back to human then to my tiger form, "And this is my tiger wolf form."

"I don't recognize those as Pokémon." The Lycanroc said.

"That's because they are from a different realm. Until I ended up in your world I didn't know I could travel there. But before we go any farther there is something I need to do. My name is Prowl-Ar and you are my slaves. Before you get angry let me finish. This island is a realm to itself. It can, eventually connect too many worlds. I know because I've traveled to many of them. However there was a problem with my trip before I traveled to your world. I've moved back in time to a point where there is very limited access. I've been separated from my mates and my household of slaves."

"So you do own slaves?" the Arcanine asked.

"Yes, between myself and my mates. Including all of you fifty-eight. While they are all listed as pleasure slaves they are also all rescues of one sort or another. I'm trying to move away from the whole sexual aspect, after all four mates and four non-mate sexual partners is already plenty variety can keep things fun as long as it is consensual." I glared at the Arcanine and he looked away. "Eventually House will provide everything we need so 'work' will be whatever you decide to do in order to fill your free time."

"So we live a life of luxury, but we have to give up any thoughts of freedom?" The Incineroar asked.

"No, you'll be freed after ten years of service. Also you're not allowed to lie and I expect each of my slaves to have a mate, either chosen or assigned. I should also point out that I only have male slaves."

"So as long as we don't lie, don't have a problem having sex with another male, or I'm guessing trying to escape for ten years, we get to live a life of luxury?" Arcanine asked.

"Eventually. Here's the problem; this realm, and its guardian in particular, gain in power and resources depending on the number of residents." I looked around the island had to be a lot bigger now and the sparse trees had developed into a small grove. For shelter there was a shack, a nice shack to be sure, but not up to the level of being able to join Wolf. "As it is I'm going to need more slaves to get the island up to a level where we can travel farther ahead in time." I said, as we walked over to the shack. The entire inside was dedicated to food preparation and dining with four large hammocks under the open veranda outside. An outhouse sat a ways away and a small garden was on the opposite side of the house.

"Wait, time travel?" the Luxray asked.

"Time travels differently in different realms. It is possible to travel to one where minutes pass there and years pass here. Though it is difficult to link up with those worlds so I doubt House has that sort of power yet. Now, I've introduced myself how about you tell me about yourselves?"

The Arcanine started off immediately, "My name is Charcoal. I evolved earlier today. I'm not sure . . . It was just my trainer and his father, as a Growlithe I wasn't exactly trained for battle. I was more like a family pet. Anyway one day I smelled something really good and found my trainer's father pleasuring himself. Well, I sort of started licking him. After all it felt good when I did that to myself and I wanted him to feel good as well. He seemed to enjoy it and he tasted as good as he smelled so that became a regular thing. Then my trainer found a firestone and evolved me. I was quickly returned to my pokeball and they called for Pokemorph Extraction. I don't know if humans know this or not but when we are trapped in our ball we can still hear everything around us so I thought you were going to kill us immediately and I though by changing you . . . I'm sorry I shouldn't have done what I did.'

I carefully focused and telekinetically forced Charcoal to his knees before releasing him. "If I had wanted I could have stopped you, so in effect what you did was consensual. Don't worry about it."

Charcoal remained kneeling and looked up at me. "Humans don't have abilities and pokemorphs lose their special abilities when they evolve. How are you able to do that?"

"I told you different realms mean different rules."

The Luxray stepped forward and helped Charcoal stand. "My trainer named me Sparkle but I never liked it, or her. I evolved into a Pokemorph because she loaned all her Pokémon to friends and one of them used me to breed a Pokemorph. My trainer was rather surprised when I evolved and being 'impure' she was only too happy to get rid of me."

"So not Sparkle, how about Sparx instead? I mean it is close but sounds more threatening."

"Yeah, Sparx works." He said nodding.

"I'm Stone. My former trainer was also female and insisted on an all canine team. She, ah, had interesting ideas on how to maintain her team's loyalty. I'm actually happy to be a morph. I'm bigger, stronger, and now have hands. I mean being able to lick yourself is great and all, but hands allow for so many different paths to pleasure."

"I'm Crimson, and I'm not going to talk about how I became a morph. However, since my evolution, like the Lucario over there, is naturally the same as a morph so I was able to hide it longer. Turns out if you're healed at a pokecenter that information is collected and you're turned over immediately, though."

