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As Tyler was heading to his car, after starting it he drove home, his head was down and his spirit down and dark. The sun was down and the night took over the sky, even the stars did not look bright to him anymore. Tyler was leaving the doctor and was told some news that did not please him at all. The doctor had told him that due to a flaw in his brain and genes, and his age that when he is in sunlight that he will transform in to a two legged and talking Lion and in the night become human again for the rest of his life. The doctor also warned him that is he let the lion take over too much other wise he may never be human again.

Tyler had a short yet athletic build, had brown hair, pale white skin, and had gray eyes. Tyler pushed his door open and went inside his house outside of town, which he inherited from his mother, after she had died. He looked at himself in the mirror, "My life is done," he said to himself.

On top of the transformations he would have to make some lifestyle changes, for could no longer drink adult drinks, and was banned from chocolate. Tyler went to his chair and sat down looking out the window staring out to the world. Silently wishing the day would not come for he had only changed once and had passed out from the shock. However the night hours went by and sleepiness came over Tyler and finally deciding to turn in. After stripping down to his underwear he crawled in the covers and closed his eyes.

Dawn came and Tyler's eyes flew open and he looked out the window, and horror filled his body as he saw the sun showing itself. He threw himself out of bed and stood in the middle of his bedroom. The light touched his body, and in one second Tyler grimaced and felt like his body would explode and he let out small roar that would not come from a human. Tyler's body started growing, his muscles doubling in size, his nails lengthening and became glossy black and sharp enough to cut metal. His palms became hard and darkened, becoming paw pads. Golden brown fur like velveteen began growing all over his body except the front of his torso which was white gold color, His face lengthened in to a muzzle with a pink nose, his mouth filled with dangerously sharp glossy white teeth. A long tail sprouted out of is spine with a tuff of black hair. Tyler's legs became digitigrade legs yet he still remained two legged. The fur around his neck and the top of his head stated growing longer and thicker, the mane was mostly golden with brown streaks, and black streaks around his face.

Tyler had bent over and once the changes happened he stood up and walked to the mirror in his bathroom and looked at himself. He now stood seven feet tall with a broad chest and muscles overflowing from his chest to his legs the fur was soft to touch, his eyes which now were sapphire blue and he felt powerful, yet his dark mood came over him and he let his head drop, "Let the life of torment begin," he said sadly.

As he strode to his bedroom hitting his head on the top of the doorframe and letting out a load growl he looked at his dresser. "Now what to wear," he asked himself.

For he knew that none of his clothes were going to fit and not knowing his tail tucked between his legs, upon not finding anything he gave up and strode in to the kitchen to find something to eat. Deciding that when evening came and was human again he would go invest in a new wardrobe, the day passed slowly for Tyler, he tried to play his video games but with the long claws using the controller was a task finally giving up he just longed on he couch for the day napping every so often.

As the day came to an end and when the sun went down behind the mountain, Tyler who had been napping woke up and noticed that he was human. He leapt up and dashed to a mirror noticing his normal self, yet there were some changes still from the Lion. He was a little taller, and his muscles were not lacking though not as big as in his other form. Tyler sighed, "Why couldn't this part happen and not get the Lion part of it, I wouldn't have minded in the least."

As he walked to the doors of the clothing store, he looked over to his left and saw a young man walk out and gave a leering look. The other person was his former friend, they had been best friends when they were younger through out the school years, but when Tyler's condition got out there friendship went down hill after that. As they passed Tyler thought he could here him mutter 'Freak'.

Tyler ignored him and went inside to do his shopping. "I wouldn't mind this if my friend had not dumped me over it," he said quietly.

"Now I feel alone and no mother to guide me or support me, or a friend to be there for me at my hour of need," he said with sorrow.

A few days later Tyler was in his bedroom. He had been reading the classified ads for job openings, he had been laid off due to the business he had been working for being shut down. Tyler lay on his bed tail flicking in disgust due to boredom; finally he threw the newspaper across his room and getting off the bed and stomped to his spare bedroom, throwing open the door he walked in and took in the sight of his model train layout.

He smiled and entered the room turning on the light and moved some freight cars to a piece of track and went to his closet and pulled out a black and yellow steam locomotive and placed it in front and went to the power source and went to the controller and started the train up. As it rolled through the small town and the small forests of his layout he couldn't help but smile and felt himself fill with joy at getting to do his hobby. Trains had been his hobby since he was a child in arms his mother got him train toys and got him books and took his on the train that ran in town. After his mother died he got to build his first railroad layout. After he finished high school he took classes in being a brakeman or possibly a fireman.

