THE DEMONS CHAOS

by Carlata Jones

taken from the comfy rich life she once knew by Marauders & Slavers, a young Eris & her adoptive brother are thrown into the world of Slavery and Monsters being passed from Master to Master she learns their ways as does her brother. but things chance when she meets him. The Prince of all Demons. RATED M FOR 18 PLUE FOR MATURE CONTENT SEX VIOLENTS FOWL LANGUAGE MUCH MUCH MORE!

4. Chapter 4

(AN: TRIGGER WARNING! THERE I GAVE ONE BEFORE THE START OF THE STORY. DON'T SAY I DIDN'T BECAUSE I DID! YOU SAY OTHERWISE I WILL WILL SEND A LITTLE DEMON KITTEN TO YOUR HOUSE AND HAVE IT STAIR AT YOU IN A VERY CREEPY WAY ALL DAY AS YOU DO THINGS TILL IT DRIVES YOU MAD… ;3… AAH.. So long as Phantom don't try to eat it...heh...)

THE DEMONS CHAOS

CHAPTER 4 GROWING UP….

For weeks on end, I did my best to learn everything I was taught, from improving my manners, my grace, and pose. I had to learn it all, why at the same time, I had to keep learning things that a young girl my age shouldn't know yet. But lucky for me, my grace, manners, and pose were top-notch. So I didn't have to learn much, but my schooling in them was advanced now because of what that guy had tried to do to me. So every day I sat with the older kids and learned, I had to learn so much to the point I had little time to spend with my baby brother Cloud. He hated it, and so did I. Every day I would worry about him, wondering if he was alright or not. Whether or not he was behaving when I couldn't be around anymore due to my training. But when I could tell him what was going on, and why, he said he understood but he didn't like it. I told him I didn't like it either. But I was lucky that Sonia and Manik were around to help keep an eye on us and the other young kids. They were so good with them all. There were a few other teens as well that would help out when they couldn't. I became their friend as well, and a couple of the older boys adored Cloud and said he reminded them of a sister or little brother they once had but lost along the way during our journey here.

One was named Ace, he was an Echidna. I liked him right away. He was really sweet, kind, and funny, and he always had a way of turning a really bad situation into something a bit better. Not to say he would always make fun of the guards and watchers every chance he got. Going as far as doing so right in their faces as well. This would get him into a LOT of trouble, but he said it was worth it. I remember one time, Cloud was being a real pill and wouldn't do as he was told. Not even me or Sonia could keep him in control. One of the guards on watch was about to do something when Ace came along and being true to his nature of being a real dork, he went and confused the guard by asking him what it was like having to put up with the other one that looked like him.

The guard asked what he meant and Ace tells him there was another guard who looked just as stupid, dumb, and smelly as he was, saying he was a lot better at it than he was. I remember why he was dealing with him, Cloud ran over to us as me, Sonia and Manik watched trying not to laugh. But it wasn't easy, this guard, we came to find out was named Dingo, he was as bright as a rock...In other words...he was stupid as they come. So when Ace finally got him taken care of and told him where he could find this "DINGO WANNABE", he went off in a huff to find him, when Ace came back I remember Sonia said he was gonna get into a lot of trouble when Sleet found out. He said he wasn't worried about it, stating that he could handle anything old bulbous nose could dish out at him. Even though Sonia was worried she just shook her head at him. From there we watched the event unfold as Dingo tried to take on Sleet, we started laughing, but when Sleet put two and two together Ace made a run for it. Needless to say, we didn't see him for two days after that, and Cloud got away Scot-free yet again for a sixth time that month. But we all knew it would be a matter of time till he didn't so we had to keep a close eye on him because of it.

As the days, weeks and months went on, mine and Cloud's birthdays came and went and we were a year older than before. I was now eight and he was seven, and yet my training kept going. They would still take me away every day and teach me things I still shouldn't know, even forcing me to do things I didn't want to. They told me if I didn't do what they wanted they would make sure Cloud would pay for it instead of me. They wanted me in prime condition for what the Grand Master wanted. So I did what I was told to do. Every day, day in and day out, they taught me everything I needed to know, and when they were done, they did it again. As I grew up a couple of the Trainers saw great potential in me, they would grant me privileges, and sometimes rewards, when I got those I would share with Cloud and the others if I could. Sometimes they would reward me with a warm soft place to sleep for a few days, I would always ask if I could bring someone with me, and sometimes they would allow it, most of the time I would bring Cloud with me, other times I would bring either Sonia, Manik or Ace with me. Most times it was between Cloud or Ace. I decided to bring Ace most of the time to give the guards and watchers a break from his antics.

Not to say, Sonia and Manik were glad I did as well, it gave them a break from his shit as well. Other times they would reward me with better food than everyone else. A lot of them hated it and would glare at me, and harass me about it, saying how I was a "TRAINERS PET", I would tell them I didn't like it any more than they did, but I couldn't help it. At times just to prove to them how much I hated how I was being treated better than the rest of them, I would deny any of the better food given to me and ask to give it to some of the others, stating I would rather go hungry that night, rather than get the death stairs and harassment from them. A lot of the Trainers would sneer at me or look down at me as if I was stupid or insane for it. So instead of doing as I asked, they would instead send me off saying it was wasted on someone like me anyway, and I would go hungry each time just so I wouldn't have to put up with the hostility towards me, for being forced to be better than the rest of them.

For years they kept this up until the day came that Grand Master Bolt wanted me for his own personal training. I was twelve years old by then, Cloud was eleven, even though he was older, he behaved much better than he used to, but at times he still acted like a little kid. In truth, I still saw him as such, missing the younger him. But during our years growing up in the life we did, we made friends and had to say goodbye to others, never to see them again. Three of which were, Sonia, Manik, and Ace. They were taken away when they turned sixteen and I never saw them again. I don't know if they're still alive or not to this day.

I missed them every day, but Sonia promised me she would find us no matter what and take us from this place when the time came. We watched as our new best friends left us to go with their new Masters. It was even during that time we had to say goodbye to Mica, and his twin sister Micha as well. A lot of the older kids had left as they became older. Till it was just me and my brother, Cloud, and the younger kids. One day as I was with my brother, Bolt came to the facility one day and came to look over the older kids, me being one of them, along with my brother, Cloud. He had personally picked out a few top selections, me and my brother being two of twenty-four others. When he picked out who he wanted, the Guards, Watchers, Trainers told us we had to have baths and look our best, so we got newer, cleaner garments to wear, but with me, and five others, we were sent to someone called The Groomer. A person who would, as their name states, groom us till we looked our best, Grand Master Bolt wanted to show us off to others like him.

I hated it, I know what you're thinking right now, that I should be used to this? That I should be adored at being pampered like I used to before all of this happened to me. Well, let me tell you something, maybe if none of this would have ever happened then yeah. I would have liked it. But remember, I was TAKEN away from my home, my family, I lost all I once knew. Everyone I cared for and loved. That life of riches and "PAMPERING" was taken from me. I never got to be a real kid. A true kid growing up as I should have. I was forced into this life. So the only life I truly knew was the life of rags, whips, punishments for stepping out of line, food that shouldn't be fed to us, both humans and Mobian's. THAT was the life I knew, so having some person called the "GROOMER" making me look like some...SNOOTY PRINCESS… I hated it. Sure I felt good after, but I hated being the center of it all and having all of what was left of my friends hate me for it. I don't know why they even bothered to do so, the Groomer I mean, I wasn't even that pretty or gorgeous or anything. Even after they got done, I didn't look it. I wasn't tall or lanky like the perfect female or princess, I was was a bit on the chubby side, not too much mind you, just enough to show, I still had SOME slimness to me, even when I had time to work out I would somehow gain more than I lost. My fur was a mess, just like my hair at the time, and took forever to fix and trim.

My hair was overly long, and they had to trim it down some but kept it long. It was like a shag carpet before they managed to get it under control, and I hated it. It was always full of knots and more. Instead of cutting it all off and giving me a wig, they worked for days on end getting out all the knots and more, using special products on my hair. It worked in time, and they cut it shorter, but I hated it. It sometimes burned or itched like crazy. But they wouldn't listen. They just kept at it till my hair was once again like it used to be when I was really little.

From there they would brush it out and figure out how it should look. Deciding on something simple, yet pretty and elegant. They put me in their best silk Slave Girl dress, that complimented my chocolate brown fur, yeah you heard me. I wasn't always pink with light purple markings, my true color was a few different colors of chocolate brown and my hair... Well, it stayed the same, soft purple with the aqua teal section. The Groomer had told me the dress they put me in was picked out by Bolt himself at the time. From there they put makeup on me as well, and they turned me into something I wasn't use to, just to show me off. Luckily I wasn't the only one who had to endure the same treatment, there were a couple of others, one being my brother, Cloud. I was surprised, to say the least, at how he managed to make it this far. But it was what Grand Master Bolt wanted.

When we were done, we were brought to his Estate and he took us on from there, where he kept us for a time, and trained us in his ways, teaching us many more things, from what a Master, Owner, and Mistress were, from what could be expected of us, whether it be from being a servant girl, or boy, or from being a slave and doing hard manual labor for our new Master's, Owner's and or Mistresses. It all depended in the end. He made sure to take good care of us, and gave us "DECENT" places to sleep, even if it was in one room. But it was better than the cold hard dirty floors back at the compound we were at, and a lot warmer too. If we became sick, he made sure to have a Doctor look at us, and we were given better food from before. All in all, it wasn't so bad. Or so we had thought. Well for me it was, I ended up becoming a bit...how should I say this...PLUMPER...on the rich new food, and Bolt had to make sure my clothing I was given to wear would fit me, so he always made sure I had things the fit me right every time I became plumper. When the time came he really put the pressure on us all. Made sure we knew who was in charge at all times, and if he didn't like what we did or say, he would make sure we knew, with harsh punishments. When I found out what he could be like, after giving us such freedom in a way, I made sure to fight back and tell him off.

This only got me into trouble when I would ask him things on why make us gain his trust just to show us how awful he could be. He told me it was to show us how our new caretakers could be like, how things would be like. Stating that he took no enjoyment in what he did. I told him if he didn't like it, then change it. He told me it wasn't as simple as I would have thought. I told him he was nothing but a coward, a weakling, stating how I wish he never picked me or my brother for this. I remember how angry he got when I called him a coward and a weakling. He got so mad he not only punished me but everyone else, my brother included, for standing up for us. Stating that he would show us how we should be acting. For the boys, he made sure to have them beaten, not enough to have any bones broken, but enough to get his point across. With us girls, he would do something a bit worse, don't ask what it was, for I won't say, for it would take too long to explain. But with me, he would force me to watch as my brother got beaten in front of me, saying that was more than enough of a punishment for me since he knew how much I cared for my brother.