"I'm Chomper. I can't say as I'm happy to be a morph but as long as it means I don't have to listen to stupid orders and be trapped in a pokeball anymore it's fine with me."

I nodded, "No more pokeballs. I'm not even sure they would work in this realm other than to release their occupant the first time."

"I guess that just leaves me. I don't have a name and I was never really powerful. My former owner really only used me as a distraction while Chomper attacked."

"How about Rush, after the move bone rush?" I asked.

The smile he gave me nearly broke my heart. I'd simply said the first thing that came to mind but it seemed to make him so happy.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you, master. I promise to always be loyal to you."

"Rush," I shook my head, I wasn't going to ruin this for him so I pulled him into a hug. "I'll try to live up to your loyalty."

"So now what? You split us into pairs and force us to be mates?" Stone asked.

"I'd rather not. What I'd like is for the six of you to get to know each other a little and then pair up as you think is best." I nodded and then eased into one of the hammocks to wait for their decision.

***

I know some time had passed as Rush woke me up.

"Master, I- I don't really- I don't think any of them- They're all so big and I'm not."

It felt really wrong seeing a Lucario so insecure. I hadn't considered it but Rush, while being a little larger than the average Lucario, had a lithe build for speed and grace while the others were power and brawn. "Let's see how the matches work out and who is left and maybe I'll consider traveling to another world to find a more appropriate mate for you."

"You will!" He asked in excitement.

His mood changed so suddenly it made me suspicions there was more to the story. I'd have asked, but the rest of the group approached.

"We've chosen our mates, or at least four of us have." Charcoal said.

"No offense meant to you, master, but if I'm going to be mated I want someone as well built and strong as I am." Stone stated. "I'm sure Rush is strong, for his small size, but I'm just not attracted to him. Or, and again I mean no offense, but cats just don't do anything for me either. So if I'm forced to take a mate at least Rush is like me in that regard. I wanted to be with Charcoal, but it seems he's only interested in that cat."

"What can I say? Sparx really electrifies me." Charcoal laughed.

I groaned at the pun. "So that leaves Chomper and Crimson?"

"You've got that right. Why would I want to be with that little dog when I can be with someone strong like Chomper?" Crimson asked and Rush whimpered.

"I didn't mean you cute one, I meant that arrogant rock brain."

"Master, we agree to be loyal to you as our trainer, but you have to promise to never use the pokeballs on us again." Sparx interrupted.

"I don't make promises I can't keep." I pulled out the four open pokeballs and with a quick twist broke their hinges effectively releasing the four. "Rush and Chomper, since I don't have yours I can't release you so if we return to your world your former trainers could potentially take you back. But I'm not from your world so I won't fight by their rules to keep you with me. Now if you'll all kneel down I'll place my collar on you."

I started with Rush who still seemed overly happy about the ordeal.

"So what are these for?" Charcoal asked.

"The collar marks you as being owned by me. It protects you from being claimed by anyone else if we travel to other worlds. Which is what I'm going to do with Rush. Hopefully to find him and Stone acceptable mates."

"What are we supposed to do while you're gone?" Sparx asked.

"Explore the island, what there is of it. Maybe catch some fish. Take a nap, get to know your new mate better, Yiff your brains out. Basically what you do is up to you."

"Yiff?" Charcoal asked.

"We've done that already, let others get a turn." I winked at him, "It means the act of mating or sex."

"Oh." Was the only response. "Stone, I'm fairly certain Rush is going to obey me. You, however, I don't know about. So this time you are staying here as well. You're just going to have to trust I'm going to find you an appropriate mate. Understood?"

"I- Yes, Sir."

Once again I nodded.

"House open a portal to a new realm."

***

The portal closed behind us as we stared. As far as we could see was one long street crowded with vendors all with cages containing creatures of every kind. Looking up there was a giant tube filled with moving substance that gave off a bluish white glow and beyond that more streets. We were in a space station and it looked like everything was for sale not just slaves.

"Hello sirs, welcome to Basil's bazaar of the bizarre. We have it all, it's all on sale, all the time. Tell me what you're looking for and I'll direct you to it. For a small fee, of course."

"I'm here to purchase some slaves and as it seems we are already in the correct section your services are unneeded." I waved my hand through the hologram.

