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Counter Earth Chronicles - Dual Realities

Chapter 37: Inevitability Of Truth (We Go Down Together Part III)

October 2nd, YOE 35

8:30 AM Master Koala's Lab (World Three)

"The investigation into the attack at Castle Wundagore is still ongoing.... But here is what we know, a female ostrich from the hub news service said nervously looking at the sky as she began the special report. Parts of World One were strafed by what witnesses described as three large triangular sky ships that flew around the city before converging on the castle where they fired several large yellow beams. As the beams dissipated the ships took to the heavens dissipating as well. The beams the ships fired at the castle remain a mystery but presently 132 beastials including knights and castle support staff are unaccounted for.

Now here is what we don't know: was this an attack against the empire by extraterrestrials? If so, by whom and for what purpose? Some beastial citizens have reported that they have been abducted and studied by aliens since the empire began. They have demanded answers only to be ignored and shunned by their government. It is interesting to note that these ships that visited World One yesterday match abductees' descriptions exactly.

Is this a sinister plot to destroy the current government and to take over Counter Earth? What do the aliens really want? Many questions abound. One thing is absolute- for the first time ever our high master has finally acknowledged the existence of these aliens and what they are doing to the populace. Hanna Rhea reporting."

The sobering special report from the hub news service went in the koala scientist's ear and out the other; he was deeply engrossed in his research. Alternate reality research.

"Alright little camera, let's see what you can see." Master Koala replied, sending a small remote controlled camera which looked more like a dragonfly through the event horizon of his reality observing machine.

He had stabilized the window from rotating to the next reality while his remote camera took aerial shots of this alternate reality he wanted to observe. The camera flew overhead going up and down the streets of the city before returning to the window where it had entered.

The koala scientist retrieved the camera and started playing back the footage it had recorded of the World One Entertainment District of this alternate Counter Earth. It looked like the entertainment district that he had visited in World One- there were boutique shops, restaurants, theaters, and performance venues but there was a slight difference. There was not a beastial to be found, only humans!

"So this is what Naomi Good was trying to reach! A Counter Earth that is only inhabited by humans? Fascinating!" He declared as the window of his invention moved to another reality. This one caught his eye in particularly- it was yet another Counter Earth, dark and grim. He observed toppled buildings in devastated cities, death, darkness and despair. Quite different from the Counter Earth that he inhabited and the all human version he had just observed. For some reason he was drawn to it; he felt compelled to check out this reality too. Why was it so dark and foreboding?"

9:41AM Songs Flower Emporium (World Three)

"Morning Song, Kiwi." The maned wolf said greeting the pair.

"Morning Naka, what brings you to my shop today?" The chakat said sounding so business-like, so formal.

"I am here to check up on our little preteen to make sure he isn't getting into something he shouldn't." The junior knight replied.

He received an uh huh look from the duo who had saved his life months earlier. The chakat was wearing that pink sleeveless shirt with the yellow bonnet he liked. The brown haired boy was wearing a black shirt and brown pants.

"Ok, not here to do that." Naka said blushing. "You are doing a good job as it is Song."

"So what are you here for?" Mr. Goodfellow asked.

"I am here to say goodbye."

"You are leaving?" The beautiful chakat asked?

"Actually I am being transferred." The maned wolf replied.

"You got promoted?" Kiwi asked.

"No. I am being sent to World One to backfill for the Knights of Wundagore... well the remaining knights."

"You mean what happened there... well you know, really happened?" The preteen boy asked.

"Yes it did Kiwi."

"How many did the knight core lose in the castle?" Song asked.

"About two-thirds. Knights from Sevren, Sogreth, Sovereign and Warwick are being sent to fill the gaps." The junior knight replied.

"How long will you be gone Naka?" Kiwi asked.

"I don't know. Indefinitely."

"While I am gone Mr. Goodfellow, I want you to be...." Naka started to say before he was interrupted.

*hug*

The little human's actions caught the knight off guard.

"Watch your back." The chakat warned. "And don't do anything foolish."

"She means don't taunt the aliens." Kiwi from his embrace. "And keep your eyes on the skies just in case they return."

"I will try not to. I promise. Take care you two." The wolf said, waving as he departed.

"I am actually going to miss him." The preteen boy replied.

"I am too." Song said placing her paw on his shoulder.

