Chapter 7

There was something about the early hours of the morning that usually brought Ed peace. The sight of the rising sun coloring the dark gray stone of the basement a light shade of gold…the feeling as the cold air began to slowly warm up and lift away the chill that had settled into his worn body…Roy's soft fur brushing against his own as they awoke to another dreary day…But today was different, and while it wasn't necessarily in a bad way, it still caused Ed to fidget with uncertainty.

Two more days had passed since the agonizing transmutation that had changed Ed and Roy's lives forever. The pain that he had feared would never leave had faded away and was now a dull ache that was easily ignored. Ed had no doubt that Vance's care had had a hand in his and Roy's speedy recovery, the two of them now relatively free from pain as they began to fully adjust to their new lives.

Ed's body no longer felt so strange and foreign either, and while he still wasn't completely used to it, he was managing much better than before. The once awkward sensations and movements had become normal now, and speech was no longer such a daunting task. Ed and Roy had talked between themselves for hours one day, just trying to get used to their new vocal cords and grasping bits of simple human language that they had seemingly forgotten.

The one thing that had barely changed was the relationship between the two of them, remaining as strong as ever. Though showing affection and other emotions had become much different. Gone were the days of a calming hug or a soothing hand brushing along the back or against an arm. They had been replaced with a comforting lick or soft nuzzling into the others fur. They both now showed endearment as a dog would, which seemed completely natural to them.

Ed had no doubt that his previously pure human mind would have been absolutely appalled by such gestures, but now that he shared the space inside his head with a dog, it all felt completely acceptable. Ed's mind and, in turn, certain emotions and inhibitions, had been almost completely changed because of the canine's influence. But there was nothing wrong with it, he had learned to embrace it and just accept those parts of his animalistic half. If the dog had changed a few things as a part of that process, then so be it, if he wanted to remain mostly sane and in control.

"All will be fine, Ed." He turned to focus his attention onto Roy, whose eyes glimmered with sympathy as he gently ran his tail down Ed's back. He leaned closer against the cage bars between them in response, feeling Roy lick his ear in an attempt to calm him.

From around the basement all eyes were focused upon them, every chimera staring at Ed and Roy through the gloom of their cages. Some gazes gleamed with a certain clarity and intelligence, showing that some of the chimera's minds were still with them. Others had a wild and hungry glow, too lost to their dog half to be aware of anything but their own suffering.

As Ed took in the sight fully, his nervousness increased tenfold. Some of the chimeras looked friendly enough…but some looked like nothing more than feral monsters…so twisted and mentally broken that they had become the mindless beasts that Ed and Roy fought against with every breath. A small whine sounded from Ed's left side, and he turned to see Sammy staring at him with a look similar to Roy's, though he was much calmer than either of them.

"It is okay," Sammy said in a low voice as his gaze swept almost proudly around the basement and its inhabitants. "All chimeras just want to meet new friends. The Pack mean no harm, just curious and eager."

His fellow chimera's words did little to soothe Ed as he trembled in his cage, nervous about how the others would react to him and Roy. The dark furred chimera to his right only gazed at him fondly as his tail entwined with Ed's, holding on tightly and grounding him from floating away into a black sea of panic.

"Sammy has called The Pack today to meet newest members." Sammy spoke with a soft authority, gathering the attention of every chimera as they gazed at him with gleaming eyes. "Sammy knows that The Pack will help out new friends as they adjust to new lives. Those of The Pack that can speak and understand Sammy's words, please tell Roy and his pup Ed about yourself."

For a moment Sammy's words grew muffled and the world around him blurred as Ed tried to remain in this reality. Roy leaned over and nuzzled his cheek fondly, his warm breath bringing him back from the brink of unconsciousness. Ed then noticed that the chimeras around him were exchanging looks, seeming to feel as unsure and nervous as he himself felt.

"There is no need to be shy." Sammy's patient voice sounded from Ed's left side as the chimera gently urged his pack into speaking. Sammy sounded happier and more carefree than he had in a long time, as if gathering strength from the other chimeras. "Roy and his pup are good friends, nothing to fear."

It was good to hear the now usual gloom leave Sammy's voice; the once overly friendly chimera was still suffering mentally and emotionally in the wake of Ed and Roy's transmutation. Ed had tried his best yesterday to tell Sammy that there was nothing to be guilty about, but his fellow chimera had only shook his head and apologized before losing interest in the conversation.

"Faye will speak!" A small and high pitched bark sounded from a cage directly across the basement from Ed and Roy. The tiny black and tan chimera it contained was bouncing excitedly in her cage, receiving a few curious and amused looks from the other chimeras as she went on. "Faye is number nineteen, but Faye is a prettier name. Faye is lucky to have best mommy in the world! Anna is always nice to Faye. Faye loves her mommy, Anna!"

Soft murmurs spread throughout the stone room, the other chimeras who could understand her seemed to relax as the little chimera continued to bounce about.

"Mommy should speak next!" Faye squealed excitedly as she gazed with wide eyes at the black furred chimera in the cage beside hers. The female chimera looked almost taken aback as she watched Faye wag her tail eagerly. The older chimera sighed; closing her beautiful blue eyes as she rested her long and flowing tail across the younger's back.

"Faye gives Anna no choice," A few chimeras let out muffled laughs at the black furred chimera's words, seemingly just as fond of Faye and her enthusiasm as she herself was. "Name is Anna, number is sixteen. Anna has been here long time now, still misses the days before cages and stone. But Anna takes care of Faye now, loves Faye like her own, and loves Cale just as much. Anna and Cale are mates, taken together. Maybe Cale should speak next…"

A red furred chimera in the cage beside Anna's, at the very end of the row, jumped slightly at her teasing tone, seemingly flustered. His dark green eyes widened, obviously nervous and caught off guard as his mate let out a small bark of laughter at his reaction. "B-But Anna…"

"No need to be so shy, Cale!" Anna's eyes glittered almost mischievously as she leaned towards her mate and gave one of his ragged ears a gentle lick. "Tell new friends something about you, silly!"

Cale's pale russet mane bristled along his spine as he shot Anna a hesitant look. "O-Okay…Name is Cale…number seventeen…is Anna's mate…helps take care of Faye…a-and is shy about speaking…"

As the red furred chimera ducked his head in embarrassment, Anna lapped lovingly at his scarred cheek. A few chimeras let out sympathetic and supportive barks as Cale continued to fidget in his cage, leaning closer to Anna as she paused in her licking to give him some words of encouragement. "Cale did good! See? Not so bad, yes?"

Cale responded in a voice too low and mumbled for Ed to hear as a deep and low bark grabbed the attention of every chimera. They turned to look towards the right side of the basement where a large light brown chimera sat, his sleek fur speckled with darker brown splotches. The intimidating creature looked from Anna and Cale to Ed and Roy, his attention now on them. Ed tensed slightly as the chimera fixed him with an intense lilac gaze, Roy leaning closer to Ed as the huge creature finally began to speak.