After a while as he was playing, his ear flicked and he turned off the train and dashed to his bedroom and picked up the discarded newspaper and flipped to the ads and one ad caught his eye and read the ad carefully:

Help wanted

Looking for a Brakeman

Taking applications now

Tyler looked over the ad a couple of times and instantly thought; "This is what I want to do,"

As he reached for his phone but he saw his pawed hand and felt a dark cloud come over him. "But maybe they won't hire a freak like me," putting is hand down and sitting down on his chair.

After sitting down for a while a voice came from his head telling him to go make the call...now! He stood up and sprinted to the phone and dialed the number and after a few rings a person came on to the phone. "Hello I'm interested in the Brakeman position,"

"Wonderful," said the voice on the other end, if you'll come by the depot and bring a resume' we'll discuss more of the details then,"

"Sounds great, see you then," replied Tyler and hung up he phone, He paused and lifted his arm and took a sniff and wrinkled his nose in disgust, and walked to the bathroom, kicked off his clothes and turned on the shower and stepped inside. He had started to get used to the new changes though still not happy with them. After he was done drying his mane, which was a challenge, even though he could do this as a human, but then his fur smelled the next day.

The next day he woke up looked outside and saw that the sun was not up yet, he got out of bed and stretched remembering his task for the day he felt his heart pound harder hoping that he got the job of his dreams, As he was thinking about it, the sun rose and the light streaked in to his room. He looked down watched his body grew bigger with the rising sun. After his transformation he strode to the kitchen and had breakfast afterwards he got in a nice set of clothes, he couldn't help but admire himself in the mirror.

He walked to his car, after he climbed in, nearly knocking his head. "This feels so cramped," he said to himself.

As he got closer to his destination he could see the plumes of coal smoke coming from the train yard. He could smell it as it from far away with his Lion nose. He parked in the parking lot and walked to the depot. Several people were giving him looks of wonder and surprise, a few backed away in fear.

Tyler cringed slightly at the thought of people being terrified of him. The ticket agent looked at him with a neutral expression. Tyler could get the feeling that she had a bit of fear. "Hello, I'm here for a meeting with Will Andrews," said Tyler with a slight smile.

"May I have your name please," asked the ticket lady?

"Tyler Cooper," replied Tyler.

"Ah yes if you will come with me," said the ticket lady.

She led Tyler outside the building to another door and after putting in a code she opened the door gesturing Tyler inside. After a set of stairs Tyler came up to the second story, which looked cramped to which there were several offices. The lady walked ahead leading Tyler through the hallway. A few of the people poked their heads out looking at Tyler. Tyler just walked by smiling at some of them. They reached the end of the hallway to an open office where a man sat behind a desk.

Hey, Will, Tyler Cooper here to see you," said the ticket lady.

The man looked up and jumped in his chair for a second and looked closely at Tyler, eye going up and down. After the man recovered himself he smiled and offered his hand to Tyler, "Hi nice to you, Tyler, my name is Will," said Will

Tyler Took Will's hand and shook it recognizing his voice over the phone from yesterday.

"I'll see you later Karen," Will said to the ticket lady.

"Nice to meet you Tyler," said Karen offering her hand to Tyler, he took it in his paw being careful with his claws.

Tyler turned back around, Will gestured to take a seat in the chair in front of the desk. "So how are today," asked Will?

"Currently fine," replied Tyler.

"Good to here, did you bring your resume', asked Will?

"Yes," answered Tyler handing him the document.

Will read the document and after he had finished he put it down and looked at Tyler with a smile, "Seems like you have the qualifications for the job, I just have some questions for you," said Will.

Tyler squirmed in his seat figuring that this was the time of the million questions regarding his appearance. "What is you fascination with the job," asked will?

Tyler shocked at first, answered; "Because I love train always have, and I think this would be perfect for me."

"I see," Will paused, and surveyed Tyler.

Tyler couldn't contain the anxiety any longer and blurted out, "I was just recently told I would look like a Lion during the day and nothing can fix it, I'm sorry."

"No worries Tyler, I'm not worried about you being a Lion, my main concern is the job being performed right and safely, and getting along with people that's all. So no worries buddy," said Will.

Tyler felt relieved at that at least He had a fair shot. The interview went on for a while longer till finally Will said; "Well nice to meet you and you'll be notified in a few days on weather you have the position."

Tyler stood up and offered his paw again, "Thank you for your time."

"With pleasure," replied Will.

