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Twisting Winds: New Reality

Bane groaned softly as he slowly regained consciousness. Hell, it hurt to do even that! Next thing he noticed was the scent of a forest greeting his nose. He inhaled deeply, taking in his surroundings. Peeking through his eyelids, he blinked groggily as sunlight blinded him for a moment. He was laying on his back, he could feel the ground with his paws. Soft grass brushed his palm and finger pads softly. He could hear the trickle of a stream and noticed the warmth of a fire. He felt a blanket covering his legs and stomach. The aroma of cooking fish greeted his nose, causing his mouth to water slightly. He slowly began to sit up, trying to remember exactly what had happened. Why wasn't he in his bedroom? The WAR! As he sat up with a start, he came nose to nose with Dasher. He blinked again completely confused. Dasher was smiling, so things couldn't be too bad. He had time to get his marbles back into order at least.

Dasher chuckled, looking at his friend. He had regretted having to tear him away from his friends and family but he couldn't let Bane or himself die when he could prevent it. He sighed but put on his best friend face and readied himself to begin the job of telling Bane the situation. It was similar to how he had been working for Bane as his aide but now things were very different.

The cheetah was sitting cross legged beside the fire, turning the fish he had caught for lunch. Bane sat up and looked around, seemingly completely lost and confused. Magic was something the cheetah was familiar with. Traveling as he did from one reality to the next, could often leave one dazed and confused. If they weren't used to the stress, the transition put on them took a little time to recover from. While it wasn't something he did often, his past had prepared him to handle it much better than Bane.

As Bane recovered his senses, he looked around at the tranquil forest he found himself in. His uniform shirt had been gently removed and laid folded beside him... along with his pants and shoes! He turned to Dasher and scratched his head as he asked, "What....what exactly just happened?"

The cheetah chuckled and said, "Well, that is quite the tale my friend. You just woke up and you have been asleep for two days. I was beginning to worry about you. You were more worn out from things than you realized. As for your getting here? You were right, there wasn't enough time for us to escape before the bomb went off. I could have carried you but it would have slowed me down." Dasher looked down and continued, "The only way I could save both of us was to contact my John. I was in a hurry and I had him bring us here. Well, really to his home but I moved you to here, soon after. You are a wolf my friend and you haven't kept your connection with nature, as you should.

As for the place? The locals simply call it home but its ancient name is Shadow Wood." Bane nodded, trying to get his head around everything and Dasher gently told him, "Bane... you're not in your universe anymore. I'm sorry but I just had no choice. I just couldn't let you sit there and die. Not when I could stop it. I claimed the ancient right, to claim you by saving your life. I had to, to not betray you dishonorably by not obeying you any longer. I now give back to you, your freedom."

Bane nodded as the Cheetah looked at him with concern. He reached out and took the Cheetah's paw. Bane sincerely told his friend and sometime lover, "Dasher, thank you for saving my life. You did it out of pure intentions, so I don't think you have 'betrayed' me, as you say. I'm still getting my head around everything but at least I'm alive." Dasher nodded as he reached into an open pack sitting beside him. He picked up a cup he had made out of reed cane. Rising, he walked to the stream and filled it with fresh, cool water. Bringing it back to his friend, he said, "Take this and drink it. You need water after being asleep for so long." Bane smiled and sipped it thankfully. He had been quite thirsty though he wasn't sure if it was from the travel or being asleep.

He looked around and took in the sights. The beauty of his surroundings was breathtaking. He stood up slowly and stretched his body. His muscles were tight from the lack of use, the past two days. It was difficult for the wolf to accept that he had indeed slept for two days. They were alone and shared each other often enough that false modesty wasn't a concern. He was clean and if he had been out that long, Dasher must have taken care of things. Maybe it had been practical but it showed caring too that touch him deeply.

His feet touched the cool grass and it brought a smile to his face. This place, wherever it was, was nothing short of remarkable. It made him feel young again! Something he hadn't felt in quite some time... As he considered his current situation, it hit him that he would never see Seamus again. Sadness washed over him like a tidal wave. Seamus and Ron were worlds, no universes away! It comforted him to know that they were alive and at least had each other.