"Name is William, number twenty five. William was once a scientist in this lab, but William didn't follow Master's orders. Master made William an example to warn the others to listen to him. William knows the true evil of this place…knows why Master does these terrible things…William knows how cruel other scientists can be…"

The room grew quiet as William finished talking and slumped miserably in his cage. The other chimeras whispered words of support towards the brown furred chimera, who seemed to ignore them as his intense gaze finally left Ed. From the cage right beside William's, a light blue gray chimera with stunning darker gray stripes nodded sympathetically as she rested her long brown tail against the large chimera's side. Her eyes gleamed like moonlight over water as she then turned her attention towards Ed and Roy, her gaze much gentler than William's had been.

"Name is Star, number ten." The pretty female chimera's voice was rough and didn't seem to match her delicate form, but it was full of compassion despite the harsh rasping. "Star cannot remember real name…forgot it long ago…But Star loves the night sky, so name fits. Star has been here a long time now and has seen others lose themselves…Star will never become like them."

Star's kind gaze helped to put Ed at ease, the female chimera seemed to radiate a certain calm that was able to reach deep into his being. As she finished speaking though, Ed noticed that Sammy's eyes had taken on a sad and weary glimmer, he too appeared troubled by the other chimeras that seemed too far gone to be saved. While Ed watched his friend from out of the corner of his eye, he saw Star crane her neck, focusing on a cage opposite the stone room from hers. Her blue gaze was fixed onto another chimera, her gravelly bark echoing throughout the basement as she tried to get its attention. "Would Colin like to speak next?"

Ed finally followed Star's gaze to see a young chimera, probably only a few years older than Ed, tense up as attention was focused onto him. His short and sleek sandy brown pelt was highlighted by a mane of pale yellow hair; a long and thin scar parted the fur across his small chest.

"Okay," The chimera named Colin ducked his head sheepishly as his brown eyes darted from Star to Ed and Roy. And while Colin's voice was a low murmur, Ed heard him clearly with his new and heightened hearing.

"Name is Colin, number is thirty. Colin lived close to the lab, was out alone in the woods when strange men appeared…never saw them coming…Colin hopes to go home one day to see family once more." The sandy brown chimera let out a sigh as he concluded his short tale, settling back down in his cage. Of all the chimeras so far he had spoken the best, maybe because he had so recently been changed, but it gave Ed hope to know that the human and dog mind could be separate and functioning for so long.

The room grew silent for the first time, only broken by the low whispers of the other chimeras as they cast sad glances towards one cage in particular. Ed looked at Roy to see the same confusion and curiosity gleaming in his dark eyes, the two of them wondering what exactly was happening. The chimeras seemed to be waiting for something…something that had caused them to go quiet with sorrow and pity.

"There is one last chimera who Sammy knows can tell their story." Sammy's voice was gentle as he focused on a cage a few spaces down from William's, right at the end of the row. "Sammy is sure Roy and his pup would like to hear."

A thin and ragged gray shape shifted in the shadows, warily gazing around the basement through the bars as he took in the world outside his cage. His thick dark gray fur was matted and littered with many scars as he stuck his ragged muzzle through the bars.

"No, will not speak. Not worth it." The chimera's voice was hoarse and rough, as though he hadn't used it in a long time. Ed caught Roy's eye as sadness coursed through them, both seeing that this chimera bore a collar similar to theirs…meaning that he must be…

"Twenty two, all chimeras know your pain…" Star's gentle yet similarly raspy voice spoke up. "All the pack misses Twenty one…Twenty one was loved by all. Please speak and let Twenty one live on through words."

She seemed to be able to reach Twenty two through the fog of his sadness as he let out a sigh, closing his eyes and lowering his head in reluctant defeat. "Star is right…Grace would want to have story told…Grace was so kind…"

A few surprised noises came from the surrounding chimeras; they seemed shocked to finally learn the true name of the former member they had loved so much.

"Name is Twenty two, don't need a different name. Twenty two was brought here with Grace and given his number…taken together off the street. Scientists have been cruel to Twenty one and his mate…took joy in hurting both. Twenty two and Grace were forced to test new collar that caused great pain…hurt Twenty two bad…but Grace didn't make it…just too weak…" Twenty two's words ended in a harsh sob as he withdrew back into the darkness of his cage, too overwhelmed with grief to continue his sad story.

The basement grew silent once more; the only noise was the harsh barks and howls of Twenty two as he cried his grief aloud. Eventually the other chimeras began to whimper sadly amongst themselves as they remembered their dead friend, one or two letting out their own sorrowful wails. Before the room could fall into an anguished chaos though, Sammy's voice rose up over the others.

"Sammy knows how loved Twenty one was…every chimera loved Twenty one…But The Pack must not give in to sadness over Twenty one's death." Sammy's impassioned voice grabbed the attention of every chimera, even reaching Twenty two who listened on over his occasional whimpers. "Twenty one was kind and warm…would want the pack to go on, even if Twenty one would not be there to see it. Let us take a moment to remember our dearest friend."

Every chimera bowed their head in devoted silence, Ed and Roy exchanging glances before they too lowered their heads in mourning. While neither had met this beloved chimera, Ed could relate to the feeling of losing someone so close and well loved.

A sudden and bitterly painful memory emerged from the dark recesses of his mind. Ed could remember watching on helplessly as a beautiful brown haired woman took in her last rasping breath…her hand going limp in his and another child's hands…They were all they had now…brothers flung into a harsh world on their own…Ed and…Al?

The name alone made Ed gasp aloud as a deluge of memories flooded through his mind like a river bursting its banks, nearly blowing him back from the intensity. They were huddled alone before a solitary headstone…now together and trying to survive on a deserted island…then agony and darkness as the metallic scent of blood and feelings of pure fear consumed him…Now Ed was standing on his own two feet with his brother at his side, the armor that housed the younger's soul gleaming in the sunlight. How could he have forgotten his little brother even for a moment?

"Ed?" He was brought back to the present by Roy's low and worried voice. Ed felt like he was dragging himself from the raging waters of his memories, and as the dark furred chimera lapped at his cheek Ed knew that he had made it safely back to reality. He turned his head to see Roy's anxious onyx eyes gazing back at him, his brow furrowed with concern. "Is Ed feeling okay?"

Ed nodded, watching Roy visibly relax as he stared back at him. "Yes, sorry. Ed just remembered something…something he can't believe was forgotten."

Before the dark furred chimera could respond they were both distracted as they heard Sammy speak up once more, turning their attention towards their fellow chimera to see him gazing kindly back at them. "Now it is Roy and his pup's turn to speak. Tell others about you."

