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L.A.W: Semester One

Tablet 1: The First Day

The alarm went off on my nightstand and I immediately slam my palm on the 'snooze' button. Taking a glance at those bright red numbers told me it was six 'o clock in the morning. Damn. That meant today was the first day of my junior year at high school. Same shit, different year. I begrudgingly slid out of bed, made my way to the bathroom, and slammed the door shut behind me. Looking at my shirtless Minotaur self in the mirror told me how I looked: a disheveled wreck.

I already know I'll be spending the next fifteen minutes or so polishing my dirty horns as they no longer had their normal silver luster. It was a pain but I gotta look presentable for my species. After all, a Minotaur, or just plain old bull, is not much without his horns polished to potentially stab a douche. Though I wouldn't actually stab anyone with these and get a lawsuit despite Mom being lawyer. Really, the most I could reasonably do is threaten to use my horns against someone who either gets up in my face or pissed me off.

Anyway, I quickly shower, polish my horns, and get myself ready for another year at Babel High School. First period technically started at 7:50, which is stupid because it's only ten minutes before eight, but they were holding an opening ceremony to introduce a new vice principal since the old one was mysteriously murdered over the summer. Eh, not like I care, Vice Principal Holder, a boar, was a capital-D douche bag during my sophomore year who was unanimously hated among the whole damn school.

I took another glance at the mirror to see myself in my gray denim jeans, white T-shirt, brown jacket, and gray sneakers on my feet. Yeah, I didn't have hooves like horses and others as, like I said, I'm a Minotaur, or bull for short, I could wear shoes just like everyone else. Though if any hoof-jerk tried to stomp on my feet, I would more than likely throw them halfway across Acropolis.

A quick wipe of my face and my brown and green eyes are all cleared up. I had heterochromia because my Mom had brown eyes and my Dad had green eyes. People gave me weird looks because of it, but it's not like I give a damn about what those jerks think. I glanced at the clock, which was now almost seven, and knew it was time to head out. Since my room was basically the basement it was easy for me to get in and out undetected. My parents wouldn't see me out anyway since Dad had to open up the restaurant and Mom was needed at work as she had a case to solve for a client.

I grabbed my keys off my dresser, went out the backdoor, locked it, and made my way down the sidewalk toward school. Should I looking forward to another school year? Hell no, but I'm not the type to skip class and play hooky. Not like my giant panda bear friend, Charlie Wheeler, who was basically my 'partner in crime' as since we became friends in our freshman year, we kinda got into a lot of trouble together. By that I mean we get into a lot of fights with idiot football and baseball players who act like they're so bad ass. While I fight strictly in self defense, Charlie would be the one instigating and do most of the brawling without restraint. It usually ends with them running for their lives and the two of us would call them 'Pussies' as their title.

I wondered if I'll have classes and lunches with Charlie this year. At least with him around the school year won't be a total bore fest. I was even surprised he got promoted to junior status. As I got closer to the big bricked building with blood red gates, security guard post, a statue of a lioness holding out astrological symbols for planets Mars and Venus, or male and female to others, and the schools initials of B.H.S in gold, I saw a snow leopard dressed in a lavender jacket, shirt, white sneakers, and blue backpack walking at such a slow pace with her head down that it was as if she was a zombie. That blonde hair of hers looked so unnatural for someone of her snowy species.

There was something vaguely familiar about her, though. I never caught her name, but anytime I had classes with her, I would stare at her for long periods until the teacher called my name and I would go back to the earsplitting lecture at hand. In turn I would catch her staring at me during lunchtime until that obsessive white tiger boyfriend of hers, Rex Olson, would pull her away to another table and either yells at her or, at times, slap her. For some reason, whenever I see her abused by that asshole, I felt several urges to step in, block his hand, and give him one seriously deserved punch to the nose.

It reminded me of my old friend whom I used to call Luna. He was a snow leopard I knew since first grade who would always tag along with me everywhere I went. In fact, our parents were friends with each other for years and I guess it made sense for me and Luna to befriend one another. I could never forget how beautiful his fur looked that was reminiscent of the moon, heck even his gray eyes of his were like moon's surface, hence why I called him Luna instead of his full name, Jasper Harrison. Luna and I went to the same schools together up until the end of middle school when his family moved to another part of the city.

Maybe that's way I was getting into a lot of petty fights since freshman year. I used to always defend Luna from bullies who would pick on him because he's soft spoken and not big like other felines like lions and cougars. At least fighting back was mainly to protect someone. Now the only reason I fight is because people would start shit with me and I easily gave into their antagonism and threw the first punch.

The sound of a thud snapped me back into reality as I noticed the blonde snow leopard in front of me tripped onto the pavement and laid face down. Naturally I rushed toward her, got down on one knee, and slowly helped her off the ground. Yeah, I know, chivalry at its finest.

"Are you alright?" I asked as she lifted her head up and her gaze met mine. Both our eyes widened in shock as if we had just seen something horrifying. Her eyes had that same gray moon color as Luna! Wait, let me calm down, it was probably just a coincidence. I mean, she had blonde hair, and Luna...well, didn't have any. Plus I haven't seen him in years to even know what he looks like now.

"Marduk?" My tail fell limped the moment I heard that same nickname Luna gave me which was now used by my parents and Charlie instead of my birth name, Marshall Babylon. I preferred Marduk as my name anyway, but I digress. Though it wasn't the name that bothers me. It was her voice, and it sounded a bit...manly? The tone was still soft as ever for snow leopards, but I should try to confirm if 'she' was really a cross dressing guy.

