FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The winds swept across the scorched and barren soil that was the Wasabi Dessert. A small town had popped up near a small lake that caused the area around it to be slightly green from light vegetation and a few cacti and a single palm tree sprouted up around it as well. The Towns name was Oasi and the people were able to survive because of their town being the only stop for nearly two hundred miles in any direction making them a key trade post for goods and services. This also made them the only place to rest comfortably and to regain a steady supply of the life giving substance that is water. Our story begins in the saloon as everyone is retiring for the evening after working in the truly hot sun of this arid land. A man stepped through the doorway of the saloon to see a crowd of people sitting and standing around the bar area getting drinks. The man who stepped through the door was garbed in a poncho with blue and green designs dyed into the wool material. He wore a sombrero over his head that was a deep blue in color and had silver threads sewn into the hardened material. At his sides were two leman pistols. The pistol was a .42 caliber and had two unique features one being that it was a revolver with nine shots instead of the traditional six. The other unique feature was that it had a second barrel which equated to a 20 gauge shotgun in his hand. As he waded over to the bar he glanced in every direction to ensure that no one was up to anything that could get him killed. He was specifically looking for anyone that might recognize him or worse wanted something from him. As he reached the bartender he looked up with his eyes which were unusual because one was a different color than the other. The left eye was green and the right eye was blue.

"So... What'll you be havin my friend? I assume you are hiding from something way out here most people are."

"What makes you say that? I have nothing to hide... I merely am wandering through!"

"Yeah? Well most people who come here are either x soldiers or men who are trying to escape their final judgment on this big ole planet we Call Arious. So which are you brother? This town has no need for secrets we are to remote to rely on anyone else but ourselves so we put things on the table clean and frank."

The two just stared at one another for a moment before the bartender sighed and said,

"Alright then me first... the names Randal I'm a Novan who used to smith for the Warlord Alveni Sarenti heard of him? No... well that's because he went and ruined his chance at greatness by attacking the Novan kings Caravan in the southern province of Starkey. The Novan king decimated my lord's forces and I was forced to flee from the Novan territories forever. That's how I came to live here in the middle of what I like to call an oasis before hell's door. Then there is the Thomas people who are native to this land, but most of them are rejects of the lower and upper class who couldn't make it in the capitol city. Then there's the new guy who showed up a few weeks ago says he's an Angelus, but I don't buy his story ain't been an Angelus in these lands since before I was born."

"Why don't you buy his story old man?"

"Son let me let you in on a secret we know in these parts... we believe none of what we here and only half of what we see and we trust all that we say to others to be the truth because if you lie to your brothers then you're not worth nothing to us in this town."

"Good to know old Man! Now which one did you say was the Angelus?"

"oh... um that would be him right over there... he calls himself Cardinal and he has that huge sword strapped across his back."

The man in the sombrero slapped two gold coins onto the bar and said,

"Thank you! The one gold coin is for the information, the other is for a drink... you choose old man."

He then wandered over to the one known as Cardinal. As he got closer he could see that Cardinal was about the same age as himself. Cardinal had blood red hair that was combed back and gelled so that it was extra spikey. He had two black triangular tattoos that went from the bottom of his eyes and down to his chin on either side. His eyes were a fearsome red like two gleaming rubies had been imbedded inside them. He wore a crimson red jumpsuit that was typical of a Mercenary for hire. The outfit consisted of leather padding along the shoulders, elbows, knees and calves. Except his armor had no sleeves and a pair of long gauntlets covered up just passed his elbows.

"So Cardinal was it? I hear you may be an Angelus... is this true?"

Cardinal glared up at the man with the blue Sombrero as he took a deep breath and said,

"You know between you and the green guy who came in earlier... I'm thinking were missing every single primary color or combination thereof except yellow!"

"Green guy! What green guy? What are you talking about?"

Just then a youth about five foot two appeared right across from Cardinal and the man with the Sombrero. The youth was garbed in a lime green muscle shirt and a pair of tight fitting pants that were a matching color and material to the muscle shirt. He also had a pair of gauntlets that were plated along the knuckles and finger joints. the gauntlets extended up just below his shoulders. The youth had red hair and green eyes that were filled with a quiet yet determined rage. He silently gripped a short sword that had a single-edge and curved slightly from hilt to tip. Even more silently he stepped towards the man with the sombrero and was about to strike when the man drew his gun in a matter of milliseconds and had it placed calmly between the eyes of the tiny assailant,

"Kid! What is the first rule of combat?"

The kid slightly startled by the speed at which his target had drawn his weapon looked at the man angrily as he said,

"Never bring a knife to a gunfight!"

The man lowered his weapon and continued to talk,

"Very good! Now why exactly did you just try to kill me just then young man?"

The boy sheathed his sword and then pointed his finger accusingly at the man as he answered his question,

"Well! I would hope you would know why, because you do have a bounty on your head. Azul Verdes of the Crimson Hurricanes!"

Cardinal looked up at Azul in shock as he said,

"The Crimson Hurricanes... that... that can't be! Why would a member of the Crimson Hurricanes be all the way out here?"

"Let's just say the Crimson Hurricanes aren't doing so hot recently! A difference in opinion as to how we should move forward as a clan, has divided us and we will soon be ripped apart from the inside by our own members."

The Boy with red hair smirked as he wagged his finger tauntingly,

"That's right! Your fellow clan mates want you dead and that is where I Marco..."

Just as Marco said his name someone close by shouted,

"Polo!"

Marco showing a great deal of anger upon his face as he clenched his fist in frustration shouted,

"My last name isn't Polo! Jeez would everyone stop doing that every time I say my name... anyway that is where I Marco of the Azure Flame come into the picture! I shall kill you Azul Verdes and claim my spot as the greatest Foxari Assassin who ever lived."

Marco put his left hand in front of his face and had the middle and index finger extended out as he focused his aura into the tips of his fingers. He then quickly aimed those fingers at Azul firing a blue flame at him that was travelling at the speed of sound. Azul placed all of his might into his foot kicking the table up into the path of the blue flame which caused it to explode as it came in contact with the solid oak timbers. The table shattered into dozens of pieces as the force of the blast rocked the entire Tavern. Azul fired his revolvers! Rapidly the gunslinger drummed through his nine shots in both cylinders filling the air with red hot projectiles that were all targeting Marco. Marco who was just as quick breathed out a blazing hot Aura that engulfed his entire body in a protective barrier that literally melted anything that touched it. The shells zipped all around him but none penetrated his barrier. As the last of the shots whipped by he shot out his arms eradicating the barrier by shooting his fiery hot Aura out in every direction. Azul and Cardinal both had to hit the floor in order to dodge the attack. Azul quickly flipped back the hammer of his revolver and lowered the firing pin to the second barrel that was a shotgun. Before Marco could respond Azul fired the gun sending pellets straight at the boy. Marco was able to avoid most of the damage by bending backwards and received several grazes along his side from the dozens of pellets that went whizzing by. Blood began to stain the lime green shirt as Marco cupped his side with his palm and glared at Azul drawing his sword with his free hand,

"You die now Azul! I will not miss this time."

Azul fired his other revolvers shotgun round, which came as a great surprise to young Marco. This forced him to leap into the air in order to avoid the shot. Marco knowing that was Azul's last shot lunged at him gripping his short sword with both hands for maximum damage. Before Marco could reach Azul however Cardinal slammed his massive sword down into the wooden floor directly in front of him. Marco turned to Cardinal and shouted,

"Alright tough guy! You want to play... let's play!"

Marco swung his blade at Cardinal who released his sword and blocked with his gauntlet before pointing his free hand directly at Marcos face as he shouted,

"Hell Fire!"

Cardinals whole body became engulfed in a fiery Aura that all flowed towards the palm of his hand. The ground around Cardinal became swept up in his energy. Dust was kicked up and swept around his body as if he were a miniature tornado. Marco dropped his sword and shouted as well placing his hands together before focusing all of his power into the center,

"Fox Fire!"

