FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

I tapped on the door with my knuckles. It was the early evening and I knew that it was pretty much home time for many office workers, including Max. I was hoping he'd be home early, though judging from the lack of a response he clearly wasn't there. Maybe I was too early. I stepped away from the door and took to waiting in the hall, idly playing a game on my phone as I waited. It must've been several minutes before I heard frantic footsteps coming up the stairs, and soon I saw his familiar face laced with perspiration heading towards me.

"God, sorry Daniel, I didn't think you'd be this early. Bus got caught in traffic. Again."

"I hear ya man, take your time."

I took his laptop bag and books from him as he busied himself with unlocking the door to his apartment. His place was virtually unchanged from when we were on opposite sides of the law, when he still went by the name of White Light. Now he was just Max, a humble, more restrained version of the narcissistic hacker we were tasked to capture. His computers were still there, as was most of his original gear. The only thing that was changed was the whole place was neat and clean, a byproduct of his induction into the Bureau. With rules came a streamlining of his methods, and now he was one of the top computer techs in the entire office, even the entire building. I set his bag and stuff down on his coffee table while he excused himself to shower and change. While he did that I had a wander around the rest of his apartment. It was sparsely furnished, the bare essentials and nothing more. Barebones kitchen, what I considered the emptiest living room while still being called a living room, and a guest room that was homely though spartan. By the time I was back in his computer room he was out, a towel draped across his shoulders as he sat at the desk and booted up his rig. As he waited for it to load up, he turned to face me.

"So Daniel, what sorta work you got for me that requires secrecy in the confines of my apartment?"

I pulled the thumbdrive from my pocket and set it on the table.

"I've got some documents here that I need you to verify, then after that I've got a search I need you to run."

He stared at me, a puzzled expression on his face.

"Couldn't you have done that at work?"

"It's kinda clandestine work, Max."

"Well whatever you say, secret agent Anderson."

He took the drive and plugged it into the computer. Instantly a window popped up with its contents: the watchlist itself, along with several other documents pertaining to the Demigod gene and its research, and a comparison list that I needed in conjunction with the watchlist. I pointed at the documents first.

"Couldja help me verify those? I pulled those from an open FBI databank, but I don't know how authentic they are."

He merely nodded and got to work, and soon he had all the documents open in several windows, while he ran a search on a main window that was larger than the rest. The whole process took a matter of minutes, and when he was done he closed the search window and turned to me.

"Yep, all this is legit, Daniel, though I'm not sure why you'd pull these files in particular. You interested in this sorta speculation thing?"

"A little, kinda. Now, go to the watchlist."

He pulled it up on screen, where he briefly scrolled through several pages of names and addresses, organised in alphabetical order.

"This is an extensive list you got here, Daniel. All these people mean anything to you?"

"No, only some of them. Now, could you help me cross-reference this list with the comparison list I have there? I need you to find similarities and put them in a separate window."

"No problemo. This shouldn't take long."

He opened the comparison list, copied the names from it and then opened a search function in the watchlist. Then he pasted all the names in the function and hit the 'search' key, and instantly the results popped up on screen. He selected and collated all the matching results and then pasted them in a third window he pulled up.

"Right, that's done with. Anything else, Daniel?"

"Yeah, could I see that list? Maybe have it printed?"

He nodded and with a few keystrokes several sheets of paper sat in my hands, still warm from the printer. I went over the information and felt a shiver go through my spine.

My hunch was right.

Max must've read the expression I had on, cause he waved a hand in my face, concern written on his own.

"Uh, Dan? You're kinda spacing out on me here."

I shook my head to clear my thoughts and composed myself.

Right. How to tell him.

Hmm.

"Max, I need more favours."

"Uh, sure, I guess."

"I just need you to take your time and read the documents I had you verify. Don't have to read them all, just one or two so you understand them and what they talk about."

He nodded and opened one of the documents and had a read through. Meanwhile I looked over my list again. All the people here did mean something to me, both on a personal level and in the grand scheme of things. My only problem was on telling them. How was I supposed to share this revelation without them calling me out on total bullshit? Well, the best plans usually come from total honesty, right? If I was simply upfront with everything instead of beating round the damn bush, I guess I could talk sense into them, if they were skeptical in the first place. It could work, provided I didn't screw anything up at all.

By the time I was done with that train of thought, Max was finished. He closed the document as he turned to me again.

"Well that was an...interesting read. Funny how they still haven't found out how to manipulate that gene yet."

"Yeah, I'll get to that. Now Max, I'm afraid I've been short with you."