"Luna?" I said lowly as precaution to which 'she' responded by giving me a strong hug and felt 'her' face being buried into my chest, her arms around my torso under my arms. To keep appearances to any bypassing idiots taking a quick peek, I wrapped my thick arms around 'her' and noticed the blonde hair was 'slipping' off and how thick 'she' felt in my arms. There was no mistaking it. This 'gal' was in fact a guy...and my old childhood friend.

"Marduk," said Luna, his tears staining my shirt. "It really is you. I missed you so much!"

Somehow I couldn't help to blush at that, but now wasn't the time or place for a happy reunion. In truth I didn't want to let him go as I'm the kind of guy who likes being hugged and because I missed Luna too. Slowly, but surely, I released him and pried him loose from me. I stared into his teary eyes for a moment before I cracked a smile in assurance. We had a lot of catching up to do.

"We'll talk later, Luna," I said to him, my smile not dropping for anything. "When's your lunch period?"

"Six period," Luna replied as he wiped his eyes and smiled at me too. "It also turns out we have homeroom, gym, and living environment together this year too."

"I like junior year already," I motioned him to walk with me to the building. Of course I couldn't help to drape an arm around him just to give Luna some measure of security and to keep up appearances. I said, "You will tell me why you're dressed as a girl, right?"

"Yes," Luna nodded as soon as we walked passed the gate. "There's so many things I want to tell you about, Marduk. I feel so much better with you around."

"The feeling is mutual, bud," I said as I had to pull my arm away from him and once we reached the boys side of the entrance. Yeah, boys had one entrance, girls had the other, mostly so security can check our bags and shit. It was annoying but we had to get it over with. I patted Luna's back lovingly, knowing that we'll see each other later since, for the ceremony, we all had to go to the auditorium, and just like the entrances, boys and girls are segregated on opposite sides of the room. I never understood the reason for the gender split.

After we parted ways and the security guards check my backpack, with me as their number one target as per usual, I made my way to the auditorium so we can get this stupid assembly over and done with. At least first period classes were postponed until tomorrow when a 'regular' school schedule for the Fall Semester begins. As I walked toward my seat all the other boys from foxes to badgers grew all twitchy around me as if I'll thrash them just for looking in my direction. I'm far from a bully, though. I just have zero tolerance for anyone's bullshit.

"Sup, Marduk," said a gruff voice next to me as a big panda in a black jean jacket, pants, and purple shirt with dice pictures barged his way through and sat himself next to me with a toothpick laying lazily in the corner of his mouth. Good ol' Charlie, always show up when I least expect it. What made Charlie different from other pandas, aside from his bulging muscles, was that the normal black fur was replaced with brown fur, including the area around his eyes. He told me he was half panda and half grizzly bear, so he refers to himself as Panza because of his Asian-American heritage. He only speak in English as he told me his native language, Mandarin Chinese, sounded like 'chicken scratch' to him.

"Hey, Chuck," I called him by his nickname, partly to annoy him and mostly because he liked shorter names as, to him anyway, names with more than two syllables were a pain him to remember. I continued with, "I was hoping you would show up on the first day of our junior year."

"Don't rub it in," Charlie pulled the toothpick out his mouth with a snort. "Those numb nuts threatened to have me expelled if I skipped even one day, and if I got expelled, that bastard father of mine will send me back to Hong Kong to live with my Uncle. Like I want to go back to that crowded shit hole. I like the states just fine without family drama."

"Ouch," It was times like this I was glad to be born and raised in Acropolis as an American. With the way Chuck was breathing heavily through his nose, fingers twitching, and narrowed gold eyes, I would think he could lose it any second now. I should probably lighten the tension by saying, "If it helps, you can always get a job at my Dad's restaurant and get an apartment if things are looking bad."

Charlie snorted again, but less tensed, saying, "Thanks, but I like eating at Dumuzid's, not working. Hell I don't want to work in any restaurant I frequent at. Say McDonald's and I will flip you out of your chair."

"I wasn't," I had a smirk on my face now. "I was actually going to say open up a hot dog stand like they have in New York and make chump change."

"Be thankful today is a half day so I can ram you into the ceiling horns first!"

"Relax, boo boo, I was joking. So just come to classes like normal and you won't get expelled or deported. Simple, right?"

"Eh, whatever. Think your secret admirer will spy on you again this year?"

By 'secret admirer' he was referring to the blonde snow leopard who I discovered was Luna in disguise. I often told Charlie about Luna during our freshman year, but then I stopped after he was getting irritated about me constantly reminiscing about the past. I wondered what will his reaction be when I tell him about earlier.

Before I could bring it up, the bell rang and our attention was brought to the main principal on stage. A blonde haired lioness named Trisha Inanna grabs hold of the microphone and takes center. Her outfit was both professional and slightly provocative as a blue tie was laying right in the middle of her slightly exposed cleavage in what was otherwise a normal business suit and tie with a skirt and very high heels. Not surprisingly, the guys around us were hooting and gawking at her sex appeal.

While I thought she looked okay, I heard Charlie mutter "Just another dumb blonde bitch." which was a bit much, but hey, he was the thoughtless type. Though if he said that to Luna about his wig then I would take him up on his offer and kick his ass despite his species being physically stronger than us bulls.

It was then Principal Trisha began to speak onto the microphone, saying, "Good morning freshman, welcome back sophomores and juniors, and congrats to our seniors class of 2008! I'm your friendly and rather gorgeous Principal Trisha Inanna, but call me Principal Trisha for short. There's going to be a lot of changes for this new year, starting with introducing our new Vice Principal who will also act as our first psychiatric for troubled students. Come one and take the stage, Regal Nelson!"