But next time he would personally punish me himself if I stepped out of line again. When he started to punish everyone else for my fault, I begged him not to do it, that I was the one that upset him, not the others, that he wanted me not them. I begged him to the point I got on my hands and knees as the rest watched what I was doing. I didn't want them punished for something I did. But Bolt being the cold hard man that he was, my cries fell on deaf ears. My brother tried to make me stop saying it would do no good. But I had to try either way. As for Cloud? When it came to his turn to be punished, like always, I would run to him and stand in front of him trying to protect him as best as I could, saying I would take double the punishment for him and me both. For a slight moment, I SAW something in Grand Master Bolts' eyes before they shifted back into his hard cold hard demeanor. He growled out at me, just as Cloud came over to me and placed his hand on my shoulder, telling me it would be alright. That he wasn't the same little kid he used to be. I looked at him as tears formed up in my eyes and I hugged him and cried for the first time since we were taken from our home and family as little kids. I could hear Bolt behind us as Cloud looked up and nodded at him.

I remember him telling Cloud how brave he was for doing this, stating that I would not go unpunished either. Cloud told him whatever punishment he had in store for me he would take it for me. Saying that for once it was his turn to do what I have always done, and protected me for once. Again, for a brief moment, that same look in Bolt's eyes was back, but it left just as fast as it came. So he agreed to it, but he would make me watch as he took a double beating. I watched as three of his men took Cloud away from me, and another two took a hold of me and pulled me away. I struggled free but Bolt grabbed a hold of me fast and held me close to him as I screamed to let me go. More than anything I wanted to go to my brother but it did no good. Cloud…He took it like it was nothing, as the two holding him push him down onto his knees and rip his shirt off, as the third one took hold of a dragon skin belt and started hitting him, I yelled out to them to stop, begged Bolt to stop it, but he wouldn't listen. I tried to look away but Bolt grabbed me harshly by my chin and forced me to watch, saying either I watch or I would be next, and what he had planned for me would be worse.

So I was forced to watch as they hurt my brother. Once my brother's punishment was done, they let him go leaving him on the floor as his back bled out. Once Bolt let me go, I went running to him but was grabbed by Bolt who held me by my upper arm hard and pulled me to him saying in a harsh tone, that if I ever stepped out of line again, he would make sure I would take whatever punishment he gave me tenfold, and make sure I would remember it. When I was able to go to my brother, I ran to him and held him in my arms. His back was a bloody mess, the wounds on it were deep, but not too deep luckily, like bone-deep, but either way, the belt did a number on him. Soon after, I heard him call some of his slaves and help him to our room, where we were met with glaring, hated eyes. Most wished I would have gotten the same punishment they did, I told them I tried to get Bolt to only punish me but he wouldn't listen to me. They didn't believe me at all, even after how the few, one being my brother, who was around to see me beg for Bolt to punish only me, said the same thing. It didn't matter to them, they wanted me harmed the same way they were, and they were about to do so.

One of the stronger kids told several of the others to grab a hold of me, and they followed his orders and took hold of me as they pushed Cloud away from me and he fell to the floor in pain. I tried to get up but the others held him back, knowing it would be foolish for him to try. The one who told the others to grab a hold of me was named Derik. He was a big kid for a thirteen-year-old, even for a hyena. But he had the nastiness of rabid boar. One of the ones who saw everything goes running over to him and tries to convince him to stop. He was a bear named Yoya. Derik didn't listen to him at all, instead, he backhanded him and sent him flying to the floor. He ordered the ones holding me to hold me down on his bed as the others formed a blockade around him, some of the others who had sided with me tried to stop him, even Cloud, who I cried out for help, tried but no one could get past them.

Derik had two more hold my legs down and apart as he got ready to do the same thing that some of Bolt's personal punishers did to the other girls and even some of the guys. He laughed out, knowing he was in full control as I cried and tried to scream for help, but it did little good since one of the other boys had a hand over my mouth to keep me quiet, and Derik had told the others if they tried to do anything they would be next. Luckily for me, there was one person who was always quiet and managed to get away unnoticed and go for help. As Derik removed his belt, pants, and underwear he laid over me as he lifted my dress and removed my panties, and was about to force his way into me.

But when the doors opened and three people I thought I'd never see again, walked in with a couple of guards, and a nurse, and saw what was going on, one of the women ordered the guards to grab a hold of Derik right away and take him away, and glared at the others who at once released me. I curled up into a ball crying, scared of what nearly happened yet again to me. The three saw this and one of the women came over to me and held me as I cried, as the other looked ready to kill the rest for helping Derik. The Male was helping Cloud up to his bed as the ones who tried to help us stayed near him. Upon hearing one of the voices of the three, and coming to the realization of whose arms I was in, I clung to Maria, the only ones I called friends and family. They had grown so much since I and Cloud had last seen them, and they were now adults.

When Maria was able to calm me down, I looked up at her and she looked even more beautiful than I remembered and looked so well, even though she looked a bit on the round side. Mina looked just the same, only without the belly. Gadget looked like he turned into a handsome wolf over the years and looked well. Everyone watched on as Maria and Mina held me, hugging me. Gadget smiled at me as he helped the nurse with Cloud. Every one of Derik's followers watched on, hating me even more that I and my Brother got special attention from Bolts' favorite Pets and Mates. Maria, when she saw this, at once she scolded every one of them and told them to go about their business. I remember one of them asking why we got special treatment from Bolts' little playthings when they had yet to get any help from their punishment.

At being called "BOLT'S LITTLE PLAYMATES" Mina was ready to lose it. She told them that they saw everything that happened. That they heard screaming when they were coming to see Bolt for their daily walk together, and how they watched on as Cloud got beaten and how Bolt forced me to watch. Stating how they wanted to help, but Gadget told us they knew better than to get in his way and stop something when he was mad. The Whole-time, Maria was blaming herself for not trying to stop him, to make him see reason. Stating that if they wanted to hate someone then hate her, Maria, and Gadget. Not me. Going as far as saying that they once knew one another and once their punishment was done, they ASKED to come help and clean up Cloud and his wounds, stating that if they started anything, she would make SURE that the doctors coming to check on everyone else, got turned around and sent home.

I was surprised by her words. She was just as harsh as Bolt but yet at the same time she was still the same, caring, kind, loving person I remembered. Either way, this shut everyone up, yet Maria had a bad feeling nonetheless as the nurse and Gadget bandaged up my brother. Maria left me alone as I stayed near Gadget, as she and Mina talked and right away Mina left to go take care of something. After Gadget was done helping the nurse, he and Maria with me and Cloud for a long time, I found out Maria was pregnant that day and found out it was Gadgets. I was so happy to hear that, she even told me that Mina had a child of her own, a son, that was Bolts. I was surprised to hear this, and I wasn't too happy about it, but she told me he wasn't as bad as he seemed and to trust his judgment, and her. I believed her nonetheless. I knew she was telling the truth. She always did. After a time, Mina came back and whispered something in Maria's ear and she nodded at her smiling.

She told us she had to leave saying she had to go rest, stating Bolt didn't want her overdoing things. I didn't want her to go, I begged her to stay but she had to. I was scared of being left alone with Derik's followers. She promised that later someone would be by to get us for something so long as things worked out. I asked her what she meant, she told me not to worry about it. Telling everyone else that if they laid a hand on me and my brother, they would be punished tenfold next time around, and with that, she and Gadget left. Come dinner time, someone came and got us all for dinner, but I stayed behind with my brother, and dinner was brought for us both. Come bedtime, a handmaiden and a couple of servant men came for us on behalf of Mina, Maria, and Gadget, and once again we got looks of hatred from most of the others. Even a few of them tried to stop the handmaiden that came for us and harm her just to get to me and my brother, but as they were about to lay a hand on us, one of Bolts guards, a big burly looking Rough Collie named Duke walked in just at the right time.

At seeing what was going on he took it upon himself to make sure we made it to our new room where we would be safe. From there Cloud was allowed to rest and recover as Bolt himself took it upon himself to make sure I was alright, after what nearly happened to me, after hearing about it. Again, I could see something in his eyes, but I didn't trust him. In truth, I was scared of him. Not just him, but I was even skittish around Gadget. Sweet caring Gadget, who I cared for deeply, like an older brother. He hated seeing me like I was. Even Bolt could see how it hurt him to see me like I was. The only one I wasn't so skittish or scared around was Cloud. My baby brother. Bolt did his best to see that I got special treatment from him. To show he meant no harm, and how sorry he was for what nearly happened to me. I didn't trust him at all.

When I did something he didn't like or I did something wrong, he would get mad at me for it. Each and every day I was with him, he trained me, but he always made sure that Gadget, Mina, or Maria was there with us, so long as they didn't have things of their own to take care of, during the day in things that mattered, Come night, he would visit me to make sure I was alright. At times he would invite me to his room, alone, and even then I wouldn't go. He grew angry at this, till he grew tired and came to our room, yelling at me, stating that either I come to his nightly training, or he would make sure I would regret it. Cloud would try to stand in his way to protect me from his wrath. But it did little good. He threatened to have us separated if I didn't come for my nightly lessons. I had no choice but to do as I was told to do, and so he took me to his room where he taught me more adult things, but he never went far, stating that most Master, Owners, and Mistresses wanted their new charges to be pure and untouched. He told me that even though I wasn't nearly as beautiful as his Wives and Husband, Mina, Maria, and Gadget, I was decent enough, despite my somewhat overly plumpness, that come time someone would want me. At times he took me to his room for these training sessions and he would make me sleep with him. I wanted to refuse, but I was too scared to even try to deal with his wrath. So I would do as I was told, every time he had me sleep with him. But every time, I would be too scared to sleep near him, and I would only pretend to do so till I knew he was asleep and quietly sneak back to my room and lay with Cloud, who held me.

At the time, now that I think about it, it was like our roles were reversed. He was the older sibling, protecting the younger one. I find it funny now, in a cute sort of way, how that happened. For most of my life, I was always protecting him, but now HE was protecting ME. I would lay in his arms till I cried myself to sleep. Every time I did, till Master Bolt found out what I had been doing. This angered him, and he told me the next time I did it, he would make sure I got the ultimate punishment, something far worse than having me and my brother separated. He told me if I kept acting like I was, he would make sure I learned the hard way what a Master could be like, when one of his pets was disloyal and misbehaved, and told me he would PERSONALLY finish what Derik was about to do to me the day of Cloud's beating. This didn't just scare me, but it TERRIFIED me to no end.

