FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Looking about, all was silent. Alexei then noticed outside the window was absolute darkness. No stars, no planets, nothing. "What...what's going on?" The confused lion exited the cockpit, noticing Kaelin and Xavier were gone. "Kaelin? Xavier?" he called out. No response.

Alexei's ship, dimly lit by buzzing flourescent lights, had an unusual ambiance. It was dead-silent and very darkly lit, rather, a harsh contrast between the dark and light. Noticing the pitch-black corners of darkness from the corner of his eye, they seemed almost to stir, as if the shadows themselves were living beings. However when he focused his attention on them, the stirring ceased completely, remaining perfectly still. Walking along the catwalk now, staring down into the dismal cargo hold, he could see the large crates were lit up brightly, yet the floor was as dark as the void. The lion decided it would be best to avoid that hellish place. Keeping one paw on the railing, he continued toward the quarters.

The frightened lion placed his flesh paw on the door and immediately pulled it away. The door felt as if it was made of ice, sending a freezing chill all throughout his body. The pads on his paw sizzled from the burn, and yet he felt compelled to enter. Alexei reached out his metal paw and gasped to see it was gone. "O-oh god..." All that remained of his left arm was a bloody shoulder muscle, dangling and dripping off his body. "W-what the fuck is going on..." Alexei gazed at the icy, burning door and concentrated. He growled deeply through his teeth, attempting to blow it open, using his powers. However the lion quickly found himself useless. Panicking, the lion pounded at the door with his right fist, cutting his knuckles up badly. He then fell back onto the railing, trembling at the intense pain shooting up his arm. He held his bloody, ravaged paw close to his body, weeping into the destroyed mess of flesh and bone. The lion had never felt so afraid and so alone, until he suddenly recalled his early childhood, when his village was burned to ashes by the Commune.

Having never truly forgotten, these images of his devastating past resurfaced in his mind. He could hear so vividly the towering, roaring flames all around him and the desperate cries of dying, tortured furs. He could remember the burning in his eyes and nose from the thick, bloody smoke, and the searing pain that tore at his flesh. Everyone he had ever known was dead or dying, and the lion was left alone. Alone and hopelessly afraid.

Alexei closed his eyes tightly, crying out to anyone who could hear him. He had no idea what was going on, nor where his mate was. All he could feel was a total void inside, the pain, the emptiness, and the madness it was sure to bring. Finally the lion collapsed onto the metal grating of the catwalk. He let his body go limp as he awaited his final fate, deciding it was the only way out of this misery.

Then suddenly Alexei started to feel an unusual pull from the cargo hold below him. He opened his eyes and reached his mutilated paw down, trying to prevent himself from flying over the edge. However, the harder he clasped on, the stronger the pull became. It felt as if something was wrapped around his naked waist, pulling him through the bars. Alexei cried out as his fingers, stuck in the grating, slowly tore from his knuckles. As the last strings of muscle ripped apart, Alexei felt himself being dragged down into the abysmal void, no longer in control of his body. Finally the lion stopped falling and he just looked about into the darkness, floating helplessly. He could sense a presence, but it felt like something intangible, or metaphysical.

"Wh-who's there?" the frightened lion called out. He could hear his voice echoing back and forth endlessly, getting gradually dimmer yet still loud in his head. Alexei growled and yelled out again. "Stop this at once!" The ringing in his ears only intensified, becoming louder with every bounce of his echo. Alexei scratched desperately at his ears, crying out as he tried to silence the voice. Suddenly there was silence again. The lion could hear nothing at all, not even the noise of his fur rubbing together.

Floating naked in the void, Alexei suddenly noticed something in the depths of the abyss. It was a fur, a young fur, walking steadily toward him, with piercing, almost glowing red eyes. As the figure drew near, it became more clear to the lion it was a feline, however the blood covering it made it difficult to say which species. Moments later the young figure flickered like a flourescent light and appeared closer, this time very visibly a young male, likely lion, about ten years of age. Alexei just stared down at the naked and bloody kitten, curious who this was. However it didn't take long to see he was staring at himself. "Wh-what's going on here?" Alexei said.

The naked cub lifted his head and stared malevolently at Alexei.

The lion just stared back, frightened of this cub. Suddenly the boy gripped his arm tightly and swung Alexei around. He felt himself fly backwards until he suddenly slammed into something hard, collapsing to the black floor. Although he had struck something very physical, there was still nothing around him. Alexei looked up at his younger self, seeming unable to move until the cub turned him onto his back.

The ten-year-old Alexei climbed atop the large lion, pinning him down easily with both his small paws on his chest.

Alexei struggled to free himself, and yet the boy's hold on him was strong. "What're you g-going to do?"

Keeping his maw shut, Young Alexei slid himself down the old lion's body until he felt a warm sheath against his rump. Keeping that same, stoic expression, he reached a paw back and massaged Alexei's balls, one about the size of his palm.

Alexei moaned and looked up at himself pleasuring him. "Wh-what the fuck..." The lion then cried out as one of his balls was squeezed tightly, then murred as his cock slid quickly out of his sheath. It grew to its fullest in a matter of seconds. His eyes then went wide as Young Alexei turned back around, placing both paws on Alexei's chest and, with an arched back, slid his small tailhole to the tip of the lion's cock.

Young Alexei opened his maw just barely, a long, child-like moan pouring out as he slowly slid himself down Alexei's shaft.

"Oh god..." Alexei leaned his head back, smashing it into the stone-like ground below, as he felt his ten-year-old self slowly push himself downward, his very tight tailhole sending his cock into intense transport. "F-fuck," Alexei spat. He raised his ruined right paw to Young Alexei's thigh and rubbed gently as the boy got about halfway down, and still going.

Young Alexei then dug his claws into the lion's chest, cutting deep into him as his tailhole stretched many times further than it should be. His quiet moans quickly turned into loud cries and cub-like roars.

Alexei, who was breathing hard now, felt unusually elated at the thought of being over-powered and yiffed by a ten-year-old, despite it clearly being himself. He bucked upward somewhat, ignoring the biting pain in his chest, and continued to do so until he was confident his entire cock was up Young Alexei's rear.

Young Alexei just sat on Alexei's enormous cock, panting, eyes barely open. He started to lift himself, but upon feeling the sharp scraping of Alexei's barbed cock, he was hesitant to continue. There was already a fair amount of blood flowing from his bowels, so he decided to continue. He closed his eyes tightly and began to pull up, his maw open as if screaming in pain, however he barely made a noise.

Alexei, unnerved by this, still felt unbelievable pleasure all throughout his groin from the impossibly tight fit. For a long moment, all he could feel was the rapture in his cock from his younger self, which only grew as the small lion began pumping his rump on Alexei's shaft, quickly gaining in speed.

With blood as the lubricant, Young Alexei was now breathing heavily as he forced Alexei's huge, barbed cock to tear his insides apart, piercing his body from the inside.

Alexei started to moan and whine at the incredible feeling, ignoring all else. He simply lay there helplessly, under Young Alexei's complete control, very much enjoying his actions. "F-fuck m-me," was all he could say. However, when Alexei opened his eyes he found Young Alexei was changing quickly.

The young lion, with blood now pouring from his ass, was wearing a face of absolute bliss, pumping his body quickly. As he tore at Alexei's chest, crying out in ecstasy, his fur gradually became more and more black and his eyes glowed blood-red. He screamed at the pleasure, his head suddenly becoming elongated and demonic. His fur now black as pitch, and having long rows of glowing red eyes, Young Alexei still continued to pleasure himself atop the older lion.

Alexei just stared up at this demonic figure, his slender, snake-like head, now bearing many long, sharp teeth, writhing about. The lion was frozen in his place, paralyzed with fear. Although the pleasure inside his body was just as powerful as before, the lion could feel nothing. The terror only grew as Young Alexei's arms quickly grew and turned into scythe-like tentacles, as well as multitudes more growing from his back, some of which had similar, snake-like heads as the original, one of them snapping its teeth in Alexei's face. "Oh fuck," Alexei cried. "Get the fuck off me... Get off me!" Alexei squirmed about, desperately trying to free himself, however found it impossible.

"You will be ours," the demon-snake spoke, all of the heads at once echoing in his head.

"No," Alexei cried. "Leave me alone!"

The demons then crawled forward, lifting itself off Alexei's cock, pinning his chest, arms, legs, and neck down. Another arm, sprouted beneath it and grabbed a tight hold of the lion's shaft, then squeezed very tightly.

Alexei let out a terrible cry as the demons began to pull on his balls, gripping tightly as the flesh of his sac began to tear. The lion screamed horrifically, thrashing about madly as he tried to free himself. He looked up to see the black demon grinning a wide, toothy grin, then seconds later, gave one final yank, tearing Alexei's balls from his body. The lion cried out terribly from the indefinable pain, and as the flesh finally tore away, his cock nearly exploded in orgasm, shooting a load of thick black seed, chilling him as it struck his body. Alexei kept screaming as wave after wave of scorching pain and intense pleasure struck his crotch again and again.

The demon lifted his gored balls and dropped it into its mouth, munching and quickly swallowing one with a satisfied grin. As it rose above the lion, swallowing the other gored testicle, it seemed to be laughing and slowly vanishing into the void, only uttering the words, "You will be ours, you will be ours..."

Alexei then opened his eyes quickly, crying out in pain as he rose quickly from his chair. Looking around frantically, he found he was back in the cockpit, metal arm still attached. Sweating heavily, the frightened lion jumped up as Kaelin and Xavier entered, knocking the chair back.

"Alexei," Kaelin said, "what's the matter? What happened?"

Alexei rested his head on his paw and leaned back on the console, eyes closed. He could still feel a pain in his groin, but knew he was fully intact, as well as his paw. He ignored his mate for a moment as he regained his wits. "It's... it's nothing..."

Kaelin moved in closer and put a paw on the lion's shoulder. "Was it one of those dreams again?"

Alexei swallowed hard and removed his paw, still panting. "Yeah... it was. Fuck." He then jumped again, frightened by the beeping console. His heart was pounding as he pressed himself against the wall.

Kaelin just stared at his mate for a moment then down to the console. "Thirty seconds until we enter the Solar System. I'm cutting the hyperdrive now."

The whizzing stars outside the ship steadily slowed and soon they were moving at full impulse.

Alexei just stared out the window as Neptune quickly came into view, almost mesmerized by the large planet seeming to hover above the ship. The pale planetlight filled the cockpit with a calming blue light, and by the time it passed, Alexei was feeling much better. His breathing was steady and he stopped shaking.

"We should be at Earth shortly," Kaelin said as he pressed himself against his mate, holding him close. "We'll find the answer. I promise."

Alexei's heart suddenly started pounding and he shoved Kaelin away. "Get away from me," he said angrily. He held his head again, uncertain why he felt such rage. He growled and stared evilly at his mate, through his fingers, then whipped his head to his advancing brother.

Kaelin lifted himself from being thrown onto the console, tears in his eyes. He had hit his elbow on the edge, and was rubbing it softly. "A-Alexei...what's the matter with you?"

The lion growled, then looked to his brother. "I..." he started, his eyes back on his mate, "I don't know..."

Kaelin sniffled and slowly shifted toward Xavier, moving into his arms. "Never once, Alexei, in my entire life have I ever felt unsafe by your side. Never... Now...well, you certainly managed to put a pretty big dent in my trust." The roo continued to rub his arm, unsure of the damage done to it, although it felt swollen and was throbbing fiercely.

"Kaelin... I'm so sorry. I-I don't know what came over me. You know I would never try to hurt you."

"Yeah, well explain that to my elbow..."

Alexei's heart was aching with guilt. He had never once struck his mate, never once even thought it. Paralyzed, the lion didn't know what to do. He just continued to stare at Kaelin, tears in his eyes, who was now being held by Xavier. The sight of Saturn passing under their ship caught the lion's attention, then the console alarmed.

"Ten minutes until we reach Earth's orbit," it said. The voice repeated itself and the alarm continued.

The noise ringing in Alexei's ear, he suddenly growled and yelled out as he smashed his fist on the smooth, black surface, sending sparks flying into his chest. Breathing hard, he lifted his paw, revealing a significantly large crack, then looked back at his mate.

Kaelin, now even more scared than before, backed away toward the door, leaving as Xavier let him go.

Xavier turned to his brother. "What the hell is wrong with you?" he said scornfully.

"It-it's those dreams... those demons..." Alexei said. "They just... they get inside my head, they torture me, push me to my limits... I guess I wasn't really in control of myself."

"Yeah, well you made a fine mess of things."