Marco jumped back to better focus his Aura and to avoid being shot in the face by Cardinals attack. The two unleashed their attacks simultaneously the two waves of energy clashed in a glorious yet fiery light. The entire saloon became engulfed in fire as the two attacks exploded and sent sparks flying everywhere. Marco summersaulted towards his sword grabbing it and readied to strike when Azul shouted,

"Guys can we call a truce for the moment! The entire place is on fire and I would rather not die because we decided to duke it out in a burning building... I mean as exciting as that may sound to you two pyro's; I am not so easily convinced that we should stay."

Marco and Cardinal looked at one another then at the burning Saloon and shouted,

"Truce!"

"Truce!"

"Truce!"

The two fighters and one gunslinger rushed out of the burning building and into the town streets. There the three faced an even bigger problem. Angry town's folk who just witnessed the three of them burn down their only Saloon. Marco looked around at all the angry faces and started waving his hands in a manner he hoped would alleviate some of the animosity between him and the townsfolk.

"Now guys! I'm sure that we can work something out... maybe I give you guys my services for free to handle any problems you may be dealing with... huh! Just maybe... oh dear I don't like the way their looking at us gentlemen."

Cardinal and Azul glared at Marco as Cardinal shouted angrily while clenching his fists,

"Looking at us? This entire mess is your fault Fox! We would still be drinking refreshments and possibly dining if you hadn't of gone all dark assassin on us... you idiot!"

"Um guys...."

"And another thing you stupid Fox since when is it okay to copy a man's attack that Fox fire crap you pulled back there was just a blue hopped up copycat of my Hell fire technique!"

"Guys..."

"I also don't appreciate nearly being burned down in a stupid saloon! I mean if you are going to kill me at least have some class or originality... I mean you could challenge me in a large city or near a fountain and we have to duel while keeping our balance along the marble sides."

"GUYS!"

Marco and Cardinal both shout at Azul,

"WHAT?"

"The townsfolk are getting out large cannons and seem to be armed to the teeth."

Marco looks over to see the townsfolk carrying everything from rifles to swords to farm equipment and two Cat like beings called Thomas were rolling out a large Napoleon style cannon. The townspeople were also raising their fists into the air as they shouted for vengeance upon the outsiders who had brought such devastation. Cardinal swallowed loudly as he said,

"Well Gentlemen any Ideas on how we can get out of this mess?"

Marco and Azul continued to look for a way out as the crowd became more and more enraged. It was then that Marco noticed a fire escape on the building next to them. The ladder however wasn't lowered so he knew that he had to hit it with a fire bolt. Without hesitation Marco aimed his fingers at the latch that held the ladder in place and unleashed his blue fox fire upon it with tremendous fervor. The ladder wrenched from its upward position and screeched downward with a loud clang as gravity took over and it wound up in its new location.

"Come on you two! I have forced our way out of here! I highly doubt the Townsfolk will give us the chance if we stick around much longer so... Go! Go! Go!"

Marco shoved Cardinal and grabbed Azul forcefully by the arm as he forced them to make their escape. Shots rang out from behind them and whizzed by like angry hornets ready to sting them with their fatal poison. Marco was the first to leap upward and grab the black metal ladder. He rapidly pulled himself up and leaped up onto the roof after a few steps up the ladder. Next was Azul who was not nearly as fast as Marco in climbing the ladder, but he made it with little trouble. Last was Cardinal who skipped the ladder altogether and just leapt up to the roof with astounding speed and stamina. He hit the brick side of the building with his foot halfway and then pushed off hitting the side of the fire escape and then with the rest of his momentum leaped up onto the roof summersaulting as he landed. Azul and Marco just stared at him unsure what to say at what they had just witnessed. Then after a few seconds Marco shouted,

"Show off! I could have done that... I just didn't want to make everyone go into shock after witnessing the sheer awesomeness that is Marco..."

"Polo!"

One of the Townsfolk shouted down below loud enough for Marco to hear.

"Would you stop that already? I thought you people were trying to kill us...anyway the Sheer Awesomeness that is Marco of the Azure Flame doesn't pull stunts to glorify his own ego!"

Azul sighed as he rolled his eyes at Marco's less than truthful comment,

"Oh! And I'm sure that adding Awesomeness into your description of yourself was entirely void of any egotistical tendency's you might have of yourself."

Marco stuck out his chest proudly as he took in a deep breath to pump himself up even more to appear as big and tough as possible then while he rubbed his nose proudly he smirked at the others,

"That's right! You two are looking at the most humble and non-egotistical Foxarian in all of Arious right before you now!"

Cardinal whispered to Azul with a chuckle,

"I think he means most conceited Foxarian in the whole universe."

Azul chuckled lightly making no effort to hide his laughter either, which caused Marco to cross his arms and pout like a small child.

"Fine! Whatever... I'll show you... I'll show all of you the Greatness that is Marco of the Azure Flame."

Marco clenched his eyes expecting a polo to be shouted from somewhere, but to his great joy he heard nothing.

"Few I got that one through without anyone saying polo."

Then from the crowd below a shout very familiar and very annoying to Marco rang out,

"Polo!"

"To hell with all of you!"

Azul decided it was time to get as far away from the townsfolk as possible. He began leaping from one building to the next. Cardinal and Marco joined him as they each ran in the same direction towards what they hoped was safety. Cannons began to fire in their direction as the townspeople seemed not to care if they hit their own building in the process.

Azul was confused by the townspeople's unrelenting rage towards him and the others while understanding that he had indeed been a part of the Saloon being scorched he didn't understand why they were so ready to lay waste to the rest of their town just to kill him and the two others who seemed to be thinking along the same lines as him. Azul was the first to voice his opinion on the matter,

"Geez what set them off this badly... I mean I know we deserve to be put in a cell for our little fight in the Tavern... but the use of cannons really?"

"Maybe it was Cardinal who set them off I mean he did call their saloon stupid earlier."

"Me? You must really be off your rocker Fox! It was obviously you and your stupid fox fire attack in the saloon."

"Stupid Fox Fire! I'll have you know that technique has been passed down in my family for generations... and I specifically remember a certain person unleashing his Hell Fire upon me first!"

Azul turned back to see if there was any possible explanation for the peoples rage besides the burning of the tavern, which he admitted was their fault. As he turned he was stunned to find a true horror in the distance. It was an entire expeditionary force from the Crystali homeland of Adamicrystos. For the last thirty years the Crystali homeland has been in civil war between the Crystali Union Faction and the Crystali Confederation Republic that has been trying to break away from the Crystali union in order to escape what they see as the tyrannical rule of a centralized government that has forsaken its people. The Side that has appeared in Oasi is the Union faction, which is incredibly unusual seeing as there is no strategic placing in the Town of Oasi other than the fact that it is the only town in the region. Huge Sky-clads were positioned above the city, which were massive armored airships that used the power of Aura to float above the planet's surface. The ships were firing down upon the defenseless townspeople who tried to rally together and fire their own cannons back at the huge vessels. At this point Cardinal and Marco had stopped and turned to see what was going on as well.

"Marco, Cardinal we have to do something! Even though the townspeople probably still want us dead I can't just sit here and watch them get massacred like this."

"Yeah? Well guys it's not like we can just sprout wings and fly up there to attack them on their own ships."

Cardinal chuckled at Marco for his statement as he charged up his Aura and released the seal he had placed upon himself in order to avoid attention from the townsfolk. With a flash of energy the seal exploded in a glorious light. As the light faded Marco and Azul looked upon Cardinals true form. He had massive red wings that seemed to have just sprouted from his back. His aura had changed to a much deeper and more pronounced red as well. Cardinal leapt into the air grabbing Marco and Azul as he rocketed towards the Sky-clads with a determined look in his eyes. Meanwhile Marco was screaming like a baby as he shouted,

"Put me down! Foxes aren't supposed to fly... I don't like heights...Gulp* I think I'm going to be sick burp*!"

