For the past 70 years, King Air Bud had had a pretty good record. They had almost located their first hatched bud, and were making good time. Most other newbies were either making a bunch of unstable buds, or still had a couple hundred years before retrieving their bud, so in comparison, King and Lord were doing pretty grand.

So when two bulls showed up at the door, King had a small heart attack. It probably had something to do with the fact that the last time King saw these guards, he lost two of his legs. With a wavering voice, King greeted the two buds.

"You're coming with us." The bud on the right commanded. "You are needed by the great Licorice Bud."

Licorice Bud? King thought. Why would he need me?

Hesitantly, King followed the two buds, who led him into some sort of limousine. One of the bulls got into the driver seat, the other in the passenger seat. The limo drove off, and King sat in silence.

"Coffee?" The sudden voice shocked King, and looking up, he saw the silhouette of Licorice Bud. Somehow, despite being in direct sunlight, every part of his body was a shadow, and his form was indistinguishable, almost blob-like. He was holding a cup of coffee, but because of the whole silhouette thing, it just looked like a mug suspended in the air.

King, flustered, nodded quickly and Licorice Bud poured a steaming pot of coffee into a small mug, handing it to the canine. After a slow, hesitant sip of the scorching liquid, King asked the intimidating shadow, "So, w-what did you need m-me for?"

Licorice Bud set down his mug, and despite his hidden eyes, King could feel his piercing stare. "I'd just like to know why, for the past 70 years, you've built up over 7000 universes. There's no way you could retrieve all those buds in your lifetime. What exactly do you have in mind for these universes?"

King stiffed up like a plank and started with a quivering voice, "s-seven thousand universes? S-sorry sir, but I'm afraid I don't know what you're t-talking about. W-we only made the one u-universe-"

"Don't lie to me, Air Bud." Licorice Bud interrupted in a demanding voice. King went pale as Licorice Bud continued. "According to reports from the center of bud development, several universes have been made every night for the last 70 years. They must be saved somewhere on you Megadrive, hm? I just want to warn you that every universe you make takes up valuable space in the void, and I would hate to have all that space wasted."

"I swear, I don't know anything!" King stuttered.

A brief silence followed, until it was broken by the terrified yelp of King as something gripped his shoulder. King turned to see some kind of appendage extending out from Licorice Bud and patting his shoulder, still drowned in shadow. The grip felt surprisingly soft, yet forceful.

"I knew you were a loyal bud, Air Bud." Licorice Bud complimented, with a suddenly brighter demeanor. King, shocked, responded with a soft "What?"

Licorice Bud recoiled his appendage to the side of his body, and it seemed to fold up beside his torso. "You always were very truthful, King Air Bud. Even when we last met, I could tell that you had no malice."

King intently listened on as Licorice Bud read him like a book. "You seem like a genuinely good bud, but you're held back by something, or rather, someone." Licorice Bud took a sip of coffee. "Your brother."

King was taken aback. "N-not really, he's fine..."

Licorice Bud wore a smile filled with pity. "You are much too forgiving. The records don't lie, King, so if you don't know about the many universes created by your Megadrive, it must have been your brother."

"N-no!" King was almost shouting. "Why would he want to make all those universes?"

"That's what I'm trying to figure out." Licorice Bud muttered calmly. "And you're going to help me."

"M-me?!" King responded.

"Yes. You guys are almost done retrieving your bud, right?"

"Well, yes. We've located the planet on which the bud is currently locked up. It should take us only another couple days."

"Great. I need you to go with your brother on the next few retrieval missions."

"Me? Who's going to survey?"

"Don't worry about that, Air Bud. This is a direct order. I need you to follow Lord Air Bud on the next couple missions and monitor him. Make sure he's not doing any funny business, and try to ask him why he might be doing this. I will expect a report from you by next week."

"O-ok..." King Air Bud hesitantly confirmed. "I don't think he's responsible for this, but I'll see what I can do."

Licorice Bud gave Air Bud an invisible somber smile as the limousine pulled back up to the Air Bud household. One of the bulls opened the door to escort King out. As King started to step out, he heard Licorice Bud whisper under his breath: "Release your hatred..."

The limousine drove off, leaving King Air Bud sitting alone in the open field. He gazed up at the house they built above the field, the intimidating building looking down on him. With a sigh, he started up the hill to his house.