UPDATE 2/13/19: Re-edited sections of the chapter such as cutting up sentences and the like to better match later chapters. Working on a major overhaul.

II: Chimeras

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"What's a chimera?"

Three days into her stay at the Pigmask Base, and already she had found out about the chimeras. The Commander had half a mind to shoot the nearest Pigmask in the face with his cannon for even mentioning it around her-

But the way her sapphire blues blinked up owlishly at him evoked incredibly strange feelings in the pit of his stomach, and so he conceded, folding his arms behind his back and walking the long winding hall towards the Chimera Laboratory. When he noticed that she wasn't following, he turned back to her. "Why aren't you following?"

"Where are we going?" She shot back.

The Commander clicked his tongue. "The Chimera Laboratory. You said you wanted to know what chimeras were."

Her sapphire blue eyes widened. Bingo.

The girl hurried after him, and for a moment her hand brushed against his gloved one, sending a spark of electricity up his arm and down his spine. If he had to describe it, it was similar to the electric shock she received every time he pushed the button on the remote, but a bit different in the sense that it was a sort of pleasant shock. She didn't seem to notice, but he did. Immediately he retracted his hand in surprise, staring at her in a mix of confusion and frustration. This proceeded to go on for a few more minutes before he shook his head and continued to lead the way, letting the incident die down in his brain.

The fact that they both used PK Thunder must have triggered it. That was most likely the reason, nothing else.

Upon reaching the laboratory, the scientists greeted him cheerfully, and her with a little distaste. At the sight of the bracelet around her wrist that stopped her from using her PSI abilities however they started treating her a little bit nicer, though it was most likely because she was basically the only test subject for PSI ability machines in the area that wasn't the Commander. She was delicate, and had to be treated carefully.

This didn't escape her, unfortunately, and after a few scathing words that made even the Commander blink, the scientists stayed as far away as possible from her. Strangely enough, the Commander felt the weird feeling in his stomach once again at her momentary lapse in demureness, but he shook this off as he began to list down the chimeras in the laboratory and what they were made of. Paula appeared to be drinking this all as they moved from chimera to chimera, all of them reacting favorably to her. The Mecha-Lions all purred at the sight of her, while the Slitherhens all stopped fighting to bawk at her plaintively, as if asking her to pick them up.

"No," He told her firmly when she brought up the idea. "These are test subject chimeras that haven't been released yet; you can't touch any of them."

Paula stuck out her lower lip; a pout, the Commander recognized. "And why not? You're going to be releasing these little ones, anyway, aren't you? Might as well have me, the captive, be the test subject." These words were said with a little bit of bitterness, which did not escape the Commander, who only sighed and grumbled, "Fine, but be sure to-"

Paula jumped headfirst into the Slitherhen cage, much to the dismayed shouts of the scientists.

Much to their surprise however the Slitherhens all seemed to be behaving around the disabled PSI user, clucking and slithering around her in friendly fashions. One of them curled atop her head with a happy cluck, while the others slipped and slid to and fro all around her, excited by her presence. Amidst all this, Paula Polestar laughed - the first genuine laugh she had uttered ever since her arrival in the Pigmask Army Base.

The weird feeling in the Commander's stomach was back, but he tried to squash it down with feelings of pride. Pride in the fact that she was getting along rather well with the chimeras-

Friend friEND FrIENd frieennnndd

Bawk bawk fRIEND is friend good frienddddd

Bu-kawk FRIEND FRIENDFRIEND

The Commander stumbled back, startled. The scientists, Paula, and the chimeras all turned to look at him strangely. The voices started up again.

Okay okaY? OKAY? Not okay bokay

Help HELP leader nNOT oKAY

Bo-KAWK HELP

He was hearing things, he had to be; Slitherhens didn't talk-

But they could and they were, and he was hearing them clear as day as if they were normal talking human beings. Not that he was one, anyway. The three Slitherhens that had been talking were the ones curled atop Paula's head and hanging from each shoulder respectively, judging from the movement of their beaks. The Commander felt his half-dead heart hammer in his chest loudly at the realization, and he swallowed, beads of sweat dotting the sides of his head.

