Chapter 18: Demi-Dogs
Raph and Casey were running around worriedly, trying to find a way to dig the others out, but it didn't seem possible at all. Donnie only stood there as an elderly man had approached him and warned him what a Golem could do, and this Golem caused a sudden cave in the second before it died.
Leo, Mikey, Arna and April all had fallen into the cave in and got buried. "Don't worry." A voice came from behind Donnie who shot a look behind him to see who it was, it appeared to be a tall man with small chin hairs who was giving Donnie a smile as he approached.
"Damn it Charl, you just had to show up and reassure like always." The elder man growled angrily as he grouchingly limped away, "Charl?" Donnie questioned, Charl chuckled lightly, "Yep, that's my name."
Charl placed a hand on Donnie's shoulder as he still smiled, his smile was really reassuring and pleasing to see, but it also confused Donnie highly. "Don't listen to that old fool, Your friends are fine." Charl stated as he released his hand and walked past Donnie to stop and see the incident and scenery of the disaster.
"Wow, that Golem sure did a number with boulders." Charl remarked worriedly, Donnie was confused after what he said about Arna and the others being fine, the elder man had literally told him they were buried alive and with what knowledge Donnie knew about cave in's, was that they could literally crush people to death, even if someone survived it, they would still eventually die from suffocation or starvation if left for too long. "How are they fine…?" Donnie questioned Charl in confusion, wanting answers as he still didn't know hardly anything about this planet and its creatures.
Charl peered over his shoulder at Donnie, "This place used to have an underground tunnel system, and where they fell, is right above one. So they most likely fell into the tunnel without being crushed or buried, but they are trapped as the tunnel system was abandoned long ago."
Donnie worriedly looked at Charl who still had calmness in his voice and a reassuring small smile, this sorta creeped Donnie out a bit, but everything he was explaining, seemed legit. "Then how do we get them out?" Donnie asked, hoping Charl would help out or at least tell him how to get them out.
Charl turned to face Donnie with a large smile on his face, "You don't, at least not this minute." Charl remarked as he pointed at the sky, "It's getting dark, and trust me, they are safer down there at the moment until morning, there is a entrance we can go through at the other end of the town and search for them in the tunnels in the morning, you might also want to bring your two friends back into the town." Charl added as he walked past Donnie.
This frustrated Donnie, he was refusing to tell him where this entrance was and why he was waiting until morning, Donnie then began to know why though as he glanced up and noticed all the turrets activating and powering on, their barrels began to spin as if ready to start firing at something or someone. Donnie glanced at where they were all pointing at, it was the tree's and the forest area decently far from the town and the field, he could also start hearing tons of roaring and growling from the tree's area.
Donnie instantly knew Charl was warning him that something dangerous happens at night to this town, he quickly rushed towards Raph and Casey and as soon as he approached the two he grabbed them and forcefully dragged them away from the search and back towards the town.
Raph and Casey both angrily forced Donnie to let go, "What the hell man!? You seriously are not going to help find them!?" Raph growled angrily as he slapped Donnie's hand away, Donnie only angrily pointed at the tree's, the turrets began firing loud magic bullets at the tree's as soon as the sun had disappeared, it still was decently light outside as this planets nights were longer than earths and more brighter because of the night sky being more galaxy like with tons of stars, this planet also had two moons at night.
"Unless you wanna be eaten alive, I suggest we wait until morning!" Donnie growled at the two angrily, Raph and Casey both glanced at where he was pointing as the two also flinched slightly and covered their ears from the gun firing, hundreds, thousands of medium sized creatures came swarming out from the tree's angrily and charging towards the town.
Raph and Casey instantly freaked out and booked it back towards the town, "What the hell are those things!? They keep coming out from the tree's!" Casey shouted confusingly. "I dunno man!" Raph stated worriedly as they entered the town and glanced behind, "Donnie! What the hell is going on!? What about Leo and the others!?" Raph growled as he angrily gazed at Donnie.
Donnie gave an unamused look at Raph, "Those things I have no clue about, but one thing I know, those turrets only fire at things that attack the town, and those things clearly are bad news and right now were safer in town." Donnie explained about the unknown creatures that kept charging towards the town, considering the amount of them, the turrets actually kept them at bay and killed thousands before they could get close to the town at all.