10:06 AM Madam Olga's Psychic Truths (World One)

"Cinder!" I said pleading to the image of the aardvark on the view screen.

"Alex, I had to sacrifice a lot to find what you were looking for." The boy genius replied.

"How much?"

"Mum, wants to study my brain again." He sighed.

(Mum?!)

"That doesn't sound so bad." I replied not really knowing what it entailed.

"She wants to touch it, feel it and even hold it!!!" He bleated.

"Wow. I am sorry. I owe you big time little buddy. So what did you find out?"

"It wasn't her." The little aardvark replied.

"You mean that KLIS scientist that has abducted you and Ember?"

(Repeatedly.)

"No. She has always been discrete in the way she operates. It was another, a former subordinate who branched out on his own- a radical who has no qualms about being discrete or being contracted."

"That would explain the mass abductions and during the day none the less." I said placing my hand on my chin.

(Or being contracted by the rebellion.)

"They got every beastial that was in the castle at the time- two thirds of the knight core- Alex."

"Do we know who?" I pleaded wanting to know, but not wanting to know.

"Lady Vermin, Lord Tiger, Springer, Sanda, Cole, Cheemar, Sir Ram, Mara, Lian and Lea who were inside at the time; those who were out in the field were spared."

(Oh no it's true!)

"Hey, my little comfort animal, it is almost time!!" Spirit said barging in.

"Thanks Cinder for the information. I promise I will make it up to you somehow." I said ending the communication.

"So what did you find out?" My beasital boyfriend asked wrapping his arm across my chest and nuzzling me from behind.

"The horrible truth Spirit."

10:42 AM Small bar and grill restaurant (Virtual Space)

"A long wood bar with red stools, a wall of drinks and concoctions from the floor to the ceiling, four circular tables with black chairs with red padding- one of the better virtual simulations I have seen." My tian mountain dog observed taking it all in.

"This is one of Iya's favorite meeting places." I said glumly as a familiar redhead waved at us from the farthest table in the establishment.

"Operative Summers." Spirit said greeting our fellow colleague.

"Alex, Spirit, have a seat."

"Thanks."

"Yeah." I replied.

"I would offer you something to eat and drink- but since this isn't real..." The red head replied greeting us.

Iya was dressed in a full black bodysuit that made her look like a secret agent from one of those spy movies.

"It just means we will have to go out for real at some point." The tian mountain dog replied.

"Not possible given the current climate. By the way, great job the both of you- we were able to take out those involved in Sir Ram's mind control project." She began. "Deer-feeder is pleased."

"So the threat has been neutralized and Riz got his revenge against Sir Ram?" Spirit asked.

"Indeed." She replied.

"But at what cost Iya?!" I shouted.

"The cost Alex was the conclusion of months of calculated planning, making a proposal to the KLIS and the abrupt departure of most of the knights of the knight core and beastial support staff in Castle Wundgore... now guests and experiments of the aliens without a drop of blood being shed." Iya countered.

"But some of those that were taken I worked with for years! One of them was my friend and healer!" I countered.

"Who served a despotic dictator that had you punished and excommunicated for questioning decisions he had made about other beastials you cared about including your boyfriend Spirit here."

"Alex, Lea was working with Sir Ram on his secret experiment... they tested several versions of it on you during your last weeks in the castle." Spirit said, trying to comfort me. "She was in league with them."

"And your beloved bear woman who knew you were being experimented on, but looked the other way." Iya added.

I dropped my gaze and just stared at the table knowing that what they were telling me was the truth.

"Alex, I know you are hurting and your loyalties are divided, but you need to pick a side." Iya said sternly. Are you with Sir Ram, Lady Ursa and the High Evolutionary or with us?"

"Point taken." I replied, my eyes closed.

"Besides your distraction did prevent Lady Ursa, and your friends Tauren, Sorren and Lurie from being caught in the KLIS' net."

"So you were saying about the mission?" Spirit said refocusing.

"We didn't find the weapon's exact location- but since we got its creator and his significant other- its development and subsequent deployment have been severely hampered if not stopped entirely." Operative Summers said rather smugly.

"And now as a result of this KLIS attack the empire is forced to acknowledge that the KLIS abduction phenomenon is real as is the backlash they are receiving from the populace who had complained all along that something was going on but had felt ignored." The tian mountain dog replied.