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Don't you dare throw up in my direction; this poncho is dry clean only and really expensive to."

Marco became greener by the minute as the group approached the closest airship. Cardinal started doing Aerobatics in order to avoid enemy fire as he got closer to the ship. This however was almost more than Marco could take as he became dizzy and swore that he was about to die.

"So this is the end... Marco the Azure Flame Hiccup* killed by some crazy bird man as he tried to save a town from utter devastation. Burp*"

"Would you shut up? You're not gonna die and I am not some crazy bird man... I am a proud and very powerful Angelus I'll have you know. Who by the way has just ensured that you got on the ship safely."

Cardinal dropped both Marco and Azul down on the cold steel deck of the ship. Marco was less than okay as he was still incredibly dizzy and seemed to be suffering from airsickness. He looked like he was about to say something when he jumped up and ran over to the side of the ship throwing up over the side. After a few moments he walked back over to where the others were standing and said,

"First of all... can you guys promise not to say anything? And second don't ever fly me around like that ever again... I thought I was going to die you jerk and I can't keep losing my lunch like that."

Azul laughed at young Marco as he said,

"Okay! Okay! I won't say anything to anyone as long as you promise to stop hunting me and be friends from now on."

Marco chuckled then put out his hand to shake.

"Deal! No more hunting you for money."

Azul placed his hand in Marco's to seal the deal.

Cardinal drew his massive sword as the sound of footsteps clambering across metal grew louder and louder.

"Guys we got company! Leave the mushy make up and be friends stuff for later! After all we do have a town to save."

Azul drew his guns and reloaded as quickly as he could before the union soldiers arrived. Marco charged up his attack and aimed it in the direction that the footsteps were coming from. The soldiers appeared marching at double time in single file. The soldiers were in crimson uniforms that had the Crystali emblem on the left side of their jackets. The emblem was a blazing red ruby with a single blue star in the center. In the rear was a man who appeared to be an officer of some sort. At his side was a saber that had a handle shaped like a dragons head. The man also had two different colored eyes his left eye was red and the right eye was solid black. The men halted and faced the three heroes' with their guns drawn and aimed at them. The officer of the group was the first to speak,

"Vell Vell Vell... vwat do we have here! It vould seem that Azul the great gunslinger of ze Crimson Hurricanes haz decided to appear here. Are you un your pitiful band uf misfits going to to try un save these inferior beings zhat have taken up refuge in such a orrible little shantytown. Vhat have zey promised youz Darling Cauz I promise it is not enough to varrant you risking life und limb to save zem. I Admiral Vinland Van Schnell shall dispose of you and zen I will be regarded as supreme Admiral of our grand un wondrous union."

Azul pointed his pistol at the Admiral Sheer anger straining from his voice as he shouted,

"To Hell with the Union! The whole lot of you aren't worth the uniforms you're garbed in after the things you have done to the Crystali people and their union. The Crimson Hurricanes would still be fighting you if it weren't for you executing our leader. You hunted down our members until we were forced into our own form of civil war. We were deadlocked as to whether we should join you or keep fighting until every one of us was dead. I will never forgive the confederacy for what it has done to my clan and I shall start my revenge with your head being fired from one of your own ships cannons!"

"Big Vords little man! I vonder if you cans back zem up with action... or if zey are just empty vords from a vimpering red storm that used to be a hurricane... hahahaha! Attack zem men leave none standing or I shall havez your headz instead."

Azul Snarled as he fired at the admiral grazing his chin and arm before turning his fire at the other soldiers. Marco released a blazing fire attack from his hands that enveloped two of the soldiers and shot them off the side of the ship. Cardinal leapt into the air and brought down his massive sword on top of another soldier whose form was just simply crushed by the massive size and weight of the weapon. Gore coated the end of Cardinals weapon and seeped down the massive edge as spatter from the attack was left on his face and arms. He spun his weapon around cleaving another soldier in two before kicking a third soldier. This caused the soldier to stumble and trip off the edge of the ship.

"Adios Idiot have a nice trip... hehe.... See you next fall! Or not; I don't really care."

Marco just shook his head at Cardinals lame punch line before firing another blast from his hand at a soldier who was readying his gun to fire at him. The man's uniform caught on fire and he started to cry out as he dropped his gun so that he could pat out the fire with both hands, however Marco drew his sword and charged the soldier before he had time to react. The sound of metal cleaving through bone and sinew filled the air as Marco struck the soldier with his blade. Blood pooled onto the steel deck making it slippery. The man fell to the ground dying from his wounds as Marco looked down to see his eyes glaze over and fall into eternity. Azul switched his gun over to the shotgun mechanism and fired off a round into a group of soldiers. The shot exploded into the ranks killing the one he aimed at instantly and mortally wounded the other two. Cardinal was still hacking and slashing his way through dozens of soldiers as he made his way to the admiral that all three of them seemed to be gunning for. Marco flashed another soldier at point blank range and directly in the face before cleaving through him with his sword.

By this point the entire ship was becoming a scene of carnage. It became difficult for anyone to keep their footing both from the slick metal and the blood that was pooling all over the deck of the ship. Slowly Azul and the others pushed their way towards the admiral; who at this point was enraged by the extreme loss of men to what he saw as inferior beings.

"Surrender Now Admiral! The kid and the Angelus are more than happy to cleave you in half and I wouldn't mind putting a few holes in that high society ass of yours myself. But I'm more than willing to sit down and talk about your surrender first and in exchange you leave here."

"We would also like one of your fancy ships to!"

Marco added to the terms. The Admiral turned and ran from the three would be saviors. Grasping at his wounded arm he headed for the lifeboats located in the back of the ships. Before he could round the corner however Marco and Cardinal both fired their fire attacks at him. The Aura blasts ignited and exploded as they hit just in front of him the shockwaves from the two attacks was more than enough to send him flying off the side of the ship. The Admiral went seemingly screaming to his death as he fell to the desert below.

"Well Azul, Cardinal... I think that takes care of the annoying accent guy who I couldn't understand a friggin thing he said."

Cardinal just laughed as Marco struck a pose and scratched his nose proudly as he enjoyed the moment.

"Hahaha! Kid I don't think your ego can get any bigger, if it does the universe is going to pop cause your bursting the seems right now."

Marco blushed angrily at the comment as he shouted,

"Shut up! Can't a guy enjoy the moment and strike a victory pose... I mean sheesh no respect I tell ya no respect at all."

Azul, motioned for the two to calm down as he said,

"Now, Now you guys let's not argue right now and instead focus on the other ships that are attacking the town. "

"Well what do you suggest Azul? Marco got any ideas?"

Marco looked over at the other ships and was about to suggest an idea when one of the ships exploded. The ship started to wade towards the ship they were on board and clipped the side of it causing all three of them to drop to their hands and knees hitting the hard steel deck with a painful thud. Marco was the first to say something as he shouted over the loud explosion,

"What's going on? All I did was look at the darn thing... yes! I have superpowers!"

"You're an idiot... you do realize that don't you Marco!"

"Shut up Cardinal! All I know is that I looked at the ship and it exploded... so I say I have superpowers."

"Oh for the love of the gods! Do you even hear yourself talk... I swear if I die and the last things I have to hear is you thinking you have superpowers; all because you looked over at a ship. I'm coming back just to haunt you!"

"Guys enough!"

Azul shouted, but then his attention was diverted to a new threat in the distance. Several new ships could be seen approaching just across the horizon.

"Wait what in all of Arious is that... oh gods! It's the Draconians, they've returned."

"The Draconians? Who are they Azul?"

"I'll explain later Marco! When we are not about to die by flying off the side of a ship."