"What about the others?! They could be dead for all we know!" Casey stated worriedly as he straightened from being tired of the sudden running. "They aren't dead, they fell into a tunnel system, they're safer down there than up here anyway until morning. I just hope they are ok, cause they could've gotten crushed by all the rubble." Donnie stated, "I'm worried about Leo though… he wasn't looking good at all." Donnie added worriedly as all three of them were staring at the dead golem and the cave in.
April had begun to lift herself from the ground and started coughing, she waved her hand in front of her face due to all the dust and dirt. She opened her eyes and glanced around, it was dark, too dark and she couldn't see anything. She then instantly remembered what happened, an earthquake occured and she along with Arna, Mikey and Leo all fell, but she thought she would've been buried alive.
April stood up with another cough and squinted her eyes, hoping that they would adjust to the dark, but it was pitch black, she came to the conclusion they most likely fell into a tunnel, which was lucky for them, otherwise they would've been dead right now. "Arna!? Mikey!?" April began calling for them as she straightened herself more slowly, "Leo!?"
"I'm… here.." A voice came close, April instantly directed her attention towards the voice, knowing who it was, "Arna!? Are you ok!?" April questioned her as she could hear Arna coughing as well. "Yeah, I'm good." Arna remarked as she also glanced around and realizing they were in a cave, she instantly began digging through her bag and pulling out a small torch that had green fireflies in a small cage at the tip, surprisingly they provided a bit of light.
Leo flinched awake weakly after hearing the shouts but also due to the sharp pain he suddenly felt mostly from his cheek, Leo glanced only to see that it was Jogo who was literally in his face, licking the cut on his chick. "Jogo…?" Leo remarked weakly, Leo lifted himself slightly and placed a hand on Jogo as she let out a soft happy but also worried meow.
Mikey had instantly popped out of some rubble as he happily and frighteningly shouted and letting out a cough afterward, "I'm alive!" April relaxed in relief, pleased to see that everyone was alright and not crushed. Arna had walked over towards Mikey and helped him out of the rubble only to both fall back and Arna to be crushed by Mikey landing on her, "Get… off me!" Arna shouted angrily as she flailed around under him.
"Sorry!" Mikey worriedly stated as he got off her with an innocent small smile, hoping not to get an angry shout at him. April had approached Leo and knelt onto her knees in front of him, helping him sit up, she knew he was in bad condition as he looked terrible and exhausted. She glanced at the blade that was laying on the ground close to them, the blade confused her, but she knew right away it was dangerous and was also the cause for his current state.
Leo was crossed and grasping his side tightly, he was extremely exhausted and hurt. He peered at April at the corner of his eyes as he was slumped down with his free hand on Jogo who was sitting in his lap attempting to stand on her hind legs and lick his cut but he kept forcing her down. "I know what you're thinking…" Leo remarked weakly at April.
April only sighed and glanced at his side, "You have two broken ribs now, don't you." April questioned him slightly with an angry tone as she then glanced at him, Leo only closed his eyes and didn't respond to her, she knew he did and didn't wanna say anything about it or worry her. She wasn't going to argue with him as it seemed useless, he was more immune to the scolding and anger she tended to give to the turtles.
Jogo gave up and only let out an annoyed meow as she looked at April, April only looked down at Jogo confusingly, Arna and Mikey had walked over, "I suggest letting Jogo do what she wants for you, Leo." Arna stated as she gave an unamused look at them, both Leo and April only looked at her in confusion.
Arna rolled her eyes slightly as she sat down, "Felynx's tongue and saliva are actually like a fast medicine. It can numb the injury and close it, stopping the bleeding. And by the looks of it, she wants to help you but you let her." Arna unamusingly stated as she pointed at Jogo.
Leo only gave an uninterested look and glanced at Jogo, "Well it's not like I accepted her, nor am I taking responsibility for her. I already stated we don't need another mouth to feed." Leo remarked as he had grabbed Jogo and placed her into April's lap. Jogo only refused and didn't care what he thought of her, or if he accepted her or not, Jogo let out an annoyed meow and leaped back into Leo's lap and curled up on him.