"Suffice to say the empire is in disarray right now, trying to save face. It is a good time to help those who want out from under the dictator's boot while the knight core is being rebuilt in World One." Ms. Summers replied.

The rebellion's tactical planning on this was something to behold... unlike the rebels that had come before, they contracted out and dealt a crippling blow to the High Evolutionary. It made my exploits pale in comparison.

To Be Continued....

[ MEANWHILE ]

October 2nd, YOE 35

8:30 AM Knight Command (World Seven)

"Is everyone here?" I asked turning to my fierce ursine warrior.

"Nezera and you are here from medical. Rhinox and myself from the knight core, Hue and Cassia from planetary sciences. We are only missing..."

"S'up?" A red dragon asked entering the room.

"More formal King Dragon." Duchess Jua said, correcting her beau. She was wearing a pink toga with a green shoulder sash that ended in a skirt around her waist.

"Ahem, greetings my subjects. I trust you are doing well?" Sorren said correcting himself.

"Mostly, your majesties a few of us are still removing sand from places we didn't know we had." My she beast volunteered trying to break the ice.

(And of course I enjoyed helping her with that.)

Lady Ursa received a chuckle for her efforts from all in the staging room.

"Alex, Nezera were there any casualties?" The dragoness asked beginning the meeting.

"We came awfully close- but thanks to several lung pumps there were no deaths." I replied to the monarchs.

"That is great news." The dragoness replied.

"It is but who is to say that won't happen again?" Hue asked.

"Very good point. I think in light of what happened and continues to happen, the city needs another vantage point of observation. To that end, I am establishing a watch tower to be operated around the clock as a weather warning system." Sorren replied.

"That is a good idea, my liege." The Rhino warrior said.

"I understand the Chado that attacked Lady Ursa and Lady Barq..." The dragoness said moving on to the next topic.

"Tried." My she beast interjected.

"Yes, tried, were they interrogated?" King Dragon asked.

"They were." Nezera said standing. The lady vampire was wearing a black dress whose straps joined an attractive choker around her neck.

"What did you find out Nezera?" The leader of the sand folk asked.

"They are not affiliated with Manderine and his tribe."

All eyes locked on to the grey bat.

"They are an offshoot, a radical sect with their own goals and agendas."

(Mind blown.)

"And apparently their own technology as well. What Barq and I saw within the haboob was similar to the space-gate technology that brought us to Chaundoon." My she beast opined.

"I wonder what they are using it for?" Cassia asked.

"If it is to jump between worlds say like Counter Earth, they could introduce something unwanted or devastating to this one." I theorized.

The room fell silent.

"Alright Rhinox, Nezera I want you to determine what that rogue sect's agenda is. Bring in Ms. Una if you need help." The white dragon ordered.

"Yes Duchess." The rhino and bat said in unison.

"I will assist Sorren with setting up the watchtower for the city. Good day."

One by one we departed knight command. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Sorren approach the Manassases.

"Hue and Cassia a moment?"

"Yes your majesty."

"I have a project for you...."

9:41AM Ring's Hut (Three Rivers Pride Village)

Saber the vicious was conducting a meeting with his top warriors.

"What is the status of the pride?" He said sitting down in a semi-circle with Rings, Blade, Torch, Barb and the elder formerly from the Kokee Pride.

"We have increased the size of our pride by almost a third, sir." The pregnant warrior said to Saber.

Rings seemed to be showing more and more each day. Despite the extra weight, it hadn't affected her prowess on the battlefield.

"That would make Three Rivers Pride one of the largest tribes within the pridelands." Staff said bowing respectfully towards his new chieftain.

"So what is the next conquest?" Torch asked, noticing how radiant Rings looked.

"I am content... for now." The chieftain replied, our enemies should think twice about attacking us for the time being.

"Say what now?" Barb asked in disbelief looking at Blade.

"The nearby tribes have been conquered and that should deter the neighboring prides for now...." Saber the vicious announced to his inner circle. "Time to take care of things here."

"Well um, ok sir. The search for Pestle and Bow has been unsuccessful." Barb added.

"Explain." The chieftain asked the female savage.

"No sign of either of them was ever found." Blade added. "Perhaps they perished during the white death?"

"So we are in need of another replacement healer." Saber said, looking around his inner circle.

"Unfortunately Pestle was the only qualified candidate... he was trained by the previous healer as his successor." Torch added.

