Chapter 1: War!

Staff Sargent Bishop Dean sat in the crowded briefing room. Originally, she was a part of a army airborne unit. She had taken a contract to head into some other world for extra pay... Whatever that meant. The army had gathered soldiers from other units who agreed to joining this special unit and crowded them into a briefing room. She had talked to some of the other men. There were air force, marine, navy, army and coast guard. All five branches of the military and their special units as well as common infantry. Tankers, sailors, pilots, snipers... any position really. What special task could possibly be so great and so expansive to the point where they would need troops from every branch from the army, and such a small number too. It's not like they were planning an invasion and they sure as hell weren't at war. So what was it?

Eventually, the room silenced as a man in a lab coat came onto the stage. The lights dimmed and the projector in front of the room came on. The title of the presentation, operation Kingdom come, was projected. The scientist coughed and began. "Men, women, soldiers of the U.S. Let me begin by saying, thank you for your service. You've done us all proud. Give yourselves a round of applause."

The room erupted into clapping and Bishop let out a cheer. Then, it silenced again as the scientist held up his hands. "Great, great... Now, back to the manner at hand. I am Doctor Albert Schrodinger of the SCP foundation, an organization dedicated to the study and containment of anomalous object and entities ranging from the microscopic to larger then life. I know, you all must think I'm some sort of nut, and that I'm wasting your time. But, I'll show you what you are up against in just a moment here. Once you see it, you will believe it. I believe all of you heard of the deer county nuclear reactor incident in Kansas right? If you haven't here's what happened. Around three thirty in the morning about three weeks ago, one of the reactors overloaded for unknown reasons and exploded, spreading fallout throughout the region similar to the Chernobyl incident. No one managed to survive the incident. I'm here to tell you that's all a lie."

The room was silent as the image of a destroyed nuclear power plant. "The truth is much worse."

The image of a strange circle appeared. "This, was one of the anomalies we have been studying. It's a gateway to another world. We've been studying it for a while now and only just begun expeditions to the other side. We made contact."

The room was tense. This was a tragedy after all. If some crazy nut jobs were trying to capitalize or make a joke out of it, nobody was laughing. "Judging by your expressions, you all don't believe me. So why don't I bring in someone who will make you. I give you, Doctor Clair Harper."

Something stepped out behind a set of curtains. It wasn't human. A anthropomorphic red fox came onto the stage wearing a lab coat and a pair of glasses. It was far too small to be a human in costume and it was too animated to be some puppet or robot. The fox took the stage. "Thank you Doctor Schrodinger. Now, as for the rest of you soldiers. Yes, you are looking at an anthropomorphic red fox. No, this isn't some sort of elaborate joke or prank. This is serious. A month ago, we managed to discover this portal. We secured it and began sending expeditions to the other side. Unfortunately, whenever we did send people to the other side, they turn into anthropomorphic animals. The main theory is that we've change species because it conforms to the laws of reality within this world. Humans do not exist here as far as we have observed, therefore, it would be paradoxical for humans to suddenly do and might destabilize reality. Therefore, the portal that takes you there shifts your forms so that you will better suit reality. Every sign that humans existed has been altered from pictures, video and even drawings so it can't be simply related to biology has been altered. As far as we are know, this process is something that can't be reversed. But that isn't the main issue here. The deer county incident was no accident. We were on the other side of the portal attempting to study it. That's when a hostile force assaulted our research staff and security guards. Our security was inadequate to deal with the threat and they were overrun. Soon, the beings from the other world began to invade ours."

An image of anthropomorphic animals in medieval armor appeared on the screen which was taken with a security camera. The knights were killing researchers and overrunning security staff. Then, another image showed them breaching a wire gate outside the facility. Then, a satellite image of them approaching the small town of deer county. A fucking army. Bishop could already tell where this was going. "These knights found the small town of deer county and wiped them out. There were a hundred and fifty seven people in that town. Men... Women... and children. All dead. The local police force and anyone with a gun did their best to fight back but it wasn't enough. By the time we had realized what was going on, it was too late. We dispatched forces to contain the threat as soon as possible. We were successful. We wiped out the enemy and repelled their forces back to their world. But because we knew this incident would be hard to cover up, we blew up one of the reactors of deer county and made it seem like the entire place was nuked. Any signs that the creatures from the other world existed was covered up. New and media regarding it was covered up and declared as a hoax."