"Commander, are you-"A scientist reached out to touch his shoulder, but the Commander swatted him away, saying, "Y-yes, I'm fine. I was just… startled, is all. I remembered something rather important I had to do."

Paula blinked up at him owlishly once more.

"…" The Commander groaned. "No, you can't stay here while I handle business. We have to go."

There was an incoherent mumble that the Commander took to mean, "I can handle myself perfectly fine on my own, thank you."

"We have to go."

The girl only sank deeper into the pile of writhing Slitherhens, making the Pigmask Commander sigh and step inside the cage himself. The chimeras all seemed to sense what he was going to do, because they suddenly began clawing at their cages, howling and roaring and shrieking. The Slitherhens themselves seemed to bury Paula underneath them as the Commander felt a vein bulge in his annoyance.

"Out of my way, all of you." The Commander tried to sift through the massive pile of Slitherhens, but they all refused to budge, clucking at his face.

No NO will stAy

SaFE HER WITH us

SAFeR

"She's safer with me-"The Commander finally gave in, responding to the voices in his head - when suddenly he found himself atop of a giggling Paula, a tiny Slitherhen wrapped around her fingers. The position seemed to bother neither of them as he shifted, arms on either side of her head, legs on either side of hers, pinning her down. Strangely enough the helmet didn't come off amidst the ruckus, which prevented the blonde from seeing his face.

"… Who were you talking to?" She finally asked, blinking up at him, lips still twitched up in a warm smile as if the two of them were sharing an inside joke while buried underneath a writhing pile of chicken headed snakes.

There went the weird feeling in his stomach all over again.

"…" The Commander stared at her intently, unable to answer for a good while. Eventually however, he stood up, knocking away all the Slitherhens that had been gathering on top of his back. They clucked indignantly as he dusted himself off, fixing his helmet before holding out a hand to Paula. She only stared up at him curiously before he groaned and stated, "Get up. We're leaving."

"Will I be able to visit the Chimera Lab again?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"You can't. That's final."

Paula's fingers twitched.

"…" The Commander and Paula both stared each other down, daring the other to concede to the other's statement. The scientists all huddled together, rapidly discussing the repercussions of Paula's current attempt against their heterochromic-eyed commander with evident fear in their eyes. Their terror radiated in waves; they didn't believe the Commander would back down from her, they didn't believe she would back down either, she was practically dead on her feet, a walking-

"… Alright, fine, you can visit every other day, but only if I'm there to accompany you."

One of the scientists dropped their coffee mug.

Paula looked surprised as well that her wish had been honored, but this surprise was quickly covered up by her unbridled delight, which she expressed by throwing her arms around him and giving him a rather brief hug of gratitude. It was a little difficult, given that he was a rather good deal taller than her - which meant she had to tip toe to even reach his shoulders. She managed, however. After letting go of him, she kneeled down and watched the Slitherhens cluck cheerfully all around her again, giggling at their cheerful chatter.

The Commander didn't realize it at first, but he had been staring rather strangely at the blonde after her momentary display of affection, the feel of her arms pressing against his back still lingering, sending sudden jolts of electricity through his veins once more.

PSI Thunder. Definitely PSI sparks.

But it wasn't just that, exactly; the affectionate gesture had awakened a simple, if not very crucial memory.

Oh, *****! What happened?

You're crying, and so is *****? Oh dear, oh dear, what happened? Tell me what's wrong, little ones.

… I see… so ***** teased ***** for being a crybaby and ***** hit ***** in the face with a mole cricket… boys, what did I tell you about being kind to others?

Momentarily, his eyes closed, lost in the melodious soprano.

… Alright, say you're sorry to each other now.

… Good boys. Those are the boys I've raised… *****, *****, never forget that kindness will always prevail. If you give kindness, then you will be paid in turn with kindness. Even if not immediately, there is a guarantee that kindness begets kindness.

Come here, the both of you. Stop your tears now, my sweet, sweet boys. Let's hug and forget that you ever fought over that, alright?

...mander? Com… der…

"Commander?"