To the point, I did as I was told. Every night, I would lay with him till he fell asleep, and every chance I got, I would make my way over to the sofa he had in his room with an extra blanket and sleep there. At first, he thought I had gone back to my room and had disobeyed him yet again, that was till he found me on his sofa asleep. It was from there, after he asked me why I slept there, and I told him why, on how I was scared of him, scared he would harm me as I slept, that we started to gain an understanding with one another. From then on he would allow me to sleep there so long as I did as I was told, and allowed him to teach during the night with Maria, Gadget, or Mina with us. I agreed to it, and so my nightly training began once more.

Gadget, Mina, or Maria would always be with us during my nightly training, but come night he let me sleep on the sofa. Even though I was scared to do so, I did, and every night he allowed me to sleep on the sofa. That was till I remember one night a bad storm woke me up from a deep sleep, and from a nightmare, I was having. I screamed out, waking him up in the process. I was confused and scared at where I was, as the memories of what happened as a toddler came back to me, along with the nights in the monster room as a little kid. As I dreamt of them breaking out of the cages and coming after me. At the time, I had thought one such beast had and was holding me down ready to devour me whole. I kicked and screamed, even clawed my way free, but it wouldn't let go. Not till I felt the stinging slap to my face did I come out of it and ended up looking into deep amethyst eyes, and at the one holding me down. I remember staring at him for a long time till another bolt of lightning shot across the windows breaking the spell over me, as I broke free of his hold and tumbled over the side of the sofa and onto the floor as I stared at him. We held one another's gaze for a time, as he sat there on the sofa, not daring to move, till I finally broke down crying, and I jumped at him, clinging to him as I cried. He was taken back by this, but I soon felt his strong arms around me, as he laid his chin on my head as he gently shushed me and petted my head trying to calm me...

In Silver Crescent Moons Castle Grand Gardens, at the heart of the Garden, near the base of a huge thick Silver mane Birch tree…

CAPTAIN ESPIO! CAPTAIN ESPIO SIR!

Espio looks up from what he was doing as he sees another servant running over to him in a panic. Wonder what was going on he ran to meet him halfway.

What is it? What's going on?

I was….was...give me a moment…please…

Nodding to let the servant catch his breath he waits. After a moment he goes on.

I was told to find you and let you know you need to get a hold of Queen Velena right away. It's the girl that Silver brought here, she only has a couple of days, the Anti-Venom isn't working as it should, and is only making things worse, Gold has given her at least two days tops.

WHAT!? ONLY TWO DAYS?!

Yes, please Captain Espio you must do something now! Three of the Elders are here along with Prince Shadow of the Blood Moon Kingdom!

WHAT!

Cursing out, Espio runs back to his tree home and starts to run up the stairs. It takes him only five minutes and at once he runs to his studies and throws open the doors making his own personal servants jump, he yells at them to leave at once, and they do right away. Once gone he runs over to a bookshelf and pushes a set of books in order and it opens up to a beautiful translucent crystal the size of a large pumpkin. At once he starts to say a few words in the ancient tongue of the Centarian people as the crystal starts to glow brightly till a vision appears in the crystal.

Back at the Centarian Castle…

Velena my love are you there? Please answer me right away!

The doors to Velena's room bang open as she runs inside at the very moment Espio's face shows up. At once she goes over to it and starts to speak.

Espio my love, I can not speak right now I need to look for something I need to send back with Micha, for the Princes.

She's there then and made it safely?

Yes, she did. You did well in picking her. But now is not a good time. I got your letter and I know what is going on, I just need to find that thing.

Velena runs around her room looking for what she needed, as Espio watches her.

Val, what is it you are looking for?

A box of sorts. I have been keeping it in my room where I knew it would be safe, it was something I had planned on giving to them when the time is right, and something tells me the time is right. It may help the girl as well. I also need to look for that gemstone as well for Savotorex, it will help him get Micha back home in time. Please let Prince Devon, and Silver know she will be there in time. I'll be sending our son your way as well, and later we need to talk about YOUR daughter again.

Why is it every time Kana steps out of line she becomes just MY daughter?

Hey, Matcha listens unlike she does. She just loves causing trouble when you're not around. She's become a pain in my furry ass, and YOU NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT! WHERE THE HELL DID I PUT IT?!

Velena yells out as she stops and looks around trying to remember what she did with that box she needed, till at last she remembered and her eyes widened.

SHIT! KANA, YOU LITTLE TROUBLE MAKING TRAMP! IF YOU WERE NOT MY DAUGHTER, I WOULD HAVE KILLED YOU BY NOW! STILL MAY! Espio, go, tell the Princes that Micha is on her way back. Right now I need to bust down Kana's door and get that box.

Val, wait a moment?! VELENA WAIT!

It was too late, she was gone galloping out of her room and down the hallway.

Back with Espio…

Sighing out he runs back down out of his home and to meet the servant and they run to let Silver and Devon know what is going on.

With Matcha and Micha…

Right, that should be more than enough water for your friend and then some. Now come on, we need to hurry back down and go find my mother.

Right, I just hope we make it in time.

Don't worry if I know my mother, she is always one step ahead, even though she tends to be a bit of an airhead.

Micha giggles as Matcha lays down for her to get back on him. Once she is on, he races back the way he came not missing a beat yelling out to let everyone know to get out of his way. As they make it back down they head the way they saw his mother go and run that way. As they near the sleeping chambers of his mother, sister, and his rooms he heads down the way he heard yelling and screaming, and he knew something was up.

KANA OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW YOU LITTLE BITCH! I NEED THE BOX YOU TOOK FROM MY ROOM BACK!

I DON'T KNOW WHAT BOX YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT YOU OLD HAG!

As Matcha nears his sister's room he sighs out as he does a facepalm.

Not again. We don't have time for this shit. You best get off because you're about to see my full strength right now.

Micha hops off, and the moment she does, Matcha rears up and goes running near his sister's room and at once he yells at his mother to move out of the way. She sees him coming right at her and she moves out of the way in time just as he skids to a halt and turns around and uses his back legs and kicks the doors open breaking them open. Wood splinters and bits of the door go flying as screaming could be heard. All Micha does is let out a low whistle, impressed by it all, and goes running over to them and peeks in and sees him sitting on his sister to keep her in place as he looks up.

QUICKLY FIND THAT BOX NOW! IT'S A ROYAL BLUE WITH SILVER ENGRAVINGS ON IT!

LET ME UP YOU FAT BALL OF FUR! RIGHT NOW!

SHUT IT KANA! WE DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOUR SHIT!

At once Micha runs inside to look for the box followed by Velena. They go and start looking through everything trying to find the box, after about fifteen minutes Micha finds it and climbs Kana's bookshelves, and grabs it jumping down.

FOUND IT!

Oh, thank the stars.

Velena says as she comes over and takes hold of it and opens it at once to make sure what was needed was still in there. Nodding, she looks at Matcha.

Let the brat up, and go get ready, you're going back with Micha. I need you to take this box with you and give it to Devon and Silver once there. Make sure you pack everything you need. I'll send you with one of our fastest Nightmares that can hold its own against Savotorex.

At once Matcha gets up off his sister as she groans out and slowly gets up. Once she sees the box in her mother's hand, she gets angry and starts to run at her but Micha draws her guns and points them right at Kana.

I suggest you back off right now before I use REAL bullets this time girly, and this time I'll make sure to immobilize you for the next six weeks. As your mother and brother said. We don't have time for you shit. My friend's LIFE is at stake. I don't know what is fully going on, but if it was enough to make your mother jump a hundred and fifty feet from near the top of the Phoenix Tree, then it has to be bad.

Wait…

Kana looks at her mother surprised.

Y-you jumped from halfway up the Phoenix Tree without a scratch?!

I did, yes. I shifted before I ended up hurting myself.

WHOA…

That was all Kana said in aw.

Right, Matcha go get ready I want you ready to go in twenty minutes. Take whatever you need. Kana right now I don't have time for your bratty shit understand me?

Yes, mother, I understand.

And don't go talking...Wait? Did I just hear right?

Yes mother, and I'm sorry.

Velena looks at her daughter for a moment and nods.

We will talk later. But right now I need your help since you're the only one who can get the Rubylight Gemstones from Maku. I'll need two of the strongest ones he has. Tell him if he does this I'll make sure to repay him for it. Let him know we need it to save a girl's life. So please Kana. For once in your life do as you're told.

Kana looks to her mother, then at her brother and Micha, who was still holding a gun at her head. Narrowing her eyes, she pushes Micha aside harshly and goes running out of her room without a word. Velena calls out to her but she had already shifted saying she would meet everyone back at the stables.

Sighing out, she looks to Micha and Matcha who at once runs out of his sister's room and to his to get ready, telling someone to have her doors fixed. Velena looks to Micha and nods at her, as she leads the way to the stables.

Back at Silver Crescent Moon Kingdom…

Espio was rounding a corner with a couple of his men, and Birch. As they were nearing the entryway of the castle to meet up with everyone they could hear yelling.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE'S DYING?!

P-PLEASE LORD SH-SHADOW...GET A HOLD OF YOUR...S-SELF…

I WILL NOT GET A HOLD OF MYSELF! THAT IS MY PET UP THERE, THEY PROMISED ME THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF HER, AND HERE THEY ARE KILLING HER INSTEAD!

Upon hearing the yelling, Espio and the others go running to it, as they get near they see a flash of white run past them and a loud growl as something jumps at Shadow and knocks him to the ground and holds him down. It bears his fangs at him and Shadow struggles as it holds him down with every ounce of power it has in him.

PHANTOM!? GET OF ME RIGHT….

Phantom snaps at Shadow something he had never done before, and at once Shadow slowly clams down looking at him surprised. As Silver and Devon come closer to try and calm Phantom down he turns his head and snaps at them as they near, the others who had come with Shadow look on scared and worried, and dared not move. As soon as Espio got there with Birch and the others, Espio whistled a couple of times, and Phantom's ears perked up and he looked out the corner of his right eye but didn't move.

Espio, do something!

I'm trying, but you can clearly see he isn't happy right now. But I'll try to calm him.

Espio goes over to Phantom slowly and softly places a hand on his back. Phantom snaps at him and he filches away some, but the fangs never come.

