FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Darkness covered the mansion when the group finally returned. The two rescued mutanimals finally had feelings back in their legs and arms after finally being out of her bindings for a while. As the four finally exited the car, They were met by Celine, the snow leopard known as Frostbite. She stood in a black hooded sweatshirt and matching sweatpants and a simple pair of sneakers. She was joined by her adoptive father, Dr. Moreau, garbed now in a pair of jeans and a flannel button up shirt. It was obvious the two were discussing other events of the day when the noticed the new comer in their car. As the four approached filed two by two, With Deadeye and Soulfox in front, Moreau stops the red fox from going inside.

"Who are these two?" he asked as he placed his hand on the fox's shoulder.

"Lassie McKenzie and James Mcmahon, we helped them escape," Deadeye replied with no emotion

"Escape from where?" he asked sternly.

At this point, Soulfox stood before the doctor, "They were in a GeneCorp transport, I detected her inside the vehicle and mentioned it. Deadeye was willing to risk life and limb in order to ensure their safety, but Justin interviened opting for a non-lethal solution."

"No one was hurt?" he asked.

"Negative." Soulfox replied.

Deadeye looked over to the arctic fox in confusion. He knew that he wasn't well liked by the powerful mentalist. Why was he sticking up for him?

"Deadeye, I want you in my office. Sergei is in there as well..." With that, he and Celine disappeared into the mansion, leaving the five out on the steps.

"Why did you stand up for me?" Deadeye asks. "I know I'm not the easiest guy to get along with, but I didn't deserve you helping me like that."

"Because," he began as he adjusted his glasses. "I may not like you that much, but you were willing to do what you felt was necessary to save one of our own. That's what our goal is, That, in a way, makes you part of the family."

'Family' he said. That word rang in Deadeye's head over and over. Back in the military he only had the CO tell him what was family, and that was the unit. He sighed a bit and looked down, trying to hide the redness of his embarrassment on his cheeks.

"Thanks," he finally wound up muttering under his breath.

"Was that so hard?" the arctic fox asked. "You should head up to the office. Dr. Moreau doesn't like to be kept waiting..."

The fox nodded and made his way to the top second floor where Dr. Moreau's office was located. He followed the elaborately decorated hallways to through the house until he discovered a door with a nameplate with the good doctor's name on it. He opened the door and entered the room, gliding with a sort of dexterous rhythm of a marching cadence. Inside was Dr. Moreau, sitting behind his extremely messy desk with clusters of papers and a random family portrait all over his desk. He was joined by his daughter, Celine, and a rather large sized bovine in which Deadeye did not recognize. She had the stereotypical black splotched over white patterns on her fur on her plus sized body. She wasn't fat, but she was quite plump, and tall as well, perhaps well over 7 feet. She was garbed in a simple green tank-top shirt covering a pair of bosoms that HAD to have a custom bra built to contain, and a simple pair of jeans. Across from Dr. Moreau was Sergei, the equally large, but more muscular bear comrade, sitting in a chair.

"Deadeye, Sergei," Dr. Moreau began as Deadeye sat down. "You both know Celine, aka Frostbite and my daughter, Lani. Let me introduce you both to Shayna Wilson, aka Pagan." on the introduction she gave a silent, almost sly wave to both boys as if to scream available. "Sergei, Deadeye are you two wondering what you're both in for?" both russian hybrids gave a shake of the head. "Sergei, I know exactly what happened today..."

Before Dr. Moreau continued, he turned to a TV which was close to Deadeye on his left, which was already tuned to the news. A nicely primed female reporter in a neutral grey dress and almost feathered black hair came up on the screen on pause. Dr. Moreau hit the play on the remote.

"Chuck, it is utter chaos out here at the College Park supermarket as a truck was suddenly stopped by what looked like a bear mutanimal. The as of yet unnamed mutanimal, according to eyewitnesses, suddenly charged out into the street when the driver ran a red light, and a mother and her 6 year old child stumbled while crossing the street."