Emerald and ruby eyes opened again. It wasn't Paula that had spoken; it had been a scientist, nervously peering at him from outside the cage. "Erm, n-not to be a bother or anything, sir, but the Slitherhens look to be ready for release into the Sunshine Forest, sir… we'll be clearing out this cage in a moment…"

"… Right." He held out a hand to Paula once more, and this time she took it almost immediately. Her free hand bid each of the Slitherhens a semi-tearful farewell before she stood up and dusted herself off in a similar fashion. Each chimera seemed to react mournfully to the farewell, which made the onlooking scientists curious as each Slitherhen expressed its own sad clucking tones to the PSI user individually before slithering off to the other side of the cage, morose.

Finally, all had bidden their farewells to the dress wearing PSI user, and she faced the Commander, nodding at him. "I'm ready."

"Let's go. The delay in my arrival will have slowed the troops considerably, knowing those knuckleheaded idiots." The Commander turned on his heel and stepped out of the cage, Paula following daintily after him. The bracelet limiting her abilities jingled noisily as they exited the Chimera Lab, the scientists whispering to themselves, jotting down notes. However, one particular voice floated towards the Commander's trained ears just as he stepped out of the laboratory, and it made him freeze.

She's got a way with chimeras. Maybe we can put her in the Ultimate Chimera's cage and see if she tames it.

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" He suddenly roared, turning on his heel once again to storm back into the chimera laboratory much to the bafflement of his bow wearing companion, and to the fear of the gathered scientists, who all yelped at his return, cowering. He eyed each of them critically before barking out, "Who said that? Who suggested putting her in the Ultimate Chimera's cage?"

Silence.

The scientists all looked at each other before one of them shoved another one forward.

The Commander examined the scientist they had offered up as sacrifice. Young, quite possibly only a few years older than the Commander himself physically. He looked rather inexperienced, but if he was in the Chimera Lab, then he must have been some form of genius.

With a glare, he grabbed the scientist by the collar and raised him up a little, his gaze piercing into the man's very soul.

"I-I-I'm sorry!" The scientist wailed, pleading for mercy. "I-I wasn't s-serious at all, I s-swear! I-It was a joke, C-Commander sir!"

"It certainly didn't sound like a joke when YOU SUGGESTED IT TO YOUR-"

"What's going on?"

Immediately, his anger died down halfway. Oh, it still bubbled under the surface certainly, but it was quelled for the moment as Paula peeked in. She looked rather confused to be standing outside for no good reason, waiting for the Commander to lead her to wherever he was supposed to go and wherever she was supposed to stay while he attended to his duties. Letting go of the scientist, the Commander grunted then waved the scientists away. They scattered immediately.

"What happened? Is everything okay?" Paula asked as the Commander stepped out again, the door closing behind him. She matched his brisk pace, staring up at his helmeted face curiously. "… Was it about me?"

"…" The Commander paused, glancing at her, before looking forward once more. "It doesn't matter. I've already dealt with the problem."

The rest of their walk was spent in relative silence.

The important thing the Commander had to do, as it turned out, was Needle searching.

Sitting on her cot, Paula watched the Commander with an intrigued look on her face as he searched his drawers for his arm cannon, something that he didn't wear quite often unless he needed it in a battle. Its purpose had been explained to her as they ascended the stairs to his – their, they both reminded themselves – room, passing by a multitude of Pigmasks who saluted the Commander hastily before running away squealing at the sight of his female companion.

"Aha, there it is." The Commander lifted up a rather simple looking piece of machinery, which he attached to his arm rather easily. "Systems have all been restored, connections to the nervous system have been reestablished, PSI wiring has been enabled-"

"You use PSI too?" If Paula's eyes could get any wider, they would have been the size of dinner plates.

The Commander paused. Ah; he had forgotten to mention it. "… Yes, yes, I do use PSI as well. I believe we share a multitude of offensive PSI, such as Fire, Thunder and Freeze."

"Up until the Omega levels?"

"I've only reached Gamma myself."

"That's okay, I haven't reached Omega for some of them either."