A larger much more advanced ship with massive rotating cannons placed on the upper and lower decks had fired a volley at the ship that exploded. The cannons were repositioning to face the other ship that was further away. With a mighty bang the ship unleashed its firepower. This caused the ship it was aiming for to explode and split into two separate halves as it plummeted to the surface. Cardinal reached out to his friends before shouting their names to get their attention,

"Azul, Marco! Grab my hands... I think it's time for us to abandon ship."

"And you say my puns are lousy... Sheesh!"

"Shut up, Marco!"

Cardinal grabbed his friends tightly and securely as he leapt from the deck of the ship and flew down to the surface below. As the Angelus landed along the outskirts of the town; the ship they were on exploded high in the air and started to descend down and away from them much to their delight.

"So what do we do now guys? I mean we traded one enemy for another so... yeah we're right back where we started."

"I don't know Azul... I just don't know?"

"Who are these guys Azul? Were obviously not about to die and we have a few seconds to spare."

"Alright, well the stories go that the Draconians are a great empire that exists in another solar system and travelled here in advanced ships that were able to withstand the long voyages and travel at speeds beyond comprehension. Their motives however for traveling here are less than divine in nature though. They wish to imperialize the entire planet and make it their colony. So far they have not succeeded because some races have taken up arms against them... specifically the Angelus and Wolfarians. The Angelus I last heard were all but wiped out after the destruction of their floating city."

Cardinal clenched his fist angrily as he said as calmly as he could,

"Yes they did indeed vanquish our capital city of Valhalla... but we still have other cities that are cloaked and free from these demons oppressive reign over our planet. A reign that I will ensure does not get past the atmosphere of our sacred Arious. We Angelus are the protectors and guardians of the planet we shall never sleep... never tire until these foul dragons are removed from our wondrous and beautiful home."

Azul placed his arm upon Cardinals shoulder and smiled as he said with a vigorous tempo,

"I am with you Cardinal! We will defeat these monsters that infest our planet... both the Crystali union and these foul draconic mongrels that call themselves an empire."

Marco struck another mighty pose and shouted,

"And don't forget you Have Marco the Azure flame at your side as well."

Cardinal smiled relieved by the support of his newfound friends,

"Thanks guys! So what do we do about that thing way up there in the sky? I mean it just took down three Crystali Air clads like they were simply performing target practice?"

Azul pointed in the direction of the Draconian ships as he asked Cardinal a question,

"Could you fly us up to it? I mean I'm pretty sure that they are easier to take down up there than down here."

Marco who had been strongly holding the same pose broke free and leaped for joy as he bellowed,

"Yeah we're taking the fight to them! Finally... I was beginning to think I'd have to hold this pose all day."

"Augh! Come on guys hold on tight... it's going to be a long way down from all the way up there."

Cardinal grabbed Marco and Azul before either could object. The Angelus launched himself faster than he had ever done previously in his life. This was much to Marcos displeasure as he became slightly green again and tried his best to hold it all in and remain calm.

"Oh by the gods a fox isn't supposed to fly... why do I keep letting you guys talk me into going up into the air... I swear if you drop me Cardinal I'll come back and haunt you instead."

"Would you just be quiet Fox; for five seconds... you might look somewhat intelligent if you did."

Azul was actually enjoying the flying this time around minus having to hear Marco complain every five seconds, but he knew it could be worse.

Marco spat and sputtered as something large flew into his mouth before he could close it.

"augh...pe...pe... I think I swallowed a bug you guys! It was really huge and disgusting."

"I know something else that's huge and disgusting and I happen to be holding him in my left arm."

"So uncool bro! So uncool..."

Finally the three companions made it to the ship, they were mere meters from landing on the ships deck when they spotted several beings that looked like blue Dragons running over to where they were about to land.

"Hold on guys we are going in hot! Marco ready your attack... Azul start firing those hand cannons of yours."

Azul blasted the Draconians with everything he had sending one sprawling backwards. Another Draconian became angry and breathed a mystical fire at him. The fire formed just in front of the beast's maw in the form of a mystical circle that transmuted his Aura into a deadly flame breath. Marco fired his azure flame in response to the creatures flame breath and the two attacks nearly cancelled each other out, however the beasts attack was slightly more powerful. The attack exploded back towards Marco whose hand became singed by the fiery explosion that manifested. Marco screamed from the intensity of the burns and the searing pain that coursed through his arm and hand. This was enough pain that he began to jolt violently and caused Cardinal to lose his grip upon Marco's other arm. Marco fell from his secure position alongside Cardinal and cried out fearful that this was the end. Luckily, however Cardinal had gotten them close enough to the ship's deck. The Foxarian youth landed painfully along the deck before he was forced to grab ahold of the railing. The youth found himself skirted just over the edge of the ships deck. Marco looked back over his shoulder and unfortunately he saw how far away it was to the surface. With a deep gulp Marco tried to pull himself up over the railing... however he cried out from the pain in his hand and shoulder; as he had grabbed with the hand that was damaged by the attack. He reached around with his other hand and began pulling himself up the rest of the way. With a thud he landed himself on the other side panting and sweating as his heart was still pounding from the fearful ordeal he had just gone through. Slowly he got to his feet pulling his sword from its sheath and looking around for his friends. Azul and Cardinal had landed a few yards away and were fighting the Draconians who were lunging at them left and right. Marcos arm and hand were now covered in blood and his fingers were singed from the blast. Marco with all of his remaining strength threw himself into the fray letting out a tremendous battle cry as he unleashed the full fury of a Foxari warrior.

Azul was now pistol whipping his opponents as he had fired all of his shots on the way into the fight. He smashed one Draconian in the side of the head before kicking him in the stomach. Eventually Azul grew tired of fighting with his pistols and reached under his poncho and withdrew a pair of trench knives that were equipped with brass knuckles as handles. As he drew them he smashed the draconian in front of him hard in the stomach before following up with a slash across the Draconians scaly chest. Purple blood seeped out as it gripped its chest and waved with its free hand signaling it surrendered. Azul obliged the Draconian out of a mutual respect as a warrior and wouldn't attack unless the creature was the aggressor first. Marco leaped into the fray as if he were being chased by a demon landing on top of one Draconian as he slammed his sword directly into the serpents skull. The Dragonoid slumped to the ground with a gurgling noise as its brain was skewered within its own skull. Marco pulled out of the lizard's skull before pushing off the ground and leaping onto another adversary. This time he landed with explosive power knocking the demon to the floor as he stabbed into the creatures chest. Then he let go with his partially damaged hand and charged up an explosive amount of his aura. The Draconian had other ideas and charged up a breath attack transmuting its energy like the other one had done earlier. Both knowing the attacks would cancel each other out the two unleashed them at point blank range on one another. The explosive amount of aura that was charged into the air sent out a tremendous shockwave knocking everything around it to the floor. Marco found himself launched high into the air, his sword still stuck in the beast as he decided to strike out with both hands this time. The Foxarian combining the aura inside both his palms into one massive attack. He shot the energy at the creature below, which again copied him using its hands and its mouth to create a much more potent aura attack on its opponent.

"Oh come on! Really... augh! You can do that to? I hate you so much right now."

The two unleashed their attacks upon one another for a second time.

Cardinal was holding his own with a bulkier and much more muscular Draconian that had gold and black scales instead of the simple blue scales like all the rest. The Draconian was wielding a massive blade shaped like a dragon's bone. The blade had been sharpened to a point and obviously weighed a ton. Cardinal and the Draconian clashed swords time and again as they seemed to be testing each other's ability to defend themselves against the others strokes,

"Well done! For a Draconian grunt you certainly seem to know your way around a sword."

The Draconian snorted releasing smoke from its nostrils as it chuckled slightly,

"You will find that I can do much more than that little bird man. I have fought on every battlefield that the Draconians have set foot on thus far! So you will find that I am a cut above the rest of my brethren... I am also much better looking to hahaha!"

