So sorry this is so late! I haven't had the time to update this. And I've been having some writer's block. I am a couple chapters out, but having trouble with wrapping this up. What would you guys like to see in the ending?
Thanks so much for all the kind words everyone!
Yes, the boss thought Malaise was both genders, so he wanted to see for himself. In actuality, it is a hormone imbalance.
I have a story planned for what will happen with Kenzi and the boss, I'll post that later on. It seemed to get some interest.
other species not in the Sonic canon would be interesting to use:)
Suffer and Trauma are directly related, while Deceit is more of a spinoff. I do have one more planned in this series about Ace and Nia before Finn and his sisters were born.
Kenzi will definitely have her work cut out for her in order to manipulate the jackal boss. I'm not familiar with Hazbin Hotel, so I looked it up. I'd like to think it'll be different, but maybe similar vibes. It definitely won't be a redemption story.
The whole premise of the story about Kenzi is her manipulating the boss, and exploring what their version of hell is like. As for Riker, he doesn't have to be forgiven. Sometimes you can't fix your mistakes.
Good guesses for Kenzi's punishment, but I have something different in mind. *evil grin* I hope it won't be too out there.
Thank you so much for the kind words! I'm doing my best to keep safe and happy, hope the rest of you are too! The boss may or may not be related to the jewels incidents, wait and see! I love Malaise and Misery too! I thought it would be fun to explore, glad you like them so much!
Riker chose Brynn because she was closest to Cujo. He was the real target, in a messed up way.
We'll see Dalia again before the end;)
Interesting AU about Nova and Katrina, that would be a great read!
Good analysis of Kenzi, I'm glad you got what I was trying to portray in her character. It was a good read, thanks for leaving that review for me.
An interesting what if on if Katrina and Nova's pups had lived. I enjoyed reading that too! All of you feel free to leave long review/analogies anytime! I enjoy them so much!
The jackal boss is definitely more in tune to manipulation than the others. He's dealt with scheming before. Honestly, I decided to make them age like animals first, then kind of built the world around that.
It is better for Riker to leave, he's hurt the pack too much. Pierce understood Cujo's situation as a pup in his son's death. He is a generous soul.
Thank you! That would be exciting if Sega was interested in this, but I doubt it. That is high praise, thank you so much!
I didn't know that about Nona. Thanks for sharing!
As for a male having to assist his mate give birth, it could happen. And that would be better than no help. But the females would help if they were present. They don't allow the father in general because it exposes the pups to dangers. and the mother. He could decide to kill or hurt any of them.
Nia did face a trial, all those who behaved questionably or wickedly faced a trial. The jewels don't like to punish others if unnecessary.
For Lance to change the future alpha arrangement, he would need the backing of the entire pack. That would be difficult to do.
There is not a neutral afterlife. That is why the trial is held, so the uncertain ones can be judged.
Thanks for all the reviews lovelies! There were so many! Thank you! One more note, I have a title for Kenzi's story: Hell's Queen. I hope you'll enjoy that when I get it up.
Lori squeezed Creech's hand in silent comfort. Nova had just been buried. "You ok?" She asked softly.
He nodded.
She tugged him lightly, "come on, let's get something to eat."
He hesitated.
"Creech?" Riker asked, "aren't you coming with me?"
He felt torn. Riker wanted him to return to their life before, and Lori wanted to spend more time with him.
As Riker looked between them, understanding dawned on his expression. Creech really liked Lori. And she liked him. He smiled softly, "I'll be ok if you want to stay."
Creech looked at Pierce with a hopeful glance.
He nodded and Lori's heart leaped for joy. He could stay. They could be together. She took his face in her hands and kissed him.
He was startled, but recovered quickly. His hands rested on her waist and he returned the gesture.
"Wait a minute Lance!" Zen whined as she stumbled after him. He was always too busy for her and Lena. A part of her felt like he did that on purpose. Zayne always made time for them.
"I don't have time for you today," he said rudely.
She grabbed his tail, "Lance please! Let me come too! I can help hunt or whatever you're doing with papa today."
He yanked his tail free. "I said no Zen!" He shouted at her. "You're a pest! Just go away!"
Her eyes filled with tears and she whimpered. Before he could stop her, she sat down on the ground and started crying.