Saber the vicious thought for a moment before turning to Staff. "Elder, what do you think?"

"I concur the pride does needs someone to heal the sick and patch up the wounded." Staff said bowing respectfully.

"I understand you stepped in when your former pride's healer died?"

"Um, yes my chieftain."

"What do you think of your new pride?" Saber asked studying the old feline.

"Well, food and water are plentiful, the territory is large and life here seems relatively stable and the females have been more than accommodating. ." The former Kokee warrior advised. "I like that."

"We have our chieftain to thank for all of that." Rings replied.

"And Spade and Dagger have taken a liking to you." Barb teased.

"I do like it here." Staff replied.

"But you are still trying to figure out your place within the pride." The chieftain said studying the elder's body language.

"You also were the advisor to your previous chieftain were you not elder?" Torch asked.

"I was."

"And you have extensive knowledge of the flora and fauna within the pridelands?" Barb asked.

"I do."

"I observed how you patched up that orphan cub who cut his paw the other day." Saber announced. "I have found your place; you will be Pestle's replacement Staff of the Three Rivers Pride."

"That should impress your females." Rings said smiling.

"And further insure your loyalty to this pride." Saber said acknowledging the elder.

"Thank you my chieftain." Staff said bowing.

"Now concerning the other acolytes..." The chieftain said.

"Most have been integrated into the pride. But there are a few stragglers though." Barb announced.

"A potential threat?" Torch observed.

"So I have observed. Keep any eye on them just in case." The savage chieftain advised.

10:06 AM Vol River (Three Rivers Pride Territory)

"So this is what you do day in and day out every day?" Sticks asked Annette and Naomi.

"No." The female with the big breasts and wide butt confirmed. "This is what you will also do day in and day out- every day with us."

"Huh?"

"You see our responsibilities are to keep the village fountain filled, maintain the landscaping, sew, wash and dry clothing, our master and to keep his hut clean." The freckled teen said to the sub adult from the Kokee Pride.

"And how does this involve me?"

"Sticks defend yourself!" Annette said charging at the boy.

*swack*

Naomi watched as her friend launched her weapon at the young feline with the big ears and front facing white loin-cloth.

Sticks fell backward into the water as he was captured in Annette's net.

The S'mar female stood over him, her judgment absolute. "Since you can't carve weapons, hunt, cook, heal the sick and injured or even defend yourself- you will wash and clean."

"So I am to become a slave as well?"

"Servant." The brunette teen replied. "That is the only we can convince our master Saber to keep you around."

"Unless you wish to be culled." Annette replied.

Sticks shook his head no.

"Alright then, let's get started. Annette will scrub, I rinse and you fold." The freckled teen said "It should speed things up."

Sticks nodded.

"So what do you think of Three Rivers Pride?" Naomi asked.

"Well... it is not lacking food or water."

"Hey, can I ask you something? What position did you have in Kokee Pride?" The teen asked their new subordinate.

"I didn't. I was just a cub- a horrible scout, bad hunter and awful warrior."

"So you never earned your name then?" Annette asked giving the boy her full attention.

"No." The S'mar male with the big ears announced.

"So why are you called Sticks?" The freckled teen asked.

"That was the only thing I was semi good at collecting kindling." The boy said embarrassed.

"Which has carried over to your new pride." Annette said judgmentally.

"No one is interested in someone who is useless." Sticks sighed.

"Um, what about your former tribe members?" Naomi asked.

"Malee is busy trying to start a family with the she warrior that claimed him... Staff is busy tending to and healing the sick and injured... and the rest of Kokee Pride have seemed to have acclimated."

"And no one in our pride has taken an interest in him either Rings and Torch are preparing to become parents as are others." Naomi said noticing just how adorable the useless boy was.

"This is where you will contribute." Annette began.

"And not a moment too soon." Noami added.

"You see others would have determined for you how you will best benefit the pride." The barren female replied.

"That doesn't sound bad...." Sticks said without thinking.

"As a target for target practice, perhaps a bone necklace for some of the warriors, maybe a nice set of tools or...." Naomi added.

"OH." Sticks said dejected as they completed what laundry the village had. "What's next?"

"Well after washing clothes Annette and I wash ourselves." The freckled teen said taking the youngling by the paw to the Bonya River.