Just then a burly red and black maned lion walked up to the podium, briefly shook hands with Principal Trisha, and took the microphone from her. What was strange about him was the fact that he was wearing deep black sunglasses despite the dimly lit auditorium. Not only that but suddenly all the guys around me, even Charlie of all people, began shuddering as if a cold draft just blew in from nowhere. Just watching that new Vice Principal made me uncomfortable, and he's far away at that. What was it about this new Vice Principal that was made us so...nervous?

Regal began addressing the crowd, his deep voice commanding all to give him their undivided attention and, for us guys, to cower in fear, "It's a pleasure to meet all of you students of Babel High School today! It is unfortunate that your former Vice Principal Holder is no longer with us today and died too soon. Let us not mourn his passing, but rather celebrate his achievements, and I will do my best to help each and every one of you to the best of my abilities. Starting tomorrow, and Principal Trisha agreed, all boys shall wear shirt and tie from Monday to Wednesday as part of our 'Dress For Success' regiment! Also, as Principal Trisha stated, I am also holding a psychiatric program to help students who suffer from test anxiety to feel more positive to get better grades on exams to better your chances at going to college after graduation! I look forward to getting to know each and everyone of you for a great school year! As our school motto states: 'Climb to the Top, and Don't ever Stop'!"

This was met with a resounding groan from the guys and clapping from the girls. I turned my head to Charlie who was already muttering several curse words under his breath with his head bowed and gaze at the floor. I had this gut wrenching feeling I wasn't going to like this new Vice Principal. Boys had to wear shirt and ties while girls get off easy? Bullshit with a capital-B!

After the assembly was over we all went to find our homeroom classes, and thankfully, I shared homeroom with both Charlie and Luna. As much as I wanted to introduce them right away, homeroom classes was always short and was mostly to take attendance. I did find the time to quickly inform Charlie about it since, by chance, we were sitting by the door for a fast exit.

"Oh joy," said Charlie, his deadpanned tone already told me he wasn't excited about this. He continued with, "You finally found the fluff ball you've been moaning about all this time."

Would it kill him to show a little more enthusiasm for once?

"Killjoy," I said, slightly irritated. "Would it be alright if I introduced you to each other? At least give him a chance before you outright dismiss him. Besides, you could use a few more friends."

"As if," snorted the panda bear hybrid. "He'll just be fearful of me like every other jerk in this school. Then again, we're all jerks; you, me, him, that jerk over there."

He pointed his thumb at a brown headed dog named Trenton Albireo, wearing a green T-shirt and black pants, sitting on the opposite side of the room by the rectangle windows and radiator. Judging by his white furry arms and hands in contrast to his chocolate brown head fur, I would say he's an American Akita and not the more slimmer ones in Japan. I had classes with Trenton before, he's a cool dog, though he kinda kept his eyes glued to his cellphone he often held under his desk during lectures.

It was reminiscent of the White Rabbit constantly looking at his watch in that Wonderland book. I would normally say 'hi' to him, but somehow, I doubt he would notice me. Maybe I should try getting acquainted with Trenton, depending if I have classes with him this semester, and learn more about him. I always wanted to befriend a dog that wasn't either a pit bull and doberman who act like wannabe thugs.

I brought my attention back to Charlie with a shake of my head, saying, "Nice try, Bender, but try not to assume anything before you actually meet him. What have you got to lose?"

A smirk crept on that giant panda's muzzle as he retorted, "My self esteem, my anger management, and most importantly, my lunch."

I shook my head again and took that as his way of saying he'll at leas try. Charlie should really stop watching cartoons, or at least, don't use quotes from them as quips every so often. The bell soon rang for second period classes and parted ways with both Charlie and Luna. My next four classes before lunch was simple if not daunting: second period Trigonometry A, third period American History, fourth period English 5, and fifth period Theater. I could tolerate math, do decent at history, and excel at English, but theater class has got to be the most disappointing. I wanted art as one of my electives damn it!

Anyway, navigating through the crowded hallways was and still a pain in my tail, shoving my way through waves and waves of students scrambling to get to their classes on time.

"FIVE SECONDS!" bellowed a deep voice, and my ears twitched knowing it could only be that damn bear dean, Mr. Baker, that black furred dip shit was standing right in the center of the intersection holding a whistle in hand, wearing white pants, blue short sleeve shirt, and tacky blue and green sneakers.

"FIVE SECONDS ON THE FOURTH FLOOR!" Baker bellowed again, and he was the only bear who's voice can easily be heard without the use of a megaphone, those bloodshot eyes of his looked like they were ready to pop out of his sockets at any moment.

"Fucking loudmouth," I muttered as I finally found my math class, waltzed inside, and sat by the window to feel the cool September breeze blow in. It was too early for him to be this annoying on the first damn day of the year. I just know I would be having multiple, and inevitable, confrontations with Baker as he was always the first dean to get at me whenever I was fighting someone. He didn't like me, and I damn sure didn't like him, and it was rare when the two of us don't make evil eye contact.

I took a quick glance around the classroom, and the lack of familiar faces means math, as usual, was going to be a drag. Fortunately, math, along with my next couple of classes, flew on by without unnecessary drama,. Now it was time for six period lunch and, by extension, early dismissal since seventh and eight period classes aren't until tomorrow.

I made my way through the sea of scatter brained morons, down the crowded stairs, and onto the second floor where the lunchrooms were located. Similar to the entrance and auditorium, our lunchrooms were divided into two, but instead of segregating by gender, it was based on what year you're in. Freshman and Sophomores were slotted into the cramped Cafeteria A, while us Juniors and Seniors were slotted into the more roomier Cafeteria B.