"Yeah I guessed as much Daniel. You still haven't told me why you needed all this work so badly."

"I'm getting to that, jeez, settle down Max."

He pushed himself away from his computer table.

"Alright, I'm calm, Daniel. Now what's going on?"

I sighed and cleared my head. This was my first and only practice run. If I screwed up, I'd just lost a very good friend.

"Well first of all...the reason why I had you do the work on the watchlist was because that watchlist is a list of people that all have that Demigod gene. The watchlist was conceived by the American government first, under the jurisdiction of the CIA and in the guise of a simple vaccination record. The list then expanded to encompass other countries, after being circulated by the relevant intelligence agencies around the globe. This Watchlist contains information on every single person around the world that has the Demigod gene within them."

"Okay, and?"

I showed him the printouts.

"Here, take a look at these. This is the comparison list I showed you earlier."

He took the papers from me and briefly thumbed through them, but paused on one. I could see him react to the information on the sheet, the flickers of uncertainty and incomprehension that went through his eyes, made his cheek muscles twitch or curled a lip. After a pause he looked up at me with the most incredulous expression I've ever seen. He was pale.

"Daniel...why is my name here?"

"Because, Max, I ran that comparison myself. I was running on a hunch that I've had for a long time since I found out about this gene."

I sat up in the chair and mentally braced myself.

"Now, Max, I'm going to tell you a story, and the more I talk about it, the more real it's going to sound, and I need you to suspend your disbelief for a while, and to humour me and believe me the whole way through."

He nodded.

I started with the first part, about the way the world was made. I described, in detail, the way the Balance was kept, how the Creator and the Destroyer maintained an equilibrium that ensured the stability of our world. Then I described the Protectors, how they were the children of the Creator himself, how Christ was the very first Protector, and how they were extraordinary heroes in times of crisis, wielding superhuman powers and abilities to defeat evil wherever it reared its ugly head. I elaborated on how the Protectors were essentially immortal souls, destined to live forever until the point where they essentially decided to settle down and have kids, which was when the powers were passed down through the generations, from parent to child. Then I started on their companions, the Guardians. I went on about how the Guardians in their Guild were the Protectors' true companions, how each Protector had their own cadre of Guardians that accompanied them on grand adventures, each Guardian being a superhuman warrior or mage in their own right. I made special attention to the fact that these Guardians were descended from gods, that they were...

"Demigods. The Guardians were demigods. Which leads me to my second-last point. You, Max, possess, in your blood, the Demigod gene, which is the only special connection between the Guild of Guardians, demigods in the own right, and these men and women that have this special genetic occurance. I have reason to believe that every single person on this Watchlist is a demigod, they just don't know it yet, and the only way they can awaken their potential is if their dormant Demigod gene is, well, awoken or activated. That brings me to my last point, though are you following so far?"

Max's face showed the countenance of an attentive listener, but I saw the disbelief lingering in his eyes, and I could tell he was struggling to process all this new information, just like how I struggled those years ago when I became who I am. He nodded to my question and a ran hand through his hair.

"S-sure, Daniel, it sounds extremely amazing, but...are you certain that I'm...a demigod?"

"Well, there's only one way to find out, and that's my final point. You see, Max, again I haven't been totally honest with you."

"Now what, Daniel?"

I steeled myself.

"I'm a Protector."

I let the sentence hang in the air for a while. Max blinked once or twice, in what I'm guessing was even more confusion. Then he spoke, and his voice was soft, faint.

"Y-you are?"

"Yup. Want me to show you?"

He looked down at his lap, almost as if he was unwilling.

"I-I guess, Daniel."

Another hurdle crossed. Now was the hardest part: lowering my disguise spell in front of an actual person. I drew my hand in front of my face, took a deep breath, and dissipated the charm, revealing my real, lupine self to him. I saw his jaw drop completely, eyes completely wide. He moved back in his chair, avoiding me as he took in what must've been the most shocking thing he'd ever seen in his life. With ears lowered, I spread my hands.

"It's all true, Max. You can trust me, I swear."

He merely nodded, still in shock. I shook my head and moved my chair back a little.

"I know it's extremely shocking to suddenly see this, but it's actually how I really look. The human side of me is merely a spell I've cast on myself. The me you've seen in the interrogation room, on my phone camera, it wasn't the real me, but a projected me, an image of my past that I hid behind in fear. But now, I trust you, and I've gone and revealed myself to you because I have faith in you, that you won't tell anyone and that you won't doubt me again."

He seemed to relax a little at that, though I could see his hands shaking slightly.