Annette removed the strap and the carrying bag strapped to the boy's back while admiring his thin youthful frame. He was young enough to be her son.

Meanwhile Naomi who had removed his front facing loin-cloth was admiring something else.

"I was just admiring the spots on your back." She said as he realized where she had been looking.

They were just close enough in age that the brunette could be a big sister to him.

"Alright arms up." Naomi ordered him. With that she and Annette started lathering him up with the tribe's version of soap. The teen working his neck, shoulders, back, ears, arms, legs, and finally that cute bottom of his. She noted that his spots did not extend to that portion of his anatomy.

Similarly Annette lathered his front mirroring Naomi's actions. She took her time focusing on every nook and cranny as if Sticks were her offspring. He was so adorable. How could it be that no one wanted to look after this orphan?

Arriving at his genitals she took her time; she massaged his scrotum and sheath noticing that there was no weight to them. Yup, sub-adult.

"There you go." She said finishing.

"Hmm?" Sticks asked.

"You can go and rinse off." The barren female replied as Naomi started on her.

"Oh yes. Of course." Sticks said dipping underwater. "This is divine."

He was soon joined by the two females as they dipped below the waterline rinsing off. Their daily bath finished, the trio emerged on shore to dry off.

"This pride is opulent in ways mine never was." Sticks said retying his loin-cloth.

"Really? How so?" Naomi asked.

"Three rivers. Kokee Pride's water came from a pond."

"Drinking and bathing?" The barren female asked.

Sticks nodded as his ears began twitching.

"Something wrong?" Annette asked as the boy smiled.

"You don't hear it?"

Saber's slaves traded glances as they followed Sticks into the bush.

"This way." He whispered.

"Now I hear it." Annette said bristling.

"I don't hear anything." Naomi replied.

"Shh...." Her friend ordered. "You will."

The trio watched as a female pride member was leaning against a fallen log sneezing. She wore a beautiful necklace and green pendant and carried a short walking stick.

"Someone has allergies." Naomi started to say.

Sticks shook his head no. The three watched as the female warrior sneezed again, placing her right paw-foot on the log, giving the trio a three quarters shot of her rear and her vaginal slit which was very swollen. Something seemed to be emerging from it.

No way!! Naomi watched as the female's pregnant belly seemed to be shrinking as the mass between her legs grew.

*UNGH*

The female used her left paw to catch something as it emerged from her body- a new warrior for the Three Rivers Pride had been born!

"I will go and grab Staff." Sticks said running off.

"That seemed abnormally routine." Namoi started to say looking at Annette.

The freckled teen saw a tinge of envy and even jealously on the barren female's face. She knew that Annette would give just about anything to swap places with the new mother they had just observed give birth.

"Come on, let's congratulate her." Naomi said, reaching for Annette's paws. "And find out how she is able to stand after that? It looked quite painful."

"What are you talking about? Birthing cubs isn't painful, it is rather routine... it just makes your nose REALLY itchy." The female with the big breasts and wide butt replied.

"Get out!" Naomi replied, her jaw dropping.

"Isn't it the same for humans?"

"Not in the slightest." The freckled teen replied.

10:42 AM Chamber Of The Four Kings (Perna Pride Village)

"Chief Red Sword, Chief Hatchet, Chief Black Scythe and Chief Lyre." A warrior with a javelin staff said, greeting the four leaders of the mysterious Perna Pride. He was wearing a wrist guard on his left arm, a shoulder guard on his left shoulder, a small necklace and little else.

He was accompanied by his sister who wore a red lion-cloth and beaded necklace.

"Chieftains." She said joining her brother.

"You bring news from the canyons?" A female dressed in an orange shoulder cape and necklace asked.

"Yes mother." She replied.

"You mean chief Black Scythe." Her brother corrected her as the other leaders laughed.

"Yes. The trackers have observed that the Yowies are encroaching on our territory again."

"Looks like we will have to drive them back again." A green eyed male dressed in a brown cape, brown belt and nothing else replied. "I would prefer to one of the other prides to those types."

"Why is that uncle? I mean Chief Red Sword?"

"Because the Yowie don't fear us, unlike the other prides do." The chieftain said addressing his niece.

"Yes, moving on we were mostly unaffected by the white death although our crops took a beating."

"How badly?" Another female chieftain asked addressing her niece. This one was wearing a necklace, shoulder band, wristband. She also had green eyes.