After showing the guard my schedule to get inside, I managed to locate Charlie sitting at those stupid rectangle tables by the Snapple vending machines. Naturally with the wider space it was much easier to navigate without some random schmuck colliding into me on accident. That and it would be extremely difficult not to miss a hulking brown and white panda bear hybrid.

I made my way over to that 'Panza' and sat down across from him. The sweet scent of doughnuts invaded my senses as I could tell the snack line in this lunchroom was better than the one in Cafe B which only sold chips and pretzels. Not that Charlie and I ate the food here to begin with since we can get better tasting grub from my Dad's restaurant with student deals and whatnot.

"So," said Charlie as rested his elbows on the table, this time with two toothpicks in both corners of his mouth. It was one of his habits that sorta defined the stereotypical status of a bully. "When's that 'best buddy' of yours coming?"

"Hopefully soon," I replied before I looked around the lunchroom for my cross dressing snow leopard. I could only imagine how would Charlie react when he realize Luna's true gender. I bet it'll be the usual 'what the fuck!?' type of reaction which could either be amusing or dreadful.

To kill time I asked him, "How was your classes so far?"

"Mind blowing," replied Charlie, a deep growl in his throat. "Thanks to that bastard father of mine talking to the principal behind my back, I'm now doing fucking calculus instead of trigonometry! Do I look a smart ass nerd who can handle that advance shit?!"

I really should not answer that. It was not only too easy an insult, but also because Chuck's shaking body meant I should not press my luck out of fear of what he might do.

Instead I made joke, saying, "You would probably excel at cock-cull-us if given the opportunity."

Charlie lowered his shoulders and raised an eyebrow, saying, "Here I thought I was the vulgar one. You get points for originality at least."

"Meh," I shrugged. "Look at the bright side. If you can get calculus out of the way, you won't have to do it again, or at least, try to get your class changed if it's too difficult for you."

"Thanks for the confidence," This time Charlie had a smirk on his muzzle. "But I might as well suck it up and add this to my extensive list of 'Fuck You Old Man' goals to accomplish. I'm not a pussy at school, and I'm damn sure no pussy in a fight. Before you ask, the rest of my classes were crap too and not worth mentioning."

"I hear ya, Chuck," I said with a nod and smirk of my own. I was expecting he would skip calculus, but I'm glad to see he'll stick with it. I look back at the people in the lunchroom and my heart started thumping madly against my chest when I saw my cross dressing snow leopard, Luna, jogging toward the table as if 'she' had done something unspeakable. Luna joined out table, sat next to me, and held 'her' blonde wig to prevent it from falling and exposing 'her' true identity.

I placed my hand on Luna's shoulder and said, "Hide a dead body somewhere?"

"No," Luna was panting as 'she' lowered 'her' hands from 'her' hair. "Just making sure Rex doesn't see me. He's not what I need right now."

"Yo," said Charlie with a snort and I almost forgot about him. "I didn't expect a prissy dumb blonde to sit at our table. What's wrong, bleach not good enough for you?"

"Shut up, asshole," I snapped which made Charlie raise an eyebrow. Before he could say anything I continued with, "Let me make the introductions quick and to the point. Charlie meet Luna, and Luna meet Charlie."

The two of them made eye contact with one another, and I hoped to whatever god out there that things go smoothly. I know Luna was still polite as ever as he at least managed to say 'Hello' in his normal manly voice. I figured with me besides him he doesn't need to use his current female facade despite the fact that Charlie, with his bulky frame, was the epitome of schoolyard thug.

As I expected that panda hybrid's jaw dropped when he put two and two together and immediately shot out of his seat, slamming his palms on the table in anger. Naturally Luna flinched and huddled close to me for protection, and if Charlie was stupid enough to try to attack him, then I would more than likely throw down with him.

"You didn't tell me your 'friend' was into kinky cross dressing!" Charlie's shout was loud enough to alert nearly the whole damn cafeteria. I was not in the mood for unwanted crowds or security guards wanting a reason to come after me, or worse, blow Luna's cover, and his security always came before my own.

I grabbed Charlie by his shirt collar, forcibly pulled him down to my level, and growled right in his face, saying with my teeth grit, "Keep it down, idiot! Do you want security all over us on the first damn day!?"

Charlie pressed his nose against mine and growled back at me. "Fuck no, but you mean to tell me the kid you kept whining about the last two years was dressing as a ditzy blonde!?"

"Please don't fight!" said Luna as loud as he physically can, latching his hand onto my shoulder. I gazed into his silver moon colored eyes and whenever Luna gave me that look, it meant I should calm down and relax. I never did say 'no' to that adorable, pleading face that rivaled puppy dog eyes. He was pretty much my conscious, and I don't even like Pinocchio. I released my hold of Charlie's shirt and, surprisingly, he also backed off and took his seat, breathing heavily through his nose.

I broke the tension by saying, "Listen, Charlie. I didn't even know it was Luna cross dressing until I ran into him this morning by chance and found out it was him first hand. Can you not blast off for a second and hear him out?"

Charlie snorted as he had one elbow on the table and rested his muzzle on his palm. "Go on. I'm 'interested' to know why would a man born with a pole and balls between his legs start dressing as a gaudy chick."

I looked at Luna who had his gaze on the table, unable to look either of us in the eye, his thick fluffy tail curled close to him. He always did had trouble with eye contact whenever he was under pressure. I draped my arm around his shoulder to both maintain appearances and for him to know that I'm here besides him.