Both April and Arna smirked at him slightly. "Persistent." Leo stated as he unamusingly looked at April and pointed at Jogo, comparing Jogo to April. April angrily glared at Leo, "Oh… I'll show you persistence." April placed her thumb on her tongue and wiped it, Leo knew instantly what she was planning, "No.. don't you dare." Leo growled worriedly as he slightly leaned back, April only smirked and attempted to grab his face. Leo had grabbed her wrist and was holding it back, "That's disgusting, when's the last time you brushed!?" Leo worriedly remarked as he struggled. "I don't remember, so unless you want my gross saliva on that continuously bleeding cut, I suggest allowing Jogo to help you or let me tend to it instead of refusing the help of others. You keep getting hurt protecting me, so at least let me treat your injuries you idiot." April angrily stated as she let loose and gave him a sad expression.
Leo glanced at her hand as she stopped and then at her, he didn't say anything or really react towards it, but she had a valid point. April gave him a small smile, she knew he agreed and wasn't going to argue or be negative with her. Arna also gave a small smile, "Well, I'm glad we came to an understanding, but we're also stuck down here until morning. Plus, you're in no condition to really continue moving about." Arna stated as she pointed at Leo.
April knew this already as she glanced at him worriedly, he looked terrible and exhausted like he was about to pass out, and she also knew the cause but so did someone else. April angrily glared at the sword Leo had come across that was laying on the ground not too far from where they all were sitting, "What even is that blade that made him this way?" April questioned as she moved her angry look at Arna and pointed at the sword.
Arna moved her look towards the sword and let out a sigh, she stood up and walked towards the blade and leaned down as she grabbed it and picked it up by the hilt. This action surprised Leo slightly as he remembered just touching the sword anywhere would activate it and drain him, Arna noticed this instantly as he was the first she looked at when turning around.
"So you knew, but still proceeded to use it." Arna stated as she walked back over, Leo only looked at her confusingly, so did the other two. "This is a magic sword, there's only so many of it's kind left, they all were deemed too powerful and dangerous as it can drain the users energy and life away from just touching it. Not many are able to control their energy and control the blade, like an on or off switch, so many died using these weapons." Arna explained as she tilted the blade slightly showing it off.
"Yet you're touching it and nothing is happening…" April confusingly remarked, tilting her head. Arna smirked slightly, "You have to have magic power in you for such a weapon like this to even work." Arna pointed at Leo, "You clearly have some extremely powerful magic power in you with how easily you cut that golem up like it was a slice of cake. I on the other hand do not have any, so I've always carried important and resourceful items in the bag I always have on my back that I can use as an advantage or for help."
April and Leo looked at eachother, "Elder blood?" April questioned, Leo only shrugged, that was just blood vessels that enhanced his own and made his body slightly more stronger, he didn't see that as a power source in his system. Arna moved her gaze at Mikey who was pretty much not listening as he was attempting to pick his nose but couldn't as his fingers were too large, "Mikey, put your hand on top of the hilt." Arna asked him as she leaned the hilt towards him.
Mikey stopped and only looked at it confusingly but did it anyway, he placed his hand gently on top of the hilt, the parts that glowed before when Leo had it had turned into an orange glow, orange smoke began to come from the blade of the sword but instantly stopped as Mikey had instantly felt drained and collapsed back with a tired moan.
Everyone looked down at him confusingly, "Mikey only lasted like two seconds… that is sad. Leo lasted just about five minutes or longer… I'm honestly surprised you're still conscious." Arna stated as she moved her gaze at him with a small surprised look. "Does it actually shorten your lifespan?" April questioned worriedly as she glanced at the blade and back at Leo.
Arna lowered the blade and rested it on the ground, "No, even if it did, it wouldn't really affect our lifespan considering we don't even age anymore and stuck to the age we are now. I've been stuck as a twenty four year old fox for all the years I've been here since I arrived. But it seems like your limit is five minutes, Leo, If you exceed this limit, it can and will kill you."
Leo glanced at April as he knew she instantly refused to let him use it considering she gave him an ugly and also worried expression, the other's would most likely as well. Leo knew she wouldn't be happy with his choice, he moved his gaze back at Arna, "And if I can control it?" Leo questioned her, Arna shrugged slightly, "It's possible, but extremely hard to control or even overcome what this blade is capable of. Over time you might be able to, so long as you don't go over your limit, but even once you hit your limit, you'll still be exhausted and unable to do much, but you yourself are persistent as well and won't go down easy."