Easy now boy. I know you're not happy, but you need to let Master Shadow up, he's just worried about your Master. Now come on, look at me Yeti…

Espio uses his old name and Phantom looks at him now whining at him. But doesn't let his guard down.

I know boy, now come on, show me those beautiful sapphire blue eyes, huh? Can you do that for me?

He looks at Espio, then back to Shadow, who twitches his ear out of habit, setting him off once more. Phantom growls out and snaps at him, making Espio lunge at him to hold him back by the jaws.

ENOUGH PHANTOM! LET HIS LORDSHIP UP RIGHT NOW!

Espio uses everything he had in to throw Phantom off Shadow and send him off to the side and sliding across the floor with a yelp and he crashes into a set of Armor making it fall over and fall apart with a loud crash. Espio stands up and over Shadow as he watches on, looking between him and Phantom, as a dark purple aura surrounds him. He slowly starts to shift as his tail grows longer and the spins on it become longer than before, all the way up to his back. Wings sprout from his back coming to a full six feet, and his horn on his face grows longer as well. He himself grows to another five feet tall, making him go from his 6'5 feet self to him a whopping 11'5 feet tall. Dark purple scales cover his body as his nails become claw-like and black. His muzzle grows out as his teeth grow into powerful fangs. Flames lick at his maw as he growls out as his eyes go from their golden amber yellow to a bright deep green as he speaks in a deep gravelly voice as the flames die down. Everyone watches on, the few that had come with Shadow gasp out in awe at seeing a Draconian before them. Espio's tail waves about as he stairs Phantom down.

I am warning you Phantom, to stand down boy. I know you're not happy with his Lordship for whatever reason of your own, but right now think what she would want? I know you know better boy.

Espio takes a step closer to him as he slowly gets up and a bit of the fallen Armor falls off him in a soft clanking sound. As he shakes he looks up at Espio and shy's away from him, as he bends down and holds a clawed hand to him and speaks softly to him.

Now come on boy, just calm down, please. Do it for her. Do it for the girl.

H-her name is Eris….Dragon….

Espio glances over for a fast moment and nods and looks back to Phantom.

Do it for Eris. Please, Phantom. Do it for her. For now, let his Lordship live and when she wakes up and tells us what happened then and only then will I let you have at him, I'll even help you then, you know me Phantom. You know I would never take your pray from you.

You best watch yourself, Dragon.

Shadow growls out becoming annoyed. Espio ignores him and places his tail near his mouth as if to tell him to shut up. Shadow huffs out as everyone watches on.

Come on now boy. I know the old you is still in there so, please?

After a few tense moments, Phantoms fur lowers back down and his ears go back as he lowers himself down to the ground in a submissive stance, which for someone like him was rare, but even though he was a full-grown werewolf, and of Alpha status, he acted more like an overgrown puppy then what he should be, he knew when he was beaten. He gently wags his tail and whines out. Espio chuckles out as he slowly returns to normal and Phantom jumps at him, knocking him over as Espio wraps his arms around him.

There we go, that's a good boy. I knew the old you was still in there. Later will meet in my garden and will try again with your training alright?

All Phantom does is whine out as he hears Shadow grunting out as he slowly gets up, he lets out a warning growl at him, and he stops, as Phantom's eyes flash Malachite a moment, but Espio shushes him.

The nerve of that BEAST! HOW DARE HE ATTACK LORD SHADOW LIKE THAT?!

Everyone looks to the high pitch voices that belonged to Lady Kayla and Lord Damon.

W-WHY THAT BEAT SHOULD BE PUT DOWN AT ONCE!

I AGREE! THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS IT IS! WHAT IS THAT THING EVEN DOING HERE?!

I WISH TO KNOW AS WELL! TELL US RIGHT NOW WHAT A FERAL WEREWOLF IS DOING HERE! WHY HASN'T IT BEEN PUT DOWN!? WHY IS IT STILL ALIVE?!

Both Damon and Kayla looked on beyond furious at what just happened, as Maverick helped Shadow up.

Because he is bonded with my Pet is why. You even think about touching that wolf, I will not hesitate on trying to kill the both of you. You know as well as I do if one or the other is killed it will cause pain agonizing and grief for them both, and before you go asking me how that is even possible, for a mortal and a supernatural being to bond, it's not heard of, but for a Feral to form a bond with someone like my PET, I do not know. I just know that when I found them, they were already bonded to one another and being sold as such. She won't even tell me how or why that was. All I know is that the wolf is very special to her in ways I can never understand. I hadn't had them for long so she refused to tell me her story. I told her when the time was right she could, that I would not force it out of her. But at this rate, it may not even matter, and I do not care. You…

Shadow looks to Blaze as he finishes brushing himself off.

Have my things taken to my room, why you show me where my pet is at once!

He growls out, as she looks to Silver who nods at her. She nods back and curtsies to Shadow.

Please, right this way my Lordship.

Blaze holds out her hands as she leads the way to where Eris was resting. On the way she tells someone to have his things taken to a guest room and that she would show him there after he had spent some time with Eris. Everyone else watches on but Damon and Kayla still looked pissed.

He did NOT just threaten to kill us, did he?

He did Damon.

The AUDACITY!

Enough you two.

Maverick shakes his head and rubs his temples as he looks at them as he places a hand on his hips.

You, Draconian. Tell me how you know this beast at once.

Espio finally got up after making sure Phantom would be alright and faced the Elder and bows.

The short of it is I once trained him long ago when I was a Slaver. I used to Train a lot of the Werebeasts for a former Grand Master in another region. That was before he was taken down and killed for treason against the new Grand Masters family. The High Lord Master…

Fenris, my father. Though a werewolf name, he could be just as deadly and vicious as one for a Hellhound. That fleabag was to have been bonded to me, due to his Alpha status as a pup, but even as a pup he was unruly and tamable. Attacked me every time I tried to form a bond with him, so I had Espio called in, and I told him to have the pup trained to listen to me so we could form a bond, but it did not go well when he attacked me at six months old, I was going to have him killed, but Espio freed the beast to save his life. I knew what he did, but I CHOSE to believe his lie on how he got away from him. I thought it was best, knowing full well that there would be no way for him to live on his own so I left it at that. Or so I had thought. So imagine my surprise at seeing him now, full-grown, healthy, and bonded to the very same girl I had hoped to save.

Everyone looks up to the top of the staircase as they all see Grand Master Bolt walking down. Everyone greets him as he nears.

Grand Master Bolt, it's so good to see you, your Lordship.

Ay, same to you three as well, I just wish it was under better circumstances.

Indeed. So you say this wolf was once yours?

Yes, he was. I'm glad that he got away and is well. Sure, I will admit I wasn't happy at the time and had Espio let go, and nearly killed at the time, though only at the orders of my FATHER, but even still.

Bolt says Father as if it was the most disgusting thing he could ever say in his whole entire life.

How is the Girl Grand Master?

Kayla asks as she changes the subject.

It's not looking good. I had hoped the Anti-Venom would work, but it's doing more harm. I get the feeling because it's vampire venom and not snake venom, despite the similarities to them both they are clashing and are making her prolonged death a sure thing now. If you would excuse me all, please. I wish to go for a walk around the castle grounds, to think.

Master bolt, would you mind if I came? I could use some fresh air as well my love after our long ride here.

Everyone looks up and they see a beautiful golden yellow hedgehog in a long powder blue and silver-white dress standing at the top of the stairs smiling down at him.

Maria, my pet, my beloved of course, come along my dear, I would enjoy your company a great deal. But tell me where our daughter is?

She is with her father Gadget and Mina right now resting.

Maria tells him as she comes down and nears him.

Very good. Then come along my beloved.

He holds out his arm for her as she gathers her dress skirt and holds it up and loops her arm with his and they head out to go for a walk together, leaving everyone to their own. Once they were out of sight, Espio sighs out and shakes his head, and pats Phantom's head as he rubs against his side.

Well, this has been quite the morning, wouldn't you say dork?

Devon asks Silver who folds his arm and sighs out.

You said it, Devon.

Well, I best go see if there is any way to move the girl to another room so I can have mine back.

You know that won't be possible.

Hey, I can keep trying. Anyway, why not tend to the elders for now, and show them to their rooms. I will have dinner prepared for us all in the meantime, if there is anything you wish, just let one of our finely trained servants who will be addressed you know. It doesn't matter in the least what it is.

I do have one request, if I may?

Lady Kayla?

Get rid of the beast at once. I do not want it around this castle at all. Kill it now, get rid of it!

She tells them in a deadly tone.

Well, anything besides that. I'm sorry but, the wolf stays. As Lord Shadow said, they are bonded, so therefore if one is killed the other will feel it, and I get the feeling, despite how the girl is right now, I get the feeling we kill him, she will feel it and will go with him. Even I know what it is like to be bonded to someone, and it is a feeling of such great loss and pain, I would never wish upon my most hated enemy. So you want the wolf gone, then let me say something here and now. Out of respect, and as a warning. If EITHER one of you touches that wolf….

He points to Phantom, who tilts his head at him curious about what was going on, not once taking his eyes off Lady Kayla and Damon.

I will PERSONALLY see to it that you're killed on the spot. I don't care if you're Elders or not. I WILL help Prince Shadow do it. For now, I will make sure that the wolf… no...that PHANTOM….will be kept close to Espio at all times and under his watchful eye. He will stay with him in his Garden home here at the castle and watch over. But you touch him, I will know, and I will kill you BOTH LADY KAYLA, Lord DAMON! DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!

They both look at one another then back gulping, but they nod at him.

C-Crystal clear y-your Majesty.

Good. Now if you don't mind, I am going to go see how Prince Shadow is doing.

With that, he turns on his heels and storms off but not without having a quiet word with Espio who nods in turn understanding. He bends down and he places something around Phantom's neck, just as Phantom sniffs at this item, and tightens it, making sure it wasn't too tight, and he stands back up glaring at both Damon and Kayla, who look at one another then back and clear their throats and brush themselves off. as Devon, walks off, the light from the late afternoon sun hits what was around Phantoms neck, and one could see it was Devon's belt, he had used as a collar, the studs in the belt and the buckle of the Silver Crescent Moon emblem shine brightly as the sun hits it. Phantom tilts his head this way and that as he looks at it in the chest plate of the Armor that had fallen over. He sits there with a goofy grin on his face as if he was proud of his new accessory he was given.

How about a spot of tea, Lady Kayla?

Yes, tea…Tea... Tea sounds like a good idea. What says you, Maverick?

Maverick facepalms shaking his head at them.