"O-okay, D-Daniel, b-but how do I fit into all this?"

I stood. Seeing me tower over him suddenly like that made him cower again so I sat and sighed.

"Max, recently I found something that I want to try out. What I read was that the Protectors and their Guardians usually were close companions, often best friends or colleagues before their powers emerged. This led me to believe that several people around me, that I thought I'd met by chance, were actually brought to me by my own destiny because they were my Guardians, and you are one of them. I chose you because you have the resources, and you're smart, so you could easily figure out connections and know how to brace yourself for mental shocks, like this. Now, I have a theory on how to activate this gene of yours, and all I need of you is your approval. Would you let me test my theory on you, Max?"

I left the question hanging and turned away so he didn't have to stare at my face. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him relax slightly and go into a sort of contemplative mood, no doubt considering the reality of the whole situation, whether he was dreaming or in fact wide awake and faced with an awful truth about the world that he still couldn't quite fully understand. He went back to the paper, read it several times over, then went to the files and read those too. I let him. No sense in forcing a man to do something he didn't want to do, right? Then, after what seemed like an eternity, he hung his head and approached me.

"D-Daniel?"

"Yeah?"

"I, um, allow you to test your theory on me."

I was surprised. He actually agreed? Well, first time for everything. But as I stood he stopped me.

"However, o-one thing I gotta ask first."

"Go ahead. Ask me anything you want."

He looked at me and I could see his fear, but also a bravery that laid in the center of his being, echoing through his eyes.

"H-how long have you lived like this, Daniel? Were you like this in Brazil too?"

I nodded.

"Yeah. I was under my spell the whole time, so no one ever knew. You're literally the first person I've shown my true self to."

"Wow...it's not easy, is it?"

"No it's not, Max. It's not easy living like this, but I manage."

He sighed and rolled his shoulders.

"Well, I guess we better get it over with, right? If I'm really destined to be by your side, Dan, then I guess...well, that I kinda felt that way. You've been a good friend to me, and I'd hate to see our friendship go, even if you're some weird...wolf thing."

"I understand, Max. Well, the theory I have is that the Demigod gene can only be activated if I pour some of my power into you. A dose of the same celestial power that flows through my veins should jolt your hidden powers awake and open you to a whole new life. You ready to accept that?"

"Well, if it means that, then I guess I've already got some practice in. Let's do it."

He stood and looked me square in the eye.

"Hit me."

I nodded and gathered my energy. It felt like a cold fire that tingled and burned in my heart, spreading to my fingertips and toes with every beat. I concentrated and channeled a portion of that power into my hands, which began to glow with a soft, white light. Then, with an uneasy feeling, I reached forward and placed my hands on the sides of his head.

I remember hearing a scream.

His scream.

Then everything went white. A blinding, hot white light.

I was compelled to remain on my feet, to keep my hands firmly applied to his face.

I struggled to keep my balance. I felt the outpouring of power from him, like a dam that suddenly burst, it was intoxicating but overpowering at the same time.

I felt his flesh move and shift in my hands, speeding up and slowing down as if he were in a video player that was being messed with, almost like he was being rewound and then sped up repeatedly.

Still I maintained my grip.

Slowly the light began to fade as his new form took hold in my fingers, becoming solid as he breathed life into himself again. His body grew limp, just like mine did when I was transformed, and I slowly lowered him down onto the floor as the glow faded completely, after which I sat down myself. I felt drained, not fully drained, but as if I'd just run a few times up and down the Brooklyn Bridge. I was panting, my hands were wet with sweat, and I felt myself shiver. But my eyes were drawn down to Max's still form, his breath slowly making his chest swell and fall. He was a totally different person, if you could even call him a person now, cause for all intents and purposes, he had turned into a raccoon on two legs. He looked just like that one character Marvel had, and it was slightly amusing, but I saw that the change was beneficial to him. His arms, chest and back were fuller now, like he suddenly gained a few pounds worth of muscle mass during the transformation. He was taller than I first knew him, and his entire form was lithe and lanky. A long grey-black ringed tail extended from behind him, completing the image. He was still quite out of it, and I'm sure he wouldn't awaken for several hours more, so I hoisted his limp body into my arms and brought him to his bedroom. Then, tired from my own exertion, I went to his couch and collapsed on it, where the black of sleep overtook me in minutes.

---

The next morning, I was up early, heating up a pot of soup on his stove, when I heard a yell come from his room. Seconds later I heard him storm right now and then he was next to me, glowering at me.