April chuckled lightly as she held it back, Arna was correct, and it seems this whole gang is persistent. Leo let out a small annoyed growl at April who only looked away with a small smile, April moved her look back at Arna, "You said we're stuck down here until morning, does that mean we can't leave until morning, or…?" Arna was being serious this whole time, she has been since arrival and has been very helpful since they all arrived with how this planet seemed to work, "Demi-Dogs." Arna stated as she pointed up at the ceiling.
"Demon Dogs?" Leo questioned as he and April looked at her confusingly. Arna shrugged lightly as he was partially correct, "Kinda, more like demon looking dogs, but they're more like vampire's than demons. They are in huge packs, they can travel in hundreds to thousands or even millions, and they are pretty common here in this area, they always show up at night and those gun turrets around the town keep them out and kill them off every night they show up." Arna explained a bit about them, they were slightly too deep underground to hear any current turrets firing.
"They are brutal if they get you, they will literally rip your skin off and gang you, like a hoard of bees attacking you or zombies and suck your blood dry. One bite from one of them can cause immense pain as they inject a certain venom into your system to cause you enough pain to stop moving and collapse from it. The venom doesn't kill, it wears off after awhile if you actually manage to endure it and escape or win." Arna stated as she gave a small wave, "If you're lucky and don't run into a pack of them that is." she added.
April and Leo were giving her a disgusted and worried look as she explained what these type of creatures were like and could do, "So you're saying… these Demi-Dogs are right above right now?" April questioned worriedly. Arna nodded in agreement, "Oh yeah, thousands are probably coming out from the tree's nearby and attempting to make their way to the town. But those turrets can fire extremely fast and take them out easily so not one can make it towards the town, they are dumb too, all they think about is killing and eating, not intelligent creatures unlike the Z-Dog."
"Z-Dog? Zombie Dog?" April asked. Arna smiled, "Yep, they are pretty intelligent like Jogo there, they are also very rare like Jogo. Unlike the way most people see and think of zombies as killing machine's, the Z-Dog isn't really one, it only kills when it's hungry and they're actually pretty harmless and friendly." "Very rare? You mean Jogo is alone?" Leo questioned as he placed a hand behind Jogo's ear and petted her as she began to purr. "I wouldn't say alone for her species, there are more like her, but her species vanished a few years back, they are extremely rare to see and come across, let alone having one become attached to you the way she does with you and I do not know why she did honestly. Some say they all died out and only a few are left, some also say they vanished into hiding in a hidden place and rarely come out, no one really knows what happened to all the Felynx's." Arna stated as she was unsure herself.
"Maybe they're becoming extinct? Like the dinosaurs did, are they being killed or hunted constantly?" April questioned as she had also reached over to pet Jogo as she felt bad and sorry for Jogo knowing she probably wanted someone to follow and befriend, probably feeling and being alone was devastating for her. Arna shrugged, "As far as I know about Felynx's, they used to peacefully coexist with us mutants and humans. Like the Z-Dog I explained, they only kill when hungry, aside from that, they're extremely harmless and very friendly unless they feel threatened or are attacked, then they can be very dangerous and powerful."
April only smiled as she didn't question anymore about Jogo's species, she only gazed at Jogo and happily petted her as she was purring and enjoying the attention, "Well, i'm glad you chose to be with us Jogo." April remarked happily, she loved Jogo even though she welcomed herself into the group and family and she honestly didn't mind as she and Mikey both wanted her when she chose to follow Leo. Though she herself didn't know why Jogo was more attached to Leo than the others, she would continuously follow him and be with him and even occasionally beg for food from him instead of the others, she practically ignored the others.
Jogo would always be with Leo all the time, though when Leo wasn't around and she would lose him, she always went to April next and then Mikey, she enjoyed playing with Mikey as well usually but would also instantly stop when Leo left or walked off somewhere. April and Arna were both confused with this, so was Leo himself on why she was so attached to him, but she posed no threat and was just always so caring and loving and April was mostly the one to notice it and appreciate it.
Arna let out a small sigh, "Well we all might as well rest for a while, seems we're in the old tunnel system." Arna glanced down at Mikey who was pretty much passed out still from when touching the sword, "Tunnel system? Didn't think there would be any in this world to be honest, considering its all fantasy and magical…" April remarked confusingly.