Your two are HOPELESS idiots.

With a sigh and a shake of his head, he turns around and goes to speak with Espio who in turn turns around with Phantom next to them, who looked happier than a fox in a hen house as they walk off to Espio's garden. Lady Kayla and lord Damon were escorted to some place of their liking for some tea.

Up in Devon's room…

Shadow was sitting on a stool next to Eris and holding her hand. Dr. Finitevus and Gold were nearby should he need them. He looks up at them and asks for some time alone with Eris and they nod understanding and leave. Just as they were leaving, Devon walks in and Finitevus stops him shaking his head saying he had requested to be left alone with her. He tells him he would be but a moment. They nod and leave. Devon sighs out and walks over to Shadow and bows formally.

Prince Shadow Of The Blood Moon Kingdom, I wish to welcome you to my and my brother's home. I know you wish to be left alone with the girl, but if I could have a quick moment of your time, please?

Sighing out and closing his eyes he nods, letting go of Eris's hand and pats it standing up, and bows back.

Prince Devon, I thank you for allowing me to show up like this out of the blue. I do hope you'll forgive me for any inconvenience I may have caused you with the Blood Moon Feast so close.

Think nothing of it, friend.

Devon holds out his hand to shake, why gesturing with the other for him to come have a seat at a small table so they could talk. At once, as if some unknown cue was said out loud, a Maid comes in with a Tea Cart and sets down for the both of them and bows before leaving. Shaking it Shadow followed him over as tea was served but he kept looking over at Eris. Devon sees this and sighs out sadly.

I assure you, Shadow, we are doing our best right now. Right now as we speak, we have someone on their way back with something we hope will help her.

What is it if I may ask?

He looks at him taking hold of his tea and sipping at it, if not just out of respect, but something to keep his mind at ease.

According to Espio…

The Draconian from before who stopped Phantom?

Yes, him. He knows Queen Velena, I will not go into detail, but I'm sure you've heard of her?

I have heard of the Centarian Queen, yes.

Good, then that saves me some time.

He says as he sips from his teacup as he sets it back down on its saucer and goes on.

As of right now, we've sent one of my Pets who happens to be my guard as well, to see her. Normally Espio would go, but his Nightmare was tired from a bit of a race me and my pet had on our way home. In short, we sent her on Savotorex to the hidden Centarian Queendom. Espio has been training her on how to respect and even ride such beautiful and powerful beasts, and with Epona too tired for the trip we've sent her with Savotorex.

Isn't that the Nightmare that your Mother owned?

Yes, we've kept him around for some time now. If anything, for my brother's sake. But that is another story. Anyway… As I was saying, Espio and my pet have been forming a bond with one another, and he wishes to one day take her as his own. He is already bonded and mated to Queen Velena as we speak. But with being a Draconian it is understandable to want more than one Female. Anyway, he sent her to see Velena, where she guards the Phoenix Tree.

Shadow sets down his tea and looks at him surprised.

You don't mean the very tree of legend said to have healing waters that can heal any ailment?!

Yes, the very thing. We've sent word...Or Espio has and she is on her way back now, but you must understand something Shadow if you could please.

Prince Devon?

You must understand, had my brother known or was even there he would have NEVER made the mistake he did. But he chose to believe the girl's wolf over you. I am sure you know why?

I have a feeling yes, and in truth, if things were different I would have done the very same thing if it was one of his pets he cherished deeply as much as I Cherish my little Kitten.

Mm...Yes, I understand. If I could be so bold?

Yes?

Have you two had a chance to bond with one another?

We have not. I've been taking it slow with her due to the hell she had gone through. She is still getting used to us all.

I see. Do you know much of her past Masters?

I do not.

Hmm… I see.

Why is it you wish to know?

Because from what my brother told me, it sounds like things didn't go right with your first meeting. He followed the Wolf, who I am guessing was there when it all happened, so he believed him over you, which is understandable as you said.

Yes.

But no, the reason I asked is that if she tells us a different story from what your Doctor, Mr. Prower told us, I will have to take into consideration keeping her here where she will be safe. That is IF she makes it.

Shadow looks at Devon, narrowing his eyes at him. Devon holds up his hands in defense as he goes on.

You must understand, it is only as a last precaution. But if she wishes to stay here, she will have a home where she will be taken care of and watched over. If need be I will fight for her safety. I know it is odd for me to do such a thing after losing my beloved Isis. But I will do it if I have to. Not to say what would your beloved Mate, the first-ever Neko to be mated and bonded to one of us, Maria, think if she was still with us today?

Sighing out, Shadow clams down knowing full well he was right. Right now, they both were in the care of the Silver Crescent Moon's care, and therefore Eris was under their rule. So by the laws of Ownership, and Mastery he had to do what was right by the laws set in stone or face punishment for breaking them. not to say, he knew Maria would want what was best for Eris as well. Seeing he had settled down, Devon goes on.

Good, now that you're calm. You know I only do this by the rights and laws of Slavery and such, and by the laws, I have a right to take her from harm's ways and make her my own if I see fit to.

Yes, I know, but know I will not give her up so easily.

Yes, I know. For now, I will let you be and have some time with her. As soon as the castle pet and guard Micha gets back, we will let you know. Till then stay for as long as you like. I will be in the room connected to this one, till further notice should you need me. Till then I am going to go tend to the others and make sure everything is to their liking.

Devon stands up and nods to Shadow who does the same back. As Devon leaves, he sighs out as he places his hands behind his back speaking out loud on his way out.

I somehow get the feeling that I'll be hosting the Blood Feast here in the next couple of days now that Elder Maverick, Damon, and Kayla are here and not where they should be. So you best be ready should that happen.

I will be. I'll send a messenger Chao to my brother in a bit, and let him know.

I will get back to you on the matter soon. Till then good day Prince Shadow.

Good day, Prince Devon.

With that, Devon walks out, closing the doors to his room quietly as Shadow sighs out and goes back to sitting with Eris for the time being.

At D'Coolette Manor…

So now tell me Mr. D'Coolette, on why I shouldn't kill you right here and now after I just killed the whole of your family, leaving all but your slaves, pets, which I have half of mind killing as well since some of them went after my little Carrot.

P-P-Please Monsieur Mephiles, I iz zorry for g-g-going after Madame Bunny, I promise not to do it ever again Monsieur!

Mephiles was holding a bloody blade in his and whipping it off with a bit of cloth as he looked down on a quivering, sniveling Antoine, head of the D'Coolette family. His viper-like eyes glare down at him as he whips it off, as he licks his lips.

Tell me Mr. D'Coolette, do you know WHY I drain the blood from your mate and children? WHY I did away with them slowly and painfully? WHY I didn't take your eldest Daughter right in front of you as I should have? Though I am still tempted to do so, she is quite the pretty little thing. She is of age is she not?

O-Oui Monsieur zhe iz! H-H-How about I g-g-give you her for harming Miss Bunny? An n-n-new pet? Zhe and Mizz Bunny get along well.

PAPA!? HOW COULD YOU!? MOTHER WAZ RIGHT ABOUT YOU! YOU WOULD GIVE UP YOUR OWN CHILDREN TO ZAVE YOUR OWN HIDE! YOU VILE FILTHY BAZTARD!

P-P-PLEAZE MY LITTLE R-R-RAINDROP, YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND!

The girl he was speaking to was a tall beautiful cream-colored eighteen-year-old Coyote mix, with long blond hair that was almost golden. Her eyes were a fiercely stunning crystal blue color. Her dress was blood splattered adding to how she looked right now. Though beautiful, she looked like a warrior Princess coming home from a battle. She wrenches herself free of the two who were holding her back and she picks up the hem of her dress and walks over to her father. On passing by Mephiles, who was holding out the knife handle, she grabs a hold of it as she watches her father cringe back in fear as the firelight surrounds her like a fiery aura.

M-M-MY LITTLE RAINDROP… WH-WH-WHAT ARE YOU D-D-DOING?!

What I zhould have done a long time ago when Mephilez told me what waz going on with you and Mother, you unfaithful piece of zhit. Az of right now you're looking at ze new head of the D'Coolette family. The first-ever Female Head to take over the D'Coolette Family. Together with my new Fiance, we will kill you. Speaking of which….

The girl turns around holding the knife at Mephiles growling at him.

You EVER take zhat long again to get your azz here, I WILL kill you next, OUI?! DO I MAKE MYZELF CLEAR MELMEL!?

Mephiles closes his eyes and chuckles out holding up his hands as up to her.

Crystal my dear beloved Reine. But if you're going to do what I think you're going to do, then you best do it now, look.

He points over her shoulder and she tilts her head and looks over it and her eyes widen for a moment till they narrow and she growls out, she throws the knife over Mephiles shoulder without looking and it lands right in the throat of one of the two men who had a hold of her just moments ago. He holds his neck as blood squirts all over, even hitting the other guy as he falls to the ground bleeding out. She runs after her father pouncing on him as she bares her fangs.

OH NO, YOU DON'T!

Antoine screams out as he tries to make a run for it but trips over a chair leg as she lands on her father and bites down on his neck and rips out his throat in a bloody mess as blood shoots all over her and anything and one around. She pants out with the bit of her slowly dying father's throat still in her mouth as Mephiles walks over, chuckling out as he looks down at Antoine who was clinging to his neck, as blood kept shooting all over as he died choking on his own blood.

And that is why I didn't do away or take your daughter in front of you old chap. For she already belongs to me as does the House of D'Coolette.

He chuckles out as he holds out a hand to Reine who in turn spits out her father's throat and takes it as she spits out his blood.

Vile creature. Vile blood. Just awful tazting.

Geez ziz, did you have to go all out like zhat? I mean I told you I wanted to be here when you finally killed the baztard.

Everyone looks over to the new male voice as another Coyote mix walks in, this time a male. He was a dark gray-brown color with silver-gray markings, and much like his sister, he sported the same eye color as her. His attire consisted of a pair of white pants, a powder blue shirt with ruffles, and a black-tailed vest with silver buttons on it, and a pair of matching black boots and belt. At his side was a sword, and his hair was blond in color and in a low loose ponytail. His gloves were white as he adjusters them. He shakes his head as he tisks at his twin sister.

Zorry Rory, but you were running late and Mel haz other thingz he needz to do with the Blood feazt around the corner.

Oui, oui, zo zorry. You're right. Zo very inconsiderate of me. Anyway, I do hope everything elze has been dealt with, Oui? Our OTHER ziblingz and whatnot?

They have my future brother-in-law. They have, and as promised you will be second, only to me of course…

Of course...