Alexei sighed, tears rolling down his cheeks. "It was an accident," he said, "I don't know how it happened."

"I'm going to pilot the ship, so you'd better just pray he forgives you."

Alexei walked toward the exit, but was stopped by his brother.

"If you hurt him again, Alexei..."

The lion pushed by and walked quickly to his quarters. Walking in, he noticed Kaelin lying on their bed, back to the door, cradling his arm. Alexei slowly moved toward the bed, uncertain of what to do. "K-Kaelin..."

The kangaroo remained silent, save his shivering.

Alexei sniffled then took another step forward. "What I did to you...is unforgivable. I swear to you I would never intentionally hurt you, and whatever possessed me to strike you...it wasn't me. That's not who I am, and deep down, you know it's true. I'm begging you," the lion said, getting onto his knees, "please forgive me...even though I clearly don't deserve it."

And still Kaelin was quiet. A very long moment later, he sat up and turned, tears running down his cheeks. "Despite your incredible power, Alexei, I have always felt safe around you. I know you've been stressed lately, and I know I can't possibly understand the pain those dreams cause you...but today...you scared me. For the first time since we met, I actually felt unsafe... Unsafe around you."

Alexei was trying not to cry, although he couldn't hold it back. He wasn't sure what else to say. He clenched his chest as he continued to feel an unimaginable amount of guilt and sorrow. The lion then looked up into his mate's loving, tender eyes, breathing heavily. "I-I promise...I will never make you feel unsafe with me again...ever. I will do everything within my power to ensure your safety and well-being."

Kaelin just stared down at Alexei, feeling somewhat hesitant.

Alexei waited a long moment until finally he lowered his head, closing his eyes. He didn't know what else to do, until suddenly he felt a warm, familiar paw scritching between his ears. The lion looked up to see his mate, dried tears on his face, smiling down at him.

"I love you, Alexei, more than anything else in this universe. You shook my trust today, but I know you're being sincere... and I forgive you."

Alexei smiled and lifted himself up, wrapping his arms tightly around his mate. "I swear to you I will always protect you, no matter what. I love you so much."

The pair were suddenly interrupted by a loud, scratchy voice at the Comm. It was Xavier. "We just cleared the asteroid belt and are flying above Mars' surface, en route to Earth. Any ideas on where to land this boat?"

"Just give me a minute, Xavier. I'll be there shortly."

The comm then shut off.

Alexei sighed and looked at Kaelin's arm. With his metal arm he grasped Kaelin's paw, his flesh paw sliding slowly and carefully up the roo's forearm. He could sense where the strongest amount of pain was, and so stopped his pads there. Staring into Kaelin's eyes, he rubbed the spot gently, stroking up the back of his arm and down again. "How does it feel?" Alexei asked.

"Still hurts, but I appreciate the effort."

"Does it hurt to bend it?"

"No more than if I'm not moving it. You probably just bruised the bone, or something."

Alexei felt guilty again. "Do you need me to get something for it? A sling or a splint or something?"

Kaelin shook his head. "No, I think I'll be fine. It just hurts a lot, that's all."

"A-alright...if you say so."

"I'm currently orbiting above the Northern Hemisphere," Xavier called on the Comm again, "and it's about midnight where mom is. Where do you want me to land?"

The lion growled and got up. "I don't care, Xavier. Anywhere you think it'll be safe."

"Aye, aye."

As the ship started to rumble, now entering Earth's atmosphere, Alexei started to feel very nervous. It had been a long time since he had last been on Earth. Not only to meet his real parents, but to confront these horrifying demons, as well. With his mate, he stared out the bedroom window, looking down on the planet. "I never realized just how small Earth is," he said.

"Hm?"

"Compared to Lumar... hell, compared to most planets we've been on, Earth's pretty tiny. It's a wonder how they're all still living with each other."

"Well, suppose if they had the technology to cheaply and conveniently travel half way across their planet in a matter of minutes, it wouldn't seem so big then."

"I suppose so."

The pair just continued to stare out the window, amazed to see how quickly they descended upon their planet."

"Do you think they caught us?" Kaelin asked.

"Not if Xavier knew what he was doing. Besides, this ship may be a piece of junk by Lumarian standards, but it's pretty advanced to Earth's. This thing could probably hold off against most small explosives and rockets."

Flying above the surface of the planet, finally the ship stopped and hovered for a moment before landing, giving a jolt as it touched the earth.

Alexei and Kaelin were suddenly filled with excitement. Together they ran out of their quarters and into the cargo hold. Alexei held onto his mate and leaped off the catwalk, landing softly down below. They eagerly waited for Xavier.

"Xavier," Alexei called, "come on!"

"I'm shutting down the ship," he called back, "and I don't understand how to work this radar jammer... wait, hold on... Okay, I got it." Xavier finally appeared from within the cockpit. "According to Earth's detection systems," he said as he climbed down the ladder, "we're invisible."

The three excitedly opened the cargo bay door, closing their eyes as they took their first breath of Earth's fresh air. They finally took a step out of the ship, feeling the soft, grassy earth below their footpaws. As the bay door closed behind them, a cool, gentle breeze ran through their fur, sending shivers all throughout their bodies. Almost in unison, the three furs let out a long, contented sigh, then walked up the hill in front of them. Quickly getting to the top, the three paused as they looked down on the city, just staring.

"So, where's your mom at?" Kaelin asked.

"Walking, it'll take at least a few hours, but at least the ship is somewhat hidden."

"Couldn't you just...fly?"

The brothers looked at each other.

"Yeah, I guess we could," Xavier said.

Alexei turned to face his mate and placed his arms on his hips, looking up at him with a smile. Upon feeling the roo's arms around his shoulders, the lion, using his powers, lifted Kaelin and himself up.

Kaelin closed his eyes and held on tight, despite his throbbing elbow, crying out as they hovered many metres above the earth. The pair were quickly joined by Xavier.

"You lead the way," Alexei said.

Moments later, Xavier took off, slowly at first, but much quicker as his brother followed.

Kaelin, holding on even tighter, soon relaxed in Alexei's arms and enjoyed the aerial view of the city.

Flying high above the tallest buildings, Xavier quickly located where his father, and therefore his mother, were living, as a bird's-eye view made it much more difficult to find. The lions quickly descended, flying between the taller downtown buildings, toward the smaller, older-looking apartments. Their home was across from a forested park, which made a perfect place to land.

Finally on the ground, Kaelin stumbled to his feet, amazed by the flight.

Xavier quickly headed toward the apartment, the larger of the bunch, urging the other two to hurry. "They live in that one right there," he said excitedly. "I grew up here, you know. I used to play here all the time." The young lion then took off toward the building, waiting outside the door. "C'mon," he said. "Hurry up!"

Alexei and Kaelin, who were looking around, finally reached the stairs. Just as they did, Xavier opened the door and ran inside, quickly opening the front door, and tearing up the stairs; the elevator was still in disrepair.

Alexei, paw-in-paw with his mate, made their way up the stairs as his brother was already at the top. Upon reaching the top floor, where Xavier had exited, he heard excited cries coming from a room two doors down. A female and male fur were obviously both very happy to see their son. Alexei's heart was pounding, and felt hesitant to walk through the door.

"Did you find your brother?" the excited female asked.

"I'll make some coffee," the male said.

Alexei stood outside the door, breathing heavily. "These are the parents who abandoned me," the lion said.

"You came this far, Alexei. You may not get another chance like this for a long time."

"So where is he?" the female asked from inside.

Alexei took a deep breath and opened the door with his left paw, entering the narrow entrance and stepping into the larger living room. He just stared at the two older furs, everybody speechless.

The female walked up to Alexei slowly. "A-Alexei?"

The lion nodded, standing about four inches taller than her. "Yeah..."

Tears filled his mother's eyes. "Oh, my baby," she cried as she latched onto her son. "I never thought I'd ever see you again."

Alexei just stood there, trying to hold back his own tears, barely hugging her back. His heart was still pounding, as he was feeling many different emotions. He looked up at his father, still uncertain of what to say.

"What happened to you, son?" his father asked.

Alexei's mother finally let go, holding onto his arms, feeling uncomfortable holding his left.

"I... I've gotten into some trouble over the years," he said simply. "I managed to always come out alive, barely, with no thanks to you."

The tension in the small apartment quickly grew. Nobody spoke a word, nor even moved.

Alexei's mother started to cry. "Do you think...I don't feel guilty about that? About leaving you? That was...the hardest thing I ever had to do."

"Apparently not hard enough."

Jake, Alexei's father, stepped in front of his wife, Helena, and pushed a finger into his older son's chest. "How dare you speak to your mother like that," he said. "Ever since that day, she has felt nothing but pain and guilt over leaving you."

Alexei suddenly felt that rage again. He quickly lifted his metal paw and grasped his father's neck, shoving him into the wall. He spoke to Jake in a deep, malevolent voice. "When my village burned to the ground by the Commune, I had nobody left to take care of me. I was only ten years old when I watched them tear the only family I've ever had into pieces, right in front of me. I can still feel their blood on my face, and every day it burns furiously. I was forced to fend for myself against armies of powerful aliens for ten more miserable years, always alone and always in pain. Nobody ever cared for me then. So don't you speak of pain to me. I have suffered more in those ten years than any single fur ever should in his lifetime." The angry lion finally let go of his father's neck, standing above him.

Kaelin walked up to his mate. "Alexei, for god's sake... You need to relax. That was sixteen years ago..."

Alexei closed his eyes and tried to calm himself. His anger was once again caused by that dream; such vivid remembrance of that day sixteen years ago, when his life had been utterly destroyed. When he had put his past behind him, it was those demons that forced it to resurface. "P-please forgive me," the lion said at length. "I...haven't been myself lately. My mind...it's being manipulated by these demons... That's why I'm here. On Earth."

Helena stepped forward. "Demons? What demons?"

Alexei, and everybody else, sat down and the lion quickly explained his nightmares to his mother, and what effect they've been having on him.

"How long has this been happening?" Jake asked, who was sitting on a chair in front of his son.

"For over a month... And each time it gets worse. I know they're here on Earth, so I have to find them and put a stop to this. Because if I don't...there's no telling how much damage I'll do."

Kaelin grasped onto Alexei's paw tighter, shifting closer.

"When this is all over," Helena started, "what are you going to do?"

"I don't really know," Alexei replied. "I've started a new life with the Lumarians and I like it there. If I can stop these demons... I suppose I'll go back."

"A-and...what about you, Xavier?"

"Um... I'm...I'm not sure."

Helena sighed. "Well...I'm glad to see you're doing okay. Both of you."

"So," Jake said, looking at Alexei, "I suppose you two are...mates?"

Alexei smiled. "Yeah, we are. I met him six years ago, before I was taken from Earth. It was love at first sight."

"Although he wouldn't have admitted that then," Kaelin giggled.

Jake then looked over at Xavier inquisitively.

Xavier shifted uncomfortably. "I, uh... I met someone."

"Oh?" his mother said excitedly. "Who is it?"

"A-an alien... a Lumarian. Kavhen."

"And what's she like?"

"Uh... nice, caring, warm... h-he's great."

"He?"

Xavier nodded.

"Oh... So I guess I shouldn't really count on grandchildren, huh?"

"I guess not... Sorry."

Helena smiled. "Don't be sorry, Xavier. As long as you're happy, that's all that matters to me. You...are happy, right?"

Xavier giggled. "Yeah, mom, I really am."

The five furs just sat in the living room in silence, sipping the coffee Jake had made.

"Can I ask you," Jake turned to Alexei, "about your arm? And all those scars?"

The lion lowered his head. "What do you want to know?"

"How did you get all of these?"

"Well, that would be a sixteen-year story. I'm not sure you'd really want to hear it. You can assume I was put through an indescribable amount of pain, though."

"We know you were, Alexei, and you can't begin to imagine how terrible we both feel about that. Day in and day out, your mother and I prayed for your safety, prayed you would one day return to us. We never stopped caring about you, or your brother. Despite our past... Helena and I both love you very much, and that hasn't changed since they day you were born."

Alexei sighed. "You want to know about these scars?" The lion lifted his left arm, showing a large scar running across his ribs. "This one I got when I was ten, when the Commune first attacked. This one across my chest a few years later when I was pinned to the ground by some monstrous bounty hunter. The one winding down my arm is from another hunter and his metal whip, which he heated up and managed to wrap around my arm. This large one running down my back was from-hell, I don't even know the species-who used enormous sword-like weapons; one of them managed to catch me off-guard. This one on my leg," Alexei continued, lifting his pants, "is from some ferocious alien hound, whose jaws got a good hold of me. And finally is this scar on my face." Alexei used his left paw to move some of his mane away. "It was caused by a very fierce, vengeful Commune warrior... he took out my eye, too, but a truly powerful being, a so-called Elemental, managed to repair my eye. Of course, the scar still remains... Anyway, that's all the big scars. All the smaller ones I can't even remember. All just accumulated from my years of fighting."