"Yeah, Leeri built an old tunnel system to hide in from the Demi-Dogs before they made the turrets many many years back. I'm surprised it's still here, if not for it, we would probably be dead, crushed and buried." Arna stated as she readjusted her sitting position. "There is a way out though, right?" April questioned worriedly as she also glanced at Leo who by now allowed Jogo to tend to his cut as she had climbed up and rested on his shoulder, and Arna was correct about Jogo, the cut had already stopped bleeding and closed.
"Sure there is, but were also pretty far from the entrance itself in order to get out, it would take quite a bit of a walk, that's why I suggest we rest first, even if we left now and exited back to the top, Demi-Dogs would be waiting for us to pick us off easily." Arna explained, giving a valid and accurate point, though she feared these tunnels a bit considering they were so old and would love to leave asap but Leo was in no condition to be up and moving, let alone walking with two broken ribs and almost drained from the sword, he was most likely in a lot of pain but just wasn't showing it, plus Mikey was passed out and most likely would be for awhile.
April sighed slightly but agreed, Leo didn't really state otherwise or show any negative terms towards it and Mikey was just passed out with a small smile on his face, most likely dreaming about some weird and dumb stuff.
"Donnie! We can't just sit around here and do nothing!" Raph growled angrily at the top of his lungs, the three were pretty much all sitting at a bench all devastated on what they witnessed. Raph had slammed his fist on top of the bench table which frightened Donnie and snapped him out of daydreaming and thinking, Casey was practically face planted on the table, mumbling to himself sadly.
Donnie gave a frightened and confused expression at Raph who was overwhelmingly glaring at him as they all could just still hear the turrets firing at the creatures they saw come out of the tree's constantly. "Did you hear me!? We can't just sit here all night! Did you forget nights in this damn dimension last way longer than back home, we can't sit here for twice as long until morning!" Raph growled.
Donnie didn't change his expression, though he slightly slumped and relaxed, seemed Raph was wanting answers from Donnie who was the brains of them currently, and Donnie knew Raph was very worried about Leo and April, so was he himself. Raph was supposed to be the second oldest but he was seemingly looking up towards Donnie for permission, Donnie only moved his gaze away from him slightly.
"I don't know, Raph. You gotta also remember, this place, this world is very different and we hardly know anything about it. Just marching off and searching wouldn't help the situation at all, we don't even know what those things are, let alone where the entrance to the tunnel system is." Donnie stated otherwise which upsetted Raph even more who let out an annoyed growl.
"I've been looking for you three!" A voice came up from behind Donnie who instantly shot a look behind and noticed who it was. "Charl?" Donnie questioned surprisingly as he followed Charl with his eyes who came to sit down and join them on the bench. "You guys aren't from here and don't know what's going on, do you?" Charl questioned as he moved his look back and forth from each one of them.
Donnie lowered his head into his arms on the table and gave an agreed nod. "Where's the entrance and what are those things!?" Raph growled as he was primarily wanting answers this instant. Charl only looked at Raph unamusingly, showing no affection towards his strong anger, "The entrance is right at the outskirts of the tree's at the other end of town where all the Demi-Dogs are literally popping out of, so unless you still want to go and be hoarded by thousands of Demi-Dogs, I suggest waiting till morning."
"Demi-Dogs? That's what those creatures were?" Casey questioned who had straightened himself and gazed at Charl. "They're vampire blood sucking demon dogs, they travel in groups of up to hundreds, thousands or even millions. They're capable of duplicating themselves and multiplying by constantly mating after every nightly raid, that's what the turrets are for. They absolutely hate the sunlight, they burn to a crisp in the sunlight, just like your ordinary vampire." Charl explained as he raised a finger in the air and made a circle, referring to the fact these Demi-Dogs come out from the trees all around the town, so there was really no way or point of getting towards that entrance until morning came around and they were all gone.
"How do people sleep at night…" Casey sobbed lightly as he lowered his head onto the table and covered his ears with his hands, frustrated with how loud and constant the turrets were firing, and the fact this is what happens almost every night for this town. Charl only chuckled lightly, "Wow you guys really don't know anything… People here have magical sound cancelers they can place in their homes. It blocks out the turret's loud gun firing so they can all sleep at night, including the motels here, you can only hear the turrets when you're outside the buildings here in Leeri."