Tyler walked back down the hallway, this time with no stares. When he pulled in to the driveway of his home, he opened the door and let out a long breath, upon entering the house his stripped down to his muscle shirt and put on shorts. He sat down in his chair and out his head back and quickly dozed off. He dreamed he was at an unemployment office with no possibility of a job, and his old friend sneering behind him, "No one wants a freak!"

Tyler woke with a start, breathing hard, and his fur coated in sweat. "I've got to do something," he said getting up and stomped to his train room.

Picking out a steam engine and a couple of passenger coaches he started them up and ran them around the loop after a while he turned it off and went to his bedroom pausing along the way he looked at an old picture of him mother and himself when he was younger and they and ridden the train for the first time. He remembered her words at the end of the ride; "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, love you forever."

Tyler smiled and let his tail wag at the memory. He yawned and decided to turn in early. He changed to his pajamas watching the sun go down as night came his Lion form melted away to his human form.

A few days passed Tyler was longing in his chair, reading a magazine, his tail flicking impatience. He hadn't heard back from the railroad about the job. He was starting to think that he didn't get the job, and maybe didn't get it because of his physical appearance, and to top it off his money was starting to show signs of depletion, he finally gnashed his teeth together and ripped the magazine in pieces and stomped round the room. He stomped loudly enough that he almost didn't hear the phone ring. Tyler stomped over and picked up the phone; "Hello," he said with a faint growl.

"Ooh sorry did I call at the wrong time, asked the voice of Will.

"Oh no, no this is a good time," replied Tyler.

"Well I called to tell you that we have decided to give you the job as Brakeman on the Crystal River Railroad.

Tyler's ears perked up and his tail started wagging at a rapid speed, and a smile came across his face. "Great," replied Tyler.

"I was wondering if you could come in tomorrow so I can get you acquainted with the everyone at the railroad and with the duties you'll be doing, and get you fitted for a uniform," asked Will?

"Absolutely," answered Tyler.

"Terrific, see yah' tomorrow," said Will and the call ended.

Tyler put the phone down, "Yes!" He shouted, and started dancing around the floor.

He danced over to his stereo and flipped on his music and continued dancing around his living room.

The night passed quickly for Tyler when he woke up, the sun was not up yet so, he had breakfast and got out some clothes he hoped would work for today. He looked out the windows and saw a sight before him; the sun was still behind the mountains yet the sky had changed from dark to purple and yellow, Tyler and his mother had sometimes gotten up early and watched the sun rise, he felt his body starting to expand, but he tried to ignore it and enjoy something that he loved doing growing up. The sky turned light blue and orange and, he felt his fur, tail, and mane grow out. Finally the sun came over the peaks and he had turned back in to a Lion.

He got dressed and got in his car and drove over to the railroad. After which Will was waiting for him outside of he depot, Tyler greeted Will and exchanged pleasantries.

"If you will follow me," said Will and lead Tyler through the depot people was staring up at Tyler again, but he didn't pay them any attention.

He didn't see Karen this time at the ticket window instead was another woman with black hair. Will took Tyler through a door that led in the ticket office and went past the ticketing staff. Will opened another door and it lead to a small room where a few men were sitting at a table. They all had conductor and brakeman uniforms and chatting amongst themselves till Will walked in and greeted him. Then they saw the seven-foot lion standing in the doorframe and everyone went silent, Will smiled, "Everyone this Tyler Cooper our new Brakeman."

Tyler looked at the small crowd and they all looked at him, finally one of them stood up, This guy had blond hair, short, and thin, and went up to Tyler held out his hand; "Hi, my name is Cliff, and its great to meet you," said Cliff.

Tyler took Cliff's hand and shook it putting a smile on his face. The other ones came up to him and greeted Tyler and introducing themselves as Fred, Ben, Jackson, Bruce, Allen, and Ricardo. Tyler looked at the closely and could feel the awareness that was coming from the others except Cliff who was standing there looking at Tyler with pleasure. "Well Tyler if you come with me," said Will and gesturing him forward and offering him a seat at the table.

The other brakeman and conductors got up and left to begin their duties. Will vanished for a minute then came back with a stack of papers, "Today will be fill out papers and getting familiar with the railroad in operations, history, etc." said Will.

The day seemed to drag for Tyler due to the fact that he was excited to start, but the paperwork part really sucked to him. After a long period the paperwork was finished then Will showed Tyler how to obtain his uniform. After that Tyler went home and ordered his uniform when he was done with that he had to head back in to town to the store, as h was going down the aisles he heard a familiar voice mutter "Worthless looser."

Tyler knew whom that voice belonged to and he followed where the voice had come from and a saw the person who made it, and he let out a low threatening growl, and showing his teeth, the person scampered away in fear. Tyler let his head drop and sighed as his former friend ran off. Tyler fumed away to his house and slashed the side with his claws in anger.