Helena was holding her mug tightly, shivering somewhat. She was soon comforted in the arms of her husband. "A-and what about...your arm?" she asked.

Alexei held his metal arm with his right paw, rubbing it. "Probably one of my worst injuries. My team an I, the Elite Corps, were on some dusty planet when we were ambushed by a group of Commune warriors. As the battle continued, their commander, Stone... he pinned me down and tore my arm off. The bone must have already been cracked or broken, because it slid out halfway down my upper arm. I blacked out after that."

Alexei's parents just stared at their son, not sure of how exactly to react. They were horrified at that thought, barely able to imagine the immense pain he must have gone through.

"I guess some of that can explain those scars on your wrist, huh?" Jake asked.

The lion lowered his head ashamedly. "Yeah... more or less."

The group just continued to sit together in silence, until Alexei was suddenly hugged tightly by his mother.

"Oh, Alexei," she said, trying not to cry, "I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am for leaving you. I just wish you could understand; we couldn't keep you... Not at the time. You weren't suppose-" Helena stopped herself.

"I wasn't supposed to what?"

"You weren't supposed to... be born. I was seventeen when I gave birth to you, your father eighteen. As a high school drop-out... I just couldn't afford both food and a child... I could barely even afford food as it was."

The lion didn't know how to respond. However, he put an arm around his mother to comfort her as best he could.

"I'm so happy," she said as she held her son tighter, "that we can be a family again... At least for a little while."

As the two let go, Helena patted Alexei's leg and let out a big yawn. It was past midnight now, and for the first time in a long time, she felt she could finally get some sleep.

"Tired, sweetie?" Jake asked.

Helena smiled and nodded.

"You two can feel free to go to bed," Alexei said. "Don't let us get in your way."

"Where are you two going to sleep?" the lioness asked Alexei and Kaelin.

"We'll probably just go back to my ship."

"No, you don't have to do that," Jake cut in, "you can sleep here. We've got a fold-out bed if you guys want it."

Kaelin shrugged, but answered for his mate. "Sure, that sounds great."

"Lemme go set it up for you," Alexei's father said somewhat excitedly, now leaving to the next room.

Again the group sat in silence, most of them finishing their drinks. Despite the coffee, they all seemed quite tired, especially Helena. She was smiling now, almost constantly, a tear running down her cheek from time to time, feeling almost overwhelmed by emotions.

Jake finally returned. "Alright, boys, the bed's set up, so you can use it whenever you want. You gonna come to bed, sweetheart?"

"I'm not sure," the lioness replied. "I'm tired, but I'm not sure how much sleep I'll actually get."

"It's okay, mom," Xavier said, "we're not going anywhere. You go get some rest."

She nodded and got up. "I suppose you're right." She and her husband then left to their room, but not before saying goodnight to their sons.

The three young furs sat in the living room relaxing.

"So, aren't you glad you came?" Xavier asked.

Alexei shrugged. "I guess so. Helena seems pretty happy."

"You can call her 'mom,' you know."

"Xavier, she may have given birth to me, but she's not my mother. My mother died sixteen years ago. So did my dad."

"But they weren't your real parents," Xavier argued.

Alexei glared at his brother. "You just don't understand, do you. The woman who gave birth to me abandoned me twenty-six years ago. She is not my mother. My mother actually cared about me. She packed my lunches for school, gave me hot chocolate on cold winter days, held me when I was hurt... And where was Helena? Damned if I knew. You know, I had a talk with my dad about...personal things...the night before he was killed. Jake wasn't there for me. He never helped me through that time."

"I... I suppose you're right." Xavier seemed disappointed that his brother couldn't see his parents in the same way he did.

Alexei sighed. "I'm going to bed now, and with any luck get some sleep. You coming, Kaelin?"

The roo nodded and got up, holding onto the lion's arm. "Good night, Xavier."

Now Xavier sighed. "Yeah, I should head to bed, too. Good night."

The furs went to their respective rooms, the mates quickly getting under the sheets of the surprisingly comfortable fold-out bed. Both naked under the sheets, Kaelin shuffled over and draped himself over his mate, murring quietly as he shared his body warmth with the lion.

Alexei closed his eyes, with a bit of a smile, and held onto Kaelin back, purring softly. As the two shuffled about for a moment, finally getting comfortable, the door slowly creaked open.

"Alexei?" a soft voice called.

Alexei opened his eyes. "What do you want?"

"I heard you talking to Xavier before you went to bed, and your mother asked me to talk to you."

Alexei sighed. "And it can't wait 'til morning?"

"I'd sorta like to get this off my chest sooner rather than later."

The tired lion, comfortable with his mate, groaned and got up. "Sorry, sweetheart," he said to Kaelin, "I'll be back in a bit." Kaelin having fallen quickly to sleep, the lion got a half-assed confirmation. He got out of bed, standing naked in front of his father, and started toward the door.

"Hey, what about your clothes?"

"Huh? Oh yeah..." Alexei, more accustomed to the loose dress code of space, slipped on Kaelin's boxers and followed his father. "Where are we going?" he asked as they left the apartment.

"To the roof. That's where I like to go to think sometimes."

Soon enough, the two were on the roof and leaning on the ledge, overlooking the city.

"It's beautiful at night, isn't it?"

Alexei shrugged. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Well... I suppose it's nothing you don't know already, but neither your mother or I can stress enough how sorry we are we had to give you up all those years ago. I know you're all grown up now, and probably have been since you were just a kid... but we very much want to be a part of your life now. Obviously we can't make up for all those years, but we'd at least like to try."

Alexei sighed. "Jake... we will never have the kind of relationship you want with me. I know in your eyes I'm still a baby, but you gave up on that baby twenty-six years ago. You won't ever be a father figure to me, because my father died sixteen years ago. There is nothing left in this life to learn, and certainly no one to teach me. Most of what I know I had to learn on my own. To me, Jake... you're just another lion, barely even friends with me."

Jake lowered his head. Inside he knew what his son was saying was right.

"I'm sorry if my return was nothing short of disappointing, but I don't need parents anymore. I haven't needed them since I was ten."

"I'm..." Jake wasn't sure what else to say. "I'm sorry..."

There was a very long pause between the two, as the lions just stared down at the glowing city. Then suddenly Alexei sensed something.

He lifted his head, nose pointed up into the air.

"What is it?"

Ignoring his father, Alexei backed away from the edge of the building, looking around in the dark sky. "Someone's there..."

"I-is it aliens?"

"I'm not sure... I don't think so."

"So you have returned again," an ominous voice said from behind.

The lions turned quickly and were met by a tall, armour-clad husky, which almost seemed to be glowing.

"Koko..." Alexei said.

"I sensed your ship approaching and so decided to pay you a visit. All is well, I presume?"

"Not... entirely."

Koko cocked his head. "What's the problem?"

Alexei sighed and leaned back on the ledge of the building, his father finally more relaxed. The lion quickly explained his problems to the husky and why he was on Earth.

"Hm... Interesting. I have, in fact, had a run-in with these Demons before."

"You have?"

"Many times. Although I have never confronted them personally, I have fought off many of their minions, or lesser demons. Truth be known, they're why I'm here today."

"What? How is that possible?"

"Millennia ago, in my village deep in the forest, the Earth cried out for a hero against these Demons. My village and all its people were destroyed by the dark masters, and so the Gods appointed me, the only survivor, as their Elemental. With myself elevated to their level of divine power, I swore to them I would protect the planet from all who wish to harm her. As our mortal race grew in wisdom and technology, the Demons were inevitably suppressed, as their dark influence grew more and more irrelevant. That is why I left this planet so many years ago, although it would seem the Demons' influence reaches far past the boundaries of Earth."

"I wouldn't say that," Alexei said. "Some alien races are just naturally war-faring. Fighting is in their blood."

"Be that as it may, in recent weeks-no, months even-I have felt a dark presence quickly growing on this planet. It would seem the Demons are making an effort to regain their dark control over the planet. Perhaps they plan to use you as their Adept."

"Their what?"

"Their tool, or aide. Rather, as a counter to myself; a dark hero, or Demon Knight."

"That's crazy. Why would I be their Demon Knight?"

"I only wish I knew their plans. It will take some more investigating, but I may be able to pinpoint the source of the dark energy which I've been sensing lately. Perhaps working together we can find and stop the Demons."

Alexei nodded. "Yeah, for sure. You know a lot more about this stuff than I do."

"With that, then, I will take my leave." Koko, before getting a response, leaped up high and took off over the city.

The two remained silent, now just watching the night sky. Every so often Alexei would move his left arm, and besides the gentle breeze blowing through their fur, only a mechanical buzzing noise could be heard on the rooftop. A sudden chill blew through their fur and they turned around, now slowly walking toward the door.

"I guess we should go back," Jake said aloud.

"Hm," Alexei agreed. The two walked back into the building and to the apartment.

Before going into their respective rooms, Jake told Alexei, "Good night," and off they went.

Alexei quickly got back under his sheets and just lay on his back, staring at the ceiling. It wasn't long before he once again felt his mate drape himself over his chest, and although that soothed the lion somewhat, he couldn't help but be unnerved by things to come. Alexei closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep.

The tired lion was suddenly stirred awake by the morning sun, a small sliver of light just hitting his eyes. He groaned and turned, content to lie there for much longer. However both he and his mate were coerced up by a modest rapping at their door.

"Sweetheart," Helena said, "it's morning. I think you should get up."

Alexei groaned some more, somewhat annoyed by his mother. However the lion sat up and rubbed his eyes, then let out a big yawn. He then looked down at his mate, who had just started to yawn. With a smile, Alexei patted Kaelin's hip and stood up, quickly putting on his pants. He then walked to the door and turned the knob, but before opening it, he received a big hug from his mate from behind.

"Mmm..." Kaelin said. "You're so cute in the morning."

Alexei shrugged. "I do what I can."

Kaelin finally let go and the pair went out and into the living room, where they sat down with Jake and Xavier.

Helena came out of the kitchen moments later with a fresh pot of coffee and two mugs. "Want me to fill you up?" she asked.

"Yeah, sure," Kaelin said enthusiastically.

Alexei just shrugged. "Alright."

Helena happily filled the mugs and sat down. "So, do you guys have any plans for today?" She looked at Xavier first.

"Nah, not really. Just hanging out with you two, I guess. Maybe give Jamie a call."

"Jamie?" Alexei asked.

"Yeah. We've been best friends for ages. He's the only person I told, besides mom and dad, that I was going to try to find you in space."

"Ah."

"So what about you, sweetie?" Helena said to Alexei.

"Hm? I'm not sure. I'm sorta waiting to hear from someone... Koko. Jake and I met him last night, and he went out to find the Demons. But until he gives me some more information, I'm pretty much free. Did you have something in mind?"

"No, not really. I'd just kinda like to take a walk, maybe... get to know my son a bit better."

Alexei sighed. "Yeah, I suppose we could do that. It's only fair."

"Obviously I can't force you..."

"Helena... I have to be honest with you; your powers are as great or greater than mine, and yet you are so completely submissive. How can someone with such amazing power be so...pathetic?"

Now Helena sighed. "Believe me, Alexei, I ask myself that same question every day, and I still don't have an answer. It seems I'm the black sheep in the family."

"So it seems," the lion said from behind his mug. As he set it down, he perked his ears and looked around at his family. "I'm sorry," he said.

Helena lowered her head. "I don't blame you for hating us...or for hating me. I just wish you could see things better from my point of view."

Alexei looked away, unsure of what else to say. He felt a reassuring paw on his knee, but it offered little comfort. "I wish I could, too. P-perhaps...we can talk more about it later...if you'd like."

Helena smiled brightly. "Yeah, sure I would. Thank you, Alexei."

"Maybe we could show your parents your ship?" Kaelin suggested.

Jake sat up. "You have your own ship?"

"Yeah. My team and I got the piece of junk when we were exiled from Lumar. The Elders gave us the biggest piece of shit they had and sent us off. But she's been good to us, and good to me. I don't think I'd trade her in for anything else."

"Do you think we could see it?" Helena asked.