The room was silent as more images flashed onto the screen revealing the carnage. The room was silent. "This wasn't meant to happen. We thought we had it all under control. Now, we know better. Because this incident, we asked the us government to provide us with aid to deal with this threat. We would but our forces are stretched too thin already dealing with other anomalies. This is where you come in. You soldiers are here because you volunteered to go into another world for an unspecified amount of time. As far as you are concerned. This may be for the rest of your life. We can't allow any of you to come back home once you are on the other side because we can't let people know what happened here. You will have to make a new life for yourselves once you are there. If any of you do not want to go, we understand. You might have lives back home here. Family, friends, jobs... You wouldn't want to leave that behind. That's understandable. You can leave through that door on the left side there. You'll won't even remember this meeting or signing that contract. You won't have to worry about this at all. If you stay, this means you are still considering the mission."

Some of the chairs shuffled and twenty soldiers left. Now, there were only thirty. Moments passed. " Those of you who decide to stay are going to being placed into specialized unit of the U.N. The United Nations global defense force, a unit we created in conjunction with the global occult coalition to defend humanity from extra terrestrial threats. Your job, is to go to the other world and secure it on the other side. Establish a permanent military instillation and defend the portal from the other side. Now, a few of you may be saying to yourself, why aren't you doing more. After all, these creatures attacked our people. They mercilessly slaughtered an entire town of innocent, honest people. That's will be your secondary objective. The United states of America, is officially at war with the animals of this world. This means you will be responsible for fighting these animals and pushing them back, taking over their capital, and establishing some sort of peace treaty with them. This will be no easy feat. Sure, we are technologically advanced and could wipe them out easily. But we don't want you to. We want to study these creatures. Observe their world, and take samples. We do not want any of you going in there, and wiping out the indigenous population. And we sure as hell, aren't going there to take over and harvest all the resources we can. And that would especially be the case since you are going to be living there for the rest of your lives."

The room stayed quiet. "These animals aren't human. We know. But that doesn't mean you should wipe them out. They are still an intelligent and sentient species we need to understand. Their soldiers may be ruthless but that doesn't mean you should get back at them by culling their civilians. The laws of war apply to all of you, and you must conduct yourselves with dignity and with restraint. You are U.S soldiers. You aren't some untouchable, god like individuals, you are meant serve as an exemplary individuals and protectors of the innocent. You all must show humanity and you all must show civility. Don't let your rage dictate your actions. If you can't handle yourselves, you can leave because if you disobey these simple orders, you are going to be trailed and punished accordingly by us. Not your commanders or your fellow soldiers."

Bishop sat in the turret on the humvee, hands resting on the 50 cal mg, waiting for orders. She, and a dozen other soldiers had been waiting for a while now in this strange long corridor, all from different units. Tanks, trucks, infantry fighting vehicles, aa guns, howitzers and light patrol vehicles lined up in a staging area on the surface. Piles of supplies laid outside with an army to go with it. Whatever operation they were going on, it was going to be a rough one. She looked at a strange portal, it's surface rippled like water. The convoy that was going to be going through consisted of 2 cargo trucks, 4 humvees, 3 mraps, two m113 troop carriers and a Bradley fighting vehicle. They had been taken down to this place via a freight elevator from the surface where everyone else was.

Alarms began to blare and a voice came in over a PA system. "Alright everyone, move out!"