To the D'Coolette family, and you make take any of the family slaves as you wish.

Pleaze, if you azk me they all zhould be killed. They're nothing but filthy dizeazed ridden vermin if you azk me. Not to zay most of them are too old, or young, for my liking anyway. Do whatever you want with them. Zell them, kill them. I don't care. Just az long az I get my part in the deal we made I don't care.

Very well, and as promised I will send you what you seek. But first I need something in return if possible.

Oui, what iz it Mephilez?

I need you to hide someone for me till he is better.

Let me guezz, Zcourge?

Yes.

How bad iz it thiz time?

So far he only has half his torso and head back together so far.

Lovely. Very well. Bring him to me and I'll take him to my place. What of his Mate, the Lovely Miss Fiona?

I would rather not say.

I see. Zo he really did it thiz time, did he?

He did, yes, and it caused not just her life, but the life of his first unborn child.

I see. Zuch a sad wazte. Zhe was zuch a lovely zpecimen.

You're telling me. Why do you think I loved her so much, kid?

Everyone looks over as the men of Mephiles walk in with a slightly recovered Scourge with the rest of him in a bag.

Well, it looks like you've zeen better days old chap?

You're telling me.

Right, I'll take him with me so long as you don't mind me taking your zervant with me that iz?

I don't, and if you like you may keep the one holding Scourge's body parts in a bag. He is clean and still young. Not yet to be touched by anyone, not even me.

Upon hearing this, Rory's ears perk up and he looks at the one holding Scourge's body parts in a bag as if he was looking at a perfectly ripe juicy apple.

Well, he iz quite cute for a huzky, and zexy-looking. Ztrong...muzcular… nice tail to hold onto…

He says as he grabs ahold of the slave's tail at the base making him shiver out and flutter his eyes and almost dropping the bag of Scourge's body parts to the floor.

Oh like that do you?

Y-Yes Lord D'Coolette sir.

Rory chuckles out as he comes back to the front of the slave and stands on tiptoes and grabs a hold of his package making the Husky cringe out in pleasure.

Ooooo, not even fully trained yet are you, big boy?

He asks him with a lick of his lips as he runs his claws through his chest fur.

N-No sir.

Tell me what iz your name?

Rory asks him as he keeps rubbing at the slave's front door.

S-S-Stephen sir.

Oh, Stephie is it? I like.

Oh geesh, get a room you two. Or at most, if you're gonna do it, give my parts to someone else to hold.

Scourge says with a roll of his eyes and a shake of his head.

Yeah, what Lord Zcourge zaid brother.

Oh, zhush you two. Especially you ziz. You always have to ruin the fun all the time.

Rory says with a huff and stops as he folds his arms. Mephiles chuckles out smiling.

So do you like him?

How much?

He asks him with a wag of his tail.

Consider him a gift to our new rain over the D'Coolette family.

MELMEL YOUR THE BEST EVER! I'LL TAKE HIM!

Rory yells out overly happy as his tail wags fifty miles per second.

Good. You behave, Stephen, understand?

Yes Lord Mephiles I will.

Good. Now if we're all done here?

What of the mezz and other zlavez dear?

Yes, I forgot about them? Have them clean everything up. Once done… well… as your brother said their filthy vermin. So we will have them sold for twice as much as your family bought them for unless they are deemed too old then we will kill them.

Fair enough. Well, you all heard him. Ztart cleaning everything up.

They all start to do as they are told as Reine and the others leave the room, the whole time Rory was holding onto his new boy toy.

Zo I know a great dealer who just zo happenz to be in town right now. I'll zend for him in the morning and have him come look at our ztock…

You muzt tell me everything about yourzelf once we get you home. Oh, I juzt can't wait to get you home. I promize you I will treat you well, my juicy ztud muffin. Now once we get you home…

Sheesh, I wonder if he is always like this with every sexy guy around.

Scourge asks the new guy holding his bag who just shrugs and keeps following everyone else. As they walk on something catches Scourge's eye and has the slave stop.

Hey you, girl. Come over here.

A dirty grayish-white hedgehog girl looks up at him tilting her head as she points to herself.

Me sir?

Yes, you, come here. Let me get a better look at you.

Looking around for a moment, she gets up and brushes herself off, and walks over to him.

Turn around slowly.

Nodding she does as she is told. As she does, Mephiles stops and turns around as does Reine as watches them for a moment.

You look like a hedgehog, but I feel that is not the case, now is it?

No sir. I'm a hybrid, sir. I'm part hedgehog and fox sir.

That explains overly what I am to guess was once was a long fluffy tail, am I right?

Yes sir.

You don't look nearly as degrading as the others. Why?

I just came today sir, before all of this. I was kept till I was ready to be owned, sir. But that was when I was around thirteen sir. But no one wanted me so I was kept up till today and bought for the D'Coolette family. The conditions that most of us were kept in were not the best as is the way of a slave sir.

I see. Yet you're dirty, why do I get the feeling you're much whiter under all the dirt and grime?

I am sir.

And have your eyes always been the captivating crystal pink?

The girl blushes a bright red, despite the dirt and grime all over her.

Yes sir, so my father once told me long ago.

Are you pure and untouched?

I am sir. I have yet to come into my first heat, and won't for at least a couple more months.

Tell me, one last thing, girl.

Sir?

What is your name?

Winterose sir.

Winterose… What a lovely name.

Thank you, sir, I was named after my grandmother sir.

I see. I see.

How old are you? You said you're pure and untouched and your first heat would not be for a couple of months now.

I'm eighteen sir.

Eighteen? That is quite usual.

Within my family, all the girls tend to get their first heat around that time. It is rare for us to get it at seventeen, or at most sixteen.

Thinking for a moment, Scourge nods and tells Mephiles' slave to go on. That he was done talking. He nods and walks on with him, but as they near Mephiles and Reine he looks back over at Winterose.

You coming or what?

Sir?

Well would you rather stay here and be sold again or likely killed, or would you rather risk it with me where you will be taken care of? If you happen to be one of the lucky few who makes it to be sold, who's to say you won't be sold to someone who would end up doing far worse than what the D'Coolette's have done to you.

You have a point, sir. But if I may kindly be so bold?

Yes, what is it?

Well...it's not that I am grateful or anything….it's just...that…well...your...

She clears her throat as she shyly looks away and her long elegant ears fold back in shame at what she was trying to indicate as she lets out a soft giggle. Scourge looks at her with a tilt of his head and he looks down at himself and he starts to chuckle.

Come along, my little Rose, and I'll explain to you.

Y-yes sir.

She runs over to him as they walk past Mephiles and Reine as he tells her how he was torn limb from limb.

Well, I had hoped to have her rezold for four timez az much az the otherz, but I get the feeling if I tried to take her away from him now, he would kill me and you would let him.

You would be right on both accounts my dear. Well anyway, let us go. I need to get back home. I'm sure I have a messenger Chao waiting for me from Shadow. I told him I would keep him posted on things.

Well then. I zhall have my brother have her cleaned and wazhed up for him.

Let Scourge do it. He should be well and better in a few days, and I think he would enjoy pampering her himself. It's rare for him to take a liking to someone so fast. Why after he lost Rosy it took him nearly three hundred years before Fiona came along. Though he told me losing Rosy was a blessing due to how….INSANE she was. A lot of us were glad she was killed that day. Not one of us could stand her. Not even her own family.

That'z harzh.

I know. So when he found Fiona he knew she would end up being the right one for him, that was till Shadow killed her in cold blood after what happened with his pet.

Oh my, what happened?

Reine asks him as she intertwines her arms with his as they leave Mephiles tells her what happened.

Back In the gardens of Silver Crescent Moon Kingdom…

Both Bolt and Maria had stopped at the garden fountain and he sighs out. He had been quiet for a long time. Pondering over the events that had happened during the last couple of days since he arrived here. Maria catches this, but she knew it was best to let her husband think in quiet. That was until he asked her something that took her by surprise.

You've been awfully quiet, my pet?

Well, I learned in my years to let you think in peace. I know what happened back there is troubling you a great deal, my love.

Yes, it is. I didn't think I would see that girl again after all this time. Tell me where are they now?

Resting right now. Mina wasn't feeling too good when we got here, so Gadget wanted to stay with her and watch over her for now.

I take it that the change isn't going too well for her?

Right now I am unsure. It is as if her body is willing for it to happen, but it is like her will is another story. It's like it's fighting for her to stay mortal. I know this is something we all wanted when we learned the truth about you. You never wanted this life, but it was the life you were born in. So therefore you have no choice but to do it. If only we could have shown Eris long before then, and made her understand.

Yes, maybe then things could have been different, but sadly just as I was about to, she ended up catching the eye of someone during that night at the party I had. Sadly, I had to let her, and her brother go and sell them to him. There was no way around it at all. But on another note, do you believe that she will make it?

It is hard telling right now. I learned in my time of being with you and then some, that you can only trust, and believe so much so many have said. Someone says something, they tell someone else the truth of things, then that someone says something and bends it a little bit, and they tell someone who in turn tells their version till it becomes a twisted lie people will believe. But they said that they had another means of saving her, so you told me. I do not know if they can be trusted or not. But we have to hope. Oh Bolt, it's been so long since I last saw her. I'm so scared. She was so sweet and kind, so brave. How could this have happened?!

Maria looks at him, worried all over her face as tears well up in her eyes. Seeing his beloved wife, and pet in such pain, he takes hold of her and lets her cry as he pets her soft silky golden hair, trying to shush her.

Easy my beloved, easy now. I'm here. I'm here. You need to keep calm my dear, you will upset our child if you do and become sick yourself. So you need to keep calm as that doctor said.

She nods at him trying her best to keep calm.

There now, there's my sweet golden flower.

Bolt? I have a request...please.

What is it, my dear?

She looks at him as tears keep falling and she takes a deep breath and closes her eyes till she opens them again a bit calmer.

I'm only saying what if...but...part of me will not lose hope she will make it, not till it is too late….but…

She looks away as her ears fold back and she closes her eyes again as she grabs a hold of his shirt in her hands and balls her fists up and she lets out a soft shaky voice.

I want... to name our... daughter after her… please….I beg of you… she means so much to me...so please Bolt….if she doesn't make it…let me name our daughter...after her…

DON'T YOU DARE SAY SHE WON'T MAKE IT MARIA! HOW COULD YOU SAY SUCH A THING, YOU BITCH!