"It's...hard to explain," said my snow leopard. "I'm not even sure if here is the right place to -"

"There you are, Jesse," said a voice belonging to that louse, Rex Olson, the white tiger I saw coming from behind Charlie wearing jeans, boots, and a long sleeve jacket with our school's logo and colors of red and purple. Just hearing him talk and seeing those cyan eyes of his made me want to hurt him. If memory served, and prior to our meeting this morning, Rex was abusing him for the last two years, even more so during sophomore year. If given the opportunity I would gladly pay Rex back with twice the interest for laying a finger on Luna more than once.

I felt Luna's body tense up as soon as Rex got closer to the table. He said, "Rex...um, I'm kinda in the middle of a conversation with my old friend, Marduk, and his friend, Charlie."

Rex shook his head as he steered clear of Charlie who, predictably, looked ready to strike on instinct with his hands balled into fist. Rex then said, "I see, but you shouldn't have to waste our lunch period with these degenerate thugs. Come, Jesse, I have a table prepared just for us."

"What was that, bleach?" Charlie growled, taking both toothpicks out of his mouth and already knew he was about to go berserk. "Say that again so I can beat the stripes off you!"

"I'm sorry if my words are too big for you to understand," said Rex, keeping his cool with a smile worthy for dental advertising commercials. He ignored the fact that I have my arm around Luna as that sleaze reached for his hand and squeezed it hard enough to cause Luna to wince. He said again to Luna, "We may have a half day today, Jesse, but I still want to spend our lunch period with just me and you. Come with me."

I snorted to get that jerk's attention, saying, "Take a hint, Rex, and get lost. We're having a private conversation."

Rex glared at me as if I wasn't a threat, saying, "And I would like to have a conversation with my beautiful girlfriend. You're not in my league...'Martian'."

Is that the best insult he got? Please, I've heard much worse from both security guards and football players.

Luna raised his free paw up up and said, "Please, Rex, this is the first time I've seen Marduk in two years. I want to spend time with him. Please, why don't -"

"I SAID COME!" Rex's shout was as the resounding smack as his paw swiftly struck Luna across the face, claws and all. It was hard enough to cause Luna to nearly fall off the seat, and hard enough to leave some slash marks on his cheek for trickles of blood to cascade down his face and stain his slate gray fur.

My hands start balling into fist in pure, righteous anger, that same anger I used to feel in middle school whenever Luna was being bullied. The fact that Rex was bold enough to assault Luna in my company, and the fact that I can see my oldest friend holding back tears of pain, was more than enough incentive for me to unleash hell on his bastard!

In a strange simultaneous effort, both mine and Charlie's fist flew toward Rex and made a direct hit on both sides of that fucker's face! Rex staggered back and fell flat on his ass, holding his face in his palms and growled in pain.

Charlie pulled his fist back and snarled, fangs bore, saying, "Congrats, bleach, you'll be the first person to get his ass kicked on the first day of school!"

"No, Charlie," I stood up from our table and cracked my knuckles. "You can't get expelled, remember? Look after Luna while I settle the score with this asshole!"

Charlie growled before he ruefully nodded. "Fine, I'll back out this time. Give bleach the horns for me."

"Marduk," I felt Luna grab onto my arm while holding his face with his free hand. Just seeing him holding back those welling tears in his eyes made me angry and upset. Luna tried to plead saying "Please don't hurt him! I'm used to it, I'm -"

"Not letting him abuse you anymore," I cut Luna short before he could try to talk me out of dishing out the much deserved ass whopping. I said, "Charlie will look after you while I pay pearly gates back with more than twice the interest!"

"Fucking degenerate," my focus turned back to Rex who slowly got back on his feet and ripped his sleeves off with his sharp claws. "You must be that fagot's knight-in-shinning-armor! Like I'll lose to a low class idiot like you!"

On second thought, just for using that derogatory word, this pearly white bastard is getting beaten into bankruptcy! The usual student body began crowding around us in a ring which prompted the predictable chanting of 'Fight Fight Fight!'. Why can't people ever mind their damn business for once?

"Get bent, mother fucker!" I spared no time in charging toward that white tiger, and I had more than enough experience fighting against felines to know I have to avoid being slashed by their sharp claws.

Rex swiped his claws at me as if he was trying to hit me with a sword. Please, that was such a predictable move and not any different than the tactics felines on the football team used on me in the past. I knew exactly what to do. I grabbed his arm with one hand to close the distance, and used my other hand to punch him in the face again, this time square in the nose. Normally one would go for the stomach to knock the wind out of them, but smart opponents would either lift their knee up or use their other hand to block my fist.

I couldn't risk an amateur mistake. I had my reputation to think about after all. So by punching Rex in his face, which temporarily blocked his vision, I went for a heavy punch in the stomach that left him breathless. I quickly pulled his arm behind his back while I still had it in my hand, locked him in an arm lock, and wrapped my other arm around his neck, effectively restricting his movements. His claws tried digging into my skin, but a simple choke at his neck forced him to let go otherwise.

"Let me warn you, Rex," I whispered into his ear in a threatening tone. "If I catch you within breathing space or attempt to harm MY BEST FRIEND again, me and Charlie will personally see to it that you will suffer every single fucking day until graduation! Am I clear, or do I need to use my horns for you to see the fucking POINT!?"

"YES!" Rex wheezed with his air supply cut short with good reason. "Let me go, I can't breath!"

Good. I dropped him on the floor and stepped back from him. While he coughed and hacked to catch his breath, I moseyed over to Luna and Charlie, the crowd of fight mongers smart enough to get out of my path like when Moses parted the water for his people to pass through. What I didn't expect was a third party carefully treating Luna's injuries, a female komodo dragon lizard of gray skin, dressed in a red and gray blouse and pants combo and sneakers. While her boob size was impressive enough for horny guys to fawn over, it didn't turn me on in the slightest.