Engines roared and vehicles growled to life. Bishop pulled the bolt on the 50 cal machine gun, cambering a round. When the humvee in front of her lurched forward and sped forward, her Humvee jolted forward, moving alongside another Humvee and towards the glowing orange portal. She held her breath, looking at it as it came closer and closer. She passed by a security checkpoint where those soldiers stood by watching them. She had been ordered by the higher ups and the strange men to ignore what was happening to their bodies once they pass through the entrance. Wait till they get to the other side before they panic. She was quite afraid. Eventually, she passed into the entrance, it was very dark and the orange residue stuck to her like oil. A light could be seen at the end of the tunnel where they were headed. She felt nothing. No air, no smell, no touch. It was a sensation of nothingness. She could feel her skin wigging and her ears stretching as the strange substance began to spread over her body. She did her best to ignore it and look forward as she was ordered to do. She eventually could feel her nose stretching. Frightened, she closed her eyes and counted.…... Ten …... Nine …... Eight…... Seven…... Six…... Five…...Four…...Three…...Two…...One... She felt fresh air. And her body felt strange. She opened her eyes and saw a muzzle. She lifted her hands up to see that they were paws. She pulled looked into the mirror of the car and saw she was a mountain lion. Bishop looked around. She was no longer in the tunnel, she was outside in the new world. She noticed several anthropomorphic animals waving them over. There were tents and strange monitoring equipment. The humvee continued forward and stopped where a fox in a lab coat had motioned them. The driver, the company officer exited the vehicle and began speaking to the scientist.

Bishop looked around. They were on a hill. There were mountains to the west of their location, a valley to the east, a large river to the south and more mountains to the north. This hill was a relatively safe location with only one feasible option of attack. Through the valley where the enemy was. It was relatively bright out considering the fact that it was night time. She looked up, it was a full moon. Bishop then noticed distance campfires. Many of them, far down in the valley, a about 3000 or so meters away. She took out a set of binoculars and peered through them. She could tell there were many animals down there though they were hard to make out. They all sat around massive bonfires and ranged from several species. From what she could tell, it could have been another force. A hostile one perhaps? Bishop immediately felt nervous. "Fall in men!"

Bishop got out of the vehicle and stood at the ready in front of the captain. Troops filed out of their vehicles and stood at attention in front of the squad leader who was a rabbit. All of them had been changed. Bishop noticed canines, felines, rabbits, and bears. "Right, now I'm sure you all have a lot of questions concerning the current situation. I don't know. Doctor Adams here however, does know and will be instructing you on your situation."

The fox coughed and nodded. "Ahhh yes. Well, let me be the first to tell you all, welcome to Armello. This world as far as we know, is the same as earth... Environment wise. There is magic, monsters and the life here is intelligent. Now, another thing you may have seen is the number of campfires about down in the valley. They amassed there about a week ago and have been staying there since, watching us. While they haven't made a move yet, we know they are affiliated with the hostile force that attacked deer county. We counted about four and a half thousand or so individuals down there. Yes, we are grossly outnumbered and they are well armed. But not to worry, I can assure you all will stand a chance. From what we have observed, these beings only posses medieval weaponry. Mainly melee weapons and bow and arrows. They do not have catapults, cannons or anything of such caliber that can actually hit us. All we need you to do is set up a defensive perimeter around this compound so that we can defend it in the event of an attack. We've already laid out barbed wire and signs telling them to stay away. We just need you to set up your mortars and machine guns in strategic locations which will be able to keep us safe until more troops arrive. Then, we decide what to do."

The captain nodded. "Thank you doctor. You heard the man, all of you, start unloading equipment, squad leaders come here so we can plan out our defenses. We got a long night ahead of us boys."

Bishop secured the 50 cal on it's mount, knocking the pin into place. The foxhole was completed, covered and concealed. The others had also dug out a series of foxholes and had established a mortar pit. The M3 Bradley had been placed in a dug in position where it's turret easily got an angle on the the valley and the hill if troops were to attack. She and another soldier named Ramirez Johnson sat alongside her in the fox hole. Ramirez had been turned into a weasel when he was transported here. He was currently smoking and listening to music, bobbing his head up and down. Bishop swiveled the MG on it's mount, ensuring nothing would obscure her line of fire. They had successfully dug in, it was only a matter of time before the rest of the platoon arrived to reinforce them. She got back down and checked her m249 saw to ensure it would be ready in the event of an attack.

"Ey Bishop?"

He turned around to see Ramirez had unplugged his earbuds. "Yes?"

"Why you come here?"

The way Ramirez spoke annoyed Bishop greatly. "Well, it was extra pay, and sitting on my ass in some base in Afghanistan or stuck in reserves back home didn't really appeal to me. You know, because we were getting pulled out of Syria. What about you?"