"You're awfully sympathetic towards someone who has essentially claimed you as 'theirs', aren't you?" The Commander commented, flexing his right arm, which now had his reconnected cannon. The thing was heavy and he disliked it, but it was a good way to channel his PSI into concentrated bursts of energy. His sword was only good for PK Thunder.

Paula's cheeks turned a little pink as she fiddled with the bracelet. "… Well, you kind of make it hard for me not to be sympathetic, you know?"

"Pray tell, what makes me sympathetic?"

"Well…" The girl from Twoson began honestly, crossing her legs. "You look to be around my age, and you're here, stuck commanding an army of pigs! Er, men wearing pig masks… Pigmasks, right? Yes, those. You're a teenage boy commanding an army, isn't that sad?"

The Commander glanced at the window. It was still shut. "I find my role to be impressive and dignified. Being the Commander of these blockheads is not an easy job."

"Exactly my point!" Paula twiddled her fingers. "When you're a teenager, you're supposed to be out playing, making friends, enjoying the world! And you can't do that if you're the commander of an army. What are you even fighting for anyway?"

He opened the windows to bright blaring sunlight and warm blue skies. "I may look like I am your age, but I am technically speaking only around five years old. Biologically speaking I am a teenager, but according to my inner clock, I am five. And being the Commander is…" He paused. "Tolerable."

"Mm-hmm, sure it is." Paula glanced at the window. "Why'd you open the window?"

The Commander tapped his foot. "Come here. I'll show you why."

"… You sure you're not going to just push me out your window? We are pretty high up…"

"I'm not going to kill something that is mine. You're too precious." Paula turned a vivid red at his statement as he stared out the window. "Let's see… the sky appears to be clear. All right, let's get this over with. If I don't go any faster they'll end up killing each other with their stupidity."

The girl raised an eyebrow. "Wait, what are you-"

Suddenly, he scooped her up, bridal style, exactly the way he carried her unconscious body to the base the first time around, he stepped on the window still, and dropped.

"OH MY CHEESE AND BOWS AND TEDDY BEARS AND CRACKERS AND NUTS ARE YOU CRAZY-"

And suddenly, they were soaring.

Right on cue the Commander had unfurled his large wings, allowing them to catch air beneath them, lifting them up a fair height from the ground. Once he was sure they were flying, the Commander sighed again in relief before glancing at his companion.

Paula had curled into his chest – specifically his jacket -, clutching at the material and trembling. Once she was sure she was still alive however she opened her eyes, and gasped in surprise at the wings that were now spread out on either side of them, like large metal bat wings on a human being.

"You… you have wings!" She voiced her thoughts out numbly.

He couldn't help but smirk. "Glad to see you're paying attention, Lady Polestar. Yes, I indeed have wings."

"B-but why…?!" Paula shrieked as a bird cut past them, chirping.

The Commander chuckled, a warm-sounding rumble that emanated from his chest, which happened to be the place where Paula's head was still leaning against. The rumbling made the girl relax considerably as he told her, "Why do you think I have wings?"

"Um, you're secretly a mutant?"

"… Close, but not quite." The Commander smirked at her from underneath his helmet. "Hang on tight; I'm coming in for a landing."

At his warning, Paula pressed herself closer to the Commander's chest, hands clinging to his jacket as a precaution, ear pressed to the area where his heart would have been.

Thump-thump-thump-thump-thump

He had a steady heartbeat, certainly, but there was something else too. Something… inhuman.

Beep-beep-beep-beep-beep

"We're here."

Paula blinked. She soon turned a bright pink upon realizing that she was still in the Commander's arms, curled into his chest as if it was the safest place in the world (and for a good five minutes, in the air, where she could have fallen at any moment and died at any moment, it was). With a stammer, she released his jacket and allowed herself to be righted again on her feet before she looked around.

"Where are we?"

"Sunshine Forest." The Commander nodded at a Pigmask examining a charred tree stump. "The Slitherhens thrive in these parts; the ones you were acquainted with should be transported here within a day or two."