Dasher walked over and put his hand gently on his friend's shoulder. Bane gave a good attempt at a smile and said, "I would be lying if I said I missed the empire. I hated the royal trappings, the pomp and pageantry and most of all, not having time to just be with my friends. It was all too much for me. I was viewed as more than an emperor. I was beginning to hear of a cult that had me as almost a God there! That's too much for anybody to live up to. I will miss Ron and Seamus though." Dasher leaned closer and put his arm around the wolf's shoulder and said, "Bane, I will miss them too. They were my friends as well. I am very sorry we didn't get to say goodbye but that was you're doing. Either we got to see what a black hole looks like from inside or I brought us here. Gone is gone and it is best if they think we are dead. Who knows what the future holds? Maybe someday we will see them but don't count on it. There ARE things mages' just won't do, and messing with time is one of them." Dasher reflected that John's teacher and lover, the white lion Ceasar did just that as his job but he was not quite mortal anymore and rules he enforces, don't apply as strongly to him. But Ceasar would have to decide if he should and Dasher just didn't think it likely.

Bane nodded as his stomach growled rather loudly. He blushed slightly through his fur. He hadn't eaten since the morning of the battle. They had left that day and he had been out two days after that. Dasher smiled as he returned to the fire, Bane in tow. He pulled the fish off the sticks he was using to cook them. He had cooked three for Bane and two for himself. He had been eating but Bane hadn't in days. Bane sat down on the grass, cross legged beside Dasher and began to eat the fish. His mouth watered as the flavor greeted his hungry maw. Freshly caught and cooked was the best!

Dasher chuckled as Bane chewed in an unusually cute manner. Dasher shook his head as he enjoyed his own meal. He figured that the change of scenery combined with the newness had brought out the young side in his friend. It was very rare that somebody newly arrived, stumbled into this part of the world but when they did, many were struck in the same fashion as Bane had been.

As they ate, a shadow darkened the sky above them. Dasher only casually glanced up but Bane looked up in awe, wondering what could cast such a large shadow. He could only faintly hear the flapping of wings, as whatever it was disappeared into the distance. Dasher smiled as it occurred to Bane that not only was he in a new environment, he was in one he knew nothing about. It then occurred to him, this was how Dasher must have felt when he arrived in Bane's universe. Fed and watered, Bane found another natural need arise and he was directed where to find the privy pit. Dasher knew how to live without plumbing or shelter and how to take care of things. As Bane took care of business, Dasher moved over to a thicker stand of trees quickly...

Meanwhile, Sebastian sat tied against a tree. His body shivered with a mixture of fright and uncertainty. He had intended to save Bane from killing himself but had instead, been displaced! He had awoke, tied to a tree and unable to break his bonds. For him, it was something he was not used to. He was completely powerless and in a strange environment he was completely unfamiliar with. Until now, Sebastian had been in control and to now be at the mercy of those he had been controlling, was novel to say the least. Dasher had not been cruel to him in any way but had been firm and unwavering. Sebastian knew he had a lot to answer for and the fact that he had no escape, spelled his death. Since he was still alive, it meant only that they had a purpose. Mercy was not something Sebastian had ever known. Pain, torment for another's enjoyment, yes. That was normal so he expected to be suffering intensely, very soon. He had studied his surroundings in the past two days. What else had there been to do, once he found he was captive and there was no escape. Sebastian shivered slightly upon hearing Bane's voice. The wolf had threatened on several occasions to end the cheetah's life. That he would do so soon was assured at the thought gave the reverse cheetah some comfort. Bane wasn't one to torture and his death would be quick.

He shook his head as he thought, the cheetah and the wolf simply had no idea what he had been through. The things he had been made to do were not of his choosing! In his own way, he had attempted to help Bane as much as he could... but it hadn't been easy to help Bane and hide it from his master. It scared him that he no longer felt the connection to his master. He was terrified of him but had become accustomed to him always being there. Suddenly, his entire world had been changed and Dasher had stated that his life was in Bane's hands. He sighed deeply and shivered once more. He had no reason to expect anything but cruelty from the wolf. That's all his life had brought him.