The TV then flashed to a young black woman with a black shirt talking to the reporter. "All I remember saying was 'Those two are gonna get killed' and then CRASH! I heard the crash and thought 'That's not the right sound' so I looked again, thinking to see two dead bodies. and low and behold, I seen the bear standing there stopped the vehicle like he was Superman! and I remember thinkin' 'Oh Lord! thank you fo sparin' those two! Lord thank you!'"

The Gerald pressed paused again and looked to the bear with a grim look on his face. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I regret nothing," Sergei finally said after a long pause. "Child and woman both were going to be killed. I had two choices, do what I did and be the better man, Or do nothing and be no better then anyone else who does nothing to help others." Dr. Moreau raised an eyebrow at this answer. "I've done many bad things in my life Dr. Moreau, both under orders and under my own... how you say... will? This was first time I used my powers to save, and not to kill. It feels... Liberating."

"There's more," Moreau replied.

Upon pressing play again, the reporter returned to the screen. "Before fleeing the scene, the mutanimal checked on both the child and mother, got into a mild scuffle with the driver, but no one ultimately was hurt in the situation. Both child and mother are safe with only mild scrapes"

Suddenly, the woman whom the bear saved, holding her child appeared over the screen, crying profusely on the T.V. Before the mic was placed in front of the woman, the reporter asked, "If you could find where this mutanimal lives, what would you say to him if you met with him again?"

"I'd say 'Thank You,'" she replied. "I would thank him with all my heart." As she slowly lost control of her crying, she held her son tightly as she rocked him. "He saved my baby... he saved my baby..." A small smile crept over the bear's face as he watched the woman hold her child tightly, knowing well he did what he felt was right.

The screen returned to the reporter's face as she began reporting again, "Those last few words ring in the minds and hearts of the witnesses here in College Park. These simple yet meaningful words also stir up a major question in the mutanimal controversy. 'Is Registration really necessary with people like this around?' I'm Darla Cole, back to you Chuck and Diane..."

"THERE!" Dr. Moreau yelled as he pressed pause once again. "That is why I started this team! I want humanity to start second guessing this bill!"

The yells startled the bear as his attention turned back to the doctor. "You're not angry with me?"

"Of course not Sergei. In fact, I want to give you an offer similar to Deadeye here to join up with the team."

"Sir," the bear spoke as the towering form stood from his chair. "It would be an honor to fight for you, to finally have a worthy cause to fight for."

Doctor Moreau nodded, "Report to Professor Prozac and he will get your dimensions for your suit. You will also need to be designated a codename for field work."

"It may be a little corny," Celine finally chimed in. "But what about Bearricade? I mean the guy stopped a 40 ton vehicle with his body running speeding at sixty miles per hour.."

"Bearricade..." Sergei gently placed his finger under his chin and rubbed in contemplation. A smile crept over his face and nodded in conclusion. "DA! Is good name! I Like it!"

"Very well Sergei, from this moment on, while in the field your Designation will be Bearricade, Head to the sub basement and report to Professor Prozac. He'll get your dimensions and design your uniform for the field."

"What of Deadeye?" the bear asked.

"I wish to speak with him alone," Dr. Moreau replied as he adjusted his glasses.

Deadeye could only watch as the behemoth bear slowly approached the door. Sergei shot a look to his friend as if to signal him 'good luck' before he closed the door. The fox nodded as the door closed and his attention returned to Dr. Moreau.

"Now, Deadeye. Tell me of the two you brought to our home."

The fox gave a nod before he stood up and sighed. "Sir, at approximately 1737 hours, we were leaving from the Church as was Geist's request. As you know I volunteered to go with as I too had some business there myself."

Dr. Moreau nodded softly, "Go on..."

"En Route to the mansion, we were cut off by an armored styled vehicle with GeneCorp labeling. This was when Soulfox extended his mental capabilities to detect two mutanimals that were being restrained in the back. I was about to climb to the hood of the car to attempt a rescue when I was stopped by Geist. He used his..." He hesitated, not because he was nervous, just unsure of what type of power to call it.

"Ectoplasmic Generation," said Lani, causing the fox to turn his gaze to her.

"Explanation please?" he requested.