"Excuse me," I said to get she-lizard's attention. "Who might you be?"

"Future Student Council President, Tirana Meson," she said with an air of authority as she finished applying band aids on Luna's face. "I saw everything, Marshall Babylon. I'm afraid you, Charlie Wheeler, Jessica Harriet, and Reginald Olson will have to come with me to the Vice Principals office to explain what happened."

"Fuck off, bitch," said Charlie in his usual gruff demeanor, crossing his arms over his burly frame. "I may have thrown a punch, but I didn't beat the shit out of Rex like Marduk did, even though I seriously wanted to."

Thanks for throwing me under the bus, Charlie. I always knew I could depend on you, sarcasm noted.

"Please don't call me a bitch," said Tirana, polite yet firmly, and there was something about her that vaguely familiar about her, like we've met somewhere before. Or I could be imagining things, this was our first meeting as far as I'm concerned.

Charlie leaned his head closer as he patronizingly, and slowly, said, "Bitch...bitch...and more bitch!"

I had to step in before things could get more messy, saying, "Don't mind Charlie, he's just mad someone stomped in his Cheerios this morning."

"Who the hell would do that shit!?" said Charlie, genuinely outraged at the mention. "If it's honey nut Cheerios, then yeah, I'm raising hell on that bastard! You can keep the suck-y plain ones!"

Surprisingly Tirana just laughed in jest, saying, "No mind, I hate overly submissive guys and prefer men with backbone. Anyway, I patched up Jessica's wounds, so I'd like you all to come with me to the Vice Principal's office. You're still responsible for starting a fight after all."

"Just a sec," I sat down for a moment to check on Luna, saying lowly to his ear. "How are you feeling?"

Luna locked his eyes with mine and, not saying a word, simply slipped his arms under my armpits and hugged me. I guessed that was the only answer I needed. I couldn't help but to smile and returned the embrace. It was all the relief I needed after thrashing his abuser. Charlie making impromptu gagging noises in the background only made my relief all the more relaxing.

Normally after this lunch period we were supposed to go to seventh period class, but as today was the first day, we had an early dismissal. Of course the three of us along with Rex sat in the new Vice Principal Regal's office courtesy of Tirana. Rex made it a point to sit as far away from us as possible because my threat was in effect as of now.

It wasn't long until the newbie himself, Vice Principal Regal, walked in and felt the immediate wave of discomfort wash over me. On one side of me I hear Charlie growling in this throat and on the other was Luna slipping his hand into my own, firmly holding it. The last Vice Principal was a loudmouth and I at least knew how to deal with his lectures and even throw a playful retort just to see his often hilarious reactions. This Regal guy? I better not attempt any antagonism, or at least not with Luna around me.

"I've heard you were fighting in Cafeteria B," said that blood red lion, pushing those black shades of his up his nose bridge. Why was he wearing shades indoors is beyond me. He continued with, "Care to explain how and why it went down? Your answer will determine my course of action. Even though it's my first day on the job, I do intend to be fair in both my assessment and course of action."

Doesn't look like short and sweet explanations would work on this one. So I explained how I was only acting in defense of Luna, addressing him as 'Jessica', who was slashed by Rex, and also explain how over the last two years Rex was abusing Luna on more than one occasion. I was even glad Charlie vouched for me despite himself and even more glad that 'Jessica' stood up for 'herself' and confirmed everything much to Rex's fury. Served that bleached tiger right.

"Well, then," said Regal with a toothy smile on his face, and somehow, it made him more creepy and disturbing. "It is true assault is frowned upon both in this building and in society in general, and acting in a chivalrous manner is a noble deed. Ordinarily I am supposed to suspend both fighters from school...but considering it's only the first day for all of us, I'm willing to give a more lighter form of discipline. For the next few days you are to spend your lunch periods in my office so we can...get to the underlying cause of your aggression. I'll start with Rex Olson tomorrow since assaulting females is a big no-no around here. I won't inform none of your parents, so please, keep this strictly between us. Understand?"

At least there was some good in all this. No notified parents means we all get off easy without unnecessary drama. Regal soon dismissed us and the instant we got out of his office, we all let out big breaths of relief we didn't even know we were holding. Rex left without so much as a word since Luna was now in both mine and Charlie's protective 'custody' from here on out.

"Creepy red ass," muttered Charlie. "I already can't stand him. Who the hell wears sunglasses in September?"

"Seriously," I said. "Something tells me he'll be worse than Holder." I turn my head over to Luna, asking, "How are you holding up, Luna?"

"Fine, I suppose," said the snow leopard, holding his paw over his throat. "Just being near the new Vice Principal gives me anxiety. It's almost like a snake is choking the life out of me."

"Yeah," I nodded. "Let's all go to Dumuzid's and get some real lunch. Student deals are in effect starting today."

"Sure," said Charlie with a shrug. "The further we are from that red guy and bleach, the less I'm inclined to whoop ass."

We left the school and rendezvous at my Dad's restaurant, Dumuzid''s, one of the hippest joints in Acropolis. I worked their part time during the summer to help Dad out with the overflowing tourist which made us big money. New York might be the restaurant mecca of the world, but Dumuzid's is one of Acropolis's famous eateries in terms of both affordable and definitely tasty meals. Meaning you actually paid for the food and not the fancy atmosphere or brand name.

We arrived at the restaurant and I wasn't surprised to see Dad in the kitchen cooking up a storm with waiters carrying fleets of food out of the kitchen and empty plates back into the kitchen. It might be packed but it's always worth eating it, biased or not. One of the waiters, like a bright yellow Labrador by the name of Baron Ringo who started working here just recently, sat the three of us at a booth and gave us the menus before leaving to get us some water.