He sighed as he thought of his cub hood. There was a brief time of happiness but that had been cruelly stripped from him by his master. His master had killed his parents in front of him and taken him from his home. Abuse, rape and torture had turned Sebastian cold inside. Yet a part of him remained from his childhood, buried deep, deep down, and hidden away like the treasure it was.

Each horrible deed had left its mark on him. He had the blood of countless millions on his paws and it would never be washed clean. Sebastian scolded himself, as he always did, for feeling regret, sorrow or guilt. Those were weaknesses and one could be controlled by weakness! That was why he wasn't in control of his life. Because he was weak!

When he had first met Bane... this Bane, the encounter left a positive mark on him. The strength that Bane had always shown, even in the darkest of situations was something the cheetah simply could not understand. No matter how much adversity he threw the wolf's way, he always came out on top. In truth, he had sent the scavengers against Bane as much to study Bane's character as it was on orders from his master. Bane was an enigma to him. He felt so much, cared so much and yet he was strong! Why?

He jumped slightly as footfalls brought him out of his thoughts, back to the land of the living. He could smell Dasher's scent approaching. The cheetah made no effort to hide his approach. Why should he? Sebastian was more than secure. The rope he had used was designed to prevent the use of magic by the one who was bound in it. This was a land of magic and enchantment and he was going to make sure that Sebastian understood perfectly that he knew how to deal with him perfectly well.

Dasher snorted as he walked up and stood in front of the bound cheetah. Sebastian was solid black with bright red eyes. The markings of a Royal Cheetah stood out in contrasting golden yellow in the black fur. He reminded Dasher of an evil spirit, a reverse copy of himself and that made him wary. However this was no spirit, it was flesh and blood. He looked down at Sebastian and told him, "You're very fortunate that Bane woke up. It seems fortune has smiled upon you this day because had he not, you would have joined him."

The dark cheetah looked up at Dasher, seemingly emotionless. It wasn't that he didn't feel anything, in fact the opposite was true. It was just that he had heard all the threats before. He had been beaten within an inch of his life and raped on many occasions. In his judgment, there was little this cheetah could do to him that hadn't already been done.

"Dasher," began the dark cheetah, "would you like to know what makes us so very different? I am soaked in the blood of millions. I kill not because I want to but because I am the sword of my master. Directed to do his bidding because there are so many things worse he could do to me than death. You however... well you have too much goodness in you. I can smell it from here. You are too good! How can you be expected to break me? I don't believe your threats because I know you better than you know yourself."

Dasher snorted and replied, "Is that right? You think you know me so well? I have killed people myself! I'm not proud of it but it wasn't done in anger or hate. It was only done because they were the enemy. They threatened those I loved and cared for. To protect them, I was forced to do what I had to do. Now take you, for example. You have threatened those I love on several occasions. Not to mention you grabbed me and invited yourself here. The portal was for two people only! You could have gotten us all killed or much worse. Give me one reason I shouldn't snap your neck right here, just for that!"

Sebastian looked up at the cheetah and sighed deeply. He took down his tough act and shook his head. Sebastian wasn't one to take threats sitting down but he was powerless here and furthermore, he was unleashed for the first time in so very long. Sebastian looked up and said, "Dasher, let me ask you a question. Do you know what it's like to be tortured for days on end? To be put in so much pain you pray for death but it never comes. To be told that you're nothing but trash and your only purpose was to serve, not think. I was made to do what I did. My family was killed right in front of my eyes while he laughed. You see me as evil, as a threat. If you saw the world through my eyes, things wouldn't look so damn rosy."

The cheetah looked at Sebastian. On the occasions he had encountered the dark cheetah, he had seen nothing more than an evil tyrant hell bent on destruction and death. Now, he saw something more, something much worse. He squatted down and looked the other cheetah, directly in the eyes. Grimly Dasher told him, "Bullshit! Yes! I DO know what that is like!"