"A third of our crops died during the white death auntie, I mean Hatchet."

"We will have to address that at some point." The fourth leader, another female replied. "I wonder if it is related to the imbalance we have been seeing?"

"Unknown auntie. I mean Lyre."

The two warriors watched their mother and her siblings converse amongst themselves about the goings on in the Marble Canyons and the health of the pride.

"We should increase patrols along the border of our territory." Lyre suggested.

"Also I would suggest seeking out additional food supplies in the canyons." Hatchet added.

"We should also consider trading with others for what we lack and need." Black Scythe opined.

"And pursue other opportunities as they present themselves." Red Sword said to his siblings, niece and nephew as their proceedings were interrupted by the pride's witch doctor.

"Chieftains." She said running into the chamber.

"Yes Salamanca." Red Sword replied greeting her.

"I bring word of the trespassers!"

"Report." Lyre ordered.

"They fell prey to one of our taps."

"Which one?" Black Scythe asked.

"The geyser." She replied to the four chieftains.

"That one is a devious trap." Hatchet replied.

"They were captured without incident." The witch doctor replied.

"Impale, Stab assist Salamanca- it is time we get a look at them." Red Sword ordered his niece and nephew.

"Yes uncle!"

The four rulers stood up from their seats as they watched their healer and the two young warriors bring in Perna Pride's newest captives.

"My what an interesting group of travelers." Lyre observed. "What is that?"

"It appears to be some sort of multi-colored canine." Black Scythe replied to his sibling studying the maned wolf.

"And look at that, what is that?" Hatchet asked, looking at Song.

"It appears to be a feline with four legs." Red Sword replied.

"And look at that one... it has no fur, fangs, claws or a tail." The warrior with the javelin staff observed.

"That is a human. Three Rivers Pride took one some seasons ago." Salamanca answered. She was standing next to Impale, the warrior with the javelin staff.

"Salamanca what is your assessment?" Lyre asked.

The four chieftains and the two warriors watched as the pride's witch doctor examined Song, Naka, Kiwi, Tonka, Bow and Pestle.

"They are of no threat to us chieftains." Salamanca replied.

"We have been observing them since they entered the canyons." The warrior with the javelin staff replied. "The weapons they carry are only for defense."

"And look at these two." Stab said to her brother, mother, aunts and uncle. "The male appears to be a healer from Three Rivers Pride and the female a warrior from Kenja Pride."

"Working together?" Impale asked.

"Children you watched the six of them carefully since they entered our territory. What can you conclude?" Black Scythe questioned Stab and Impale.

"They are travelers from afar on a journey home." Stab replied.

"They sought out guides to guide them through the pridelands, mostly likely trying to avoid encounters with S'mar prides." Impale reasoned.

"And most likely did until they arrived here." Salamanca added.

"They had to make a choice traverse the mountains to the north or south or go through the marble canyons." Red Sword reasoned.

"And they knew that wouldn't happen without a confrontation." Hatchet added.

"They were most likely going to request permission to cross our territory." Lyre said to her siblings.

"Or beg and plead." Black Scythe opined.

"So we can infer that these travelers are a long way from their destination, in unfamiliar territory. How very interesting." Red Sword said to his siblings.

"So they did not wish to attack or be attacked eh?" Black Scythe observed. "Very cowardly."

"Or not. The canine and the feline with the four legs and the Kenja Pride warrior appear to be the only ones who can fight. The two younglings and the healer not so much." Lyre observed. "Should we grant them permission?"

"On the contrary, they may prove useful." Red Sword said to his co-chieftains. "Revive them."

"Very well. They are going to be quite terrified." The witch doctor warned.

"And even worse so when they discovered they have been captured by one of the prides they wanted to avoid." Stab snickered.

One by one Salamanca placed some type of counter agent underneath Naka, Song, Kiwi, Tonka, Bow and Pestle's noses. The effect of the mist was nullified.

"What happened?!" The pre-teen boy asked as he came to and discovered they were surrounded by nude S'mar savages. "OH NO!"

"UGH it must have been that mist." Song said finding her footing she stood up and looked around to see that they were six S'mar warriors and a leech creature staring right back at them! "Naka!"

"OH NO!" The maned wolf replied echoing. "Bow? Pestle?"