"hehehe... So the big lizard has a sense of humor I see... then let me ask you this, why are you fighting for the Draconians rather than searching for your own glory in battle?"

"Why do I fight... Why do I fight? Hmmm! Good question, well I think I fight for them because I really never questioned why I fight... they send me to the battlefield and I slay my peoples enemies."

"Well why don't you come and join us! I can promise you will get plenty of battle and still fight lots of foes that will make you stronger."

"Hmmm! The red bird requests help from the great Galcian! Hahahaha! Galcian likes bird man... he accepts your request and shall fight alongside you until the sands of eternity runs out for one or both of us and even after death we shall still always be friends with one another."

"That's good to hear Galcian... I am Cardinal of the Angelus pleased to meet you and to have you on our side."

Galcian turned to the other Draconians and with a massive deep breath he focused his entire Aura into a maelstrom of fire and death. The flames shot across the deck knocking all of the Draconians off the side. The blast that Galcian unleashed seemed to continue well past the cloud line below. Marco, Azul and Cardinal just stood there speechless as Galcian had just eradicated an entire Draconian force with ease. Marco fell to his knees dumbstruck a sweat broke out over his brow and he felt clammy all over. The youth then pointed at the Draconian that was causing this intense reaction shouting as he did.

"Guys! The big Dragon thing just wiped out its own people with a single attack... what does that say about our chances when we fight the guy who's in charge here and how are we getting past this guy?"

"Easy Marco that Draconian is now on our side! He's our friend... so I'm sure we can handle whatever's inside this place."

Azul walked up to the massive Draconian and put out his hand for it to shake as he said,

"Welcome to our crew! It is a pleasure to meet you sir."

"You all may call me Galcian! I am the lord of light to my people and my ferocity and love for battle knows no bounds!"

Galcian placed his hand inside Azul's and the two shook cheerfully as they looked one another over for any signs of trickery. Marco then ran over and jumped on the big dragons back as he said,

"Cool! I now have a big lizard as a friend! Yay I can't wait for you to teach me how to breathe fire like that back there."

"Hehehehe! Well... well... what is your name little pup? I sense a lot of youthful energy exuding from you and a willingness to learn as well! Maybe I will teach you some of my techniques someday when we have a spare moment. But right now however I do believe we have a ship to conquer and a bunch of angry Draconians to take on after that... my people aren't known for being very forgiving and they shall hound us until they avenge what we are about to do here today."

Marco pumped his hand excitedly as he shouted,

"Yeahhah! That's what I'm talking about! I'm going to learn how to breathe fire like a dragon and all I gots to do is get rid of the peoples on this ship."

Cardinal walked over to the door that would lead them to the bridge of the ship and wrenched at the pressure wheel that held the door closed. With a big heave and a lot of grunting on his part he finally got the wheel to budge and the crew stepped inside the ship and into the unknown. As the group wandered into the soul of the sky ship they felt a sense of awe as they looked around at the different technologies that were placed inside of it. From the moment they entered they noticed gleaming lights and screens of glass that were alien to them. The objects lit up with unfamiliar letters and numbers. Steam erupted from the floor as valves released pressure and filled the room with warmth. Marco who had never seen anything like this became easily distracted and started running from object to object.

"This place is weird! Why are there so many lights and weird mirrors that say words I don't understand?"

"Yeah... this place gives me the creeps two you guys... Marco what are you doing? stop playing with the freaky mirrors."

Marco who was curious about the letters on what was actually a computer screen started to poke the screen trying to get a reaction out of it. After a few seconds he grew bored and joined the others who were still incredibly freaked out by the ships interior. The youth was still enamored by everything around him though,

"This place is so cool! I mean there's so much we could learn from Draconian technology... I mean imagine if we could engineer half of this stuff. We might be able to hold our own against them for a change instead of our ships getting shot out of the sky."

"Five minutes ago he had no idea what a Draconian was... now he wants to figure out their technology and is also best friends with Galcian over their... what the hell! This is too much for this Crimson Hurricane to take..."

"He'll be fine... Don't worry Azul; Galcians a good Draconian... I can tell. Plus we were both young once and we thought everything new was like magic. Heck I'm still baffled by Draconian technology and I think it's cool as hell. Hey Galcian can you tell us what some of these symbols mean?"

Galcian wandered over to one of the screens and started playing with the buttons as he said,

"Sure! Just tell me what you wish to learn and I'll translate for you."

"Um! Well could you tell us any of the ships current activities... as in where it might be going or where everyone currently is on the ship?"

"Alright... well let's see here! Oh well that's certainly interesting... and that is too... and oh that's not good at all for us."

Cardinal nervous due to the Draconians tone asked the question he likely didn't want to know the answer to.

"What? What's happening?"

"The Draconian Admiral Tovu Tolban is planning to fire his cannons on the town below... I don't like using firepower on civilians unless there is no other option... so I guess we are going to beat a hasty and nasty attack on the guy upstairs who is calling all the shots and tell him to stop... most likely with our fists and other weapons... but this wouldn't be any fun if there wasn't a fight to be had."

Cardinal clenched his fists and charged off towards what he felt was the fastest route to the bridge,

"Well that was incredibly stupid of him... He doesn't even know where to go yet and I was about to give him the coordinates."

"Come on Galcian! Marco! We have a town to save... Cardinal will just have to be on his own for the moment."

The three rushed towards the bridge hoping to beat the orders to unleash the ships firepower, which could be called at any minute. Galcian was the first to burst through the door and into the bridge area. Before them was a shocking scene as Cardinal was bloodied and beaten and was being held by the cuff of his shirt. The person holding him turned and faced the others and to their surprise it was not a Draconian, but instead it was the admiral they had fought earlier on the other ship.

"Vell... Vell... Vell if it isn't ze troublemakers from earlier! Your friend was less than a match for mine power... un you shall soon face the same demise as zhiss one."

The Admiral placed his sword against Cardinals throat and was about to slash Cardinals carotid artery when he stopped for a second turning to the others once more,

"You know Vhat... I vill give you ze chance to save your friend... however... you must all sware your allegiance to me... and ze entire Confederacy of Crystali hahahahahaha!"

"Let him go! Now Schnell... I am the one you want to fight remember! I'm the one who's given you a never ending headache since the Crystali war started remember? So leave them all out of it."

"Hmmm! Vell if I Vere still concerned with Zha squabbles of Zhe Crystali people... I might take you'z up on ze offer... but I am vorking for a much grander scheme than the future of one nation... no I vork for power und power stems from ze Draconian Armada... I am vorking for Zhem now you see! I was zhe one who destroyed Valhalla in zhe name of Zha Draconian Archon himself. Hahahaha! You are nothing compared to the Draconian Empire... none of us are, so I decided to join them rather zhen fight zem."

Azul punched the floor as he looked at Admiral Schnell for the first time with true anguish and disgust,

"No! You... You Monster... how... how could you betray your own people! I mean I knew we chose different sides those many years ago... but I never imagined that you of all people... one of our proudest and most ambitious officers to ever come out of the Academy would trade your honor for power... I thought better of you; even when we were on opposing sides I always respected you. Now I cannot even look at you without a bad taste forming in my mouth."

"Too bad you and zhe others never really got a good look at who I really was! I mean that might have saved zhe union before the two sides went to war... I have yet another confessionz to make to you great Gunslinger of the Crimson Hurricanes... hahaha.... It's really quite hilarious! For you see your great leader who was the pride of the Crystali people died by my hand... hahahaha! I killed him with nothing more than a poisoned tablet in his drink... you see zhe chlorine atom is quite an efficient means of killing a person if used in the right quantities... and with that a civil war was started weakening our mighty empire enough to ensure that the Draconians would be victorious.... Quite ingenious don't you think?"

Azul began to feel faint as rage consumed him entirely. He collapsed to the ground throwing up on the floor as he then looked up with his two different colored eyes.