Both Maria and Bolt look up in shock, surprise, and over to their left and see Mina and Gadget standing there. The look on Mina's face was heartbroken, as for Gadgets' face he looked so upset at her as he spoke.

YOU NEED TO REMEMBER WHO SHE IS MARIA! SHE HAS BEEN THROUGH SO MUCH MORE THAN ALL THREE OF US PUT TOGETHER! SHE HAS LOST SO MUCH MORE THAN WE HAVE! SHE HAS NO FAMILY….HAS NO ONE TO GO BACK TO….SO YOU CAN'T SAY...she...won't make it. She is a lot stronger than anyone I have ever seen. Stronger than the three of us together.

Gadgie is right, Maria. She will make it, and you will see when she does, she will be so happy to see us all and how far we've come, and she will be so happy to meet your newest daughter. So don't you go and fucking say she won't make it, Maria you bitch...because...because….OH, CHAOS SHE HAS TO MAKE IT!

Mina finally breaks down crying to the point Gadget had to catch her as she fell to the ground. Maria runs over to Mina and holds her as all three hug crying. Eris had meant a lot to them all. Bolt stays where he was and looks up at the fountain's statue of the Late Queen as he closes his eyes and makes a praying wish.

"Oh Queen Selena, if you can hear me, then please, if not for me, then for my wives and Husband, let the girl….no...Let Miss Eris live. I beg of you. Let her live. Let her survive this ordeal. She needs to live. I sense a great darkening doom coming our way, I can not put my finger out it. But after seeing her as she was, alive and well, I can not help but feel that she may be the key to stopping it all. But not just that I can not bear to see my beloveds in so much turmoil and pain again. I just can not. So please you Majesty. Let her live."

He sighs out and opens his eyes, as silver tears fall from them, just at the same time as a shooting star shoots across the bright blue skies and turns around and hits the Statue of the Late Queen. Bolt gaps out and takes a step back as an astral form of a pure white feral vixen with icy blue eyes sits before him on the edge of the fountain as her tail waves about her like a soft cloud. She looked to be just as tall as Bolt was, but only taller while sitting on the edge of the fountain right now, and she speaks in a voice that sounded like soft crystal rain falling on a summer's eve.

"You're praying wish has been heard Prince Bolt, I will see to it she lives, if not for the sake of you, or the oncoming darkness, then to put the one's you truly love, pain at ease. I know you truly care for them. It is why you saved them, and wanted to save her. But know I will want something in return for this matter."

What? What is it, and I'll do everything in my power to get it for you, just PLEASE, don't let them suffer anymore.

The astral Vixen chuckles out softly as she jumps down from the edge of the fountain and walks over to the three and places her paw on Maria's belly and looks at him. At once Bolt's eyes widen as he gaps out.

NO! ANYTHING BUT MY CHILD! I WILL NOT LET YOU HAVE HER! YOU VILE VIXEN! YOU MAY BE THE QUEENS SPIRIT, BUT YOU ARE NOTHING LIKE HER! SHE WOULD NEVER ALLOW A CHILD TO BE USED AS A BARGAINING CHIP LIKE THAT!

The vixen again giggles as she stands up and walks over to him, brushing her tail under his chin.

"Who said I was the queen's spirit, Prince Bolt? I never said I was."

Wait...you mean to tell me…?

"Indeed. But what you were getting at just now, it wasn't what I wanted at all."

Then what is it if not my child you vile creature?

"In truth, you are only partly right, I do want the Child, but not like you think."

Then how?

The Vixen walks around him a second time and sits at his right-hand side wrapping her tail around her. Bolt looks at the corner of his eyes at her now wary of her. She nods at him and he looks back as the scenery around them changes and shows them in a room within Silver Crescent Moon. On a bed was Maria and she looked to be in excruciating pain, next to her was Mina and Gadget and him as she tried to push. Blood was all over the sheets and Maria looked drained of all life.

"In a few day's time, Maria will give birth. What you see before you is the future. Unless I step in and help you will lose both your wife and daughter. Not only that but the one named Eris will be lost as well. I am only telling you as a precaution. I do not wish harm on anyone, whether it be a newborn or not. But the birth will be difficult for Maria and she will lose a lot of blood. Your child will be stillborn and Maria will pass away due to it. Upon these events you will end up going into a fit of rage, harming the ones you love, and allowing the darkness to take over. But there is hope. If you allow me to be reborn I can ensure that both Maria and your daughter live, along with the girl named Eris.

Just who are you? WHAT are you?

You may call me Queen Galaxia, of the Astral Planes. My time has come to be reborn anew and I have been seeking a new life, it is fate that brought us together this day. I guess you could say that Queen Selena asked me to come. I heard her cries and pleads, as I have heard yours Prince Bolt, and I will do whatever I can to help the both of you out. But only if you allow me to be reborn as your daughter. If you do not then all will be lost. But be warned, even though this is the future, YOUR future, it is not absolute.

What do you mean?

It is true I can prevent THIS future from happening, but it does not mean that the darkness will not find another vessel to take hold of. Do not worry, it will not be anyone here, or at the castle, but it will find another soon enough.

So you're saying this is but one future for me?

Yes.

Then what will happen if we stop this one?

I do not know, my powers and abilities can only go so far. In truth, though I can see this one, and many others, something is blocking the many others and that may be for the best. So what says you, Prince Bolt?

Bolt doesn't waste time in answering as he looks at her.

Do it. Do it now. If this is the only way to save them all, then do it. Save Eris, save my wife and child, save us all from this pain and turmoil now."

With a nod, the image ends and she walks around him again, brushing her tail under his chin, and walks over to Maria and into her and disappears.

"Then so be it.

A vow has been made, a bargain strong and true, and together with this mark I give to you, of the Astral Plans my Queendom home, you are now and forever my Champion, as is the fate of your family. They will forever be protected for generations to come.

You've won my favor today prince Bolt and I will keep my promise to you. I will send help to the ones on their way here now. The one who was sent to retrieve the elixir of life, is now on her way here, but she will not make it in time, so say these words and say them aloud, and my people will come to both your aid and theirs. For my people are now your people... King Bolt, Of The Astral Planes, and they are at your beck and call."

Her voice rings far and wide as he opens his eyes as he feels someone touching his arm. He looks over and sees Maria with worry and concern on her face, the same was with Mina's and Gadgets.

Bolt?

Maria asks him.

Bolt, what is wrong? What is with your eyes? Not to say your fur.

Gadget looks at him worried.

Honey, are you alright?

Mina looks at him, as she holds onto Gadget.

He looks at them in confusion for a moment wondering what was going on. As he turned his head and looked down into the waters of the fountain he could see his eyes had gone from their deep amethyst color to the same crystal color of Queen Galaxia, and his fur, which was cream in color, had changed white with soft silver markings.

Hmm… so it wasn't a dream after all?

Bolt?

Maria starts off.

Hey, Bolt what happened to you, love? You look different all of a sudden.

Gadget asks him worriedly.

Now isn't the time for questions, I just hope that the Astral Queen was right. Now stand back all of you.

The Astral Queen? Bolt what is going on? Tell us, please.

Maria asked him with worry heavily on her voice and in her eyes. Bolt looks up and sees that the others had the very same look as well. With a heavy sigh turns to them.

Just a moment ago I was visited by the Astral Queen. She foretold a future where I would end up losing you, Maria, and our daughter. In a few day's time, you will end up having complications during the birthing here at the castle. She foretold that I would go into a fit of rage hurting you and Mina both, Gadget. Allowing some darkness to take over. But she promised me that if I allowed her to be reborn anew, she would give me the help I need.

Reborn? What do you mean Bolt?

Bolt looks at Maria and places a hand on her belly and it was then she understood.

Bolt, you didn't?!

I agreed too. I couldn't lose you, Maria. You mean the world to me, showed me a different way in things and matters, you all did. I didn't want to risk hurting Mina or Gadget, either. I couldn't stand idly by and watch as all three of you were hurting. I know how much the girl means to you all, so I agreed to it. She told me that if she didn't step in to help you would DIE, Maria. I couldn't let that happen, not to say she told me that Queen Selena had sent her as well due to her pleas as well. As of right now, I am no longer Prince Bolt of the Hellhound's, I'm now King Bolt of the Astral Planes, and Champion to her Late Majesty, Queen Galaxia. Please understand, there isn't much time left, and there is only a couple of days till we lose her. Please...All of you, you must trust me.

He looks at all three of them with worry on his face, all but begging them to trust him. Mina and Gadget were unsure but it was Maria who trusted his call and judgment.

I believe you Bolt, if what you say is true, then I believe it.

If Maria believes it, then so be it. That's good enough for me.

Me as well. We trust you Bolt.

We all do.

Mina and Gadget say together and he nods. They step back as he holds his hands together and says what he was told to say to call on his newfound powers. Holding a fist in one hand out in front of him, and closing his eyes he says what he was told to.

"A vow has been made, a bargain strong and true, and together with this mark I was given by the Astral Queen, I am now and forever Champion to the Astral Realm, as is the fate of my family for generations to come. I now call on my loyal subjects of the Astral Planes, hear the call of your newfound King, and lend me your aid, go to the Southwest to the Shadow forest and aid the one coming back here. Be quick, and make haste, for one's life is at stake."

Bolt opens his eyes right at the same time a wind picks up, just as Prince Devon was walking out of back to the garden where he witnessed six ghostly like figures run past him and to the southwest of the region. He goes over to Bot who, by this time, his look had completely changed, to look more fox-like than Doberman.

What in my mother's name was that just now?

Help your Majesty. Now come, we don't have much time. Until further notice, Maria, you're to rest till our daughter comes. You're not to give me any sass either. Do you understand me?

Yes, my love, I understand.

Good, now as for you Gadget, Mina, I want you to rest as well, Prince Devon, I wish to look into something, so I require the use of your Private studies, and library as well if possible.

Yes...of course Grand Master Bolt. Anything you need I'll make sure you get it. But those animals….where they…

Yes, in short, you're looking at the New King Of the Astral Planes. The first one ever with a mortal body. Now come I have much to do.

With that he turns on his heel, holding out his arm for Maria to take, she takes it and they all head inside.

Back with Micha…

The sun was already setting as Micha was with Savotorex awaiting Kana. With her was Matcha who also was waiting on her as well. Queen Velena was now in her Mobian form pacing back and forth biting the tip of her thumbnail worried.

WHERE THE HELL IS YOUR SISTER AT!?

I don't know mother, but please calm yourself.

Matcha we don't have any more time to waste. I have a really bad deep gut feeling right now if we don't leave now, we won't make it. So, please!