A week passed and a package arrived at his door, Tyler quickly grabbed it opened it and took out the uniform and tried it on to make sure it fit. He looked in to the mirror and admired himself. Finally he could start work, he had completed the lessons and he could recite the regulations perfectly and tell the history in a breeze.

Tyler pulled in to the parking lot and got out straitening his uniform. He walked in to the depot and clocked in, and went to find Cliff to whom he would be working with today. He walked in to the break room and found Cliff sitting at the table reading the newspaper. Tyler cracked a grin as he snuck around quietly, grinning that he had the paws to do it. He leaned down to Cliff's neck and let out a playful growl, Cliff threw the newspaper in to the air and jumped out of his seat and turned around and stared at Tyler was holding his gut in laughter. "Ha very funny," said Cliff sarcastically.

"Sorry, could not help myself," said Tyler, still grinning.

"I'll get even with you for that later," promised Cliff.

Tyler just continued smiling, till Cliff broke his spell. "Ok hot rod, let's get to work, come on."

Cliff lead Tyler out to the train that was waiting outside, Tyler noticed that the locomotive hadn't shown up yet.

"Why don't you watch the gauge back here for today," offered Cliff.

"Sure," replied Tyler.

Tyler stood at the back of the last coach and watched as the people started coming towards the train. Most of them weren't paying any attention to him, though a few stared at him and continued looking at him as they went to their coach. Tyler did notice a few kids waving at him, Tyler waved back with a smile. He heard the sound of the whistle and paid attention up front and waited for the locomotive to connect to the train. After waiting a few minutes the engine appeared and coupled to he first coach. Tyler watched the gauge and saw the needle go up after it stopped he signaled to Jackson the conductor of the day.

Later on Jackson came up to Tyler and Cliff who had joined him. "Are we ready to go," asked Jackson.

"All ready," said Cliff.

"Ready," replied Tyler.

Jackson turned away and yelled "All aboard," Tyler and Cliff scrambled on and Tyler started the running air brake test, after it was successful he signaled that the brakes on the rear were in good working order. The train picked up speed and went down the track Tyler went up and down the coaches and monitoring everything along with Cliff. Despite the hard work and focus required Tyler was happy thinking about playing with his layout, now he was playing with a real train.

The trip continued for a couple of hours till they reached their destination in the mountains. After the passengers disembarked Tyler, Cliff, and Jackson continued working as the train was turned around and Tyler performed another brake test for the downhill stretch. When everyone else came back on board the train started up again. Tyler walked down the aisle of one of the coaches a small child came up to him and asked him a question about the railroad, and Tyler smiled and answered the girl and she smiled back at him and went back to her seat. In another coach Tyler came face to face with a preteen; "If it is alright sir my I take your picture," asked the boy?

"Sure," said Tyler and made a pose and the boy shot the picture.

"Thank you," said the boy.

"Your welcome," said Tyler and he went off to the head of the train.

After the train had come back to the station and everyone got off Tyler went to find Cliff. He didn't have to look to long, he could hear his breathing from behind, and Tyler turned suddenly. "Nice try," said Tyler.

"Not fair, you have the powerful ears," said Cliff grudgingly.

"So much better for me," retorted Tyler with a wide smile.

"Well come on mane head all of us are going to have a bite to eat, you coming along," asked Cliff?

Well, the problem is that I turn back to a human when the sun goes down," answered Tyler.

"So what," asked Cliff, putting his hands on his hips?

"Well I figured that you wouldn't want to see me transform," replied Tyler.

"I really don't care about that, plus we can see you as a human," stated Cliff.

"Is dinner still on tonight Cliff," asked Jackson?

"Yes, and would you agree that Tyler can join us Lion or human," Cliff said with a serious tone.

"I don't see why not," said Jackson, and giving Tyler the look of 'don't argue it won't work' look.

"Ok I'll be there," said Tyler.

"Good, we'll see you there," said Cliff patting Tyler's arm, quickly giving him directions and walked away.

Tyler clocked out and drove home and took off his uniform and threw on his normal clothes, then headed back to his car and drove to Cliff's.

When he got there he looked up at the sky and saw the sun was still hours from setting. He walked up to the door and knocked, it didn't take long for the door open, and Ricardo stood there and smiled and invited him inside. Tyler could smell the rest of the conductor and brakemen when he first met them. As he walked further he saw Cliff and Allen in the kitchen making dinner, Lasagna from What Tyler could smell. He looked in a different direction and found Fred, Ben, Bruce were just talking to each other, and Jackson was watching a train movie. "Hey Tyler glad you could make it," said Cliff.