"Y'know Dan, when I agreed to this, I didn't expect to come out of it looking like a fucking raccoon!"

I shrugged.

"You did agree that no matter how life-changing this was, you'd go through it with me, even if it meant you not agreeing to testing my theory, it still meant you agreed to tough it out knowing my secret. Besides, Max, it's for the better. Haven't you seen how fit you look?"

"That's besides the point, Daniel! How the hell am I supposed to go to work like this?!"

"Easy. You use the same spell I use."

I muttered the incantation, but instead of waving my hand over myself, I waved it over him, and watched as the charm veiled him in an image of his prior self.

"What did you just do?"

"I cast my disguise spell on you. Go to your mirror and have a look."

He did exactly that, and came back moments later, incredulous but impressed.

"Well that works. And it's just a simple...spell that I can cast and take down whenever I want?"

"Yup. And you can even leave it up for as long as you want without it going down. It'll only disappear when you yourself will it."

"Huh, interesting. Well...I guess I got angry for nothing. But you're right, Daniel, this feels amazing. I feel healthier than I've ever been in years!"

He cracked a smile, one I recognised as his signature grin, even through the grey fur and sharp teeth.

"This has been an eye opener for me Daniel. I'm still not sure on how everything works, but I'm sure I'll figure that out in time."

He sat on the couch and sighed as I brought him a bowl of soup and some bread.

"Here, eat. That took a lot of energy out of both of us to manage that change."

"Thanks."

For a while, we sat in silence while he ate. I withdrew into my own thoughts. This was the point of no return, after all. I'd just done what I thought was the impossible, and turned someone else into a furry animal on two legs and taught him how to disguise himself with a spell. I'm sure his mind was reeling at the implications of these revelations, a sentiment he voiced to me between mouthfuls of bread, no doubt after he'd done some thinking of his own.

"Y'know Daniel, I never thought all the stuff I read in those fiction novels and whatnot was real, but now I'm thinking otherwise. It's just...I can't deny what I saw, y'know? And now that I'm like you, well, I can't do much except to just accept the fact and keep living. It's strange, and yeah, I still can't quite grasp it, but you've opened my eyes, Daniel, so thanks. I don't know what else to say though."

"Then don't say anything, just eat. You need your strength back."

He did, and a while later he was done, bowl and plate sitting in the sink to soak in soapy water. He was on the couch, still dressed in the plain tee and shorts from yesterday night, though those were tighter around his leaner, muscled body. We sat in silence, stewing in our own thoughts, when he spoke.

"So...what now?"

"Now, Max?"

I turned to him.

"We go see the rest of the people on my list."

He had worry written all over his face as he leaned forward, elbows resting on his knees.

"But...what if they refuse to believe, even after you show them all this?"

I shrugged.

"I honestly don't know, Max. I'm just hoping everyone goes along with it."

He nodded and sighed.

"I'm gonna have a lot of new things to get used to...so who are you starting with?"

I retrieved the stack of papers from his desk and spread them out on the coffee table. After a moment's consideration, I gave one of them a point.

"Her."

He picked up the sheet of paper and read it carefully.

"Connie Gelson?"

"Yeah. She's a librarian, and I can't help but feel that she...somehow knows about me. She's perceptive, that's all I can say."

"Well, you won't know until you give it a shot, Dan. I say just go for it."

I nodded.

"Yeah, I was hoping on starting later, actually."

"D'you need my help?"

I glanced at him.

"Sure, maybe with two people along she'll be more easily convinced."

---

Meanwhile, in her library, miss Gelson stood and shivered. A jolt of energy had just run down her spine, as if someone had briefly shocked her with static electricity. She went to the front door of her library and gazed up at the early morning sky, taking a deep breath as she raised her hands to the clouds, as if she was drawing power from the gods themselves. After a minute, she opened her eyes and lowered her arms.

"It's started," she muttered to herself. "The wheels of destiny have started turning, and I best get myself ready, because he is coming, and it is my fate to be by his side, just as my forebears before me."

Saying that, she disappeared back into her library, where she pulled an iron lockbox from beneath the front counter. Within the box was her most prized possession. She pulled the old, musty tome from its home and blew the dust off the cover.

"My old friend, whom thou I have been with for ages, grant me your strength, and the strength of my ancestors, to prepare me for the trials that lay ahead, as is my destiny."

The ancient inscriptions on the cover glowed a faint green, and she could feel magical power flow through her very being. With that done, she set the tome down beneath the counter again, then went to the kitchen to brew a pot of tea.

After all, it was quite rude to not have tea when guests were expected.