"Well it's outside of the city, so it'd take a while to walk there. Or even to drive. The fastest way would be to fly, but this early in the morning, we're bound to get caught. Not that I particularly care."

Helena looked at her husband nervously. "Suppose we could fly...if we go fast enough, people might not notice."

Alexei grinned. "Alright then. Xavier, you coming?"

"Nah, I'm gonna go see Jamie. But I'll leave with you."

Alexei and his mate then got up, putting down their coffee. "We're leaving now."

"So soon?" Helena asked.

"Yeah, why not?"

"No reason. I just figured we'd all wake up a bit first."

"We're awake now. C'mon, let's go."

Helena shrugged and the five left the modest apartment, filing into the alley between buildings. With Xavier standing idle, the powerful lions grabbed onto their respective mates and started to hover above the dirty pavement.

Helena giggled, having not used her powers for quite some time, as she tried to control her own movements. Quickly getting a hang of it again, she turned to her youngest son. "Alright, Xavier, we'll be off. Say hello to Jamie for me."

"Can do."

With that the lions took off quickly into the sky, straight up, until they were hundreds of metres above the city. Looking past the tallest building, the four could just barely see Alexei's ship off in the distance.

Alexei looked at his mother with a smile and suddenly took off. Flying quickly through the air, he looked back to see his mother quickly gaining speed. Somewhat surprised by this, the lion growled and forced himself even faster through the sky.

"Alexei," Kaelin cried, "it's not a race! Slow down."

In a matter of moments Alexei was hovering high above his ship, finally slowed down. Seconds later, his mother and father joined him.

"That was... incredible," Jake commented.

The four quickly descended, landing by the cargo bay door, until Alexei and Helena were suddenly alerted.

"Damn it," Alexei said.

"Hm?"

"A bunch of kids are coming."

Moments later a small group of young teenagers, no older than fifteen, appeared from over the hill and were in awe of the extraterrestrial spacecraft.

"Is this thing really from space?" one of them asked.

"Well, it's definitely nothing I've ever seen."

The kids finally approached the ship, seeming to ignore the four other furs.

"What're you kids doing here?" Alexei asked hostilely.

"Who the hell are you?" a young tiger asked. He seemed to be the oldest, and the leader of the group.

"You shouldn't be here. It's not safe. If this thing is from space, then the aliens could attack you at any moment."

"Don't be ridiculous," the meekest-looking of the teenagers said. "I watched it land last night and three aliens already took off into the city, likely assuming furry forms. Besides, if they were hostile life forms, they would have made their presence known long ago."

Alexei concentrated hard until suddenly the earth below them started to shake, a terrible rumbling noise heard all around them.

The children appeared frightened.

Alexei stepped forward, staring them down. With each step the rumbling became more intense. He then grabbed onto the young tiger and lifted him up. Ignoring his mother from behind, Alexei bared his teeth. "This will only get worse before it gets any better, kid. And if you want to avoid even a small amount of the pain I can inflict upon a single soul, then you and your little band had better take off now and forget you ever saw us, or this ship. Got it?"

The terrified child could barely nod.

"Good." Alexei tossed the tiger to the ground and watched as they ran, grinning.

"Alexei...was that really necessary?" Helena asked.

The lion shrugged. "It worked, didn't it?" He then turned to the cargo bay door and opened it up, the four walking in and the older lions looking around in amazement.

"This is usually where we hang out," Alexei said, acting as the tour guide. "Through that door there is the quarters, which isn't particularly interesting."

The group climbed up to the catwalk.

"You can also access the left engines that way, if you need to. But in here," Alexei continued, walking into the small lounge area, "is our main computer. We found this huge tower on a dusty old planet called Pann with this enormous informational database. So we uploaded it to our computer, with significant modifications. It's got tons of information on thousands of different planets and species."

"Do you think it's got any information about these Demons?" Helena asked.

Alexei cocked his head. "I...I don't know. It might."

"Well, why don't you check?"

The lion put his paw on the smooth, warm dome. "Yeah, I should. Maybe after I show you around."

"What's left to see?" Jake asked.

"Well, just the cockpit, I guess."

As the group slowly filed into the small cockpit, Jake noticed a blinking red light on the console. "What's this light mean?"

"Oh... it means we received a transmission. But from who?"

Kaelin promptly pressed the flashing red button.

"This message is for Alexei," the voice said. It sounded like Koko. "I think I've located the source of the dark energy, and I have uploaded the coordinates to your navigational systems. It will take you to the most remote and untouched part of this planet in a deep, ancient rainforest. Perhaps it was this energy that shielded it from detection for all these millennia, however you will be able to access these parts if you follow the coordinates exactly. That is all the information I can give you now, and I wish you the best of luck."

The group stood silent.

"Are...are you gonna to go?" Helena asked.

Alexei shuffled nervously. "I don't know... I suppose I should." He looked up at his parents and his mate. "I... I have to do this."

"Well then I'm coming with you," his mother spoke up.

"No, you can't. I don't know what to expect there, but if something terrible happens, I want as few people hurt as possible. I'm sorry, but I have to do this alone."

"What about...me?" Kaelin asked.

"I'm sorry, but I want you to sit this one out, too. It'll be too dangerous. I don't want to lose you."

"Yeah, and I don't want to lose you either! If you're going to get killed, I'd at least like to know about it."

"With more of us there, we'll stand a better chance," Helena argued.

"I'm going by myself, period."

Kaelin suddenly clung himself to Alexei, then leaned back and held his paw with one paw, and the deep red pendant around the lion's neck with the other. "Please, Alexei... I want to come with you, I need to know you'll be alright. I don't think I could handle losing you, or even handle the wait, especially if I don't know what's going on."

Alexei wasn't sure. He wanted his mate with him for strength, but he didn't know what to expect, and wanted no danger to come to him. "If this place is anything like my dreams, there is no way I could ever let you go through that. No one should. However...you're who keeps me strong. I can always rely on you, Kaelin, to be there for me and to hold me up. If you really feel that strongly about it, then I won't stop you. But you have to understand my objection to it."

Kaelin smiled. "I understand, and I'm willing to take that risk. We're in this together, sweetheart, and we will be for life."

The lion hugged his mate tightly then looked over at his parents. "Kaelin and I will go together to seek the Demons. Please... don't follow me."

Helena was very visibly upset. "Alexei...if this is how you want to handle it, then I'm not going to get in your way. Just...please be careful. I prayed for many years that I would see your shining face once again... I don't want to lose that a second time."

Alexei nodded. "I promise I'll come back to see you again." The lion then saw his parents off his ship and the two made their way back to the cockpit.

Kaelin appeared eerily stoic as he entered the coordinates into the computer and the ship took off. He looked over to his mate, who was slumped in the seat next to him holding his head. The roo reached a paw over and held the lion's paw. "I love you, Alexei."

He looked up and over to Kaelin with a smile. "I love you, too, sweetie."

The pair then sat in silence, paws linked, as the ship flew quickly up to the vast, deep ocean, passing over it within moments.

Alexei's heart was pounding with every second the ship flew forward, and he could feel his pawpads getting sweaty and shaky.

"Nervous, sweetheart?"

Alexei nodded. "Can you blame me?"

Kaelin smiled and got up, paws still linked. And sat on the lion's lap, their chests facing together. The roo put his arms around Alexei's neck, scritching under his mane, and leaned in so their noses were touching. "Perhaps I can help get your mind off things for a moment." He then gently kissed his mate on the tip of his nose.

With a smile, Alexei rubbed his paws up Kaelin's slender sides, now under his shirt, and let out a long sigh. Looking deep into Kaelin's eyes, the lion slowly pressed their lips together. Murring quietly, he started to feel more at ease and warmer inside, warmer more when he felt a marsupial paw slide down his chest and stomach and into his pants. And still the lion continued to kiss his mate.

After a long moment of groping his mate, Kaelin finally pulled away from Alexei and retrieved his paw. He had felt a much harder bulge within the lion's sheath, and so decided to get off and relieve the pressure that was sure to build. Kaelin made short work of the belt and unzipped the pants quickly, coercing the spiny tip of Alexei's cock out and to grow significantly.

Alexei just leaned back in his chair and murred, hips bucking into the dry, mild air of the cockpit. He then gasped as he felt two warm paws gently touch and caress his growing shaft, slowly and sensually rubbing up and down. The lion sighed his mate's name and gripped the arms of the chair tighter.

Kaelin giggled and got to his knees and held onto Alexei's warm, throbbing shaft gently, nuzzling it with his nose. He gave several short licks to the underside, paws slowly slipping away, but quickly latched loosely on once again. With a constant smile, the roo just basked beneath his mate's large cock, staring into it as if in some kind of trance. Handling it delicately, Kaelin rubbed his cheek softly along the hard length over and over, murring constantly. He then licked the tip of Alexei's cock, getting a small taste of precum, as his paws slowly and gently stroked the shaft. Again the roo nuzzled his mate's length, murring and caressing it gently. "You have such a beautiful piece meat," Kaelin said quietly.

Alexei blushed intensely-Kaelin had never worshiped him in such away before. The lion just murred and mrowled at this sort of attention, not entirely sure how to react. He just sat high in his chair, paws gripping on the armrests, legs spread and allowing his mate to worship his cock. His left paw then rose and patted Kaelin on the head, rubbing slightly, while he looked down on the roo, feeling almost godlike. Although it was an unusual feeling at first, Alexei quickly eased into his role as a divine being, trying not to show his "subject" how his touches felt. Alexei then replaced his paw on the armrest and rested back, reveling in Kaelin's worship.

Unsure of where this sudden urge came from, the roo looked up at his mate just as a paw cupped gently below the lion's fuzzy balls, massaging them sensually with his fingers while the other paw very lightly stroked the length. Kaelin's tongue would occasionally come out for a quick lick or two, but he mostly stuck to nuzzling the spiky head with his nose or kissing it softly. He then began to stroke the shaft again with his cheek, rubbing up and down and gripping it as if it was his favourite toy. Hearing Alexei try to cover up his moaning, Kaelin smiled and nuzzled the end again, somewhat surprised to feel a gentle spirt of precum leak onto his nose, then a bit more after that. The roo left his nose just at the base of Alexei's cockhead, collecting more pre, while his paws continued to fondle his balls and shaft.

Finally Alexei decided it was enough and he lifted Kaelin's head, still looking down at him, and just gave a subtle nod.

Kaelin slowly lifted himself up, standing in front of Alexei, and slowly slipped out of his clothes, removing each piece very sexually. Amused by Alexei's usual blushing, now tossing his sweater aside, the roo turned and began to remove his pants, turning around and slipping them down only part way, sticking his tail up and showing the lion his tailhole. With a giggle, Kaelin removed his pants not without twisting and gyrating his body like an erotic dancer. Having teased his mate enough, the roo then climbed on top of the lion, wrapping his arms around his soft, thick-furred neck.

Alexei continued to sit in his same position, blushing like crazy, while Kaelin squirmed about, sitting just above his shaft. Trying not to smile, remaining as stoic as possible, he very much enjoyed the feel of Kaelin's body rubbing constantly all over his; paws rubbing through his mane and across his muscular chest, powerful thighs up and down his sides, and most of all Kaelin's warm rump grinding all over cock. The roo's hot breath and sweaty odour filled the lion's nostrils, exciting him further. His hips bucked up slightly, between Kaelin's butt-cheeks, and he murred quietly to himself, trying to control his breathing. Kaelin's extremely sexy, smooth body, twisting and worming in front of him, turned Alexei on more than anything. Although it had been more than six years since he first laid eyes on it, the roo's body was still just as fit and just as sensuous.

Kaelin, who was getting more and more into his role, moved his paws over Alexei's strong shoulders, rubbing back and forth, almost groping his muscles as his pads brushed under his mane. The roo then moved his paws down the lion's shoulders and to his powerful upper-arms, especially his right, flesh arm. Kaelin slowly moved his paws down his strong deltoids, getting a good feel for the subtle bumps and grooves of the large muscle. Giggling, he then let his paws run down Alexei's arms, his left paw very much enjoying the obvious transition to the well-built biceps, again feeling the sexy curves of the flexed muscles. Kaelin's right paw felt around the metal arm a bit, but quickly abandoned that when he began to move both paws back up Alexei's biceps and across his strong, extremely well-built chest. Squeezing the well-defined muscles, his bottom two fingers ran under his muscle while the others grazed across the bulk of his pectoral, and over the lion's nipples which aroused the roo further. Kaelin murred and ran his paws again across Alexei's chest, then, while gyrating his hips and precumming onto the lion's belly, ran his paws down his bumpy, muscular ribs.