"YOU!!!!!! I WILL KILL YOU! YOU MONSTER!"

Azul's entire body began to shake as a tremendous amount of Aura flooded the room and was being exuded entirely by him. His poncho and all of his clothes began to flap as if there were a massive wind in the room and his sombrero fell back onto his shoulders held by the strand of silk that was tied from one end to the other. With that he drew his trench knives and shouted,

"Crimson Hurricane: Final attack Crescent blade striking attack!"

Azul lunged at Schnell who dropped Cardinal before turning to Azul who was moving at supersonic speed. Within an instant the two felt their blades meet one another with shocking force. Azul was pierced through the abdomen and Schnell found himself missing an arm as it stayed eerily for a moment grasping the sword that had pierced Azul before unclenching and falling to the floor. Azul stumbled backwards smirking as he began to cough up blood onto the floor. Schnell let out a scream at the sight of his lost arm and shouted,

"Damn you! Damn you Azul of Zha Crimson Hurricanes... I Vant you to die for zhiss I Vant You to keel over and die."

Azul looked up at Schnell and shouted,

"SIC SEMPER TYRANUS!"

Azul then fell to the floor unconscious from his wounds. Admiral Schnell cringed as he knew he had to retreat or face dyeing by the other twos hands.

"Lebewohl; Auf Wiedersehen"

With that he seemed to simply vanish from the ship, but as to where he went was unknown. Marco rushed over to Azul side shouting,

"Azul! No... come on don't die yet... stay with me... I'm sorry I tried to kill you at the tavern earlier... If you live I won't ever try doing anything like that to you again no matter how big the bounty is on your head okay...okay... Azul...please! Aaaaaagh..."

Marco held Azul's body close to his as he tried to figure out what to do. Galcian reacted with lightning speed as he heaved both Azul Marco and Cardinal up over his shoulder and carried them to the ships sick bay. Upon arriving in the sick bay he laid Cardinal down onto a bed. He then took Azul who was still losing massive amounts of blood. The blood was now dripping all over his scaly body as he placed Azul inside a chamber that was large enough to hold two other people inside of it. He then clawed Marco off of Azul as he was kicking and screaming afraid that if he let go that Azul would die.

"Let go, little fox you are not helping Azul's chances by holding onto him like a precious gift you don't want taken from you... if you want him to live you must place your trust in me."

Marco looked up at Galcian; his eyes filled with tears and sorrow as he wrestled with the possible loss of his friend. Galcian then sealed the door where Azul was lying; he then started typing into the console next to the door. As he did the chamber began to fill with a blue liquid that didn't appear to be water. Marco started freaking out again as he feared that his friend was going to drown,

"No! You're going to kill him... stop it... stop the machine gaugh!"

Galcian punched Marco in the stomach just hard enough to knock him unconscious, but without causing any real harm. Marco fell to the floor and Galcian then carried him over to one of the beds next to Cardinal. After several minute's the chamber where Azul was located became completely filled by the syrupy blue liquid. The liquid surrounded Azul's body and was filled with oxygen, luckily his body had no trouble breathing it into his lunges. The liquid also began to heal his wounds at a rapid and almost unbelievable rate.

Cardinal was the first to awake expecting to be in a lot of pain from the beating he had received earlier at the hands of that admiral he was certain had died.

"Augh! What happened? Where am I?"

"You're in the ships sick bay my fine feathered friend... I healed you in our phoenix chamber! The chamber is so named because it always gives our fighters a second chance at life."

"Where are the others?"

"Sleeping still... in the other room I moved them so that you guys wouldn't disturb one another when you woke up."

"That's good! What happened to that Admiral guy I was fighting earlier?"

"Not really sure! Pretty sure he's dead by now, but at any rate... what are we going to do now?"

"Well for now let's wait for the others to wake up! Then we can decide what to do next okay?"

"Sounds good... "

"I wonder what else is on this ship besides what we have already seen."

"good question? I know very little about this ship other than the areas I was assigned; so how about when the others wake up we all go on a little safari inside the ship."

"Sounds like fun!"

After a few hours the others finally woke up from their slumber. Marco happened to be the last one to awaken from his nap.

"So foxy how was your slumber?"

"Shut up Cardinal... Yawn* I'm not a morning person...."

"Or an evening person or a day person or an anytime kind of person as well! Hahaha!"

Marco just glared at Cardinal as he scratched his leg and began to stretch.

"So guys I was thinking that we go and explore the rest of the ship! I mean we might uncover something useful about the Draconians and their plans as well as any Crystali involvement."

Everyone agreed to Cardinals proposition and they split up into two groups Cardinal and Azul were in the first, Marco and Galcian were in the second group.

Cardinal began to whistle as he and Azul travelled down into the bow of the ship. As they descended further and further down they found a giant door that had a strange symbol on it printed in big red letters and a yellow circle with three black dots on it.

"What do you thinks through here Azul?"

"I'm not sure! But I think we are about to find out."

Azul and Cardinal pushed the doors forward until they were completely open. Beyond them was an arsenal of weapons that neither had ever seen before in their lives.

"Whoa! Way cool dude... this is far beyond what I was expecting to find on this ship."

"Yeah this is crazy Azul! I mean look at all this stuff."

What was laid out before them were giant mechanized suits that could hold a single person inside of it. Other weapons were an array of swords that seemed to be made of advanced unknown material. Guns ranging from handheld to massive cannons that were immobile were also present.

Meanwhile Marco and Galcian travelled in the opposite direction to Azul and Cardinal. As the two ventured downward as well they found the lights becoming increasingly dimmer. Finally the lights were only small ethereal lights that helped them see where the walls were located. As they went further and further into the darkness Marco started to hear someone's voice inside his head.

"Free me... someone... anyone... I'm all alone in this place! And I'm scared... I don't want to be alone any longer."

"Wh...who's there? What's going on?"

"Who are you talking to Marco?"

"Help Me! Get me out of this thing!"

"Where are you? I can't help you if you don't tell me."

"I'm in a room! Its dark I can't see anything... I've been all alone for so long... please help me."

Marco started running as fast as he could, attempting to locate the person crying out to him. The person rather much sounded like that of a male and about his age as well. The Foxarian rushed down the hallway that had only the lights along the floor directing his path. Galcian shouted for him to wait up. However Marco wasn't listening he was too concerned with the voice he was hearing inside his head to even care. As Marco continued running further and faster down the hallway a small door appeared on the left side of the vast corridor. Marco veered in front of it to get a better view of what lied beyond the darkness of the hallway he saw a large laboratory that had been set up inside a vast portion of this part of the ship. There were large tanks filled with a strange liquid that had air bubbling up from an apparatus set up below. Several canisters of biological material were stacked atop one another on the other side of the room. Marco soon turned to the middle of the room and saw something unmistakably humanoid in appearance. The being was located inside a tank that had been filled with a glowing turquoise colored liquid. The tank and liquid radiated with a strange energy that Marco sensed as being extremely pure in nature. The being that he saw inside the container had a breathing apparatus placed upon his face. The individual was also completely bare when it came to the rest of his body. Marco wasted no time and rushed into the room without a second thought. Upon entering the room lights snapped on one after another revealing the true vastness of the extraordinary chamber. He then slammed his fist against the control panel of the large bio tank and apparently hit the right button. The tank began to empty itself of the ominous liquid. Eventually the liquid was completely drained and the tanks glass door unsealed itself. The door opened with a loud hissing sound as the gasses inside the tank dispersed into the room.

Marco with the swiftness of his kind burst inside the chamber and lifted the person inside up as easily as he could manage. The person was very young and was exactly the same age as him in appearance, the boy's skin was pale and he had glowing light blue hair that was almost like ice as it flowed down to the very bottom of his back. Slowly the boy awoke from his slumber and gazed up at Marco with his pale yellow eyes that were almost feral in nature and yet, at the same time were extraordinarily gentle and kind towards Marco. The boy removed the breathing apparatus so he could speak to his savior,

"Thank you... My names Kiedoe... Kiedoe Mushinta... I am... a Wolfarian... who are you?"