Roy seemed to sense that Ed was still reeling in the wake of his returned memories, raising his head to look around the basement and at the chimeras that watched on in curiosity. "Of course, Sammy. Name is Roy…has no need for a number. Roy is from the military, has high ranking and many friends…"

Ed caught Roy's eye, seeing worry cloud his gaze momentarily. The two of them had learned how to communicate better than before, remembering certain words and how to properly speak them once again. They knew that the other chimeras might not be able to fully understand their more human than dog talk, so they dumbed down their words as best they could so they could be understood.

"Roy misses friends, but Roy is happy to still have Ed…" Roy turned his attention to Ed, fondness gleaming in his dark gaze as he nuzzled Ed's cheek once more before continuing. "Roy protects and cares for Ed, always has and always will. Ed will speak next."

Ed jumped slightly as every gaze turned towards him, becoming nervous once more even though he now knew these chimeras much better than before. As he trembled in his cage, Roy leaned closer and gave one of Ed's ears a reassuring lick, whispering to him before he drew back slightly. "Ed can do this. Do not be so afraid."

With Roy's comforting presence by his side, Ed took in a deep breath as he pushed away the worst of his fear before speaking. "Name is Ed, do not need a number. Ed was brought here with Roy and is glad to have his help and support. Ed has a little brother named Al that he hopes to see again someday. Until then Roy will be there."

The chimeras murmured approvingly, one or two even barking their names aloud as they welcomed their newest members. Eventually the room grew quiet, the chimeras turning to look at Sammy as he raised his head with purpose and a silent authority.

"Sammy welcomes Roy and Ed to The Pack and hopes they become friends to every chimera. Sammy ends this meeting now, let friends go on with their day."

As though following a signal, the basement once again grew a little louder as the voices of the chimeras began to mix together. Ed caught the glances of Star and Anna, heartened to see the kindness and acceptance gleaming in their eyes. A few other chimeras nodded or wagged their tails when their gazes met, clearly The Pack thought better of him and Roy.

"Both Roy and Pup spoke well." Sammy said as his gaze took in the sights of the basement, nodding approvingly before he looked at the two of them with pride in his blue eyes. "The Pack seem to like you, Sammy knew they would. Glad that they do."

As Ed felt warmth seep into his pelt for the first time today, he turned his happy gaze from Sammy to Roy. The dark furred chimera smiled back at him, leaning forward once more to nuzzle his cheek fondly.

"Ed did so well…Roy is very proud of Ed." Roy's words warmed his heart and happiness coursed through his body, blocking out any lingering aches left over from the transmutation. Ed nuzzled against the dark furred chimera's neck, lapping through Roy's thick mane of black fur as he leaned in closer, trying to ignore the cage bars that separated them.

"Thank you, Roy." Ed's voice was muffled as he buried his muzzle deeply into Roy's pelt, his view nothing but a sea of soft, dark fur. He was happy that, while he had lost his brother for now, he still had his steady and loving guardian by his side. Ed could face anything as long as he had Roy with him.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Roy could feel the sun's fading light and warmth slowly seep into his dark pelt as it began to descend in the sky, causing him to close his eyes in contentment as he let out a small sigh. At his side Roy heard Ed shift in his cage, their tails brushing together as his pup leaned in a little closer to him. For the first time during his and Ed's capture Roy felt relaxed, and he basked in the peaceful tranquility for as long as he could, knowing that it would all come to an end eventually. The sick and twisted scientists here would never leave the two in peace for much longer…

He shook his head, ignoring his inner worries to focus on the real world around him. The basement echoed with the soft voices of the other chimeras, Roy now able to pick out certain individuals from the fray after getting to know his fellow captives a little better. Even though the introduction this morning had helped to ease the worst of his and Ed's fear of the others, both were still a little reluctant to reach out and talk with them.

As Roy slowly opened his eyes he let his gaze wander around the basement, taking in the few various sights he had now grown accustomed to. The sun's dying light still glimmered off of the silver cage bars, dazzling his eyes momentarily as his gaze traveled the room. Roy could see the other chimeras talking amongst themselves, his wandering eye catching the gaze of Star as she stared back at him, her head cocked slightly to the side in curiosity. Seeming to notice that Roy had nothing to say to her, the silver chimera simply nodded kindly before settling down in her cage, her low voice now directed to William in his cage beside hers.

It seemed as though each chimera belonged to their own little world, limited only by the cages that confined them. Roy watched as Anna gently lapped at one of Faye's ears as the tiny chimera slept, love glowing in her blue eyes as Cale twined his tail with hers. William and Star seemed to be having a quiet conversation, both lying down in their cages as they shared words. He could see their gazes occasionally lift to look towards Twenty two, who lay slumped in his cage, his dark blue eyes hollow and staring at nothing.

After getting to know the few chimeras that remained self-aware, it gave Roy hope that he and Ed would be able to do the same. Even now the dog half of his mind tried to tempt him away from human thought, to lose himself in feral instincts and blissful ignorance. But after seeing the many chimeras that had lost their own personal battles, succumbing completely to this wild state, Roy knew he would never let the dog half fully take him over. If he became one with the beast, would there ever be any hope of returning to a human state of mind? Could Roy and Ed even be returned back to normal at all before then?

"Roy?" He jumped slightly at the familiar voice that abruptly broke him from his troubling thoughts. Roy turned his head to focus his full attention onto Ed, who was watching him with curiosity as their gazes met. "How is Roy doing?"

"Fine, was just thinking." He said as he placed a white paw on top of Ed's right and unfeeling one, hoping to put his pup at ease as he glimpsed concern in his wide golden eyes. "Thinking is…strange still…"

"It's the same with Ed too." The honey colored chimera said as he settled his head onto his paws, his chin resting against Roy's and his breath ticking his fur with every exhale. "Thoughts are weird now that a dog is part of him. Will get used to it eventually though…right?"

"Of course. Not as strange as it was right after the transmutation." Roy pulled away from Ed slightly and leaned more onto his right side, gazing at his pup and taking in his gaunt appearance. Since the worst of their agony had faded a day or two ago, the two of them had started to eat again. Though Roy knew that it would take some time for them to regain their strength, he and Ed had managed to eat at least half of their dog bowls since then. And while the dog food was terribly dry and bland…his human half screaming at him, completely mortified that he had actually eaten it…it was better than nothing.

"Nothing will ever be the same…will it?" Ed's low and sorrowful voice broke Roy from his reverie. His pup was gazing at him with nothing but anguish glittering in his eyes. "Ed and Roy will be trapped here…nothing but dogs…forever…"

In an instant Roy had fully sat up, withdrawing his paw and weaving his neck through both sets of cage bars to lap fiercely at Ed's ear. "No. Ed will not think like that…Roy and Ed will find a way out…will find Ed's brother and Roy's friends, they will know what to do."