Tyler nodded, "Nice place you got here," he complimented.

"Thanks," replied Cliff, "Come on lets go on a tour."

Cliff lead Tyler around the last stop was a spare room and long behold, was a railroad layout. "Cool nice to meet someone else with a train layout," crowned Tyler.

"You got a layout yourself," asked Cliff?

"Oh yeah, took time to make it but I got it done," answered Tyler.

"After a few minutes elapsed Allen called out that dinner was ready. Everyone had gathered at the table and ate everything after that they cleared the table and Cliff went and collected a set of playing cards. After he handed out the cards the game began, after the first game which Fred was the winner, Tyler looked up and saw everyone look at him, "What," he asked?

He looked out the window and saw the sun had gone down and felt the shrinking sensation knowing he was turning back to a human. He looked at everyone with a sheepish look, "Sorry," he said.

"Hey don't freak about," said Bruce with a soothing tone.

"Personally I think you look better as a lion man," said Ben.

"Really," asked Tyler with a hint of a shock in his voice.

"Yeah," chimed in Jackson.

Tyler became lost in his thoughts, 'This is a switch some people accept me and like my new self' he was still thinking when the voice of Ricardo knocked him out of his thoughts. "Tell us more about yourself," demanded Cliff.

"Well what would you like to know," asked Tyler?

"Lets start with, do you have any family in this area," asked Allen.

Tyler cringed for he knew he would have to tell a painful memory or two.

"My Father left my mom when I was born and I never have met him, so I lived with my Mom. When I left school she had kidney failure and died. So I've been on my own since."

"Sorry," said Cliff.

"When did you become a lion man," asked Jackson.

"A month or so ago, the doctors can't explain how this happened, though they say it is genetics or something there are more questions than answers, but I don't really care about that I was just angry about," continued Tyler.

"How come you were angry," asked Ricardo?

Tyler closed his eyes and recounted the worst memory ever. "I had a friend who I had been friends with since we were seven years old. We did everything together, one day I was at his house and the first change took me over and he stood over me and a look of horror came across his face and then it turned in to a sneer and he said in the cruelest and nastiest voice, "So you are a freak, and I want nothing to do with freaks," I cried to him to help me and he refused so I walked to the hospital," finished Tyler.

"What a looser," said Cliff.

Tyler smiled a little bit, "I think so too," he said.

The rest of the evening passed by with laughs and several games of poker later. Tyler finally left when it was dark and drove home and went to bed as he lay in the bed staring at the ceiling, 'Life seems to be improving with each new day' as he dozed off he could hear a voice from a long time ago yet a new set of words, 'It will be alright sweetheart' the words his Mother would say to him and with that he went to sleep.

A month passed Tyler was finding the position fun and exciting. Everything was going the way Tyler had hoped his life would go before his metamorphoses. Everyone else was accepting even preferred to have him in his lion form. One day they were coasting down the track and Tyler was at the end of the train. Suddenly the train slowed down and the engineer signaled back to indicate a stop was needed. When the train stopped Fred waited at the end and sent Tyler ahead to check out what the issue was. Tyler lopped to the engine and saw that the engineer and conductor Rex were debating what the cause was. Tyler looked ahead and could see that one of the rails had been smashed so that the train could not proceed with out a wreck.

Rex the conductor was on the radio with dispatch. "They say the track patrolman had come by here and reported no problems," he reported.

"But there are no rocks big enough to cause this damage," pointed out Fred.

"Right plus there are no signs of a rock at all, as you can see," retorted Rex.

Tyler decided to chime in before an argument brewed, "Is dispatch sending a work crew," he asked?

"Yes, but it is going to be forty-five minutes to get here and an hour to fix this, so we might be having to go back," Rex growled out the last bit.

Tyler went back to where Fred was waiting for him, Tyler relayed the news and Fred's face went downward. "Great, the second train is coming and this is going to turn ugly," he said with frustration in his voice. Tyler had to through out the train with Rex to relay that there was a delay and by the looks of the passengers faces the looked angry. By the time the work crew got there and started work train number two and come and Fred and Tyler had to signal it to stop. After what seemed like forever, the trains started moving again. The rest of day moved by smoothly and Tyler hoped it stayed that way, by the end of the day Tyler was thrilled to be home, out of his uniform, and in his chair. "Phew, glad today is over, hope tomorrow is not as hectic," he said to himself, before dozing off in his chair.