Raph gave up and was practically pouting as he also tucked his head into his arms on the table, they had no choice but to wait out until morning came around, it was like a massive hoard of zombies trying to infiltrate a heavily armored base.
April had snapped her eyes open and shot upward giving an annoyed small growl, her, Arna and Leo, including Jogo had all pretty much decided to sleep until morning. But April couldn't sleep due to the fact Jogo had suddenly woken her up with her constant growling and hissing, April shot a gaze at Jogo and instantly became worried when she saw how Jogo was acting. The small firefly torch Arna had out still was providing light the entire time in the small cave they were in as it pretty much rested against the wall.
Jogo was standing in front of Leo who was passed out on the ground, she was all puffed up and in a defensive stance, continuously growling and hissing in a general direction and being protective. April moved her gaze towards where Jogo was directing her defensive attention, it was towards one of the open tunnels and as soon as she looked, she noticed a shadow and movement.
With how silent it was as well with only the angry protective sounds coming from Jogo, she had heard small growling coming from the tunnel. April instantly turned herself and shook Arna awake, Arna woke up and almost gave an annoyed angry shout but was shushed by April. Arna only gave April a tired confused look, but instantly knew why she had woken her up as Jogo was constantly hissing and growling still towards the open tunnel.
A sudden loud growl could be heard from the tunnel as it was slowly approaching, "Demi-Dog!" Arna stated silently and frighteningly as she reached for her bag next to her. April tried to wake up Leo as she shook him lightly and called to him silently, but he wasn't responding at all. She thought he was a light sleeper, but seemed to not be the case, she tried again and this worried her as he wasn't giving any kind of response. "Leo isn't waking up…" April worriedly remarked as she gave a worried look back at Arna who was digging through her bag.
"Nor will Mikey if you tried. They're both out cold and deeply unconscious, it happens to anyone who uses that magic sword for the first time. They won't wake up no matter what you do for a while, that's why I said I was surprised when Leo was still conscious." Arna stated. April still was worried as she glanced at him, even so, he was still badly hurt, she instantly jumped slightly when another loud sudden growl came from the tunnel, this time it was much closer. "Arna… I hope you have something to go against a Demi-Dog…" April remarked frighteningly, lowering herself.
"I'm trying to find it… I can't…" Arna was struggling to find whatever it was in her large bag, she had a ton of stuff in there as is. The Demi-Dog had already arrived as it slowly walked out and peered around the corner with its glowing red eyes, it instantly spotted the small group and also because it was hearing Jogo's constant hissing, The Demi-Dog instantly had its instincts take over as it was all about killing and attacking for them, it immediately darted and charged at them, letting out a large growl and snap.
April instantly became frightened and tightly closed her eyes not ready for the attack, but the attack never came. April opened an eye to see what had stopped the incoming attack only for both her and Arna to be shocked as they heard continuous fighting. It was Jogo, or was it, a large winged wolf had suddenly grabbed the Demi-Dog mid air as it had attempted to leap at April and Arna, it was Jogo as April peered around and noticed she was gone from where she previously was.
April was completely shocked at what she and Arna were witnessing, Jogo had grabbed the Demi-Dog by the neck mid air and instantly was dragging the creature and swinging it around in her mouth as she was twice its size. The Demi-Dog wailed painfully as it was being thrown around, it then managed to break free from Jogo's grasp and the two collided into one another, attempting to bite each other as they snapped and dodged.
Jogo leaped back slightly, causing the Demi-Dog to slightly loose balance but quickly landed back on all fours and recovered. But Jogo had also quickly reacted, she made a large spin and used one of her wings, slapping the Demi-Dog with it, sending the creature tumbling towards the ground as it whimpered loudly from the impact. The Demi-Dog instantly recovered as it toppled back onto its feet, where it and Jogo both came down to a stand off, growling at each other.
"Jogo might have an advantage in size… but…" Arna began worriedly, April only glanced at her worriedly and confused, "What!? But, what?!" April questioned as she wanted to know instantly, "Demi-Dogs may be small, but they are still like a vampire, and what do vampire's have on their side?" Arna remarked as she glanced at April, April instantly came to realization as she shot her gaze back at the fight worriedly, "Speed and strength…"