His pup still seemed forlorn even though he had leaned in closer in the wake of Roy's loving contact. Ed's golden eyes gazed steadily down at the stone beneath them, his shoulders hunched with misery as he trembled slightly. "But how do Ed and Roy escape? There is no way out of the basement…Ed and Roy have already talked about this before…"

"Roy will find a way…just has to think…but Roy and Ed will be free of this place, Roy promises." He continued to lap soothingly at Ed's ear, occasionally stopping to nuzzle at his cheek in his task of calming his pup. While Ed still seemed unsure, Roy was relieved to feel the younger chimera's tail start to twine gently with his own as he relaxed. Sad golden eyes closed for a moment as Ed processed Roy's words, his body slumping against his cage's bars as he let out a sigh. "Alright, Ed will trust Roy to find a way out. But, please Roy, find it soon…Ed doesn't know how much more he can handle…"

"Roy will try his hardest." Roy said as he leaned back slightly to gaze deeply into his pup's brilliant golden eyes, drawing strength from the faint embers of hope that flickered in his gaze.

As the two of them huddled as closely as they could get to the other, desperately seeking comfort, both failed to notice the sound of footsteps descending the metal stairs. The basement grew eerily quiet and Roy was alerted that something was wrong when he heard Sammy growling from Ed's other side.

"Sammy smells bad scientist," The light brown chimera growled out as he bared his sharp fangs in a snarl of defiance. "Bad scientist will not hurt Sammy's friends."

Roy leaned his head way from Ed's cheek, sniffing the air as he picked up an unfamiliar yet unnerving scent. The metallic smell of dry blood and various chemicals reached his nose and Roy let out an instinctual growl as the foul scent grew stronger. He turned to look towards the base of the spiral staircase, his fur bristling with fear and rage as an awfully familiar figure gradually began to reach the bottom. Roy leaned even closer to Ed, who seemed frozen in terror, as a protective jolt surged fiercely through his body.

As Doctor Kramer reached the base of the stairs, seemingly oblivious to the few stray growls coming from the other caged chimeras, he smiled as he gazed at Roy and Ed. The twisted expression on his face and his hands hidden in his pockets only caused Roy to snarl louder, knowing that something dreadful was about to happen to him and his pup.

"Ah, it has been so long since I last saw you two…" The vile doctor lamented as he drew closer and closer. "I've come to miss our fun little experiments, so I thought I'd pay my favorite pair of chimeras a visit."

"Stay back!" Roy was surprised to hear Sammy's voice raised so savagely, taking on a feral tone as he snarled and snapped at the air in a rage. "You will no hurt friends! Pick on Sammy instead, coward!"

"My, my, feeling feisty I see, number one...Have you still not learned your lesson?" Doctor Kramer said in a low and slightly mocking voice as he stood only a few feet away from their row of cages. Roy added his own enraged growls to the fray as he huddled protectively against the cage bars that separated him and Ed. His pup had yet to make a sound or move, a terrible and overwhelming fear causing his golden eyes to glaze over as he trembled violently in terror.

"Bad scientist will face Sammy instead!" Sammy leapt at his cage bars, smashing savagely against the thick metal as he continued to snarl ferally. "Sammy will suffer so Roy and his pup will stay safe! You will not touch them!"

"Oh number one…you foolish chimera…you should have just stayed out of this. It pains me to have to punish you so." Doctor Kramer said in a mockingly sad tone as he began to withdraw something from his left pocket. Before either Sammy or Roy could react the vile doctor had closed the gap between him and their cages with an impressive speed. Roy saw a slightly extended rod directed at Sammy, Ed flinching along with him at the sound of crackling electricity.

Sammy's loud howls of enraged agony echoed throughout the basement as the cattle prod made contact with his chest, falling silent as his body began to spasm painfully. The suffering chimera flailed blindly for a few more seconds that seemed to last a lifetime, until the metal rod was pulled away. Sammy slumped over in his cage, foaming slightly at the mouth while he twitched helplessly for a moment longer. As the chimera's blue eyes slid closed, his body going limp, Doctor Kramer threw the rod down, facing Roy and Ed as he withdrew something from his left pocket once more.

Before either he or Ed could react, Roy was able to catch the briefest glint of silver as a knife descended towards his pup. Both watched on in stunned silence as the blade plunged deeply into Ed's right paw, the knife effortlessly slicing through flesh and fur as it was embedded firmly into the grated metal bottom of his cage.

"Ed!" Roy howled in horror, waiting for blood to gush like a river from the wound. But nothing happened, and while his pup looked shocked and scared, there was no pain on his features.

"So my theory was correct…he feels nothing in those limbs…" Doctor Kramer mumbled to himself for a moment, turning away slightly as he became lost in deep thought. "There is no blood either…I'll have to test this further though…"

Wide and terrified golden eyes met Roy's gaze as his pup whimpered before trying to pull his trapped paw free. The sound of grinding steel filled the room at the attempt, but Ed's paw was thoroughly stuck, only able to twitch uselessly against the blade that pinned it.

"Ed…" Roy whispered in anguish as he gazed at Ed, hating himself for letting any harm befall his beloved pup. Anger and shame rushed through him, making his fur bristle along his spine. Roy had promised time and time again to keep Ed safe…Roy was his guardian…but look at what he had allowed to happen…he had let his poor pup down once again… "Is Ed okay?"

Ed only let out another fearful whimper, shakily leaning his muzzle closer to the knife as he looked for a way to free himself. "E-Ed is not hurt…just s-scared…how does he get this out?"

Roy quickly glanced up towards the vile doctor, seeing he was still preoccupied with his muttered musings, as he leaned his own muzzle forward in examination. The fur and thin flesh around the blade had been torn away, showing a metal interior instead of the usual tissue and blood. Roy looked up at his pup as he gently nudged his muzzle away and tried to lock his jaws around the knife's thin handle. As he began to tug carefully, feeling the blade shift a little, Ed let out a low and frightened whine.

"C-Can't move paw…" His pup's voice was shrill as panic began to consume him, his eyes growing wider and his breath coming in quick and shallow gasps. "What will Ed do now? Bad s-scientist will do more…Ed can't handle that…Roy…p-please help…"

Roy felt like his heart was shattering as he let go of the knife, instead leaning forward to lap at his pup's cheek in an attempt to calm his growing terror. "Just stay still, Roy will get the knife out. Nothing bad will happen…"

He trailed off as Doctor Kramer turned back around, his tall and lanky figure looming menacingly over the two of them. As Ed let out a fearful cry, Roy felt hot rage flare through him like a growing fire. Why did this cruel man insist on torturing him and his pup like this? What gave him the right to inflict such agony on not only them, but the other chimeras trapped in this cold stone hell?

Roy's eyes narrowed to slits as he drew closer to Ed, a protective jolt racing through him as he felt a deep and feral growl rise from his chest to be released through his bared teeth. Roy continued to snarl as he stood and hunched his shoulders, hackles lifting threateningly as he huddled by his pup's side. The rage and absolute hatred of this man and his sick experiments gave Roy all the strength and energy he needed to protect what was so precious to him.