"The name is Marco..."

"Polo..."

Marco clenched his free hand trying to control his anger as he continued,

"Why are you here inside this ship?"

"I... I do not know! All I remember is that my village was attacked by Draconians a while back. In the fighting between my people and theirs I was severally hurt by a blast of some sort. During that time a Draconian scientist found me lying in the rubble dying of my injuries. After that... all I remember is him or a member of his team picking up my broken body and taking it to their ship. After that everything goes black. Until now I have been all alone crying out with my thoughts hoping someone would hear me or find me... you... you found me Marco! How can I ever thank you for freeing me from that liquid prison?"

A tear slid down Marco's face as he took in everything he had just heard and as he looked at Kiedoe's face he became filled with emotion.

"You...there's no need for you to thank me! I'm just glad that you're no longer in that thing."

Later Marco was scrounging through the room to see if there were any clothes for Kiedoe to wear. At closer inspection Marco was now pantless and was digging through the canisters in just his shirt and the boxers he had on underneath his pants. His boxers were covered in blue smiley faces. He had given his pants to Kiedoe who was scrounging as well along the other side of the room.

"Are you sure that your clothes are in this room. I mean I'm not seeing anything on my end."

"Found it... no wait that's only a sock... I found a sock!"

"A sock? How does that help?"

"I don't know! I am one step closer to finding my underwear hahaha!"

"hehehe! Yeah I guess... ooh found something... no that's a.... I have no idea what that is actually? it resembles some kind of ball or something."

"I found something for real this time... it's my armor!"

Marco banged his head on the inside of a canister before popping out grabbing the back of his head as he let out a painful shout.

"AAAGH! Da...man that hurts... you have armor?"

"Yes! Somehow I just know this armor is meant for me... it feels so familiar... like a dream I dreamed. Here are your pants back."

Kiedoe stripped off the pants and threw them in Marco's direction before slipping into the extremely durable and flexible armor that he had found. Marco quickly slipped his pants back on before looking over at Kiedoe who was garbed in a black jumpsuit that fit snuggly to his body much like a second skin. The jumpsuit was covered in white flexible plates that were closely linked and were like armor except they didn't seem to weigh anything at all. Marco walked over to Kiedoe and began to pull on one of the plates as he did so. It acted like elastic and stretched out until he released. Once he let go the armor plate went back to its original size and shape.

Galcian had finally caught up with Marco as he stepped into the room to see him and Kiedoe laughing about something.

"Why don't you give a dragon some warning next time before rushing off like that... oh who's this here?"

"Aaaaaaaaah! Draconian... Marco let's get out of this place!"

Marco grabbed his friends highly elastic outfit watching it stretch out several feet before Kiedoe finally was flung back by his own momentum. The two collided with one another causing them to let out a painful moan,

"Augh... why didn't you run?"

"urghhhh! Because... he's not our enemy... he is a friend... ughhh! I can't take much more of this abuse. His names Galcian... Galcian this is Kiedoe Mushinta."

"Nice to meet you Kiedoe... where did you come from?"

"That tank over there... Nice to meet you too Galcian."

Galcian looked over the tank that Kiedoe was now pointing at and began to shudder as the realization of what "That Tank" really was,

"Wait... you mean you were inside that thing... oh dear, oh dear! Um let me check something."

Galcian walked over to the tanks computer and began looking into what its purpose was on the ship. As he looked deeper and deeper he came to the shocking conclusion that Kiedoe was a part of some sort of experiment. The research that had been done upon Kiedoe according to the computer had to do with Aura flow and as the computer suggested mixing his Aura with that of the moon deities of the Wolfarian race. The last entry in the computer simply read that the project was named "White Wolf" and that the goal was to create a new type of life form.

Galcian grew concerned at this revelation his body grew hot and his body began to shake slightly. He knew now that his people were experimenting with this planets species and altering their genetic structure somehow to make their Aura pool exponentially larger, essentially turning them into children of the divines.

"Is everything okay Galcian?"

Galcian swallowed and tried his best to hide the anxiety that resonated throughout his body and into his very core.

"Yeah... everything is going to be fine... hehehe... urm!"

Later everyone was together again as they met up at the ships bridge to discuss everything that had transpired.

"So Cardinal and I found an entire arsenal for us to use against the Draconians or Crystali should either of them attack us. We do however need to get a crew together if we have any desire to sail this thing through the sky, or space, or wherever the hell we decide to take it."

Cardinal was lying against the ships helm as he decided to put in his two cents about the situation,

"I agree and it should be people that have a grudge against both the Crystali and Draconians... people like oh... I don't know! The ones directly below us that have just had their entire village burned to the ground by these guys."

Marco struck a pose and Kiedoe joined in with him as he said,

"I would like to introduce the latest member of team Rainbow! Kiedoe Mushinta."

"Hello everyone! I hope that we all get to be the best of friends in our time spent together! To the future!"

Everyone repeated Kiedoe's last sentiment simultaneously,

"To the Future!"

Cardinal was the first to say something about Marco's self-proclaimed team name for everybody,

"Team Rainbow! Where did that come from Marco... I mean don't you think we should all have a say in what are crew is going to be called."

"Fine! Fine! What did you guys have in mind?"

Everyone sat down and thought for a bit before Marco again shouted,

"oh...oh...oh I know! Why not the Prism Pirates! I mean we each know how to use our Aura a lot better than your average person and we are each wearing a different color as well so it's the logical name for us."

"You id... wait! That actually doesn't sound so bad... okay so maybe you aren't so bad at coming up with names kid! What do you guys think?"

Azul and everyone else nodded in agreement to the idea of being called the Prism Pirates. Marco shot up onto his feet and shouted while striking a funny pose. Marco extended his hands straight in the air and his left foot poised alongside his right leg in an awkward fashion,

"Alright! So let's get moving Prism Pirates we have a long way to go before we become feared by our enemies and loved by the people."

Marco was about to run out the door of the bridge and down onto the deck; when Cardinal grabbed him by the back of the shirt and said a tad irritated by Marco's rash behavior,

"Hold up Marco... Exactly where are you planning to go? I mean you can't fly, I am the only one who knows how to and I am not about to carry every single person down to safety sooooo... yeah."

Galcian spoke up with an idea with a large toothy grin on his face,

"I've got the solution to this small dilemma. When I was running around searching for Marco earlier I came across the ships main hangar that holds ships that can be deployed in case of emergency. The ships are also used when we need to dock at our sky ports."

"Sweet! I always wanted to fly through the air in a ship."

"You idiot! I specifically remember you saying Foxes weren't supposed to fly!"

"Yeah... I did and I was specifically talking about you and your terrible flight patterns. They make me sick... it also has to do with me being in control! If I know how to fly the ship, or I am calling the shots of where it goes... I'll feel a lot safer. I can't steer you now can I stupid?"

Azul sighed as he had become tired of Cardinal and Marcos bickering,

"Guys really? Ever since we started this journey you guys have been ripping each other apart verbally... I would really like to be able to get to the Hanger before dying of old age... Sheesh."

Eventually they all made it to the hanger which was located at the very back of the ship. Galcian looked at the others and said,

"I believe it would be best if I stayed here and guarded the ship... besides it will be easier for you to convince the town folk to join if they do not see a Draconian right off the bat! We are not exactly on the best terms with any of your people."

Marco jumped up and hugged the scaly Dragon cheerfully as he said,

"Oh I'm sure they would like you just fine Galcian... I mean I like you a lot and feel you are a pretty cool Dragon; even if you are a Draconian... that shouldn't matter to anyone! What should matter is how you act and treat others... wouldn't that be something if people actually judged you on who you were and not what you or somebody else has done."