Growling out, he nods and hops on his Nightmare, and pulls on the rains. Micha follows suit as Matcha looks down at his mother.

I'm sorry mom, but Micha is right. We can't wait any longer. We need to go now.

Then go, AND HURRY!

She slaps his Nightmares back end and he rears up and bolts off, Micha pulls on the rains of Savotorex and he turns around and starts to gallop off as well. They race down the courtyard, and through the town, as people yell out surprised but them. As they approached the cave to the opening of his hidden home they were stopped by a couple of guards. Growling out he pulls back on the rains and glares at them.

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS! CAN YOU NOT SEE THAT WE ARE IN A HURRY!

We're sorry Prince Matcha, but we wanted to inform you that…

YOU FUCKING MORONS! WERE YOU NOT TOLD ABOUT MY LEAVING!?

Y-Yes Sir but….

BUT NOTHING, NOW OUT OF OUR WAY! YOU'RE CAUSING US TO LOSE TIME! THERE IS SOMEONE'S LIFE ON THE LINE RIGHT NOW, AND YOU'RE WASTING IT BY STOPPING US FOR IDLE CHIT-CHAT! NOW GET OUT OF OUR WAY!

Matcha growls out as he hits the Side of his Nightmare with his rains and it cries out and storms off, making the guards cry out in surprise just as Micha rides past them. They ride right into the cave, and keep going, allowing their Nightmares to flame up to light their way. As they near the exit they burst out of it and ride down the pathway, and through the forest scaring the animals and Flitters. Their flames hot to anyone but their riders. As they ride on they head right for the fork in the pathway as they hear someone call out as a flash yellow and sky blue comes to run beside them and they stop, Savotorex and Matcha's Nightmare pawing the ground.

KANA!?

Sorry, I'm Late Matcha!

Listen, we don't have time for…

I know, I know! But I got the gems, I was on my way when I saw you guys leaving so I ran after you. I tried to leave a message with the guards to let you know I was on my way, but you left. Maku was being a pain in the ass not wanting to let two of his most powerful Rubylight Gemstones go. I did manage though, but the price for them…

What did he ask for?

That isn't important right now, I just hope when mother hears of it, she can talk him out of it.

Kana walks over to both Nightmares as she places a Rubylight Gemstone on each of their leather straps. At once the Gemstones flare to life and she steps back as their hellfire becomes stronger and they start to change their looks. They grow a pair of bat-like wings, as fiery forelocks form on their legs, and back ends. They rear up and cry out as their hooves become cloven as they paw at the air and the land with a clomping sound as the ground around them cracks. Both Micha screams out surprised as Matcha chuckles out, and pats his Nightmares side.

Thank you, Kana.

No problem, now go before it…

Before she could say anything, a strange fog slowly started to cover the ground, and Savotorex and Matcha's Nightmare started to nicker and whinny softly uneasy.

Oh shit…

Kana says.

Not good.

Match states as he looks down the darken pathway.

What's going on you two?

There is no time to explain right now. Kana can you make it back before…

As he was about to ask his sister something, a roar from the darken pathway as the sound of heavy footfalls could be heard along with low growling.

SHIT! KANA GET ON NOW! HURRY! THERE IS NO TIME!

Not needing to be told twice, Kana shifts and runs over to her brother who had one of his arms out as he held the reins to his Nightmare, who pawed at the ground nervelessly. Just as Kana grabs a hold of his arm, there comes a blast of white-hot blue fire from the darken pathway just as Savotorex and Matcha's Nightmare take to the air, the hold time Matcha was holding his sister by her arm as they flew up. She cries out as she dangles in the air nearly sixty feet up.

HOLD ON KANA, I GOT YOU!

Grunting out he manages to pull his sister up as she swings her leg over the back of his Nightmare and she holds on. Micha looks down as something comes from the darken pathway and growls low and deadly, as it circles just under them.

What the HELL is that thing?

Matcha and Kana look down and sigh, as Matcha answers her.

His name is Dememorex, he is…

WAS…

Right… WAS, a guardian to this forest, till raiders came and destroyed half of it. He was once a great and powerful leader till darkness overtook him after the loss of his mate and children. He was once a Werehound…

You mean a Werewolf, Hellhound hybrid?

Yes, that's right. He used to guard the western side of the Shadow Forest before it was called that. When the darkness took over he became some sort of...MONSTER… forever stuck in his form you see below you. No one goes down that way and those stupid enough end up becoming his next meal.

Dememorex growls out as toxic icy blue saliva drips from his maw and hits the ground hissing as he looks up at them. Growling out he readies himself and leaps up, swiping at the Nightmares who cry out and fly higher.

Why would Espio send me down that way if he KNEW about Dememorex?

It was a test.

A Test?

Yeah, daddy had to make sure you could be trusted. Needed to know if you were true to your instincts or not, and you passed. Had you gone that way you surely would have met your maker.

Micha looks down at Dememorex and closes her eyes with a deep sigh.

Well, what now?

Now we leave. I'm sorry Kana, but you're gonna have to come with us, we can't leave you here with Dememorex out hunting, and I can't turn around and take you back. It would waste too much time.

Grate, I can just hear mother now.

Kana says with a roll of her eyes.

Unless?

Unless what?

Matcha looks over his shoulder at his sister with a raised eyebrow.

Drop me off at Silverlight pond, that hairball won't go anywhere near it. I'll be safe there. I have a hiding place where he can't get to. I'll hold out till morning.

Are you sure?

Yes, for once I don't want to piss mom off. So drop me off close by and you can fly to Silver Crescent Moon Kingdom.

Matcha, we don't have time.

I know Micha but I can't bring my sister out of Shadow Forest. Not till she is of age. Now come on, Dememorex is gone and we can ride the rest of the way there. It's not far and just on our way out. I promise we will make it.

Sighing out, she nods and they land. The moment they do they start galloping at top speed and make it to Silverlight pond and drop off Kana. They soon leave and head out of the forest and to Silver Crescent Moon Kingdom.

In Eris' mind…

You...must...not...die…

What?

You...must...live…

Who's there?

A...great...darkness...is...coming...coming…

What? What are you talking about? Who are you? Where are you? SHOW YOURSELF NOW!

Eris' voice echos out across the darkness of her mind as deep heavy breathing could be heard. The sound of heavy footfalls sound behind her and she looks behind her as fog covers her mind. From the fog, a pair of yellow eyes with red Sclera shine and she screams out.

NO! GET AWAY FROM ME! GO! GETAWAY!

She yells out as she starts to run for her life.

PHANTOM!? PHANTOM HELP ME?! WHERE ARE YOU!? SOMEONE, ANYONE, HELP ME?!

Eris cries out as she trips and falls. She grunts out more from surprise than pain, as she pushes herself up and looks behind her. The thing chasing her was now upon her and she had nowhere to go. She pants hard as she holds a hand to her chest and looks away, waiting for her death. The creature lowers its head and gently touches her with his muzzle. She looks out the corner of her eye at it and into his yellow eyes.

You...must...live...for only...you...can stop...the...coming...darknesssss….

W-W-What are you talking about? What darkness? Who are you? What do you want with me?

They come...in the dead….of night...seeking blood...death...and destruction...you...are the...only one...who can...stop them…

What are you talking about?

Eris asks the creature.

Please...stay alive...my...beloved…

What?!

The creature...whoever it was, faded back into her mind as its voice echoed back…

Stay...alive...stay...alive….the time is coming….for my awakening...only you can….stop this...stay alive….

NO, WAIT! DON'T GO PLEASE! WHAT'S GOING ON?! WHAT DARKNESS! WHO, OR WHAT ARE YOU!?

Stay alive…

Back in the real world in Devon's room…

Shadow had dozed off a bit when he heard Eris flailing around as if she was having a seizure. coming around fast, he uses his demonic speed and goes to the doors and throws them open yelling out.

I NEED HELP NOW! SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH HER!

At once, Gold and Finitevus come running into the room and over to Eris' bedside, not far behind them were Devon and Silver, and the Elders, Maverick, Damon, and Kayla who were passing by.

WHAT'S GOING ON?!

I don't know?! I was dozing when she started flailing about. HURRY, DO SOMETHING!

Silver grows out as he uses his powers to hold her still as Finitevus checks her over. After a tense five minutes, Eris finally settles down allowing Gold to use her powers to check her over. Silver lets go of Eris as Gold closes her eyes and after a moment she opens them as they turn a bright white, like before. After a couple more moments she opens them and sighs out looking at everyone.

NO….

It was all Shadow could say in shock.

I'm sorry, but unless that other remedy gets here by sunup tomorrow, she won't make it.

Everyone looks at one another as Shadow screams out in rage. He goes right for Gold, but Silver and Devon jump on him and hold him back as his eyes flicker from gold to red, and his demonic side fights to take control.

YOU SWORE TO ME SHE WOULD MAKE IT! THAT YOU HAD THE MEANS TO SAVE HER! SO FUCKING SAVE HER!

I-I-I-I'm Sorry...B-B-But I can't...not without that remedy!

Shadow screams out in rage as he throws off Devon and Silver. They go flying back and to the floor as he runs over to Eris and shoves Gold out of the way and into Finitevus' arms. He lays over her still, nearly cold body, and cries. It was like all those hundreds of years ago when he lost his first true mate and pet, Maria. Everyone watches on, not sure what to do. Devon sighs out and looks at the rising moon. It was nearly full and red, given another two days tops, it would be the Blood Moon. He looks to the Elders and they nod to him. Sighing out he starts to head out of his room.

Brother, where are you going?

Whether she lives or dies, I have a Blood Feast to prepare for. So right now I can not worry about this. It is my duty as a Prince to ensure things go right. I will make sure that the Other Elders don't find out about her, for if they do, it would cause a riot I'm sure. I'll call forth our strongest guards who can hold their own against an Elder and have my room, nae… this whole floor... guarded for now till the end of the Blood Feast. No one but the ones in this very room, and Micha and Espio, are to come up here. If anyone who is not authorized comes up here will be dealt with in a swift and orderly manner. Do I make myself clear?

Everyone answers yes as he places his hands behind his back and walks out.

Elders Maverick, Damon, and Kayla, I ask that you assist me in preparing for the Blood Feast if you please. Every vampire, vampiric hybrid, and such will be here in a couple of short days.

But of course Prince Devon.

They follow him out of his room, and the moment he does, everyone could hear a heart-wrenching howl from somewhere in the castle as Phantom howls out, knowing that Eris would soon be gone if something wasn't done soon.