Alexei closed his eyes and flexed some of his muscles as Kaelin's paws moved across his body, teasing his mate.

The roo, upon feeling down to the lion's abs, let out a quick moan as the muscles seemed to jump into his paws, flexing under his pads sporadically. He murred even louder as he ran his paws back up Alexei's abs and ribs, loving the feeling of the moving, hard muscles. "Oh god," he murmured as his paws once again felt the tight flex of Alexei's chest.

The lion, amused by his mate, lifted his right arm to the side and bent it upward, forming a fist and flexing his impressive biceps.

Kaelin quickly noticed this and moved his left paw across Alexei's right pectoral and with both paws now, gripped tightly onto his arm, getting a very good feel of both the strong muscle and the large scar running across it. Leaving his left paw on the lion's arm, enjoying as he flexed it in different positions, Kaelin felt Alexei's left shoulder and moved his paw down across his back, pressing their chests together. While clinging to his mate, hips still slowly thrusting forward, Kaelin's left paw joined his other in feeling the multitude of well-worked and well-built muscles on Alexei's back. The roo then murred much louder, especially as his pre continuously spirted and smeared into the lion's stomach. Kaelin moaned into Alexei's ear then bit the end, soon whispering, "I want to feel one more muscle...deep inside me..."

Alexei looked over with a bright smile and lowered both his paws onto Kaelin's hips, gripping on with his strong paws and lifting the roo up a bit.

Kaelin held on almost pathetically to his mate, letting him to whatever he pleased, both paws now just resting on his shoulders. He then gasped deeply as he felt the barbed end of the lion's cock poking into his tailhole. He looked down at Alexei through lust-filled eyes and thanked him quietly, just moments before Alexei let go. In less than a second he felt his tailhole expand and the full, rock-hard shaft moving slowly through his body, his own weight lowering him down. Kaelin let out a long, loud moan into Alexei's ear as he felt the large, hard muscle worm its way upward, stretching his tailhole and scouring his swollen and sensitive prostate. With another loud moan, more like a yelp, the roo's long cock hardened suddenly and spewed a lot more precum.

Alexei giggled and replaced his paws on Kaelin's hips, helping the roo down further. He let out a deep breath with another giggle as the roo moaned louder in his ear, his chest now pushing forward into Alexei's. The lion lowered his head and kissed Kaelin's neck softly, nipping his shoulder on occasion, until finally his entire cock was pushed inside his mate.

Kaelin, breathing hard and whimpering quietly, just sat on Alexei's lap with half a grin, enjoying for a moment the intensity of the powerful muscle shoved up his rear. However it didn't take long until those quiet whimpers became louder and the roo started to squirm. With a constant flow of pre, Kaelin resisted the urge to grab on and finish up by gripping tightly at Alexei's mane. He head suddenly whipped back and out came a loud moan as Alexei pumped hard upward, then more so as the lion pulled out. Holding onto his mate, knees by his sides, Kaelin easily lifted himself off Alexei's cock.

Alexei, with his paws on Kaelin's hips, pushed down on the roo, making it harder for him to slide up and down. Enjoying this sense of power, Alexei held on tight and pulled the roo up quickly.

Kaelin cried out as the barbs on the lion cock scraped painfully at his insides, certain he was now bleeding, but found immense pleasure in that biting pain.

Wasting no time at all, Alexei plunged his shaft deep into his mate, pushing the roo down forcefully. The lion closed his eyes tightly as he pulled Kaelin up again, trying to cover his moaning with a growl. The roo's tight insides, soft and warm, drove the lion crazy. Very well-lubricated, Alexei found it very easy to pump his cock in and out of his mate, quickly stretching him out. However despite how much Kaelin's tailhole was stretched, it seemed to always retain its amazing tightness. Alexei growled loudly as he plunged deeper and deeper into the rooish hole, finally bursting out a loud moan.

Kaelin laughed as he was pounded, between his choppy cries, his body bouncing quickly atop the lion's flesh. He eventually let go of Alexei's mane and held onto his upper arms again, gripping the curve between his biceps and deltoids. With each pump he felt those strong muscles quickly contract and expand, flexing constantly as they mated. "Oh-oh, god!" Kaelin cried out. Thicker pre started to shoot from his cock, smearing on Alexei's toned and scarred abs. With his head still high in the air, howling almost, Kaelin began assisting Alexei even more by pushing himself down harder on the huge, feline meat, in tune with Alexei's paws.

Alexei grinned a tooth at Kaelin's enthusiasm and obvious lust, and so began, however awkwardly, thrusting his hips upward each time the roo rocketed downward, maximizing each deep, heavy plunge.

"F-fuck!" Kaelin whimpered loudly, breathing very heavily. "N-now I know...what Xa-Xavier...was going through..."

Alexei smirked and drove himself upward extra hard, causing the roo to yelp in pain. Another long moan escaped his maw as he continued as normal, ravaging the kangaroo's tailhole relentlessly, pounding hard and deep.

"Y-you meanie," Kaelin laughed. He held onto Alexei's arms tightly again, loving the feel of the hard, warm flexing muscles. His ass was almost numb now, except he could still feel this intense pulse of painful pleasure constantly striking his body, most likely his swollen prostate being devastated so ceaselessly. With each thrust of Alexei's hips, Kaelin could feel Alexei's full, hot balls slapping the underside of his tail with enough force to show just how hard his hole was being pounded. Although the pain was incredible, he wouldn't trade this sensation in for anything else in the world. The roo then blushed somewhat at that thought and smiled, his face seeming stuck in that dreamy, lusty state, bouncing back and forth.

Alexei, whose balls were feeling quite sore from the consistent whacking, easily ignored the pain, as his cock, and that entire region, was filled with a fierce amount of pleasure. Again and again he felt Kaelin's hot precum squirt onto his stomach, and sometimes up on his chest, which elated the lion. He, too, had to resist the urge to grab the marsupial meat and yank it until he cummed all over. Instead the powerful beast dug his claws into Kaelin's hips, adding to the roo's pain, and fucked him as hard as ever. Alexei growled and moaned in sync with his mate, the pair working their hot, tired bodies together to create such amazing pleasures. The lion's head writhed about, unable to stay still, as he moaned and growled, making a hell of a noise. "K-Kaelin," Alexei shouted, "I-I'm gonna-!"

"I know," Kaelin shouted back, eyes shut tightly.

Giving his mate one final, powerful shove down, Alexei thrust his cock as hard as he could upward and threw his head back, maw wide open and roaring loudly. Shooting his massive load up into Kaelin's tailhole, he pumped again and again as he emptied his balls, another roar shaking the chair under him.

Kaelin gripped onto Alexei's arms tightly as he felt Alexei's enormous cock suddenly swell up and fire its load, crying out as his belly was quickly filled with the lion's hot, sticky seed. When his mate finally quieted down a little, Kaelin murred loudly, feeling very warm, full, and content. He continued to just sit on Alexei's hard cock, bouncing just a little and giggling.

Alexei lowered his head, panting heavily, and looked into Kaelin's eyes. The tired feline grinned and leaned forward, licking Kaelin's neck then slumping back. He was tired and sweaty, but still felt some residual pleasure left in his cock.

Kaelin sighed happily, still with his mate inside him, and moaned quietly as he lifted himself off, Alexei's cum flowing out of his tailhole as the cock was removed. There was a quick moment where the steady flow didn't stop, but the roo tightened his muscles to keep the hot seed inside. With a giggle Kaelin pressed his chest against Alexei's and kissed him softly on the lips.

Alexei ran his paws up Kaelin's smooth, athletic sides, murring at the muscular curves. His paws then rubbed gently along Kaelin's back as he felt their lips connect. Kissing his mate softly, Alexei tilted his head, opposite to Kaelin, and their tongues joined and played together.

Kaelin slowly pulled away from his mate and then realized how much of a mess he had made. Quickly he realized, as the pleasure inside faded, his cock was still left unattended. The kangaroo looked down at the lion with sad eyes and whimpered.

Alexei laughed. "What do you want?" he teased, paws inching closer toward the untouched meat.

Bucking his hips and making nonsensical, babyish whines, Kaelin gestured very clearly what he wanted. He then gasped when he felt Alexei's cold, metal paw grasp onto his cock, stroking the slick, precum-soaked shaft slowly. Kaelin slowly relaxed as the metal paw warmed up from the body heat and massaged him much more expertly. Resting his paws on his mate's shoulders, Kaelin leaned back and enjoyed Alexei's touch. He inadvertently relaxed his sphincter, which released the massive amount of lion cum onto the lion's lap, now gently caressing his inner thighs and pouring down the seat and onto the floor.

Alexei, more than happy to oblige his mate, was unfortunately not in the proper position to suck Kaelin's cock, however still enjoyed the light fapping. With a grin, mostly from hearing his spent cum fall to the floor, his metal arm began to whir louder as its pace picked up, the three smooth fingers rolling over the head of Kaelin's cock then back down again. He began squeezing the meat between the two main fingers with each roll over the cockhead. Alexei continued to do this faster and faster, hearing very clearly that his mate was enjoying it just as Kaelin's paw shot forward, latching onto the mostly-unfeeling arm.

"Oh god," Kaelin said, breathing hard. He seemed to be even more turned on by the Commune prosthetic, as his paw stroked the metal plating.

Grinning wider, Alexei squeezed Kaelin's cock tightly, to wake him up a bit, but continued shortly with his same motions, rubbing his cockhead then stroking downward. He could feel some warmth through the metal arm, sensing the intense throbbing meat between his fingers.

"F-faster," Kaelin said. "Faster!"

Alexei looked up and started to fap Kaelin's cock more vigorously.

Kaelin leaned his head back and let out a long moan. "F-fuck..." Moments later he clenched his teeth and tensed his muscles, then in several quick, loud bursts of moaning, the kangaroo cried out as he came, bucking into the metal paw with much delight, still making a hell of a noise. His warm seed shot far up Alexei's chest, getting sprayed into his mane and some on his chin, and continued to unload himself as the feline stroked him more.

Alexei giggled and, somewhat surprised by the quick shots to his muzzle, squeezed the last bit of cum from Kaelin's cock, murring in delight as his mate suddenly pressed their chests together, the pair now embraced in a long, loving hug.

However, they were soon interrupted by the beeping console.

Alexei leaned forward, still holding onto his mate, seeing they were close to their destination, the ship now flying high above the sandy desert. The lion slumped back in his chair and sighed.

"What is it, sweetheart?"

"Just nervous, I guess."

Kaelin kissed Alexei quickly on the lips and gave him a squeeze. "You've been through so much, hun. This shouldn't be a problem."

"I know, but if you've seen the dreams I've seen-and felt the dreams I've felt-then I'm certain you'd feel the same way."

"I suppose so."

Looking out the window again, they were now flying above an enormous expanse of large, ancient-looking trees.

"I guess we're almost there."

Kaelin got up and sighed as he picked up his pants, pointing his cum-dripping tailhole at his mate. He then slipped them on and grabbed in sweater, sitting in the seat next to Alexei's and just rested it in his lap.

Alexei put his pants back on, heart pounding, and waited for the auto-pilot to stop the ship.

"There's not really any place to land, is there," Kaelin said as he leaned forward and took control. "The canopy is so thick, there's no way we'll be able...to..."

The pair just stared out the window as they saw an enormous darkness envelop a large mass of trees, pulling them down into nothingness. The bubbling black finally stopped, revealing an ideal landing zone.

"I...I guess that's where we should land." Kaelin carefully took the ship down, feeling somewhat relieved as the void slowly vanished.

The ship landed with a jolt and the engines slowly stopped. It was now deathly silent, save the random creeks and clicks of the ship settling. The two furs barely moved a muscle, staring into the thick, untouched jungle.

"Where do we go from here?" Kaelin asked quietly.

Alexei shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine."

They stared for a moment longer as if waiting for a sign. Confident they were getting nothing else, the two slowly made their way out of the cockpit and down into the cargo hold.

Silently, Kaelin opened the hatch.

In an instant the pair were enveloped in the moist, sticky heat of the dense jungle. They walked out and looked around. Up above barely any light shimmered through the canopy, the thick, dark greens blocking out the outside world. It would seem the trees had closed shut any easy escape now, the enormous landing zone likely undetectable from above. All sorts of loud, wild noises could be heard, small animals and birds making their presence known.

"If this place has been untouched for centuries, what kind of animals do you think there'll be?" Kaelin asked.

Alexei was already sweating heavily. "I don't know," he said, wiping his head and moving forward. "Haven't really thought about it."