"Wanted to see this new world you know, meet some chicks and stuff you know? Though they failed to mention the part where they were all animals though so it is kind of disgusting. So I decided to come since I wanted to try a hand at a new life here."

"Yea, I know. Where were you stationed before signing up?"

"I wasn't deployed yet. I was in reserves, waiting for my chance."

Great, a greenhorn Bishop thought. This guy definitely won't become obnoxious anytime soon. "You see active combat yet?"

"Nope. Not a lick."

"Where did you come from?"

"Jersey. You?"

"Pennsylvania."

"That's Massachusetts and no. I don't like cheaters"

"Ha! You can say that again."

He stayed quiet for a moment before coming to the front of the foxhole and looked at the distant campfires. "Maaan we are fucked. No way we can stand against all that. We better off just pulling back and destroying the portal."

"I'm sure we will be fine."

"What makes you say that?"

"If Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro could beat the Incas with just a handful of men and flintlock rifles, I'm sure a dozen U.S soldiers with artillery and machine guns could stand up to these medieval soldiers."

Ramirez looked at Bishop as if she had spoken in another language. "Man, what you talking about? You a nerd or some shit?"

"History. I was a history major back in college. Worked at the smithso-"

"Man, that's some gay shit. Who wants to learn about history anyways?"

"People who are curious. History important if we wish to avoid the mistakes of the past."

"Man, that's stupid."

"Well, it's a fact. Get some rest, I'll be taking first watch. I'll wake you in five."

Ramirez nodded. "Whatever, whatever. "

Then proceeded to lie back down and sleep. Bishop checked the machine gun. Loaded and ready to go. She pulled out the pair of thermal goggles she had and looked through them. Nothing coming up the hill, the enemy was staying in place.

At the base of the hill, Prince Thane sharpened his sword with against a stone as he stared up at the hill where the invaders were. His fellow soldiers had already retired to their tents for a nighttime rest. A week earlier, the king of Armello had ordered any available soldiers and the best warriors of the clans assemble at the base of a hill where the King stated an invasion was taking place, promising favor in exchange for service. As far as Thane was concerned, there were few animals up there. Very few. Likely a scout party. He thought it was strange that the king would require such a massive number of soldiers to take this small hill. He had arrived with 500 volunteer soldiers from the wolf kingdom. It was not nearly as many as the other clans with the exception of the bears. The number of rabbits, dogs, and rats made the group of soldiers he brought along seem insignificant. The bears had not show up at all. Those that were there were bears who were contracted by the king. Strangely, the king had also included criminals and mercenaries within the ranks of his soldiers. He didn't like this one bit. He also didn't like the fact that the king was absent, making it seem like these were false orders. Though, some letter stating the invasion was fake would have come by now so it was unlikely. The fact that he was given command over his these soldiers was also frightening. With his brother banished because of his rot infection and his father illness, Thane was forced to lead the troops as a show that he could be a competent leader. Failure to do so would result in the humiliation of his entire bloodline.

Who were these animals anyways? He thought to himself as he continued to stare up at them. He felt someone put a paw on his shoulder. He turned around and saw that it was River. The wolf clan's greatest huntress, though he knew little of who she actually was. In fact, almost no one knew what she was actually like. "Prince Thane, may I have a word with you."

"Of course."

"Away, from everyone else."

Thane was unsure what she wanted to discuss which warranted the need for such secrecy. "Alright, if you insist."

He got off the log he was sitting at and followed her into the woods. When they were far enough away, she turned back to him. "Forgive me Prince but I have a strange feeling about this mission the King has sent us on. Something isn't right, I can feel it."

"I agree, something isn't quite right here. Why is the king sending so many troops after a scout party."

River shook her head. "No, not that. Something isn't right about the king. Why isn't he here. It's as if he's hiding something."

"Perhaps he has fallen ill?"

"Maybe, though that doesn't explain why there are so many criminal soldiers here."

"I'm not sure either. Maybe the king hopes they die in first wave so that he doesn't have to risk his soldiers."

"I don't feel right. And these invaders... I saw them, they behave strangely. They carry strange devices about and simply stay on top of the hill watching us. Like they're studying us."