Zayla came flying out of the house to see what was going on. She saw Zen on the ground crying, and Lance looking guilty. She sighed and scooped the girl up, "what happened this time?"
"Lance won't let me go with him!" She wailed.
"Why can't your sister go with you?" She asked while rubbing her back.
He tossed his head back and groaned dramatically. "She's annoying! She'll get in the way!"
"What will she get in the way of?"
"Well we..."
Before he could finish, Zayne and Ivy walked up. "Zayne!" Zen squealed.
Zayla set her down and she hurried over to him. "What are you doing? Something fun? Can Lena and I come?"
"We're going to the creek," said Ivy.
"Can I come?" Zen asked, "can I please?"
"I should go with you," Zayla said, "just in case."
Zayne sighed a little. He really didn't think he needed a chaperone. But he didn't say anything. He knew his mother worried.
"I'll be right back. Just let me get Lena."
Apparently, on this hot day, they weren't the only ones there. Sasha and Roux were there. And Lori.
Zen and Lena let go of their mother's hands and hurried to the water. Zayla sat beside Sasha on the shore and dipped her feet in.
"Hi Zayla," Sasha said quietly.
"Everything ok?"
"Yeah. It's just hot." She fanned herself gently.
"I heard about Roux," she said softly after a minute. "That he can't father pups."
Sasha nodded, throat feeling thick. "It's ok though. It's probably for the best."
Zayla nodded, understanding what the girl did not say.
She laughed shortly, "my mother would be thrilled if she was still here. It would be a chance for me to find someone new."
"But is that what you want?" The alpha female asked carefully as she set her hand on his shoulder.
Sasha looked out over the water at Roux roughhousing with Zayne. He was laughing and his wet fur glistened in the sun. She smiled. "No. I want to stay with him."
"Then stay with him. Life's too short to be unhappy. Your mother never learned that. You don't have to make the same mistake."
She gave her a hug, "thanks Zayla."
"Where's Creech?" Zayne asked Lori as he brushed his wet bangs out of his eyes.
"Out in the woods somewhere," she gestured, "he likes exploring."
"You didn't go with him?"
She leaned back, floating in the water, "it's too hot for that."
"I guess he didn't think so."
"He's still used to the rogue life. Sometimes I wonder if he misses it."
"Probably," Zayne said after a moment's pause. "But I think he likes you more."
She grinned, "I think so too."
In the time that passed, life was good for the pack. Lance and his sisters still didn't get along, and Creech and Lori still hadn't had any pups, but things were peaceful.
Haven and Ivy were cooking something for supper when Cujo joined them. Ivy smiled, "hi papa."
He smiled back, "did you have a good day?"
"Yep. Zayne and I hung out with Creech for a bit. We walked out in the woods."
He frowned. Zayne and Creech were his least favorite jackals for her to be around. Not that Zayne was a bad kid, he just was a little too comfortable with Ivy for his liking. Creech though, he still didn't trust him. "Be careful around Creech," he said while sitting down.
"Why? He seems nice, and Lori likes him. He's really nice to her," she added with a snicker.
"I'm not even going to ask," he muttered.
She giggled.
"Seriously though Ivy, I don't want anything to happen to you."
"Oh papa, you worry too much," she dismissed while walking over to the pot with some spices. "If he's part of the pack he can't be too bad."
Haven and Cujo shared a look. She'd been too young when Kenzi died to remember her. All the problems that she caused.
She looked up at her parents when they got quiet. "What?" She asked. "Don't you trust grandfather? He's the one who allowed Creech to stay right?"
"Baby it's not that simple," Haven said gently. "We just don't want anything to happen to you."
"Something bad happened here before didn't it?" Ivy asked as worry shone in her eyes, "that's why everyone is so afraid all the time. It happened before you took me in. And before Lance and Zayne were born. That's why we're the only ones not scared."
"Ivy," Haven said gently, "we just don't want to repeat history."
"Then you should tell us what happened. That way we know how to keep history from repeating."
Cujo stood abruptly, "we're done talking about this."
"Why? Are you afraid?"
"I said, we're done." His eyes flashed angrily.
Ivy flinched at the growl in his tone. She stepped back, eyes burning. "Fine."
"Cujo," Haven said as he stomped off. She turned to Ivy, who was sniffling. "Are you ok Ivy?"