Dasher growled, his tail lashed as he stood and began pacing. He kept his voice down but the intensity came thru still as he said, "I was sold by my mother as a cub, to a dark wizard Griffon. We were starving and would have died, my unborn sister too... I wasn't treated nicely by him but I was taken care of, much as one would a valuable possession. He raped me and used me when he wanted to. He lent me to his friends as a plaything and used me in a few dark rites. At eighteen, I was set free, educated, with clothes and my health. In that I was more fortunate than you but it didn't last. I was captured and became a slave toy to the evil, sadistic sorceress Jasreal. The things she did to me still haunt my dreams today, so don't tell me I don't know what it's like! I was freed finally. The difference is, I have chosen to be good and help others rather than hurt them, as I could easily have done. You are free now of who you claim has made you do these things. I have given you that much but I can't decide your fate for what you have done. That decision is up to Bane. I won't release you as of yet, I can't trust you. I will tell you this and you need to listen well. Bane doesn't know you're here because I haven't told him yet. God knows that wolf's been through enough! He will have to know but not until I think he's ready. Then he will face you and likely have questions. You will answer his questions or you will answer to me. Don't doubt that I can make your end very agonizing. I won't torture you but it doesn't mean I have to help you either. If you hope for any mercy, you better treat Bane like your lord god almighty!"

Dasher jumped as a familiar voice behind him simply said, "He knows now." Dasher's fur stood on end as he spun around to see Bane standing behind him. The cheetah hadn't realized how quiet the wolf could be, when he wanted to be. Mind you, there had never been a reason to learn this fact, before now either. Seems this was a day for all to be learning new things. Dasher muttered, "Aww, crap..."

"What the hell is he doing here?" Bane shouted and pointed at the bound reverse cheetah. Dasher swallowed and approached Bane with his paws held up placatingly as he said, "Dear, as I was bringing you here, he grabbed me and was dragged along with us as well. I have him secured with enchanted rope. He cannot escape and he is of no threat to us right now." The wolf squinted at Dasher and nodded, rage visible in his eyes. He turned and approached the dark cheetah, the object of his anger.

Sebastian shivered as he looked into Bane's eyes. He saw nothing but pure rage in them. He had seen the wolf angry before but this was different. This was a feral rage, a rage so deep that it pushed Bane's senses aside and washed over him like a tidal wave. How could he blame the wolf though? He had suffered so much at his hands. On instinct, his ears laid flat. He knew well how to cower, thru many painful lessons. He looked up at the wolf accepting his fate, whatever fate that might be.

Bane looked down. Anger surged through his veins. He snarled with each breath, ready to pounce upon the cheetah. He wanted to make him suffer for what he had done. Every fiber of his body wanted him to kill the cheetah. To rend and bite and tear at him in a primal fashion! He took a deep breath and managed to utter one, single, solitary word, "Why!?"

Sebastian took a deep breath and answered, "Not that it's going to make much of a difference but my master forced me to do what I did. I took no pleasure in watching my creations destroy world after world. So many have died needlessly. I was powerless to stop it! If I had objected, I would have been killed without a thought. He then would have used other means to get his objectives done. Had I not been there, more would have died. I helped you when I could but it was difficult. I had to make sure I hid what I did. Master could never know the truth."

Bane nodded, the words were meaningless. Nothing but excuses but at the same time, something about the cheetah was slowly softening his stance. Where a once horrible murderer sat before him, now sat a scared and lonely kitty. He looked deep into the cheetah's eyes, deeper than ever before. Before him was a murderer of the worst kind. The sin's on his head were many, each worse than the other. The thought that one could be simply made to do something so horrific was foreign to the wolf.

"Bane, you haven't seen what I have seen or lived through what I have. I am a product of my environment. My universe is completely different than yours. You call me evil, I call you good. At the end of the day, those are concepts I could not afford. I will not sit here and defend what I have done, for there is no defense. I always knew one day I would pay for what I have done. I'm sure that I have a place in hell, reserved and waiting for me. I know that and accept it. I will not beg for my life. Never again will I beg for my life. Even if you kill me right here, I still win because I die free! I no longer feel my masters hold on me so I die a free! Killing me will only release me from this hell that you call life. Do with me what you will, it's your choice and your choice to live with."

As Dasher looked at the two, he could see a change in Bane. Dasher knew all too well that Bane had it in him to kill the cheetah right where he sat. However, it was ultimately not what was in a man that defined him, but instead it was the choices that one made that defined him. Bane squatted down and pulled a knife out of his belt. Sebastian gulped and closed his eyes. This was it, Bane was going to slit his throat and watch his lifes blood flow from him. A fitting end if ever there was one. Perhaps in death he could give the wolf a sense of peace. Bane leaned forward with the knife, reached around behind the cheetah and cut his bindings.