"Thank you young Marco... that means a lot to me! Now you guys be safe and the controls on the ships are quite simple you just need to get used to them... here I will show you."

Galcian wandered over to one of the ships. The fuselage was shaped like a dolphin with traditional Aeronautical principles like having wings along the side, which looked much more like fins and a tail that had a large clear orb in the center of the rudder and horizontal stabilizers, After a quick tutorial Galcian had prepared everyone to fly their respective airship. Marco had been set up with Kiedoe in the ship along the right and Cardinal was flying with Azul in the one on the left. After a few moments Galcian released a lever that caused the aft part of the ship's hull to lower into the air outside. Within moments of one another the two ships had launched into the air and the four companions descended towards the town below in search of a crew.

The ships soared through the blue sky as Marco and Kiedoe seemed to be having a blast as the air swept through their hair.

"Hey Kiedoe, are you having fun?"

"Yeah! This is awesome... I wonder how fast this thing can go."

"No wait don't!"

Kiedoe lowered the throttle and allowed gravity to dictate their speed as they began to go faster and faster until he finally pulled back out of the dive. As he looked over at Marco he saw that Marco was completely green and much paler than usual.

"Are you alright?"

Marco attempted to respond, but found himself leaning over the side throwing up instead. After a few minutes of this he came back up and shouted,

"What the hell is wrong with you... I could have been killed!"

"Oh you're fine silly; just sit back and relax as old Kiedoe takes over the controls of this puppy."

"Oh gods please don't do what I think you are about to do... aaaaaaaaaaaughhhhhhhh!"

Marco couldn't do anything but scream as Kiedoe went and did a barrel roll followed by several loops. Cardinal and Azul were watching the theatrics of their friend's plane and Cardinal was chuckling at first, but then it turned into uproarious laughter as he saw the look on Marco's face.

"hahahahahahaaaa! Oh man this is priceless you know Azul... I mean this is something I'm going to be using as leverage on Marco for a long time...hahahaha! Look at his face."

Marco was indeed making ridiculous faces at this point as his tongue was hanging out of his mouth and his face was rippling from the speed that the ship was going. Wind was causing his hair to become a puffy mess as he held on for dear life while his friend was simply enjoying the ride. Kiedoe was smiling cheerfully as he remained completely calm and was full of exhilaration. Finally the two ships reached their respective destinations landing upon the sandy soil that was the Wasabi Dessert. Upon stopping Marco leaped from the plane onto not so solid sand. He began piling it together into a mound and shouted,

"Sand! Oh how I love you so... I will never ever leave you again my friend... please take me back! the sky meant nothing to me... it was only a passing fancy. Oh hello friend let me hug you... yaooowch!"

The reason Marco had cried out so loudly was because he had mistakenly hugged a plant that was called a prickly paw paw, so named because of the thousands of tiny prickles that cover its waxy membrane.

"Guys! I need help... I'm sort of stuck to this... devil plant."

Cardinal leapt from his ship chuckling the whole time as he made his way to the sorry sight that was Marco,

"ohohoho! This is just beautiful! Marco... I am so using this as leverage if I need something later."

"Shut up! And get me off this horrid plant... I think I may be losing feeling in my cheek."

"Which one...hahahaha!"

"aughhhh! Gods... why have you forsaken me so..."

"Cardinal stop messing with poor Marco... he has had a pretty rough day so far... I mean between getting airsick when you flew him up to the ship... haha... to Kiedoe nearly killing him in the airship...hahaha... to this Prickly paw paw sticking him... now haha... I must admit hugging the damn thing was his own fault, but still I think we should help him out of this sooner rather than later... Kiedoe what are you doing."

Kiedoe jumped from the ship and landed behind Marco examining the situation with the curious eye only a fourteen year old boy could have. He then grabbed Marco by the arm and began to pull forcefully.

"Yawch!... urghhh...oochies... okay, okay! Stop!"

Kiedoe released his grip upon Marco as he realized that he wasn't going anywhere.

"hmmmm! Now what do you suppose is holding him there so well... I mean this Prickly watchahussits shouldn't be able to grip the skin as well as it seems to be... I wonder!"

Kiedoe lowered his zipper and began to relieve himself on the paw paw.

"Kiedoe... what are you doing! Put your thing away... no awww! Come on I'm right here man and I can't turn my head... at least go to the other side

Within five seconds the paw paw sprung to life and started to wriggle and writhe. A set of eyes opened up and looked right into Marco's as he began to scream,

"What is this thing... ahhhhh! Get it off me! Get it off of me...aaaahahahaaaaaa!"

Marco became so frantic that he lifted the plant being up out of the soil and started running around in circles before tripping over his own feet. The plant sensing danger released its prickles from Marco and began to burrow down into the soil like a plantlike snake or worm. Marco face planted into the sand as he fell down. Azul turned to Kiedoe confused by what just happened,

"What was that thing... I mean it was a paw paw... but I have never seen one come alive... and Kiedoe where did you get the idea to pee on it?"

"Well plants like and need moisture so I thought since I needed to relieve myself anyway I would try it."

"mrfugumfin... patewy...patewy... alright yeah great over hear no thanks to you idiots."

"Hey I helped get that thing to release you didn't I?"

"Yeah well you also exposed your parts directly in front of me and you scared me half to death by making that thing come to life..."

"Oh please it's not like you haven't seen it before; remember when you rescued me from the tank."

Marco began to blush as he shouted defensively,

"Yeah well that...that was different... and plus you weren't wearing any clothes I couldn't just leave you in there you know."

Cardinal and Azul burst out laughing as Marco turned completely red in the face,

"ohoho! Well then that's all I needed to know... I see who I need to watch in the showers aye Azul."

Azul just leaned into Cardinal as he could no longer stand under his own strength.

"HAHAHA! I'm sorry... okay I'm cool... I'm cool!"

Marco clenched his fists tightly as he choked down tears from his embarrassment. Then without warning shouted,

"Yeah well so what if I'm into guys... would that really change who I am... really! I'm the same person I was five seconds ago... and I'll still be the same person five minutes from now."

Cardinal and Azul were struck speechless by what Marco had just shared with them. They looked at one another and then back at Marco before saying anything. Cardinal felt ashamed for the first time as he realized how much he had teased young Marco since they had first met just hours before.

"I...I'm sorry kid! You know we were just kidding right... I mean; I don't really care who you want to have a relationship with... life is too short to pass judgment on something as trivial as who we wish to spend our lives with. I think our goal should be to be happy... nothing more and nothing less."

"Yeah Marco! Cardinal and I may tease you a lot... but that's only because we care about you and we're your friends... I mean I wouldn't rag on just anybody! What is the saying... oh love hurts and if it doesn't then you're not doing it right."

Cardinal rolled his eyes at Azul's last statement sighing all the while,

"Idiot that has to do with a relationship... like you know... bow chika wow wow..."

"Same difference when it comes to friends we often talk down to one another or point out each other's flaws... but it's only cause we can laugh about our mistakes together... it takes the pain out of failure a lot of times knowing your buddies have got your back."

Kiedoe walked over to Marco and put out his hand in order to help him stand up from where he had fallen. Marco grasped the hand and lifted himself up until he and Kiedoe were only inches from one another. Kiedoe then embraced his friend in a hug before whispering into the Foxarians ear,

"You and I should meet up later on the ship... I may just need rescuing again."

After Kiedoe says this he kisses Marco on the cheek and walks off as if nothing happened. Marco however just stood there rubbing his cheek as he turned red all over. A Range of emotions overtook the young warrior and his stomach felt like he had eaten butterflies. The others had started to move on without their friend who at last came back to reality,

"Damn it... Hey guys wait up!"

The Foxarian started racing towards the others, but all the while he had a smile on his face and a skip in his step.

End of Chapter 1