Kaelin followed behind. "Where are you going?"

"Nowhere in particular."

"So, what, you don't sense anything? Where they could be?"

Alexei shrugged as he pushed some thick foliage aside and rubbed his paw against an enormous ancient tree. "I started off in this direction, so that's where they'll be."

"I hope you're right. I don't wanna get lost in here."

Alexei sighed and wiped his forehead again. "Man...it's times like this I wish I hadn't grown out my mane." He then felt a comforting paw on his back.

"But your mane makes you look so sexy; so dangerous."

Alexei growled playfully and nipped at the roo. The pair laughed and continued on.

After what seemed like a three hour hike through the dense, humid jungle, the sweat-soaked furs came up to the mouth of a modest-looking cave, jutting out of the land and covered in moss and low-lying plants. The jagged maw was deep and pitch dark, for other furs a very frightening sight.

"Think that's it?" Kaelin asked.

Alexei stepped over a dead log and toward the mouth of the cave. "If this isn't it, then it probably doesn't exist." The lion hesitated for a moment, resting his paw on the hot, jet-black rock. "C'mon," he finally said, "let's go."

Kaelin bravely entered the cave after his mate, quickly clinging onto his tail. "Is it alright for me to admit I'm scared?"

Alexei's heart was pounding. "Yeah, it's alright. I am, too."

The two continued into the deep, dark cave, slowly making their way through the absolute darkness. With each careful step, they somehow felt the damp air getting thicker and more malevolent. Not a noise could be heard besides the slow-moving furs. It wasn't long until Alexei spotted a dim light.

"K-Kaelin!" he said excitedly. "Do you see that?"

"I can't see anything," he said anxiously.

"It's a light, off in the distance."

The pair, now paw-in-paw, drew closer to the light. Much to the lion's surprise, the dim light was much closer than he had thought, as the tiny particle floated past his head. The two just stared at it, now barely able to see each others faces.

Alexei smiled, and so did his mate. They just stared into each others eyes, feeling more at peace. As the odd light particle drifted away, their faces disappearing into the darkness, they continued on.

Before long, another light particle drifted by, then several more after that. The deeper into the cave they got, the more the light particles floated by.

"I think we're getting closer," Alexei said aloud.

It was now to the point where they were batting some away from their faces, as they were hot to touch. They could see the walls of the jagged cave now, no more than four metres wide, as well as each other. Finally they turned an awkward corner and noticed what looked like a tiny bubbling crater or volcanic vent, sticking up from the ground, where the hot light particles were spewing out like spores. Looking ahead there were several more, as if guiding the way. The furs continued on, mostly crouched down to avoid being burned, until they turned another corner to be almost blinded by an intense light emanating from an enormous chamber. The path they were following jutted out into the middle of this massive chamber, the black-stone platform just a couple metres above boiling magma. The same light particles were floating above the dark, molten rock, barely venturing over the platform. The pair just stood in the middle of the chamber, nowhere else to go but back.

"Wh-what now?" Kaelin asked.

"I don't know."

They stood around for a moment longer, holding paws tightly, until one of the larger light particles floated in one place at the far end of the chamber. The particle suddenly turned black and started to expand.

The furs backed away but continued to watch.

As the dark particle expanded long, serpent-like limbs grew out of the centre, whipping around sporadically. Shortly there were dozens of these black tentacles, then out from the centre five black serpent heads extended. Each one had a two long rows of deep, glowing eyes, running for at least a metre down their bodies, parallel to their spines. Each one had different coloured eyes, and it seemed the one in the middle, with the red eyes, was the one in charge.

Alexei and Kaelin just stood petrified, staring at the dark beast.

The heads remained mostly still as the tentacles, appearing only somewhat translucent, moved and whipped around aimlessly.

"You are the one Alexei," it suddenly said in a deep, raspy voice to the lion. "And you have brought your sacrifice."

Alexei was surprised. "Wh-what? What do you mean?"

The dark entity moved closer, although it was hard to tell. One of its tentacles slowly moved forward and brushed against Kaelin.

The kangaroo batted the black limb away. "What do you want with Alexei? Why have you been torturing him?"

"You are very brave to act so hostile in the face of a demon. You will make a perfect sacrifice."

"Sacrifice for what?" Alexei asked. He was trying to remain calm.

"For your ascension. For many centuries this dying planet has gone unbalanced. You will reclaim that balance."

"Balance? Balance to what?"

"The balance to light."

Alexei was surprised.

"You, young Earthling, will be our dark vessel, our savior from the light. You will reclaim the darkness, reclaim the night, so our chaos may rule."

"What the hell makes you think I'd do this for you?"

"You have already agreed, Earthling."

Alexei was trying to wrap his head around what these demons were saying. "I don't understand. Why me? Because of my powers?"

The demons seemed to laugh at that question. "Your dark powers, yes. What that foolish Elemental did not understand those many years ago is when he gave away his power for Human use, he was breaking out the darkness that lay in the Human heart. Your powers have grown exponentially over the years, much further than the Elemental predicted."

"My brother has proven to be a stronger force than myself. Why not him? Or my mother?"

"Foolish lion. You are the only one of Luther's legacy who has reached his fullest potential, who has become darker than the void itself. And it would seem your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness, which is why you let yourself be bested by a lesser power."

"Y-you mean Kaelin?"

"Indeed."

"How come I don't remember achieving this 'great power?'"

"As you were unaware of your senses, your demons took over. Your feeble mind could not handle such strength, such awareness, and so shut off. However we can make you gain those demonic powers once again, and prepare your mind for such a change. All you must do is take your sacrifice."

"You mean kill Kaelin? No way, I will never do that."

Kaelin, who was scared out of his wits, clung tightly to his mate.

"You have branded him. You do not have a choice."

"I did not brand him for any sacrifice. I would never do such a thing. I love Kaelin more than anything else on this planet."

"Not long ago you planted your seed inside this Earthling, marking him as ours."

Alexei suddenly recalled that time on Solstice, the Lumarian space station, where the demons flooded his mind just as his orgasm struck. The ice cold, almost torturous spray must be what the demons meant. "No," he said. "This can't be true. You're lying to me!"

"We are not lying. You will bathe in his blood and ascend to greatness." The demons seemed to be getting more aggravated. "Your destiny lies with us, lion, our Demon Knight. Now accept your fate." The demons suddenly drew nearer, slithering forward in the air and coiling around the pair.

Alexei growled and batted an arm away, and just as he did another slammed into his chest and pushed him up into the cave wall, hanging above the molten rock. He cried out as Kaelin was left alone down below, struggling to free himself.

Kaelin stood petrified, surrounded by the demon's arms. He was shaking uncontrollably, and was certain he had soiled himself. He looked up at his mate, kicking an arm away, crying out his name.

Alexei let out a burst of mental energy, which seemed to weaken the demon's grip. The lion scratched and dug his claws into the arm, tearing it from his chest. He finally managed to pull himself away, sliding himself upward against the rock, badly scratching his back. Ignoring the pain he flew down toward his mate, slamming into the ground then running forward, ducking and jumping over the chaotic arms, until he reached the kangaroo. Holding out his paw, he could just barely link it with Kaelin's until he was torn away. The lion cried out and writhed about desperately. Looking back at his mate, he noticed the demons had gotten a tighter grip of him, specifically around his wrists and ankles, holding the terrified marsupial out as if preparing him for something. The roo's shirt was then torn off, his chest totally exposed.

"Your sacrifice is ready, Knight. Now take his life and join our ranks."

"No!" the lion cried. The demons began pushing him forward, forcing him to take the sacrifice.

"It is your destiny," they said over and over.

Alexei now stood one metre away from his mate, both held tightly by the demons and both unable to control their crying. They just stared into each others eyes.

Kaelin somehow knew that this was it, that there was no longer any choice in the matter. However inadvertent, he was chosen as the sacrifice and these demons would have their blood.

Alexei held up his paw, a black arm coiled around it and its sharp, scythe-like tip directed right at Kaelin's chest. The lion looked up into Kaelin's eyes, tears rolling down his cheeks, showing nothing but pain and regret. "I'm so sorry," he said quietly. "I...I can't..." There was nothing else the lion could think to say.

Kaelin just looked down at Alexei, still crying, but tried to remain as strong as he could. "You can fight this, Alexei. You have to... Remember the promise you ma-" Kaelin's body suddenly felt very cold and numb. His eyes dimmed slowly as he looked at Alexei, whose eyes were closed tightly and paw thrust forward.

Alexei was shaking as he was forced to thrust the blade into his truelove's heart. He could feel the warm, kangaroo blood running down his arm, which started to drive the lion crazy. He was growling and crying, anger and sorrow rushing through him. He tried desperately to pull his arm out, but the demons kept a firm grip. His fur was now drenched in the roo's thick, carmine blood, sticky and hot. When he felt Kaelin's life finally slip away, Alexei collapsed to the cold, black rock, the demons backing off. He now just held onto his cold, lifeless mate, crying, unable to forgive himself. Overwhelmed with guilt, sorrow, and anger, Alexei closed his eyes and concentrated.

His powers were flaring sporadically, knocking down enormous chucks of the black cave, small pieces hovering around him, swirling. Alexei growled deeply as his anger grew stronger, overpowering his other senses. Looking down at his arms, he noticed his fur becoming darker, and his scars almost glowing a crimson red. The lion let go of his dead mate and stood up, turning to face the demons.

The undulating black snakes laughed as if pleased. It would seem they had their Demon Knight.

Alexei stepped forward, trying to maintain control. His fur grew darker, as if covered in ash, but more noticeably was his mane, which grew wild and black. The lion shook and roared loudly as his powers only increased, teeth seeming to grow and sharpen, as well as his claws. With his fur now as black as night, mane even darker, Alexei's muscle mass built up exponentially. He had never felt so powerful before in his life.

The demons laughed and swirled around their black creation. "At long last you have fully realized your true potential; the meaning of your dark existence. Now go, Demon Knight. Show this world exactly what lurks in the darkness; what hides in the shadows."

Alexei could feel the incredible power coursing through his body, and while perfectly conscious, felt compelled to obey his dark masters. The lion very much enjoyed this new strength, quickly feeling nothing toward Kaelin. The only thing he could think of now was destroying innocent life, tearing apart the lives those undeserving. Although he recognized it as being immoral, Alexei just didn't care, and decided to embrace the darkness that was pouring out of him. He lifted himself off the cold, rocky floor and looked up. In a matter of moments a passageway was forced open above him, rocks crumbling down as the fissure tore open. Alexei grinned at the ease in which he was able to manipulate the earth then suddenly took off.

As he rose into the sky, darkening clouds poured over the jungle, rushing in quickly and choking the light. Floating high above the darkened greens, Alexei roared fiercely and shot off toward the nearest, largest populace.

Moving at blinding speeds, the lion reached a major city in no time at all. He exploded to a stop and stood on the highest building as the massive storm clouds rolled in, watching the furs below. All of their thoughts, both conscious and subconscious, instantly rushed into his head, and unlike before Alexei could process each one easily. The people were starting to feel frightened at the approaching black sky, as it was moving quicker than they had ever seen. As the city darkened further, brilliant streaks of lightning coursed across the sky.

A large, powerful bolt suddenly stuck a vehicle on the streets below, the resulting explosion shaking the streets. Seconds later, another bolt destroyed a large chunk of a building, then two more simultaneously struck another car and a lamppost. The furs were now scared, all of them screaming and trying to find cover.

Moments later the dark lion spotted a large fuel tanker on the highway, now just entering the city. He growled devilishly and concentrated on it, huge bolts of lightning, from several spots in the sky, struck the tanker all at once. An enormous fireball then erupted inside the city, instantly killing dozens of innocent furs all around it. Laughing wickedly, Alexei looked about and discovered the location of several gas stations, quickly destroying them as well.

Alexei laughed in delight. However, flashy bolts of energy didn't quite cut it. The demon-lion wanted to maximize his destruction, and so he closed his eyes and concentrated, the sky now completely black and bolts still streaking across constantly. Alexei held out his paws, not entirely sure what he was doing, and felt the earth rumble beneath him. As his paws began to shake, he slowly clenched them into fists and the rumbling intensified, so much so that the glass of the windows cracked and shattered, trickling down on the people below. With a dark grin, the lion lifted himself off the building and rose up. Taking a final look down, he let himself fall.

Shooting downward, Alexei raised his fists and slammed them down into one of the buildings, growling as he broke through and continued downward, shattering the structure all around him.