The next day dawned early Tyler woke up before the sun had come up and waited for it to come up before dressing. Afterwards he sped over to the railroad and got clocked in and paced along the string of coaches Cliff was working with him today, Tyler related to him about yesterday. "Yikes hopefully that is a one time occasion," said Cliff.

Tyler nodded in agreement and proceeded with his duties, As they chugged along Tyler thought that today would be an excellent day. However the train slowed a mile beyond where they were yesterday. Tyler let out a huff and went out to the engine and looked ahead, and long behold a rail had been pulled up and left to the side spikes, and plates included. The crew and Tyler looked at each other and looked at the vandalism with disbelief Tyler jogged to the end and told Cliff.

"No way," responded Cliff and ran ahead to look for himself.

Tyler remained in the back and when Cliff returned with amazement written all over his face. "This is ridiculous," he growled.

They had to call the crews back out a put the rail back in place. After they got moving again Tyler went through the coaches and could see the people were not happy at all, and he had to tell them of what had happened and keep order. By the end of the day Tyler was thrilled to clock out and go home and flopped on to the couch and lounged for the rest of the day and was semi happy that it was his day off for two days. The next day Tyler just relaxed and played with his layout, till later a call came from Cliff for dinner at his house later on.

Tyler went and saw the most of the brakemen gang were there except Jackson and Ben. "They were working today they'll be by later," said Cliff. When they did they looked grumpy. "Don't tell me there was another track problem in the same spot," asked Tyler with a questioning look?

"Yep and some of those passengers who have been ridding the past few days after the first ordeals are now sending in complaints, the whole thing is getting worse," answered Ben.

Tyler's ears perked up at that statement, "What do think could happen," he asked.

"Well they will have to hire guards to monitor the track, but the person could move to different spot so doubt that would work and would cost money and maybe affect or salaries and many other consequences," answered Ricardo.

Tyler's head went down and his tail tucked. Through out the rest of the evening Tyler's head was pondering the situation. Tyler started to feel bad, not for himself but for Cliff, Ben, Allen, Ricardo, Fred, and Jackson and other people at the railroad whom he cared for and had accepted him despite being a huge lion man. He wanted nothing to happen to the railroad or the people he loved. When he left Cliff's at sundown, he drove home and fired up his layout and watched to locomotive go around. After ten minutes he stopped it and had a plan in mind. He dressed in black clothes and dug out a sledgehammer and stashed it in the trunk.

Tyler drove to approximately where the rails were. After taking out the hammer and locking his car and hiding it he started the way to the railroad track which from his position was five miles He hiked his way through the forest, finding his eyes hadn't changed from there clarity at night as a lion. He growled under his breath for the problem. After a long period he recognized the sound of the river and the location of the spot. Just as he was about to enter the area he could hear metal being moved and someone's hard breaths.

Tyler kept himself hidden from view and looked through the trees and a look of horror came over his face, as he saw his former friend rolling a rail towards the river and tossed the spikes everywhere, after a long period he jogged back in to the trees Tyler held his breath as his former friend missed him by a foot. Tyler waited for a few more minutes to make sure he was alone. "That creep," growled Tyler as he stepped out to the roadbed.

He set the hammer aside and went to the river where the one hundred eighty-five pound rail was laying in the water. Tyler stepped in to the river and grabbed the rail; even though he had put on muscle as a human he still didn't have the strength as a lion. He struggled to move it and walk through mud and rocks. "If I was a lion right now this would be a cake walk," he shouted in to the night.

He gritted his teeth together and continued to wrestle the rail to dry ground. Yet as he got closer he found the rail was getting lighter and the walk easier. He heard a shredding sound and he looked down, and saw his hand grow in to a paw and his claws coming out, his clothes were ripping from his increasing size, and he felt his head change to a muzzle and his mane grow back and tail wagged its way out. Tyler smiled and lifted the rail on his shoulder with ease. He put the plates back in place and set the rail on top and located the spikes with no trouble and pounded them back in to place. When the track was fixed he smiled and turned but a thought came to him, he looked down and remembered that those clothes were not for his lion figure. "Oops," he said to himself.

Picking up the sheds of clothing and the Hammer Tyler quickly jogged through the woods before anyone saw him nude he breathed a sigh that he could run faster in his lion body than his human shape. He found his car and got in quickly but drove carefully to not have a cop pull him over. When Tyler arrived home he checked around first then scrambled in to the house. He chucked the remains of his clothes in to the trash, and put the hammer in a corner of his living room then lounged in his chair smiling as he went to sleep.