Charlie didn't bother reading the menu as he always knew what he wanted, saying, "Why do they always give me a menu? I always get the same damn thing each and every time: steak and fries platter with extra onion rings and a coke."

"Because not everyone is consistent like you, Chuck," I said before glancing at Luna next to me who seemed to be lost reading the menu as if it was his first time here. "You have a taste for anything in particular, Luna?"

"Not really," he said, speaking in his normal voice tone. "It's been so long since I've been here. I've been eating fast food with Rex all this time I completely forgot about Dumuzid's. I'm at a lost on what to order."

"If memory serves you usually get fish and chips with ginger ale. Why not get that again?"

"I should...but is it too predictable because I'm a feline and eat a lot of fish?"

"Nope," said Charlie, nonchalant. "I say eat what you want and screw stereotypes. I'm supposed to eat fish, berries, and bamboo because I'm a grizzly panda, but steak is a hell lot more tasty to me."

"That and you do work out often," I said before I put down my menu. "I'm a pasta lover, so I'm sticking with my usual carbonara and ginger ale. Might as well be consistent across the board, right?"

"Yes," Luna put down his menu and finally removed that blonde wig of his. "It's back to eating fish and chips for me. To be honest, I got sick off of eating Five Guys with all that grease seeping into the bags and foils. I only went there because Rex insisted on it."

That made Charlie chuckle for once, saying, "What a cheapskate and fat ass. It's grease on top of grease!"

"Oh this ain't brown fur, it's grease!" I joined by pointing to my brown fur and we all laughed it off just in time for Baron to come back to our table, take our orders, and went back to the kitchen and bars to get our drinks.

Charlie regained his composure and asked Luna, "So, fluffy, what's with the prissy girl getup? You are a dude, right?"

Luna adverted his eyes to the table, answering, "Yeah, and my Mother forced me into dressing as one because...well..."

"Rex did say you were his 'girlfriend'," I said, then put two and two together and deduced, "Luna...are you..."

"Yes," that squeak along with him bowing his head confirmed it all. "Marduk...I'm gay. I've been like this since eighth grade...but I never had the heart to tell you after we graduated junior high because I moved away and feared you wouldn't be my friend anymore. I came out to my parents during freshman year at Babel High. While my Dad and Sister supports me, my Mother became furious, so she'll only allow me to date a male is as if I dress like a woman. That's when I met Rex...and here we are."

Oh damn. I never thought his Mom would flip like that, but I never knew Luna was into guys. Heck I always thought he'd get with a female because they always compliment him on how attractive he is. I guess I should tell him a secret of my own.

Charlie, however, beat me to it, saying, "Heh, small world. Well, you're not the only one who prefers dicks instead of overly inflated boobs. I plow dudes in the butt myself. Only difference is that my folks don't know about it because it's not their goddamn business."

Way to be direct about it, Chuck. Guess I might as well come out of the closet while Luna has that shocked look on his face as if someone gave him a birthday cake.

"Luna," I said, but in a low tone of voice. "While not as blunt as Charlie, I am also not into women and prefer men. My parents still support me, and while I'm sorry to hear your Mom is in denial, I would never severe the bond you and I still have. When Rex slapped you and called you the 'F' word, I lost it and nearly choked him to death because...well, you're precious to me."

"Can you be anymore sappy, Marduk," Charlie rolled his eyes just as our waiter came back with our drinks and plates of food in big portions. It was enough for us to take any leftovers for home and eat it later.

"Can you be anymore of an ass, Chuck," I shot back, slightly irritated, but Luna's sudden laughter brought both mine and Charlie's attention to him. It was the first time I heard him laugh like this since we were kids.

"I like Charlie already," said Luna as he calmed down and held his sides. "He kinda has that gruff big brother vibe, but I can tell he's a good person."

When Charlie is not thrashing the living daylights out of someone or insulting them, then yeah, he does have his good qualities. After all, I did stick with him the last two years, so that had to count for something, right?

Charlie snorted as if that offended him, but the grin on his face said otherwise. "Thank god I'm an only child. Keep quiet about that good guy crap, fluffy. I got a reputation to think about."

"Whatever you say, Chuck," I grabbed my glass and raise it up. "Now that we survived the first day and not get in trouble, here's to surviving Junior year!"

Luna raised his glass up next and said, "Here's to reuniting and making new friends!"

Charlie raised his glass up last and said, "Here's to all the asses I'm going to kick and plow in no particular order."

"And not get suspended for once," we all clanged our glasses together, took a sip, and enjoyed our meals before we left for home. Charlie parted ways with us midway since he also had to take a bus the rest of the way to his house. This gave me and Luna some time for a little chat.

"Marduk," Luna called me just as we reached a street corner. "I just want to say...thank you. Not only for protecting me, but for also being so understanding. I'm glad to know you haven't changed."

"Luna," I said, my two colored eyes meeting his, smiling. "I'm glad to have you back too. You can trust me with anything. If you need me to rough anyone up or need a shoulder to lean on, just say the word. I'll be there for you in an instant. Just...do me a favor and lose that wig. Blonde doesn't work for you."

"They didn't have silver at the store," Luna smiled at me before he stood on his toes and kissed me on my cheek. I couldn't help but to blush, rubbed the back of my head, and felt my tail lash about like dog tails do. Luna then went down the street, waving his hand saying, "I'll see you at school tomorrow."