Very quickly the building, which had been weakened somewhat by the lightning bolt, began to collapse on itself, firing debris all around and flooding the streets with choking dust.

When everything started to settle, and furs approached the mess of concrete, steel and corpses, through their tears they noticed only one living being.

Alexei opened his eyes, which were glowing red in the darkness, and turned to face the civilians. As several large, furious furs stepped forward, the lion grinned. He calmly moved out of the way of a swinging pipe then of a row of chains. With so much ease, Alexei shot his paw forward, gutting the enormous tiger, then swung around and, using his claws, tore open a chocolate lab's jugular. Feeling the warm blood of the innocents spilling over him, Alexei felt content. He murred quietly as he stepped forward, then up and over the entanglement of wrecked steel.

The other furs just stared, petrified at the truly malevolent beast.

The lion stopped for a moment and held his head. Although he felt no animosity toward these creatures, he felt this unyielding desire to tear them apart. He stared a quivering otter in the eyes and shot forward, slamming him into a lamppost then throwing him down the street. With a snarl he turned and slashed a cheetah across the face. Alexei stopped again and growled. Deep inside he knew this was wrong, and he tried desperately to stop himself, starting to think of Kaelin, and yet he was compelled to obey the demons' dark designs. Destruction was his only thought, and yet a piece of his old self managed to keep him from totally losing control.

Alexei then heard a loud rumbling closing in on him. With his nose in the air, he concentrated, sensing an enemy force quickly advancing. Within moments the lion was greeted by a sizable military force. Looking around, now surrounded by soldiers, it would seem there was no way out.

One of the soldiers stepped forward, all weapons pointed forward. He seemed confident in knowing Alexei was the one who caused such destruction. "Stop what you are doing, lion, or we will be forced to open fire."

Alexei looked the soldier square in the eyes and walked forward. He could see the commander, as well as every other soldier, was scared out of his wits, none of them really wanting to engage this beast.

"S-stop!" the commander cried. With each step Alexei took, he became more and more nervous. Finally, with the lion only three metres away, the commander pulled out his pistol and shot Alexei right between the eyes.

Alexei gasped and fell to his knees, head held low and slumping downward. Although he started to black out, something kept his mind alert. Hearing the soldiers step forward, a particular burning flared up where the bullet had struck. Soon it felt like his skin was boiling, and seconds later, as the commander was less than a metre away, a long, massive black arm shot out of Alexei's back, instantly striking the soldier in the gut. The black lion growled as he stood up, eyes gone blank, and felt the warm blood trickling down the long, glossy black tentacle. After a moment of watching the life drain from the commander's eyes, Alexei carelessly tossed the corpse away and walked forward, each step seeming to cause several more long, scythe-ended arms to burst outward. The arms clearly resembled a physical form of the demons, manifesting themselves on Alexei's back.

Just as the other soldiers opened fire on the demon lion, Alexei shot to the left, avoiding the attack, and leaped up high, landing in front of them. His arms almost moved on their own, stabbing and slashing the military to pieces effortlessly. He roared and cried out as he shed the innocent blood, feeling both disgusted and delighted at the same time. Quickly dispersing this group, Alexei jumped gracefully into the air, about to attack the others, however was interrupted by a powerful force headed his way. Alexei looked down the street and was seconds later struck by that force.

The lion flew back, far past the army, and landed on the road, skidding and rolling to a stop. He quickly got up and was confronted by his brother.

Xavier was shocked to see his brother. "A-Alexei? What happened to you?"

"A new level of awareness," he replied, his snake-like arms slithering around aimlessly.

"Is this what the demons did to you?"

Alexei grinned.

"You have to fight this, Alexei. You can't let them control you like this. You've hurt so many innocent people already..."

Alexei suddenly started to feel compelled to return to his dark masters. Although he wasn't sure why, this is what his mind was telling him. The lion closed his eyes and ignored this feeling. "This is my destiny. This is why I am here. My life has been leading up to this point."

Xavier shook his head. "You can't honestly believe that. You are a good person, Alexei, I know you are. You don't want to do any of this. Just think about our parents, or that time we spent together in the shuttle. Think about Kae... Wh-what happened to Kaelin?"

Alexei growled, growing tired of listening to his brother, and shot a demon-arm forward.

Xavier just barely dodged the arm and flew forward, swinging his fists quickly at his brother.

Alexei easily blocked and dodged each attack as if time were slowed. With a grin he spun around and smacked his brother across the face, sending him back. Alexei then held out his arms and balled his paws into fists, and just as he did large clumps of the street and parts of buildings formed into massive balls. The demon lion then threw the balls at his brother, who was able to avoid them, and then made several more. Just as five hung above him, he was struck in the gut by Xavier.

The lion stumbled back, the concrete and metal balls crumbling back down, and regained his wits. He turned quickly and latched a paw onto Xavier's face, much to the young lion's surprise. Alexei growled and walked forward, finally backing his brother into the pumps of a nearby gas station. Using his hard knee, the black lion crushed Xavier into one of the pumps, then sent a tentacle into his shoulder, pinning him there.

"No more playing around," Alexei said. "I am not in the mood to toy with you. I am going to end this now." The ground then began to shake.

Xavier groaned, trying to pull the scythe out, then looked at his brother. "Wh-what are you going to do?"

Suddenly one of the pumps toppled over, spraying gasoline all over the ground.

Alexei grinned and with several tentacles he began to slash and scrape the concrete, the sharp scythes creating massive sparks.

"N-no... Don't do this, Alexei!" Xavier tried madly to free himself.

Ignoring his brother, yet enjoying his cries, the demon lion scraped one of the arms into the gasoline. Within seconds a massive fire was burning, and moments later the ground erupted into a massive fire ball.

All around the pair the fire burned with a white-hot intensity. Alexei, who was unharmed by the hellish inferno, just stared at his brother who thrashed and cried out in pain. Hot flares continuously blew between them, and it was clear Xavier's powers were starting to dim. Alexei could smell burnt fur and flesh, and could hear the loud shrieks of his brother.

The fireball finally began to settle into nothing more than a large blaze covering the street, the two lions in the middle.

Amazingly, Xavier was still breathing, although badly burned. The scythe sticking out of his shoulder was still red hot and burning his skin.

Alexei broke the scythe off his own arm and left his badly injured brother pinned to the charred remains of the gas station. It was time to see what his masters were calling him back for. Quickly leaving the mess behind, Alexei shot upward and took off back to the demons.

In just a few minutes of incredible flight, the lion smashed through the thick canopy of the forest and into the dark cave. Looking about, he noticed at the far end of the main chamber was a particular husky, who was holding the demons back.

Alexei walked steadily forward until Koko turned around.

"So, it actually happened," he said. "After all these years, they have finally obtained their Demon Knight. I knew giving Luther those powers would be a mistake, but I never thought it would happen so soon. So... unpredictably."

"Destroy the Elemental, Knight," the demons spoke.

"Why didn't you do it yourself?"

"They have very little influence over the physical realm, especially over an Elemental. They never truly controlled you, Alexei. Just your mind. I can only assume it was you who did this to your mate."

Alexei looked down at Kaelin's corpse. Suddenly his head began to hurt. Clenching it, the lion fell to his knees and groaned.

Koko used this time to fly forward, smashing his knee into Alexei's face, sending the lion back into the black, stone wall.

The lion opened his eyes and stared fiercely at the husky. He growled and pushed himself off the wall, back toward Koko. The two met in the centre of the chamber, throwing and blocking punches.

Both their fists suddenly collided, which shook the cave and caused some crumbling. The pair skidded back away from each other and instantly shot forward again, clashing heavily together. Their fists crashed together with each punch thrown, causing massive waves of energy to whip around the chamber, slashing the stone floor and walls.

Finally the two took a rest, both breathing heavily and staring each other down.

Alexei then sent several arms forward, and yet found Koko easily dodged each one. Within moments he was on the defensive, blocking the husky's attacks. Eventually he just couldn't keep up and received a powerful blow to his gut, then another to his left cheek. Just as he was shoved into the jagged wall again, he felt an incredible searing on his chest. Roaring loudly in pain, he looked down to see a bright light emanating from the Elemental's paw. The lion held onto Koko's wrists tightly, which burned his pawpads, and tried to push him away. Thrashing about, and hearing the demons painful cries, he finally managed to free himself, kicking the husky away.

Falling to the floor, he looked back down at his chest to see a patch of his original, light-brown fur. Holding that spot, he looked up fiercely, snarling as he ran forward.

Once again the two powers' clashed, shaking the room.

Alexei held onto Koko and swung him around, throwing him into the air then shooting up and smashing his knee into the husky's chest, then grabbed his wrist and used that momentum to swing and slam in into the ground. The lion bolted downward and slammed his heel into the stone, shattering it in a two metre diameter. Just as he realized he had missed his target, he was struck in the back, which sent him skidding over the jagged black rock on his chest. Alexei growled and turned around, then was suddenly met with a foot on his chest, smashing him into the rock.

The lion grabbed onto Koko's ankle, giving it a tight squeeze to bend the metal armour, then pushed him awkwardly away. He got up slowly and just as he was on his knees, felt a well-placed footpaw on his chin. With blood pouring from his mouth, the lion landed once again on his back.

Koko put his foot on Alexei's chest, standing over the lion. Between heavy breaths, he started, "There are only a few ways this is going to end, Demon Knight. Please don't force me to make it the worst."

Alexei slammed his paws down onto the ground, and just as he did two spires erected from the black stone, hovering for a moment. The lion growled and the two large rocks rushed toward Koko.

The Elemental held his paws in front of him and stopped the stones, however finding it difficult. Although his powers enabled him to manipulate the natural world around him with ease, there was something rather unnatural about this cave. With beads of sweat rolling down his muzzle, Koko had no choice but leap back, letting the dark lion up.

Alexei bashed through the large rocks with a wicked snarl, clawing at Koko's face madly, just barely cutting him with each swipe. Both his tongue and drool poured from his maw as he whipped his head around fiercely, his black mane flowing wildly over his face. At every chance he could get, the Demon Knight would strike at the Elemental with the deadly tentacles on his back, becoming more enraged with each miss. Alexei spun and projected small chucks of the jagged cave toward his enemy, each shot being deflected easily. With a growl, the lion propelled himself forward using his demon arms, managing to land his knee in Koko's face. As the husky flew back, a tentacle almost instinctively shot forward and struck him in his armoured chest, slamming the canine into the rock.

Koko gasped as he felt the scythe pierce his metal skin, now holding it tightly and trying desperately to pull it back out. His paws then began to tremble and glow, a sizzling coming from the tentacle.

Alexei let out a terrifying scream and tried desperately to pull away, however found the arm stuck within the husky's grasp. He then growled and struck Koko again and again with the tentacles, whipping his gut and entire body relentlessly.

However, Koko continued. He bared his teeth and began to growl himself, losing his once unshakeable composure. But finally his paws broke free and watched the black lion stumble back, his powerful demon arm sizzling into ashes.

Alexei thrashed about as one of his arms burned into nothing, the ashes quickly dispersing. He suddenly stopped and stared the Elemental down through his piercing red eyes. Breathing heavily, the Demon Knight tried to compose himself before attacking, but was cut off by a quick-acting husky. The lion leaned from side to side and to his back, barely avoiding each attack. Now starting to sweat, he was quickly starting to feel overpowered.

Koko continued his attacks, refusing to give into Evil. He cried out as he just barely struck a blow, claws now out and teeth bared. He could feel Alexei's fur brushing gently across his knuckles as each shot missed.

Alexei, backing closer into the cavern wall, had to act fast. Just as his head leaned back to dodge another punch, he reached a paw up quickly and grabbed onto Koko's wrist, using the momentum to slam it into the rocky wall. He then bend and jammed his elbow hard into the husky's ribs, denting and likely cracking his armour, then delivered punch after punch to his gut. With just a moment's hesitation, Alexei pulled his right paw back far and with a roar, gave one final blow to Koko's chest, shattering the armour.

The fine, metal armour blew apart, spreading large chunks of shrapnel into the lion's face. Unfazed by this, Alexei swung a demon arm up and into Koko's gut, piercing his stomach and holding the Elemental in the musky air. He could hear chuckling in the background from the tangle of delighted demons. The lion then tossed the nearly lifeless husky aside, his carcass landing beside the roo's.

Just as Alexei turned to face the demons, victorious, a sudden rumbling shook the cave and within seconds an explosion burst from the upper wall. Having nearly no time to react, Alexei turned only to be struck by a large boulder.