"Oh, how cute," Doctor Kramer said in a sardonic tone as he glared down at Roy, showing no fear of his ferocious display. "Are you trying to protect your 'pup' from me? Such a sweet and selfless gesture…You two really are that close then, aren't you?"

Roy's growls only grew louder at the contempt in the vile doctor's words, seemingly unimpressed by the bond he and Ed shared. Anger seemed to replace the blood rushing through his veins; feeling like a raging inferno was coursing through his entire being. "You will leave Ed alone, or Roy will tear you to shreds!"

"As much as I'd love to toy with you, I really must get started on my experiment before time runs out." As Doctor Kramer spoke he began to rummage in his lab coat pockets for a moment before producing a syringe. Roy's growling wavered for only a second as he felt Ed flinch violently at his side, both knowing all too well as to the contents of the vial. "You're only getting in my way."

As the horrid man drew closer to Roy, brandishing the syringe in one hand, he let loose a loud and booming bark, his jaws snapping and fangs slicing through the air in warning. But Roy didn't even get a chance at defending himself as Doctor Kramer dodged his attack and lunged forward, the needle flashing for a moment before it was stabbed deeply into Roy's shoulder.

"Don't worry; you'll get the antidote when I've finished with your 'pup'." The man sneered and smiled with a dark joy as the contents of the vial entered Roy's body. While he had known what awaited him, it had been a while since Roy had had to face such agony as it coursed through his body. He was almost completely unprepared as a different kind of fire consumed him, causing Roy to cry out as he shook violently for a moment before falling on his side in his cage.

"ROY!" Ed shrieked in absolute horror and panic as he watched his guardian succumb to the pain, Roy panting heavily as he moved his head just enough so he could gaze at his pup. Pure fear gleamed in those large golden eyes as Doctor Kramer turned his attention towards Ed, who seemed oblivious to the sick doctor's presence.

"N-No…" Roy managed to gasp out through the horrible agony that had now consumed his entire being. "Leave E-Ed be…d-doesn't deserve this…"

But Doctor Kramer ignored him, focused only on Ed as he fiercely grabbed his pup's tail, Ed letting out a tortured howl as his body was twisted so that the cruel doctor had easy access to Ed's whole body. His pup's wide and terrified eyes never strayed from Roy as Ed stared at him, the anguish glistening in his golden gaze hurting Roy almost as much as the pain serum.

"P-Please…let Ed go…" Again Roy's words were ignored, Doctor Kramer paying him no heed as he crouched before his current patient. Roy let out a wretched whine through his pained and labored breaths, his vision going dark around the edges as the agony began to blot out his sight. The only thing he was able to see clearly was his terrified pup attempting to cower away from the vile doctor that smiled at him with a twisted glee, Ed's gaze still locked onto Roy.

Roy was incapacitated by his own personal hell raging beneath his flesh, only able to muster up another pitiful whimper of pure agony. He was unable to help in any way as Doctor Kramer withdrew a large needle from one of his lab coat pockets and leaned closer and closer towards Ed.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

"No…Roy! Roy!" Ed wailed aloud as he reached out towards Roy. He had tugged fiercely at the knife that pinned his right paw to the metal floor of his cage to no avail. Watching as his beloved guardian had collapsed to his side in agony nearly broke his heart, and Ed had tried his hardest to comfort the dark furred chimera in anyway.

"Why is this happening?" Ed thought to himself as he continued to stare helplessly at Roy, who gasped and trembled against his pain. His onyx eyes never strayed from Ed, wide and pleading as Roy let out a small moan. "Doctor Kramer said his experiments were over…why is he here?"

Ed yelped against the fiery ache in his spine as Doctor Kramer kept a firm hold on his tail, preventing him from cowering away or doing anything to help Roy. Ed could only watch as his guardian whimpered and whined aloud his internal agony, whole body tensed as the pain serum seeped into every nerve and took its hold. He knew that Roy could do nothing to help him, and Ed could do nothing to help Roy, their shared distress reflected in the other's eyes. "Roy…please be okay…"

As Ed tried once again to get closer to Roy, his whimpered words were cut off, morphing into an agonized howl as hot pain shot up his spine once more. Doctor Kramer was now tugging hard on his tail in order to keep him still and in place. Ed tried one last time to pull away, but it was useless as the vile doctor's eyes gleamed with a growing anger, his face twisted with malice and sadistic pleasure.

"Stay still dammit!" He flinched at the rage and frustration that had seeped into Doctor Kramer's voice, not used to hearing such a tone come from the usually cold and calculating man. Ed let out a pained moan as the doctor planted his knee firmly over his tail, pinning it to the stone floor with his body weight while freeing up his other hand. Ed violently recoiled as he finally noticed the large needle grasped in Doctor Kramer's right hand. "Damn brat! Do you want the same treatment as your superior?"

Terror caused Ed's pelt to bristle as every hair quivered with fear. He looked away from the enraged doctor to gaze at Roy, sorrow and helplessness filling his eyes with tears. His guardian lay sprawled on his side in his cage, every muscle tensed with agony as he whimpered miserably. Roy's eyes closed for a moment as he grit his teeth, just barely able to place a single trembling white paw onto Ed's outstretched one, letting it rest softly against his own paw.

"E-Ed does not…want this…p-pain…" Roy's voice was low and raspy, each gasped word seemingly dragged from the depths of his suffering body. His eyes opened once more, damp from the grief and guilt that glimmered in their depths. "Please…don't w-want…Ed to feel l-like this…"

While Ed had been focusing his full attention on Roy, he had almost forgotten about Doctor Kramer, who made his presence known as he stabbed his long needle deep into Ed's left hind paw. While no pain had been felt, the faint clinking sound of metal hitting metal caught his attention as Ed turned to look at the demented doctor.

"No reaction from the left leg either…thought that is to be expected at this point…" Doctor Kramer muttered to himself, his malicious attention fixed firmly onto Ed as the anger slowly left his voice. His dark gaze wandered thoughtfully along his body, Ed flinching at the intensity in his eyes. "It doesn't bleed as well…"

"E-Ed…" At the sound of Roy's weak and trembling voice, Ed took his attention away from Doctor Kramer once more. His guardian's paw was still resting against his own as the dark furred chimera let out a low moan of agony. Roy took in a few quick and shallow breaths, body tensing as he mustered up the strength to speak. "J-Just stay clam…don't p-panic…Roy is…h-here for E-Ed…"

"Roy…Ed is so sorry…" Ed leaned his head through the cage bars and closer to Roy, careful not to alert the sadistic doctor who now seemed lost in thought. As gently as he could, Ed lapped at Roy's paw, hoping that the gesture had brought him more comfort than pain. "All this is Ed's fault…Doctor only wants to hurt Ed…Roy and Sammy were just in his way…Ed is so, so sorry that Roy has to suffer like this…"

"Roy would d-do anything f-for Ed…" His guardian's voice was faint, and while the agony was still clear in his tone, it held such gentleness to it. Ed gazed into Roy's dark eyes, watching as they seemed to glow a little brighter as love and warmth softened his pained features. "T-This pain…means nothing a-as long…as long as E-Ed is safe…"

Before Ed could respond he let out a startled cry of pain as the needle was stabbed into his left shoulder. Blood began to ooze from the pinprick, dripping through his fur as Doctor Kramer watched on with a disturbed fascination. Without speaking the vile doctor withdrew the needle, glancing at its bloodstained steel for a moment before stabbing it in deeper and lower than the first time.