"Well that's what scouts do."

"They were scooping dirt and staring at the floor. Like they were looking for something."

"Maybe there's a magical artifact on the hill?"

"If there was, the rats would have taken it long before these animals arrived. Besides, the flag they fly is one I have never seen before."

Thane thought for a moment. "I'm not sure River. I do know when tomorrow comes, this whole crisis will be resolved."

"Thane."

"Yes?"

"Do not join the attack."

Thane felt offended. "What? You expect us wolves to just stay behind while the scum of Armello do our job? That will bring shame upon our clan! "

"Thane, listen. We don't know what we are up against here. Perhaps these are necromancers who plan to raise an army of the dead or something we couldn't even begin to imagine. We need to know what we are dealing with first.. If we charge in blindly with the others, we may perish."

Thane was becoming angry. "River, I cannot afford to fail my father. Too much is at stake for me to stay behind and cower from the battle. It is my duty to go and represent the clan."

River seemed to be offended. "Thane, listen to me, we can't afford to lose the prince of the wolf clan in a pointless battle!"

"And we can't afford to serve as rear guard for a bunch of criminals and the other clans. It will be an embarrassment even if the enemy on the hill is more powerful then we believe."

"You idiot! We can't afford to take the risk!"

"FINE!"

He growled at her. "Tell the soldiers that you want to stay behind and serve as rearguard. Let them volunteer to stay with you if they like. I'll lead any soldiers who are willing to charge up that hill."

"Li-"

"END OF DISCUSION!"

Morning came for Bishop as sat in her foxhole eating an oatmeal MRE, watching the troops in the trucks unload boxes of mortar shells and machine gun rounds. The addition of heavier artillery would have been much better but it would be near impossible in the short time span given the fact the freight elevator could only transport so many at a time. It was a major design flaw but they didn't exactly build it with the intention of transporting an army here. They could only hope they whatever they can get. Their platoon of 25 animals had swelled to a company with 125 soldiers. They were more prepared but it would still be a tough fight.

Those medieval soldiers were going to push up the hill. She watched them as they arrayed themselves in columns, their armor glinted, giving her a clear view of where they were. It would be easy pickings. Ramirez, still tired from last night, napped in the fox hole. Then, Bishop heard it, a distant roar. She immediately set her food to the side and picked up her rangefinder, peering through the scope. She could see soldiers slowly marching up the hill. She set the rangefinder to the side and quickly picked up the radio. "Command, we have movement to the east. Looks like they're beginning their offensive. Whats our orders? Over."

"Copy that fire team two. One moment please while we confirm this. Over."

She waited for a few moments before the radio crackled back to life. "Badger two, we have confirmed troop movements, get out your rangefinder and direct artillery. You are cleared to engage, over."

Bishop was startled by this sudden order but chose not to question it. "Copy that sir, patching through to the mortar team. Over and out."

"Copy that. Over and out."

She quickly switched the frequency to the artillery channel. "Mortar team, this is fire team two, are you in position. Over."

A moment passed before a voice came over the radio. "We are in position fire team two. We have been informed of tangos moving up the hill. Give us targets. Over."

"Copy that. Over."

Bishop set down the radio and kicked Ramerez who shot awake. "Wha- man wha you want. I'm trying to sleep here."

"Get on the radio and relay coordinates to the artillery. The enemy is moving up the hill."

Thane and several other commanders marched by each other in front of their columns of troops as they marched up the hill. They stood in the stood proud and moved as one. The enemy on the hill was sure to lose. He turned back to see River and a small group of soldiers standing alone at the bottom of the hill with members of the other clans who were afraid of advancing. Cowards, the lot of them he thought in disgust He stepped on something wooden and noticed it was one of the signs the invaders had set up upon the hill telling them to stay away. He snickered. These animals were fools for believing words along could avoid the inevitable conflict. Then, he heard the sound of whistling.

Before he could ask questions, the hill began to erupt. Men screamed as they were torn apart by the explosions. He looked up on the hill and noticed light puffs of smoke. Witchcraft he thought. He took a deep breath and yelled. "CHARGE!"