As the rest of the group came to they realized they were in a cave somewhere within the marble canyons surrounded by warriors of the Perna Pride.

"Everyone to your knees!" Bow ordered quickly assessing their situation.

Tonka, Kiwi, Song and Naka looked at each other and then followed Bow's lead as did Pestle.

The four leaders of the Perna Pride noted how confused their captives looked.

*sniff* *sniff* *sniff* "Chieftains Red Sword, Hatchet, Black Scythe and Lyre, I am Bow from Kenja Pride and this is my mate Pestle from Three Rivers Pride."

"What are you doing within our territory Kenja Pride?" Red Sword asked sternly. Although he and his siblings had deduced the answer.

"Please forgive us for trespassing, my mate and our servants humbly request permission to cross your territory. You see we are in search of a place to call our own away from the constant competition, rivalry and skirmishes of the other prides." Bow said as her voice started failing her.

*cough* *cough* *cough*

"That is a nice story, but that is all it is, a story." Black Scythe replied.

"Huh?" Pestle looked up a little confused.

(Had the leadership seen through their ruse?!)

"Your mate looks like he barely is old enough to be eating solid foods." Hatchet said coldly.

"And two warriors from different prides coming together. It is not outside of possibility but highly unlikely." Lyre said to her siblings.

"Would you like to try again?" The warrior with the javelin staff snickered.

Bow started to say something, but was stopped.

"We have been observing the six of you since you entered our territory." The chieftains replied in unison as more warriors entered the chamber.

"So you made your way here hoping to meet with us to request permission to cross our territory, hunt and gather on our lands." Hatchet replied addressing Naka and Song whom she realized were the leaders of this small group of travelers.

"Their powers of observation are incredible." Tonka replied.

"Tonka!" Kiwi said shushing the leech boy.

"Chieftains you assume a lot." Naka said looking up.

"We assume nothing, it is the truth." Red Sword said berating him. "Speaking of truths, here is another- the six of you won't be leaving anytime soon either."

"You are taking us prisoner?" Song gasped as even more warriors entered the chambers and seized her, Naka, Bow, Pestle, Tonka and Kiwi."

There was a collective laugh from the four chieftains of the Perna Pride as Bow, Song and Naka's weapons were taken away.

"You could try to make a run for it." The warrior with the javelin staff said petting Kiwi on the head. "But you would have to wind your way through the canyons, while evading us and even if you did...."

"It is hopeless." The preteen said giving up.

"Aw, I was hoping for a hunt!" Stab pouted.

*cough* *cough* "Don't resist." Bow warned.

"We surrender." Pestle said kneeling. Naka, Song, Tonka and Kiwi did the same.

"Aw... I didn't even get to tell this little one my earned name."

"What is that?" Kiwi asked the warrior with the javelin staff.

"IMPALE." He whispered to the boy watching his eyes grow wide.

"Chieftains, I suggest that we render aid." The female leech announced.

"Explain." Lyre asked.

"This Kenja Pride warrior is ill, she is trying her best to hide it but she is very sick."

*cough* *cough* "I am not!" Bow protested.

"The Three Rivers Pride healer is also ill." Salamanca said gently.

"I am?" Pestle asked.

"Fungus infection." The pride's witch doctor said standing over him. "And these four are dehydrated and ill-nourished."

"How interesting. So they couldn't leave if they wanted to." Stab observed.

"And we haven't granted them permission to do so either." Impale added.

"Chieftains of the Perna Pride, we humbly ask for safe passage through the marble canyons." Song said bowing.

"And why should we grant this request?" Black Scythe asked.

"Ermmm...." Naka stumbled. The knight could not answer that question.

"How does it benefit us?" Hatchet asked.

Song started to say something but was cut off.

"Exactly as I thought. Take them away!" Red Sword ordered.

"Song! Naka!" Kiwi cried. This was almost as bad as when the Chado took him.

"Don't be so dramatic." Stab said to Kiwi.

"It is not like you won't see them again... alive." Impale said teasing the preteen as he led him away.

Naka and Song were led away by another group of warriors as directed by Black Scythe and Red Sword.

And Tonka, Pestle and Bow as directed by Hatchet and Lyre.

Seeing his group separated, the preteen started hyperventilating. He had remembered what Corbin and Dawn had said about their encounter with the remnants of the Kenja Pride. It was near fatal.

To Be Continued....