"Later, Luna," I waved back at him, smiling like an idiot. Was that how Scooby Doo felt whenever he ate a Scooby snack? It was great not only reuniting with Luna after two years, but I'm also glad to know that Charlie will be making an effort to get to know him and vice versa. Everything was better when your friends from both your past and present intersect and made life the more worthwhile.

Later that night I sat with Mom and Dad in the living room to watch a bit of TV around ten or so. Dad was of black fur and messy hair from all the cooking in the kitchen, and Mom was of brown fur and black hair with red bangs and didn't get home from work until an hour ago. When they asked me the obligatory 'how was school?' questions I kept it short and brief while glossing over the fight I had with Res Olson. I did, however, mention that me and Luna reunited after so long which was met with approval.

"You met with Little Jasper?" said my Dad, using his own nickname for my snow leopard. "That's great, Marduk! You two were so inseparable growing up!"

"I ran into his sister Julie during my lunch break," said Mom, flicking her bangs away from her eyes. "She is as beautiful as ever. Turns out they didn't move too far in the city after all and only a few blocks away from us. Please tell me you'll be visiting Jasper more often and not that aggressive panda."

Mom wasn't too keen on Charlie because of his brash ways and how often I get into trouble with him. Then again, aside from Luna and maybe the new student body president, Tirana, hardly anyone sees Charlie in a favorable light. I hope with Luna with us things could change so he doesn't get deported back to Hong Kong by his parents.

"Don't worry, Mom," I said, hopefully assuring her and to trust me. "Charlie is not all who he appears to be, even Luna took a liking to him when I introduced them to each other."

"Hopefully a good thing," said Dad before he grabbed the remote and changed the channel. "You've been getting into a lot of fights ever since you met that guy. I hope you don't get into any scraps this year, even if your usual brawling in middle school was to protect Little Jasper or self defense."

"Just focus more on your grades this time, honey," said Mom, and at that point, I just nod and give my word that I'll focus on academics and not whoop anyone's ass if they cross me.

There was a program on the news showing a blurred out naked body hanging from a rooftop. The name of 'Dresden Holder' was displayed at the bottom, and of course, it was familiar to me. That boar was the former Vice Principal of Babel High before that Regal guy took his place. Just thinking about that red lion made my stomach churn.

"That's insanely creepy," said Dad as he payed attention to the report while I tried to push VP Regal out of my mind. "Killing a guy is one thing, but to emasculate him? You would think that would happen in horror movies."

"And in Chicago too," said Mom, shaking her head in disgust. "It's even more shocking that it was a Vice Principal from Babel High School. Holder was such a nice person."

No the hell he was not. Holder was a capital-D douche bag and public enemy number one. I spent more time in his office than I did at lunch to the point we had a 'Tom and Jerry' like relationship. In this case, I would be Jerry since he had more victories than Tom did. Anytime Holder would try to antagonize me, I would give a cleaver witty retort that would piss him off further.

Heck some people even called me 'The Fresh Prince of Babel High' as being the only one to stand up to Holder and not put up with his shit. I don't like being called that, even if I do like that show. Still, it kinda was sad that someone killed him in a grotesque manner like that. Removing a guy's penis and testicles? That's beyond messed up.

I bid Mom and Dad goodnight as I made my way downstairs to my room in the basement, get down to my boxers all shirtless, and hopped right into bed for the night. The next time I opened my eyes I found myself in a strange celestial void where there was nothing but bright stars among the black, the blazing sun above me, and the bright blue glow of the Earth below me. I felt a cold draft blow all around my naked frame despite the fact that I was floating in space.

Before I could process how can there be wind in space, a gold glowing figure manifested itself before me in the form of a bright yellow Labrador, reminiscent of Baron the waiter at Dumuzid's.

"Welcome to Empyrean," said the canine being, a warm and friendly smile on his muzzle. "Do not worry. Your body is asleep in the real world all safe and sound. You are the first mortal I have seen who's consciousness drifted to this final heavenly sphere. Perhaps it is a sign of destiny and the fate that befalls your city."

Destiny? Fate? What the heck is this dog talking about?

"Oh where are my manners," I saw the Labrador walk closer to me, and here I am, all stiff and nude, unable to do or say anything, as he continued, "I should properly introduce myself. I normally don't have a traditional mortal name, but for the sake of convenience, you may call me Baron. May I ask for your name?"

That was the same name as the waiter Baron. Am I dreaming?

"Marduk," I managed to say out my name despite not knowing what the heck was going on around me. "Everyone calls me Marduk. So...how can we breathe in space?"

Baron laughed. "We are not really in space, Marduk. That is just how the Empyrean chose to manifest itself. Kinda fitting if you ask me. The Earth looks so beautiful from here."

"Yeah," I nodded to make conversation and looked down below me. The Earth really does look like glowing all blue like that.

"I do not wish to keep you long," said Baron, bringing my gaze back to those golden yellow eyes of his. "Since your consciousness reached as far as the Empyrean, then it is a sign of a long and dangerous road ahead of you. There is bound to be peril up ahead and choices to make, but I have a feeling you will succeed in your quest. Strength comes from more than just muscle; it ultimately comes from the heart and from those you formed bonds with. Four major bonds in particular, my dear Joker."

"Joker?" I said, confused. "Danger? Peril? You're not making any sense! What the heck are you talking about?"

"Well," said Baron as he came even more closer to me and stood within inches of me. "Let me just say high school is not the only thing you have to worry about. I will be watching over your progress and root for your success. The Four Aces will be of great importance to you on your journey. Take this gift and tread carefully, Marduk. Have a great school year."

Baron stood on his toes and kissed me on my mouth. Next thing I knew everything faded to light and my vision blanked out. Either I was having one heck of a dream...or this could all end very badly.