He howled and the wolf soldiers let out a battle cry as the began to rush up the hill alongside the other troops. The ground continued to explode around them as they scrambled over rocks and past craters.

"Adjust two degrees left, five degrees up!"

Bishop continued to direct the mortar fire on the advancing troops. They were moving faster then she expected. Given the fact they were animals, she knew she should have expected it. The mortars seemed to have little effect on cutting down their numbers as they ran up the hill. The HE rounds did cut huge swaths of them out but they wouldn't be able to kill them all. She quickly set down the binoculars and checked the m2 browning. This was going to get ugly.

They all ran, both out of fear and anger. No animals within Armello should have a power such as this. If these animals were capable of this, then who knows what would happen to the rest of the kingdom. They had to succeed. Bodies were tossed in the air like rag dolls by the explosions and they were showered in dirt. So long as they kept moving, they would win.

He ran over the bodies of his fallen comrades. They were losing too many troops, perhaps if the wolves split off from the main assault force and flanked the enemy, they could stand a chance. He yelled again. "GO LEFT, WE NEED TO FLANK THEM!"

He howled and the troops began to break away from the main assault force.

Bishop internally sighed as she saw the troops beginning to break off into smaller groups. They were wising up. "Ramirez, tell command the group have broken up. Wolves have split off, bearing south east one hundred degrees of my position. Main assault force is still on course directly from the north east."

He relayed the information and came over, chambering a round in his m4 carbine. "Command says to start lighting them up."

She nodded and went to her browning. She pulled the bolt back and took aim at the wolves. She pressed the trigger.

Thane nearly threw up when he saw his comrades being torn to shreds by an invisible force. They were literally being torn to shreds. Limbs, heads and even bodies were ripped apart as they continued to run. Blood and guts showered him as he ran alongside them.

The heavy machine gun chugged in unison with the sound of other machine guns, the mortars, grenades and the sound of the Bradley's 30 mm cannon. She could see the wolf soldiers literally being torn apart as they fired at them. Their howls, barks and whines were barely audible above the thumping of the machine guns. Bishop shrieked as she reloaded. "FUCK FUCK! CONCENTRATE FIRE ON THE WOLVES!"

The machine gun nest beside her directed it's m240 machine gun at the wolves who were trying to make a shield wall.

An explosion threw Thane to the floor. His ears rang painfully and his world spun. He had been thrown down into a pile of corpses. He stopped and looked at the enemy. He could see them. A cougar and a weasel. Puffs of smoke could be seen from little white clouds that came from strange staffs. He looked at his men, they were gone. Those who tried to kept trying to run up the hill were torn apart or blown up. A wolf soldier held an arm as he walked aimlessly, just as he was ripped apart as well. This. This was too much. Why were they doing this? What had they done wrong? Why had the Wyld forsaken them? He passed out.

Bishop stopped firing. Her hands shook as she loaded another belt of 50 cal rounds into the m2 before slamming the cover shut and pulling the bolt back. Ramirez had finished shooting as well. They fired in turns. When Bishop had to reload or change barrels, Ramirez would stand in so that a constant wall of lead could be poured on the enemy. The barrels of the m249 saw and the m2 browning smoked in the cold air. Spent shell casings littered the floor and a smoking m2 browning barrel laid nearby. Nothing move. Eventually, the sound of gun shots eventually stopped. It was over. He set the machine gun down and carefully pulled a cigarette out of his box and offered one to Bishop. She accepted it and smoked alongside him. "Was it like this back in Afghanistan?"

She turned to Ramirez who was in shock. "No... Never like this."

"So it exactly like that Frans Pizza guy right?"

"Francisco Pizarro and yes. It is just like him."

"I didn't sign up for this shit! Sure, they are the enemy but this... This was too much."

They were quiet as they watched the dust settle. The warriors writhed in pain as they rolled around before dying of blood loss. There was no sense to this. No sense at all. "C company fall in!"

Ramirez and Bishop turned around and ran towards the sound of their Captain. Soldiers from other defensive positions gathered in front of the CO who stood atop a pile of ammo crates. Everyone was quiet and he spoke. "Gentlemen. I'm... I'm not sure how to word this in a way that will somehow make you feel better about what you did here. I understand you may be having some trouble trying to come to terms with what we did out there so... Fuck It. After we recover their wounded, everyone gets the day off."