Helena flew down into the chamber, hurling large chunks of the black rock at her son, beating him back. She landed softly and, with her son distracted, kneed him hard in the gut. With the Demon Knight down momentarily, Helena noticed the husky and ran to him, horrified at the sight of Alexei's dead mate. "Wh-what happened here?" she asked Koko, holding his paw.

"Your son... the Demon Knight... the embodiment of Evil..."

Helena looked up and finally noticed his jet-black fur. Just as she did, she was forced to defend herself, somewhat surprised to see him so easily attacking her. The lioness did an elegant flip and landed firmly on her footpaws, ready for another attack. She jumped to the right, toward the middle of the massive chamber, then leaped up. Upon landing again, Helena quickly performed a back-kick, slamming her heel into Alexei's jaw. With him stunned, she burst forward and pummeled Alexei again and again in the gut and the chest, finally grabbing onto his metal arm and slamming him into the wall. Just as she let go, she noticed Koko was back on his footpaws.

"I...I'll be fine for now. I use very little energy to heal my own wounds, and the wounds of Evil heal quick."

"What about...Kaelin?" Helena was suddenly interrupted by a sharp rock to the cheek. She stumbled back and just as she opened her eyes, was struck by her son. The lioness flew back but quickly regained her composure, claws scraping to a stop. Helena growled and ran forward, meeting her son with clashing fists. As with the Elemental, each powerful strike sent bursts of powerful energy in all directions.

Alexei kept up his attacks, unrelenting. Deep inside he wanted stop himself from attacking his own mother, and yet found it impossible. Something in his gut, something small, was trying desperately to make him stop, and yet an even greater part of him very much enjoyed what he was doing. It gave him great pleasure to inflict such pain, whether it be physical or emotional, to innocent furs. The dark lion snarled and clawed at his mother's face, trying desperately to tear her apart. Just as he took another swipe at her, Alexei was suddenly smashed by a large chunk of rock, in a long chain propelling off the wall, until he was slammed into the end of the chamber.

Koko, standing without his top armour, was waving his paws about in a ritualistic manner, clearly controlling the elements around him. Concentrating hard on the black rock, he managed to keep the Demon Knight at bay. However the husky couldn't know how long he'd be able to maintain his link with the Earth in his weakened condition. "Helena," Koko barked.

Helena, who was just watching her son pinned to the wall, ran to the Elemental.

"I need you to concentrate to keep your son where he is."

"Wh-what're you planning?"

Koko winced as his massive wound reopened and blood poured down his belly.

Helena quickly held out her paws and concentrated on the long chain of rock, focusing her powers through her arms. She growled as she quickly realized how much concentration it required.

Koko, who let his mind go, collapsed and held his wound, the blood dripping through his fingers. Ignoring the lioness, growling to suggest she continues what she's doing, he got up shakily and approached the Demon Knight.

Alexei stopped thrashing about and just stared at the Elemental, growling.

Koko held out his paw and placed it on the lion's forehead. Moments later his paw began to glow yet again and the same sizzling sounded from the lion's head.

Alexei roared frighteningly loud and thrashed about madly, trying to claw his way out the rock encasement. He then stopped moving and shut his eyes tightly, concentrating. With a deep growl, becoming louder with every second, the lion managed to shake the cavern. His sharp teeth gritting, Alexei used the pain to fuel his strength. He pushed hard on the rock pinning him to the wall and, despite his mother's best efforts, was able to shove it away from him. He then let out a terrible cry and sent out a single massive amount of dark, mental energy, which shattered the rock around him and blew the Elemental back.

Koko's claws scraped along Alexei's head as he was forced back, toppling over and rolling to a stop beside Kaelin. The Elemental groaned and lays his head down, feeling almost no energy left in his body.

Helena, too, had been blown back by the energetic wave, but quickly got back up. She rushed over to her son almost in tears, begging him to stop.

Alexei walked toward Koko to finish the job, the sharp tentacles waving about eagerly. He then held up his paw and struck his mother as she approached, knocking her away. Breathing heavily, Alexei stood only a few metres away from the Elemental, a certain bloodlust in his eyes.

Koko looked up then over to Kaelin. "I guess... there's no other way." The Elemental reached a shaky paw over and held it to the kangaroo's non-beating heart. As his paw began to glow, he looked up at the Demon Knight. "If the power of the Gods is not enough to stop you, Demon... then I suppose there is only one power left that can."

Just as Koko said that, he gasped as if affected by an unknown force. His wide eyes indicated clearly he was doing something, but it was impossible to tell exactly what. Then after a moment, with a smile, he looked back up to Alexei, a particular sheen faded from his body and from his eyes. Slowly he closed his eyes and rested his head, paw falling limp.

Alexei just stood watching, uncertain of what had happened, until suddenly he was struck by an usual feeling. He just continued to stare at the two, quickly joined by his mother. Although he felt compelled to fight her, all he could do was stare.

The demons seemed extremely agitated, swarming around the cavern. "Destroy them, Knight. Destroy them all! Fulfill your dark destiny."

"N-no," Alexei responded, looking over to the mass of black serpents. He then felt his mother grasp his arm and heard a stirring below him. Looking down, the lion was shocked to see his mate shakily getting up.

"Th-this isn't possible..."

Kaelin groaned and knelt behind the limp Elemental, looking about as his eyes adjusted to the sweltering cavern. He was shaking uncontrollably and held where he had been mortally struck, which was now just a bright pink scar. Suddenly he noticed his jet-black mate and cowered back, afraid of the demon lion and trying desperately to push himself away.

Alexei noticed this fear in Kaelin's eyes and stepped forward, holding out his paw, while an enormous amount of guilt rushed through his body. He didn't know what to do, or what to say, or even how to react. He, too, began to shake, watching as the one he loved seemed to try to back himself right through the stone wall, not quite able to cower far enough away.

"Alexei..." his mother spoke softly.

The mass of demons whipped around the room helplessly, crying out desperately for Alexei to finish his job.

Giving one last look at his mate, Alexei balled his paws into fists, his eyes seething with rage. He turned to the demons, eyes seeming to glow a deep red, and let out a mass of energy, which seemed to stop the demons in their tracks. Holding the entire cave within his mental grasp, the Demon Knight walked slowly toward his dark masters with his paws held out, pads now facing downward. A black aura seemed to flow from the lion, causing his fur and his mane to flow about wildly.

Glancing back momentarily, Alexei noticed his mother helping Kaelin to his footpaws and taking off toward the exit. Good. He was going to end this now.

As the dark lion stepped forward and held his pads toward the cavern walls, the demon arms off his back began to flake away. Just as one of the serpent-like demons rushed toward the lion, Alexei lifted his paw high and lowered it quickly, crushing the head beneath a sharp pillar of rock. Then again to the left Alexei swung his paw across his chest, another black spire piercing the inky appendage.

The demons screeched horribly and thrashed about, trying desperately to destroy what they had created. Arms flailing, they attacked sporadically, each one being met with the same fate as the last.

With ease Alexei vanquished all said arms. It was only the five glowing heads which remained, now cowering from their onyx messiah.

"We are eternal, Demon Knight," they pleaded desperately. "You cannot hope to destroy us. In every shadow we lurk, in every dream we haunt. The Elemental is shattered and broken, now powerless to stop us... You could rule this world with your dark paw."

Alexei just looked up at them and grinned. They were right. He could rule this pathetic planet, and countless others, with just a sweep of his paw. With so much ease he could unfurl his darkness across the entire galaxy. The lion lowered his paws.

The demons, confident in their short lecture, slithered forward, hanging above Alexei, chuckling quietly to themselves. "We are glad you could see it our wa-."

Alexei had quickly shot upward, his paw piercing the thick, almost metallic scales of the demon pinned to the cavern above. Growling, the lion gripped onto its insides and gave a hard tug, delighting in hearing it scream. "How dare you try to tempt me with your dark designs."

"Y-you could... have..."

"I could tear this planet apart with just a thought, yes, but I will no longer be your pawn. What you did to Kaelin... what you forced me to do to the one I love... that will not go unpunished. I am going to do something those 'Gods' could never seem to do."

With that, Alexei tore his paw out of the demon's head, a thick, tar-like substance spilling all over him. Roaring loudly, the Demon Knight shot back down to the floor and flew forward, toward the demons' centre. As each head came down on him quickly, the lion batted them away easily with a hard swing of his fist. Quickly he reached their centre, staring into the metre-wide, pitch-black mass, bubbling and swirling around sublimely. Captivated by the void, Alexei reached his paws out in front, as if being warmed by a campfire. Not knowing, really, what he was doing, the lion suddenly thrust his paws into the hot, thick void.

The black then began to bubble madly and inch up Alexei's arms.

With a deep growl, Alexei just focused all his energy into this absolute darkness, finding it harder to concentrate the further up his arms it spread.

With the void searing his skin, it quickly moved up his biceps, coating his body evenly, and spread even quicker downward.

Alexei roared as he poured more of his power forward, ignoring the enveloping void. As it crawled up his face, the lion closed his eyes tightly and roared as loud as he could, the power flowing outward with immense force. He could feel the cavern rumbling beneath him and hear his terrible cries as if he was outside his own body. All around him was pure white, seemly no longer in the cave, and the pitch darkness was the only entity in sight. After a tremendous amount of sharp pain torturing the lion's body, all sights and sounds and sensations quickly faded with the light. The lion now floated numbly through the void itself, barely breathing, until even that seemed to vanish.

* * *

Alexei suddenly woke with a bright light in his eyes, groaning loudly as he sat up. Something about this situation was all too familiar.

"He's up!" he heard someone cry.

The lion immediately looked down at his body and his paws, very much relieved to see his fur back to its normal, dark-tan self. He then looked up at the many eyes watching him, most of them Lumarian.

"Wh-what's going on?" the lion asked.

"You're on a Lumarian ship," Eskelle answered. "Your brother sent us a message and we came as quickly as we could. Figured you'd need our help."

Alexei groaned. "What about... Kaelin? And Xavier?"

"Xavier's fine, and Kaelin... we'll, he still pretty shaken up."

"I want to see him."

Jorhn stepped forward. "Woah, man... I don't know if that's such a good idea. He's, uh, kinda scared of you."

"Scared?"

"Last I heard, you shoved some demon arm into his gut. Can you blame him?"

Alexei lowered his head.

"Xavier and Kavhen are with him now," Eskelle said. "With all due respect, sir, you shook his trust pretty badly."

Alexei's heart sunk, and soon the only thing he could feel was complete and absolute guilt. He never wanted to hurt his mate, and unlike the incident on the shuttle, there didn't seem to be much he could do to mend this situation.

"Do you think...this is the end for us?"

"I don't know," Eskelle replied softly. "You two have been through a lot, but you've never laid a paw on him no matter how insane you got. I can't imagine how hard this must be for him."

"I'm certain things will work out for you, young Alexei. You two share an amazing bond."

Confused, Alexei turned around to see a tall, slim husky leaning against the infirmary wall.

"H-how..?"

Koko stepped forward. "Your mother came back for my body after delivering your mate to safety. She moves with amazing speed... Anyway, healing and reviving your mate drained me of my Elemental powers, this time permanently. It was the only way, with the limited power I already had. It would seem that that was my last action to help your great-great grandfather."

"What will you do now?"

"I hadn't thought much about it, but I have made many friends in this galaxy. Perhaps with the Lumarians' help, I can make my way back to them and find a new life in space."

The lion groaned again and rubbed his head. "And what about Helena?"

"I think she's with Kaelin, too," Jorhn cut in.

Alexei sighed and slumped down on the table. "This is all so crazy... What happened after I blacked out?"

"Oh, man," Jorhn started, "it was pretty amazing. Enormous seismic energy just poured from where you were, then suddenly a huge explosion! I've never seen something like that. Just earth, water, and trees blowing out like a bubble. The place is just a big crater now, and yet somehow you ended up on the top. But we did get your ship out before any of that happened."

"Wh-what about those demons?"

"Our ship didn't pick up anything, and we saw nothing but rock. I don't know what the hell you did down there, but you wiped the place out."

"And Kaelin's safe?"

Eskelle nodded. "But like I said, he's in a bad way."

Just as Alexei grunted, Helena walked into the infirmary. She looked at her son with regretful eyes then lowered her head, ears drawn back.

"What is it?"

"Kaelin... he doesn't want to see you. Not for a while."

The lion started to quiver. Despite vanquishing the demons which had taken such a tight hold on him, Alexei felt no happiness whatsoever. Without his mate, no evils in the galaxy could possibly dispirit him any further. Alexei's body soon became limp, and he lay back down on the table, tears running down the side of his face.