The next day rose up and the sun light touched Tyler who was still asleep, finally stirring he got up and dressed. Since it was his day off Tyler got bored and mainly napped a few times and read books though out the day. As the day came to a close he looked at the time and decided he needed to check the spot again. As he gathered his stuff he looked at his hand and saw it shrink and his claws disappear. "No, no! Not now, don't change me back now, don't change me back now," he chanted.

After a few chants he looked again and saw the paw go back in place. "That's right," he said to himself as he headed for his car.

As he walked through the forest this time he kept an eye out his ex friend and saw no sign of him. Though he knew he had been here for his smell was strong, when he reached the spot he saw several rails had been pulled up, Tyler shook his head and muttered, "Moron."

Tyler went to work and within an hour he had the track put back together then went home preparing for work the next day. The day arrived and Tyler got to work and walked up to the station. When he came to the train waiting he saw Cliff standing beside a coach. "What up, Cliff," greeted Tyler.

"Well we've been getting the trains up the line without any problems, of recent date," replied Cliff.

Tyler smirked, "That's great, maybe we won't have the horde wanting our necks," he replied.

"True," said Cliff giving him an odd look as Tyler, waked along the platform Cliff gazed at him and wondered, 'Why so smug' after a few minutes of thinking he smiled.

The train proceeded on and Tyler looked out at the spot, and the sailed along the way with no problems. When they reached the town Tyler was looking in the crowd, when a quick smell came to his nose. Tyler snapped his head and looked around for the smell was of his old friend. Tyler's eyes scanned the crowd but no sign and the smell of him. "Looking for someone," came a voice.

Tyler spun around and looked at Cliff, who wore a smirk. "I thought I smelled someone who I hate," replied Tyler in a neutral tone.

"Who would that be," asked Cliff?

"My old best friend, replied Tyler

Cliff thought about it remembering what Tyler had said, and he put one and one together.

"Is he the one pulling the track," asked Cliff?

Tyler froze and felt his blood grow cold. Cliff pulled Tyler away from being overheard, "Have you been the one that's been repairing it at night," asked Cliff?

Tyler lost the ability to talk the thought going through his mind, 'should I say something or not, will he hate me, is this the end'.

Cliff took Tyler to a quiet spot out of earshot. "I'm not angry or going to complain," reassured Cliff.

Tyler shrugged and said quietly; "I didn't want the railroad to close and loose our jobs."

"I know and I think they would be appreciative despite anything else," reassured Cliff.

They headed back to the train and got everybody back on board and headed back to the station. Tyler looked and sniffed and didn't see or smell his old companion. "Are you going back up tonight," asked the voice of Cliff behind Tyler. Tyler spun around casting Cliff a dirty look for sneaking up. "Yeah I'm planning on it," he replied.

"By the way we're even," said Cliff with an evil grin.

Tyler gave another dirty look and walked away.

After that Tyler went back to his house and got out of his uniform and waiting around the house till the sun was setting and he could feeling himself morphing back to a human, he did his chant in his mind and the changes stopped and went back to his full lion self. Tyler picked up his hammer and proceeded to his car and drove to the clearing and jogged to the railroad tracks. Along the way he smelled the old scent and Tyler went quietly and watched from the trees and brushes and saw him moving a rail aside and running back to the forest Tyler moved out and started to put the rail plates back in place when a sound of someone coming out of the forest and the scent filled his nose. "Just like when we were young you always fell in to my pranks," sneered the voice, Tyler hated above anything else.

Tyler stood up and turned around and saw in the flesh his once best friend. "Right, you were good at setting up traps and getting me to fall for them or anybody else that we were with us, Clint," growled Tyler.

Clint just smiled and walked closer to Tyler. "Stay back," ordered Tyler.

"What then, going to slash me, or bite me, or...kill me," said Clint in singsong voice with a hint of a sneer, and he took three more steps forward. Tyler put up his fists, "What are you doing here," questioned Tyler?

"I'm trying to destroy your life, not physically, weird people like you should not exist, nor should be in any position of power," said Clint smoothly.

"Really, says the one who would cause other people problems just to make one person miserable, that is pathetic," responded Tyler.

Clint just glared back, "The other people that you referred to are just collateral damage to me, Tyler."

Tyler snarled a true lion snarl, "Lets have a round then, if I win you can not touch me or anyone else ever again," he proposed.

Clint smiled and said, "Deal and if I win I parade you around and humiliate you for the rest of your life."

"You are not fighting alone," came a loud and angry voice.

Tyler and Clint looked back in to the trees and saw Cliff, Ricardo, and Bruce walking in view. "Pick a fight with one of us, the rest will fight too," stated Ricardo.