Sebastian opened his eyes and looked completely puzzled to the wolf. He had been in his power, had him at his mercy! Sebastian was powerless to stop him and yet he chose to let the cheetah live? Furthermore he had chosen to give him back his powers as it had been the ropes that were blocking them. "Sebastian, I hate what you have done. You've murdered millions and YOU will have to pay for that someday but it will not be at my hands. This war is over!" With that, Bane sheathed his knife, turned and walked back toward the stream. Sebastian sat in complete shock. The wolf had his life and spared it, but why? A mixture of relief and confusement ran through him. The wolf he tormented and took so much from had just spared his life... This made no sense to the cheetah.

He remained seated and leaned up against the tree. Thoughts whirled around his head and ultimately settled on his past and his culture. Sebastian didn't know his family very well, as they had been taken when he was so young but had learned a great deal about his culture. By the laws of his people, his life now belonged to Bane. He smiled a little bit, it was ultimately fitting that Bane, if he would take him, would be his new master.

He got up and followed the path Bane had taken, Dasher following silently behind. Sebastian found the wolf sitting beside the stream, tears running down his face. Before him was not a leader or a god but a man, a wounded man at that. He approached Bane and went down on both knees. The wolf looked at him as Sebastian bowed his head. The dark cheetah said, "Bane, by the laws of my people, my life belongs to you. I am yours to do with as you please for as long as I live."

Dasher stood back, allowing this moment to be between Sebastian and Bane. He only hoped that Bane could see the significance of what was being done. This could still turn out to be very bad or very good but it had to be Bane's choice.

Bane looked at the cheetah. He could see the kitty shiver with a mix of fear and anticipation. He looked up at Dasher, then back down to Sebastian. Before him was somebody who once destroyed worlds. He was now pledging his life and very being to Bane. Bane placed his paw on Sebastian's shoulder, causing the cheetah to jump. A strike from him would have been expected, not this soft touch and gentle voice saying, "Sebastian, why don't you have a seat beside me and let's talk."

The cheetah sat down beside and a little behind his master, as he had been taught. Bane shifted so that he could look at the dark cheetah. He had never gotten an opportunity to be so close to his former enemy. Now that they weren't at odds, he saw there was much more to see. Exotic, like Dasher but different. Where Dasher was open and friendly, Sebastian was closed up, hidden within himself. Bane told him, "Sebastian, what you have done is terrible but it is also in the past. It's not my place to hand out divine judgments or punishments. Despite what Dasher said, I am not lord god and master of anything. Sometimes, not even myself but I try and get better. I will not mistreat you or abuse you. I will however, be your friend. Above all, I think that is what you want deep down, more than anything else in the world."

Sebastian stared at the wolf, thinking over what he had said. Such new concepts for him to adjust to. He had seen others, with their friends and lovers, looking so happy it made him jealous at times, wondering why he didn't have that? Hell, he wondered why he would want that but deep inside, the hidden part of his childhood heard and stirred. Was that a touch of warmth? A hint of kindness? Could it be time to come out and see? It would wait and see if it wasn't just a trap but it hoped... Oh how it hoped! Sebastian nodded, a tear running down his fur and said, "I have never had...a friend. Not a real one anyway. Bane....for what its worth, I am sorry. Deeply and truly sorry for everything you have lost. From here on out, I will protect you with all the power at my command."

They sat and talked with each other. They were as much studying each other as getting to know one another, finding out all they didn't yet know. Dasher was more than happy to stand in the background and let the two sort things out. Bane had always had a big heart. It was one thing he had always loved about the wolf. Bane had a tremendous capacity to love. He had been very worried about Bane, when they had arrived. He hadn't known how his friend would take the news of his new reality. Bane was hurting, that much was obvious. Much had been lost but there were some things gained. There was a bittersweet sense of hope about him. This was a new world, a new life. It was a chance for a fresh start with new adventures, new friends and new lovers. It was a land of magic and myth! Much of it made no sense to him but he would learn and explore. Ahead of him lay a brand new adventure and he couldn't wait to get started.