As Ed cried aloud his torment once more, panic began to haze over his mind and flood through his body as he was jabbed again, this time in his elbow joint. Doctor Kramer's eyes seemed glazed over with a terrifyingly dark determination, seemingly lost in the moment and noticing little to nothing as he stabbed along Ed's left arm over and over.

Through his own growing pain and terror, Ed suddenly noticed that his fellow chimeras were howling at Doctor Kramer. A mixture of anger and disbelief hung heavy in the air, the raw emotions only adding fuel to the fires of Ed's panic.

"R-Roy…Ed is so s-scared!" He whimpered as he desperately flinched away from another needle jab, the long and thick metal instrument missing its intended mark to bury itself deeply into the left side of his chest. Ed let out an agonized shriek as the needle slid in between his pronounced ribs, piercing alarmingly close to his heaving lung. "H-Help…Roy…m-make it stop…please!"

"Ed needs to s-stay calm…" Roy gasped out urgently as his wide eyes focused fearfully onto Ed. His hold on Ed's paw tightened in an attempt at reassurance, but he was beginning to lose himself to his terror. He barely heard the rest of Roy's words as ringing filled his ears, dark spots dancing across his vision as Doctor Kramer withdrew the needle and stared at Ed with an unamused look. "D-Doctor could g-give Ed…the same s-shot if h-he wanted to…"

"Well you heard your superior." The demented doctor said as he leaned back slightly, taking in the sight of Ed's trembling body. "If you just stay still and stop it with that pathetic racket then I won't give you my serum. If you continue to cower and howl then I'll have no choice. I must finish this as fast as I can."

"N-No…p-please…no more!" Ed wailed, tears filling his eyes as he pleaded at Doctor Kramer in desperation through his ragged and panicked breaths. "P-Please…just l-leave Ed alone…"

That must not have been the answer he wanted to hear as the vile doctor let out a small and frustrated sigh, shaking his head as he reached into his lab coat pockets to produce another syringe. Ed's terror finally took full control, consuming him completely as he howled and thrashed in a blind panic. "NO! No please…no! Roy! Roy, help please! Someone help!"

But his desperate begging fell on deaf ears as Doctor Kramer leaned in closer, time seeming to move in slow motion as Ed watched the syringe draw nearer with wide and horrified eyes. A sudden and low growl from his side distracted both chimera and doctor as they turned in unison to look at what had produced the sound.

"L-Leave Ed be…" Roy's voice shook from a mixture of pain and anger as he glared fiercely at Doctor Kramer. While the serum had rendered the dark furred chimera immobile, the fiery rage smoldering in his gaze reflected his suffering. "Ed has done…n-nothing wrong…torture R-Roy instead…"

Doctor Kramer gazed almost thoughtfully at Roy, and for a moment Ed thought he had been spared from the same torture. Then a twisted sneer formed on the doctor's face, lips parting as he grinned sadistically before plunging the syringe into Ed's blood stained shoulder. "Such silly creatures you've become, the dog in you must be clouding your thoughts badly. You two should know by now that nothing will stop me from doing as I please."

Ed let out a shocked and terrified yelp as the syringe's contents entered his body, knowing full well what absolute agony awaited him. His yelp morphed into a howl that was cut off abruptly as his body began to seize as blinding hot pain scorched through his every muscle and nerve like a wild fire. As Ed thrashed helplessly in his cage, eventually going limp and slumping awkwardly onto his right side, he watched as Doctor Kramer's sadistic grin only grew wider.

"Oh you two foolish chimeras…" The doctor tutted as he placed the spent syringe onto the ground, the large and already blood stained needle that remained in his opposite hand gleaming faintly in the dying sunlight. "I had high hopes for you, but now I worry that the dog will eventually take you over."

Ed could do nothing as the needle pierced through his flesh once more; the pain he had once felt now amplified tenfold as each jab sent fresh waves of agony through his whole body. He now didn't even have the luxury to give his torment a voice; he could do nothing but tremble feebly as Doctor Kramer continued on with his experiment, now completely unhindered. Ed turned his gaze to Roy, his own suffering and anguish reflected back at him through the onyx eyes that glistened only a foot or two away.

"Ed…" Roy was able to whimper from his own personal hell, tears flooding his eyes as he stared intently at Ed. Their paws were still miraculously touching and Ed tried to draw strength from the comforting warmth that radiated from Roy's paw. His vision was now beginning to grow dark, spinning and whirling sickeningly as the intense pain grew to be too much. Ed managed to let out a weak whimper as the world around him faded to black, barely conscious as he gasped for breath, a new threat now making itself known.

The dog half of his mind now seized its chance, seemingly able to reach out to him clear through his agony. It promised Ed such blissful ignorance…to take on his suffering as its own, if only he just surrendered control…The dog wanted to be free, if only for a moment…how bad could it be to let it have full control…

"No E-Ed…n-no, no…Ed must fight it…" Roy's agonized voice cut through the darkness, somehow able to reach deep into his troubled mind even as Ed felt himself slipping away. Through the black shadows clouding his vision Ed was able to see Roy's face…able to grasp both the intense pain and absolute panic written on his features…gleaming in his tearful onyx eyes…

As Ed slowly began to become more in control of himself, the dog's mind seemed to pull back, retreating as though it sensed it had missed its chance. And while his agony still remained, burning through his entire being, Ed now knew that he had somehow managed to stay in control of himself. As the darkness of his vision dissipated along with his dog half, he was now clearly able to see Roy and his surroundings. While the pain returned in a wave of fiery agony, the look on his guardian's face helped to ease it slightly.

"Ed…" Roy's voice, still strained against his own pain, sounded profoundly relieved. His paw pressed down a little harder against Ed's as he finally regained full control, the sensation aching horribly yet still bringing him comfort. "D-Don't leave Roy…like t-that….must keep f-fighting it…never g-give in…"

It was then that Ed suddenly noticed that during his desperate fight for control, his mouth had gaped open and his tongue lolled out onto the cold steel below his head. The fur around his muzzle was damp with saliva as it pooled around his face. Had that small discrepancy in Ed's behavior been how Roy had noticed that he was beginning to lose control? Or had it just been instinctual? Whatever the reason, Roy had lived up to his title of guardian, and Ed didn't know how he'd ever be able to repay him.