Bishop loaded another wounded prisoner into the cargo truck as they searched the hill for anyone who was still alive, her gas mask made it difficult to see. The Bradley and the two cargo trucks had come down the hill as well as 50 soldiers had been sweeping the area. The opposing force who were at the base of the hill were to afraid to reclaim the dead and the wounded, preferring to fall back to their camp far away. The researchers at the forward operating post asked that US soldiers collect live soldiers for questioning. They sifted through the piles of the dead.

The carnage was evident. The once pristine grass of the hill was soaked with blood, pot marked with craters, and covered with bodies. This wasn't a battle. This was a massacre. A pointless waste of men and material. There were plenty of wounded soldiers and a few unhurt ones who had gotten the bright idea of getting low and taking cover. Not hard to do when your friends are literally getting cut to shreds right in front of you. They were practically ankle deep in death right now. Bishop wanted to run, to get away from this place and just forget about it. But she knew she couldn't.

Then, she noticed someone groaning. She raised her SAW and pointed it at the perceived direction of the noise. She noticed movement near a pile of dead and she walked over.

"FREEZE!"

The voice, despite the fact it was female's, was icy cold and affirmative. Thane raised his paws as he felt something pressed to the back of his head and he was lifted up by the scruff of his neck. He could barely muster the courage to speak. "Don't hurt me!"

The soldier behind him was silent. She grabbed his arms and put them behind his back, shackling them. She turned him around and pushed him towards her fellow soldiers. "Walk."

She shoved him towards them. He saw others being arranged on stretchers, their doctors trying to help them. Who were these people? What were they planning? He didn't know what she would do. He decided he could convince her to help. "Please, I beg you, as a fellow Warrior. Let me go."

"Warrior? I'm not a warrior. I'm a soldier."

"But-"

"No... I'm not. Now shut up."

"Do not insult me, I am a prince!"

She hit him across the head and Thane clammed up, realizing talking with her would be pointless. He saw many of them. Rats, dogs, cats, possums, wolves, and bears. Mammals of all sizes and shapes. She went over and saluted a rabbit who returned the gesture. "Report."

"Captain! I found a live one. I think he was one of the commanders. Saw him running behind the wolves and directing them."

He nodded and pointed at a bunch of Armello soldiers who were being herded by several animals in green uniforms. None the captors had swords or shields, they all had those staffs. An army of mages he thought.

Thane felt himself being pushed by the she wolf as she moved him towards the prisoners who could still walk. He was eventually pushed into the group and the white wolf fell back with her troops. He looked at those around him. There were 20 of them. 15 rabbits, 3 royal guards and 2 rats. He saw there were a few officers among the group but no commanders. Were they all dead?

Bishop continued to look for more soldiers. Digging through the plies of bodies to try and find anyone who was still alive. She heard the sound of coughing and she looked around. She noticed a paw sticking up from below a pile of corpses. She ran over and lifted the body of a dog soldier to see a dog with a bullet holes in his chest. His face was mangled, likely because of shrapnel from a mortar. He lifted his arms and felt around. "Mother... Is that you."

She could see he was crying. Desperately reaching out for comfort. She decided to play along and took off her mask. "I'm here sweetie."

She knelt down and cradled the dog. He sobbed and clung onto her. "Mother. I'm scared."

She stroked his head. "It's okay... Everything is fine. Just, rest."

"I don't want to die."

"You won't die. You just need to go to sleep. When you wake up, I'll be here and you'll be better."

"Promise?"

"I promise. We're going home"

She held him and started to hum a nursery rhyme. He kept sobbing quietly. Eventually, he stopped making noise. Bishop laid the soldier down and started to cry.

Hey, you may have noticed I re-wrote this fanfiction. As I watched Gate more, I began to realize something. I don't really want this. Sure, it is kind of realistic but it's so one sided and it got so weird later on. I don't want the weird shit from the anime. So I re-wrote it so it would be a little better paced. I want more character interaction instead of action. Sorry.