Tyler looked at his friends with concern, "Guys he was, the boxing champion in school, and knows karate," he warned.

"Doesn't matter," said Ricardo.

"Bring it on, looser," snarled Bruce.

Clint flew forward and threw a punch on Bruce's face making him fall back. Tyler lunged ahead and kicked Clint in the gut making him fall back a little. Cliff took the opportunity and landed one in Clint's face. However Clint gave a kick to Cliff in the face throwing him back and on to the ground. Ricardo slapped Clint and Clint returned it by hitting Ricardo's nose making him recoil. Tyler came back with a few good punches making Clint fall back, just when Tyler was about to give another blow Clint sent a kick to Tyler's groin. Tyler turned green and felt like throwing up but Clint punched Tyler in the mouth making him fall to the ground holding himself in pain.

He watched, as Clint was about to land another kick When Bruce wrapped his arms around Clint's throat squeezing tightly. Clint bucked and threw himself around. Cliff flew towards Clint and landed a punch in the gut, but Clint sent another kick and hit Cliff in the stomach instead Ricardo attempted to punch Clint again but was sent backwards. Tyler watched in horror as Clint elbowed Bruce still on his back and made Bruce fall off. In one split second Tyler felt anger flood his entire self and saw red, he looked down and saw a loose railroad spike. He picked it up and threw it with all of his strength at Clint.

All he head was a scream of pain and he could smell blood. He looked at Clint and saw blood pouring out of his mouth and saw a couple of teeth falling out. Once Clint wiped some of it off with his hand, he looked up at Tyler with hatred and had a look of murder written on his forehead. "Death for you now,!" Clint soothed in a deadly tone of voice.

Clint in one fluid move pulled out a switchblade knife and flew towards Tyler. Tyler grabbed his hand that contained the knife and with his strength tried to knock it out of his hand. It nearly worked but Clint dropped it to his other hand and slashed at Tyler leaving a long gash that tore his shirt and making Tyler grit his teeth in pain. Clint tried to send another swipe at Tyler but Tyler blocked it and grabbed his wrist and pushed it back, Clint slapped Tyler with his free hand, Tyler responded with a knee to Clint's stomach.

Clint gasped and with a quick effort sent the knife towards Tyler's chest. However Tyler saw it first and raised his paw and with his claws scratched Clint's arm making Clint cry out in agony, Tyler took advantage of the situation and grabbed the knife and threw it in to the river. Clint sent a fist to Tyler's face but Tyler did not flinch, Clint struck again, still no reaction. Tyler sent a thunderous blow to Clint's face and Clint stumbled back about ready to fall down.

Tyler grabbed him and lifted him above his head and strode towards the river bank, "You loose, goodbye my old friend," Tyler roared and threw Clint in the rushing river and watched as Clint was washed down the current. Tyler rushed back to his new friends as they stirred from getting knocked around. "None of you should have stepped in," said Tyler with a stern look.

"What were we suppose to do," asked Ricardo?

"You are our friend, and we do not let our friends fight alone," stated Bruce.

"You need to accept that you are not alone," said Cliff crossing his arms.

Tyler smiled and for the first time in a long time he found his place in the world and with people who cared for him. "Thanks, let's get this mess back in order," said Tyler.

Everyone put the tracks back together, after that they went back through the forest and to their cars, with Jackson and Fred waiting. "Hey Tyler," chimed in Cliff.

"Yes?"

"Just wondering how come you are not a human," asked Cliff.

"Oh I commanded it and I didn't change back, I needed the muscle to move the rails," answered Tyler, with a laugh at the end.

The next day when they came to work some of their coworker, who asked them what happened they did not answer though that noticed the stares had increased that day, even Will had wanted to know why they had cuts and bruises and why Ricardo had a broken nose. They did their duties for the day and went home to change for they had a party planned at Cliff's house. Tyler went home longing to get out of his clothes for they felt tighter than they did the day before. As it came closer to leaving and the sun setting Tyler noticed he was not turning back to a human. Finally it became night and still a lion, Tyler pondered for a moment till he remembered what the doctor had told him, 'If you let it take over too much you may never be a human again.'

Tyler sighed and looked in the mirror figuring that he will never be a human again. However this did not bother him for his friends accepted him, so he went to his car and drove over to Cliff's where everybody was waiting. When asked about not being human he told them about staying a lion too long, "Hey you look cool as a lion," put in Fred.

Later on Tyler sat at the table playing poker, he glanced about his cards and looked around feeling comfortable at last he went back looking at his cards smiled and sat back feeling that his life was not done but would continue with a sweet note.