"What sort of slave? There are so many kinds you must have-"

"I suppose you are an A.I." I pulled the small device Aaron had created so long ago out of my pouch. "This is a high powered scrambler attuned to audio and video. Now what do you think might happen if I activate it here? Because that is exactly what I'm going to do if you don't stop bothering us."

The hologram disappeared and I had no doubt a security team had been dispatched.

"Master, why am I wearing this clothing?" Rush asked.

I glanced at him. He was wearing modified Runner armor. "When we're away from our own realm there are times when we need extra protection."

"Oh, okay."

I grinned as we started walking. Currently we seemed to be in a traditional fantasy area. Rather than traditional shop buildings the area was actually large holding cells with kiosks in front. Just glancing around I could see humans, elves, dwarves, orcs, ogres, goblins, and even a giant. There was also either an ancient Groot or an Ent it was hard to be sure. Certainly nothing that really appealed to me. So we continued walking. We passed into a sci-fi section next with Gorn, Wookies, gray aliens, a Yautja, and even a Xenomorph. Definitely not a place I wanted to be.

As we were moving into a more tame area Rush grabbed my arm. "Master, there I think he's the one I'm supposed to be with."

I glanced in the direction Rush was pointing and did a double take. The creature in question was a Lombax sitting in the corner of a cage. He looked very rough and, I'd like to say depressed. Unfortunately that would be a step up he looked like he was trying to will himself to death.

"Ah! I see you're interested. This is a very rare species. He won't tell us what he is but he has skills with technical equipment. Well actually he breaks just about everything he touches."

"He's a Lombax, and in very poor condition. They're not really all that rare, if you've been to their home realm. This one actually looks pretty bad. Probably won't survive more than a week or two more. Come along Rush, if you want one I'll take you where we can get a healthy specimen."

"Sir, please, you haven't even heard the price yet."

I sighed, "This should be good."

"You can have him for only 150,000 credits. A real steal."

"One hundred."

The seller grinned.

"I don't think you understood me, 100 credits.

"You've got to be joking." He growled.

"It'll be at least 50 thousand just to get his body nursed back to health. Even then it isn't likely he'll live more than a couple of weeks without killing himself."

"100 thousand then."

"10 thousand at most. I suppose there is a chance, I could get that much work out of him first."

"Please, sir I paid 50 thousand to acquire him."

"I'll pay you 40 thousand and not a credit more. Take the loss and count yourself lucky you're getting rid of him rather than losing your full investment. I'm sure I can find better."

The salesman seemed to consider. "Done. Take it away." The cage door opened but the Lombax didn't react.

I held a collar out to Rush. "Put this on him and help him out of there." Rush basically had to carry him. I bit my lip this wasn't what I'd planned. "Pause game. Computer, allow me to portal these two slaves back to House, but send them to the time frame for Trace, Tye, and Nature. The Lombax needs medical attention that my game timeframe is lacking. They should be fine as they will be wearing my collar."

"Understood. This means it will take longer to progress the game."

"Understood. Resume game. Rush, I'm sending you two back to House." I gently lifted the Lombax's chin so he could see me. "Don't worry, just work at getting better, your new mate will help you all he can, and the next time you see me I'll have found an Omni wrench for you. House, open portal."

Rush looked at me strangely for a moment, but then stepped through with his future mate. Now I needed at least three more slaves instead of one. I started off back down the street before quickly hiding behind another kiosk as another portal opened and a very familiar Sergal stepped through. He glanced around and then hurried up the road toward the fantasy section. He didn't even look my way as he seemed totally focused, but it was also obvious this wasn't his first time in this world. I didn't pause the game again, that would alert him to my presence, but as soon as my play time was up I was going to have words with Mahan. I'd taken my files of the house game off the VR computer onto a memory crystal, and placed it in my vault. There was no way Luca could be here, but he was.

I continued on once I was sure he was well out of sight eventually coming to a new section. It wasn't difficult picking up another three slaves and I couldn't wait to see the arrogant look wiped from Stone's face as Iceberg proved he was the stronger of the two. I opened the portal and stepped into the empty VR chamber.

"Your designated play time is up for the day." Mahan announced.

"Mahan, I'll take his shift with the children. The sooner he progresses the game the sooner the rest of us get to play." Rider announced, over the intercom.

"No, I'm out for the day. I'm not giving up family bonding time for a game." I replied as I headed for the exit.

***