She wiped her face with her hand, "I think so. I just don't understand why he got so upset."
"Honey, some of what happened hit really close to home for him. He was in the middle of a lot of it."
"But it's over now. Right?"
"It is, but he has trouble remembering that sometimes. Someone he was close to hurt him very much."
"Is that why he's such a jerk sometimes?"
Haven gave a sad smile, Ivy was very perceptive. "I'm afraid so."
Without warning, Creech was yanked to the ground from behind. A hand closed around his neck, "stay away from my daughter freak." Cujo snarled.
Creech glared at him with a snarl, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Don't play dumb with me! You took her and Zayne out in the woods!"
"I assure you Cujo, I had no ill intentions. They asked if they could come."
"Bull," he growled.
Creech glared, "let go of me."
"Or what?" His voice was mocking.
The former rogue grabbed his arm in the way Nova had showed him and twisted.
Next thing Cujo knew, he was on his back with Creech's foot on his neck. He squirmed, trying to get free.
"Next time you accuse me, you'd better be able to back up your threats." He let go, and then walked away.
"At least I have a family to be concerned about," Cujo snapped.
Creech stopped, "I have Lori."
A grin slipped onto his muzzle, "but you don't have pups."
"That's not my fault." His ears fell back in somewhat shame.
He snickered, "sure it's not."
Creech didn't want to listen to him anymore. He turned, and walked off.
Lori looked up when Creech came inside their home. "Creech?" She asked, "what happened?" She could tell he was really upset.
"Nothing." He sat down on the couch beside her.
She set down the skirt she was mending, "it's not nothing. You're upset. Can I help?"
"Not really. I just..." he chewed his lip, "just feelings I guess."
She rested her hand on his thigh, "you don't have to be ashamed of them. Want to talk about it?"
He glanced down at her hand, "not really."
Lori gave him a small, almost sad smile, "ok." It was quiet a moment. "Your teeth have been looking better," she said softly.
He smiled a bit, "you think so?"
She nuzzled under his chin, "absolutely." Her fingers traced along his rib cage. He'd filled out quite a bit since he'd been here.
He fidgeted a bit as her hands wandered. She was trying to distract him. And it was working. At least until her hand rested below his waist. He jumped and jerked back. He winced when he saw the hurt in her eyes.
"What's wrong?" She asked, "did I upset you?"
"No."
"Creech," she breathed, "please. Let me help. What's upsetting you so much?"
He drew in a shaking breath, "I'm sorry."
"What for?"
He turned his head away, eyes watering and fists clenched resting on his knees. "We don't have pups."
She laughed, "not if you keep turning me down." Then she reached for him again.
His eyes widened and he pushed her hand away, surprised she would be that bold. This wasn't mild and sweet Lori.
She pouted, tail drooping some. "Please." Her voice was a whimper.
He put his arms around her waist and pulled her into his lap. She grinned and tangled her fingers into his tail. "What's gotten into you?" He asked with a smile.
"I guess I've been hanging around Kylie too much." She smiled sheepishly. Her friend had been encouraging this. She'd said the reason they didn't have pups yet was that she didn't get with him enough. Wouldn't hurt to try more often. Lori thought there was more to it then that, but she might as well give it a shot.
He leaned forward, resting his mouth on her neck. "She might have some good ideas occasionally," he mumbled.
Lori's tail wagged and she trailed her claws up his back and gripped his shoulder blades. "This is a good idea though," she said heavily.
"A very good idea." He lowered her down on the couch, and rested his chest against hers.
Her arms draped around his neck and she kissed him.
Later that evening, everyone gathered for supper. Lori and Kylie were sitting together, talking quietly. Creech watched, his plate in hand.
"You finally took my advice," Kylie grinned as she looked at the welts on Lori's neck.
She flushed, "yeah."
Kylie snickered and took a sip of her drink. "So," she asked deviously, "you never told me what he's like."
Lori glanced over her shoulder at him, he seemed preoccupied. She lowered her voice and sighed dreamily, "he's wonderful."
"Is he aggressive?"
"Very."
"I guess that's the rogue in him."
She nodded. "I think he'll always have that in him."
"Lucky you."
Lori swatted her friend's shoulder, "stop." But she grinned.