"Not only is Geist a very powerful medium, meaning he can detect, see, and hear ghosts and spirits, but he can also concentrate his will to give these ghosts enough strength to manifest."

"That was exactly what he did. An apparition did appear in the road to scare the driver and caused him to crash. Geist then continued to subdue both driver and his passenger. I was able to procure a key card to gain access to the holding cell in which the young woman was in the back. Their names are Lassie McKenzie and James McMahon, were a prisoners of GeneCorp. If there is any punishment to be dispensed, I will take full responsibility."

"Why would I want to punish you Deadeye? You saved a mutanimal from being experimented on from GeneCorp, another one of our goals," he replied.

"Then if I may ask why I am here?" the fox asked.

"Well. According to your report, you showed initiative, you took advantage of the tools that were available, and took responsibility of the actions of the team based upon your decision," Dr. Moreau said. "Your Spetznaz training is invaluable and your weapons mastery even rivals Warmonger, I would like to offer a second in command spot on the team."

"Why not Warmonger?" Deadeye asked. "He's been here longer I'm sure and seems to know what he's doing."

"Warmonger at this time is only a part-timer." Moreau replied. "He's dedicated, but he leaves from time to time, so he's unreliable. At this time, you're my best option since you have decided to stay and join the team.

The fox looked down and sighed, "I hate being in charge of anything."

"This is absolutely your choice Deadeye," Dr. Moreau reminded him.

The fox sighed heavily and looked up. "If no one else will accept that role, I will graciously accept."

"The team gets bigger by the day," Celine said as she moved over towards the fox, extending her paw, "Welcome to the team, Fox."

Deadeye nodded as he gripped her paw tightly in his. "Thank you, I just hope I do you proud and lead the team to the best of my ability in your absence. Curious, does the team even have a name?"

Dr. Moreau shook his head, "We've been trying to figure it out ourselves for a while."

It was at that moment that Deadeye noticed a painting hanging of a young female doe upon the wall. She was garbed with only pieces of green foliage over her most intimate parts. The others were discussing other ideas, but the fox focused upon the picture. It was as if the picture was staring directly at him, coaxing him closer. He did come closer and closer to the picture. The voices of the others slowly faded away to nothingness. The kindness in the doe's eyes spoke to him, called to him.

"Dr. Moreau," the fox began, causing the others to look up suddenly. "Who's that?"

Dr. Moreau stood as he too gazed upon the painting. It had been up there for years, but it was now that he actually noticed the painting. He took off his glasses as a small tear slowly began running down his cheek. Lani knew full well that the painting sometimes and came to her father's side to place her paw on his shoulder.

"That's a picture of my wife. A friend of ours painted it," he said almost reminiscing. "He entitled the painting 'Gaia's Love.' It was the one thing I took from the house that I couldn't live without."

"Dad?" Lani questioned.

"She was a believer in the Gaia Theory, that the world had a spirit, and we are the Earth's children."

"Children of Gaia..." the fox said aloud, looking to Dr. Moreau. The words shocked him as he turned directly to meet the fox's gaze. "In honor of your dead wife?"

Lani gave the fox a wondrous stare. Since he's been here, he's shown no sentiment, but this was completely out of character. Even Celine stared at him. She probably knew him the longest and even she was surprised by the sentiment. Dr. Moreau went back to the painting and rubbed his bearded chin in pondering.

"What do the rest of you say?"

"I love the name," Pagan chimed in..

"I think it's perfect," Celine added.

Lani said nothing, but gave a simple nod, giving her support for the name.

"Fine then," he said through a sniffle, placing his glasses back on. "From this moment on, We are the Children of Gaia. Protectors of both humanity and hybrid kind."

The fox nodded cracked a smile. It was the first time he could remember feeling really happy about anything. Finally, for the first time in a very long time, he felt whole, he felt he was truly home now.

"Surprise number two today," Celine teased as she watched the fox. "First he shows us his sensitive side, then he starts smiling for us!"

The fox kept that smile and looked the the snow leopard with a coy look in his eye. "Just don't get used to it..."