"W-Won't give in…" He mustered up all his remaining strength, his tongue sliding back into his mouth as he spoke in a trembling voice. It was hard when every little amount of movement brought excruciating agony, but Ed still tried his best at giving Roy a reassuring smile. And while he could still feel each individual needle jab with a heightened clarity, the relief that Ed could still remain himself, even through the pain, brought solace to his heart and mind. "S-Sorry to s-scare Roy…"

Roy's eyes glittered with happiness before he closed them, taking in a ragged and shallow breath as he let out a relieved sigh. As Ed gazed at his suffering guardian, he himself trying his best to ignore his own renewed suffering at the hands of Doctor Kramer, a loud bang echoed throughout the basement. The sound echoed off of every wall as the howling chimeras grew silent, a single voice rising up above them in the still and frigid air.

"What in the hell are you doing to my experiments?!" The voice shrieked in a shrill tone, startling both Ed and Roy, their eyes growing wide with fresh fear in response. Strangest of all was that Doctor Kramer stiffened, swiftly withdrawing the needle from Ed's bloodied and battered arm as though he were a child caught misbehaving by his mother. As the sound of heels clicking against the metal stairs echoed against the walls, filling the cold stone room with the frustration held in the movement, Ed finally recognized who had spoken as they descended into the basement.

"Nothing that Doctor Lawrence wouldn't approve of," Doctor Kramer replied smoothly, his voice full of mock innocence as he turned to face the angered woman who stalked closer and closer. "So there is no need to get so mad, Doctor Young."

"Bullshit!" Doctor Young spat in anger, seeing clear through her colleague's weak excuse. "These are my experiments and no one is to touch them unless I give the order!"

Doctor Kramer grew silent as the female doctor reached his side, her tall figure looming over the vile man as she glared at him with furious ice blue eyes. Ed saw Doctor Kramer's mouth begin to open, most likely in an attempt to explain himself, but he closed it as Doctor Young inspected the sight before her. Her gaze wandered from Roy's tense form before taking in Ed's bloody left arm and shoulder, finally landing on the cattle prod and empty syringes scattered on the floor at her feet. The woman's lip curled with undisguised hatred as she glared down at her colleague, who still held his blood stained needle in one hand.

"And you've fucking poisoned them too!" Doctor Young's voice rose, sounding like a banshee's shriek that echoed off of the walls, causing both chimera and doctor alike to flinch at the harsh tone. "Why am I not surprised? You disgust me with your sick methods, Doctor Kramer!"

"And you're no fun," Doctor Kramer grumbled as he finally dropped the needle in his hand and stood to face his fellow doctor's wrath. "Stop acting like you actually care so much about these pathetic creatures. You know as well as I do that-."

"The antidote?" Doctor Young cut the sadistic man off, glaring at him as though he were nothing more than a dirty rat. "You have it on you, yes? If not then Doctor Lawrence will absolutely love to hear why you don't carry it around with your damned serum. You know as well as I do that he wants no lasting damage done to these chimeras."

Doctor Kramer let out a frustrated huff as he began to dig around in his pants pockets, eyes narrowed indignantly and mouth twisting into an angry frown. "Of course I carry it! These two were going to get it as soon as I concluded my test!"

"And that test was what, exactly?" Doctor Young seemed unimpressed, her gaze remaining cold and dark with silent rage. Doctor Kramer eventually withdrew a small vial of clear liquid from one pocket, holding it up to Doctor Young's face as his usual sneer of defiance returned. The female doctor merely glared back at him, eyebrows rising slightly as she waited for his answer.

"To see if that one," The vile doctor gestured at Ed, who flinched feebly at the raw frustration in his voice. "Has any sort of feeling in his metal limbs. Doctor Lawrence himself wanted to know as soon as he could!"

"Oh, and I'm quite sure he'd love to hear that, not only did you conduct this experiment behind his back, but that you took it over the top like you always do." Doctor Young's voice had grown quieter, her anger and frustration still very clear in her tone. She watched Doctor Kramer continue to feel around in his pockets for a moment before letting out a sigh. The female doctor snatched the antidote from her colleague's still outstretched hand and drew closer to Ed and Roy's cages. "Do you really want to end up as the boss's next human experiment?"

As Doctor Young knelt before both cages, her gaze seemed to soften slightly as she took in the sight of the two scared and suffering chimeras. She withdrew an empty syringe from one lab coat pocket, carefully sticking the needle into the vial and sucking up a dose of the blessed antidote. Doctor Young looked from Ed to Roy before she turned her attention to the dark furred chimera, gently sticking the needle into Roy's shoulder. From behind her, Doctor Kramer's voice rose up in a taunting tone. "But these two aren't human, not anymore. So why should you even really care about them as if they were?"

But Doctor Young remained silent, ignoring her colleague and focusing her full attention onto her patients. Ed watched on anxiously as the plunger on the syringe was pressed down, the antidote now entering Roy's system. Only a few seconds passed before the dark furred chimera's body relaxed, his eyes closing and his breathing becoming easier as the antidote took hold.

Doctor Young, seemingly satisfied, turned her attention to Ed as she began to wipe down the used needle with a sanitized gauze pad in order to disinfect it. Once the blood had been cleaned away the doctor then drew another dose of antidote from the vial. Very carefully, Doctor Young stuck the needle into an undamaged patch of skin on Ed's left shoulder before pressing the plunger down once more.

Sweet and blessed relief flooded through Ed's body like a soothing wave, washing away the fiery agony held deep within each nerve and muscle as he let out a sigh. As Ed began to relax in his cage he flinched only slightly as Doctor Young began to clean his wounds with the disinfected gauze pad she had used earlier. While the antiseptic still stung as it was rubbed against his damaged arm, Ed was just glad that the worst seemed to be over. Though his and Roy's torture had only lasted for a few minutes at most, it had felt like a lifetime to them.

Only when Doctor Young had wrapped up Ed's arm in bandages, her touch gentle yet confident, she finally answered Doctor Kramer. "I care because they are my experiments, living experiments, and I need to keep them safe." As she spoke, the female doctor pulled the knife from Ed's right paw and tossed it aside, watching through narrowed eyes as it clattered across the stone floor and slid under a nearby, empty cage.

"You and that weak little Vance are much too soft." Doctor Kramer sneered as his colleague, finally finished with her task, stood up and turned towards her fellow doctor. "Both unable to do what needs to be done."

"Vance and I see things a little differently than you, and thank god we do." Doctor Young scoffed as she strode past her colleague and towards the stairs. "If everyone here believed the same things as you, then all these chimeras would be dead by now."

Doctor Kramer followed Doctor Young up the stairs, his voice low and muttered, though Ed could still pick up the anger in his tone. He was very grateful towards the female doctor; while she was still evil she at least seemed to be on their side for now. Ed listened as their footsteps and muffled words faded away, suddenly noticing that the sun had finally set, the shadows of the basement slowly beginning to lengthen as twilight took over the outside world.