Paula pursed her lips. "I see…" She glanced around as the Commander went off to check on a group of Pigmasks observing a Mischievous Mole dueling against a Slitherhen, only to notice a moving bush near the corner. She raised an eyebrow. "He-llo, curiosity, what do we have here?"

Kneeling down, she reached out to touch the bush, when suddenly eyes blinked out at her sleepily, a single leaf raising itself up to wave at her: a Walking Bushie. "Chrr-chrr?"

"Oh, how adorable you are!" Paula gushed, ruffling the Bushie's leaves with a hand. The Bushie seemed to like it, because it hopped closer to Paula and nuzzled her leg, which made her giggle. Unlike the other Bushies hiding in plain sight, this Bushie was only about the size of a little puffball, fitting perfectly into a pair of cupped hands like a little plush toy. This was proven by Paula, who put out her cupped hands towards the Bushie, and it hopped onto them, fitting snugly into her hold.

The PSI user cooed, "You're such a cute little thing, what are you doing here? Hiding from the mean ol' Pigmasks, aren't you, little one?"

"Chrrr?" The Bushie asked. Unlike Ness, who could understand animals because of his special brand of PSI, Paula could not understand any creature that wasn't human that didn't speak English. They both had PSI, but only Ness could understand other creatures. "Chrp, chrppp-chr!"

Paula sighed. "I can't understand you, little one, I'm so sorry."

"Chrrrr!" The Bushie exclaimed, as if to say, It's okay!

"Aren't you a darling little thing…" Paula nuzzled the little Bushie, just as the Commander walked up to her from behind and asked, "Who is, pray tell?"

"EEP!" Paula's hand immediately fell to in front of her, still clutching the Bushie so as not to hurt it in falling. "O-oh, it's you! Um, I was… talking to… no one, yes, no one!" She smiled sweetly. "I was talking to myself, to clarify further, no need to worry!"

He shook his head, smirking ever so slightly. "You found a little chimera, did you?"

"Is he a chimera? I don't really- oops." Paula stopped herself, turning a little pink at the realization that she had let slip that she had the Bushie in her hands not for research purposes. The Commander looked triumphant at this, so she snapped, "It was a fluke, don't get yourself so worked up!"

"Whatever you say." The Commander glanced around. "If you want to take it back then there's no issue, as long as you take care of it yourself. We're done here; we can go back now."

The disabled PSI user blinked. That fast? "It's only been a few minutes, hasn't it?"

"These idiots already managed to break at least five legs and three arms while I was gone." He shook his head, disappointed. "With me around, casualties had been reduced to a bare minimum, but that wasn't enough, so I sent them home. Shall we?"

Paula glanced at the Bushie in her hands, who peered up at her rather sleepily in a cute fashion. "… Can I… really take it back to our room?"

"…" The Commander glanced down at the Bushie. The Bushie blinked up at him as well.

Is Commander?

He nodded subtly; best not let Paula know that he was slowly going insane probably.

See, see. Take home now? Who is her?

"Paula," He stated clearly, calling her attention and giving the name to the Bushie. "You are mine, and no one else's. Therefore, if you want something, then I can tell you whether it is fine or not."

Is love?

The Commander didn't seem to hear. "You have behaved the past three days… somewhat…"

"Hmph, somewhat."

"… And I've decided that… it would be fine if you kept this Walking Bushie." He peered at the Bushie again. "This appears to be the small variant of Bushie, so it's doubly easier to take care of it."

"… Thank you…" Paula smiled genuinely, and the Commander instantly felt his stomach do a belly flop again. How curious; perhaps she had a special ability that wasn't PSI to make other people feel strangely warm and happy! He would have to tell Doctor Andonuts.

It took him a while to realize that Paula had been talking. "... Pardon, what was that?"

"You know, you never did tell me outright why you had wings."

"... Ah. That would be because I too, am a chimera."

"... Oh."

"Come on, then." With a last scan of the forest around them, the Commander took Paula into his arms bridal style again, and flew away as she let her head rest on his chest, the Bushie in her arms, just as Lucas chanced upon the unconscious bodies of Ness, Jeff Andonuts, and Prince Poo in a clearing nearby.