"Ed…is Ed okay?" His attention focused back to the immediate world around him when he heard Roy's low and worried voice. Ed turned his head to see anxious onyx eyes gleaming back at him as his guardian carefully inched closer. "Antidote has worked?"

Ed then remembered that their paws were still touching as he felt Roy's paw press gently against his own. The pressure and slight movement sent a jolt of pain up his battered arm, causing Ed to let out a low whimper before he instinctively snatched his paw away. He was now very aware of the damage that had been done to him, his shoulder burning dully and parts of his arm around the elbow aching terribly. The stray wound to his left flank had been thankfully cleaned and bandaged as well, even though the muscles around his ribs still caused him much pain as he breathed.

Roy drew his own paw away quickly, his eyes widening with horror as he held his paw slightly in the air, seeming too shocked to put it down. "Roy didn't hurt Ed, did he?"

"N-No…" Ed let out a pained sigh as he leaned closer to Roy, shifting his body and readjusting his left arm so that it was no longer stretched out awkwardly in front of him. "Arm just hurts a lot…needle really hurt Ed…"

"Roy is so, so sorry…" His guardian's dark eyes glimmered with sadness and unshed tears as he carefully threaded his neck through both sets of cage bars. Ed leaned as close as he could get to Roy, letting out a grateful whine as the dark furred chimera buried his muzzle deeply into Ed's neck, his voice muffled as he spoke once more. "Roy should have protected Ed better…Should have fought harder…"

"Roy did all he could, and Ed is very grateful." Ed said as he rested his head softly atop Roy's neck, breathing in his familiar and comforting scent as a thought suddenly struck him. "Roy pulled Ed from out of the darkness, helped him regain control…How did Roy know that Ed was in trouble?"

"Ed's eyes…" Roy withdrew his head from Ed's neck as he fixed him with an intense yet sorrowful look. "They…changed…became hazy and wild…Roy could see then that Ed was starting to lose control…starting to let the beast win…Roy knew he had to help in any way…"

Ed felt his eyes fill with tears, the sadness in Roy's voice tugging at his heart as he buried his muzzle into his guardian's black fur. As he let his tail twine gently with Roy's, he managed to choke out a response before his voice failed him. "Thank you…Ed is so grateful to have Roy….don't know what he'd do without him…Ed loves Roy so much…"

"Roy loves Ed too…" His guardian's voice was full of emotion as he began to lap soothingly at Ed's thick mane of golden fur. Roy gently nuzzled the back of his head, managing a few more words until he seemed to lose his voice as well. "Roy will never leave Ed…so Ed must never leave Roy. Roy loves his pup…would do anything for him…"

The two of them grew silent, each basking in the other's presence as they began to process all that had happened today. Ed was distantly aware of the basement slowly growing dark, the weak artificial lights turning on as the moon rose in the sky. He didn't know how long he and Roy stayed that way, pressed as closely as they could get to each other with their cage bars in the way, just taking comfort from the other.

Eventually Ed and Roy drifted apart slightly, gazing at each other as they settled down for the night, their exhausted bodies slowly succumbing to the pull of slumber. And even though Ed could not feel it, he gently placed his right paw over Roy's, watching as a grateful light glimmered in his dark eyes.

"Ed hopes that the bad doctor will never come back…" Ed's voice was low as his eyelids grew heavy and began to droop, his hold on Roy's tail tightening as much as it could at the thought of more harm befalling either of them. "Ed does not want to see Roy hurt like that ever again…"

"Neither Roy or his pup will ever be hurt again." Ed's eyes snapped open with shock, glancing at Roy to see the same stunned look on his face as both turned towards who had spoken. Sammy was sitting up in his cage, finally recovered from the bad shock he had suffered earlier that evening. He was looking down at the two of them with sadness glimmering in his sorrowful yet determined gaze.

"No…Scientists will never hurt friends ever again." Sammy spoke with passion and conviction in his voice, his resolute gaze now wandering around the room as he took in the sight of his fellow chimeras. His voice rose for all of them to hear as Sammy raised his head with purpose. "Sammy will free The Pack, even if it means his death. No chimera will ever suffer here in this hell again!"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

The growing moon hung heavy in the starry night sky, and every chimera in the basement had already fallen asleep long ago…all except Sammy.

As he had watched his fellow chimeras settle down for the night, Sammy found it nearly impossible to relax with so many thoughts rushing through his head. But one thing stood out from them all…the idea of escape and how he could pull off such an ambitious plan. He had long ago lost count of how long he'd been trapped here…even forgetting most of his human life in fact…but now was the time to fight back.

Sammy gazed longing up at the heavens above, sending out a silent prayer to the universe in hopes that any divine power was listening and would offer its help. The light brown chimera let out a sigh as he looked around the basement, taking in the sight of his fellow pack members before his gaze came to rest on Roy and his pup.

The two chimeras had had a very stressful day, both suffering greatly, but Sammy could see little to no trace of their earlier agony in their sleeping features, only Pup's bandages gleaming in the dim light giving it away. Their tails were twined together, Roy and his pup curled as close to the bars that separated them as they could get, trying to draw warmth and comfort from the presence of the other.

Sammy still worried for them though. Vance had come by with food for the chimeras earlier in the night and both the scientist and chimera had watched on in silent disappointment as they watched Roy and his pup pick listlessly at their food, barely able to manage swallowing a few bites before curling close to each other and falling asleep.

And as Vance had left, a plan began to form in Sammy's mind. He knew this plan would work for him, he had heard Roy and his pup talk about it long ago when they were human and desperate to escape from this hell. He just knew he'd be able to pull it off.

As Sammy settled into the blankets of his own cage, for what could well be the last time, dread darkened his thoughts. Tomorrow his pack would finally be free…but whether Sammy himself lived to truly see it was the ultimate question…


And so we get to learn more about a few pack members as well as see that Doctor Kramer is still the giant jerk that we all know and hate. And Sammy gets his own little afterword because he's the best boy. :3

At this moment I have no clue as to when Chapter 8 will be up. There's some stuff going on in my real life and I've only managed to get the first part done.

I'm going to say that it'll be up sometime around March to April, depending on how things go around here. I'll still be active and updating my profile here so keep an eye out since I try to update it every week, even if nothing much has happened lol.

Also the references for the chimeras, as well as the two new ones mentioned, are up on my Reddit account (under the same name as here). There is also references for the scientists as well, and that is the main place that I'll post art related to this fic. So check it out if you get the chance!

If you see any major typos please tell me, I just got a new keyboard and I'm still getting used to the layout of the keys. I've read over this chapter about 10 times and my eyes will easily miss stupid little things lol. X'D

Thank you for all the favorites, follows, and reviews, not just on this story, but all my other ones too. You guys are fucking awesome and I wish I could hug all of you. I hope you all will just settle for a virtual one instead lol.

Anyway, I'll see you all in the next chapter!

:3